My Own Journey with Hypnotherapy: Ways It’s Helped Me Change My Life

Welcome to Helen’s Hypnotherapy! If you’re here, you’re probably curious about how hypnotherapy can transform lives, or maybe you’re wondering why I’m so passionate about helping my clients unlock their potential. As a certified hypnotherapist, I get asked all the time, “Helen, what’s your own experience with hypnosis?”

I am privileged to be able to help clients into their subconscious and build on their own strengths to overcome obstacles, whether it’s a phobia, anxiety, or motivation struggles. Some of my passion comes from personal experiences, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable extolling the virtues of solution focused hypnotherapy to clients if I hadn’t experienced its power for myself. For me, hypnotherapy has turned a pretty paralysing fear into calm, changed performance anxiety into confidence and helped me manage overwhelm to achieve goals. Let me share with you three of my own experiences with hypnotherapy:

1. From Screaming at Spiders to Brushing Them Away

Let’s start with my spider phobia. I really couldn’t manage if I knew there was a spider nearby.  I’d spot a spider, and if it was a big one, I’d be screaming, leaping onto the sofa, and I couldn’t relax until someone removed the spider. Not just from the room, but far away, outside, gone. If it was a small one, there was no screaming, but the same issue in that I couldn’t concentrate on anything until I knew someone had taken it away. It was, honestly, a bit embarrassing at times (although I took solace in the fact that so many others seem to have the same phobia!). I have frozen in panic when a spider dangled in front of me in bed…terrifying. I was unable to take a shower if a spider was washed down the plughole, and absolutely no way I would have gone into the loft!

Enter hypnotherapy. Through a few targeted sessions, I worked with a fellow hypnotherapist to reframe my subconscious response to spiders. We used relaxation techniques and positive suggestions to replace panic with calm. The result? Honestly, as I was new to hypnotherapy, I couldn’t believe it. A complete transformation. Now, I can sit on a chair knowing a spider’s underneath and feel… nothing. I’ve brushed spiders away with my hand, and once, when one spun down on its web right in front of me while driving, I calmly moved it aside. No drama, no fear, just peace and gently dealing with it. I still wouldn’t want to pick a big one up, but I actually stroked a tarantula when I was with my great-niece a few weeks ago! That would have been absolutely impossible last year.

The freedom from fear is so empowering, and I absolutely love helping clients conquer their phobias. From clients being able to go on holiday after years of not flying, to being able to walk calmly across a bridge, to gaining the confidence to ride a bike again after a fall, it’s extremely rewarding watching people’s lives change (and consequently their friends and family) in such a positive way.

2. From Camera-Shy to Video-Confident

Next: my fear of being on video. If you’ve ever felt your face tighten or your stomach churn at the thought of a camera pointing at you, I can totally empathise with that. For years, I would quietly exit the room or shy into a corner if someone started recording. The idea of speaking on camera was unthinkable. I felt so self-conscious…every word, every gesture seemed wrong, my face would go so tight and I felt really embarrassed, even on my own wedding video (I can see this when I watch it, what a shame as I don’t look myself!). I knew that this fear was going to hold me back as I built my hypnotherapy business, where videos are key for connecting with clients on social media.

Through one guided session, hypnotherapy rewired my self-consciousness into relaxed confidence. My therapist helped me visualise myself speaking naturally, feeling at ease, calm and happy in front of a lens. Now, I happily make videos for my business, appear in others’ recordings, and feel completely normal. No tight face, no worrying about how I look. I am happy to share my messages with ease. It’s wonderful to not have that anxiety hanging over me.

Since then, I’ve been able to help others with public speaking, confidence working with clients, sports performance, feeling calm when swimming in the sea… hypnotherapy can support positive change with many different issues where we ‘get in our own way’.

3. From Overwhelmed to Motivated: Conquering Burnout

Finally, let’s talk about motivation. Starting up Helen’s Hypnotherapy while juggling family life, caring responsibilities, studying for two diplomas and writing up a client portfolio, supporting my husband’s new business and trying to find time for my own wellness was ‘a lot’. I was stretched extremely thin, feeling overwhelmed and burned out. Getting through all the tasks I needed to each day honestly felt like climbing a mountain with no summit in sight. I’d wake up in the morning wondering how I’d ever make it all happen.

It was even hard to actually find time each week for a Hypnotherapy session – but by prioritising doing this one thing for myself, through sessions focused on mindset shifts, I was supported to break my goals into small, manageable steps and to start believing in my own strengths. Hypnosis helped me tap into my inner resources, replacing feelings of being swamped with a calm belief that I could do this, bit by bit. Suggestions for motivation and focus boosted my drive to keep going, even on tough days. As a result, I’ve completed my diplomas, grown my business, and kept my family life thriving (just about!), all without losing my sanity.

Of course, it’s fantastic to also be able to help others find the same motivation and begin to make positive changes in their lives, or overcome challenges. Whether it’s with studies, work, or personal goals, I love helping clients who feel stuck or overwhelmed find that spark to move forward with clarity and purpose.

Transformation Is Possible For You, Too

Sometimes when we feel completely ‘stuck’, it can seem as though there’s no way forward and no way out. The overwhelm takes over, and it’s hard to imagine things ever feeling different. My own experiences of personal transformation are a big part of why I’m so passionate about Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. It’s not just about solving problems - it’s about reconnecting with the version of yourself that feels free, confident, resourceful and capable.

Change can happen in remarkable ways. For some people, it arrives surprisingly quickly; for others, it builds gently, step by step, with small shifts that ripple into every area of life. Each day, I’m inspired by supporting clients in discovering their own breakthroughs and reconnecting with hope. I also continue with my own therapy, because caring for my mental wellbeing has become an important and valued part of my life. It helps me stay grounded, present and fully able to support the people I work with.