Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What issues do you help with?

I support adults experiencing anxiety, overthinking, emotional overwhelm, trauma, grief, low mood, life transitions, stress, burnout, IBS, gut-related stress, health anxiety, and patterns that keep repeating in relationships or daily life.

I also support people living with chronic health conditions and the emotional impact that ongoing physical symptoms can have on daily life.

2. Do I need to have a diagnosis to book?

For general counselling and therapy support, no. You do not need a formal diagnosis to access support.

If you are seeking Gut Directed Hypnotherapy or IBS support, I ask that you have a formal diagnosis of IBS from your Gastroenterologist or treating medical specialist before commencing. This helps ensure symptoms have been medically assessed and that another underlying medical condition is not contributing to your digestive symptoms.

3. Is this just regular counselling?

Not exactly. My work goes beyond simply talking about what is wrong.

Sessions are designed to help you understand patterns, shift unhelpful responses, and create practical emotional change.

For clients experiencing IBS or gut-related symptoms, support may also include understanding the gut–brain connection, nervous system regulation, and approaches designed to reduce stress-related symptom patterns.

4. How is your approach different from standard talk therapy?

My approach is more structured and focused.

Rather than staying in the same conversation for months, therapy is aimed at helping you understand what is happening underneath the problem and moving you toward change more effectively.

Where appropriate, therapy may also include practical strategies, psychoeducation, hypnosis, or Gut Directed Hypnotherapy approaches.

5. What is Strategic Psychotherapy?

Strategic Psychotherapy is a practical, focused therapy approach that looks at the patterns, beliefs, behaviours, and emotional responses that keep people stuck.

It helps uncover what is driving the issue and works to interrupt it in a meaningful and practical way.

6. What is Clinical Hypnosis?

Clinical Hypnosis is a safe, therapeutic method used to help the mind and body become more receptive to change.

It is not stage hypnosis or mind control.

It can help calm the nervous system, strengthen emotional regulation, and support change at a deeper level.

For IBS clients, hypnosis may also be used to support the gut–brain connection and stress regulation.

7. Do I have to do hypnosis?

No.

Hypnosis is only used if it feels appropriate and comfortable for you.

Therapy is always collaborative, and you will never be forced into an approach that does not feel right.

8. Is online therapy actually effective?

Yes.

Online therapy can be highly effective and is often more convenient, accessible, and comfortable for clients.

Many people find it easier to open up from the privacy of their own home.

Gut Directed Hypnotherapy can also be effectively delivered online.

9. How many sessions will I need?

This varies depending on your goals and what you are working through.

Some clients benefit from short-term focused work, while others choose longer support.

For IBS support and Gut Directed Hypnotherapy, therapy is often delivered across a number of structured sessions to help reinforce change over time.

Many of my clients begin noticing change within the first 5 sessions.

10. Will I have to talk about my whole childhood?

Not necessarily.

While your past can absolutely be important, therapy does not have to mean going over every detail of your life.

We focus on what is most relevant to understanding and shifting the problem.

11. What if I’m not good at talking about feelings?

That is completely okay.

You do not need to be "good at therapy" to benefit.

My role is to guide the process and help you make sense of what you are experiencing in a way that feels manageable and practical.

12. Can this help if I’ve already tried therapy before?

Yes.

Especially if previous therapy was helpful to a point but did not create the kind of deeper or lasting change you were hoping for.

Many clients come to this work after feeling stuck in more traditional therapy approaches.

This can also apply to people living with IBS who feel they have tried many options but continue to feel impacted by symptoms.

13. Is this suitable for trauma or long-standing patterns?

Yes, depending on your needs and readiness.

I work with people who have experienced trauma, difficult life events, chronic stress, long-term emotional patterns, and health-related challenges using approaches that are paced, supportive, and clinically informed.

14. Is therapy confidential?

Yes.

Therapy is confidential, with the usual professional and legal exceptions around safety, risk, and mandatory reporting.

This will be explained clearly before we begin.

15. How do I know if this is the right fit for me?

If you are looking for therapy that is thoughtful, practical, emotionally supportive, and focused on creating change rather than staying stuck in the same cycle, this may be a good fit for you.

This may be particularly helpful if you are living with anxiety, stress, IBS, gut-related symptoms, overthinking, or feeling caught in patterns that no longer work for you.