When you meet Jody MacMillan, there’s an instant sense of warmth and realness about her. The founder of Jody MacMillan Hypnotherapy describes herself with a smile as “owner, founder, therapist, administrator — all rolled into one.” At 40 years old, she has been happily married for nearly a decade and is a proud mum to a seven-year-old daughter. But Jody’s path to becoming a hypnotherapist wasn’t a straight one. For two decades, she thrived in the corporate world — working across the UK and Ireland in business development and sales. “It was great, brilliant,” she recalls, “but it didn’t quite work with a child as well as it did before. I was travelling everywhere, and eventually, I didn’t even know what day of the week it was. I was burnt out — firmly on the Burnout Express.” As her mental health began to decline, Jody found herself checking off the familiar symptoms of stress and low mood. She decided it was time to seek help — but not through the usual medical route. “There’s nothing wrong with medication; it works for many people,” she explains, “but it wasn’t the path I wanted to take.” That’s when she discovered hypnotherapy. Like many people, her initial perception was shaped by TV shows and stage acts. “I thought it was all chicken clucking and pocket watches — 3, 2, 1, and you’re under!” she laughs. “But I soon realised it was nothing like that at all.” After trying hypnotherapy herself and experiencing its benefits first-hand, Jody became fascinated by how it worked and supported people. She began researching, determined to do things properly in an industry she knew could be unregulated. “I wanted to be officially qualified with a recognised qualification.” Jody trained face-to-face with a national school, earning both a Diploma and Higher Diploma in Hypnotherapy, before gradually reducing her corporate hours and stepping into a new chapter of her life. Her original plan was to launch in 2026, but true to her proactive nature, she accelerated everything. “So, I decided to launch in 2025 — my 40th birthday year — and go all in.” Now, having fully left employment, Jody says self-employment has given her the balance and fulfilment she was missing. “It’s not really a job — you meet amazing people and walk alongside them on their journeys.” And for Jody, that personal connection is what drives her. She understands how daunting it can be for people to reach out, especially with preconceptions about what hypnotherapy involves. “It’s about breaking down the barriers and making it accessible to everyone — mums, dads, children — anyone over the age of eight.” What shines through most is her genuine desire to help. “I haven’t been through everything,” she says, “but I understand where people are coming from. That’s what makes this work so rewarding — for both of us.” Finding Purpose Through Helping Others: For Jody, the inspiration to start her business came directly from her own experience. After seeing the difference hypnotherapy made in her life, she felt she could help others in the same way. “I was inspired by how it helped me,” she says, “and I wanted to help others in a way that’s accessible for most people — it’s a natural, person-centred process built on trust and rapport.” When Jody talks about hypnotherapy, she speaks with a mix of passion and humility — the kind that comes from lived experience. But setting up a business from scratch brought its own challenges. “There’s a whole world of confidence issues that come with setting up your own business — that voice that says, ‘Can I do this? Can I really make it work?’” she admits. “It’s about reframing those negatives, thinking positively and moving forward with belief in yourself.” Behind the calm professionalism is a strong network of support and structure that Jody values deeply. “Any good hypnotherapist must have a supervisor,” she explains. “Even once you’re qualified, you continue that supervision for as long as you’re practising.” It’s a process that ensures not just accountability but continuous growth — a principle Jody applies both professionally and personally. “My supervisor has supervision too,” she adds with a smile. “It’s ongoing for everyone — so that no matter how things evolve or change, we’re always giving our best to the people we work with.” From Helping Loved Ones to Changing Lives: When Jody first began her journey into hypnotherapy, there was no grand plan or business blueprint. “It was never meant to be anything bigger than supporting the people around me,” she says honestly. “The idea was just to reduce my hours in my other job and help family and friends.” But as her training progressed, something began to shift. “The more the training went on, the more I enjoyed it. I started to think, actually, I can make something more out of this.” As part of her qualification, Jody was required to work with real people — initially friends of friends or acquaintances as a student. That step outside her inner circle was a turning point. “It made it easier to work with people I didn’t know as well,” she explains. “And the more I worked with them, the more I loved it. Seeing people overcome fears, phobias, and anxiety — helping them function better in everyday life — it’s amazing.” Each person she worked with as a student reinforced Jody’s belief in the power of what she was doing. To share her work more openly, she decided to launch on social media — a small step that quickly gathered momentum. “It just picked up from there,” she smiles. “By explaining what I do in a way people could relate to, it helped bust some of the myths around therapy.” What began as a quiet effort to help those closest to her soon blossomed into a full-time calling. “It