In person in London
A quiet, calm space designed for deep therapeutic work, in my private practice in Camden.
- 5 Calstock, Royal College Street, London NW1 0RX
- Within walking distance of King’s Cross, St Pancras and Euston
Anxiety · In person in London & online
Hypnotherapy for Anxiety
Find relief from persistent worry, quieten an overactive mind, and reconnect with a deeper sense of calm and safety within yourself. Ericksonian hypnotherapy with Michele Occelli, in London or online.
- Postgraduate diploma, DistinctionEricksonian Hypnotherapy
- Diploma, DistinctionNLP, Advanced Level
- Registered and insuredGHR and GHSC
- 5.0 from 69 Google reviews
- Since 2010 15+ years' clinical practice
Michele has worked with
The short answer
Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety?
In brief
Yes. Hypnotherapy can help reduce anxiety by calming the nervous system's stress response and changing the automatic thought and emotional patterns that keep worry going.
It works with the part of the mind that anxiety runs on, the fast, unconscious layer beneath logical thinking, which is why it can help when understanding your anxiety has not been enough to change it.
I am Michele Occelli, a London hypnotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons clients come to see me. My aim is not just to help you feel calmer during a session, but to help you build a steadier baseline that holds up in everyday life.
Recognise yourself?
How anxiety can show up in your life
Anxiety looks different for everyone. You might recognise some of these patterns:
In your mind
- Constant worry or "what if" thinking that is hard to switch off
- Overthinking conversations, decisions or the future
- Difficulty concentrating or a sense of mental fog
In your body
- A tight chest, racing heart or shallow breathing
- Muscle tension, headaches or a knotted stomach
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
In your behaviour
- Avoiding situations, people or tasks that feel overwhelming
- Seeking reassurance or checking things repeatedly
- Irritability, restlessness or feeling permanently "on"
If anxiety is affecting your daily life, you do not need to wait until it becomes unbearable to get support.
Book a first session → The method
How hypnotherapy for anxiety works
In hypnosis, your attention becomes focused and absorbed, and the critical, analytical part of the mind steps back. In this state, the nervous system settles and the mind becomes more open to new responses. In our sessions, that allows us to work on four levels:
- 01
Calming the nervous system
Hypnosis shifts the body out of "fight or flight" and into a state of rest. Experiencing that calm repeatedly helps your body relearn what safety feels like, and makes it easier to return there on your own.
- 02
Changing automatic reactions
We identify the specific triggers behind your anxiety and rehearse new responses in hypnosis, so situations that used to set off the alarm start to feel more manageable.
- 03
Working with the roots, not just the symptoms
Where it helps, we gently explore the experiences and beliefs that taught your system to be on guard, without needing to relive them in detail.
- 04
Building your own resources
You leave with practical self-hypnosis and grounding techniques you can use between sessions, so progress does not depend on the therapy room.
- 1
Book a first session
In person in London or online. Each session lasts 60 minutes.
- 2
We start with a conversation
About how anxiety affects you, when it started, what triggers it and what you would like to feel instead.
- 3
Hypnosis
I guide you into a relaxed, focused state. You stay aware and in control, can hear everything and can stop at any time.
- 4
A plan that fits you
Many clients notice a change in how they feel after the first sessions. Long-standing or generalised anxiety usually benefits from a series of sessions, often between 4 and 8, reviewed together as we go.
The research
What does the research say about hypnotherapy for anxiety?
Research into hypnosis for anxiety is encouraging. A 2019 meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, which pooled results from 15 controlled studies, found that hypnosis produced a substantial reduction in anxiety compared with control conditions, with larger effects when hypnosis was combined with other psychological approaches. Neuroimaging studies have also shown that hypnosis changes activity in brain regions involved in attention, self-monitoring and awareness of bodily states.
Read more about what happens in the brain during hypnosis Anxiety
“Michele helped me change my life. My earnings increased by 30% in 6 months and that was because of the lessened anxiety and increased self belief and confidence I gained from sessions with him.”
Google review
In London or online
Hypnotherapy for anxiety in London or online
Online, wherever you are
Online sessions follow the same structure as in-person work, and many clients find it easier to relax at home.
- Over Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp
- Anywhere in the UK, or abroad while you travel
Low-income clinic: a limited number of reduced-rate sessions each month. Ask about availability · All fees and gift certificates
Your hypnotherapist
About Michele Occelli
I am a registered hypnotherapist practising since 2010, with postgraduate diplomas in Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and NLP from the British Hypnosis Research and Training Institute. I trained with Dr Ernest L. Rossi and Dr Stephen Gilligan, both direct students of Milton H. Erickson.
- Practising since
- 2010
- Registration
- GHR & GHSC, fully insured
- Method
- Ericksonian & clinical hypnotherapy
- Locations
- London, NW1 & online
- GHR
- GHSC
Can hypnotherapy cure anxiety?
Some anxiety is a normal, healthy part of life, so the goal is not to remove it completely. The goal is to bring an oversensitive alarm system back into balance. Many clients find that hypnotherapy significantly reduces how often and how intensely they feel anxious, and gives them tools to manage it when it does appear. Results vary from person to person, and I will always be honest with you about what is realistic.
How many sessions of hypnotherapy for anxiety will I need?
It depends on how long you have experienced anxiety and how it shows up. Anxiety linked to a specific situation, such as a presentation or an upcoming event, may shift within a few sessions. Generalised or long-standing anxiety usually benefits from a series of sessions over several weeks. We will review your progress together as we go.
How much does hypnotherapy for anxiety cost in London?
A 60-minute session costs £150, whether in person in London or online. If you would like to commit to a series of sessions, bundles bring the price down to £140 per session (3 sessions) or £130 per session (6 sessions). A limited number of reduced-rate sessions are available each month through my low-income clinic.
Is hypnotherapy for anxiety better than CBT?
They work differently, and one is not simply better than the other. CBT focuses mainly on identifying and challenging anxious thoughts at a conscious level. Hypnotherapy works more directly with the automatic, emotional and physical side of anxiety. Some people find hypnotherapy helpful when CBT has given them understanding but not enough change in how they feel. The two can also complement each other.
What if I am too anxious to relax into hypnosis?
This is one of the most common worries, and it is completely normal. You do not need to be relaxed to begin; we start where you are. Ericksonian hypnosis is gentle and permissive, so there is no pressure to "go under" or to feel a certain way. Most anxious clients are surprised by how naturally they settle once they feel safe and understood.
Can I have hypnotherapy if I am taking medication for anxiety?
Yes, hypnotherapy can usually be combined with medication, as it is a complementary approach. Please let me know about any medication or diagnosis before we start, and do not change or stop medication without speaking to your GP. If your anxiety is severe, or you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please contact your GP or call NHS 111 for immediate support.
Book hypnotherapy for anxiety
You do not need to have your anxiety figured out before you get in touch. If it is getting in the way of the life you want, that is reason enough to start.