London & online appointments
Hypnotherapy for fear of heights in London and online
Do your legs turn to jelly when you look down from a height? Do you avoid balconies, bridges or rooftop bars, even when you know you are safe? I help people explore the anxiety, past experiences and subconscious fears that can contribute to a fear of heights, so they can feel calm, steady and free to enjoy the view.
Prices and appointmentsYour first appointment includes hypnosis.
What hypnotherapy for fear of heights can help with
A fear of heights can turn a balcony, a bridge or a glass lift into something to dread. Hypnotherapy for fear of heights can help with:
- panic or dizziness when you look down
- fear of tall buildings, balconies and glass lifts
- fear of ladders and working at height
- fear of bridges, escalators and open stairs
- anxiety on cliff paths, cable cars and viewing platforms
- worry about heights on holiday
- freezing or needing to hold on
- avoiding places and plans because of heights
The work focuses on enjoying more of these situations comfortably, while keeping sensible caution and following safety advice.
How hypnotherapy for fear of heights works
We start with the heights you find difficult, what you expect will happen and what you want to do more comfortably. Sessions address anxious anticipation, alarming predictions and the urge to avoid situations that matter to you.
During hypnosis, I use suggestions and imagery tailored to you. You can mentally rehearse approaching a secure viewing area or crossing a bridge with a calmer response, building familiarity before taking manageable steps in everyday life.
Your hypnotherapist: Susannah Saunders
I established my practice in 2003 and have over 20 years of experience as a clinical hypnotherapist. I work with phobias, anxiety and confidence, helping people approach the situations they want to enjoy more comfortably.
- BSc (Hons) in Psychology
- Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma (HPD)
- Senior Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice (SQHP)
- CNHC registered and a GHR registered member
Fees and appointments
£198
Per session, including VAT.
Approximately 50 minutes. Your personalised hypnosis recording is included. Your first appointment includes hypnosis as well as the consultation.
Choose an appointment at City Hypnotherapy Centre near Liverpool Street, London, or online by Zoom.
Working with a hypnotherapist for fear of heights
Working with a hypnotherapist for fear of heights starts with an initial consultation. In this first session, we talk about the heights you find hardest and the places you would like to enjoy.
We discuss how anxiety and automatic expectations can contribute to the fear response. I explain the approach and answer your questions. The first appointment includes hypnosis, so the work begins straight away.
My approach is solution-focused, so we look at where you want to go and build on each step forward.
What happens in a fear of heights hypnotherapy session
Each session after the first starts with a short conversation about what has gone well, such as a balcony or escalator that felt easier. Most of the session is hypnosis, using the techniques that suit you.
After each session, you receive the personalised recording of that session for practice between appointments. Listen in a safe, quiet place where you can sit or lie comfortably. Never listen at height, while driving, operating equipment or doing anything that requires alertness.
Try my free hypnosis audio
Try my free 30-minute guided relaxation audio and get a feel for my voice and approach.
What is a fear of heights (acrophobia)?
Some unease near a steep drop is natural, and it helps to keep you safe. A fear of heights, or acrophobia, is when that fear becomes intense and starts to limit your life.
It is a common phobia. For some people, even thinking about a height or seeing one on screen can bring on anxiety.
Fear of heights or vertigo?
Many people describe their fear of heights as vertigo. Medically, vertigo is a spinning feeling that can happen anywhere, often caused by an inner ear problem.
If you get a spinning feeling when you are not at a height, or it keeps coming back, see your GP. Fear of heights hypnotherapy works alongside any medical advice you receive.
Common fear of heights triggers
Common triggers include:
- looking down from a balcony or window
- glass lifts and see-through floors
- ladders, step ladders and loft hatches
- bridges and high walkways
- long escalators and open staircases
- cliff paths, mountains and viewing towers
- cable cars, ski lifts and fairground rides
- watching someone else near an edge
Signs of a fear of heights
At height, the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response can kick in quickly. Common signs include:
- a racing heart
- dizziness or feeling unsteady
- jelly legs or shaking
- sweaty palms
- tightness in the chest or stomach
- an urge to crouch, grip something or back away
- freezing on the spot
- dread in the days before a trip or task
These reactions can feel overwhelming, yet they are your body trying to protect you.
Hypnotherapy for fear of tall buildings, glass lifts and balconies
Living or working in a city can mean high-floor offices, glass lifts and rooftop bars. In London, popular spots such as the Sky Garden and the Shard can feel out of reach.
