About Matthew

Clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist, specialising in anxiety, insomnia and trauma.

Matthew Bates

My route here

I started my working life in the military, where I served for seven years, including active service. It taught me to be mentally tough, adaptable and resilient. Or so I thought.

I then spent eighteen years in IT within wealth and asset management banking. That came at a price. A young family, the pressures of work, early commutes and long days and late nights all added up to anxiety, stress and insomnia. It felt like a heavy weight on my shoulders, a constant battle I could not seem to win.

When the pandemic struck and I faced redundancy, my world was turned upside down and I was finally forced to confront my own struggles. The journey was painful, but it became a turning point. I discovered that hypnotherapy can help with far more than giving up smoking or losing weight, and I retrained as a clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist. It was a leap of faith for me and my family.

My own experience gave me a deeper understanding of what people go through, and I was determined to help others find the relief I had found. I now specialise in behavioural sleep medicine alongside anxiety and trauma work. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with French from the University of Brighton. The degree was dual-accredited and included a period of study abroad at Université René Descartes in Paris.

Training and registration

  • Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (DSFH), awarded by CPHT
  • Registered with the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)
  • Registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC07324)
  • Member of the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH)
  • My further study includes the CBT-I Masterclass with the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNI), University of Oxford, accredited by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians.
  • Trauma and PTSD-related training as part of my hypnotherapy training, including further CPD in trauma and PTSD, and attendance at an introductory EMDR course
  • Ongoing professional development and regular professional supervision with Susan Rodrigues, hypnotherapy supervisor

Speaking

I also speak to businesses, community groups and events about anxiety, trauma and sleep. Find out about talks and presentations.

How I work

I see one client at a time and take a limited number of clients so I can give each person proper attention. I work at your pace. You will never be pushed, judged or rushed.

Start with a free, no-pressure chat

Tell me what you are dealing with and we will decide together whether hypnotherapy is a good fit.