Heart of the Woods Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy for Equestrians
Ride with Confidence. Compete with Clarity. Connect with Your Horse. Hypnotherapy for equestrian athletes at every level.
Is Your Mind Getting in the Way of Your Riding?
Whether you're dealing with nerves before a show, recovering from a fall, or feeling stuck in your progress — your mindset matters just as much as your training. Hypnotherapy helps you build the mental skills to match your physical ones, so you can ride with confidence and joy.
What Riders Come to Leah For
Riders in dressage, jumping, eventing, reining, and other disciplines seek hypnotherapy for:
Performance anxiety before shows or clinics
Recovering from injury or falls and overcoming fear
Maintaining focus and mental clarity under pressure
Enhancing visualization skills for tests and courses
Breaking through plateaus in skill development
Reconnecting with their love of the sport
““I came to Leah feeling overwhelmed by stress and anxiety, and after just a few sessions, I felt a sense of calm I hadn’t experienced in years. Her approach is gentle yet powerful, and I now feel more in control of my emotions and equipped to handle life’s challenges.””
What Is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy helps riders make positive changes in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — so what happens in your mind supports what happens in the saddle. During a session, Leah guides you into a state of deep relaxation and heightened focus called hypnosis. In this state, you remain fully aware and in control, but your attention turns inward — allowing for greater receptivity to change at a deeper level.
Hypnotherapy works by accessing the subconscious mind, where deeply ingrained patterns, beliefs, and emotions live. For riders, this is where fear after a fall takes root, where performance anxiety builds before a show, and where self-doubt quietly erodes confidence. This is also where lasting change happens.
How Can Hypnotherapy Help My Riding?
Every rider knows that riding is as much mental as it is physical. No matter how solid your technical skills are, if your mind is working against you, your performance will reflect it — and so will your horse. Hypnotherapy helps align your mindset with your training, so you can ride with confidence, clarity, and joy.
How It Works
Sessions with Leah are relaxed, conversational, and fully client-led. All sessions are available via Zoom- audio only, so you can work with Leah from anywhere.
Hypnotherapy to be very relaxing and feel refreshed and calm at the end of the session. Book your appointment here today! Or feel free to email me questions and inquiries.
Enhancing Visualization for Performance and stress reduction.
Elite equestrian athletes don't just train their bodies — they train their minds. Visualization, also called mental rehearsal, is one of the most powerful and well-researched tools in sports performance. Riders who consistently use visualization report feeling more prepared, more confident, and more in control when they enter the arena.
But for many riders, visualization is harder than it sounds. You sit down, close your eyes, and try to picture your dressage test or jumping course — and your mind wanders, goes blank, or worse, replays every mistake instead of a confident, successful ride. This is exactly where hypnotherapy makes a difference.
Why Visualization Works
When you vividly imagine performing a movement, pattern, or course, your brain activates many of the same neural pathways as when you physically ride it. In essence, your nervous system doesn't fully distinguish between a powerfully imagined experience and a real one. This means that every focused mental rehearsal is actually training your brain and body to perform — without ever getting on your horse.
Research in sports psychology consistently shows that athletes who combine physical training with regular mental rehearsal outperform those who rely on physical training alone. For equestrians, this means you can school your flying changes, walk your course, or ride your freestyle — in your mind — with measurable benefit to your real-world performance.
Why Hypnotherapy Takes Visualization Further
Most riders who try visualization on their own find it difficult to sustain, lacking in detail, or overrun by negative images and worst-case scenarios. Hypnotherapy solves this by guiding you into a deeply relaxed, focused state — the theta wave state — where your imagination becomes vivid, immersive, and emotionally real.
In this state you can:
Ride every stride of your test or course with clarity and feel
Experience the rhythm, balance, and connection you are working toward
Mentally rehearse staying calm and focused when something goes unexpectedly
Replace the mental replay of past mistakes with the image of a confident, capable ride
Build a felt sense of success that your nervous system begins to recognize as familiar
The more real and emotionally rich the mental rehearsal, the more powerfully it programs your subconscious mind for confident performance.
