Folkestone Hypnotherapy

Folkestone Hypnotherapy Free yourself from anxiety, stress and bad habits. Sessions face-to-face or online. Get better fast.

My name is Christophe Courtin and I am a certified hypnotherapist with a focus on helping individuals manage stress, anxiety, and depression. I know from personal experience how debilitating these conditions can be, having struggled with anxiety disorders myself.

My goal is to assist as many people as possible in overcoming their struggles, whether it’s anxiety, phobias, or depression. I believe that change can happen rapidly, so you don’t have to spend months in weekly therapy. I work with clients to develop personalized solutions that are appropriate for them.

I also have experience helping people quit smoking and regain their health, life, and money. As an ex-smoker myself, I understand the challenges and excuses people use to justify their habit. I know that quitting smoking can be difficult, but with the right tools, it can be easy.

In addition to working with clients, I am also an acknowledged supervisor, supporting other hypnotherapists in their work and professional development. As a second-dan black belt and instructor in Aikido, I also use hypnosis and visualization to improve focus and performance in sports and martial arts.

21/11/2025

Ever wake up at 3am with your brain stuck on a negative “what if”?
Here’s how to flip it so you can calm your mind and get back to sleep.

If you were to learn one tiny phrase that helps people feel more open, less defensive, and much easier to talk to… would...
20/11/2025

If you were to learn one tiny phrase that helps people feel more open, less defensive, and much easier to talk to… would you use it?

There is an NLP and hypnotherapy language pattern that does exactly that, and it’s beautifully simple.

It’s the phrase: “If you were to…”

In communication and in therapy, we sometimes call this a hypnotic preframe.
You’re not telling anyone what to do, you’re inviting their mind to imagine a possibility.
And the moment someone imagines something, their subconscious starts rehearsing it automatically, without resistance.

And it works everywhere:

🟦 Sales
If you were to explore this option, what’s the first benefit you’d notice?

🟦 Leadership and Coaching
If you were to take the next step, what would that look like?

🟦 Negotiations
If you were to consider a different angle, what might open up?

🟦 Personal wellbeing
If you were to feel even a little calmer, where would you notice it first?

It’s soft, it’s respectful, and it’s surprisingly effective.
You’re not pushing ideas onto people. Instead, you’re helping them consider it in a way that starts to feel like their idea.
They begin to sell it to themselves!

If you were to try this today, who would benefit first?
The people you speak with… or you?

Either way, it’s a tiny phrase that makes a big difference.

If you’d like more simple communication and mindset tools like this, feel free to follow the page. I share these little shifts regularly.

Most people still picture childhood ADHD: hyperactive kids, distracted teens, fidgeting.But in adults, ADHD is far more ...
18/11/2025

Most people still picture childhood ADHD: hyperactive kids, distracted teens, fidgeting.

But in adults, ADHD is far more complex. And one of its most painful features isn’t even listed as a symptom… which means most therapists never learn to recognise it.

It’s called Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD).

If criticism feels like a punch…
If someone’s tone ruins your day…
If you spiral because you think you upset someone…

That might be RSD ,not “overreacting.”

And here’s the problem:
Because RSD isn’t in the diagnostic criteria, therapy often focuses on the wrong things like perfectionism, anxiety, low self-esteem, people-pleasing

But these aren’t the issue. They’re survival strategies.

Perfectionism = “If I slip up, I’ll be criticised and I can’t handle that.”
People-pleasing = “If I disappoint someone, everything falls apart.”
Masking/chameleon behaviour = “Who do I need to be so I stay safe?”
Low self-esteem = years of being misunderstood until it sinks in.

When RSD isn’t recognised, therapy turns into symptom management.
You work hard, you dig deep… but nothing changes, because the source stays untouched.

RSD isn’t a thinking problem. You can’t reason your way out of it. It’s a fast, automatic emotional threat response. It's not PTSD but it comes from the same threat-detection circuitry. That’s why it feels so overwhelming.

For many people, talk therapy alone won’t shift it. You need methods that work where those automatic reactions are created, and help the nervous system feel safe again.

If this resonates and you feel you need help, you can contact me.
You’re not “too sensitive.” You’re not “too much.”
You just haven’t had someone who understands RSD.

