Category: Therapy Bristol

How to Reframe Nerves as Excitement – Backed by Science and Practice

Nerves and excitement feel identical in the body-but one shuts us down, and the other helps us rise. In this post, Annette Sloly explores how to reframe performance anxiety using a neuroscience-backed method called cognitive reappraisal. Learn simple, effective tools to turn nervous energy into confident focus-so you can show up fully when it matters…
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AI vs. Human Therapist: The Illusion of Empathy

Social anxiety doesn’t always look like panic or avoidance. Among high performers, it often hides behind overthinking, perfectionism, and quiet self-doubt. In this post, I explore the invisible ways social anxiety shows up in professional spaces, and why just showing up can be an act of courage.
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What Social Anxiety Looks Like in High Performers – and Why It’s Often Invisible

Social anxiety doesn’t always look like panic or avoidance. Among high performers, it often hides behind overthinking, perfectionism, and quiet self-doubt. In this post, I explore the invisible ways social anxiety shows up in professional spaces, and why just showing up can be an act of courage.
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Elevating the Art of Public Speaking: Tips to Speak with Confidence and Impact

Public speaking is one of the most valuable skills in today’s professional world. Whether you’re presenting to a boardroom, speaking on a panel, or delivering a virtual talk, the ability to communicate clearly and confidently can open doors to new opportunities. Yet, for many, the mere thought of standing in front of an audience induces…
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To mask or not to mask, that is the question.

For those who live with anxiety, are neurodivergent, or feel the weight of societal expectations, ‘masking’ can feel like a shield. It’s the act of blending in, suppressing the parts of oneself that feel too ‘different’ or ‘much’ in order to fit a mould. Masking can be a survival tool, a way to navigate environments…
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A Testament to the Wild: Nan Shepherd’s ‘The Living Mountain’ – Discovering Beauty, Healing, and Growth in Nature

I recently revisited Nan Shepherd’s masterpiece, ‘The Living Mountain’. It is a revelation, a rare gem of nature writing that transforms the act of walking into a profound exploration of beauty, mindful observation, and healing. Initially hidden in obscurity, it has since been rightly celebrated as one of Britain’s finest works ever written about nature…
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Embracing Winter: A Season to Manage Stress, Find Stillness, and Renew ❄️

As autumn’s vibrant colours fade into winter’s quieter tones, nature signals a pause, inviting us to slow down. Winter is a unique opportunity to reconnect with managing stress, find rest, and reconnect. The air grows cold, days shorten, and a blanket of frost covers the earth, asking us to step back, breathe, and embrace the…
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Master the Flow State: Unlock Creativity and Peak Performance at Work

One of the key reasons I was drawn to becoming a therapist is my fascination with the concept of the flow state. I have always been fascinated by how it manifests in the arts and have had the privilege of supporting clients who either access this state effortlessly or face considerable obstacles in doing so.…
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Mastering Impersonal Public Speaking: Tips for Maintaining Objectivity

It can be easy to take things personally when public speaking. This post explores the importance of detaching from these influences and offers concrete strategies for maintaining a balanced approach.
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How to Find Calm on Holiday When Your Nervous System Is Still in Fight or Flight

Holidays should be relaxing, but if your nervous system is stuck in fight or flight mode from work stress, finding calm can be tough. Transitioning from a high-pressure environment to relaxation requires intention and practice.
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Client feedback

5.0

Based on 57 reviews

3 months ago

Annette has helped me so much to calm my nerve system and thoughts in the lead up to performances as a creative. This has boosted my confidence tremendously and I’m now tackling things with a calm and collected mind and body! Our work together has been transformative for me in every performance I do, thanks so much Annette – I can’t recommend her enough.

Will Bagnall

7 months ago

I’ve been working with Annette for 8 months now and have experienced significant shifts in my attitude towards alcohol. I don’t have anywhere near the same levels of cravings or FOMO around other drinkers – so temptation has significantly reduced. Annette has helped me unpack things and rewire my brain to enjoy life without alcohol. I highly recommend working with her. Her rates are also very reasonable.

C D

11 months ago

Annette has helped me tremendously with my confidence at work and with public speaking. I have been putting myself out there so much more and have had a huge shift in my mindset. I’ve tackled things that I would have avoided at all costs in the past! She’s an amazing therapist and it’s been a joy working with her.

