Read client testimonials

Read what clients have to say about their experience of hypnotherapy with Richard in Cheltenham.

These emails and testimonials have all been reproduced with their kind permission.

Help for anxiety, obsessions and OCD
"Dear Richard,
I just thought I'd send You a few words to thank you for all you have done for me.

When I first arrived at your door I was pretty much fed up with life, My OCD was causing me great problems and everything I had tried before had not really worked to any great extent.

During my initial consultation I felt for the first time in 16 years that someone actually understood what was going on in my head! I remember you saying to me "Has anyone ever said to you that you think too much?" its sounds so simple but it was true! yes all the time my head was whirling around with a million thoughts all going at one hundred miles an hour! Then you said "When you go out with your friends and you have a couple of drinks, do you feel relaxed? " I replied Yes! you then said "Imagine feeling that relaxed all the time!" Well I thought about these two things a lot over the next week.

During our initial sessions the work done about personality types was a big eye opener to me! I started to really understand more about myself, then work with the Dream technique although very hard at first really started to change the way I thought about life!

When it was time to be hypnotized I was really excited and i felt very comfortable! after being hypnotized i remember you saying "So how long do you think You were sat in the chair for?", I replied "about 6 or 7 minutes" then you said "Well actually You were sat there for 35 minutes!" I thought wow! Well to be honest when I got up out of the chair I didn't feel very different, In fact I felt pretty normal! However! as soon as I walked out of the door onto the street I felt like a different person!! Instantly I started to notice things that I hadn't noticed before! And the things that I constantly worried about were gone!!!
It is hard to explain in words the change in my life! I feel AMAZING! In fact I feel better now than I have ever done! In just a few sessions you have done more for me than The NHS and many Psychologists have done in the past 16 Years!!!! My friends and family are so amazed with the changes that they have seen over the past few weeks! I feel I can go anywhere now! drive anywhere! or just relax and be happy!! My OCD has finally Gone!!!

I can never Thank you enough! If you ever need someone to help promote your work I would be happy to help!! "

Daniel Knapper, June 1st 2010

Hypnotherapy for flying phobia and general anxiety

Jim flying certificate cheltenham hypnotherapy clinic treating fear of flying phobia scared of flying

"Richard, Richard, Richard!!!!!

I just wanted to write and say many thanks again for transforming my life and to let other people know my about my experience.

When I first came to you it was because I’d just entered into a new relationship with a girl who loved travel and adventure, but as I was scared of flying, I knew that for her and I to work, I would have to overcome this fear.

I remember on my first meeting thinking ‘this bloke’s alright; he’s just like an old mate’, but was hugely sceptical if you could help me. I was absolutely 100% convinced my fear of flying was due to being taken up in a plane by my uncle when I was a child. To keep it short, he lost control and it was as close to near death as you’re ever likely to get. However, I remember you saying “you’re not scared of flying; you’re scared of not being in control”. This did make sense to me and after asking how I’d feel like when I finished, you said “well, you’ll think it’s just a plane and have no worries”. I thought no chance, but let’s give it a whirl...and it meant I could have Monday mornings off work!

Anyhow, three months later, not only has my fear of planes almost completely vanished (there is still very slight apprehension, but nothing more than I would consider normal and would never stop me getting to where I wanted to go) I have also had my first flying lesson!

On top of this, there are so many small, but noticeable differences in my day to day being it’s incredible. I no longer have fear of public speaking, I no longer need to drink to excess, and I have even started my own photography company up. Basically, I now see things with absolute clarity; I know who I am and how to get what I want: there is no negative voice holding me back. Life for the first time ever seems easy.

Not only have you changed my life and opened up the world for me, you have saved my mum from OCD which has been the cause of so much misery. She calls you her angel. I won’t go that far...but you’ve transformed my life and my family’s lives and for that I’ll be eternally grateful.

All the very best
Jim Fear
Property Acquisitions Manager
from Evesham, May 2010

My experience of hypnotherapy with Richard

Angela consulted with anxiety and severe IBS. Here is her story in her own words...

"I first came to see Richard for help with irritable bowel syndrome. Having suffered with this for approx 20 years, it was not only a very embarrassing condition but also left me often in a lot of pain and discomfort and completely drained of energy. It robbed me of my confidence, self esteem and general feeling of wellbeing, and often made me a virtual prisoner in my own home, and even when I could go out, every trip no matter how small was meticulously planned around the availability of public toilets. Needless to say holidays abroad, trips on planes, coaches or trains were completely out of the question.

I am very lucky to have not only an extremely supportive, patient and loving husband, but also a very supportive family, but still there were many times I felt very isolated and very alone. Having consulted the very best doctors and specialists in the field of gastroenterology and finding no physical explanation for my symptoms, I began to look at alternative treatments. I have tried treatment with hypnosis in the past, but just as a way of feeling relaxed and less stressed about things. It did help with some of the symptoms but only temporarily for a few months and I needed to find a more permanent solution.

It has been quite a few years now since I looked at hypnotherapy for treatment and it was doing a search on google that I found Richard and learned from his informative website about something called Pure Hypnoanalysis, and there and then made an appointment to see him asap.

The day of my first consultation came and I was feeling quite nervous about meeting someone new for the first time, so I took my now daily dose of Imodium and crossed my fingers it would be alright, but I need not have worried, Richard greeted me with such a warm and friendly smile and a shake of the hand that I immediately felt very at ease, comfortable and relaxed. I was quite taken aback by his young age, but I now know that he has a maturity and knowledge of his craft that is way beyond his years. We had a long discussion where I told him how I was feeling physically and emotionally and decided from there that a course in Pure Hypnoanalysis was the answer I had been looking for. Richard explained the process in great detail and was only too happy to answer any questions I had for him about this.

The following week I looked forward to the first of my sessions and did so every week after that. It was a pleasure to go and see Richard and to know that he really did care that I got over this embarrassing problem. He was always very kind, supportive, sincere, compassionate and very very patient with me. I felt I could trust him immensely from our very first meeting, that I could reveal to him private things about myself that no one else new and that he would never judge me for it and what a wonderful release that was.

The whole process of therapy was a rollercoaster of emotions, but it was one of the greatest gifts I could have ever given to myself. I have not only been cured of something that has blighted my life for the past 20 years but I have learned so much more about myself in the process, the way I think about certain things and what makes me the person I am today, that alone would have made it all worthwhile.

Now my therapy has ended and I feel like a completely different person to the nervous wreck that first walked through Richards’s door. Not only has he given me back my life, the freedom to go where I want, when I want and to never worry about needing a toilet again, but ALL the physical symptoms of pain and discomfort etc have just disappeared. It truly is like magic, it’s the only way I know how to describe it, it’s just brilliant.

I never thought in a million years I would ever feel this excited about life again, but I truly feel like I am 24 again and not 44. The possibilities that are open to me now are endless but I shall never forget Richard, no matter where I go, at home or abroad, I will always remember that it was he who got me there and without all his endless help and support all the way through I would still be stuck behind my own front door. I shall be eternally grateful to him for the rest of my life.

I would not hesitate to recommend Richard to anyone seeking relief from any ailments they may have; you just have to be brave and take the first step and call him."
Angela, 18th October 2009

My husband is still a non-smoker

"Dear Richard,
My husband came to see you just over 13 weeks ago to attend one of your ‘stop smoking’ sessions. I am pleased to report that he is still a non smoker. Being the biggest anti smoker in the world I have been desperate for him to give up over the last ten years since we met. After many failed attempts I finally recognized that it needed to be his decision and not mine and that nothing would work unless he was 100% committed to giving up. When that time came, your hypnotherapy sessions were recommended by some friends, in particular, John ****** who also gave up with your help a couple of years ago. Scott is so pleased that he took John’s advice to book an appointment to see you; I can honestly say I do not think I have seen Scott so happy and relaxed about being a non smoker...it became quite apparent that the desire to smoke was not as great as the desire to succeed at ‘giving up’. To think he has given up without the need for any nicotine replacement drugs is incredible.

For the first time ever I am totally confident that Scott will not look back, so on behalf of Scott I would like to say a big thank you. We are both truly grateful for your help."
Regards, Helen and Scott Gynn, July 2006

A family of non-smokers

"Dear Richard, Steve, Christine and myself would like to say a BIG thank you for giving us the confidence and making us believe in ourselves so we could become non-smokers.

A month has now passed and we are proud to say that it is the best thing that has happened to us. We have just come back from our first holiday together as non-smokers and it felt so great not having to stress out about having our last cigarette before we boarded the plane, infact I don't think we even gave it a thought, for this we have you to thank. I am trying hard to get all my smoking friends to come and see you, you come highly recommended.

Our friends and families are so pleased for us and it makes us feel proud that we have achieved something that infact was so simple to do, thank you once again, best wishes"
Ali and Steve, Cheltenham, September 2006

September 2007 update

"I just thought I would drop you a quick line to let you know that we are still Non smokers. Steve, Christine and myself hit the 12month mark last Friday and are very very proud that we have at last kicked the habit well and truly..."

Hypnotherapy and how it helped me - by Liz

"Hi Richard

It's been 8 months and I know I said thank you and all that, but I wanted to let you know how much you have changed my life and how grateful I am to you - It's like my eyes have been opened for the first time in years - To go from being almost unable to go to any kind of public event (particularly in the last 3 years - any I did go to were preceeded by weeks of anxiety and pain - enjoyed only when they were over!) couldn't get on a flight, basically every social opportunity was feared and every holiday an ordeal - to where I am now...I feel about 25 living inside a 44 year - I have for the first time since I can remember discovered the ability to enjoy the moment!

I won't list all the things that I have been up to (you may well disapprove!! lol) but I have baked cakes for bands and delivered them to tourbuses - I've won tickets to be on TV shows - been part of an audience of 20 people at a swanky club in London, been right up the front in every gig I've been to and the best thing of all is that [my partner] is loving the change in me - I am becoming stronger every day and I don't need him so much as I did (emotional support) but we are discovering fun together - I feel sexy, and I'm so much more fun to be around. I also love that other people find me attractive now...He could have been really threatened by the change but instead has allowed me to blossom trusting me not to damage what we have and not to hurt him - I feel very lucky to have such a supportive partner. The next 20 years together should be great fun!

