Charlotte Chalkley embarked on her journey into analytical psychotherapy and hypnotherapy right after graduation, driven by a deep personal connection to the transformative power of hypnotherapy. Her passion for understanding the mind and human behavior led her to immerse herself in spiritual healing, working with guides and plant medicine. In 2017, after a series of serendipitous events, Charlotte transitioned from being solely a therapist to also becoming a hypnotherapy trainer. She founded a successful practice where she not only trains therapists but also equips them with the sales skills needed to thrive in their businesses, enabling both their clients and themselves to lead fulfilling lives. MysticMag has the opportunity to find out more.
Charlotte, your journey into hypnotherapy began with a personal connection to the practice. How did your personal experiences shape your approach to becoming an internationally recognized trainer in analytical hypnotherapy and psychotherapy?
Through my personal experiences, I’ve developed a conscious awareness that allows me to truly experience what’s happening in the moment and understand how these experiences connect to form a bigger picture. I can see what elements were necessary for my transformation and recognize that if the process only addressed the psychological aspect, it wasn’t as deeply transformational. While psychological work can sometimes be enough for minor beliefs or irritations, when it comes to deeply rooted issues that reside in other aspects of our being—not just in our psychological body—true transformation requires engaging with these other parts as well.
These other bodies include the psychological, physiological, and emotional aspects. For example, when certain emotions are suppressed—whether you were shaking, frozen, screaming, or holding back—it’s important to connect the emotional experience with what was truly felt but unexpressed. Perhaps you were outwardly crying but inwardly wanted to laugh, or you were shouting when what you really wanted was to hide. Connecting these reactions with the emotional labels we assign, such as anger, fear, disappointment, or shame, is crucial. When we’re able to consciously experience these in our various bodies, including our spiritual body, that’s when real, lasting transformation occurs.
I’ve noticed that as I integrated these insights, I would suddenly realize, months later, that certain behaviors or patterns had simply disappeared without me even noticing. This understanding deepened during my studies in psychology, criminology, and my courses in analytical psychotherapy and hypnotherapy. I identified the essential ingredients for my own transformation and, when I began practicing, I started incorporating these elements with my clients. Over time, I’ve built a database of information on what works well for different people—whether men or women, those struggling with depression or anxiety—and continue to refine this approach based on what has proven effective.
Can you share more about the development of The Ultimate Hypno Coach Program? What inspired you to create this ‘business in a box’ approach, and how do you see it transforming the careers of aspiring therapists?
When I started practicing hypnotherapy about four or five clients approached me, saying, “I love this! Can you teach me? I want to become a hypnotherapist.” At first, I resisted, saying no repeatedly. But after about six months of this, my supervisor reached out and said, “Charlotte, I’m doing the next teacher training. I think it’s about time you joined.” That was the turning point for me. Since people were asking for it, I thought, “Why not?” and decided to go ahead. The clients who had initially asked me about it became my first students, and they were all originally my hypnotherapy clients.
The reason I developed it as a “business in a box” was that, around the same time, I had been doing some sales coaching for a friend, which I turned out to be surprisingly good at. I applied what I learned to my hypnotherapy practice, and it proved to be incredibly powerful. So, I started teaching that aspect as well. What I realized through this process is that no matter how skilled you are as a hypnotherapist, how excellent your product or service is, or how great your marketing efforts are, if you can’t connect with potential clients during consultations, it’s all for nothing. For me, this connection is the key to a successful business.
As I began to incorporate this element into my course, I noticed something interesting: when you’re confident and have a high closing rate—like 80%—your energy and vibration change. Suddenly, your marketing starts working better too. That’s why I included this aspect in the course.
When I finished my own training, I was left with questions like, “What do I do now? How do I ask people for money? How do I put all of this together?” So, a key part of my course, starting from the third month, is having students practice with case studies. But instead of doing this for free, they start asking for donations, even if it’s just a small amount. This helps them get used to the exchange of value. By the time they finish the course, they’re already accustomed to receiving money for their work, and the transition into charging for their services isn’t overwhelming. They’ve already had some experience, received positive feedback, and built the confidence to succeed.
As someone with experience in both therapeutic practice and sales coaching, how do you help your students and clients integrate these two often disparate skills to build successful, sustainable practices?
