What is Hypnotherapy?

  • Hypnotherapy is a gentle, evidence-based approach that helps you create positive change by working with your subconscious mind. It can help you break negative cycles, shift deep-rooted patterns, and gain clarity and confidence.

    You're always in control during hypnotherapy. It’s not stage hypnosis or mind control—just a deep, meditative state where your mind becomes more open to positive suggestions. There are no swinging watches, just relaxation and science-backed techniques. It is not like what the media portrays it to be and it is not stage hypnosis, which makes use of other techniques and illusions.

  • Our brain operates at different frequencies depending on our state—busy and alert (Beta), relaxed (Alpha), deeply relaxed or meditative (Theta), and asleep (Delta).

    Hypnotherapy uses deep relaxation to bring your brain into Alpha or Theta states, allowing direct communication with your subconscious. In this state, helpful suggestions can take root, leading to real behavioural and emotional change.

    Each time you act differently because of these suggestions, you reinforce new neural pathways—essentially rewiring your brain.

  • Your subconscious drives up to 90% of your behaviour. It stores all past experiences and patterns—even those you don’t consciously remember.

    For example, early rejection (like not being picked for a team) can create unconscious fears of rejection in adulthood. Hypnotherapy works by identifying and gently reprogramming these patterns so you can respond differently and break free from limiting beliefs.

  • Hypnotherapy is safe for most people, but there are a few exceptions:

    It’s not suitable for those with epilepsy or psychosis

    You cannot get “stuck” in hypnosis—even online

    Some people may experience emotional release (e.g., tears, laughter), which is normal

    You may feel tingling, deep relaxation, or time distortion—all normal however, not everyone experiences this.

    You’ll complete a consultation form so I can tailor your session safely and effectively.

  • Hypnotherapy is highly adaptable and works best if you’re open to change. You don’t need to "believe" in it—but a willingness to relax and engage helps.

    It’s far more personalised and effective than a meditation app because it’s designed around your unique needs.

  • Meditation takes practice and brain training, hypnotherapy is guided, so please do not worry if you struggle to meditate and your mind wonders- this is exactly what hypnotherapy is for.

    There are some similarities and being in hypnosis feels like being in a meditative state, you are always aware and in control.

    Like mindfulness, hypnotherapy helps train your mind to stay present and reduce overthinking. Studies show regular meditation reduces activity in the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN)—the part linked to negative thought loops and anxiety.

    Hypnosis, like meditation, can lower stress, enhance neuroplasticity, and even influence your immune system and pain response, as shown in studies on breathing techniques (e.g., Wim Hof).

  • Hypnosis has ancient roots—in Egyptian temple healing, shamanic rituals, and Buddhist meditation. It was later developed in modern medicine by figures like Mesmer, Freud, Milton Erickson, and Dave Elman. It was used as anesthetic before modern medicine was developed.

    Today, it's a scientifically recognised therapeutic tool, blending ancient wisdom with modern neuroscience and trials within the NHS are underway.

    From the Royal Family to Celebrities- Hypnotherapy has been used worldwide with proven results.

How Hypnotherapy can help with specific challanges?

  • Trauma happens when a deeply distressing or disturbing event overwhelms your ability to cope. This could be a single incident or repeated events over time.

    The amygdala, your brain’s “alarm system,” becomes overactive, while the hippocampus struggles to store memories in a safe, organised way. This can leave you feeling anxious, on edge, or reliving parts of the experience subconsciously.

    Around 60% of adults in the UK experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, and many report ongoing effects (NHS Digital, 2022).

    Hypnosis allows your brain to reprocess the memory in a safe, controlled state, reducing the emotional charge and calming the nervous system. You can retrain your brain to respond differently to triggers, helping you feel safer and more in control.

  • PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.

    The amygdala remains highly reactive, the hippocampus struggles with contextualising memories, and the prefrontal cortex (your thinking and reasoning centre) may be less effective at calming emotional responses.

    About 4% of adults in the UK experience PTSD each year, but it’s often underdiagnosed (NHS Digital, 2022).

    Hypnosis can access subconscious memory networks to reduce the intensity of flashbacks and nightmares, helping your prefrontal cortex regain control over emotional responses. Over time, your brain learns to process trauma safely, reducing distress.

  • Anxiety is persistent worry or fear, and low mood is prolonged sadness or lack of motivation. Both can interfere with daily life, relationships, and work.

    Anxiety increases amygdala activity and hyperarousal, while low mood can reduce serotonin signalling and impair prefrontal cortex regulation. This creates a cycle of negative thoughts and heightened stress.

    Around 8% of UK adults experience anxiety disorders, and about 5% experience depression at any given time (NHS Digital, 2022).

    Hypnosis strengthens prefrontal control over emotional centres, shifts attention away from rumination, and promotes relaxation. Suggestions during hypnosis can also increase motivation, positivity, and emotional resilience.

  • Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or achieving restful sleep is incredibly common and can affect mood, energy, and overall health. Sleep problems include insomnia, frequent waking, and restless or non-restorative sleep.

    Sleep is regulated by the hypothalamus, brainstem, and pineal gland, while the prefrontal cortex and limbic system manage emotional arousal. Stress, anxiety, and racing thoughts increase cortisol and sympathetic nervous system activity, making it difficult for the brain to switch into restorative sleep cycles.

    Around 1 in 3 adults in the UK report poor sleep at least a few nights a week, with 10–15% experiencing chronic insomnia (Sleep Council UK, 2022).

