Maria Hancock, MH Wellbeing

Maria Hancock, MH Wellbeing Specialist in anxiety, stress and chronic symptoms. SIRPA Practitioner, Somatic therapist, Hypnotherapist and Mindfulness, Health Psy MSc

I am passionate about empowering others to acheive the health and life they want; and have been practicing as a therapist since 2011. I started out initially using my Psychology MSc in statistics within the public sector, before switching to a more rewarding career, helping to make a difference to people's lives as a Hypnotherapist and Mindfulness practitioner. In 2023 I overcame over 25 years of

chronic pain after realising my pain conditions (diagnosed as due to physical abnormalities) were in fact due to neuropathic pathways in the brain. Cutting edge science has proven this neuropathic pain is the most common cause of chronic pain. It is caused by a combination of stress, Adverse Chilhood Events (ACEs), fear and preocupation with symptoms. I have since trained (with SIRPA) to support and advise others with chronic pain and other stress induced symptoms. I believe that overcoming my own challenges such as anxiety, trauma, insomnia, chronic pain and bereavement, helps me in supporting others. I have read widely regarding adverse childhood experiences, stress, trauma and how these all effect the health of the mind-body. I am working towards becoming a fully trained SIRPA practitioner to therapeutically help others with chronic pain and other symptoms. I combine the power of hypnotherapy, mindfulness techniques, and psychology principles to guide you towards long-lasting relief and improved well-being. My approach goes beyond simply treating the symptoms. I delve deep to ask not just what your symptoms are, but to ask "what happened to you?" I believe in finding the root causes of your discomfort, which may involve the past, perhaps childhood experiences, to allow deep healing, not just superficial short term alleviation. Whether it's managing stress, anxiety, overcoming a fear or phobia, healing trauma, alleviating chronic pain, or promoting overall mind-body wellness, I offer a personalised and evidence-based techniques offer a path towards a healthier and more fulfilling life. Don't let your past difficulties limit you - you have so much more potential within you. Life if too short to be wasted. Decide that today is the day to make a new start. Start dreaming about what you want to get out of life, make that first step and seek out what you desire because life does not come to you! I offer free initial consultations (bookable through my website). Please get in touch today to see how I can help.

6 Proven Benefits of Spending Time in NatureIn our fast-paced world, stress and anxiety are common. Fortunately, one of ...
28/04/2026

6 Proven Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

In our fast-paced world, stress and anxiety are common. Fortunately, one of the best ways to reset your mind and body is simple and free: spending time in nature.

1. **Lower Stress Levels**: Nature reduces cortisol, helping you shift from stress to calm. Even a short walk can feel like a reset.

2. **Emotional Balance**: The quiet of natural settings aids emotional processing, leading to greater grounding and resilience.

3. **Improved Mood**: Time outdoors is linked to lower anxiety and depression, enhancing overall mood. It's not a replacement for professional help but a great complement.

4. **Clear Mental Clutter**: Getting away from screens allows clearer thinking and creativity—solutions often come during a walk.

5. **Physical Health Boost**: Time outside improves immune function, sleep, and lowers blood pressure, especially combined with light movement.

6. **Gentle Movement**: Activities like walking and cycling release endorphins, enhancing mood and physical well-being.

You don’t need hours to benefit; even a 10-minute park stroll works. Consistency is key!

The healing power of nature!Nature exposure can reduce pain (even if it's just a picture)A large 2026 meta-analysis (loo...
24/04/2026

The healing power of nature!
Nature exposure can reduce pain (even if it's just a picture)

A large 2026 meta-analysis (looking at 62 studies across 4,000+ people) found that:

Nature exposure led to a small-to-moderate reduction in pain. In practical terms, that translated to about a 1-point drop on a 0–10 pain scale on average

This included real nature, images, videos, and soundscapes, so you don't even need to be outside!

So yes, something as simple as looking at a calming natural scene can have a measurable effect.

It’s not just distraction—it changes the brain.

More recent neuroscience research goes a step further. In a 2025 brain imaging study:

People experienced less pain while viewing nature scenes

Brain scans showed reduced activity in pain-processing regions

The effect was linked to changes in actual nociception (pain processing), not just mood or placebo

In other words, nature doesn’t just distract you from pain—it can dial down how strongly the brain processes it.

So go get outside and enjoy nature's free healing benefits.
My favourite place is by the sea. Where is yours?

Happy Earth day people! And it's my birthday - how awesome to share it with earth day.I celebrated by going to Brighton ...
22/04/2026

Happy Earth day people! And it's my birthday - how awesome to share it with earth day.

I celebrated by going to Brighton to shop, and I had to sit on the beach for bit to get my toes in the sand and listen to the waves.
Bliss.
By myself, so I could go at my own pace (ie very slow, as I um and ah over which one to buy).

Now home, and dinner out with my family (that part is definitely better shared, as long as they don't share my pudding).

What is your perfect way to enjoy your birthday?

21/04/2026

Ever feel like your healing is going nowhere?

You’ve journaled. You’ve talked it out. You’ve faced the anger, the fear, the tears… even had those breakthrough moments.

And then suddenly—bam. Another wave hits.

It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting. But it doesn’t mean you’re back at square one.

Healing isn’t linear.

You might fall—but you also rise. Again and again.

Don’t quit now.

The light you’re looking for could be closer than you think.

