How Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Works
A different way of understanding your mind
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy combines talk therapy with trance to help you understand how your brain works and develop a more positive, future-focused way of thinking.
It isn't about being controlled or having someone take over your mind. You remain awake, aware, and in control throughout the process.
Our approach focuses on where you are now, where you'd like to be, and the steps that can help you move towards that preferred future.
Understanding your brain
One of the things we do during sessions is help you understand more about how your brain responds to stress, anxiety, emotions, and challenging situations.
When we understand what's happening in our brains, it can become easier to recognise patterns and respond differently.
Rather than seeing difficult thoughts or emotions as something being “wrong” with you, we can begin to understand them as part of how the brain is designed to respond.
This understanding can help you develop a different relationship with your thoughts and emotions and begin to feel more in control.
The Solution Focused Approach
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern, forward-focused approach that combines solution focused talking therapy with hypnosis. It draws on principles from psychology and psychotherapy, with an emphasis on helping you recognise your strengths, resources and possibilities for change.
Rather than focusing primarily on analysing problems or spending lots of time exploring the past, the approach looks towards where you want to be and how you can move towards that preferred future.
During sessions, we'll explore what you would like to be different, what is already working, and the small, practical steps that can help you move forward.
The approach is collaborative, meaning you remain an active part of the process. Your goals, experiences, and ideas help shape the direction of your sessions.
Why Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?
When we’re experiencing stress or anxiety, it can be difficult to think clearly, feel positive or see a way forward. We can become so focused on what’s troubling us that it feels harder to recognise our strengths and possibilities.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy offers a way to step back from these patterns and begin looking at things differently. By combining therapeutic conversation with guided relaxation and hypnotic trance, it encourages a focus on your preferred future, the resources you already have and the changes you’d like to make.
Rather than expecting everything to change at once, we work together to help you recognise progress and take small, manageable steps towards the future you want.
What is trance?
Hypnosis, or trance, is a natural state of focused attention and deep relaxation. You may have experienced something similar when becoming completely absorbed in a book, daydreaming, watching a film, or travelling somewhere familiar and suddenly realising you've been on “autopilot”.
During hypnotherapy, trance provides an opportunity to become more focused and receptive to positive suggestions. It is a normal experience, and you remain an active part of the process throughout.
You are always in control. Hypnosis is not mind control, and it isn't the same as being asleep. You remain aware of what is happening and can hear your practitioner's voice throughout the session. You can pause, stop or open your eyes at any point if you wish.
Everyone experiences trance differently. Some people feel deeply relaxed, while others notice a sense of lightness, heaviness, warmth or simply a quieter, more focused mind. Some people become very absorbed in their thoughts or imagery, while others remain aware of their surroundings.
There is no “right” way to experience hypnosis. You don't need to try to make anything happen or wonder whether you're “doing it properly”. Your experience is your own, and we'll guide you through the process at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
What happens during a session?
Every session is slightly different because your goals and circumstances are unique, but our general Solution Focused Hypnotherapy sessions follow a clear and supportive structure.
A typical session is approximately 50 minutes, with around 25 minutes of talk therapy followed by around 25 minutes of trance. The exact timing may vary slightly depending on what you are working on and where you are in your journey.
1. Catch up and settle 2. Talk therapy 
Every session includes a period of hypnosis, or trance. This will usually take around 25 minutes of the session. Your practitioner will guide you into a state of focused relaxation using calming language, guided imagery, and positive suggestions tailored to the work you're doing together.
You remain aware and in control throughout the process. There is no need to “try” to achieve a particular feeling — everyone's experience of trance is different.
3. Trance 4. Returning to the present At the end of the trance, your practitioner will guide you back to your normal alert state. You'll then have an opportunity to reflect on the session and anything you'd like to take forward with you.
The talking part of the session combines solution-focused questioning with elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). We'll explore what's happening for you now, what you'd like to be different, what is already working, and the small steps that can help you move towards your preferred future.
