In this episode of Barely Naked Christina talks to accredited clinical solution-focused hypnotherapist and psychotherapist Katie Churms about her journey from teaching to hypnotherapy. They discuss the misconceptions about hypnosis and hypnotherapy, the neuroscience behind hypnotherapy, and how this powerful therapeutic tool helps address challenges like trauma, stress, and anxiety. Katie shares her experiences working with children, the importance of feedback in her practice, and how to choose the right hypnotherapist.

About Katie

Katie Churms is an HPD, DSFH, and BA Hons accredited clinical solution-focused hypnotherapist and psychotherapist. She runs Songbird Hypnotherapy and has been awarded ‘Hypnotherapist of the Year.’ Katie is also a clinical supervisor for other hypnotherapists and a senior lecturer at Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training. She is passionate about helping clients move forward and achieve transformative results through hypnotherapy.

How to connect with Katie:

Instagram: @songbirdhypnotherapy

Facebook: facebook.com/songbirdhypnotherapy

Website: songbirdhypnotherapy.co.uk

How to connect with Christina:

Instagram: @christina_simone

LinkedIn: Christina Beischl

TikTok: @christina_simone

In this episode of Barely Naked, Christina talks to creator, fitness instructor, and single parent Hayley about social media, dating, and self-acceptance. They dive into the challenges of dating in your 30s, setting boundaries, and overcoming insecurities. Hayley shares her experiences with co-parenting, the freedom of solo travel, and rejecting societal pressures to focus on personal growth and happiness.

About Hayley

Hayley is a creator, fitness instructor, and single parent passionate about inspiring confidence and self-acceptance. She uses her platform to share her journey through dating, solo travel, and parenting, encouraging others to prioritise happiness and reject societal expectations.

How to connect with Hayley:

Instagram: @hayleyanncharles

TikTok: @hayleyann_a

How to connect with Christina:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@christina_simone⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Christina Beischl⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@barely_naked_podcast⁠⁠

⁠⁠one77consulting.com

In this episode, Christina speaks with Lauren Dawson PhD, a workplace wellbeing coach, trainer, and founder of Curious Coaching.

Lauren shares her personal experiences of navigating neurodivergence in high-stress workplaces, learning she’s Autistic and has ADHD, and the complex mix of relief, grief, and overwhelm that often accompanies a late diagnosis. She sheds light on the unique struggles of masking individuals who appear outwardly successful but frequently experience cycles of burnout.

In this conversation, Lauren discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with understanding neurodivergence in adulthood, offering practical strategies for navigating work, relationships, and self-care. She also touches on the impact of the hormonal cycle on neurodivergent individuals and the differences in ADHD presentation between adults and children.

About Lauren Dawson:

Lauren Dawson, PhD, is a qualified workplace wellbeing coach, trainer, speaker, and founder of Curious Coaching. A late-discovered Autistic ADHD-er, Lauren began her career in STEM, spending over 10 years working as a particle physicist before transitioning into coaching and a senior management role at a rapidly growing EdTech unicorn.

Her mission is to support the growing number of women and non-binary people in tech who discover later in life that they are Autistic and/or ADHD. For many, this realisation can feel like a “glass-shattering” moment, suddenly making sense of lifelong feelings of being different while also bringing on a mix of relief, grief, anxiety, and overwhelm. Lauren recognises that many of these individuals, especially high-maskers who appear to have it all together, often feel lost in cycles of burnout without knowing how to break free or where to turn for support.

Specialising in workplace wellbeing coaching, Lauren translates her expertise into actionable awareness and practical strategies. She helps clients move from chaos and relentless pushing through, to working in ways that allow them the freedom and space they need to thrive.

How to get in touch with Lauren:

Website: curious-coaching.co.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dawsonlauren/

Resources

Book recommendations:

• ​'ADHD: An A to Z' by Leanne Maskell - https://g.co/kgs/Qow22Pz
• ​'Un-typical: How the world isn't built for Autistic people and what we should all do about it' by Pete Wharmby - https://g.co/kgs/uj8pC1X
• ​'Unmasked: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism, and neurodivergence' by Ellie Middleton - https://g.co/kgs/sNBGgCK
• ​'Neuroqueer Heresies' by Nick Walker - https://g.co/kgs/AGu7cM9
• ​'Different, not less' by Chloé Hayden - https://g.co/kgs/kN1TWk8
• ​'but you don't look autistic at all' by Bianca Toeps - https://g.co/kgs/ffKeFg3
• ​'Can you see me?' by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott - https://g.co/kgs/xgBAii6

TV recommendations:

Crucially all of the characters are played by neurodivergent actors.

• ​'A kind of spark' - BBC (based on a series of books, season 2 is particularly good) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0f7q3rv/a-kind-of-spark
• ​'Geek Girl' - Netflix (also based on a book) - https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81637842
• ​'Inside our Autistic minds' - BBC (Flo's episode especially) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bbnh47
• ​'Heartbreak High' - Netflix (Great AuDHD character played by Chloé Hayden) - https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81342553

How to get in touch with Christina:

Instagram: @christina_simone

LinkedIn: Christina Beischl

TikTok: @barely_naked_podcast

Website: one77consulting.com