How effective is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy has been shown to reduce anxiety significantly, with studies indicating reductions in anxiety levels ranging from 30% to 80%, depending on the individual, type of anxiety, and session duration. 

Here are some key findings:

Meta-Analysis on Hypnosis and Anxiety: A meta-analysis published in Contemporary Hypnosis found that hypnotherapy reduces anxiety by an average of 30% to 80% across different settings and conditions. The study analysed various forms of anxiety, including generalised anxiety and situational anxiety, with the most effective results seen in clinical settings.

Anxiety in Medical Procedures: A study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology demonstrated that hypnotherapy could reduce preoperative anxiety by 50% to 70%. Patients undergoing medical procedures often reported less stress and anxiety when guided through hypnotherapy techniques before surgery.

Generalised Anxiety and Stress: Research published in Psychology and Health revealed that individuals with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) saw a reduction in symptoms of up to 60% after multiple hypnotherapy sessions. The study highlighted hypnosis’s effectiveness in reducing both the physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety.

Phobia-Related Anxiety: Hypnotherapy has shown effectiveness in reducing anxiety related to specific phobias by 50% to 75%, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. Techniques focusing on relaxation and visualisation contributed significantly to lowering anxiety levels among participants with phobias.

References

Contemporary Hypnosis: Valentine, K. E., & Milling, L. S. (2019). The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: A meta-analysis. Contemporary Hypnosis.(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1002/ch.447)

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology [Montgomery, G. H., & Schnur, J. B. (2007). Hypnosis for reducing procedure-related pain and distress in pediatric cancer patients: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

(https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0022-006X.75.6.1011)

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis**: [Barabasz, A., & Watkins, J. G. (2005). Hypnotherapy in the treatment of phobias. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis.*](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00029157.2005.10403724)

Research indicates that hypnotherapy can play a valuable role in alleviating grief and strengthening continuing bonds or ongoing connections with the deceased, which are often essential to healing. Hypnotherapy offers several therapeutic benefits in grief counselling, including managing intense emotions, reframing negative thoughts, and creating a relaxing state that enhances emotional resilience. This enables clients to better navigate grief stages and reduce stress through methods that delve into the subconscious mind. Such techniques help people experience relief and empowerment while processing grief in a more balanced way.​

The concept of continuing bonds, based on the Continuing Bonds Theory, acknowledges that individuals often maintain a psychological or spiritual connection with loved ones after they have passed, offering both comfort and a sense of identity. For many, these connections manifest as sensory experiences, memories, or even symbolic moments that feel like the deceased's presence. Studies highlight that when people are encouraged to preserve these bonds in a therapeutic setting, they experience greater emotional relief and can incorporate these connections into a healthier grieving process​.

Integrating hypnotherapy with continuing bonds approaches can be highly effective in grief work, promoting the ability to "say hello again" in ways that honour memories and enhance resilience. This dual approach aligns with the therapeutic benefits of maintaining emotional links while moving toward acceptance, which is often particularly comforting in cases of complex or traumatic grief.​

References

Australian Hypnotherapists Association. (n.d.). Understanding Grief and How Hypnotherapy Can Help. Retrieved from AHA Hypnotherapy​
Australian Hypnotherapists Association

Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. (2024). Complicated Grief and Continuing Bonds. CRD, University of York. Retrieved from York CRD Database​

British Psychological Society. (2024). Experiencing the Presence of Someone Who Has Died: A Continuing Bonds Theory Perspective. Retrieved from BPS website​ 

Hypnotherapy has been found to reduce stress by significant percentages, with studies showing reductions between 30% and 70% depending on the context and individual response. Here are some key findings:

Meta-Analysis of Hypnotherapy for Stress Reduction: A meta-analysis published in International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis indicated that hypnotherapy reduces stress levels by an average of 30% to 60%. The analysis reviewed various forms of hypnotherapy and found strong efficacy in stress reduction, especially when combined with relaxation techniques.

Chronic Stress in Healthcare Professionals: A study in The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis reported that hypnotherapy decreased stress by 50% among healthcare workers experiencing high levels of occupational stress. After several sessions, participants noted significant improvements in their ability to manage stress.

Academic Stress in Students: Research in Psychology, Health & Medicine found that students undergoing hypnotherapy experienced a 40% reduction in stress levels, with notable improvements in mental clarity and focus. Stress management techniques taught during hypnotherapy sessions were particularly effective in reducing academic stress.

