Weight management starts with the way we live.
A thoughtful approach to habits, motivation and a more balanced relationship with food — combining Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, practical lifestyle coaching and carefully chosen NLP-informed techniques.
No weigh-ins, no miracle promises, no judgement.
Healthier habits should fit the life you have.
There is more to weight management than a number on the scales. Work, family, sleep, stress, ingrained routines and how you speak to yourself can all influence everyday decisions.
My approach begins with understanding what matters to you. We can look at the patterns you would like to change and the small, realistic steps you feel ready to take — without criticism or a one-size-fits-all formula.
Hypnotherapy may be used as a space for relaxation and focused reflection. Lifestyle coaching gives us room to consider what you can practise between appointments. Neither removes the importance of nutrition, physical activity, medical advice or your own commitment.
Not about becoming someone else. About making choices that feel more like your own.
A respectful, person-centred approach
Four areas we might explore together.
These are discussion areas, not promised outcomes. Your priorities shape the sessions.
Everyday habits
Notice the circumstances surrounding food choices, planning, rest and activity — and consider changes that work on ordinary days, not just ideal ones.
Stress and comfort
Explore how stress, boredom or tiredness can affect choices, while developing other practical ways of responding to difficult moments.
A balanced mindset
Practise realistic, constructive self-talk. This is not forced positivity or ignoring the challenges you face.
Personal direction
Clarify goals that matter to you, consider barriers and recognise progress that goes beyond the scales.
Behaviour change without the blame.
It is easy to mistake a difficult week for a failure. In our work, setbacks become information about what might need adjusting — not evidence of a personal flaw.
- Notice the cue. When does an unhelpful routine tend to appear, and what else is happening at the time?
- Choose a workable response. What alternative would suit the situation without demanding perfection?
- Make room for real life. Consider time, finances, caring responsibilities, health and other genuine constraints.
- Review without judgement. Learn from what happened and decide what, if anything, to try next.
Hypnotherapy, coaching and NLP-informed exercises.
Different tools serve different purposes. We discuss the reasoning behind each one and whether it feels appropriate for you.
Relaxation and mental rehearsal
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can incorporate guided relaxation, focused attention and imagery to explore how you would prefer to respond to situations. It is not a stand-alone method for producing weight loss.
Turning intentions into actions
We can discuss routines, achievable goals, obstacles and practical options. This is behaviour-focused support, not a prescribed nutrition or medical weight-management programme.
Reframing familiar patterns
Where useful, NLP-informed exercises such as future pacing or reframing may offer ways to reflect on responses. The evidence base for NLP as a comprehensive treatment is limited, and I do not present it as a proven weight-loss treatment.
A clear boundary: Healthy weight management can require appropriate nutrition, movement and medical input. Hypnotherapy and lifestyle coaching do not replace a GP, registered dietitian or specialist service.
Simple steps, adapted to you.
No preset session count. No standardised promise. We discuss what is useful and review it as we go.
A free first conversation
Discuss your goals, questions, concerns and whether this approach feels suitable. There is no obligation to continue.
Look at the patterns
Identify practical obstacles, emotional cues and existing strengths. Agree which areas are worth your attention.
Try, reflect and adjust
Use appropriate relaxation, coaching or reflective exercises, then consider how they translate into real life.
What might this look like between appointments?
A few examples of questions to explore — rather than rules you have to follow.
At the end of a demanding day
What would help you recognise whether you need food, rest, comfort, connection or time away from a screen? There is no judgement attached to the answer.
When a routine slips
What got in the way? Could a smaller action fit tomorrow? A flexible plan may be more workable than starting again with an all-or-nothing rule.
When motivation fluctuates
What is important to you beyond a target weight — energy for a hobby, enjoyment of movement, or feeling more comfortable with your choices?
When inner criticism takes over
Could you speak to yourself as you would to someone you care about — with honesty, context and a practical next step?
Work with Gary Smith.
I'm a psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist based in Swindon. My work draws on Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, practical coaching conversations and carefully selected NLP-informed exercises.
I'll listen to what you hope to change, discuss what is realistic and explain the limits of the work. I won't make promises about a particular weight, size or timeframe.
A conversation about habits, not a judgement about bodies.
This page is for adults seeking reflective, behaviour-focused support around everyday habits and motivation. You do not need to fit a particular appearance or body type to ask a question.
If you have a history of an eating disorder, are experiencing restrictive eating, bingeing, purging or significant food-related distress, please seek assessment from your GP or an appropriate specialist. Weight-loss coaching may not be suitable and is not treatment for an eating disorder.
For individual dietary needs, pregnancy, medication or other weight-related health concerns, discuss a plan with your healthcare team.
Swindon, surrounding areas and UK-wide online.
Choose an in-person appointment in North Swindon or discuss online sessions where suitable for your circumstances.
In person — Swindon
Best Mind Therapy, Northbourne Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN25 4YE. By appointment.
Also accessible from Royal Wootton Bassett, Cirencester, Cricklade, Marlborough and other neighbouring towns.
View clinic area on Google MapsOnline — across the UK
Private online appointments can be an option if attending in person is not convenient. We can discuss suitability and what you will need for a comfortable session.
Practice hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–8:30 pm. Closed weekends.
Contact and appointment detailsFrequently asked questions.
Does hypnotherapy guarantee weight loss?
No. Hypnotherapy does not guarantee weight loss, and it is not a substitute for nutrition, activity or appropriate healthcare. The sessions focus on exploring habits, motivation and coping strategies. People respond differently, and any change requires their own ongoing participation.
Is this a diet or a prescribed meal plan?
No. I do not prescribe diets, calories or meal plans. This is behavioural and emotional support. If you want individual nutritional advice, a registered dietitian or qualified healthcare professional is the appropriate person to consult.
How is lifestyle coaching used alongside hypnotherapy?
We can discuss daily routines, barriers, emotional cues, realistic goals and small actions that suit your circumstances. Hypnotherapy can provide time for relaxation, imagery and reflection. Together they form a personalised conversation about choices rather than a fixed formula.
What role does NLP have in the sessions?
I may use NLP-informed exercises such as reframing, future pacing or anchoring where they feel relevant. I will explain the exercise and its limitations before using it. Evidence for NLP as a comprehensive clinical treatment is limited; it is not presented as a proven weight-loss method.
What if I struggle with emotional eating or negative self-talk?
We can explore situations in which food becomes linked with stress, habit or difficult emotions, while practising less critical and more constructive self-talk. If you have bingeing, purging, restriction, significant distress around food or concerns about an eating disorder, please seek a GP or specialist assessment rather than using weight-loss coaching as a substitute.
Will I need to weigh myself or discuss a target weight?
There is no routine weigh-in as part of my hypnotherapy sessions. If you have a medically recommended weight-management target, that should be guided by your GP or relevant healthcare professional. We can instead agree practical, non-scale goals for our work together.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no set number of sessions or promised timeframe. A free consultation is an opportunity to discuss what you want from the work, whether this approach is suitable and the options available. We can review whether sessions remain useful as we go.
Can I have sessions online or in person?
Yes. Appointments are available in Swindon, and online across the UK where appropriate. Online sessions require a private place and a reliable connection. You can discuss suitability and practical arrangements at the free consultation.
We can start with a conversation.
Tell me a little about the habits or pressures you would like to understand. We can discuss whether hypnotherapy and lifestyle coaching are appropriate, with no expectation to commit.
Or call 07359 071210 · Free initial consultation · No guaranteed outcome