What is CBH?

Hypnotherapy is a partnership between client and Hypnotherapist to achieve the client goal. The Hypnotherapist will induce the client into a state of hypnosis, usually through relaxation. Hypnosis is a technique that works to calm the chattering mind and has the imagination absorbed on a single point of attention. When we are in the state of Hypnosis, our conscious and sub-conscious mind is aligned, and this makes us receptive and open to suggestions given by a Hypnotherapist. This powerful state of being suggestible enables one to make changes in behaviour, thought patterns, beliefs and emotions. While in this state, the Hypnotherapist will suggest powerfully crafted visualisations, thoughts or ideas, to embed the clients’ desired change at the deepest level.

Important to note is that as the client, you are in control and an active participant in the therapy. It is a therapeutic process where you can hear and respond to everything – at will.

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) combines the two most powerful psychological therapies; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy/Hypnosis. Today, this combination as therapy is the most effective and proven therapy available. It is one of the most evidence-based interventions in the field of psychological therapy, which is supported by research of more than 150 years.

It has been rigorously evaluated through experimental evaluations, systematic reviews and individual trials, which show a positive, statistically significant difference in achieving positive outcomes.

The Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology carried out groundbreaking analysis, combining multiple independent studies. Astounding results were discovered with CBT + Hypnosis (CBH) combined versus CBT alone. Evidence ranged from 18 studies spanning obesity and insomnia to public speaking, hypertension and anxiety.

In 1995, the same journal found that “the average client receiving Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy benefited more than at least 70% of clients than those receiving the same treatment without hypnosis”. In conclusion, the combined approach (CBT) was more effective than using hypnosis or CBT alone. In 2005, the same journal found that CBT + Hypnosis, i.e. Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy led to a greater reduction in re-experiencing symptoms post-treatment than Cognitive Behavioural Therapy alone.

The role of CBT is to help you understand how thoughts and feelings can come together and result in unwanted behaviours or actions. In CBT, we look at changing or targeting these unwanted behavioural or thought patterns, judgements, assumptions or beliefs. Clinical Psychology Review has published one of the most extensive studies showing its effectiveness in treating anxiety, certain phobias, depression, panic disorders and more.

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) can sometimes be mistaken as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). However, CBH integrates Hypnosis with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques; they complement each other. When we add Hypnosis to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, we can expect a greater impact and you can typically experience quick, incremental shifts in the way you think and feel when in Hypnosis.