Understanding the Root of Bad Habits
Bad habits come in all shapes and sizes, and in varying degrees of severity. Placing them into specific “categories” inevitably involves a degree of overlap—for example, is watching too much television a bad health habit, a procrastination habit, or both?
What most bad habits have in common is that they are a response to a subconscious need, even though that response is maladapted. Ultimately, most habits are simply your brain’s way of protecting you or trying to make you feel better in times of stress or boredom. As a certified hypnotherapist based in Folkestone, Kent, I (Christophe Courtin) help clients safely bypass the exhausting battle of willpower to address the root cause of these unwanted behaviours
Unwanted Habits We Can Address
Certain bad habits can vary depending on the situation (e.g., procrastination can be determined by whether you are at home or at work, and what distractions are available). Hypnotherapy is highly effective for a wide range of habits, including:
- Dietary & Lifestyle: Overeating, binge eating, emotional eating (comfort eating), and drinking too much.
- Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours: Nail-biting and hair pulling (trichotillomania).
- Compulsive Routines: Gambling, procrastination, poor sleep routines, and overmedicating or relying on sedatives. (Note: For smoking, please see my dedicated Stop Smoking Hypnotherapy section).
How Hypnosis Rewires Your Routine
Because a habit is an automatic protective response, relying on conscious willpower alone is rarely enough. With hypnotherapy, we communicate directly with the subconscious mind.
While you are in a safe, deeply relaxed state, we can help your subconscious reassess what underlying need is being addressed by the bad habit. We then work together to reprogram your mind, teaching it how to respond to that need in a healthier, much more productive way. The urge to perform the bad habit simply fades, replaced by positive, empowering choices.
Flexible Therapy in Kent or Online
Breaking a deeply ingrained habit doesn’t have to be a frustrating struggle. I offer a judgment-free, neurodivergent-friendly space to help you regain control. I welcome clients to my private clinic in Folkestone, Kent, which is easily accessible from Dover, Ashford, and Canterbury. Alternatively, I offer secure, highly effective online sessions via Zoom for clients worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breaking Habits
Q: Can hypnotherapy stop nail-biting or hair-pulling?
- A: Yes, hypnotherapy is highly effective for body-focused repetitive behaviours like nail-biting and trichotillomania (hair-pulling). It works by bringing subconscious actions to your conscious awareness and neutralising the stress that triggers them.
Q: Is hypnosis better than willpower for breaking bad habits?
- A: Absolutely. Willpower relies on the conscious mind, which is easily fatigued by stress or tiredness. Hypnosis updates the subconscious mind, removing the desire to do the habit in the first place, so willpower is no longer needed.
Q: How many sessions will I need to change a habit?
- A: Many deeply ingrained habits can be significantly improved or broken in just a few sessions. During your free consultation, we will discuss your specific habit and create a tailored plan for you.