Hypnotherapy treatment most commonly relates to the therapeutic use of hypnosis, to help you explore and manage numerous medical and psychological problems.

Hypnotherapy techniques can also help you to stop bad habits such as smoking and overeating. Clients frequently seek hypnotherapy for sleep disorders, confidence and self-esteem issues, stress and mental health issues. This includes hypnotherapy for anxiety, low mood, trauma, fears and phobias.

In this read, we will explain what hypnotherapy is, share details on its origins, when it is used, what proof there is that it is helpful, and what you need to consider when researching hypnotherapy for yourself.

Table of contents

• 5 interesting facts about hypnotherapy
• What is hypnotherapy?
• What is the theory behind hypnotherapy?
• When and how is hypnotherapy used?
• What is the evidence to support hypnotherapy?
• What can I expect as a hypnotherapy patient?

5 interesting facts about hypnotherapy

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy treatment uses the power of suggestion to encourage positive change

Hypnotherapy treatment involves the use of various relaxation techniques to help you reach a state of mind where the conscious part of your mind is fully relaxed whilst your subconscious mind is more open to the power healthier suggestions.

A hypnotherapist will use deepening relaxation techniques and the power of suggestion to access the deepest levels of your subconscious mind. This can both support and encourage you to make the positive changes you seek.

The power of suggestion has played a major role in healing for thousands of years

The story of hypnotherapy goes back thousands of years where the power of suggestion played a significant role in several healing cultures including those of ancient Greece, Persia and India.

In recent times, hypnosis was introduced to the medical community in the late 18th century by the German physician Franz Anton Mesmer, under the name mesmerism. Although his findings were initially met with some scepticism from the medical community, the term was later changed to hypnosis by the English ophthalmologist James Braid.

What is the theory behind hypnotherapy treatment?

“Hypnosis may be conceptualised as a special condition of self-awareness that permits enhanced communication between conscious and unconscious processes, including the workings of the autonomic nervous system.”

Gérard V. Sunnen M.D.

Hypnosis creates an artificially induced state of mind with heightened receptivity to suggestion

In order for hypnosis to work the patient must be willing to participate in the process. He or she will then enter hypnosis out of his or her free will by following the suggestions of the hypnotherapist who plays the role of a facilitator.

As your body relaxes, your attention is gradually shifted away from the external environment and instead gently directed towards the ideas or thoughts suggested by the hypnotherapist.

In this artificially induced hypnotic state you become naturally more receptive to the positive suggestions from the hypnotherapist. At a superficial hypnotic state, you may accept suggestions however not necessarily act on them. You are always in control. However, it is important to allow oneself to reach a deep state to benefit the most from hypnotherapy.

When and how is hypnotherapy applied?

A hypnotic state of mind, or trance, which is open to suggestions from a hypnotherapist can create a powerful pathway which hypnotherapists can use to help the client to deal with bad habits and health conditions.

Hypnotherapy treatment is used in a broad range of situations

People commonly seek out hypnotherapy for a variety of reasons, however more research is required to support its efficacy, and you should always speak to your GP or qualified medical practitioner before booking any appointments.

Hypnosis is commonly in relation to bad habits, such as:

• Alcoholism
• Smoking
• Substance abuse
• Overeating

As well as various mental health and behavioural issues:

• Anxiety
• Anger management
• Depression
• Fears and phobias
• Low self-confidence/self-esteem
• Obsessions and compulsions
• Stress

Hypnotherapy is also frequently sought in other situations such as chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, digestive tract conditions, irritable bowel syndrome as well as sleep conditions including insomnia. People also seek hypnotherapy for weight loss and pregnant women may seek a form of self-hypnosis called hypnobirthing.

Hypnotherapy treatment uses a range of techniques

Similar to other forms of holistic therapy there are various types of hypnotherapy and techniques available. As a client you may not need to understand all the different types as the therapist should be able to select the most suitable type for your needs.

Major types of clinical hypnotherapy include:

• Traditional hypnosis – perhaps the most popular and well-known form of hypnosis which uses suggestions whilst you are in a deeply relaxed state to affect your behaviour, thoughts, or feelings. This type works well with those who readily accept, or are suggestible, to what they are told and less heavily analytical with critically minded patients.
• Eriksonian hypnotherapy – uses indirect suggestions as well as metaphors and stories instead of direct suggestions, helping to eliminate resistance to change that may come from the conscious mind. This type works well with more analytical, critically minded patients.
• Regression hypnosis – guides you through your past memories to uncover the reason for a present day issue or problem, helping you to understand it better. Often used as a last resort to change behaviour or perspective, as it can be deeply personal and may thus require a highly trained hypnotherapist.
• Cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy – uses a range of techniques including imagination, conceptualisation, and suggestion to help you better understand the issues you face and create positive change in your thoughts and behaviours.
• Solution-focused hypnotherapy – evaluates your current situation and helps you decide what your future ought to look like by using goal-setting. As the title suggests it focuses on finding solutions to a particular problem rather than uncovering or emphasising causation.
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) – explores interrelationships between your senses and the way you process language  to effect positive change.

What is the evidence to support hypnotherapy?

Does hypnotherapy work? Hypnotherapy has a long history of acceptance from the medical community. For instance, the British Medical Association (BMA) started supporting its uses as early as 1892, going onto create a legal definition for what hypnosis is in 1952 (1).

