Service Guidelines & Expectations

Last Updated: 14 February 2026

Thank you for choosing to work with me. 

This document outlines the framework of our partnership. Establishing clear boundaries creates the secure container necessary for the best possible outcome.

This document is part of, and governed by, my full Terms & Conditions. All personal data is handled in accordance with my Privacy Notice. 

Realistic Expectations

Hypnotherapy is a collaborative process, and your willingness and participation plays a key role in its effectiveness. While many clients experience significant benefits, results vary based on individual commitment and responsiveness and no specific results are guaranteed.

Integration Period: Due to the nature of the subconscious mind, it is normal for the full effect of a session to settle in over the 2–3 days following our appointment.

Number of Sessions: Deep behavioural change is a process. While the Foundation Session often creates an immediate shift, lasting transformation of deep-seated patterns typically requires a short series of sessions. Depending on your goals, this is typically 5 to 12 sessions (inclusive of the Foundation Session) to fully "lock in" the new baseline. To be clear, it is unrealistic to assume a single session will produce lasting change for deep transformational work.

All Hypnosis is Self-Hypnosis: A session with a hypnotherapist is, at its core, guided self-hypnosis. The knowledge and skill of the hypnotherapist empowers you to access your subconscious mind, to enable transformation.

Your Role in the Progress: Long-term change comes through your commitment to applying these techniques consistently. For lasting results, I recommend a daily practice of self-hypnosis (just a few minutes) between sessions and onwards after our work concludes.

Considerations on the Process: Participating in Hypnotherapy / Hypnosis may involve some discomfort, including remembering and discussing unpleasant events, feelings, and experiences. The process may evoke strong feelings of sadness, anger, fear, etc. There may be times in which Your perceptions and assumptions are challenged, and different perspectives offered. During the therapeutic process, You may find that You feel worse before You feel better. For some, this is generally a normal course of events. Personal growth and change may be easy and swift at times, but may also be slow and frustrating.

Client Suitability

Important Information Regarding Your Suitability for Hypnotherapy

My primary commitment is to your well-being, and to working ethically within my professional scope of practice. Hypnotherapy is a powerful process for personal development, but it is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, and it is not suitable for everyone.

Please read the following information carefully. To proceed with booking a session, you will need to confirm your understanding and agreement with these points.

1. When Hypnotherapy is Not Suitable (Absolute Contraindications)

I am unable to offer hypnotherapy to individuals who have been diagnosed with, or are currently experiencing symptoms of certain conditions. This list includes, but is not limited to, the following:

- Psychosis: (e.g., Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, or any condition involving a loss of contact with reality).

- Certain Personality Disorders: Specifically, those where reality testing may be impaired.

- Current Substance or Alcohol Psychosis: Or if you are currently under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

2. Conditions Requiring Prior Medical Consultation

For the following conditions, it is your responsibility to consult with your GP or a relevant medical specialist to confirm that hypnotherapy is a suitable complementary approach for you at this time. This list includes, but is not limited to, the following:

- Epilepsy

- Severe or Clinical Depression with Suicidal Ideation:
I do not work with clients who are actively suicidal as this requires specialist crisis intervention.

- Bipolar Disorder

- Any other health concerns (mental or physical)

Scope of Service

Our Work Together: A Staged Approach

My practice is built on integrity and results. Because hypnotherapy is a collaborative partnership, I operate a staged approach to ensuring we are the right fit:

1. Suitability Assessment: Submission of an intake form allows me to ensure I am the right practitioner for you before a booking is made.

2. The Foundation Session: This required first session allows us to start the work and to verify the efficacy of our working relationship. 

3. Invitation to Continue: Access to ongoing sessions (The Transformation Package) is by invitation following the Foundation Session, to help ensure my specific approach will serve your long-term goals effectively.

Service Philosophy

Hypnotherapy is most effective when focused on guided sessions and your own self-practice. The real progress happens through:

• Our structured hypnotherapy sessions

• Your consistent practice of self-hypnosis between sessions

• Your active engagement and commitment to the process

Session Formats and Duration

Sessions are conducted online via video call.

1. The Foundation Session: This is the required first session for all new clients and typically lasts 90 minutes. 

2. Transformation Packages: Typically a block of 4 sessions designed to deepen our work together and give time for transformation to be created and sustained. All sessions in this package must be completed within 35 days of purchase, as detailed in the Terms & Conditions. 

3. Ongoing Sessions: Subsequent to a Transformation Package, single additional sessions, may be suggested to further our work, or as top-up sessions. These typically last 60 minutes. 

Concluding Our Sessions Effectively: My priority is your outcome. While we will always aim to finish at the scheduled time, I ask that you please keep a small buffer of 10-15 minutes free in your personal schedule after our session. This is not always needed, but it gives me the professional flexibility to ensure we can bring the session to a comfortable and complete conclusion without being rushed.

My Environment: I conduct sessions from a private space using noise-cancelling technology to ensure the highest audio quality. Occasional external background noise may occur; rest assured this does not impact the effectiveness of the process, as we can easily incorporate this into your session.

What's Included in the Service

• Personalised Hypnotherapy Sessions: Tailored to your personal goals as given on your Client Intake Form and discussed at the start of a session.

• Package Support: For clients enrolled in a Transformation Package, email access is provided for sharing progress updates and clarifications regarding your self-hypnosis practice.

• Session Recordings: Sessions are not recorded by default. Recordings are only made with your separate, explicit prior consent for a specific, agreed-upon purpose. For instance: to ensure the highest quality of service and to aid in the creation of accurate session notes.  

