Anxiety is a natural human response that everyone experiences. It forms part of the body’s response to perceived threat or uncertainty and can affect how we think, feel and behave.
For some people, anxiety becomes persistent or begins to interfere with everyday life, relationships, work, confidence or situations that previously felt manageable. It may involve persistent worry, overthinking, physical tension, panic symptoms or a tendency to avoid situations that feel uncomfortable or overwhelming.
“I’ve been seeing Annette for over 6 months now and can honestly say our work together has changed my life. I saw a real change within the first 12 weeks but continued seeing her well beyond this time to deal with other issues. Annette has a truly unique approach, combining hypnotherapy with a style of talking therapy that helped me confront and change some long-held fears and thought habits that were really impacting my life. Having initially booked to see Annette to address anxiety issues around a previous cancer diagnosis – and with a healthy dose of scepticism that hypnotherapy would work – my work with Annette has since supported me throughout a challenging first pregnancy and also helped me address some long-standing self-confidence issues. I’m more calm, content and confident than I’ve ever been in my life- a result Annette would insist was all down to my own work but which I know I could never have achieved without her gifted insight, guidance and support. My only wish is that I’d found Annette 10 years ago! – Highly and thoroughly recommended.”
When Does Anxiety Become a Problem?
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Feeling nervous before a presentation, interview, examination or unfamiliar situation does not necessarily indicate a problem.
However, when anxiety becomes persistent, disproportionate or begins to restrict everyday life, people may seek additional support.
Anxiety can be experienced in many different ways, including:
- Panic symptoms – sudden feelings of intense fear or apprehension
- Persistent worry – difficulty switching off thoughts or anticipating what might go wrong
- Physical tension – feeling tense, restless or unable to relax
- Physical sensations – such as a racing heart, butterflies in the stomach, sweating or feeling shaky
- Overthinking – repeatedly analysing situations, conversations or possible outcomes
- Avoidance – avoiding situations because of anticipated anxiety or discomfort
- Difficulty concentrating – finding it harder to think clearly when feeling anxious or under pressure
Clinical Hypnotherapy for Anxiety
I have worked with adults experiencing anxiety and related difficulties for over fourteen years.
My approach combines Solution Focused Therapy and clinical hypnotherapy with other evidence-informed psychological and coaching approaches where appropriate. Rather than focusing exclusively on the problem, we explore what is happening, what you would like to be different and the strengths, resources and practical strategies that may support you.
Hypnosis is used as part of the therapeutic process and involves focused attention and relaxation. Sessions are personalised according to the individual, their circumstances and the difficulties they are experiencing.
Hypnotherapy may be used to support relaxation and to work with unhelpful patterns of thinking and responses associated with anxiety and stress. Combined with therapeutic discussion, it provides an opportunity to work with both the cognitive and physiological aspects of anxiety.
I work with a wide range of anxiety-related difficulties, including general anxiety, persistent worry, panic symptoms, social anxiety, performance anxiety, workplace anxiety, fear of judgement and anxiety associated with particular situations or events.
Sessions are available in person at my Bristol practices in Clifton and Queen Square, as well as online throughout the UK.
The Next Step
If you would like to explore whether my approach may be helpful, you are welcome to get in touch to check availability or arrange an initial consultation.
Explore further
Areas of Work
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety can create a persistent fear of judgement, self-consciousness and overthinking before, during and after everyday interactions. Personalised Solution Focused Therapy and clinical hypnotherapy can help you regulate anxiety, respond more flexibly and feel more comfortable being yourself around other people.
Confidence
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help strengthen self-confidence through constructive, goal-oriented work. We develop strategies that foster self-acceptance, transform unhelpful beliefs and help you approach everyday and high-pressure situations with greater trust in your abilities.
Fear of Blushing
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help manage blushing by addressing the anxiety and emotional sensitivity that often trigger it. Reframing negative thoughts, developing healthier coping responses and building confidence can help you feel more at ease and less judged in social situations.
Workplace Anxiety
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help reduce anxiety in meetings, interviews and professional conversations by strengthening confidence and reducing fear and worry. Learning to regulate emotions and manage post-event rumination can help you focus, perform effectively and approach workplace situations with greater ease.
Public Speaking Anxiety
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help alleviate fear of public speaking, whether you are preparing for a speech, pitch, presentation or talk. A tailored blend of psychological and physiological tools can help you manage nerves, feel more in control and communicate with greater confidence.
Exam Anxiety
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help alleviate exam anxiety by teaching you how to evoke calm, improve concentration and strengthen confidence. Tailored stress-management, visualisation and empowerment strategies can help you approach examinations and assessments with a clearer, more focused mind.
Stage Fright
When nerves overshadow rehearsals, auditions or performances, hypnotherapy can help strengthen calm confidence while reducing fear and self-doubt. Together, we build mental and physical skills that help you stay grounded, remain present and perform with greater freedom.
Fear of Flying
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help change unhelpful perceptions of flying and replace anxiety with greater confidence. Positive self-talk, breathing techniques and guided imagery can help regulate the nervous system before and during a flight, making travel feel more manageable.
Stress
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help you feel more empowered and in control when managing stress. Personalised techniques support a more helpful mindset, improve resilience and help the nervous system function more effectively, building skills you can continue to use through future challenges.
