A place to talk.
A way to move
forward.
Some people arrive with a clear goal. Others need space to understand what they feel before deciding what they want to change. We welcome both.
Your first session
We begin by getting to know you and what has brought you here. We’ll ask about your concerns, relevant experiences, health, and circumstances. You can tell us what you hope for, what worries you about therapy, and anything that would help you feel more comfortable. Together, we agree an initial focus and discuss how we might work.
Talking therapy
Talking can help you make sense of experiences, recognise patterns, explore relationships, and consider choices. There may be times when you want to understand the past, times when you need support with the present, and times when you want to focus on what comes next. We discuss the balance that feels useful to you.
Solution focused work
Solution focused approaches explore what you want to be different, what already helps, and what small steps might move you towards that. We pay attention to your strengths and resources, including those that may be difficult to recognise when you’re struggling.
Hypnotherapy and guided relaxation
Where appropriate and agreed with you, hypnotherapy can form part of your support. It uses focused attention, relaxation, and therapeutic suggestions or imagery to explore responses and rehearse helpful changes. We explain the process beforehand. Participation is your choice, and you can ask questions or stop at any time.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness offers ways to notice what is happening in the present moment with greater awareness and less immediate judgement. We may explore attention, breathing, sensations, thoughts, and emotions, using practices adapted to your comfort and circumstances. You don’t need previous experience.
Understanding yourself
We use accessible explanations to help you explore how thoughts, emotions, bodily responses, habits, and circumstances can interact. The aim is to give you a clearer understanding of your experience and useful ways to work with it.
Between appointments
Where helpful, we may agree an exercise, reflection, or practice to try between sessions. We choose these together and keep them realistic for your life. What you notice helps us understand what to build on or adapt.
Reviewing your progress
We check in about how you’re feeling, what is changing, and whether the work is meeting your needs. Progress can include feeling more able to cope, sleeping better, speaking up, reconnecting with people, or responding differently to a difficult situation. Your priorities guide what we pay attention to.
What would you like to know?
How many sessions will I need?
That depends on your circumstances, goals, and response to the work. We’ll discuss an initial plan and review it together. Some people prefer focused support around a particular concern; others want more time to explore longstanding difficulties.
How does confidentiality work?
We explain confidentiality and its limits at the outset, including circumstances involving serious risk of harm or legal requirements. You can ask us about privacy, records, or any aspect of the therapeutic relationship before you begin.
Do I need to know which therapy to choose?
You don’t need to arrive with a particular approach in mind. Tell us what you want help with, and we can explore the options together.
You can start here.
You don’t need the perfect words. We’ll help you find a starting point.
Questions you may have
What is solution focused hypnotherapy?
Solution focused hypnotherapy combines constructive conversation about the changes you want with guided relaxation and focused attention. At Alchemy Life Therapy it may form part of an individual approach alongside counselling, psychotherapy or mindfulness.
Do I stay in control during hypnosis?
Yes. Guided relaxation and hypnosis are collaborative experiences. You can hear what is being said, choose whether to follow suggestions, and pause or stop. You do not have to fall asleep for a relaxation recording to be useful.
Is a relaxation recording the same as individual therapy?
No. A recording offers general guided relaxation. Individual therapy allows your practitioner to listen to your circumstances, discuss your goals and adapt the work to you. Experiences and outcomes vary.