“Nervous system regulation” has become one of those phrases you hear everywhere, from therapy rooms to social media. It is a useful idea, but it often gets explained vaguely. In this article I want to set out clearly what your nervous system is, what it does in your body, what happens when it stays stuck in a stressed state, and why hypnotherapy is one of the more direct ways of helping it settle. I will also be honest about what the research does and does not show.

What Is the Nervous System?

Your nervous system is the body’s communication network. It has two main parts:

The central nervous system: your brain and spinal cord, which take in information, make sense of it and decide how to respond.
The peripheral nervous system: the nerves that carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body, including your muscles, skin and internal organs.

When people talk about “regulating” the nervous system, they usually mean one particular branch of it: the autonomic nervous system. This is the part that runs automatically, without you having to think about it. It controls your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, sweating, muscle tension and much more.

What the Autonomic Nervous System Does in Your Body

The autonomic nervous system has two main branches that work together, a little like an accelerator and a brake.

The sympathetic branch (the accelerator). This prepares you for action. When you sense a threat or a challenge, it raises your heart rate, speeds up your breathing, tenses your muscles, sharpens your attention and sends blood away from digestion towards your limbs. Alongside it, the body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This is the familiar “fight or flight” response.

The parasympathetic branch (the brake). This helps you rest, recover and digest. It slows the heart, deepens and steadies breathing, supports digestion and allows the body to repair itself. Much of this work is carried out by the vagus nerve, a long nerve running from the brainstem to the heart, lungs and gut.

Neither branch is “good” or “bad”. A healthy nervous system is a flexible one. It speeds up when you need energy, for a presentation, a run or a difficult conversation, and then returns to a calmer baseline when the moment has passed. That ability to shift up and come back down is what regulation really means.

One common way researchers measure this flexibility is heart rate variability (HRV), the natural variation in time between heartbeats. Higher HRV at rest generally reflects stronger parasympathetic activity and a more adaptable system. Lower HRV is associated with chronic stress and a range of health problems.

What Happens When the Nervous System Is Not Regulated?

The stress response is designed to be short-lived. Problems start when it is switched on too often, too strongly, or for too long, and the body does not get the chance to return to baseline. The neuroscientist Bruce McEwen described this cumulative wear and tear as “allostatic load”: the same stress systems that protect us in the short term can contribute to damage when they are overused over months and years (McEwen, 1998).

Prolonged activation of the stress system has been linked with a wide range of problems, including anxiety and low mood, disturbed sleep, digestive difficulties, raised blood pressure, and changes in immune function (Chrousos, 2009). In everyday life, a dysregulated nervous system often shows up as:

Feeling “on” all the time: restless, irritable, easily startled, unable to switch off in the evening.
Sleep problems: lying awake with a racing mind, or waking at 3am with your heart pounding.
Gut symptoms: the gut is closely wired to the nervous system, which is why stress so often shows up as bloating, pain, urgency or constipation. I have written more about this in my article on the gut-brain axis.
Physical tension: tight jaw, shoulders or chest, headaches, shallow breathing.
Anxiety and panic: the body reacting as if there is danger when, logically, there is not.
Shutdown and exhaustion: for some people the opposite happens. After a long period of stress they feel flat, numb, foggy and depleted, which is often what burnout feels like from the inside.

You may have come across polyvagal theory, developed by Stephen Porges, which describes these states in terms of safety, “fight or flight” and “shutdown” (Porges, 2007). Many therapists find it a helpful way to talk about how the body responds to stress. It is worth knowing, though, that several of its specific biological claims have been strongly questioned by other researchers (Grossman, 2023). I use it as a useful map for clients rather than as settled science. The underlying point is well supported: the body’s stress systems can become stuck, and that affects how you feel physically and emotionally.

Why You Cannot Simply “Think” Your Way Calm

Most people I see already know they are stressed. They have been told to relax, and many have tried. The difficulty is that the autonomic nervous system is, by definition, automatic. It responds to how safe or threatened your body feels, which is shaped by past experience, habits and learned associations, not just by what you consciously decide. You can tell yourself there is nothing to worry about and still feel your heart racing.

This is why approaches that work directly with the body’s automatic responses, rather than only with conscious reasoning, can be so helpful. Hypnotherapy is one of them.

The Role of Hypnotherapy in Nervous System Regulation

Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness, characterised by an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion (Elkins et al., 2015). It is not sleep, and you remain aware and in control throughout. You can read more about how hypnotherapy works here. There are three main reasons it is particularly suited to calming the nervous system.

1. It shifts the body towards a calmer state

A scoping review of studies measuring the body’s responses during hypnosis found that results “converge to show reductions in sympathetic responses and/or increases in parasympathetic tone under hypnosis” (Fernandez et al., 2022). In practice, that meant changes such as lower heart rate, lower skin conductance (a marker of stress arousal) and heart rate variability patterns associated with parasympathetic activity. In other words, hypnosis tends to ease off the accelerator and apply the brake.

2. It changes how the brain connects with the body

Brain imaging research at Stanford found that during hypnosis, activity decreased in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, an area involved in monitoring for threat and conflict. Connectivity increased between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the insula, a region that processes signals from inside the body (Jiang et al., 2017). The authors suggested this may help explain how hypnosis can influence bodily processes such as pain, heart rate and the stress response. Put simply, hypnosis appears to change the conversation between the thinking brain and the body.

3. It helps retrain automatic responses

Relaxation on its own brings short-term relief. What hypnotherapy adds is the chance to rehearse new responses to the specific situations that set off your stress, whether that is a crowded Tube carriage, an email from your manager, a medical appointment or lying in bed at night. Over time, the body can learn to meet those situations with a calmer response. I also teach every client self-hypnosis, so they have a practical way of settling their nervous system between sessions and long after our work together ends.

There is also evidence that this effect reaches beyond how people feel in the moment. In a study of medical students facing exams, those who were trained in hypnosis were, on average, protected from the drop in immune function seen in students who did not receive the training (Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 2001).

Potential Uses of Hypnotherapy for Nervous System Regulation

Because an unsettled nervous system shows up in so many different ways, hypnotherapy can be relevant to a wide range of difficulties. The strength of the evidence varies from area to area, so here is an honest summary.

Anxiety and chronic stress. A 2019 meta-analysis of 15 controlled studies found that hypnosis produced substantial reductions in anxiety compared with control conditions (Valentine et al., 2019). Read more in my guide to hypnotherapy for anxiety and my article on what chronic stress does to your body.

Panic attacks. Panic is the stress response firing at full strength without a real threat. Hypnotherapy helps reduce the body’s sensitivity to the early physical signs that often spiral into panic. See hypnotherapy for panic attacks.

IBS and gut symptoms. This is one of the best-researched uses of hypnotherapy. Gut-directed hypnotherapy is recommended by NICE for people with IBS whose symptoms have not responded to other treatment. In a Swedish study of patients who had received hypnotherapy for IBS, most of those who improved still felt the benefit up to seven years later (Lindfors et al., 2012). Read more in my guide to hypnotherapy for IBS.

Pain. A meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials found that hypnosis produced meaningful pain relief, with the largest benefits in people who respond more readily to hypnosis (Thompson et al., 2019).

Sleep. A systematic review of 24 studies found that just over half reported benefits of hypnosis for sleep, although the authors noted that many of the studies were small and of limited quality (Chamine et al., 2018). In my experience, sleep often improves once the nervous system is calmer during the day. See hypnotherapy for insomnia.

Burnout and overwhelm. Research specific to burnout is still limited, but the same principles apply: reducing ongoing stress arousal, restoring rest, and changing the automatic patterns that keep people pushing past their limits. See hypnotherapy for burnout.

Is Hypnotherapy Right for You?

Hypnotherapy may help if you often feel wired, tense or on edge, if stress is showing up in your body through sleep, digestion or pain, or if you have tried to relax and found your body simply does not follow.

It is not a replacement for medical care. If you have new or unexplained physical symptoms, please see your GP first so that other causes can be ruled out. If you are experiencing severe depression, psychosis or thoughts of harming yourself, please speak to your GP or contact NHS 111 or Samaritans on 116 123. Hypnotherapy works best as part of your overall care, not instead of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “nervous system regulation” actually mean? It means your nervous system can respond to challenges and then return to a calm, balanced state afterwards. A well-regulated system is flexible, not permanently calm.

How quickly can hypnotherapy calm my nervous system? Many people feel noticeably calmer after their first session. Longer-lasting change usually comes from a short course of sessions and regular self-hypnosis practice. I have written more about how many sessions people usually need.

Is hypnotherapy the same as relaxation or meditation? They overlap, as all three can calm the body. Hypnotherapy differs in that it is guided and tailored to you, and it uses suggestion and rehearsal to change specific automatic responses, not only to relax you in the moment.

Can I do this online? Yes. Many of my clients work with me online via Zoom, and the process is the same as in person.

In Person in London or Online

I see clients in person at 364 City Road, London EC1V 2PY, a short walk from Angel and Old Street stations, and online anywhere in the UK and abroad.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If your body has been stuck in stress mode for too long, you do not have to keep pushing through on your own. I offer a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation to talk through what you are experiencing and whether hypnotherapy could help.

Book your free consultation or call 020 7101 3284.

References

Chamine, I., Atchley, R. & Oken, B. S. (2018). Hypnosis intervention effects on sleep outcomes: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 14(2), 271-283. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.6952
Chrousos, G. P. (2009). Stress and disorders of the stress system. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 5(7), 374-381. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2009.106
Elkins, G. R., Barabasz, A. F., Council, J. R. & Spiegel, D. (2015). Advancing research and practice: the revised APA Division 30 definition of hypnosis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 63(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2014.961870
Fernandez, A., Urwicz, L., Vuilleumier, P. & Berna, C. (2022). Impact of hypnosis on psychophysiological measures: a scoping literature review. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 64(1), 36-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2021.1873099
Grossman, P. (2023). Fundamental challenges and likely refutations of the five basic premises of the polyvagal theory. Biological Psychology, 180, 108589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108589
Jiang, H., White, M. P., Greicius, M. D., Waelde, L. C. & Spiegel, D. (2017). Brain activity and functional connectivity associated with hypnosis. Cerebral Cortex, 27(8), 4083-4093. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhw220
Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Marucha, P. T., Atkinson, C. & Glaser, R. (2001). Hypnosis as a modulator of cellular immune dysregulation during acute stress. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(4), 674-682. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.69.4.674
Lindfors, P., Unge, P., Nyhlin, H., Ljótsson, B., Björnsson, E. S., Abrahamsson, H. & Simrén, M. (2012). Long-term effects of hypnotherapy in patients with refractory irritable bowel syndrome. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 47(4), 414-420. https://doi.org/10.3109/00365521.2012.658858
McEwen, B. S. (1998). Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators. New England Journal of Medicine, 338(3), 171-179. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199801153380307
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2008, updated 2017). Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management (CG61). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg61
Porges, S. W. (2007). The polyvagal perspective. Biological Psychology, 74(2), 116-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.06.009
Thompson, T., Terhune, D. B., Oram, C., Sharangparni, J., Rouf, R., Solmi, M., Veronese, N. & Stubbs, B. (2019). The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 99, 298-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.013
Valentine, K. E., Milling, L. S., Clark, L. J. & Moriarty, C. L. (2019). The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 67(3), 336-363. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863

by Antonios Koletsas

Health

IBS Flare-Ups: What Triggers Them and How Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Can Help

July 27, 2026

An IBS flare can feel like it comes out of nowhere, sudden cramping, bloating, or urgency that derails your whole day. But flares are rarely random. They’re usually your gut-brain axis reacting to stress, food, or hormonal shifts, and this is exactly where gut-directed hypnotherapy can make a measurable difference. At London Hypnotics, we work with clients who’ve tried everything from elimination diets to over-the-counter remedies, only to find the flares keep returning because the root driver, an overactive gut-brain signal, hasn’t been addressed.

What Causes an IBS Flare-Up?

Most flares are triggered by a combination of factors: certain foods (especially high-FODMAP ones), stress and anxiety, poor sleep, hormonal changes, or even travel and disrupted routine. The gut and brain are in constant communication via the vagus nerve, so emotional stress can directly trigger physical gut symptoms, even without a dietary cause. This is why two people can eat the same meal and only one experiences a flare. It’s also why so many people feel frustrated when they’ve “done everything right” with their diet but still flare during a stressful week at work or before a big life event.

Why Do Flares Feel Unpredictable?

IBS is a disorder of gut-brain interaction, meaning the nervous system plays a central role in how symptoms present. A hypersensitive gut can misinterpret normal digestive activity as pain or urgency. Stress hormones like cortisol also slow or speed up digestion, which explains why flares often cluster around exam periods, work deadlines, or emotionally difficult weeks, even when your diet hasn’t changed. This unpredictability is often the most distressing part of IBS, because it makes planning social events, travel, or even a normal workday feel risky.

How Does Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Help During a Flare?

Gut-directed hypnotherapy works by calming the nervous system’s reactivity and retraining the gut-brain communication pathway. Rather than only managing symptoms after they start, it helps reduce the frequency and intensity of flares over time by lowering visceral hypersensitivity and interrupting the stress-symptom cycle. Clinical guidance from NICE (CG61) recognises psychological interventions, including hypnotherapy, as appropriate for IBS that hasn’t responded to first-line treatment. Sessions typically use guided relaxation and gut-specific imagery to help the nervous system learn a calmer baseline response, so the gut becomes less reactive to everyday triggers over time.

What Does a Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Session Actually Involve?

A typical session begins with a period of deep relaxation, followed by suggestions and imagery focused specifically on normalising gut function, reducing pain sensitivity, and restoring a sense of control over digestive symptoms. This differs from general relaxation hypnotherapy because the language and imagery are tailored to the gut itself. Many clients are taught self-hypnosis techniques they can use between sessions, which is particularly useful in the early stages of a flare, when catching the stress response quickly can prevent it from escalating.

Can You Reduce Flares Without Medication?

Many people successfully reduce flare frequency through a combination of dietary awareness (such as low-FODMAP guidance from a dietitian), sleep hygiene, and stress regulation techniques. Gut-directed hypnotherapy is often used alongside these approaches rather than instead of them. At London Hypnotics, this forms the basis of the Calm Gut Programme, which combines structured sessions with practical tools for daily symptom management. It’s designed for people who want a longer-term shift in how their gut responds to stress, rather than a quick fix for a single bad week.

Does Stress Management Alone Help, or Do You Need Hypnotherapy Specifically?

General stress management, such as exercise or mindfulness, can help reduce overall tension, but gut-directed hypnotherapy is more targeted because it works directly on the gut-brain pathway rather than general relaxation. For many clients, this is why previous attempts at “just managing stress better” haven’t touched their IBS symptoms, the intervention wasn’t specific enough to the gut’s particular sensitivity. If anxiety is a significant driver of your flares, it can also be worth addressing anxiety directly through hypnotherapy alongside gut-focused work.

How Long Before You Notice Improvement?

Most people begin noticing changes in symptom intensity and frequency within four to six sessions, though this varies by individual. Improvement tends to be gradual rather than immediate, as the nervous system needs repeated, consistent input to shift its stress response patterns. Some clients notice smaller flares first, shorter in duration or less intense, before they notice a drop in frequency.

Is Online Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy as Effective as In-Person?

