Combining Self-Hypnosis With Therapy: How the Two Work Together

This lesson is for people who are in therapy, considering therapy, or wondering whether self-hypnosis could replace it. The short answer: self-hypnosis and therapy do different things, they can work well together, and one does not replace the other.

What therapy provides that self-hypnosis does not

• Assessment and diagnosis. A therapist evaluates what you are dealing with and whether it meets the criteria for a specific condition. Self-hypnosis does not diagnose.
• A treatment plan. Therapy follows a structured approach tailored to your condition. Evidence-based treatments like CBT for anxiety [5] have been tested in trials with specific protocols. Self-hypnosis is a general skill, not a treatment protocol.
• A therapeutic relationship. The relationship between you and your therapist is itself a factor in recovery. A practice you do alone does not provide it.
• Safety. A therapist monitors for side effects, deterioration and risk. Self-practice has no safety net unless you create one.

What self-hypnosis adds to therapy

• Daily practice between sessions. Therapy happens once a week or less. Self-hypnosis can be practiced daily, reinforcing what you work on in sessions.
• Skill generalization. A relaxation or coping skill learned in a therapy session may fade by the next appointment. Regular self-practice keeps it accessible.
• A sense of agency. Self-hypnosis is something you do for yourself. For people who feel passive in their treatment, it provides active involvement.

How therapists use hypnosis

Some therapists are trained in clinical hypnotherapy and use hypnosis as part of structured treatment. This is different from self-hypnosis as a standalone practice. In clinical hypnosis:

• The therapist tailors the induction and suggestions to the patient’s specific condition.
• Hypnosis is one component of a broader treatment, usually alongside CBT or another evidence-based approach.
• The therapist may assign self-hypnosis exercises as homework to practice between sessions [2].

A meta-analysis of 18 studies found that adding hypnosis to CBT produced larger treatment effects than CBT alone, with the average participant in the combined group showing greater improvement than about 70% of participants in CBT alone [4]. The studies were mostly small, and the analysis is now decades old, but it suggests that the combination has value.

In one recent trial, clinician-designed self-administered hypnosis recordings were used at home by participants with menopausal hot flashes, and the self-administered format produced significant improvements [3]. This shows that self-practice guided by professional design can be effective.

How to discuss self-hypnosis with your therapist

If you are already practicing self-hypnosis and are starting therapy, or vice versa, tell your therapist. Here is how to frame it:

1. Describe what you do. “I practice self-hypnosis for about ten minutes most days, using a counting induction and a suggestion about [your goal].”
2. Share why. “It helps me feel calmer / sleep better / prepare for difficult situations.”
3. Ask their view. “Is there anything I should adjust given what we’re working on?”
4. Listen to concerns. If they recommend pausing your practice, ask why and consider their reasoning. They may have concerns specific to your condition.

A therapist who knows about your self-hypnosis practice can:

• Adjust the suggestions to align with your treatment goals
• Warn you if certain exercises might interfere with your therapy
• Use your existing skill as a foundation for clinical hypnosis work

When to wait for professional guidance

Some situations are better served by starting with a therapist rather than self-practice:

• Trauma. Self-hypnosis can surface traumatic memories unexpectedly. If you have PTSD or unprocessed trauma, work with a therapist trained in trauma-focused treatment before practicing on your own.
• Dissociation. If you have a dissociative condition, self-hypnosis may increase dissociative experiences. A clinician should assess this before you begin.
• Active psychosis. Hypnosis is generally contraindicated during active psychotic episodes.
• Severe anxiety or depression. If your symptoms are severe, therapy should come first. Self-hypnosis can be added once your therapist agrees it is appropriate. For some people with GAD or depression, relaxation exercises increase anxiety rather than reduce it [6].
• Eating disorders. Self-hypnosis around food, body image or eating patterns should be guided by a clinician.

Finding a therapist who uses hypnosis

If you want a therapist who specifically incorporates hypnosis into treatment:

• Look for credentials in clinical hypnosis or hypnotherapy from a recognized professional body (in the US, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis; in the UK, the British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis; in Australia, the Australian Society of Hypnosis).
• Ask whether they use hypnosis as part of an evidence-based approach (such as CBT with hypnosis) rather than as a standalone method.
• Check that they are licensed in a core profession (psychology, psychiatry, medicine, social work) and that hypnosis is an addition to their training, not a replacement for it.

The ongoing relationship

As therapy progresses, your self-hypnosis practice may evolve. You might:

• Adopt suggestions your therapist recommends
• Practice skills from therapy sessions (grounding, reappraisal, exposure rehearsal) in a self-hypnosis format
• Gradually take over more of the hypnosis work as you become more skilled
• Eventually continue self-hypnosis after therapy ends as a maintenance practice

The goal is not to need therapy forever. It is to build skills that you eventually carry on your own, and self-hypnosis is one way to maintain those skills after formal treatment ends.

When to see a professional. If you are practicing self-hypnosis for any health concern, mental or physical, the recommendation is always: see a clinician first, or in addition. Self-hypnosis is a complement to care, not a substitute [2]. If you are unsure whether your self-practice is appropriate, that uncertainty is itself a reason to consult.

Related lessons: What Is Self-Hypnosis? covers the foundations. Self-Hypnosis for Pain Management Basics discusses an area where professional guidance is especially important.