What is clinical hypnotherapy? Clinical hypnotherapy is a structured form of hypnotherapy that combines modern hypnosis techniques with neuroscience and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
Hypnotherapy is often misunderstood. For many people, the word still brings to mind pocket watches, swinging pendulums, and folk clucking like chickens on stage.
But the truth is, hypnotherapy is a recognised therapeutic approach that has helped thousands of people with real-life issues like anxiety, phobias, chronic pain, and even insomnia.
As a clinical hypnotherapist student in practice, I’ve come to understand how much more there is to hypnosis than the stereotypes suggest. It isn’t about control or tricks—it’s about using the natural trance state we all experience to help make positive changes.
This article will walk you through what clinical hypnotherapy actually is, how it differs from general hypnotherapy, and how it can help with a wide range of conditions.
What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis uses ‘trance’ to create a natural shift in awareness where your mind narrows its internal focus away from distractions.
This focus is very normal, and it’s something we all experience throughout the day—whether we’re daydreaming, completely absorbed in a film, driving a familiar route on ‘autopilot’, or deep in thought.
These moments of internal focus are examples of what we call a ‘trance state’.
When combined with structured therapy, trance becomes a powerful tool for improving mental well-being. That’s where clinical hypnotherapy comes in.
A Brief History of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
The roots of hypnosis go back centuries, but it gained recognition as a therapeutic method during and after World War II, when it was used successfully for pain relief and surgical anaesthesia.
Milton Erickson (1901–1980), often regarded as the father of modern hypnotherapy, shifted the focus to a more naturalistic and utilising approach. He believed in using whatever the client brought into the session—memories, language, behaviours—as part of the solution. This concept of ‘utilisation’ is central to how we practice today.
More recently, clinical hypnotherapy has evolved into a scientifically grounded approach. Brain imaging and neuroscience have helped us understand the physiological changes that occur during hypnosis, confirming it is a genuine and useful state for therapy.
What Is Clinical Hypnotherapy?
Clinical hypnotherapy is a structured form of hypnotherapy that combines modern hypnosis techniques with neuroscience and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) for therapeutic work.
This modern form of hypnotherapy is solution-focused and widely used to treat anxiety, stress, depression, phobias, trauma, PTSD, or breaking unwanted habits, such as smoking.
By working in trance, the mind is guided into a calm state where it becomes easier to process change to help people make positive changes in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
The aim is to bypass the conscious (and often critical) part of your brain controlled by the amygdala (often known as the ‘chimp brain’) so that positive suggestions can be accepted more easily by your subconscious mind.
This helps reinforce desired outcomes like reduced anxiety, confidence building, or letting go of unhelpful habits.
Unlike traditional psychotherapy or traditional hypnotherapy, which often focuses on the past, clinical hypnotherapy is usually solution-focused, meaning it looks forward to a preferred future rather than dwelling on the past.
How Clinical Hypnotherapy Works
During a standard online or in-person hypnotherapy session, we cover several areas.
| No. | Section | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Induction | A guided relaxation exercise to allow you to enter a relaxed state, much like daydreaming. |
| 2. | Main Hypnosis Work | At this point, I will use specific hypnotherapy techniques such as positive suggestion and visualisation. |
| 3. | Closing the Session | As your therapist, I will gradually bring you back to full alertness. |
| 4. | Discussion & Homework | At this point, I’ll suggest exercises to practise between our sessions. |
Sessions usually last between 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll need a quiet space with a stable internet connection. Some therapists, myself included, also provide recordings to reinforce positive changes.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
Here are a few myths I often hear:
- Myth: Hypnosis means giving up control.
- Truth: You’re fully in control the whole time. It’s a state of focused attention, not mind control.
- Myth: Only weak-minded people can be hypnotised.
- Truth: Everyone enters trance naturally during daily activities like driving or daydreaming. Hypnosis just uses this natural ability purposefully.
- Myth: I might reveal secrets or do silly things like on stage.
- Truth: Hypnotherapy is professional and respectful. You won’t do anything you don’t want to do.
These misconceptions often come from stage hypnosis. While that can be entertaining, it’s completely different from the calm, clinical work I perform in therapy.
How Many Hypnotherapy Sessions Will I need?
Clinical hypnotherapy can help overcome a wide range of conditions, and the number of sessions needed will vary based on the condition you would like to work on.
| Condition | Avg Number of Sessions |
|---|---|
| Anxiety & Stress Relief | 6 – 12 sessions |
| Phobia Treatment | 2 – 4 sessions |
| Insomnia & Sleep Issues | 3 – 6 sessions |
| Pain Management | 4 – 6 sessions |
| Menopause | 6 – 8 sessions |
| Confidence & Public Speaking | 3 – 6 sessions |
| Quit Smoking | 1 – 2 sessions |
| Weight Loss | 4 – 6 sessions |
These are just examples. We often say that whatever the problem is, the process is the same—because we’re working with the mind, not the symptom.
Who Can Benefit from Hypnotherapy?
In general, anyone who is open to the process and motivated to change can benefit. Hypnotherapy is especially helpful for people who:
- Feel stuck in unhelpful patterns of thinking
- Want to reduce anxiety or stress
- Struggle with negative habits
- Need support with health conditions like pain or IBS
It’s not suitable for people with severe mental health conditions like psychosis, and it’s not a substitute for emergency medical care.
Training and Qualifications of a Clinical Hypnotherapist
To practice professionally, a hypnotherapist should hold a recognised qualification such as the Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (DSFH) and ideally the Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma (HPD).
It’s also important that the practitioner is registered with a professional body, like the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH), which ensures ongoing training and adherence to ethical guidelines.
Is Clinical Hypnotherapy Effective?
Yes, there’s a growing body of evidence that shows hypnotherapy is hightly effective, particularly for anxiety, stress, and pain.
Studies using brain scans, like a fMRI (Functional MRI), show clear changes in how the brain responds during hypnosis, backing up what we see in practice.
Conclusion
Clinical Hypnotherapy isn’t magic or mind control—it’s a collaborative, evidence-informed approach that can help you use your own strengths to feel better.
As a student hypnotherapist, I’m constantly amazed at how effective it is when used with the right structure and support.
If you’re curious or thinking of trying it for yourself, I hope this article has helped clarify what it’s all about.
References
| www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypnotherapy/ |
| www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help/clinical-hypnotherapy/ |
| www.cpht.co.uk/blog/health-and-wellbeing/neuroscience-and-how-the-brain-works/ |
| www.cpht.co.uk/blog/about-hypnotherapy/solution-focused-hypnotherapy-in-practice/ |
| www.psychologytoday.com/gb/therapy-types/hypnotherapy |
| www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/4717/clinical-hypnotherapy/ |
| en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_H._Erickson |
| Book: Clinical Hypnotherapy For Anxiety: A Guide and Workbook to Rewire Your Brain – Susan Lamb |
| Book: The Practice of Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Hypnosis – Donald Robertson |
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