Grief is something I support clients with most days- in one way, or another.

Grief is something we will all encounter at some point in our lives.

It is not limited to the loss of a loved one- though that is often the most recognised form.

Grief can arise from many experiences—losing a pet, a job, moving home, children flying the nest, the end of a relationship, or even a shift in identity or purpose. Whatever the cause, grief is deeply personal- and no two people will experience it in the same way.

There is no ‘right’ way to grieve.

For some, grief arrives in waves—one moment you feel fine, and the next, it knocks the wind from your lungs. For others, it is a slow, quiet ache that never quite disappears.

Neuroscientific research shows that grief activates parts of the brain associated with pain, memory, and emotional regulation. In many ways, grief is not just an emotional experience; it’s a physiological one. The body holds grief, too.

The good news is that the body is also capable of adapting and healing. And while healing doesn’t mean forgetting or erasing pain, it does mean learning to carry it differently.

I often share a gentle metaphor with clients: grief is like carrying a small pebble in your pocket. You may find at times that the pebble feels sharp and heavy, digging in or weighing you down, a constant reminder. But over time, with care, support, and compassion, you can learn to live with the pebble, and it becomes less jagged, more bearable to carry; even finding times when you forget that it’s there.

You may still reach into your pocket and feel the pebble. Some days it might still catch you off guard. But you learn how to carry it with you, without it stopping you from walking forward.

Hypnotherapy can offer a safe and nurturing space to explore grief.

It’s not about rushing through the pain or pretending to be ‘okay’; it’s about knowing that it’s ok that you’re not ok.

It’s about allowing your emotions the space they need, acknowledging them, understanding them, and gently allowing your nervous system to come back into balance.

In our sessions together, we work with both the conscious and subconscious mind to help calm the overwhelm, regulate the body’s stress response, and give you the ability to access your inner strength.

You are not broken; grief is a natural response to love and loss.

Previous clients have managed their emotions- many of which they hadn’t even realised had been created by grief- in ways that has allowed them to tenderly recognise their need for internal compassion; and the awareness to allow them to move forward.

If you are finding it hard to move forward, or just need a compassionate space to breathe, talk, and feel—please know you don’t have to do it alone.

Reach out today to book a free consultation. Let’s gently find a way forward, together.
Because even with the pebble in your pocket, your journey can continue.

I also invite you to read the beautiful poem Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold, loved by Enda Neeson, a beautiful reminder for my husband of his mum.

Best,

Karen.

Specialising in supporting clients with confidence and low self-esteem I often chat with them about their inner dialogue, the language they use to communicate with themselves about themselves, their needs, their beliefs, what matters to them.

Every day, thousands of thoughts pass through our minds, about 80,000 each day, like clouds drifting across the sky. But not all of them land. 

It’s the ones we give our attention and energy to that truly shape how we feel, behave, and experience life, these ones fill up like balloons using up space within our minds.

Our internal dialogue—what we say to ourselves when no one else is listening—plays a vital role in shaping our confidence and our capability and as we think so many thoughts we might not even be aware of how many harmful and repetitive ones there really are.

It becomes the background music to our lives, and like any tune on repeat, it can either lift us up or weigh us down.

If you tell yourself “I can’t change”, “I used to be able to do that but not anymore”, “that wouldn’t be possible for someone like me”, your subconscious mind is listening, it is eavesdropping on your every thought.

And it believes you! 

In fact it wants to please you so it allows you to think that thought is the truth.

If you say “I’ve always been this way,” your mind will look for evidence to confirm it.

Even phrases like “I don’t want to feel like this,” though well-intentioned, focus your energy on what you don’t want—and your subconscious mind doesn’t do well with negatives. It hears “feel like this” and thinks, “Ah, this is where we’re staying.”

Your Brain Believes What You Rehearse

The subconscious mind operates like a faithful assistant—it doesn’t judge or question, it simply acts on repetition and belief. 

Neuroscience shows us that what we focus on literally wires the brain. This is called neuroplasticity, and it’s one of the most hopeful discoveries in modern psychology: the brain can change.

Every time you choose to focus on a helpful, forward-focused thought—“I am learning how to cope,” or “Change is possible for me,”—you strengthen neural pathways that support resilience, confidence, and growth. 

