Hypno-psychotherapy

Written by Bonnie Gifford

Last updated 21st June 2022 | Next update due 20th June 2025

Hypno-psychotherapy uses techniques from both hypnotherapy and psychotherapy to help individuals address deeper problems that hypnotherapy alone may not be able to fully address.

What is hypno-psychotherapy?

Hypno-psychotherapy can be used to help you change your behaviour, attitudes, and emotions. It can be used to help manage pain, anxiety and stress-related health concerns, as well as help overcome unwanted habits and improve confidence. Hypno-psychotherapists may also deal with more deep-seated problems, like those addressed by other branches of psychotherapy.

In this video, hypno-psychotherapist and BWRT practitioner, Rue Asher explains what hypno-psychotherapy is, and how the approach may benefit you.

Hypnotherapy is often used on its own, as a simple relaxation therapy, or it may be integrated with other forms of psychological treatment. This integrative approach is known as hypno-psychotherapy. It can include many therapeutic applications, such as:

cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)
psychodynamic
Humanist
Gestalt
mindfulness

This integrative approach uses both hypnotherapy and psychotherapy to help with deeper problems that may not be addressed with hypnotherapy alone (such as trauma or abuse).

Hypno-psychotherapy is an excellent way to advance on the journey of self-discovery. It gives us a real understanding of what makes us tick, and how we can overcome or rise above any negative results of our past or our present.

- Hypnotherapist Joy Shakespeare explains more in Health, wealth and happiness: How can hypnotherapy help?

What is a hypno-psychotherapist?

When a professional is a hypno-psychotherapist, it means they have undertaken training in both psychotherapy theory and practice, as well as hypnotherapy. This means that they can provide help and guidance grounded in both of these fields, to help assist them in creating a supportive, empathetic relationship with you as their client.

Different hypno-psychotherapists may use different approaches. There are a variety of applications within hypno-psychotherapy. This allows your hypno-psychotherapist to tailor their approach and which strategies they use, depending on your individual needs and circumstances.

While hypno-psychotherapy uses therapeutic structures as the main medium for positive change, a flexible approach is vital. In order for hypno-psychotherapy to work most effectively, there needs to be a positive working relationship between you and your therapist.

You need to feel comfortable with your hypno-psychotherapist, as well as to feel like you are in a safe, supportive environment. This helps create a more optimal setting to explore and understand the issues that have prompted you to seek help, any underlying triggers or causes you may be unaware of, and to move forward towards positive, sustainable change.

What’s the difference between hypnotherapy and psychotherapy?

Hypnotherapy and psychotherapy are not the same thing. Hypnotherapy is not a type of psychotherapy, though both can be used together to help create a rounded approach that can help with a wide variety of issues.

Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy. Generally used to refer to the therapeutic use of hypnosis, hypnotherapy uses your subconscious and the power of suggestion to help you make positive changes in how you think, feel, and behave. Some people find that hypnotherapy can help with specific issues, decreasing or getting rid of symptoms completely, while for others it can help them to better manage how they are feeling. Find out more about what hypnotherapy is and how it can help you.
Psychotherapy is a type of talking therapy used to treat emotional and mental health problems. It often involves talking, though it may also include other methods, such as art, music and movement. Psychotherapists are trained to help you understand and express your thoughts and feelings. A psychotherapist is there to listen to you, providing a judgement-free space where you can talk, feel heard and understood.
Hypno-psychotherapy is the combination of these two approaches. A hypno-psychotherapist is trained in both hypnotherapy and psychotherapy, and can bridge these two areas of expertise together to help you better understand yourself, a specific issue you may be facing, or to tackle underlying issues you may not be aware are affecting you.

If you are looking to change certain behaviours or perceptions, hypno-psychotherapy can be particularly helpful. It can also assist with other common mental health concerns, including anxiety and stress, as well as helping with pain management and improving confidence.

Is hypnosis a good tool to use as part of psychotherapy?

Hypnotherapy (the therapeutic use of hypnosis) is considered by many to be a complimentary therapeutic tool that can help people explore painful thoughts, memories, or feelings hidden in their unconscious mind.

The benefits of hypno-psychotherapy

Primarily, hypno-psychotherapy is a method used for psychological problems that can’t be helped with hypnotherapy alone. As well as helping with a range of psychological concerns, hypno-psychotherapy can help you manage unwanted habits, such as smoking. It can also help with social difficulties, including low confidence, panic attacks and phobias.

According to the National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (NCHP), this integrative approach is also used to enhance sports performance and improve concentration. Stress-related physical problems, including migraine and IBS, are also thought to respond well to hypno-psychotherapy treatment.

Find a hypnotherapist

If you're ready to seek further help and believe hypnotherapy may be the option for you, the next step is to find a hypno-psychotherapist. You can use our advanced search tool to find professionals near you. You can look through their profiles to learn more about the way they work and if they are right for you.

As it stands, hypnotherapists are not currently regulated in the UK. This means that there are no laws in position outlining the level of training required to practice. To ensure your safety, we have a policy in place that requires all professionals to provide proof of membership with a professional body, or relevant qualification and insurance, before being listed with us.

When searching for a hypnotherapist, know that it’s OK to ask questions. We encourage our members to include as much information as possible about their training, experience, and the way they work in their profile. This is to help you learn as much as you can before contacting them. Remember, you are entitled to ask more before deciding if they are right for you. Do your research, ask questions and when you are ready, send them an email.