Research and clinical experience suggest online-delivered gut-directed hypnotherapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions, which is good news if you’re outside London or prefer the convenience of working from home. The core mechanism, retraining the gut-brain response through relaxation and targeted imagery, works the same way whether delivered face-to-face in Angel or via video call.

Key Takeaways

IBS flares are driven by a mix of diet, stress, and gut-brain hypersensitivity, not just food alone
Stress hormones can trigger flares even without a dietary cause
Gut-directed hypnotherapy targets the nervous system’s role in gut symptoms specifically, not general relaxation
It works well alongside dietary changes and stress management rather than replacing them
Most people notice change within four to six sessions
Online sessions can be just as effective as in-person ones

If IBS flares are affecting your daily life, you don’t have to just manage around them. Antonios offers sessions in person in Angel, London and online, so support is accessible wherever you are. Book a free consultation to talk through your symptoms and see whether gut-directed hypnotherapy could help. You can also learn more about Antonios’s background and credentials before getting in touch.

References

[1] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2017. Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management (CG61). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg61
[2] Peters SL, et al., 2016. Randomised clinical trial: gut-directed hypnotherapy vs standard care for IBS. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
[3] NHS, 2023. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) overview. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/

by Antonios Koletsas

Health

Why Hypnotherapy in London Is Growing: What the Evidence Says and What to Expect

April 13, 2026

Every week, people come to my clinic on City Road in London having tried everything else. Medication that dulled the edges but never resolved the root. Talking therapies that circled the same memories without shifting them. Self-help books that explained the problem brilliantly but left them no closer to changing it. What they had not yet tried was hypnotherapy, and in many cases, it turned out to be exactly what they needed.

I have been practising clinical hypnotherapy in London for years, working with clients who present with anxiety, insomnia, phobias, smoking addiction, weight management difficulties, and IBS, among other conditions. In that time I have seen significant shifts in how Londoners think about and seek out hypnotherapy. This post is for anyone who is curious about what hypnotherapy actually is, what the research says about it, and whether a London hypnotherapist might be right for them.

What Is Clinical Hypnotherapy?

Clinical hypnotherapy is the therapeutic application of hypnosis by a qualified practitioner. It is not stage hypnosis. It does not involve loss of control, unconsciousness, or being made to do things against your will. What it does involve is a guided state of focused attention and deep relaxation during which the critical, analytical part of the mind becomes less dominant and the subconscious becomes more receptive to therapeutic suggestion.

In clinical practice, that window of receptivity is used to change unhelpful patterns of thought, belief, and behaviour that have become fixed in the subconscious. The subconscious mind drives the vast majority of our automatic responses, emotional reactions, and habits. Cognitive reasoning alone often cannot reach it. Hypnotherapy can.

What Does the Research Say?

The evidence base for hypnotherapy has grown considerably in recent decades. A substantial meta-analysis published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that psychotherapy outcomes improved significantly when hypnosis was used as an adjunct. Randomised controlled trials have demonstrated efficacy for irritable bowel syndrome, with gut-directed hypnotherapy now cited in NICE guidance. Research by Irving Kirsch and colleagues has shown hypnotherapy to be effective in enhancing cognitive-behavioural therapy for weight loss. Studies on smoking cessation place hypnotherapy among the more effective single-session interventions available.

This is not fringe science. It is a body of peer-reviewed evidence that supports what I see clinically: hypnotherapy works for a defined and meaningful range of presentations when delivered by a properly trained practitioner.

Common Conditions Treated With Hypnotherapy in London

Anxiety and Stress Anxiety is the most common presentation I see. London is a high-pressure city. Work demands, financial stress, transport, noise, and social pressure compound daily. Anxiety hypnotherapy works by interrupting the automatic threat responses that the subconscious has learned to produce and replacing them with calmer, more proportionate reactions.

Insomnia and Sleep Problems Poor sleep affects cognitive function, mood, and physical health. Hypnotherapy for insomnia addresses the hyperarousal and anticipatory anxiety around sleep that keep the mind active at bedtime. Many clients notice a difference within two to three sessions.

Phobias Phobias are learned fear responses stored in the subconscious. Whether the trigger is flying, dental treatment, needles, heights, or social situations, hypnotherapy can access and reprocess the original conditioning without requiring the client to face the feared object directly.

Smoking Cessation A single structured hypnotherapy session for stopping smoking can be highly effective for the right client. The session targets motivation, habit loops, and the psychological identity attached to smoking.

Weight Management Hypnotherapy for weight management is not a diet. It addresses the emotional and psychological drivers of overeating: stress eating, food as reward, poor body image, and low self-efficacy. Virtual gastric band hypnotherapy is one protocol with a developing evidence base.

IBS and Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Gut-directed hypnotherapy is one of the most robustly evidenced applications of clinical hypnotherapy. For clients with IBS who have not responded to dietary changes or medication, it offers a meaningful and lasting alternative.

Why See a London Hypnotherapist in Person?

Online therapy has its place, but for hypnotherapy specifically, the in-person therapeutic relationship matters. The practitioner’s voice, presence, and ability to read non-verbal cues all contribute to the depth of the trance state and the quality of the intervention. My clinic is located at 364 City Road, EC1V 2PY, close to Angel and Old Street stations, making it accessible from across central and north London.

In-person sessions also provide a contained, distraction-free environment. Clients who have tried self-hypnosis recordings at home and found them unhelpful often respond very differently in a clinical setting with a qualified practitioner guiding the process in real time.

How to Choose a Hypnotherapist in London

This matters. Hypnotherapy is not a regulated profession in the same way as medicine, which means standards vary. When choosing a London hypnotherapist, look for the following:

Registration with the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC) and the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR) is the benchmark for professional training and ethical practice in the UK. I hold both credentials. These registrations require completion of an accredited hypnotherapy training programme, adherence to a professional code of conduct, and ongoing continuing professional development.

Ask about the practitioner’s clinical background, the number of client hours they have completed, and whether they carry professional indemnity insurance. A good hypnotherapist will also offer a free initial consultation or telephone call so you can assess whether they are the right fit before committing to treatment.

What Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session?

An initial session at my London clinic typically runs for around 60 to 75 minutes. We begin with a clinical assessment: your presenting issue, its history, any relevant medical background, and your goals for treatment. This informs the specific approach used.

The hypnotherapy itself follows. I guide you into a deeply relaxed, focused state using an induction technique tailored to your preferences. Once in trance, therapeutic suggestions, imagery, and techniques specific to your presentation are introduced. The session ends with a grounding process and time to reflect.

Most clients find the experience deeply relaxing rather than dramatic. You remain aware throughout. The changes that follow tend to be subtle at first and cumulative across sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnotherapy in London

Will I lose control during hypnotherapy? No. You remain conscious and aware throughout. Hypnosis is a state of focused attention, not unconsciousness. You can exit the trance at any point and will not do or say anything against your will.

How many sessions will I need? This depends on the presenting issue. Phobias and smoking cessation are often addressed in one to three sessions. Anxiety, insomnia, and weight management typically involve a short course of four to six sessions. Some clients return periodically for maintenance.

Is hypnotherapy available on the NHS? Gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS is available in some NHS settings. For most other presentations, hypnotherapy is delivered privately. Sessions at my clinic are priced to be accessible for London clients, and I can discuss fees on enquiry.

Can hypnotherapy help with depression? Hypnotherapy is not a standalone treatment for clinical depression and should not replace psychiatrically supervised care. It can be a useful adjunct to other treatment when used with appropriate clinical judgement.

What if I cannot be hypnotised? Most people can enter a hypnotic state. Depth of trance varies, but even a light trance state is sufficient for therapeutic work. People who are sceptical or analytical often enter trance more readily than they expect because the state is natural and familiar, similar to focused absorption in a task or the moment before sleep.

Book a Hypnotherapy Consultation in London

My clinic is based at 364 City Road, London EC1V 2PY, and is easily accessible from Angel, Old Street, and Farringdon. I see clients Monday to Saturday and offer a free initial telephone consultation for new enquiries.

