Best Mind Therapy · Insomnia & Sleep Support · Swindon & Online UK
When your mind won't rest, let's find a way forward.
When sleep becomes a nightly struggle, even the thought of bedtime can feel exhausting.
I'm Gary Smith, a psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist in Swindon. I offer a supportive space to explore sleep difficulties, the worries that can accompany them, and which treatment or support options may be appropriate for you.
In-person appointments in Swindon · Online throughout the UK
Free initial consultation. No obligation to continue.
01 / Understanding sleep difficulties
You can be tired all day and still find it hard to sleep.
It's frustrating to want rest and feel that sleep is just out of reach.
You might take a long time to fall asleep, wake during the night, wake earlier than you want, or lie awake watching the clock. Some people also find themselves worrying about how they'll cope the next day.
Insomnia isn't simply a matter of not trying hard enough. Sleep can be affected by stress, habits, circumstances, medicines and physical or mental health conditions. Understanding the bigger picture is important.
If sleep problems have lasted for months or are making daily life difficult, a GP can help assess the cause and recommend appropriate care.
Does any of this sound familiar?
- Your thoughts become louder when the house goes quiet
- Sleep starts to feel like something you must achieve
- You wake up during the night and struggle to settle
- You feel tense or frustrated as bedtime approaches
- You worry about energy, concentration or mood tomorrow
- Your routine has become shaped around trying to catch up on rest
These experiences may have several causes and don't by themselves establish a diagnosis.
02 / Different patterns
Not every difficult night has the same explanation.
Your sleep story matters. The right support begins by understanding the pattern rather than assuming every difficulty is insomnia.
Falling asleep
Your body feels tired, but your mind stays busy with tomorrow's plans, old conversations or the pressure to drift off.
Waking in the night
You fall asleep, but wake repeatedly and find it difficult to return to rest without checking the clock.
Early waking
You wake much earlier than intended and can't get back to sleep, sometimes feeling unrefreshed through the day.
Stress and anticipation
Busy days and worry about another poor night's sleep can make the bedroom feel less restful.
Changing routines
Shift work, travel, caring responsibilities or changes to daily life can disrupt your usual pattern.
Other sleep conditions
Loud snoring, breathing pauses, restless legs and sudden daytime sleepiness deserve medical assessment rather than simply relaxation support.
03 / A thoughtful conversation
Let's begin with what your nights — and days — are actually like.
I take a practical, individual approach, without promising that one technique suits everybody.
We can talk about the stresses, expectations and patterns surrounding your sleep, and what you would like to change. My work draws on Solution Focused therapeutic conversations and, where suitable and agreed, hypnotherapy and guided relaxation.
I'll explain proposed techniques, discuss their limitations and review whether our work is useful. You remain involved in every decision.
If your symptoms suggest a medical sleep disorder or a need for specialist insomnia treatment, we'll discuss how to seek the appropriate assessment or support.
04 / Understanding your treatment choices
For persistent insomnia, the evidence matters.
A good first conversation includes honest information about the options available to you.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first-line treatment for long-term insomnia. It is a structured approach that addresses sleep-related thoughts, behaviours and routines; it is more than general sleep hygiene.
Hypnotherapy has a more limited evidence base for insomnia and should not be presented as an equivalent replacement for CBT-I. Guided relaxation may feel supportive for some people, but its role and limitations should be discussed openly.
If sleep problems have persisted, are affecting daily life, or might involve sleep apnoea or another underlying condition, speak to your GP. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without advice from your prescriber.
Independent sleep resources
These NHS and NICE resources can help you make an informed choice.
NHS — Insomnia: symptoms and treatment
NICE — Sleepio digital CBT for insomnia
Safety first: avoid driving when sleepy. If someone observes pauses in your breathing, or you experience significant daytime sleepiness, seek medical advice.
05 / How we begin
A simple, unhurried place to start.
No fixed programme, no pressure, and no promise of a particular number of sessions.
A free first conversation
Tell me about your sleep difficulties, ask questions and let me know what would be different if things improved.
An informed choice
We'll discuss suitability, relevant healthcare options, session arrangements and any approaches you might wish to explore.
Review together
If we work together, we'll check what's useful and make changes when needed. You remain free to stop or seek other support.
06 / Meet your therapist
Hello, I'm Gary.
A Swindon-based psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, lecturer and clinical supervisor.
I believe a helpful conversation begins when you feel listened to, respected and free to ask questions. My style is friendly, practical and forward-looking, without minimising what you're experiencing.
Alongside seeing clients, I teach and supervise other hypnotherapists. My approach includes recognising when a different service or treatment may better meet someone's needs.
Appointments are available in person in Swindon and online throughout the UK where suitable.
07 / Frequently asked questions
Questions about insomnia and sleep support
Clear answers to help you decide on a sensible next step.
What is the difference between a few bad nights and insomnia?
Insomnia involves repeated difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early, often with daytime effects. The NHS describes short-term insomnia as lasting under three months and long-term insomnia as lasting three months or more. A clinician can help investigate ongoing symptoms.
Is CBT-I the recommended treatment for chronic insomnia?
Yes. CBT-I is recommended as first-line treatment for long-term insomnia. It uses structured cognitive and behavioural strategies, not simply relaxation or generic sleep tips. Your GP can advise about suitable services.
Can hypnotherapy help me sleep?
Some people find hypnosis-based relaxation helpful for feeling calmer, but evidence for hypnotherapy as a treatment for insomnia is limited compared with CBT-I. I won't promise that it will cure insomnia or substitute for medically indicated care.
Do I need to be diagnosed before booking a consultation?
No. We can discuss your experience without a diagnosis. If symptoms have persisted, are causing significant impairment or suggest a medical condition, I'll encourage appropriate assessment.
Can I have sessions online anywhere in the UK?
Yes. Suitable online consultations are available throughout the United Kingdom, alongside in-person appointments in Swindon. We can discuss whether the format is appropriate for your needs.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no reliable fixed number. Any suggested plan will be based on your needs and reviewed with you. The initial consultation is free and without obligation.
What if I snore loudly or stop breathing in my sleep?
Those symptoms can suggest sleep apnoea and should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Therapy or relaxation must not delay medical assessment.
Is the initial consultation free?
Yes. You can book a free initial conversation to ask questions and discuss the options. Current session fees are on the fees page.
08 / Your next step
Let's talk about what a more restful future might involve.
You don't need to arrive with all the answers. A first conversation can help you understand your choices.
Book a free, no-obligation initial consultation. We'll discuss what you're experiencing and whether the support I offer is suitable.
Best Mind Therapy
In-person:
Northbourne Road
Swindon, Wiltshire SN25 4YE
Online:
Suitable consultations throughout the UK
Telephone:
07359 071210