What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a therapy that uses hypnosis to help treat and manage psychological and physical health issues.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), hypnosis is “a state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion.”

Another way to think of hypnosis is “nothing more than a naturally focused state you may find yourself in several times a day,” explains Michael Pulman, a U.K.-based clinical hypnotherapist. “If you have found yourself daydreaming while driving or so engrossed in a book so that you can vividly see and almost hear the characters,” you’ve experienced hypnosis, continues Pulman.

Hypnotherapy can help certain people overcome mind and body-related issues, claims Pulman. While the mechanisms of action around hypnotherapy are still being studied, recent research points to a combination of biological, psychological and social factors that work together to create a helpful hypnotherapy session. A few variables that might facilitate a successful session include higher levels of theta bandwidth activity in the brain for the client (which are brain waves that experts think are important for learning, and which occur when we are sleeping, dreaming or in a very relaxed state), motivation of the client, rapport between the client and the hypnotherapist and the client’s expectations of the session^[1]Jensen MP, Adachi T, Tomé-Pires C, et al. Mechanisms of hypnosis: toward the development of a biopsychosocial model. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2015;63(2):247. .

During hypnotherapy, a hypnotherapist—a trained professional who is qualified to practice hypnosis—helps a person get into a state where they can focus, ignore distractions, listen and hopefully accept suggestions such as feeling comfort, relaxation, or numbness rather than pain. According to experts, these suggestions can help treat physical and mental health issues like stress, addiction, chronic pain and anxiety disorders.

People can also learn to put themselves under hypnosis with the guidance of their hypnotherapist.

A non-exhaustive list of health issues hypnotherapy may help, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), includes:

• Obesity
• Bedwetting
• Side effects of cancer treatments
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Skin conditions like warts and psoriasis
• High blood pressure
• Migraine headache
• Pain
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• Unhealthy habits like smoking

While research is still ongoing around the benefits of hypnosis, a few recent studies do add credibility to the WHO’s list.

When it comes to anxiety, a 2019 abstract of a meta-analysis found that while a majority of individuals treated with hypnotherapy did seem to feel improvements around their anxiety, the method was more effective in reducing anxiety when used in combination with other psychological treatments than when used alone^[2]Valentine KE, Milling LS, Clark LJ, Moriarty CL. THE EFFICACY OF HYPNOSIS AS A TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY: A META-ANALYSIS. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2019;67(3):336-363. .

A 2018 review analyzing how helpful hypnotherapy might be when it comes to sleep outcomes found that 58% of the studies available indicated that hypnosis provided benefits to individuals dealing with sleep disturbances^[3]Chamine I, Atchley R, Oken BS. Hypnosis Intervention Effects on Sleep Outcomes: A Systematic Review. J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(2):271-283. .

Studies around obesity and hypnotherapy remain scarce, but according to a review from 2021, there is evidence that hypnotherapy may be useful in promoting weight reduction, improving eating habits and even increasing physical activity—although researchers caution that further research needs to be done before any conclusions can be made^[4]Nurul Afiedia Roslim, Aryati Ahmad, Mardiana Mansor, et al. Hypnotherapy for overweight and obese patients: A narrative review. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2021;19(1):1-5. .

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Anyone can be hypnotized, according to Keylee Miracle, a double-board certified hypnotherapist based in New York City and creator of the NeuroIntuitive Method. “We all have a parasympathetic nervous system and when we sleep deeply, we access this part of ourselves. Any good hypnotherapist or hypnotist relies on consent, so willingness matters, but mechanics-wise, absolutely. Treatment resistance can happen but has always been overcome in my experience,” she explains.

However, research shows that the idea of universal susceptibility may be less accurate, according to Daryl Appleton, M.Ed., a psychotherapist, executive coach and host of the Feelings & Other F Words podcast. based in New York and New England. In fact, some studies suggest only about 10% to 15% percent of the population is highly hypnotizable^[5]Owen S. Surman MD, Lee Baer PhD. CHAPTER 15 - Hypnosis. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2008:183-188. , which means they respond easily to hypnotic suggestion, she adds.

Generally, “the efficacy of hypnotherapy depends on the participant, with some people being more prone or open to suggestion than others,” says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., double board-certified physician in psychiatry and sleep medicine, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD. Around 80% of people, Dr. Dimitriu explains, are ‘medium’ for hypnotizability—meaning they’re somewhere between highly hypnotizable and not hypnotizable at all—and this tends to remain constant over their lifetime.

Hypnotherapy is a powerful and effective method to help people overcome mind and body-related issues, says Pulman. And it does have a long history, as it was utilized as early as the 1700s to assist in the treatment of various medical conditions.

One of the main reasons for its success is that unlike other forms of therapy such as counseling and psychotherapy, hypnotherapy works directly with the subconscious part of the mind,” claims Pulman.

However, “like most therapies, hypnotherapy is not a one size fits all approach,” Pulman continues, explaining that in his practice, clients who find hypnotherapy useful tend to:

• Display an open mind towards each session
• Shows a belief in their ability to be successful at hypnosis
• Commit and take action to change

While the successfulness of hypnotherapy seems to be at least partially connected to how open a participant is to its benefits, a 2022 study on pediatric patients in a children’s hospital found that hypnotherapy appeared to help create “an overall improvement in symptoms” in 76% of more than 200 individuals with complex symptom disorders^[6]Bastek VB, Groeneveld EM, van Vliet*MJ. Medical hypnotherapy; even in a tertiary care setting a promising treatment. Int J Contemp Pediatr. 2022 May;9(5):418-424. . However, as authors of the study point out, hypnotherapy was “an add-on treatment” in addition to other clinical treatments, which means that the results may not be due solely or primarily to the effects of hypnotherapy.

If you’re interested in trying hypnotherapy for yourself, there are a few things experts say you should keep in mind when seeking out a hypnotherapist, who could charge anywhere from $50 to more than $200 depending on location and practitioner.

Check Their Qualifications

It’s important to look for trained professionals with qualifications from respected educational institutions, says Pulman. Two examples of education institutions include the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and The American College of Hypnotherapy. Also, find out if hypnotherapist candidates have regular, continuing professional development and are a member of a reputable regulating body, such as the The National Hypnotherapy Society.

Because hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not heavily regulated, when an individual has accreditations from respected institutions, “you know that they’ve been through a fairly rigorous process; they’ve taken courses and submitted a certain number of testimonials and client case studies to get accredited by these institutions,” explains U.K. based hypnotherapist Robert Brennan.

Consider Trusted Testimonials

Reviews and testimonials from people you know and trust are a big deal because of the popularity of hypnotherapy, says Miracle. Asking around your social circle is one way to find out if anyone has worked with a trusted practitioner.

Interview Possible Hypnotherapists

It’s always a good idea to talk to a hypnotherapist candidate to see if you feel good about them and can have a positive rapport, says Pulman.

Having conversations about pricing and refund policies are also a good idea, explains Brennan. What happens if you don’t like the services provided or feel like it’s not helping you?

“As with all working relationships, do not be afraid to interview several therapists before settling on the right one,” advises Dr. Dimitriu. “It’s essential to feel comfortable and understood and to have faith in the relationship.”

Stacey Litam, Ph.D. also contributed to this article.