I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has shared their experience below. Each story below is a genuine reflection of what’s possible when understanding, neuroscience, and compassion come together.
If you’re considering your own next step, you might like to explore:
Guided Meditations for Flight Anxiety – practical audio downloads to help you relax before and during a flight.
1-to-1 Online Hypnotherapy Sessions – personalised one-to-one support to retrain your mind’s response to flying.
Or get in touch directly via the Contact Page to arrange a session, or ask a question.
What Our Clients Say
As featured in Condé Nast Traveller.
Even as a frequent flyer, a Condé Nast Traveller editor lived with a long standing fear of flying. Through Ted's Pilot led Hypnotherapy approach, her nervous system learned a new response, replacing anxiety with calm and confidence in the air.
My fear of turbulence had been building over the last 10 years and spoiling all the travel that I love to do. I saw Ted on Instagram and what was most appealing was the combination of pilot and hypnotherapist. Made sense. Ted was quick to respond despite my last minute appeal for help before a family trip abroad! Straight away I liked Ted. His manner, his calm chattiness. He talked me through all the different things that happen during a flight, all the noises, what to expect and why this all happens. After our 2 hour session he sent me audio clips to listen to before, during and after the flight. And I can honestly say it was a game changer for me. I was cynical not because of Ted. He just because it’s been an issue for so long and it was locked into my head that I’d never be able to relax. His soothing voice was with me every step of the journey. My husband and kids were so proud of me too. The return flight went just as well. Thank you Ted!!!!
“Ted is a lifesaver! I’ve always been a nervous flyer, and I hadn’t set foot on a plane in years because of my fear. But then I found Ted, and I couldn't be more grateful! After just a few sessions with him, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Being a pilot himself, Ted took the time to explain everything about flying in a way that made it feel less intimidating.
We went over various anxiety-reducing techniques, and I even had a hypnotherapy session that worked wonders for my nerves. Before my trip, I did another hypnotherapy session, and it helped me feel so much calmer. Plus, his toolkit of meditation exercises was a game changer in the weeks leading up to my flight.
What really stood out to me was how Ted went the extra mile by checking in on me on my flight days. It felt like I had a supportive friend by my side! If you struggle with anxiety or fear of flying, I can't recommend Ted's services enough. He’s truly amazing!”
Thanks
Ted
“I recently attended the IBS Network webinar on IBS and travel as I have experienced IBS-D since I was a teenager, for over fifty years. The speaker was Edward West (Ted), a clinical focused hypnotherapist and psychotherapist in addition to working as a commercial pilot. I had already read about and considered hypnotherapy to help with my symptoms. I found Ted’s presentation and tips for travelling with IBS really interesting and, following the webinar, I contacted him to arrange some sessions online via Zoom. Even after only two sessions with Ted I began to experience positive changes. I found that at home and when on holiday I could go out and visit places without the fear of, or needing to use the toilet. A familiar part of my life for so many years. I am still having sessions with Ted and things are progressing well. At each session we talk about how I’m feeling, what positive steps I’ve made, and how I can use different techniques to train my thoughts in a positive way, then Ted takes me through some relaxation, which is backed up by listening to a recording every night before bed to empty that stress bucket.
I’m really looking forward to being able to live life without the worry of IBS symptoms, and for the first time in my life being able to decide to go out spontaneously, without the meticulous planning that any IBS sufferer will recognise. Ted is so helpful, kind and caring, and I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone with the same difficulties as me.
Thank you Ted.”
"I’m so grateful to have found Ted! After avoiding flying for nearly seven years because of my fear, his sessions and meditation toolkits made all the difference. I was able to book my flight without feeling overwhelmed. I stayed calm during the trip, which was a huge win for me! Ted was also really attentive, checking in before and after my flight to see how I was doing. If you’re struggling with a fear of flying, I highly recommend reaching out to Ted—he truly knows how to help!"
During that time, I experienced panic attacks, extreme muscle tension, and many tears, and I honestly felt trapped by it. After working with Ted through hypnosis, something shifted in a way I never expected
- the fear simply wasn't there anymore. I was able to fly calmly, cope with turbulence, and even went paragliding afterward, which I never could have imagined before. Ted created such a safe and supportive space, and I'm incredibly grateful for his help. This experience truly changed my life, and I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone struggling with fear or anxiety."
“Hi Ted, just wanted to send you this picture, this was taken on Tuesday afternoon after we landed. Thanks for all of your help!”
