Michelle’s “dream”, of helping people through the power of hypnotherapy, is now her reality.

Michelle Dunning, owner of J and M Therapies, has been providing hypnotherapy from her new Fisher Street clinic since October.

Having committed to realising her dream after the death of her sister, Michelle is delighted to be finally up and running in her own practice, helping people with a wide range of issues.

“I help people with all sorts of issues - weight loss, anxiety, bed wetting, phobias, pain control, trauma - the list is endless,” said Michelle, 44.

“Hypnosis is a natural state of mind we enter many times a day, for example when we are daydreaming, just before we go to sleep or even when watching television.”

Michelle, who lives in Great Orton, said it is a common misconception that hypnosis makes one lose control or awareness.

“Hypnotherapy uses a trance-like state to bypass the conscious mind and access the subconscious directly,” she said.

“It provides a very powerful tool to access subconscious patterns of thoughts and behaviour.”

Michelle explained that she will have an initial consultation with a client to find out what is troubling them, before writing a bespoke “hypnosis script that will address their particular personal issue”.

“They are normally under hypnosis for around 45 minutes,” she said.

“During this time they will feel extremely relaxed, some will fall asleep, others just drift in and out of what I am saying.”

Michelle said clients may not feel any immediate difference, but will often report back after several days that the hypnosis has worked without them realising.

“I will often show them self hypnosis techniques too, so they can further build on their treatment,” Michelle said.

Michelle has “always been fascinated” by hypnotherapy, but resolved to make it her career in 2017.

“My sister developed a rare form of bone cancer, which gave her just three months from diagnosis to passing,” she said.

“As I sat with her in the hospice she encouraged me to follow my dream of helping people through hypnotherapy.

“At this point I promised her I would call the practice J and M Therapies, Jackie after her and Michelle for me.

“Jackie was just 44 when she lost her fight. It showed me that we have to live for the moment and go for our dreams 100 per cent.”