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{{Short description|Type of complementary and alternative medicine}}{{Too short|date=August 2023}}{{Hypnosis|applications}}{{Alternative medicine sidebar |fringe}}Hypnotherapy, also known as hypnotic medicine,JOURNAL, Häuser, Winfried, Hagl, Maria, Schmierer, Albrecht, Hansen, Ernil, April 2016, The Efficacy, Safety and Applications of Medical Hypnosis, Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 113, 17, 289–296, 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0289, 1866-0452, 4873672, 27173407, is the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy.WEB, 27 June 2013, Hypnotherapy | University of Maryland Medical Center,umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/hypnotherapy,web.archive.org/web/20130627092448/https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/hypnotherapy, 27 June 2013, WEB, Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists,www.asch.com.au/general-public/faq#6, dead,web.archive.org/web/20160126162841/https://www.asch.com.au/general-public/faq#6, 26 January 2016, The efficacy of hypnotherapy is not well supported by scientific evidence,JOURNAL, Flammer, Erich, Bongartz, Walter, vanc, 2006, On the efficacy of hypnosis: a meta-analytic study,www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf, dead, Contemporary Hypnosis, en, Wiley, 20, 4, 179–197, 10.1002/ch.277, 0960-5290,www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20160222004606www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20160222004606www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf, 22 February 2016, 11 January 2022, JOURNAL, Chan, Natalie A., Zhang, Zhisong, Yin, Guoxing, Li, Zhimeng, Ho, Roger C., November 2023, Update on hypnotherapy for psychiatrists,www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-advances/article/abs/update-on-hypnotherapy-for-psychiatrists/F8BCC7AABAEDCD28D625DBC48D51CBE1, BJPsych Advances, en, 29, 6, 381–387, 10.1192/bja.2021.54, 2056-4678, and, due to the lack of evidence indicating any level of efficacy,JOURNAL, Barnes, Joanne, McRobbie, Hayden, Dong, Christine Y, Walker, Natalie, Hartmann-Boyce, Jamie, vanc, 2019-06-14, Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Wiley, 2019, 6, CD001008, 10.1002/14651858.cd001008.pub3, 1465-1858, 6568235, 31198991, free, it is regarded as a type of alternative medicine by reputable medical organisations such as the National Health Service.WEB, Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) {{!, Health Careers |url=https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626164403www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam |archive-date=26 June 2018}}

Definition

The United States Department of Labor’s Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) describes the job of the hypnotherapist:“Induces hypnotic state in client to increase motivation or alter behavior patterns: Consults with client to determine nature of problem. Prepares client to enter hypnotic state by explaining how hypnosis works and what client will experience. Tests subject to determine degree of physical and emotional suggestibility. Induces hypnotic state in client, using individualized methods and techniques of hypnosis based on interpretation of test results and analysis of client’s problem. May train client in self-hypnosis conditioning.“WEB,www.oalj.dol.gov/PUBLIC/DOT/REFERENCES/DOT01C.HTM, Dictionary of Occupational Titles: Hypnotherapist (079.157-010), U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Administrative Law Judges, 2017-11-15,

Traditional

The form of hypnotherapy practiced by most Victorian hypnotists, including James Braid and Hippolyte Bernheim, mainly employed direct suggestion of symptom removal, with some use of therapeutic relaxation and occasionally aversion to alcohol, drugs, etc.JOURNAL, Kraft T, Kraft D, Covert sensitization revisited: six case studies, Contemporary Hypnosis, 2005, 22, 4, 202–209, 10.1002/ch.10,

