'Is hypnosis dangerous?' is a commonly asked question. The answer is no. Hypnosis is 100% safe. It’s been around for hundreds of years and has been recognised and approved by the British Medical Association and the American Medical Association for over 50 years now.

You see, hypnosis is an entirely natural phenomenon. In fact, all human beings have an innate ability to enter into hypnosis. It’s an ability unrelated to intelligence, character, personality or imagination.

The fact is that no hypnotherapist can make you do anything you don’t wish to do. (Yes, I know all about those television programmes, and I enjoy them too. They make great entertainment, but what you don't see is the selection process, the edits, the outtakes, and what happens off camera.) In therapeutic hypnotherapy you remain in control throughout.

So now you know the answer to the question 'is hypnosis dangerous?'. It really is completely safe. And it’s good to know that even if the hypnotherapist just disappeared, you would simply emerge from hypnosis feeling absolutely fine.

Of course you can! You already have been. It’s easy to go into hypnosis because it's a normal state of mind that everyone has already experienced. In fact, hypnosis is such a natural state, most people usually don’t even realise that they are hypnotized. You see, hypnosis occurs every day–when you're driving down the road and lose track of time, for example, or when you're focusing on a book or television programme and you don’t even notice something that's going on around you.

When you come in for hypnotherapy, all you need to do is to be able to follow the instructions of the hypnotherapist and you can put the power of hypnosis to work for you.


(Please not that we specialises in adult therapy, and does not work with children below the age of 16.)
In order to enter hypnosis, all that's required is that you want and allow it.

Hypnotherapy requires your commitment, your desire to be successful.

The statistics speak for themselves: (Source: American Health Magazine)

The first thing to know about hypnosis is that it is 100% safe. Guided hypnosis has been around for hundreds of years and has been recognised and approved by the British Medical Association and the American Medical Association for over 60 years now.

You see, hypnosis is an entirely natural phenomenon. In fact, all human beings have a natural ability to be hypnotised. It’s an ability unrelated to intelligence, character, personality or imagination.

Hypnosis - The Scientific Bit

Normally, during the day, we drift naturally in cycles between what are known as Beta and Alpha brain wave states. Beta is the awake, alert and cognitive state, and Alpha is the awake, relaxed, daydreaming state, considered to be a light hypnotic state. There’s also Theta, which is the light sleep, dreaming and deeper hypnotic state, and Delta, the deep sleep and deep hypnotic state. In the Alpha, Theta and Delta states, the mind temporarily suspends the process of authentication of sensory input.

This means that the process of criticising, analysing and judging is temporarily suspended to varying degrees. In this state, the mind is more open and receptive to suggestion than in the normal Beta state (the awake state). It allows a window of opportunity to enter the inner, subconscious mind.

So hypnosis can be described as the vehicle we use to bypass the critical/analytical faculties of the conscious mind and communicate with the subconscious mind. And it’s the subconscious mind that calls most of the shots, influencing our behaviour and forming our habits. It’s very powerful, and is assumed to utilise over 90% of our mind’s power.

Hypnosis - The Conscious And The Subconscious Mind

In India, I often saw elephants being used in the logging industry. It’s common to see a young boy or master directing and instructing this giant, powerful animal. In a similar manner, the conscious mind attempts to drive the subconscious mind. However, every now and then, the elephant will refuse to obey and all the efforts of the boy or master come to nothing. Again in a similar manner, in a conflict between the willpower (conscious mind) and habit (subconscious mind), the habit usually prevails.

Let me illustrate this with the example of a smoker. The habit of smoking and the smoker’s self-image as a smoker (the subconscious programming) are firmly embedded in the subconscious mind. Then, one day, the smoker wants to stop smoking (the conscious mind). The conflict between the will power on the one side (conscious mind) and the programming on the other (subconscious mind), results in a struggle–the struggle between the conscious and the subconscious–which ends up, most of the time, with the willpower (conscious mind) coming up short.

And herein lies the primary value of hypnosis, because it works with the subconscious mind, in order to bring about change on a very deep and permanent level.

Hypnosis is a much misunderstood phenomenon. For centuries it has been affiliated with spiritualism, witchcraft and various kinds of mumbo jumbo. Its image in the public mind has not been helped by cheap stage and TV hypnotists who delight in having people cluck around like chickens etc. Though it may be entertaining, this does not give an accurate depiction of hypnosis, and has nothing whatsoever to do with hypnotherapy.

It's a far cry from the kind of hypnosis practiced by a professional, properly trained and qualified hypnotherapist.

Yet many people form their impression of hypnosis and hypnotherapy based on television programmes. It is important to understand that professional hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis are very different things. Most of the hypnosis you may have seen on TV has been heavily edited–and therefore greatly distorted. In fact, in all probability, very little you may have viewed on TV has any real connection with professional clinical hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for self-improvement, the resolution of emotional issues and/or the management of pain.

