John Hobbs

I am John Hobbs and  Ashdene Hypnotherapy, is my private practice, based in Ashford, Surrey.

I provide a range of therapies, from anxiety reduction/control to weight loss. From habit breaking to phobia control. If there is something holding you back, stopping you from reaching your goals and your full potential, hypnotherapy may be able to help you. I have worked with many clients with many different issues. By use of the most up to date techniques I have been able to help many people.

I became a hypnotherapist a little later in my life having worked in the construction industry and then the police. I have a lot of experience of life and bring this to my work. I have seen the benefits and positive effects of hypnotherapy and have helped my clients deal with issues that have affected their lives and I have seen them develop and take more control of their lives.

Hypnotherapy can help you prepare for exams or interviews. Is effective in ante/post natal preparation/recovery.

It can help you improve your self-esteem and confidence. It can help people through loss, bereavement and some forms of depression.

I am licensed to provide the new, and very effective Hypno-Gastric Band therapy. This is a an innovative therapy and provides the client, under hypnosis, a "virtual" gastric band. This has helped many people lose and control their weight.

Hypnotherapy can help in so many ways. I will work with you to help you achieve your personal goals and help you live a happier, healthier and more balanced life.

If you have ever considered Hypnotherapy, now might be the time for you to find out more about this non-intrusive, talking therapy.

I have worked with students facing exams, and have helped them improve their study technique and control their exam nerves.

Because of my previous experience I have been able to help clients suffering with the effects of dealing with traumatic events. I have been able to help them understand their condition and help them gain more control.

I have worked with many clients with weight issues, and have worked with clients going through bereavement and loss.

Hypnotherapy can be used to help people in so many ways, if you have ever thought about trying hypnotherapy now might be the time to find out more, and see if I can help you.

Please visit my website for any further information. I look forward to hearing from you.

I provide a private and confidential service. Before I can prepare a therapeutic strategy for you, I will need to see you for an initial consultation. This gives us an opportunity to meet and to discuss how we can work through your issue. Your initial consultation is free.

The initial consultation does not include any therapy, but it enables me to assess you and obtain enough information for me to prepare your subsequent therapy. If you proceed to therapy, the average number of sessions are between 4 and 6, depending on the issue, and your progress through therapy. The number of sessions remains flexible. I will only continue therapy if you need it. Some clients progress very well and if they only need 4 sessions then that is what we will do. I will only provide therapy that helps you, once we have reached a point where therapy is no longer needed then that is the goal we aim for.

Because I work from home, I have very few "overheads" so my fee's reflect this.

Typically, therapy sessions are charged from £55 per session, this will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.

I provide the Hypno-Gastric Band therapy for a set fee of £250.

I charge no fee for your initial consultation, and you will be under no obligation to proceed to therapy.

I offer reduced cost therapy for the following: Full time students. Healthcare workers. Members of the emergency services. Serving or retired armed forces personnel. Low income. Please mention this when you contact me.

At the bottom of this section I have included some testimonials that clients have been kind enough to send me.

The service I provide is very relaxed and informal. I will work with you,and as a team, we will deal with your issues, after all, you are the expert about you.

I work full time, from my therapy room at my home. This is a relaxing and calming place.

All of my clients are very important to me and my goal is to help you in the most effective way.

The service I provide is completely confidential.

My hours of work are completely flexible, I will see you when it suits you, any day, any time. I will work with you.

Ashdene Hypnotherapy is easy to find and there is ample street parking.

My website has more information about how hypnotherapy may be able to help you, and what a typical therapy session looks like.

Below is a testimonial from client Ms B. This lady suffered with severe claustrophobia and was kind enough to send me the following.

"In order to progress with treatment for an on-going medical condition, I was required to have an MRI scan.  I’d had one several years before (after several failed attempts) and the whole experience left me dreading the prospect of having to go through a similar thing again. I was on the brink of cancelling the appointment and putting my medical treatment at risk because I’d convinced myself that I couldn’t go through with the scan.

With less than 2 weeks to go, I was talking with a friend who asked if I’d considered hypnotherapy. I hadn’t. She then proceeded to tell me the story of a colleague who had conquered her demons as a result of seeing a hypnotherapist.

I’d reached the point that I was willing to try anything to help, so I made contact with John, my friend’s colleagues recommended hypnotherapist – I’m so glad I did.