To book or enquire, call 020 7101 3284 or visit london-hypnotics.co.uk.

I am registered with the GHSC and GHR and carry full professional indemnity insurance. All sessions are conducted in strict confidence.

Antonios Koletsas is a GHSC-registered and GHR-accredited clinical hypnotherapist practising in London. He specialises in anxiety, insomnia, phobias, smoking cessation, weight management, and gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

I offer a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation to talk through what you are experiencing and whether hypnotherapy could help. Sessions are available in person near Angel, London, or online via Zoom.

Book your free consultation or call 020 7101 3284.

by Antonios Koletsas

Health

Your First Hypnotherapy Session: 5 Tips for a Transformative Experience

March 26, 2026

If you’ve just booked your first hypnotherapy session—congratulations! You’ve taken a powerful step toward rewriting the patterns that no longer serve you.

It’s completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and a little “healthy skepticism.” To help you feel grounded and ready to get the most out of our time together, I’ve put together five simple tips to prepare your mind and body.

1. Come with a Clear “Why”

Hypnosis is a collaborative process. Before you arrive, spend a few moments reflecting on your primary goal. Is it to reduce anxiety, break a habit, or improve your sleep? The more specific your intention, the more effectively we can direct your subconscious mind toward that outcome.

2. Ditch the “Stage Hypnosis” Myths

The most common fear is a loss of control. In a clinical setting, you are always in charge. You won’t say anything you don’t want to say, and you certainly won’t bark like a dog. Think of it less like “being put under” and more like a state of deep, focused daydreaming where you remain fully aware.

3. Dress for Comfort

This isn’t the time for restrictive clothing or uncomfortable shoes. You’ll likely be sitting or reclining for a significant period. Wear something soft and breathable so your physical body can relax completely, allowing your mind to take center stage.

4. Skip the Extra Caffeine

While you don’t need to be a “zen master” to be hypnotized, a double espresso right before your session might make it harder to settle into that sweet spot of relaxation. Try to keep your caffeine intake light on the day of your appointment so your nervous system is calm and receptive.

5. Release the Need to “Do It Right”

Many clients worry, “Am I doing this right?” or “Am I actually under?” The secret is: there is no “right” way to feel. Some people feel heavy, some feel light, and some just feel like they’re having a very relaxing chat. Your only job is to be curious and open to the suggestions we discuss.

Ready to Begin?

The first session is often the start of a profound shift in perspective. If you have any specific questions before we meet, don’t hesitate to reach out.

[Book Your Discovery Call Here]

Your Questions, Answered

Q: Will I remember what happened during the session? A: Yes, in almost all cases. The goal is to create a state of relaxed focus, similar to a deep daydream. You will remain aware and will generally remember the suggestions and visualizations we discussed.

Q: Can I drive immediately after my session? A: Absolutely. We will take time at the end of the session to fully “reorient” you. You will leave feeling clear-headed and ready to continue your day, though we do recommend giving yourself a few moments to integrate the experience before hopping right into a stressful task.

Q: How many sessions will I need? A: Every individual is different, and the answer depends heavily on your goals. While some specific issues may see rapid shifts in 1-2 sessions, more embedded patterns or deep-seated anxiety may require a series of sessions to achieve lasting transformation. We can discuss a personalized plan during our first meeting.

Q: What if I can’t be hypnotized? A: The “inability to be hypnotized” is rare. It’s better understood as a readiness and willingness. If you can focus on my voice, follow instructions, and use your imagination, you can access the trance state. It’s my job to find the technique that resonates best with your mind.

by Antonios Koletsas

Health

Hypnotherapy for Insomnia: Why You Can’t Sleep — And How to Fix It at the Source

March 10, 2026

Of all the issues I work with in my practice, insomnia is one of the most quietly debilitating. It doesn’t announce itself dramatically the way a panic attack does. It just chips away — night after night, hour after hour — until the person lying in the dark starts to dread bedtime more than anything else in their day.

What strikes me most about chronic poor sleep is how many people have learned to just live with it. They’ve tried sleep hygiene routines, blue light glasses, meditation apps, melatonin, and various over-the-counter remedies. Some have been prescribed sleeping medication, which helps short-term but doesn’t solve anything and often comes with its own costs.

The reason most of these approaches fall short is the same reason most surface-level fixes fail: they’re addressing the symptom, not what’s generating it. In this article I want to explain what’s actually keeping people awake, and how hypnotherapy works at a different level to create lasting change.

Why You Really Can’t Sleep: What’s Actually Happening

Insomnia is almost never just about sleep. In my experience working with clients in London, poor sleep is consistently a symptom of something else running in the background — usually one or more of the following.

A nervous system stuck in high alert

Sleep requires the body to feel safe. The parasympathetic nervous system needs to be in charge — the ‘rest and digest’ mode. But for people under chronic stress, the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) has essentially become the default. Cortisol stays elevated into the evening. The body won’t fully downregulate. You’re physically tired but the system won’t let you switch off.

A hyperactive mind that won’t stop

Many of my sleep clients describe the same experience: the moment their head hits the pillow, their mind starts running. Replaying conversations from the day, planning tomorrow, catastrophising about something weeks away. This is the default mode network — the brain’s self-referential thinking system — failing to quieten at night. During the day there’s enough distraction to suppress it. At night, in the silence, it takes over.

Conditioned wakefulness

This is one of the most underappreciated drivers of chronic insomnia. After enough nights of lying awake, the brain begins to associate the bed — and the whole bedtime routine — with wakefulness and frustration rather than sleep. This is a learned, conditioned response. The bed itself becomes a trigger for alertness. Sleep clinicians call this psychophysiological insomnia, and it can persist long after the original stressor that caused it has resolved.

Underlying anxiety or unprocessed stress

Anxiety and insomnia are deeply intertwined. Anxiety disrupts sleep; poor sleep worsens anxiety. For many people, what looks like a sleep problem is actually an anxiety problem that surfaces most clearly at night when there’s nothing else to focus on. Until the underlying anxiety is addressed, sleep interventions will only ever provide temporary relief.

Why Sleeping Tablets Are Not a Long-Term Solution

I’m not dismissing medication — for some people in a short-term crisis it can be a necessary bridge. But medication doesn’t change any of the patterns I’ve described above. It doesn’t retrain a hypervigilant nervous system. It doesn’t interrupt conditioned wakefulness. It doesn’t process the underlying anxiety.

When people stop taking sleeping tablets, the insomnia almost always returns — often worse initially due to rebound effects. The NHS itself advises against prescribing sleeping tablets for more than two to four weeks precisely because they don’t address the root cause and carry risks of dependency.

How Hypnotherapy Addresses Sleep at the Root

Hypnotherapy is unusually well suited to insomnia because it works directly with the subconscious patterns driving it — the conditioned responses, the nervous system dysregulation, the underlying anxiety. Here’s what the work actually involves.

Retraining the nervous system’s baseline

The hypnotic state itself is a powerful parasympathetic activator. Clients in deep hypnosis show measurable reductions in heart rate, breathing rate, and cortisol. For people whose nervous systems have been stuck in sympathetic dominance, repeated access to this state begins to recalibrate the baseline. The body relearns what genuine downregulation feels like — and becomes better at finding it at night.

Breaking the conditioned wakefulness cycle

Through specific hypnotic suggestion and visualisation, we work to reassociate the bed and bedtime with calm and drowsiness rather than tension and frustration. This is essentially the same goal as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) — widely regarded as the gold standard for sleep treatment — but accessed at the subconscious level where the conditioning actually lives, rather than through conscious effort alone.

