A Cheltenham woman who once broke down in tears every time she sat in a moving vehicle is now confidently practising driving and preparing to book her test after working with local hypnotherapist Lesley Ford.

The challenge

Her fear began after an early driving experience in which she crashed into another car in a quiet car park. From that point forward, driving became associated with intense anxiety.

Whenever she attempted to sit in the driver’s seat, panic would take over.

"I couldn’t breathe. My legs would shake and I would start crying. I felt absolutely petrified."

The work

Through a series of hypnotherapy sessions focused on calming the nervous system and reframing the emotional memory linked to driving, she gradually began to feel more in control.

After the first session she reported feeling noticeably calmer.

The outcome

Within days she was able to drive for two hours without experiencing the overwhelming panic she previously felt.

Over four sessions the transformation continued.

She now practises driving regularly and is preparing to book her practical driving test.

"I finally know I can do this."

Driving anxiety is more common than many people realise. When the emotional memory connected to a frightening experience is gently processed and the nervous system becomes calmer, people can often move forward much more easily than they expect.

Many people experiencing driving anxiety in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire discover that once the nervous system settles, confidence behind the wheel begins to return naturally.

Phoenix Hypnotherapy, based in Cheltenham, specialises in helping people overcome anxiety, trauma and confidence challenges and currently holds over 100 five-star Google reviews, the highest number for a hypnotherapy practice in Gloucestershire.