Ericksonian

In the 1950s, Milton H. Erickson developed a radically different approach to hypnotism, which has subsequently become known as “Ericksonian hypnotherapy” or “Neo-Ericksonian hypnotherapy.” Based on his belief that dysfunctional behaviors were defined by social tension, Erickson coopted the subject’s behavior to establish rapport, a strategy he termed “utilization.” Once rapport was established, he made use of an informal conversational approach to direct awareness. His methods included complex language patterns and client-specific therapeutic strategies (reflecting the nature of utilization). He claimed to have developed ways to suggest behavior changes during apparently ordinary conversation.“Deep Hypnosis and Its Induction,” M. Erickson, Experimental Hypnosis, Leslie M. LeCron (ed.), New York, Macmillan: 70-114This divergence from tradition led some, including Andre Weitzenhoffer, to dispute whether Erickson was right to label his approach “hypnosis” at all.BOOK, Weitzenhoffer AM, The practice of hypnotism, John Wiley & Sons, 2000, 9780471297901, 2nd, 606253084, Erickson’s foundational paper, however, considers hypnosis as a mental state in which specific types of “work” may be done, rather than a technique of induction.“Deep Hypnosis and Its Induction,” M. Erickson, Experimental Hypnosis, Leslie M. LeCron (ed.), New York, Macmillan: 70–114.The founders of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), a method somewhat similar in some regards to some versions of hypnotherapy, claimed that they had modelled the work of Erickson extensively and assimilated it into their approach.BOOK, Grinder J, Bandler R, 1976, Patterns of the hypnotic techniques of Milton H. Erickson, 1, Grinder & Associates, 978-1-55552-052-6, JOURNAL, Gorton GE, 2005, Milton Hyland Erickson, The American Journal of Psychiatry, 162, 7, 1255, 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.7.1255, Weitzenhoffer disputed whether NLP bears any genuine resemblance to Erickson’s work.

Solution-focused

In the 2000s, hypnotherapists began to combine aspects of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) with Ericksonian hypnotherapy to produce therapy that was goal-focused (what the client wanted to achieve) rather than the more traditional problem-focused approach (spending time discussing the issues that brought the client to seek help). A solution-focused hypnotherapy session may include techniques from NLP.WEB, Eddolls T, June 9, 2017, Solution Focused Brief Therapy,afsfh.com/solution-focused-brief-therapy/, dead,afsfh.com/solution-focused-brief-therapy/," title="web.archive.org/web/20171116035210afsfh.com/solution-focused-brief-therapy/,">web.archive.org/web/20171116035210afsfh.com/solution-focused-brief-therapy/, November 16, 2017, May 30, 2021, afsfh.com,

Cognitive/behavioral

Cognitive behavioral hypnotherapy (CBH) is an integrated psychological therapy employing clinical hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).BOOK, Robertson D, The Practice of Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Hypnosis, 2012, Karnac, London, 978-1855755307,books.google.com/books?id=um6_7kEszusC, The use of CBT in conjunction with hypnotherapy may result in greater treatment effectiveness. A meta-analysis of eight different researches revealed “a 70% greater improvement” for patients undergoing an integrated treatment to those using CBT only.JOURNAL, Kirsch I, Montgomery G, Sapirstein G, Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy: a meta-analysis, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63, 2, 214–220, April 1995, 7751482, 10.1037/0022-006X.63.2.214, In 1974, Theodore X. Barber and his colleagues published a review of the research which argued, following the earlier social psychology of Theodore R. Sarbin, that hypnotism was better understood not as a “special state” but as the result of normal psychological variables, such as active imagination, expectation, appropriate attitudes, and motivation.BOOK, Barber TX, Spanos NP, Chaves JF, 1974, Hypnotism, imagination, and human potentialities,archive.org/details/hypnosisimaginat00barb, registration, Pergamon Press, 912492464, Barber introduced the term “cognitive-behavioral” to describe the nonstate theory of hypnotism, and discussed its application to behavior therapy.The growing application of cognitive and behavioral psychological theories and concepts to the explanation of hypnosis paved the way for a closer integration of hypnotherapy with various cognitive and behavioral therapies.JOURNAL, Bryant RA, Moulds ML, Guthrie RM, Nixon RD, The additive benefit of hypnosis and cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating acute stress disorder, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 2, 334–340, April 2005, 15796641, 10.1037/0022-006x.73.2.334, Many cognitive and behavioral therapies were themselves originally influenced by older hypnotherapy techniques,JOURNAL, Weitzenhoffer AM, Behavior therapeutic techniques and hypnotherapeutic methods, The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 15, 2, 71–82, October 1972, 4679810, 10.1080/00029157.1972.10402222, e.g., the systematic desensitisation of Joseph Wolpe, the cardinal technique of early behavior therapy, was originally called “hypnotic desensitisation“JOURNAL, Wolpe J, 1958, Psychotherapy by Reciprocal Inhibition, Conditional Reflex, 3, 4, 234–40, 10.1007/BF03000093, 978-0804705097, 5712667, 46015274, and derived from the Medical Hypnosis (1948) of Lewis Wolberg.BOOK, Medical hypnosis, 2, Wolberg RL, 1948, Grune & Stratton, 881360526,

