How much do sessions cost?

Individual sessions are £70 for evening appointments and £65 for daytime sessions (10am-4pm). I also offer various package deals including a 6-session pre-pay for £390, 8-session block for £500, and specialized plans for phobias (£325) and trauma (£390). The initial discovery consultation is £50.

What therapeutic approaches do you use?

I use evidence-based approaches including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), neuroscience principles, solution-focused hypnotherapy, EMDR, and EFT techniques.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies depending on your individual needs and goals. Some issues like phobias can be addressed in as few as 5 sessions, while more complex issues may require 8-12 sessions or more. We'll discuss this during your discovery consultation.

Can you treat phobias without exposure therapy?

Yes, I can reduce phobias and fears without the need for exposure. We work together to desensitize the feelings around the phobia and build confidence using specialized techniques.

Do you offer both face-to-face and online sessions?

Yes, I provide therapy sessions both in-person at my Swindon office and online to accommodate different preferences and circumstances.

What is trauma therapy?

Trauma therapy is a specialized form of treatment that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. Using neurolinguistic programming, we identify the root cause of trauma and help the brain process information differently to reduce emotional responses.

What symptoms can trauma therapy help with?

Trauma therapy can help with phobias, mood swings, anxiety, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, distorted self-image, interrupted emotional functioning, increased sensitivity to threat perception, flashbacks, and depression.

How does trauma therapy work?

We use neurolinguistic programming to identify the root cause of trauma and allow the brain to process information in a different way to reduce emotional responses. We also utilize guided relaxation in sessions to reduce anxiety, which drastically speeds up the healing process.

Where are trauma therapy sessions held?

Sessions are held at our office in Swindon, Wiltshire at Northbourne Road, St Andrews Ridge, SN25 4YE. We are open Monday to Thursday 8:30am - 8pm and Friday 8:30am - 6pm.

Emetophobia is an intense, irrational fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit. It can significantly impact daily life through psychological symptoms like intense anxiety, physical symptoms like nausea and sweating, and behavioral avoidance of certain foods, places, or situations.

What are the symptoms of emetophobia?

Symptoms include intense anxiety at the thought of vomiting, persistent intrusive thoughts, catastrophic thinking, physical symptoms like nausea and sweating, and avoidance behaviors such as not eating certain foods, avoiding restaurants or social events, and constantly checking food safety.

How do you treat emetophobia without exposure?

We reduce the effects and triggers of emetophobia using the NLP rewind technique and hypnosis, mental rehearsal and desensitisation. This approach allows you to overcome the fear without being exposed to triggering situations, enabling you to lead a life without constant fear.

Where can I get emetophobia therapy?

Sessions are held at our office in Swindon, Wiltshire or online. Our office is located at Northbourne Road, St Andrews Ridge, Swindon, SN25 4YE. We're open Monday to Thursday 8:30am - 8pm. Contact us at 07359 071210 to book a consultation.

How much does therapy cost?

Discovery Consultation costs £50, Daytime sessions are £65, and Evening sessions are £70. We offer various pre-pay packages with discounts for NHS, blue light workers, and teachers.

Do you offer face-to-face and online sessions?

Yes, we offer both face-to-face sessions at our Swindon location and online sessions via secure video conferencing platforms.

What is your cancellation policy?

We require 24 hours notice for cancellations. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may be charged at the full session rate.

How long are therapy sessions?

Standard therapy sessions are typically 50-60 minutes long, allowing sufficient time for effective therapeutic work.

What therapeutic approaches do you use?

We use Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, combining elements of psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and neuroscience to help clients achieve their goals.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions varies depending on individual needs and goals. Many clients see improvements within 6-12 sessions, though this can vary.

Do you treat phobias?

Yes, we specialize in phobia treatment using proven hypnotherapy techniques. We offer a specific Phobia Reduction Plan for £325.

What is a Discovery Consultation?

A Discovery Consultation is an initial 50-minute session where we discuss your needs, explain our approach, and determine if our services are right for you. It costs £50.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes, we offer discounts for NHS workers, blue light workers (police, fire, ambulance), and teachers. We also have pre-pay packages that offer savings.

What are your opening hours?

We're open Monday to Thursday 8:30am-8:00pm, and Friday 8:30am-6:00pm. Weekend appointments may be available by arrangement.

Swindon Half Marathon 2025: A Journey of Mental Health, Community Spirit, and Personal Triumph

Gary Smith
Sep 29, 2025
4 min read

After a six-year hiatus, the Swindon Half Marathon is making its triumphant return on Sunday, September 28, 2025, and the excitement is palpable throughout our community. As a psychotherapist specializing in mental health and anxiety therapy here in Swindon, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of running on mental wellbeing. Today, I want to share not just the incredible benefits this event brings to our community, but also a deeply personal story that exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and mental resilience.

