Hannah Nisbet

Hi, I’m Hannah, founder of Calm Cats, Cognitive Hypnotherapist, Wellbeing Practitioner and qualified Early Years teacher.

I have over 12 years’ experience teaching in a complex needs school, where I led the school behaviour team, trained staff in the Norfolk Steps behaviour de-escalation programme and provided outreach support to mainstream schools for children struggling to access learning. Supporting children with additional needs, emotional regulation challenges and behavioural differences gave me a deep understanding of how vital early emotional support truly is.

After the birth of my second child, I experienced first-hand the challenges of transitioning into motherhood while balancing a demanding career. This led me to step away from classroom teaching and retrain as a Cognitive Hypnotherapist and Wellness Coach.

It was during this time that my eldest child began struggling at school. When I searched for emotional wellbeing support for him, I found very little that felt practical, accessible and child-centred. That experience became the catalyst for Calm Cats.

I often describe myself as a “sandwich of support” two pieces of professional expertise with a generous helping of lived parenting experience in the middle. As a mum to a neurodivergent child, I understand both the theory and the reality of raising children who experience the world differently.

Calm Cats was created to nurture children’s positive mental health through playful, activity-based learning. Using the Calm Cats Therapeutic Activity Curriculum and specially designed activity cards, sessions build emotional regulation, resilience, focus, confidence, self-esteem, compassion and gratitude. I believe that caring for children’s mental health should be just as important as teaching them to read, write or swim.

My passion is simple: every child deserves the tools, strategies and confidence to feel calm, connected and capable regardless of any differences they may have.

When I’m not delivering sessions or supporting families, you’ll usually find me swimming, walking by the beach, practising Pilates, meditating, or enjoying a well-earned sauna because nurturing our own wellbeing matters too.