About
My name is Francis Carter and I am a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist specialising in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety related conditions. After training in counselling at university, where my dissertation explored the effectiveness of hypnotherapy compared with traditional counselling, I went on to complete professional training in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and founded my practice in 2021.
My work focuses on helping people move forward using a practical, solution focused approach that combines hypnotherapy with evidence-based methods such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also understand OCD from personal experience, having recovered from it myself using many of the same principles I now use with clients, which has shaped the approach I use to help people break the cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsions.
Who I Help
I work primarily with people experiencing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) across a wide range of presentations. Intrusive thoughts are a core symptom of OCD and can take many forms. What often causes the most distress is not the thoughts themselves, but the cycle of compulsions, reassurance seeking, rumination, and avoidance that develops in response to them.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Contamination
OCD
Checking
OCD
Harm
OCD
Relationship
OCD
Health Anxiety Related OCD
Scrupulosity (Religious or Moral) OCD
Symmetry and "Just Right" OCD
Other Obsessional Themes
Is This Right For You?
Many of the people I work with have previously tried Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is the primary behavioural technique used in CBT for OCD. While ERP is highly effective, it can feel extremely difficult to implement when someone is already operating with a very full “stress bucket”.
I commonly work with people who are:
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Struggling with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours
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Feeling stuck in cycles of rumination, checking or reassurance seeking
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Finding ERP difficult to tolerate or stay consistent with
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Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety that is interfering with daily life
While I specialise in OCD, I also support people with a range of other issues.
How Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Works:
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern therapy used to support issues such as anxiety, OCD, stress, depression and confidence difficulties. It is very different from stage hypnosis. In a clinical setting you remain fully aware and in control at all times.
Most of the session (about 40–45 minutes) focuses on talking and learning practical psychological strategies to improve wellbeing. For OCD, this may include evidence-based approaches such as ERP and ACT. The final 15–20 minutes involves guided relaxation, known as trance. This helps the mind relax, supports better REM sleep and reduces stress, making it easier to manage anxiety and use therapeutic techniques.
Overall, the approach is structured, practical and forward-focused, helping people build useful skills and move towards lasting positive change without needing to repeatedly revisit past problems.
My Approach
Noticing The Positive
This simple exercise focuses the brain on positive moments from the day and gradually retrains attention away from threat and worry.
Reducing Stress Through REM Sleep
Clients listen to a guided hypnotherapy trance recording each night. The purpose of this is relaxation and improving the quality and quantity of REM sleep.
Increasing Serotonin Through Daily Habits
In therapy we focus on practical ways to encourage natural serotonin production throughout the day so you can function as the best version of yourself.
Building Skill and Confidence in ERP
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the main technique used in OCD treatment. It involves gradually facing feared situations while resisting compulsions.
Acceptance and Commitment Skills
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps manage intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions such as rumination and reassurance seeking.
Long Term OCD Management Toolbox
The goal is to build lifelong strategies to manage OCD. Flare-ups can happen, but with the right tools they can be brought back under control.
FAQs