Your mind and body do know how to heal. 🤍

20/04/2026

Move it to prove it!
You cannot teach your brain you're save to move, from the sofa! By getting on with activities, we SHOW our brain we are safe and that any sensations or symptoms are irrelevant.

15/04/2026

How to respond to your chronic symptoms vs how not to react!

All pain is real, however the real cause of chronic pain is often not tissue damage.

Pain that continues past 3 months is usually due to an over-sensitive nervous system and your brain perceiving danger.

Until I understood this, I would react in exactly this way to my knee pain.
With fear and avoidance.
This increased my symptoms.

Once I understood I was in fact not damaged and what was really causing the pain (and other symptoms), I dealt with the underlying issues and started to learn how to respond to help calm my brain and (after 25 years of symptoms), find freedom.

Now I'm devoted to helping others claim back their peace of mind and body.

Want to learn more? Take a look in my bio.

New logo for my updated website.
10/04/2026

New logo for my updated website.

It can feel isolating trying to figure everything out on your own.It's okay to reach out. Info on how to reach out in bi...
10/04/2026

It can feel isolating trying to figure everything out on your own.
It's okay to reach out.
Info on how to reach out in bio

Do you give yourself permission to go inward when you need to?I’ve taken some time to do just that recently (hence the q...
27/03/2026

Do you give yourself permission to go inward when you need to?

I’ve taken some time to do just that recently (hence the quiet here)…
and I’m returning with fresh energy and inspiration ✨

There’s so much wisdom in listening to your body
and honouring what it needs —
it always repays you.


As a recovering do-aholic, I've learned the vital importance of carving out moments to unwind. For me, there's no better...
21/09/2025

As a recovering do-aholic, I've learned the vital importance of carving out moments to unwind. For me, there's no better escape than immersing myself in nature. It helps to regulate my nervous system and calms my racing thoughts, allowing me to fully embrace the present and remind myself that I control my workflow—and that it's okay to say no.

The advantages of spending time in nature are truly remarkable. Did you know that even gazing at a stunning natural scene can alleviate pain? It communicates a sense of safety to your brain—and pain is simply your brain's perception of danger.

Just 10 minutes a day can restore your balance, so step outside and reap the rewards. It's free and available 24/7—what are you waiting for?

This week, I'm enjoying a late summer break in Wales. That's me pointing to the top of Mount Eryri after we'd walked up ...
10/09/2025

This week, I'm enjoying a late summer break in Wales. That's me pointing to the top of Mount Eryri after we'd walked up and down yesterday. The second photo is from the top.

It was my biggest challenge since overcoming my chronic pain. It was tough, and my husband said he was proud of me for only swearing twice on the way up! 🤣

I found setting off back down the hardest, as my leg muscles felt fatigued and achy and the wind and rain started up. Plus I was aware of what a long way we had to go 😢. I would have happily taken the train had they got space, but I'm proud i did it!

I'm not surprised to have achy muscles today and there was some discomfort in my knees yesterday, but that doesn't mean there is anything to worry about. I still use the same techniques that I learnt on my recovery from chronic pain to send myself messages of safety. Life has it's challenges and the skills you learn are skills for life, to keep you living the life you want, and not ruled by fear.

Are you struggling with chronic symptoms such as pain? Maybe you aren't responding well to physical treatment?Did you kn...
25/07/2025

Are you struggling with chronic symptoms such as pain? Maybe you aren't responding well to physical treatment?

Did you know that most chronic pain (and many other chronic symptoms like fatigue and IBS) are caused by neural pathways in the brain and NOT due to physical damage?

I saw many practitioners for my knee pain and RSI and only found limited (or no) success with physical treatments as the cause was not the body. (BTW ALL pain is real, but your brain can predict pain when there is no physical damage)..

There are a number of ways to discern whether you are dealing with neuroplastic symptoms -

• symptoms begin without an injury (or days, weeks or months after an injury)

• Symptoms began during or just after a stressful period

• Symptoms persist after an injury has healed

• Symptoms spread over time to different areas of the body

• Symptoms occur in many different body parts at the same time

• Symptoms move about

• Symptoms are more or less intense depending on the time of day, or occur first thing in the morning or in the middle of the night

• Symptoms occur after, but not during, activity or exercise (a structural injury hurts when used and is better when rested)

• Symptoms occur when one thinks about them or when someone asks about it

• Symptoms occur when stress is increased or one thinks about stressful situations

• Symptoms reduce or go when calm or feeling safe

• Symptoms are triggered by things that are not related to the actual symptom, such as foods, smells, sounds, light, the weather

The good news is that the brain is changeable ie it is neuroplastic! Chronic pain and other symptoms can be completely curable, even after many years (I had mine for over 25 years) and the approach I use is based on clinical trials and proven to be highly successful.

Why not take a look at my website for further information or message me for a chat -

www.breakfreeofpain.com

Address

7 Victoria Road
Horley
RH69BN

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
7pm - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
7pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
7pm - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
7pm - 9pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Website

https://breakfreeofpain.com/

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Our Story

Hi, come and join me here to find ways to create well-being and abundance in your life. I live in Horley, Surrey; have a background in Psychology (MSc), am a Hypnotherapist and Mindfulness Teacher and I also juggle life and kids.

I share insights that may be related to well-being that involve my hobbies (baking and creating), as I believe hobbies also create well-being and really lift your energy.

I teach Mindfulness Meditation in Horley and Reigate, as well as offer one-to-one Mindfulness and Hypnotherapy sessions.

Please see my websites for more information: