Weight loss hypnotherapy: frequently asked questions
Answers about emotional eating, cravings, food noise, weight-loss medication and appointments in London or online.
Weight loss hypnosis and your goals
What is hypnotherapy for weight loss?
Weight loss hypnotherapy uses therapeutic conversation and hypnosis to work on eating habits, emotional triggers and expectations about change. Sessions can focus on comfort eating, cravings, food noise or repeated dieting. The aim is a calmer relationship with food and sustainable habits, alongside appropriate nutrition, activity and healthcare.Can hypnosis help me lose weight?
Hypnosis may support the habits and emotional changes involved in weight management. We work on practical goals such as eating with more awareness, responding differently to stress and reducing all-or-nothing thinking.How does weight loss hypnotherapy work?
We explore when difficult eating patterns happen and what you would like to do differently. During hypnosis, focused attention, imagery and suggestions help you rehearse those changes. Conversation and practice between sessions support everyday routines, with goals tailored to your health, preferences and circumstances.Is weight loss hypnosis a replacement for healthy eating or exercise?
Hypnotherapy complements appropriate nutrition and movement; it does not replace them or medical care. Sessions focus on the habits and emotions that make change difficult. A dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional can help you decide which eating and activity plans are appropriate for your needs.Will you put me on a strict diet?
My hypnotherapy sessions focus on your relationship with food rather than prescribing a restrictive diet. We can work on guilt, rigid food rules and more flexible routines. If you need a personalised nutrition plan or have a medical condition, a registered dietitian or your healthcare team should guide that part of your care.What if I have tried lots of diets already?
Repeated dieting can leave you frustrated and doubtful about change. We can explore the pressures, routines and all-or-nothing expectations that make consistency difficult. Rather than treating previous attempts as a personal failure, sessions focus on workable habits that fit your life and allow for ordinary setbacks.How much weight will I lose with hypnotherapy?
There is no reliable way to predict an individual amount. Weight is influenced by biology, medication, health, environment and behaviour. We agree realistic goals and review progress in areas such as eating patterns, coping and wellbeing, alongside any weight-management plan agreed with your healthcare professional.Can I work on my relationship with food without a weight-loss target?
Yes. Your goals can centre on less guilt, more flexible eating, confidence or finding other ways to manage stress. You do not have to make a number on the scales the focus of the work. We discuss what would feel useful and appropriate for your health and circumstances.
Emotional eating, cravings and food noise
Can hypnotherapy help with emotional or comfort eating?
Sessions can explore the feelings and situations that prompt comfort eating, and help you practise a wider range of responses. Food can be enjoyable and comforting without being a problem. The focus is on patterns that trouble you, building self-understanding and coping skills without shame or rigid rules.Can hypnosis help with stress eating after work?
We can work on the transition from a demanding day to your evening, including tiredness, tension and unmet needs. Hypnosis can support relaxation and rehearsal of a more manageable routine. Regular nourishment still matters; the aim is not to ignore genuine hunger after a busy day.Can hypnotherapy help with boredom eating and grazing?
It can be used to explore automatic snacking linked to routines such as watching television or working at a desk. We identify what you need at those moments and practise responding more deliberately. Planned snacks can remain part of a balanced eating pattern; snacking itself is not a failure.Can hypnosis help with sugar cravings?
We can work on how you respond to cravings and the stress, expectations or routines associated with them. The aim is greater flexibility around sweet foods rather than making you fear or dislike them. Hunger, tiredness and restrictive eating may also play a part and deserve attention.What is food noise?
Food noise is an informal term for frequent or intrusive thoughts about food, eating or the next snack. It is not a diagnosis. Those thoughts can be influenced by hunger, restriction, stress and other factors. Understanding what is happening for you helps identify suitable support rather than assuming it is simply a habit.Can hypnotherapy help with food noise?
Sessions can address stress and preoccupation around food and help you practise redirecting attention without fighting hunger. We also consider whether restrictive eating or a medical issue needs attention. The goal is for food to feel less mentally demanding, with more space to focus on other parts of your life.Can you help with evening snacking or eating late at night?
Yes, we can explore the routine and feelings around evening eating. Being underfed during the day, working late or using food to unwind may all matter. We focus on a sustainable pattern rather than a blanket rule that eating after a particular time is wrong. Persistent night eating may warrant a GP assessment.Can hypnotherapy help me eat more slowly and notice fullness?
Sessions can support paying attention to eating, slowing down when helpful and becoming more aware of comfort and satisfaction. Appetite cues vary, particularly with medication or a history of restrictive eating. If those signals are difficult to interpret, dietetic guidance can help establish an appropriate eating routine.
Habits, confidence and wellbeing
Can hypnotherapy help with yo-yo dieting?
We can work on the rigid expectations and self-criticism that often accompany repeated dieting. This includes responding to an unplanned meal without deciding the whole day is ruined. The focus is on steadier, flexible habits and health-supporting choices, rather than another short-term set of strict food rules.What if I use food as a reward?
Enjoying food as a treat is not inherently a problem. If it feels like your only source of comfort or reward, we can explore additional ways to meet those needs. Sessions aim to broaden your choices while keeping pleasure and satisfaction part of your relationship with food.Can hypnotherapy help with motivation to be more active?
We can explore barriers such as stress, fear of judgement or all-or-nothing expectations, and rehearse manageable steps towards movement you enjoy. Activity should suit your health, ability and energy. Exercise is not a punishment for eating, and medical advice may be needed when starting or changing an activity programme.Can you help with body confidence and negative self-talk?
