Hypnotherapy - what is is, what to expect at your appointment, and who may benefit.

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention and relaxation. You’ve already experienced similar states when you become absorbed in a book, music, a creative activity or a familiar journey. Hypno-therapy is using this natural state, when the unconscious mind is open to positive suggestion, to give therapeutic support to help overcome symptoms/challenges or make positive changes in your life.

During hypnotherapy, you are guided into a comfortable, relaxed state while focusing on imagery, ideas and suggestions relevant to the goals agreed for the session. You remain in control throughout and cannot be made to say, do or accept anything against your wishes or values.

I hold the Medical Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy from LCCH International (London College of Clinical Hypnosis / LSCCH UK) and have nearly 20 years’ experience as a Hypnotherapist.  While your hypnotherapy session does not involve medical assessment or clinical management, it is an approach which can support you to manage symptoms and emotional issues in a natural and supportive way, which increases your sense of control and confidence.

What happens during an appointment?

Your appointment begins with time to talk about what you would like support with and what you hope to gain from hypnotherapy. I will explain the process and make sure that you feel comfortable before we begin.

The hypnotherapy usually involves sitting or lying comfortably while I guide you through relaxation, focused attention, imagery and positive suggestions. The approach is collaborative and can be adapted according to what feels comfortable for you. The changes that COVID necessitated enabled me to find ways of working online through a secure, easy to use, video platform similar to Zoom and/or bespoke personalised recordings so appointments are offered but face to face (in Winchester) and online/via telephone.

There is no requirement to disclose anything you would prefer to keep private.

A kind and supportive space

Having protected time to pause, talk openly and feel genuinely listened to can be valuable in itself. Sessions offer a warm, supportive and non-judgemental space in which you can explore what matters to you and consider the changes you would like to make.

People often tell me that they leave feeling calmer, lighter and clearer, with a greater sense of confidence in their ability to move forward.

Your personal recording

Where appropriate, your appointment may include a personalised or specially selected hypnotherapy or meditation recording to use at home.

Listening regularly can help you practise relaxation and reconnect with the themes explored during your appointment. Recordings must never be used while driving, cycling, operating machinery or doing anything requiring your full attention.

Who may benefit from hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy offers a gentle, natural approach to supporting physical and emotional wellbeing. People often seek hypnotherapy when health symptoms, stress or difficult life experiences are affecting how they feel, function or cope in everyday life.

It may be used alongside your usual medical care to encourage relaxation and reduction of symptoms, support more helpful patterns of thought and behaviour, and strengthen your confidence in managing the emotional and practical impact of a health concern.

People may seek hypnotherapy for support with:

Stress, phobias, emotional wellbeing and resilience

Hypnotherapy can provide a deeply relaxing and supportive space if you are experiencing stress, have anxious thoughts, suffer from a phobia, find it difficult to switch off or are feeling overwhelmed. It may help you develop a calmer, more compassionate way of responding to everyday pressures and strengthen your confidence and resilience.

People may also seek support with low mood, anxious feelings, emotional eating, difficult past experiences or patterns of thought and behaviours that no longer feel helpful.

Sleep and relaxation

Stress, a busy mind, physical symptoms and unhelpful behavioural patterns can all make it difficult to relax into sleep. Hypnotherapy may support a calmer routine, help reduce mental overactivity and encourage a greater sense of safety and relaxation around sleep.

It may be helpful for people experiencing difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night or unrefreshing sleep. Sleep problems should also be discussed with your GP where appropriate, particularly if they are persistent, severe or unexplained.

Pain and physical discomfort

Pain is a complex experience influenced by physical sensations, attention, emotion, stress and the nervous system. Hypnotherapy may help some people change how they relate and respond to persistent pain, reduce tension and develop greater confidence in using relaxation and self-management techniques.

People may seek this support while living with persistent pain, migraine, fibromyalgia, arthritis or other causes of ongoing physical discomfort. Hypnotherapy does not seek to identify or treat the underlying medical cause, rather it can safely be used alongside whatever medical support or treatment you are receiving. It will work with your own perceptions and experiences of your pain, helping you find new ways to relate to and modulate your experiences through relaxation and visualisation. Please note any new, changing or unexplained pain should always be medically assessed.

