That familiar knot in your stomach when you’re away from your laptop. The racing thoughts about tomorrow’s deadlines whilst everyone else is relaxing. The guilt that creeps in during any moment of rest.

Workaholism isn’t just about loving your job—it’s a compulsive pattern that can leave you feeling trapped in an endless cycle of doing. Many people find themselves working longer hours yet feeling less productive, more anxious, and increasingly disconnected from the life they’re supposedly working to build.

What if there was a way to step back from that relentless inner drive without losing your ambition or success? Hypnotherapy offers a gentle approach to addressing the underlying patterns that keep you chained to your work, helping you rediscover what balance actually feels like.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and focused attention to help you access a naturally occurring state of heightened awareness. Think of it like daydreaming with purpose—that absorbed feeling when you’re completely engrossed in a book or lost in thought whilst walking.

In this relaxed state, your mind becomes more open to exploring new perspectives and patterns of thinking. Rather than trying to force change through willpower alone, hypnotherapy works with your subconscious mind where many of our automatic behaviours and beliefs reside.

During sessions, you remain completely aware and in control. You might notice thoughts drifting in and out, or feel that pleasant heaviness that comes with deep relaxation. Some people describe it as feeling like they’re floating just above sleep—aware of everything happening, yet deliciously calm.

The hypnotherapist guides this process using carefully chosen words and imagery. Together, you explore the underlying drives behind workaholism and begin to cultivate new responses to work pressures and internal demands.

How Effective Is Hypnotherapy for Workaholism?

Workaholism often stems from deep-seated beliefs about self-worth, control, and safety. Your brain may have learned to associate constant productivity with survival, creating a stress response whenever you’re not actively working. This triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline, keeping you in a perpetual state of urgency.

Hypnotherapy works by helping to rewire these automatic responses. Research published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis shows that hypnotic interventions can effectively modify stress responses and compulsive behaviours by accessing the subconscious patterns that drive them.

Imagine your workaholic patterns as well-worn paths through a forest—the more you use them, the deeper they become. Hypnotherapy is like discovering there are other routes through the trees, ones that lead to the same destinations but feel completely different under your feet.

Studies from Stanford University demonstrate that hypnosis can significantly alter brain activity in regions associated with attention and emotional regulation. When applied to compulsive behaviours, this creates space for new choices to emerge naturally.

Sarah, a marketing director, began to notice after several sessions that she could actually finish her lunch without checking emails. She found herself taking breaks without the usual guilt, gradually discovering that stepping away from work actually improved her focus when she returned.

Individual responses vary considerably, and hypnotherapy works best when combined with practical lifestyle changes. However, many people experience a noticeable shift in their relationship with work pressures, finding themselves able to set boundaries they never thought possible.

What Happens in a Session for Workaholism?

Your first session typically begins with an exploration of your specific work patterns and triggers. When do you feel most compelled to work? What thoughts arise when you try to stop? This conversation helps identify the unique beliefs and fears driving your workaholism.

The hypnotic portion often starts with progressive relaxation, where you’ll be guided to release tension from different parts of your body. You might notice your shoulders dropping as the weight of endless to-do lists begins to lift, or feel your breathing naturally slowing as you settle into the process.

During the focused work, your therapist might guide you through visualisations of healthier work boundaries. You could explore what it feels like to leave the office on time, or imagine experiencing genuine satisfaction from completed tasks rather than immediate anxiety about the next deadline.

Some sessions focus on addressing perfectionist tendencies that fuel workaholism. Through gentle suggestion and imagery, you might explore what “good enough” actually looks like, and how this standard can coexist with excellence.

Sessions often conclude with post-hypnotic suggestions—positive statements designed to support new patterns throughout your week. These act like seeds planted in fertile ground, gradually growing into new automatic responses to work pressures.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy

Many people worry they’ll lose control or reveal embarrassing secrets during hypnosis. In reality, you remain fully aware and can choose what to share. If your phone rang during a session, you could easily answer it—you’re relaxed, not unconscious.

Another common concern is that hypnotherapy might make you lazy or unmotivated at work. Actually, most people find the opposite occurs. When you’re not driven by anxiety and compulsion, your natural creativity and problem-solving abilities often flourish.

Some believe only certain types of people can be hypnotised. Research shows that most people can experience therapeutic hypnosis to some degree. Your ability to concentrate on a film or become absorbed in a conversation suggests you already access similar states naturally.

Perhaps the biggest misconception is expecting instant transformation. Real change happens gradually, like learning to recognise the difference between genuine urgency and habitual rushing.

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Workaholism?

Most people begin noticing subtle shifts within the first few sessions—perhaps finding themselves able to take a proper lunch break or feeling less anxious when their phone isn’t nearby. These small changes often build momentum over time.

Typically, addressing workaholism requires 6-10 sessions spread over several months. This allows time for new patterns to establish themselves whilst providing ongoing support as you navigate workplace pressures differently.

Some people benefit from occasional “top-up” sessions during particularly stressful periods. Think of these as maintenance—like returning to a favourite walking route that always helps you find your centre again.

The process isn’t always linear. You might have weeks where old patterns resurface, followed by breakthroughs where boundary-setting feels surprisingly natural. This ebb and flow is completely normal and often indicates that deeper shifts are occurring.

Is Hypnotherapy Right for Me?

If you find yourself working compulsively despite wanting to stop, hypnotherapy might offer the gentle approach you’ve been seeking. It works particularly well for people who’ve tried willpower-based solutions but keep returning to familiar patterns.

Consider hypnotherapy if you experience physical symptoms like headaches, sleep problems, or digestive issues related to work stress. Many people also find it helpful when workaholism intersects with perfectionism or underlying chronic stress.

The approach suits people who are curious about exploring the deeper reasons behind their work patterns. If you’re drawn to understanding why you feel compelled to check emails at midnight, hypnotherapy can provide insights alongside practical change.

What if you could maintain your professional success whilst actually enjoying your evenings off? Imagine feeling genuinely satisfied with your day’s work instead of constantly wondering if you’ve done enough.

Explore more about hypnotherapy for Addictions & Compulsions.

The path from compulsive working to conscious choice rarely happens overnight. But with patience and the right support, you might discover that productivity and peace can actually coexist.

Is Hypnotherapy as Effective Online?

This session can be conducted online from anywhere in the world—research published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare has demonstrated that online hypnotherapy is equally effective as in-person sessions for anxiety, with the added benefits of convenience and accessibility from your own comfortable environment. 

Many clients find that being in their own space actually helps them relax more deeply. 

If after that initial session you feel hypnotherapy isn’t right for you, there’s no obligation to continue. 

Book your introductory session and discover whether this approach resonates with you.