Can Hypnosis Help With Anxiety? What the Research Says

Anxiety as a protective pattern

Anxiety is, at heart, a protective response. Somewhere along the way, your nervous system learned that certain situations, thoughts or sensations meant danger. The trouble is that the alarm keeps ringing long after the danger has passed.

Because these responses are largely automatic, simply telling yourself to calm down rarely works. That's where hypnotherapy can help.

What research suggests

Hypnosis has been studied for decades. The U.S. National Institutes of Health has recognized hypnosis as a useful intervention for certain conditions, and professional bodies such as the American Psychological Association acknowledge clinical hypnosis as a legitimate tool when used by trained practitioners.

Meta-analyses have found that adding hypnosis to treatment for anxiety can improve outcomes, and studies on procedures like surgery and dental work have shown reduced pre-procedure anxiety in patients who received hypnosis. Research is ongoing, and results vary from person to person, but the overall picture is encouraging.

How a session addresses anxiety

In session, we first notice the early signals of an anxious spiral, the tight chest, the racing thoughts. Then, in a relaxed state, we can safely revisit where the pattern may have begun and offer the subconscious a different interpretation.

We also rehearse calm responses, so that the next time you meet a trigger, your body has a new path to follow. I'll teach you simple self-hypnosis techniques you can use on your own, and your recorded session becomes a tool you can return to whenever you need it.

An important note

Hypnotherapy is a complementary approach. If you're experiencing severe anxiety, panic attacks or depression, please speak with your doctor. Hypnotherapy can work beautifully alongside medical and psychological care.