View source for Hypnotherapy

{{Short description|Type of complementary and alternative medicine}}
{{Lead too short|date=August 2023}}
{{Hypnosis|applications}}
{{Alternative medicine sidebar |fringe}}

'''Hypnotherapy''', also known as '''hypnotic medicine''',<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last1=Häuser |first1=Winfried |last2=Hagl |first2=Maria |last3=Schmierer |first3=Albrecht |last4=Hansen |first4=Ernil |date=April 2016 |title=The Efficacy, Safety and Applications of Medical Hypnosis |journal=Deutsches Ärzteblatt International |volume=113 |issue=17 |pages=289–296 |doi=10.3238/arztebl.2016.0289 |issn=1866-0452 |pmc=4873672 |pmid=27173407}}</ref> is the use of [[hypnosis]] in [[psychotherapy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2013 |title=Hypnotherapy &#124; University of Maryland Medical Center |url=https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/hypnotherapy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627092448/https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/hypnotherapy |archive-date=27 June 2013}}</ref> Hypnosis is a state of deep focus and openness to suggestion that usually begins with relaxation and guided instructions. Some people respond more strongly than others, and researchers explain that hypnosis is not a magical trance but a form of concentrated attention and expectation (Heap & Naish, 2012){{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}. Hypnotherapy is generally not considered to be based on scientific evidence, and is rarely recommended in [[clinical practice guidelines]].<ref name="chan2">{{cite journal |vauthors=Chan NA, Zhang Z, Yin G, Li Z, Ho RC |year=2021 |title=Update on hypnotherapy for psychiatrists |journal=BJPsych Advances |publisher=Royal College of Psychiatrists |volume=29 |issue=6 |pages=381–387 |doi=10.1192/bja.2021.54 |issn=2056-4678}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) {{!}} Health Careers |url=https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626164403/https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam |archive-date=26 June 2018}}</ref>

== Definition ==
The United States Department of Labor's ''[[Dictionary of Occupational Titles]]'' (DOT) describes the job of the hypnotherapist:<blockquote>"Induces hypnotic state in client to increase motivation or alter behavior patterns: Consults with client to determine nature of problem. Prepares client to enter hypnotic state by explaining how hypnosis works and what client will experience. Tests subject to determine degree of physical and emotional suggestibility. Induces hypnotic state in client, using individualized methods and techniques of hypnosis based on interpretation of test results and analysis of client's problem. May train client in self-hypnosis conditioning."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oalj.dol.gov/PUBLIC/DOT/REFERENCES/DOT01C.HTM |title=Dictionary of Occupational Titles: Hypnotherapist (079.157-010) |publisher=[[U.S. Department of Labor]], Office of Administrative Law Judges |access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref></blockquote>

=== Traditional ===
The form of hypnotherapy practiced by most [[Victorian era|Victorian]] hypnotists, including [[James Braid (surgeon)|James Braid]] and [[Hippolyte Bernheim]], mainly employed [[Hypnosis#Post-hypnotic suggestion|direct suggestion]] of symptom removal, with some use of therapeutic [[Relaxation technique|relaxation]] and occasionally [[aversion therapy|aversion]] to alcohol, drugs, etc.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Kraft T, Kraft D |title=Covert sensitization revisited: six case studies |journal=Contemporary Hypnosis |year=2005 |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=202–209 |doi=10.1002/ch.10}}</ref>

=== Ericksonian ===
In the 1950s, [[Milton H. Erickson]] developed a radically different approach to hypnotism, which has subsequently become known as "Ericksonian hypnotherapy" or "Neo-Ericksonian hypnotherapy." Based on his belief that dysfunctional behaviors were defined by social tension, Erickson coopted the subject's behavior to establish rapport, a strategy he termed "utilization." Once rapport was established, he made use of an informal conversational approach to direct awareness. His methods included complex language patterns and client-specific therapeutic strategies (reflecting the nature of utilization). He claimed to have developed ways to suggest behavior changes during apparently ordinary conversations.<ref>"Deep Hypnosis and Its Induction," M. Erickson, ''Experimental Hypnosis'', Leslie M. LeCron (ed.), New York, Macmillan: 70-114<!-- I can't find this book online; if anyone could check this reference, I'd deeply appreciate it --></ref>