Hypnotherapy for fear of tall buildings aims to help you feel steady and relaxed up high, so you can enjoy the view.
Hypnosis for fear of ladders and working at height
Climbing a ladder to clear gutters, reach the loft or put up decorations can feel impossible with a fear of heights. For some jobs, working at height is part of the role.
Sessions can address anticipatory anxiety and help you rehearse staying focused. Working at height still requires appropriate training, equipment, planning and supervision. Hypnotherapy is not a fitness-for-work assessment; discuss concerns about safe working with your employer or occupational health team.
Hypnotherapy for fear of bridges, escalators and open stairs
Bridges, long escalators and open staircases can bring on dizziness and the urge to grip the rail. Some people take long detours or use the lift to avoid them.
Hypnotherapy aims to help you feel steady on your feet, so you can cross bridges and use escalators with ease. If bridges are a problem when you drive, my page on driving anxiety has more on this.
Fear of heights hypnotherapy for holidays and days out
Holidays can bring cliff walks, mountain roads, cable cars and hotel balconies. Days out may include towers, theme parks or climbing frames with the children.
Fear of heights hypnotherapy aims to help you join in and enjoy these moments. If flying also worries you, my page on fear of flying has more on this.
Hypnosis for fear of heights at work
At work, a fear of heights can make a high-floor meeting room, a glass-walled atrium or a roof terrace hard to face. Some people turn down roles or site visits because of it.
Hypnosis for fear of heights at work aims to help you stay calm and focused, so your attention stays on the meeting.
Fear of heights and your children
Taking children to playgrounds, castles or viewing points can be difficult when heights make you anxious. You may find yourself worrying about their safety long before a day out.
Sessions can help you respond more calmly and distinguish everyday precautions from anxious predictions. We focus on your own confidence and enjoyment, without blaming you for how your children feel about heights.
Where a fear of heights comes from
A fear of heights can start after a fall, a near miss or a frightening moment, sometimes in childhood. It can also be learned from a parent who was anxious about heights.
For some people, it follows a panic attack at height or a stressful time in life. Others have no idea where it began, and that is fine, as hypnotherapy focuses on how you want to feel now.
How a fear of heights affects daily life
A fear of heights can shape where you live, work and go on holiday. You might choose a low floor, avoid certain stations or miss out on trips with friends.
Some people feel embarrassed, especially when others seem relaxed. Over time, the fear can spread to more places and make life feel smaller.
Who fear of heights hypnotherapy can help
Fear of heights hypnotherapy can help many different people, including:
- people who avoid tall buildings, balconies or bridges
- those who need to use ladders or work at height
- people who dread escalators or open stairs
- travellers who avoid cable cars, cliff paths or mountain roads
- parents who want to stay calm with their children
- people whose fear began after a fall or scare
- those who panic at the thought of looking down
- anyone who turns down plans because of heights
It can help whether your fear is mild or affects many parts of your life.
The beliefs behind a fear of heights
A fear of heights is often held in place by beliefs such as ‘I’ll fall’ or ‘I’ll lose my balance’. Others include ‘the railing won’t hold’ or ‘I’ll panic and lose control’.
These expectations can become automatic and feel convincing even when you recognise that a particular place is secure. In hypnosis, we explore those expectations and rehearse a steadier response, with sensible attention to your surroundings.
Fear of heights, hypnosis and the subconscious mind
A healthy respect for heights helps to keep you safe. With a phobia, the alarm response can also arise in secure situations, such as a high-floor meeting room or a balcony with a suitable barrier.
Subconscious is a useful word for learned associations and expectations that happen automatically. Hypnosis uses focused attention, imagery and therapeutic suggestions to work with those responses and practise feeling steadier. Sensible caution remains part of the picture.
What fear of heights hypnosis feels like
Hypnosis is a natural, relaxed state, similar to daydreaming or the moment before sleep. You stay aware of what is happening and in control throughout.
Fear of heights hypnosis is a clinical process, very different from stage hypnosis. You stay comfortably seated throughout, and many people find sessions very relaxing.
Techniques used in hypnotherapy for acrophobia
Sessions are tailored to you and can include:
- relaxation and ways to settle general stress
- exploring expectations about falling, balance or losing control
- changing how you respond to a remembered fall or scare
- personalised suggestions for calm, attentive confidence
- comfortable imagery of feeling grounded and supported
- directing attention towards the surroundings rather than anxious checking
- brief grounding skills that keep you alert
- self-hypnosis practised in a safe, seated place
- mental rehearsal of manageable steps towards your goals
We agree the pace together. You stay safely seated during hypnosis; there is no need to go to a height during the session.