What's Not Included in the Service

• Ongoing Support Between Sessions: Our therapeutic work happens within our arranged sessions. To respect your autonomy and professional boundaries, I do not offer therapeutic coaching or "chat" support including via calls, email or messaging apps between appointments. (You are, of course, welcome to email for administrative matters). Any communication outside of the session should be via email only, matthew@matthewearlwellness.com, or the contact form on my website, matthewearlwellness.com

• "Talk Therapy" or Counselling: Our time is solution-focused. We discuss issues to resolve them, rather than to ruminate on them.

• Crisis Support: This service does not provide crisis intervention. If you require immediate help for a mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, or other emergency situations, please contact a qualified mental health professional or emergency services immediately.

• Medical or Psychological Treatment: This service is not a substitute for professional medical, psychiatric, or psychological treatment. Clients with suspected or diagnosed mental and / or physical health conditions are responsible for consulting with a suitably qualified healthcare provider before undertaking hypnotherapy.

Outcomes

The practitioner makes no guarantees regarding the outcomes of hypnotherapy sessions. This is because results vary between individuals, and the effectiveness of the service depends substantially on the client's engagement and practice. This limitation of liability forms part of the contract between You and Me.

The Booking Process

1. Application: New clients begin by completing a Confidential Client Intake Form with the view to booking the "Foundation Session". See the "Book a Session" page on the website. Please be aware that completion of the form allows me to assess suitability and is not a guarantee of a booking.

2. Review: I will contact you normally within two working days with one of the following outcomes: 

• An invitation to book your session with a private scheduling link.

• An option for a paid 20-minute consultation (£45) if you wish to speak briefly before committing to a session. This call is strictly for clarifying questions and is non-therapeutic.

• Notification if I feel that my hypnotherapy sessions would not be a good fit, with alternative suggestions where possible.

3. Booking: A private scheduling link will allow you to pick a time and make payment. Payment is required at the time of booking to secure your appointment.

Payment and Confirmation

Payment must be made in advance to secure your chosen appointment time. Your session is only confirmed once the Intake Form has been reviewed and accepted by me and full payment has been successfully received.

Client Responsibilities and Conduct

Preparing Yourself and Your Space

• Quiet & Private Space: Choose a comfortable, private location where you will not be disturbed for the entire session. Please inform household members you'll be unavailable, and avoid having any pets in the room with you.

• Safe Environment: Ensure your environment is settled and safe, with no unattended tasks or activities that might require your attention during the session—for your comfort and safety.

• Minimise Distractions: Silence your phone and computer notifications to help you stay present and focused.

• Pre-Session Relaxation: If possible, allow yourself 10-15 minutes before our session to relax and transition into a calm state of mind.

• Your Role & Intention: Come with an open mind, a willingness to participate actively, and a clear intention for what you'd like to achieve. Your commitment to the process is key.

• Avoid Alcohol/Recreational Drugs: Please ensure you have not consumed alcohol or recreational drugs before our session.

Technology Requirements and Contingencies

• Webcam: Ensure you have a working camera for your video call.

• Audio Clarity: Many laptops have poor audio clarity, especially for hypnotherapy sessions where your voice will often become quieter and softer. Use headphones or earbuds with an integrated microphone for the best experience. Please test this functionality before any session.

• Connectivity: Please test your internet connection (fast stable Wi-Fi or mobile internet 4G / 5G signal is required), camera, and microphone well before our scheduled time.

• Power: Make sure your device is connected to the mains so it will last the whole session. Battery power issues are a very common cause of session interruptions!

• Backup Plan: In the event of connectivity issues, we may switch to audio-only or a phone call. Hypnotherapy works just as effectively.

• Connectivity Issues: If the session is disrupted due to persistent technical issues on your end, and a phone call is also not possible, the session is considered complete and is non-refundable.

Punctuality and Lateness Policy

Punctuality – Honouring Our Time: My practice operates on a low-volume model where your time slot is reserved exclusively for you.

• Arrival: Please join the call promptly. Arriving a few minutes early is ideal for any last-minute tech checks.

• Lateness: If you are late, the session will still conclude at its scheduled end time. 

  • The 15-minute limit: Please be aware that if you are late by 15 minutes or more, we will be unable to proceed with the session. This will be treated as a 'no-show' and cancelled to protect the integrity of the work. The session fee is non-refundable in this instance.

Respectful and Professional Conduct

Maintaining a respectful and appropriate atmosphere during sessions is essential. If disruptive or inappropriate behaviour occurs, the session may be ended early without a refund.

Cancellations and Rescheduling

Your rights to cancel and the applicable charges or policies depend on when you cancel and whether it falls within your statutory 14-day cooling-off period (for online/distance bookings).

• Statutory Cooling-Off Period: Please refer to the Terms & Conditions for full details of your 14-day statutory right to cancel and how it is affected if you request the service to begin early.

• My Business Policy: If You need to cancel or reschedule outside of, or in conjunction with, your statutory rights, please provide at least 24 hours’ written notice via email to matthew@matthewearlwellness.com

• Less than 24 hours notice: Cancellations or rescheduling requests made with less than 24 hours' notice will result in the session fee being non-refundable. Full details, including the justification for these charges, are in Terms & Conditions.

Acknowledgment and Acceptance

By booking and / or attending a session, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these guidelines as well as the full Terms and Conditions. 

This document is an integral part of my Terms and Conditions. In the case of any contradictions, the full Terms and Conditions take precedence.

Queries

If you have any queries about these Service Guidelines & Expectations, you are welcome to contact me. 

For all other queries, please first review the FAQs & Science Page