What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the structured therapeutic use of hypnotic suggestion under the guidance of a trained clinician.
How sessions work
A typical session moves through induction, deepening, therapeutic suggestion, and integration close.
Evidence base
Quality varies by condition. Sleep latency and IBS are best supported; some other applications remain exploratory.
Common conditions
Sleep latency, anxiety adjunct, smoking cessation, IBS symptoms, chronic pain.
Finding a therapist
Look for documented training in evidence-based hypnotic protocols and ongoing clinical supervision.
Frequently asked questions
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Is hypnotherapy evidence-based?
Yes, for several conditions. Cochrane reviews report moderate-to-high quality evidence for sleep latency reduction, anxiety adjunct, and IBS symptom management.
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How long does a typical session last?
50 to 75 minutes for clinical sessions. Self-administered audio sessions are typically 15–25 minutes.