What is clinical hypnotherapy? What it is and what it isn't

If you're wondering what clinical hypnotherapy is, here's the short answer: it's the use of hypnosis for health purposes. A trained practitioner guides you into a calm, focused, absorbed state. They then use imagery and suggestions to support a change you want to make. The Better Health Channel explains that hypnosis isn't a treatment in its own right. It's used within medical, psychological and dental care.

So think of it as a tool inside a broader therapy, not a stand-alone fix. The Royal College of Psychiatrists notes that many therapists use hypnosis to help other approaches work better, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).

I'm a psychotherapist in Newstead, Brisbane, and I use hypnotherapy alongside talk therapy. Below I explain what it is, what it isn't, and how to choose a practitioner with confidence.

What is clinical hypnotherapy, in plain terms

You've probably been in something close to a hypnotic state many times. Maybe you were lost in a daydream, absorbed in a book until you lost track of time, or driving a familiar route on autopilot. The Better Health Channel describes these everyday experiences. It explains that clinical hypnosis aims to bring about that kind of focused absorption on purpose.

The word "clinical" simply means hypnosis is being used for a health or wellbeing goal, within a professional relationship. It isn't being used for entertainment.

How does it work?

You may read that hypnosis works by reaching the subconscious mind. That's one theory, but the Better Health Channel notes that how hypnosis works isn't fully understood. A 2023 review in BJPsych Advances also cautions against describing hypnosis as a special state that lowers your defences and opens hidden depths of the mind.

What's clearer is the practical side. You're guided into a relaxed, focused state, and suggestions are offered to support your goals. Those suggestions only take hold if they feel acceptable to you.

What happens in a hypnotherapy session

Practitioners work in different ways. NHS 111 Wales describes a common pattern. You're guided into deep relaxation and then gradually brought back out at the end. Most people feel relaxed and refreshed afterwards.

Imagery is often part of it, such as picturing a peaceful place. The Better Health Channel says people often compare the state to the drowsy moment before sleep. The difference is that you stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you begin

Tell your hypnotherapist about your medical history and any medicines or treatments you're having. Let your GP know you're seeing a hypnotherapist too, so your care stays connected (Better Health Channel).

How many sessions?

There's no single standard. Some UK hospital programs give a sense of common structures:

• At University College London Hospitals, an assessment is followed by up to eight weekly sessions. People learn self-hypnosis to use between appointments.
• A York hospitals program offers an assessment and up to six sessions of about an hour.

In my practice, each session is tailored to you and combines hypnotherapy with psychotherapy. Sessions are in Newstead or online. You can read more on the therapy page.

Common myths, and what the evidence says

Many worries about hypnosis come from films and stage shows. Here's what careful sources say.

Will I stay in control?

The Better Health Channel says you can't be hypnotised against your will or made to do things you don't want to do. NHS 111 Wales adds that hypnosis doesn't work if you don't want to be hypnotised. The BJPsych Advances review found no systematic evidence that people lose control of their actions.

Will I be unconscious?

No. The same review says that even people who respond strongly to hypnosis remain fully conscious.

Can hypnosis help me remember accurately?

Here, caution is wise. The BJPsych Advances review disputes the idea that hypnosis improves memory.

An older review in Mayo Clinic Proceedings looked at age regression, which means being guided back to earlier memories. It described the practice as controversial, because it can stir up strong emotions and may alter memories or create false ones. Mayo Clinic also lists false memories among the possible risks.

Do only weak-minded people respond?

No. Being responsive to suggestion isn't a sign of weak character, and a strong-minded person can be a good candidate (Better Health Channel). Hypnosis also doesn't help everyone, and it isn't clear why some people respond more than others.

What the research supports, and where it's limited

You'll see long lists online of things hypnotherapy may help with. Many of these lists don't point to trials for each item, so I'd rather share the evidence I can point to.

Irritable bowel syndrome

UK hospital pages from UCLH and York say NICE recommends hypnotherapy for IBS. NICE is the UK's national health guidance body. York describes hypnotherapy as an option when diet, medication and lifestyle changes haven't helped enough. It isn't a cure, but it can reduce symptoms and make them easier to manage.

Alongside hospital care

A report from a German heart surgery unit describes using hypnosis alongside medical care for anxiety, pain, agitation, sleeplessness and stress. It describes clinical experience rather than a controlled trial. So it shows how hypnosis can be used, not how well it works.

Painful past experiences

You may be considering hypnotherapy to work through distressing or traumatic events. If so, note that Mayo Clinic advises caution, because strong emotions may surface. It says treatments such as CBT are more helpful for past stress and trauma. It's worth talking this through with your GP or a mental health professional first.

If you're struggling right now or having thoughts of harming yourself, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.

Is hypnotherapy safe, and who should check first?

Both Mayo Clinic and the Better Health Channel say hypnosis is generally considered safe when a trained, qualified practitioner provides it. Side effects are uncommon but can include headache, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, anxiety or distress, sleep problems and false memories.

It isn't right for everyone:

• The Better Health Channel advises against it for people with severe depression, psychosis, a drug or alcohol problem, or pain a doctor hasn't yet investigated and diagnosed.
• NHS 111 Wales advises against it for psychosis or certain personality disorders.
• Mayo Clinic says it may not be safe for some people with severe mental illness.

If any of this applies to you, please see your GP first. Do the same if your symptoms are persistent, severe or getting worse. Hypnotherapy can sit alongside medical and psychological care, but it doesn't replace it. Any change to prescribed treatment is a conversation for your doctor.

The 2005 review linked most of the problems it found to practitioner errors. Examples include skipping mental health screening and bringing someone out of hypnosis too quickly. The review is dated, but it shows why training and careful assessment matter.

How to choose a clinical hypnotherapist in Australia

Taking a little time to check a practitioner's background can help you feel safer from the start.

• Ask your GP. The Better Health Channel suggests asking your GP for a referral, or getting a member list from a professional association.
• Check their background and training. NHS 111 Wales suggests choosing someone with a healthcare background. If you have a mental health condition or serious illness, check they're trained to work with it. For children, check they're trained to work with children.
• Notice how they assess you. A careful practitioner will ask about your health, medicines and history before starting.
• Ask about your other care. Check they're comfortable working alongside your GP or other practitioners.

Cost, Medicare and health funds

Medicare doesn't cover standalone hypnotherapy sessions. Some private health funds offer hypnotherapy rebates, so check with your fund before you book.

Something to try

Before you contact anyone, spend ten minutes with a notebook. Write down:

• what you'd like to feel or do differently
• any health conditions and medicines you're managing
• two or three questions you want answered

Bring these to a first conversation. They'll help you judge whether a practitioner, and hypnotherapy itself, feels like the right fit.

If you'd like to explore whether hypnotherapy could suit you, you're welcome to read the common questions about sessions. You can also book an appointment in Newstead or online from anywhere in Australia.

This article is general information only. It isn't medical or mental health advice and doesn't replace an assessment of your own situation. If you're struggling, please talk to your GP or a qualified mental health professional. If you need support now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.