20+ Years Experience | Fully Insured | Online Worldwide

PTSD & Complex Trauma Hypnotherapy

Are you exhausted from living in survival mode, constantly on edge, reliving the past, and never truly able to relax?

Book Your Free No Obligation Discovery Call

Is This You?” – Symptoms & struggles

If you're living with PTSD or Complex PTSD, life can feel like it’s divided into before and after the trauma.

You might notice:

Flashbacks, intrusive memories or nightmares that drag you back to what happened.
Feeling constantly “on guard”, scanning for danger, struggling to switch off.
Sudden surges of panic, anger or distress that seem to come from nowhere.
Avoiding people, places or situations that might trigger memories.
Emotional numbness – feeling detached from yourself or others.
Crushing guilt, shame or self-blame, even though you “know” it wasn’t your fault.
Difficulty sleeping, concentrating or being present with loved ones.
Turning to alcohol, tablets, food, work or other habits to cope.
Feeling broken, damaged or “not the same person” you used to be.

You may have already tried counselling, medication or simply “getting on with it” – yet part of you is still stuck in survival mode.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not weak or failing. Your nervous system is doing its best to protect you – it just needs help to stand down.

Important Clinical Notice: Hypnotherapy for PTSD/Trauma is a complementary therapy designed to work alongside conventional mental health care. It does not provide a medical or psychiatric diagnosis. Please continue to work with your GP, psychiatrist, or mental health team regarding any prescribed medications or existing care plans.

At a Glance: Key Details

The Goal

To resolve the subconscious emotional impact of past traumatic events, restoring a sense of safety, calm, and control in the present.

Typical Duration

Typically follows a specialized, structured 6-Session PTSD Protocol, designed for deep and lasting resolution.

Therapeutic Approach

Integrative Clinical Hypnotherapy combined with Trauma-Informed methods, NLP, CBT elements, and Timeline work.

Location & Availability

As an online-only practice, I work with clients worldwide from my base in Ireland, provided we can align our time zones.

Who It Is For

Adults and teens suffering from PTSD, CPTSD, or lingering trauma symptoms who want a solution beyond talk therapy or symptom management.

Format & Privacy

Secure, private 1:1 sessions via Google Meet. Engage in trauma therapy conveniently from your own safe, comfortable space.

How Hypnotherapy Helps with PTSD & Complex Trauma

PTSD and Complex PTSD aren’t signs of weakness. They are natural responses to experiences that were overwhelming, frightening or prolonged.

Trauma is stored not just as memories, but as patterns in the body and nervous system:

The fight/flight/freeze response gets “stuck on”.
The brain keeps scanning for danger, even when you’re now safe.
Neutral triggers (a sound, smell, tone of voice) can instantly bring the past into the present.

Clinical hypnotherapy works with the part of your mind that holds these automatic patterns.In a safe, relaxed state you can:

Gently calm the over-active alarm system in the brain.
Create new associations and responses to triggers.
Process traumatic memories at a pace that feels manageable.
Release toxic beliefs (“I’m to blame”, “I’m broken”, “I’m not safe anywhere”).
Strengthen feelings of safety, control and self-worth.

In my work, I blend clinical hypnotherapy with elements of CBT, NLP, parts work and timeline therapy in a clear, structured protocol designed specifically for trauma.

You stay in control throughout. You don’t have to re-tell the full story in graphic detail. We work together to keep you emotionally safe while your mind does the healing work it’s been trying to do all along.

The Protective Shell and the Weight of Trauma

PTSD is like a heavy weight that presses down on you. I would like you to imagine a walnut that has a hard outer shell and a soft inside. The shell can protect the inside from outside pressure, but if the pressure is too much, the shell will crack and the nut will be crushed, and the contents will spill out.

Most PTSD sufferers develop this protective shell over the years to protect themselves from the hurt and pain inside them, which has built up over many years of trauma. Now, a walnut, while it is tough, can be broken. Just imagine a paving slab. If one of these is placed on top of the walnut, it will be okay, and as more and more of these slabs are laid on top of the walnut, it will eventually crack. When the crack happens, all the symptoms and emotions will manifest themselves, and they will no longer be able to cope.

The pressure of trauma can come from different sources and at different times. It can be like a small, decorative paving slab that adds up over time, or a giant, square paving slab that hits you all at once. Either way, the pressure can be too much for you to handle.

To truly heal from PTSD and trauma, we must address the biology of the brain as well as the patterns of the mind. As both a Clinical Hypnotherapist and a qualified Nutritional Therapist, I understand that a nervous system under constant stress is physically depleted. Trauma often keeps the body in a state of high cortisol and inflammation, which can block psychological progress.

