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ARe you a good candidate for hypnosis?
Who can and cannot be hypnotized?
Most people interested in hypnosis for personal change can effectively use this powerful tool. Ultimately, it boils down to your willingness, particularly to follow simple instructions. If you genuinely wish to transform how you think, feel, or behave, and you choose to engage in hypnosis, chances are, it will work well for you.
However, if you miss sessions or book them when there are distractions like renovations or noisy environments, then it’s unlikely to be effective. You need to be in a quiet space where you can comfortably close your eyes and focus solely on your session, without disturbances. This undivided attention is crucial for successful hypnosis.
In summary:
Seek a quiet environment. Dedicate 45-60 minutes without interruption. Maintain your willingness to listen and follow instructions, such as 'close your eyes' or 'follow my voice.' That’s essentially all you need to do. It’s also important to note that, contrary to popular portrayals in movies and books, you are always in control during hypnosis. The hypnotist acts merely as a guide whom you can choose to follow.
I specialize in Ericksonian hypnosis, which allows you to follow along in a relaxing and enjoyable 'story.' This approach creates a restful and rejuvenating experience, enabling you to make significant improvements in areas like your health, confidence, focus, and thoughts. If you’re curious about how hypnosis can help you with a specific issue, feel free to book a hypnosis consultation for a free ten-minute consultation.
Take the First Step Today
Book a free ten-minute consultation with Dr Goddard. Find out if hypnosis can help you.
You can explain what you wish to change about your thinking, feeling or behaviour, and you'll receive an honest answer as to whether hypnosis is a suitable route to achieve whatever it is you want to achieve.
Your consultation can be by phone or an audio call on MS Teams. You don't need to be on-camera for the consultation if you prefer not to be.
Research on the efficacy of hypnosis
Examples of academic research related to hypnosis
Broad evidence across conditions (systematic review of meta-analyses)
Rosendahl, J., et al. (2024). Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: A 20-year perspective. Frontiers in Psychology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10807512/
"Our findings underline the potential of hypnosis, including Ericksonian hypnosis, to positively impact various mental and somatic treatment outcomes, with the largest effects found in patients experiencing pain, patients undergoing medical procedures, and in populations of children/adolescents."
Stress & Anxiety
Valentine, K. E., Milling, L. S., Clark, L. J., & Moriarty, C. L. (2019). The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 67(3), 336–363. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863
Boutin, G. E., & Tosi, D. J. (1983). Effectiveness of hypnosis and systematic desensitization in the reduction of speech anxiety. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 39(3), 450–454. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510977209363089
Valentine, K. E., Milling, L. S., Clark, L. J., & Moriarty, C. L. (2019). The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 67(3), 336–363. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863
Hypnosis as a complement
Kirsch, I., Montgomery, G., & Sapirstein, G. (1995). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(2), 214–220. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.63.2.214
Findings
"...the average client receiving cognitive–behavioral hypnotherapy, as part of their hypnosis consultation, showed greater improvement than at least 70% of clients receiving nonhypnotic treatment. Effects seemed particularly pronounced for treatments of obesity, especially at long-term follow-up, indicating that unlike those in nonhypnotic treatment, clients to whom hypnotic inductions had been administered continued to lose weight after treatment ended."
Breast surgery side-effects (randomised clinical trial; pain/nausea/fatigue + anaesthetic use) Montgomery, G. H., Bovbjerg, D. H., Schnur, J. B., David, D., Goldfarb, A., Weltz, C. R., Schechter, C., Graff-Zivin, J., Tatrow, K., Price, D. D., & Silverstein, J. H. (2007). A randomized clinical trial of a brief hypnosis intervention to control side effects in breast surgery patients. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 99(17), 1304–1312. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djm106
"Conclusions
Hypnosis was superior to attention control regarding propofol and lidocaine use; pain, nausea, fatigue, discomfort, and emotional upset at discharge; and institutional cost. Overall, the present data support the use of hypnosis, particularly in hypnosis consultations, with breast cancer surgery patients."
Emotional distress around medical procedures (meta-analysis)
Schnur, J. B., Kafer, I., Marcus, C., & Montgomery, G. H. (2008). Hypnosis to manage distress related to medical procedures: A meta-analysis. Contemporary Hypnosis, 25(3–4), 114–128. https://doi.org/10.1002/ch.364
Hot flashes in postmenopausal women (randomised controlled trial) Elkins, G. R., Fisher, W. I., Johnson, A. K., Carpenter, J. S., & Keith, T. Z. (2013). Clinical hypnosis in the treatment of postmenopausal hot flashes: A randomized controlled trial. Menopause, 20(3), 291–298. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3556367/
"Conclusion
Compared to a structured attention control, clinical hypnosis resulted in significant reductions in self-reported and physiologically measured hot flashes as well as hot flash scores in post-menopausal women."
Note: These examples illustrate research showing the efficacy of hypnosis, including hypnosis for personal change. Naturally, they do not represent the only possible uses of hypnosis. Hypnosis has a very broad range of potential applications beyond the areas listed above.
