Hypnotherapy for Addiction
Break Free from Unhelpful Patterns, Habit's and Regain Control
Learn to calm an overactive nervous system, reduce urges and compulsive thought patterns, and regain a sense of control through evidence-based, solution focused hypnotherapy.
How Hypnotherapy Helps With Addictions
Solution focused hypnotherapy does not claim to cure addiction and does not replace medical, psychological, or specialist addiction treatment. However, it can be a valuable supportive therapy alongside other forms of care.
Hypnotherapy can help to:
Calm an overactive nervous system that can drive urges and compulsive behaviours
Reduce mental overload, cravings, and repetitive thought patterns linked to addiction
Support emotional regulation during recovery and periods of vulnerability
Improve sleep and rest, which are often disrupted during addiction and recovery
Ease self-critical or unhelpful thought patterns that can undermine progress
Rebuild a sense of calm, confidence, and self-control at a manageable pace
Support engagement with daily life and healthy routines during recovery
Many clients notice improvements in their ability to cope with urges, feel more emotionally stable, and maintain momentum in recovery, even when change happens gradually and alongside other support.
Why Choose Solution Focused Hypnotherapy to Manage Your Addiction?
Solution focused hypnotherapy is a forward-focused therapeutic approach that supports recovery from addiction and combines:
Solution focused brief therapy techniques
Neuroscience-based psychoeducation
Clinical hypnosis
Rather than analysing the past or focusing on distressing experiences, this approach helps calm the mind and nervous system, reduce urges and compulsive thought patterns, and strengthen your ability to cope in the present.
Sessions are structured, practical, and carefully adapted to support nervous system regulation, energy levels, and your individual recovery needs, moving forward at a pace that feels manageable.
Who Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Can Help
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can support people experiencing addiction-related difficulties by helping to calm an overactive nervous system, reduce urges and repetitive thought patterns, and ease the stress that can drive addictive behaviours.
Rather than analysing the past or focusing on distressing experiences, this approach helps the mind and body settle in the present, creating the conditions needed for clearer thinking, better emotional regulation, and healthier choices.
Sessions are practical, structured, and time-limited, with an emphasis on restoring a sense of calm and control, strengthening resilience to stress and triggers, and gently supporting recovery at a pace that feels manageable. Many clients find this a supportive, forward-focused alternative to traditional talking therapies, helping them move forward without dwelling on difficulties.
How It Works
Over our sessions, we’ll work together to help you:
Understand how the brain and nervous system can become overstimulated and drive urges, cravings, and compulsive behaviours
Learn tools to calm the nervous system, reduce impulsive or repetitive thought patterns, and create more space between triggers and responses
Develop a more supportive, solution-focused approach to managing addictive behaviours
Reinforce feelings of calm, control, and confidence through relaxing hypnosis
Each session is structured as follows:
A discussion of “what’s been good?” to help your brain notice positives and moments of progress, however small, and move into a calmer, more regulated state. These do not need to be big things — perhaps you managed a craving differently, felt slightly more in control, or noticed a brief moment of calm during the week.
Brain revision to remind you of the neuroscience behind addiction and recovery, including how stress, nervous system arousal, habits, and thought patterns influence urges and behaviour, and how calming the system supports change.
A simple scaling exercise to explore how you are managing urges or behaviours this week and what might help you feel slightly more in control or resilient.
A visualisation exercise to explore what your preferred future in recovery would look like, how you might feel with greater freedom and stability, and what small step you can take to move in that direction.
A guided relaxation to support nervous system regulation and gently reinforce calm, confidence, and healthier coping patterns at a subconscious level.
Many clients notice a real difference after just a few sessions.
Meet Laura
My name is Laura Bartlett and I am a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist, with a strong academic and professional background in psychology and evidence-based therapy. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London, alongside a Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and a Hypnotherapy in Practice Diploma.
I am a registered member of the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH), fully insured, and hold an enhanced DBS certificate — so you can be confident you are working with a qualified, professional, and ethical practitioner.
Before retraining as a therapist, I spent 20 years working in the London corporate world as an insurance broker. With an Advanced Diploma in Insurance (ACII) and a Level 3 Diploma in Management and Leadership, my approach is practical, grounded, and evidence-informed.