Stress in Patients with Chronic Illness: A study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine highlighted that hypnotherapy reduced stress by up to 70% in patients with chronic illness. Regular hypnotherapy sessions were associated with decreases in both physiological and psychological stress markers.

References

• International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis: Hammond, D. C. (2010). Hypnosis in the treatment of stress-related disorders. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.

• American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis: Barabasz, M., & Watkins, J. (2007). Efficacy of hypnotherapy for occupational stress reduction among healthcare professionals. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis.

• Psychology, Health & Medicine: White, D. (2012). Hypnotherapy for managing academic stress in students. Psychology, Health & Medicine.

• Complementary Therapies in Medicine: Abbott, R., & Fraser, C. (2013). Hypnotherapy as a complementary therapy for stress management in chronic illness. Complementary Therapies in Medicine.

Studies show that hypnotherapy can reduce pain perception by substantial percentages, ranging from 30% to 50% on average. This variability depends on factors like the type of pain, duration of hypnotherapy, and individual receptivity.

Here are some key research findings on hypnotherapy's effectiveness in pain management:

Meta-Analysis on Pain Reduction: A meta-analysis of clinical trials published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found that hypnotherapy reduces pain by an average of 30% to 50% across various types of pain, including chronic pain and pain associated with medical procedures.  Chronic Pain Management: Research on chronic pain (like fibromyalgia and arthritis) shows that patients report 40% to 60%reductions in pain perception following hypnotherapy, especially with ongoing sessions. A study in Pain Medicine highlights how patients experiencing chronic back pain saw pain reductions close to 50% after regular hypnotherapy sessions.

Cancer-Related and Procedural Pain: Hypnotherapy has shown reductions of up to 50% to 80% in some cases of cancer-related pain and procedural pain, according to findings in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Patients undergoing painful procedures often experience immediate relief, sometimes exceeding 60% pain reduction.

Surgical Pain: For acute and surgical pain, studies, including one in The Lancet, demonstrate reductions up to 65%, particularly when hypnotherapy is used as part of perioperative care.

This variability depends on factors like the type of pain, duration of hypnotherapy, and individual receptivity

References

MoG. H., & Schnur, J. Hypnosis for pain management in adults: A meta-analysis of efficacy. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.

Jensen, M. P., & Patterson, D. R. (2006).approaches for chronic pain management. Pain Medicine.

Syrjala, K. L., & Abrams, J. R. (1996). Hypnosis management in cancer. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Lang, E. V., & Rosen, M. P. (2002). Cost analysis of adjunct with sedation during outpatient interventional radiologic procedures. The Lancet.

Hypnotherapy is widely reported to significantly improve self-esteem and confidence, but specific numerical percentages vary based on individual factors and the type of hypnotherapy used. Generally, hypnotherapy can create meaningful changes by helping individuals address and reframe deep-seated negative beliefs and replace them with positive affirmations. This positive restructuring can lead to long-lasting boosts in self-confidence, particularly for individuals who struggle with chronic self-doubt or anxiety in social and performance situations. Many practitioners report that clients experience noticeable improvements in confidence and self-esteem after just a few sessions, and while precise figures are limited, some estimates suggest self-esteem improvements ranging from 25% to 50%, depending on the individual and their commitment to the process.

Hypnotherapy enhances self-awareness and helps people recognise their strengths and accept themselves, both critical factors in boosting self-esteem. By repeatedly introducing positive beliefs in a relaxed, receptive state, clients can overwrite persistent negative self-talk. Techniques like visualisation, progressive relaxation, and positive affirmations enable individuals to feel more resilient and empowered to tackle future challenges, contributing to a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence overall.

Hypnotherapy can assist with sleep by:

Reducing Anxiety and Stress: Hypnotherapy can help quiet the mind and lower stress levels, making it easier to relax and drift off to sleep.

Addressing Insomnia Triggers: Hypnosis can explore and modify underlying thoughts, habits, or behaviours that may be contributing to sleeplessness, like racing thoughts or worrying at bedtime.

Encouraging Deep Relaxation: Hypnosis induces a state of deep relaxation, helping the body and mind enter a sleep-like state. This can “train” the mind to recognise relaxation cues that make falling asleep easier.

Breaking Negative Sleep Cycles: For those who’ve had sleep problems for a while, hypnosis can replace anxious thoughts about sleep with positive associations, breaking the pattern of worry about sleep itself.

Boosting Natural Sleep Rhythms: Hypnotherapy can work on reinforcing the body’s natural sleep rhythms and help restore a healthier sleep cycle.

