Gemma Aked-Priestley

I’m Gemma Aked‑Priestley, founder of Discover Therapy and a fully‑qualified hypnotherapist (Dip. Hyp. CS). 

As a hypnotherapist, I support people with gently breaking cycles - sometimes cycles that have kept them stuck for years.

Whether it’s burnout, anxiety, confidence, phobias, smoking, comfort eating or alcohol, my work focuses on the subconscious mind - where these patterns live, and where real change begins.

When the conscious and the subconscious work together in harmony, change starts to feel easy, effortless and natural. No force. Just flow.

I work with clients online and:

St Albans - Nadya Giffen Therapies, 47A The Quadrant, St Albans AL4 9RB

London Colney - The Wise Lotus Centre, Victor House, Barnet Rd, London Colney, AL2 1BJ

Hatfield - The Oak House Studio & Therapies, Church St, Hatfield, AL9 5AR

I offer a warm, bespoke approach to hypnotherapy grounded in neuroscience. My goal is to help people realise that the answer isn’t trying harder. Sustainable change happens when we stop fighting ourselves and start working gently with the subconscious mind. Change doesn't have to be forced - it can flow. And when you’re ready, I’m here to guide you.

Discovery Call - 20 minutes -  FREE - A Discovery Call is a relaxed conversation where you can share your story and ask me any questions about hypnotherapy.
Together, we’ll explore whether working together feels like the right fit for you. If you prefer, you can also reach out via email - some people choose to skip the Discovery Call and book an Initial Consultation straight away. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and that’s completely okay.

Initial Consultation - up to 60 minutes - £25 - The Initial Consultation is designed to gently introduce you to hypnotherapy. We’ll explore your situation and gather key information about the patterns and challenges you’re experiencing. You’ll also experience a brief taste of hypnosis and deep relaxation, so you can feel what it’s like.

The information we gather together will guide me in creating a personalised therapy plan just for you. There is no obligation to continue with Hypnotherapy Sessions after the Initial Consultation - most people do choose to continue, but it’s entirely up to you.

Please note: an Initial Consultation must be completed on a separate day before booking a full Hypnotherapy Session.

Hypnotherapy Session - up to 60 minutes - £85 - After your Initial Consultation, we’ll begin working together in a supportive and structured way. Each session starts with a check in, gentle exploration of how you’re moving forwards and where you might be stuck as well as a neuroscience overview. The second part of the session is your personalised hypnotic experience - a bespoke roadmap designed to support lasting change.

Together, we’ll agree on a focus or small actions for the week ahead, and I’ll provide an audio recording for you to use between sessions. In your final session, I’ll give you a Longevity Plan - a tailored guide to embed the changes you’ve made and help you stay in alignment confidently and independently.

Block Bookings

Block of 6 - £460 - Booking 6 Hypnotherapy Sessions in a Block offers a saving of £50.  

Block of 12 - £920 -Booking a block of 12 Hypnotherapy Sessions offers a saving of £100.

Smoking and Vaping - £295 -Smoking and Vaping Packages require 3 hours of Hypnotherapy over 2 days - an Initial Consultation lasting 2 hours plus a 1 hour Hypnotherapy Session.

Mon - 17:30-20:30

Tue - 11:00-20:30

Wed - 11:00-20:30

Thu - 11:00-20:30

Fri - 11:00-17:30

Testimonials: 

Christina - "Working with Gemma has been an absolute blessing!  After four sessions I feel like I have undergone a huge transformation for the best. Everything she does is done with passion and is incredibly bespoke.  If you are considering Hypnotherapy - Gemma is the lady for you!"

Carra - "I never thought hypnotherapy could make such a difference, but it truly changed how I think and respond to certain situations. I’d recommend this to anyone who’s ready for a real positive change."

Sophie - "Gemma is amazing at what she does. I feel like I've got my life back again. Thank you for your skills, patience, kindness and transformative treatment. Honestly incredible, couldn't recommend Gemma enough!"

Anonymous - "Gemma is a wonderful kind soul. She is very good at understanding you and putting you at ease. I felt like I was in very safe hands during the sessions."

