Hypnosis for Anxiety: Benefits That Keep Growing After Treatment
Oct 22, 2026The original paper
Valentine KE, Milling LS, Clark LJ, Moriarty CL. The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2019.
Read the original paper on PubMed →
Summary
This meta-analysis pooled controlled trials of hypnosis for anxiety.
At the end of treatment, the average person who received hypnosis had reduced their anxiety more than about 79% of people in control groups. At follow-up the gap was even larger — the benefit kept growing rather than fading.
Key finding
At follow-up, the average hypnosis client did better than 84% of controls.
Why this matters
When the root of an anxious reaction is cleared at the subconscious level, the change doesn't need to be maintained by willpower — it holds, and often deepens.
Research is summarised in plain language for a general audience. Hypnotherapy and energy healing are complementary approaches and are not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care.