And as I leave Lamb's office, I realise I feel lighter and calmer than I have in ages. I also feel a little freaked out about the things I've remembered in the session. When Lamb counts me back into the room, I'm relieved it's over. You're safe," I say to my inner child - trying not to cringe. Feeling foolish for half an hour could be worth it if it improves my mental health. This feels a little awkward, more than a bit embarrassing, but I do as I'm instructed. Lamb tells me to imagine this past version of myself from each time period and reassure her, telling me to speak the words aloud. "Where on earth did that come from?" I think. Events I probably shrugged off as insignificant but apparently still linger in my subconscious. Part of me wants to resist this exercise, but I surprise myself by recounting incidents I'd long forgotten from my childhood. My anxiety isn't really connected to things that happened decades ago, is it? It's in this deeply relaxed state that Lamb asks me to go back to a time in my life where I remember feeling fearful. And I know I can stop the hypnosis at any time if I need to. I'm still awake and aware of my surroundings. I feel myself almost losing consciousness, but not completely. Speaking slowly, gently and counting backwards, she performs the meditation. She plays some relaxing music on the stereo and asks me to close my eyes. I'm still feeling sceptical when Lamb asks me to relax in my chair, and puts my feet up on a pouffe. I think it's the quickest and most permanent way of reframing beliefs," she reveals. We work out why you aren't feeling safe and relaxed, look at the root causes and work through them. So what does hypnosis really involve? In a nutshell: trying to get to the root of the problem, according to Lamb. That's why I wanted to learn how and why it worked," she explains. It was the only thing that worked after trying everything. "Hypnotherapy really helped me with my own anxiety and sleep problems. After trying everything from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to herbal remedies, she found that hypnotherapy was the technique that finally worked for her.
She explains that she too used to suffer from severe anxiety and insomnia. She immediately puts me at ease, asking me to explain why I've come and what I want to achieve. I feel guilty for making assumptions, but Lamb doesn't care. It's just about engaging more of your imagination." It's a natural state we can all achieve and very similar to meditation. "But there's no magic, swinging watches, or chicken noises in reality. "People liken hypnosis to stage shows they see on TV," she laughs. She's not surprised about my preconceptions though. Her office is small and cosy and at no point does she pull out a pocket watch. Lamb greets me with warmth, empathy and a big smile.