When I first qualified as a hypnotherapist, I believed I could cure any ill, no matter how deep-seated - in one session. The more I practise and the more clients I see, the more I realise that clients only reveal their issues little by little. I have just seen a client for a driving phobia. Only on the second session did I discover the embedded limiting beliefs about duty and taking inappropriate responsibility for others that were making every car journey a very anxious experience - would some mistake she made cause injury to others? She wasn't worried about herself, only about any problems her actions may cause. And this was a common feature in all aspects of her life. She took care of everyone, but she never took care of herself. Could I have discovered that in one session? Maybe, or maybe I should have just "done the hypnotherapy" and let her subconscious take care of the rest.

I believe it is really important for a client to leave after the first session feeling that something fundamental has changed for them. But the root of the problem.. that could take a little longer. It is generally recognised that 90% of change in any therapy is brought about by the therapeutic relationship - Roger's "unconditional, positive regard" that every client deserves and every therapist, whatever their proclivity, should be able to deliver to each and every client. If you can't provide this, then no change can take place. How can we respond positively to someone we suspect despises or, at the very least, isn't in tune with our view of the world? Of course we can't. To make changes we have to feel respected, heard and valued.

So, every client is a new learning process. Every client is unique and deserves a completely unique approach, tailored specifically to his or her needs. That's what I sincerely try my very best to deliver.