Hypnotherapy for fear of heights alongside other support
CBT, often including gradual exposure, is a well-established treatment for phobias. Exposure means approaching feared situations in planned, manageable steps rather than being pushed into something overwhelming.
Hypnotherapy can address the anxiety and expectations around those steps. Tell me about other treatment you receive so the work fits your care. If dizziness or balance symptoms are new, persistent or recurring, discuss them with your GP.
Is hypnotherapy for fear of heights right for you?
Hypnotherapy for fear of heights can suit anyone whose fear is holding them back. It tends to work best when you are ready to make changes and listen to the personalised recording between sessions.
It can help whether you want to climb a ladder at home or enjoy the view from a mountain top.
Choosing a hypnotherapist for fear of heights
When choosing a hypnotherapist for fear of heights, look for recognised qualifications and experience of working with phobias. It also helps to feel comfortable with the person you choose, and an initial consultation is a good chance to ask questions.
I hold the SQHP and HPD qualifications and have been practising as a clinical hypnotherapist since 2003.
The benefits of hypnotherapy for fear of heights
Hypnotherapy for fear of heights aims to help you feel steady, calm and in control up high. Benefits can include:
- feeling calm on balconies and in tall buildings
- using ladders and escalators with confidence
- crossing bridges with ease
- enjoying views, rooftop bars and viewing platforms
- joining in on holidays and days out
- feeling relaxed with your children at playgrounds and castles
- more choice about where you live and work
- feeling proud of what you can do
If you would like help with a fear of heights, contact me to find out more or book your initial consultation.
Research and guidance on fear of heights
The NHS guide to phobias describes CBT and exposure therapy as treatments for phobias. A 2018 randomised trial by Freeman and colleagues found substantial reductions in fear of heights using virtual-reality cognitive therapy. That trial studied a different approach from hypnotherapy.
A 2019 meta-analysis by Valentine and colleagues found benefits of hypnosis for anxiety across the studies reviewed. This provides broader anxiety evidence, rather than proving a particular hypnosis programme for acrophobia.
The NHS vertigo guide explains spinning and balance symptoms. For workplace tasks, HSE working-at-height guidance covers appropriate planning, competence, supervision and equipment.
Fear of heights hypnotherapy: frequently asked questions
Answers about acrophobia, vertigo, balconies, bridges, safe practice, fees and appointments in London or online.
Understanding fear of heights and vertigo
What is hypnotherapy for fear of heights?
Hypnotherapy for fear of heights uses tailored suggestions, imagery and mental rehearsal to address anxiety and automatic expectations around heights. We discuss the situations you avoid and practise a steadier response, with goals such as crossing a bridge or enjoying a secure viewing platform.
What is acrophobia?
Acrophobia is an intense fear of heights that can lead to panic, avoidance or distress. It can affect balconies, bridges, ladders and tall buildings, and sometimes even pictures of heights. It becomes a problem when the fear restricts ordinary activities or choices.
Is a fear of heights the same as vertigo?
No. Fear of heights is anxiety about being high up. Vertigo is a sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, often associated with an inner-ear problem. They can occur together, so persistent or recurring spinning and balance symptoms should be discussed with your GP.
Why do my legs shake or feel like jelly at a height?
Anxiety can cause trembling, muscle tension and a feeling of unsteadiness. Noticing these sensations may then increase the fear of falling. Sessions address that cycle and rehearse calmer responses. New or persistent balance problems deserve a medical assessment rather than an assumption that anxiety explains everything.
Can a fear of heights begin in adulthood?
Yes. It may develop after a fall, a frightening experience, a panic episode or a stressful period. Some people cannot identify a clear starting point. We can work with your current triggers and goals without needing to find one particular event that caused the fear.
Can I be afraid of heights even when I know I am safe?
Yes. You might recognise that a barrier is secure while still experiencing a strong alarm response. Hypnotherapy addresses those automatic associations and anxious predictions. The work keeps sensible caution while helping secure, everyday situations feel more manageable.
Why do I feel anxious watching someone else near an edge?
Imagining what could happen to another person can trigger the same anxious predictions as being there yourself. We can address that anticipation, including reactions to films or photographs, and practise responding to what is actually happening rather than repeatedly picturing a fall.
Should I see a GP about dizziness before booking?
