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Introduction
What is hypnotherapy?
What might hypnotherapy be used for?
How does it work?
What does hypnotherapy involve?
How might hypnotherapy help?
Myths about hypnotherapy
Are there any drawbacks to hypnotherapy?
How to find a hypnotherapist
Useful organisations
Further reading
This factsheet describes hypnotherapy as a form of psychotherapy. It has been written for people who are considering consulting a hypnotherapist and those with a general interest in the topic.
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in a programme of therapy. Hypnosis refers to a wakeful state of focused attention with a reduced general awareness of the surroundings, in which the subject is more than usually receptive to suggestions. It can be induced by a particular series of instructions, which may be delivered by the hypnotist or, in self-hypnosis, by the subject.
Hypnosis in itself does not have a therapeutic value, but it can be effective in treating a variety of conditions when used to facilitate a form of psychotherapy.
Broadly speaking, there are two distinct therapeutic uses for hypnotherapy. It can be used to help people:
For example, a hypnotherapist may treat a patient who gets migraine headaches with techniques of relaxation and pain relief, using direct therapeutic suggestions and teaching self-hypnosis. The therapist may also explore whether the migraine is a symptom of some underlying difficulty – perhaps unexpressed anger, which the therapist will help the client to acknowledge and resolve.
Hypnotherapy may be useful in relieving emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression. It can help with phobias and with problems with compulsive or obsessive behaviour. Other reasons for undergoing hypnotherapy include helping to give up smoking, and helping to cope with stressful medical or dental procedures.
Hypnotherapy can be useful in exploring the ways in which the conscious and unconscious mind relate to each other. Hypnotherapists believe that the unconscious mind is stronger than the conscious mind and that it dictates most of our behaviour. The conscious mind has a certain amount of choice, but only within the confines of the unconscious. This mental set-up may lead us to follow an unconscious desire or need without realising it. In hypnotherapy, a person’s hidden feelings may surface and forgotten events may become conscious. The enables the person to expose their thoughts and feelings and to be able to express themselves in a safe environment, without fear of criticism or judgement.
Before any hypnotherapy, there should be a consultation between the client and therapist to discuss the issue or problem to be resolved. This consultation should also include discussion of the approach to treatment, the number of sessions recommended and the likely cost.
In a hypnotherapy session, the therapist is likely to use relaxation techniques with the client, and may encourage the client to visualise a situation in order to relax them further.
While in hypnosis, a person is generally aware of their surroundings and can choose to come out of hypnosis at any time. A person under hypnosis attends selectively to the range of ideas and happenings that the hypnotherapist calls to their attention. The person's suggestibility is increased, but they tend to be no more compliant than in their normal waking state. Behaviour and experience after hypnosis may be affected by what has been suggested during hypnosis.
As with all forms of psychotherapy, the relationship with the individual therapist is vital. It is important to feel comfortable and confident with the hypnotherapist. It is a good idea to book a single session to start with, and to proceed with further sessions only if a rapport is established with the therapist. If you are not confident, you can try a different therapist.
Hypnotherapy allows a person to explore their feelings and emotions in a safe environment. They may become aware of unconscious reasons and motives that lie behind some aspects of their behaviour or personality. Potential benefits can include gaining insight and self-knowledge, which can lead to control over symptoms such as stress, anxiety and compulsive or obsessive behaviour.
There is a myth that hypnotherapists can use power over people to make them compliant to their every wish. This is untrue, as people do not accept suggestions that are displeasing to them. Another myth is that hypnotherapists can regress people back beyond birth to previous lives or incarnations. Hypnotherapists are able to regress people to significant periods of their childhood, but not beyond. Hypnotherapy is normally used simply as a therapeutic technique within psychotherapy.
Hypnotherapy is not generally recommended for people with epilepsy, schizophrenia or severe depression.
Hypnosis does not work to the same degree in everyone. Some people are simply not susceptible to hypnotic suggestion.
General practitioners (GPs) may be able to refer their patients to a psychotherapist who practises hypnotherapy. Usually, however, it is necessary to book an appointment with a private hypnotherapist. A number of professional associations, listed under ‘Useful organisations’, can provide details of practising hypnotherapists.
No single regulatory body currently exists for hypnotherapists in the UK. However, in 2007 over 20 professional organisations formed the Working Group for Hypnotherapy Regulation, with the aim of establishing voluntary self-regulation in hypnotherapy and creating agreed standards in all aspects of the profession. More details can be found via the group’s website: www.hypnotherapyregulation.co.uk
As with all types of therapy, it is important to check that the therapist is properly qualified, has a professional approach and works to a code of practice that includes a written complaints procedure. It is important to find out what training the therapist has had, and whether this training is accredited by a professional body such the National Council for Hypnotherapy, United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy or another practitioners’ organisation (see ‘Useful organisations’). The establishment of a single regulatory system should make this easier. When choosing a hypnotherapist, it is also important to find out how long he or she has been practising and whether he or she is under regular supervision with other therapists, and to establish costs and methods of payment before starting treatment.
British Association of Medical Hypnosis
45 Hyde Park Square, London W2 2JT
tel: 020 7486 3939
web: www.bamh.org.uk
A professional organisation committed to promoting the highest standards of hypnotherapy. Full membership is restricted to medical and dental practitioners trained in hypnotherapy; non-medical practitioners are accepted as affiliates and associates. Has a list of practitioners.
British Hypnotherapy Association
30 Cotsford Avenue, New Malden KT3 5EU
tel: 020 8579 5533; 020 8942 3988; 020 7328 4804
email: bha@bethere.co.uk
web: www.hypnotherapy-association.org
Provides information on psychotherapists who practise hypnotherapy.
British Society of Clinical Hypnosis
125 Queensgate, Bridlington YO16 7JQ
tel: 01262 403103
web: www.bsch.org.uk
A national professional body whose aim is to promote and assure high standards in the practice of hypnotherapy; has a list of registered practitioners.
Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine (ICNM)
Can-Mezzanine, 32–36 Loman Street, London SE1 0EH
tel: 020 7922 7980
email: info@icnm.org.uk
web: www.i-c-m.org.uk
The ICNM aims to build a bridge between complementary and natural medicine and conventional healthcare. The ICNM administers the British Register of Complementary Practitioners, which is a register of professional practitioners and therapists who have provided evidence of their individual competence to practise.
National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)
PO Box 14542, Studley B97 9HH
tel: 0845 544 0788
web: www.hypnotherapists.org.uk
The NCH represents hypnotherapists in the UK and is committed to ensuring high professional standards, providing training, accreditation and support for member hypnotherapists.
National Register of Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists (NRHP)
First floor, 18 Carr Road, Nelson BB9 7JS
tel: 01282 716839 (national enquiry line)
web: www.nrhp.co.uk
The NRHP provides a national register of hypnotherapists and psychotherapists in the UK and overseas.
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
2nd floor, Edward House, 2 Wakley St, London EC1V 7LT
tel: 020 7014 9955
email: info@ukcp.org.uk
web: www.ukcp.org.uk
A membership organisation of over 75 training and listing organisations. The UKCP holds the national register of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors
Witness
32–36 Loman Street, London SE1 0EH
helpline: 08454 500 300
email: info@professionalboundaries.org.uk
web: www.popan.org.uk
Aims to promote safe boundaries between professionals and the public to prevent abuse. Also provides information and support to people who have been abused in therapy.
Mind booklets
(available to purchase from the bookshop or Mind Publications on 0844 448 4448 or publications@mind.org.uk)
Making sense of cognitive behaviour therapy, Mind 2009
Making sense of counselling, Mind 2008
Making sense of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, Mind 2004
Understanding talking treatments, Mind 2009
Mind factsheets (available at www.mind.org.uk)
Arts therapies
Dialectical behaviour therapy
Smoking, giving up and mental health
Other publications
Hypnotherapy, Dave Elman, Westwood Publishing Co, 1984
The Secret Language of Hypnotherapy, John Smale, emp3books, 2008
Secrets of hypnotherapy, Janet Fricker and John Butler, Dorling Kindersley, 2001
This factsheet was updated by Katherine Darton, October 2009.