Curative

Peter Marshall, author of A Handbook of Hypnotherapy, devised the Trance Theory of Mental Illness, which asserts that people suffering from depression, or certain other kinds of neuroses, are already living in a trance. He asserts that this means the hypnotherapist does not need to induce trance, but instead to make them understand this and lead them out of it.BOOK, Marshall P, 2012, A Handbook of Hypnotherapy, Bexhill-on-Sea, Oakley Books, 978-0-9569784-5-5,

Mindful

Mindful hypnotherapy is therapy that incorporates mindfulness and hypnotherapy. A pilot study was made at Baylor University, Texas, and published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Gary Elkins, director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor University called it “a valuable option for treating anxiety and stress reduction” and “an innovative mind-body therapy”. The study showed a decrease in stress and an increase in mindfulness.WEB, Pedersen T, 2020-06-18, Brief Mindful Hypnotherapy Shown to Ease Stress & Anxiety,psychcentral.com/news/2020/06/18/brief-mindful-hypnotherapy-shown-to-ease-stress-anxiety/157426.html, 2020-06-19, psychcentral.com, en-US,

Relationship to scientific medicine

Hypnotherapy practitioners occasionally attract the attention of mainstream medicine. Attempts to instill academic rigor have been frustrated by the complexity of client suggestibility, which has social and cultural aspects, including the reputation of the practitioner. Results achieved in one time and center of study have not been reliably transmitted to future generations.BOOK, The Cure Within: A History of Mind-Body Medicine, 2008, Harrington A, W.W. Norton & Company, 978-0-393-06563-3, In the 1700s Anton Mesmer offered pseudoscientific justification for his practices, but his rationalizations were debunked by a commission that included Benjamin Franklin.

Uses

{{Unbalanced section|date=December 2022}}Clinicians choose hypnotherapy to address a wide range of circumstances; however, according to Yeates (2016), people choose to have hypnotherapy for many other reasons:

Menopause

There is evidence supporting the use of hypnotherapy in the treatment of menopause related symptoms, including hot flashes.JOURNAL, Elkins GR, Fisher WI, Johnson AK, Carpenter JS, Keith TZ, Clinical hypnosis in the treatment of postmenopausal hot flashes: a randomized controlled trial, Menopause, 20, 3, 291–298, March 2013, 23435026, 3556367, 10.1097/GME.0b013e31826ce3ed, JOURNAL, Roberts RL, Na H, Yek MH, Elkins G, Hypnosis for Hot Flashes and Associated Symptomsin Women with Breast Cancer, The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 60, 2, 123–136, October 2017, 28891773, 10.1080/00029157.2017.1334622, 8491901, WEB, The Royal Women’s Hospital, CBT and hypnosis effective in treating menopause,www.thewomens.org.au/news/cbt-and-hypnosis-effective-in-treating-menopause, 2021-09-07, The Royal Women’s Hospital, en, The North American Menopause Society recommends hypnotherapy for the nonhormonal management of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms, giving it the highest level of evidence.JOURNAL, Nonhormonal management of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: 2015 position statement of The North American Menopause Society, Menopause, 22, 11, 1155–1172; quiz 1173–1174, November 2015, 26382310, 10.1097/GME.0000000000000546, 14841660,

Irritable bowel syndrome

The use of hypnotherapy in treating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome is supported by research, including randomized controlled trials.JOURNAL, Peters SL, Yao CK, Philpott H, Yelland GW, Muir JG, Gibson PR, Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut-directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 44, 5, 447–459, September 2016, 27397586, 10.1111/apt.13706, 42525698, free, JOURNAL, Rutten JM, Reitsma JB, Vlieger AM, Benninga MA, Gut-directed hypnotherapy for functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome in children: a systematic review, Archives of Disease in Childhood, 98, 4, 252–257, April 2013, 23220208, 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302906, 24758855, free, JOURNAL, Flik CE, Laan W, Zuithoff NP, van Rood YR, Smout AJ, Weusten BL, Whorwell PJ, de Wit NJ, 6, Efficacy of individual and group hypnotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome (IMAGINE): a multicentre randomised controlled trial, The Lancet. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 4, 1, 20–31, January 2019, 30473202, 10.1016/S2468-1253(18)30310-8, 53752170,pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/files/84611432/Main_document_changes_accepted.docx, JOURNAL, Whorwell PJ, Prior A, Faragher EB, Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of severe refractory irritable-bowel syndrome, Lancet, 2, 8414, 1232–1234, December 1984, 6150275, 10.1016/s0140-6736(84)92793-4, 8842451, A 2015 audit of 1000 patients undertaking gut-focused hypnotherapy in normal clinical practice found that hypnotherapy was an effective intervention for refractory IBS.JOURNAL, Miller V, Carruthers HR, Morris J, Hasan SS, Archbold S, Whorwell PJ, Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: an audit of one thousand adult patients, Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 41, 9, 844–855, May 2015, 25736234, 10.1111/apt.13145, 25993844, Gut-directed hypnotherapy is recommended in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome by the American College of Gastroenterology clinical guideline for the management of IBS.JOURNAL, Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, Chey WD, Keefer LA, Long MD, Moshiree B, ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, en-US, The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 116, 1, 17–44, January 2021, 33315591, 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036, free,