Chris Smith

I have been having sessions with Annette for the past 3 months or so. I have always really struggled with crippling anxiety when it comes to public speaking and unexpected high pressure situations. The catalyst for me reaching out was the approaching date of my wedding. My aim was to not only overcome my fear but to be able to embrace and enjoy these situations. My wedding has now passed and I feel worlds away from where I was at the beginning of this process. It was the perfect day. To perform a speech to over 100 people and feel completely comfortable whilst doing it was an incredible feeling.

I approached this with an open mind and didn’t really know what to expect. Annette is extremely good at making you feel comfortable and explaining how each step can help towards your end goal, and ways of controlling the negative feelings you sometimes get. You learn to relax and put your mind into a comfortable space where before you might have struggled to focus.

It’s definitely something I wish I had done 20 years ago. It’s held me back for a lot of my life and in the past I have done anything I can to avoid the potential of these situations arising. Whist nerves and anxiousness are a part of being human, I do feel I am now able to change my mindset when these things occur.

I would definitely recommend Annette to anyone who is looking to improve in similar areas and don’t just let time go by when there is help. I’ve had a great experience with her and I honestly cannot thank her enough.

Amy Iles

12 months ago

Annette has a very calm nature and she helps you to unravel what is troubling you in your life through hypnotherapy.

I enjoyed my time with her and feel better prepared to cope with life’s stresses.

Toby Braithwaite

Attended a series of sessions with Annette this year to deal with long-standing anxiety issues around flying, ahead of a family holiday. While I’m never exactly going to enjoy flying, the results were notable & I felt mostly OK throughout the journey, even during some of the more critical & historically triggering parts such as take-off/climb. For the first time in 20 years, it’s something I can face without reliance on heavy tranquilizers, which is quite a result.
Almost as a bonus, the selection of tools Annette taught me as part of the process can be applied to deal with general day-to-day anxieties- something I had perhaps neglected previously.
Would recommend 🙂

Timothy Hawkins

Annette was a huge help to me when overcoming a fear of flying. She was patient, kind and empathetic. She took the time to understand my situation and tailored everything to support me. Strongly recommend if you are feeling helpless!

Samantha

2 years ago

Highly recommend Annette. Through her support and coaching I’ve made some real lasting change that’s had a massive impact on my personal and professional life. thank you

R Renard

Annette was excellent in helping me address anxiety in work meetings and presentations, which had become very limiting for me. She helped me with effective exercises and techniques to use before, during and after stressful events. She also used hypnotherapy to help me relax, develop a more positive outlook, and be more composed. The nerves are still there but I now feel much more able to manage them and communicate better in challenging work situations. I thoroughly recommend Annette as a highly-skilled and effective practitioner, and only wish I had contacted her sooner!

Mike

Annette is a gifted therapist, who holds space in a thoughtful, generous and inuitive way. I learned a lot during my sessions with her and always felt carefully supported throughout the entire process. This was my first experience of hypnotherapy, and it was one of the best introductions I think I could have hoped for.

Shontay Designs

I was recommended Annette via a friend. I was a little apprehensive at first, as I had never experienced Hypnotherapy before. I needn’t of worried. From the first appointment Annette made me feel relaxed – also that I wasn’t stupid (which is how i felt with my particular issue) She has taught me tools that I use to this day, I also always use the recording she provides every night!! I would definitely recommend her services to anyone and everyone!

J. W.

From the moment I met Annette I felt instantly comfortable, she is very empathetic and never judgemental. Annette offers a great mix of discussions around practical, progressive actions with time to simply talk, reflect and process. Having been to life coaches and counsellors in the past, I find Annette’s approach to be somewhere between the two and very flexible in that she really grasps what I need each session and adapts her approach to best support me in that moment. I had never tried hypnotherapy before but I have found it to be very relaxing and beneficial. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed and would like some support, I’d definitely recommend Annette!

Will Braithwaite

3 years ago

I came across Annette as someone close had mentioned hypnotherapy is a great tool to help with coping during times of stress and anxiety. I’d read up a bit about it but didn’t know what to expect really. When I first met Annette, I was under a lot of stress due to potential health issues, young family, juggling multiple jobs, renovating a house etc. The list goes on. I was severely struggling and had become extremely anxious. I was experiencing quite severe panic attacks in the strangest of situations. I think within around 4-5 sessions with Annette, I had got to a point where I could see myself noticeably calmer. I was able to absorb all of the unknowns and stress around me and just cope more positively. I still get panic attacks, and am still anxious but the edge has gone. It’s not as intense. I’m going to continue working on myself through meditation and general well being alongside continued support from Annette. She really has changed my perspective on myself and I feel this is only the start of my journey. I couldn’t recommend more highly.

