Careers in Psychology: A Visit from Clinical Hypnotherapist Dr Ester Harthorn

Students recently had the opportunity to hear from Dr Ester Harthorn, a practising clinical hypnotherapist who specialises in Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy. This modern therapeutic approach is designed to be short-term and goal‑oriented, helping clients address the root causes of trauma rather than simply managing the symptoms.

Dr Harthorn’s journey into hypnotherapy began during her primary career as a dentist. She noticed a significant rise in needle phobia among patients—particularly after the COVID‑19 pandemic—which inspired her to explore psychological therapies more deeply. Her longstanding interest in psychology, first sparked during her A‑Level studies, eventually led her to retrain in this field. Today, she works part‑time both as a dentist and as a clinical hypnotherapist.

During her talk, Dr Harthorn gave students a clear insight into what a typical hypnotherapy session involves and shared details about her day‑to‑day work. She also addressed some of the common misconceptions surrounding hypnotherapy, explaining the wide range of issues it can support. Beyond phobias, hypnotherapy can help improve sleep, boost confidence in public speaking, ease exam anxiety, and support many other aspects of well-being and personal development.

One of the most inspiring parts of her presentation was her message about career pathways. Dr Harthorn highlighted that entering clinical psychology or hypnotherapy does not always require a degree directly related to the field. Many people choose to retrain later in life or alongside another career, opening doors to meaningful and flexible work in mental health.

Her talk offered our students both practical insights and reassurance that career journeys can be varied—and that it’s never too late to pursue a passion.