CBT, hypnotherapy and coaching, explained honestly

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): the foundation

CBT is based on a simple, well-tested idea: our thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are connected, and they can trap us in a loop. You think "I'll get it wrong", you feel anxious, you put the task off, and putting it off seems to prove the thought right.

CBT is one of the most widely researched psychological approaches. It's used in the NHS for a range of problems, including anxiety and depression. Ashlie isn't offering CBT as an NHS-style treatment. She uses CBT-based techniques within coaching to help you:

• notice automatic thoughts and ask whether they're facts or fears
• spot the beliefs underneath patterns like perfectionism or people-pleasing
• test new behaviours in small, manageable steps
• build the habit of responding instead of reacting

Cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy

Ashlie is a qualified clinical cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist (Dip Hypno-CBT). This approach combines hypnosis with CBT methods. Hypnosis here simply means a state of focused, relaxed attention, a bit like being absorbed in a good book. You're awake, aware and in control throughout. It isn't sleep, and nobody can make you do anything you don't want to.

In that focused state, sessions might include mental rehearsal, imagery, and suggestions you've agreed in advance. The aim is to make new ways of thinking and responding feel more natural. You'll also learn self-hypnosis, so you can keep practising between sessions and long after you've finished working together.

Coaching: keeping it practical

Insight on its own rarely changes much. Coaching is where the work turns into action: getting clear on what you want, planning realistic steps, and having someone who will notice when you're slipping back into old patterns. Ashlie has also trained in Strategic Intervention coaching (Robbins–Madanes). That approach looks at the needs a habit is meeting and the patterns we repeat in relationships.

It also means taking responsibility. That isn't the same as blame. You can be gentle with yourself and still be honest about the part you play. Ashlie's view is that self-compassion and personal responsibility work best together.

Energy, frequency and manifestation: Ashlie's philosophy

Ashlie is also deeply interested in how attention, belief and intention shape the way we experience our lives. She uses words like energy, frequency and manifestation to talk about this. These ideas run through her work, especially in the later parts of The Transformation Process.

She's clear that these are part of her personal and spiritual philosophy, not proven science. Some parts overlap with established psychology. Where we put our attention, what we expect, and how we act all influence what we notice and do next. Other interpretations go further than the evidence. You're free to take what's useful and leave the rest. The psychological tools work either way.

Is it right for you?

This kind of work suits people who want to understand themselves and are willing to practise. It's not therapy, and it isn't a substitute for medical or psychiatric care. If you're currently receiving treatment for a mental health condition, or have experienced psychosis or seizures, please mention it in your consultation. Ashlie may suggest working alongside your GP or another professional, or that a different kind of support would serve you better.

If you are in crisis or worried about your safety, please contact your GP, call NHS 111, or call Samaritans free on 116 123. In an emergency, call 999.