Yes. Sessions can focus on self-criticism, comparison and avoiding situations because of how you feel about your body. The aim is greater self-respect and confidence in everyday life. You do not need to change your size before you deserve kindness, enjoyable activities or supportive relationships.Can you support eating habits during menopause?
We can work on stress, sleep-related routines, confidence and emotional eating during perimenopause or menopause. Hormonal and physical changes also matter and should not be reduced to mindset. Your GP can discuss symptoms and health concerns, while hypnotherapy focuses on the emotional and behavioural goals you choose.Do you help busy professionals with eating habits?
Yes. Work pressures, commuting, irregular breaks and late meetings can make routines difficult. We can explore realistic ways to care for yourself during a busy week and respond differently to stress. London appointments near Liverpool Street and online sessions offer a choice of formats for discussing your goals.Is overeating always a lack of willpower?
No. Eating is affected by hunger, sleep, stress, access to food, medication, biology and learned patterns. Blaming yourself is unlikely to explain the full picture. We look at your circumstances with curiosity and agree changes that are realistic, while involving appropriate healthcare support when needed.What if I go back to old habits between sessions?
A difficult day can provide useful information about stress, hunger or an unrealistic plan. We review it without judgement and adjust the next step. Progress does not require perfect eating or constant motivation. The aim is to build a pattern you can return to with less self-criticism.
Medication and appropriate support
Can I have hypnotherapy while taking Mounjaro or Wegovy?
You can enquire about support with emotional eating, stress and routines while using prescribed Mounjaro or Wegovy. We discuss your circumstances and any relevant care plan. Hypnotherapy does not manage the medication, its dose or side effects; those questions remain with your prescriber.Is Ozempic the same as Wegovy?
Both contain semaglutide, but their UK licences differ: Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is licensed for weight management in eligible people. They should not be treated as interchangeable. A prescriber should advise on medication; hypnotherapy here focuses on coping and eating habits.Can hypnotherapy support me when coming off weight-loss injections?
Sessions can help you plan routines, manage worries and respond to changes in appetite within a prescriber-led plan. We can work on sustainable habits before, during or after a medication change. Medication decisions remain with your prescriber.How can hypnotherapy support weight maintenance after injections?
Appetite and weight may change after treatment ends, and biological factors are important. Hypnotherapy can support coping and routines, while your prescriber or weight-management team helps you review an ongoing plan. Regain should not be treated as a failure of character.Should I stop or reduce my medication before hypnotherapy?
Do not change prescribed medication for hypnotherapy without discussing it with your prescriber. We can work alongside an appropriate treatment plan. Tell me about relevant medication and health conditions during the consultation so that the goals and any suggested practice fit your circumstances.Is weight loss hypnotherapy appropriate if I have binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder needs appropriate assessment and treatment, rather than a weight-loss approach alone. If you regularly feel unable to stop eating or experience significant distress, speak to your GP. Eating-disorder care takes priority; any additional hypnotherapy should fit with that care, not encourage restriction.Should I speak to my GP before starting?
Speak to your GP if weight or appetite has changed unexpectedly, you have a relevant medical condition, or eating feels out of control. We also discuss any history of eating disorders or medication affecting appetite. Hypnotherapy can complement healthcare, but it does not diagnose or treat underlying physical causes.Can hypnotherapy work alongside a dietitian or weight-management service?
Yes, it can focus on emotional triggers, stress and habits while a qualified professional guides nutrition or medical care. We aim for compatible goals and a coherent plan. Any communication with another clinician would be discussed with you and take place with your consent.
Sessions, London, online and fees
What happens at my first weight loss hypnotherapy appointment?
We discuss your eating patterns, health, current support and what you would like to change. You can ask questions and decide whether the approach feels suitable. The first appointment includes hypnosis as well as the consultation, with goals shaped around your circumstances rather than a standard diet plan.How many sessions will I need?
The number depends on your goals, circumstances and response. We discuss a realistic starting plan and review progress as we go, rather than promising a fixed number of sessions or a particular weight change. It is helpful to notice changes in coping, routines and confidence as well as any health goals.Will I receive a personalised hypnosis recording?
Yes. You receive a personalised recording of your session to support practice between appointments. We discuss how to fit listening into your routine. Use it only when you can relax safely, never while driving or doing another activity that needs your full attention.Where is your weight loss hypnotherapy practice in London?
City Hypnotherapy Centre is at Longcroft House, 2–8 Victoria Avenue, London EC2M 4NS, a short walk from Liverpool Street station. Susannah Saunders has run the practice since 2003. You can choose an appointment in the City of London or an online appointment by Zoom.Do you offer weight loss hypnotherapy online?
Yes. Individual appointments are available by Zoom, with the same focus on your goals, eating patterns and emotional triggers. You will need a private, comfortable space and a reliable internet connection. We discuss suitability and practical arrangements before starting, including any questions about hypnosis online.How much does weight loss hypnotherapy cost?
Sessions cost £198, including VAT, and last approximately 50 minutes. Your first appointment includes hypnosis as well as the consultation. Appointments are available in London or online by Zoom. The fees and appointments page provides further information, and you can contact me to ask about availability.How do I choose the best weight loss hypnotherapist for me?
There is no single best practitioner for everyone. Look for recognised qualifications, a non-judgemental approach and realistic claims. Susannah holds a Psychology BSc (Hons), HPD and SQHP, with over 20 years of experience. Rapport matters: try the free relaxation audio to hear my voice or contact me to discuss your goals.How do I book or try the free audio first?
Contact me through the contact page or call 07973 896907 to discuss an appointment. You can first try my free 30-minute relaxation audio to hear my voice and get a feel for the approach. It is a general relaxation recording; personalised sessions are tailored to your eating patterns and goals.
