FAQ's

This page provides answers the more frequent questions asked about Tom Robertson Therapy.

1. What can I expect to happen during a therapy session

2. Can you provide references

3. Do you have professional insurance

4. What is the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)

5. Can I arrange therapy sessions for a group of people

6. Where do you hold your seminars/workshops

7. Do you provide free demonstrations and presentations to organisations

8. Do you supply hypnotherapy programmes on CDs

9. How do you protect my details and data - Privacy Policy



1. What can I expect to happen during a therapy session

So that you can feel comfortable, relaxed and confident with the therapist, the first part of the session will be to explain the various therapies and discuss and alleviate any concerns that you may have. You will also be assured about the confidentiality of your personal details and therapy.

Once you feel comfortable, your requirements for therapy will be discussed. During this part of the session, notes may be taken describing your  requirements and any prevailing medical conditions, for future reference. You will have full access to these notes, if you desire. If you suffer from a medical problem or have any doubts about the suitability of the LifeChanges therapy, you should consult your own doctor first.

The next stage is the application of the LifeChanges therapy to your problem.As there is a considerable variation in the complexity of and intensity of problems, the approach used may vary from client to client. For example, for a client suffering from an intense phobia, we may use the 'phobia cure' technique from NLP, followed by hypnotherapy. For a client who has been habitually physically or mentally abused, we may use EFT and 'time line techniques' (from NLP) followed by hypnotherapy.

Usually, but not always, LifeChanges therapy will involve some hypnosis. Sometimes the session will be exclusively hypnosis. So, it is worthwhile spending a few minutes describing what to expect during hypnosis. As explained previously, hypnosis may be considered to be an altered state of consciousness. To acheive this you will be given suggestions to guide you into a state where you will feel totally relaxed. However, you will be aware of what is happening to you and around you. Sometimes soothing music will be played in the background to aid the relaxation process. Once you have reached a sufficient state of hypnotic trance, you will be given positive or healing suggestions, to bring about your desired change.

Do remember that if you feel uncomfortable at any time during the hypnosis and want to end the session, you will be able to do so.

Finally, you may want to discuss your experiences of the therapy, providing feedback that may be used for the next session, if one is required.

To see a NCH video of a typical person discussing their experience with hypnotherapy click below.

People often ask prior to therapy, how many sessions they will require. That is difficult to predict as problems vary in intensity and complexity. However usually after the first session, it is easier to make that prediction. Some clients require only 1 session, others require up to 3 or more. Please be assured that my goal is to provide your desired change with as few sessions as possible.

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2. Can you provide references

We are bound by a code of ethics and conduct to respect client confidentiality. For that reason I have not published the names or initials of the clients next to their comments on the  Testimonials page on this website. On request, some clients may agree to direct contact to provide a reference, if you require it.

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3. Do you have professional insurance

Yes, a comprehensive Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance is maintained. It is an obligation for all National Council for Hypnotherapy members to have this insurance.

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4. What is the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)

The NCH holds one of the largest Registers of Hypnotherapists in the United Kingdom. It was initially formed in 1973 as 'The Hypnotherapy Register' to create a National Membership Organisation for Independent Hypnotherapy Practitioners.

A few of its goals include:

  • To maintain a Common Code of Ethics and Practice and a Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure to deal with complaints from any source
  • To raise the standards of Hypnotherapy in the UK in every possible way
  • To encourage high training standards and participation in our nationally recognised qualification in Hypnotherapy, HPD (Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma).

You may contact the NCH at the following address:

- NCH Ltd, 27/28 Eastcastle Street , London W1W 8DH

- Freephone:0800 980 4419

- Website: www.hypnotherapists.org.uk E-mail: admin@hypnotherapists.org.uk

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5. Can I arrange therapy sessions for a group of people

It is possible to take groups of people during a therapy session, but not everyone might experience the benefits at the same pace. If you want to involve a group, I would strongly recommend that you arrange a small group seminar/workshop.The small group workshops can be arranged for up to 10 people. Workshop topics include confidence building, weight loss, smoking addiction and performance improvement in sport and arts, for example. Workshops can be prepared for specific topics, on request.

Workshop duration will depend on the topic, but you could arrange a number of evening workshops (say 2 hours/evening), half day workshops, full day workshops or weekend workshops. Please refer to the Workshops page on this web site.

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6. Where do you hold your seminars/workshops

These are generally held locally in suitable conference locations in Ayrshire, which can provide the necessary ambience and catering facilties. However if requested and numbers are sufficient, they can be set up in any location. Business seminars/workshops may be delivered on the client's premises, if desired.

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7. Do you provide free demonstrations and presentations to organisations

Depending upon your requirement, promotional talks and demonstrations are provided free of charge. In fact most organisations are encouraged to request this. These talks and demonstration might be of particular interest to sports clubs, weight watchers clubs, health clubs, schools and collegesand business organisations, for example.

