Kate Hickmore - Cognitive Hypnotherapy

27/04/2026

Most people come to therapy with a presenting problem…

“I can’t stop overeating”
“I overthink everything”
“I just don’t feel good enough”

And while those things are very real…
they’re often not the root of the issue.

They’re the symptom.

Because your mind and body are always trying to help you cope…
even if the way they’ve learned to do that no longer feels helpful.

Overeating might be comfort.
Overthinking might be protection.
Self-doubt might have been learned somewhere along the way.

So the work isn’t about forcing yourself to “stop”…
it’s about gently understanding why it started.

Because when you update what’s underneath…
the surface behaviours often begin to change naturally.

That’s where real, lasting change happens.

If you’re ready to understand what’s really driving the pattern underneath, feel free to reach out or explore my work. That’s where change starts.

20/04/2026

Fear of judgement shows up in subtle ways:

• Overthinking what you said after a conversation
• Avoiding speaking up in meetings
• Changing how you act depending on who you’re with
• Assuming silence or a delayed reply means you’ve done something wrong

It’s incredibly common.
And it doesn’t come from nowhere.

Part of it is deeply human, even a bit “caveman”.

Thousands of years ago, being accepted by the group meant safety.
If you were rejected or pushed out, you were more vulnerable.
Less protected. More at risk.

So your brain learned:
stay accepted, stay safe.

Over time, it stores moments where you felt judged, embarrassed, or not enough,
and uses them to try and protect you in the future.

The problem is, those patterns don’t always update.
So you can end up responding to the present, with old information.

Meaning you might feel judged,
even when you’re not.

Awareness is where it begins to shift.
Not by forcing confidence,
but by gently teaching your system that you’re safe to be seen.

If this resonates, you’re not alone, and it can change.

03/04/2026

Anxiety isn’t just in your thoughts… it lives in your nervous system.

Your mind is constantly trying to make sense of what’s happening now by matching it to what’s happened before.
And when it finds a match, it predicts what might happen next.

That’s how triggers are created.

The problem is… a lot of those patterns were learned a long time ago.
So your system can end up reacting to old information, as if it’s happening now.

Which is why something small can suddenly feel big.
Or why your reaction doesn’t quite match the moment.

Cognitive hypnotherapy works gently with the conscious and unconscious mind to update those patterns.
Helping your system recognise what’s actually happening now… not what it expects.

So instead of just managing anxiety…
you can begin to feel calmer, clearer, and more in control.

31/03/2026

It got me thinking..

Because while my approach is calm, grounded, and human, it’s not passive.

I’m not here to just sit and nod.
I’m here to help people move.

What I do sits somewhere different.

It’s not traditional counselling.
And it’s not just coaching either.

It’s a blend.

We talk, yes.
But we also work with the subconscious patterns that are driving things underneath.

The thoughts that repeat.
The reactions that feel out of proportion.
The behaviours that don’t quite make sense, even to you.
And the limiting beliefs 👀

Because insight alone doesn’t always create change.

And willpower isn’t the problem.

Often, it’s that part of you that’s been quietly running the show for years.

And because of the way I’m trained, if deeper material or past experiences surface along the way, can work with that safely and appropriately too, so nothing has to be pushed aside or left unresolved.

So while the space I hold might feel relaxed, warm and ‘soft’ on the surface…

The work itself is purposeful.

It’s active.
It’s collaborative.
And it’s designed to help you move forward, not stay where you are.

If you’ve ever felt like talking about things hasn’t quite been enough..

You’re not broken.
You might just need a different way in.

Kate x

24/03/2026

Gravity aids blood flow from the legs to the upper body, promoting relaxation.
This pose can help alleviate anxiety and tension, fostering a deeply felt sense of calm.
It is a great tool to use before bed.

20/03/2026

04/03/2026

Many of the professionals I work with are highly capable, driven and outwardly successful.

From the outside, life often looks well managed.

But behind closed doors, a different story can emerge. A constant sense of pressure. A mind that struggles to switch off. The feeling of always being "on", moving from one responsibility to the next with very little space to land.

When this becomes the norm, the nervous system can begin to live in a permanent state of alert. Sleep suffers.
Patience shortens. Balance starts to feel like something other people manage to achieve.

Therapy isn't only for moments of crisis.

Sometimes it's simply a space to pause, to make sense of what's been building quietly in the background, and to reconnect with a steadier way of living and working.

Because success shouldn't have to come at the expense of your wellbeing.

If you're a working professional who feels stretched, overwhelmed or disconnected from balance, support can help you find your way back to it.

Reach out today.

Kate