My name is Monica Chatterjee and I am a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist offering in-person sessions in Leigh-on-Sea and online across the UK. I help people overcome issues such as anxiety, stress, panic attacks, insomnia and low self-esteem, while developing a deeper understanding of themselves and their potential
Until age 30 I spent my life at the mercy of it's ups and downs and suffered a lot from anxiety and depression. The turning point came when I first tried meditation and realised that I was responsible for my own state of mind, this began my transformative journey. Since then I have studied and practiced various forms of therapy and self-development. I also trained as a Mental Health Nurse and worked in Addictions. I wanted to help people (and myself at the same time!) to overcome whatever holds them back from living their lives to the full. My values led me to train as a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist (Dip CBH) with the esteemed UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy.

My clients have told me I have a kind and caring manner that puts them at ease and helps them feel safe to explore and positively engage throughout the process. I can add that I'm fairly unshockable and have a good sense of humour. I can relate to many of the issues that people come with, having experienced a lot myself. Even so, I don't assume I understand or know how they feel, I ask lots of questions and listen!
Dip CBH, PG Dip MH Nursing, BA Hons Psych/Phil, GHR (Reg)

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) is an evidence-based approach which is approved by the British Psychological Society, an assurance that it has been proven to work. CBH is truly holistic as it addresses behaviour, emotions, body, thoughts and relationships.
CBH combines hypnosis with CBT which boosts the effectiveness of both:
CBH also integrates other therapies and techniques (e.g. ACT, REBT and Mindfulness) so it can be tailored to help you, as a unique individual, overcome your very unique issue.
Coming to see me for one particular issue can have an added beneficial effect on how you deal with other situations in your life and how you feel about yourself. You will have the tools and confidence to continue breaking down other blocks to becoming more free and fulfilled.
I help people who come to me with a range of problems (such as anxiety, chronic pain, low-esteem, phobias, smoking/vaping addiction, panic attacks, insomnia, stress). As a part of overcoming these problems they deepen their self-understanding and self-acceptance, connect with a deeper sense of self and are empowered to deal with their thoughts. They open up to their unique potential and vision when fears and blocks are dissolved by subtle changes of perspective.
This collaborative way of working can feel investigative, playful, delicate, relaxing, educational and full of realisations.

