Therapy in Brecon – Mental Health Support & Hypnotherapy

Written By Lorraine Sheppard
Mental Health Support & Therapy in Powys

Hi, I’m Lorraine

I live and work in Powys, from Llangorse near Brecon, and I know how challenging it can be to find mental health support in such a large, rural area.

Distances are long, travel can be tricky, and services feel scattered.

But help is available - whether you want in-person therapy in your town or online support across Powys.

From Brecon to Welshpool, solution focused hypnotherapy, counselling, and NHS mental health services are here for you.

Why Mental Health Support Can Be Hard to Access in Powys

Powys is beautiful, but rural life comes with unique challenges:

  • Isolation, not just physical but social and cultural

  • Distances, travelling to appointments can take hours

  • Economic pressures from farming, running a business, or commuting

  • Long winters, which can affect mood

  • Stigma, as mental health is still whispered about in some communities

But rural life also brings resilience, strong community spirit, and access to nature - and now, more therapy options than ever.

Therapy Options Across Powys

NHS Mental Health Services

Start with your local GP practice. Powys Teaching Health Board offers:

  • Community Mental Health Teams in Brecon, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Ystradgynlais

  • Crisis support via NHS 111 (24/7)

  • GP-referred counselling, although waiting lists may apply

  • Specialist services for severe conditions

Private Therapy Services in Powys

Qualified counsellors are available in towns like Brecon, Newtown, and Llandrindod Wells, and some work from community centres or even offer home visits.

  • Sessions typically cost £50–£80

  • Sliding scales may be available

  • Travel costs are lower if you choose online therapy

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy

I specialise in solution focused hypnotherapy, an evidence-based approach that helps you focus on the future rather than the past.

  • In-person sessions in the Brecon Beacons / Llangorse area

  • Online sessions across Powys, from Welshpool to Builth Wells, Rhayader to Hay-on-Wye

  • Ideal for anxiety, stress, sleep issues, phobias, and habit changes

  • Teaches practical tools like self-hypnosis for long-term wellbeing

Reaching out for help

Online Therapy Options

Online therapy has transformed access in rural areas:

  • No long drives or transport stress

  • Private, confidential sessions

  • Flexible scheduling to suit work or farm life

  • Effective for most conditions, including anxiety, depression, and sleep issues

Crisis Support Across Powys

  • Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7, free)

  • NHS 111: urgent mental health support

  • SHOUT Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258

  • 999: if in immediate danger

Therapy by Area in Powys

Brecon & South Powys

  • Most therapy resources

  • NHS, private counselling, solution focused hypnotherapy

  • Good transport links

Mid Powys (Builth Wells, Rhayader, Llandrindod Wells)

  • NHS services via GP

  • Private therapy limited; online therapy highly recommended

  • Some mobile therapists available

North Powys (Welshpool, Newtown, Montgomery)

  • Strong NHS presence due to larger towns

  • Online therapy offers flexibility

  • Some cross-border options in England

Remote Areas (Elan Valley, Upper Wye Valley, Rural Montgomeryshire)

  • Online therapy is often the most practical

  • Crisis support always accessible

  • Community support networks can be strong

How to Choose the Right Therapy

Consider your practical needs:

  • Travel time and costs

  • Online session suitability

  • Appointment scheduling around work, farming, or family

Think about preferences:

  • Face-to-face or online

  • Local therapist or broader access online

  • Short-term solution-focused or longer-term exploration

Assess your goals:

  • Anxiety, depression, sleep, habits, phobias

  • Crisis support vs ongoing therapy

  • Combination approaches, such as NHS support plus private therapy or hypnotherapy

Your Mental Health Matters in Powys

Seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s essential self-care. Therapy, hypnotherapy, counselling, and NHS services are all available right across Powys, from the largest towns to the most remote valleys.

Whether you choose in-person sessions in Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown, or Hay-on-Wye, or online support anywhere in Powys, help is accessible.

  • In Powys, you can access a variety of support: NHS mental health services, private counselling, and solution focused hypnotherapy. Whether you’re in Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown, Hay-on-Wye, or anywhere in the county, there’s help available.

