Master of Ceremonies - Lisa Webber, Symposium Co-ordinator

Danielle, Aitken, President, AHA

A registered Nurse and Midwife, Danielle spent 20 years working in IVF. During this time, she studied genetics at Newcastle University, coordinated genetic infertility clients, managed international research trials, all whilst coordinating a busy patient load dealing with all aspects of the IVF journey.

Now a Counsellor and Clinical hypnotherapist, Danielle is inspired by human mind- body potential. She is a HeartMath Practitioner® and holds a credential in Clinical Neuroscience. She has been called as an expert witness for the professional practice of Hypnotherapy in Australia. She is a Clinical Supervisor and has also worked as a tutor and assessor of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Counselling at a Victorian RTO for many years. An Author and International Speaker on mind-body therapy and healing modalities, Danielle has been interviewed on Radio, TV, and Podcasts and has written three Amazon no.1 bestselling books and co-authored several others. She writes to educate and inspire her readers about human potential.

She now holds the position of President of the Australian Hypnotherapist’s Association whilst running her own busy private practice.

Hypnotherapy With Sex Addiction

Sex addiction is a major problem for many people that is rarely understand by clinicians as it can been seen as moral degradation rather than psychological and physical problems. Urry et al (2023) identified large gaps in the training of mental health professionals around sexuality.

Milton Erickson (1980) worked with hypnosis and sexual problems, Millet (2005) with group hypnosis and sex addiction, and Gordon (2016) et al, reviewed their use of mindful awareness in sex addiction. But the field of using hypnosis with sex addiction is largely under researched. The majority of hypnotherapists and medical hypnotists do not have the training to help clients experiencing sexual addiction, even though habit cessation is one of our specialities.

Hypnotherapy is a valuable and useful tool for balancing a person’s sexual impulses within a healthy criteria of life needs. Therapists also need to understand physical, psychological and emotional drivers that cause people to engage in compulsive sexual activity.

During the presentation/workshop I will review four cases of sex addiction from my new book and invite workshop attendees to consider some of the drivers of those addictions. Learning to understand a bio/psycho/social model and interpersonal dynamics of sex addiction can help hypnotherapists formulate hypnotic treatments to aid cessation.
 

References

Approaches for improving sexuality and sexual health care in mental health settings: A qualitative study exploring clinicians' own perspectives

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/inm.13234

Kristi Urry, Georgia R. Breakey, Brett Scholz, Anna Chur-Hansen

Meditation Awareness Training for the Treatment of Sex Addiction: A Case Study

William Van Gordon ^1,*, Edo Shonin ¹, Mark D Griffiths ¹

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5387789/

The Collected Papers of Milton H Erickson on Hypnosis Vol 1-4 Complete Set, Irvington Publishers Inc, USA, 1980.

Millet, E. (2005). The benefit of group hypnotherapy in the treatment of sex addictions. Journal of Heart Centered Therapies, 8(1), 1-6.

Dr Tracie O’Keefe DCH, BHSc, ND

Tracie is a clinical hypnotherapist, psychotherapist, counsellor, sex therapist, researcher and educator, member of the Australian Hypnotherapists Association, Psychotherapy and
Counselling Federation of Australia registered mental health professional, couples and family therapist, and clinical naturopath registered with the Australia Naturopathic Practitioners Association. (ANPA). She started in sexology at college in 1970 in co-counselling groups and has worked in the field for 55 years, presenting at many colleges and universities.

She has been a member of the Australian Society of Sex Educators and Researchers, Harry Benjamin Internation Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA), World Professional Association of Transgender Heath (WPATH) and presented at the World Sexology Conference twice. She has published five previous books on sex, gender and sexuality and due to publish a book on sex and clinical hypnosis in mid-2025. Previously having run a clinic at the London Medical Centre in the UK, she has run the Australian Heath and Education Centre, in Sydney, for the last 24 years.

Breaking Free from Unwanted Habits and Addictions with Hypnotherapy

Why This Topic?
Addiction is often misunderstood—not just by clients, but sometimes even by hypnotherapists. With over eight years of clinical experience and a 97% success rate in smoking cessation, I’ve developed a powerful 5-Step System that goes beyond surface-level behaviour change to address the deeper subconscious drivers behind addiction.

What began with smoking quickly expanded to clients seeking help for alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, and other compulsive behaviours. The consistent success of this approach across various addiction types led to the creation of a repeatable system that can be integrated into any hypnotherapy practice.

This session will provide hypnotherapists with the tools to confidently work with addiction—whether you're just getting started or seeking to refine your current approach. I’ll also highlight the often-overlooked elements, such as the structure and delivery of the Pre-talk, that can make or break the success of a session.

Key Points Covered:

• How to distinguish between an unwanted habit and an emotional addiction
• The Pre-talk: managing expectations, asking the right questions, and using visual explanations to build trust and strengthen client commitment
• Preparing clients for success post-session: language, mindset, and follow-through
• Addressing both conscious and subconscious blocks that drive addictive behaviour
• Why skipping certain steps reduces success—and how to avoid common pitfalls

Significance & Framework:
This framework blends neuroscience, behavioural therapy, and client-centred hypnotherapy, developed and fine-tuned through thousands of client sessions. My 5-Step System is grounded in evidence-informed approaches including subconscious reprogramming, the psychology of habit formation, and the neuroscience of change. It works by targeting the underlying emotional and neurological patterns that keep habits in place—helping clients break the cycle and create lasting transformation.

Through mentoring others in this system, I’ve seen first-hand how even small adjustments—particularly around client preparation—can lead to significantly better results. This presentation is for any hypnotherapist who wants to make a deeper impact, boost client success, and expand their practice into the addiction space with confidence.

Whether you’re new to working with addiction or you’ve had mixed results in the past, this session will equip you with a practical, proven approach that empowers both you and your clients to create real, lasting change.

Juanita Smith is a specialist Clinical Hypnotherapist, author, and hypnotherapy trainer and mentor with two thriving clinics in Sydney. Initially known for her work in smoking cessation—with a success rate over 97%—Juanita’s reputation quickly grew, attracting clients seeking help for alcohol, drugs, gambling, and other addictions.

Raised in a household where addiction was normalised, Juanita witnessed the deep emotional and physical toll it takes on individuals and families. These early experiences fuelled her passion to help others reclaim their freedom. With thousands of clinical hours behind her, she developed her signature 5-Step System—an approach that consistently delivers real, lasting change.

Juanita is passionate about helping clients take back control of their lives. She is the author of Is It a Habit or an Addiction? and mentors hypnotherapists across Australia, sharing practical tools and strategies to create transformational results in their clients’ lives.

Delivering creative hypnotic ideas and counselling strategies for kids and teens

Working with kids and teens presents unique challenges, from short attention spans to resistance in therapy. However, when we integrate creativity into hypnosis and counselling, we tap into their natural problem-solving abilities, emotional processing skills, and imagination. I want to share how we can use storytelling, metaphors, play-based techniques, and sensory engagement to create lasting change.

Through this presentation, I aim to demonstrate that hypnosis for younger clients can be fun, dynamic, and highly effective when tailored to their world. I will showcase practical tools, case studies, and methods that have helped children overcome anxiety, behavioural struggles, and emotional regulation challenges.

Participants will leave with actionable strategies to enhance their own practice.

My Key points include:

• Engaging the Imagination: How to use stories, metaphors, and creative

visualisations to help kids and teens connect with hypnotic suggestions. 

• Interactive Hypnosis Techniques: Incorporating movement, art, play, and

technology (e.g., virtual reality, sand tray, or tasking) to make hypnosis more

engaging.

• Emotional Regulation Strategies: Practical ways to help kids manage anxiety, frustration, and self-esteem issues using hypnosis and counselling tools.
• Overcoming Resistance: How to create a sense of autonomy and buy-in, ensuring kids feel empowered rather than forced into therapy.
• Success Examples: Examples of successful interventions with kids and teens, demonstrating different techniques and their outcomes.