Childbirth

Hypnotherapy is often applied in the birthing process and the post-natal period,BOOK, Odent M, Dick-Read G, Michel Odent, Grantly Dick-Read, Childbirth without fear: the principles and practice of natural childbirth, Pinter & Martin, 2004, 978-0-9530964-6-6, registration,archive.org/details/childbirthwithou00mich, {{Page needed|date=September 2010}}BOOK, Datta S, Kodali BS, Segal S, Non-pharmacological Methods for Relief of Labor Pain, Obstetric Anesthesia Handbook, 2010, 85–93, 10.1007/978-0-387-88602-2_7, 978-0-387-88601-5, JOURNAL, Phillips-Moore J, HypnoBirthing, The Australian Journal of Holistic Nursing, 12, 1, 41–42, April 2005, 19175270,search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=492196603589508;res=IELHEA, 22 September 2012, JOURNAL, Wainer N, HypnoBirthing. A radical change on our perspective of pain in childbirth, Midwifery Today with International Midwife, 55, 36–38, 2000, 11189565, JOURNAL, Mottershead N, Hypnosis: removing the labour from birth, The Practising Midwife, 9, 3, 26–7, 29, March 2006, 16562656, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if it alleviates pain during childbirthJOURNAL, Hypnosis for pain management during labour and childbirth, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009356.pub3/full, Madden, Kelly, 2016-05-19, Middleton, Philippa, Cyna, Allan M, Matthewson, Mandy, Jones, Leanne, 2016, 5, 10.1002/14651858.CD009356.pub3, 7120324, and no evidence that it is effective against post-natal depression.JOURNAL, Sado M, Ota E, Stickley A, Mori R, Hypnosis during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period for preventing postnatal depression, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6, 6, CD009062, June 2012, 22696381, 10.1002/14651858.CD009062.pub2, Sado M,

Bulimia

Literature shows that a wide variety of hypnotic interventions have been investigated for the treatment of bulimia nervosa, with inconclusive effect.JOURNAL, Barabasz M, Cognitive hypnotherapy with bulimia, The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 54, 4, 353–364, April 2012, 22655335, 10.1080/00029157.2012.658122, 24728801, Similar studies have shown that groups suffering from bulimia nervosa, undergoing hypnotherapy, were more exceptional to no treatment, placebos, or other alternative treatments.

Anxiety

Hypnotherapy is shown to be comparable in effectiveness to other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, that utilize relaxation techniques and imagery.JOURNAL, Golden WL, Cognitive hypnotherapy for anxiety disorders, The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 54, 4, 263–274, April 2012, 22655330, 10.1080/00029157.2011.650333, 35862090, It has also shown to be successful when used to reduce anxiety in those with dental anxiety and phobias.JOURNAL, Wolf, Thomas Gerhard, Schläppi, Sina, Benz, Carla Irene, Campus, Guglielmo, 2022-04-20, Efficacy of Hypnosis on Dental Anxiety and Phobia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Brain Sciences, 12, 5, 521, 10.3390/brainsci12050521, 35624907, 9138388, 2076-3425, free,

PTSD

(File:Pr Charcot DSC09405.jpg|thumb|Professor Charcot, his students, and a woman experiencing hysteria.)Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its symptoms have been shown to improve due to implementation of hypnotherapy, in both long and short term.JOURNAL, Rotaru, Tudor-Ștefan, Rusu, Andrei, 2016-01-02, A Meta-Analysis for the Efficacy of Hypnotherapy in Alleviating PTSD Symptoms,doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2015.1099406, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 64, 1, 116–136, 10.1080/00207144.2015.1099406, 0020-7144, 26599995, 3928310, As research continues, hypnotherapy is being more openly considered as an effective intervention for those with PTSD.JOURNAL, Lynn, Steven Jay, Malakataris, Anne, Condon, Liam, Maxwell, Reed, Cleere, Colleen, April 2012, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Cognitive Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness, and Acceptance-Based Treatment Approaches,dx.doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2011.645913, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 54, 4, 311–330, 10.1080/00029157.2011.645913, 22655333, 20814289, 0002-9157,

