About your Bristol hypnotherapist

Sarah Mortimer HPD DHP Adv. Dip. Hyp. MUKHC

Hello, I'm Sarah Mortimer, and I'm a Clinical Hypnotherapist.

This page is solely for getting to know me better and giving you some idea of whether I would be a good fit for you as a hypnotherapist. Please get in touch with me if you like what you read and want to work with me.

What brought me to hypnotherapy

Over 15 years ago, I suffered from chronic pain. I experienced pain in my lower back and sciatica down my legs daily. It was very debilitating, impacting all areas of my life. Living with chronic pain daily is very draining, and I developed depression and anxiety, which made the pain even worse. After seeing numerous doctors and consultants, I was referred to an NHS-led pain management programme. The programme covered a vast number of things. I learnt about the modern theories of pain, relaxation techniques, mindfulness and guided visualisation, exercise routines, how to pace myself, problem-solving to help with stresses and worries, how to be assertive and put myself first, how to get better sleep, and how to be more in control of my thoughts. It was invaluable, and it made me realise that the way I was dealing with the pain was making it worse and that there were many things that I could do to help improve and manage it. I felt empowered and hopeful for the first time since the pain started. It was a real turning point for me.

My personal experience, coupled with my in-depth training, has made me realise how essential it is to feel empowered when it comes to making changes. To empower someone is to give them the authority or power to do something. It is vital and at the very heart of successful therapy.

Because I gained so much from the programme, particularly the relaxation, mindfulness and guided visualisation, I decided to see a hypnotherapist in Bristol to continue where the NHS programme left off to help me manage my pain even better. I was fascinated by it, and after just two sessions, I decided to enrol on a hypnotherapy practitioner diploma.

I had previously thought I was doomed to be in pain for the rest of my life. Still, I can happily say that by applying what I learned in the pain management program, from the hypnotherapist I went to see, and the diploma I studied and subsequently completed, I no longer suffer from chronic pain in my back!

At work

The realm of hypnosis never fails to captivate me; I think it's awesome! Its origins trace back to the late 1800s when pioneering surgeons harnessed its power as a form of anaesthesia. It is still used in some hospitals in this way today. You can see why I think it's amazing! The world of hypnotherapy is expansive, and as a perpetual learner, this excites me. It means there's always a new frontier to explore, courses to embark on, and books to devour in my insatiable quest for knowledge and understanding.

My journey in helping individuals manage stress and anxiety spans nearly two decades, with a specific focus on using hypnotherapy since 2010. Over the years, I've honed my skills through training in various hypnosis approaches, providing me with a comprehensive grasp of the field. This journey has enabled me to select the approaches that best align with my philosophy and the needs of my clients. My practice is firmly rooted in evidence-based techniques, drawing from a wealth of research conducted by scientists to ensure effectiveness.

In the past year, I served as a Social Prescribing Link Worker within the NHS. This role involved coaching patients to facilitate positive life changes, promoting overall health and wellbeing. Additionally, I provided Information, Advice, and Support (IAS) regarding local services and activities to support individuals in reconnecting with their communities and alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation. This temporary position deepened my understanding of health-related behaviour change, health and wellbeing coaching, and motivational interviewing. It also enriched my experience working with individuals navigating complex physical and mental health challenges.

I am now one of Bristol's senior hypnotherapists, having had thousands of hours in clinical practice. I have appeared on BBC Radio Bristol several times, discussing various issues that can be helped with hypnotherapy. You can read more about these on the In the media page. I see clients for hypnotherapy in person at The Harbourside Practice in Redcliffe and The Practice Rooms on Queen’s Square, Bristol, as well as online via Google Meet.

In addition to seeing clients for hypnotherapy, I am a classroom assistant on the Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma run by The Anglo European College of Therapeutic Hypnosis in Bournemouth. As a classroom assistant, I assist and support the college principal, Adam Eason, in supporting the students on the course and marking coursework submissions.

I am a qualified supervisor and offer one-to-one supervision sessions to hypnotherapists via Google Meet, helping them develop as hypnotherapists and support them in their practice so that their clients receive the very best care.

I am a Director at the UK Hypnotherapy Council and one of the organisers of the annual UK Hypnosis Convention in London.

