Reclaim Your Life from Long Covid.

Specialised, effective online hypnotherapy to support your recovery, regulate your nervous system, and restore your energy—all from the comfort of your home.

Book Your Free Discovery Call

Long Covid (or Post-Covid-19 Syndrome) is a complex, multi-system condition that can leave you feeling like a stranger in your own body. You may have been told your test results are "normal," yet you feel anything but. The medical community is still catching up, but the reality of your experience is valid.

Whether you are months or years into your journey, the frustration of "pushing through" only to crash again is exhausting. The constant state of alertness required to manage your symptoms can keep your body stuck in a cycle of stress, hindering the deep rest required for true healing.

Here, we do not focus on "fighting" the illness, which consumes energy. We focus on allowing the body to return to a state of safety where repair can begin.

You Are Not Imagining It. The Struggle is Real.

Dysautonomia: Heart palpitations, dizziness upon standing, or erratic temperature fluctuations (feeling hot then cold).
Sensory Overload: Finding loud noises, bright lights, or busy environments overwhelming and exhausting.
The Crash (PEM): Post-Exertional Malaise—where physical or mental effort leads to a disproportionate worsening of symptoms 24–48 hours later.

Chronic Fatigue: Not just "tiredness," but a profound heaviness where even small tasks feel like climbing a mountain. Sleep does not seem to recharge your battery.
Brain Fog & Cognitive Issues: Difficulty finding words, losing your train of thought, or struggling to concentrate on screens or books.
Anxiety & Health Panic: Feeling "wired but tired." You might experience sudden onset anxiety or panic attacks related to your health or breathing.

Do you recognise these signs?

We often talk about Long Covid as a purely physical condition, but the emotional toll is just as profound. Navigating a chronic, fluctuating illness can result in genuine psychological trauma, and for many, this develops into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Understanding this link is not about saying "it is all in your head." It is about understanding that your nervous system has endured a significant shock.

Here is how Long Covid creates a trauma loop:

The Trauma of Uncertainty: The cycle of "push and crash" creates a state of constant vigilance. Waking up every morning wondering “How will I feel today?” keeps your brain on high alert. This relentless uncertainty and the fear that you may never return to your "old self" can overwhelm your ability to cope, leading to a sense of helplessness common in PTSD.
Medical Trauma & "The Long Haul": Whether you were hospitalised during the initial infection or have spent months navigating medical appointments with no clear answers, the experience can leave lasting scars. You may experience flashbacks to the acute phase of the illness or feel intense anxiety when entering a medical setting.
The Isolation Trap: To manage symptoms or avoid reinfection, you may have had to withdraw from the world. Humans are hardwired for connection; prolonged isolation signals "danger" to our primal brain. This can heighten anxiety and depression, making you feel trapped within your own circumstances.
Loss of Identity (Grief): Long Covid often strips away the ability to perform daily tasks—working, exercising, or even parenting. This disruption causes a profound loss of self-esteem and identity. Grieving the person you were before the illness is a form of emotional trauma that requires gentle acknowledgement.

Why this matters for your recovery: If your brain is processing trauma, it will keep your body in a high-inflammatory "fight or flight" state. To heal the physical symptoms of Long Covid, we must also signal safety to the emotional brain.

Why your body might be stuck in "Survival Mode.

Beyond the Physical: The Trauma Connection

Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool to switch your body back into "rest and digest" (parasympathetic) mode via the Vagus Nerve. We do not just "talk" about relaxing; we use clinical hypnosis to communicate directly with the autonomic nervous system.

Our Approach Targets Three Key Areas:

Nervous System Regulation: We lower cortisol levels and calm inflammation markers. By signalling "safety" to the brain, the body can finally redirect energy toward cellular repair.
Pain & Symptom Gating: Using cognitive tools to "dial down" the intensity of discomfort, headaches, and breathlessness, giving you immediate relief.
Pacing & Energy Management: We retrain your mind to respect your energy envelope. You will learn to recognise the subtle signals of fatigue before you crash, preventing the "boom and bust" cycle.

Research increasingly suggests that Long Covid involves a dysregulated nervous system. The virus may have left your body stuck in "fight or flight" (sympathetic dominance). In this state, your body prioritises survival over repair, burning through energy reserves you simply do not have.

It Starts With Your Vagus Nerve.

How I Work with Young People: My approach for children (typically aged 10+) and teens is designed to be engaging, imaginative, and brief to match their energy levels.

Visualisation over Jargon: We use metaphors (like "recharging the battery" or "fixing the internal WiFi") rather than complex medical terms.
Anxiety Reduction: A massive component for teens is the anxiety of falling behind in school. We work on separating their self-worth from their productivity.
Sleep Support: Gentle techniques to help them drift off without the fear of waking up tired.
Empowerment: I teach them simple "mind hacks" they can use at school or home to feel in control of their body again.

Note: Parents are welcome to sit in on the initial discovery call and the start of sessions to ensure everyone feels comfortable.

Seeing your child struggle with Long Covid is heartbreaking for any parent. Children often lack the vocabulary to explain why they feel "weird," dizzy, or exhausted. For teenagers, the loss of social connection and academic pressure adds a heavy emotional burden to the physical symptoms.

