Matthew Stanford-Page from Taunton, who was part of the trial, said: "I was a bit sceptical - I've not been hypnotised, but even after the first meeting it really relaxed me."

He said he was sitting in a comfortable room while the therapist "asked me some questions about myself, nothing too deep, just what I like".

"Then she used some very relaxing words and some processes where you think deeply and then you start to relax. You're very conscious. And it almost takes you into a different plane of thought."

He likened the experience to day dreaming, adding his happy place was "Teletubby land" with its hills and flowers.