Emotional health
Hypnotherapy for habits
A habit runs automatically, which is why arguing with yourself hasn't worked. Hypnotherapy works at that automatic level to help you change the pattern.
How hypnotherapy helps with habits
A habit is a sequence your mind has run so often that it no longer asks permission. The trigger appears and the behaviour follows, often before you have noticed. Understanding a habit rarely stops it. Hypnotherapy works with that automatic level: it loosens the link between trigger and behaviour, uncovers what the habit is doing for you, and builds something better to replace it.
There is little formal research on everyday habits such as nail-biting, so Tim won't quote any. What is well researched is the stress and tension that drive so many habits. A 2019 review of 17 controlled trials found hypnosis substantially reduced anxiety (Valentine et al., 2019), and a 2020 randomised trial found a five-week hypnosis programme reduced people's stress compared with written advice alone (Fisch et al., 2020). Clients often tell Tim that once the tension eases, the habit loses much of its pull.
What we work on
- Nail-biting
- Skin picking and hair pulling
- Teeth grinding and jaw clenching
- Procrastination and putting things off
- Phone and social media use
- Losing your temper or over-reacting to particular triggers
- Smoking and vaping: see stop smoking hypnotherapy
- Snacking and eating habits: see weight loss
How sessions work
- Find the trigger and the payoff. Every persistent habit is being rewarded by something. Until that is clear, stopping is a matter of endurance.
- Loosen the link. Hypnosis and NLP techniques applied to your particular sequence, situation by situation.
- Build the replacement. Something that meets the same need without the cost. A habit that is simply removed tends to creep back.
- Rehearse and reinforce. In a relaxed state during sessions, then with self-hypnosis between them.
You start with a free 15–30 minute consultation, then work with Tim in person in Farringdon, central London, or online. Your own commitment plays a part: hypnotherapy works with you, not on you, and makes the change far more manageable. After 7 hours (usually five sessions), any further sessions for the same issue are £97.50 an hour: see the halve-fees promise. Many habits are tied up with stress or anxiety, and repetitive checking or rituals that feel compulsive are covered on the OCD page.
Why Tim
Tim Dunton has over 20 years' experience and has been training since 2004. He is a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR), an Advanced and Ericksonian Hypnotherapist, and a Master Practitioner of NLP trained by its co-founders, Richard Bandler and John Grinder. He has helped celebrities, film producers, sportspeople and business leaders. More about Tim.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical course | Usually around five sessions (7 hours) |
| Session length | 1 hour |
| Format | In person in Farringdon, London EC1, or online |
| First step | Free 15–30 minute consultation |
| Fee | £150 an hour online, £195 in person; see prices |
Hypnotherapy works alongside medical care. Please see your GP about any medical condition, and keep taking prescribed medication unless your doctor advises otherwise.
The research
- Valentine KE, Milling LS, Clark LJ, Moriarty CL (2019). The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 67(3):336–363. PubMed 31251710
- Fisch S, Trivaković-Thiel S, Roll S, et al. (2020). Group hypnosis for stress reduction and improved stress coping: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 20:344. Full text
Individual experiences vary. See all psychological problems Tim works with.
Related treatments
A free, no-obligation 15–30 minute call by phone or video. Or call 07975 653893.