Dave W.

Annette helped me massively through a very turbulent 18 month period in my personal and professional life. I received expert therapy and coaching from Annette, who I believe has a unique ability to listen deeply and quickly understand what you are experiencing – and is then able to provide a warm, encouraging and positive style of questioning and advising to help you find a way to progress in a forward direction. I’d like to offer my deepest gratitude to Annette, who I would highly recommend to anyone experiencing a difficult time in their life.

Working with Annette was a brilliant experience. A naturally anxious person, I found that hormonal changes had made things much worse and was determined to take back control. Having tried self-hypnotherapy many times over the years via YouTube/CDs etc, I was open minded and hopeful but not convinced I’d be able to ‘switch off’ enough for it to work. In actual fact, I relaxed from our first session! Annette is a hugely positive and reassuring presence but also very solution focussed. In addition to the actual hypnosis, the sessions are geared around giving you the tools needed to manage anxiety. I have emerged feeling optimistic, more in control and so much calmer. I feel that I am better equipped to manage situations I find difficult and that is very empowering. My sleep has improved greatly too which is brilliant! Having considered hypnotherapy for years, I’m so glad I took the plunge with Annette and would thoroughly recommend her.

The Aura Den

I started seeing Annette to help me overcome performance anxiety and a fear of teaching. I decided a few years ago I wanted to start running workshops and wellness events but I physically couldn’t bring myself to teach a class due to crippling self-doubt. It was not only affecting my business but all areas of my life, from driving to cooking someone dinner.

After only 7 weeks of working with Annette, I not only taught my first class but I also held a big corporate event – which I would not have been able to do prior to having hypnotherapy.

For the first time in a long time, I am starting to progress and it feels great. I feel much more in control now, more rational and I don’t allow fear to get the better of me. It’s very liberating.

Thank you so much Annette, our work together has really changed my life.

M G

4 years ago

As a lifetime anxiety, health anxiety and depression sufferer during the latest crisis, I’ve found Anette based on good reviews. It was the last attempt of me trying to avoid pharmaceutical options and treat my problems in a more holistic way. I’m glad I did because I feel hopeful, much stronger, healthier and even happy which is amazing. I was given the tools to accept the way I am but also to improve. I am doing so much better now than when I booked my first appointment with Anette and I am very grateful to her for that.

Emily Barrett

Annette helped me for around 12 weeks at the start of the year with agoraphobia (large venues/ transport) and public speaking anxiety. We had sessions virtually and the mix of talking and hypnosis was great. She discussed the theory behind why I feel these things and helped me to come up with solutions for tackling my fears. It’s nice to have her as a resource for when I need support in the future. Thank you!

Owen Films

I was in a pretty dark place when I first met Annette and felt that I was unable to get myself out of it, but after several sessions I found that I was able to manage my emotions and now I’m making positive changes on my own. Highly recommend Annette to anyone in a similar position x

Elizabeth

Annette is reliable and her sessions were very helpful. Annette worked with me for a couple of months and in that time she helped me recognise causes of my unwanted habits and used hypnotherapy to reduce the frequency of them so that I can manage them better on my own. She also helped me manage stress during my accounting exams which helped build my confidence and performance. Annette was approachable, flexible and was willing to answer any questions, I would highly recommend her to anyone hoping to better manage unwanted habits that they’ve had for years. Thank you Annette!

Alice Williamson

I have been working with Annette for 3 months now and have seen huge improvements in my wellbeing. Having had lots of different types of therapy in the past for anxiety and insomnia, it’s safe to say that I have finally found one that works and I would recommend Annette to anyone struggling with similar issues. I leave every session (whether in person or online) with a ‘floaty’ light feeling and feel that I have truly relaxed and let go of any issues I was holding onto when entering. Annette brings a positive, solution-based approach to the sessions which I find really beneficial. She also gives you a lot of tools you can use outside of the sessions which is great – the guided meditation has done wonders for my sleep. I have noticed a huge improvement in the way I relate to anxiety, I am able to see the positive in situations more easily and things don’t seem to overwhelm me as much.

L O

5 years ago

I worked with Annette for 12 weeks and she has helped me to develop the tools and awareness to overcome significant barriers in my personal and professional life. She is highly skilled and her experience and expertise have been invaluable to me. She has helped me to build confidence in my professional and social life which has made me very excited and optimistic about the future. I can’t recommend Annette enough, she is great.

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