Hypnotherapy for anxiety in Mentone & Bayside
Hypfocus Therapies offers clinical hypnotherapy combined with counselling for adults living with anxiety, panic, social anxiety and phobias. Sessions are with Georgina Mitchell, a clinical member of the Australian Hypnotherapy Association and a member of the Australian Counselling Association, in person at 10 Conder Way, Mentone, or by telehealth anywhere in Australia. Hypnotherapy is a complementary approach: it can sit alongside care from your GP or psychologist, but it doesn't replace medical treatment.
Telehealth appointments available Australia-wide.
Book online · Book a free 15-minute phone chat · Call 0435 923 817
What does anxiety feel like?
Anxiety is the body's alarm system doing its job a little too often, or a little too loudly. It can show up as a racing heart, a tight chest, shallow breathing, a churning stomach, broken sleep or a mind that won't stop running through "what ifs". For some people it builds slowly as constant background worry. For others it arrives suddenly as panic.
Most of us feel anxious at times, and that's normal. It may be worth reaching out for support when anxiety starts to shape your days: you avoid places or people, put off things that matter to you, or feel exhausted from being on high alert. You don't need a diagnosis, and you don't need to have everything worked out before getting in touch.
How might hypnotherapy help with anxiety?
Clinical hypnotherapy uses a focused, relaxed state of attention to help you practise new responses to the situations, sensations and thoughts that trigger anxiety. In that state, many people find it easier to notice what's happening in their body, rehearse feeling steadier, and try out different ways of thinking about a situation before they face it in real life.
At Hypfocus, hypnotherapy is combined with counselling. That means there is time to talk through what's been happening, understand your patterns and set goals that matter to you, not just a script read to you. Sessions may also include nervous system regulation skills, breathing and grounding techniques, and self-hypnosis you can practise at home. You can read more about the body side of anxiety on the nervous system regulation page.
Everyone's experience is different, and there's no guarantee of a particular result. Research into hypnosis for anxiety is growing, and it's generally seen as a complementary approach that works best as one part of your wider support.
Can hypnotherapy help with social anxiety and panic attacks?
Social anxiety often looks like dreading an event for days beforehand, holding back once you're there, then replaying every word afterwards. Panic attacks can feel so physical that people fear something is seriously wrong with their health. Both are common, and both are things people often bring to sessions.
With social anxiety, sessions might focus on calming the body before and during social situations, rehearsing them in imagination, and gently questioning the harsh inner critic. With panic, the work often includes understanding the fight-or-flight response, learning skills to ride out the sensations, and reducing the fear of the next attack. Georgina also works with specific fears and phobias, such as fear of flying, public speaking and emetophobia.
If you've had chest pain, breathlessness or dizziness, please see your GP first, so that physical causes can be checked.
What is a hypnotherapy session like?
Your first appointment is longer (up to 90 minutes) and is mostly a conversation. Georgina will ask about what brings you in, your history, your health, any medication and what you'd like to be different. Together you'll shape a plan that suits you.
In later sessions you'll usually spend some time talking, then move into hypnosis. Hypnosis feels like a deeply relaxed, focused state, a bit like being absorbed in a good book. You stay aware of where you are, you can hear everything, and you can open your eyes or speak at any time. You can't be made to do anything you don't want to do. Many people simply describe it as calm.
Afterwards there's time to talk about how it felt, and you may receive a hypnotherapy recording or an exercise to practise between sessions. Follow-up sessions are up to 60 minutes.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what you're working on and what you'd like to change. Some people come for a handful of sessions focused on one issue, such as a specific phobia. Others prefer a longer, more gradual process. As a guide, Georgina usually recommends a minimum of 4 sessions. She'll talk with you about a rough plan after your first appointment, and you can review it together at any time. For more on why consistency matters, see this blog post on session numbers.
How much does hypnotherapy for anxiety cost?
Current fees for first appointments and follow-up sessions are listed on the Fees page. Hypnotherapy isn't covered by Medicare or a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Some private health funds may offer a rebate for hypnotherapy or counselling, depending on your policy, so check with your fund before booking. Provider details are listed at the bottom of every page.
Should I see my GP as well?
Yes, it's a good idea. A GP can check for physical causes of anxiety-like symptoms (such as thyroid or heart issues), talk with you about medication and, if appropriate, refer you to a psychologist under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Hypnotherapy can sit alongside that care. If you're taking medication for anxiety, please don't change or stop it without talking to your doctor. You're welcome to let Georgina know who else is supporting you.
Where are sessions held, and can I have them online?
In person, sessions are held at 10 Conder Way, Mentone VIC 3194, in Melbourne's bayside area. Many clients come from nearby suburbs such as Cheltenham, Mordialloc, Parkdale, Highett and Sandringham, and from across the City of Bayside.
- Hours: Monday to Thursday 7am–7pm, Friday 7am–5pm and Saturday 8am–3pm (Melbourne time), by appointment.
If getting out the door is hard right now, which is common with anxiety, you can have every session by video from home. See telehealth hypnotherapy and counselling across Australia.
Ready to talk?
You don't need to know exactly what to say. You can book your first appointment online through Cliniko, or start with a free 15-minute phone chat to ask questions and see whether hypnotherapy feels like the right fit. There's no pressure either way. You can also call or text Georgina on 0435 923 817.
Book online (Cliniko) · Book a free 15-minute phone chat
Helpful reading: Understanding the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety · Box breathing · Hidden signs of high-functioning anxiety · Recognising health anxiety · Stress · Sleep and insomnia · Trauma-informed hypnotherapy
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose control during hypnosis?
No. Clinical hypnosis is a relaxed, focused state in which you stay aware, can hear everything and can speak or open your eyes at any time. You can't be made to say or do anything you don't want to.
Can hypnotherapy help with social anxiety?
Many people come to Hypfocus for social anxiety. Sessions combine counselling with hypnosis to help you calm your body, rehearse social situations and soften self-criticism. Results differ from person to person, and hypnotherapy can be used alongside support from your GP or psychologist.
How much does hypnotherapy for anxiety cost?
Current fees are listed on the Fees page at hypfocus.com.au/fees. Hypnotherapy isn't covered by Medicare, but some private health funds may offer a rebate depending on your policy, so check with your fund first.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No referral is needed. It's still a good idea to see your GP about anxiety, so that physical causes can be checked and you can talk about all your options, including medication or a psychologist.
Can I have hypnotherapy for anxiety online?
Yes. You can have sessions by secure video from anywhere in Australia. Telehealth can be helpful if leaving the house feels hard, and the approach is the same as in person in Mentone.
Is hypnotherapy a replacement for medication or seeing a psychologist?
No. Hypnotherapy is a complementary approach. Please keep taking any prescribed medication and talk to your doctor before making changes. Many people use hypnotherapy alongside their existing care.
Written by Georgina Mitchell, CHT, Grad Dip Counselling
Georgina is the clinical hypnotherapist and counsellor at Hypfocus Therapies in Mentone. She is a clinical member of the Australian Hypnotherapy Association (no. PM2015096), a Level 2 member of the Australian Counselling Association (no. L2 4249) and a member of the ACA College of Supervisors. Her qualifications include a Diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling. Read more about Georgina.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Hypfocus is not a crisis service. If you need to talk to someone now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. You can also find Victorian on-call mental health services here.