Manage Your Chronic Pain

Book Your FREE 30 minute Discovery Call

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is pain that persists for more than 3 to 6 months, often despite medical treatment or after an injury has healed. It can be caused by conditions like:

  • Arthritis

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Back pain

  • Migraines

  • Nerve damage

  • Injuries

  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

  • Post-surgical pain

Chronic pain often affects not just the body, but also the mind, leading to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and decreased quality of life. That’s where hypnotherapy can offer relief.

Hello, I’m Mary Galanis

As an accredited Strategic Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, I am dedicated to guiding you through life’s challenges with both compassion and practical solutions. I recognize that chronic pain can strip away your sense of control, cloud your judgment, and instil deep-seated fears. My mission is to empower you by providing the treatment and tools necessary to conquer anxiety and achieve lasting change.

Focusing on tangible results, I create personalized treatment plans that incorporate a variety of proven methods, including Hypnosis, EMDR, Psychotherapy, and Somatic Healing. Your holistic well-being remains at the forefront of our collaborative efforts.

Clinical Hypnotherapy and Strategic Psychotherapy are recognized by healthcare professionals as safe and effective approaches for alleviating anxiety and its crippling effects. My goal is to help you regain peace of mind swiftly and effectively through tailored treatments designed just for you.

Outside of my practice, I cherish spending time with my two adult daughters. I also enjoy practicing yoga and unwinding with my two cats. I believe in continual growth—both personally and professionally—and strive to support you in becoming a well-rounded individual and the best version of yourself.

Together, we will embark on a unique journey toward improved wellness.  I tailor your treatment programs to your needs. 

Here’s to better and better.

Treating Chronic Pain with Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy

How Hypnotherapy Helps with Pain

Hypnotherapy is a method that helps people reach a deep state of focused relaxation, known as a hypnotic trance. In this state, the mind is more open to suggestions. A trained hypnotherapist can assist in several ways:
- Decreasing the brain's perception of pain
- Diverting attention from pain sensations
- Altering emotional reactions to pain
- Enhancing coping strategies

Pain isn’t just a physical feeling; it also has a mental aspect. The brain interprets signals from the body and decides how much pain we actually feel. Hypnotherapy changes how the brain views those pain signals.

How Hypnotherapy Assists with Chronic Pain

1. Changing Pain Perception
One major advantage of hypnotherapy is its ability to change how we perceive pain. While people might still feel the sensation, it often feels less intense or bothersome. The therapist may use phrases like:
“You might start to feel a numbing or cooling sensation in the area that hurts.”
“The discomfort is starting to fade.”
These suggestions can help lessen the perception of pain in the brain.

 Brain scans (like fMRI) show that when under hypnosis, areas of the brain that process pain show lower activity.

2. Promoting Relaxation
Chronic pain can lead to tension, which worsens discomfort. When someone experiences constant pain, they may unknowingly tense their muscles or breathe shallowly due to stress.
Hypnotherapy:
- Induces deep relaxation
- Calms the nervous system
- Reduces muscle tension and swelling
- Improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to painful areas

This relaxation can lower pain intensity and enhance function.

3. Lessening Emotional Distress Related to Pain
Chronic pain often comes with feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, and hopelessness, which can make the pain seem worse. Hypnotherapy works on these emotions by:
- Releasing built-up emotional trauma or tension
- Changing negative beliefs like “This pain will never go away”
- Increasing emotional strength and hopefulness
- Teaching positive self-talk and focus

For example, someone with back pain might be guided to visualize their back as strong and flexible, fostering a healthier connection with their body.

4. Enhancing Sleep Quality
Poor sleep can worsen pain, while pain makes it hard to sleep—a tough cycle. Hypnotherapy can:
- Encourage deeper, restful sleep
- Use suggestions for relaxing before bed
- Address insomnia caused by discomfort or anxiety

Better sleep helps the body heal and cope better with discomfort.

5. Restoring a Sense of Control
Chronic pain can leave individuals feeling helpless or trapped in their bodies. Hypnotherapy allows people to:
- Actively manage their own pain
- Visualize healing or soothing sensations in painful areas
- Learn self-hypnosis techniques for everyday use

Feeling empowered can significantly improve one’s ability to deal with pain.

6. Reducing Dependence on Medication
Although hypnotherapy isn't a substitute for medical treatment, many find they:
- Need fewer pain medications
- Can work with lower doses
- Experience fewer side effects from medication

This approach is especially beneficial for those worried about long-term use of opioids or other drugs.

 

 

Who Can Benefit?

Hypnotherapy may help people dealing with:

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Chronic back or neck pain

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

  • Migraines and tension headaches

  • Cancer-related pain

  • Neuropathic pain

  • Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)

It’s also beneficial for individuals who are:

  • Sensitive to medication side effects

  • Interested in a mind-body approach

  • Open to complementary therapies

What Happens During a Hypnotherapy Session for Pain?


