Hypnotherapy Frequently Asked Questions
and answers!
We hope this page helps you to understand our service. If you have a question that hasn't been covered, please feel free to get in touch via the chat function or our contact form.
Q. Do I need to have a mental health plan?
A. You do not need mental health plan or a doctor's referral to access our services.
Q. Can I get the Medicare rebate?A. If you are a full-time student, pensioner, unemployed, or have a mental health plan, your consultation fees per session are matched to the gap payment of $105.60 that you would pay under a plan. The benefit of this arrangement is that you can have as many sessions as required, as you are not limited to 10 sessions a year under a mental health plan.
Q. I would like to refer a family member. Do you accept referrals?A. Yes, we appreciate referrals from our valued clients. In fact, the biggest compliment isn't that our treatment works, but that our treatment works well enough that you'd recommend us to your family and friends. Word of mouth marketing really is the original social media platform!
Q. Can I schedule just one hypnotherapy session instead of committing to a 4-week program?
It's important to note that the nature of psychological concerns often requires more than one session for a thorough and lasting resolution. Quick-fix promises in a single session can sometimes be misleading and may not address the root causes effectively. During our free 30-minute consultation, we can discuss the potential pitfalls of short-term solutions and explore how a comprehensive approach can thoroughly address your specific needs and goals. This initial conversation will provide a better understanding of how we can work together in your 4-week hypnotherapy program for long-term positive outcomes.
Q. Where are you located?
A. Our practice is in the Greater Geelong region of Victoria. Due to advancements in telehealth technology we work with clients across Australia.
Q. Do you offer therapy in person? A. All consultations are conducted online by Zoom - a communications platform that allows users to connect with video, audio, phone, and chat. Telehealth via Zoom has several advantages, namely greater privacy and convenience, zero travelling costs and no parking hassles. You may also be interested to know that a recent study (meta-analysis) found that in most cases, "... telephone or videoconferencing therapy was as effective as standard in-person treatment and superior to treatment as usual." Please click here to access the study. Q. What do I need for online therapy? You will require the Zoom app for your computer or phone, and an internet bandwidth of at least 1.5Mbps. Your initial 30-minute free consultation will be held via Zoom also. This blog article walks you throught the steps to confidently access telehealth. Q. I'm not good with technology. Can you help me understand how to use Zoom?A. There are a number of really great tutorials on Youtube to help beginners understand Zoom. Please Click here to access a tutorial. Q. Do you record the Zoom session?A. To protect your privacy, your sessions are not recorded on Zoom. Your in-session hypnotherapy script is recorded separately as an audio file and sent to you via Dropbox after the session. Q. What happens if Zoom drops out during my session?A. Although there are a number of pros with doing therapy via Zoom, on the rare occasion, a drop-out can occur. If this happens, your therapist will call you and your session will be continued by phone. A drop out will not affect the quality of your audio recording made in-session. Q. Is hypnosis safe? A. Yes. People are often surprised to find out that hypnosis or trance is a naturally occurring state. You likely experience this state every day during times when you're relaxed and not concentrating on a task, as in daydreaming, having a shower, watching TV, and just before you go to sleep. You may even have experienced this state when you drove somewhere, then realised that you had no recollection of part of the journey. Q. What if I can't be hypnotized?A. As hypnosis is a naturally occuring state, it is very likely that you can be hypnotized. If you'd like to find out for sure, please click here to listen to (or download) a short audio track 'Can I Be Hypnotized?' then complete the 3 questions. Q. Can hypnosis make me do things I don't want to do? A. Contrary to popular misconceptions, hypnotherapy does not involve making individuals do anything against their will. The use of hypnosis in a therapeutic setting - known as clinical hypnosis or clinical hypnotherapy - is a legitimate form of psychological therapy that is supported by scientific research. When conducted by trained and certified professionals, hypnotherapy is considered safe. It involves a collaborative and consent-based process that allows individuals to access their subconscious mind to work towards positive changes they genuinely desire, promoting personal growth and well-being. Unfortunately, Hollywood depictions of hypnosis has resulted in the public being misled about hypnosis in general. Q. Do you use hypnotherapy scripts that you've downloaded from the internet?A. No - the hypnotherapy you will receive is tailored specifically to you as a unique individual and the outcome you wish to achieve. Q. How is the TranquilMind™ Program different?A. The TranquilMind™ Program offers a unique mind-body approach to treating anxiety and helping resolve trauma. During hypnosis you will learn how to develop your sense of proprioception, sometimes call the 'sixth sense.' Proprioception refers to the internal sensation of the position of your body in space and the degree of tension or relaxation in your individual skeletal muscles (these are the muscles that you have full conscious control over). Q. How will I know if this works for me? The only way to know if hypnotherapy will work for you is to commence the program, listen to your recordings on a daily basis, and commit to the 'exercises' that are recommended in between your weekly one-on-one sessions. Please click here for information on the effectiveness of clinical hypnosis for psychological/physical conditions with links to published studies. Q. Do you offer hypnotherapy to stop smoking? Yes although it's important to remember that smoking can serve as a coping strategy for individuals dealing with anxiety or trauma due to the temporary relief it offers. The act of smoking can provide a momentary distraction and relaxation, allowing some individuals to manage their stress or emotional distress. Our smoking cessation program can help individuals address the underlying causes of their anxiety or trauma more effectively, providing healthier and more sustainable coping mechanisms while supporting their journey towards quitting smoking. Q. What hours are you open?A. Our practice operates Mon - Fri. Unlike many other practices, we offer evening appointments for people who prefer their consultations after they finish work. Please click here to view available times and dates.