In addition, to acceptance from the medical community there are significant amounts of research supporting its efficacy for certain conditions. Examples of these include:

• Improve deep sleep by extending the restorative phase (2)
• Ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (3)
• Ease pain such as fibromyalgia, arthritis and cancer (4)
• Help you relax and reduce nervousness (5)

What can I expect as a hypnotherapy patient?

Here are some things you need to consider when choosing hypnotherapy:

The hypnotherapy consultation

For your first appointment, your hypnotherapist will take a case history from you. Then they will likely have a detailed discussion with you to understand more about the problem you are struggling with. They will of course ask you what you are hoping to change and achieve through the therapy.

Once it is clear what the goals are, your hypnotherapist will discuss and develop a treatment plan including details of the specific type of hypnotherapy he or she intends to use.

Once you agree to proceed, which could start during the first appointment, your hypnotherapist will lead you into a state of deep physical and mental relaxation.

Depending on the type of hypnotherapy, the therapist can use a variety of techniques for the agreed type of hypnotherapy. This may include making suggestions for different ways to handle a particular issue or behaviour based on what you have shared.

Following this, your hypnotherapist will support you to transition from a state of deep relaxation back to wakefulness. To wrap up your practitioner / therapist will ask you how you felt and answer any questions you may have.

What is the difference between hypnotherapy and hypnosis?

Hypnotherapy involves the therapeutic use of hypnosis to achieve a specific goal. These may include helping you manage numerous medical and psychological problems such using hypnotherapy to stop smoking or managing fears or phobias.

On the other hand, hypnosis is the process of artificially inducing a state of deep relaxation or state of trance to grant direct access to our subconscious mind, where our learned behaviour pattern-making systems reside.

How do I find a great hypnotherapist and what qualifications should they have?

Hypnotherapy is not currently an officially regulated profession in the UK, meaning that no license is required to practice as a hypnotherapist.
That said, industry guidelines still recommend that you use hypnotherapists who have completed a minimum level of training and have Hypnotherapy specific qualifications. It is also advisable to ensure that your therapist is registered with a professional body such as General Hypnotherapy register GHR or others for extra reassurance. It is also important to check that they are fully insured.

The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) for example require their members to not only adhere to a strict code of conduct, but also meet at least the Hypnotherapy National Occupational Standards, preferably the externally verified Hypnotherapy in Practice Diploma HPD . To become full members of NCH, applicants must also be supervised for at least 3 years post-qualification and for a minimum of 300 client hours. Please be aware that the qualification only came into being in recent years and thus would not be available to other hypnotherapists who have been practising longer and may have also completed equivalent hypnotherapy courses or trainings.

You can also use Treatwiser’s directory to find hynotherapists near me. Use the search features to narrow your search by location, professional body membership status, and more. Some hypnotherapists may provide online hypnotherapy options.

How much will it cost?

Costs vary according to region and the hypnotherapist’s experience, however you can expect to pay around £40-£100 per session.

It is important to clarify total expected costs before you start therapy as this can rise quickly with multiple sessions.

Some hypnotherapists may offer a free initial consultation so you don’t have to commit until you are comfortable that the duration, their approach and that their cost are appropriate for you.

How many appointments will I need and over what period?

The number of sessions really depends on your circumstances and the reasons why you are seeking hypnosis. Some reasons such as quitting smoking, may be possible to complete in a single session, whereas others may require multiple sessions.

Some patients start to notice a positive impact following their first session, however for others, it may be necessary to have multiple sessions to reinforce some of the new ideas or uncover associated issues that may need to be looked at.

It is common for your hypnotherapist to teach some self-hypnosis techniques to help you reinforce some of the new ideas and behaviours between sessions. Some will offer you free downloads or recordings to reinforce your continued changes at home.

What are the benefits of hypnotherapy treatment?

Hypnotherapy offers another alternative to conventional treatments and talking therapies. Not only does it play an important role in improving health and lifestyle outcomes, but it also helps you make the positive changes in your life to achieve your goals.

Although hypnosis has the ability to work for most people, there are some people who more susceptible to suggestion than others – and thus able to reap greater benefits. Those with an open mind are also more likely to achieve desired results and scepticism may reduce susceptibility.

That said the positive and relaxing experience is known to give rise to a range of benefits, including:

• Deep relaxation from entering a state of trance, helping to reduce experience of stress and anxiety
• Ability to be in the present, fully engaged with current task or people around you
• Enhanced control and motivation as a result of improving perception of the world around us and behaviours.
• Achievement of life objectives by setting attainable goals and sticking to them
• Improved health outcomes including reduced experience of chronic pain

Is hypnotherapy treatment safe for everyone?

Hypnotherapy is generally safe for adults and children as long as it is conducted by an appropriately trained or qualified hypnotherapist.

Adverse reactions are rare and may include headache, drowsiness, dizziness and in severe cases may actually worsen symptoms of anxiety or distress.

What’s more, hypnotherapy treatment may not be appropriate for people suffering from severe mental illness.

What do patients and therapists say about hypnotherapy

Read some testimonials to hear what patients and therapists are saying about their hypnotherapy experiences:

• Hypnotherapy For Agoraphobia and Generalised Anxiety: William’s Experience
• Therapist Stories: Fiona McKeand’s Experience As A Hypnotherapist
• Therapist Stories: Leah Jung’s Experience As A Hypnotherapist
• Therapist Stories: Nicole Valen’s Experience As A Hypnotherapist
• Therapist Stories: Benjamin Dryer’s Experience As A Hypnotherapist
• Therapist Stories: Caroline Jago’s Experience As A Hypnotherapist