Frequently Asked Questions

Strategic Hypnosis combines the principles of strategic psychotherapy with hypnotherapy techniques. This approach is client-focused but therapist-led, meaning that while you are the expert in your experiences, I guide the session using specific strategies to help you reach your desired outcomes efficiently and effectively.

It involves understanding and addressing the cognitive and behavioural patterns that contribute to your challenges. By creating targeted interventions, we can effectively address the underlying causes of issues like anxiety, phobias, or habits, enabling positive change at a deeper level.

No, you remain fully aware and in control throughout the session. Strategic Hypnosis is about guiding you to uncover new perspectives and solutions, not taking away your ability to choose. The process is designed to empower you to make decisions that align with your goals.

Yes, hypnotherapy is a safe and natural approach with a long history of therapeutic use. As a qualified member of the International Strategic Psychotherapists Association (ISPA) and the Guild of Australian Hypnotherapists (GOAH), I adhere to a strict code of ethics to ensure your safety and well-being throughout the process.

Many people assume that meaningful change must take years, but Strategic Hypnotherapy can often work more efficiently because it targets the underlying patterns driving an issue, rather than just discussing the symptoms.

Here’s why it may work faster than traditional talk therapy:

• Bypasses overanalysis – Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on analysing the past, Strategic Hypnotherapy works at the subconscious level, where deep-rooted thought patterns and emotional responses are stored. Change happens at the source of the problem, rather than just discussing it consciously.
• Rewires automatic responses – The subconscious operates outside of willpower, meaning hypnotherapy can help shift limiting beliefs, negative self-talk, and emotional patterns in a way that may feel easier and more natural than conscious effort alone.
• Targets thinking styles, not just symptoms – Traditional therapy often focuses on why someone feels a certain way, but Strategic Hypnosis identifies the mental patterns (like overthinking, intolerance for uncertainty, or external validation seeking) that are keeping the issue in place. Once these patterns begin to shift, change can happen more naturally and effortlessly.

Hypnotherapy is an incredibly versatile tool for creating change. At Soul Shift Hypnotherapy, I specialise in helping clients with:

✔ Anxiety & Overthinking – Hypnosis helps quiet the inner critic, shift negative thought loops, and develop emotional flexibility so anxiety no longer dominates your thinking.

✔ Confidence & Self-Worth – Many people struggle with subconscious self-doubt that stops them from reaching their full potential. Hypnotherapy reprograms these patterns, reinforcing self-trust and an inner sense of capability.

✔ Performance & High Achievement – Whether in sports, business, or public speaking, hypnosis sharpens focus, removes mental blocks, and strengthens a mindset of resilience and self-belief.

✔ Post-Divorce Recovery – Going through a divorce or separation can feel overwhelming. Hypnosis helps release emotional baggage, rebuild self-identity, and create a clear vision for the next chapter of life.

✔ Breaking Habits & Behavioural Change – Hypnosis works by rewiring automatic behaviours, making it easier to shift unwanted patterns without relying on willpower alone.

If you’re unsure whether hypnotherapy can help your specific situation, book a free consultation—I’d love to discuss your goals and how we can work together.

The number of sessions depends on the complexity and nature of the issue being addressed. Some clients experience significant changes in a few sessions, while others may require more time for deeper or long-standing challenges. During our initial consultation, we’ll discuss a plan tailored to your needs.

Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention, and most people can experience it—as long as they’re willing to engage in the process.

Here’s what matters most:

✔ Willingness to Participate – Hypnosis is not something done to you, but with you. If you're open to the process and willing to engage, it works powerfully.
✔ Readiness for Change – If you’re actively seeking change and open to new ways of thinking, hypnotherapy helps accelerate the process by making those changes feel natural and automatic.
✔ Responsiveness to Hypnotic Language – Different people respond better to different styles of hypnosis. Strategic Hypnotherapy uses a mix of Ericksonian language patterns, metaphors, and subconscious learning techniques, ensuring sessions are effective for a wide range of clients.

If you’ve ever been absorbed in a good book, lost in a daydream, or fully immersed in a movie, you’ve already experienced a natural hypnotic state. Hypnotherapy simply guides you into that state with intention—so that positive change can take root.

I am a certified clinical hypnotherapist and a qualified Strategic Psychotherapist, holding a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis & Strategic Psychotherapy from the Institute of Applied Psychology (IAP), where I studied under Gordon Young. Gordon is a leading expert in strategic psychotherapy and hypnosis, renowned for his innovative, practical approach to therapy. His teachings have deeply influenced my ability to guide clients toward positive change with tailored strategies that tackle the root of their challenges. I’m also a proud member of the International Strategic Psychotherapists Association (ISPA) and the Guild of Australian Hypnotherapists (GOAH), adhering to their high standards of practice and ethics.

While meditation and relaxation techniques help calm the mind, hypnotherapy goes further by using tailored suggestions to create specific, desired changes at a subconscious level. It’s a targeted approach to addressing the root causes of challenges and achieving your goals.

No, you cannot be made to do anything against your values or will during hypnotherapy. You remain fully aware and in control throughout the session. Hypnotherapy aims to empower you to make positive changes that align with your goals, rather than taking control away from you. This approach focuses on guiding you to unlock your inner resources while respecting your autonomy and choices at all times.