In the heart of Edinburgh, Scottish hypnotherapist Sharon Irving has made waves in the world of therapy, working with celebrities such as Vogue Williams and tackling issues like anxiety and unhelpful habits. Irving, who launched her practice during the Covid-19 lockdown, has successfully expanded her small business to a global audience, reaching clients from as far away as New Zealand, Canada, and Dubai.
Irving distinguishes her practice, which she calls Headtonic, from traditional stage hypnotism. She emphasizes that her work is grounded in practical solutions rather than mysticism. “My title is clinical hypnotherapist, and though I’m not very keen on the word ‘clinical’, it does help to differentiate between a hypnotist on stage and what I do,” she explains. Her mission is to help clients overcome difficult issues and break harmful habits, while addressing the stigma surrounding hypnotherapy.
One of the misconceptions Irving encounters is the fear that clients may not wake up from hypnosis or reveal dark secrets. “I want to get the message out there that it can be a brilliant way to deal with problems in their lives,” she says. The key, according to Irving, lies in the power of the mind. “Our emotional brain overrides the rational part, and that’s why hypnotherapy is so powerful,” she asserts. In a relaxed trance state, clients can visualize their goals and embed positive thoughts into their subconscious, making hypnotherapy a profoundly effective tool for change.
Irving’s journey into hypnotherapy began as a personal quest. Preparing for the birth of her third son, she sought self-hypnosis techniques to manage her fear of childbirth. “I thought I could do some self-hypnosis, but I kept it really quiet as I know my friends know I’m terrible with pain,” she recalls. Using visualization techniques, she had a remarkably positive birth experience, which inspired her to train as a hypnotherapist to help others.
Since qualifying, Irving has helped many clients tackle various anxieties and emotional eating issues. The flexibility of online sessions has allowed her to connect with a diverse clientele, including notable figures from the entertainment industry. Her passion for the podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me led her to reach out to Vogue Williams, who was seeking assistance to quit vaping. “I was surprised as she messaged back pretty much straight away, saying she loved Scottish people and my accent,” Irving remembers. Despite busy schedules, they managed to arrange a session that proved fruitful for Williams.
Following their initial session, Irving noticed a surge in followers from Ireland, directly linked to Williams mentioning her on the podcast. This exposure opened doors for Irving to work with other celebrities, including comedian Lou Sanders.
The impact of Irving’s sessions on Williams became evident when the Irish star sought further help for her fear of insects. Although the consultation left Irving puzzled due to Williams’ evasiveness, she later connected the dots while watching Williams on the reality show I’m a Celebrity. “I was shouting at the screen, saying she should have listened to her recording from our sessions,” Irving joked, reflecting on how hypnotherapy could have enhanced Williams’ experience.
Irving’s dedication to her craft is evident as she looks to expand her expertise to assist children. The success of her practice and the positive feedback from clients have affirmed her belief in the transformative power of hypnotherapy. She hopes to alleviate the misconceptions surrounding her field, encouraging more people to consider hypnotherapy as a beneficial and relaxing path to personal growth. “It’s actually a gorgeous, relaxing experience that can have a profound effect,” she concludes.
