Does Hypnotherapy Really Work?

Why hypnotherapy could be right for you: the science behind hypnotherapy

The short answer is yes - but, like anything involving personal change, it depends on the individual. Hypnotherapy isn’t about waving a magic wand or clicking fingers and suddenly all your worries, habits or fears vanish. It’s a process. A safe, natural, and empowering process that helps you tap into your own resources to make lasting changes.

What hypnotherapy is (and isn’t)

Let’s clear up a common misconception. Hypnotherapy is not stage hypnosis. You won’t be clucking like a chicken or revealing your deepest secrets. Instead, hypnotherapy is a therapeutic tool that helps people access a calm, focused state of mind.

In this state, you’re more open to positive suggestions that support the changes you want to make - whether that’s reducing anxiety, building confidence, overcoming fears or letting go of unhelpful habits. You’re always in control, and you can come out of hypnosis whenever you choose.

Where it all began!

Hypnotherapy has been around for centuries. Ancient cultures, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, used trance-like states for healing. In the 18th century, Franz Mesmer explored the idea of “mesmerism,” and later, Scottish surgeon James Braid coined the term “hypnosis.” Since then, hypnotherapy has grown into a recognised therapeutic approach, supported by modern psychology and neuroscience.

Just a few real-life examples

Over the years I’ve worked with both children and adults, and I’ve seen the difference hypnotherapy can make.

• One client came to me wanting to cut down her drinking. She didn’t like how alcohol was creeping into her routine and wanted to feel more in control. With hypnotherapy, she made positive changes and told me how much healthier and more focused she felt.

• A young girl I worked with loved dancing but had lost her confidence after an injury. Together we worked on building her self-belief, and soon she was back on stage, dancing with joy and freedom.

• Another client, a lady in her 50s, felt stuck. She wanted to reconnect with her values, feel more motivated, and boost her confidence. Through our sessions, she found new energy, made positive choices for herself, and began moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose.

  
  

These examples show the range of issues hypnotherapy can help with: cutting down alcohol, confidence for children and adults, motivation, values, sleep problems, phobias, anxiety, and more.

What does the science say?

Research has shown hypnotherapy can be effective for issues like anxiety, confidence, habits, pain and sleep. In fact, many studies suggest people who use hypnotherapy achieve better results than those who try to tackle these challenges without support.

But why does hypnotherapy work?

1. Neuroplasticity – your brain can rewire itself

One of the most powerful reasons hypnotherapy works is because of neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to form new connections. Every time you practise a new thought, behaviour, or feeling, you’re strengthening those new pathways and making it easier for your mind to follow them. Hypnotherapy helps you do this more effectively, so change feels natural and lasting.

2. Focused attention – making space for change

When you’re in hypnosis, your mind enters a calm, focused state. It’s a bit like turning down the volume on all the background noise so you can really listen in. In this relaxed focus, your brain is more open to positive suggestions, which makes it easier to let go of unhelpful patterns and replace them with healthier ones.

3. The mind-body connection – calm body, calm mind

Hypnotherapy doesn’t just change how you think, it also changes how you feel. A deep state of relaxation tells your body it’s safe, lowering stress hormones and activating your body’s natural “rest and repair” system. This is why hypnotherapy can ease anxiety, improve sleep, and even support physical issues like IBS - because when the body is calm, the mind follows.

So… does it work?

Hypnotherapy isn’t a quick fix, but it is a powerful tool for change. It works best when you’re open to the process and willing to engage with it.

Think of it like a partnership - I guide and support, and you do the inner work.

For many people, hypnotherapy is the breakthrough they’ve been looking for. It can reduce anxiety, build confidence, improve sleep, change habits, and help both adults and children feel more in control of their lives.

Thanks for reading!

Elaine

If you’d like to explore how hypnotherapy could help you, I offer a friendly, no-obligation chat to answer your questions. Get in touch today - you might just find it’s the change you’ve been looking for.