Kate Hickmore

Cognitive Hypnotherapy

 Through cognitive hypnotherapy, I have found peace, clarity, and purpose in life, and I want to help you find it too. I use a flexible, evidence-based approach that can guide you to a comfortable, safe place and help you achieve the life you want to live. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to take the first step towards healing by reaching out to me today.

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” - C.S Lewis

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About me

Hi, welcome, I’m glad you found me.

I am a Mum, wife, sister, daughter, friend and therapist.

I spent years putting my family first, facing more than our fair share of crisis and trauma, and ensuring everyone around me got the support they needed. I had been a fixer and rescuer all I could. It was only when the quest therapist that was seeing a family member called me to say, ‘man, you’ve been through it’, did my armour come crashing down. It’s true what they say, that in order to save others, you need to put your own oxygen mask on first. I hadn’t, and I was lost and exhausted.

I had several sessions with the same amazing therapist and my life changed. It was as if a light had turned on, I suddenly had a calmness and peace within myself that I hadn’t felt for a long time. I knew who I was and where I wanted to go. 

Having always been the sort of person that people could confide in, and share their concerns and worries, I decided that I wanted to be able to help others to experience how life-changing quest cognitive hypnotherapy can be, to bring clarity and peace to their lives as I had. To be able to actually make a difference for people.

About my training: I trained with the incredible Trevor Silvester at the Government approved The Quest Institute in Regents University, London. In which I gained the full HPD Diploma and NLP Master Practitioner certificate.  The Quest Institute is regarded as the most rigorous hypnotherapy training in the UK. Training with them has not only continued my personal growth journey but also enabled me to find my tribe. When you work with me, know that I have regular supervision as well as access to the wealth of knowledge and support within the wider Quest community.

1:1 THERAPY

Ever find yourself wondering through a forest of thoughts, not knowing which one to listen to, not sure which direction to take, losing sight of who you are? I can help. The first step towards getting help can often be the hardest, you’re here, you’ve already done that.

Face to face in Colchester, Essex or online.

Play Video

Cognitive hypnotherapy is a flexible approach to therapy using a range of evidence based techniques from different disciplines which can help bring clarity and closure, guiding you to a safer more comfortable place. To a life free from whatever is holding you back, to be able to live your life the way you want to.  

In September 2015 the Mental Health Review Journal compared Quest Cognitive Hypnotherapy with national results for the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme and found that:

In an average of six sessions, 71% reported themselves recovered, compared to 42% of people using other IAPT therapies.

Read more about that here.

Myth

I’ll be treated based on a label.

Fact

We don't treat labels, we treat individuals. A personalized plan will be made for you as every person has unique thoughts, feelings, and memories that guide their behavior. Together, we'll work to create lasting change by addressing the patterns underlying the behavior.

Myth

I’ll be put into a deep trance state.

Fact

Unlike traditional hypnotherapy that focuses on deepening the trance state, QCH believes that trance is a natural mental state, like daydreaming. The problem you want to overcome is the result of being in a trance induced by your unconscious mind. We aim to help you regain emotional control through 'de-hypnotizing'.

Myth

I’ll be made to go over and over past painful events.

Fact

We never ask you to go over and over your memories of the past. We work on past events only if we believe we can change the way your mind responds to them, now and in the future.

Myth

Quest Cognitive Hypnotherapy is a cross between CBT and hypnotherapy.

Fact

Other therapy models, such as CBT, believe that our thoughts lead to our feelings. We believe that our feelings lead to our thoughts, so problems need addressing at the emotional level, rather than just at a rational level. After all, it’s hard to think your way out of a bad feeling.

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What Can I help you with?

  • Limiting beliefs (I’m not good enough)
  • Work-related stress and pressure
  • Confidence & self-esteem
  • Low mood
  • Anxiety & stress
  • Unwanted habits
  • Phobias and fears
  • Motivation
  • Overwhelm
  • Panic attacks
  • Relaxation
  • Menopause
  • Trauma & Grief
  • Confident Childbirth

It may be that you can’t find the right word to describe how you’re feeling, that you just feel stuck or lost or disconnected. Let’s have a chat and see if Quest Cognitive Hypnotherapy is the right form of therapy to help you.

THE RIGHT FIT

Research tells us that the single most important factor in successful change is the relationship between client and therapist, so it’s important we know we are right for each other. After an initial session together we can take stock to see if we are the right fit to work together.

I want you to be able to get the best results possible, so it’s important you choose the right match.

HOW MANY SESSIONS?

You may need only two or three, or you may need several sessions over a longer period. On average though, most people need three to six sessions. We want to make sure the change is permanent for you.

