Michael Mahoney hypnotherapist interview

Michael Mahoney, hypnotherapist, interview. Michael gives answers to some of the more common questions he is asked at his presentations. 

Some people want to get information about our audio programs quickly, some ask for a little more information about the programs, which Michael Mahoney, the man behind our audio programs development, answers below.

No, it's not that simple. Our audio programs feature proven therapeutic interventions and responses to some of the most serious, quality-of-life-limiting conditions affecting many individuals in society. Seeing them as 'just' is like saying a reference manual, or a cookery book, is 'just' a book. They are information guides, explainers, empowering the reader to do or be better.  My programs explain, empower, structure, encourage and much more, so no, not that simple.

Why did you go down the path of producing Health Assistance Programs?

I wanted to make a positive difference to those who were not well enough to come to my practice for help. My audio programs offer an alternative option, sometimes the only viable option for individuals with challenging conditions.

It began with the IBS Audio program 100, over 28 years ago, and we now offer a range of other titles. I entered the hypnotherapy profession to help others, and while that may sound somewhat clichéd these days, it remains true nonetheless. 

Developing our programs seemed a cost-effective way to meet my aim of helping as many people as possible, most effectively and affordably. It was after seeing the faces and hearing the heart-wrenching stories from IBS sufferers that I started my journey into digital health product development.  And I did it without seed capital or financial investors of any kind. Back in the day, hypnosis and hypnotherapy were frowned upon, but I was determined to do what I was driven to do. Help others.

How long does it take to produce your audio programs?

This depends. I have heard of therapists who churn out an audio recording at the rate of 1 a week or more!  Any hypnotherapist can do that.

Our Programs are much different and take much longer to develop. For example, the IBS Audio Program 100 took five years to develop and underwent three years of patient piloting before its release in 1998.

It was the first home-use IBS program on the market and is now trusted by users in over 45 countries. Therefore, prioritising quantity over quality is not our approach. I insist that we develop quality products, which are specifically aimed at addressing the presented problem. 

I also wanted to make sure they were affordable. These days, many apps are monetised, so users pay monthly or quarterly fees on an ongoing basis.  

Our MP3 programs are a one-off fee, and yours to keep, which makes sense to me. And we don't collect data in any of our programs. We never have and never will. I don't like my information being mined and sold, so our policy is simple - we don't, never have, and never will.

All Hypnosis programs are the same, aren’t they?

The quick answer is no. See above!

Our self-help audio programs are professionally recorded by qualified. Our programs are researched and structured, and most have listening schedules to optimise the outcomes.

Additionally, they are driven by a genuine care and a desire to make a positive difference in people's lives. Yes, we need to make a small profit so we can live just like anyone else. However, we invest a significant amount of time, effort, and money in developing new products.  We take our time, and we always get there!

Listening schedules? Sounds comlicated?

Most of our main programs have a suggested listening schedule. They are simple to follow and are a suggested guide to listening. 

Anyone who knows 1 + 1 = 2 will be able to follow the schedule and maximise the audio program's effectiveness.

It is at the users ' discretion whether they listen to the program in the suggested way, and it makes sense to me to get the most out of your investment in yourself.

It is only a matter of reading the accompanying booklet and looking at which session to listen to on which day. Simple!  

Our daily streamed version (we also offer an immediate version) eliminates the need to consult the listening schedule, as we send links directly to our customers' smart devices or computers for daily listening. Simple!

I have received emails from users whose first language is not English, who have said that the IBS Audio Program 100 not only helped their IBS but also their English, which is great to hear. I would never have thought about that aspect of the recordings, but I am very pleased to hear it.

Look, I have worked for over 39 years with clients in my practice, I understand the pain, frustration, worry and fear, and all the rest that goes with many health conditions. 

That is why I have spent years developing programs to meet the needs of the IBS sufferer best, the Anxiety and Stress sufferer, those in pain through Osteoarthritis, or emotional recovery from breast cancer, the people who cannot sleep, or lack confidence for whatever reason. The burned out. I am passionate about doing all I can for them. So I do.

What would you say your audio programs' USP – Unique Selling Proposition are?

This is an easy one for me to answer. First, we don't sell; we prefer people to have informed choices. I have never been one for selling, certainly never hard-selling. I like the more relaxed approach to distributing my programs to the people. 

Our customers receive audio programs designed explicitly for their presenting problem, not generic audio programs put together to make a quick profit. It's unethical and it's unfair to do that. At least.

Our audio programs are specifically designed to address the issue mentioned in the title. I don’t believe that just throwing audio programs together is the right way of doing things, not for our customers, anyway.

These are severe conditions and should be taken seriously. Healthy Audio Hypnosis, and I do exactly that.

The IBS Audio Program 100 for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in adults.

The Anxiety Audio Program 120 for those who are anxious, and need a structured approach to this problem.

