Online Hypnosis, Cancer Hypnotherapy And Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy In Ireland

Summary

Cancer changes far more than your medical notes. It can affect your energy, sleep, digestion, memory, mood, relationships and your sense of who you are. Many people in Ireland tell me they feel as if their treatment while it is over on paper, yet their body and mind have not caught up.

I work with adults and teenagers across Ireland who are living with cancer or recovering after treatment. I use Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT), Counselling, Psychotherapy and Nutritionist support with 20+ years experience to help you feel steadier, calmer and more in control.

I am based in Munster and offer ONLINE appointments across Ireland, as well as in person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Cork, Dublin and Dungarven. I also volunteer as the Consultant Nutritionist with Youghal Cancer Support Service in East Cork and West Waterford, which has shaped a very practical and compassionate way of working.

I offer a holistic approach that respects your medical treatment and focuses on the parts of life that hospital appointments cannot always have the time to reach.

1. Why Specialise In Cancer Related Hypnotherapy

In my early clinical years I saw the same pattern again and again. People completed surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy and were told they were doing well, yet they felt exhausted, wired and nothing like their old selves.

Common themes included:

Cancer related fatigue that felt heavy and relentless
Pain after surgery or from nerve damage, radiotherapy or ongoing treatment
Nausea or vomiting with chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Bowel changes, reflux or loss of appetite
Problems with memory and concentration
Hot flushes and hormonal shifts
Sleep that was broken, shallow or simply not there

On top of the physical side, there were very real emotional pressures:

Anxiety, panic and fear of bad news
Low mood, sadness, irritability and anger
Guilt about being unwell or not being “back to normal”
Loneliness and a sense that others did not really understand
Loss of identity and questions such as “Who am I now?”

Most people were also managing money worries, travel costs, work pressure, family demands and a long list of appointments. It was clear that medical care alone could not meet all these needs.

Over time I began to focus more and more on Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy as well as Nutrition for people affected by cancer. Clients needed a more holistic kind of support that included body, mind, their nervous system and everyday life

2. What Online Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy and Cancer Hypnosis Can Offer

Online cancer hypnotherapy allows you to access support from your own home, whether you are in Cork city, Dublin or in rural Ireland, Co Limerick, East Cork, West Waterford or elsewhere in Ireland. This can be especially helpful if you are:

Managing fatigue or mobility issues
Immunocompromised and limiting contact
Living far from hospitals or clinics
Balancing appointments, work and caring responsibilities

A typical online session looks like this:

You choose a quiet, private space at home and use a phone, tablet or computer.
We talk through your current symptoms, your medical treatment and what you most want to change.
I guide you into a calm, focused state. You remain fully aware and in control.
In that state your mind is more receptive to useful suggestions and imagery.
We focus directly on issues such as fatigue, pain, nausea, sleep difficulty, anxiety..
You return to your usual waking state feeling relaxed, grounded and able to carry on with your day.

Hypnosis makes use of the mind body connection. When your nervous system spends too long in a fight or flight state, symptoms such as pain, nausea and insomnia will often intensify. When we help it move into a more restful state, your body can redirect energy toward recovery and repair. Clinical studies in cancer care have found that hypnosis can reduce fatigue, sleep problems and emotional distress in many patients. (PubMed)

For many people, online work is a gentle and realistic way to receive regular support without additional travel or waiting rooms. It can be a very holistic way to look after yourself during a demanding time.

3. How Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy Helps With Physical Symptoms of cancer

3.1 Cancer Related Fatigue

Cancer related fatigue is different from everyday tiredness. It can feel like walking through mud, with no amount of sleep making a real dent. It is driven by a mix of biology, inflammation, treatment, low mood, worry and disrupted sleep. Guidelines from oncology organisations now view fatigue as one of the most common and distressing cancer symptoms. (esmo.org)

In hypnotherapy we work on:

Calming an overactive stress response
Visualising energy returning and being used more efficiently
Releasing unhelpful beliefs about needing to push through at all costs
Strengthening small, realistic pacing habits

Research on combined self care and self hypnosis programmes has shown improvements in fatigue, sleep and emotional distress for cancer survivors. (PubMed)

3.2 Pain

Pain can come from surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy drugs, nerve damage, muscle tension or long periods of immobility. Guidelines on pain management now recognise hypnosis as one of several non drug options that can reduce pain intensity and distress for some patients. (ScienceDirect)

Within hypnotherapy you can learn to:

Turn down the volume of pain signals
Change the meaning of pain so it feels less frightening and overwhelming
Shift attention away from areas of discomfort
Use imagery to create a sense of safety and comfort in your body

Systematic reviews suggest that hypnosis can help with both acute and chronic cancer pain, and may allow some patients to use lower doses of medication alongside medical care. (PubMed)

3.3 Nausea And Vomiting

Chemotherapy related nausea and vomiting are usually treated with anti sickness medicines. However, many people also develop anticipatory nausea, where the brain links certain smells, sights or hospital journeys with feeling sick.

Hypnosis can help to:

Break the link between certain triggers and nausea
Strengthen new associations of calm and safety
Reduce both the intensity and frequency of nausea episodes

Systematic reviews of trials in adults and children show that hypnosis can reduce chemotherapy related and anticipatory nausea and vomiting for many patients. (PubMed)

3.4 Sleep Problems And Insomnia

Sleep problems are very common during and after cancer treatment. Steroids, pain, hot flushes, anxiety and rumination can all keep the brain switched on when it should be resting.

Evidence based care for insomnia often includes cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, known as CBT I. (PubMed)

In my work I combine elements of CBT I, sleep education and hypnotherapy to help you:

Rebuild a healthy sleep routine and regular wake time
Reduce racing thoughts at bedtime
Teach the body to move more easily into sleep
Use hypnotic suggestions that link your bed and bedroom with relaxation rather than worry

Recent trials show that CBT based approaches, including online options, can meaningfully improve insomnia in cancer survivors as well as daytime mood and quality of life. (ScienceDirect)

3.5 Swelling, Muscle Tension And Gut Symptoms

Lymphoedema, muscle tension and digestive changes can all worsen under stress. While hypnotherapy is not a replacement for physiotherapy, lymphoedema services or gastroenterology input, it can support you to:

Relax muscles that have been gripping for months
Visualise ease of movement in affected limbs
Reduce the stress hormones that interfere with digestion
Feel calmer while following medical advice and exercises

Mind body approaches such as hypnosis are increasingly noted in integrative oncology guidance as helpful additions for symptom control when appropriately used alongside standard care. (ascopubs.org)

4. Emotional Recovery, Anxiety And Fear Of Recurrence

Many people find that the emotional impact of cancer arrives later, once the main treatment is finished and life becomes quieter. Feelings that can surface include:

Anxiety every time the phone rings or a letter arrives
Panic around scans or follow up appointments
Low mood, emptiness or feeling emotionally flat
Anger about what has happened
Guilt about how illness affected others
A sense of disconnection from friends, partners or children

Through Counselling and Psychotherapy you can talk through your experience in depth and at your own pace. RTT uses hypnotherapy together with cognitive reframing and regression techniques to explore patterns that may keep your nervous system stuck in high alert.

Clinical research has found that hypnotherapy can significantly reduce anxiety levels in people with cancer, and that benefits can appear quickly for many patients. (sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)

I also pay close attention to fear of recurrence. For many survivors this is one of the most distressing problems, even when scans are clear. Hypnotherapy and counselling together can help you:

Understand your triggers and how your brain is trying to protect you
Learn breathing and grounding techniques that work for your body
Build new associations of safety with hospitals, letters and results
Gradually shift from constant threat scanning toward living more fully

This is thoughtful, holistic emotional work, and it is completely normal to need time and support here.

5. Nutrition, Gut Health And Energy

As a Registered Nutritionist and long serving Volunteer Consultant Nutritionist with Youghal Cancer Support Service, I see daily how food, digestion and mood are linked.