09/11/2025

Most people still think hypnosis means clucking like a chicken or losing control. Let’s clear that up.

In this short video, I go through the three biggest myths about hypnotherapy and what’s actually true.

If you’ve been curious about how hypnotherapy could help with anxiety, ADHD, trauma or habits, watch the video below and then pop over to my website for more info:
www.folkestone-hypnotherapy.co.uk

Nobody smokes because they forgot it’s bad for them. We all know smoking’s bad for you: cancer, heart disease, smell, co...
05/11/2025

Nobody smokes because they forgot it’s bad for them. We all know smoking’s bad for you: cancer, heart disease, smell, cost, all that. But today, let’s talk about something different:

The pros of smoking

Or at least what smokers believe are some of the reasons they keep lighting up.

When clients come to see me to stop smoking, they often say:
“It relaxes me.”
“It’s my me-time.”
“I smoke when I’m bored.”
“I just love the taste.”

Let’s unpack that.

“It relaxes me.”
Ni****ne is actually a stimulant. It raises your heart rate and releases adrenaline. It’s like saying, “I need to relax, give me a Red Bull!”
What really relaxes you is how you breathe: slow, deep breaths in and out. You can do that without the cigarette.

“It’s my me-time.”
Fair enough, you want to escape a stressful situation or people, or just have a mini-break. You don’t need a cigarette to take a break. You can still step outside and say, “I’m getting some fresh air.”, or put the kettle on.

“I smoke when I’m bored.”
In that case, I always ask my clients "How entertaining are your ci******es?" It doesn’t fix boredom, it just gives your hands something to do while you stay bored.

“I love the taste.”
Let’s be honest, to***co tastes awful. You’ve just got used to it.

All those reasons are just post-rationalisations, and I know, because I used them too when I smoked, before stopping 10 years ago. If you're a smoker, deep down, you also know it's complete BS.

The truth is, these “benefits” aren’t from smoking at all. They come from you: your breathing, your moments of pause, your little routines.
The cigarette is just the prop.

If you’re ready to stop for good, calmly and confidently, I can help you get there.

Have you ever felt crushed by even the smallest bit of criticism, like one comment can ruin your whole day?If you have A...
03/11/2025

Have you ever felt crushed by even the smallest bit of criticism, like one comment can ruin your whole day?

If you have ADHD, it might be something called RSD, or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.

It’s rarely talked about, even during ADHD assessments, it often doesn’t come up (mine didn’t either). But for many of us, it’s one of the most painful and misunderstood parts of living with ADHD.

RSD is that wave of emotional pain that hits when you think you’ve upset someone, failed, or been judged. It doesn’t even have to be real rejection: just the idea of it can feel unbearable.

And it’s no wonder. For years, we’ve learned to navigate a world that wasn’t built for how our brains work, often facing criticism, confusion, or pressure to “try harder” when we were already giving everything we had.

Over time, that experience can quietly shape your whole personality:
🟡 Saying yes when you want to say no
🟡 Adapting yourself to fit in
🟡 Pushing for perfection so no one can criticise you
🟡 Living with low self-esteem, waiting for rejection that never comes

These aren’t flaws: they’re protective habits, your mind’s way of keeping you safe from emotional pain. But they can also leave you anxious, drained, and disconnected from who you truly are.

Here’s the good news: just knowing this is a side effect, not a personal failing, can already make a huge difference. It gives you permission to be kinder to yourself.

And through hypnotherapy, it’s possible to go even deeper: to release the old guilt, shame, and limiting beliefs that keep you stuck in those patterns. When that emotional weight lifts, your nervous system settles. You start to feel calmer, lighter, and more confident just being yourself.

Managing ADHD isn’t just about focus, it’s about healing how we feel.

If this resonates, I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences in the comments.

31/10/2025

Ever notice how the harder you try to relax, the more your body seems to resist?
In this short video, I show a rapid hypnosis technique that helps someone let go of tension, fast.
No scripts, no tricks, just a simple moment of focus and release.

It’s always amazing to watch how quickly the mind can shift when we stop fighting and simply allow.
Sometimes, calm really can begin in seconds.

If you’ve been holding on to stress or old patterns, hypnosis can help you release that weight and reconnect with your calm.