Emotional recovery after breast cancer for breast cancer survivors

Burnout.  For those who have been doing to much for to long

Osteoarthritis  An aid to help with pain management to to improve mood.

Confidence and self esteem for those who need to address negative thought patterns,

And we have lots more to offer too!

See our Best selling programs here                See all our products and Services

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Another USP is that I have been in practice since 1986. I am not someone who wants a career change or someone who has been in a profession and wants to make some money while awaiting retirement.  This is my vocation; this is what I was born to do.

Another USP is that I put all my 39+ years of experience with patients into my recordings, so it is not 'just' an MP3 download or streamed program being purchased. I give as much in my recordings as I would in one-to-one sessions.

I guess not least is the fact we have been helping people with our programs for more than 26 years now, we are not a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ company, which is more important than ever in this day and age.

People want good products and good service, and we deliver both in a professional and timely manner. We are often told we do, which is satisfying to know.

What if I don’t believe in hypnotherapy?

This is easy!  Then you wouldn't buy them!  Maybe you might think about it again a few years down the line, after more years of IBS, or Anxiety or whatever else the problem is. 

To the unbeliever, I would say, do some research. Not a quick look on social media sites, but a deep search, look at medical sites and research sites for answers. Ultimately, its worth waiting until you are in a more positive frame of mind. There is no point spending money on something you might never use. 

Though the medical profession has recognised hypnosis as a valid treatment option since the middle 50’s, in the UK, in 2008 the Governments’ health organisation the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) gave the green light for doctors to prescribe hypnotherapy for the treatment of IBS, after 12 months of ineffective drug treatment.

In short, I prefer people to consider my work and approach it when they are ready, rather than doing so reluctantly.

The old saying comes to mind here ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will appear’, when the time is right, you will get the most out of our audio programs.

What has been your biggest disappointment?

In the late 1990’s I sent the IBS Audio program 100 to a publicity company in London to see what they thought of it.

Now, I should say, that this program took me years to develop, I raised money on the equity in my home to develop it (no research grants were available, IBS drug companies said no to helping me develop it, over the counter medicine companies said no too, and I wrote in total to 24 of them. In hindsight it was the best thing to happen. And here we are today, with no investors to answer to, which gives us the flexibility to offer discounts and make deals as we see fit. 

When the reply came back from the PR company, it read that the IBS Audio Program 100 was ‘unmarketable’ and ‘should be forgotten’.

My first big disappointment was getting that letter. The second came several years later. Since I had not kept the letter, it was rubbish, so I consigned it to the rubbish bin.  My regret is doing that because now the IBS Audio Program has helped many, many thousands of people in over 45 countries.

What a bad call that PR Company made. However, what kept me going was the same thing that motivates people to seek a solution. It gives me drive and determination to make a difference, and that is what I hope all my programs do for those who use them.

Then, the work, time, and effort put into developing them will all have been worthwhile.

What is your proudest achievement?

I have a few, though I don’t feel comfortable with the word proudest, but being invited to the Queens Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in July 2011 as a direct result of my “innovative health solutions” referring to my hypnosis programs, that is really high on the list.

Winning several innovation and research awards for my work in IBS and Cancer is one of the highlights of my career.

Contributing to the funding and organising of the UK’s first IBS awareness evening at Liverpool University years ago is another.

Receiving an email from a grateful user of my work, whom I will never meet, who has put time aside to write to me, is a wonderful feeling, too.

What annoys you?

What frustrates me, rather than annoys me, are people who email for help, and don’t say thank you. 

I often spend a lot of time putting an answer together (my typing style is search and stab!) and then nothing, not even a thank you.

That frustrates me, though I should know by now that people are often desperate for information to help them move on. If nothing else, I hope in hindsight they reflect and realise that I, or others in the company, tried to help them. 

You never know, their search may lead them back to our audio programs!

How long will you carry on?

I have a lot of work to do; other important titles are in the pipeline. As long as I have my health and the belief that I am doing well, I will continue with the work as long as my maker allows me. I am meant to do this; I am meant to serve.

Which is your favourite program?

This isn't easy, as they are all special to me. The IBS Audio Program 100 started it all for me, so that holds a special place in my affections. 

The Anxiety Audio Program 120 is one of the largest programs I have developed, featuring resource libraries and leading sessions. That was a challenging program to develop.

The Emotional recovery after breast cancer program has been widely reviewed by cancer professionals and deemed to be a valid treatment option, and that is special too.

I think this leads us back to somewhere near where we started. Simply, no matter what the condition, whether IBS, Anxiety, confidence, Cancer recovery, Chronic Pain, or any of our other programs, including Insomnia and stress, if it is affecting the individual's life negatively, it should be classed as serious.

Excerpts from an interview with Michael Mahoney, July 21st 2009 – updated in 2011, 2015, 2022 & 2025