Clear Skin, Calm Mind: Holistic Approach to Healing Your Skin with Hypnotherapy and Nutrition

I’ll let you in on something I’ve learned over my 20+ years as a Registered Nutritionist and Functional Medicine, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Advanced Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) practitioner, mind coach, Kidz Matters practitioner, counsellor, and psychotherapist: your skin tells a story. It’s not just the body’s largest organ, protecting you from the elements and keeping your temperature steady—it’s a mirror of what’s happening inside, from stress and past traumas to hormonal shifts and what you had for lunch. At Claire Russell Therapy, Limerick, Cork and ONLINE.  I help clients like you rewrite that story, tackling stubborn skin issues like acne, eczema, psoriasis, autoimmune conditions and much more…with a blend of hypnotherapy, nutrition, and heartfelt support.

Skin problems can feel like a relentless battle. Whether it’s the sting of acne breakouts, the itch of eczema, or the scaly patches of psoriasis, these issues do more than affect your appearance—they chip away at your confidence. I’ve seen clients walk into my practice feeling defeated, hiding behind makeup or long sleeves, only to leave with a glow that comes from feeling good in their own skin. Traditional treatments like creams or pills can help, but they often miss the root causes: stress, trauma, hormonal imbalances, or even a diet that’s not quite right for you. That’s where my integrative approach comes in, combining mind-body therapies with practical nutrition advice to create lasting change.

Why Your Skin and Mind Are Best Friends

Have you ever noticed how a stressful week makes your skin flare up? It’s not just coincidence—your mind and skin are deeply connected. Stress, anxiety, and even unresolved trauma can send your body into overdrive, spiking cortisol -that pesky stress hormone,  and triggering inflammation that shows up as redness, breakouts, or autoimmune flares. For example, I once worked with a lovely client whose eczema flared every time she faced personal stress or a work deadline. Through hypnotherapy, we uncovered how her stress was fuelling the itch, and with a few tweaks to her diet, her skin calmed down dramatically.

As a Registered Nutritionist, I know that what you eat matters just as much. A diet high in sugary snacks or low in nutrients like omega-3s and zinc can make your skin more prone to inflammation. My approach pairs bespoke nutrition plans,  vibrant veggies, healthy fats, and gut-friendly foods, along with hypnotherapy and RTT to calm your mind and body. It’s like giving your skin a soothing cuppa from the inside out! Research backs this up: a study I read in Nutrients showed how the right foods can reduce acne and eczema symptoms, while another in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found that hypnotherapy eases stress-related skin issues by calming the nervous system.

How Stress, Trauma, and PTSD Affect Your Skin

Stress isn’t just a bad day – it’s a physical force that can wreak havoc on your skin. When you’re stressed, your body pumps out cortisol and inflammatory molecules that can make acne worse, trigger eczema flares, or cause psoriasis plaques to spread. For those with autoimmune skin conditions -like vitiligo or scleroderma -stress can be a major culprit, as it revs up the immune system to attack healthy tissues. Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) take this to another level. I’ve worked with clients whose childhood experiences or ongoing anxiety left their bodies in a constant state of alert, leading to chronic inflammation that showed up as stubborn skin issues.

A fascinating study in Psychosomatic Medicine found that people with PTSD often have higher levels of inflammatory markers, which can fuel autoimmune diseases. My RTT sessions are especially powerful here, helping you gently release those emotional burdens and reset your body’s stress response. Pair that with nutrition tweaks , like adding anti-inflammatory foods such as berries or salmon,  and you’re giving your skin a fighting chance to heal.

Hormonal Health: The Hidden Key to Glowing Skin

Hormones are like the conductors of your skin’s orchestra. When they’re out of tune, for example during puberty, menopause, or conditions like PCOS,  your skin can suffer. Excess androgens can ramp up oil production, leading to acne, while low oestrogen might leave your skin dry and sensitive. Thyroid imbalances or chronic stress can also trigger inflammation, making autoimmune conditions like psoriasis worse. I’ve had clients come to me frustrated because their skin seemed to rebel no matter what creams they tried, only to discover their hormones were out of balance.

My sessions tackle this head-on. Through clinical medical hypnotherapy and visualisation, we calm stress, and stress hormones like cortisol, which can indirectly balance other hormones. My nutritionist services include tailored plans with foods rich in healthy fats (like avocados) and phytoestrogens (like flaxseeds) to support endocrine health. Counselling helps you navigate the mental health issues, and emotional ups and downs of stress, work, school and the hormonal shifts, so you feel supported on every level.