Shift the Lens: Perspective, Visualisation & Forward Focus

How we see a situation influences how we feel in it. 

This is perspective—and it can be shaped.

• Perspective reminds us that thoughts aren’t facts. Just because we think something doesn’t make it true. We can challenge, reframe, and soften our internal dialogue.
• Visualisation is powerful. When we imagine ourselves succeeding, feeling calmer, or handling a situation well, the brain lights up as if we’re actually doing it. This mental rehearsal helps train our subconscious to expect success.
• Forward focus keeps us out of rumination and regret. It gently steers our attention to what we can do next, rather than what went wrong. What if we see the past as knowledge and experience rather than regret.

• This is where transformation begins.

The Thoughts That Matter Most

Not every thought deserves your attention. Some are old echoes, habits from the past. It’s the ones you choose to notice, the ones you dwell on—those are the ones that become your reality!

When we stop feeding the unhelpful thoughts and start becoming aware of the ones that bring hope, calm, or possibility, we change the way the brain fires. 

New pathways grow. New patterns emerge and with consistency, new habits of thought take root. 

Self-hypnosis.

The Takeaway

You don’t have to believe every thought you think. You get to choose the ones that serve you.

Speak to yourself with kindness, with possibility, with hope. 

Not because everything is perfect—but because your words shape your mind, and your mind shapes your life.

If you find yourself saying, “I’ve always been this way”, gently add, “… I don’t have to stay this way, I can and I will create change.

Because your subconscious is always listening.

And it believes you.

Want to know more about how solution focused hypnotherapy can help you? 

Message me to book your free initial consultation. In every initial consultation I will explain how the brain works and why it is you feel the way you do. You are not alone.

www.omarahypnotheray.com 

Best,

Karen.

Changes – April Reflections from Omara Hypnotherapy

April is nearly over… it has a way of gently reminding us that nothing stays the same, don’t you think? 

The daffodils and bluebells bloom; the light stretches a little longer each day, and nature, well- it seems to exhale after the stillness of winter. 

As the seasons shift, many of us begin to feel something stirring within, too: a readiness for change, a nudge towards growth, maybe a whisper of possibility!

Sometimes, that change can cause us to feel fear or doubt towards the ‘what if?’- posing questions like “Can I do this, or where do I begin?”

Change comes in many forms. 

Sometimes, it’s planned- like a move to a new home, or the move from school-to-college/ college-to-university (both happening in my kids’ worlds this year) or, for me personally, the exciting search for an additional new hub to expand Omara Hypnotherapy into another town and venue.

Other times, change can be unexpected perhaps a shift in a relationship, at work, or our health. Life often presents itself in episodes, chapters which ebb and flow: each carrying lessons, challenges, as well as opportunities for transformation. It’s up to us to choose what we do with each episode in order to move forwards towards our best self.

You see, change doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In fact, one of the most empowering truths I see in my practice whether I’m working with teenagers or adults- is this:

 You always have a choice in how you respond to what’s happening around you. 

When we pause and tune into our thoughts, especially the negative ones, we can begin to ask ourselves: ‘Is this how I want to feel?’ or, maybe-‘What emotion would I rather experience, instead?’

Use this little formula: The 3P’s

Positive Thinking-Positive Interaction-Positive Action.

That small moment of awareness opens the door to self-control and self-compassion. 

Through solution focused hypnotherapy, clients learn how to shift their perspective, to engage their strengths, and to nourish parts of their brain associated with calm, clarity, and confidence. 

Neuroscience demonstrates that with repetition and intention, the brain can, in fact, rewire itself- this is the essence of neuroplasticity. 

Change isn’t just possible, it’s expected.

So in this month, as nature blossoms around us, I invite you to consider:

• What shifts are already unfolding in your life? Looking for them, (no matter how small) supports the brain in thinking constructively to focus on the solution- and not the problem.
• What would it look like to embrace those shifts rather than resist them?
• What positive emotions would you like to invite in, and what old patterns might it be time to let go of?

At Omara Hypnotherapy, I’m continuing to grow too, I’m exploring new spaces, throwing it out to the universe to help me, welcoming new opportunities, and staying deeply connected to the mission of helping people get the very best from themselves, for themselves. 