Its really hard to put this into words but somehow I wanted to even if I am making a bad job of it! I had got to the stage in my life where I thought is this it? Is this how its going to be from now on? You have given me a zest for life that I never thought I would have. It is sometimes hard to not think how I used to and thoughts do still cross my mind - and the anxiety pain does crop up but the difference now is that I won't let it stop me doing what I want - I wish that I had found you 10 years ago!

From the initial appointment when you explained what the therapy process was and how long you thought it might take I felt extremely at ease - (to be brutally honest your age and laid back approach really helped me) - I didn't feel that I could shock you with anything I said and I never felt that you were judging me even when I was struggling. You retained the ability to be friendly and approachable but also firm when I needed it and I think this really helped me through the therapy process - I felt that you really cared whether I got through it and would stick with me until I did. I am a person who although on the surface appears very gregarious and will chat to anyone - underneath is someone quite shy who takes a while to trust - I felt I could trust you from our first meeting and that was key to the successful completion of the therapy. Your delighted response to my thank you email was further confirmation to me that your clients really matter to you.

I can't thank you enough but if ever you are in the street and some mad woman runs up and hugs you it will be me!!.

I no longer have any inhibitions! and I will never forget what you have enabled me to become. You are a star and I will always be grateful for the life you have given me back.."
Liz, Cheltenham, December 2008

Pure Hypnoanalysis - my experience by Kelly

"I came to Richard with, what I thought to be, a fairly trivial comfort eating problem but, after the initial consultation, it became clear to me that this was just a symptom of an underlying problem that I needed to work through in order to resolve my insecurities and low self-esteem.

The free consultation was brilliant! I was expecting a ten-minute questionnaire but Richard spent as much time as was needed with me to talk through my concerns and to explain the options available to me. His knowledge is amazing and certainly inspired me to undertake a course in analytical therapy. Richard was very supportive and offered advice throughout the sessions. I truly felt that he understood my problems and cared that they were important to me – I never felt embarrassed or that I said the wrong thing.

Richard must see many, many clients but he has such an easy, unhurried manner that you to feel as if you’re his only client of the day! It’s that kind of support and care that helped me to open up and work through my issues. He is someone I could trust.

Thank you so much, Richard, for your unending patience and understanding, the endless supply of tissues! and for giving me the courage to reach the end – it was pretty hard for me to do it but I’m so glad I did!"
Kelly, Cheltenham, 17th October 2008

Help for anxiety and insomnia

"Richard, Thank you very much for your work with me, as you did all the hard work. I'll recommend you to anyone who is looking for hypnotherapy. I enjoyed the sessions and you have a very lovely manner which put me completely at ease with you....

I wish you every continued success with your practice, thank you for doing this work and helping me to move forward. I also really appreciate you as a therapist, you are genuine and caring about what you do and that makes all the difference to the therapy experience.

With best wishes, take care...."
Melanie, July 2007

Got my confidence back says Sam

"Hi Richard, I just wanted to say I am so thankful to you for all your help with getting to the root cause of my phobia. Last Saturday I walked down the aisle utterly composed and calm, no sudden feelings of panic or needing to run out the room despite there being almost 100 people watching my every move! It was everything I hoped my wedding would ever be. I could have cried with relief as when I contacted you back in March, I cannot begin to explain how terrified I was of making a complete and utter fool of myself at my own wedding!

I really do feel like a new person and the hypnotherapy has allowed me to work through so many embarrassing, yet deeply rooted beliefs and emotions which needed to come to the surface in order to be free once again.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend hypnotherapy (particularly with yourself) to anyone trying to overcome a phobia of any kind."
Samantha, Cheltenham, June 2008

Lecture at Rendcomb College

"Richard, thank you very, very much for such a delightful and interesting evening. My students, who are hard to please about Special Events, were full of praise. Here are a few of their comments:

'Really good insight into what a hypnotherapist does and how that differs from the media image'
'He got rid of my preconceptions of hypnotherapy'
'Good communication skills, soft voice and informal approach'
'I got the impression he really understood where I was coming from'
'Really fun and relaxed, answered our questions well'
'I liked him a lot and understand now how not dealing with problems and emotions can lead to difficulties'

With very best wishes...."
Georgina Harford, Rendcomb College, October 2007

Hypnosis for children and teenagers

"Richard, I just want to thank you for the session with Amelia last Thursday,
I thought you had a lovely manner with her.

We both felt very different afterwards and the following day, hard to describe it really,
I felt light with a sense of inner well being.

I think everyone could benefit from hypnosis just to clear out excess baggage".
Wendy and daughter Amelia, Cheltenham, May 2006

For other testimonials specifically related to symptoms (e.g. stopping smoking or anxiety) please navigate the pages on the left.

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