Visualization for Every Discipline
Whether you are memorizing a dressage test, walking a stadium jumping course, preparing for the cross-country phase, rehearsing a reining pattern, or simply visualizing a calm, connected hack — hypnotherapy can help you build a clear and confident mental picture of exactly what you want to achieve.
Many riders also use visualization between shows and clinics to stay sharp, maintain feel, and keep their goals front of mind — even when time in the saddle is limited due to weather, injury, or a busy schedule.
What Riders Experience
Riders who work with visualization through hypnotherapy often describe:
Feeling like they have already ridden the test before they even enter the arena
A sense of calm familiarity replacing pre-competition nerves
Greater ability to stay present and ride each movement as it comes
Faster recovery when something goes wrong mid-test or mid-course
A stronger, clearer picture of the rider they are becoming
Visualization is one of many tools Leah uses in sessions. Your sessions are always personalized to your goals, your discipline, and where you are in your riding journey.
60-Minute New Client
First Session Promotion.
$100 USD
4, 8 Session Packages
Discounted Package Rates
Save up to $150 by pre-paying.
45-Minute Follow-up Session *Returning clients only.
$125 USD
Negative Thought Loop Month
Recordings, Sessions, & more.
Email for more information.
Transform Your Life with Hypnotherapy Sessions
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FAQ’s
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The subconscious mind, also known as the unconscious mind, is a part of our mental processes that lies below the level of conscious awareness. It is a reservoir of thoughts, emotions, memories, beliefs, and desires that influence our behavior and experiences.
While the conscious mind represents our immediate awareness and logical thinking, the subconscious mind operates beneath the surface and has a significant impact on our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It plays a vital role in shaping our perceptions, motivations, habits, and automatic responses to various stimuli.
The subconscious mind is responsible for storing long-term memories and processing information at a rapid and intuitive level. It also influences our emotions, instincts, and intuition. Many of our beliefs and attitudes, formed through past experiences and social conditioning, reside in the subconscious mind and can influence our behavior and decision-making without us consciously realizing it.
Hypnotherapy and other techniques such as meditation and visualization aim to access and work with the subconscious mind to bring about positive changes. By tapping into the subconscious, individuals can gain insight, resolve conflicts, release emotional blockages, and create new patterns of thinking and behaving that align with their desired goals and well-being.
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Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that uses hypnosis as a tool to help individuals achieve positive changes in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and focused attention that allows the individual to access their subconscious mind more easily.
During a hypnotherapy session, a trained hypnotherapist guides the individual into a relaxed state and uses various techniques to communicate with their subconscious mind. This can involve suggestions, imagery, and visualization to help address specific issues or goals.
Hypnotherapy can be used to address a wide range of issues, including anxiety, phobias, stress, smoking cessation, weight management, insomnia, and pain management. It can also be helpful in enhancing performance, boosting confidence, and improving overall well-being.
It's important to note that hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy and should be conducted by a qualified professional. The hypnotherapist works collaboratively with the client to identify and address their specific needs and goals, promoting positive change and personal growth.
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Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and increased suggestibility that allows individuals to access their subconscious mind more readily. In this state, individuals are in a state of deep relaxation and heightened concentration, making them more open to suggestions and imagery. Overall, hypnosis is believed to work by bypassing the critical faculties of the conscious mind, accessing the subconscious mind directly, and facilitating positive changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through suggestion and imagery.
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Intake questions, a short explanation of hypnosis, answering your questions, creating a blueprint for our work together, self-hypnosis guide, hypnotherapy session. Follow-up appointments are available for lasting change. Please find a comfortable quiet space where you can relax for your session. Most people find Hypnotherapy to be very relaxing and feel refreshed and calm at the end of the session. Book your appointment here today! Or feel free to email me questions and inquiries.
