How hypnotherapy works
A gentle, focused way of working with the mind and nervous system
Hypnotherapy is a calm, collaborative process that helps you access parts of the mind that sit beneath conscious thought — the patterns, responses, and protective strategies that often shape how we feel and react.
It isn’t about being “put under” or giving up control, and it’s nothing like stage hypnosis. You remain aware, present, and able to speak throughout. Many people describe it as feeling deeply relaxed, focused, and inwardly attentive.
A natural state we all experience
Hypnosis is a completely natural state that most of us move in and out of every day.
You may recognise it from moments such as:
becoming absorbed in a book or film
daydreaming
driving a familiar route and arriving without consciously remembering every turn
In these moments, the mind becomes more focused and less distracted by external noise — allowing automatic processes to take the lead. Hypnotherapy works with this same state of focused attention.
Working with the subconscious
Much of what we experience — anxiety, physical tension, habits, emotional reactions — is shaped by subconscious processes. These patterns often develop for good reasons: to protect us, help us cope, or keep us safe at an earlier time.
The subconscious is responsible for:
automatic reactions (fight, flight, freeze)
emotional responses
habits and conditioned behaviours
Because these processes operate automatically, they can be difficult to change through insight or “thinking things through” alone.
Hypnotherapy allows us to gently work with these deeper patterns, helping the nervous system settle and making space for new responses to emerge.
What a session is like
Sessions are calm, collaborative, and paced carefully. We begin by talking through what you’re noticing — in your body, emotions, or patterns — and what you’d like support with.
Using guided attention, imagery, and focused awareness, we then work in a way that supports regulation and safety. You are always in control, and nothing is done without your consent.
Each session lasts around an hour.
A gentle, supportive approach to change
My work combines clinical hypnotherapy and mindfulness, informed by trauma-aware and nervous-system-based practice. Rather than trying to override symptoms or “fix” parts of you, we work with what your system is already communicating.
This approach can be helpful for:
anxiety and panic
phobias and fears
trauma responses
long-standing habits and patterns
stress-related physical symptoms
Change often happens gradually, as the nervous system begins to feel safer and less reactive.
How many sessions?
Some people notice shifts in a small number of sessions, while others prefer to work more gradually. This varies depending on what you’re working with and how your system responds.
There is no pressure to commit to a set number of sessions. We review things together as we go.
Is hypnotherapy right for me?
You don’t need to arrive with the “right” words or a clear diagnosis. Many people come because something doesn’t feel settled — in their body, emotions, or reactions — and they’re looking for a gentler way forward.
If you’re unsure whether this approach feels right for you, you’re welcome to arrange an initial conversation to ask questions and explore options.