It’s not that they are opposites; rather, it’s the process of creating intimacy—intimacy that can lead to transformation and evolution. In traditional sales, the approach often involves manipulation, which makes the intention behind it very different. However, the process is actually quite similar to a therapy session. The questions involved are intimate, such as, “Where would you like your life to be in the next 6 to 12 months?” and “What do you feel is slowing you down or standing in your way?”
The key is to then provide a clear strategy that directly relates to what they need, rather than offering something general. There’s a way to create this intimacy without manipulating or asking leading questions. Instead, you ask discovery questions with the intent of ensuring clarity, such as, “This is what you’ve shared with me—is that correct?” This approach contrasts with the more common sales tactic of twisting the conversation to lead toward a predetermined outcome.
By using the same questions that are common in everyday sales, but with a different intention, everything changes. It transforms the interaction, making it more akin to the first session of therapy. Even if the person ultimately decides that it’s not the right time or fit for them, they’ll still gain clarity from the conversation—something will shift. This is the essence of creating a meaningful connection that fosters genuine transformation.
Hypnotherapy is sometimes met with skepticism or misunderstood. How do you address these challenges both in your training programs and in your practice to ensure that your clients and students fully grasp the potential of this therapy?
Yes, that concern still comes up frequently. Although it was more prominent 20 years ago, it remains an issue today. The way I explain it is that there’s a difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Hypnosis, as many people imagine, is what you see when someone runs around like a chicken or, like with Derren Brown, is manipulated into robbing a bank. While that potential does exist, that’s not what hypnotherapy is about.
Hypnotherapy is focused on transformation and evolution. If someone comes to me seeking help, and they leave still needing that same help, with the added surprise of an empty bank account, it’s not going to look good for me—and I certainly wouldn’t stay in business long. It’s important to distinguish between the use of hypnotic techniques for manipulation, which we do see in things like marketing, especially in America, and the ethical practice of hypnotherapy.
For example, think about the way drugs are advertised on TV, where they highlight all the potential side effects, including the risk of death, and yet people still go out and buy them. That’s a demonstration of how hypnosis can be used in a concerning way, which is indeed quite scary.
The most important advice I can give is to stay vigilant and ask questions. Don’t just trust the first person you meet or rely solely on their qualifications—trust your instincts. How many times have you ended a relationship and thought, “I knew from the beginning it wasn’t going to work”? Or found yourself in a situation where something didn’t feel right, yet you ignored it?
Fear, in this context, is not something to eliminate; it’s a tool. Use it consciously. Ask yourself how you feel with a particular person, and be honest about your fears. If you’re afraid of being hypnotized into doing something against your will, express that fear. Often, simply acknowledging it can help you realize whether it’s a rational concern or just an irrational worry. By addressing it, you can move forward with a clearer mind.
With over 20 years of experience, you’ve seen the industry evolve. Where do you see the future of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy heading, and how do you envision your role in shaping that future for the next generation of therapists?
I love that perspective! The truth is, I don’t have all the answers, and I’m completely comfortable with that. I’m happy to let the future unfold as it will. What I am certain of, though, is my excitement about the direction therapy is heading. We’re moving towards a more holistic and inclusive approach that goes beyond traditional talking therapies. We’re seeing the integration of somatic, energetic, and spiritual therapies, which is incredibly powerful.
When I first started 20 years ago, the focus was largely on helping people just to feel—to even acknowledge their emotions was a big step. But now, we’re delving much deeper, more often addressing existential fears and the core elements of trauma. I’m thrilled to see people transforming faster and more profoundly than ever before.
This might be partly due to my own continuous exploration and growth. I’m always asking myself, “How on earth do we exist?”—a question that fascinates me endlessly. Just looking at something as simple as a hand, how it’s made of the same components as the rest of the body yet functions so differently, sparks my curiosity. I love digging deeper, not out of fear or survival but from a place of joy, discovery, and inquisitiveness.
I see this same depth of inquiry and transformation happening in society at large. Yes, there’s still a lot of anxiety, depression, and a rise in various diagnoses like autism, but alongside that, there’s also a more profound shift happening. People are starting to transform their lives in ways that were less common when I first began.
If this trend continues—if we keep expanding and evolving at this rate—I can only imagine the incredible possibilities that lie ahead. The future of therapy feels limitless, and that’s something truly exciting.
If you would like to find out more about Charlotte, please visit https://charlottechalkley.com/, https://theultimatehypnocoach.com/ and https://ultimateeffectivetherapies.com/
