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Empowering Therapy for Persistent Pain

Psychotherapy and clinical hypnosis for pain relief, greater confidence and improved quality of life.

Dr Emma Rae Rhead

Clinical Hypnotherapist & Psychotherapist
Specialising in persistent pain
 
Appointments available online across the UK

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A Different Approach to Therapy

Living with persistent pain can affect almost every part of life. But there may be more possibilities for change than you have yet explored.

I offer specialist psychotherapy and clinical hypnosis for adults experiencing persistent pain. Our work may focus directly on relieving pain, or on rebuilding confidence, independence and enjoyment in everyday life.

Drawing on more than 25 years of therapeutic experience and my earlier career in medicine, I bring a broad understanding of the relationship between physical symptoms, emotional responses and individual circumstances. Rather than following a standard treatment programme, I work with you to understand your particular difficulties, identify your goals and explore where meaningful, positive change may be possible.

[Find out more about persistent pain]

Together we can work towards

Pain relief and greater comfort

Clinical hypnosis and psychotherapy offer ways of working directly with the experience of pain, including how it is perceived and how attention and responses to it may change, creating possibilities for greater comfort and pain relief.

Calming the nervous system

Clinical hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can help calm and regulate your nervous system reducing the effects of stress and fear on the mind and body for enhanced wellbeing, quieter thoughts and improved functioning.

Confidence and freedom

Persistent pain can lead to fear, avoidance and a gradual loss of trust in your body and in life. Therapy can help you develop greater confidence,  reduce the hold that fear has on everyday decisions and explore ways of returning to meaningful, valued activities 

Better sleep and quality of life

Pain rarely exists in isolation. Together, we can address the wider effects on sleep, relationships, intimacy, work and independence, as well as difficulties involving loss and adjustment — helping you make more room for the people, activities and experiences that matter most.

An experienced, personalised and empowering approach

My approach draws on more than 25 years of therapeutic practice, extensive postgraduate training in clinical hypnosis and psychotherapy, and my earlier career as a medical doctor. This breadth of experience allows me to work flexibly, bringing together different therapeutic approaches according to your needs rather than following a predetermined treatment programme. Whether our focus is directly on pain, or on the wider difficulties affecting your life, my aim is to help you achieve meaningful change while strengthening your confidence and sense of personal agency.

[More about me]

What colleagues say

As Principal of the National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy and a clinician of over 26 years experience, I am often asked to recommend practitioners in areas which I do not cover. As a general rule, I do not make personal recommendations. However, in the case of Dr Emma Rae Rhead I make an exception. 

In all my years of experience as both an educator and clinician, I cannot rate Dr Rhead higher in my professional esteem. She is a compassionate professional practitioner who brings her medical and hypnotherapeutic knowledge and experience into an amazing concert of warmth, empathy and congruence. In my opinion, she is without doubt, one of the most truly gifted practitioners in the UK. 

Shaun Brookhouse, MA. Founding Principal, National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy. President, European Association for Hypno-Psychotherapy

Taking the next step

If you are considering professional specialised therapy for persistent pain, you are welcome to get in touch. You can also find further information about appointments and what to expect on the Appointments page.


Dr Emma Rae Rhead
Clinical Hypnotherapist & Psychotherapist

Specialising in persistent pain