This is also an opportunity to build your understanding of how your brain responds to stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges, helping you recognise patterns and develop new ways of responding.
We'll begin by talking about how things have been since your previous session, what you've noticed, what's gone well, and anything you'd like to focus on.
Some sessions have a different structure
The structure above describes our general Solution Focused Hypnotherapy sessions. Some of our more specific services follow a different format because they have been designed around the particular support being provided.
Phobia Support - After your initial consultation, phobia support consists of three further sessions, each with a specific focus as part of the process. These sessions have a different structure from our standard sessions, while still including trance.
Smoking Cessation - Smoking cessation follows a one-off two-hour session after your initial consultation. This session has a different structure to our usual appointments and includes hypnosis/trance as part of the process.
Although these sessions are structured differently, trance remains an important part of both approaches.
Is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy right for me?
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy may be helpful if you're ready for something to feel different and are open to a practical, future-focused approach. It isn't about forgetting what has happened or pretending that difficult experiences don't matter. Instead, sessions focus on understanding where you are now, what you want to change, and how you can begin moving towards a preferred future.
As everyone's circumstances are different, an initial consultation gives you an opportunity to talk through what you're looking for, ask questions, and decide whether this approach feels right for you.
How many sessions will I need?
Everyone is different, so there isn't a fixed number of sessions that will be right for everyone. The number of sessions you need will depend on your individual circumstances, what you'd like to achieve, and how you progress throughout your sessions.
For straightforward or simple phobias, support can often be completed in four sessions in total — an initial consultation followed by three further sessions specifically focused on the phobia.
For most areas of support, including anxiety, depression, pain management, weight management, confidence, stress, sleep difficulties, and other concerns, a course of approximately 8–12 sessions is generally recommended. This provides time to build understanding, develop new ways of thinking and responding, and work towards meaningful and sustainable change.
These timeframes are a guide rather than a rule. Some people may need fewer than 8 sessions, while others may benefit from more than 12. Your progress will be reviewed throughout your time with us, and we'll discuss how you're getting on and whether further sessions would be helpful.
We generally recommend having sessions once a week to provide consistency and continuity and to support the best possible progress between sessions. As you move through your sessions, the frequency can be reviewed depending on your individual needs and circumstances.
There is no expectation that you need to commit to a particular number of sessions before you begin. Your initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss what you're looking for, and we'll work together to decide what feels appropriate for you.
Online Sessions
At Sorava Minds, we offer Solution Focused Hypnotherapy online, allowing you to access support from the comfort of your own home.
Online sessions follow a gentle, supportive structure, with time to talk with your practitioner, explore your progress and focus on the changes you would like to make, followed by guided trance work.
All you need is a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and a microphone, and a quiet, private space where you can sit comfortably without interruptions.
Our aim is to create a supportive, welcoming experience where you feel comfortable, heard, and encouraged throughout your journey.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, we encourage you to speak with your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Please continue following their advice and any prescribed treatment unless advised otherwise by them.
We work within our professional scope and will discuss whether another form of support or additional professional input may be appropriate when needed. Your wellbeing and safety are always important to us.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a complementary approach to supporting emotional wellbeing. Everyone’s circumstances and experiences are different, and individual outcomes can vary. We cannot guarantee specific results.
Our sessions are collaborative. You’re never told what to think or expected to hand over control; you remain involved in the process throughout.
A supportive approach, not a one-size-fits-all solution
Your First Step
Your journey begins with an initial consultation. This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, understand what has brought you to us, answer your questions and explain how we may be able to support you.
There is no pressure to continue. The consultation is simply a chance to decide whether Solution Focused Hypnotherapy feels right for you.
Have more questions?
It's completely understandable to have questions before deciding whether Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is right for you.
If there's something you'd like to know before booking an initial consultation, you're very welcome to get in touch. You can complete our contact form or email us directly, and we'll be happy to answer your questions and provide any information that may help you decide whether you'd like to take the next step.
There's no pressure to book an initial consultation. We want you to feel comfortable, informed, and confident in your decision.