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
Procrastination · In person in London & online
Hypnotherapy for Procrastination
Resolve the fear, pressure or perfectionism that keeps you stuck, and find it easier to start. 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 procrastination?
In brief
Yes. Hypnotherapy can help with procrastination by easing the fear, pressure and self-criticism that build up around a task, so that starting feels manageable rather than something to escape from.
Procrastination is rarely laziness. More often it is a way of avoiding uncomfortable feelings: the fear of getting it wrong, the weight of a task that feels too big, the voice that says it has to be perfect. Hypnotherapy works with that emotional layer, which is why it can help when to-do lists, apps and deadlines have not been enough to change the pattern.
I am Michele Occelli, a London hypnotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. Many clients come to see me after years of last-minute rushes and the guilt that follows them. My aim is to help you meet your work with more clarity and ease, so that getting started no longer feels like a battle with yourself.
Recognise yourself?
How procrastination can show up in your life
Procrastination is not a lack of willpower. You might recognise some of these patterns:
In your behaviour
- Leaving tasks until the last minute, then rushing to finish
- Busying yourself with small jobs to avoid the important one
- Reaching for your phone or email the moment you sit down to work
In your mind
- Feeling that the work has to be perfect or not done at all
- Fear of failing, being judged or not being good enough
- Guilt and self-criticism about the time you have lost
In your body
- A heavy, tired or restless feeling when you think about the task
- Tension, a tight stomach or a sense of dread as deadlines approach
- Poor sleep when unfinished work is on your mind
Procrastination is very common, and it can change. You do not need to wait until it is affecting your work, studies or health to get support.
Book a first session → The method
How hypnotherapy for procrastination 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
Easing the pressure around the task
Hypnosis calms the tension and dread that can build up the moment you think about a task. Experiencing that calm while imagining the work you have been avoiding helps your nervous system stop treating it as a threat to escape from.
- 02
Softening perfectionism and fear of failure
Procrastination often protects you from the fear of doing something badly or being judged for it. In hypnosis we work with those beliefs and the harsh inner critic behind them, so good enough can feel acceptable and mistakes feel less threatening.
- 03
Rehearsing a calmer way to start
We rehearse the moment of starting in hypnosis, breaking large tasks into smaller steps and imagining yourself beginning with clarity rather than hurry, so the real work feels more familiar and less daunting.
- 04
Building your own resources
You leave with practical self-hypnosis and focusing techniques you can use when you notice the urge to put something off, so you can reset and return to the task without the cycle of guilt.
- 1
Book a first session
In person in London or online. Each session lasts 60 minutes.
- 2
We start with a conversation
About what you tend to put off, when the pattern began, what you feel when you sit down to start and what you would like to be different.
- 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 find it easier to start tasks after the first sessions. A long-standing habit of procrastination 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 procrastination?
Research on hypnotherapy for procrastination itself is limited. The strongest evidence concerns anxiety, which often sits underneath it: 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. A small study by Crăciun and Holdevici (2012) also reported reduced stress and procrastination in people with generalised anxiety disorder after Ericksonian hypnotherapy. These findings are promising rather than conclusive, and I will always be clear about that.
Read more about what happens in the brain during hypnosis First session
“It was my first time doing hypnotherapy, and he helped me make great progress in just a couple of months.”
Google review
In London or online
Hypnotherapy for procrastination 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
FAQ
FAQs about hypnotherapy for procrastination
Still have a question? Get in touch or call 07939 228 212.
Can hypnotherapy stop procrastination?
Everyone puts things off sometimes, so the goal is not to become someone who never delays anything. The goal is to loosen the anxiety, perfectionism and self-criticism that keep you stuck, so starting and finishing become easier. Many clients find they begin tasks sooner and with less dread, and feel less guilt along the way. Results vary from person to person, and I will always be honest with you about what is realistic.
How many sessions of hypnotherapy for procrastination will I need?
It depends on how long the pattern has been in place and what is driving it. Procrastination around one specific project, such as a dissertation or a deadline at work, may shift within a few sessions. A long-standing habit linked to perfectionism or fear of failure usually benefits from a series of sessions over several weeks. We will review your progress together as we go.
How much does hypnotherapy for procrastination 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 procrastination just a time-management problem?
Usually not. Most people who procrastinate know exactly what they need to do and roughly how long it will take. What gets in the way is how the task feels: overwhelming, exposing or pointless. Planning tools help more once that feeling eases, which is why our work focuses on the emotions around the task first and the practical steps second.
Can hypnotherapy help if I have ADHD?
Hypnotherapy is not a treatment for ADHD, and it is not a substitute for assessment or medical care. If you think you may have ADHD, please speak to your GP about an assessment. If you already have a diagnosis, hypnotherapy can sometimes be used alongside your existing support to work on the stress, frustration and self-criticism that often come with putting things off. Please let me know about any diagnosis before we start.
Should I see my GP first?
Losing motivation for things you used to manage can sometimes be a sign of depression, anxiety or burnout. If that sounds familiar, it is a good idea to speak to your GP, who can help you understand what is going on. Hypnotherapy can usually be combined with medication; please let me know about any medication or diagnosis before we start, and do not change it without speaking to your GP. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, contact your GP or call NHS 111 for immediate support.
Book hypnotherapy for procrastination
You do not need to have everything in order before you get in touch. If putting things off is costing you time, sleep or peace of mind, that is reason enough to start.