Standard presentations are available for a number of themes including, Stress Management, Performance Enhancement, Motivation and Confidence Building and Developing Creativity. These can be combined with a number of standard business management presentations to demonstrate how business performance can be improved through the use of the LifeChanges methodology.

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8. Do you supply hypnotherapy tracks

CDs plus instructions for use are available for a variety of topics including stress and anxiety, confidence building, stopping smoking and losing weight and more. They are also currently available as Apps for Android Devices. Tracks can also be made specific to your personal requirements. Until the website is updated with the online 'Shop', please contact me directly if you wish to purchase them, or have a special track made, tailored to your requirements.

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10. How do you protect my Personal Details and Data

The way your personal details and data is managed is covered in my Privacy Policy described below.

Privacy Policy


 I, Tom Robertson am the Data Controller and Processor of Tom Robertson Therapy.

Reason for Collecting Your Data
The basis on which I keep client data is that of “Legitimate Interests”. This means that the data is necessary for me 
to fulfil the contract that we have together 
 (i.e. to provide therapy) and that it is data that you would reasonably expect me to hold and use. 
The data is primarily used to enable me to provide therapy for you. It may also be used anonymously for scientific 
research purposes and case studies. For those who enquire about therapy, the data I hold includes any information 
you have sent me by email/text/message and is only used for communicating with you. 

Types of Data Collected
For those who book and attend at least one session, the data I hold includes:
	•	Basic information such as name, address, email address, phone numbers date of birth, and medication 
	•	Information that you give me as part of the work we do together (case notes)
	•	Records of what interventions that I use in our sessions
	•	Emails, texts and/or messages that are sent between us 
	•	Information sent from any third party, e.g. GP, and insurance company 
Some of the information that you give me may fall under the definition of special category of data as defined by the 
General Data Protection Regulation.The condition for processing this special data is “processing is necessary for 
medical diagnosis, the provision of health care or treatment pursuant to contract with a health professional”. 

Sharing your Data
Data is not shared with anyone, except possibly your GP or other medical consultants, as is necessary for me to 
provide appropriate treatment, if I believe you are at risk to yourself. Under certain conditions it may be 
necessary for me to have your medical practitioner's approval (for example, in the case of depression or if you 
are currently having medical treatment which may impact the type of treatment I provide you with). 
   
Storage of Your Data
Details of where data is held:
	•	Any emails sent between us are held on my computer’s hard drive, which is code protected. 
	•	Any texts sent between us are held on my mobile phone which is code protected.
	•	Your case notes are handwritten and are kept in a locked filing cabinet. 
		I do not store your basic information (other than email address) or case notes on the computer.
	•	Your data is kept for 10 years. The length of time is based on the stipulation of my insurer. 
		After this time any paper records are shredded and computer records permanently deleted.
	
However:
	•	I am not in control of data (including emails and texts) which you send me
	
If there is any breach of data security Tom Robertson Therapy will give full details to the Information 
Commissioners Office and any person affected within 72 hours of the breach and do all possible to minimise 
any potential impact.

Your Rights with regard to the Data held
You have rights with regards to the data held:
	•	The right of access. 
		I will provide you with all data I hold on you as soon as I can, following a request (and definitely
		within 30 days, unless this is impossible due to holidays or illness).
				
	•	The right to rectification. 		
		If any data I hold is incorrect, just let me know and I will correct it as soon as I can 
		following a request (and definitely within 30 days, unless this is impossible due to holidays or illness).
				
	•	The right to erasure. 
		If you wish me to erase your data just let me know and I will delete any computer emails and shred 
		any paper records as soon as I can following a request (and definitely within 30 days, unless this is 
		impossible due to holidays or illness)
		
	•	The right to restrict processing. 
		This would usually be a stop-gap measure before correction of any errors or before erasure
	
	•	The right to data portability. 	
		This might apply if you want your notes sent to another therapist for example, but it is likely that the 
		easiest solution would come under the right to access, i.e. I would send the data to you.
				
	•	The right to object to:
		o	processing based on legitimate interests or the performance of a task in the public interest/exercise 
			of official authority (including profiling). Tom Robertson Therapy does not engage in these things
		o	direct marketing. Tom Robertson Therapy does not currently engage in these things.  
		o	processing for purposes of scientific/historical research and statistics. For this, you must provide 
			grounds for your objection.
		o	automated decision making and profiling. Tom Robertson Therapy does not engage in automated 
			decision making or profiling.
		
Complaints Procedure
You can make complaints as follows:
	•	In the first instance you can choose to complain to Tom Robertson at Tom Robertson Therapy    
		handling of your data.
	•	You have the right to complain directly to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
		https://ico.org.uk

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