What Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session? A Brighton Hypnotherapist Explains, Step by Step

For many people, the hardest part of hypnotherapy is not knowing what will happen once the door closes. Will you be asleep? Will you say things you did not mean to? Will you remember any of it?

Lorna Marsh is an applied hypnotherapist in Brighton. Here is how one of her sessions works, from start to finish.

Who it is for

Lorna works one to one with people on mild anxiety, communication difficulties, loneliness and building confidence.

Hypnotherapy is not a replacement for medical care. If you are living with severe anxiety or depression, speak to your GP.

The session, step by step

Every session lasts 75 minutes and has three parts.

1. The conversation. The first part is a consultation. You talk through what has brought you there, what you would like to change and what has got in the way so far. Lorna trained in counselling as well as hypnotherapy, so this part is a proper conversation rather than a form to fill in.

2. The hypnotherapy. You sit back with your eyes closed while Lorna guides you into a deeply relaxed state. You are not asleep and you are not under anyone's control.

In this state, Lorna works with the beliefs and habits of thought that keep a problem going. She often uses the film Sliding Doors to explain it: one small change in a single thought can send you down a completely different track.

3. The debrief. Afterwards you talk about how it felt and what came up, and Lorna explains what to do next.

The part most people do not expect: homework

After each session you receive a personal audio recording made for you, with clear instructions. You listen to it every day for 21 days.

This is why Lorna books sessions at least 22 days apart. The daily listening is where much of the change settles in, so each session is given the full three weeks to do its work before the next one starts. Between sessions you can contact her at any time with questions.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on what you are working on. Some people come for a single session; others prefer a course. Lorna's packages are:

Every package includes the full 75-minute sessions, a personal recording after each one, home practice instructions and a follow-up call at the end of the last session to review progress.

Why the brain is at the centre of her work

Lorna's interest in the brain started young. She has lived with cerebral palsy all her life and grew up asking how her mind and body worked together. Later she watched her grandad live with Alzheimer's for ten years. During lockdown she completed a diploma in neurology with a Distinction, then trained in counselling and applied hypnotherapy.

She is also building something beyond one-to-one sessions. Online group sessions on Zoom are planned, bringing people together to share experiences and feel less alone, with face-to-face gatherings to follow.

Common questions

Will I lose control under hypnosis?
No. You are deeply relaxed but not asleep, and you are not under anyone's control.

Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety?
Lorna works with mild anxiety, alongside confidence, communication and loneliness. For severe anxiety, speak to your GP.

How long is a session?
75 minutes, including the consultation, the hypnotherapy and a debrief.

Why are sessions three weeks apart?
Because each recording is listened to daily for 21 days, sessions are booked at least 22 days apart.

How much does it cost?
From £70 for a single session to £400 for a course of six.

Book a first session

To find out more or book, visit Lorna Marsh Hypnotherapy or use the contact form on her website.