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
Self-esteem · In person in London & online
Hypnotherapy for Self-Esteem
Soften harsh self-criticism and develop a more stable, compassionate sense of self-worth. 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 low self-esteem?
In brief
Yes. Hypnotherapy can help improve self-esteem by softening the harsh inner critic and working with the deeper, often long-held beliefs about your worth that thinking alone rarely reaches.
Low self-esteem is rarely a lack of evidence. Many people who feel "not enough" have plenty of achievements, kind friends and people who value them, yet the feeling stays. That is because beliefs about our worth are usually formed early and run automatically. Hypnotherapy works directly with that layer, which is why it can help when reassurance and positive thinking have not changed how you feel about yourself.
I am Michele Occelli, a London hypnotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. Self-esteem sits underneath much of what my clients bring to me, from anxiety to people-pleasing to burnout. My aim is to help you build a steadier, kinder relationship with yourself, so your sense of worth no longer depends on getting everything right or keeping everyone happy.
Recognise yourself?
How low self-esteem can show up in your life
Low self-esteem is not always obvious from the outside. You might recognise some of these patterns:
In your mind
- A harsh inner voice that criticises you for small mistakes
- Feeling "not enough", however much you achieve
- Constantly comparing yourself to others and coming up short
In your behaviour
- Saying yes when you mean no, and putting everyone else first
- Needing reassurance or approval before you feel okay
- Holding back from opportunities in case you are found out or rejected
In your body
- A sinking feeling or tightness when you receive criticism
- Tension, fatigue or low energy from always trying to get it right
- Difficulty accepting compliments without discomfort
Low self-esteem is very common, including among people who seem confident and successful. You do not need to wait until it is affecting your relationships or work to get support.
Book a first session → The method
How hypnotherapy for self-esteem 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
Softening the inner critic
Low self-esteem often comes with a harsh running commentary that feels like the truth. In hypnosis we turn down the volume on that voice and help you notice it as a habit, rather than a fact about who you are.
- 02
Working with the roots
Beliefs about our worth are often learned early, in families, at school or in difficult relationships. Hypnosis gives gentle access to where those beliefs began, so they can be updated rather than simply argued with.
- 03
Building self-compassion
We practise relating to yourself with the same warmth you would offer a friend. Experiencing that kindness repeatedly in hypnosis helps it become a more natural, automatic response.
- 04
Building your own resources
You leave with practical self-hypnosis techniques for the moments when comparison, criticism or the urge to please others takes over, 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 you see yourself, where the inner critic shows up most, when you first remember feeling not enough and how you would like to feel about yourself 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 speak to themselves after the first sessions. Long-standing low self-esteem 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 self-esteem?
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. Research focused specifically on self-esteem is limited, and I would rather say so plainly. A small 2023 randomised trial in the same journal found that mindful hypnotherapy increased self-compassion in women with depression, which fits what I see in practice: a kinder inner voice is often where lasting change in self-esteem begins.
Read more about what happens in the brain during hypnosis Trauma
“As both a therapist and hypnotherapist, he has helped me navigate some of the most challenging periods of my life, including working through deeply rooted childhood trauma.”
Google review
In London or online
Hypnotherapy for self-esteem 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 self-esteem
Still have a question? Get in touch or call 07939 228 212.
Can hypnotherapy fix low self-esteem?
Self-esteem is not something that is fixed once and then finished. Everyone has days when they doubt themselves. The goal is to stop the inner critic from running your life, and to give you a steadier sense of worth that does not collapse with every mistake or comparison. Many clients find that hypnotherapy significantly softens how harshly they speak to themselves and changes how they respond to setbacks. Results vary from person to person, and I will always be honest with you about what is realistic.
How many sessions of hypnotherapy for self-esteem will I need?
It depends on how long you have felt this way and how deep the roots go. Low self-esteem linked to a recent setback, such as a break-up or a difficult job, may shift within a few sessions. Beliefs that go back to childhood usually benefit from a series of sessions over several weeks. We will review your progress together as we go.
How much does hypnotherapy for self-esteem 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 self-esteem the same as confidence?
They are related, but not the same. Confidence is trust in your abilities: believing you can give the presentation, pass the exam or handle the conversation. Self-esteem is your underlying sense of worth, whether you feel acceptable as a person regardless of how well things go. You can be highly capable and confident at work and still feel, underneath, that you are not good enough. We can work on either or both, depending on what is holding you back.
Do we need to go back into my childhood?
Not unless it is helpful to you. Early experiences often shape how we see ourselves, and sometimes it helps to understand where the inner critic learned its voice. But hypnotherapy can also work with how you feel now, without reliving painful memories in detail. We go at your pace, and you decide what you want to explore.
What if low self-esteem is part of depression or something more serious?
Hypnotherapy can be a helpful complementary approach, but it is not a replacement for medical care. Please let me know about any diagnosis or medication before we start, and do not change or stop medication without speaking to your GP. If you are feeling very low, or having thoughts of harming yourself, please contact your GP or call NHS 111 for immediate support.
Book hypnotherapy for self-esteem
Asking for support can feel uncomfortable when part of you believes you do not deserve it. You do not need to have everything figured out. If the way you see yourself is holding you back, that is reason enough to start.