Hypnotherapy for PTSD: What the Trials Show
Oct 22, 2026The original paper
Rotaru TS, Rusu A. A Meta-Analysis for the Efficacy of Hypnotherapy in Alleviating PTSD Symptoms. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2016.
Read the original paper on PubMed →
Summary
This meta-analysis combined the randomised trials of hypnotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (six trials at the time).
Hypnotherapy produced large reductions in PTSD symptoms, and these held at follow-up. The authors note the evidence base is still small and call for more research.
Key finding
A large effect on PTSD symptoms, maintained at follow-up.
Why this matters
Trauma lives in the body and the subconscious, not just in the story. Hypnosis works at that level — gently, and without needing to relive every detail.
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.