By making hypnosis creative and engaging, we can achieve significant therapeutic breakthroughs while keeping sessions enjoyable and effective.

Amanda Dounis is the Founder of four early learning centres in Sydney, Director of the Dounis Group, and Founder of The Positive Thinking Clinic, specialising in counselling, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and NLP. She supports individuals across all life stages—children, students, and adults—helping them embrace change, set goals, and develop resilience.

Amanda has created a self-development course for kids and teens, equipping them with essential life skills, and is the author of My Coping Skills Handbook, a valuable resource for kids aged 8-14, providing practical strategies for various daily challenges. With three Bachelor’s degrees and multiple diplomas, she views learning as a lifelong passion. Her work has earned nominations for excellence in business and education. Amanda believes growth comes from navigating life’s challenges and welcomes change as a catalyst for success, continuously updating her methods with the latest research and insights.

Learn how to harness the power of storytelling in your brand narrative to captivate, engage, and convert your ideal clients.

Natasha Potter

• Title:
  Copywriter, Graphic Designer and Brand Alchemist.
   

• Bio:
  I'm Natasha Potter, a seasoned brand alchemist and freelance copywriter with over a decade of experience in the health and wellness industry. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse range of businesses, from startups to billion-dollar brands. I've helped them craft unique brand narratives and marketing materials that perfectly connect with their ideal audience.
   

• Speech:
  At this symposium, I'll introduce you to the StoryBrand method and guide you in creating your unique BrandScript. You'll learn to harness the timeless power of storytelling to transform your audience from mere spectators into active protagonists in your brand's narrative.

  I'll also address the distinct challenges of the hypnotherapy industry—communicating the profound impact of your work, standing out in a crowded market, and converting potential clients into paying customers. 

  After my presentation, you'll hopefully know how to make your message clear, your solutions irresistible, and your brand unforgettable.

Key Information

Presentation Overview
 

Introduction:

I'll begin by sharing my background as a copywriter specializing in the health and wellness space. I'll set the stage for how storytelling deeply intertwines with effective marketing, particularly in the hypnotherapy field.

The Art of Storytelling in Hypnotherapy:

In this section, I'll explore why storytelling is essential in marketing to engage clients and foster deeper emotional connections. I'll draw parallels between the power of storytelling in both therapy and branding pursuits. While explaining the unique challenges of marketing in the hypnotherapy space. 

The StoryBrand Framework Demystified:

I will introduce the StoryBrand framework, detailing its seven steps (SB7) and demonstrating how these can be applied specifically to hypnotherapy practices to enhance your brand narrative, marketing materials, and conversion rates.

Creating a Compelling BrandScript:

This part will focus on the practical application of the StoryBrand principles, including how to create a clear and effective BrandScript that resonates with your target audience and enhances your overall marketing strategy.

Live Demonstrations of StoryBrand in Action:

Attendees will witness first hand how to apply the StoryBrand framework to their marketing efforts, from website content to email and social media strategies, providing them with practical insights they can apply directly to their practices.

Maintaining Authenticity in Your Brand Voice:

I will discuss how to maintain the authenticity of a therapist’s voice in marketing materials and address the considerations vital for a respectful and accurate representation of hypnotherapy.

Free Resources:

I will share a free StoryBrand Deep Dive Worksheet and StoryBrand Scripts, giving you valuable tools to start transforming your marketing materials immediately.

Interactive Q&A Session:

The presentation will conclude with a session for attendees to ask questions and discuss specific concerns about integrating storytelling and the StoryBrand framework into their practices.

Jamina Tubbing is passionate about helping trauma survivors heal from their past.

In her presentation, Jamina will talk about some of the unexpected ways trauma shows up in the physiology and neurobiology - psychologically, emotionally and relationally. Jamina will also be sharing practical tools to support clients recovering from PTSD and cPTSD to help them become more powerfully in control of their lives.

Jamina Tubbing is a certified Trauma Recovery Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Master Practitioner, Lifeline Crisis Supporter, Psychology student, international speaker, teacher and writer.