Both forms of therapy can help you overcome anxiety, phobias and other issues – but how do they differ?

Many people in need of help with something that is bothering them are often torn between hypnotherapy and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). When I treat people, the other therapy they are most likely to have already tried is CBT.

Hypnotherapy and CBT are two of the most popular and effective forms of therapy available today. Both approaches can be used to treat a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, phobias, and trauma. And CBT can be done over a Zoom call – just as you can with online hypnotherapy.

In this blog, I’ll set out the stall for both therapies to help you decide which is right for you.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a type of therapy that uses hypnosis to help people make changes in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and concentration in which the person is more open to suggestion.

I have now completed more than 5,000 sessions with clients and found clinical hypnotherapy – and the various therapuetic tools I use – to be highly effective. My testimonials bear this out.

Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of issues, including:

• Anxiety
• Phobias
• Trauma
• Stuttering
• Blushing
• Weight loss
• Smoking cessation
• Sleep problems

CBT

CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on helping people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are all interconnected. By changing our thoughts, we can change our feelings and behaviours.

CBT has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of issues, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Phobias
• OCD
• Eating disorders
• Substance abuse
• Anger management

The Pros and Cons of each treatment type

Let’s start with a look at the pros and cons of hypnotherapy.

Pros:

1. Hypnotherapy can be very effective for treating a wide range of issues.
2. Hypnotherapy is a relatively quick and easy process. I’ve found that most clients need just two sessions, on average.
3. Hypnotherapy is safe.
4. Hypnotherapy works just as well online as it does in-person.

Cons:

1. Hypnotherapy may not be effective for everyone.
2. Hypnotherapy can be expensive.
3. It is important to find a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist.

And now the pros and cons of CBT.

Pros:

1. CBT is a well-established and evidence-based therapy.
2. CBT is effective for treating a wide range of issues.
3. CBT is relatively inexpensive.
4. CBT can be done individually or in a group setting.

Cons:

1. CBT can be time-consuming.
2. CBT can be challenging, as it requires the person to be willing to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours.
3. CBT may not be effective for everyone.

Making The Right Choice

The best approach for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make changes in your life, hypnosis may be a good option for you.

If, however, you are willing to put in the time and effort to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours, CBT may be a better option for you.

Another thought: if the idea of group therapy or bearing your soul to a therapist over many weeks fills you with dread, then I would suggest that hypnotherapy – which is always 1-1 and usually much quicker, too – is a better bet.

But if you don’t believe hypnotherapy would work and that you would be a very unwilling, sceptical participant, then CBT may be a better option.

Is Speed Important To You?

One of the biggest advantages of hypnotherapy is its speed. Hypnotherapy can often produce results in just a few sessions. CBT, on the other hand, tends to be a longer process.

CBT sessions can last anything from six weeks to several months – longer still if you find that you’re still struggling with what’s holding you back after your allotted commitment.

That’s a long time to be soldiering on with a problem that is bothering you. And if, indeed, you end up having 12 sessions at £75 per session, it’s easily possible that CBT could end up costing more than hypnotherapy. Two sessions with Fix My Mind, for example, cost around £600.

Which Approach Do I Recommend?

I personally recommend hypnotherapy for many people – but only those who are willing to believe it could work for them.

I have helped dozens of people who just didn’t gel with CBT. They found it too emotional and time-consuming – and they felt that they lacked the skill to make the changes they needed.

With hypnotherapy, the change is put into the hands of someone else – to a degree. With a good hypnotherapist and an open mind about the process, you may even find that major changes happen within a single session. My testimonials are full of such examples.

The best piece of advice I can give when trying to settle the hypnotherapy Vs CBT debate is to speak to your therapist. It’s really important that you get a good feel for them before embarking on therapy.

For that reason, I offer all new clients a free 20-minute phone consultation so that they can decide if what I offer – either online hypnotherapy or a face-to-face session – is for them.

If you’d like to discover how I could help you to address and overcome anxiety, self-confidence, a phobia or something else that is holding you back, contact me today and claim your free, no-obligation, 20-minute consultation. I’m also offering 10% off my standard fees to new clients for a limited time.