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
Social anxiety · In person in London & online
Hypnotherapy for Social Anxiety
Feel more at ease in meetings, conversations and social situations, without constant self-monitoring. 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 social anxiety?
In brief
Yes. Hypnotherapy can help reduce social anxiety by calming the body's threat response around other people and changing the automatic self-monitoring and self-criticism that make social situations feel so exposing.
Social anxiety runs on fast, unconscious patterns: the sense of being watched and judged, the replaying of conversations afterwards, the urge to hold back. Hypnotherapy works directly with that layer, which is why it can help when telling yourself that nobody is really looking has not been enough to change how you feel.
I am Michele Occelli, a London hypnotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. Social anxiety is something many of my clients come to see me about, often after years of quietly working around it. My aim is to help you feel at ease with people again, so you can speak up, connect and take part without the constant inner commentary.
Recognise yourself?
How social anxiety can show up in your life
Social anxiety is more than shyness. You might recognise some of these patterns:
In your mind
- Worrying for days beforehand about an event, meeting or conversation
- Feeling watched, judged or sure you will say the wrong thing
- Replaying conversations afterwards and picking apart what you said
In your body
- Blushing, sweating or trembling when you are the centre of attention
- A racing heart, dry mouth or shaky voice when you speak
- Nausea or tension before social situations
In your behaviour
- Avoiding parties, meetings, phone calls or speaking up
- Staying quiet, rehearsing what to say or leaving early
- Relying on your phone, a drink or a trusted person to get through
Social anxiety is very common, and very treatable. You do not need to wait until it is affecting your work or relationships to get support.
Book a first session → The method
How hypnotherapy for social 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 body around other people
Hypnosis settles the racing heart, blushing and tension that social situations can trigger. Experiencing that calm repeatedly, while imagining the people and places you find difficult, helps your body learn that being seen is safe.
- 02
Quietening the inner critic
Social anxiety often comes with a harsh running commentary and a habit of watching yourself from the outside. In hypnosis we soften that self-monitoring, so your attention can return to the conversation and the people in front of you.
- 03
Rehearsing the situations you avoid
We identify your triggers, from meetings and presentations to parties or phone calls, and rehearse them in hypnosis, so you can approach them feeling grounded and more like yourself.
- 04
Building your own resources
You leave with practical self-hypnosis and grounding techniques you can use before and during social situations, 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 the situations you find hardest, when social anxiety began, what you have started avoiding and how you would like to feel with other people 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 social 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 social 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. Research focused specifically on social anxiety is more limited, but self-hypnosis and mental rehearsal are well suited to reducing anticipatory anxiety and preparing for the social situations that feel most difficult.
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 social 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
FAQ
FAQs about hypnotherapy for social anxiety
Still have a question? Get in touch or call 07939 228 212.
Can hypnotherapy cure social anxiety?
Feeling a little nervous around new people or before speaking up is normal, so the goal is not to remove every trace of it. The goal is to stop social anxiety from deciding what you say, where you go and who you get to know. Many clients find that hypnotherapy significantly reduces how anxious and self-conscious they feel, and gives them tools for the moments that still feel challenging. Results vary from person to person, and I will always be honest with you about what is realistic.
How many sessions of hypnotherapy for social anxiety will I need?
It depends on how long you have felt this way and how widely it affects your life. Anxiety about one specific situation, such as a presentation or an upcoming event, may shift within a few sessions. Long-standing social 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 social 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 it the same as shyness?
Not quite. Shyness is a personality trait, and many shy people are perfectly content. Social anxiety is a fear of being judged, embarrassed or rejected that is strong enough to cause real distress or make you avoid situations you would otherwise want to be part of. If you are introverted and happy that way, there is nothing to fix. If fear is holding you back, that is where hypnotherapy can help.
Can I have sessions online if meeting new people feels difficult?
Yes. Many clients with social anxiety prefer to start online, from somewhere they feel comfortable, and online sessions work just as well as sessions in person. Some later choose to come to the practice in London as part of their progress. Either way, the first conversation is simply that: a conversation, at your pace, with no pressure to perform.
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 social anxiety
Reaching out can be the hardest part when social situations feel difficult. You do not need to explain everything at once. If social anxiety is keeping you from the life you want, that is reason enough to start.