Shelley Murphy, BASc, Clinical Hypnotherapist
Senior Partner and Co-Founder of the National Institute of Hypnotherapy
Whether you’re navigating stress, anxiety, self-doubt, or stuck in habits that no longer serve you, meaningful change is possible. I’m Shelley, a clinical hypnotherapist and health professional with over 25 years of experience helping people reconnect with their calm, clarity, and confidence. I offer a warm, evidence-based approach tailored to your unique needs, drawing on deep expertise in behaviour change, emotional healing, and mind-body connection.
My career began in health and nutrition, with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Human Nutrition and certification as a Registered Dietitian. For over two decades, I supported clients with food, body image, weight, and emotional well-being, using a compassionate, client-centered lens.
Along the way, I gained extensive training in: Advanced Counselling and Coaching techniques, Motivational interviewing, Intuitive eating & Health At Every Size approaches, Chronic Disease Self-Management (Master Trainer), Anti-Oppression Theory & Practice, Crisis & Trauma as well as mentorship and leadership skills. This deep foundation allows me to understand not just what needs to change, but how to help you get there.
Over time, my work naturally expanded beyond food and health into deeper aspects of human experience — our thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and behaviours. I became increasingly drawn to approaches that support lasting change at the root level, which led me to train in clinical hypnotherapy. In 2023, I completed my certification through the Canadian Hypnosis and Wellness Centre, a program accredited by the National Guild of Hypnotists, and began integrating hypnosis into my work as a powerful, evidence-based tool for transformation.
I no longer practise as a Registered Dietitian, and my services are provided exclusively as a Clinical Hypnotherapist. Within my work at the National Institute of Hypnotherapy, I support clients with a range of concerns, and I also bring a particular interest in helping people change eating and health behaviours by working with the subconscious patterns that drive them. For clients seeking more in-depth, specialized support around food, weight, and body image concerns, I offer a program called Sustainable Change. Recent collaborations include group hypnosis sessions with The Food Addiction Recovery Program.
Through my work at the National Institute of Hypnotherapy, I support clients across a wide range of concerns, including: stress and anxiety, emotional patterns, habit change, confidence, self-worth, and weight, body image, and health behaviour challenges. My approach is trauma-informed, compassionate, and tailored to the individual. Sessions often draw on techniques from cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy, motivational coaching, and mind-body practices.
To continue deepening my skills, I’m currently enrolled in the Integrative Psychotherapist Certification Program at Sophia School in Toronto with a specialization in Advanced Clinical Hypnosis, where I’m learning to further integrate hypnotherapy with psychotherapeutic techniques for more holistic, whole-person care as I work to become qualified as a Registered Psychotherapist.
Clients describe me as calm, grounded, and deeply supportive. I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore what’s holding you back and move forward with clarity and compassion. Every session is customized to you, blending evidence-based strategies with intuitive, client-led exploration, to help you feel more connected, empowered, and in control of your life.
I live in Guelph, Ontario with my partner Dave and our dog Henri, and I'm a proud mother of two amazing adult daughters. Outside of work, I love being in nature, creating art, cooking, and staying active. My own journey of healing and growth continues to shape the way I support others; with presence, purpose, and heart.
If you’re ready to feel calmer, more confident, and more aligned, I’d be honoured to support you. Let’s take the first step together.
Reviews & Testimonials
Here's What Clients Say About Working with Shelley:
"I just completed 4 hypnosis sessions with Shelley Murphy. I had the most amazing experience. I’ve have tried other therapists over the years, but Shelley really understood me and managed to customize a path that helped me understand my past trauma and reshape my journey for moving forward. Her voice is soothing and kind. Thank thank Shelley xo" - Diane N.
"Working with Shelley, I was able to quit vaping after 1 session and have been making great progress in healthier eating and other healthy lifestyle choices over the following 3 sessions. Her recordings are a great reinforcement and she really tailors the experience to your preferences. I will definitely get in touch with her again if I need support in other positive life changes! I will definitely recommend your services to others." - Kathy F.