“In a nutshell it's the first time l've flown in the last 15 or so years with no worries. The flight back was cancelled and we had to get one the next day. But that didn't even stress me out. Also the flight we got that next day was pretty bumpy, but it didn't bother me at all. So all in all a tremendous success and I couldn't be more greatful. Thank you. We are now planning where we are off to next. Honestly a huge thank you, I’m overt the moon about it”
Hey Ted, I just want to say how grateful I am for your ongoing help! I think you’re fantastic! I’ve been meaning to find a moment to message, where do I start! Your message the other night, whilst I was in my head really snapped me out of it, I kept drifting in and out of sleep and waking in panic but as soon as you tuned in on the horse and spooking, it’s like you targeted my brain talk, it made so much sense to me! I felt instantly calmer! Our flight was delayed, and as much as my tummy was a bit nervous, I managed to eat and stay composed through the transfer stage and throughout the airport - which is just long and always anticipated in my mind.
I listened and really enjoyed your meditation audios, they were beyond fantastic, we boarded the already delayed flight (which was a dream liner so it being bigger than the one we flew out on did throw my nerves) then we had to sit and wait a further half hour or so, I listened and zoned out to the audio clips, we had another smooth flight, I planned what I would do with my time to break it down, we barley had turbulence and the seat belt sign didn’t even need to go on, before the flight I overheard passengers speculating the uk weather and how the wind had been bad, I pushed those thoughts away, I reminded myself that pockets of air/clouds are normal and I was again, incredibly composed, even on moments of anticipation your voice stayed firmly in my mind, and I pictured myself after landing and being super happy and proud! Of which I was! I did it! I definitely need to work on the “pre flight” nerves, I was a bit of a mess before we went out there with the anticipation, and that’s what I’d like to better next time, but what you had covered helped me rationalise and I did the same coming home, honestly, I am so grateful to you.
Ted was immediately responsive to my request for a consultation. Upon meeting him, he exuded a caring and competent demeanor. Although he flies daily, I sensed no judgment from him. In fact, he explained that this is a common fear, and one that can be managed successfully. We were able to have a frank and informed conversation about the mental underpinnings of fear.
He also walked through the entire process of a flight from the pilot's perspective in a way that provided context on common events like turbulence. In the past, facts about how safe air travel is has not typically helped me - if anything, it has just made me feel more embarrassed for being afraid in spite of the facts. But Ted combined facts about flying with context about the mind, compassion, and positive visualization exercises. Rather than feeling like facts were being thrown at me to diminish my feelings, I felt that I was being given a bigger set of tools to help rewrite my own patterns of thinking.
I felt much more grounded in the days leading up to a recent international flight than usual. Armed in the airport with helpful audio files that Ted shared with me, I was also able to quickly quell last-minute anxiety right there in the terminal. Ted also checked on me in the days leading up to the flight and after my flight. After working with Ted, I felt less fear at every stage of travel and was more resilient to stressful moments. I knew Ted had helped when I felt curious about the movie selections, annoyed with the lack of leg room, and awed by majestic views of another continent coming into my line of sight. Thank you, Ted!"
“Thanks Ted, it was my first time trying hypnotherapy, so I didn't know what to expect, Ted has a great personality and very easy to talk to. He made the sessions very relaxing whilst helping me understand stress chemicals & the brain. I would certainly recommend Ted.”
“Had a wonderful session with Ted! The way he explained the entire flight process from start to finish, including each and every sound and physical sensations within the flight helped me understand everything that is normal about a flight. I went on a flight today and I was very much confident and at ease during takeoffs, which used to be the most scary part for me. And I was able to enjoy the overall experience by listening to music and stuff. Ted also taught me techniques to deal with general anxiety. He's not only an expert in his job but also a very kind person.”
“Ted was very warm, insightful and helpful. He answered a series of questions of particular concern to my 6 yr old daughter who became very frightened of flying due to an uncomfortably turbulent flight. Ted detailed the processed involved in preparing for a flight, he gave step by step information on the noises we here and the movements of the plane and how turbulence is monitored and addressed, understanding these mechanics and processes does take the fear down a couple of notches, that plus giving us some concrete calming exercises to help keep my daughters flight or fight response at bay makes me feel more comfortable to try our next flight. Thank you Ted”
“Having let my fear of flying severely impact mine and my family’s life (I refused to fly for many years) it was time to finally sort it out. Ted is one of the most positive and friendly people you could meet and his sessions were a total breakthrough for me, utterly life changing. The amalgamation of the science/knowledge information from an experienced airline pilot (this greatly helped me) delving into how the brain/mind works along with coping strategies and the hypnotherapy sessions all worked together to create the perfect treatment for my fear of flying. I recently flew from London to Las Vegas and I can honestly say it would not have happened without Ted’s help. We have just booked another trip for later this year, totally attributable to the Confident Flyers course.”
