How do I Decide?
If your chosen therapist is a long distance away, or travelling is difficult for you – then online therapy is the obvious answer.
If you live in a household that is constantly busy or you don’t have easy access to the internet – again the question is answered for you.
However, if you do have a choice as to whether to attend in person or have appointments online, it is tempting to assume that sitting in the same room as your therapist must be better. But that is not always the case.
The more important point is: Where are you most likely to feel comfortable, relaxed, focused and able to engage with the treatment?
How can online therapy work?
Because hypnotherapy is all done verbally and visually, with no physical contact required, the treatment is equally effective online or in person.
Hypnosis is only relaxation. It’s that gorgeous ‘Sunday Morning’ – knowing you could be fully alert but don’t want to be; knowing you don’t have to get up right way; knowing no-one is expecting anything of you at that precise moment; knowing you could open your eyes and get on with your day, but choosing to enjoy that relaxation just for a little while longer.
At my practice, you have a wonderfully comfortable chair in which to enjoy the relaxation. My room is designed to ensure there is nothing at all to disturb or distract you. You are here with just one purpose – to focus only on you and the changes you want for your life.
If you can have the same environment at home, then the only difference is the technology, not the therapy.
The room changes. The therapeutic relationship and the outcome don’t have to.
The advantages of face-to-face treatment
For some people:
- leaving home creates a psychological boundary around the appointment
- being somewhere specifically associated with treatment helps them focus
- they prefer face-to-face conversation
- they don’t want to think about technology
- they simply feel more comfortable that way
No worries about:
- Wi-Fi
- microphones
- cameras
- notifications, phone calls or other distractions
- family members intruding or overhearing
Face-to-face treatment is a physical separation from everyday life.
Attending in person means being in a purpose-built space designed for and dedicated only for your therapy. For some people, being in such an environment allows them some distance from their usual thoughts and behaviours, enables them to ‘step out’ from their usual life and focus entirely on the therapy process instead.
The advantages of online treatment
For some people, being in familiar surroundings is a major advantage.
They don’t have to:
- drive somewhere unfamiliar
- find parking
- sit in a waiting room
- worry about being late
- arrange transport
- take as much time away from work or family
Online therapy can be easier to fit into life. You might be able to have a session during a lunch break or from home rather than losing time travelling.
Some people actually relax better at home. It’s familiar, it’s safe, it’s comfortable, it’s easy. So being physically present isn’t necessarily an advantage.
Does hypnotherapy work as well online?
As all you need to do is enjoy some lovely relaxation and hear my voice, whether I’m physically with you or you hear me through earphones/speakers does not matter.
The more relevant considerations are:
- Can we hear and see each other clearly?
- Do you have sufficient privacy?
- Can you be comfortable and undisturbed?
- Do you feel safe enough to talk openly?
- Can you give the session your full attention?
If the answer is yes, being in another room (or city or country) doesn’t automatically prevent meaningful therapeutic work from taking place.
Where can you switch off?
Where do you feel most able to put everything else to one side?
For one person that might require being away from their everyday life by being in a therapist’s consulting room. For another it might be a quiet room at home.
As long as you are somewhere you will be undisturbed and can step aside from the usual ‘mental noise’ of life, that is all that is required.
The importance of privacy
For online treatment, the question is: Can you have a private conversation?
- Can you ensure no-one else is in the room?
- Can people overhear?
- Are you likely to be interrupted?
- Are you comfortable speaking openly from home?
- Is your computer/phone somewhere private?
Privacy can be a consideration for some when attending for face-to-face sessions too – but as my practice is in a quiet residential road, and appointments are timed so that there is space between each (no bumping into someone in the waiting area), this concern can be quickly put to rest.
Which would suit you?
Online might suit you if:
- You feel comfortable talking on screen.
- You have somewhere private and quiet.
- You prefer being in familiar surroundings.
- Travelling to appointments is inconvenient.
- You have a busy schedule.
- You find it easier to relax at home.
In person might suit you if:
- You prefer face-to-face communication.
- You like physically leaving your everyday environment.
- You find home distracting.
- Technology makes you uncomfortable.
- You feel more focused when you’re somewhere specifically for treatment.
- You simply feel that face-to-face is right for you.
And if you find yourself ticking boxes in both lists, that’s perfectly normal. There isn’t a correct answer.
Make the decision about you, not the technology
Ultimately, the question isn’t whether online hypnotherapy is better than face-to-face hypnotherapy — or vice versa. It’s about which environment gives you the best opportunity to engage with the treatment.
Some people feel more comfortable sitting opposite their therapist. Others find that being in their own surroundings makes it easier to relax and talk openly.
Neither is inherently right or wrong.
The best setting is the one in which you feel
- comfortable enough to be honest,
- focused enough to engage, and
- undisturbed enough to give the treatment your attention.
So, what next?
If you have made your choice and want to organise your first appointment, just use one of the following ways to contact me or use the ‘Book Online’ facility.
If you’re unsure which option would suit you, that’s something we can discuss before you make your first appointment.
Call or Text – 07380635523 / email / Chat
