Hypnotherapy
This page tells you about hypnotherapy in people with cancer. There is information about
Hypnotherapy is a therapy that uses hypnosis. You are in a trance like state where your body is deeply relaxed but your mind is active. We all go into trance states naturally in daily life - for example, when daydreaming or concentrating deeply on something.
Your hypnotherapist can use various methods to put you into a trance state. These include speaking to you slowly and soothingly, or asking you to look at a fixed object in front of you or at the edge of your field of vision.
You stay in control at all times. You may feel heavy or light but remain relaxed. When you are in this relaxed state your hypnotherapist suggests things that might help you to change your behaviour or relieve symptoms. No one is exactly sure how hypnotherapy works. One theory is that your conscious mind switches off while you are relaxed. Your unconscious mind is then open to the helpful suggestions of the therapist.
The therapist works with you to change your behaviour in a positive way or to reduce physical symptoms. But even if you are hypnotised, you don’t have to take on the therapist’s suggestions. No one can be hypnotised if they don’t want to be.
As with many types of complementary therapies, one of the main reasons people with cancer use hypnotherapy is to help them relax and cope better with symptoms and treatment. Hypnotherapy can help people to feel more comfortable and in control of their situation.
People with cancer most often use hypnotherapy for sickness or pain. There is some evidence that hypnotherapy helps with these symptoms. It can also help with depression, anxiety and stress.
Some doctors and dentists have training in hypnotherapy. They may use this alongside conventional treatment.
For more information, look in our section about why people with cancer use complementary therapies.
Some clinical trials have looked at how well hypnotherapy works for people with cancer. It may help people cope with symptoms such as pain, and feeling and being sick. There is also some evidence to show that hypnotherapy may help people cope better with care and treatment for cancer symptoms (palliative care).
Two reviews have looked at the use of hypnotherapy in people with cancer. One looked at research into hypnotherapy for feeling or being sick from chemotherapy. Most of the studies in this area have been in children. Overall, the studies did show that hypnotherapy might be able to help with chemotherapy sickness in children. There was only one study looking at hypnotherapy for sickness in adults, so we do need more research.
The other review looked at using hypnotherapy to control distress and pain from a medical procedure in children with cancer. The review found that hypnotherapy did seem to help the children with pain and distress, but again recommended more research.
You can look at these reviews on the CAMEOL website. Go to this link and then click on the icon at the top of the page that says CAMEOL home. This takes you to a list of the review summaries. Choose ‘hypnotherapy’ from the therapy list.
A study in 2007 in America gave hypnotherapy to a group of women before breast surgery. The researchers found that hypnotherapy lowered the amount of pain, sickness, tiredness and upset that the women had after surgery. Another American study in 2006 found that hypnotherapy helped to lower anxiety and pain during a biopsy for suspected breast cancer.
People commonly use hypnotherapy to help them give up smoking. In 1992 a review showed that hypnotherapy was the most effective way of giving up smoking. But in 1998 a Cochrane Review looked at how well hypnotherapy worked for people trying to stop smoking. There were several trials of hypnotherapy, but there wasn’t enough evidence to prove that it helps people to give up. So we need more research. There is information about how to give up smoking on Cancer Research UK’s news and resources website.
At your first appointment, the hypnotherapist will ask some general questions about your health, lifestyle and medical history. This may include questions about diet, sleep patterns and how you feel emotionally. Your hypnotherapist will then focus on why you want to have hypnotherapy. For example, you may want it to help you cope with anxiety or symptoms. Or you may just want to learn to relax more.
You will sit in a comfortable chair and when you are ready your hypnotherapist will begin. They may give suggestions of relaxation, or have you imagine being in a comfortable place. Or they may count down from 10 to 1. When you are relaxed, the therapist will give positive suggestions about changing your behaviour or managing symptoms. During the session you will be aware of your surroundings. If you want to, you will be able to come out of the hypnotic state very quickly.
Your hypnotherapist may also teach you self hypnosis so that you can manage your own condition. It may take a few weeks of practice before you feel the benefits of using self hypnosis.
Many people worry that while they will lose control under hypnosis and do or say things that they don’t want to. But if you are not comfortable with any suggestions made by your hypnotherapist, you can choose not to answer.
Hypnotherapy is generally very safe. Most people say that they have a positive experience with it. But some people report negative side effects, such as increased anxiety. The important thing is to make sure your therapist is qualified. And read our paragraph below on who shouldn’t use hypnotherapy. Ask your hypnotherapist about any possible side effects.
You shouldn’t use hypnotherapy with some medical conditions, as it could make them worse. These are
- Psychosis (a type of mental illness where people have a distorted view of what’s real and may see or hear things)
- A personality disorder
- Epilepsy
If you have other types of mental health problems, or a serious illness such as cancer, you should always see a hypnotherapist who has experience of treating your condition.
Children under the age of 7 should only be hypnotised by a therapist who is trained in working with this age group.
Some cancer centres and hospitals in the UK offer patients different types of complementary therapies free of charge. So always ask your nurse or doctor if hypnotherapy is available on the ward or centre where you have your treatment. If not, the staff may be able to direct you to a voluntary organisation that offers complementary therapy treatments free of charge, or at a reduced cost. Your GP may also be able to recommend a hypnotherapist who works within the NHS.
A session of hypnotherapy privately can cost anywhere between £50 and £90. These costs vary from place to place within the UK.
Currently in the UK there is no single professional organisation that regulates hypnotherapists. Therapists can join several associations. But they don’t have to join one by law. 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. This is why it's vital that the person who treats you is properly trained and that you trust them. The best way to find a reliable therapist is to
- Contact one of the useful organisations in the paragraph below and ask for a list of hypnotherapists in your area
- Ask the therapist how many years of training they've had, which exams they have taken, and how long they've been practising
- Ask them if they have treated cancer patients before
- Ask if they have insurance against something going wrong (indemnity insurance)
- Ask if they are registered with a hypnotherapy organisation
Look in our about complementary therapies section for more information about how to find a reliable complementary therapy practitioner and the questions you should ask.
There are a couple of UK organisations that hypnotherapists can join.
British Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Tel: 01262 403103
Email: sec@bsch.org.uk
Web: www.bsch.org.uk
A national professional body whose aim is to promote and assure high standards in the practice of hypnotherapy. On the website you can search for a hypnotherapist in your area, learn about the code of conduct expected from members of this society and learn more about hypnotherapy.
Central Register of Advanced Hypnotherapists (CRAH)
PO Box 14526
London
N4 2WG
Tel: 020 7354 9938
Web: www.n-shap-ericksonian.co.uk
This is a non-profit making organisation that holds a public a register of competent practitioners who have undergone full training by the National School of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy. A booklet including information on the Register, qualifications of members, code of practice and a section on hypnosis as a treatment is available from the above address.
Hypnotherapy Directory
Manor Coach House
Church Hill
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU12 4RQ
Website: www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk
This website is a support network of UK hypnotherapists, with information on their training and experience, areas of hypnotherapy, fees and contact details. The service is free and confidential.
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