What is CBH?

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy
(Hypno-Psychotherapy)

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is one of the two elements that make up Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) — the other being Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Together, they form a powerful, evidence-based approach to psychological wellbeing.

Hypnosis itself has been used for centuries to help people manage everyday challenges, overcome fears and inhibitions, and build skills such as confidence and self-esteem. In modern practice, it is best described as:

“A state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness, characterised by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion” (Elkins, Barabasz, Council, & Spiegel, 2015).

This definition highlights three essential ingredients of hypnosis:

1. Focused attention on a chosen idea or experience.
2. Reduced awareness of distractions, both internal and external.
3. Absorption in the suggested experience to the point where responses feel natural and effortless.

Crucially, these abilities belong to the person being hypnotised — not to the hypnotist. We all possess this hypnotic potential, and with guidance it can be accessed and directed to promote meaningful change.

How does it work?

Hypnosis typically begins with an induction — a sequence of instructions and suggestions (often involving relaxation) that help a person enter a receptive, focused state. Once in hypnosis, suggestions are offered for changes in perception, sensation, thought, or behaviour.

For example, a person in pain may already feel calmer during hypnosis, but it is the suggestion — “the painful area is becoming numb and comfortable” — that often brings significant relief. Research suggests that such responses occur because suggestions shape our expectations, and our experiences tend to follow those expectations. Importantly, hypnotic responses feel effortless, as if they are happening on their own.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH)?

CBH integrates hypnosis with CBT strategies to identify and change the thought patterns, emotional responses, and behaviours that maintain psychological or physical difficulties. Because it is firmly rooted in evidence-based practice, CBH uses only methods that have been tested and shown to work in clinical settings.

That means CBH does not rely on unproven applications of hypnosis such as past-life regression, divination, or other supernatural claims. Instead, it focuses on approaches that are scientifically validated and designed to create real, lasting improvement.

Why combine CBT with Hypnosis?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most researched and widely recommended psychological treatments. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recognises CBT as effective as medication for depression, and in some cases more effective at preventing relapse. It is also the treatment of choice for conditions such as generalised anxiety disorder, OCD, phobias, PTSD, and depression, with proven benefits for issues like eating disorders, panic attacks, pain, and childhood emotional difficulties.

Unlike a single method, CBT is a flexible framework built on a wide range of approaches, all aimed at helping people identify unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more constructive ones.

The added benefit of hypnosis

When CBT is combined with hypnosis — an approach known as Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH or Hypno-CBT) — the effects of therapy can be strengthened and prolonged. Hypnosis enhances CBT techniques through focused relaxation, imagery, and belief restructuring, helping therapeutic changes “stick” at a deeper level. Research shows that CBT with hypnosis can, in some cases, be more effective than CBT alone, especially for stress-related symptoms.

How effective is CBH?

Studies suggest that hypnosis can accelerate progress, sometimes achieving results in fewer sessions compared to traditional therapy alone. A UK Consumer Association survey reported that 82% of hypnotherapy clients noticed improvements in their condition, and other research indicates high success rates when hypnosis is applied appropriately.

CBH is a practical, solutions-focused therapy. It works by identifying harmful or distorted thoughts, testing whether they reflect reality, and then reshaping them through cognitive and hypnotic strategies. Distress often narrows perspective, and CBH helps open new, healthier ways of seeing and responding.

Who can benefit?

CBH is suitable for people of all ages — children, adolescents, and adults — though specialised training is needed for work with children. It is often a brief therapy: many clients see meaningful improvement within 5 to 20 sessions, and simple issues such as phobias may take even fewer.

BH can be delivered face-to-face or effectively online, making it flexible and accessible to modern needs.T can be delivered effectively online, in addition to face-to-face therapy sessions.