Depression

Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective when used to treat long term depressive symptoms. It has been shown to be comparable to the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and when used in tandem, efficacy seems to increase.BOOK, A., Chapman, Robin,worldcat.org/oclc/60671838, The clinical use of hypnosis in cognitive behavior therapy : a practitioner’s casebook, 2006, Springer Pub, 0-8261-2884-X, 60671838,

Other uses

Among its many other applications in other medical domains,BOOK, Savage GH, The Harveian Oration on Experimental Psychology and Hypnotism Delivered before the Royal College of Physicians of London, October 18, 1909,archive.org/details/b24976106, Henry Frowde, London, 1909, 26297021M, George Savage (physician), hypnotism was used therapeutically, by some alienists in the Victorian era, to treat the condition then known as hysteria.JOURNAL, Conversion hysteria: History, diagnostic issues, and clinical practice, Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, Crimlisk HL, Ron MA, 165–180, 4, 3, 1999, 10.1080/135468099395909, Modern hypnotherapy is widely accepted for the treatment of certain habit disorders, to control irrational fears,BOOK, Phobias and intense fears: Facilitating their treatment with hypnosis, Crawford HJ, Barabasz AF, Rhue JW, Lynn SJ, Kirsch I, 1993, Handbook of clinical hypnosis, 311–337, Washington, DC, US, American Psychological Association, 10.1037/10274-015, 978-1-55798-440-1, JOURNAL, Gow MA, 2006, Hypnosis with a 31-year-old female with dental phobia requiring emergency extraction,bscw.rediris.es/pub/bscw.cgi/d4531139/Gow-Hypnosis_31_year_old_female_dental_phobia.pdf, dead, Contemporary Hypnosis, 23, 2, 83–91, 10.1002/ch.312,bscw.rediris.es/pub/bscw.cgi/d4531139/Gow-Hypnosis_31_year_old_female_dental_phobia.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20170915215548bscw.rediris.es/pub/bscw.cgi/d4531139/Gow-Hypnosis_31_year_old_female_dental_phobia.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20170915215548bscw.rediris.es/pub/bscw.cgi/d4531139/Gow-Hypnosis_31_year_old_female_dental_phobia.pdf, 15 Sep 2017, as well as in the treatment of conditions such as insomniaBOOK,books.google.com/books?id=O_cEAAAACAAJ, The pregnant man: tales from a hypnotherapist’s couch, Barrett D, New York, Times Books, 9780812929058, 1998, and addiction.JOURNAL, Katz NW, Hypnosis and the addictions: a critical review, Addictive Behaviors, 5, 1, 41–47, 1980-01-01, 6994434, 10.1016/0306-4603(80)90020-9, Hypnosis has also been used to enhance recovery from non-psychological conditions such as after surgical procedures,JOURNAL,biorobotics.harvard.edu/pubs/2006/journal/Diamond2006%20-%20Hypnosis%20stroke%20case%20studies.pdf, Hypnosis for rehabilitation after stroke: Six case studies, Diamond SG, Davis OC, Schaechter JD, Howe RD, 2006, Contemporary Hypnosis, 23, 4, 173–180, 10.1002/ch.319, in breast cancer careJOURNAL, Cramer H, Lauche R, Paul A, Langhorst J, Kümmel S, Dobos GJ, Hypnosis in breast cancer care: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, Integrative Cancer Therapies, 14, 1, 5–15, January 2015, 25233905, 10.1177/1534735414550035, review, free, and even with gastro-intestinal problems.WEB, Palsson OS, Effects of hypnosis on GI problems,www.med.unc.edu/ibs/files/educational-gi-handouts/IBS%20and%20Hypnosis.pdf, dead, UNCCenter for Functional GI & Motility Disorders, 2013-06-16, 2014-08-20,www.med.unc.edu/ibs/files/educational-gi-handouts/IBS%20and%20Hypnosis.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20140820161621www.med.unc.edu/ibs/files/educational-gi-handouts/IBS%20and%20Hypnosis.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20140820161621www.med.unc.edu/ibs/files/educational-gi-handouts/IBS%20and%20Hypnosis.pdf,