started with family and friends — though I always say don’t work with family and friends!” she laughs. “But it’s funny how things work out. Sometimes the smallest intentions lead to the biggest changes.” Growing Beyond Expectations: What began as a simple way to help family and friends soon started to take on a life of its own. “The plan was always to keep it part-time alongside my other job,” Jody explains. “If I could just help a few people I knew, that was enough — it gave me the satisfaction I was looking for.” But the results spoke for themselves. One person would tell another, and then another, and soon Jody realised her little project had far greater potential. “It started to spiral,” she says with a smile. “I’d work with someone as a student or once I qualified, and they’d tell someone else. Before long, it was like — actually, this could be something bigger than I ever expected.” Setting up her social media pages became a turning point. At first, it was simply a place to share what she was doing, but it quickly became a powerful tool for growth. “I started to learn more about social media — posting educational posts, engaging with people in a real and authentic way,” she recalls. “I put myself through a course and learned how to do things properly.” Bit by bit, Jody’s passion evolved into a genuine small business. “Since February, it’s just grown,” she says proudly. “I work a mixture of days and evenings to fit around my family life, and it means I can still see the people who need me — at the times that work best for them.” Her story is one of quiet persistence — a reminder that the most meaningful businesses often grow not from ambition alone, but from authenticity, compassion, and the desire to make a difference. Reaching People Near and Far: What began as a local venture has quietly expanded far beyond Jody’s home in the UK. “I work locally, face to face, in Norfolk,” she explains, “but I also work online — so I now have clients all over the UK and various countries around the world.” Her calm and reassuring presence transcends distance, drawing people to her from across the globe. Closer to home, Jody continues to welcome clients in person, but she’s found that many prefer the flexibility of online sessions. “It’s just as effective online as it is face to face,” she notes. “Some people even prefer it, because after a session you’re relaxed — you don’t necessarily want to get in the car and drive home. You can stay in that calm state for as long as you need, in your own space.” Whether it’s through a screen or in her own peaceful setting, Jody’s focus remains the same — creating a safe, welcoming environment where people can truly unwind and begin to step into the best version of themselves. “It works just as effectively wherever you are,” she adds — a reminder that connection and comfort aren’t defined by distance, but by understanding and care. Finding Jody — and Joining the Journey: For those who want to connect with Jody or explore what she offers, she’s made herself easy to find. “I’m on Instagram, Facebook, and now working on a new and improved website, which is really exciting — I am generally found on social media,” she laughs. “I do quite a lot on there.” Her online presence, under Jody Macmillan Hypnotherapy, brings together everything she’s built so far — a blend of friendly posts, testimonials, useful insights, and a genuine connection with the people who follow her. Though she’s already active online, Jody’s vision continues to expand. “I’m looking at adding other avenues to reach more people,” she says, hinting at what’s to come. What started as a small venture for friends and family has now become a growing platform built on understanding, accessibility, and care. “I know the vision I want now — to help as many people as possible and to make hypnotherapy accessible.” Each step forward feels like a natural progression — guided not by business ambition, but by Jody’s genuine desire to reach the people who need her most, in whatever way works best for them. How It All Works: If there’s one question Jody hears the most, it’s how hypnotherapy actually works. “It’s the million-dollar question,” she says with a knowing smile. People who reach out are offered a free consultation — a gentle first step that allows both sides to get to know one another. “That’s where you find out a bit about me, how I work, and what hypnotherapy really involves — and there is no obligation to move forward into the session,” she explains. Jody specialises in solution-focused hypnotherapy, a modern and empowering approach that looks ahead rather than back. “I’m not a regression hypnotherapist — I don’t take people back to past trauma,” she says thoughtfully. “My belief is that we can’t change the past. What matters is how we move forward from where we are now, and how we shape a more positive, future-focused mindset.” Her sessions are designed to help clients reframe challenges, reduce anxiety, and build confidence — all while giving them practical tools to use beyond the session itself. “It’s about working with what we have and finding ways to move forward,” she explains. “That’s where real change begins.” For Jody, every consultation isn’t just an introduction — it’s the start of a partnership built on trust, empathy, and the shared goal of helping people rediscover calm and confidence in their everyday lives. Helping Individuals, Children, and Families: Jody’s approach is inclusive, welcoming most people aged eight and over. “There are a few people I’m unable to work with on medical grounds,” she explains, “but we cover that in the consultation — just to make sure it’s right for them and right for