Because, ultimately, that’s what change is all about:

Becoming more of who you truly are.

If you’re ready for your next chapter, I’d love to walk alongside you.

With warmth,
Karen
Omara Hypnotherapy

 Helping You Find Calm, Confidence & Clarity

Can I Be My Own Best Friend?

How often do you ask yourself this question?

The thing is you are strong. You always have been. You are the one who steps up when things get tough, the one other’s lean on. Your friendships are many, your ability to cope admirable, and yet, in the quiet moments, when no one is looking, a different story plays out.

Self-doubt whispers. Recrimination lingers. That old, gnawing fear that one day you’ll be caught out, that someone will see through these capable exterior shadows your beliefs that you sometimes deserve more. Maybe this way of thinking has become so normal to you that you tell yourself so long as the kids are happy, I’m happy, so long as my partner’s happy, I’m happy. Is that enough?

You accept attitudes that diminish you. You dismiss compliments. You feel anger or sadness when others fail to treat you with the same care and respect you so readily extend. Yet, you push these feelings down and move on because that’s what you do.

But let me ask you something, if a friend came to you feeling the way you do now, what would you say to them? Would you tell them they aren’t good enough? That they should just accept less? Or would you remind them of their worth, encourage them to stand tall, to demand more and when you offer this advice like a warrior protecting does it engage your subconscious mind to adhere to this advice? Or do you think it’s different for you?

Your Inner Dialogue Matters

That voice inside your head shapes your reality. Remember the mind ois always listening. If it’s critical, if it undermines your achievements, if it keeps you stuck in patterns of self-doubt, then you will live your life constantly battling against yourself. You, who so easily offers kindness and encouragement to others, deserve the same from yourself!

Being your own best friend isn’t about arrogance or selfishness, its not about changing who you are, t’s about recognising that your needs matter just as much as anyone else’s. It’s about changing the script the story you’ve been playing in your mind, it’s about showing yourself the same grace you would offer a loved one.

Learning for Yourself, Not for Others

You have spent your life adapting, learning, and growing in order to meet the expectations of the world around you. But what if you shifted that? What if you learned and grew simply to feel better for yourself, not for others, not to prove yourself, not to earn love, but because you deserve to feel at peace in your own skin?

The truth is, I understand this struggle intimately. I practice this shift in thinking every day because, like you, I needed to feel this change myself. I started this journey not because I had it all figured out, but because I wanted to. I knew I needed to. And I am always working to recognise emotions before they take hold so that I can respond in ways that honour my own well-being and when I do it feels good!

You see it isn’t about perfection. It’s about practice. About choosing, each day, to treat yourself with the respect, kindness, and patience you so willingly offer others.

So, can you really be your own best friend? 

Absolutely And if you are willing to start, even in small ways, you may just find that the voice inside you becomes your greatest ally instead of your harshest critic.

You are worthy of your own kindness. You always have been…

You just need to tell yourself, that’s all!

Karen. 

Breaking Free from Your Phobia: Could Hypnotherapy Be the Answer?

As a Hypnotherapist I work with many different types of phobias every day, it feel very real in the clients mind.

Maybe you’ve lived with one for years! Maybe it’s the fear of flying, the overwhelming panic at the thought of a dentist’s chair, or the anxiety that creeps in whenever you’re faced with something unfamiliar. You might not even remember where it all began, but over time, you’ve built your life around avoiding it. You’ve made excuses, planned your life to steer clear of situations that might trigger the fear, and told yourself that it’s just the way things are.

And then, you hear something that makes you pause.

You hear about someone, maybe a friend, or a colleague, who used to have the same fear. The same limitations. But they tried hypnotherapy, and now? Now they’re flying across the world, booking appointments without a second thought, stepping into new experiences with ease. They are free from the weight of that fear.

And you wonder: Could that be me?

What if overcoming your phobia wasn’t as hard as you imagined? What if change didn’t have to be a struggle, but something natural, something that just happened?

Why Now Is the Right Time to Make a Change

Fear has controlled parts of your life for too long. Think of the experiences you’ve missed out on, the trips you haven’t taken, the opportunities you’ve turned down. Every day you wait is another day that fear wins. But here’s the truth, change is possible, and it can happen more easily than you think.