Autoimmune Skin Conditions: A Holistic Solution

Autoimmune skin disorders, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, scleroderma, or even some forms of eczema, are particularly tricky because your immune system is attacking your own skin. Stress, trauma, and poor nutrition can make these conditions flare, creating a vicious cycle. My approach breaks that cycle by combining hypnotherapy to reduce immune overactivity, RTT to address emotional triggers, and nutrition to calm inflammation. For example, a client with vitiligo found that our sessions not only reduced her stress but, with a diet rich in antioxidants, helped her skin start to repigment, -a moment that brought tears to both our eyes!

Skin Conditions I Can Help You Overcome

With over 20 years as a Registered Nutritionist, Clinical hypnotherapist, RTT practitioner, mind coach, Kidz Matters practitioner, counsellor, and psychotherapist, I’ve seen firsthand how my integrative methods transform lives. Here’s how I can help with specific skin concerns:

1. Acne: Clear Skin Starts Here

Acne isn’t just a teenage problem—it can hit at any age, often tied to stress, hormones, or diet. Sugary foods or dairy can spike insulin, clogging pores, while stress makes it worse by boosting oil production. My clinical hypnotherapy and RTT sessions calm those emotional triggers, helping you feel more at ease, while my nutrition plans cut out inflammatory foods and add skin-loving nutrients. One client, Sarah (name changed), went from hiding her face to confidently going makeup-free after just a few sessions.

Tired of acne stealing your glow? Contact Claire today and let’s get started.

2. Eczema: Soothe the Itch

Eczema’s relentless itch can feel like torture, especially when stress or allergies make it worse. As an autoimmune-related condition, it’s often linked to gut health and emotional triggers. My hypnotherapy helps you relax and resist scratching, while my nutritionist services focus on gut-healing foods like fermented veggies and omega-3s. A study in Acta Dermato-Venereologica showed hypnotherapy can reduce eczema symptoms, and I’ve seen clients sleep better and itch less after just a few weeks.

Ready to calm your eczema? Complete this form to organise a chat with Claire for a tailored plan, or Ring / Text Claire directly

3. Psoriasis: Reclaim Your Comfort

Psoriasis, with its scaly, inflamed patches, is a classic autoimmune condition that thrives on stress and poor diet. My hypnotherapy and RTT sessions lower stress levels to reduce flares, while my nutrition plans pack in anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric and walnuts. One client told me, “Claire, I finally feel like I’m not fighting my skin anymore.” Research confirms that mind-body therapies can ease psoriasis symptoms, and I’m here to make that happen for you.

Want to take control of psoriasis? Book a session today.

4. Other Autoimmune Skin Conditions

From vitiligo’s depigmented patches to scleroderma’s hardened skin, autoimmune disorders require a nuanced approach. My RTT sessions address trauma or stress that may trigger immune overactivity, while my nutrition plans boost antioxidants and reduce inflammatory foods. Counselling and psychotherapy provide a safe space to process grief, trauma, mental health issues, and emotions, helping you feel empowered and supported.

Why Work with Claire at Counselling Experts?

I’m not just a Therapist, I’m your partner in this journey.  My qualifications as a Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, Advanced RTT Rapid Transformational Therapist, Mind coach, Holistic Coach, Kidz Matters practitioner, Counsellor, and Psychotherapist give me a full and unique toolkit to help you shine and feel really great. Here’s what I offer:

  • Clinical Hypnotherapy: Deep relaxation and positive suggestions to ease stress and heal your skin.

  • Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT): A powerful method to uncover and release emotional or traumatic roots of skin issues.

  • Holistic Coaching: Practical support to make lasting lifestyle and mindset changes.

  • Counselling and Psychotherapy: A compassionate space to process trauma, PTSD, mental health issues or emotional challenges.

  • Nutritionist Services & Functional Medicine: Individualised Nutritional consultations dealing with your specific health needs. Customised dietary plans to get to the root of the problem, nourish your skin, balance hormones, and calm inflammation.

My approach complements medical treatments, offering a solution focused, evidenced based, holistic path to radiant skin. I’ve helped countless clients break free from the cycle of skin struggles, and I’d love to do the same for you.

Let’s Get Your Skin Glowing and Restore your Happiness!

Skin issues don’t have to define you. Whether it’s acne, eczema, psoriasis, or an autoimmune condition, my personalised sessions at Claire Russell Therapy combine hypnotherapy, RTT, coaching, counselling, psychotherapy, and nutrition expertise to transform your skin and confidence. Visit www.clairerusselltherapy.com to learn more or book a chat with me.   There is nothing more rewarding than seeing my clients smile at their reflection again—let’s make that happen for you!

Want to Dig Deeper? Check out these studies for more on how mind-body therapies and nutrition can help:

  • A 2018 study in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis on hypnotherapy for stress-related skin issues.

  • A 2020 Nutrients article on how diet impacts skin health.

  • A 2019 Acta Dermato-Venereologica piece on hypnotherapy for eczema.

  • A 2021 Psychosomatic Medicine study linking stress reduction to better psoriasis outcomes.

Contact Claire by phone or text today