Is Hypnotherapy Recognised by the NHS?

This is one of the questions I'm asked most frequently, and the answer requires a bit of nuance. The short version is: yes, the NHS recognises hypnotherapy as a complementary therapy, but no, it's not routinely available on the NHS. Here's the fuller picture.

What the NHS Actually Says

The NHS website has a dedicated page on hypnotherapy. It describes hypnotherapy as an approach that "uses hypnosis to try to treat conditions or change habits." The page acknowledges that hypnotherapy is used for a range of conditions, while noting that evidence levels vary by condition.

Crucially, the NHS does not dismiss hypnotherapy. It is listed alongside other complementary and alternative therapies as a legitimate therapeutic approach. This is a significant distinction — many alternative therapies receive far more sceptical treatment on the NHS website.

NICE Guidelines

NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) provides evidence-based clinical guidelines for the NHS. While hypnotherapy doesn't feature as a primary recommendation in most NICE guidelines, there are some notable inclusions:

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

NICE guidelines for IBS (CG61) have referenced hypnotherapy as a treatment option. Research from the University of Manchester demonstrated that gut-directed hypnotherapy produced significant and lasting improvement in IBS symptoms, and this has been acknowledged in clinical guidance.

Chronic Pain

NICE guidelines on chronic pain include psychological therapies, and while CBT is the primary recommendation, hypnotherapy's role in pain management is increasingly recognised in clinical practice, particularly when integrated with cognitive behavioural approaches.

Is It Available on the NHS?

In most areas, hypnotherapy is not routinely available through the NHS. There are exceptions — some GP practices and hospital departments offer hypnotherapy, particularly for IBS, smoking cessation and pre-surgical anxiety. Some NHS pain clinics incorporate hypnosis techniques. But these are the exception rather than the rule, and availability varies significantly by region.

The majority of people who access hypnotherapy in the UK do so through private practitioners.

The CNHC and Professional Standards Authority

The CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council) is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority — the same body that oversees the regulatory bodies for doctors, nurses and other NHS professionals. This represents a significant endorsement of hypnotherapy as a legitimate healthcare practice within the UK regulatory framework.

When a patient is referred by their GP to a CNHC-registered hypnotherapist, it carries an implicit recognition that the therapy has a place within the broader healthcare landscape.

GP Referrals

Many GPs are supportive of patients trying hypnotherapy, particularly for conditions where conventional treatments have been only partially effective. I regularly receive clients who have been encouraged by their GP to explore hypnotherapy for anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain and other conditions.

While a GP referral isn't required to access private hypnotherapy, it can be helpful for conditions with a medical component. I'm always happy to communicate with a client's GP about their treatment, with the client's consent.

Private Health Insurance

Some private health insurance policies and employee assistance programmes cover hypnotherapy. Coverage varies by provider and policy, so check with your insurer. I can provide the necessary documentation and invoices if your treatment is covered.

The Evidence Landscape

The reason hypnotherapy isn't more widely available on the NHS comes down to the evidence hierarchy. The NHS and NICE require large-scale randomised controlled trials (RCTs) before recommending a treatment, and while there is significant research supporting hypnotherapy, the body of large-scale RCTs is still growing.

However, the research that does exist is encouraging. Cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy in particular, which integrates the evidence base of CBT with clinical hypnosis, has a strong and growing research foundation.

What This Means for You

The NHS recognition of hypnotherapy as a complementary therapy, the CNHC's accreditation by the Professional Standards Authority, and the growing body of published research all suggest that hypnotherapy occupies a credible position within UK healthcare. It's not fringe. It's not unproven. It's a well-established therapeutic approach with genuine evidence of effectiveness for specific conditions.

If you're considering hypnotherapy and want to discuss how it might help with your particular situation, book a free telephone consultation. I'll always give you an honest assessment, and if I think a different approach would serve you better, I'll say so.