I accept payments via Venmo, or Zelle. Payments must be made 24 hours before the start of the session. Once you have booked a session I will send a payment request from heartofthewoodswellness@gmail.com.
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Zoom audio or dial-in access via phone, laptop, or tablet.
A comfortable chair, sofa, or bed where you can relax. Choose a location where you won't be disturbed. It should be quiet and comfortable, allowing you to relax and focus without interruptions.
As much privacy and quiet as possible. (including any pets as well :) )
Please put your devices on "Do Not Disturb" mode, with notifications off.
A Strong Internet Connection: Ensure you have a reliable and fast internet connection to avoid interruptions during the session.
Headphones or Earbuds: Using headphones or earbuds can help block out external noise and make it easier to listen to the hypnotherapist’s guidance.
Preparation for the Session: Complete any intake forms or questionnaires your hypnotherapist has provided in advance. Be ready to discuss your goals and what you hope to achieve with hypnotherapy.
An Open Mind: Be prepared to engage with the process and follow the hypnotherapist’s guidance. Having a positive and open attitude will help you get the most out of your session.
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12 sessions typically are the “tipping point” for real lasting transformation. However, results vary from client to client and depending on the issue you are working on. Most clients completely work through an entire issue in less time, approximately 3-4 sessions, which means that with 12 sessions you are able to address approximately 3-4 areas of concern. Of course, some topics require more sessions than others, weight loss being one of them, depending on the amount of weight you’d like to lose.
If you are looking to add Hypnotherapy as part of your self-care routine and have a weekly or monthly ongoing session for general maintenance this is a great option too.
If you are interested in a package rate let me know and I can send you further information. During our first session together we will create a blueprint of issue areas you’d like to work on.
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Yes! All sessions are remote and can be accessed anywhere .
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All sales are final for Private Hypnotherapy and Hypno Travel Coaching sessions. However, there’s no contract, no obligation, and no pressure! Please provide 24 hours notice for cancellations and/or rescheduling needs. $50 fee for cancellations or rescheduling made 24 hrs. before a session start time.
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Leah is an International Association of Counselors and Therapist (IACT) and Grace Method™ certified hypnotherapist. Leah trained directly under world-renowned Hypnotherapist, Grace Smith at the Grace Method Hypnosis School. An in-depth education in hypnotherapy with extensive hands-on training in the Grace Method™.
Grace Method Hypnotherapy School is a world-class training program consisting of in-person, online, and practicum requirements. Including, 35+ hours practice sessions, and more than 250+ hours of coursework. The Grace Method Hypnotherapy School is a certification program approved by the International Association of Counselors & Therapists (a premier association for holistic practitioners) and the International Hypnosis Federation. To learn more: https://gshypnosis.com/school https://gshypnosis.com/
Leah is also a Grace Method Certified Hypnotherapist and Mentor for Grace Method Hypnosis Private Clients.
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Book and schedule online, pay online, and intake forms done all online. In just a few clicks you’ll be on your way to your first session!
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Remember, meditation is a skill that develops over time with practice. Be patient with yourself and embrace the process, even if your mind feels busy or distracted initially. The key is to cultivate a sense of presence, awareness, and inner calm through regular practice.
While most people can be hypnotized, the level of responsiveness to hypnosis can vary from person to person. Some individuals are naturally more susceptible to hypnosis and can enter a hypnotic state more easily, while others may require more effort or practice.
The ability to be hypnotized depends on various factors, including the person's willingness, openness, and ability to relax and concentrate. People who are highly skeptical, resistant, or have a strong need for control may find it more challenging to enter a hypnotic state.
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Hypnotherapy is a collaborative process between the hypnotherapist and you. It is important to keep in mind:
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state, we are all in trance many times each day. We pass through hypnosis on our way to sleep and when we wake up each morning.
The hypnotherapist does not and cannot control the client.
Hypnosis can’t make you do anything against your will.
You won’t do anything against your will. You can reject or accept suggestions – it’s your decision. Scientific experiments have proven that, if someone were to give you suggestions that you disagreed with, you would simply reject them.
