Hypnotherapy is not magic, but promotes results that at times may appear a little magical. An issue or concern may be facilitated to a greatly diminished level once there is no longer a subconscious need for it. It requires commitment and some work on your part, but if you’re motivated and ready, hypnotherapy allows for positive change.

Stress, anxiety, panic attacks and fear CLICK
Migraines CLICK
Depression CLICK
Tobacco cessation CLICK
Weight management CLICK
Sexual Dysfunction CLICK
Pain control CLICK
Grief recovery CLICK
P.T.S.D. CLICK

• Hypnotherapy promotes management of stress, anxiety and fear

Relief from stress: In a research study involving over 100 patients suffering from stress-related conditions it was found that 75% felt their symptoms were improving after 12 weeks of hypnosis, within one year 72% of the group reported remission of their symptoms as a result of self-hypnosis.* (Maher-Loughnan,  British Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Reduce anxiety: Following an extensive review of the existing literature on hypnotherapy, the British Medical Association concluded that hypnotherapy was not only effective but may be ‘the treatment of choice’ in dealing with anxiety… and stress-related… disorders: ‘The Subcommittee is satisfied after consideration of the available evidence that hypnotism is of value and may be the treatment of choice… As a treatment, in the opinion of the Subcommittee, it has proved its ability to remove symptoms and to alter morbid habits of thought and behavior.* (British Medical Association, ‘Medical use of Hypnotism’)

Alleviate anxiety: Various case studies have reported the successful use of self-hypnosis in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, public speaking, simple phobia and panic disorder. Overall, previous speculations and empirical findings suggest that increases in a sense of self-reliance, self-control and self-efficacy may be central to the alleviation of anxiety.* (Lucy O’Neill, Amanda Barnier, & Kevin McConkey, ‘Treating Anxiety with Self-Hypnosis and Relaxation’ )

Panic attacks and phobias: A recent ‘Clinical Review’ of hypnosis and relaxation therapies… looked at the existing research on hypnosis and concluded: There is good evidence from randomized controlled trials that both hypnosis and relaxation techniques promote anxiety reduction. The same report also concluded that hypnosis was proven to be effective in treating panic attacks and phobia.* (Vickers & Zollman, ‘Hypnosis and Relaxation Therapies,’ British Medical Journal)

Anxiety: Successful outcomes involving hypnosis with adults or children have been reported for the treatment of anxiety (including test anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, simple phobia and panic disorder) The findings from empirical studies and case reports indicate merit in the clinical use of hypnosis, and point to some features of hypnosis that appear important in positive treatment outcomes.* (Lucy O’Neill & Kevin McConkey, ‘Treating Anxiety with Self-Hypnosis and Relaxation’) BACK

• Hypnotherapy facilitates migraines reduction

Frequency and intensity of migraines: Compared the treatment of migraine by hypnosis and auto-hypnosis with the treatment of migraine by the drug prochlorperazine (Stemetil): Results show that the number of attacks and the number of people who suffered blinding attacks were significantly lower for the group receiving hypnotherapy than for the group receiving prochlorperazine. For the group on hypnotherapy, these two measures were significantly lower when on hypnotherapy than when on the previous treatment.* (Anderson J.A., Basker M.A., Dalton R., ‘Migraine and Hypnotherapy’)

Migraines: Relief from migraine headache has been one of the most frequently and rigorously studied applications of clinical hypnosis. Summarizing the studies’ conclusions: More than 70% of migraine sufferers learn to decrease the frequency and intensity of their headaches using self- and facilitated- hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is equivalent to or better than medications and/or biofeedback. Hypnosis is virtually free of the side effects, risks of adverse reactions, and ongoing expense associated with medications. Hypnotherapy for migraine relief meets the clinical research criteria for being a well established and efficacious treatment.* (Anderson, J. A. Basker, M. D., & Dalton, R.) BACK

• Hypnotherapy promotes depression reduction 

Hypnosis in the Treatment of Depression: Hypnosis can help build positive expectancy regarding treatment, address numerous depressive symptoms (including insomnia and rumination), and modify patterns of self-organization (such as cognitive, response, attentional, and perceptual styles) that contribute to depressed thinking and mood.  On average, those patients who received hypnosis fared better than 75% of patients who received therapy without hypnosis.* (Kirsch, Montgomery, & Saperstein, 1995).