A Personal Victory: My Daughter's Marathon Achievement

Yesterday marked a milestone that fills my heart with immense pride. My daughter crossed the finish line of her first half marathon, completing a journey that began months ago with determination, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to her mental and physical wellbeing. Watching her train through challenging days, push through mental barriers, and ultimately achieve her goal has been a powerful reminder of the resilience that lies within each of us.

Her journey wasn't just about physical fitness—it was about building mental strength, developing coping strategies, and proving to herself that she could overcome any obstacle. This personal triumph perfectly embodies what the Swindon Half Marathon represents: a celebration of human potential, community support, and the profound connection between physical activity and mental health.

The Science Behind Running and Mental Health

As both a mental health professional and a member of the Swindon community, I'm passionate about sharing the evidence-based benefits of running for psychological wellbeing. Recent research reveals remarkable statistics that validate what many runners instinctively know:

2 in 5 runners report significant improvements in depression symptoms
1 in 3 runners experience reduced panic attacks
34% of people start running specifically to reduce stress
31% choose running to improve overall mental health
39% prefer running over other fitness activities specifically for mental health benefits

These statistics aren't just numbers—they represent real people, real struggles, and real victories. Running provides a natural, accessible, and cost-effective way to support mental health, making it an invaluable tool in our collective wellbeing toolkit.

Swindon's Beautiful Running Landscape

One of the unique advantages of the Swindon Half Marathon is its stunning route through our local landscape. The event takes place at Coate Water Country Park, showcasing the natural beauty that makes our community special. Research shows that 17% of runners are motivated by the opportunity to spend time in nature, and our local green spaces provide the perfect backdrop for this mental health boost.

Swindon's commitment to green infrastructure, including gems like Mouldon Hill Country Park and our network of community gardens and allotments, creates an environment where mental health and physical activity naturally intersect. These spaces aren't just beautiful—they're therapeutic environments that enhance the psychological benefits of running.

Community Spirit and Collective Healing

The Swindon Half Marathon represents more than individual achievement—it's a celebration of community resilience and collective support. When over 2,000 runners participated in the event's previous iteration in 2019, they created a powerful demonstration of what's possible when a community comes together around shared goals of health and wellbeing.

Running connects us not just to our own inner strength, but to the strength of our community. Every step taken in training, every cheer from the sidelines, every finish line crossed contributes to a culture of mental health awareness and mutual support.

Many participants run for deeply personal reasons—honoring loved ones, supporting local charities, overcoming personal challenges, or raising awareness for mental health causes. These individual motivations weave together to create a tapestry of hope, determination, and community spirit that extends far beyond the race itself.

Why This Matters for Swindon

As a psychotherapist working in Swindon, I see daily the challenges our community faces with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health concerns. Events like the Swindon Half Marathon provide crucial opportunities for:

Building mental resilience through goal-setting and achievement
Creating social connections and reducing isolation
Providing accessible mental health support through physical activity
Raising awareness about mental health in our community
Demonstrating that recovery and growth are possible

Getting Involved: For Runners and Supporters

Whether you're a seasoned runner or someone who's never considered lacing up running shoes, the Swindon Half Marathon offers opportunities for everyone to participate in this celebration of mental health and community spirit:

For aspiring runners: Start where you are. Running's beauty lies in its accessibility—you don't need expensive equipment or gym memberships. Begin with short walks, progress to walk-run intervals, and gradually build your endurance. The mental health benefits begin immediately, not just at the finish line.

For experienced runners: Consider the Swindon Half Marathon as an opportunity to inspire others, share your knowledge, and contribute to our community's mental health awareness. Your participation sends a powerful message about the importance of prioritizing wellbeing.

For supporters: Even if running isn't for you, your presence along the route, your cheers of encouragement, and your support for participants contribute to the event's therapeutic atmosphere. Community support is a crucial component of mental health recovery and resilience.

A Message of Hope and Perseverance

Watching my daughter achieve her marathon goal reminded me of a fundamental truth I share with my therapy clients: transformation happens one step at a time. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply seeking to improve your mental wellbeing, the principles that guide successful marathon training—consistency, patience, self-compassion, and community support—are the same principles that guide successful mental health recovery.

The Swindon Half Marathon 2025 represents more than a running event—it's a symbol of our community's commitment to mental health, a celebration of human resilience, and a reminder that we're stronger together than we are alone. As we prepare for September 28, 2025, let's embrace this opportunity to support one another, prioritize our wellbeing, and demonstrate that in Swindon, mental health matters.

If you're struggling with mental health challenges, remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether through running, therapy, community connection, or other wellness practices, there are paths forward. The finish line isn't the destination—it's proof that the journey is possible.

Join us in celebrating the Swindon Half Marathon 2025—for our community, for our mental health, and for the powerful reminder that every step forward matters.