NHS creates Job Roles for Clinical Hypnotherapists

Why the NHS is Creating Job Roles for Clinical Hypnotherapists

For many years, hypnotherapy has carried a reputation of mystery; often misunderstood, sometimes met with scepticism (even amongst medical professionals working in mental health services) , and too often associated with stage performances rather than serious healthcare. But times are changing. Across the UK, the NHS is beginning to create roles for clinical hypnotherapists, and with good reason.

So, why now? And why should hypnotherapy be considered a credible, evidence-based approach rather than a risk?

Hypnotherapy and the Science Behind It

Don’t forget that the NHS did not offer or value provisions such as counselling or consider the importance of catering for mental health at one point. Times are very much modernising and becoming accepting of different approaches, including hypnotherapy.

One of the key misconceptions about hypnotherapy is that it is somehow “made up” or detached from science. In reality, clinical hypnotherapy is rooted in the same psychological theories and research that underpin well-known approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Far from being untested, hypnotherapy is supported by decades of research in psychology, neuroscience, and brain-based learning. Studies consistently show that hypnosis and trance can positively influence the brain’s ability to process information, regulate emotions, and create new neural pathways. In fact, neuroscientists using brain imaging have demonstrated clear differences in brain activity during trance states…particularly in areas linked to attention, awareness, and learning.

This means hypnotherapy is not a “risk” or a leap into the unknown. Instead, it is a safe, structured approach, informed by our growing understanding of how the brain functions and how change takes place.

Why the NHS is Paying Attention

The NHS has long recognised the value of evidence-based psychological interventions. As the body of research grows, hypnotherapy is increasingly being seen as a practical tool in areas such as:

-Pain management

-Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – where NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) already recommends hypnotherapy as a treatment

-Anxiety and stress

-Sleep disorders

-Habit change and addictions

With pressure on services and the growing need for effective, non-invasive interventions, clinical hypnotherapy is a natural fit. It is cost-effective, flexible, and complements other treatments rather than replacing them.

Sceptics Are Changing Their Minds

Even among healthcare professionals, there has historically been caution about hypnotherapy. But as more research is published, and more patients share positive experiences, many sceptics are now re-evaluating their stance. It is time that people become more open-minded and look to hypnotherapy.

The turning point for many is seeing hypnotherapy not as a mystical practice, but as a brain-based method of working with attention, focus, and belief systems. Trance is simply a natural state of mind — one that allows us to access deeper levels of learning and change. With the right therapeutic guidance, it becomes a powerful way to reframe problems and unlock solutions.

A Future of Integration

The creation of NHS roles for clinical hypnotherapists signals a broader shift: a recognition that healthcare should embrace all evidence-based practices that promote wellbeing. Hypnotherapy is not an “alternative” but an integrative approach — one that sits comfortably alongside CBT, counselling, and coaching.

For patients, this means greater choice, more personalised care, and access to techniques that truly work with the brain, rather than against it.

✨ How Ready Health Can Help You

At Ready Health, we offer solution focused hypnotherapy to support individuals in a wide range of areas including:

-Anger management

-Stress and anxiety reduction

-Phobia resolution

-Addiction management

-Performance enhancement (academic, professional, or sporting)

-Building confidence and resilience

-Overall life satisfaction and enjoyment

Turning to hypnotherapy is not a risk — it is a step towards evidence-based change, backed by neuroscience and proven psychological practice. By working together, we can find solutions to challenges, overcome stumbling blocks, and help you move towards a healthier, more fulfilled life.