me. The consultation might sound official, but it’s really just a chat where we get to know each other and look at the journey we could go on together.” Children are a significant part of her practice. “A lot of my sessions with children are around confidence, self-esteem, and nerves — exams, social situations.” While Jody doesn’t run traditional family sessions, she often works with multiple members individually. “Sometimes I’ll see a parent first, then their child,” she explains. “It’s about hearing from everyone and understanding how patterns of anxiety or fear can pass from one generation to the next. A parent’s fear of failure or phobia can sometimes transfer to a child, so working with the parent first can really help the whole family.” Her careful, considered approach ensures that each session is tailored, supportive, and sensitive to everyone involved. “We work together in a safe environment — mum or dad might start first, and then the children come along. It’s all about creating calm, confidence, and understanding for everyone, while supporting the wider family where needed.” A Journey Beyond Expectations: Looking back, Jody describes her journey so far as everything she’s wanted it to be. “Now I’m in it — it’s not exactly where I envisioned it going so quickly,” she admits, “but it’s been fun, unexpected, and full of growth and learning. I wasn’t even meant to launch until next year, with the whole ‘New Year, New You’ thing, but I’m already much further forward than I imagined.” She attributes much of her early success to the people she works with. “That’s testament to my clients — they show up, take part, and we work together. There’s nothing more powerful than seeing someone go through their sessions and get the results they want at the end. That’s what matters — people’s progress, confidence, their wellbeing.” Her journey is a reminder that success isn’t just about speed or scale — it’s about connection, dedication, and the difference you can make in people’s lives along the way. One-Woman Powerhouse — With a Little Help When it comes to delivering hypnotherapy, Jody is very much a one-woman powerhouse. “It’s me who works with the clients from beginning to end,” she says, “but part of the team would be my husband and my daughter. Everyone’s been involved at some point — checking videos, social posts, and giving their opinion on a post.” Her family’s support has been invaluable. “My husband especially — giving me the confidence to do this, even when it’s been daunting.” Despite running her business solo, Jody emphasizes that she’s never truly alone. “One-woman band, if that’s the term,” she laughs, “but it takes a village, as they say. The village is there behind me.” This balance of independence and support is part of what makes Jody’s practice so personal — and so effective. Giving Back and Showing Gratitude: Community and support have always been central to Jody’s journey. “There are so many people who have supported me — local businesses, individuals, and those online who’ve shared and liked posts,” she says. But for Jody, support isn’t about a single person or entity. “Really, it’s all the individuals I’ve worked with, the clients who leave testimonials, the people who like and share — everyone has been so supportive,” she says warmly. “I’m just so grateful for everyone who’s helped me along the way.” Her gratitude shines through — a reminder that her journey hasn’t been solitary, and that every connection, no matter how small, has contributed to the thriving practice she runs today. Finding Balance Beyond Work: Even someone as dedicated as Jody knows the importance of switching off and recharging. For her, that comes in the kitchen. “I like to cook,” she laughs. “I’m one of those people who can make an amazing dish without following a recipe — just put it all in and it tastes incredible. But don’t ask me to make it again! As it will never be the same… maybe I should start to use the pile of recipe books that are piling up!” It’s clear that Jody’s dedication, combined with her family’s support and these small moments of self-care, has helped her reach a point where she’s exactly where she wants to be. “I wouldn’t have done it this quickly without the support of everyone else,” she admits — a reminder that behind every strong professional is a network of love, encouragement, and small wins. A Friendly Invitation to Take the First Step: If you’ve never experienced hypnotherapy before, Jody’s advice is simple — and comforting: just take the first step. “It’s the hardest one,” she says with a reassuring smile. Jody wants people to know she’s approachable and relatable. “I’ve been through things myself, so it’s not a case of sitting in a glass house. This process has helped me, and now I want to help others. There is no judgement, and everything is 100% confidential.” The first step is easy and flexible. “You can send a message, have a consultation, or even just have a call first — however you feel comfortable,” she explains. “No one has anything to lose. You find out about how everything works, I find out about you, and then we see how we can work together.” Her advice is straightforward and heartfelt: “Send the message and have a consultation — there’s nothing to lose, and it could be the start of something life-changing.” With dedication, heart, and a passion for helping others, Jody Macmillan has turned hypnotherapy into a journey of transformation for every client she meets. From small beginnings with friends and family to helping clients across the globe, her mission is simple: empower and support people to move forward. The first step may be the hardest — but it’s also the most rewarding.