Ever noticed how one tiny word can make people say “yes” more often?Back in 1978, Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer ran ...
29/10/2025

Ever noticed how one tiny word can make people say “yes” more often?

Back in 1978, Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer ran a fascinating little experiment. Students tried to cut in line for a photocopier using three versions of the same request:

“Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine?”
✅ 60% said yes.

“Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine, because I’m in a rush?”
✅ 94% said yes.

“Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine, because I have to make copies?”
✅ 93% said yes.

That last reason doesn’t make sense — everyone in line was there to make copies.
But it still worked almost as well as the real excuse.

Why?
Because our brains love shortcuts.
When we hear “because”, we stop analysing and start cooperating.
A favour + a reason = permission granted.

Here’s the catch though: it only works for small requests, the kind that don’t require much effort or risk.
For bigger decisions (buying, committing, investing), people need genuine reasons, not just clever wording.

Still, it’s a powerful reminder in sales, leadership, therapy, and everyday communication:
People respond not just to what we say, but to how we say it.

Next time you ask for something (an email reply, a meeting, or even a small favour) try adding a reason.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be there.

Try it this week and tell me how it goes… because I’d love to hear your results!

A simple mental trick to help you fall back asleep.You know that moment when you wake up in the middle of the night (not...
25/10/2025

A simple mental trick to help you fall back asleep.
You know that moment when you wake up in the middle of the night (not just stirring, but wide awake) and your brain suddenly decides it’s time to replay your entire to-do list or every awkward thing you’ve ever said?

That’s when a technique called "Cognitive Shuffling" can really help.
It’s a gentle mental exercise that helps your brain drift back toward sleep instead of spiralling into overthinking.

Here’s how it works:
Pick a random word, like CALM.
Then think of a few unrelated things starting with each letter:
C – cat, candle, carrot…
A – apple, armchair, astronaut…
L – ladder, lake, lemon…
M – mirror, meadow, monkey…
Let each image appear briefly in your mind, then move on.
When you're done, pick another word, or use the last word you thought of.

There’s no pressure to get it right — the point is to shuffle your thoughts until your brain stops chasing anything serious.

You can make your own version too.
My wife, for example, mentally goes through the cast of EastEnders, trying to remember who’s related to whom. It’s familiar enough to hold her attention, but not important enough to keep her awake — exactly the balance you want.

So next time you’re staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., try this instead of counting sheep. You might be surprised how quickly your mind drifts off again!

What is your go-to technique to sleep (keep it clean and legal please 😉)?

25/10/2025

Hypnosis can also be great fun.
Don't miss out Jason Simmons Hypnotist this Sunday at the Faversham Fringe, you'll be in for a treat! 😃

Every review like this reminds me why I love this work. 😃Helping people reconnect with their calm and confidence, and se...
24/10/2025

Every review like this reminds me why I love this work. 😃
Helping people reconnect with their calm and confidence, and seeing that inner shift, never gets old.

If anxiety or fear have been steering your choices, you don’t have to keep living that way.
Just give me a shout, and we can chat about how I can help you move forward.

How one tiny word can change everything in a conversation.Ever noticed how one small word can make people defensive — ev...
23/10/2025

How one tiny word can change everything in a conversation.
Ever noticed how one small word can make people defensive — even when you’re trying to be helpful?

That word is “BUT.”

“I like your idea, BUT it needs work.”
“You did well, BUT there’s still an issue.”
“I understand, BUT I disagree.”

The moment people hear it, their brain goes into defence mode.
Everything before the “but” disappears, and all they hear is criticism.
Here’s a simple shift that changes everything:

👉 Replace “but” with “and.”
“I like your idea, AND we can make it even stronger.”
“You did well, AND there’s still room to grow.”
“I understand, AND I see it differently.”

Each one keeps the conversation open instead of defensive.
You can even overcome objections smoothly — and most people won’t consciously notice why it feels better.

It feels softer, more open, more collaborative.
Because “and” allows both truths to exist at once.

Try it in your next conversation, meeting or email, you’ll be amazed how quickly the tension disappears.

Address

First Floor, Aspen House, West Terrace
Folkestone
CT201TH

Telephone

+441303684056

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Folkestone Hypnotherapy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Folkestone Hypnotherapy:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category