Hypnotherapy in San Francisco
Hypnotherapy is the clinician-guided use of hypnosis – a state of focused attention, reduced peripheral awareness, and heightened responsiveness to suggestion – to work toward specific therapeutic goals. In a psychiatric setting it is typically used as an adjunct to psychotherapy rather than a standalone treatment, most often to help ease anxiety and stress or to address difficulty sleeping. A session generally moves through induction, deepening, therapeutic suggestion, and re-alerting, and may include training in self-hypnosis for practice between visits. Responsiveness to hypnosis varies considerably from person to person.
At a Glance
- A 2019 meta-analysis of 17 trials found the average person receiving hypnosis for anxiety reduced anxiety more than about 79% of untreated control participants at the end of treatment[3]
- The same analysis reported that hypnosis tended to be more effective for anxiety when combined with other psychological therapies than when used on its own[3]
- A meta-analysis of randomized trials found hypnotherapy shortened the time to fall asleep compared with a waitlist, but not compared with a sham treatment, and rated most included studies as low methodological quality[4]
- Responsiveness to hypnotic suggestion, sometimes called hypnotizability, varies considerably between individuals, which may influence how much a given person benefits
- Because hypnosis can foster inaccurate recollections through unintended suggestion, it is generally not considered a reliable method for recovering forgotten memories[5]
Overview
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis as a therapeutic tool, guiding a person into a state of focused attention and absorption in which they may be more open to helpful suggestions. Contrary to common portrayals, hypnosis is not sleep or a loss of control; a person under hypnosis generally remains aware and can decline suggestions that do not fit their goals. The clinician offers tailored suggestions and imagery intended to support the changes a person is working toward.
In a psychiatric practice, hypnotherapy is most often offered as an adjunct alongside psychotherapy and, when appropriate, medication management. It is commonly explored for anxiety and stress-related tension and for difficulty falling or staying asleep. It has also been studied for pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and anxiety around medical or dental procedures, though the strength of the evidence varies by condition.
Because people differ in how readily they respond to hypnotic suggestion, the approach is collaborative and individualized. Many clinicians teach self-hypnosis so that a person can practice the techniques on their own between sessions, which may extend the benefit of the work done together.
What to Expect
- Initial assessment of the person's goals, history, and suitability for hypnotherapy, including screening for conditions where hypnosis may not be appropriate.
- Explanation of what hypnosis is and is not, addressing common misconceptions, and obtaining informed consent for the approach.
- Induction, in which the clinician guides the person into a relaxed, focused state using verbal cues, breathing, or imagery.
- Deepening, which gently increases the sense of focus and absorption.
- Therapeutic suggestion, in which tailored suggestions and imagery are offered in support of the person's specific goals, such as easing anxiety or preparing for sleep.
- Optional training in self-hypnosis so the person can practice the techniques independently between sessions.
- Re-alerting, in which the clinician guides the person back to ordinary, fully alert awareness.
- Brief discussion of the experience and any suggestions for practice before the next visit.
How does Hypnotherapy work?
- Hypnosis is thought to work by shifting attention inward and narrowing awareness of the surrounding environment, producing a state of focused absorption in which a person may be more receptive to constructive suggestions. It is not a state of sleep or unconsciousness, and the person generally retains awareness and the ability to end the session.
- Within that state, the clinician offers therapeutic suggestions and guided imagery aimed at the person's goals, such as cultivating a sense of calm, reframing anxious thoughts, or settling the mind toward sleep. Suggestions are collaborative and do not override a person's values or judgment.
- Many clinicians teach self-hypnosis, giving the person a way to re-enter a similar state on their own between sessions. Regular practice may help reinforce the techniques over time.
- The precise mechanisms underlying hypnosis are not fully understood and are an area of active research. Attention, expectation, and individual differences in hypnotic responsiveness are all believed to play a role.
When It's Recommended
- Anxiety symptoms and stress-related tension, often as an adjunct to psychotherapy
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia), typically alongside sleep-focused behavioral approaches
- Support for coping with chronic pain as part of a broader treatment plan
- Symptom management in irritable bowel syndrome through gut-directed hypnotherapy
- Anxiety associated with medical or dental procedures
Is a hypnotherapy right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Mario A. Benitez-Lopez.