This divergence from tradition led some, including [[André Muller Weitzenhoffer|Andre Weitzenhoffer]], to dispute whether Erickson was right to label his approach "hypnosis" at all.<ref name="Weitzenhoffer 2000">{{cite book |vauthors=Weitzenhoffer AM |title=The practice of hypnotism|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|year=2000|isbn=978-0-471-29790-1|edition=2nd |location=|oclc=606253084}}</ref> Erickson's foundational paper, however, considers hypnosis as a mental state in which specific types of "work" may be done, rather than a technique of induction.<ref>"Deep Hypnosis and Its Induction," M. Erickson, ''Experimental Hypnosis'', Leslie M. LeCron (ed.), New York, Macmillan: 70–114.</ref>

The founders of [[neuro-linguistic programming]] (NLP), a method somewhat similar in some regards to some versions of hypnotherapy, claimed that they had modelled the work of Erickson extensively and assimilated it into their approach.<ref>{{cite book| vauthors=Grinder J, Bandler R |year=1976 |title=Patterns of the hypnotic techniques of Milton H. Erickson |volume=1 |publisher=Grinder & Associates |isbn=978-1-55552-052-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Gorton GE |year=2005 |title=Milton Hyland Erickson |journal=The American Journal of Psychiatry |volume=162 |issue=7 |page=1255 |doi=10.1176/appi.ajp.162.7.1255}}</ref> Weitzenhoffer disputed whether NLP bears any genuine resemblance to Erickson's work.<ref name="Weitzenhoffer 2000" />

=== Solution-focused ===
In the 2000s, hypnotherapists began to combine aspects of [[solution-focused brief therapy]] (SFBT) with Ericksonian hypnotherapy to produce therapy that was goal-focused (what the client wanted to achieve) rather than the more traditional problem-focused approach (spending time discussing the issues that brought the client to seek help). A solution-focused hypnotherapy session may include techniques from NLP.<ref>{{Cite web |vauthors=Eddolls T |date=June 9, 2017|title=Solution Focused Brief Therapy|url=http://afsfh.com/solution-focused-brief-therapy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116035210/http://afsfh.com/solution-focused-brief-therapy/|archive-date=November 16, 2017|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=afsfh.com}}</ref>

=== Cognitive/behavioral ===
Cognitive behavioral hypnotherapy (CBH) is an integrated psychological therapy employing clinical hypnosis and [[cognitive behavioral therapy]] (CBT).<ref name="Robertson_2012">{{Cite book |vauthors=Robertson D |title=The Practice of Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Hypnosis|year=2012|publisher=Karnac |location=London |isbn=978-1-85575-530-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=um6_7kEszusC}}</ref> The use of CBT in conjunction with hypnotherapy may result in greater treatment effectiveness. A meta-analysis of eight different types of research revealed "a 70% greater improvement" for patients undergoing an integrated treatment than those using CBT only.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2014-08-04 |title=Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Into Primary Care Settings |journal=Cognitive and Behavioral Practice |language=en |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=247–251 |doi=10.1016/j.cbpra.2014.04.002|pmc=4961302 |last1=Weisberg |first1=Risa B. |last2=Magidson |first2=Jessica F. |pmid=27471370 }}</ref><ref name="Kirsch">{{cite journal |vauthors=Kirsch I, Montgomery G, Sapirstein G |title=Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy: a meta-analysis |journal=Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology |volume=63 |issue=2 |pages=214–220 |date=April 1995 |pmid=7751482 |doi=10.1037/0022-006X.63.2.214 }}</ref>

In 1974, [[Theodore X. Barber]] and his colleagues published a review of the research which argued, following the earlier social psychology of [[Theodore R. Sarbin]], that hypnotism was better understood not as a "special state" but as the result of normal psychological variables, such as active imagination, expectation, appropriate attitudes, and motivation.<ref name="Barber">{{Cite book |vauthors=Barber TX, Spanos NP, Chaves JF |year=1974 |title=Hypnotism, imagination, and human potentialities |url=https://archive.org/details/hypnosisimaginat00barb |url-access=registration |publisher=Pergamon Press |oclc=912492464}}</ref> Barber introduced the term "cognitive-behavioral" to describe the nonstate theory of hypnotism, and discussed its application to behavior therapy.

The growing application of cognitive and behavioral psychological theories and concepts to the explanation of hypnosis paved the way for closer integration of hypnotherapy with various cognitive and behavioral therapies.<ref name="Richard">{{cite journal |vauthors=Bryant RA, Moulds ML, Guthrie RM, Nixon RD |title=The additive benefit of hypnosis and cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating acute stress disorder |journal=Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology |volume=73 |issue=2 |pages=334–340 |date=April 2005 |pmid=15796641 |doi=10.1037/0022-006x.73.2.334}}</ref>

Many cognitive and behavioral therapies were themselves originally influenced by older hypnotherapy techniques,<ref name="Weitsenhoffer">{{cite journal |vauthors=Weitzenhoffer AM |title=Behavior therapeutic techniques and hypnotherapeutic methods |journal=The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=71–82 |date=October 1972 |pmid=4679810 |doi=10.1080/00029157.1972.10402222}}</ref> e.g., the [[systematic desensitisation]] of [[Joseph Wolpe]], the cardinal technique of early behavior therapy, was originally called "hypnotic desensitisation"<ref name="Wolpe">{{Cite journal |vauthors=Wolpe J |year=1958 |title=Psychotherapy by Reciprocal Inhibition |journal=Conditional Reflex |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=234–40 |doi=10.1007/BF03000093 |isbn=978-0-8047-0509-7 |pmid=5712667 |s2cid=46015274}}</ref> and derived from the ''Medical Hypnosis'' (1948) of [[Lewis Wolberg]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Medical hypnosis |volume=2 |vauthors=Wolberg RL |year=1948 |publisher=Grune & Stratton |oclc=881360526}}</ref>

=== Curative ===
Peter Marshall, author of ''A Handbook of Hypnotherapy'', devised the Trance Theory of Mental Illness, which asserts that people suffering from depression, or certain other kinds of neuroses, are already living in a trance. He states that this means the hypnotherapist does not need to induce trance, but instead to make them understand this and lead them out of it.<ref>{{cite book |vauthors=Marshall P |date=2012 |title=A Handbook of Hypnotherapy |location=Bexhill-on-Sea |publisher=Oakley Books |isbn=978-0-9569784-5-5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-08 |title=What Is Hypnotherapy and Why People Start Choosing Hypnotherapy Instead of Drugs |url=https://www.hydromedicalbali.com/hypnotherapy/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Mindful ===
Mindful hypnotherapy is a therapy that incorporates [[mindfulness]] and hypnotherapy. A pilot study was made at [[Baylor University]], Texas, and published in the ''International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis''. Gary Elkins, director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor University, called it "a valuable option for treating anxiety and stress reduction" and "an innovative mind-body therapy". The study showed a decrease in stress and an increase in mindfulness.<ref>{{Cite web| vauthors=Pedersen T |date=2020-06-18|title=Brief Mindful Hypnotherapy Shown to Ease Stress & Anxiety|url=https://psychcentral.com/news/2020/06/18/brief-mindful-hypnotherapy-shown-to-ease-stress-anxiety/157426.html|access-date=2020-06-19|website=psychcentral.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-15 |title=Mindfulness Combined with Hypnotherapy Aids Highly Stressed People, Baylor University Pilot Study Finds |url=https://news.web.baylor.edu/news/story/2020/mindfulness-combined-hypnotherapy-aids-highly-stressed-people-baylor-university |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=news.web.baylor.edu |language=en}}</ref>

===Relationship to scientific medicine===
Hypnotherapy practitioners occasionally attract the attention of mainstream medicine. Attempts to instill academic rigor have been frustrated by the complexity of client suggestibility, which has social and cultural aspects, including the practitioner's reputation. Results achieved in one time and center of study have not been reliably transmitted to future generations.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Cure Within: A History of Mind-Body Medicine |date=2008 |vauthors=Harrington A |publisher=W.W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-0-393-06563-3}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=November 2025|reason=page numbers needed}}

In the 1700s, [[Franz Mesmer|Anton Mesmer]] offered pseudoscientific justification for his practices, but a commission that included [[Benjamin Franklin]] debunked his rationalizations.

==Effectiveness==
{{Unbalanced section|date=December 2022}}

According to the [[Royal College of Psychiatrists]], "studies have shown that hypnotherapy can help to treat a range of physical and mental health conditions" and "In many cases, hypnotherapy and other uses of suggestion can provide fast, effective treatment".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hypnosis and hypnotherapy |url=https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/hypnosis-and-hypnotherapy |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=www.rcpsych.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref>

=== Menopause ===
Hypnosis may be useful for treating some symptoms of [[menopause]], such as [[hot flash|hot flashes]] and [[night sweats]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Managing menopause |url=https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/menopause-information/managing-menopause|access-date=3 October 2025|date=2025|publisher=The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia}}</ref> In 2023, the [[North American Menopause Society]] recommended using hypnosis for the nonhormonal management of menopause-associated [[vasomotor]] symptoms.<ref name="nams">{{cite journal|title=The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society |journal=Menopause|volume=30 |issue=6 |pages=573–590 |date=June 2023 |pmid=37252752 |doi=10.1097/GME.0000000000002200 |url=}}</ref> A 2024 review indicated that hypnosis has potential benefit for treating some symptoms of menopause.<ref name="bmj-24">{{cite journal |vauthors=Hemachandra C, Taylor S, Islam RM, Fooladi E, Davis SR |title=A systematic review and critical appraisal of menopause guidelines |journal=BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=122–138 |date=April 2024 |pmid=38336466 |doi=10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-202099|url= https://srh.bmj.com/content/50/2/122.long}}</ref>

=== Irritable bowel syndrome ===

The use of hypnotherapy in treating the symptoms of [[irritable bowel syndrome]] is supported by research, including randomized controlled trials.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Rutten JM, Reitsma JB, Vlieger AM, Benninga MA |title=Gut-directed hypnotherapy for functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome in children: a systematic review |journal=Archives of Disease in Childhood |volume=98 |issue=4 |pages=252–257 |date=April 2013 |pmid=23220208 |doi=10.1136/archdischild-2012-302906 |s2cid=24758855|doi-access=free }}</ref> Gut-directed hypnotherapy is recommended in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome by the [[American College of Gastroenterology]] clinical guideline for the management of IBS.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, Chey WD, Keefer LA, Long MD, Moshiree B |title=ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome |language=en-US |journal=The American Journal of Gastroenterology |volume=116 |issue=1 |pages=17–44 |date=January 2021 |pmid=33315591 |doi=10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Childbirth===
Hypnotherapy is often applied in [[childbirth|the birthing process]] and the post-natal period,<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite book|vauthors=Datta S, Kodali BS, Segal S |chapter=Non-pharmacological Methods for Relief of Labor Pain|title=Obstetric Anesthesia Handbook|year=2010|pages=85–93|doi=10.1007/978-0-387-88602-2_7|isbn=978-0-387-88601-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Phillips-Moore J |title=HypnoBirthing |journal=The Australian Journal of Holistic Nursing |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=41–42 |date=April 2005 |pmid=19175270 |url=http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=492196603589508;res=IELHEA |access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Wainer N |title=HypnoBirthing. A radical change on our perspective of pain in childbirth |journal=Midwifery Today with International Midwife |issue=55 |pages=36–38 |year=2000 |pmid=11189565 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wilson |first=Caitlin |date=2018-10-01 |title=Water for Labour and Birth: Enhancing Experience, Enhancing Birth |journal=The Practising Midwife |volume=21 |issue=9 |doi=10.55975/qmtl8164 |issn=1461-3123}}</ref> but there is insufficient evidence to determine if it alleviates pain during childbirth<ref name=Cochrane2012/><ref name="CochraneLabour2016">{{Cite journal |title=Hypnosis for pain management during labour and childbirth |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |last1=Madden |first1=Kelly |date=2016-05-19 |last2=Middleton |first2=Philippa |last3=Cyna |first3=Allan M |last4=Matthewson |first4=Mandy |last5=Jones |first5=Leanne|volume=2016 |issue=5 |article-number=CD009356 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD009356.pub3 |pmid=27192949 |pmc=7120324 }}</ref> and no evidence that it is effective against post-natal depression.<ref name=Cochrane2012b>{{cite journal |vauthors=Sado M, Ota E, Stickley A, Mori R |title=Hypnosis during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period for preventing postnatal depression |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2012 |issue=6 |article-number=CD009062 |date=June 2012 |pmid=22696381 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD009062.pub2 |veditors=Sado M|pmc=11687355 }}</ref>

===Bulimia nervosa===
Literature shows that a wide variety of hypnotic interventions have been investigated for the treatment of [[bulimia nervosa]], with inconclusive effects.<ref name=pmid22655335>{{cite journal |vauthors=Barabasz M |title=Cognitive hypnotherapy with bulimia |journal=The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis |volume=54 |issue=4 |pages=353–364 |date=April 2012 |pmid=22655335 |doi=10.1080/00029157.2012.658122 |s2cid=24728801}}</ref> Similar studies have shown that groups suffering from bulimia nervosa, undergoing hypnotherapy, were more exceptional to no treatment, placebos, or other alternative treatments.<ref name=pmid22655335 />

===Anxiety===
Hypnotherapy is shown to be comparable in effectiveness to other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, that utilize relaxation techniques and imagery.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Golden WL |title=Cognitive hypnotherapy for anxiety disorders |journal=The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis |volume=54 |issue=4 |pages=263–274 |date=April 2012 |pmid=22655330 |doi=10.1080/00029157.2011.650333 |s2cid=35862090}}</ref> It has also shown to be successful when used to reduce anxiety in those with dental anxiety and phobias.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last1=Wolf |first1=Thomas Gerhard |last2=Schläppi |first2=Sina |last3=Benz |first3=Carla Irene |last4=Campus |first4=Guglielmo |date=2022-04-20 |title=Efficacy of Hypnosis on Dental Anxiety and Phobia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |journal=Brain Sciences |volume=12 |issue=5 |page=521 |doi=10.3390/brainsci12050521 |pmid=35624907 |pmc=9138388 |issn=2076-3425|doi-access=free }}</ref>

=== PTSD ===
[[File:Pr Charcot DSC09405.jpg|thumb|Professor Charcot, his students, and a woman experiencing hysteria.]]
[[Post-traumatic stress disorder]] (PTSD) and its symptoms have been shown to improve due to the implementation of hypnotherapy, in both the long and short term.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rotaru |first1=Tudor-Ștefan |last2=Rusu |first2=Andrei |date=2016-01-02 |title=A Meta-Analysis for the Efficacy of Hypnotherapy in Alleviating PTSD Symptoms |journal=International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis |volume=64 |issue=1 |pages=116–136 |doi=10.1080/00207144.2015.1099406 |issn=0020-7144 |pmid=26599995|s2cid=3928310 }}</ref> As research continues, hypnotherapy is being more openly considered as an effective intervention for those with PTSD.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lynn |first1=Steven Jay |last2=Malakataris |first2=Anne |last3=Condon |first3=Liam |last4=Maxwell |first4=Reed |last5=Cleere |first5=Colleen |date=April 2012 |title=Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Cognitive Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness, and Acceptance-Based Treatment Approaches |journal=American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis |volume=54 |issue=4 |pages=311–330 |doi=10.1080/00029157.2011.645913 |pmid=22655333 |s2cid=20814289 |issn=0002-9157}}</ref>

=== Depression ===
Hypnotherapy is effective when used to treat long-term depressive symptoms. It is comparable to the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy, and when used in tandem, efficacy seems to increase.<ref>{{Cite book |last=A. |first=Chapman, Robin |title=The clinical use of hypnosis in cognitive behavior therapy: a practitioner's casebook |date=2006 |publisher=Springer Pub |isbn=0-8261-2884-X |oclc=60671838}}</ref>

===Other uses===

Historically hypnotism was used therapeutically by some [[Psychiatry|psychiatrists]] in the Victorian era, to treat the condition then known as [[hysteria]].<ref name="Crimlisk">{{Cite journal |title=Conversion hysteria: History, diagnostic issues, and clinical practice |journal=Cognitive Neuropsychiatry |vauthors=Crimlisk HL, Ron MA |pages=165–180 |volume=4 |issue=3 |year=1999 |doi=10.1080/135468099395909}}</ref>

Modern hypnotherapy has been used to treat certain habit disorders and control irrational fears,<ref name="Crawford">{{Cite book |chapter=Phobias and intense fears: Facilitating their treatment with hypnosis |vauthors=Crawford HJ, Barabasz AF |veditors=Rhue JW, Lynn SJ, Kirsch I |year=1993 |title=Handbook of clinical hypnosis |pages=311–337 |location=Washington, DC, US |publisher=American Psychological Association |doi=10.1037/10274-015|isbn=978-1-55798-440-1}}</ref> and [[addiction]].<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Katz NW |title=Hypnosis and the addictions: a critical review |journal=Addictive Behaviors |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=41–47 |date=1980-01-01 |pmid=6994434 |doi=10.1016/0306-4603(80)90020-9}}</ref>

