About James Whitfield

I came to hypnotherapy somewhat sideways. My earlier career was in corporate project management — high-pressure work that, ironically, brought me face to face with the kind of stress and anxiety I now help others manage. A friend suggested I try hypnotherapy for my own stress, and the experience genuinely changed my perspective on what was possible.

That was back in 2005. Within a year, I had enrolled at the National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, and by 2008 I had opened my own practice in the Chelmsford area. I haven't looked back since.

Qualifications and Registration

I hold the Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy (DipCHyp) and the Hypnotherapy Practitioners Diploma (HPD), which is considered the gold-standard qualification in the UK hypnotherapy profession. My ongoing professional development means I regularly attend training in new techniques and approaches.

I am registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), which is the UK voluntary regulator for complementary healthcare practitioners, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. I am also a full member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH), the largest not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association in the UK.

I hold a current enhanced DBS check, and I maintain full professional indemnity insurance.

My Approach

There is no single method that works for everyone. Over the years, I have developed an integrative approach that draws primarily on cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy (CBH), which combines the evidence base of CBT with the deep change potential of clinical hypnosis.

What this means in practice is that we work both consciously and subconsciously. We identify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours through discussion, then use hypnosis to reinforce new, healthier patterns at a deeper level. For many clients, this dual approach produces faster and more lasting results than either technique alone.

I also draw on solution-focused therapy, Ericksonian techniques and NLP where appropriate. The treatment is always tailored to you as an individual — your specific situation, your personality and your goals.

The Practice

My practice is located in a quiet, private setting in the Chelmsford area of Essex. The treatment room is warm, comfortable and private. There is parking available directly outside.

I also offer sessions via Zoom for clients who prefer the convenience of working from home, or who live further afield. Online hypnotherapy has been shown to be just as effective as face-to-face sessions for most conditions.

Conditions I Treat

Over fifteen years, I have worked with a broad range of issues. The most common reasons people come to see me include:

• Anxiety and generalised worry
• Smoking cessation
• Weight management and eating habits
• Specific phobias (flying, spiders, needles, dogs, heights and many more)
• Insomnia and sleep difficulties
• Low confidence and self-esteem
• Chronic pain management
• Public speaking anxiety
• Exam and driving test nerves
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

If your particular issue isn't listed above, do get in touch anyway. Hypnotherapy can help with a surprisingly wide range of conditions, and I am happy to have an honest conversation about whether it might be right for you.

A Bit About Me Personally

Outside the therapy room, I enjoy walking in the Essex countryside and spending time with my family. The green spaces around Chelmsford are one of the reasons I chose to base my practice in this part of Essex.

I believe strongly that therapy should feel like a collaboration, not something done to you. My role is to guide you and give you tools. The actual change comes from you.