You don’t have to live this way forever. You don’t have to keep avoiding situations, making excuses, or feeling trapped by something that no longer serves you. I have had the privilege in helping countless people just like you reclaim their confidence, and every single person that it’s been a success for has said I wish I’d have done it sooner.

How Hypnotherapy Works for Phobias

Phobias often exist in the subconscious mind, deeply ingrained patterns of fear that don’t always respond to logic. You know a plane is safe, that a dental check-up won’t harm you, that a new place isn’t a threat…yet your body reacts as if they are.

Hypnotherapy works by gently rewiring these responses. When you are in a deeply relaxed state, your subconscious becomes more receptive to new, healthier patterns of thinking. So, instead of fear, you can create this sense of calm, control, and confidence. The old automatic response just fades, they are replaced by something new, something more empowering and the brain likes it!

Imagine If You Didn’t Have This Fear Anymore

Close your eyes for a moment and picture it. No dread, no anxiety, no avoidance. Just freedom. In one of the 4 phobia sessions I ask my clients to do exactly this.

Imagine stepping onto a plane, feeling excited for your trip rather than consumed by panic. Picture yourself in the dentist’s chair, calm and collected, my dental phobia client this week sent me a message after her appointment to say, “I did it!” She was so happy. She felt in control, she had the treatment and embraced that moment of achievement knowing it was just another appointment. 

See yourself exploring new places with ease, saying yes to new experiences without hesitation.

It’s not just possible it’s something so many of my clients and many others have already achieved through hypnotherapy.

So, what if you just went to see? 

What if you took that first step and discovered that the fear that has defined so much of your life didn’t have to be there anymore? What then?

You’d have your life back. And that’s worth exploring, isn’t it?

Don’t wait. The right time is now. 

Take that step and see how much more your life can offer when fear no longer holds you back.

Karen. 

Why Therapy isn’t a luxury.  It is a life-changing tool, for Everyone!

In my 20s and even my 30s, the idea of alternative therapies like hypnotherapy or Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) wasn’t even on my radar. Like many people, I would have dismissed it as something for ‘other people’ the overly spiritual or woo woo, for Americans or people who had more money than I would ever have.

 You see this was a belief that I had, a N Irish girl who was brought up in the troubles, coming from a mixed marriage, a working-class family. 

This was probably the thoughts of most around me at that time. 

Fast forward…

It wasn’t until my mid-40s that I stumbled across these practices, I needed change, I jumped in with both feet and it completely shifted my perspective on life.

Therapy, whether through hypnotherapy, EFT, or other approaches, is not a luxury or an indulgence. It’s a catalyst for calm, centredness, and clarity. 

It’s a way of saying, “I want to get the best out of this one precious life.”

What Changed for Me?

Life is rarely without its challenges. For years, I believed I had to ‘push through’ my stress, anxiety, or limiting beliefs. I thought those feelings were just part of being human. But discovering therapy opened my eyes to the truth: 

those feelings didn’t need to hold me hostage. Having the awareness of why I feel them and the ability to release the ones that don’t serve me, I realised that unresolved emotions, negative beliefs, and stress weren’t just nuisances, they were roadblocks preventing me from living fully.

 I know I’m not alone in this. 

So many of us carry unseen baggage that keeps us stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed. 

Sometimes we don’t even realise we have it until its unburdened and set down.

Therapy: A Tool for Everyday Life

Here’s what I learned:

Hypnotherapy helps us access the subconscious mind, where many of our patterns and beliefs are stored. It allows us to gently reprogram those thoughts so we can respond to life with calm instead of chaos.

EFT (Tapping) offers a way to release pent-up emotions and stress through tapping on acupressure points. It’s simple, yet its effects are profound—it reconnects the mind and body in ways traditional talk therapy often can’t.

I embrace all types of alternative therapies now, I need the support too.

Therapy isn’t about creating a life free of challenges; it’s about giving yourself the tools to handle them with grace, strength, and resilience.

Letting Go of Old Beliefs

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this: You must be willing to let go of old beliefs.

The belief that therapy is only for people in crisis.

The belief that it’s indulgent or unnecessary.

The belief that you can just “deal with it” on your own.

When you open yourself to the possibility that support is not a weakness but a strength, you begin to see the profound benefits it brings.

