Many years ago, when I was working as an HR Manager, my annual appraisal came around. As we discussed my performance, my manager – our Finance Director – described me as a “confidence player.” We’re both big football fans, so sporting analogies were never far away.

At the time, I nodded politely and moved on. It wasn’t until years later that I realised just how accurate his description had been.

In sport, a confidence player is someone whose performance depends heavily on their emotional state. When they’re feeling good, they’re exceptional. Everything seems effortless. Decisions come naturally, skills flow, and they perform at the very top of their game.

But one mistake, one setback, or one knock to their confidence can send them into a downward spiral. Suddenly, things that normally feel easy become difficult. Doubt creeps in, hesitation appears, and performance suffers.

Looking back, that was me.

Mention that you're a hypnotherapist and you'll often get one of two reactions.

Someone will either say, "Can you make me cluck like a chicken?" or they'll smile politely and admit, "I don't really believe in hypnosis."

I've heard both.

In fact, when I recently met with my coaching training cohort, several people jokingly started swinging imaginary pocket watches in front of me. It was all good fun, but it reminded me just how many misconceptions still exist about hypnotherapy.

The reality is that therapeutic hypnosis looks nothing like the version we've been shown in films or on television.

When people think about personal change, they often imagine two different paths.

One path is practical and future-focused: setting goals, gaining clarity, exploring possibilities, and taking action. This is the world of coaching.

The other path is quieter and more reflective: understanding habits, changing emotional responses, building confidence, and working with the deeper patterns that influence how we think and feel. This is the world of hypnotherapy.

Individually, both can be highly effective. Together, they can create a powerful partnership for lasting change.