Debby - "I had a problem with arm scratching, after 2 sessions and techniques that Gemma taught me I feel like a new person! I can control the urge when I want to scratch! Thank you Gemma."

Alice - "Gemma is so wonderful. She’s kind, caring & really listens. Her hypnotherapy work is personal & very supportive."

Trisha -"I loved my group of sessions with Gemma. Time to really focus on some debilitating areas and gain great results from thinking and acting differently. Also sharing the resource so that I can keep listening to the work has proven very valuable. Gemma is professional and learned and brings some great tools to the sessions. I walked away from each feeling lighter and brighter."

Jo - “I had a Hypnotherapy session with Gemma to quit smoking. Gemma was professional throughout, discussing her ethical boundaries with me and quickly established a good rapport. She explained how the session would work creating a comfortable environment. I was unsure what to expect, as I haven't done anything like this before, but I have been smoke and vape free since the session and haven't felt the need to do so. Gemma did a great job and I'd highly recommend her.”

Shirley - "I saw Gemma for hypnotherapy for 6 weeks.  She was kind and supportive and explained how this could help me. My stress levels are improving. Thank you Gemma."

Bee - "I'd never tried hypnotherapy before and now wish I'd started it sooner. I have a noisy brain and was sceptical this would work for me but it gave me a proper break from it in a way that felt truly restorative. Highly recommend."

Holly - “Gemma was brilliant, from the moment I stepped into the room she made me feel calm and at ease. Any questions I had were answered clearly and she listened carefully and compassionately to me throughout our work together. I can safely say that if you put your all into therapy, you get a whole lot more out of it than you will ever have expected. Thank you Gemma.”

Alice - “Working with Gemma has been a truly transformative experience. When I first started therapy, I was overwhelmed by stress and struggling to cope. Through your compassionate and insightful approach, you helped me understand the roots of my stress and gave me practical tools to manage it effectively. What stood out most was the safe, nonjudgmental space that you created—one where I felt heard, supported, and empowered to make real changes. Thank you for helping me to regain a sense of clarity, calm, and confidence in facing daily challenges. I’m incredibly grateful for your support and would highly recommend Gemma to anyone navigating stress or seeking mental wellness.”

Genevieve - “Managing and running my own business results in me having a lot of stress and coping with a huge amount of other people’s stresses too. I contacted Gemma about hypnotherapy and whether she thought that may help. I was really impressed with her personal and professional manner throughout our first meeting, instantly grasping what industry I worked in and showing empathy for the areas of life that I found most stressful. Gemma’s thorough initial information gathering was evident throughout our four sessions, demonstrating her attentive listening and accurate understanding of my situation, thoughts, and feelings. Even now in times of stress I still mentally use the green shiny pebble in my pocket creating space and allowing me to breath and realign my thoughts. I would highly recommend Gemma for any hypnotherapy sessions that you may be thinking about.”

Ryan - “It was a pleasurable and relaxing experience having hypnotherapy. Gemma is very attentive, professional and engaging.”

Chloe - "I had the pleasure of taking part in a group hypnosis session with Discover Therapy. The hypnosis itself was a very positive experience. I felt very relaxed but still aware of all my thoughts & emotions, which was quite a new feeling for me. I’d highly recommend working with Gemma as she holds people with clarity, integrity and an openness that allows you to be fully present and yourself.”

Simran -“I had the privilege of participating in hypnotherapy sessions with Gemma to help me manage stress and the experience truly exceeded my expectations. From the first session, she created a warm, professional, and safe environment that immediately put me at ease. Gemma listened with empathy and tailored each session to address the root causes of my stress. She exhibited outstanding expertise, perceptiveness, and attentiveness throughout the process. Through gentle and effective techniques, she helped me access a deeper sense of calm and control that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I noticed a significant change in my emotional state and my ability to handle daily pressures more easily and resiliently. What impressed me most was her genuine care and commitment. She clearly wanted the best for me and took the time to ensure each session was meaningful and impactful. I wholeheartedly recommend Gemma to anyone struggling with stress or looking for a more balanced, peaceful approach to life. This experience has been a turning point, and I’m genuinely grateful. Thank you, Gemma!!”