Most people who smoke or vape have already tried to stop — often several times. That’s not a lack of willpower. Nicotine use is a habit loop wired into stress regulation, routine, and identity, which is why white-knuckle quitting so often fails and why support that addresses those layers can make the difference.
Andrew Maillet offers clinical hypnotherapy for smoking and vaping cessation at Naturology Centre in Moncton, as part of a natural mental health practice focused on habits, stress, and nervous-system regulation.
Why quitting is hard — and what that means for how to do it
Nicotine hooks into three systems at once:
- The habit loop — cues (coffee, driving, breaks, stress) trigger the urge automatically, before deliberate thought gets involved
- Stress regulation — smoking and vaping become a fast, reliable way to change state, so removing them leaves a genuine gap
- Identity and routine — “smoker” or “vaper” quietly becomes part of how the day is structured
An approach that only targets the chemical side leaves the other two untouched. That’s where mind-body work comes in.
How hypnotherapy is used for cessation
Clinical hypnotherapy uses focused attention and therapeutic suggestion to help you rehearse different responses to cravings and cues, reduce the stress that drives reaching for nicotine, and strengthen your reasons and identity as a non-smoker. It is collaborative — you remain aware and in control throughout — and it is practical, not theatrical.
Sessions may also draw on HeartMath HRV Biofeedback for stress regulation skills and simple between-visit practices, so the change is supported in daily life rather than only in the appointment.
What to expect
Your first visit covers your history with smoking or vaping, previous quit attempts, your cues and stress patterns, and your goals. From there, Andrew will suggest a realistic plan — many people work through a short focused series of sessions around a quit date.
An honest note: no method makes quitting effortless, and outcomes vary from person to person. What good support does is improve your odds by working with the habit and stress machinery instead of against it. Hypnotherapy can also complement medical cessation supports — talk to your medical provider or pharmacist about options like nicotine replacement if relevant.
Booking and insurance
Appointments are at 7 Alma St, Moncton, NB E1C 4Y2. Insurance note: clinical hypnotherapy visits are billed as naturopathic services — many extended health plans include naturopath coverage. See Pricing, Insurance & Booking.
Frequently asked questions
Does hypnotherapy work for quitting smoking?
Research on hypnotherapy for cessation shows mixed but encouraging results, and many people find it a helpful part of a serious quit attempt — particularly when stress and habit cues have derailed previous tries. It is not a guarantee, and commitment to quitting remains the foundation.
How many sessions are needed?
Typically a short focused series planned around your quit date, then reassessment. The number depends on your history and how you respond.
Does this work for vaping too?
Yes — the habit-loop and stress-regulation patterns are essentially the same, and sessions are adapted to vaping-specific cues and routines.