Recovery & Aftercare
- Hypnotherapy involves no physical procedure, and most people are able to return to their usual activities right after a session
- Any short-lived drowsiness or lightheadedness typically resolves quickly once ordinary awareness returns
- Benefits generally develop gradually over a series of sessions rather than after a single visit
- Practicing self-hypnosis between sessions, when taught, may help reinforce and maintain the techniques over time
Alternative Treatments
- Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) for sleep difficulties
- Relaxation training, mindfulness, and other stress-reduction approaches
- Medication management when clinically indicated, typically discussed with a prescribing clinician
Frequently Asked Questions
- Hypnotherapy is the clinician-guided use of hypnosis – a state of focused attention and heightened responsiveness to suggestion – to work toward specific therapeutic goals. In a psychiatric setting it is generally used as an adjunct to psychotherapy, often to help ease anxiety or improve sleep, rather than as a standalone treatment.
- Hypnotherapy involves no needles, medication, or physical procedure, so it is not painful. Most people describe the experience as deeply relaxing. Some may feel briefly drowsy or lightheaded afterward, and occasionally difficult emotions can surface as part of the work.
- For most people, hypnotherapy is generally considered safe when provided by a qualified, appropriately trained clinician. It may not be suitable for everyone, including people with certain psychotic or dissociative disorders. See the risks and cautions above for more detail.
- There is no fixed number, and benefits typically build gradually over a series of sessions rather than after a single visit. Sessions are often scheduled weekly, and the plan is tailored to the individual and their goals. Some clinicians also teach self-hypnosis to practice between visits.
- A session usually begins with a discussion of goals, followed by an induction that guides you into a relaxed, focused state. The clinician then offers suggestions and imagery aimed at your goals before gently re-alerting you to ordinary awareness. You generally remain aware throughout and can end the session at any time.
- Hypnotherapy may not be appropriate for people with active psychotic disorders involving hallucinations or delusions, or for those with dissociative disorders, because heightened suggestion and imagery could worsen symptoms. It is also not a substitute for indicated psychiatric treatment. A thorough evaluation helps determine whether it is a suitable option.
What are the risks of Hypnotherapy?
Who should avoid this
- Active psychotic disorders, such as conditions involving hallucinations or delusions, where the use of imagery and heightened suggestion may worsen symptoms; hypnosis is generally avoided or reserved for specialist settings
- Dissociative disorders, where the focused, dissociation-like quality of hypnosis may exacerbate an already unstable sense of self and warrants caution or specialist care
- Situations that would involve processing significant trauma outside a structured, appropriately supervised framework
- As a replacement for indicated psychiatric treatment of serious conditions, where established therapies are generally the primary approach
- Active intoxication with drugs or alcohol, which can interfere with focused attention and informed participation
Possible risks
- Transient dizziness, drowsiness, or headache may occur during or shortly after a session
- Emotional distress can arise when difficult thoughts, feelings, or memories surface during the work
- Hypnosis can foster false or distorted recollections, particularly when leading questions or unintended suggestions are involved, and it is not an appropriate technique for attempting to recover forgotten memories
- For people with certain conditions, such as psychotic or dissociative disorders, hypnosis may worsen symptoms and is generally approached with caution or avoided
- This is not an exhaustive list of potential risks; discuss any concerns with a qualified clinician before beginning treatment
Your practitioner
Mario A. Benitez-Lopez, MD
I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist and the founder of San Francisco Concierge Psychiatry. I completed my psychiatry residency at the University of Washington and hold a master's in clinical research from Stanford. I offer bilingual (English and Spanish) care in a concierge model built around small panels and longer sessions, spanning medication management, deprescribing, and evidence-based individual and couples therapy.
Sources & references
This article draws on 6 sources, including government health agencies, peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
- NCCIH – Hypnosis
- The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis (International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2019)
- Hypnotherapy for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2015)
- Frontiers in Psychology – The Role of Hypnosis in Memory Recall and False Memory Formation (2025)
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Mario A. Benitez-Lopez, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-07-26