    Hypnosis helps calm the nervous system, reduce mental chatter, and shift the brain into a relaxed, sleep-ready state. Guided suggestions and mental rehearsal can retrain the brain to associate bedtime with relaxation, supporting faster sleep onset and deeper, more restorative sleep.

  • Difficulty controlling weight often stems from emotional eating, habits, and lifestyle patterns rather than willpower alone.

    Reward centres (nucleus accumbens) respond strongly to food cues, while the prefrontal cortex may struggle to regulate impulses. Stress and low mood can exacerbate overeating.

    Over 60% of UK adults are overweight or obese (NHS, 2022).

    Hypnosis strengthens self-control, reshapes reward pathways, and supports behaviour change. Mental rehearsal and suggestions promote healthier eating habits and consistent physical activity.

  • Nicotine addiction is reinforced by habitual cues and reward circuits in the brain, making quitting challenging.

    Nicotine hijacks the brain’s dopamine pathways, strengthening craving responses and habit loops. Stress or environmental triggers often lead to relapse.

    Around 13% of UK adults smoke, with vaping increasingly common among younger adults (ONS, 2022).

    Hypnosis reduces cue-driven cravings and strengthens motivation circuits, supporting habit change. Post-hypnotic suggestions can create a new identity as a non-smoker and enhance resilience to triggers.

  • Phobias are intense fears of specific objects or situations, leading to avoidance and distress. The amygdala amplifies threat perception, while avoidance prevents the prefrontal cortex from recalibrating responses.

    Around 12% of UK adults report phobias impacting daily life (NHS, 2022).

    Hypnosis allows safe, gradual exposure to feared situations and retrains brain pathways to reduce fear responses. Imagery and suggestions help the amygdala learn that the situation is safe.

  • Pain can be physical or anticipatory—fear of pain often worsens the experience. Chronic pain affects daily life, and procedure anxiety can prevent necessary medical care.

    Pain signals pass through the spinal cord to the brain. The amygdala can amplify perception, and the prefrontal cortex modulates how we interpret pain. Stress and fear make the brain’s alarm system overreact.

    Around 28 million people in the UK experience chronic pain, and procedure-related anxiety is common in healthcare settings (Pain UK, 2022).

    Hypnosis changes the way your brain perceives pain, reduces fear responses, and engages pain-inhibiting pathways. It can lower anticipatory anxiety and increase comfort during procedures.

  • Low confidence or self-esteem can limit career growth, relationships, and personal satisfaction. Public speaking anxiety is one of the most common social fears.

    Performance anxiety activates the amygdala and stress centres, while the prefrontal cortex may struggle to regulate fear responses. Negative self-beliefs reinforce this loop.

    Social anxiety affects around 7% of UK adults, and up to 60% report fear of public speaking (NHS, 2022).

    Hypnosis can help rewire negative self-perceptions, reduce fear-related arousal, and rehearse confident behaviours in a safe mental space. This retrains the brain to respond with calm and confidence in real-life situations

  • Habits

    Habits are automatic behaviours, often hard to change despite intentions.

    Habit loops in the basal ganglia are triggered by cues, while the prefrontal cortex may struggle to override automatic responses.

    Most adults report at least one habit they want to change, from nail biting to procrastination.

    Hypnosis interrupts automatic loops and strengthens new, desired behaviours. Suggestions and imagery help the brain encode new routines more efficiently.

  • Mental performance can be as important as physical skill in sports and exercise.

    Anxiety or negative self-talk activates stress circuits, reducing focus and coordination, while motivation and reward centres drive effort and persistence.

    Sports psychology research suggests that 50–60% of athletes report performance anxiety impacting outcomes.

    Hypnosis improves focus, visualisation skills, confidence, and arousal control. It strengthens brain pathways that optimise performance under pressure.

  • Procrastination, low energy, or lack of focus can prevent achieving personal and professional goals.

    Prefrontal cortex circuits for planning and self-control can be weakened by stress and negative thought patterns. Dopamine pathways influence motivation.

    Surveys suggest 40% of UK adults report struggling with motivation at work or home (YouGov, 2022).

    Hypnosis strengthens goal-directed brain circuits, reduces internal resistance, and enhances focus. Guided imagery and post-hypnotic suggestions make action feel easier and more natural.

  • Grief- the emotional response to loss, which can include sadness, anger, anxiety, or difficulty functioning.

    Emotional pain activates the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex, overlapping with physical pain circuits, making grief feel intense and exhausting.

    Millions of adults experience significant grief each year; about 10% develop complicated grief requiring professional support.

    Hypnosis helps process emotions safely, strengthens coping circuits, and reduces overwhelming intensity. Imagery and relaxation provide a supportive space for healing.

  • Intense anger or road rage can damage relationships, safety, and wellbeing.

    The amygdala triggers fight responses, while stress hormones can hijack rational decision-making in the prefrontal cortex.

    Surveys suggest 1 in 5 UK drivers report regular anger or aggressive driving incidents.

    Hypnosis strengthens emotional regulation, slows physiological arousal, and encourages new, calm responses to triggers.

  • Motion sickness occurs when sensory signals about movement conflict, causing nausea, dizziness, or vomiting.

    Sensory mismatch activates the vestibular system and brainstem, triggering nausea and anxiety. Stress and anticipation amplify the response.

    Around 25% of adults report moderate to severe travel sickness when in cars, boats, or planes.

    Hypnosis reduces anticipatory anxiety, retrains perception of motion signals, and calms the nervous system, decreasing nausea and discomfort.

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    YouGov. (2022). Motivation and Productivity Survey UK.

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