Clinical Hypnotherapy
Clinical Hypnotherapy is a talking-therapy technique that uses a guided state of focused relaxation and attention to support change in a specific habit, thought pattern, or area of difficulty. At SFCT it is offered as one of several complementary therapies, used alongside — and never in place of — medical or psychiatric care.
Quick facts
- What it is
- A talking-therapy technique that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to support change in a specific habit, thought pattern, or area of difficulty.
- Common applications
- Everyday stress; sleep difficulties; habit-related goals (evidence for smoking cessation specifically is mixed); complementary support alongside pain-management care.
- Who may benefit
- Adults and children working, after an individual assessment, on a specific and well-defined goal.
- Typical approach
- One-to-one session with a trained hypnotherapist.
- Related therapies
- Bio-Neuro Feedback
- Evidence / research status
- A complementary, adjunctive approach — evidence is stronger for some uses (e.g. support alongside pain management) than others, and mixed for some (e.g. smoking cessation).
Overview
Clinical Hypnotherapy uses a guided state of focused relaxation and attention — sometimes described as a trance-like state of concentration — together with verbal suggestion, to help a person work toward a specific, individually agreed goal. Throughout a session the person remains aware and in control; hypnosis is a cooperative process, not something done to someone against their will.
At SFCT, Clinical Hypnotherapy is offered as part of a broader complementary-therapy practice, alongside counselling and other therapies. It is not a replacement for medical or psychiatric treatment, and SFCT positions it as a complementary, adjunctive approach rather than a primary treatment for a diagnosed condition.
How it works
A hypnotherapist speaks in a calm, steady tone, describing images intended to create a sense of relaxation and security. Once the person is settled, the therapist offers suggestions related to the person's specific goal, sometimes including visualising themselves achieving it. Throughout, the person remains aware and in control — hypnosis is not mind control, and nothing happens without the person's cooperation; most people stay conscious during a session and remember what happened afterward. The exact structure of a session can vary between therapists and goals — your SFCT therapist will talk you through what to expect before your own sessions begin.
What happens in a session
A typical Clinical Hypnotherapy session begins with the therapist guiding the person into a relaxed, focused state through calm, descriptive language. Once settled, the therapist offers suggestions connected to the person's specific goal. Sessions are usually delivered one-to-one, and the person remains awake and aware throughout, able to end the session at any time.
The exact structure of a session can vary from person to person — your SFCT therapist will talk you through what your own sessions will involve before you begin.
Who may benefit
Adults and children who, after an individual assessment, are working on a specific and well-defined goal — such as everyday stress, sleep difficulty, a habit they want to change, or additional support alongside other pain-management care.
What it may help with
Stress and everyday anxiety; sleep difficulties; habit-related goals such as smoking cessation (evidence is mixed, not guaranteed); and complementary support alongside other pain-management care, where evidence is comparatively stronger.
Important considerations
Hypnotherapy provided by a trained therapist is generally considered a safe complementary approach, and harmful reactions are rare. The person is not "out of control" during a session, and can choose to end it at any time. Some people notice mild, temporary effects afterward, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, unusual sleepiness, anxiety, or disrupted sleep. People with a severe mental illness should discuss hypnotherapy with SFCT and their own treating clinician first. Hypnotherapy is not usually recommended as a first approach for working through significant past trauma or stressful past events — this can trigger a strong emotional reaction, and other approaches (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) are often used before or alongside hypnotherapy for this purpose. Clinical Hypnotherapy does not replace psychiatric or medical care.
Evidence & references
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Institutes of Health — "Hypnosis," accessed 2026-08-28.
- Mayo Clinic — "Hypnosis," accessed 2026-08-28.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clinical Hypnotherapy safe?
Will Clinical Hypnotherapy replace my other treatment or medication?
Will I lose control during hypnotherapy, like I have seen in stage hypnosis shows?
Enquire about Clinical Hypnotherapy
Send SFCT an enquiry about this therapy and SFCT will get back to you directly.
Society for Complementary Therapies
Mental Health and Healing Center
Flat No. D302, Adarsh Palm Retreat Tower-4, Bougainvillea
Bellandur, Outer Ring Road, Bangalore, Karnataka 560103
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