In short: Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and focused attention to help people work on unhelpful habits, worries and ways of thinking. It may help some people with stress, anxiety, confidence, sleep and certain fears, but the scientific evidence is mixed and results vary from person to person. It is not a replacement for medical or psychological treatment of serious conditions.

This guide from Ready Health in Standish, Wigan, explains what hypnotherapy involves, what the evidence says, who should be cautious and how to choose a practitioner.

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a talking therapy in which a practitioner guides you into a deeply relaxed, focused state, sometimes called a trance. You remain aware and in control throughout. In that state, the practitioner uses suggestion and visualisation to help you rehearse new ways of responding to situations. Many practitioners combine hypnosis with other approaches, such as solution-focused techniques and mindfulness.

What can hypnotherapy help with?

People commonly try hypnotherapy for:

stress, worry and feeling unable to relax
confidence and performance nerves, for example before exams, interviews or public speaking
sleep difficulties linked to tension or racing thoughts
specific fears, such as fear of flying or of needles
support with habits such as smoking, vaping or comfort eating, alongside other measures

Within the NHS, hypnotherapy is used in a small number of situations where there is supporting evidence, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that has not improved with other treatments. For many other uses, good-quality research is limited, so it is best viewed as one option that may help some people rather than a guaranteed solution.

What does the evidence say?

Area	Summary of current evidence
Relaxation, stress and anxiety	Some people find it helpful; evidence is mixed and studies are often small
Irritable bowel syndrome	NICE guidance supports referral for hypnotherapy when IBS has not responded to other treatment
Pain	May help some people cope with how pain feels; it does not treat the underlying cause
Stopping smoking	Evidence is not strong enough for it to be recommended in UK guidance; NHS stop smoking support with medicines or vapes is the most effective approach
Weight management	Little good evidence on its own; may support behaviour change alongside diet and activity changes

Who should not have hypnotherapy, or be cautious?

The NHS advises that hypnotherapy may not be safe for people with psychosis or schizophrenia, or for some people with epilepsy. Always tell the practitioner about any medical or mental health conditions and medicines. Hypnotherapy should not replace care from a doctor or mental health team for depression, eating disorders, addiction or other conditions that need medical supervision. Do not stop prescribed medicines because you are having hypnotherapy.

What happens in a hypnotherapy session?

An initial conversation about what you want to work on, your health and what you hope to achieve.
Agreeing realistic goals and how many sessions might be reasonable.
A guided relaxation, followed by suggestions and visualisation focused on your goals.
Time at the end to talk about how it felt and any techniques to practise at home.

You cannot be made to do anything against your will, and you can stop the session at any time.

How do I choose a hypnotherapist?

Hypnotherapists are not regulated by law in the UK. Look for a practitioner who belongs to a professional body with a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, holds insurance, and explains clearly what they can and cannot help with. Be wary of guaranteed results or success rates.

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose control under hypnosis?

No. You stay aware of what is happening and can choose to end the session at any time.

How many sessions will I need?

It varies with the person and the issue. Your practitioner should discuss this at the start and review progress with you.

Can hypnotherapy help me stop smoking?

Some people find it supportive, but the strongest evidence is for NHS stop smoking services combined with stop smoking medicines or vaping. Hypnotherapy can be used alongside these.

Is hypnotherapy suitable if I have a mental health condition?

Talk to your GP or mental health team first. For some conditions, other treatments such as CBT are recommended, and hypnotherapy may not be suitable.

Key takeaways

Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and suggestion; you stay in control.
It may help some people with stress, confidence, sleep and fears, but results vary.
It is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment of serious conditions.
Choose a practitioner on a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Shamir Patel, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, Ready Health. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own clinician.

If you would like to find out whether hypnotherapy could suit you, see our hypnotherapy service in Standish, Wigan and book an initial consultation to talk it through.