By integrating practical nutritional guidance into the MindMend Protocol, we focus on stabilising your blood sugar, supporting your gut-brain axis, and providing the raw nutrients your brain needs to produce 'calm' neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA. We don't just work on what you think; we ensure your physical health is robust enough to support your mental transformation, leading to faster, more sustainable recovery

The Mind-Body Connection: How Nutrition Supports Trauma Recovery

Session 4 – Age Regression

Using safe, trauma-informed techniques, we carefully revisit key moments on your timeline. With hypnotic distancing and rescripting, your mind can process these experiences differently and recognise that those events are over and that you have survived.

Session 5 – Forgiveness / Acceptance of Self

Here we turn towards you. We focus on releasing self-blame, shame and harsh self-judgement, and move towards compassion and acceptance of yourself as you are now. This session is often a powerful turning point in how you relate to yourself.

Session 6 – Ego Boost / Reinforcement / Strengthening

In the final session we consolidate all the work we’ve done, strengthen your identity beyond the trauma and reinforce new patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. We future-pace you handling triggers with greater calm, confidence and resilience, and agree a plan going forward.

Session 1 – Negativity Clearing

We begin by clearing accumulated emotional “noise”: unhelpful thoughts, stuck feelings and negative expectations that keep your mind locked in survival mode. This helps your nervous system create space for calm, change and healing.

Session 2 – Ego Parts

We explore the different “parts” of you – especially the wounded and protective parts that formed around the trauma. By helping them to communicate and rebalance, we reduce inner conflict and begin to restore a more grounded sense of self.

Session 3 – Forgiveness / Acceptance of Others

Where it feels appropriate and safe, we work towards degrees of forgiveness or acceptance of others involved in your story. This isn’t about excusing what happened; it’s about loosening the emotional grip the past has on you, so you're less bound to it.

To give you a clear roadmap, I offer a dedicated programme:

The MindMend PTSD Protocol – 6-Session Trauma-Focused Hypnotherapy

Introducing the MindMend PTSD Protocol

Rather than “ad-hoc sessions”, you follow a structured pathway. Each session has a specific focus, so you always know where we are in the process:

You’ll also receive:

Personalised hypnotic audio(s) to use between sessions.
Simple exercises and tools to practise in daily life.
The option of top-up sessions in the future if you ever need a reset.

Life-Changing Results from the 6-Week Protocol

Read how the Mindmend Protocol helped these clients reclaim their lives.

Step 1: Free 30-Minute Consultation

We meet online (or by phone) to discuss what you're dealing with, answer any questions, and decide together whether this protocol is the right fit for you. There's no pressure and no obligation to book.

Step 2: Book Your Programme

If we both feel it’s a good match, we book your 6 sessions in advance (usually weekly or fortnightly). You'll complete a brief, confidential online questionnaire so I can tailor the work to you.

Step 3: Attend Your Sessions

Sessions are held online (across Ireland, the UK, and Europe). You'll always know what we’re doing and why – no vague "mystery therapy”.

Step 4: Between-Session Support

You’ll have tools, audios and simple practices to use between sessions, helping the changes to bed in and giving you a sense of control day-to-day.

Step 5: Review & Plan Ahead

In Session 6 we review your progress, fine-tune anything that needs attention, and agree a plan going forward. Many clients feel complete at this point; others choose occasional top-ups.

Step 6: Sustained Freedom & Growth

"Our goal isn't just to manage symptoms, but to achieve a permanent shift. After completing your programme, you’ll join the thousands of others who have reclaimed their lives using the MindMend Protocol. Y

ou will move forward with a resilient mindset and a body supported by nutritional health. While you will have the tools to stay on track independently, I am always available for future check-ins as you continue to grow and thrive."

Your Process – What to Expect

Who I Work With

I work with:

Adults and teens living with PTSD or Complex PTSD.
People who’ve experienced:
- Childhood trauma or abuse
- Domestic or relationship trauma
- Workplace bullying or harassment
- Medical or procedural trauma
- Road traffic accidents or physical assaults
- Frontline or emergency services trauma
- Military

If you’re already in counselling or under psychiatric/GP care, hypnotherapy can often work alongside your existing support – we can discuss this in your consultation.

“Trauma is hell on earth.

Trauma resolved is a gift from the gods.”

Peter A. Levine

Healing Without Re-Traumatisation

I use advanced, trauma-informed protocols—including the MindMend PTSD Protocol—that allow us to process traumatic memories safely. A common fear is that therapy will force you to "relive" the worst moments of your life, but my approach is different.