Cancer treatment can:

Change taste and smell
Upset the stomach or bowels
Increase the risk of weight loss or in some cases weight gain
Affect blood sugar control and appetite
Alter muscle mass and strength

Evidence based guidelines encourage cancer survivors to focus on balanced eating patterns, plenty of plant foods, enough protein and sensible limits on alcohol, rather than extreme diets or high dose supplements. (acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)

In sessions we might:

Explore simple, affordable meal ideas that suit your appetite and energy
Support gut health with fibre and fermented foods if appropriate
Address reflux, nausea or bowel changes in partnership with your medical team
Look at hydration, electrolytes and blood sugar balance
Connect your food choices with mood and sleep patterns

I often combine nutrition work with hypnotherapy. When your nervous system is calmer, digestion tends to work more smoothly and your body can use nutrients more effectively. This is where a truly holistic view of food, mood and energy makes a real difference.

6. The Science Behind The Mind Body Connection

The phrase “mind body connection” is sometimes used casually, but in cancer care it has a clear scientific basis.

When you live with ongoing stress, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis stays activated. This raises levels of cortisol and other stress chemicals that can affect sleep, immunity, inflammation and mood. Hypnosis helps the nervous system shift into a calmer state, which you might feel as slower breathing, softer muscles and a quieter mind.

Brain imaging studies in pain and hypnosis research show changes in areas that process pain, emotion and attention. This helps to explain why hypnosis can reduce pain intensity and distress for some people. (ScienceDirect)

Integrative oncology is a field that looks at how complementary approaches such as hypnosis, relaxation, nutrition work and physical activity can sit alongside standard medical treatment in a safe and evidence informed way. (PMC)

From my perspective, this scientific grounding is one reason why Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy fits well inside a careful, holistic model of cancer support.

7. Practical And Financial Pressures

Life does not pause for cancer. You may be managing:

Changes to income or work hours
Extra travel costs to Cork, Dublin or regional hospitals
Childcare, school runs or caring for older relatives
Relationship strain and communication difficulties
Paperwork, sick leave forms and benefit applications

In Counselling, Psychotherapy and RTT we can look at:

Pacing your day and protecting limited energy
Saying no or asking for help without guilt
Planning conversations with employers or family
Reframing unhelpful beliefs such as “I must do everything myself”

Sometimes small adjustments to routines and expectations reduce stress more than you would expect. Feeling more resourced in this way is an important part of holistic care.

8. Long Term Survivorship And Finding Yourself Again

When treatment ends, many people feel they should be grateful and “back to normal”. In reality, survivorship is often a new and confusing chapter. Problems can include:

Ongoing fatigue, pain or neuropathy
Cognitive fog or memory problems
Changes in body image and sexuality
Fertility worries or decisions
Shifts in friendships and roles at home

Together we can explore what kind of life you want to grow into now, not just the life you had before diagnosis. Hypnotherapy helps with confidence, self worth and gentle motivation. Counselling and RTT give space to grieve what has been lost and to recognise what has changed for the better.

Over time many clients describe feeling more grounded, more self aware and more able to live with uncertainty. The aim is not to erase what happened, but to weave it into a new and meaningful story.

This deeper identity work benefits from an honest, holistic understanding of you as a whole person, not just a patient.

9. Why I Work In This Way

My approach has grown from two things: listening closely to patients and following the research on what helps. People repeatedly told me:

“The hospital saved my life, but I do not feel like myself.”
“I am anxious all the time even when scans are fine.”
“There is plenty of information out there, but not much that helps me apply it day to day.”

I bring together:

Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy for symptom relief and nervous system regulation
Rapid Transformational Therapy for deeper subconscious patterns
Counselling and Psychotherapy for emotional processing, trauma and relationships
Nutrition for energy, gut health, hormone balance and long term risk reduction

All of this sits beside your oncology care. I always encourage clients to keep their medical team informed and to contact their GP or specialist about any new or changing symptoms.

10. What To Expect In An Online Session

Each online session lasts around 60 minutes to 90 minutes for the initial session.

