Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know before booking, answered honestly.
Will I lose control or be made to do things I don't want to?
No, and this is the most important thing to understand before trying hypnotherapy for the first time. You remain fully aware and in complete control throughout every session. Clinical hypnotherapy is nothing like stage hypnosis. You cannot be made to do or say anything against your will.
Hypnosis in a therapeutic context is simply a state of focused relaxation, similar to being absorbed in a book or zoning out on a long drive. You are conscious, aware, and able to stop the session at any point. Most people are surprised by how ordinary it feels.
What is the difference between CBH and regular CBT or hypnotherapy?
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) works at the conscious level identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours through structured techniques and exercises. It’s one of the most researched psychological approaches in existence and highly effective for many issues.
Hypnotherapy works at the subconscious level, accessing the automatic responses, conditioned habits, and emotional associations that conscious effort alone struggles to reach.
CBH combines both. The structure and evidence base of CBT, with the deeper access that hypnotherapy provides. The result is that change tends to happen faster and hold more durably than with either approach used alone.
Is CBH evidence-based and safe?
Yes. Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is grounded in well-established psychological research. CBT has decades of clinical evidence behind it, and the use of hypnosis as an adjunct to CBT is supported by a growing body of research showing improved outcomes across a range of conditions including anxiety, habit change, and pain management.
All sessions are structured, transparent, and conducted within professional and ethical guidelines. Antoinette is a registered member of the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR).
What if I can't be hypnotised?
Almost everyone can enter a state of hypnotic relaxation, it’s a natural state that most people experience daily without realising it. The idea that some people “can’t be hypnotised” usually comes from stage hypnosis, where subjects are selected for performance purposes.
In a therapeutic setting, the hypnotic state is simply focused relaxation combined with heightened receptivity. If you can follow guided instructions and allow yourself to relax, you can benefit from hypnotherapy. Willingness and an open mind are the only real requirements.
What happens in a session?
Every session is structured and has three parts.
The first part is a check-in and review – we go over what’s happened since the previous session, what you practised, what shifted, and what didn’t. Progress is tracked throughout so each session builds on the last.
The main part of the session involves focused CBH work – this might be identifying and challenging specific thought patterns, working through a behavioural exercise, or a guided hypnosis sequence designed to reinforce new responses at a subconscious level.
Every session ends with something concrete to take away – a technique, a practice, or a specific task to work on before we next meet. Progress happens between sessions as much as during them.
How long does each session last?
Sessions run 50 to 60 minutes. The free clarity call is 30 minutes.
The smoking cessation programme is structured differently it runs across three sessions totalling approximately four hours, typically spread over two .
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what you’re working on. CBH is not open-ended therapy every programme has a defined scope and clear goals. Here are typical ranges:
Anxiety and overthinking — 4 to 6 sessions
Stress and burnout — 3 to 5 sessions
Quit smoking — 3 sessions (the smoking cessation programme)
Confidence and self-belief — 4 to 6 sessions
These are honest estimates, not fixed packages. We discuss expected session numbers in the free clarity call, and you are never committed to more sessions than you need.
What do I need to do between sessions?
Between sessions you will typically have a short practice or exercise to work on, this might be a self-hypnosis technique, a specific behavioural task, a journalling prompt, or a cognitive exercise. These are always practical and never time-consuming.
The between-session work is an important part of the process. CBH is designed to build skills you can use independently, the practice between sessions is where that skill-building happens.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person?
Yes, and for many people it works better. Online delivery removes the commute, the waiting room, and the pressure of an unfamiliar environment. You’re in your own space, which is an advantage for hypnotherapy work. The familiar, relaxed setting makes the focused relaxation state easier to reach.
The research on online CBT and hypnotherapy is clear: outcomes are comparable to in-person delivery for the conditions CBH addresses. All techniques are fully adapted for remote sessions.
What platform do you use and what do I need?
Sessions are delivered via secure video conferencing. You will receive the session link in your booking confirmation.
What you need:
- A quiet space where you won’t be interrupted
- A reliable internet connection
- Headphones (recommended, especially for hypnosis sessions)
- A device with a camera and microphone, laptop, tablet, or phone all work
- That’s it. No software to install beyond a standard video conferencing app.
What time zones do you work across?
Mindankr is based in the UAE and works with clients internationally. Sessions can be scheduled across multiple time zones including the Gulf, Europe, and beyond.
If you’re in a different time zone and want to check availability, mention your location when you book the clarity call and a suitable time will be found.
How much does it cost?
Current pricing:
Free clarity call — 30 minutes, free
Single CBH session — AED 850 (60–70 minutes)
Package of 4 sessions — AED 3,060
Smoking cessation programme — AED 1,800 (3 sessions, approx. 4 hours total)
Payment details are confirmed at booking. The free clarity call requires no payment and no commitment.
What happens in the free clarity call?
The clarity call is a free 30-minute conversation, free, no commitment, no pressure.
In that call we cover: what’s been going on for you, what you’ve already tried, whether CBH is likely to help, and what a programme would look like for your specific situation. You can ask any questions you have about the approach, the process, or what to expect.
If CBH is not the right fit, that will be said honestly. The purpose of the call is to make sure you have everything you need to make a good decision, not to sell you a programme.
Everything you want to know before booking, answered honestly.
Do I need a referral from a doctor?
No referral is needed to book a session or clarity call.
However, if you are currently under the care of a psychiatrist, are on medication for a mental health condition, or have been diagnosed with a serious psychiatric condition, please speak with your doctor before booking. CBH is not a substitute for clinical or psychiatric treatment and is not appropriate for all presentations.
If you are unsure whether CBH is suitable for your situation, the clarity call is a good starting point, this will be discussed honestly.
How do I book?
Use the booking page to select a session type and choose a time that works for you. You’ll receive a confirmation with all the details.
If you have a question before booking, you can also reach out directly at support@mindankr.com, replies within 24 hours.
Still have a question?
If something isn’t covered above, reach out directly. Or if you’re ready to talk through your specific situation, book the free clarity call, that’s what it’s there for.