Natasha Kelly is a hypnotherapist in Holborn and Balham


What attracted you to become a therapist?

I have always been interested in how the mind works and in peoples' capacity for resilience, inner strength and compassion.


Where did you train?

I trained at the London College of Clinical Hypnosis


Can you tell us about the type of therapy you practice?

I practice clinical hypnotherapy with a combination of different techniques including Parts Work, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and tapping (or EFT).


What sort of people do you usually see?

My typical clients are women between the ages of 20-45 who have symptoms of anxiety and / or depression.

I also treat a lot of children as I used to be a primary school teacher, most of whom have social phobias, selective mutism or public speaking phobias.


What do you like about being a therapist?

Being a therapist is a very rewarding job. I take pleasure in seeing people turn their lives around and in being a part of that process.


What is less pleasant?

As a therapist you sometimes have to work unsociable hours, a lot of evenings and weekends.


How long you’ve been with welldoing.org and what you think of us? 

I’ve been on welldoing.org for a few months now. I think it’s a great website. I enjoy reading the articles and stories and it has a very efficient booking system.


Do you ever suggest books or apps to clients?

Headspace and Calm are great apps for guided meditations. Binaural beats can also be very effective in reducing anxiety.

Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway and The Power of Now are great classical self-help books. For theoretical knowledge I’d recommend Erik Erickson.


What you do for your own mental health?

I keep a diary, I exercise a few times a week, I dance ballet and I’m careful with my diet. Foods rich in magnesium and B12 are great for our wellbeing.


You are a therapist in Holborn and Balham. What can you share with us about seeing clients in those areas?

A lot of my clients are suffering from stress and burn-out. London can be a very difficult place to live and can often make people feel overwhelmed. Many of my clients find it hard to switch off and a lot of them suffer from insomnia.


What’s your consultation room like?

My consultation rooms are very comfortable and located on a beautiful street near the British Museum.


What do you wish people knew about therapy?

People should always trust their instincts when visiting a therapist. Good rapport is vital and probably the most important element in the therapeutic process.


What did you learn about yourself in therapy?

It’s not about what happens to us. It's about how we chose to use what has happened to us that matters.