Initial discussion
We talk through your medical history, current treatment, main symptoms and priorities.
Agreeing a focus
Examples might include easing nausea during chemotherapy, improving sleep before radiotherapy, coping with scan anxiety or rebuilding energy after treatment.
Guided relaxation and hypnosis
I lead you into a calm and focused state using gentle breathing and imagery. You remain aware, can speak and can open your eyes at any time.
Targeted therapeutic work
This may involve symptom focused suggestions, visualisation, reframing unhelpful beliefs, or pieces of RTT if appropriate.
Closing the session
You are brought back to a normal waking state and we debrief any sensations or insights.
Follow up
Where suitable, I provide a personalised audio to reinforce the work between sessions, or written nutrition and lifestyle notes tailored to your situation.

All online sessions use secure video platforms and are confidential.

In person sessions are available in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick City and Limerick County, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Cork City, Dublin and Dungarven for those who prefer to attend a physical clinic.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does online cancer hypnotherapy really work?
Research on hypnotherapy for cancer related symptoms is growing. Studies show benefits for some patients in areas such as fatigue, pain, nausea, anxiety and sleep, especially when hypnosis is part of a broader support plan. (SpringerLink)

2. Is hypnotherapy safe during active cancer treatment?
For most people, yes, when delivered by an appropriately trained practitioner and used together with medical care. Hypnotherapy does not interfere with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. It focuses on coping, comfort and quality of life. Always let your oncology team know about any complementary therapies you use. (Cancer Research UK)

3. Can hypnotherapy cure cancer?
No. Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy is not a cure for cancer and is never used instead of oncology treatments. It is a complementary therapy that can help you manage symptoms, reduce distress and feel more in control alongside medical care.

4. How many sessions will I need?
This varies. Some people feel a shift after three or four sessions, particularly with focused issues such as nausea or sleep. Others prefer regular support throughout treatment and into survivorship. We will review progress regularly and agree the right pace for you.

5. What if I am nervous about being hypnotised?
This is very common. Hypnosis is not mind control. You stay conscious, you are not asleep. You hear everything and can choose what to accept. We will have already discussed what you want and need, so your mind is prepared and relaxed. Many people say it feels like lying on the sofa listening to a calming story, while part of their mind is still quietly observing. It is a very relaxing, and restorative state to soothe the nervous system and other systems and pathways in the body. To help you relax deeply.

6. Can I work with you if I am also having counselling elsewhere?
Often yes, provided everyone is aware and there is good communication. Some clients choose to keep ongoing counselling with another therapist and use Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy and my registered nutritionist support with me for specific symptom goals.

7. Do you work with family members or carers?
Yes. Partners and close relatives can experience significant stress, burnout and fear during a loved one’s illness. We offer Counselling, Psychotherapy, Nutritionist support and RTT for carers and family members, both ONLINE and in person in Limerick, Cork, Dublin and Dungarven.

8. Do you support people outside Munster and Ireland?
Yes. ONLINE appointments are open to anyone in Ireland, as well as Irish and English clients living abroad who want continuity of care with someone who understands Irish healthcare and culture, and other nationalities around the world. I work with many in Northern Ireland, the UK, UAE, and Worldwide remotely on ZOOM and other ONLINE platforms

Educational Disclaimer

This article is for education only and does not ever replace medical advice. Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, RTT, Counselling, Psychotherapy and Nutrition support are complementary holistic approaches designed to sit alongside standard oncology care. Always consult your GP, oncologist or specialist nurse before changing medication, supplements or treatment plans, and report any new or worsening symptoms promptly.

Book A Consultation Now

You do not have to navigate this alone. Support is available that respects your medical treatment and focuses on how you feel day to day.

Appointments available:

ONLINE across Ireland
In person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Cork, Dublin and Dungarven

Book a Consultation Now
Book Your Online Cancer Hypnotherapy Session

or Ring Claire directly on 087 6166638

Together we can work towards calmer days, steadier sleep, easier symptoms and a life that feels more like yours again.

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