Speak to your GP if dizziness or a spinning sensation is new, persistent or keeps returning, especially if it also happens away from heights. Medical advice can clarify balance or inner-ear problems. You can contact me about height-related anxiety alongside that assessment.
Balconies, bridges, ladders and travel
Can hypnotherapy help with fear of balconies and rooftop bars?
We can focus on the anticipation, looking down and the urge to grip a rail or leave. In hypnosis, you mentally rehearse a secure balcony or rooftop setting with a steadier response. Everyday practice can begin with manageable situations agreed around your goals.
Can you help with anxiety in tall buildings or high-floor offices?
Yes. Sessions can address arriving for a meeting, standing near a window or being in a high-floor room. We rehearse directing attention back to the conversation or task, rather than monitoring the height. Tell me which parts of the situation feel most difficult.
What about glass lifts and transparent floors?
Glass lifts and see-through floors can make the drop feel unusually immediate. We can work on the sensations and predictions they trigger, using tailored imagery and rehearsal. We agree a manageable pace and practical goals around the places you want to visit.
Can hypnosis help with fear of crossing bridges?
Sessions can address walking across a bridge, looking through gaps or feeling exposed in the middle. We explore what you predict will happen and rehearse a calmer crossing. If the main difficulty is driving across bridges, we can also discuss driving anxiety.
Can you help with escalators and open staircases?
Yes. We can focus on starting an escalator, looking down an open staircase or worrying that you will freeze. Hypnosis can include rehearsal of using these spaces while staying attentive. If balance or mobility is a concern, seek appropriate medical or practical advice too.
Can hypnotherapy help me feel more confident on ladders?
We can address anxiety about ladders and rehearse attentive, calm responses. You still need suitable equipment, correct use and any necessary training. Therapy does not make an unsafe ladder task safe or replace professional advice about a job that should be carried out by someone qualified.
Can I get help before a holiday with cable cars or mountain views?
Yes. Tell me about your plans and the parts you dread, such as a cable car, hotel balcony or viewing tower. We can tailor rehearsal and recording practice to those situations. Allow time before the trip to discuss your goals and appointment availability.
Can you help parents who feel anxious at playgrounds or viewing points?
Yes. Sessions can focus on your own anticipation and reactions while keeping appropriate precautions for children. We work towards feeling more present on days out and making decisions based on the situation. You do not have to blame yourself for how your children respond to heights.
How hypnosis works and safe practice
How does hypnosis address a fear of heights?
During focused attention, we use suggestions and imagery to work with anxious expectations such as falling, losing balance or panicking. Mental rehearsal lets you practise a different response while safely seated. The approach is tailored to your experiences and the situations you want to handle differently.
Do I have to visit a height during the hypnosis session?
No. Hypnosis takes place while you are comfortably seated in the practice or in a suitable private space online. We use discussion, imagery and rehearsal. Any real-world practice is planned around sensible safety precautions and a manageable pace.
Will hypnosis remove my sensible caution around heights?
The goal is to feel steadier in appropriate situations, with sensible caution intact. We work on distress and avoidance that are restricting your life. You should continue to follow barriers, local advice, equipment instructions and workplace safety procedures.
Can hypnotherapy support me if I need to work at height?
We can discuss anxiety about working at height and rehearse staying calm and attentive. Your employer must still arrange appropriate planning, training, equipment and supervision. Hypnotherapy is not a fitness-for-work assessment; occupational health or your employer should advise on concerns about safe duties.
Can I have hypnotherapy alongside CBT or exposure therapy?
Yes, where the approaches fit your care. CBT, often including gradual exposure, is a well-established phobia treatment. Tell me about support you already receive so we can discuss how hypnosis might address anticipatory anxiety and rehearsal without conflicting with your existing treatment plan.
Is there evidence for hypnosis for acrophobia?
Research supports psychological approaches such as CBT and exposure for phobias. A meta-analysis also found benefits of hypnosis for anxiety, but that is broader evidence rather than proof of a specific acrophobia programme. The research section links to sources and explains the distinction.
Can we work on a fear that started after a fall or frightening event?
Yes. We can discuss the experience at a pace that feels manageable and work on the response it triggers now. You do not have to describe every detail. The work does not depend on recovering hidden memories or treating imagery in hypnosis as proof of what happened.
Can I use a hypnosis recording while I am at a height?
No. Listen only in a safe, quiet place where you can sit or lie comfortably. Never listen at height, while driving, operating equipment or doing anything that requires alertness. We can practise brief grounding skills for everyday situations that keep you fully attentive.
