Key facts
- Hypnotherapy uses a guided state of focused attention and deep relaxation to support change.
- You stay awake, aware, and in control the whole time, and you cannot be forced to do anything.
- Evidence is strongest for pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a complement for anxiety and habits.
- It works best when delivered by a licensed clinician trained in clinical hypnosis.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis within a therapeutic relationship to help a person make changes in how they feel, think, or behave. Hypnosis itself is a state of focused attention, heightened suggestibility, and deep relaxation, a bit like being absorbed in a good book or a long drive where the miles slip by. In that state, the mind tends to be more open to helpful suggestions and to new ways of relating to a problem.
It helps to be clear about what clinical hypnosis is not. It is not sleep, mind control, or magic. You do not lose consciousness, you remain aware of your surroundings, and you cannot be made to act against your own values. The dramatic stage-show version, where people seem to cluck like chickens, is entertainment built on social pressure and willing volunteers, not a model of therapy. As the American Psychological Association explains, hypnosis is a cooperative interaction in which the person being hypnotized responds to suggestions, rather than something done to a passive subject.
In practice, a trained clinician guides you into a calm, focused state and then offers carefully worded suggestions and imagery aimed at your specific goal, whether that is easing pain, reducing anxiety, or changing a habit. Hypnotherapy is usually one part of a broader treatment plan rather than a standalone cure.
What it helps with
Hypnotherapy is used for a wide range of concerns, with stronger evidence for some than others. Common uses include:
- Pain: both acute pain (such as during procedures) and chronic pain, where hypnosis can reduce pain intensity and distress.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): gut-directed hypnotherapy is a recognized treatment that can ease IBS symptoms.
- Anxiety and stress: as a complement to therapy, hypnosis can support relaxation and lower anticipatory anxiety, including before medical or dental procedures.
- Habits and behavior change: some people use it to support quitting smoking or managing weight, usually alongside other strategies.
- Sleep, phobias, and certain stress-related symptoms: hypnosis may help as part of a wider plan.
Hypnotherapy is not appropriate for everyone or every condition, and it is not a replacement for medical or psychiatric care. A qualified clinician will assess whether it fits your situation.
What a session is like
A first session usually starts with conversation, not hypnosis. The clinician asks about your concern, your history, and your goals, and explains how hypnosis works and what it can and cannot do. This is also your chance to ask questions and decide whether you feel comfortable.
When the hypnosis begins, the clinician guides you into relaxation, often by asking you to focus on your breathing, a point in the room, or calming imagery. As you settle, they offer suggestions tailored to your goal, perhaps picturing pain shrinking, rehearsing a calm response to a trigger, or strengthening your motivation to change a habit. You stay aware throughout and can speak, move, or stop at any time. At the end, the clinician gently brings you back to full alertness.
Many people feel pleasantly relaxed afterward. You may be taught self-hypnosis so you can practice the techniques at home, which often improves results. The number of sessions depends on the goal; some concerns respond in a few visits, while others take longer. Pairing hypnotherapy with approaches such as mindfulness and meditation can reinforce the calming effect.
Does it work
For some uses, the evidence is solid. Clinical research supports hypnosis for reducing pain, and gut-directed hypnotherapy is well studied for irritable bowel syndrome. There is good support for hypnosis as an add-on that reduces anxiety and distress around medical and dental procedures, and reasonable evidence that it can help with habit change such as smoking cessation when combined with other support.
Results depend partly on hypnotic suggestibility, which varies from person to person. Some people respond strongly, others modestly, and a few not much at all, and that is normal. The Mayo Clinic describes hypnosis as a safe complementary technique that can help manage a range of conditions when delivered by a trained professional. It is best understood as a useful tool within evidence-based care, not a stand-alone treatment for serious mental illness.
Finding a qualified clinician
The most important rule is to choose a licensed health professional, such as a psychologist, physician, counselor, or clinical social worker, who has training in clinical hypnosis. Hypnosis is a technique, not a profession, so a credible practitioner already has a clinical license and uses hypnosis as one of their tools. Be cautious with practitioners who advertise hypnosis but hold no recognized health qualification.
It is reasonable to ask about a clinician's license, their training in hypnosis, and their experience with your specific concern. Professional bodies such as the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis set training standards worth looking for. If you are unsure where to begin, your doctor can advise, and our therapist directory can help you find licensed providers who offer hypnotherapy.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone be hypnotized against their will?
No. Hypnosis requires your cooperation. You stay aware and in control throughout, you cannot be made to do anything against your values, and you can end the session at any time.
Is hypnotherapy scientifically supported?
Yes, for several uses. Research supports clinical hypnosis for pain management and irritable bowel syndrome, and as an add-on for anxiety and habit change. Effectiveness varies by person and condition.
Will I remember what happens during hypnosis?
Almost always, yes. Most people remember the session clearly and simply feel deeply relaxed and focused. The dramatic memory loss shown in stage shows is not part of clinical hypnotherapy.
Related
Therapists who specialize in hypnotherapy
Connect with a licensed therapist on Psychology.com who works with hypnotherapy.
- Asktheinternettherapist.com
- Caring Counseling Center
- Cheri Albertson
- David Shapiro
- Dr. Cathy Lee Allsman
- Dr. John Getz
References
- American Psychological Association (APA): Hypnosis
- Mayo Clinic: Hypnosis
- Cleveland Clinic: Hypnosis
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): Hypnosis
- NHS: Hypnotherapy