At home

You'll still find me immersed in psychology when I'm not seeing clients or working on my hypnotherapy business. I'm currently pursuing a part-time BSc in Psychology with The Open University. I also volunteer for OUPS (Open University Psychological Society). This is all part of my grand plan to dive into postgraduate studies, where I aim to have a foot in the world of academia, conducting psychological research, especially in the captivating realm of hypnosis. My ultimate goal is to bolster the evidence base of this intriguing field.

But it's more than just academic literature that captures my attention. I'm an unabashed bibliophile — the thrill of acquiring new books, the journey through their pages, the scribbled notes in the margins, the animated discussions that follow, and the reviews I craft once the final chapter unfolds. Books have been steadfast companions in my life, offering solace and escape. They are my refuge, particularly in the enchanting realms of science fiction and fantasy, where I can be transported to otherworldly adventures.

Then there's my enthusiasm for board games. The pandemic ushered in a newfound appreciation for solo board games, providing a delightful pastime when my practice temporarily slowed down. As the world opened, I discovered the camaraderie of board game cafes, forging connections with a remarkable group of friends I now meet and play with weekly. Like reading, board games engage my mind and provide thematic immersion, coupled with the spirited banter that comes with friendly competition. Reading, board games, and hypnotherapy collectively contribute to robust mental wellbeing, or at least, they have for me.

And last but certainly not least, curiosity courses through my veins. I'm not just passionate about absorbing new knowledge; I thrive on exploring new locales and embracing novel experiences. Recently, I took the plunge into the world of surfing and snowboarding — two endeavours that are as demanding as they are exhilarating. They are a perfect example of the challenge I relish and the thrill I seek in every new adventure.

Specialisms

Throughout my professional journey, I've had the privilege of assisting individuals with a wide range of concerns. Among these, stress and anxiety-related issues have been the most prevalent. As a result, I've accumulated substantial expertise in this area. This wealth of experience has significantly influenced my approach to training, ensuring that I'm well-versed in the latest evidence-based techniques for those grappling with stress and anxiety.

Personally, I've encountered my share of challenges with stress and anxiety. The pandemic brought about a wave of profound changes, some of which I consciously embraced, while others were thrust upon me. Navigating change, even when it's positive or of our choosing, is never straightforward. It inevitably involves a process of grieving for the familiar as life undergoes a transformation in response to shifting circumstances. There's a period of adaptation and adjustment as one acclimatizes to the new way of living.

From my own journey, I gleaned invaluable lessons and invested considerable time in learning through books and courses, seeking to better comprehend how to navigate life's transitions with grace and resilience. Today, I have the privilege of sharing these insights and skills with others, empowering them to traverse their own life changes with confidence and poise.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has proven exceptionally effective in addressing these issues, and it has become a cornerstone of my approach with clients. Through ACT, I guide individuals in embracing their experiences, fostering mindfulness in the present moment, and creating distance from thoughts and emotions that may contribute to unnecessary stress. All the while, we work in harmony with their core values and what holds significance to them, paving the way for profound personal growth and fulfilment.

Qualifications etc.

No “about me” page is complete without details of my qualifications and what governing bodies I’m a member of. So here it is!

I hold the gold standard for hypnotherapy qualifications (the Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma or HPD) in addition to a Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy (Dip. Hyp.), a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (DHP), an Advanced Hypnotherapy Diploma (Adv. Hyp. Dip.), an NLP Practitioner Diploma, and a Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology. I am trained in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and use this approach extensively when working with clients. I have also carried out Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and I am a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA).

I am dedicated to continual learning and study to further enhance my knowledge and skills and regularly attend seminars, courses and conferences on a wide variety of subjects relating to hypnotherapy. Some of my more recent studies have included insomnia and sleep disorders, immunity and endurance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), professional burnout, self hypnosis, treating intrusive thoughts and inner critical voices, neuroscience of psychotherapy, self esteem, perfectionism, productivity, models of change, post-natal depression, and sports performance, to name just a few.

I attend both one-to-one and group supervision on a regular basis. I find supervision is invaluable and I have benefited greatly from it. 

I am a member of the UK Hypnotherapy Council which strives to ensure that all of its members are kept up to date with the most recent hypnotherapy research through access to the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. I am also a student member of the British Psychological Society.

So there we have it, that’s me in a (larger than planned) nutshell. If you would like to work with me, please do get in touch.