How Hypnotherapy Supports Mental Wellness Without Medication

The prevalence of anxiety disorders in Australia is so widespread that the latest figures indicated that 2 out of every 5 individuals experienced some mental health issue during the course of their lives. No wonder so many Australians are on the quest to feel better without relying on medication.

While many turn to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), another approach that’s gaining more attention is hypnotherapy. Rather than focusing purely on changing thought patterns like CBT, hypnotherapy works by guiding individuals into a relaxed, focused state often referred to as a trance, where they can explore thoughts and feelings more deeply. 

People don’t lose control during hypnosis; they stay aware and in charge. What changes is their ability to shut out distractions and concentrate inward, which might be powerful when addressing issues like anxiety, phobias, or even trauma. 

Though it might seem like one of the recent wellness trends, the history of hypnotherapy dates far back. The first scientific inquiry into hypnosis started way back in the 17th century, but it was decades before the medical community took it seriously.  

Fast forward to today, and scientists are still figuring out how well hypnotherapy compares to other methods of treatment, especially when used to support mental wellness without relying solely on medication. 

Methods of Hypnotherapy

In a hypnotherapy session, individuals with deteriorating mental health undergo a series of steps that enable them to achieve a state of trance. This process may help them to relax deeply, concentrate, and respond more readily to suggestions.

Hypnotherapy, as can be seen here, provides individuals with an opportunity to delve deeper into their thoughts, often uncovering useful insights they may not have noticed before. 

Read on to find out how the technique can help one feel at peace. 

1. Relaxation

Your session often begins with a simple visualisation like imagining yourself somewhere peaceful, even if your mind feels busy.

2. Suggestive Action

Your hypnotherapist may recommend modifications in your behaviour that may be beneficial in helping you move past your problem. For instance, you might learn to think of yourself as a supportive counsellor while experiencing a phobia, allowing you to trust yourself and your capacity to overcome the situation.

3. Coping Techniques

You might be acquainted with some of the cognitive-behavioural coping skills, including guided imagery and the STOP! Method, which you can use, in case you feel anxiety and fear.

4. Emergence

Your therapist will help you to come out of hypnosis. On top of that, going into hypnosis refers to a descent into a pool of thoughts, while emergence refers to floating back to the surface.

In this stage, the therapist might ask you to concentrate on the reverse images of your deepeners. Furthermore, they may ask you to imagine that you are climbing up the stairs or smoothly mitigating through the covers and pulling yourself out of bed.

What Hypnotherapy Can Do for You?

Reasons why one may want to undergo hypnosis vary dramatically.

According to research, some of their possible use include:

• Conditions that cause chronic discomfort
• Signs of dementia
• Chemotherapy can cause nausea and vomiting
• Pain during labour, dental work, or surgery
• Psoriasis and warts 
• Signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Signs of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Hypnotherapy may also be used by licensed doctors and psychologists to potentially ease the symptoms that can ultimately cause anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A great example of this in practice is Bayside Psychotherapy’s hypnotherapy services, which were featured in a May 2025 House of Wellness segment on TV and in this YouTube video. Their work showcases how clinical hypnosis can be applied in real-life therapy sessions to help support emotional and behavioural change in clients.

How Does Hypnotherapy Support Mental Wellness?

Hypnotherapy may have dramatic effects on some people. In some situations, however, the users might just be more relaxed.

Some of the advantages of hypnotherapy are as follows:

1. Awareness

Some remain entirely aware throughout the entire experience. On top of that, they remember all that happens, while some might engage in discussions during hypnosis. Alternatively, some individuals might find themselves in very relaxed states to the extent that they might feel a bit detached.

2. Focus

More often than not, our environment does not allow us to concentrate. Paying attention to yourself can be difficult when the TV is too loud, your children seek your attention, or your partner wants to converse. 

Our conscious minds are also oversaturated by stimulation. You might be anxious about having to pay a bill, an upcoming project, or what you are having for dinner tonight. The primary goal of the therapy session is to allow you to overcome all these concerns and focus on the problem at hand.

3. Calm State

When you are in a hypnotic state, you’re quite relaxed. Your conscious mind is relaxed to enable the unconscious mind to work on the seeding problem. You are also less agitated, which makes you comparatively more open to confronting your worries or issues.

That being said, most hypnotherapists employ reassuring words such as “you are safe” and “no one can hurt you” so that their clients can feel better about confronting their issues objectively after they are hypnotised.

Does Hypnotherapy Really Work?

The impact and effectiveness of hypnotherapy may differ depending on specific individuals and the manner in which the treatment is conducted by a professional.

In addition, it is demonstrated that hypnotherapy displays certain levels of effectiveness when it comes to a few applications, primarily.

• Less pain and better control during labour and dental work
• Fewer cancer patients experience nausea and vomiting when they undergo chemotherapy 
• Reduction in the intensity of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

It might help patients manage stress and anxiety and is also effective when used alongside therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Studies have shown that the effect of hypnosis matched that of CBT in the treatment of mild and moderate depression. The findings revealed that CBT and hypnotherapy minimised symptoms by 38.5% and 44.6%, respectively.

Final Thoughts

Hypnotherapy may be a promising procedure that can assist in dealing with a broad range of symptoms and conditions. Moreover, you might as well be surprised to discover you don’t have to stare at a twirling spiral. In all fairness, it’s the exact opposite. 

You’ll actively operate and collaborate with your hypnotherapist to determine ways and solutions to make healthy changes in your daily life. Like any other therapy or practice, hypnosis will take its sweet time. The success lies in staying honest about your progress.

Also Read: Recifest.com: The Ultimate Knowledge Hub for Smart Readers