You can control what you choose to say. You are in control at all times during a hypnotherapy session.
What hypnosis is NOT:
Sleep / Blackout
Stage Hypnosis
Amnesia
Mind control / truth serum
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Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility. When a person is hypnotized, they enter a trance-like state where their attention becomes highly focused, and their awareness of the external environment may diminish. It is important to note that hypnosis is not a state of unconsciousness or sleep; instead, it is a state of deep relaxation and concentration.
During hypnosis, the hypnotherapist typically uses verbal suggestions and techniques to guide the individual into a state of relaxation and increased receptivity to suggestions. These suggestions can help the person access their subconscious mind, which may be more open to accepting and integrating positive changes or new perspectives.
While in a hypnotic state, individuals may experience various sensations. Some common experiences include:
Deep relaxation: Many people describe feeling deeply relaxed and at ease during hypnosis. It can be similar to the feeling of being in a meditative or daydream-like state.
Heightened imagination and focus: Hypnosis can enhance your ability to vividly imagine and visualize things. This can be helpful for mental rehearsal, creative exploration, or working on personal goals.
Altered sense of time: Some individuals report that time seems to pass differently during hypnosis. Minutes may feel like seconds or vice versa.
Increased suggestibility: In a hypnotic state, individuals may become more receptive to suggestions provided by the hypnotherapist. These suggestions can be aimed at behavior change, relaxation, confidence building, or other therapeutic goals. Again it is important to keep in mind the client is always in control and if they don’t want to accept a certain suggestion then they can choose to simple reject the suggestion. The hypnotherapist cannot control a client’s mind, actions or behaviors, the client chooses what’s for their highest and greatest good.
It's important to note that hypnosis is a subjective experience, and different individuals may have different experiences. Some people may have a more profound and vivid experience during hypnosis, while others may have a more subtle experience. It can also vary from session to session.
It's worth mentioning that stage hypnosis, which is often performed for entertainment purposes, may involve more dramatic and exaggerated behaviors. However, hypnotherapy is focused on helping individuals achieve their specific goals and is conducted in a safe and supportive environment.
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Hypnotherapy can be an effective tool for managing and reducing stress and anxiety. It works by accessing the subconscious mind, where deeply ingrained thoughts, beliefs, and patterns reside. By utilizing hypnosis, a hypnotherapist can help individuals explore and address the underlying causes of their anxiety and facilitate positive changes in their thought patterns and emotional responses.
Here are some ways in which hypnotherapy can help with stress and anxiety:
Relaxation and stress reduction: Hypnotherapy induces a state of deep relaxation, allowing the body and mind to release tension and stress. By accessing the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy can help reframe anxious thoughts and promote a calmer state of being.
Identifying and addressing root causes: Hypnotherapy can help individuals uncover the root causes of their anxiety, which may be deeply rooted in past experiences, traumas, or negative belief systems. By exploring these underlying factors, a hypnotherapist can assist in reframing and resolving them, leading to a reduction in anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety often involves distorted thinking patterns and negative self-talk. Hypnotherapy can help identify and challenge these negative thoughts and replace them with more positive and empowering beliefs. This process, can help individuals develop a healthier mindset and outlook on life.
Developing coping strategies: Through hypnotherapy, individuals can learn relaxation techniques, self-soothing methods, and coping strategies to manage anxiety symptoms in daily life. These techniques can be accessed and reinforced through hypnotic suggestions, allowing individuals to cultivate a sense of control and mastery over their anxiety.
Building confidence and self-esteem: Hypnotherapy can target underlying feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth that often contribute to stress and anxiety. By addressing these core issues, individuals can develop a stronger sense of self-confidence and self-assurance, leading to a reduction in anxiety symptoms.
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Results May Vary: You alone are responsible and accountable for your decisions, actions and results in life, and by your registration here you agree not to attempt to hold us liable for your decisions, actions or results, at any time, under any circumstance.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The client understands that Hypnotherapy/Hypnocoaching is not to be used as a substitute for professional advice by legal, mental, medical, or other qualified professionals and will seek independent professional guidance for such matters.