Why It’s for Everyone

This work isn’t reserved for “a certain type of person.” It’s for:

The overachiever who feels like they’re always on edge.

The parent juggling endless responsibilities.

The person who’s tired of feeling “not good enough.”

The individual who wants to find calm, clarity, and purpose in their day-to-day life.

It’s for you, and you, and you!

What’s Holding You Back?

Sometimes we hesitate because we’re afraid to face the feelings we’ve been avoiding. But here’s the thing: avoiding them doesn’t make them go away, sometimes it just lets them fester. Therapy, whether through hypnotherapy, EFT, or other methods, creates a safe space to acknowledge, process, and release those feelings.

It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present.

A Catalyst for Change

Looking back, I wish I’d discovered these therapies sooner. Wish I’d have known of their existence. They’ve been a game-changer for my mental health, my confidence, and my ability to navigate life’s ups and downs.

If you’ve been on the fence about therapy, I encourage you to take the leap. Be open to it. 

Let it support you. 

Explore the feelings that are holding you back and watch as you rediscover a sense of balance and ease you may not have thought possible.

You have this one life, don’t let old beliefs or unresolved emotions keep you from living it fully. Therapy isn’t a luxury; it’s a gift to yourself, a way to live with intention, calm, and clarity.

It’s time to let go. 

Are you ready?

Karen. 

Hello all, 

Nearing the end of 2024 let us Reflect, Reset, and Renew ending the Year with Hope and Purpose.

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the journey we’ve taken, to celebrate the progress we’ve made, learn from our mistakes, we all make them and set intentions for the year ahead. Whether you’ve faced challenges with anxiety, struggled with limiting beliefs, or are working on building your self-belief, this time of year offers an opportunity for us to pause, reset, and prepare for a brighter 2025.

Lessons Learned from 2024

This year  I have seen many scenario’s of the incredible resilience of the human mind. Many of my clients, both teenagers and adults, have discovered that change is not only possible but entirely achievable with the right tools and mindset. We’ have explored the impact of anxiety on their lives and how it can cloud our thoughts, but also how we can harness the brain’s natural ability to form new neuro pathways to support us in creating positive changes.

One of the most significant lessons from this year has been the realisation that limiting beliefs are just stories we tell ourselves. 

I say this not just about my clients but about myself. I work on these stories every day, creating new ones, recognising where I am and where I want to be in my thoughts as well as actions. 

These beliefs, often deeply ingrained, can hold us back from living the life we desire. But as we work to challenge these narratives, we get to uncover new levels of confidence, resilience, and joy.

At the heart of transformation lies self-belief. Through solution-focused hypnotherapy we work  to nurture this inner strength, this inner self. Using neuroscience-backed techniques, clients  learn to shift their focus from problems, to solutions, replacing negative thought patterns with empowering ones!

It’s been truly inspiring to witness people unlock their potential, step out of their comfort zones, and embrace new opportunities. I feel very privileged to be part of that. Every time we shift our focus from what’s not working to what we want to achieve, we strengthen these new neuro pathways. Over time, it becomes our new default, making it easier to let go of anxiety and limiting beliefs and to embrace a future filled with possibilities.

Looking ahead to 2025, I’m filled with excitement for what’s to come—for my clients old and new and for myself. The new year is a blank canvas,  ready to be filled with growth, transformation, and success, with that said it doesn’t have to be monumental change with big plans and huge commitments, it’s just about looking for joy, in the little things more than anything. 

Whether you’ve already started your journey or are considering taking the first step, the year ahead is an opportunity to let go of what no longer serves you and create the life you want.

What change works you like to make, weight loss, quitting smoking, joining a new club, applying for that new job, finding that new hobby,  it’s up to you and you can and you will achieve that if it’s important to you. 

January always feels exciting to me, full of promise, the chance to draw a line. 

As a solution focused hypnotherapist I work Online and In-Person, allowing for greater flexibility and accessibility. Whether you’re local to Burgess Hill or connecting from farther afield, I’m here to support you in overcoming anxiety, building self-confidence, and achieving your goals.

As we move into 2025, remember: 

You can create change. By letting go of limiting beliefs, and embracing your potential, you can make this the year you step into the best version of yourself.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and transformative year ahead!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 

Best,

Karen. 