"Shelley was my hypnotist. Noticable shifts are happening in my life even though we had only done 2 sessions! Her customized hypnotherapy is highly valued. I highly recommend her for her unique touch and really appreciate her active listening in customizing sessions. If you are looking for a more customized session due to your unique circumstances, I highly recommend her." - N.K.
"I chose Shelley because of her background. She asked many questions to learn about me, my goals, eating habits, etc. Her honest conversations will go a long way. I guess you can say I'm a binge, emotional, and the 'plate is clean'-type eater. Since completing my sessions, my portion sizes are smaller and food choices on the healthy side without even thinking about it. I've been like this now for 6 months. Oh, and I lost 22 pounds in 3 months and it's still off. Feeling full into the meal as opposed to well after was a game changer too. This makes my portion size much smaller and I'm satisfied. You need to believe in the process, be honest with yourself and the hypnotist, and your goals. Very happy I chose Shelley." - Don M.
"Wow! I didn't expect this could be so powerful and I have only been to 4 sessions so far. Shelley has helped me reconnect with my trueself in a way I had lost hope was possible. Thank you so much!" - Carole P.
"Thank you, truly, for the transformation you’ve helped guide me through. I’m staying committed to my boundaries, my intention, and my big belly breathes—all the things you’ve helped me to hold close! With so much gratitude" - P.Z.
"I want to say how much I value our sessions; they’ve been very meaningful and helpful to me." - W.M.
"Things are going really well! I've been working on changing my habits and I'm down about 10 lbs from January. Obviously it's still a work in progress but the visualization and mindset concepts from our hypnosis sessions in combination with ongoing coaching have been key for my success to date. Most importantly, I have not looked back and I don't have any desire to do what I was doing before." - V.S.
"I feel the hypnosis has helped me tremendously.Thank you so much!" - Suzanne S.
"I am still smoke free since March 11, 2023. I am so thrilled hypnosis worked. I have lost 30lbs since November 2023. I think the hypnosis helped me in this journey as well. I would like to thank you for helping me through this journey. I am so grateful for you and your help." - N.G.
"I am doing well! I am seeing some good progress and continuing to build on it!" - H.G.
"I feel great and I don’t think we need another session, I seem to be fine. Thank you so much for your help, you are amazing." - C.B.
"I wish to thank you warmly for the therapy we did together and I may reach out to you again. You have had a huge impact on me and I thank you for that. I hope to cross path with you in the future, for now I will concentrate on setting attainable goals for myself and get stronger every day!" - Richard P.
"I wanted to take a moment to provide feedback after our sessions, I’m happy to say that I’ve been feeling great since then, and I’ve noticed a significant change in my cravings, I had craving twice last week but I controlled myself and I no longer feel the urge to consume sugar, which has been a big help in my journey to better health. Thank you so much for your support and guidance throughout the process. I feel incredibly grateful for the positive changes I've experienced thanks to your help. You've not only helped me overcome my cravings but also taught me so much about myself in the process. I feel stronger, more in control, and more confident moving forward. Your professionalism and kindness made a big difference, and I’m genuinely thankful for the time we spent working together. I will always remember the impact you've had on me. Thank you again for everything!" - Maria H.
"I am very satisfied with the current state of things. I haven't had a drink at all since before we started our sessions. I quite honestly don't think about alcohol at all and really don't have any desire to ever have it again. I feel like it is in the past and that door is now closed. Thanks again" - W.W.
"Thank you very much for this smooth, comfortable and soothing session. Audio well received. I feel so relaxed and a bit sleepy lol. My limbs are still floating." - O.T.
"Was a pleasure working with you once again! Always a great journey and I appreciate the insights you have helped me gain." - Josh D.
"Thanks for your help-I never would have got to this point without you. I’ve attached a pic of me first time driving." - T.M.
