Abby Smail
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am Abby, a Clinical Hypnotherapist and founder of Havensfield Hypnotherapy. I moved to Newcastle-Upon Tyne on my own when I was 19 to pursue Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies with a dream of working in Psychology and supporting people's mental health. Through my early twenties, I travelled to many countries to experience many cultures and meet as many different types of people as possible. Having travelled the way I did, I have had to navigate feeling 'different', but I found getting to know people different from myself enjoyable, and I often learned a lot from them.
Since 2013, I have worked in the NHS, and my most recent NHS role is as a 'Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner' as part of a Community Treatment Team in a Psychiatric Hospital. For me, it is essential to immerse myself in as many mental health settings as possible, always learning from the people I engage with and being able to improve the way I practice. Working privately and for the NHS allows me to pass on the benefits of that education and experience to my private clients. I work with clients entirely online, and I am fully qualified and registered as a Hypnotherapy Practitioner.
I treat a wide variety of issues, but personally, my areas of particular interest are:
- Anxiety (generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic, perfectionism, phobias, performance anxiety, imposter syndrome)
- Depression
- Weight Management
- Weight Loss
- Eating Disorders (Diagnosed or not)
- Confidence
- Self Esteem
- Stress and burnout
- Obsessional Behaviour
- General wellbeing
Why choose me?
I know what it is like to struggle and how tough it is to reach out for help. I provide confidential, calm, and non-judgemental solutions. My therapy sessions are efficient and educational. I help my clients focus on solutions and achieve the goals they set for themselves. We focus on positive behaviours and thoughts and, in particular, on healthy, life-changing ones. My clients use my services not to feel better but to get better.
Why I specialise in Eating Disorders, Weight Loss/Management, Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem:
I had a problem with disordered eating that started when I was 17, extreme dieting, weight loss and weight gain. It was so painful not knowing who to turn to because most people were not equipped to talk about mental health in the way I needed, and I always feared people around me finding out I was struggling as I am a very private person. Most professionals told me there was nothing wrong with me as my weight was not so low as to meet the threshold for an eating disorder service, so I relied on my own research as I grew up and tried to manage my weight, diet and exercise regime.
What made the difference was working with a therapist and researching eating disorders and their impact throughout my degrees. I found out I had low self-confidence, which required a tonne of self-reflection, and I couldn’t have created the awareness needed without that support, research and therapy.
Now, I can manage my weight and eating issues, and I’m on a mission to ensure teenagers and adults don’t go through the same challenges that I went through. I use trance and solution-focused thinking, which facilitates therapeutic access to the unconscious regions of the mind to introduce new ways of thinking, feeling and behaviour to help them because these are the skills and methods I wish I had growing up!
Training, qualifications & experience
Academic Qualifications and Professional Registrations:
- Psychology BSc from Northumbria University
- Health Psychology MSc from Northumbria University
- Hypnotherapy in Practice Diploma (HPD)
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner PGCert (Ongoing Training)
- National Council for Hypnotherapy (Reg.)
- British Psychological Society (Reg.)
- Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (Reg.)
- The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (Reg.)
Experience:
I have worked in the NHS since 2013, and my most recent NHS job has been (and continues to be) as part of a Community Treatment Team in a Psychiatric Hospital. During my studies at university, my academic focus has been on Eating Disorders. I have mainly focused on Orthorexia; however, I have studied and researched all eating disorders. I have worked with clients with a broad range of disordered eating patterns who have presented physically from highly underweight to morbidly obese. Additionally, my therapeutic work since training in Hypnotherapy has covered a wide range of issues.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The CNHC encompasses many types of alternative therapy, including hypnotherapy.
In order to be admitted to the register a practitioner must have studied to the National Occupational Standards for that profession/discipline, or have reached the equivalent of the National Occupational Standards through other relevant training or at least three years of experience and been assessed by their peers.
A practitioner must also have professional insurance and agree to abide by the CNHC Code of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy holds one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists in the United Kingdom and strives to maintain the highest standards among its members.
There is an agreed Code of Conduct, an established Complaints & Disciplinary Procedure and all members are obliged to maintain comprehensive Public Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance, maintain regular CPD (continuing professional development) hours, and attend Supervision when needed.
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH) was set up to provide information about a modern form of Hypnotherapy and its associated benefits to members of the public. The main aim of the AfSFH is to spread awareness of the benefits of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. Its secondary aim is to support Hypnotherapists in their businesses by encouraging good practice and self-care.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of hypnotherapy I deal with
Information about health conditions (*)
Hypnotherapy can enhance the well-being of individuals diagnosed with serious medical conditions, but should not take the place of medical treatment and advice. If you have been diagnosed with - or suspect you may have - any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor before starting hypnotherapy.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£75.00 per session
Free initial online session
Additional information
Initial Consultation
FREE / 25 mins
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Session
£75 / 50 mins
When I work
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I offer Initial Consultations and Hypnotherapy Appointments:
Monday to Friday - 6pm to 10pm
Further information
What I offer:
I offer services online from the comfort of your own home. Online hypnotherapy is a reliable and accessible alternative to face-to-face sessions. It is just as efficient as working together in the clinic and follows the same structured method. It’s excellent for those restricted by time, location, family commitments or medical conditions, making it accessible.
The initial online consultation and sessions are via Zoom, which provides a safe and secure connection and allows us to trial the process before committing to future sessions. You’ll need a peaceful, comfortable, and private place at home or work to chat and relax without spending time and money travelling and parking!
Reviews:
Lena (available to view on my Facebook page) - "Hi Abby, first of all I would like to say a big thank-you for your hypnotherapy sessions as they have tremendously impacted my life. When I first began, I was largely struggling with bulimia and depression. Admittedly, I did not have very high hopes to try hypnotherapy which knew little about (aside from the stereotypically magical and almost fictitious representation of it.) However, I am so grateful that I did because I can say with relief that bulimia is no longer something I struggle with. The change of mindset has been a very powerful tool for me in transforming my mental health and negative habits. Really recommend."
Annie (available to view on my website) - "I attend about 10 sessions with Abby and loved every one of them. She was professional, caring and understanding. I went for help with one difficulty but gained so much more than I expected! I still listen to the audios she provided me with, and I am able to use the tools I learnt in the sessions. Hypnotherapy was well worth it, and I would definitely go back to Abby if I felt I needed the help. Thanks for everything!"