* A 2003 meta-analysis on the efficacy of hypnotherapy concluded that "the efficacy of hypnosis is not verified for a considerable part of the spectrum of psychotherapeutic practice."<ref name=flammer>{{cite journal| vauthors=Flammer E, Bongartz W |title=On the efficacy of hypnosis: a meta-analytic study.|journal=Contemporary Hypnosis|volume=20|issue=4|year=2003|pages=179–197|url=http://www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222004606/http://www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf|archive-date=22 February 2016|doi=10.1002/ch.277}}</ref>
* In 2007, a meta-analysis from the Cochrane Collaboration found that the therapeutic effect of hypnotherapy was "superior to that of a waiting list control or usual medical management, for abdominal pain and composite primary IBS symptoms, in the short term in patients who fail standard medical therapy", with no harmful side effects. However, the authors noted that the quality of data available was inadequate to draw firm conclusions.<ref name=Cochrane2007>{{cite journal |vauthors=Webb AN, Kukuruzovic RH, Catto-Smith AG, Sawyer SM |title=Hypnotherapy for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=4 |article-number=CD005110 |date=October 2007 |pmid=17943840 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD005110.pub2}}</ref>
* Two Cochrane reviews in 2012 concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support its efficacy in managing the pain of childbirth<ref name=Cochrane2012>{{cite journal |vauthors=Jones L, Othman M, Dowswell T, Alfirevic Z, Gates S, Newburn M, Jordan S, Lavender T, Neilson JP |display-authors=6 |title=Pain management for women in labour: an overview of systematic reviews |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=3 |issue=3 |article-number=CD009234 |date=March 2012 |pmid=22419342 |pmc=7132546 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD009234.pub2 |veditors=Neilson JP}}</ref> or post-natal depression.<ref name=Cochrane2012b/>
* A 2014 meta-analysis that focused on hypnotherapy's efficacy on irritable bowel syndrome found that it was beneficial for short-term abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal issues.'''<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Han Hee |last2=Choi |first2=Yoon Young |last3=Choi |first3=Myung-Gyu |date=April 2014 |title=The Efficacy of Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |journal=Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=152–162 |doi=10.5056/jnm.2014.20.2.152 |issn=2093-0879 |pmc=4015203 |pmid=24840368}}</ref>'''
* In 2016, a literature review published in ''[[La Presse Médicale]]'' found that there is not sufficient evidence to "support the efficacy of hypnosis in chronic anxiety disorders".<ref name="Pelissolo">{{cite journal |vauthors=Pelissolo A |title=Hypnosis for anxiety and phobic disorders: A review of clinical studies |journal=Presse Médicale |volume=45 |issue=3 |pages=284–290 |date=March 2016 |pmid=26944812 |doi=10.1016/j.lpm.2015.12.002}}</ref>
* In 2016, an article was published on the efficacy of Hypnotherapy as an aide to stroke rehabilitation<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lightfoot |first=Iain |date=2016 |title=The Case for Hypnotherapy as an Aide to Stroke Rehabilitation |url=https://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/6143/spring-journal-2016/ |journal=The Hypnotherapy Journal |volume=16 |issue=5 |pages=8-11}}</ref>. 
* In 2019, a Cochrane review was unable to find evidence of a benefit of hypnosis in smoking cessation and suggested that if there is, it is small at best.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Barnes J, McRobbie H, Dong CY, Walker N, Hartmann-Boyce J |title=Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2019 |issue=6 |article-number=CD001008 |date=June 2019 |pmid=31198991 |pmc=6568235 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD001008.pub3 |collaboration=Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group}}</ref>
* A 2019 meta-analysis of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety found that "the average participant receiving hypnosis reduced anxiety more than about 79% of control participants,"<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2019 |title=The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety: ''A Meta-Analysis'' |journal=The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis |volume=67 |issue=3 |pages=336–363 |doi=10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863 |issn=1744-5183 |pmid=31251710 |last1=Valentine |first1=Keara E. |last2=Milling |first2=Leonard S. |last3=Clark |first3=Lauren J. |last4=Moriarty |first4=Caitlin L. }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Checklist |first=Anxiety |title=Hypnotherapy: Your Secret Weapon Against Anxiety Disorders {{!}} Anxiety Checklist |url=https://anxietychecklist.com/hypnotherapy-anxiety |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=anxietychecklist.com |language=en}}</ref> also noting that "hypnosis was more effective in reducing anxiety when combined with other psychological interventions than when used as a stand-alone treatment."<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Valentine KE, Milling LS, Clark LJ, Moriarty CL |title=The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: ''a meta-analysis'' |journal=The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis |volume=67 |issue=3 |pages=336–363 |date=July 2019 |pmid=31251710 |doi=10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863 |s2cid=195763179}}</ref>
* A 2024 parallel randomized control trial of [[cognitive behavioral therapy]] and hypnotherapy that took hypnotic suggestibility into consideration for sustained smoking cessation showed that the two therapies were roughly equivalent in their efficacy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Batra |first1=Anil |last2=Eck |first2=Sandra |last3=Riegel |first3=Björn |last4=Friedrich |first4=Sibylle |last5=Fuhr |first5=Kristina |last6=Torchalla |first6=Iris |last7=Tönnies |first7=Sven |date=2024-02-27 |title=Hypnotherapy compared to cognitive-behavioral therapy for smoking cessation in a randomized controlled trial |journal=Frontiers in Psychology |language=English |volume=15 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330362 |doi-access=free |pmid=38476396 |pmc=10929270 |issn=1664-1078}}</ref>

==Occupational accreditation==

=== United States ===
The laws regarding hypnosis and hypnotherapy vary by state and municipality. Some states, like Colorado, Connecticut, and Washington, have mandatory licensing and registration requirements, while many other states have no specific regulations governing the practice of hypnotherapy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Summary of State Laws Regarding Hypnosis|url=https://hypnotherapistsunion.wildapricot.org/statelaws|publisher=Hypnotherapists Union Local 472|access-date=2019-08-21|archive-date=2020-08-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811035756/http://hypnotherapistsunion.wildapricot.org/statelaws}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===

====UK National Occupational Standards====
In 2002, the [[Department for Education and Skills (United Kingdom)|Department for Education and Skills]] developed [[National Occupational Standards]] for hypnotherapy<ref>{{cite web |title=National Occupational Standards for hypnotherapy |date=December 2002 |publisher=Register for Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy (REBHP) |url=http://www.rebhp.org/articles/Hypnotherapy.pdf}}</ref> linked to [[National Vocational Qualification]]s based on the then [[National qualifications frameworks in the United Kingdom|National Qualifications Framework]] under the [[Qualifications and Curriculum Authority]]. [https://ncfe.org.uk/ NCFE], a national awarding body, issues a level four national vocational qualification diploma in hypnotherapy. Currently, AIM Awards offers a Level 3 Certificate in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills at level 3 of the [[Regulated Qualifications Framework]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/Detail/Index/31621?category=qualifications&query=hypnotherapy|title=Register of Regulated Qualifications|publisher=[[Ofqual]]|access-date=6 November 2016}}</ref>

====UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations (UKCHO)====
The regulation of the hypnotherapy profession in the UK is at present the main focus of [https://www.ukcho.co.uk UKCHO], a non-profit umbrella body for hypnotherapy organisations. Founded in 1998 to provide a non-political arena to discuss and implement changes to the profession of hypnotherapy, UKCHO currently represents 9 of the UK's professional hypnotherapy organisations and has developed standards of training for hypnotherapists, along with codes of conduct and practice that all UKCHO-registered hypnotherapists are governed by. As a step towards the regulation of the profession, UKCHO's website now includes a National Public Register of Hypnotherapists<ref>{{cite web| vauthors=Cannon H |url=https://ukcho.co.uk/register-search.asp |title=UKCHO Register search page - The UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations |publisher=Ukcho.co.uk |date=2010-12-01 |access-date=2011-11-28}}</ref> who have been registered by UKCHO's Member Organisations and are therefore subject to UKCHO's professional standards. Further steps to regulate the hypnotherapy profession will be taken in consultation with the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health.

====The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)====
The [https://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/ National Council for Hypnotherapy] is a Professional Association, established in 1973 to create a National Membership Organisation for independent Hypnotherapy Practitioners. The organisation is not for profit with a Board of 12-15 people composed of Executives and Directors, the latter usually 'in practice' Hypnotherapists and trainers of Hypnotherapy. The current Chair, Tracey Grist, has been in the position since 2016.

The NCH is a VO (Verifying organisation) for the CNHC, which means that NCH members meet the criteria to become CNHC registrants.

The NCH membership meets the national hypnotherapy training standards via the externally verified Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma (HPD) through the NCFE.

Members agree to follow the CECP; the NCH's ethical code of practice. All members are expected to be insured to practice, meet supervision requirements, and meet annual CPD expectations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/about-nch/ |title=About Us |publisher=National Council for Hypnotherapy}}</ref>

=== Australia ===
The Australian government does not regulate professional hypnotherapy and the use of the occupational titles ''hypnotherapist'' or ''clinical hypnotherapist.''

In 1996, as a result of a three-year research project led by Lindsay B. Yeates, the [https://www.ahahypnotherapy.org.au/ Australian Hypnotherapists Association] (founded in 1949), the oldest hypnotism-oriented professional organization in Australia, instituted a peer-group accreditation system for full-time Australian professional hypnotherapists, the first of its kind in the world, which "accredit[ed] specific individuals on the basis of their actual demonstrated knowledge and clinical performance; instead of approving particular 'courses' or approving particular 'teaching institutions'" (Yeates, 1996, p.iv; 1999, p.xiv).<ref>{{cite book |url=http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/fapi/datastream/unsworks:47786/bin21c6104f-ed93-4ada-b2fe-2db8d0234d43?view=true&xy=01 |vauthors=Yeates LB |title=A Set of Competency and Proficiency Standards for Australian Professional Clinical Hypnotherapists: A Descriptive Guide to the Australian Hypnotherapists' Association Accreditation System |publisher=Australian Hypnotherapists' Association |location=Sydney |date=1996 |isbn=0-646-27250-0}}</ref> The system was further revised in 1999.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/fapi/datastream/unsworks:47778/bine651285b-281c-4950-9c91-fa60a9a40983?view=true&xy=01 |vauthors=Yeates LB |title=A Set of Competency and Proficiency Standards for Australian Professional Clinical Hypnotherapists: A Descriptive Guide to the Australian Hypnotherapists' Association Accreditation System |edition=Second |publisher=Australian Hypnotherapists' Association |location=Sydney |date=1999 |isbn=0-9577694-0-7}}</ref>

Australian hypnotism/hypnotherapy organizations (including the Australian Hypnotherapists Association) are seeking government regulation similar to other mental health professions. However, currently, hypnotherapy is not subject to government regulation through the [[Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency]] (AHPRA).

== See also ==
{{Commons category}}{{Library resources box|by=no|onlinebooks=no|about=yes|wikititle=hypnotherapy}}
* {{annotated link|Abreaction}}
* {{annotated link|Astral projection}}
* {{annotated link|Atavistic regression}}
* {{annotated link|Autogenic training}}
* {{annotated link|Automatic writing}}
* {{annotated link|Autosuggestion}}
* {{annotated link|Confabulation}}
* {{annotated link|Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy}}
* {{annotated link|False memory}}
* {{annotated link|Hypnotherapy in the United Kingdom}}
* {{annotated link|Hypnosis}}
* {{annotated link|Hypnosurgery}}
* {{annotated link|Hypnotic Ego-Strengthening Procedure}}
* {{annotated link|Ideomotor phenomenon}}
* {{annotated link|Mind–body interventions}}
* {{annotated link|Nancy School|Nancy School of Hypnosis}}
* {{annotated link|Polygraph}}
* {{annotated link|Psychoneuroimmunology}}
* {{annotated link|Psychosomatic medicine}}
* {{annotated link|Psychotherapy}}
* {{annotated link|Recovered-memory therapy}}
* {{annotated link|Regression (psychology)}}
* {{annotated link|Repressed memory}}
* {{annotated link|Royal Commission on Animal Magnetism}}
* {{annotated link|The Salpêtrière School of Hypnosis|Salpêtrière School of Hypnosis}}
* {{annotated link|Scientific skepticism}}
* {{annotated link|Source-monitoring error}}
* {{annotated link|Subconscious mind}}
* {{annotated link|Suggestibility}}
* {{annotated link|The Pregnant Man and Other Cases from a Hypnotherapist's Couch|''The Pregnant Man and Other Cases from a Hypnotherapist's Couch'' (book)}}
* {{annotated link|The Zoist|''The Zoist: A Journal of Cerebral Physiology & Mesmerism, and Their Applications to Human Welfare''}}
* {{annotated link|Unconscious mind}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Psychotherapy}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Psychotherapy by type]]
[[Category:Hypnotherapy| ]]
[[Category:Mind–body interventions]]
[[Category:Medical treatments]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]
[[Category:Alternative medicine]]

[[sv:Hypnos#Hypnos till terapi]]