Since the publication of the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s files, we have seen evidence of the most appalling sex trafficking and abuse of vast numbers of innocent young girls.

It is gratifying that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has finally been arrested, but also frustrating that this was on the grounds of his potentially having passed on state secrets and confidential information onto others which amounts to misconduct in public office. A police investigation is ongoing and I am hopeful that they will uncover firm evidence of his involvement in sex trafficking. Yes, he continually denies any wrongdoing but 12 million pounds is a lot of money to pay to a person he denies ever having met.

When I heard the news last Thursday about Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s arrest I was initially delighted but then felt very sad as Virginia Giufre would not be able to witness this moment.

Having read Virginia Giufre’s book ‘Nobody’s Girl’ I was so impressed by her tenacity, strength and determination to bring certain people to justice. She fought and fought, despite being continuously branded a liar, receiving many death threats (it is claimed that she committed suicide but I wonder?) and did so much to try to get justice for the victims of Epstein’s sex trafficking empire. We now know that the photo of her with Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Ghilaine Maxwell is absolutely not a fake, despite many claiming it to be so at the time.

Both the King and Prince William have issued bland PR statements about their thoughts being with the victims but one wonders how sincere this is, given that Andrew’s behaviour was flagged up many times over the years. It is only now that the Epstein files have finally been released that they have come forward and made these statements. They have had to, in order to save their own skin.

Sadly I have seen many clients over the years who have been victims of abuse, whether it be physical, psychological or sexual and there are some key issues that we have to recognise in these cases.

At the root of this abuse there is usually a perpetrator with a desire to exert power and control over his or her victims. They also tend to put all the ‘blame’ on the victims, for example in the Epstein case the girls are seen as cheap, money grabbing and promiscuous, sometimes people say ‘they were asking for it’ but also in many cases they are just unimportant pawns, easily used and forgotten. An amusement, a toy which can be discarded and then a new one found.

However, the most important thing to mention in abuse cases is the effect on the victims. If you read Virginia Giufre’s book you will begin to understand how this poor woman was affected psychologically. Although she did try to make a new life for herself, with a loving husband and three children, she continued to be haunted by the appalling things that had happened to her in her younger life. Whether she did indeed take her own life, we cannot say for sure, but it is clear that she was battling demons up till the end.

As well as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, there are still very many rich and powerful men who need to be brought to justice. If this were to happen it would go some way to allowing a bit of closure for the victims.

However, it would never take away all their pain.

Wendy.

How was your Christmas ? I do hope that you had a good one and that you are fully refreshed and ready to start the new year. After a horrible lurgy just before the Christmas holidays I managed to rally on Christmas Eve and we had a lovely time, spent with my son Joe and his wife Polly, as well as my other son Olly and his girlfriend Olivia. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful family (and that includes Mr Chalk too!) and it makes me terribly sad to see how some families are either continually at war with each other or even totally estranged. This time of year can sometimes be difficult, it’s not all fairy lights and Christmas cake.

As we start the new year it is sometimes a good time to reflect on our lives, have a bit of a life audit to check if there are tweaks we should make. Often, people embark on new diets or exercise regimes, maybe stop smoking or drinking and these can be a great idea as long as you are setting yourself achievable goals.

If you are not so keen to start training for a marathon or eating a keto diet, maybe it’s time to try something a little bit different. Start in a gentle way to be mindful about your body’s needs, nourishing it well and moving it in ways that feel good. Cut yourself a little bit of slack and do not over stress your body with brutal health regimes. Address any niggling health worries (book that GP appointment) and be assertive and clear about what is concerning you. Practice kindness, not just to others but to yourself and be mindful of any stresses that you could perhaps get rid of. Enjoy a calm and simple life, appreciate those small wonderful things each day and by doing this you will find that your radar is then focussed on the positives in life. Find a simple way you could incorporate meditation or self-hypnosis into your daily life.

At the end of last year I finally addressed a health concern of my own and got the correct treatment for an under active thyroid. It will probably take some time to get it fully sorted but I feel loads better already. It is important to trust your instincts with regard to your own health and be assertive, if you feel there is something not quite right. Keep going until you get the answers.

I am really looking forward to seeing clients old and new in 2026, so do please get in touch if you need my support.

Love and best wishes,

Wendy xx

Mr Chalk and myself have just returned from a wonderful holiday in Thailand, suitably relaxed and chilled. We fell in love with the place 35 years ago, when we honeymooned in Phuket and Bangkok. The country itself is beautiful but it is the people, gentle and friendly, that keep us going back again and again.

We love Thai food and it is generally very healthy, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, delicious seafood, wonderful herbs and spices. Thai people themselves tend to be healthy and look after themselves very well.

However, we couldn’t help noticing that there were a lot of people – mostly tourists, it has to be said – who were smoking. I found myself wondering if these were people who did not smoke much at home, but ‘indulged’ much more on holiday because it almost didn’t count. The same could possibly be applied to alcohol, and in that case it unfortunately seemed to be the Brits that were drinking the most.