Using techniques such as Visual-Kinsthetic Dissociation, we process events from a safe emotional distance—much like watching a movie on a screen rather than being back in the scene. You do not need to re-experience the pain to heal from it. Instead, we work gently with your subconscious to let your nervous system know the danger has passed, restoring your sense of safety, calm, and control.

Accessible, Private Support

I hold all sessions online via secure video, allowing you to engage in this sensitive work from the privacy and comfort of your own home. For many dealing with PTSD or anxiety, the stress of travelling to a clinic, finding parking, or sitting in a waiting room can be dysregulating before the session even begins.

By working online, you remain in the environment where you feel safest. This creates a secure "therapeutic container" for our work and allows me to support clients across Ireland, the UK, and Europe with the same level of care and connection as an in-person visit.

Why Work With Paul?

A Trauma Specialist Who Prioritises Your Safety.

I understand that reaching out for help with trauma can be terrifying. You may worry that therapy will force you to "retell the story" or relive the pain.

My approach is different. As a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Trauma Specialist, my priority is not to make you re-experience the past, but to help your nervous system realise that the danger is over.

21+ Years of Frontline Trauma Experience

For over 21 years, I worked on the frontlines with the Dublin Simon Community, supporting individuals carrying the weight of profound trauma, Complex PTSD (CPTSD), and adverse childhood experiences.

During this same period, I was already practising as a Clinical Hypnotherapist. This means my trauma-informed approach wasn't just learned in a classroom; it was refined alongside decades of real-world experience supporting people in crisis.

This unique background means I am comfortable sitting with deep pain. I am not shocked by complex histories. I offer a steady, grounded presence that allows you to do this work without fear of being "too much" or being judged.

In this short discussion, you will hear:

Why my method does not require you to re-live painful memories.
How we combine nutrition and hypnosis for a permanent fix.
Exactly what happens during the 6-week programme.

Note: This is an AI-generated conversation summarizing Paul's specific methodology.

Too overwhelmed to read right now? Just listen.

Recovering from trauma can be exhausting, and sometimes reading through a website feels like too much work. I’ve created this audio overview so you can simply close your eyes, listen, and understand how the MindMend Programme works.

All sessions are private, confidential, and conducted via secure Google Meet. Your transformation takes place in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you’ve been carrying trauma for a long time, it’s completely natural to have questions — especially when you’re thinking about trying something new. Many people who come to me have tried other forms of support, felt let down, or simply didn’t feel understood. So before you start the MindMend PTSD Protocol, I want you to have all the clarity and reassurance you need.

This FAQ section is here to help you feel safe, informed, and supported. You’ll find gentle, honest answers to the questions people with PTSD and Complex PTSD most often ask — from how sessions work, to what happens if you feel overwhelmed, to how quickly most people notice change. My approach is trauma-informed, calm, and at your pace, so nothing is ever rushed or pushed.

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

📧 Email: paul@paulmatthewshypnosis.ie

📱 WhatsApp: Chat with me on WhatsApp

Do you offer online sessions and where are you based?

Yes — sessions are offered online and are available to clients across Ireland, the UK and Europe. I do not offer in-person sessions.

How quickly will I see results?

People respond differently — some notice calmer sleep and reduced reactivity within a few sessions, while others experience steadier change across the six sessions as skills and new patterns consolidate. The MindMend protocol is designed to create measurable shifts within the 6-session programme, but pace is always tailored to your needs.

What if I get overwhelmed during a session?

Your emotional safety is the priority. We build strong stabilisation and grounding tools first, and I’ll teach you how to use them.

During sessions, we stay in close communication – if anything feels too much, we slow down, change approach or pause. You’re in control at all times.

Is hypnotherapy safe if I’m on medication or in counselling?

In most cases, yes. Hypnotherapy can work well alongside medication and counselling or psychotherapy. If you’re
under the care of a GP, psychiatrist or psychologist, I encourage you to let them know you’re starting
hypnotherapy so your support team can work together.

If there’s ever anything I feel is outside my scope, I’ll always be honest and may recommend additional or alternative support.

How many sessions will I need?

Most people complete the 6-session MindMend PTSD Protocol and notice significant changes in that time. Some choose one or two additional sessions for fine-tuning or to work on specific related issues (e.g. sleep, confidence or relationships). We’ll discuss what’s right for you as we go.

Will I have to relive everything that happened in detail?

No. Trauma-informed hypnotherapy is not about forcing you to relive events. We may work with certain memories, but always at a pace and level that feels manageable for you. We use techniques that create distance and safety, so you can process what happened without being overwhelmed.