All hypnotherapy utilises hypnosis, but not all hypnosis is hypnotherapy.

Also, mastering the techniques of hypnosis does not necessarily mean one is qualified or capable of working as a hypnotherapist.

Contrary to what many might believe, there is far more to helping someone change than simply giving hypnotic suggestions.

Put quite simply, hypnosis is a state of focus that you allow yourself to enter. It's very similar to that 'miles away' feeling you probably find yourself in from time to time when you let your mind wander.

Be hypnotisedAn Entirely Natural Phenomenon

Everyone experiences the hypnotic trance state many times during the day, including just before you fall asleep at night. You know how you allow yourself to drift off to sleep and how to recognise that feeling of relaxation, with your bodily senses slowing down? The hypnotic trance shares similar commonalities, with the main difference being that hypnosis is not sleep: you are deliberately inducing this state, either using a hypnotherapist as a facilitator, or guiding yourself in the form of self-hypnosis.

Yes, although there may be some or many details that you don't, in the same way that you don't remember all the details of a film you watched.

No. This has never happened in the entire history of hypnosis. Even if the hypnotherapist just disappeared, you would simply emerge from hypnosis feeling absolutely fine.

No. In fact, hypnotherapy can help you gain control–of moods, emotions, respiration, heartbeat, blood pressure etc. You remain in control the whole time, and only integrate those suggestions that are useful and appropriate for you

No. We are re-educating your mind–not giving you a veneer!

For your first session, you are asked to come in around 30 minutes prior to your actual appointment time. After you are welcomed, you will be asked to complete a (completely confidential) form or two that helps us understand something of your history and why you've come for hypnotherapy.

Next, you will view a short DVD in which we explain hypnosis and aspects of hypnotherapy, dispelling common myths and answering Frequently Asked Questions. At this time, you are encouraged to write down any additional questions you may still have, and to bring this with you into your session.

Having viewed the DVD, you talk confidentially with your therapist and discuss the issues that brought you in, and what you hope to achieve. Any misconceptions or concerns that you may have about hypnosis and the therapeutic process are examined and discussed. Once that's completed, the first hypnosis session begins.

The Hypnosis Process

You sit comfortably in a chair or recliner. Once you're ready to go into hypnosis, the process begins and may take a variety of forms. Depending on the purpose of the visit, advanced therapeutic techniques are used to begin the process of issue resolution. When the session is over, you are brought out of hypnosis for a discussion of your experiences while in hypnosis and the progress you have made.

In addition to receiving appropriate hypnosis recordings for home use in between your sessions, as part of the therapeutic process you will be offered the opportunity to learn self-hypnosis in order to continue your personal growth once therapy is completed.

No two people are alike, and issues vary, according to the individual. You will remember everything and you will be fully aware of all that happens in the session.

Working In Partnership

You and your therapist work as a team to resolve your issues. Communication is therefore important for the success of the process.

For cutting-edge hypnotherapy call 07910 245 159

All of our therapists subscribes to and are bound by the strict code of confidentiality and ethics of the associations our therapists belong to.

This means that you can talk about sensitive, private issues not easily shared with friends, family, or even your doctor, with guaranteed confidentiality.

Please Note — There are 2 important exceptions to this:

1. If the client discloses information which may place any person in real danger of injury or abuse, then the therapist may disclose such information as may prevent that abuse or injury. This would include drugs or arms smuggling or acts of terrorism.

2. If a legally constituted Judicial Court issues a subpoena then the therapist has no alternative but to release the records.

We take your confidentiality seriously and our professionalism ensures that it is respected at all times.

Peter Field Hypnosis Centre provides equal care to all clients, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, physical ability or attributes, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.

No. Because of inadequate training and experience, many 'hypnotherapists' simply induce trance and read a 'direct suggestion' hypnosis script at you (we call these practitioners 'script-notists'...), perhaps throwing in some visualisation techniques for good measure–believing that this is all it takes to change! Sometimes, they might combine this with a smattering of NLP or EFT, gleaned from a couple of day's course in a hotel somewhere. Sadly, whatever results they may achieve are usually short lived and temporary. In order for real, lasting change to occur, the actual cause of difficulty needs to be uncovered and then neutralized. This is exactly what Peter's hypnotherapy is designed to achieve.

See also How to Choose a good hypnotherapist.

The great majority of people who enter into the therapeutic process with Peter achieve genuine and permanent change.

For a number of reasons, however, not every single person is able to achieve this.

The main reason is obvious: People are individuals, they are not machines. Because of this, individual results will vary.