Q. I'm experiencing a crisis right now - can I contact you? A. While this practice is not equipped to offer crisis support, pre-existing clients are welcome to contact us outside of appointment times if they experience distress or encounter an unexpected difficulty during their treatment program. We will do our best to address your concerns and provide appropriate assistance during regular business hours. For immediate crisis support, please reach out to a crisis hotline or seek help from your local mental health resources. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-helplines Q. Is your first consultation really free? A. Yes, there is no charge and no obligation to undertake treatment with us after your free consultation. If you are serious about taking action to resolve your issue, this 30-minute free consultation is the perfect opportunity to have a chat about what’s been happening in your life and the results you’d like to see. Please click here to access the 24/7 booking service provided by Calendly.
Q. Do you offer therapy in person? A. All consultations are conducted online by Zoom - a communications platform that allows users to connect with video, audio, phone, and chat. Telehealth via Zoom has several advantages, namely greater privacy and convenience, zero travelling costs and no parking hassles. You may also be interested to know that a recent study (meta-analysis) found that in most cases, "... telephone or videoconferencing therapy was as effective as standard in-person treatment and superior to treatment as usual." Please click here to access the study. Q. What do I need for online therapy? You will require the Zoom app for your computer or phone, and an internet bandwidth of at least 1.5Mbps. Your initial 30-minute free consultation will be held via Zoom also. This blog article walks you throught the steps to confidently access telehealth. Q. I'm not good with technology. Can you help me understand how to use Zoom?A. There are a number of really great tutorials on Youtube to help beginners understand Zoom. Please Click here to access a tutorial. Q. Do you record the Zoom session?A. To protect your privacy, your sessions are not recorded on Zoom. Your in-session hypnotherapy script is recorded separately as an audio file and sent to you via Dropbox after the session. Q. What happens if Zoom drops out during my session?A. Although there are a number of pros with doing therapy via Zoom, on the rare occasion, a drop-out can occur. If this happens, your therapist will call you and your session will be continued by phone. A drop out will not affect the quality of your audio recording made in-session. Q. Is hypnosis safe? A. Yes. People are often surprised to find out that hypnosis or trance is a naturally occurring state. You likely experience this state every day during times when you're relaxed and not concentrating on a task, as in daydreaming, having a shower, watching TV, and just before you go to sleep. You may even have experienced this state when you drove somewhere, then realised that you had no recollection of part of the journey. Q. What if I can't be hypnotized?A. As hypnosis is a naturally occuring state, it is very likely that you can be hypnotized. If you'd like to find out for sure, please click here to listen to (or download) a short audio track 'Can I Be Hypnotized?' then complete the 3 questions. Q. Can hypnosis make me do things I don't want to do? A. Contrary to popular misconceptions, hypnotherapy does not involve making individuals do anything against their will. The use of hypnosis in a therapeutic setting - known as clinical hypnosis or clinical hypnotherapy - is a legitimate form of psychological therapy that is supported by scientific research. When conducted by trained and certified professionals, hypnotherapy is considered safe. It involves a collaborative and consent-based process that allows individuals to access their subconscious mind to work towards positive changes they genuinely desire, promoting personal growth and well-being. Unfortunately, Hollywood depictions of hypnosis has resulted in the public being misled about hypnosis in general. Q. Do you use hypnotherapy scripts that you've downloaded from the internet?A. No - the hypnotherapy you will receive is tailored specifically to you as a unique individual and the outcome you wish to achieve. Q. How is the TranquilMind™ Program different?A. The TranquilMind™ Program offers a unique mind-body approach to treating anxiety and helping resolve trauma. During hypnosis you will learn how to develop your sense of proprioception, sometimes call the 'sixth sense.' Proprioception refers to the internal sensation of the position of your body in space and the degree of tension or relaxation in your individual skeletal muscles (these are the muscles that you have full conscious control over). Q. How will I know if this works for me? The only way to know if hypnotherapy will work for you is to commence the program, listen to your recordings on a daily basis, and commit to the 'exercises' that are recommended in between your weekly one-on-one sessions. Please click here for information on the effectiveness of clinical hypnosis for psychological/physical conditions with links to published studies. Q. Do you offer hypnotherapy to stop smoking? Yes although it's important to remember that smoking can serve as a coping strategy for individuals dealing with anxiety or trauma due to the temporary relief it offers. The act of smoking can provide a momentary distraction and relaxation, allowing some individuals to manage their stress or emotional distress. Our smoking cessation program can help individuals address the underlying causes of their anxiety or trauma more effectively, providing healthier and more sustainable coping mechanisms while supporting their journey towards quitting smoking. Q. What hours are you open?A. Our practice operates Mon - Fri. Unlike many other practices, we offer evening appointments for people who prefer their consultations after they finish work. Please click here to view available times and dates.
Q. I'm experiencing a crisis right now - can I contact you? A. While this practice is not equipped to offer crisis support, pre-existing clients are welcome to contact us outside of appointment times if they experience distress or encounter an unexpected difficulty during their treatment program. We will do our best to address your concerns and provide appropriate assistance during regular business hours. For immediate crisis support, please reach out to a crisis hotline or seek help from your local mental health resources. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-helplines Q. Is your first consultation really free? A. Yes, there is no charge and no obligation to undertake treatment with us after your free consultation. If you are serious about taking action to resolve your issue, this 30-minute free consultation is the perfect opportunity to have a chat about what’s been happening in your life and the results you’d like to see. Please click here to access the 24/7 booking service provided by Calendly.