I run a busy clinic specialising in hypnotherapy on Harley Street in the heart of London. Harley Street hypnotherapy fits well with an area which, today, has become a super-hub for expert hypnotherapists. Of course Harley Street and the surrounding area has been a well known medical distinct for several centuries. On this page I will explain more about what hypnotherapy is and the challenges I use hypnotherapy to help you with. I will also talk about Harley Street itself and its rich history.
About Harley Street hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a very direct treatment. As a hypnotherapist, I help to support the therapeutic changes you wish to see. Of all the different types of therapy I use, I enjoy using hypnotherapy since it is so effective at making lasting and positive changes. Hypnotherapy can effectively treat a number of common or unique challenges. Or it can be instrumental in creating broader improvements to your life. These changes can be a general raised confidence, having more energy, patience, calm or simply worrying less.
Issues I help clients with at my Harley Street hypnotherapy clinic:
Anxiety thoughts and unhelpful critical self judgments
People can experience unhelpful thoughts of low self-esteem, self criticism, or obsessive thoughts about someone or something. It can be a challenge, for example, to shake off the idea that something is wrong, or some ever present worries about the future. Sometimes we know ‘rationally’ that everything is okay, but our minds are still racing or anxious about something. Hypnotherapy can help you change these thoughts and ideas.
Phobias
A phobia is an irrational or exaggerated fear of, for example, insects, dogs, flying, driving, open spaces, heights or of certain objects or situations. Hypnotherapy is particularly suited for its effectiveness in reducing phobias. Some phobias need just one session and, as a hypnotherapist, I enjoy helping people overcome these distressing and inhibiting fears.
Feelings and emotions
We all experience a wide variety of feelings and emotions. If you ever experience something distressing such as panic attacks, guilt, anxiety, shame, jealousy, anger or feelings of inadequacy, hypnotherapy may be able to help. I have helped many people reduce or eliminate panic attacks. Whatever the unwanted feeling, hypnotherapy can support you to cope with it in a more empowered way. Hypnotherapy also is chemical and medication free and so will never have the harmful side effects drugs or other interventions may have.
Addictions and habits
People, at times, can find themselves in the grip of addictions or habits that they seem unable to control. Habits can be behaviours like teeth grinding, nail-biting or skin picking. Addictions can range from overeating or emotional eating to smoking or alcohol, for example. I also frequently help clients with compulsive behaviours or addictions around drugs (cocaine, weed, pain killers and so on), sex or internet use, social media, exercise or gambling.
Indeed an addiction is really any substance or activity in relation to which you feel a compulsion to do it or feel somewhat out of control around it. There is no shame in having addictive patterns and I offer a confidential and nonjudgmental approach. Hypnotherapy can help you gain control and confidence around addictions.
Hypnotherapy is ideal to support you with a range of issues. Here are some examples of the many challenges with which hypnotherapy help bring positive change:
- Smoking cessation
- Nail biting
- Enuresis
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Weight control
- Eating disorders
- Sexual problems
- Sport
- Nerves (exams, tests etc.)
- Confidence
- Gambling
- Habits
- Self-esteem
- Insomnia and sleep problems
- Public speaking
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Headaches
- Pain
- Letting Go
- Relationship problems
- Skin problems
- Arthritis
- Concentration
- Memory
- Fear
- Blushing
- Shyness
- Interviews
- Bereavement
- Stammering
- Motivation
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Work performance
- Addictions
- Self-actualisation
- Personal growth
- Relaxation
- Fulfilment
- Regression
The history of Harley Street and its connection with hypnotherapy
Back in 1713 Edward Harley married Henrietta Cavendish Holles, who was the daughter of the Duke of Newcastle. They transformed the 92-acre Marylebone district into a grid of beautiful buildings. The area was inherited by Henrietta and Edward added his fortune, enabling this historic neighbourhood to be created anew. The comparatively modest residential townhouses of Wimpole Street merged with the more sumptuous Portland Place mansions. These mansions became the Portland Estate, built by the Adam Brothers, John Nash and others. Harley Street resided in the heart of the renewed area.
Harley Street became known today as a world renowned medical, hypnotherapy and cosmetic-surgery hub. However, initially it was a fascinating mix of London life. One of the United Kingdom’s greatest painters, JMW Turner lived at number 64, whilst the future Duke of Wellington made his home at number 11. The famous geologist Charles Lyell lived at number 73.
Smart society however preferred Mayfair and Belgravia. This was because Harley Street’s roomy and finely built houses lacked desired porticos and were simply not considered luxurious enough for high society living. Soon doctors arrived, wearing frock coats, top hats and spats. Medical men saw their patients on Harley Street and lived in the rooms above their premises.
By 1850, 11 doctors resided on Harley Street and by 1863, the number rose to 36, with more clinics opening with each year that passed. Florence Nightingale lived at number one and the British surgeon and antiseptic pioneer, Sir Joseph Lister, moved to Park Crescent. Sir Frederick Treves, who treated Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, also resided in the area.
Over the years, with general urbanisation, easier transport around the city and the rise of the NHS, many doctors sort accommodation and clinics in more suburban districts of London. Some moved to live in other areas but their practices or clinics remained on Harley Street. In the second half of the twentieth century Harley Street became more commercial and cosmetic and other clinics sprung up. However Harley Street remained and solidified its reputation as the location to find excellence and expertise.
Today, there are hundreds of doctors and medical specialists working in the Harley Street Medical Area (HSMA). There are hypnotherapists, psychotherapists, hearing experts and a number of doctors or surgeons specialising in cosmetic work. Many properties are owned by the Howard de Walden Estate. Care is taken to carefully identify the most suitable occupier for the Harley Street properties. Well known clinics and hospitals have a branch or practice on Harley Street. These include the London Clinic, the Harley Street Clinic, the Portland Hospital, the Princess Grace Hospital and the King Edward VII’s Hospital.
My relationship with Harley Street in fact goes back to my hypnotherapy training. I qualified as clinical hypnotherapist following a course held at a small hypnotherapy college on Harley Street. So for me, seeing clients for hypnotherapy on Harley Street feels like I’m seeing people in a location I feel very comfortable and at home in.
If you would be interested in my Harley Street hypnotherapy services click here for more details.
