Hypnosis stopped me smoking

After years of trying, Kirstin Watson finally kicked the habit in just one hour

I've always been called one of those 'lucky' smokers who can go for weeks without a cigarette, then just pick up a packet when I'm in the pub.

But, despite kidding myself that I was in control of the fags, they were really in control of me. I'd tried many times in the past to stop and, as long as I didn't drink, I was often temporarily successful. But then I would make the age-old mistake of congratulating myself by smoking!

But with another New Year looming and a 34th birthday around the corner, I decided it was time to get a grip.

The session

That's why I decided to visit Elaine Gold, who, along with her partner, Dave Trevena, runs the Hertford Stop Smoking Centre. Through hypnotherapy, they promise they'll stop you smoking in just one hour, and give you free back-up support for life if you don't.

Elaine started the session by explaining how our minds work; talking about my specific smoking triggers and explaining that they (Elaine and Dave) do not believe nicotine is addictive.

'We believe it is an emotional and psychological habit. Most people's experience of giving up smoking is that it's a battle. The reason for that is that it is a battle between the conscious and the unconscious mind. Your conscious, logical mind knows that smoking is a stupid habit and will harm you in the long run, but the unconscious mind still thinks that it makes you feel good and relaxed. These are false beliefs, but they're still the beliefs that your unconscious mind holds onto.' She explains.

'The thing is, the conscious mind makes up only ten per cent of your mind, so the stronger, unconscious mind is always going to win.