A lawyer has switched careers to show that hypnotherapy is "not a gimmick".

Emma Oldershaw, from Dereham, is opening Open Skies Hypnotherapy in the town and wants to become somewhere to support people through a range of mental health issues.

Ms Oldershaw even walked away from her 17 years as a lawyer to open the business - now working in a temp role as she waits until she has enough clients to turn her business into a full-time job.

Dereham Times: Emma Oldershaw, from Dereham, will run Open Skies Hypnotherapy from her homeEmma Oldershaw, from Dereham, will run Open Skies Hypnotherapy from her home (Image: Emma Oldershaw)

“I work with a wide range of issues, including OCD, relationship problems, drug and alcohol misuse, feelings of guilt or shame, PTSD, anxiety, stress and panic,” she said.

“What I want to get across is that hypnotherapy is effective and is a psychotherapeutic technique dating back to Freud, it is not a gimmick or for entertainment.

Dereham Times: Emma Oldershaw, from Dereham, is opening Open Skies HypnotherapyEmma Oldershaw, from Dereham, is opening Open Skies Hypnotherapy (Image: Kate Anderson Photography)“I am regulated and insured to practice and have undergone extensive training to provide the best service to clients.”

Hypnotherapy is defined as: “A type of mind-body intervention in which hypnosis is used to create a state of focused attention and increased suggestibility in the treatment of a medical or psychological disorder or concern.”

Dereham Times: Emma Oldershaw, from Dereham, will run Open Skies Hypnotherapy from her homeEmma Oldershaw, from Dereham, will run Open Skies Hypnotherapy from her home (Image: Emma Oldershaw)Ms Oldershaw had turned to this sort of therapy during a difficult time in her life, and now wants to do the same for others.

She said: “I’m excited about it, every time I get an enquiry I get excited.

“I genuinely want to help people, this job is all about human connection, a lot of people have not had that good connection. This helps all sorts of people, from deep trauma to abusive relationships, and everything in between, this therapy is all about giving people some power back.”

Dereham Times: Emma Oldershaw, from Dereham, is opening Open Skies HypnotherapyEmma Oldershaw, from Dereham, is opening Open Skies Hypnotherapy (Image: Emma Oldershaw)

A session with the therapist is £60, with a free initial telephone session.

If interested in a session, call 07904 839 416 or email emma@openskieshypnotherapy.co.uk