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ABOUT AHSM

The Association of Hypnotherapy & Stress Management (AHSM) was formerly known as The Society of Stress Managers.

The Society of Stress Managers (SSM) was set up in 1999 to provide a professional association for people who are qualified to nationally accredited standards in the skills of stress management. It was rebranded in 2016 as The Association of Hypnotherapy & Stress Management (AHSM) because it was felt that the name of the organisation no longer adequately reflected the key areas practised by its members.

AHSM has a Code of Conduct, Ethics and Practice, which all members adhere to. All our members are fully insured for the therapies they use, and the techniques and processes they adopt. In addition the stress levels of each of our practitioners are regularly checked to ensure that we can be fully effective in helping our clients. We also work with peer group supervision to maintain our very high standard of care.

AHSM worked with UKCHO (the United Kingdom Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations) to establish an online Public Register – The National Register of Hypnotherapists.

We are also covered by the main national umbrella body –  the CNHC (Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council). The CNHC is the only umbrella body recognised by the NHS. For more information please visit the CNHC website here: http://www.cnhc.org.uk/

We will be glad to answer any questions you may have about our organisation, or to give you further information on any of the topics you may read about on this site. Please contact us by email or phone us on the Freephone number listed (0800 093 7419).

The Management pay tribute to Peter Matthews who contributed so much to AHSM, UKCHO and CNHC before his death in November 2021. Click here for more.

I cannot thank you enough. I feel happy for the first time in years.

“I had reached the point of desperation with my anxiety and needed someone to put things back into perspective. Stefan taught me how to relax and put me back in control of my decisions. I cannot thank you enough. I feel happy for the first time in years. Nothing but praise for your patience and understanding.”

CP – Anxiety

I want to say a big thank you for all the help you have given me

“I want to say a big thank you for all the help you have given me. Your welcoming nature and personal anecdotes meant that I felt completely at ease from the first session. In fact that began when Andrea answered the phone when I first rang. She was SO lovely and warm. I really feel that I have made progress and have set the foundations for further progress to be made, leading me to be a happier person.”

HKCS – Anxiety

I now feel comfortable on buses and shopping in public...

“I now feel comfortable on buses and shopping in public. I even enjoy it. I recently went to London – something that used to terrify me.”

LS – Panic Attacks

I learned a lot about how my perception of something changes everything.

Stef’s methods allowed me to better understand myself and the way I can control my behaviour. I learned a lot about how my perception of something changes everything, and I became better equipped with the tools to help me. 

BR – Stress

The service was exceptional

Through being able to talk & be given examples of how people think & how you are always in control gave me the confidence to get control back. The service was exceptional; comfy chairs, great tea & always a smile to be greeted by.

RB – Stress

It helped me to realise that we do have choices.....

“This seems obvious but it helped me to realise that we do have choices in terms of how we feel about things. The hypnotherapy sessions were excellent and really worked.”

CL – Stress

I managed to get on the plane to San Francisco with no issues and felt calm the whole way

“I managed to get on the flight to San Francisco with no issues and felt calm the whole way. When there was turbulence I saw it more of an annoyance, rather than grabbing onto the seat like I used to!”

NB – Fear of Flying

The techniques used by Stefan enabled me to understand my phobia and develop mitigating behaviours.

“My visit was planned to overcome my agoraphobia, which was acute when driving on motorways. The techniques used by Stefan enabled me to understand my phobia and to develop mitigating behaviours. I liked Stefan’s professional and understanding approach.”

PF – Phobia

When I got to the airport I wasn`t scared at all

“When I got to the airport I wasn’t scared at all. I was fine in the departure lounge & when we took off I wasn’t very scared at all.”

MW, aged 9 – Fear of Flying

(on a postcard from Barcelona!)

I am amazed at how I now feel

“I am amazed at how I now feel when I see a spider. I no longer feel faint or like I want to run from the house. I am able to either ignore them or remove them from the room – something I never thought I would be able to do.” 

KG – Fear of Spiders

The desire to eat them has also disappeared...

“In addition to the number of sweets & chocolates that I eat being drastically reduced, the desire to eat them has also disappeared. Truly liberating.”

S.S. Weight

I had reached a desperate stage in my weight gain...

“I had reached a desperate stage in my weight gain and needed to change my way of thinking. My sessions made me realise I could control my eating habits, I could say no to food. I have not eaten chocolate for 4 months. I do not want any. It’s weird!”

C.T. Weight

Have lost 10lb already

“I now consider large portions and sweet things as a treat rather than a “must” and I have lost 10lb already.”

PO – Weight

I am delighted, amazed, happy, richer, healthier and still can't believe it

“I stopped smoking! I am delighted, amazed, happy, richer, healthier and still can’t believe it. Stefan is a very skilled professional.”

CM – Smoking

I no longer want or need cigarettes

“Stefan enabled me to reach my goal by changing the way I think about smoking. I no longer want or need cigarettes! Plus, it was easy.”

LS – Smoking

After 35 years as a heavy smoker...

“After 35 years as a heavy smoker, in which time I managed to stop smoking for a maximum of 3 hours, I now do not smoke at all”

P.C. Smoking

The thought that I may not sleep well doesn't even register

“I now have virtually no anxiety about sleeping any more. The thought that I may not sleep well doesn’t even register anymore.”

JJ – Sleep Problems

The 'long sleep' is happening more frequently and it makes me more relaxed & less anxious

“I nearly phoned you last week to tell you that I slept until 6.45. The ‘long sleep’ is happening more frequently and it makes me more relaxed & less anxious.”

DE – Sleep Problems

I feel completely relaxed about going to bed...

“Since my last session four weeks ago now, I have not taken a sleeping tablet. I feel completely relaxed about going to bed and have recently had two nights where I slept all the way through. As a result I feel much better.” 

JN Sleep Problems

I no longer feel nervous...

“I no longer feel nervous when I have to do them, whether it be with a large or small amount of people. Not only do I not feel nervous, I don’t think about it at all because it’s no longer an issue.”

EC – Public Speaking

I presented to 220 people shortly afterwards..

“I presented to 220 people shortly after my sessions and enjoyed it! It also helped me get my new position. Thank you.” 

LW  Public Speaking

I managed to stand up in front of my group at university and do a 30 minute presentation.

“I managed to stand up in front of my group at university and do a 30 minute presentation. Before my hypnosis I would not have been able to do this.”

Anon – Public Speaking

I feel much more secure in my own skin

“I feel much more secure in my own skin and have more confidence to make the choices to help me, rather than being passive and worrying about others’ perceptions”

MD – Self Confidence

I now believe I do actually have the ability

“I now believe I do actually have the ability. I have asked a number of friends what they actually think of me and to a man/woman they have identified strengths I did not believe I had.” 

MK – Self Confidence

I generally feel a lot happier with life...

“I generally feel a lot happier with life, certainly don`t worry as much, and actually look forward to situations I was once concerned about! Confidence & self esteem growing almost daily.” 

GF – Self Confidence & Self Esteem

I have not gambled since my sessions and feel confident that I won't again

“The sessions were exactly as described – successful. I have not gambled since the sessions and I feel confident that I won’t again. I am much happier, confident with my finances and generally in a much better place.”

CE – Gambling Addiction

I am now able to more clearly see negative messages in my thought patterns and correct them.

“Stefan identified several other areas of thinking styles that I’ve taken on board. Using what I’ve learned I am now able to more clearly see negative messages in my thought patterns and correct them.”

CH – Negative Thinking

I've finally stopped!!

“After 22 years of sucking my thumb and not being able to break the habit I’ve finally stopped!!”

OR – Thumb Sucking