Service Guidelines & Expectations

Last Updated: 23 January, 2026

Thank you for choosing to work with me. I look forward to our session.

This document outlines what to expect from our work together and clarifies the professional guidelines of my practice. Clear expectations are the foundation 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 benefits such as reduced stress and increased confidence, results vary based on individual commitment and responsiveness and no specific results are guaranteed.

Due to the nature of the sub-conscious mind, the full effect of any session takes 2–3 days to be fully realised.

Number of Sessions: Some clients notice significant changes after one session, while others may require 5 to 12 sessions to lock in deeper progress, depending on their goals. 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:  Your progress depends on your level of engagement and commitment to applying these techniques. For lasting results, a daily practice of self-hypnosis is recommended. While I provide guidance during the session, long-term change comes through your commitment to applying these techniques consistently. For lasting results, you will need to commit to a daily practice of self-hypnosis between sessions, and onwards after you decide to finish your sessions.

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

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

Scope of Service

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.

• The Foundational Session: This is the required first session for all new clients typically lasts 90 minutes.  

• Ongoing Sessions: Follow-up sessions, as part of a Transformation Package or as Top-Up Sessions, typically last 60 minutes. 

  • Transformation Packages are typically a block of 4 sessions designed to maintain therapeutic momentum. All sessions in this package must be completed within 35 days of purchase, as detailed in the Terms & Conditions. 

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 normally quiet, private space using noise-cancelling technology to ensure the highest audio quality. However, occasional external background noise (e.g., traffic, building work) may occur. Please rest assured that this does not impact the effectiveness of the hypnotherapy process, as easily incorporate any such sounds or potential distractions into your process.

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.

• Post-Session Support: A brief follow-up email or resource recommendations may be provided, primarily after your first session, at my discretion.

• Session Recordings: Sessions are not audio or video 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 together happens within our arranged sessions. Therapeutic email correspondence, coaching, or messaging support between appointments is generally not provided. While you are always welcome to email for administrative matters (such as scheduling or technical issues), any additional therapeutic guidance or feedback between sessions is offered strictly at my discretion. Any communication outside of the session should be via email only, matthew@matthewearlwellness.com, or the contact form on my website, matthewearlwellness.com

• Not Talk Therapy or Counselling: Some discussion is vital within our sessions to clarify your concerns and goals. However, this is hypnotherapy not talk therapy. 

• Not for Crisis Situations: No service I offer is for crisis situations including urgent mental health situations. If you require immediate help for a mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, or other emergency situations, please contact a qualified mental health professional, visit your nearest emergency department, or call emergency services immediately. This service cannot and does not provide crisis intervention or emergency support.

• 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. This statement is subject to the full Terms and Conditions

The Booking Process

1. New clients begin by booking the "Foundational Session" via the "Book a Session" page on the website. This will take you to the Confidential Client Intake Form. 

Please be aware that part of the reason for the intake process is for me to assess if I feel my services would be a good fit for you. Completion of the Client Intake Form is not a guarantee of a session booking.

2. After submitting your form I will contact you within two working days with one of the following outcomes: 

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

2. A request for a brief, complimentary chat if I have a few clarifying questions.

3. Notification if I feel that my hypnotherapy sessions would not be a good fit.

3. A private scheduling link will allow you to pick a time suitable time for your session based on my availability, along with making 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. You will be clearly informed of the specific payment method(s) available to you (which, at my discretion, may include bank transfer, PayPal, or an online payment portal) when you receive your scheduling information. Payment methods are also outlined comprehensively in Section 6.2.3 of the Terms & Conditions. 

• Your session is only confirmed once the Intake Form has been reviewed 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, as this can interfere with the process.

Technology Requirements and Contingencies

Please test your internet connection, camera, and microphone well before our scheduled time.

• Mains 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!

• Internet Connection: You are responsible for ensuring You have a reliable internet connection and a device that supports video calls. A strong Wi-Fi or strong mobile internet 4G / 5G signal is required. Test Your setup in advance.

• 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.

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

• Non-Refundable 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 may not be refunded or rescheduled, as outlined in the Terms & Conditions.

Punctuality and Lateness Policy

• Punctuality – Honouring Our Time: Both your time and my time are valuable. My schedule is structured to be fully present for you and all my clients, which relies on sessions starting on time.

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

  • Policy on Lateness: If you are late, the session will still conclude at its scheduled end time. Please be aware that if you are late by 15 minutes or more this will be treated as a 'no-show' and automatically cancelled. The full session fee will be non-refundable, as this time was reserved exclusively for you.

• Concluding Our Session 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.

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 Section 7.1 of 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

  • Cancellations or rescheduling requests made with less than 24 hours' notice will result in the forfeiture of the full session fee. Full details, including the justification for these charges, are in Section 7.2 of the 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