Should You Try Hypnotherapy? Here’s How It Works
Key takeaways:
Hypnotherapy involves reaching a state of relaxation and openness that may make it easier for a therapist to help you with problems such anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.
Research suggests that hypnotherapy works well for some issues, such as managing pain and anxiety. It may be less effective for habits such as quitting smoking.
Hypnotherapy seems most effective when it’s combined with other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Does the thought of hypnosis make you very, very sleepy? Many people think of it as a form of entertainment.
However, hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, may be most useful as a health treatment. Here’s more about it and how it works.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy, or hypnosis, is a state of openness, relaxation, and deep concentration. It helps some people achieve a state of rest so they can more easily take in ideas from a therapist. Hypnotherapy is typically provided by a medical or mental health professional.
Although movies and hypnosis performers may suggest otherwise, you are still in control when you are hypnotized. Some experts describe hypnosis as a meditative state, where someone can become more in tune with their inner experiences.
Does hypnotherapy work?
Hypnotherapy has often been thought of as a way to change habits, such as quitting smoking. Experts have also studied how it may help with mental health issues like major depression and anxiety.
So, does hypnotherapy work? Research says it can — for some conditions.
Studies show that hypnotherapy may be able to help with problems such as:
Pain and stress during medical treatments
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
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When it comes to chronic mental health issues, hypnotherapy may work best when combined with other treatments. For example, one study suggests that adding hypnotherapy to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may lower anxiety more than CBT alone.
Another study found that a combined approach of cognitive techniques and hypnotherapy reduced depression more than CBT alone.
And what about quitting smoking? While hypnosis seems like an ideal solution, the evidence may not hold up for it. A review of multiple studies showed weak to no proof that it works.
How does hypnotherapy work?
When you are hypnotized, you are less attached to your outside environment. Instead, you are more focused on your internal experience. This is common to an extent in everyday life.
For example, have you ever gotten lost in a book, only to look up and realize several hours have gone by? You were probably in a “trance-like” state. You were less aware of your outer experience.
In hypnotherapy, you try to reach this state of mind on purpose. It’s believed being in this state can help you address your concerns because you are even more focused on them. With your approval, your therapist will help you reach a deep state of relaxation. You will still have control of your choices and actions.
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There are many ways your therapist can help you reach a state of hypnosis. For example, they might have you focus on a certain sound, image, or scenario. That will help your mind relax and turn your attention inward.
Once you are in a relaxed state, your therapist may then guide you by making suggestions or direct statements. These instructions will be aligned with your goals, such as lessening anxiety or depression.
In some cases, therapists may encourage you to continue with self-hypnosis. They may teach you certain techniques to follow. The repeated at-home exercises could enhance the effects.
Should I try hypnotherapy?
There are many types of treatments for problems like stress and mental health conditions. Hypnosis is one option. It may work best when combined with techniques like mindfulness and CBT therapy, and it may work better for some problems versus others.
There are few to no side effects reported in most studies of hypnotherapy. But, that doesn’t mean that hypnosis is the most effective treatment for any condition. And it doesn’t mean it will work for you.
If you’d like to try hypnosis, talk to your healthcare provider about your options. Not all professionals are trained in hypnotherapy, but they may be able to offer resources to explore it further.
How do I find a qualified hypnotherapist?
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommends that hypnotherapy only be performed by a licensed mental health professional who has additional training in hypnosis. They should also be up to date on recent research and practices.
There are many programs that offer training and certification in hypnotherapy to providers and licensed therapists. Also, there are no standard national requirements. If you find a provider who offers hypnosis, make sure to ask about their training, licensure, and experience.
You can browse professionals who offer hypnosis through online directories such as Psychology Today. You can also visit the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and search by your state or region.
The bottom line
Hypnotherapy is a treatment sometimes used by healthcare providers to help with chronic pain, anxiety, and other problems. The process may help you become more relaxed so that you can better focus on your goals. It’s sometimes used to treat habits like smoking but seems to work best in areas of pain management and medical treatment anxiety.
For mental health conditions, hypnotherapy may boost the benefits of treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). That said, it should be guided by a licensed medical professional with specific training in hypnosis.
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References
American Psychiatric Association. (2015). Position statement on hypnosis.
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. (n.d.). What is certification?
Barnes, J., et al. (2019). Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Grégoire, C., et al. (2022). Hypnosis, meditation, and self-induced cognitive trance to improve post-treatment oncological patients’ quality of life: Study protocol. Frontiers in Psychology.
Häuser, W., et al. (2016). The efficacy, safety and applications of medical hypnosis. Deutsches Ärzteblatt international.
Holdevici, I., et al. (2013). Hypnosis in the treatment of patients with anxiety disorders. Procedia- Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Jensen, M. P., et al. (2017). New directions in hypnosis research: Strategies for advancing the cognitive and clinical neuroscience of hypnosis. Neuroscience of Consciousness.
Miller, V., et al. (2015). Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: An audit of one thousand adult patients. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Montgomery, G. H., et al. (2007). A randomized clinical trial of a brief hypnosis intervention to control side effects in breast surgery patients. Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Psychology Today. (n.d.). Find a hypnotherapist.
Society for Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis. (n.d.). What is hypnosis?
Thompson, T., et al. (2019). The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.
Venkiteswaran, A., et al. (2021). Role of hypnosis in dental treatment: A narrative review. Journal of the International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry.
Williamson, A. (2019). What is hypnosis and how might it work? Palliative Care: Research and Treatment.
For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
