What does hypnotherapy mean?
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in a therapeutic setting. During a session, a practitioner may guide a client into a focused, relaxed state through suggestion and controlled attention, with the aim of addressing concerns such as anxiety, unwanted habits, or difficulties involving focus and behavior. The term is commonly encountered in clinical psychology and complementary medicine, although the quality of evidence and effectiveness differ according to the condition and the approach used. Hypnotherapy is not simply performance hypnosis, nor does it involve treatment while the client is genuinely asleep. It is also not automatically a substitute for medical care or evidence-based psychological treatment. Understanding the word requires recognizing both its therapeutic context and the limits of claims made for hypnotic intervention.
nounThe use of hypnosis as a therapeutic technique, often involving guided suggestion, focused attention, and relaxation to help address specific psychological or behavioral concerns. Its effectiveness can vary by condition, practitioner, and individual.
- The therapeutic use of hypnosis, typically to encourage relaxation, attention, or suggestion aimed at a particular clinical or behavioral goal.
"She considered hypnotherapy as a complementary approach to managing her chronic stress."
"The clinic offered hypnotherapy for people who wanted to reduce their fear of public speaking."
"His hypnotherapist explained the induction process before beginning the session."
Used when referring to different forms or instances of hypnotherapy.
"The two hypnotherapies used different approaches to relaxation and suggestion."
Despite beginning with “hypno-,” hypnotherapy does not mean treatment performed while asleep; it refers to therapy conducted through a hypnotic state or induction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hypnotherapy come from?
The word is formed from Greek roots meaning “sleep” and “treatment” or “therapy.” Its earlier components appear in terms such as “hypnosis,” which developed with the modern study and practice of hypnosis, and “hypnotic,” meaning relating to hypnosis or the induction of a hypnotic state. The compound “hypnotherapy” combines this vocabulary with the suffix “-therapy,” from Greek therapeia, referring to treatment or service.
Related word forms
How hypnotherapy is actually used
The term is used especially in clinical and complementary-therapy contexts. It should not be confused with ordinary stage hypnosis or with claims that hypnosis reliably substitutes for other medical or psychological treatment.