Frequently Asked Questions

Clients can pay by cash or via a paypal account.  Please note that you can also pay via credit/debit card by logging into your paypal account.

Please refer to Terms and Conditions: Terms and Conditions

You will receive a comprehensive consultation prior to your appointment which is complimentary and confidential.  This consultation is paramount to enable me to deliver a customised treatment especially for you. Client records are kept securely at all times in accordance with The Data Protection Act 1998.

Parental permission is required for any client under the age of 18.  Confidentiality for teens will remain at all times.  Parents/carers will be informed of progress and given copies of any generic (blank) material such as worksheets which the teenager is provided with. This helps the parents/carers stay abreast of the teen’s progress and also helps to support the teen in his/her development.  As more and more teens are coming to me for anxiety related issues, I am in the process of creating a course specifically designed for teenagers.  You will find this course at www.anxiousteens.com

This link (to be installed) will take you to where you can sign up to be notified when this course is ready for purchase.  A substantial parent document is offered free of charge, so even if you do not buy the course, you will find enormous benefit in downloading the free pdf.

Psychotherapy and counselling are interchangeable terms.  Sometimes we can feel anxious, depressed, lonely, or facing a difficulty we cannot find a solution to.  A psychotherapy session is where a professionally trained counsellor who has the skills and commitment to work through your problems will explore and help you to resolve your difficulties with sensitivity and total confidentiality.

Counselling can also be beneficial for people to help choose the right path in life to enable personal change and/or growth.

The number of sessions will depend upon your needs and the complexity of the issue(s).  I use a tailored approach to each individual and will incorporate (with the client’s permission) hypnosis and other relevant techniques into the sessions when they may be of benefit.  Many clients require a minimum of 6 sessions although these can be reduced by the incorporation of hypnotherapy in some cases.  My aim is to treat you as efficiently and for as short a time as possible while ensuring that you leave therapy having resolved the issue(s) which caused you to seek help.

The philosophy of Flourish Therapy is to treat the individual in the most effective and expeditious way possible. This also takes into account that you may not live locally or you may prefer to not come for therapy in person.  If this is the case, I can accommodate you by arranging a Skype call where you can receive counselling / therapy over the telephone.  Please note that the same costs apply as a person to person therapy session.

Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy which is aimed at bypassing the conscious mind and communicating with the subconscious mind.  It enables the therapist to use a variety of techniques to help to change our thoughts, feelings and emotions for the better.  It is used widely in breaking habits, helping with relaxation, improving motivation, tackling phobias, reducing alcohol intake.  I have successfully used it with several cancer patients to help them cope with the emotions surrounding the diagnosis and to provide support for the future.

No.  Hypnotherapy is a safe treatment.  You could never be made to do anything against your will.  When under hypnosis you are in a very focussed state and will operate under the same value system as when you are consciously awake.  You will be aware of what you are saying and in control during the hypnotherapy session.

Yes.  All voluntary movement, including speech is available to you during hypnosis as at any other time.  Often times, during a session, you will be asked to speak and sometimes indicate answers by raising a finger or hand.  During some inductions (the preparation before the actual suggestions take place), it may be that you are asked to allow a response such as arm levitation (arm lifting by itself) or glove anaesthesia (hand numbing) to take place, in order to demonstrate the power of your mind over your body’s movements.

People have different reactions from hypnosis.  Many clients feel very relaxed and calm when the hypnotherapy session is over.  Some people remember what was said to them, others have no recollection at all.  Some clients believe the hypnotherapy has lasted only 5 minutes, some believe it has gone on much longer – this is known as time distortion.  Generally a hypnotic session will last between 20 and 40 minutes.

No.  Hypnotherapy comes to a natural conclusion as the therapist guides the client through the session.  Occasionally a client will fall asleep, but as with anyone being woken up, this is a straight forward procedure.

The number of sessions you may need will depend upon the issue you need help with.  Some problems, such as stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, improving motivation for fitness can be successfully treated with one or two sessions.  Some more complex issues may take longer.  I am bound by professional ethics to ensure that you are treated in such a way as to resolve your issues in the shortest possible time.

You can specify a particular massage such as a relaxing Swedish massage, or a hot and cold stone massage if you wish.  Many clients come with various problems which require deep tissue and/or sports massage techniques as well as wanting a relaxing and soothing massage.  The massage will take into account whatever your needs and preferences are.  The hot stones are generally always on the go, and will be incorporated into most massages unless you have a particular reason or medical condition which precludes their use.  Massage is charged by the time period you select.

Traditional Thai yoga massage has its roots in the Indian systems of Yoga and Ayurveda. The treatment is a combination of palming and thumbing along the body’s main energy lines while assisting the client to hold yoga stretches.  It helps to relax and reinvigorate the body and mind; cleanse the system due to increased lymph flow and improve the posture of the skeletal system and flexibility of the musculature.

Reiki is a spiritual treatment given by the laying of hands just above the body of the client.  It is the channeling of life force energy through the practitioner into the client.  It is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through us and into us and is what causes us to be alive.

The client usually lies down on a massage table, but can also be seated or standing if that is preferable.  The client remains fully clothed. Generally the treatment room is darkened to ensure deep relaxation.  The practitioner places hands near the body in various hand positions which encourage the flow of energy.  Where areas of stagnation or stress are sensed, the practitioner may spend longer over those areas.

Reiki sessions are available for one hour or 90 minutes.

Reiki benefits everyone who comes into contact with the treatment.  It is a deeply relaxing and healing therapy.  I have used Reiki in hospice settings and patients respond very well to the treatment, aiding in pain reduction, anxiety reduction and giving them a heightened sense of being supported. It promotes healing of the mind as well as the body.