Hypnotherapy & EMDR Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to resolve an issue, make positive changes or reach a specific goal, hypnotherapy is worth considering. People most often see me for:

• Stress & anxiety: practical tools to calm your system and regain control.
• Fears & phobias: targeted work to reduce avoidance and feel safer.
• Behaviour change: smoking/vaping cessation, weight and habit change.
• Better sleep: skills and mindset shifts for insomnia and sleep issues.
• Trauma support: gentle, skills-based approaches for difficult experiences.
• Confidence & self-esteem: performance, public speaking, self-belief.

As I practise it, hypnotherapy blends Strategic Psychotherapy and elements of NLP, facilitated through Modern Ericksonian Clinical Hypnosis. This approach creates a relaxed, efficient pathway to absorb new information and skills—especially helpful for anxiety and related concerns.

We work in a focused, practical way to target root patterns while building useful strategies. Many clients experience progress in fewer sessions because we leverage natural learning states and strategic change work.

Hypnosis is a natural, focused state (often between relaxed “alpha” and drowsy “theta”). You’re aware and in control, but more receptive to helpful suggestions and imagery—similar to being absorbed in a book, film, run or daydream.

Most people can. Everyone experiences hypnosis a little differently—some feel very relaxed, others simply feel focused. You remain aware and can stop at any time.

Yes. If you have a quiet, private space and your camera on, online sessions work well. Many people enjoy the comfort and convenience of home. In-person sessions are available in Waverley/Bondi Junction if you prefer face-to-face.

Areas of focus for adults and kids (6+): anxiety and social anxiety, panic attacks, low self-esteem, performance anxiety, fears & phobias, limiting beliefs, insomnia, post-traumatic stress, smoking & dependencies, and habit change.

• Brief and goal-oriented: we aim for significant change in ~4–6 sessions for many issues.
• Directive and practical: we identify how the problem is maintained and teach skills to change it.
• Present & future-focused: we use the past for context, but work on what you can change now.

Much of our learning, emotion and habit runs automatically. Hypnotherapy helps you access and update these patterns more efficiently—so new responses become easier to practise in daily life.

Yes—ages 6+. Children’s vivid imaginations make them naturally receptive to therapeutic imagery and skill-building, when appropriate and with parent involvement.

No. You’re aware, can move, open your eyes and choose what to accept. Hypnosis supports focus and learning—it does not override your will.

Clinical hypnosis is therapy, not entertainment. Stage shows rely on volunteers who choose to play along. In therapy, you decide what you do—you’re always in control.

Relaxation can happen, but it’s not the goal. The aim is effective change—learning new responses, skills and strategies that you can use in real situations.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based therapy recognised by the American Psychological Association for treating trauma and PTSD. It uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements or tapping—while you briefly focus on a distressing memory, helping the brain reprocess it so it no longer carries the same emotional charge.

EMDR is most established for trauma and PTSD, and is also used for panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety, relationship difficulties and grief.

No. EMDR was originally developed for PTSD and that's still where it has the strongest evidence base, but it's used more broadly for panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety, relationship difficulties and grief. If you're not sure whether your situation fits, a discovery call is the easiest way to find out.

EMDR may be worth considering if you understand your situation intellectually but still feel stuck or reactive, if you've tried talk therapy and want an approach that works at the level of memory and the nervous system, or if a specific past experience still feels distressing when it comes to mind. You don't need to be certain before starting—a discovery call is a low-pressure way to talk it through and find out if it's a good fit.

We work through a structured process: identifying the memory or issue to target, noticing the thoughts, feelings and body sensations connected to it, then using sets of bilateral stimulation while you simply notice what comes up. Unlike some talk therapies, EMDR doesn't require you to describe the traumatic event in detail or complete homework between sessions.

For a single-event trauma, processing is typically 3 to 6 weekly sessions once history-taking and preparation are complete. More complex or longstanding issues may need more time. The 4- and 6-session packs include an initial session for history-taking and preparation, so they cover 3 and 5 processing sessions respectively.

No. You don't need to describe the traumatic event in detail for EMDR to work—I only need you to be aware of the sensations, feelings and thoughts connected to it. Some people find this makes EMDR more comfortable than approaches that rely on detailed verbal recounting.

You may feel emotionally tired or more reflective for a day or two after a session, and it's not unusual to notice vivid dreams or other memories surfacing between sessions—this is a normal part of processing continuing after you leave. You should still finish each session feeling calmer and more settled than when you started, and I'll teach you grounding and self-soothing skills upfront so you have tools to use between sessions if you need them.

Yes. EMDR can be delivered effectively over video call for clients with a quiet, private space, with bilateral stimulation adapted for the online setting. In-person sessions are also available in Bondi Junction.

A single 60-minute session is $195. A 4-session pack is $620 ($155 per session) and a 6-session pack is $900 ($150 per session)—both include an initial history-taking and preparation session. See the prices page for full details.

EMDR sessions aren't Medicare-rebated, as Medicare rebates apply to registered psychologists rather than EMDR therapists. Some private health funds offer partial rebates for extras cover depending on your policy and provider recognition, so it's worth checking directly with your fund. No GP referral is needed either way, and pricing is set with this in mind to keep sessions straightforward and accessible.

Yes. EMDR is recognised as an evidence-based treatment by the American Psychological Association and is recommended by the World Health Organization for PTSD. As with any therapy addressing distressing material, you may feel some temporary discomfort during processing, but you're always in control and can pause at any time.