Overcoming Anxiety: A Solution-Focused Approach for Men

I specialise in supporting clients from teenage years up with all types of anxiety. I see stress and anxiety can be an unwelcome companion for many men. 

Often creeping in through the stresses of work, communication challenges, feelings of overwhelm, or them simply being too exhausted to cope with life’s demands. While modern culture is making strides to encourage men to seek support, many still wrestle with the notion that asking for help signals weakness. 

Perhaps you’ve told yourself, “I should be able to handle this” or “I don’t need therapy, maybe its been suggested to you by a loved one and youdont know much about it but just find yourself resisting the idea.

I’ve heard stories like this many times from previous clients, who have gone on to make amazing leaps forwards in their lives. Here’s the truth: Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a step toward strength and empowerment. 

Why Men Feel Stuck

From a neuroscience perspective, your brain’s natural stress response can leave you feeling overwhelmed with simple everyday life. When faced with persistent pressure, finances, relationships, your amygdala, (the part of the brain responsible for triggering anxiety) goes into overdrive. This can affect your ability to think clearly, regulate emotions, and even sleep soundly. At the same time, your prefrontal cortex, the rational part of the brain, it struggles to regain control, leaving you stuck in a cycle of worry and exhaustion.

Understanding this and being aware of how it affects your feelings and then your reactions, isn’t just comforting, it’s empowering. You are not broken; your brain is simply doing its job too well in fact it thinks it’s helping you.

The good news? With the right tools, you can retrain it!

What is Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy?

Solution-focused hypnotherapy is a powerful and effective approach that works with your subconscious mind to help you reframe the negative thoughts, break free from unhelpful habits, negative stories and regain control. It’s not about dredging up the past or reliving painful experiences. Instead, we will focus on the positive changes you want to achieve, and I will teach you strategies to reach them.

Using hypnosis, a relaxed state of focused attention, I can help guide your subconscious toward the solutions that already exist within you. Think of it as rewiring your brain for resilience, calm, and clarity.

How I Can Help You 

Through our sessions, you’ll:

• Learn practical coping strategies to manage anxiety in the moment.
• Understand the neuroscience behind why you feel overwhelmed, so you can take control instead of feeling controlled by your emotions.
• Experience hypnosis to access your subconscious mind, where deep, lasting change happens. You are always in control, you go into the drift and dream state every day, the only difference when you’re with me is I’m using supportive language that you can focus on whilst you relax.
• Build confidence and develop tools to navigate challenges at work, in relationships, and in life.

Solution-focused hypnotherapy is a brief therapy model, meaning you can see significant, positive changes in as few as six sessions. 

Whether you’re struggling to communicate at work, feel weighed down by  daily stress, or want to rediscover your energy and happiness, this approach can help.

Let’s Break the Stigma Together

It’s time to shift the narrative. Therapy isn’t about admitting defeat; it’s about finding a new way to win. Taking care of your mental health is no different from maintaining your physical health, it’s a vital investment in your overall well-being.

You don’t have to face this alone. I work with men in person and online, I’ve helped male clients with many issues from phobias to relationships, from public speaking to addiction, offering a safe and supportive space to help you thrive. 

Book your free initial consultation today, and take the first step toward a calmer, more confident you.

www.omarahypnotherapy.com 

Tel 07813189556.

Let’s unlock the happier, healthier version of yourself that’s waiting just below the surface.

(If you know someone in your life that will benefit from this please pass it on).

Karen. 

Breaking the Cycle: 

How Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Can Help You Overcome Addiction

Addiction has a way of pulling us in, wrapping itself around our routines, and whispering that there’s no other way to feel good, to cope, or to get through the day. 

For many, addiction becomes so ingrained that it’s hard to imagine life without it.

My father was a gambling addict. I could tell you many stories about growing up with a gambler. I think back to the pull it had on him, the control, how he truly believed the next game could change his world. The highs and the lows…Seems like a long time ago now…

You might feel like there is no alternative, that it’s too late, or that you don’t have the confidence to change.

And the habit? 

It is in fact deeply satisfying for the brain, which loves routines and patterns, even those that no longer serve us. 

But imagine for a moment that change IS possible. 