  • Yes! Online therapy is perfect for rural areas like Powys. It’s flexible, private, and just as effective as in-person sessions. You can access support from the comfort of your home, whether it’s for anxiety, stress, sleep issues, or phobias.

  • Brecon and the surrounding area have the most therapy options, including NHS services, private counselling, and in-person solution focused hypnotherapy. Transport is easier here, but online sessions are still available if needed.

  • Brecon and the surrounding area have the most therapy options, including NHS services, private counselling, and in-person solution focused hypnotherapy. Transport is easier here, but online sessions are still available if needed.

  • Mid Powys (Builth Wells, Rhayader, Llandrindod Wells) and North Powys (Welshpool, Newtown, Montgomery) have NHS services and some private therapists. Online therapy is often the most practical and flexible option, especially for rural locations or limited local availability.

  • Absolutely. All professional therapy, counselling, and hypnotherapy sessions are fully confidential, whether in-person or online. Your privacy is always respected.

  • Consider practical factors (travel, timing, online access), personal preferences (face-to-face vs online), and goals (anxiety, depression, sleep, phobias, habit change). You can combine NHS support, private therapy, and solution focused hypnotherapy for the best results.

  • If you ever need urgent help:

    • Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7, free)

    • NHS 111: urgent mental health support

    • SHOUT Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258

    • 999: in immediate danger

Services hypnotherapy

📍 Based in Llangorse, near Brecon, Hay-On-Wye, and Crickhowell, Wales - also available online UK-wide.
👉 Book a free consultation

I help overwhelmed people feel lighter and back in control - often in just a few sessions using gentle hypnotherapy and solution-focused techniques. Having overcome my own anxiety and depression, I bring both professional expertise and genuine understanding to guide you toward lasting change.

accredittions
✨ Tranceform Tuesday - Irritable Bowel Syndrome ✨ IBS can feel confusing, unpredictable, and sometimes invisible to others. For some people it comes in waves… flare-ups that seem to appear out of nowhere. For others, it’s a constant ba
Why Do Some People Love Halloween Scares While Others Hide Behind the Sofa? It's all in the brain! When we experience "safe" fear - haunted houses, horror films, spooky decorations - our amygdala sounds the alarm, flooding us with adrenal
Your Stress Bucket: The One Thing That Changes Everything Here's something most people don't realise: Your stress bucket controls how you see the world. How it fills up: Replaying difficult conversations (rumination) Worrying about tomorrow (negat
Saying goodbye to Hammy 🐹 This week we said goodbye to our little hamster, Hammy. It’s been sad, but also a really special time with my boys. We talked about death, about what might happen after, and about how it’s okay to feel sad. We
✨ Tranceform Tuesday – Asthma ✨ Asthma isn’t just about the lungs… It’s also deeply connected to the mind and body. When we’re stressed, the body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to cope. A little stress
Today would have been my dad’s 67th birthday. He’s been gone since December 2020, and I’ve learned that grief doesn’t follow a universal script. Everyone’s grief is different, and mine has always looked back with more l
This little one on my mug? That’s me. I took this photo this morning, sitting outside with my coffee, and I found myself wondering… what would she think of the path I’m on now? She didn’t know about anxiety yet. Hadn’
✨ Tranceform Tuesday - Sleep & Insomnia ✨ Not being able to sleep is incredibly frustrating - and exhausting. You lie there, tossing and turning, mind racing with thoughts you can't switch off, watching the hours tick by while your body craves r
Ever wonder why your best ideas pop up in the shower? 🚿💡 It’s not magic... it’s your brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN) at work. The DMN is like your brain’s quiet, behind-the-scenes team. When you’re not focused on
Ever felt cold to your bones… and then finally warmed from the inside out? 💛 A client said something tonight that really touched me. She told me she always looks forward to our sessions, and described them like this: “It’s like b
Lorraine Sheppard
Next

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy for Birth: Calm Birth, Confident You (How It’s Different to Hypnobirthing)