Tonya French Therapy

07/10/2025

After working with an adult client in hypnotherapy this week who’s been battling crippling OCD, it really hit me how familiar that feeling is.

It took me right back to when I was a kid, struggling with the same problem. The intrusive thoughts, the constant feeling that I had to do what the thoughts said or risk something bad happening. It was exhausting.

By the time I was 17, those thoughts started to get dangerous. That’s when something in me finally snapped - I knew I had to take control.
And weirdly… without even realising it, I started using visualisation. I’d picture myself shaking the thoughts out of my head, clearing space, creating calm.

That simple thing changed everything.

And now, all these years later, it’s one of the most powerful tools I use - in coaching and hypnotherapy - to help other people do the same.

If OCD / intrusive thoughts have been running the show, you can take your power back.
🎥 I’ve shared a video with some easy visualisation hacks that can help you get started.

Please share this if you know someone who’s struggling - it might really help them.
And if you’re ready to go deeper and actually have these strategies programmed in through a 1:1 hypnotherapy session (plus a custom recording made just for you), drop me a DM. 💬

01/09/2025

Made a recovery from the flareup and I’ve arrived at Kerrie airport. So looking forward to seeing my dear friend Theresa and joining in the pre-wedding celebrations. Let the fun begin.!

24/07/2025

Just a little reminder…
As well as coaching young people (which I absolutely love), I’m still offering hypnotherapy sessions too.

It’s easy to forget how powerful that work can be. This wonderful testimonial was posted recently - it made my day to hear this clients progress after just one session.

If you’re feeling stuck, struggling with confidence, or finding it hard to be the person you want to, I’d love to support you.
For most of my clients, one 90-minute session and a tailored 15-minute recording (listened to daily for 21 days) is all it takes to create real change. Drop me a message if it feels like the right time.

20/06/2025

Funerals are such powerful moments of pause. Today, I attended the funeral of my dear friend’s mother and found myself deeply moved by the space created to honour her life.

Whether you’re religious or not, there’s something profound about coming together to reflect, grieve, and remember. It brings us back to what truly matters: connection, kindness and the story we leave behind.

Today reminded me to live life to the full, just like Shirley, always show kindness (even in the toughest of times), and hold those close to me even closer.

Rest in peace darling Shirley. X

12/05/2025

✨ Two years ago, I was struggling to get into new schools. Budgets were tight, and no one really knew about the work Hero Self was doing.

Fast forward to today… and after being featured in the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Public Health Bulletin, I now have a waiting list of over 12 schools! The response was phenomenal - messages started coming through within minutes.

We only have 3 spaces left funded by the Greenwich Healthier Communities Trust, and I’m now urgently seeking additional funding to meet the growing demand.

🚀 If you’re a local organisation, funder (charitable or corporate), or know someone who might want to support this work, please get in touch: tonya@heroself.org

With more than 12 schools waiting, that’s over 400 children who could benefit from these confidence and emotional wellbeing programmes. Let’s make it happen. 💛

29/04/2025

I started my journey into the therapeutic world from a point of pain as is often the case. Having experienced many struggling years of trying to have a baby, I needed a new chapter in my life. Little did I know, alongside this chapter a whole volume was about to begin. 😀Happy birthday to my darling Drew. X

28/04/2025

I’m listening to this interesting book right now called Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers. Jeffers talks about your inner voice being your inner chatterbox. I love this description because that voice never stops…. Chatting away all day long often in a negative way -
“the presentation was rubbish”“you really messed up there”
“they think you’re annoying”

The great thing is, you can get that chatterbox to shut the f### up with the positive opposite… even if you don’t believe it.

“The presentation was great”
“I was amazing”
“They love me”.

Say it to slay it!

25/04/2025

Good luck to all the runners this Sunday at the London Marathon. I ran it in 2016 and it really was one of the best experiences of my life. Although the picture of me crossing the line wouldn’t reflect that 😂. How could I not realise there would be a camera on the finish line?
I remember hitting a wall at mile 23 and coaching myself by self talk the rest of the way… and that was before I even knew self talk was a thing. It certainly got me through the last 3 miles. My friend and I managed 4 hours 27 min, which we were over the moon with.
My advice to any runners is enjoy every second…even when it hurts…and when you hit difficult times use positive phrases like “I can do it” over and over….short cut brain coding that will give you that extra energy boost to get you to the end.

And remember when you pass the finishing line…smile!

22/04/2025

EXAM HACK! Calling all students…GCSE, A Levels, Uni, Adult exams. When your mind goes blank - here’s a quick way of tricking your mind in to working again. Good luck!

19/04/2025

02/04/2025

Today I completed the delivery of confidence coaching programme for Hero Self at a school in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, supported by funding from the Greenwich Healthier Communities Fund. It’s been incredible seeing the children embrace the strategies each week and hearing their stories of how they’ve used them in the classroom, the playground, and at home.

Today, the school lead gave me a card filled with messages from the children, and I was truly blown away by their kind words. Feeling so grateful for the opportunity to support their growth and confidence!

29/04/2024

Happy 12th birthday to this gorgeous person. How did that happen? Keep making us laugh with your quirky personality. Love you soooooo much ❤️