Quietening the overactive mind

Research by McGeown et al. (2009) showed that hypnosis significantly reduces activity in the default mode network — the brain system responsible for the relentless mental chatter that plagues so many insomnia sufferers at night. In a hypnotic state, the mind enters focused, quietened attention. Over sessions, clients find this state increasingly accessible at bedtime without formal hypnosis.

Personalised sleep suggestions and self-hypnosis

Every client I work with for sleep receives a personalised audio recording designed specifically for them — their triggers, their mental patterns, their physical responses to stress. This recording is used nightly as part of the wind-down routine. I also teach self-hypnosis techniques that can be used in the middle of the night if waking occurs. The goal is to give clients tools that work independently, not permanent reliance on me or a recording.

What the Research Shows

The evidence base for hypnotherapy and sleep is genuinely encouraging. A systematic review by Chamine et al. (2018), published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, analysed 24 studies and found that hypnosis improved sleep quality in the majority of cases, with particular effectiveness for reducing sleep onset time and nighttime waking.

A study by Cordi et al. (2014) found that participants who listened to a hypnotic suggestion tape before sleep spent significantly more time in slow-wave (deep) sleep compared to a control group — a 67% increase in deep sleep time. For people whose sleep is light and unrefreshing rather than absent entirely, this finding is particularly relevant.

The NHS recognises psychological approaches, including hypnotherapy, as valid options for insomnia management, particularly for people who have not responded to sleep hygiene advice or who wish to avoid medication.

What I See in Practice: Three Common Sleep Profiles

The executive who can’t switch off

High-performing professionals make up a significant portion of my sleep clients. They’re cognitively active all day and struggle to disengage at night. Their mind treats sleep as a threat to productivity rather than a biological necessity. Hypnotherapy helps reconfigure this relationship, reducing the performance anxiety around sleep itself — which is often what makes things worse.

The early waker

Waking between 3am and 5am and being unable to return to sleep is one of the most common presentations I see. It’s frequently linked to cortisol dysregulation — cortisol naturally begins rising in the early hours, and in people under chronic stress this rise happens earlier and more sharply, pulling them out of sleep. Hypnotherapy addresses the underlying stress response that’s driving this pattern.

The person whose sleep never recovered

Some clients had normal sleep for most of their lives and then — following a stressful period, a bereavement, a health scare, or a major life change — their sleep broke down and never came back. Even though the original trigger is long gone, the conditioned response remains. These clients often respond particularly well to hypnotherapy because the underlying pattern, once identified, is relatively contained.

How Many Sessions and What to Expect

For insomnia, I typically recommend between 4 and 6 sessions. Many clients notice an improvement in sleep quality within the first two or three sessions, though the conditioned wakefulness pattern often takes a few more to fully shift.

The first session always involves a thorough exploration of the sleep history — when it started, what makes it better or worse, what the nights actually look like, what daytime functioning is like, and whether there are identifiable anxiety or stress patterns running alongside it. This shapes everything that follows.

Sessions are available in person at my City Road practice in London EC1V, or online. For sleep work particularly, online sessions can be ideal — you’re already at home in your own space, and we can sometimes run the final part of the session in a way that transitions naturally into your actual wind-down routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hypnotherapy better than CBT for insomnia?

CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia) is the most evidence-based treatment for insomnia and I have enormous respect for it. Hypnotherapy’s advantage is that it works at the subconscious level — where the conditioned patterns and nervous system dysregulation actually live — rather than requiring sustained conscious effort. For many clients, particularly those who have tried CBT-I with limited success, hypnotherapy addresses what CBT couldn’t fully reach. The two approaches also combine well.

Will I fall asleep during a session?

Some clients do drift into light sleep during hypnotherapy, particularly if they’re significantly sleep-deprived. This is fine — the subconscious mind remains receptive even in very light sleep states. Most clients remain in a deeply relaxed but aware state throughout. The distinction between hypnosis and sleep is that in hypnosis you remain responsive and can hear and remember what’s happening.

I’ve had insomnia for years. Is it too late?

No. Long-standing insomnia can take more sessions to shift — the conditioned response is more deeply established — but the brain’s capacity to change remains. Some of the most meaningful sleep transformations I’ve seen have been in clients who had been poor sleepers for a decade or more.

Can hypnotherapy help if my insomnia is linked to menopause or a medical condition?

Yes, in many cases. Menopausal insomnia, for example, has both a hormonal component and a psychological/nervous system component. Hypnotherapy addresses the latter and can meaningfully improve sleep even when the hormonal driver remains. I always recommend clients keep their GP informed and ensure any underlying medical conditions have been properly assessed.

You Don’t Have to Keep Dreading Bedtime

If you’ve been living with poor sleep for months or years, and you’re ready to address what’s actually driving it rather than mask it, I’d welcome a conversation.

I offer a free initial phone consultation so we can talk through your specific sleep pattern, your history, and whether hypnotherapy is the right fit. There’s no obligation.

In-person sessions are at 364 City Road, London EC1V 2PY — a short walk from Angel Station. Online sessions are available for clients across the UK. Call 020 7101 3284 or book via the link below.

→ Book your free consultation

About the Author

Antonios Koletsas is a clinical hypnotherapist based in London, registered with the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC) and the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR). He works with clients experiencing insomnia, anxiety, stress, chronic pain, and IBS at his City Road practice and online across the UK.

Clinical References

Chamine, I., Atchley, R. & Oken, B.S. (2018). Hypnosis Intervention Effects on Sleep Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 14(2), 271–283.

Cordi, M.J. et al. (2014). Hypnotic suggestions given before nighttime sleep extend slow-wave sleep as compared with a music control condition. Journal of Sleep Research, 23(4), 413–421.

McGeown, W.J. et al. (2009). Hypnotic induction decreases anterior default mode activity. NeuroImage, 46(4), 970–977.

NHS (2021). Insomnia: Treatment. NHS.uk. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/treatment/

by Antonios Koletsas

Lifestyle

Beyond Willpower: Why Your 2026 Resolutions Need the Subconscious Mind

December 15, 2025

Why do 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February?

We all know the pattern. The festive season in London ends, the decorations come down, and we are left with a surge of motivation. We buy the gym membership, we download the meditation app, and we promise ourselves that this year, we will finally get a handle on our stress or diet.

But fast forward to mid-February, and life gets in the way. The grey skies and the busy commute chip away at our energy, and old habits creep back in. We often blame ourselves, thinking we just didn’t have enough discipline.

As a hypnotherapist, I am here to tell you: It is not your fault, and it is not a lack of willpower. It is simply a conflict between your conscious desires and your subconscious programming.

The Iceberg Effect: Understanding Your Mind

To understand why resolutions fail, you have to look at how the mind operates. Think of your mind like an iceberg floating in the ocean.

The Tip (10% – The Conscious Mind): This is the part of you reading this blog. It is logical, analytical, and sets goals like “I want to stop snacking on sugar” or “I want to be more confident at work.”
The Hidden Mass (90% – The Subconscious Mind): This is where your automatic behaviours, emotional memories, and self-protection mechanisms live. It is the autopilot that drives your life.

When you use willpower, you are using the 10% to fight the 90%. If your subconscious believes that “sugar equals comfort” or “worrying keeps me safe,” it will eventually overpower your conscious logic. This is why “cold turkey” changes rarely last.

How Hypnotherapy Bridges the Gap

Hypnotherapy is the key to accessing that submerged 90%. It allows us to bypass the “Critical Faculty”, the guard at the gate of your mind, and speak directly to the subconscious.

Instead of fighting your instincts, we update them. We use deep relaxation and targeted suggestion to align your deep-seated beliefs with your new goals. When your subconscious wants the same thing as your conscious mind, the struggle disappears. Healthy choices start to feel natural rather than forced.

A Special Note on “Gut Feelings” and Health Goals

One of the most common resolutions I see is the desire to “get healthy” or “fix my digestion” after the indulgences of December. This is close to my heart, as I specialize in gut-directed hypnotherapy.

If you suffer from IBS or digestive issues, you likely know that stress is a major trigger. No amount of strict dieting will fix a sensitive gut if your nervous system is constantly in “fight or flight” mode.

The Resolution: “I will go on a strict diet.”
The Reality: The stress of the strict diet triggers the gut, causing more bloating and discomfort.
The Hypnotherapy Approach: We teach the gut-brain axis to relax. We visualize the digestive system functioning smoothly. By lowering the internal stress response, we often see a significant reduction in physical symptoms, allowing you to enjoy food without fear in 2026.

3 Ways to Prime Your Mind for Success

You don’t have to wait for your first session to start shifting your mindset. Here are three techniques to help your resolutions stick:

Focus on the “Why,” Not the “What”: Don’t just write down “Lose weight.” Close your eyes and visualize how you will feel when you achieve it. Imagine the energy you’ll have walking through the park, or how your clothes will fit. The subconscious speaks the language of images and feelings, not words.
Phrase Goals in the Present Tense: Avoid saying “I will be calm.” This puts the goal in the future, just out of reach. Instead, tell yourself, “I am becoming calmer every day.” This trains the brain to accept this as your current reality.
Start Before January 1st: There is no magic in the date. By starting to visualize your success now, you remove the pressure of the “big day” and start the year with momentum.

Make 2026 Your Year of Lasting Change

If you are based in London and are tired of the annual cycle of setting goals and abandoning them, let’s try a different approach.

At London Hypnotics, I help clients rewire the habits that hold them back, whether that’s soothing a troubled gut, managing anxiety, or building confidence. Let’s work together to make your 2026 resolutions the ones that finally stick.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Book your free consultation or call 020 7101 3284.

by Antonios Koletsas

Health

Online Hypnotherapy: Top 10 tips for a successful trance experience.

November 17, 2025

After pandemic the world has changed dramatically when it comes to work, how we work and the type of work we provide. My job was one of those that had dramatic change, but luckily for the better. During pandemic mental health crisis was at a skyrocket high and most people who had their lives changed overnight found it difficult to come. This is when most of my clients begun to seek for treatments for anxiety and panic attacks. Online Hypnotherapy was not something new until then, however little that I know, my whole job would emerge fully to an online platform.

At first I decided to test it with some of my friends because I didn’t know if this was effective treatment as it is in person, to my surprise, all of the subjects who decided to take part on my experiment reported significant results on their anxiety levels being stabilized and reduced following treatment from online Hypnotherapy. That gave me the confidence to continue and advertise my services being fully online. Following months of trials with various difference clients I found the perfect way to make someones experience as effective as it could be.

So here I have gathered my top 10 tips of how to make Online Hypnotherapy as effective as you can to gain the most of this amazing treatment.

1. Prepare a Quiet, Private Space

Choose a room where you will not be disturbed during your session, and inform others in your household to respect your privacy.

2. Test Your Technology Early

Check your internet connection, camera, and microphone before the session, and keep your device charged or plugged in.

3. Eliminate Distractions

Silence your phone and notifications, close unnecessary tabs or apps, and set pets or other potential distractions outside your session area.

4. Use Comfortable Seating

Sit in a comfortable chair or lie down on a couch or recliner where you can completely relax your body.

5. Dress Comfortably

Wear clothing that helps you feel relaxed and at ease for the duration of the session.

6. Be Punctual

Log on a few minutes early to settle in, relax, and avoid feeling rushed at the start of your session.

7. Have Water Nearby

Keep a glass of water within reach, and use the restroom before your session starts.

8. Be Honest and Open with Your Therapist

Share relevant information, emotions, or concerns so your therapist can tailor the session to your needs.

9. Commit to the Process

Approach your session with an open mind and willingness to participate fully, even if hypnosis is new to you.

10. Set an Intention

Clarify your main goal for each session with your therapist so your focus and motivation remain clear throughout.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Book your free consultation or call 020 7101 3284.

by Antonios Koletsas

Health

Hypnotherapy for IBS: Does It Work? A Specialist’s Guide

September 1, 2025

If you live with irritable bowel syndrome, you have probably tried a lot already: cutting out foods, the low FODMAP diet, probiotics, fibre supplements, antispasmodics. For many people these help a little, but the pain, bloating and unpredictability keep coming back, often at the worst possible moments. That is usually when people start asking whether hypnotherapy could help.

It is a fair question, and the answer surprises many people: gut-directed hypnotherapy is one of the best-researched psychological treatments for IBS, with evidence going back more than 40 years. In this guide I explain why it works, what the research shows, what treatment involves, and how it fits alongside your medical care.

Why IBS Is About More Than Your Gut

IBS is now classed as a disorder of gut-brain interaction. Your gut and brain are in constant two-way communication through the vagus nerve, hormones and the immune system, a network known as the gut-brain axis. In IBS, that communication becomes oversensitive in two main ways.

Visceral hypersensitivity. The nerves in the gut send pain signals to the brain more readily than they should, so normal amounts of gas or movement register as cramping, pressure or pain.

Disrupted motility. Stress signals from the brain can speed up or slow down how the gut moves, contributing to urgency and diarrhoea, constipation, or both.

This is why IBS so often flares during stressful periods even when your diet has not changed, and why diet alone rarely resolves it completely. It also explains the strong link between IBS and anxiety: the same pathway carries signals in both directions, so gut symptoms fuel worry, and worry makes the gut more reactive.

What Is Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy?

Gut-directed hypnotherapy is a specific, structured form of hypnotherapy developed for IBS. You are guided into a deeply relaxed, focused state, and then suggestion and imagery are used to calm the gut directly: soothing its sensitivity, encouraging a more comfortable rhythm, and reducing the nervous system’s overreaction to normal digestive activity.

It is not about telling you the problem is “in your head”. IBS symptoms are real and physical. Gut-directed hypnotherapy works because it targets the communication pathway between gut and brain that keeps those symptoms going. You remain aware and in control throughout, and most people find the sessions deeply calming. You can read more on my gut-directed hypnotherapy page.

What the Research Says

Gut-directed hypnotherapy has one of the strongest evidence bases of any psychological treatment for IBS.

The original trial. In 1984, Professor Peter Whorwell and colleagues in Manchester published a controlled trial in The Lancet showing that hypnotherapy substantially improved symptoms in people with severe IBS who had not responded to other treatments.
Long-lasting benefits. A follow-up study of 204 patients found that 71% responded to hypnotherapy, and of those, 81% maintained their improvement for up to five years or more. Patients also reported fewer GP consultations and less medication use afterwards (Gonsalkorale et al., 2003).
As effective as the low FODMAP diet. A 2016 randomised trial found that gut-directed hypnotherapy reduced IBS symptoms as effectively as the low FODMAP diet (Peters et al., 2016), without the need for long-term food restriction.
Recognised in UK guidelines. NICE guidance on IBS recommends considering psychological interventions, including hypnotherapy, for people whose symptoms have not responded to medication after 12 months.

Not everyone responds, and hypnotherapy is not a cure for IBS. But for many people it brings meaningful, lasting relief where other approaches have only partly helped.

What Can It Help With?

Gut-directed hypnotherapy can help with abdominal pain, bloating, urgency and irregular bowel habits, as well as the anxiety that so often builds around them: worrying about where the nearest toilet is, avoiding social plans, or fearing a flare-up before travel or work. I have written in more detail about specific presentations:

IBS-D (diarrhoea-predominant IBS)
Constipation
IBS flare-ups and their triggers
IBS and SIBO
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), alongside medical treatment

What Treatment Involves

We start with a free 15-minute call to talk through your symptoms and whether this approach is right for you. Your first session includes a detailed assessment of your IBS: its history, your main symptoms, your triggers, and how it affects your daily life.

Gut-directed hypnotherapy works best as a structured course. Most programmes run over six to twelve sessions, usually weekly, which mirrors the approach used in the clinical research. Many people notice changes within the first few sessions, while for others the improvement builds steadily over the course. You also receive recordings and self-hypnosis techniques to practise at home, which is an important part of lasting change.

Hypnotherapy also combines well with dietary approaches. If you are exploring food triggers, you may find my articles on the best foods for IBS and foods to avoid helpful.

Please See Your GP First

If you have not yet had a diagnosis, please see your GP before starting hypnotherapy, so that other conditions such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease can be ruled out. Seek medical advice promptly if you notice bleeding from your bottom, unexplained weight loss, or a persistent change in bowel habits, particularly if you are over 50. Hypnotherapy works alongside your medical care, not instead of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hypnotherapy work for IBS? For many people, yes. Gut-directed hypnotherapy has decades of research behind it, including long-term follow-up studies showing that most people who respond keep their improvement for years.

How many sessions will I need? Most of my IBS clients complete a course of six to eight sessions. I will give you a clearer idea after your initial assessment.

Do I have to change my diet? No. Hypnotherapy works on gut-brain signalling rather than on food itself, although many people choose to combine it with dietary changes.

Can I have gut-directed hypnotherapy online? Yes. Online sessions follow the same structure as in-person sessions and many of my IBS clients work with me via Zoom.

Can my doctor refer me? GPs and gastroenterologists can refer patients directly. You can find details on my referrals page.

Is gut-directed hypnotherapy available on the NHS? Some NHS gastroenterology departments offer it, but availability varies by area and there are often long waiting lists and strict referral criteria. Private sessions let you start sooner, in person or online. Read more in my guide to hypnotherapy on the NHS in London.

In Person in London or Online

I see clients in person at 364 City Road, London EC1V 2PY, a short walk from Angel and Old Street stations, and online anywhere in the UK and abroad. You can find out more about my IBS hypnotherapy in London, or read about my own experience of IBS.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If IBS has been controlling your plans, your meals or your confidence, you do not have to keep working around it. I offer a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation to talk through your symptoms and whether gut-directed hypnotherapy could help.

Book your free consultation or call 020 7101 3284.

References

Whorwell, P. J., Prior, A. & Faragher, E. B. (1984). Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of severe refractory irritable-bowel syndrome. The Lancet, 2(8414), 1232-1234. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6150275/
Gonsalkorale, W. M., Miller, V., Afzal, A. & Whorwell, P. J. (2003). Long term benefits of hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Gut, 52(11), 1623-1629. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14570733/
Peters, S. L., Yao, C. K., Philpott, H., et al. (2016). Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut-directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 44(5), 447-459. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27397586/
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management (CG61). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg61

by Antonios Koletsas

Lifestyle

The August Blues – Why They Happen and How Hypnotherapy in London Can Help

August 11, 2025

At first glance, August should be the happiest month of the year. London parks are full of life, holiday plans are in full swing, and the evenings are still warm and light. Yet, for many people, August brings an unexpected emotional dip known as the August Blues.

Instead of feeling energised, they report sadness, irritability, lack of motivation, or a vague sense of emptiness. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and there’s a reason it happens.

As a hypnotherapist in London who works with clients facing anxiety, stress, and seasonal mood changes, I see the August Blues as a perfect example of how the brain and body connection influences emotional health.

Why Do People in London Experience the August Blues?

1. The Transition Effect

August is a bridge between two worlds: the relaxed flow of summer and the structured pace of autumn. Even without a school timetable, the “back to school” mentality is deeply rooted in our culture. In a busy city like London—where September often means faster commutes, packed schedules, and rising workloads—this shift can trigger a subtle stress response.

2. End-of-Summer Reflection

London summers often come with a list of hopes: more time outdoors, weekend trips, and social gatherings. When August arrives, we may realise we haven’t ticked off everything, leading to disappointment or self-criticism.

3. Social Comparison Pressure

Scrolling through Instagram in August can feel like watching everyone else enjoy dream holidays in Greece or Spain while you’re stuck in the office. Even when we know these are curated snapshots, our subconscious still compares—and often leaves us feeling left out.

4. Physiological Shifts

Although August days are still long, the evenings are subtly shorter. This shift affects your body’s circadian rhythm, which in turn influences mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin and melatonin. For some, this is enough to trigger low mood, especially if combined with disrupted sleep from hot nights.

5. Emotional Fatigue

Many Londoners have been running on adrenaline for months—juggling work, commuting, social events, and family life. By August, the body may finally be signalling that it’s time to slow down. This can feel like exhaustion, demotivation, or mild burnout.

The Mind-Body Connection in Seasonal Mood Changes

What we think affects how we feel physically, and how our body feels influences our thoughts. Low mood affects posture, breathing, and muscle tension, which then feed back into emotional heaviness.

Hypnotherapy is particularly effective here because it works at the level of the subconscious mind—calming the nervous system, breaking unhelpful thought patterns, and reintroducing positive emotional states that feel authentic.

How Hypnotherapy in London Can Help with the August Blues

At London Hypnotics, I use clinical hypnotherapy to help clients shift their mindset, release anxiety, and reconnect with motivation. For the August Blues, hypnotherapy can:

Reduce anxiety about change – Turning seasonal transitions into opportunities instead of threats.
Reframe negative thinking – Focusing on what’s been achieved rather than what hasn’t.
Boost emotional energy – Reigniting motivation for the months ahead.
Restore work-life balance – Helping you feel productive without burning out.
Increase seasonal resilience – So that mood remains stable year-round.

A Simple Self-Hypnosis Technique You Can Try at Home

If you’re feeling the August Blues, try this short exercise:

Find a quiet space and sit comfortably.
Close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths.
Visualise a calming late-summer scene—perhaps a London park at sunset, with golden light through the trees.
Breathe in the colours, sounds, and feelings of this scene, letting them spread through your body.
Repeat silently: “I am calm, energised, and ready for the next chapter.”
Open your eyes slowly and return to the present moment.

This is just a small taste—working with a trained hypnotherapist can help you anchor these feelings deeply, so they become part of your natural emotional state.

At a glance

The August Blues are not a personal failing—they’re a natural response to change, reflection, and the shifting rhythms of the year. With the right tools, they can be transformed into a period of renewal and motivation.

If you’re experiencing low mood, anxiety, or stress this August, hypnotherapy at London Hypnotics, 364 City Road, London, could help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

References:

Lam, R. W., Levitt, A. J., & Levitan, R. D. (2006). The August Blues and Seasonal Changes in Mood. Journal of Affective Disorders, 94(1–3), 85–90.
Thompson, R., & Bishop, S. (2012). Seasonal affective changes and their psychosocial impact. British Journal of Psychology, 103(1), 27–45.
Spiegel, H., & Spiegel, D. (2004). Trance and Treatment: Clinical Uses of Hypnosis. American Psychiatric Publishing.
Davidson, R. J., & McEwen, B. S. (2012). Social influences on neuroplasticity: Stress and interventions to promote well-being. Nature Neuroscience, 15(5), 689–695.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Book your free consultation or call 020 7101 3284.

by Antonios Koletsas

Health, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

Hypnotherapy for Weight Loss: How It Works and What the Evidence Says

May 13, 2025

Most people who come to me about their weight are not short of information. They know what a balanced plate looks like. Many have followed several diets successfully for a while, lost weight, and then watched it gradually return. What they struggle with is not knowing what to do, but doing it consistently when life gets stressful, tiring or emotional.

That gap between knowing and doing is where hypnotherapy can help. In this article I explain why diets so often stop working, how hypnotherapy approaches weight differently, what the research honestly shows, and who it is and is not suitable for.