A bespoke treatment plan will be tailored to you so no two sessions are the same. Cognitive hypnotherapy is not intended to be a long-term treatment. You’ll know when you’ve got to where you want to be and you’ll leave with a range of tools and techniques that you can take forward to sustain and continue your journey.
All I ask of you is to commit to the process.

INVESTMENT

After an initial 20 minute discovery phone call which is free of charge, I charge £90 per session which generally last 1 hour. You won’t get charged any extra if we go over.

Your appointment time is reserved just for you, a late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the day that could have benefitted another client, as such 24 hours notice for any cancellation or change to your appointment is requested. Missed sessions will be charged at full cost unless cancelled within this time frame.

I have been working with Kate as my therapist and I can highly recommend her. Kate has a really warm and kind approach. I immediately felt relaxed and safe with her, and I was able to be vulnerable and open up on my problems. Kate not only is a great listener but he also uses various techniques that are really thought provoking and really helped me get to the root of my problems. Kate also made me feel really excited about being able to change how my thought processes work and that I have more agency over how I feel. I am now feeling much more positive thanks to Kate and I really appreciate all that she has done for me.

M, 36, London

I almost talked myself out of hypnotherapy for my OCD, thinking that I wouldn't be in control, but from the very first session I could see how collaborative the process would be. Through other types of therapy I had learned to identify negative thought patterns and had some understanding of where my behaviours might originate, but this left me in an endless exhausting battle against my own thoughts which was slowly wearing me down. Kate has taught me techniques and tools to use in situations which I can adapt to the environment I'm in when I'm triggered and which help me actually believe that I don't need to fight my obsessive thoughts, they are just there and that's ok. Although I know I will always have OCD, it is now so much more manageable and I have hope again that things can get even better.

E, 34, Colchester

I have absolutely no reservation in recommending Kate as an excellent, trustworthy therapist to help you resolve issues. I had just two sessions with Kate both of which I found positive and enlightening, even after the first session I felt that Kate had helped me realise something which was a major breakthrough. Kate has helped me to overcome a problematic, irrational fear which I had for over 50 years. Through her kind, gentle and careful approach, it felt like Kate created a 'lightbulb' moment and enabled me to draw on my own strengths to eradicate this problem. The investment in Kate's time is worth every penny.

D, 63, Colchester

I think as you get older you need someone to be calm and kind with you, physically and mentally and I believe hypnotherapy offers this, more specifically – Kate. Kate is a calm, peaceful and professional therapist who has a way of talking to you which balances the strength and knowledge needed to approach the concerns head on but respects the fragility of the baggage that surrounds them. Within the sessions Kate uses a holistic approach consisting of simple Q&A data collection to build up a picture of where you are since you last had a session, revisiting action points from the last session and then working with you to dig deeper into some of the areas which need some professional care. I feel relaxed, reassured and calm when I am in session and know that every word Kate is saying is healing me on a conscious or subconscious level. Kate leaves me with exercises to do in certain triggering situations and has signposted me to apps / affirmations that I can access whenever I need to. I have certainly benefited from the sessions we have had to date and feel that cognitive hypnotherapy is the best form of self-care you can afford for yourself. If you are someone who has unresolved grief, trauma or feels constantly over whelmed then take care of yourself by allowing Kate to take care of you.

M, 39, Colchester

For someone who has always been afraid of flying, at first I was a little sceptical about whether this would work for me, as my fear was so implanted in my brain. Upon visiting Kate and spending time going through where I believe it first started and how it makes me feel today, Kate spent time asking questions to determine the best approach for me. After my session, Kate followed up with further listening resources to enhance my experience. Shortly after seeing Kate I went on a flight. I remembered everything she taught me. My husband was so happy as it was the first time I didn’t try to break his fingers. I have since been in three more flights and have found it not only bearable but I remained calm and unconcerned throughout the whole flying experience. I am so impressed with what Kate has helped me to achieve. I can’t thank her enough and am now seeking further help from her. I would definitely recommend her service.

L, 50, Colchester

“Kate has a beautiful manner that instantly puts you at ease. She is so lovely to work with and creates a relaxed, safe space where you are at ease. I’m so happy that I took the plunge and went to see Kate - the results are life changing.”

A, 54, Bentley

Qualifications

  • Diploma in Cognitive Hypnotherapy (DipCHyp)
  • Hypnotherapy in Practice Diploma (HPD)
  • Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner (MNLP)

CPD

  • Working with menopause for therapists and coaches, Pat Duckworth.
  • The Ollie Foundation, suicide awareness, Talk Safe & Plan Safe. Oct 2023
  • The Quest Institute, Master Practitioner. June ’23 – Jan ’24
  • Confident Childbirth, Clare Burgess. November 2023
  • Managing Insomnia, NCH, January 2024

Email: hello@katehickmore.co.uk