Efficacy

• A 2003 meta-analysis on the efficacy of hypnotherapy concluded that “the efficacy of hypnosis is not verified for a considerable part of the spectrum of psychotherapeutic practice.“JOURNAL, Flammer E, Bongartz W, On the efficacy of hypnosis: a meta-analytic study., Contemporary Hypnosis, 20, 4, 2003, 179–197,www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf,www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20160222004606www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20160222004606www.hypnose-kikh.de/content/Metaanalyse-Flammer-2004.pdf, 22 February 2016, dead, 10.1002/ch.277,
• In 2007, a meta-analysis from the Cochrane Collaboration found that the therapeutic effect of hypnotherapy was “superior to that of a waiting list control or usual medical management, for abdominal pain and composite primary IBS symptoms, in the short term in patients who fail standard medical therapy”, with no harmful side-effects. However the authors noted that the quality of data available was inadequate to draw any firm conclusions.JOURNAL, Webb AN, Kukuruzovic RH, Catto-Smith AG, Sawyer SM, Hypnotherapy for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4, CD005110, October 2007, 17943840, 10.1002/14651858.CD005110.pub2,
• Two Cochrane reviews in 2012 concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support its efficacy in managing the pain of childbirthJOURNAL, Jones L, Othman M, Dowswell T, Alfirevic Z, Gates S, Newburn M, Jordan S, Lavender T, Neilson JP, 6, Pain management for women in labour: an overview of systematic reviews, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, 3, CD009234, March 2012, 22419342, 7132546, 10.1002/14651858.CD009234.pub2, Neilson JP, or post-natal depression.
• A 2014 meta-analysis that focused on hypnotherapy’s efficacy on irritable bowel syndrome found that it was beneficial for short term abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal issues.JOURNAL, Lee, Han Hee, Choi, Yoon Young, Choi, Myung-Gyu, April 2014, The Efficacy of Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 20, 2, 152–162, 10.5056/jnm.2014.20.2.152, 2093-0879, 4015203, 24840368,
• In 2016, a literature review published in La Presse Médicale found that there is not sufficient evidence to “support the efficacy of hypnosis in chronic anxiety disorders”.JOURNAL, Pelissolo A, Hypnosis for anxiety and phobic disorders: A review of clinical studies, Presse Médicale, 45, 3, 284–290, March 2016, 26944812, 10.1016/j.lpm.2015.12.002,
• In 2019, a Cochrane review was unable to find evidence of benefit of hypnosis in smoking cessation, and suggested if there is, it is small at best.JOURNAL, Barnes J, McRobbie H, Dong CY, Walker N, Hartmann-Boyce J, Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019, 6, CD001008, June 2019, 31198991, 6568235, 10.1002/14651858.CD001008.pub3, Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group,
• A 2019 meta-analysis of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety found that “the average participant receiving hypnosis reduced anxiety more than about 79% of control participants,” also noting that “hypnosis was more effective in reducing anxiety when combined with other psychological interventions than when used as a stand-alone treatment.“JOURNAL, Valentine KE, Milling LS, Clark LJ, Moriarty CL, The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: a meta-analysis, The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 67, 3, 336–363, July 2019, 31251710, 10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863, 195763179,
• In a 2022 meta-analysis on hypnotherapy’s efficacy on dental anxiety, it was found that “hypnosis can also be regarded as powerful and successful method for anxiety reduction,” but also stated that further research is required.

Occupational accreditation

United States

The laws regarding hypnosis and hypnotherapy vary by state and municipality. Some states, like Colorado, Connecticut and Washington, have mandatory licensing and registration requirements, while many other states have no specific regulations governing the practice of hypnotherapy.WEB, Summary of State Laws Regarding Hypnosis,hypnotherapistsunion.wildapricot.org/statelaws, Hypnotherapists Union Local 472,

United Kingdom

UK National Occupational Standards

In 2002, the Department for Education and Skills developed National Occupational Standards for hypnotherapyWEB, National Occupational Standards for hypnotherapy, December 2002, Register for Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy (REBHP),www.rebhp.org/articles/Hypnotherapy.pdf, linked to National Vocational Qualifications based on the then National Qualifications Framework under the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. NCFE, a national awarding body, issues level four national vocational qualification diploma in hypnotherapy. Currently AIM Awards offers a Level 3 Certificate in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills at level 3 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework.WEB,register.ofqual.gov.uk/Detail/Index/31621?category=qualifications&query=hypnotherapy, Register of Regulated Qualifications, Ofqual, 6 November 2016,

UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations (UKCHO)

The regulation of the hypnotherapy profession in the UK is at present the main focus of UKCHO, a non-profit umbrella body for hypnotherapy organisations. Founded in 1998 to provide a non-political arena to discuss and implement changes to the profession of hypnotherapy, UKCHO currently represents 9 of the UK’s professional hypnotherapy organisations and has developed standards of training for hypnotherapists, along with codes of conduct and practice that all UKCHO registered hypnotherapists are governed by. As a step towards the regulation of the profession, UKCHO’s website now includes a National Public Register of HypnotherapistsWEB, Cannon H,ukcho.co.uk/register-search.asp, UKCHO Register search page - The UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations, Ukcho.co.uk, 2010-12-01, 2011-11-28, who have been registered by UKCHO’s Member Organisations and are therefore subject to UKCHO’s professional standards. Further steps to full regulation of the hypnotherapy profession will be taken in consultation with the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health.

The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)

The National Council for Hypnotherapy is a Professional Association, established in 1973 to create a National Membership Organisation for independent Hypnotherapy Practitioners. The organisation is not for profit with a Board of 12-15 people composed of Executives and Directors, the latter usually ‘in practice’ Hypnotherapists and trainers of Hypnotherapy. The current Chair, Tracey Grist has been in position since 2016. The NCH is a VO (Verifying organisation) for the CNHC, which means that NCH members meet the criteria to become Registrants of the CNHC. The NCH membership meet the national hypnotherapy training standards via the externally verified Hypnotherapy practitioner Diploma (HPD) through the NCFE. Members agree to follow the CECP; the NCH’s ethical code of practice, all members are expected to be insured to practice, meet supervision requirements and annual CPD expectations. WEB,www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/about-nch/, About Us, National Council for Hypnotherapy,

Australia

Professional hypnotherapy and use of the occupational titles hypnotherapist or clinical hypnotherapist are not government-regulated in Australia.In 1996, as a result of a three-year research project led by Lindsay B. Yeates, the Australian Hypnotherapists Association (founded in 1949), the oldest hypnotism-oriented professional organization in Australia, instituted a peer-group accreditation system for full-time Australian professional hypnotherapists, the first of its kind in the world, which “accredit[ed] specific individuals on the basis of their actual demonstrated knowledge and clinical performance; instead of approving particular ‘courses’ or approving particular ‘teaching institutions’” (Yeates, 1996, p.iv; 1999, p.xiv).BOOK,unsworks.unsw.edu.au/fapi/datastream/unsworks:47786/bin21c6104f-ed93-4ada-b2fe-2db8d0234d43?view=true&xy=01, Yeates LB, A Set of Competency and Proficiency Standards for Australian Professional Clinical Hypnotherapists: A Descriptive Guide to the Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association Accreditation System, Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association, Sydney, 1996, 0-646-27250-0, The system was further revised in 1999.BOOK,unsworks.unsw.edu.au/fapi/datastream/unsworks:47778/bine651285b-281c-4950-9c91-fa60a9a40983?view=true&xy=01, Yeates LB, A Set of Competency and Proficiency Standards for Australian Professional Clinical Hypnotherapists: A Descriptive Guide to the Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association Accreditation System, Second, Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association, Sydney, 1999, 0-9577694-0-7, Australian hypnotism/hypnotherapy organizations (including the Australian Hypnotherapists Association) are seeking government regulation similar to other mental health professions. However, currently hypnotherapy is not subject to government regulation through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

See also

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• {{annotated link|Atavistic regression}}
• {{annotated link|Astral projection}}
• {{annotated link|Autogenic training}}
• Autosuggestion
• Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy
• Hypnotherapy in the United Kingdom
• Hypnosis
• Hypnosurgery
• Hypnotic Ego-Strengthening Procedure
• Psychotherapy
• Royal Commission on Animal Magnetism
• Scientific skepticism
• Subconscious mind
• Suggestibility
• The Pregnant Man and Other Cases from a Hypnotherapist’s Couch
• (The Zoist|The Zoist: A Journal of Cerebral Physiology & Mesmerism, and Their Applications to Human Welfare)

References

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