Why haven't I recovered, even though the infection is long gone?
Long COVID is a real, physical condition, but a system that's been through a prolonged threat can stay on high alert long after, amplifying symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, or pain.
The infection may be over, but your body doesn't always get that message straight away.
You may have noticed that stress, poor sleep, or overexertion make symptoms flare, even when nothing about the underlying illness has changed. Many people find that pushing through makes things worse rather than better, and that rest doesn't always restore them the way it should. That's a sign of a nervous system stuck in a prolonged, on-guard state rather than the illness itself.
We don't claim to treat Long COVID itself, that's the job of your medical team. Instead, we work with what's keeping your body braced, helping it come down from high alert, so recovery has a calmer foundation to build from.
What happens over our four sessions?
I work within a structured programme of four sessions (usually weekly, where possible) because meaningful change rarely happens in a single appointment. Each session builds on the last, giving your mind and body time to settle, learn and change.
Your first session starts with a conversation. We'll take time to understand what's been happening, what you'd like to be different, and answer any questions you have about the process. I'll then guide you into hypnosis, a calm, inward-focused state, rather like daydreaming, but with a purpose. You remain aware and in control throughout. Many people tell me it's one of the most relaxing experiences they've had in a long time.
Each session is tailored to you and builds on your progress, combining conversation, hypnosis and practical tools where appropriate. You'll also receive personalised audio recordings to listen to between sessions, helping to reinforce the work we're doing together.
What people often notice
People often come feeling exhausted, dismissed, and unsure if things will ever feel normal again. What tends to follow reaches further than symptom relief: a steadier nervous system, more predictable energy, and a sense of being met and believed.
“I was absolutely blown away by the results I experienced after just one session. After struggling with my breathing for 8 months it was literally life-changing to instantly be able to breathe freely again. I felt completely safe at all times as Melissa was so considerate and explained each step really thoroughly. I highly recommend her sessions.”
Is this the right approach for you?
This work sits alongside your medical care, not in place of it. Long COVID should be assessed and monitored by your GP or a Long COVID specialist service, and any diagnosis or treatment plan should continue as prescribed. Once that's in place, working with the nervous system's on-guard state can be a genuinely useful part of the wider picture, particularly where stress or overexertion seem to worsen symptoms.
Your free consultation is an opportunity for us to understand what's been happening, and decide together whether this feels like the right approach for you.
Ready to find a calmer way forward?
Start with a free, friendly chatMelissa is an HPD Level 4 Clinical Hypnotherapist, registered with the NCH, BSCH and CNHC, working with adults, children and teens in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and online.