Interrupt Anxious and Stressful Episodes: Most depressed patients experience high levels of anxiety due either to anxiety or to a lack of confidence in their abilities to effectively handle life challenges. For these reasons, depressed patients often derive significant benefit from simply learning to relax. Various hypnotic induction techniques can be utilized to induce relaxation.* (International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis)

Hypnotherapy Can Be More Effective than Anti-Depressants: There are numerous patients who refuse medication or whose antidepressant medication has adverse effects or dangerous interactions with other medications. In addition, antidepressants may take a great deal of time to produce a significant effect or may not have an effect at all. …hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for depression. Studies revealed that hypnotherapy is more effective in treating depression than anti-depressants or cognitive behavioral therapy alone.* (Simone Youssef, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine)

Therapeutic Hypnosis Is An Effective Treatment: Hypnosis therapy is relevant as a depression treatment, helping to build a positive expectation regarding treatment, addressing numerous depressive symptoms and modifying patterns of self-organization that contribute to depressed thinking and mood (Yapko, 2006).* (González-Ramíreza, Carrillo-Montoyaa, Garcia)

Greatly Decreased Symptoms of Depression: A study published in 2007 consisted of 84 participants who had been diagnosed with depression. They were randomly put into either the hypnosis group or the therapy group. Results of the study showed that both groups greatly improved their scores and thus greatly decreased their symptoms of depression. However, the group that received hypnotherapy received a 6% reduction in depression, 5% reduction in anxiety, and 8% reduction in hopelessness compared to the cognitive-behavioral therapy group.* (Harvard Health Publishing – Harvard Medical School)

Hypnosis Is a Focusing Process: …people tend to focus on what’s wrong instead of what’s right, what has hurt them instead of what has helped them. They focus on things that work against them. (Hypnotherapy is) an efficient way of securing somebody’s attention … in the direction of focusing on what is positive, what’s useful. It encourages a greater flexibility, a greater willingness to have experiences that go beyond just feelings or just rationality and give people a chance to connect with and develop parts of themselves that are the best parts of themselves.”* (ABC Radio News – Lynne Malcolm) BACK

• Hypnotherapy facilitates smoking cessation

Hypnosis Effective Says Largest Study Ever – 3 Times as Effective as Patch and 15 Times as Effective as Willpower: Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit. A meta-analysis, statistically combining results of more than 600 studies of 72,000 people from America and Europe compared various methods of quitting. On average, hypnosis was over three times as effective as nicotine replacement methods and 15 times as effective as trying to quit alone.* (University of Iowa, Journal of Applied Psychology)

Twice As Likely To Remain Smoke-Free After Two Years: Study of 71 smokers showed that after a two-year follow up, patients that quit with hypnosis were twice as likely to remain smoke-free than those who quit on their own.* (Journal of Nursing Scholarship)

Success Rate for Smoking Cessation Using Hypnosis: Of 43 consecutive patients undergoing this treatment protocol, 39 reported remaining abstinent from tobacco use at follow-up (6 months to 3 years post-treatment).* (University of Washington School of Medicine, Departments of Anesthesiology and Rehabilitation Medicine)

Abstinence From Tobacco Use With Hypnosis: A field study of 93 male and 93 female Community Mental Health Center outpatients examined the facilitation of smoking cessation by using hypnosis. At 3-month follow-up, 86% of the men and 87% of the women reported continued abstinence from the use of tobacco using hypnosis.*  (Johnson D.L., Karkut R.T., Bloomington, Indiana)