Due to the time constraints, I had a crash course in relaxation techniques and coping mechanisms to help get me through my particular ordeal. In relaxed, calm surroundings and with the reasoned support from John, I was able to rationalise my existing fears.

Come the day of the scan, I can’t pretend I wasn’t nervous but I put everything I’d learnt into practice. An hour later my scan was completed and without any feelings of the projected angst that I’d feared.

I would recommend that anyone with deep rooted fears to consider hypnotherapy to help ease the problem and seek John’s help".

The below testimonial was sent to me by client Miss B. This lady suffered from severe depression and SAD. She was kind enough to send me the following.

"Sixteen years ago I ended up in a psychiatric hospital and was diagnosed with Clinical Depression as a result of very extreme Seasonal Affective Disorder. I take medication but have always been open to try any other therapy which may help.

Hypnotherapy was always something that had interested me but I only wanted to visit a hypnotherapist who came highly recommended. Two friends were seeing John and they could not recommend him highly enough!

I started to see him in summer when I’m always well and happy. At my initial session he spent a long time gathering information from me and gave me a ‘taster’ of what it was like to be hypnotised. He was clear at the first session that he could not cure my illness, just as he not cure a broken leg but would be able to give me tools and strategies to better cope with it and to stop it controlling me, which is how I felt about it.

During the time I was seeing John I did become ill and felt the walls closing in on me. Our sessions were usually three or four weeks apart but he saw me at short notice one day when I felt desperate. This session was amazing and gave my brain a rest from the continual black thoughts and emotions of depression. As well as the hypnotherapy John is also a counsellor so my sessions always included an element of practical guidance too. I recovered from this episode of depression much more quickly than previous episodes. I also managed to keep going to work whilst it occurred and to be honest about it with my peers and colleagues.

I have no doubt this was all down to the hypnotherapy and would recommend John to anyone. Hypnotherapy was a revelation to me and a constructive process to deal with my illness."

The below testimonial was sent to me by Mrs M. She had a fear of spiders that was beginning to have an impact on her life.

"John was recommended to me and I went to see him to try and overcome my fear of spiders.  From the very beginning I felt very relaxed with John and he made me feel at ease straightaway.  After only a few sessions I noticed the difference about my attitude to spiders.  I was no longer walking into a room, shed, garage etc. and looking for them and when I did see them it didn't bother me.
The turning point came when I picked up something in my mother-in-law's garden and it had a huge spider on it.  I looked at it, flicked it off and carried on with what I was doing.  It was only then that I realised how far I had come and how much John had helped me.
John's sessions are relaxing and enjoyable and I always feel energised and positive on finishing each session.  John also gave me tools to use when I was out and about, so I always feel that I have him with me encouraging me that I can overcome my fears.
I have lived with a fear of spiders all my life, but thanks to John I can now cope with them and that is truly amazing.  I can't thank him enough."

Below is a testimonial from Mrs B, she had an acute fear of flying.

"Words can not describe how thankful I am that I met you, you were recommended to me by a friend to cure what only I can describe as a paralysing fear of flying.

I came into your therapy room very apprehensive, anxious and scared but determined as hypnotherapy was my last option.
I was so shocked and relieved when I was able to board my flight 8 weeks after my treatment started,  in a calm and controlled way, I even strangely enjoyed it.
I am forever thankful for what you have taught me and enabling me to control my fear.
I am now looking forward to booking my next holiday and without your help this would have never been possible."


The below testimonial is from Mr E, he suffered severe IBS for many years.

"After being diagnosed with IBS by the NHS, given a photocopied hand out and told to pretty much get on with it, I lived with the symptoms of IBS for many years. There seem to be many different problems associated with IBS but in my particular case I was left with needing the toilet and not given much notice by my own body. This very quickly lead to panicking about when and where I could find another wc. The panicking and anxiety would only make my symptoms worse, creating a vicious, vicious circle that eventually was keeping me prisoner in my own home. A simple task like going to the shops, walking the dog or walking hand in hand along the river with my better half became panic ridden and impossible. Consequently, I hadn't been anywhere with anyone for a very long time.

It has now been four weeks since I last saw John (Ashdene Hypnotherapy), and I have to say I'm a different person. I am now able to get on with my life. I still have the medical side of my problem to deal with, but that is now much easier without the panic making things worse.

I am becoming more confident everyday, and with the use of the tools that John gave me, I am able to relax when I need to, sleep better at night, and carry out my daily duties without stress.

Thank you John.... (for helping me get my life back)."