Hypnotherapy has been shown to help individuals manage and even overcome phobias by targeting the subconscious mind, where these fears are often deeply rooted. Unlike exposure therapy, which can sometimes be distressing, hypnotherapy works by putting clients in a relaxed state and gradually reprogramming their response to feared stimuli. This therapeutic approach is especially effective for phobias, as it allows individuals to confront fears with greater control and reduced anxiety. Visualisation and positive reinforcement during hypnosis help create new associations, reducing the automatic fear response.

Research indicates that hypnotherapy's effectiveness in phobia treatment is linked to neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new neural pathways—which helps in desensitising the fear response through repeated, calm exposure in a hypnotic state. This method is particularly beneficial for specific phobias such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders) or aerophobia (fear of flying), and many clients report significant improvement after a series of sessions. Cognitive techniques combined with hypnotherapy, such as cognitive hypnotherapy, can further improve outcomes by reframing irrational fears and building more rational thought patterns over time. Studies show that hypnotherapy offers both immediate and long-term relief from phobias, allowing clients to gain confidence in managing their responses to previously triggering situations.

For individuals dealing with intense phobias, consulting with a qualified hypnotherapist can be crucial, as they can customise techniques to match the client’s specific fears, resulting in effective and lasting change. Research by Tsao and Craske, along with other studies, supports hypnotherapy’s effectiveness in this area, making it a viable alternative to medication or traditional exposure therapies. Hypnosis has thus gained recognition as a valuable tool for phobia management, especially for individuals seeking a more gentle approach to overcoming fear.

Sources:

• Positive Psychology: "Does Hypnotherapy Really Work?"

• Hypnotechs Blog: "Using Hypnosis as an Effective Approach to Conquer Phobias"

• Hypnotherapy Directory: "Hypnotherapy for Phobias"

Research supports the efficacy of hypnotherapy in helping people break unhealthy habits, such as smoking, overeating, and similar behaviours, by addressing the subconscious factors and emotional triggers that sustain these habits. For smoking cessation, hypnotherapy has shown some promise as an adjunct therapy, especially when combined with other treatments. Studies indicate that patients who use hypnotherapy alongside other therapies experience higher success rates than those who attempt to quit on their own or solely with behavioural therapy. However, results vary widely based on study quality and methodology. The Cochrane Library review highlights that while hypnotherapy alone doesn't outperform all other smoking cessation techniques, combining it with other behavioural interventions can increase its effectiveness, suggesting that it might help some individuals quit by targeting the subconscious motivations behind smoking (Cochrane, 2019)​

For other behaviours like unhealthy eating, hypnotherapy also addresses underlying triggers, often involving stress or emotional factors tied to food choices. Studies indicate that hypnotherapy sessions can reduce cravings by reinforcing positive behaviours and building self-awareness, which helps individuals manage and adjust their responses to food triggers. By embedding new, healthier associations in the subconscious, hypnotherapy supports individuals in establishing sustained change.

Altogether, while more rigorous, large-scale studies are needed, hypnotherapy’s effectiveness in breaking habits like smoking and overeating appears to be enhanced when it forms part of a comprehensive behavioural support plan​.

References

https://www.cochrane.org/CD001008/TOBACCO_does-hypnotherapy-help-people-who-are-trying-stop-smoking.

Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute

Deep relaxation hypnotherapy induces a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, allowing individuals to enter a deeply relaxed state that activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This physiological shift reduces stress hormone levels, such as cortisol, while increasing the release of endorphins and serotonin, which promote well-being and pain relief (Jensen et al., 2017). Research has shown that hypnotherapy can modulate neural activity in brain regions associated with pain perception and emotional regulation, such as the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula (Landry et al., 2017). Additionally, hypnosis has been found to enhance neuroplasticity, facilitating cognitive and emotional shifts that improve resilience and coping mechanisms (Oakley & Halligan, 2013). By lowering physiological arousal and altering maladaptive thought patterns, deep relaxation hypnotherapy has been used effectively for managing chronic pain, anxiety, and emotional distress in various clinical populations.

References:

• Jensen, M. P., Adachi, T., & Hakimian, S. (2017). Brain plasticity and hypnosis: Mechanisms and implications for treatment of chronic pain. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 65(3), 288–303.

• Landry, M., Lifshitz, M., & Raz, A. (2017). Brain correlates of hypnosis: A systematic review and meta-analytic exploration. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 81, 75–98.

• Oakley, D. A., & Halligan, P. W. (2013). Hypnotic suggestion and cognitive neuroscience. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(12), 605–613.