It might not surprise you that in my biased opinion, you should be able to! But the short answer is that hypnotherapy is not usually available on the NHS, as the NHS’s own website makes clear. While some complementary therapies are integrated into NHS services, hypnotherapy is generally accessed privately. However, there are notable exceptions and examples that demonstrate its effectiveness and growing recognition.
Hypnotherapy for IBS: A NICE-Recognised Treatment
Hypnotherapy is recommended for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), particularly for people who do not respond to first-line interventions such as dietary or pharmacological treatments. NICE guidance states:
“Referral for psychological interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT], hypnotherapy and/or psychological therapy) should be considered for people with IBS who do not respond to pharmacological treatments after 12 months and who develop a continuing symptom profile (described as refractory IBS).” [2008]
This makes hypnotherapy a legitimate treatment for chronic IBS within the NHS framework, though patients usually need to meet the criteria for referral to specialist services.
Hypno-Calm at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust has appointed the first fully-funded trainee integrative therapist in cancer care, reflecting the value of complementary therapies in medical settings. Their Hypno-Calm service is offered to out-patients to help with anxiety, stress and depression on their cancer journey. Eligible patients are offered six 1-hour hypnotherapy sessions to help them find the inner resources to manage their emotions positively.
This sounds like such a positive step and I'm sure it's going to be very well-received by the patients. I hope it leads to more similar appointments in the NHS.
Pro Bono Hypnotherapy in Hospice Care
There are a few hospices which offer hypnotherapy to patients. I am one of those hypnotherapists, working pro bono at my local, incredible hospice. This is a charitable organisation that receives NHS funding, so while this is not the same as a formal NHS referral, it demonstrates that hypnotherapy can be a valuable, trusted, and effective treatment in supporting people through challenging medical and emotional circumstances.
Evidence for Hypnotherapy in Other Conditions
Hypnotherapy may be mentioned in NICE evidence reviews or patient information materials for anxiety, phobias, depression, sleep, smoking, or childbirth, but it is not formally recommended within NICE treatment pathways. This is because stronger clinical evidence is required before including hypnotherapy as a funded NHS treatment option.
Which begs the question: why isn’t there more high quality evidence for hypnotherapy. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has a much stronger evidence base than hypnotherapy. There are several reasons for this.
First, hypnotherapy, while effective, is less standardised, with different practitioners using varied scripts, approaches, and methods. Many studies are smaller or less uniform, making it harder to meet NICE’s standards for high-quality evidence. CBT is highly standardised, with clear manuals, step-by-step protocols, and defined treatment lengths.
CBT emerged from academic psychology in the 1960s–70s and quickly became embedded in university research programs. Many clinical trials were funded because CBT fit mainstream psychological paradigms. Hypnotherapy has historically seen as more “alternative,” often lacking institutional support and therefore there were fewer large-scale research programmes.
CBT is widely endorsed and reimbursed within the NHS and internationally, so there’s more incentive to fund trials. Whereas hypnotherapy rarely receives public funding for research, so most studies are small, private, or pilot studies, limiting statistical power.
And there are some methodological challenges. Hypnotherapy trials often struggle with placebo controls because it’s difficult to create a convincing sham hypnotherapy sessions. This can make studies less rigorous and less likely to meet NICE’s standards for high-quality evidence.
That said, it’s acknowledged by reputable bodies that hypnotherapy works. For instance, the Royal College of Psychiatrists says that research has shown that hypnotherapy can help with depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, functional disorders with a psychological component such as IBS, headaches, or backaches. It can also help with medical conditions by reducing anxiety and alleviating other symptoms, including pain, medical and surgical procedures, and cancer treatment side effects among others.
Accessing Hypnotherapy Privately
If you want a hypnotherapist, you will generally need to find one privately and pay for sessions. And here, it is a case of buyer beware. As the NHS website notes, in the UK hypnotherapists do not have to have any specific training by law, meaning it is possible for people with minimal training to offer it.
It is therefore crucial to check that your hypnotherapist is registered with an accredited organisation recognised by the Professional Standards Authority, as the NHS recommends. The two recommended bodies are the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and the National Hypnotherapy Society.
I am a member of the CNHC as well as the General Hypnotherapy Register, ensuring that my practice meets rigorous professional and ethical standards.
Even though hypnotherapy is not usually available on the NHS — for now — it remains a powerful tool for emotional wellbeing and stress management. Many people experience meaningful improvements in anxiety, sleep, confidence, and overall resilience.
Hypnotherapy can also complement medical treatment by reducing stress and easing symptoms associated with chronic conditions, pain, or medical procedures. In short, NHS funding doesn’t determine its value — the benefits are real, measurable, and life-enhancing for those who access it with a qualified practitioner.
If you’d like to explore hypnotherapy safely with a qualified, accredited professional, please get in touch to find out more about my practice and the services I offer.
