Is there a difference between in person and online hypnotherapy?
Both these clients saw me for hypnotherapy to help them resolve their issues and move forward in life, but can you tell which one of them had online hypnotherapy sessions?
“I was struggling with a situation which was causing severe anxiety and depression. I had to respond and do battle, but was virtually unable to move. I had heard of Ali and her work, she has a good reputation. Working with Ali was easy, positive and it's worked! I'm back to being myself, I'm confident and have the tools to control my brain.” Ginette
“I was suffering with symptoms of anxiety and had started to feel trapped by repetitive thoughts and struggling to manage bad memories. As a result of the sessions and engaging with the process I feel more like myself and able to trust myself again to not let things spiral. I am sleeping well, feeling motivated, have more energy and enjoying my life again.” Lisa
It’s unlikely you can tell a difference and that’s because, people who choose to have online hypnotherapy can expect the same results as someone who prefers to work in person with their therapist.
Why choose to have online hypnotherapy?
As well as being effective, online hypnotherapy has many other benefits. I started offering hypnotherapy virtually because clients who recommended me to friends who lived too far away to see me in person. Since then people have chosen to see me for online hypnotherapy for comfort, convenience and choice.
Many people I work with struggle with overwhelm, sensory issues and nervous system dysregulation, which means working online is the preferred choice because it allows you to control and manage your environment to be as comfortable as possible whilst in therapy.
Working online you can feel safe in your own space, have things that make you feel comfortable and safe around you and even control how loud I am. It takes away many of the worries people have going to new and different environments, which means you can relax more easily and therapy can start helping faster.
You might struggle with your mobility or with leaving the house for another reason. You might care for someone and need to minimise your time out of the house, while still prioritising your wellbeing. There can be a hundred reasons to have hypnotherapy online at home and none of them should stop you accessing the right support.
Online hypnotherapy is convenient.
No travel time, no travel costs, no parking costs and no travel hassle – even in rush hour. Which means you save time and your hypnotherapy sessions are easier to fit into your schedule and around your time and commitments. It means you can continue therapy if you live or work away, so you reach your goals faster.
Online hypnotherapy means you have access to a whole world of therapists. You get to decide which therapy is right for you and which therapist you connect best with; both incredibly important aspects of successful therapy.
The features of online hypnotherapy
• Effective therapy
• No travel time
• No travel costs
• No parking costs
• Save time in your day
• Easier to fit into your schedule
• Access a specialist hypnotherapist
• Choose from a wider variety of hypnotherapists; you’re limited by locality
• Hypnotherapy from the comfort of your own home
• Feel safe and relaxed in your own environment
· Control of your environment
• Simple and easy to use technology
Research into online therapy
A 2020 study* in the Journal of American Health stated that solution focused brief therapy was equally as effective, for anxiety sufferers, as face to face therapy.
Other studies focusing on issues such as IBS, PTSD and depression, have been carried out and showed positive outcomes for online therapy, which is reassuring when you’re deciding whether online hypnotherapy is right for you.
How does online Hypnotherapy work?
It is incredibly simple. It’s almost the same as being in the same room and online hypnotherapy is usually done by video call using platforms like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. However, it is even possible to use video phone apps like WhatsApp and Facetime. I use Zoom because I like the security aspect and the technology is straightforward for you and me.
What do you need for online hypnotherapy?
One thing you need for online hypnotherapy is a good internet connection and you’ll know you have this if you can do video calls or watch a video on the device you’ll use for online hypnotherapy. At your free consultation we’ll discuss what you will do if the internet connection fails. It doesn’t happen very often and we’ll have discussed all the possible resolutions so you can relax and enjoy your therapy.
For online hypnotherapy you need a video enabled device like a phone, tablet, PC, laptop or Mac. I’ll send you a secure invite to your hypnotherapy session that is unique to you and that session. You may have to download a program or app, but not always. If you’ve never used the program, platform or app, you’ll want to try it out before your first consultation. This way you can be confident you will arrive on time to your first appointment.
As well as being able to see your hypnotherapist you will need to hear each other. You can use headphones or not and you can try both to see which you prefer. I can make it easier to focus on what we’re talking about and keep the conversation even more confidential. However, it is not essential to use headphones for online hypnotherapy.
Wherever you choose to have online hypnotherapy think our time together the same way you’d think about attending an appointment in person. You’ll need a time and space which is private, where you will not be disturbed and where you can focus on our work together.
You’ll tell people you have an appointment and cannot be available for anything or anyone else during your session. To be comfortable you might want a cushion or blanket for the trance part of the session because it means you’ll be comfortable and relaxed.
How to get the best out of your online therapy sessions
If you are using your phone for your online hypnotherapy you will need to find a way of muting calls, texts and notifications because these can interrupt your session. Many devices now have a do not disturb option, so you can access what you want without other things distracting you.
If you are not using your phone, it is advisable to switch it off. Remember to take off any wearable devices as these can vibrate and disturb you too. It can feel good to disconnect with most of your technology so you can fully focus on, and enjoy, your online hypnotherapy session.
Online Hypnotherapy checklist:
• Choose the best hypnotherapist for you and your issue
• Stable internet connection
• Video and voice enabled device
• Optional headphones
• Somewhere comfortable to sit or lie down
• A private space
• Time free from distractions and interruptions
• Mute or switch off notifications and unused devices
• A blanket and a cushion or pillow to rest your head
Online hypnotherapy is simple, convenient and enjoyable. Most importantly, the results can be just as good, or better.
To book your free online initial consultation click here
*Reference: Novella JK, Ng KM, Samuolis J. A comparison of online and in-person counselling outcomes using solution-focused brief therapy for college students with anxiety. Journal of American College Health. 2020:1-
