Hypnosis for Depression: How Does It Compare?
Oct 22, 2026The original paper
Milling LS, Valentine KE, McCarley HS, LoStimolo LM. A Meta-Analysis of Hypnotic Interventions for Depression Symptoms: High Hopes for Hypnosis? American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 2019.
Read the original paper on PubMed →
Summary
This meta-analysis pooled controlled trials of hypnosis for depression symptoms.
Hypnotic treatment reduced depression symptoms by an amount comparable to well-established psychological therapies.
Key finding
The average hypnosis client improved more than 76% of people in control groups.
Why this matters
Depression often sits on top of old beliefs about who we are. Hypnosis gives direct access to those beliefs so they can be updated.
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.