Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and perfectionism can look remarkably similar from the outside. Someone checks the front door twice. Someone rereads an email before sending it. Someone needs things to be just right. But whether what you’re dealing with is OCD or perfectionism comes down to what’s driving the behaviour underneath, and that difference matters more than the behaviour itself.

Perfectionism isn’t automatically a problem. Sometimes wanting to do something well is simply part of who you are: you care about your work, you have high standards, you take pride in getting things right.

Other t...

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Stoptober challenges smokers to stay smoke-free for 28 days, because the evidence behind the campaign shows that’s the single biggest predictor of being able to quit smoking for good. This article looks at how hypnotherapy can help you get there and what a session involves.

Every October, the same question lands in my inbox more than any other time of year: does hypnotherapy actually work for quitting smoking?

Smoking is one of the hardest habits to break, precisely because it isn’t just physical. Nicotine withdrawal fades within days. The habit, the association, the hand-to-mouth ritual built into a hundred small moments of your day, that’s what tends to outlast the...

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Losing control is one of the most common fears people have about hypnotherapy, and it’s based on a real misunderstanding of what hypnosis actually does. This article explains why the conscious mind isn’t always the one driving your anxiety, what hypnotherapy actually works with instead, and what a session really involves.

Have you ever thought about trying hypnotherapy for anxiety, and then stopped yourself at the very last moment with the same nagging thought: what if I lose control?

It’s one of the most common questions I hear before someone books their first session, and it’s completely understandable. Most of what people know about hypnosis comes from stage shows: swinging pocket watches and people clucking like chickens. If that were really what happened in a ther...

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For many individuals, unresolved childhood experiences which  includes trauma, can subtly influence emotional responses, relationship styles, self esteem and mind – body reactions long after the events have occurred, often outside of conscious awareness. Early experiences play a symbolic role in shaping how safe we feel, how we connect with others and how we see ourselves.

As a specialist in CPTSD & PTSD, I have worked with countless clients who initially believed they were simply ‘anxious’, ‘too sensitive’ or ‘bad when it came to relationships’, only to later discover that many of these struggles were associated with early emotional exp...

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Have you ever wondered why a fear can feel so real, overwhelming and powerful, even when you know that the response may be disproportionate to the situation? Many people who experience phobias report feeling embarrassed and frustrated. You may recognise that the fear is irrational, yet still find yourself struggling to manage the stress and anxiety. 

Phobias can profoundly impact daily life, from avoiding certain places or situations to experiencing intense physical symptoms of anxiety when confronted with a trigger. What many people may not be aware of, is that these fears do not appear out of nowhere. In most cases, they develop through specific experiences....

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Have you ever experienced a thought that felt disturbing, frightening or entirely out of character, leaving you to wonder, ‘Why would I even think that?’ Intrusive thoughts can feel unsettling and vivid, often leading us to question what they might reveal about ourselves. 

Intrusive thoughts are incredibly common and can be distressing, especially for those experiencing anxiety disorders or trauma related conditions. As a hypnotherapist specialising in anxiety, depression and trauma, I have observed many people suffer in silence, believing these thoughts reflect a flaw in their intentions, morality or character, when, in actual fact, they are the mind’s ...

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The New Year often arrives laden with an unspoken promise, the hope that change is imminent. Resolutions are made with the expectation that life will somehow become calmer, more manageable and more fulfilling. 

Yet for those navigating mental health challenges, whether anxiety, chronic stress, depression or the lingering effects of psychological trauma, these well meaning resolutions can quickly become another source of internal pressure. Instead of offering relief, they may amplify self – criticism and entrench patterns of maladaptive thinking, reinforcing emotional strain. 

If you have ever recognised the need for change and wanted to commit to it, yet felt unable to make la...

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Do you find that anxiety, depression, or the lingering effects of past trauma subtly influence your daily life, often in ways that feel difficult to articulate? You are far from alone. Across London, many people are seeking effective ways to navigate these challenges, and hypnotherapy is increasingly recognised as a versatile and powerful approach to improving mental health and emotional wellbeing, especially when delivered by a leading hypnotherapist in London.

In this article, we aim to share insights on how to choose a skilled hypnotherapist in London who is not...

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Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or struggling with deep-seated emotional challenges? Many people are discovering the transformative power of hypnotherapy as a complementary approach to traditional therapy. In the heart of London, Zoe Clews is helping individuals embark on profound recovery journeys and unlock their full potential.

Hypnotherapy, often misunderstood, is a gentle, safe, and highly effective modality. It’s not about what you see in “morning movies” but rather a therapeutic tool that can help you address issues like anxiety, depression, ...

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Why do some people develop an attraction to criminals or people who have a bad reputation in general?

Sexual attraction to criminals is known as hybristophilia. Childhood, our most formative years, have an enormous part to play in who we are attracted to, people who are attracted to criminals are more likely to have childhood trauma.  

With childhood trauma there are changes to cortisol levels, there are long term impacts on the HPA axis, hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex.   This can lead to difficulty with both emotional regulation and forming healthy relationships.   Difficulties in forming healthy relationships due to historical trauma can lead to people being drawn to those they believe t...

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