What if the pull could loosen? 

What if you could see a way forward, where you are in control? 

Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy offers a path that is future-focused, empowering, and built around your strengths. 

Understanding the Power of Habit—and How It Can Be Rewired

Our brains are wired to seek pleasure, and the release of dopamine, a quick hit of “feel-good” neurotransmitters, it’s a huge part of the addiction’s pull. 

Whether it’s alcohol, smoking, or behaviours like gambling or overeating, the initial rush of dopamine feels rewarding. 

The problem is, dopamine is short-lived! 

After the initial hit, it quickly drops, leaving us wanting more to recapture the high. Over time, this leads to tolerance and cravings, and suddenly, we’re hooked on the habit to feel “normal” and that positive feeling gets less and less.

Our brains love habit and routine because they provide predictability and comfort. 

But here’s the truth: it’s not the addiction that’s in control; it’s what we tell ourselves about it. I can help you to change that internal dialogue, putting you back in the driver’s seat. Instead of feeling locked in, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help you to imagine new routines, to build confidence, and to discover alternatives.

Imagine Life Without Addiction

What if you could envision a life where the addiction was gone? 

Think about it…what would be different for you? 

Imagine waking up, knowing you didn’t have this burden. 

What else would fill that space? 

How would you feel? 

What would you be doing? 

Think about the freedom, the energy, the renewed sense of possibility.

This isn’t just a fantasy. 

The power of visualisation is rooted in neuroscience, and I can support you to help you unlock a future free from addiction. 

Studies show that envisioning positive outcomes can reshape our mental patterns, strengthening new, healthier connections in the brain.

 As you repeatedly imagine yourself breaking free, it becomes easier to see that it’s possible, creating a roadmap for real change.

Questions to Guide Your Journey

Sometimes, it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to imagining a life without addiction. 

So try asking yourself these questions:

• What would I be doing differently if I didn’t have this addiction?
• How would I know my life is better? 
• What signs would I see?
• Who else would notice the change in me, and how would they react?
• How would this improvement impact other areas of my life—relationships, work, self-worth?
• How important is it to me to make this change?

Take a moment with each question.

Picture yourself living in those answers. 

Feel the energy, the freedom, the pride!

This vision can be a powerful motivator as you move forward.

Building Confidence and Reclaiming Control

One of the hardest parts of addiction is feeling as though you are stuck, as though it has more control over you than you have over it, you can shift this. 

Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy is designed to help you harness your confidence and use it as a foundation to take small, actionable steps toward freedom.

Think about who you were before the addiction—before it took such a strong hold, well those strengths are still there. 

You already have what it takes to manage this. 

I will guide you in finding practical ways to build on your strengths, giving you back the sense of control that addiction may have taken away.

How Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Works for Addiction

We will start with the belief that you already have the resources within you to make change. Through a blend of future-focused conversations and hypnosis, we will work on accessing your best self, the version of you that wants freedom, that can visualise a better life, and that has the determination to follow through.

During our sessions, I will guide you into a state of relaxation where your mind becomes receptive to positive suggestions.

 In this deeply relaxed state, you will be able to tap into parts of your mind that are often overshadowed by day-to-day stress or addiction-driven thoughts. 

It’s here that we work on rewiring the thoughts that keep you trapped, helping you shift your inner dialogue from “I can’t” to “I Can, and I Will.”

Take the First Step: Imagine and Act

Imagine the impact of shifting your perspective, of actively telling yourself: I CAN overcome this. I WILL make this change.

These affirmations, combined with my support can transform how you approach addiction. As you begin to believe it, your brain will respond, helping you to create new, healthier habits and routines.

Imagine a life where addiction no longer dictates your choices!

A life where you are in control, where you decide what’s best for you. 

If you’re ready to explore this possibility and see just how far you can go with guidance and support, book an initial consultation.

It’s free of charge. We will. put a plan in place to support your needs.

You can make the change if you choose it and you will, will you not?

Karen.

Imagine if you could unlock your mind! 

How Hypnotherapy Can Help You Break Free from Stress and Anxiety

Welcome to a space where the chaos of your mind can finally find a bit of peace.

If you are reading this, then chances are you are struggling with stress or anxiety or you know someone who is.