Helping young people get back to school, sports, and being themselves.

Long Covid in Children & Teenagers

I operate a 100% online practice. For Long Covid clients, this is not just a convenience; it is a clinical necessity. You do not need to waste precious energy dressing up, driving, finding parking, or masking in a waiting room.

We connect via a secure video link. You can be in your favourite chair, on your sofa, or even in bed—wherever you feel most safe and supported.

Zero Travel Fatigue: Save your energy for the session itself.
Maximum Comfort: Being in your own environment often leads to deeper trance states and better results.
Flexible: If you are having a "bad flare" day, you can still attend your session lying down without cancelling.

Recovery Without the Travel

Free Discovery Call (30 Mins): We meet online to discuss your (or your child's) specific symptoms. I answer your questions, and we ensure we are a good fit.
Customised Strategy: No two Long Covid cases are identical. I build a plan based on your primary symptoms—whether that is insomnia, anxiety, or fatigue.
The Sessions: We meet weekly or bi-weekly online. I guide you into deep relaxation and provide suggestions tailored to your recovery.
Tools for Life: You will receive audio recordings to listen to between sessions. This repetition is crucial for rewiring the neural pathways in the brain.

Your Path to Improvement

FAQ

Navigating Long Covid often means living in a constant state of uncertainty. It is an exhausting journey of seeking answers, trying endless protocols, and often feeling like you are running on a treadmill—putting in maximum effort for very little movement.

Because of this road you have travelled, it is perfectly natural—and actually very healthy—to be cautious or even sceptical about introducing something new like hypnotherapy. You need to know that your precious, limited energy won't be wasted on "just another thing."

I believe in complete transparency. Hypnotherapy is not magic; it is a clinical approach to helping your nervous system remember safety. I provide straightforward, honest answers to the practical questions people most often worry about before they feel ready to book their first chat with me.

If you don’t see your question here, or if you just want to talk things through, you’re always welcome to reach out. You don’t have to figure this out alone — I’m here to help you take the next step when you feel ready.

📧 Email: paul@paulmatthewshypnosis.ie

📱 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353894850017

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Reach out when you’re ready.

You mentioned trauma on this page. I am terrified of "opening that box" and re-living bad experiences. Is it safe?

This is a very important question. Please know that my approach is incredibly gentle and safety-first. We do not need to go digging into painful memories or make you re-live traumatic medical experiences to help you heal.

Hypnotherapy can often work "content-free," meaning we focus on soothing the physical sensations of anxiety in your body right now, rather than analysing the events of the past. We only ever go at a pace that feels safe for your nervous system.

My teenager is really struggling with the emotional fallout of missing school and their social life. Can you help with that side of things?

Absolutely. For teens, the isolation and falling behind in school can sometimes feel heavier than the physical symptoms. They are at a life stage defined by connection and building identity, and Long Covid has pressed "pause" on that.

We work specifically on separating their self-worth from their productivity or grades. I provide them with practical mental tools to manage the anxiety of "missing out" and help them build resilience, so they feel more emotionally robust while their body heals.

Do I need a doctor's referral?

You do not need a medical referral to see me. However, it is vital that you remain under your doctor's care. Hypnotherapy is a support structure, not a replacement for medical investigation. I always recommend ensuring your GP has ruled out other potential causes for your symptoms, such as thyroid issues or deficiencies.

Does online hypnosis really work?

Absolutely. In fact, for Long Covid clients, I find it is often more effective. Because you are in your own home, safe in your own bed or favourite chair, you don't have the stress of travelling or navigating a new environment. This physical comfort usually allows for a quicker and deeper state of relaxation.

I have brain fog; what if I can't concentrate during the session?

Please do not worry about this at all. Hypnosis is not a test of concentration or a type of meditation where you have to "clear your mind." It is a state of allowing. Even if your conscious mind drifts off, gets distracted, or if you even fall asleep, your subconscious mind is still listening and absorbing the helpful suggestions. Brain fog is welcome here.

Will hypnotherapy cure my Long Covid?

Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy, not a medical cure. We do not claim to treat the virus itself. Instead, we focus on supporting the body’s natural healing processes by regulating the nervous system, reducing stress responses, and improving sleep quality.

Many clients find that when their nervous system shifts out of "fight or flight" and back into balance, their physical symptoms reduce significantly, and their quality of life improves.

Book Your Free Discovery Call

I know that reaching out for help takes energy you might not feel you have right now. After everything you have been through, you may be worried about trying "yet another thing."

That is why the first step is just a simple, informal chat. There is no pressure to commit to therapy and absolutely no need to travel. It is just a safe space for you to feel heard, ask your questions, and explore if this is the right path forward—all from the comfort of your own sofa or bed.

Let’s help your body remember what safety feels like.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone.

Clinical Hypnotherapist & Nutritional Therapist specialising in PTSD, anxiety, addictions and medical hypnotherapy for pain & IBS.
Mission: help 20,000 people reclaim calm, confidence and control with structured, outcome-tracked programmes.
Location: Online across Ireland, the UK & Europe.