Clients agree and understand that Leah Charbonneau is a Hypnotherapist/Hypno and, as such, is not a licensed therapist or psychologist. Clients take full responsibility for my actions.
Clients Understand that all information shared during the treatment sessions will be kept confidential, except in cases where: The therapist believes there is a risk of harm to myself or others or required by law or court order.
Cancellation Policy: Please provide at least 24 hours rescheduling or cancellation notice via email. Appointments canceled or rescheduled within 24 hours of scheduled session time are subject to a $50 fee.
Clients sign and agree to terms and conditions upon scheduling.
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The Science Behind Hypnotherapy & Equestrian Performance
Hypnotherapy is a mental training method backed by decades of research. Here's what the some of the science says.
Why Fear & Anxiety Take Hold- “Performance anxiety and fear after falls aren't a matter of willpower. Research shows that stress responses are triggered by the amygdala — the brain's alarm system — which can fire even when no real danger is present. This leads to panic, tension, and loss of connection with your horse. Hypnotherapy works directly with this neurological response to calm the alarm and restore confidence.” Source: Hypnosis Training Academy — Equestrian Hypnosis to Overcome Fear of Riding
What Peer-Reviewed Research Shows: A systematic review of studies on hypnosis and athletic performance found statistically significant improvements in three key areas: Athletic performance. Recovery from injury. Reduction in psychological distress. Source: Systematic Review on Therapeutic Hypnosis & Sports Performance, cited by ManaHsculpt.com (2026)
During hypnotherapy, the brain enters a theta wave state — the same pattern seen in deep meditation and light sleep. In this state, the mind becomes highly receptive to positive conditioning, making it easier to release fear, build confidence, and strengthen focus. Neuroscientific studies confirm that hypnosis measurably alters brain activity in ways that support performance. Source: Top Sport Hypnosis — Mental Mastery: How Hypnosis is Revolutionizing Sports Performance Training (2025)
The Horse Feels What You Feel- Horses are uniquely sensitive to their rider's emotional state. When a rider is tense, nervous, or afraid, the horse responds in kind — affecting performance, communication, and safety. Addressing the mental game isn't optional in equestrian sport. It's essential. Source: Hypnosis Training Academy — Equestrian Hypnosis to Overcome Fear of RidingHypnosis Reshapes How Athletes Think- Published research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that hypnosis restructures the cognitive processes most critical to athletic performance — including self-confidence, attention, and memory. These are the exact mental skills that separate good riders from great ones. Source: NIH National Library of Medicine — The Application of Hypnosis in Sports (PMC8820393)
A Century of Use in Sport- Sports hypnosis has been used as a performance tool for over 100 years and is increasingly recognized alongside traditional mental skills training in competitive athletics. The Cleveland Clinic notes that adding a mental training regimen to physical training can significantly increase confidence, consistency, and ability. Source: Cleveland Clinic — Can Sports Hypnosis Improve Performance? (2021)Source: ManaHsculpt.com — Hypnosis for Sports Performance (2026)
Precision Sports See the Strongest Results- A research review found hypnosis to be especially effective in precision-based sports — those requiring focus, control, and consistency under pressure. Equestrian disciplines demand exactly these qualities, making hypnotherapy a natural fit for riders at every level. Source: NIH National Library of Medicine — The Application of Hypnosis in Sports (PMC8820393)
Offering remote hypnotherapy sessions from anywhere in the world! Access this healing tool from the comfort of your own home.
First 60-minute introductory promo session only $100USD.
heartofthewoodswellness@gmail.com
♡All are welcome here. You belong.
Results May Vary: You alone are responsible and accountable for your decisions, actions, and results in life, and by your presence here you agree not to attempt to hold liable for your decisions, actions, or results, at any time, under any circumstance. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Hypnotherapy is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.