A typical session might include:
- An initial conversation about your pain and emotional challenges
- Guided relaxation into a calm state
- Therapeutic suggestions based on your experience (for example, imagining the pain fading away)
- Positive affirmations for building confidence
- A discussion after hypnosis along with teaching self-hypnosis techniques for home practice

Most people find this experience calming and supportive emotionally.

Scientific Support
A review published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found that hypnosis significantly lowers pain in conditions such as fibromyalgia, cancer-related discomfort, and low back issues. The American Psychological Association recognizes hypnosis as an effective treatment for chronic pain, and some hospitals and clinics endorse hypnotherapy as part of comprehensive care.

Final Thoughts

Hypnotherapy is a gentle, safe, and non-invasive method for managing chronic pain that focuses on mind-body connection. It doesn’t replace medical care but complements it—particularly when pain persists despite other treatments.

With regular sessions and a skilled therapist, many individuals experience greater comfort, improved mood, better sleep, and a renewed sense of control over their lives.

Success Stories

Mary was recommended for my chronic pain. She is knowledgeable and able to teach me new ways of thinking. She changed my mindset.

Marianna

Chronic Pain is one of the worse experinces I have had in my life. The constant agony of finding no relief lead to insomnia and medication dependency. I needed help and am lucky I was recommended Mary

Lizzy

FAQs

1What is Chronic Pain ?
Chronic pain is long standing pain that persists beyond the usual recovery period or occurs along with a chronic health condition, such as arthritis. Chronic pain may be "on" and "off" or continuous. It may affect people to the point that they can't work, eat properly, take part in physical activity, or enjoy life.
2What are the symptoms of Chronic Pain ?
Chronic pain can cause a variety of symptoms, including: Pain: Pain that is mild to severe, and doesn't go away as expected after an injury or illness. It can feel like shooting, burning, aching, or squeezing. Physical conditions: Tense muscles, limited mobility, weakness, and a lack of energy. Vegetative signs: Decreased appetite, weight loss, constipation, and trouble sleeping. Emotional effects: Depression, anxiety, anger, fear of re-injury, and mood changes. Paresthesia: A chronic tingling, numbness, or burning sensation in the hands, arms, feet, or soles of the feet. Other symptoms: Headaches, migraines, pain in the mouth, jaw, or face. Chronic pain can interfere with daily life, including work, social life, and self-care. It can be treated with lifestyle changes, and hypnotherapy.
3Why You Need Hypnotherapy For Chronic Pain
Hypnotherapy offers you the chance to deal with and eliminate symptoms of Chronic pain leaving behind anxiety , insomnia, and medication reliance. A hypnotherapist can guide you to avoid any escalating pain symptoms. The goal of hypnotherapy is for pain symptoms to be decreased and prevent other issues. Hypnotherapy can effectively remove old anxieties such as over thinking and a poor mindset. This way, you can gain the freedom you need and move forward in life with confidence.
4How effective is hypnotherapy for Chronic Pain?
Pain reduction Hypnosis can significantly reduce the average amount of pain a person experiences each day. In some cases, the pain reduction can last for several months. Hypnosis may also help with other pain-related issues, such as anxiety, sleep, and quality of life. Hypnosis can help people put aside preconceived ideas about pain and approach it from a new perspective. It can also help people transform pain signals into something less uncomfortable, such as tingling, numbness, warmth, or coolness.
5How safe is hypnotherapy for Chronic Pain ?
Yes, hypnotherapy is very safe forChronic pain. Hypnotherapy creates a safe space where you feel comfortable, calm, and at ease. A 2015 review published in the academic journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine# found there were no adverse effects of hypnotherapy when treating trauma.
6What does a typical session look like ?
Sessions last for 60 minutes. This gives me time to treat both the mind and the body. The first session lasts for 90 minutes. All other sessions are 60 minutes each.) Beginning: Typically, each session begins with a discussion of what’s happened since your last session. This gives us a clear idea of the progress you feel you’ve made and what areas we need to focus on. Middle: You’ll sit back, relax, and listen as you receive hypnotherapy (most clients’ favourite part of the session!). End: Finally, we’ll discuss what actions need to take place between this session and your next to ensure your healing continues.
7How many sessions will I need ?
It’s important to understand everyone has a different set of circumstances. That’s why I tailor each treatment program according to your individual needs. As a general guide, most people develop the tools they need to achieve symptom decrease and gradually overcome anxiety after 3 to 6 sessions
8Can sessions be done online?
Hypnotherapy can be done either online or in person. Both forms are equally effective, so it’s really up to you. I’m located in Caulfield, Vic. Some people prefer online treatment because they don’t have to leave the comfort of their own homes. Others prefer to come in person because they’re more relaxed face-to-face and they don’t have to use video call technology.
9How do I get in touch with you?
Simply send me a message using the enquiry/booking form or book in a 30mins free discovery call. and I’ll be in touch! Or If you’d like to have a quick chat prior to booking a session, you can also call me on 0411 11 4587. I look forward to meeting you.