Can Hypnotherapy Help With Anxiety?

If you live with anxiety, you’re not alone. According to the Priory Group, around 37% of women and 30% of men in the UK experience anxiety that goes beyond everyday stress. And while it can feel overwhelming at times, the good news is that there are tools and techniques that can help.

Hypnotherapy is one of them.

As a clinical hypnotherapist, I’ve supported people from all walks of life in understanding, managing, and easing their anxiety. Whether it’s generalised anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety or something more specific, hypnotherapy offers a gentle but effective way to get to the root of how you’re feeling – and begin to make lasting changes.

Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety often shows up in different ways for different people. For some, it’s a racing heart and an inability to sit still. For others, it might be overthinking, a heavy sense of dread, or difficulty sleeping. However it shows up for you, it’s a sign that your mind and body are stuck in a state of high alert.

While anxiety is a natural response to stress or danger, it becomes a problem when it starts interfering with day-to-day life, or when the ‘danger’ isn’t really there. That’s where hypnotherapy can come in.

What Hypnotherapy Does Differently

One of the things I love about hypnotherapy is that it works with your subconscious – the part of your mind that stores patterns, habits, and emotional responses. Unlike some other therapies that focus solely on conscious thought, hypnotherapy helps you gently shift the deeper beliefs and associations that may be fuelling your anxiety.

A recent article in The Independent described hypnotherapy as offering a “shortcut to change” – helping to break unhelpful thought loops and introduce new, more helpful ways of thinking and feeling. In the article, several people shared how even one session helped them feel lighter, calmer, and more motivated to take positive steps.

That doesn’t mean it’s a magic wand, and I’d never promise a ‘quick fix’, but when approached with honesty, care, and the right support, hypnotherapy can be a powerful step forward.

What Happens In a Session?

Every hypnotherapy session is different because every person is different. When you come to see me, we’ll start by talking about what’s going on for you. What you’re feeling, what you’d like to change, and what you hope to get from our time together.

From there, I’ll guide you into a relaxed, focused state, similar to daydreaming, where your subconscious mind is more open to helpful suggestions. You’ll still be fully in control, and many people describe it as deeply calming. While in this state, we’ll work together to gently shift some of the unhelpful patterns that may be keeping you stuck in anxious cycles.

Some clients also choose to use self-hypnosis techniques between sessions, which I’m happy to teach as part of your support.

Real People, Real Results

In The Independent article, one client described how they had struggled with anxiety for years, feeling as though their thoughts were spiralling constantly. After a series of hypnotherapy sessions, they noticed a significant shift. The thoughts were still there sometimes, but they no longer felt consumed by them.

Another person shared how hypnotherapy helped them feel confident enough to return to work after a long break, while a third said it helped them sleep properly for the first time in years.

These stories reflect what I see in my own practice. People arrive feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or stuck, and leave feeling just a little more grounded, in control, and able to breathe.

Is It Right for You?

Hypnotherapy isn’t right for everyone, and that’s okay. It works best when you’re open to it and ready to make a change. I offer a free initial chat to help you decide if it’s something that could work for you. There’s no pressure, just a conversation.

It can also be used alongside other forms of support, like talking therapies, medication, or lifestyle changes. If you’re already working with a GP or mental health professional, I’m always happy to work in a way that complements your existing approach.

A Calmer Way Forward

Anxiety can make life feel smaller, like you’re living in a constant state of ‘what if’. Hypnotherapy helps to gently widen the lens, so you can start to feel more at ease in your body and mind. It’s not about silencing your feelings, but about understanding them – and creating space for something new.

If you’re ready to explore a different approach, I’m here. You can find more details about how I work, what to expect, and how to book a session here on the website.

Together, we can help you take that first small step towards feeling more like yourself again.