You’re In Safe Hands
Membership Number: 2625
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists (AfSFH) maintains the only dedicated register for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists. All members are fully qualified, insured, and required to follow a strict Code of Conduct and professional standards. AfSFH also sets and monitors best-practice standards, with members completing at least 21 hours of ongoing professional development each year, including regular supervision and further training.
Membership Number: 12094
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.
CASE STUDY: “I Just Didn’t Even Want It Anymore”
Details changed for confidentiality reasons)
Hayley came to see me wanting to change her relationship with alcohol. She was drinking regularly, often more than she intended, and it was starting to affect her energy, mood, and confidence. Worst of all, she felt like she had lost control and was frustrated with herself.
She had tried to cut down before, but her efforts were short-lived. She often felt deprived, and any progress quickly slipped away.
Through deep relaxation and solution focused hypnotherapy techniques, Hayley’s nervous system began to settle. Over time, she noticed she wasn’t thinking about drinking as much, and the urge to pour a drink in response to stress or boredom started to fade.
One evening, Hayley notice that her favourite wine had been sitting on the side, half opened, for over a week.
“I just didn’t even want it anymore,” she said, surprised at how natural it felt to let it go.
Client Testimonials
“Laura is so supportive, not judgemental, everything you should expect in therapy. Laura is also very down to earth, straight talking, and just so good to be around and be helped by. Highly recommended. My problem was alcohol and caffeine drink cycle. For about 6 weeks (just 2 weeks into sessions) and I don't even 'want' it. Which is how I wanted to feel. And Laura fixed it for me :)” — TB, Female, 58
“Through working with Laura I achieved resolution to my unhealthy eating habits. Believe in the process, understand the process and commit. For me, the results followed ..........” — CB, Male, 65
Next Steps…
Ready to overcome your addictions?
Book an initial consultation or learn how solution focused hypnotherapy can help you overcome obsessive and negative thought patterns.
I service the local areas of Hadleigh, Leigh-on-Sea, Benfleet, Chalkwell, Southend-on-Sea, Canvey Island, Dunton, Laindon, Basildon, Horndon on the Hill, Corringham, Stanford-le-Hope, Pitsea, Thundersley, Hockley, Hawkwell, Rochford, Westcliff-on-Sea, Wickford and Rayleigh. Or anywhere in the World via Zoom.
An initial consultation is £35 and takes up to 45 minutes. It can take place online via Zoom or in-person in my relaxing therapy room at 96 Westwood Gardens, Hadleigh, Essex, SS7 2SJ.
During the initial consultation I will take some basic information from you - including what you are looking to achieve from sessions. I will then explain how the brain works including why it is negatively biased and what causes our intrusive thoughts. We will discuss the format of further sessions and you will leave with a sleep audio to listen to at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnotherapy for Sleep Issues
Can hypnotherapy help with cravings or addictive behaviours?
Yes. Solution focused hypnotherapy can be very effective in supporting people to manage cravings and compulsive behaviours.
It works by addressing the subconscious triggers and patterns that maintain habits or addictions, such as stress, emotional triggers, or boredom. Hypnotherapy helps the brain respond differently, reducing the intensity of urges and making it easier to choose healthier behaviours consistently.
Will hypnotherapy make me stop my habit immediately?
Hypnotherapy is not a “magic switch” and does not guarantee instant cessation of a habit or addiction.
Instead, it focuses on gradual, sustainable change by calming the nervous system, reducing automatic responses, and building new coping strategies. Many clients notice positive changes after just a few sessions, but lasting results come from consistent practice and reinforcement of new patterns.
Is solution focused hypnotherapy safe alongside other treatments or medical support?
Yes. Solution focused hypnotherapy is safe and non-invasive and can be used alongside other treatments, counselling, or medical support for addiction or behavioural change.
It does not replace medical advice, medication, or therapy when needed. Instead, it complements other approaches, focusing on the mental and emotional factors that contribute to habits or cravings.
Is solution focused hypnotherapy suitable for any type of habit or addiction?
Solution focused hypnotherapy can support a wide range of behaviours, including:
Smoking or vaping
Emotional or stress-related eating
Nail-biting, hair-pulling, or skin-picking
Procrastination or technology/online habits
Alcohol or other substance habits (in conjunction with medical or counselling support)
Each session is tailored to the individual’s goals and needs, ensuring the approach is safe and relevant.