Digestive, gut-related and urinary symptoms

The close relationship between the brain, nervous system and digestive system means that stress and emotional state can influence how digestive symptoms are experienced, a concept known as the gut-brain axis, and gut dysfunction can in turn affect your mental wellbeing.

Hypnotherapy may offer complementary support for people living with irritable bowel syndrome, functional digestive symptoms, bloating or changes in bowel habits by promoting relaxation, supporting nervous-system regulation and helping them feel more confident in coping with symptoms.

I have also supported people who experience bladder issues such as over-active or shy bladder. Bladder comfort and function is very influenced by stress and the nervous system in the same way as the gut, thus similar techniques can be supportive.

It is recommended in NICE guidelines for support in the management of treatment resistant IBS symptoms and has a broad evidence base in this context. It does not investigate digestive symptoms or replace appropriate medical assessment, testing or treatment, rather it can be used alongside whatever medical support you are receiving to support your care.

Fatigue and low energy

Many people are diagnosed with conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) or suffer fatigue as part of their illness and conventional medications and treatments may fail to improve this symptom. Or it may be a side effect of medications taken for an underlying condition. Whatever the cause, living with fatigue can affect confidence, motivation and emotional wellbeing. Hypnotherapy may support rest, relaxation, pacing, self-compassion and the emotional adjustment involved in living with fluctuating energy, and for some can help boost energy levels and wellbeing.

Hypnotherapy does not aim to diagnose or treat the cause for the fatigue, instead it will help support you to improve your wellbeing and energy in a natural way whatever the underlying cause. Please ensure you have discussed your fatigue symptom with your conventional medical provider before seeking hypnotherapy to support you as there may be important investigations or tests that need to be completed by them to exclude a significant underlying cause.

Women’s health and hormonal changes

Hypnotherapy may provide emotional and relaxation support during menopause, perimenopause and other periods of hormonal or reproductive change. It can also be used as a support to help manage symptoms such as pain, fatigue and mood changes which can be associated with hormonal conditions such as endometriosis and PMOS.

Sessions may focus on relaxation, sleep, emotional wellbeing, stress management, confidence, coping with change and responding more calmly to uncomfortable sensations. It is a supportive approach to support your wellbeing at any age or stage of reproductive health. I am qualified to offer hypnotherapy to support couples through pregnancy and birth, and also those experiencing challenges with fertility.

Raised blood pressure and cardiovascular wellbeing

Stress management and relaxation may be valuable additions to an overall healthy lifestyle supporting blood pressure and cardiovascular health. Hypnotherapy can support relaxation, stress reduction and sustainable behaviour change e.g. around nutrition and exercise habits for people who are receiving medical care for raised blood pressure or other cardiovascular risk factors.

Weight-management and healthy habits

Hypnotherapy may support the psychological and behavioural aspects of weight management, including motivation, addressing emotional eating, supporting self-belief and developing a more mindful relationship with food and everyday habits.

The focus is on thoughts, feelings, motivation and sustainable behaviour change rather than prescribing a diet or providing clinical obesity treatment. Hypnotherapy can be used as stand-alone support or alongside NHS or private medical weight management support e.g. through GLP-1 medications. Clinical management e.g. with medication would remain under the care of your medical practitioner.

Confidence, habits and behaviour change

Hypnotherapy may also be helpful if you would like to feel more confident, let go of unhelpful issues from the past or prepare for a particular event or challenge coming up. It is a well-established way to support habit change (e.g. around smoking, nail biting, or other unwanted habits) and can help you identify and change any unhelpful automatic response.

It can complement Health & Wellbeing Coaching by supporting motivation, visualisation, relaxation and confidence in putting your chosen lifestyle changes into practice.

Other symptoms or concerns

Almost any health issue or symptom seems to improve when we are supported to find a relaxed and confident state and use the power of the unconscious mind to improve our health and wellbeing. If you are experiencing symptoms not listed above and would like to find out how we could approach your particular situation through hypnotherapy please get in touch by sending and email or booking a discovery call to discuss.

Please note

I provide this service in my capacity as a qualified hypnotherapist and not as your medical practitioner. Hypnotherapy is a complementary approach. It does not include medical or mental-health assessment, diagnosis, prescribing, interpretation of symptoms or test results, medication or supplement advice, or clinical management of a health condition. Please continue to follow advice from your GP and other healthcare professionals and seek appropriate medical advice about new, changing or concerning symptoms.