Why Diets Often Stop Working

Diets focus on what you eat. They rarely address why you eat when you are not hungry. For many people, food has quietly taken on other jobs: comfort after a hard day, a reward, a break from work, something to do when bored, or a way to switch off in the evening. These habits are automatic. They run on cues and feelings rather than decisions, which is why willpower tends to hold for a while and then give way.

Restriction can also make things harder. Cutting out foods completely often increases the pull towards them, and a single “slip” can turn into a sense of failure and a spiral of eating. The problem is not a lack of discipline. It is that the automatic part of the mind that drives these patterns has not changed.

How Hypnotherapy Approaches Weight Differently

Hypnotherapy is not a diet and it will not tell you what to eat. Instead, it works on your relationship with food and the patterns that sit underneath your eating. Using an Ericksonian approach, tailored to you rather than read from a script, the work usually focuses on four areas.

1. Understanding your eating patterns. We start by mapping when, where and why you eat outside of hunger. For one person it is the late-afternoon slump at work; for another it is evenings alone in front of the TV. Knowing your specific triggers is what makes the rest of the work precise.

2. Loosening emotional eating. If food has become your main way of coping with stress, boredom or low mood, hypnotherapy helps build calmer, more automatic responses to those feelings, so eating is no longer the only route to relief. I have written more about this in my article on emotional eating.

3. Reducing stress. Stress affects appetite, cravings and sleep, and poor sleep in turn makes cravings stronger. Deep hypnotic relaxation helps lower your overall stress levels, which makes healthier choices feel easier rather than like a daily battle.

4. Rehearsing new habits. In hypnosis, we rehearse the situations you find hardest, such as a work lunch, a stressful evening or a weekend away, and practise responding in the way you would like to. Over time, the new response starts to feel natural rather than forced.

What the Research Says

The evidence is encouraging, but it is important to be honest about it.

Hypnosis added to behavioural treatment. A meta-analysis of studies that added hypnosis to cognitive-behavioural weight loss programmes found that people who received hypnosis lost roughly twice as much weight on average, and that the difference grew over time (Kirsch, 1996).
A more cautious reanalysis. Other researchers analysing a similar set of studies concluded that the added benefit of hypnosis was small at most (Allison and Faith, 1996). The studies involved were relatively few and varied in quality.
Stress-focused hypnotherapy. In a controlled trial in an NHS hospital, the group who received hypnotherapy aimed at reducing stress was the only group still showing significant weight loss after 18 months, although the amount was modest (Stradling et al., 1998).

Put simply, hypnotherapy is not a quick fix, and it works best alongside sensible eating and activity rather than instead of them. Where it tends to help most is with the emotional and habitual side of eating, and with keeping changes going over the long term.

Who Is It Suitable For?

Hypnotherapy may suit you if you tend to eat when stressed, bored or tired, if you have lost weight before but found it hard to maintain, or if you feel caught in a cycle of restriction and overeating.

It is not the right first step for everyone. If you have, or think you may have, an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder, please speak to your GP first, as specialist support is important. Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, is also a good place to start. If you have a medical condition that affects your weight, or you are considering significant changes to your diet, please check with your GP as well.

What to Expect

We begin with a free 15-minute call to talk through your goals and whether hypnotherapy is the right fit. Your first session includes a detailed conversation about your eating history, your triggers and what you would like to change, followed by hypnosis tailored to you. You leave with self-hypnosis techniques to practise between sessions.

Because this work is about changing long-standing habits rather than a short-term diet, most people benefit from a short course of sessions over several weeks. I have written more about how many sessions people usually need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will hypnotherapy make me lose weight without changing anything else? No. Hypnotherapy works by making changes to your eating habits feel easier and more natural. The weight change comes from those new habits, not from hypnosis alone.

Will you put me on a diet? No. I do not prescribe diets. The focus is on your relationship with food and the patterns behind your eating. If you would like dietary advice, a registered dietitian or your GP can help.

Can hypnotherapy stop cravings? Many people find their cravings become less frequent and easier to let pass, particularly when those cravings are linked to stress or tiredness.

Can I do this online? Yes. Many of my clients work with me online via Zoom, and the process is the same as in person.

In Person in London or Online

I see clients in person at 364 City Road, London EC1V 2PY, a short walk from Angel and Old Street stations, and online anywhere in the UK and abroad. You can find out more about my weight loss hypnotherapy in London.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you are tired of starting again every Monday, you do not have to rely on willpower alone. I offer a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation to talk through what you would like to change and whether hypnotherapy could help.

Book your free consultation or call 020 7101 3284.

References

Kirsch, I. (1996). Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments: another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(3), 517-519. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8698945/
Allison, D. B. & Faith, M. S. (1996). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: a meta-analytic reappraisal. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(3), 513-516. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8698944/
Stradling, J., Roberts, D., Wilson, A. & Lovelock, F. (1998). Controlled trial of hypnotherapy for weight loss in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. International Journal of Obesity, 22(3), 278-281. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9539198/

by Antonios Koletsas

london hypnotherapy

What Is the Nervous System?

What the Autonomic Nervous System Does in Your Body

What Happens When the Nervous System Is Not Regulated?

Why You Cannot Simply “Think” Your Way Calm

The Role of Hypnotherapy in Nervous System Regulation

1. It shifts the body towards a calmer state

2. It changes how the brain connects with the body

3. It helps retrain automatic responses

Potential Uses of Hypnotherapy for Nervous System Regulation

Is Hypnotherapy Right for You?

Frequently Asked Questions

In Person in London or Online

Ready to Take the Next Step?

References

What Causes an IBS Flare-Up?

Why Do Flares Feel Unpredictable?

How Does Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Help During a Flare?

What Does a Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Session Actually Involve?

Can You Reduce Flares Without Medication?

Does Stress Management Alone Help, or Do You Need Hypnotherapy Specifically?

How Long Before You Notice Improvement?

Is Online Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy as Effective as In-Person?

Key Takeaways

References

What Is Clinical Hypnotherapy?

What Does the Research Say?

Common Conditions Treated With Hypnotherapy in London

Why See a London Hypnotherapist in Person?

How to Choose a Hypnotherapist in London

What Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session?

Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnotherapy in London

Book a Hypnotherapy Consultation in London

Ready to Take the Next Step?

1. Come with a Clear “Why”

2. Ditch the “Stage Hypnosis” Myths

3. Dress for Comfort

4. Skip the Extra Caffeine

5. Release the Need to “Do It Right”

Ready to Begin?

Your Questions, Answered

Why You Really Can’t Sleep: What’s Actually Happening

A nervous system stuck in high alert

A hyperactive mind that won’t stop

Conditioned wakefulness

Underlying anxiety or unprocessed stress

Why Sleeping Tablets Are Not a Long-Term Solution

How Hypnotherapy Addresses Sleep at the Root

Retraining the nervous system’s baseline

Breaking the conditioned wakefulness cycle

Quietening the overactive mind

Personalised sleep suggestions and self-hypnosis

What the Research Shows

What I See in Practice: Three Common Sleep Profiles

The executive who can’t switch off

The early waker

The person whose sleep never recovered

How Many Sessions and What to Expect

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hypnotherapy better than CBT for insomnia?

Will I fall asleep during a session?

I’ve had insomnia for years. Is it too late?

Can hypnotherapy help if my insomnia is linked to menopause or a medical condition?

You Don’t Have to Keep Dreading Bedtime

The Iceberg Effect: Understanding Your Mind

How Hypnotherapy Bridges the Gap

A Special Note on “Gut Feelings” and Health Goals

3 Ways to Prime Your Mind for Success

Make 2026 Your Year of Lasting Change

Ready to Take the Next Step?

1. Prepare a Quiet, Private Space

2. Test Your Technology Early

3. Eliminate Distractions

4. Use Comfortable Seating

5. Dress Comfortably

6. Be Punctual

7. Have Water Nearby

8. Be Honest and Open with Your Therapist

9. Commit to the Process

10. Set an Intention