Frequently Asked Questions
How long is each session?
Each session is one hour apart from an initial chronic symptom assessment, which is 1.5 hrs.
How many sessions will I need?
It’s completely natural to want clarity around this.
Because everyone’s experiences, symptoms, and history are different, it isn’t always possible to say exactly how many sessions you will need from the start.
The number of sessions can depend on things like:
The nature and duration of your symptoms
How your nervous system is currently responding
Your capacity for change and support between sessions
Some issues, such as specific phobias, can often be resolved in just 1–3 sessions.
However, many of the women I work with are experiencing longer-term patterns — such as anxiety, chronic pain, or overwhelm — which tend to benefit from a slightly deeper, more supportive process.
In these cases, we typically work together for around 6–12 sessions, allowing enough time to create meaningful, lasting change. Some clients choose to continue beyond this to deepen their progress.
Rather than just managing symptoms, we work together to understand what your symptoms are communicating.
By exploring the root causes — in a safe and compassionate way — we can begin to shift the patterns underneath.
This isn’t about changing who you are.
It’s about helping you reconnect with your full self — beyond the patterns your mind and body have learned over time.
This process can take time… but it leads to deeper, more lasting change.
What is the cost of sessions?
You will find all details here.
What does a typical session look like?
Each session is tailored to you — your goals, your experiences, and what you need in that moment.
Our work is collaborative. I come with a clear intention for the session, while also staying flexible and responsive to anything that may have come up for you since we last met.
In our initial sessions, we’ll explore what you’d like support with, what (if anything) has already helped and how you prefer to work.
I’ll gently guide you with what I feel may be most helpful, while always listening to you and adapting to what feels right for you.
Depending on your needs, sessions may include:
Practical tools to help you manage anxiety or panic
Gentle mind-body or somatic work
Hypnotherapy or guided visualisation
Mindfulness and nervous system regulation techniques
Exploring patterns and underlying causes of your symptoms
I may also suggest simple practices or tools for you to use between sessions, to support your progress.
How frequently will I need sessions?
Sessions are usually best when spaced weekly or fortnightly.
This allows enough time for changes to begin integrating, while still maintaining momentum and support.
We can always adjust the pace depending on your needs, availability, and what feels manageable for you.
Do you only accept female clients?
No, I am happy to see all clients, irrespective of gender. It's just that I specialise in seeing women.
Do you see children?
Yes, I do. I generally work with children of age 13 upwards, though have worked with children over the age of 5.
Where are you based and do you see International clients?
I can see you in the comfort of your home, or mine. I have a quiet room in Horley, Surrey (UK). I am also insured and able to see you wherever you are in the world, over the internet.
I find this works really well, even for hypnotherapy and somatic work.
My quiet room in Surrey, UK.
MH Wellbeing, Maria Hancock MSc GQHP
Specialist in Anxiety, Stress and Chronic Symptoms
Trauma-Informed Somatic Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Mindfulness Teacher, SIRPA Pain Recovery Practitioner
Local areas: Horley, Reigate, Redhill in Surrey and Crawley, Horsham, Copthorne in West Sussex. English Speaking Online Therapy.
