About Suse Ashford – Clinical and Advanced Hypnotherapist (For both adults and children)
Hypnosis New Zealand Registered Clinical Hypnotherapist
Welcome, I’m Suse Ashford,
a Clinical and Advanced Hypnotherapist.
What first drew me to hypnotherapy was discovering its remarkable ability to create powerful, lasting change swiftly and effectively. It’s a modality grounded in science, yet it carries an almost alchemical quality, a sense of purposeful transformation that feels, at times, like magic.
My ultimate reason for doing this work, is to offer something that goes beyond surface-level relief to bring about enduring healing. I believe healing is not just about revisiting the past, it’s about transforming it.
My intention is to support clients gently and safely to move beyond past-suffering, reframe unhelpful personal beliefs, and rediscover a deep sense of inner confidence. I want my clients to walk forward in life feeling whole and empowered by the healing they’ve embodied.
My Qualifications & Therapeutic Approach
My journey into hypnotherapy has been shaped by a deep commitment to helping others heal and grow. My qualifications include:
- Diploma in Clinical and Advanced Hypnotherapy
- Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Psychotherapy)
- Mindfulness Certificate
- Certified NLP Practitioner
- Brain Health Coaching techniques and skills
- Bachelor of Communications
- Graduate Diploma in Primary School Teaching
This diverse background has given me a broad understanding of the mind, communication, learning, and healing, all of which inform my work as a hypnotherapist.
How I Work
My approach to hypnotherapy is highly interactive and collaborative. Once I guide a client into a calm and comfortable trance state, I invite them to keep their voice active, allowing their own subconscious insights to emerge. Rather than being a passive recipient of suggestions, the client becomes a co-creator in the process. I have found this to be incredibly effective. When the answers come from within, they tend to be precisely what the client needs, authentic, deeply resonant, and often life-changing.
Each session is shaped around a specific intention or question. From there, we journey inward with curiosity and care, allowing the subconscious mind to lead the way. Often, clients are gently guided to comfort their younger selves, or to connect with inner parts that may feel dominant, hidden, or unheard. The metaphors, imagery, and messages that arise from within are powerful catalysts for change.
As this work unfolds, clients often experience significant emotional releases; tears, laughter, yawning, trembling, all of which are natural signs of energy shifting and stored emotion being released from the body. I hold space for these moments with deep care, helping clients safely navigate and let go of what no longer serves them. As the well-known book The Body Keeps the Score affirms, unprocessed emotions are often held in the body and releasing them can bring profound healing.
Integrative Tools for Lasting Change
Because of my background, I complement hypnosis with additional science-backed techniques that clients can use beyond our sessions. Depending on individual needs, I may incorporate elements from:
- Cognitive hypnotherapy
- Somatic and nervous system regulation exercises
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
- Mindfulness practices
Many clients find these tools helpful in maintaining balance and resilience in everyday life. When appropriate, I also create personalised audio recordings to support their continued healing at home.
My passion for mind and body health began with a Graduate Diploma in Health Science, where I studied Psychotherapy. While I didn’t go on to practise as a psychotherapist, this training provided me with a strong therapeutic foundation and a deep respect for the complexities of the human mind.
I later expanded my skills through training as a Brain Health Coach and Mindfulness Facilitator, all of which inform the integrative, evidence-based approach I now bring to hypnotherapy.
Every session is guided by both compassion and science, thoughtfully tailored to meet your needs and support your journey. Drawing from a rich blend of modalities, I aim to offer you the most effective and empowering experience possible one that honours your story, activates your inner resources, and supports true transformation.
In this work, I’ve seen again and again how our perception of the past shapes our self-worth, our choices, and the way we move through the world. When we invite the subconscious mind to participate in our healing, to review, reframe, and release, something extraordinary happens. Emotional and even physical shifts unfold in ways that continue to inspire awe in me.
If this approach resonates with you, I would love to meet and support you on your journey, wherever your mind, body, or heart needs gentle assistance.
Warmly,
Suse Ashford
Disclaimer:
Hypnotherapy offered through Mangawhai Hypnotherapy is a complementary wellness service and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical or psychological condition. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Hypnotherapy may not be suitable for individuals experiencing psychosis, suicidal thoughts, or other severe psychiatric conditions. If you are currently under psychiatric care, taking medication for a mental health condition, or have any concerns about the suitability of hypnotherapy for you, please consult your doctor or mental health professional before making a booking. In some cases, a referral or written clearance from your healthcare provider may be required. If you are unsure whether hypnotherapy is appropriate for your needs, please contact Suse at mangawhaihypnotherapy@gmail.com before booking to avoid the need for rescheduling or refunding appointments. Results vary for each individual. No guarantees of specific outcomes are made.