Hypnotherapy for FND (Functional Neurological Disorder)
Hypnotherapy is increasingly being used to help people with the symptoms of FND.
At Awaken the Change, I offer psychologically informed support for adults living with FND, helping calm distress, understand patterns, and develop practical tools to feel more in control alongside appropriate medical care. I combine hypnotherapy, counselling, and stress regulation skills to support your nervous system and emotional wellbeing in a safe, respectful, and professional space.
Have you recently been diagnosed with FND?
If you have, you’ve probably been on a challenging journey of blood tests, scans, and visits to different doctors. This path could have taken you months or years.
Other people may have labelled you as neurotic or intentionally making up the symptoms, and that has made you feel worse because they haven’t understood what you are really going through.
You might feel stupid, angry, anxious, confused, depressed and desperate to find answers to this condition as it has affected your life in many ways.
Maybe you don’t understand it well yourself, as you are still searching for the cause of your symptoms.
Treatment may involve physiotherapy, counselling and medication, but this may not have resolved the issues, so now you are looking for something different.
But there is hope. Hypnotherapy is increasingly being used to help people with the symptoms of FND.
What is FND?
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a real condition where the brain has difficulty sending and receiving signals properly, even though scans and tests may appear normal.
The problem is in function, not structure.
This can lead to symptoms like weakness, shaking, speech problems, or seizures. These symptoms are genuine and distressing. They are not imagined or intentional. With the right support and therapies that retrain the brain and body, recovery is possible.
Will hypnotherapy cure my FND?
Although there is no claim that hypnosis is a magic wand that will cure FND, research is showing that hypnosis can make a difference.
One systematic study, (Connors et al., 2024) looked at research studies of 1584 participants and concluded that >85% of people showed clinically significant improvements and >75% had resolution or near resolution of symptoms in the short term. However, more research is required.
I have also found that clients are reporting improvements.
What happens if I decide to start hypnotherapy with Awaken the Change?
After an initial complimentary consultation, when we agree to go ahead, you will complete my registration form. It has an agreement/ consent at the end to go ahead.
Before we start, it is important that you have had all the tests and that a diagnosis of FND has been made by a doctor. This could be any doctor, but it is commonly a neurologist who will make the diagnosis, especially if you are having lots of neurological symptoms such as non-epileptic seizures, paralysis, slurred speech and tics. Some people are also referred by a psychiatrist, as there can be several emotional issues, such as depression.
Free 30 Minute Consultation
Contact Linda to arrange your first free consultation.
So, I must have a written referral from a doctor before I take on any new clients with FND.
Once I have the referral, you book online sessions via Zoom at a convenient time using my online scheduling system and then make a payment before the first session.
I will send you my FND assessment form. The purpose of this is to check that I have understood your specific issues and to help me evaluate your progress step by step. This survey will also be used in my business to improve the client’s experience and to support any research or publications in the future. Everything is anonymised.
I will also measure symptoms using valid assessment tools. I ask you questions to do this.
Five or more sessions, with one or two sessions in a week, is common, especially if there are lots of symptoms and things have been difficult for a long time.
At session one, we will talk. I may explain FND, and I will answer any further questions you may have. I will ask you questions as I am also assessing you for hypnosis techniques, any concerns related to your health, and hypnotisability.
I may bring in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques.
After about 20 minutes, I will explain what I am doing, and I will tell you that we are starting hypnotherapy. All you need to do is listen to my voice and allow yourself to relax.
Hypnosis is a daydreaming state when you can use your imagination or just sense the things that I am telling you. You are not asleep or unconscious, so you can hear what I am saying. Most people feel very calm, although every experience is slightly different. At the end, I will count and ask you to open your eyes. I will ask you to evaluate the session.
Subsequent sessions will probably have less talking and more hypnotherapy.
All sessions are geared to meet your individual needs.
I will ask for a final evaluation at the end.
Disclaimer
This information is for general guidance only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Support offered for FND is intended to complement appropriate medical care, not replace it.
Not sure about hypnosis?
There is a growing number of support groups and ways you can be helped. For example, Hope FND International supports people with FND, researchers and health professionals. FNDAction campaigns for better education and support for people diagnosed with FND.
If you need to talk or have CBT (counselling), I can also offer this, so please contact me for a no-obligation chat.
References
Connors, M. H., Quinto, L., Deeley, Q., Halligan, P. W., Oakley, D. A., & Kanaan, R. A. (2024).
Hypnosis and suggestion as interventions for functional neurological disorder: A systematic review.
General Hospital Psychiatry, 86, 92–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.12.006
Free 30 Minute Consultation
Contact Linda to arrange your first free consultation.
Hypnotherapy Prices
Bronze
Hypnotherapy session of up to one hour in duration- One hynotherapy session of up to one-hour duration.
- Plus:
- A hypnotic relaxation audio recording (MP3) download
- Excludes stop smoking
Silver
Programme of 3 hypnotherapy sessions- Save £60
- Each session lasts up to one hour in duration
- Plus:
- A hypnotic relaxation audio recording (MP3) download
- Handouts and worksheets If required
Gold
Programme of 4 hypnotherapy sessions- Save £90
- The most popular hypnotherapy programme
- Each session lasts up to one hour in duration
- Plus:
- A hypnotic relaxation audio recording (MP3) download
- Handouts and worksheets if required
- E-book- Tips and Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Platinum
Programme of 5 hypnotherapy sessions- Save £120
- Each session lasts up to one hour in duration
- Plus:
- One or more hypnotic audio recordings (MP3) download
- Handouts and worksheets if required
- E-book- Tips and Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
NB All payments to be made online before the session or programme or on the day only if in person in my office.
How to Book
Unlike some therapists, I want to make sure you get the right therapy before you buy.
I offer a free 30-minute consultation so we can get to know each other first.
Hypnotherapy Sessions at My Practice
If you live in or around the Bournemouth area, you may prefer to visit my practice for your hypnotherapy sessions.
I provide a safe, relaxing and calm environment where we can start to overcome your anxiety. The practice is easy to find, and plenty of free parking is available, as well as being on local bus routes.
However, your first free consultation will always be online, and many of my clients find this works better for them.
Online Hypnotherapy
Online hypnotherapy is worth considering, especially if you find it hard to travel or live outside the Bournemouth area.
I have been trained in providing online hypnotherapy and have clients from around the world. Providing you have access to a private internet connection and webcam; there is no reason why this wouldn't work for you.
Online hypnosis has many benefits, which include cost-effectiveness, comfort and practicality.
