Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Athletes / Performance Limitations

Sometimes the only thing holding you back is a story your mind keeps repeating.

When your performance doesn’t match your potential, it’s more than frustrating—it can affect your focus, motivation, confidence, and love of your sport. You might hit a wall in training, freeze under pressure, or sabotage progress just as things start going well. Even small mindset blocks can lead to hesitation, doubt, or feeling disconnected from your body in key moments. For many athletes, it’s not their physical ability that’s the issue—it’s the mental loop that’s quietly running in the background.
Reasons Why You Might Have This Problem: Our brains create patterns—especially under pressure. Maybe you had a bad race, a critical coach, or one moment of freezing in front of others, and now your mind replays that fear. You might struggle with perfectionism, fear of failure, or fear of success. Some athletes carry unconscious beliefs about worthiness, identity, or what pushing through really costs. These thoughts don’t always show up as sentences—they might appear as hesitation, a dip in energy, or a feeling of being “off” when it matters most.

Reasons You Might Resist Getting Treatment: There can be pressure to tough it out or push through on your own. Some athletes worry that therapy will take away their edge, or that it’s not for people who are already functioning at a high level. Others don’t know where to begin—because the block isn’t logical, and it doesn’t show up in training the way it does in performance. Admitting there’s a mental barrier can feel like a risk—especially in competitive environments.

Why Cognitive Hypnotherapy Can Help: Cognitive Hypnotherapy works with the unconscious patterns that hold performance back. It helps you access a state of calm focus, where you’re fully present and connected to your body’s abilities. We identify and shift any limiting beliefs that are playing out on autopilot, and replace them with more helpful, empowering responses. This isn’t about “thinking positive”—it’s about retraining the mind-body connection so you can perform with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or returning from a setback, these tools help you unlock what’s already within you.

What happens in a Cognitive Hypnotherapy session?

Sessions are personalised to your needs and designed to be collaborative and gentle. You’ll remain in control the whole time—we work together using tailored language, visualisation, and practical tools to help shift patterns at both the conscious and unconscious level.

Will I be made to relive difficult memories or face my fear directly?

No. This isn’t exposure therapy. We work at your pace, focusing on what’s safe and appropriate for you. There’s no need to revisit trauma in detail unless that feels useful—and even then, it’s done with care.

How many sessions will I need?

That varies from person to person. Some clients find relief in just a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support. We’ll review progress regularly and adjust as needed.

What if I don’t think I can be hypnotised?

Most people can access a heightened state of awareness state, which simply feels like focused attention or daydreaming. You’ll be fully aware and in control throughout. Hypnotherapy isn’t about “going under”—it’s about engaging your mind in a different way.

Is everything confidential?

Absolutely. Your privacy is respected at all times, and your information will be treated with complete confidentiality.