Stopped Smoking After Hypnosis: Thirty smokers enrolled in an HMO were referred by their primary physician for treatment. Twenty-one patients returned after an initial consultation and received hypnosis for smoking cessation. At the end of treatment, 81% of those patients reported that they had stopped smoking, and 48% reported abstinence at 12 months post-treatment.* Texas A&M University, System Health Science Center, College of Medicine BACK

• Hypnotherapy promotes weight management

Weight Loss: Investigated the effects of hypnosis in weight loss for 60 females, at least 20% overweight. Treatment included group hypnosis with metaphors for ego-strengthening, decision making and motivation, ideo-motor exploration in individual hypnosis, and group hypnosis with maintenance suggestions. Hypnosis was more effective than a control group: an average of 17 lbs lost by the hypnosis group vs. an average of 0.5 lbs lost by the control group, on follow-up.* Cochrane, Gordon; Friesen, J.  ‘Hypnotherapy in Weight Loss Treatment’, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Continued To Lose Significant Weight: 109 people completed a behavioral treatment for weight management either with or without the addition of hypnosis. At the end of the 9-week program, both interventions resulted in significant weight reduction. At 8-month and 2-year follow-ups, the hypnosis subjects were found to have continued to lose significant weight, while those in the behavioral-treatment-only group showed little further change.* (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology)

Lost More Weight and Kept it Off: Researchers analyzed 18 studies comparing a cognitive behavioral therapy such as relaxation training, guided imagery, self monitoring, or goal setting with the same therapy supplemented by hypnosis. Those who received the hypnosis lost more weight than 90 percent of those not receiving hypnosis and maintained the weight loss two years after treatment ended.* (Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology)

Double Average Weight Loss: Study of the effect of adding hypnosis to cognitive-behavioral treatments for weight reduction. Additional data were obtained from authors of two studies. Analyses indicated that the benefits of hypnosis increased substantially over time.* (Kirsch, Irving – Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology)

Stress reduction achieved significantly more weight loss than the other two treatments in randomized, controlled, parallel study of two forms of hypnotherapy (directed at stress reduction or energy intake reduction), vs dietary advice alone in 60 obese patients with obstructive sleep apenea on nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment.* (J. Stradling, D. Roberts, A. Wilson and F. Lovelock, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, GB)

Double the effects of traditional weight loss approaches: An analysis of five weight loss studies reported in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 showed: weight loss reported in the five studies indicates that hypnosis can more than double the effects of traditional weight loss approaches.* (University of Connecticut, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology)

An Effective Way To Lose Weight: A study of 60 females who were at least 20% overweight and not involved in other treatment showed hypnosis is an effective way to lose weight.* (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology) BACK

• Hypnotherapy allows for improvement from sexual dysfunction

Hypnosis Can Help With Anorgasmia (inability to achieve orgasm): If there is attention to the idea, a strong emotional feeling, and no conflict between the conscious and sub-conscious the idea will then take root in the mind, and be followed through as an action. The harder we try to do something – the more difficult it becomes. This means the person has begun two things: a learning process (how not to orgasm) and a belief that they can’t. Hypnosis can help with anorgasmia and is as a significant means of intervention. If there is no medical reason why someone is unable to reach climax there is a strong likelihood of it having been triggered by a previous negative experience (on a subconscious level you may not be aware of). This only need happen once to cause the slightest doubt, anxiety, or fear and a message is sent to the body, by the thought process, and starts to form a new belief such as, ‘I can’t orgasm, or I need to orgasm quickly’.* Erica Walsh BSc IAEBP

Hypnosis Provides Effective Changes: Hypnosis, when added to traditional approaches to the treatment of sexual dysfunction in both males and females, facilitates treatment and extends treatment options. Hypnosis provides direct and indirect ways of effecting changes in negative thought processes at both the superficial and deeper schematic level. It is often the negative thinking of patients with sexual disorders that perpetuates difficulties. Changing the information, associations, symbols and images that contribute to dysfunction is a primary goal of therapy. Hypnosis provides a powerful means of influencing all these cognitive levels in treatment.* Stanley and Burrows, University of Melbourne

