Case Study: Reducing Anxiety with Hypnotherapy – Andrea’s Story
Hypnotherapy can be an effective way to reduce anxiety — even when the cause is unclear. In this case, a woman in her late thirties, whom we’ll call Andrea, came to me suffering from generalised anxiety. She wasn’t sure what triggered it, but it was affecting her sleep, her ability to concentrate at work, and her day-to-day life. When we began, she rated her anxiety as 9 out of 10.
Hypnotherapy for Anxiety When the Cause Is Unknown
Andrea’s goal was to reduce her anxiety to a manageable level. She was open to hypnosis, but during our initial discussion, it was clear she was reluctant to talk in detail about her feelings or past experiences — a common experience for many clients dealing with anxiety.
We chose to use Parts Therapy, a form of hypnotherapy where we communicate with different aspects of the subconscious mind. This approach doesn’t rely on conscious disclosure — it allows clients to resolve issues internally and privately.
How Parts Therapy Helped Andrea Quiet Her Anxiety
Once Andrea was in a deep hypnotic trance, I used ideomotor signalling — a technique that lets the subconscious respond through small finger movements. We invited the part of Andrea’s mind that was responsible for the anxiety to come forward (who we’ll call Alice), and the part that wanted the anxiety to stop (Clare).
Both parts declined to reveal their reasons out loud. This was unusual, but it reflected Andrea’s conscious reluctance to share. So instead, we adapted. I asked if they would be willing to speak to each other internally, and indicate to me when each had finished their turn.
What followed was half an hour of silent inner dialogue, guided by finger signals. By the end of the process, the two parts had agreed on a plan to let go of the anxiety. I invited them to “shake hands” (a symbolic gesture to seal the agreement), reintegrated them, and gently brought Andrea out of the trance.
Results: From 9 to 2 in One Session
After the session, Andrea rated her anxiety as just 1 or 2 out of 10 — a significant reduction. No details were shared with me, but that didn’t matter. Hypnosis works by empowering the client’s own inner resources.
This session remains one of the clearest illustrations of the phrase:
“All hypnosis is self-hypnosis.”
As a hypnotherapist, I act as a guide — the change itself is always created by the client.
Looking for Hypnotherapy for Anxiety?
If you're struggling with anxiety — whether you know the cause or not — hypnotherapy may help you find relief. You don’t need to talk through everything. With gentle guidance, your subconscious mind can begin to let go of what no longer serves you.
Curious to try it for yourself?
🗓️ Book a free 15-minute consultation to explore how online hypnotherapy could help you.