Untold and Retold: Angie Hayes helps overcome imposter syndrome

The book, Untold and Retold: Unblocking the hidden stories that shape our lives is a collaboration born from the belief that our personal narratives — the ones we keep tucked away or try to ignore — have immense power when they’re openly voiced. One co-author, Angie Hayes is an integrative therapist who came froma professional corporate leadership background. After 20 years in financial services — where she was often sought out for advice and support — Angie eventually found herself facing significant personal challenges, including workplace bullying and physical health struggles. These set her on her own healing journey.

Her experience led her to Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, which helped her shift her life and ultimately inspired her to train as a therapist. Over time, she expanded her approach to include Solution Focused Brief Therapy, integrative techniques, NLP (neuro-linguistic programming), and newer developments in energy psychology and nervous system regulation. Angie’s personal experience with nervous system regulation even helped her overcome a long-standing physical condition she had struggled with. She says, "I find the mind-body connection fascinating and I am living proof that these techniques can work if you are prepared to stick with them, do the work and introduce new habits to replace unwanted ones." 

She joined the Stories That Heal collaboration with the simple yet profound desire to share a message: that human beings are incredibly resilient.

Angie’s chapter explores a struggle familiar to millions of people: the lived experience of crippling self-doubt, anxiety, and imposter syndrome, and the transformational power that comes from overcoming it.

“I felt passionate about getting the understanding out there about how amazing human beings are at overcoming most things, however difficult,” she says. Angie credits one of her early mentors, Elliott Connie, with a guiding insight that shaped her therapeutic approach: “You are only one question away from helping someone to change their life.”

That belief, offered at the right moment, can open the door to deep change, like a bridge from isolation toward self-understanding and connection. Unless they've experienced it personally, people underestimate how much pressure imposter syndrome creates and It can be easily dismissed as a lack of confidence.  But if it gets out control, sufferers have been known to take their own lives because they feel so worthless and cannot see a way out of their feelings.

Understanding healing beyond “quick fixes”

Angie describes her chapter as centring on a client who spent years believing they were “not enough,” struggling with debilitating anxiety and a pervasive sense of unworthiness. Rather than focusing on the mechanics of therapy itself, her story illustrates a deeper truth about healing: that transformation rarely happens in one dramatic leap.

“It’s about understanding that healing and transformation often take place in stages,” Angie explains. “Sometimes we get to a stage we wanted, only to find that things aren’t quite right yet, and there’s further work to do. Hypnosis does build a strong, new neural connection to a better life with a strong flexible mindset that gives you the confidence to sit in your own power and handle almost anything that life throws at you. The part that many misunderstand is that the mind and the body do not understand thought or language, they respond to lived experience.  Which is why I work to move my clients away from negative thinking and inappropriate coping strategies and help them to build better coping strategies.  But I can't action those strategies for them.  They need to learn to tap into their innate courage, strength and resilience.  To do things differently even though it can feel uncomfortable at first.  And believe me, I see so many people find this aspect of themselves.  I call of my client Little Legends because they are”

Her chapter emphasises that with support, insight, courage, and patience, individuals can access their innate strength, courage and resilience — what she often refers to as becoming sovereign in one’s own life.

Stories that heal: sharing as part of the healing process

Angie embraces storytelling as part of the healing process — when done with intention and authenticity.

“I occasionally use the challenges I have been through in life to help others understand that if I can get through what I have dealt with, then anyone can,” she explains. For her, the purpose of storytelling is to inspire others to tap into their own resources and realise they are not alone.

This belief also informs her approach to client work. Angie emphasises that healing isn’t about following a rigid script, and it isn’t about suppressing symptoms or masking your feelings. Instead, it’s about meeting people where they are, and guiding them in building new habits that support flexible emotional regulation and calm. What unites these methods is a focus on empowering individuals rather than simply “fixing” symptoms.

Bringing hidden stories into the open

Her first suggestion for someone wanting to begin writing about their experiences is to do so from a place of healing and peace with the past. This doesn’t mean one must be “fully healed” — a concept she sees as unrealistic and often unhelpful. However, if you plan to write about your experiences, you should strive to understand yourself first. Knowing what motivates you will help you keep going with writing, and understanding your triggers will help you avoid the trip-ups along the way.

“Healing is about self-understanding, self-awareness, and self-regulation,” she says. “My advice would be to take the time to truly understand yourself, what triggers you and what truly matters to you?  What do you stand for?  Most importantly of all, do you hold out for your own needs or do you give up your sovereignty to perform the role others expect of you?  Be honest, are you truly living the life you want?  It helps to ask this question then work backwards from there."

Angie acknowledges that whether through therapy, coaching, supervision or simply talking with a trusted friend, a little accountability and encouragement can help bring the hidden stories into the open. Practical steps she recommends include:

• Observing recurring thoughts and emotional reactions.

• Noticing how your body responds and how present you are.

• Exploring limiting beliefs that hold you back.

• Asking honest questions about your personal values and life direction.

• Seeking support because healing is not meant to be done alone.

Beyond the therapy room

Outside of her therapeutic and training work — including her role as co-director of New Horizon Training Academy and Senior Lecturer for Ayurva Academy — Angie enjoys social moments with friends and loves to get out on the beach (her happy place) for a long walk. Her personal spiritual development and occasional tarot readings nourish her deeply spiritual soul. She’s also an animal lover, sharing her home with two cats, and dreaming of adding a dog one day.

What inspires Angie is the ongoing process of learning, growing, and evolving alongside others. As she says, "I like to learn from a range of people, and understand them, their views and perspectives.  That's how we truly evolve.  I had a great mentor when I worked in financial services who always told me that once I learned what I needed from him, I should move on to a different mentor who could help me in areas he couldn't. I loved that: he didn't lock me into believing he was the only answer and could provide absolutely everything I needed. He inspired me not to want to fix people but to help them figure things out. I love it when my clients feel free to move away from therapy to coaching and I know great people I can put them in touch with to help them on the next stage. It's a privilege to be part of the journey."

Connect with Angie

If Angie’s story resonates with you, you can reach her through:

Website: angie-hayes-hypnotherapy.co.uk

Email: angie@angie-hayes-hypnotherapy.co.uk

Phone: available via the website contact page https://www.angie-hayes-hypnotherapy.co.uk/contact

Angie offers a no-obligation chat to explore whether her approach might support your journey. Whether you’re seeking to understand yourself more deeply or explore therapy, Angie’s message is clear: you are capable of transformation — and it’s never too late to start.