When thinking about mental health support, one of the most common questions is: Which approach is right for me? Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy are two widely used options. Both aim to improve emotional well-being, yet they work in different ways and respond to different needs.

Understanding their differences is not about deciding which one is better, but about finding the path that best fits your personal situation, experiences, and goals.

Psychotherapy is the most familiar approach for many people. It is based on conversation and on a gradual process that helps individuals make sense of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Through regular sessions, people gain deeper self-awareness and learn strategies to cope with challenges such as anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship difficulties. It is a structured journey that unfolds over time.

Hypnotherapy takes a different route. It uses a state of deep relaxation and focused attention to work with subconscious processes. During a session, the person remains aware and in control, but more open to exploring internal patterns and responses. This can support change in areas such as fears, habits, emotional blocks, and recurring behaviours, often in a more targeted way.

The key difference lies in how change happens.
Psychotherapy focuses on conscious understanding and emotional processing, while hypnotherapy works more directly with internal mechanisms that are not always immediately accessible at a conscious level.

There is no universal answer when choosing between the two. Some people benefit from a reflective and ongoing therapeutic journey, while others seek a more focused approach to a specific issue. In many cases, these methods can also complement each other.

At Dottore London, the starting point is always the individual. Specialists support each person in identifying the most suitable path, offering personalised care based on personal needs, timing, and goals.

Reaching out for support is already a meaningful step; choosing the right approach is the next one.

National Obesity Awareness Week is an important moment to pause and reflect on a growing public-health challenge that affects millions of people in the UK.

Raising awareness means moving away from stigma and towards informed, evidence-based care. It also means helping individuals understand when professional medical support can make a meaningful difference.

Why Obesity Awareness Matters

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, joint problems and hormonal imbalance. However, awareness is not about fear — it is about early intervention, understanding and prevention.

The National Obesity Awareness Week encourages:

• Better understanding of obesity as a medical condition

• Education around sustainable, long-term weight management

• Access to professional, supervised treatment pathways

• Compassionate and personalised care rather than quick-fix solutions

For many people, repeated dieting without medical guidance can lead to frustration, metabolic slowdown and weight regain. This is where a structured, clinical approach becomes essential.

A Medically Supervised Approach to Weight Management

At Dottore London, weight management begins with medicine — not restrictive diets. Our programme is

designed to identify why weight loss may be difficult and to build a personalised strategy based on clinical

evidence.

Our Weight Management Programme follows a multidisciplinary model, led by experienced healthcare

professionals who work together to support every aspect of the patient journey.

Clinical Leadership and Specialist Care

• Dr Andrea Pucci

Consultant in Obesity and Endocrinology, responsible for medical assessment, hormonal and

metabolic evaluation, and therapeutic strategy where clinically appropriate.

• Dr Erica Ascenza

Specialist Dietitian providing personalised nutritional plans based on medical findings, lifestyle and

long-term sustainability.

• Dr Silvia Riva

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist supporting behavioural change, emotional eating and the

psychological aspects of weight management.

This integrated approach ensures that treatment is not generic, but tailored to the individual’s physiology, habits and goals.

Heartburn is one of the most frequent complaints among Italians living in London. It often begins as a mild discomfort after a heavy meal or a stressful day. But when it becomes something that wakes you up at night, limits what you can eat, or appears several times a week, it’s no longer “just a nuisance” — it’s your body signalling that something needs attention.

In most cases, the cause is gastro-oesophageal reflux, meaning stomach acid rises back into the oesophagus. Lifestyle can play a role, but very often there’s an underlying anatomical issue that can be effectively treated.

Signs that your reflux should not be ignored

Many patients tell me they have “got used” to their symptoms over the years. But the signs are clear:
• Burning behind the breastbone, especially after meals
• Persistent dry cough
• Morning hoarseness
• Slow digestion or sensation of food “stuck”
• Acid reflux when lying down
• Bitter taste or nighttime regurgitation
• Feeling of a lump in the throat or the need to clear it often

If one or more of these symptoms appear several times per week, it’s very likely that there is a mechanical cause: a weakened oesophageal valve, a hiatal hernia, hypersensitivity of the oesophagus, or inflammation already in progress.

Ignoring symptoms doesn’t help. Over time, reflux can worsen, become harder to control, and in more advanced cases cause inflammation or cellular changes that must be monitored.

The good news: today we can truly treat it

Modern medicine offers several solutions — and not all of them involve long-term medication.
Depending on your situation, the treatment plan may include:
• Targeted medical therapy to reduce acidity and protect the oesophagus
• Lifestyle adjustments, effective in milder cases
• Accurate assessment of hiatal hernia
• Minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic surgery, which restore the natural anti-reflux barrier

The goal is not just to “switch off the symptom,” but to address the cause — restoring normal digestion and a quality of life many patients haven’t felt in years.

The advantage of being treated by an Italian surgeon in London

Many patients tell me the difference is the communication.
Explaining symptoms, understanding your options and making important decisions is much easier in your own language.

Having worked in London for years, I combine a modern, evidence-based surgical approach with clear, direct and reassuring communication.
No unnecessary jargon. No confusion. You fully understand what’s happening and what we can do to fix it.

This is why an increasing number of Italians — both self-pay and insured — come to me for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

When it’s time for a specialist evaluation

I always recommend a specialist consultation when:
• You often need antacids
• Heartburn wakes you up at night or limits your diet
• Reflux comes with cough or hoarseness
• You already have a diagnosis of hiatal hernia
• Symptoms affect your social life, work or sleep
• You have difficulty swallowing or feel food getting stuck

A complete evaluation — consultation, endoscopy, ultrasound, functional testing — allows us to identify the exact cause and set the right treatment plan.

Many patients tell me: “I wish I had acted sooner.”
And almost always, after proper treatment, they return to living completely normal lives.

Francesco Di Maggio
Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon
Dottore London