Whether you're struggling with a specific difficulty or looking to develop greater confidence, self-understanding and fulfilment, Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy can help with a wide range of issues.
Anxiety
Chronic Pain
Low Self-Esteem
Phobias
Smoking & Vaping Addiction
Habits
Panic Attacks
Insomnia
Stress
Social Anxiety
Assertiveness
Health Anxiety
Panic Disorder
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Self-Development
Performance
Confidence
Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (Dip CBH)
Including CBT for Insomnia, Smoking Cessation Masterclass and CBT for Panic Disorder
Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
Registered Mental Health Nurse
BA (Hons) Psychology & Philosophy
Appointments are available on weekdays, with the first session starting at 9am and the last appointment at 7pm.
Standard sessions last 60 minutes, while the initial Assessment and Consultation session lasts 75 minutes.
Get in touch to find out how I can help.
£75 Per Session
Each session costs £75 (including first session, in-person and online).
Appointments must be paid for in full unless 48 hours notice is given of any change or cancellation.
Payment can be by bank transfer, Stripe or cash.
Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy in Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea and South Essex. Supporting adults with anxiety, stress, panic attacks, insomnia, phobias, confidence issues, smoking cessation and personal development through evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy.
Sessions can be in-person, online or a mixture of both (pre-arranged).
In-person sessions take place at:
Dawn Lister Therapy Centre
1-5 Church Hill
Leigh-on-Sea
Essex SS9 2DE
Online sessions are available via Zoom.
I offer a free, 20 minute, initial telephone consultation which is an informal chat where you can tell me a bit about what you are seeking help for.
I can let you know if it's something I can help with and give an idea of how we would work together.
At the end of the call you can decide to book a First session or have a think about it, there's no pressure.
Therapy rooms at the Dawn Lister Centre, Leigh-on-Sea
My aim is that when you come to see me you will overcome your specific issue in the most effective way and also connect with a deeper, more majestic, sense of your self than the one you've been getting by with.
In keeping with these aims I run 'Relax into Being' sessions and workshops and co-host 'Move into Being' Ecstatic Dance. In the workshops, participants explore how relaxation is their natural state of 'being' and how to be in the present moment. Ecstatic dance is another way of experiencing and expressing our 'being' by moving to music and letting our thinking minds take a back seat.
Although these events are completely aligned with my therapeutic philosophy (and you are welcome to attend), they are separate to my one-to-one therapy sessions which are goal-focused on helping you with your specific issue.
Relax into Being Group runs every Tuesday 6.30pm – 7.30pm at The Dawn Lister Centre, Leigh-on-sea.
It is a small, friendly group where you can connect to your deepest sense of self, let go of stress and be in the present moment.
Cost £10 per session. Please contact me if you are interested in joining.
Move into Being Ecstatic Dance is a monthly event at Strictly Smartz Leigh-on-sea.
The next dates are:
14th June, 19th July, 16th August, 20th September.
Full info on https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/move-into-being-ecstatic-dance-leigh-on-sea-4798728
Taking the first step can feel daunting, but you don't have to do it alone. If you would like to arrange a free 20-minute consultation or ask any questions about how I work, please get in touch using the form or contact details below.
All enquiries are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential.
Is CBH the same as Hypno-CBT?
Yes, Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is also known as Hypno-CBT, CBT-Hypnotherapy, HCBT, H-CBT. It is known as being a practical, highly effective, evidence-based approach that can produce lasting change. The integration of hypnosis with CBT boosts the effectiveness of both.
How is CBH different to other therapy I have had before?
CBH focuses on the present and on actual situations where you'd like to see a change in the way you feel, think and behave. Although we can examine and acknowledge how the past may have shaped our beliefs, we look at it through the lens of the present moment which is where the power is. We use CBT techniques to deal with unhelpful thoughts and create new, more helpful, beliefs. We may integrate different techniques tailored to your specific needs (e.g. role-play, Mindfulness, deep-relaxation). Hypnosis is used to believably imagine certain situations and to embed helpful new beliefs. In hypnosis you can experience acting differently and feeling differently about things. To get the most out of this therapy, we will agree some tasks to do in between sessions (they will be brief so you can easily fit them into your schedule) this maximises what we can achieve and brings it into your life where it's needed.
I'm not sure about hypnosis, what if I can't be hypnotised?
You can rapidly improve your ability to be hypnotised, it is a skill, it is actually the art of convincing yourself and I will guide you in that. Ultimately, you are aware and in control during hypnosis. This also means that you can't 'get stuck in hypnosis' or be hypnotised against your will. Unlike some other types of hypnotherapy, CBH is based on the non-trance model, an evidence-based understanding that hypnosis happens by creating deep focus, absorption in the imagination and enhanced suggestibility. Depending on your situation and preferences, we can use lots of hypnosis or even none at all and just stick to the CBT.
How many sessions will I need?
This is brief, goal-focused, therapy. I want you to succeed in as short a time as possible without feeling rushed. I want to give you realistic expectations, this is why we work on one issue at a time, setting clear goals.
When we do our full consultation, I can give you an idea of how many sessions it will take to achieve your goal. Expect to commit to 6 sessions, it may be less or more; the commitment is to your goal. Some people achieve one goal and realise there's more they want help with so they continue to work with me for an extended time.
What is better, in-person or online?
There are pros and cons to both. If you have a decent internet connection, laptop and somewhere private and comfortable to do the sessions from home then that's fine –it works perfectly well. Alternatively, the Dawn Lister Centre in Leigh-on-sea is a lovely place and it gets us away from our laptops and into the world. We could even arrange to do a mixture of both e.g. first session in person and future ones on Zoom.
What is the first session like?
The first session is always a thorough assessment of your issue, from that we'll be able to conceptualise what is going on and set a goal for how you'd like things to be instead. This first session is 1 hour and 15 minutes long as there's a lot to discover and I'll always aim to give you a helpful practice to go away with to set you in the right direction. At the end of this session we'll also know if we are a 'good fit' and will work well together, there's no pressure.
Will everything I say be kept confidential?
Everything you tell me is confidential. There are rare circumstances where I'd have to break confidentiality if a client is at risk to themselves or others but this would be discussed with the client first. I will, however, discuss your case with a therapy Supervisor whilst keeping your identity anonymous. This is standard practice for therapists to ensure they are approaching their client's treatment in the most appropriate way.