I wonder if you are somebody who would dearly love to stop smoking and/or cut down on your drinking but you find that in certain situations (for example holidays, social situations etc.) the impulse to increase these habits becomes too great and you feel that you have to give in.

Hypnotherapy can help to re-programme your mind so that these cravings are reduced substantially and so you have no desire to smoke or drink to excess, in ANY situation.

Is it time to really make your health a priority and feel much happier and healthier?

I would love to hear from you, so please get in touch.

love and best wishes to you all,

Wendy xx

This time of year can feel a bit challenging to some of us. Maybe you have just begun a new academic year and it’s all a bit overwhelming. Perhaps you are one of those folk who struggle with SAD – seasonal affective disorder – and you feel quite low, less energy and verve, wanting to eat every single carbohydrate insight as well as feeling the need to hibernate under a furry throw till next spring? Whilst the beauty of this time of year is not in question, the cold and the increasingly shorter days can be difficult for some.

As a summer baby and a sun worshipper, I can empathise, I typically have a little bit of a dip in September and feel a bit ‘meh’. I have always felt that the Scandinavians can teach us a lot with their concept of ‘hygge’ which sort of translates as a cosy hug, using this time to make your home welcoming and warm in a simple way. This can be as basic as putting up some fairy lights, investing in some candles or, as I did last year when our heating broke down completely, buying a plug in heated throw. Oh my god, let me tell you this is the best thing I own right now, it is seriously comforting for the winter months!

It is also very important to wrap up warm and get outside as often as you can. Even if it’s a bit cloudy, the outdoor light and moving your bodywill give you a serotonin boost. Again, the Scandinavians are good at making sure they dress well for the cold, lots of layers is much better than a gigantic duvet coat.

It pays to be mindful of listening to your body and how it may be telling you to slow down and have a bit of a rest. Very often we seem to be fixed on autopilot and do not take time to have the odd quiet moment. It doesn’t have to be about meditating for hours, just simply sitting or lying down quietly for a few minutes, away from phones and devices, just taking some calming deep breaths.

Sending all of you a great big ‘hygge’ and all my blessings for a peaceful and healthy autumn.

Wendy xx

I think I may have mentioned in previous blogs how proud I am of my wonderful boys. Well, the younger one, our dear Joey, married his lovely Polly last Saturday and it was truly a day filled with so much joy.

Joe and Polly have known each other since middle school and in truth – although they did have some ‘breaks’ – there was never going to be anyone else for either of them. The wedding day reflected them both beautifully; an awe-inspiring setting in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, delicious food and drink, some fun and quirky additions like mini golf and a Photo Booth, loads of photos of them through the years and LOTS of dancing.

The music was supplied by a band called Heavy beat brass band, an acoustic New Orleans jazz band which played any tune you wanted but in their own inimitable style. You could not help dancing and the lawn of the Little Green Wedding Barn had quite a pounding. My other son, Olly, had helped book the band as they were all close college friends. I had never seen Olly breakdance before, so that was a first.

I think that we are still basking in the afterglow of this beautiful event and I keep remembering special bits. Joe and Polly are a wonderful couple, I am so incredibly proud of them and wish them a life filled with happiness and joy.

love and best wishes,

Wendy xx

In general, when people think about hypnotherapy, it often tends to be regarded as a treatment for giving up smoking, losing weight or curing a phobia.

Whilst it is brilliant at tackling all of these things successfully, it is worth considering it for so much more. Basically, any issue which involves anxiety or stress can be treated with hypnotherapy, often very quickly and easily. These are some of the more unusual cases I have treated over the years that I have been practicing :

a phobia of a specific type of caterpillar

a man who kept calling his girlfriend by his ex’s name

a fear of stomach rumbling (own and other peoples)

Tinnitus

preparation for an operation or medical procedure

I often find that people come to see me as a last resort, having exhausted all other avenues, including counselling. I would urge you to consider hypnotherapy as your FIRST resort, it’s such a wonderful therapy which invariably works quickly and powerfully, providing you with lasting relief for any number of issues.

Enjoy this beautiful weather,

Wendy x

Mr Chalk and I have just returned back from a most wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka. We have visited this beautiful country a few times before and what always strikes us is the friendliness and kindness of the people. They always want to stop and chat, also they love to help you. This time was no different but we also saw the most amazing example of their faith and devotion.

Whilst we were in Sri Lanka we visited Kandy, the ancient capital. We had been there previously, back in 2007, to witness the incredible Esala perahera, a sparkling and vibrant religious procession where the sacred ‘Buddha’s tooth’ is carried by an elephant through the streets. We were with our children that time and they could not quite believe the sights and sounds, elephants covered in beautiful lights, rhythmic drumming, fire dancing, a chaotic but quite wonderful festival. The perahera happens once a year, in August.

It was pure coincidence that when we went this time it was at the exact time of another religious ceremony, where the Sri Lankan people actually get to queue up and see the Buddha’s tooth in situ, within the temple. This only happens once every 16 years, so we were very lucky. We arrived in the city to see many kilometres of queues, all ages of people from babies to the elderly, queuing for days, sleeping on the hard ground. It was a most humbling site. People come in buses from all over the country, several million in total.

