Introduction

The Basics

What is Hypnotherapy?

Put simply, hypnotherapy is any form of therapy that uses hypnosis. Hypnotherapy may be a primary treatment, or a supplement to other types of therapies.

Hypnosis might be described as a “consciously accessible meditative state,” one used for a therapeutic purpose. It could also be described as “a waking state of awareness … in which a person’s attention is detached from [the] immediate environment and is absorbed by inner experiences such as feelings, cognition and imagery” (Williamson, 2019).

While the words are often used interchangeably, “hypnosis” is more about a state of mind, while “hypnotherapy” describes the therapeutic process in which hypnosis is used.

Goal

What is the goal of Hypnotherapy?

A common goal of hypnosis is helping an individual gain control over certain thoughts or behaviors they’d like to change.

Hypnotherapy can help a person to update unhelpful ideas, associations, and beliefs often unknowingly formed in early childhood. These old patterns may have once helped a child feel safe or comforted (for example, “I should stay quiet to feel safe”), but may feel less helpful as they grow older (i.e., learning ways that “I can speak up”).

Uses

What does Hypnotherapy treat?

People seek hypnotherapy for a wide variety of reasons, including:

• Managing or relieving anxiety
• Addictions
• Compulsions
• Depression
• Pain management
• Phobias
• Sleep disturbances
• PTSD
• Triggers
• Weight loss
• and many other symptoms or concerns

Many people may benefit from hypnotherapy, particularly those who have tried other types of therapy but found them unhelpful.

Hypnotherapy may also be a viable option for people who have tried to change a behavior, but without lasting results, and for anyone simply open to trying a different approach.

Subtypes

Are there any subtypes of Hypnotherapy?

While no single theory or model of hypnosis is universally accepted among clinicians and researchers, several approaches are commonly used within therapeutic settings. It’s important to distinguish clinical hypnotherapy from “stage hypnosis,” which is designed for entertainment rather than treatment.

Therapeutic hypnotherapy encompasses a range of modalities, including:

• Traditional hypnosis
• Ericksonian hypnosis
• Self-hypnosis
• Solution-focused hypnotherapy
• Cognitive hypnotherapy
• Clinical hypnotherapy
• Regression hypnotherapy

Additionally, related approaches such as neurolinguistic programming (NLP) may incorporate hypnotic techniques as part of treatment.

These modalities can be used as standalone interventions or integrated into broader psychotherapeutic frameworks.

Effectiveness

Origins

Who developed Hypnotherapy and when?

Hypnotherapy is one of the oldest psychological interventions, with roots that trace back to ancient healing traditions. The term itself is derived from “Hypnos,” the Greek god and personification of sleep, reflecting the deeply relaxed, trance-like state often associated with hypnosis.

Key Historical Developments:

• In the 18th century, Franz Mesmer, a German physician, introduced his controversial method of animal magnetism. He claimed to relieve illness by placing his hands over areas of discomfort. While debated, Mesmer's techniques ignited interest in the therapeutic potential of trance states.
• In the 19th century, Scottish surgeon James Braid coined the term “hypnosis.” He observed that he could induce a state of “nervous sleep” by having individuals focus intently on a bright object, laying the groundwork for modern hypnotic techniques.
• More recently, Dr. David Spiegel in the 1970s discovered hypnotherapy's potential for treating conditions like asthma. In the last decade, Dr. Gary Elkins has further expanded the field, exploring its benefits even for individuals not traditionally considered “hypnotizable.”

As neuroscience advances, our understanding of hypnosis and its clinical applications continues to evolve, opening new possibilities for how hypnotherapy can support mental and physical health.

Evidence Base

Is Hypnotherapy evidence-based?

A growing body of research supports hypnotherapy as a standalone treatment for a variety of conditions, including acute pain, IBS, anxiety, and depression.

There is also research suggesting benefits of hypnotherapy as a supplemental treatment with other evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR.

Concepts such as hypnotic depth, hypnotizability, susceptibility, and suggestibility all play a significant role in our understanding of the mechanisms, research, and efficacy of hypnosis.

How It Works

Techniques Used

How does Hypnotherapy work?

Through specific use of meditative scripts, practices, or suggestions, a client and provider may co-create a new hypnotic reality. This process—known as hypnotic induction—involves concentrating attention and imagination so deeply that imagined scenarios begin to feel more real.

We already operate from constructed realities—mental narratives that shape how we feel and act. Some of these stories keep us stuck.

For example:

This shift in inner reality can lead to meaningful changes in behavior over time, such as better sleep hygiene and less binge eating, because the person now feels more freedom and possibility in how they relate to comfort and safety.

What to Expect in a Session

What can I expect from a Hypnotherapy session?

Before treatment begins, most providers will conduct a thorough assessment and collaborate with the client to develop a treatment plan. The exact process varies depending on the provider, the client, and the goals of therapy.

In general, hypnotherapy sessions follow this structure:

1. The provider helps the client identify an unhelpful belief or behavior.
2. Together, they define a more adaptive belief or habit to work toward.
3. The provider uses verbal cues to guide the client into a trance-like state.

For anyone nervous about the idea of hypnosis, some find it helpful to remember these “trance” states are a common part of the human experience, such as getting “lost” in a good book, prayer or meditation, highway driving, repetitive tasks, sports, or creative activities.

Most people are conscious and aware of the “outside” world in these “trance” states, while their focus becomes primarily internal for a little while.

In hypnotherapy, after the provider has completed a series of verbal or other cues, the client is often invited to reflect on the experience, and then given “homework” or practices to attend to between sessions. This may help with the speed of progress, while integrating new ideas and behaviors.

Treatment Length & Structure

How long does Hypnotherapy take?

Hypnotherapy sessions can vary based on individual needs and provider style, but here’s what to expect:

• Session length: Typically up to an hour or more per session.
• Between sessions: Many clients receive “homework,” which may include:
  • Guided practices
  • Hypnotic scripts
  • Audio recordings to listen to at home
• Session frequency: Often more frequent at the beginning, weekly or even multiple times per week, depending on the case.
• Session structure: While some providers may follow a predictable format, the structure can vary based on client goals and responses.
• Treatment duration: Therapy usually concludes when the client feels they’ve met their treatment goals, this timeline differs for everyone.

Getting Care

Finding a Therapist

How do I find a therapist trained in Hypnotherapy?

Alma’s directory has many therapists who are trained in Hypnotherapy, including: