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Student Name

Module Number 101

Date: 5 May 2015

Number of Words: 933

Essay Title: Discuss your view on evidenced based hypnotherapy and support your
arguments with external sources.

The application of evidence-based practice (EBP) in clinical hypnotherapy is not new.

evidence-based research (EBR) has been applied to therapeutic hypnosis for at least the
past 50 years with the majority taking place in the past 10 to 20 years (Weisberg 2008).
Now more than ever hypnotherapy practitioners should embrace EBP.

In a modern healthcare service environment, where treatment options have to be

evaluated on their efficacy and costs, hypnotherapy practitioners are having to compete
with more mainstream treatment approaches and pharmaceutical based interventions
(Anbar 2007; Brown 2007; Elkins et al 2015). Although therapeutic hypnosis is a
recognised treatment option (BMA 1958) its widespread use and acceptance is lacking
(Wark 2008). Therefore, unless hypnotherapy practitioners can prove the value and
efficacy of hypno-therapeutic interventions, both the profession and the use of therapeutic
hypnosis is at risk of being sidelined by more expedient and accepted treatment
approaches (Lynn & Green 2011).

Hypnotherapy practitioners have a duty of care to their clients and therefore are required
to uphold professional and ethical working practices, which includes keeping up to date
with research and developments in the profession and the delivery of a quality service to
their patients (CNHC 2008). The use of evidence-based research to inform clinical
decision making and best practice will support the use of therapeutic hypnosis and
demonstrate its value. This is critical in order to gain acceptance and compete with other
mainstream and other alternative treatment options (Anbar 2007).

Current models and definitions of EBP, along with the recommendations proposed for
health professions (Hafslund et al 2008; Hoffman et al 2013; Ross 2012; Sackville et al
1996) are relevant to the practice of hypnotherapy. Although EBP models take into account
clinical expertise and experience, it is the evidence-based research component which is
most sought after when considering the use and acceptance to inform clinical best practice
(Anbar 2007).

Evidence-based research is invaluable to the hypnotherapist. Depression was once

considered to be contra-indicated with the use of therapeutic hypnosis, but thanks to the
research done by Alladin & Alibhai (2007), McCann & Landes (2010) and Yapko (2010),
hypnotherapists are able to safely treat patients with depression using integrated cognitive
behavioural hypnotherapy. This is an excellent example of how evidence-based research
can inform clinical best practice for hypnotherapists.

Much of the research into the use of therapeutic hypnosis does show some favourable
results, but systematic reviews tend to be critical and find fault or limitations in research
design, methodologies and outcome measurement criteria used in the research studies.
These tend to present inconclusive support for the application of therapeutic hypnosis
(Mendoza & Capafons 2009); for example, its use for smoking cessation. Hypnotherapists
know that it works and the large number of patients who have become non-smokers as a
result of hypnotherapy will confirm its efficacy. However, much of the research fails to
provide conclusive evidence that hypnotherapy is any better than other mainstream
approaches to smoking cessation treatment (Alladin et al 2007). Even though practitioners
with skills and experience have hundreds of patients who have benefited from their
treatments, without being able to present these positive patient outcomes in an acceptable
format for critical review, it is just anecdotal and unable to stand up to scrutiny. This leaves
the practice of hypnotherapy open to attack from sceptics and other competing treatment
option providers. There is a need to present empirically supported treatment evidence
(Anbar 2007; Elkins et al 2015; Matthews 2013) and therapeutic hypnosis practitioners
should endeavour to contribute to its provision.

Hypnotherapy practitioners must embrace EBP if they are to survive and deliver valued
patient quality care. As a minimum practitioners should be able to understand the role that
EBP plays in the profession and how they can become evidence based practitioners. In
addition, being able to access, critically evaluate and assess the latest therapeutic
hypnosis research is critical for keeping up to date and providing their patients with the
most informed treatment choices. This requires practitioners to understand current
research models and frameworks. Practitioners should also be aware of the issues and
challenges that exist with evidence-based research.

Hypnotherapists should endeavour to improved information sharing and training providers

should include EBP and evidence-based research in their hypnotherapy training
programmes. It is vital to educate the practitioners and instil ethical practice requirements
and quality training standards. Also, there is a need to foster much closer cooperation and
collaborative working through communities of practice. This should include the sharing of
information, research and best practice processes (Anbar 2007; Elkins et al 2015;
Matthews 2013).

One of the major drawbacks and challenges to overcome is the disjointed nature of the
hypnotherapy profession. There are too many non-independent organisations claiming to
represent the profession and as a result causes confusion for patients, other healthcare
professionals and students. This is compounded by the vast range of training programmes
that do not meet the minimum training standards expected to support EBP.

One example of evidence-based practice in action is when the hypnotherapist makes an

accurate assessment of the patient, their problem and their goals, then evaluates the latest
research available where therapeutic hypnosis with the condition or symptoms is used.
The practitioner uses this information, along with their clinical judgement to identify
possible approaches and techniques that may be appropriate for the patient, and then
informs and discusses these with the patient in order to gain patient consent and input.

Evidence-based practice will improve the image of the hypnotherapy profession, promote
the acceptance of therapeutic hypnosis as a valid treatment option and most importantly
improve the standard of care and service to those being treated by the hypnotherapist.
References

Alladin, A & Alibhai, A (2007) Cognitive hypnotherapy for depression: an empirical

investigation, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55:2, 147-166,
DOI: 10.1080/0020714060117789.
Alladin, A, Sabatini, L, Amundson JK (2007) What should we mean by empirical validation
in hypnotherapy: evidence based practice in clinical hypnosis, International Journal of
Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis, 55:2, 115-130.
Anbar, RD. (2007) Guest editorial: designing effective research protocols for medical
applications of hypnosis, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 50:2, 105-107, DOI:
10.1080/00029157.2007.1040160.
British Medical Association (BMA) (1958) Clinical meeting, British Medical Journal
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