Hypnosis is a natural, focused state of attention, not unconsciousness or “mind control.” You remain aware, in control, and able to stop or speak at any time; no one can make you do or say anything against your values. Hypnosis often increases a sense of choice and agency. Most people experience it as deeply calm and focused, similar to becoming absorbed in a book or film.

I work happily with anyone who feels drawn to this approach. That said, much of my work is shaped by my own lived experience of single parenting, navigating complex mind–body challenges in conjunction with perimenopause. These experiences often allow me to connect especially deeply with women who are moving through similar transitions, even though the tools and support I offer are equally effective for people of all genders.

Hypnosis works by guiding you into a deeply focused, relaxed state where the unconscious mind is more open to change, making it effective for reducing anxiety, shifting habits, and easing unhelpful patterns. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) focuses on how thoughts, language, and behaviors are linked, using practical techniques to change patterns in thinking and emotional responses. While different in approach, they are often used together to support lasting change. NLP can be used either within a hypnotic (trance) state or without trance at all.

Traditional talk therapy often focuses on understanding the root causes of beliefs, emotions, or behaviors by exploring past experiences and patterns over time. Hypnosis and NLP, by contrast, are more present- and future-focused and do not require analyzing or revisiting the origins of an issue. Instead, they work with how thoughts, emotions, and responses are organized now, helping people shift unhelpful patterns more directly. Many clients find this approach more practical.

Time Line Therapy® is based on the idea that people naturally organise memories and expectations along an internal, spatial “timeline.” You can notice this by asking yourself where an early childhood memory feels located in relation to your body, and then where an event you expect to happen ten years in the future seems to be positioned—many people experience the past and future in different spatial directions. Developed in the 1980s by Dr. Tad James, PhD, Time Line Therapy® works with this internal timeline to help identify and release emotional patterns and limiting beliefs without needing to relive or analyze past events in detail.

No. While hypnosis often involves a relaxed, focused (trance) state, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Time Line Therapy® are frequently carried out without trance, in normal waking awareness. The approach used depends on your goals, preferences, and what feels most comfortable for you. Some people enjoy working in trance, while others prefer fully conversational methods. Both can be effective and are always guided by your choice.

Trance feels different for everyone, but most people describe it as a state of deep focus and relaxation rather than something strange or dramatic. You may feel physically calm, mentally absorbed, or pleasantly detached, while still fully aware of what’s being said. Some people notice time passing quickly, others feel more grounded or inwardly focused. Importantly, you remain conscious and in control throughout — trance is a natural state similar to daydreaming or becoming absorbed in a book or music.

In 1955, the British Medical Association (BMA) approved the use of hypnosis for medical purposes such as pain management in childbirth and surgery, and in 1958 the American Medical Association (AMA) recognized hypnosis as a valid therapeutic technique within mainstream medical practice when used by qualified professionals.

A growing body of scientific research continues to support the effectiveness of hypnosis for behavior change, pain management, and mental and physical health outcomes.

For example, hypnosis has been shown to significantly reduce clinical pain across a wide range of conditions: a comprehensive meta-analysis of 42 controlled trials reported medium to large effect sizes for pain reduction, suggesting that participants receiving hypnosis experienced greater pain relief than about 73% of control participants. (Hypnosis and the Alleviation of Clinical Pain: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis - PubMed)

In mental health, a 2019 meta-analysis of 15 controlled trials demonstrated that hypnosis significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety compared with control conditions, with even stronger effects observed at follow-up. (THE EFFICACY OF HYPNOSIS AS A TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY: A META-ANALYSIS - PubMed) Similarly, another 2019 meta-analysis found that hypnosis had substantial effects on depressive symptoms, with effect sizes comparable to well-established psychological therapies. (A Meta-Analysis of Hypnotic Interventions for Depression Symptoms: High Hopes for Hypnosis? - PubMed)

Taken together, these studies indicate that hypnosis is a well-studied, evidence-based tool that can support changes in pain perception, anxiety levels, and mood, and is increasingly used alongside conventional treatments in clinical practice.

Hypnosis has roots in both ancient practices and more formal scientific developments. Early Western interest in hypnotic-like states began in the 18th century with figures like Franz Anton Mesmer, but clinical perspectives evolved significantly in the 19th and 20th centuries as attention shifted toward focused attention and suggestion. In 1955, the British Medical Association (BMA) approved the use of hypnosis for medical purposes such as pain management in childbirth and surgery, and in 1958 the American Medical Association (AMA) recognized hypnosis as a valid therapeutic technique within mainstream medical practice when used by qualified professionals, helping cement its legitimacy in clinical settings.

One of the most influential modern contributors was Dr. Milton H. Erickson (1901–1980), an American psychiatrist and medical doctor who helped shape contemporary clinical hypnosis. Erickson’s work in the mid-20th century emphasized a more naturalistic, indirect, and conversational approach to hypnosis — using storytelling, metaphors, and individualized language to facilitate change — and he founded the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis in 1957 to advance scientific and clinical use of hypnotic methods. His techniques influenced not only hypnotherapy but also later approaches in psychotherapy and behavioral change, including NLP.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) was developed in the early 1970s by Richard Bandler and Dr. John Grinder at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Bandler, then studying mathematics and computer science, and Grinder, a linguistics professor, aimed to understand what made certain highly effective therapists so successful by observing and modeling their communication and behavioral patterns. Their early work focused on identifying the structures of language and thought used by exceptional practitioners, and formalizing these into techniques others could learn and apply.

A key part of this early research involved studying the work of Virginia Satir, a pioneer in family systems therapy, whose empathetic communicative approaches demonstrated remarkable effectiveness; Milton H. Erickson, a psychiatrist and renowned hypnotherapist; and Fritz Perls, the founder of Gestalt therapy. By analyzing recorded therapy sessions and observing how these clinicians elicited change, Bandler and Grinder extracted patterns they believed could be taught to others.

After a session, many people notice a sense of calm, clarity, or mental space, though experiences can vary. Changes are often subtle at first and may show up as shifts in perspective, emotional responses, or everyday behaviors rather than dramatic “aha” moments. Some clients feel energized, while others feel relaxed or reflective for a short time afterward. It’s normal for insights or changes to continue unfolding in the days that follow as your mind integrates the work at its own pace.

The number of sessions varies depending on your goals, the complexity of what you’re working on, and how you respond to the process. Some people notice meaningful shifts after just one or two sessions, while others benefit from a short series of sessions to build momentum and consolidate change. We’ll review progress as we go and adjust the approach together, so the work remains focused, efficient, and aligned with what you want to achieve.