Individual therapies
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to put you into a trance like state where your body is deeply relaxed but your mind is active.
Summary:
Hypnotherapy may help you feel calm and relaxed.
A trained hypnotherapist can use various methods to help you into this state.
Hypnotherapy has been used to help people try to give up smoking.
Some reports show that hypnosis can help people to reduce their blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and pain. Hypnosis can create relaxing brainwave patterns. Some clinical trials have looked at how well hypnotherapy works for people with cancer.
Some cancer centres and hospitals in the UK offer different types of complementary therapies free of charge. Ask your nurse or doctor if hypnotherapy is available on the ward or centre where you have your treatment.
If it isn’t, the staff might be able to direct you to a voluntary organisation that does, or at a reduced cost. Your GP might also be able to recommend a hypnotherapist who works within the NHS.
A session with a private hypnotherapist can cost between £50 and £90. This will vary from place to place.
There is currently no single professional organisation that regulates hypnotherapists in the UK.
Therapists can join several associations. But the law doesn’t make them do so and they don’t have to have any specific training.
Most doctors, dentists, psychologists and other health care professionals who are also hypnotherapists belong to The British Society of Clinical Hypnosis.
Being put into a hypnotic state can make you feel very vulnerable. So it is very important that the person who treats you is properly trained and that you trust them.
There are a few UK organisations that hypnotherapists can join. You can usually search on their websites to find therapists in your local area.
Last reviewed: 03 Oct 2022
Next review due: 03 Oct 2025
Find detailed information and research into some of the many different complementary and alternative therapies used by people with cancer.
A complementary therapy means you can use it alongside your conventional medical treatment. It may help you to feel better and cope better with your cancer and treatment. An alternative therapy is generally used instead of conventional medical treatment.
Find organisations, support groups, books, websites and other resources about complementary and alternative therapies.
Treatments can include surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatments (such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted cancer drugs). Find out about treatments and how to cope with side effects.
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