“I returned home last evening, You wouldn't believe it, this was my first ever flight with literally 0 anxiety! It felt like I was getting in a car or a bus. I was totally calm even when the seat belts signs were switched on multiple times throughout because of turbulence, I just knew everything that's happening was normal and I could relax and enjoy the ride. Thank you so much for explaining to me about the entire process! It's like it has totally eliminated my fear and I was surprised myself.”
“Hi Ted. Just to let you know despite being obviously scared, my daughter managed to stay calm on both flights to and from Ireland, it was great to be able to support her using your advice, gosh it made some difference, I even found myself more at ease about odd sensations and bumps. Thank you!!”
“I have been frightened of flying for about 10 years now and until last week hadn't flown since 2019, stopping family holidays and even cancelling my honeymoon due to fear. Last week I had a consultation with Ted and on Friday I finally managed to fly to Amsterdam. Not only that but I did it without diazapam and only a couple of glasses of wine. I was so elated and it opened up so much for me that I even did it on the way home with no alcohol at all.
I'm planning to go back to Ted for the further 4 sessions and really embed the work that's already been done but I cannot recommend him enough. He has even checked in on me whilst I was away which really boosted my confidence! I'm off now to book a Spanish villa with my small kids for the first time ever!
Thanks Ted”
“Hi Ted
Not sure if you will remember me but l came to see you on the 25th September this year to give up smoking. I haven't written before as I really wanted to be over the 5 months time frame - and yes I've done it.
Last week I have been a non-smoker for 5 full months. I never thought this would be possible as I had been smoking for 38 years but l am so pleased to say it is and I only wish I had come to see you many years ago.
I'm so pleased that you made this happen for me and my life is so much easier and better for not smoking.
Thank you Ted”
“Hi Ted, Just wanted to drop a line to thank you for all your help and support.
I've been meaning to contact you for a very long time - your guidance was extremely helpful!
My confidence is back along with my career and l'd like you to know your act of kindness and compassion helping us in aviation through such an uncertain time is something that I regularly feel very grateful for.
You are incredible at what you do Ted and thank you again!”
“Hi Ted
Not sure if you will remember me but l came to see you on the 25th September this year to give up smoking. I haven't written before as I really wanted to be over the 5 months time frame - and yes I've done it.
Last week I have been a non-smoker for 5 full months. I never thought this would be possible as I had been smoking for 38 years but l am so pleased to say it is and I only wish I had come to see you many years ago.
I'm so pleased that you made this happen for me and my life is so much easier and better for not smoking.
Thank you Ted”
“Hi Ted, Just wanted to drop a line to thank you for all your help and support.
I've been meaning to contact you for a very long time - your guidance was extremely helpful!
My confidence is back along with my career and l'd like you to know your act of kindness and compassion helping us in aviation through such an uncertain time is something that I regularly feel very grateful for.
You are incredible at what you do Ted and thank you again!”
”Hi Ted, we’re all landed back in Bristol. We ended up getting delayed 2 hours. There was a technical issue on our plane and ended up having to change to a different plane - having the meditations definitely helped keep me calm while we were waiting and all this was going on was a good flight once we got going, I did notice like you said we were sometimes going up or around to avoided some thunder storms! But was only 1hr 35 and got to see Bristol all lit up in the dark when we landed which was lovely!
Thank you so much again! The meditations were honestly game changing! The take off one and the cruise honestly helped so much when we were going through some bumps, think I listened to it about 6 times through.
Thank you so much again, honestly not too sure how I would have managed those flights with out your help.”
“I had a friend’s wedding coming up abroad, and because of my fear of flying I was very close to not attending. Thankfully, my partner found Ted online, and I booked in for his Breakthrough Flight Confidence session.
Ted was absolutely incredible. The combination of his “pilot chat,” where he explained how planes work and everything pilots do before and during a flight, together with the hypnotherapy session, was exactly what I needed.
I’d tried other forms of therapy for my fear before, but they always left me with lingering worries and unanswered questions about flying. Finding Ted, who could offer both the technical knowledge and the therapeutic support, was genuinely game-changing.
After our session, I felt so much more confident, and Ted also gave me his meditation recordings to listen to at different stages of the journey. Take-off has always been the part I feared most, but with my noise-cancelling headphones on and Ted’s meditation playing, I managed it far better than I thought I could.
On our return flight, we even encountered a technical issue, which delayed us by two hours and required us to change aircraft. Normally that would have been overwhelming, but the meditations once again kept me calm throughout.
I honestly can’t thank Ted enough, I don’t know how I would have managed these flights without his help. He is so caring and passionate about flying, it’s clear how much he genuinely wants to support people through their fears.”
Ted was so lovely with me , explaining everything in detail and taking his time to answer my questions . The hypnotherapy was very relaxing , I already felt a lot more confident even after one session ! Thanks Ted