Appointments, fees and your recording
What happens at the first fear-of-heights appointment?
We talk about your triggers, experiences, what you avoid and what you want to do more comfortably. I explain the approach and answer your questions. Your first appointment includes personalised hypnosis as well as the consultation, so the therapeutic work begins straight away.
How much does fear-of-heights hypnotherapy cost?
Sessions cost £198 including VAT and last approximately 50 minutes. The first appointment includes consultation and hypnosis. Your personalised hypnosis recording is included for practice between appointments. You can choose the London practice near Liverpool Street or an online appointment.
How many sessions will I need for a fear of heights?
The number depends on your experiences, goals and the situations you find difficult. We discuss a plan at your first appointment and review progress together. A specific upcoming trip, longstanding avoidance or wider anxiety may affect the work we agree.
Is a personalised hypnosis recording included?
Yes. After each session, you receive the personalised recording of that session to practise between appointments. It reinforces the suggestions and imagery used together. We discuss a listening routine that fits your day and gives you a safe, quiet time to relax.
What does fear-of-heights hypnosis feel like?
You sit comfortably and follow the imagery and suggestions. You may feel deeply relaxed or simply absorbed and focused. It is a collaborative therapeutic session, and you can speak or ask questions. You do not need a particular sensation or an empty mind.
What if I struggle to picture things during hypnosis?
You do not need vivid mental pictures. We can use words, sensations, attention and suggestions that suit how you naturally think. Tell me what feels comfortable so the approach fits you rather than asking you to force a particular experience.
How can I prepare for my session?
Think about the situations that are difficult and one or two things you would like to do more comfortably. Bring questions and tell me about relevant medical symptoms or other treatment. For online appointments, arrange a private space and a comfortable seat with a reliable connection.
How do we measure progress?
We agree practical goals, such as less dread before a high-floor meeting, using a secure staircase more comfortably or accepting a day out you previously avoided. We review changes in anticipation, behaviour and confidence, while keeping appropriate safety precautions.
London, online hypnotherapy and booking
Where can I book fear-of-heights hypnotherapy in London?
Appointments are at City Hypnotherapy Centre, Longcroft House, 2–8 Victoria Avenue, London EC2M 4NS. The practice is in the City of London, a short walk from Liverpool Street station. Online appointments are also available.
Are you near Liverpool Street and Bishopsgate?
Yes. Longcroft House on Victoria Avenue is near Liverpool Street station and Bishopsgate, convenient for people living or working in the City of London. Contact me to discuss appointment availability and whether an in-person or online session suits your schedule.
Do you offer online hypnotherapy for a fear of heights?
Yes. You can have personalised sessions online by Zoom from a private, comfortable place. We discuss the heights you find difficult and use tailored hypnosis and rehearsal. The fee is £198 including VAT for approximately 50 minutes, with your recording included.
What do I need for an online acrophobia session?
Choose a quiet, private room with a reliable internet connection and somewhere comfortable to sit. Charge your device and check that you can hear clearly. You should be somewhere safe where you can relax without interruptions, rather than at a height or while travelling.
Can I book from elsewhere in the UK or abroad?
Online appointments are available elsewhere in the UK and internationally, subject to suitable arrangements. Let me know your location and preferred times so we can discuss availability. You need a private, safe space where you can sit comfortably and speak freely.
What qualifications does Susannah Saunders have?
I have practised as a clinical hypnotherapist since 2003 and hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, the Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma and Senior Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice. I am CNHC registered and a GHR registered member. My About page gives further details.
Can I hear your voice before booking?
Yes. My free 30-minute guided relaxation audio lets you hear my voice and get a feel for my approach. It is separate from the personalised work in a fear-of-heights session. Listen in a safe, comfortable place where you can relax fully.
How do I book hypnotherapy for fear of heights?
Use the contact page, call 07973 896907 or email susannah@cityhypno.co.uk. Tell me briefly which heights worry you and whether you prefer London or online. Mention any upcoming trip or work requirement so we can discuss your goals and availability.
Fear of heights hypnotherapy near Liverpool Street
City Hypnotherapy Centre
Longcroft House, 2–8 Victoria Avenue
London EC2M 4NS
Choose an appointment in the City of London, near Liverpool Street station and Bishopsgate, or online by Zoom.
Enjoy more of the places you want to visit
Get in touch to discuss a fear of heights and an appointment in London or online. Sessions are £198 including VAT, with your personalised hypnosis recording included.
