The terms “hypnosis” and “hypnotherapy” are often used interchangeably. Hypnosis is a state of awareness and is often also referred to as ‘trance’. Hypnotherapy refers to the use of therapeutic techniques whilst a person is in a hypnotic state.

It's OK to have few nerves when you're speaking in front of an audience, the kind of ones you get because you want to do a good job, that little bit of adrenaline that gives you some momentum.

Many years ago, I stopped smoking. No nicotine patches, no hypnotherapy, no group therapy, no Alan Carr programme or any other programme. I just decided one day that the following day would be the day.

You probably already know that long-term stress can harm your health. The body is perfectly geared up to handle stress - of the short-term kind

Whilst most of us have some understanding or indeed experience of the effects of stress on the body, we may have less knowledge of the effects of stress on the brain.

Over the years that I have been working as a hypnotherapist, fear of flying has been one of the phobias I have treated most often.

Some years ago, I used to teach short self-hypnosis courses - 2 hour sessions over 3 weeks. I taught people how to put themselves into a self-hypnotic state and how to use it to make the changes they wanted.

There is an interesting phenomenon that is often attached to regular smoking. When someone comes to see me to stop smoking, it is often the case that when working, they will have a cigarette every couple of hours or so.

Nobody wants to be preached at and everyone has free will. It has to be the right time for you to stop smoking, the time when you feel ready and sick enough of it to want to stop.