 You’ve tried everything from mindfulness apps to self-help books, only to find that your worries keep hitting the “snooze” button in your head and never really go away. Let me reassure you, you are not alone, I hear this type of thing from clients every day and there is hope.

As a solution focused hypnotherapist with a passion for helping clients break free from anxiety, I have got something that might just work for you. 

No, it’s not a magic wand (although that would be super) a scientifically backed, brain-friendly approach to managing stress. 

Why Your Brain Acts Like an Over-caffeinated Squirrel. 🐿️ 

Stress and anxiety can feel a bit like having an over-caffeinated squirrel running around in your brain. 

Hah, this reminds me of an incident about 12 years ago when I lived in london, and an actual squirrel fell in through the sky light of my flat, it was about 3am, it just banged into my kitchen, bless him, he was so scared,  he ran around like crazy trying to get back out! It was all fine.

That’s another story. 😊

So, back to you, you try to focus on one thing, but your thoughts dart off in every direction, sometimes without warning. This happens because stress hijacks your brain’s amygdala, the part responsible for the fight, flight, freeze response. Your amygdala, in its quest to keep you safe, has started seeing danger in everything: deadlines, crowded spaces, social situations, or even just an unexpected email.

Now, it’s important to know that this part of your brain is not cruel, it is just trying to protect you from a perceived threat. The problem is, when you are in a constant state of stress, your brain does not get the memo that the threat is not as serious as it thinks. This is where hypnotherapy comes in, it helps give your brain the memo!

Hypnosis and your brain are a team effort, when you enter a state of hypnosis, your brain goes into a deeply relaxed, focused state called theta brainwaves, the same state you are in during daydreaming or just before you fall asleep. Hypnotherapy simply taps into this relaxed state to help rewire those stressful thought patterns.

Using a combination of relaxation techniques and positive suggestions, I work with your brain’s prefrontal cortex the rational, decision-making part. While you are deeply relaxed, we can start to “declutter” those automatic negative responses that lead to stress and anxiety, tricking your brain into calmness.

If you have ever struggled with anxiety, you know it can feel like you are stuck in quicksand, the more you struggle, the deeper you sink. But what if, instead of fighting the quicksand, you could calmly float out of it?

When you can see anxiety not as something overpowering, but as something you can manage or even “outsmart,” then it loses its grip.

   I specialise in solution focused hypnotherapy, so we do not dwell on the past or dig into why you started feeling this way in the first place. Instead, we focus on how you want to feel and how we can get you there. Think of it as decluttering your mental attic. Instead of going through every box to figure out where all the junk came from, we focus on clearing out the clutter so you can breathe again.

Here is an example of how this works from a previous client:

Sarah’s Story: Sarah (not her real name) came to me overwhelmed by stress at work. Her mind was constantly racing, filled with “what-ifs” that made it impossible to concentrate. During our sessions, we worked on helping her brain realise that not every email was a fire alarm and that it was okay to breathe before reacting. Within a few sessions, Sarah reported feeling more in control and even found herself laughing at situations that used to make her panic.

Studies show that hypnotherapy can lower the levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. When cortisol levels drop, your body can finally stop sounding the stress alarm every five minutes. In fact, a study from the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found that hypnosis can significantly reduce anxiety in as few as four sessions!

Additionally, MRI scans have shown that during hypnosis, the brain’s default mode network, (the area responsible for rumination and overthinking) becomes less active. This gives you the mental space to start focusing on solutions rather than problems. It is like taking the power cord out of that over-caffeinated squirrel’s coffee machine.☺️

In our sessions, we will focus on getting you into that deeply relaxed state where your brain is more open to positive suggestions. We will use metaphors, humour, and simple but powerful mental exercises to help you regain control over your thoughts. Whether you are dealing with general stress, work-related anxiety, or that anxious feeling you get when your phone buzzes at 3 a.m, hypnotherapy can help.

Together, we will retrain your brain to stop reacting like everything is a crisis and start responding calmly and rationally. And remember, this is not about fixing you, because there’s nothing broken.

 It is about helping you tap into the mental tools you already have—tools that just need a little dusting off.

We can work together to help your brain calm down, laugh a little, and find the peace it has been looking for. 

You’ve got this—and I am here to help.

Karen 😊