Anna Yardley

If anxiety, fears or unwanted thought patterns keep returning, you may feel as though part of you knows things could be different, yet you still find yourself reacting in the same old ways. Hypnotherapy offers a way to explore these automatic responses and work towards change at a deeper level.

I'm an experienced hypnotherapist and integrative counsellor, with around ten years of experience working one-to-one. My work focuses on the relationship between conscious understanding and the more automatic patterns that shape how we think, feel and respond. Through hypnosis, guided imagery and suggestion, we can explore new perspectives, practise different responses and begin to loosen the grip of familiar patterns.

I'm interested in how the subconscious mind influences our experience — from learned beliefs and emotional associations to the habits of thought and response we develop over time. Hypnotherapy can provide a focused space to work with these patterns, rather than relying on conscious effort alone.

My approach also draws on counselling, REBT, existential therapy, depth psychology and body awareness. I bring these perspectives into our work when they help us understand what's happening and support the changes you're looking for. The approach is tailored to you, rather than following a fixed script or protocol.

I offer online sessions across the UK and EU, in English and Polish, as well as outdoor sessions in East Devon.

How hypnotherapy can help

Sometimes, understanding why we feel or behave a certain way doesn't automatically change our response. We may still experience the same anxiety, fall into familiar habits or find ourselves reacting before we've had time to think.

Hypnotherapy offers a way to work with these learned and automatic patterns. In hypnosis, focused attention, imagery and suggestion can help you explore different ways of responding and mentally rehearse new possibilities.

Depending on your needs, our work might include:

• Working with the subconscious mind: Exploring learned associations, beliefs and emotional responses that may be influencing how you experience particular situations.
• Changing old patterns: Using hypnosis and suggestion to support new ways of thinking, feeling and responding, rather than repeatedly falling into familiar reactions.
• Reprogramming habitual responses: Exploring whether old mental and emotional patterns can be updated through repeated practice, imagery and new suggestions. This isn't about controlling your mind, but about creating room for different responses to develop.
• Reducing anxiety and working with fears: Using relaxation, imagery and carefully paced therapeutic work to help you approach difficult feelings and situations differently.
• Using the power of imagination: Drawing on metaphor, visualisation and mental rehearsal to explore possibilities and strengthen responses that feel more helpful.

Hypnotherapy isn't about erasing thoughts or forcing yourself to feel differently. It's a collaborative process, and results vary from person to person. We'll discuss what you're hoping to change and consider which approaches are appropriate for you.

Counselling can complement the hypnosis work, helping us understand the wider context of your difficulties and make sense of what emerges. Hypnotherapy remains the central focus, with other approaches included where they support our work together.

What to expect in your first session

If you've never experienced hypnotherapy, you may have questions about what it involves. Hypnosis isn't sleep or mind control, and you don't have to give up your awareness or your ability to make choices. I'll explain the process beforehand, and you'll have space to ask questions and share any concerns.

Our first session begins with a conversation about what's been happening in your life, what you'd like help with and whether hypnotherapy feels like a suitable approach. You don't need to arrive with a perfectly defined goal.

Sessions are shaped around you. We might use guided hypnosis, imagery or other imaginative approaches, alongside conversation where it's helpful. You remain involved in decisions about our work, and we'll find a pace and approach that feels manageable.

I offer a free, brief introductory phone call so we can talk about what brings you here, answer your questions and see whether working together feels like a good fit. There's no obligation to book.

I typically reply to enquiries within 48 hours. Please check your spam folder if you haven't heard back.

If you're in crisis and need immediate emotional support in the UK, Samaritans can be contacted free on 116 123, day or night.

I work with
Anxiety, fears and OCD; intrusive thoughts and unwanted patterns; eating habits; loss and grief; life transitions; identity, self-worth and self-esteem.

Approach / therapeutic style
Hypnotherapy-led integrative approach, drawing on hypnosis, suggestion, guided imagery and work with subconscious patterns. Informed by REBT, person-centred and existential therapy, and depth psychology, with somatic and nature-based approaches where appropriate. Collaborative, imaginative and tailored to your needs rather than a fixed protocol.

Testimonials:

"Anna was very kind, caring and understanding. She put me at ease straight away. I felt very comfortable and confident in sharing my phobia with her. She was easy to talk to and non-judgemental. She helped me overcome my phobia and anxiety as well as helped me to achieve a better mental state and a happier everyday life. She gave me the tools I needed to help fight it in everyday life as well as overcoming old demons." - Liana

"It’s hard to summarise my experience in a few sentences, because I feel it doesn’t do it on Anna’s justice! Anna, from the start has made me feel so at ease and I genuinely have never felt judgement from Anna for what I and probably others that came to Anna feel is a ‘strange’ problem. Anna is extremely professional, but also brings warmth and ‘normality’ to the sessions and the problem you are suffering. I will be forever grateful to Anna for helping me cope with my phobia of vomiting. I came to Anna feeling vulnerable and sceptical if I would ever be able to cope with sickness and vomiting and I am leaving her sessions knowing I have all the tools to tackle this moving forward. Thank you Anna, you have truly made an unbearable experience bearable!" - Lydia

"I felt very calm and positive during my experience. Anna is very personable and professional. With her help I was able to discover aspects of my life which have affected my eating habits and my personality, such as people pleasing, which I am now able to address. The sessions have benefited me immensely in my everyday and work life. I am able to, with the new and improved mindset gained by my sessions turn them into positive actions. The sessions have helped me enormously. I highly recommend Anna." - Katie

"I spent a lot of time researching online for a therapist that would feel right for where I am in my life right now. After reading on Anna’s therapy styles I knew she was the right choice, and I was right. If you are looking for someone to help you undercover and understand what is holding you back in any area of your life, Anna uses tools and techniques that will aid you with this, in a really safe and calm environment. I thought what I needed therapy for might seem non-therapy related but Anna helped me uncover so many blocks (many that I didn’t even know I had!). Anna knew I was spiritual so she included tools like tarot into our sessions which I absolutely loved, as well as visualisations/hypnosis and talking therapy. Don’t downplay your feelings or the changes that you want to make in your life because you think they’re small or not as drastic as others, instead reach out to Anna. Since finishing our sessions, I feel empowered and confident to keep reaching for my goals and positive changes that I want to make in my life. Thank you Anna!" - Jerrel

My schedule varies week to week, so rather than fixed slots, I offer daytime and evening appointments by arrangement. The best way to find a time that works is to get in touch directly — I also offer a free discovery phone call if you'd like to talk before booking.