No therapist is God. Nor is the therapist a magician. No therapist or therapy can ever realistically achieve 100% success for 100% of people 100% of the time. And any therapist who claims otherwise is, quite frankly, being less than honest.

Playing Your Part

The therapeutic process, as practised at Peter Field Hypnosis Centre, is interactive, robust and at times intense. Here, therapy is not simply a case of sitting back and relaxing in a chair while a lovely visualisation script is read to you. In order for you to change, you are required to participate fully in the process of that change. And such participation usually involves giving expression to and releasing yourself from possibly long suppressed emotions.

No-one can force you to do this. Though you will, of course, be guided and coached in this process, the actual choice of releasing yourself is your responsibility alone. Hypnosis, after all, like any other therapeutic intervention, is not mind control.

Because of this, the therapy requires real commitment.

Therapy is Not Mind Control

Therapy itself is the means through which change can occur. It can unlock doors that have been sealed for a very long time. And the individual is guided and encouraged to walk through those doors. Whether the individual chooses to do so, however, is a matter of individual choice.

And, for one reason or another, not every single person feels able to make this choice at this particular time. Also, though hypnotherapy is a rapid and effective means of change for most people, it is not suitable for every single person. Not everyone responds to treatment. Each of us is an individual, and so individual results will vary.

Should hypnotherapy not be suitable for any individual, this will be discussed and therapy may be either deferred or discontinued at the discretion of the therapist.

In exactly the same way that GPs have the right to decline to accept a patient onto their list, Peter Field Hypnosis Centre reserves the right to decline or to discontinue to treat any client or potential client without giving reason. Therapy is a two way street, and requires the full consent of both client and therapist.


(In certain cases, certain prescription medication and other drugs might flatten or affect feelings to such a degree that therapy may not be possible at this time. Should this be the case, the therapist will explain this to you within the first few sessions and therapy will be deferred or discontinued.)

All clients are required to complete a short questionnaire requesting disclosure of certain medical information before undertaking hypnotherapy. (This is a brief and simple procedure.)

Whilst hypnotherapy is very safe, if you are epileptic, undergoing psychiatric treatment, or have been diagnosed with clinical depression then we need a referral from your doctor confirming that there are no medical reasons why you may not enter into hypnotherapy. A doctor's referral is also required when working with pain and certain medical conditions. In order to facilitate this, we simply fax or send the appropriate referral form to your doctor.

There is no charge for this service.

(Please be aware that therapy depends on the individual's ability to connect with feelings. In certain cases, prescription medication and other drugs might flatten or affect feelings to such a degree that therapy may not be possible at this time. Should this be the case, Peter will explain this to you within the first couple of sessions and therapy will be deferred or discontinued.)

In most cases, somewhere between 2 and 6 sessions are all that's required, but this does depend on the individual and the issue being treated. Simple phobias , for example, most often respond to a minimum of sessions, while more complex, long-standing and multi-faceted issues (e.g. depression that has lasted for years) obviously require longer. In your initial consultation, Peter will assess your situation and give you a realistic appraisal of the number of sessions you may require.

Hypnotherapy sessions usually last for 60-80min long.

(Your first visit will take 30min longer)

Because each session is specifically tailored to the individual's needs, session length may vary from time to time, with some sessions being a little longer and others a little shorter.

Working one-on-one with us, sessions take around 60-80min long.

Our Per Session Rate:

£125 per session (approx. 60-80min)

Stop Smoking Hypnotherapy
2 session Package — £249

Remember that many issues can be cleared in as little as 2 sessions, while very complex issues such as long standing depression, chronic anxiety, a lifetime of low self-esteem and so on can take 2 or 3 sessions longer. It's rare for any course of treatment with Peter to last longer than 4 or 5 sessions in all.


Should you wish to cancel or reschedule any of your reserved appointments with us, we do require at least two (2) working days' notice in order to avoid cancellation charges, which covers one session fee.

General office hours are:
Monday - Friday 9.30 am to 7 pm

(Out of office hours appointments may be available by arrangement, such sessions incurr additional surcharge)

We fully understand that life doesn't always go as planned and that there may be times when you just cannot make it to your appointment. As long as you give us a minimum of 48 hours–two (2) working days'–notice, which enables us to book another client into your time slot, no charge will be made.

Clients giving less than 48 hours–two (2) working days–are, however, liable to pay for missed sessions. A cancellation charge will be made on the card used to confirm attendance at the time of booking, or alternatively, if that card is declined, on the card used to pay for any previous sessions.

No therapy can give you a 100% guarantee of a cure. Naturally, effects of therapy may differ for different individuals. Doctors can't absolutely guarantee that you'll get well, and teachers can't guarantee that you'll learn. Which is why we say:


What we can guarantee at Peter Field Hypnosis Centre is the very best service, using up to date information and appropriate techniques for you and your situation.