Hypnotherapy Can Give A New Inner Awareness: Because hypnosis is the quintessence of client-centeredness, it can produce practical changes rather quickly. It gives patients a new inner awareness enabling them to manage their sexuality from within, naturally and without excessive effort, with greater choice and freedom than before.* Daniel Araoz, Long Island University

Hypnosis Has Had Significant Impact On Vaginismus: Imagery and hypnosis can be used to combat negative attitudes. Women developing vaginismus have a negative attitude toward sexual intercourse. Vaginimus is a known a culturally-related sexual disorder which can be treated applying hypnotism and mental imagery. Hypnosis and mental imagery have had a significant impact on vaginismus.* Keshavarz, Moghadam, Keshavarz, Akbarzade World Conference on Psychology, counseling and Guidance

Hypnotherapy for Erectile Dysfunction: Many men have physical problems—diabetes, vascular disease, etc.—that make it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection. But this problem also can be caused by sexual self-consciousness. A man who worries about his bedroom performance is more likely to have erection problems than one who is relaxed.  Hypnosis is simply a technique that changes the ways in which your brain interprets experiences. It’s a type of mind-body medicine that uses suggestions to help you reach a goal.* Roberta Temes, PhD, psychotherapist, hypnotist, Dept of Psychiatry at Downstate Medical School, Brooklyn, New York. BACK

• Hypnotherapy promotes pain control

Reliable and Significant Impact on Acute and Chronic Pain:  Hypnosis has been demonstrated to reduce analogue pain, and studies on the mechanisms of laboratory pain reduction have provided useful applications to clinical populations. Studies showing central nervous system activity during hypnotic procedures offer preliminary information concerning possible physiological mechanisms of hypnotic analgesia. Randomized controlled studies with clinical populations indicate that hypnosis has a reliable and significant impact on acute procedural pain and chronic pain conditions.* ‘Hypnosis and Clinical Pain’, Patterson D.R., Jensen M.P., Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine)

Tool in Pain Therapy: Attempting to elucidate cerebral mechanisms behind hypnotic analgesia, we measured regional cerebral blood flow with positron emission tomography in patients with fibromyalgia, during hypnotically-induced analgesia and resting wakefulness. The patients experienced less pain during hypnosis than at rest. The cerebral blood-flow was bilaterally increased in the orbitofrontal and subcallosial cingulate cortices, the right thalamus, and the left inferior parietal cortex, and was decreased bilaterally in the cingulate cortex. The observed blood-flow pattern supports notions of a multifactorial nature of hypnotic analgesia, with an interplay between cortical and subcortical brain dynamics.* (‘Functional Anatomy of Hypnotic Analgesia: a PET Study of Patients with Fibromyalgia’, Wik G., Fischer H., Bragee B., Finer B., Fredrikson M., Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden) BACK

• Hypnotherapy facilitates grief recovery

Hypnosis is widely used in the treatment of pathological grief but is much under-reported. It speeds and facilitates mourning and makes possible a personal reorientation to the future.* (Fromm & Eisen)

Assist an individual suffering from chronic grief to complete their unfinished business with the deceased. Hypnotherapy allows the person to safely relive historical events with the now-deceased loved one through age regression, imaginative involvement, and to constructively change any memories that are interfering with healthy current involvement in life.* (The Wellness Institute, Issaquah, WA) BACK

• Hypnotherapy promotes relief for PTSD sufferers

Hypnosis is associated with the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for two reasons: (1) the similarity between hypnotic phenomena and the symptoms of PTSD, and (2) the utility of hypnosis as a tool in treatment. Hypnosis provides controlled access to memories that may otherwise be kept out of consciousness. New uses of hypnosis in the psychotherapy of PTSD victims involve coupling access to the dissociated traumatic memories with positive restructuring of those memories.* (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA) BACK

 

 

* Results may not be typical for all people.