Simon Bates

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MNCH(Acc) BSc Cog. Sci. MNLP
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

London, SW16 2RY
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Finding help for mental health challenges can be daunting. I offer a fast, friendly, evidence-based service. I can help you with issues of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trauma, confidence and a large number of other problems.

We're not taught how to overcome traumas or obstacles and we're not taught how to overcome problematic feelings and behaviours. Thankfully modern psychology is finally getting to grips with these issues and we now have fast and effective treatments even for serious and chronic problems.

I am a 'Cognitive Hypnotherapist' and offer a very modern and gentle style of hypnosis which always leaves you in control. Cognitive Hypnotherapy is the only therapy in addition to CBT to be shown to be clinically effective in treating depression and anxiety. I also use a number of other therapies that can be faster and more effective than hypnosis (e.g. NLP, IEMT and some psycho-sensory treatments, such as Havening). The names and the treatments don't really matter; what matters is that you leave feeling different and knowing that something has changed on the inside.

Whilst many clients come with labels such as 'Depression', 'Anxiety Disorder', 'PTSD', etc. I don't find these labels helpful in resolving the case. My focus is always on how you, as an individual, maintain the thoughts, feelings and habits which cause your distress. Once this is clearly understood, I'll work with you to change them using hypnosis or other treatments.

Many of my clients come to me with problems caused by trauma or loss; the transformation from just a single session can be life-changing. It's very rewarding to be part of that transformation process.

I do not offer never-ending courses of treatment. I expect there to be a noticeable difference for you after every session. Simple issues should be resolved in a single treatment. More complex issues will take longer but as each part resolves you'll find things getting noticeable easier.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Member of The National Council of Hypnotherapists (NCH)
  • Member of The Quest Cognitive Hypnotherapy Practitioners Association (QCHPA).
  • Member of The Association for IEMT Practicioners

My initial training and qualifications as a hypnotist were from Paul McKenna and Richard Bandler, over two decades ago. In 2013, I retrained with and continue to be an active member of The Quest Institute where I have assisted with their training programme and help mentor new hypnotists within Quest.

I have a BSc(Hons) degree from Exeter University in Cognitive Science, which is a joint Psychology and Computing degree. My interest was in computer-assisted psychotherapy.

Until COVID I was also a volunteer hypnotherapist for the YMCA’s Positive Health programme (a health programme for people living with HIV living in central London).

Member organisations

NCH
National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)

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.

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.

Other areas of hypnotherapy I deal with

Issues arising from sexuality, HIV/HepC infection and ChemSex addiction. (I work with the YMCA's Positive Health Programme.)

Fees

£120.00 per session

Additional information

Central London - £140 per session (currently on hold due to COVID)

West Norwood (London) and online sessions - £120 per session.

Each session is 90 minutes, longer than the typical hourly session offered in London. I like to get more done in each session, yet I've kept my prices at the same rate as the average session cost. I typically see clients between one and four sessions depending on the issue at hand. I expect improvements from each session and use industry standard measurements each session to track the improvement.

If necessary, I will prepare a MP3 hypnosis track specifically for you, tailored to your exact needs. I may also give you homework to complete between sessions.

If you'd like to chat first before booking a session, I'm always happy to offer a free consultation by phone to see if I'm able to offer the service you need. Please email me and we'll agree a time.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Happy to provide face-to-face sessions in my home office in West Norwood (SW16) as well as online sessions via Zoom.  I regularly see clients from outside the UK.

Further information

Recent Testimonials

"After 10 years of suffering extreme anxiety when flying I visited Simon after a google search on the advice of a friend. In one 90 minute session with Simon my life has changed. I got to the core of my fear and unlocked a trauma that I wasn’t aware had impacted me so deeply. I fly frequently now with ease and have processed my phobia in a logical way that connected with me. I recommend Simon to anyone and everyone.”

Scott, HR Director/Fear of Flying


"Thanks for all your help and for always being so generous with your time and attention. I’ve let go of a lot of things and I definitely feel a lot more comfortable in my own skin (that’s a big thing for me) and as a massive bonus, the session we spent preparing the [hypnosis track] was hugely valuable. …. So thank you for all of that – you are a brilliant therapist and a really lovely human being."

NB – Anxiety

“Without sounding mushy, today I felt as though I was walking on a rainbow all day and felt so free and all without having to rehash the gory details to you during the session…. I think I will put on hold my proposed ‘talking therapies’ [NHS prescribed].   I truly believe I can learn more from you than from the generic NHS pillar to post routine. …. The decision is made. My priority is to complete the sessions with you.”

EK – PTSD/Abusive Relationships


“Thank you so much for the guided meditation/hypnotherapy. I’ve been listening to it every day and loving it. It’s filled with such simple but beautiful intention and possibility. It’s colouring my life and really seems to be working to reboot my tired old brain… Thank you so much Simon, it’s a beautiful thing and I really appreciate your kind help.”

MW – PTSD/Depression & Anxiety

“… just to let you know I have been listening to the [hypnosis track] and it is working, I got through my first year with a high 2.1 with your help so thanks for that.”

LW – Performance Anxiety/Stress

[more testimonials here: https://www.freedomhypnosis.co.uk/testimonials]

St. Julian's Close, West Norwood, London, SW16 2RY

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older adults

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