Our hotel was right in the centre and the staff asked us if we would like to help make up packages up food for the pilgrims and deliver them. We had quite the production line going, wrapping up 500 meals of rice, curry and Dahl then taking them out to the people in the street. I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences I have ever had, I shall never forget it. Oh and I should just add that the hotel we were staying at was Muslim. How about that? Muslims giving out food to Buddhists, rest of the world take note!

I feel so blessed to have witnessed such devotion. Our world often seems so materialistic and shallow, but to see people who still have a profound religious faith that appears to make them happy and thankful is quite awe inspiring. Their Buddhist beliefs are simple and pure but give their lives such meaning.

Perhaps it wasn’t such a coincidence that we happened to be in Kandy at this time?

love and best wishes to you all,

wendy x

I love helping my wonderful clients to rid themselves of their fears and phobias. To witness somebody finally being free of a debilitating fear which has dogged them for years is deeply fulfilling. I have been privileged to have been able to help people get rid of all sorts of different phobias, from the quite common ones like fear of flying to the not so common, such as a fear of burping (yes really!)

Fears and phobias are often rooted in trauma, maybe from childhood but that’s not always the case. My approach is always very gentle as the last thing I would want to do would be to re-traumatise the client.

Not every therapist has a gentle approach, however. I recently watched a programme on Channel 4 called ‘The Fear Clinic’. Based in Amsterdam, the main premise of the treatment seemed to be exposure therapy which means subjecting the client to their particular fear, followed by popping a beta blocker in their mouth. I actually found this quite disturbing to watch, in particular the lady with emetophobia who had to witness hearing another person being quite violently sick. Obviously this type of thing makes for good television but I could not help feeling that it is deeply irresponsible and traumatising to say the least.

I am happy to say that I do not practice this type of exposure therapy, instead using calming hypnotherapy suggestions in order to reinforce a belief within the client that they can let go of their fear completely and live a normal and fulfilling life. I also record a relaxing download which they can use at home to further strengthen their confidence. I then encourage the client to set themselves achievable challenges, so that they continue to gradually build up their strength, at their own pace.

It is my belief that therapy should not involve any further trauma for the client, there is absolutely no need for this.

If you have been considering therapy for a fear or phobia, please do get in touch.

Best wishes,

Wendy x

This time of year can be a bit ‘ugh’. Recovering from the excesses of Christmas and trying to get ourselves in gear once again, all the while dealing with freezing, damp weather and perpetual colds and sniffles. At the same time we cannot console ourselves with retail therapy as there’s no money left after the Christmas blowout. I am usually quite relieved once we have got through January.

There is also the added pressure that we put upon ourselves to pledge to be healthier, whether it be dry January, going to the gym or increasing our step count.

I think that I may have said before that I am not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, it tends to be a way of setting yourself up for failure which obviously ends up adding to the ‘ugh’ feeling mentioned earlier.

Instead I have found that it is a good idea to try to make the new year a quiet, simple time: enjoying comforting and nutritious meals, getting outside when you can even if for 10 minutes, having a declutter session, watching some good drama on TV (I can recommend ‘My Brilliant Friend’ on Sky). I have always been a fan of the Scandinavian concept of ‘Hygge’ which sort of means cosy, but also add a dash of warmth, hugs, candles (you get what I mean). I have taken down the Christmas decorations but decided to leave the fairy lights, they always make you feel good.

Lastly, be easy on yourself, you are wonderful and that’s more than enough to be going on with.

I look forward to meeting some lovely new hypnotherapy clients in 2025 so please get in touch if you think I can be of help. The old clients are always welcome too, it goes without saying!

Sending my very best wishes for a calm, happy and healthy 2025.

Wendy xx

I have always found the link between the stomach and the brain fascinating, the magical vagus nerve which joins these two parts of the body an incredibly powerful connector. Buddhist philosophy is known to use the term ‘the second brain’ for the gut and indeed this can often be the case as we are sometimes ‘guided by our gut’ when we need to make hard decisions.

We also know a lot more now about the gut’s micro biome, this refers to the delicate balance of gut bacteria which is an essential factor in our general health and well-being. In order to achieve a healthy micro biome it is important to eat a huge variety of different fruits and vegetables, also to consider taking a probiotic and to consume as many fermented foods as possible.

These are all useful, practical ways in which we can improve the health of our gut.

However, what many people are not so aware of is how hypnotherapy can be an incredibly powerful gut healer. Gut directed hypnotherapy is actually recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) for people suffering with IBS. It is very disappointing that GPs are hesitant about giving this advice to their patients, often preferring to prescribe medication instead.

I have had the opportunity to help many people with IBS symptoms and they have found that, not only do they feel better in terms of their gut health but also that they are feeling so much calmer and happier too. When your digestive system is settled and calm, the message goes right up to your brain via the vagus nerve allowing for a relaxed, serene mind.

I think you could call that a ‘win win’.

Do get in touch if you feel that I could be of help to you.

Keep warm folks,

Wendy xx