The Benefits of Hypnosis for Phobias, Anxiety, and Past Trauma

Eugene Roginsky
3 days ago
4 min read

When people hear the word hypnosis, many still picture stage performers making volunteers engaging in funny behaviors ordered by the hypnotist. These images can be entertaining, but they have very little to do with the kind of hypnosis used in therapy. In reality, therapeutic hypnosis—more commonly called hypnotherapy—is a gentle, focused state of awareness where the body relaxes, the mind quiets, and people become more open to new ways of thinking and feeling.

For those struggling with phobias, anxiety, or the lingering effects of trauma, hypnotherapy offers an opportunity to step away from the constant fight-or-flight response and move toward calm, healing, and resilience.

Why Hypnosis Works

Hypnosis is not magic, and it’s certainly not mind control. Think of it instead as a natural state of concentration—something we experience every day. If you’ve ever been so absorbed in a movie that you jumped at a sudden sound, or driven home while lost in thought and barely remembered the route, you’ve experienced something like a hypnotic state. In hypnotherapy, this natural state is used with purpose. By relaxing the body and focusing the mind, people are better able to access the subconscious, where habits, fears, and emotional memories often live. With the guidance of a trained hypnotherapist, they can begin to reshape unhelpful patterns into healthier ones.

Different Types of Hypnosis

Not all hypnosis looks the same. Over the years, therapists have developed different approaches to meet the needs of their clients.

Traditional Hypnosis: The therapist gives direct suggestions while the client is in a hypnotic state. For example, “You feel calm and confident when you speak in public.” This can be effective for people who respond well to straightforward guidance.
Ericksonian Hypnosis: Developed by psychiatrist Milton H. Erickson, this approach uses storytelling, metaphors, and indirect suggestions. Rather than telling someone exactly what to think or feel, Ericksonian Hypnosis allows the subconscious to make its own connections. Many find this style more natural, since it works through imagery and narrative.
Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnosis: This combines hypnosis with principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Clients may be guided to reframe negative thoughts or practice healthier responses while in a focused, receptive state.
Self-Hypnosis: Often taught by therapists, self-hypnosis empowers people to guide themselves into relaxation and positive suggestion outside of sessions. It’s a valuable tool for long-term stress management.

Each of these approaches can be adapted depending on the individual’s needs. What they share is the use of focused attention and deep relaxation to help people bypass old patterns and access new possibilities.

Calming Anxiety and Panic

One of the most common reasons people turn to hypnosis is for anxiety relief. Anxiety often lives in the body—tight muscles, shallow breathing, racing heart. Hypnosis guides people into physical and mental relaxation, breaking the cycle of fear and bodily tension.

For situational anxiety, such as fear of flying, dental visits, or medical procedures, hypnosis can prepare the mind to respond more calmly. For generalized anxiety, regular sessions and self-hypnosis practice can reduce day-to-day stress and improve emotional resilience.

Gently Confronting Phobias

Phobias—whether it’s fear of heights, spiders, or public speaking—can limit lives in painful ways. Hypnosis offers a safe, gradual way to face these fears. While in a calm, relaxed state, people can imagine the feared situation and practice responding differently. Over time, the mind begins to associate those once-frightening images with calmness rather than panic. This process is often described as similar to exposure therapy, but many find it gentler because it starts with imagery rather than real-life confrontation. In some cases, hypnosis can also uncover the origins of phobias, especially if they are tied to forgotten or early-life experiences.

Healing from Past Trauma

For those who have experienced trauma, the past can intrude on the present in the form of flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, physical sensations, or overwhelming emotions. Hypnosis provides a way to revisit painful experiences without being re-traumatized.

In a hypnotic state, a therapist might guide someone to view a memory from a safe distance, or to reframe it in a way that restores a sense of control and compassion. For example, instead of feeling trapped in the moment of trauma, a person might be guided to see themselves as the strong survivor they are today.

Hypnosis can also help create “anchors”—mental and physical cues that help people return to calm when triggered. Combined with trauma-informed approaches like EMDR or CBT, hypnosis can be a powerful complement in the healing process.

Not a Quick Fix, but a Powerful Partner

It’s important to be clear: hypnosis is not a magic wand. It won’t erase years of fear or trauma overnight. What it can do is make the process of change easier, gentler, and often more effective. Research shows that hypnosis works best when combined with evidence-based therapies. For example, studies have found that pairing hypnosis with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can significantly improve results compared to CBT alone. Major medical institutions like the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic recognize its value for conditions such as anxiety, panic, PTSD, and phobias.

When practiced by a qualified professional, hypnosis becomes a tool—not the whole toolbox, but a powerful one that works alongside other therapeutic methods.

Empowering People Beyond the Session

One of the most empowering aspects of hypnosis is that it doesn’t stop when the session ends. Many hypnotherapists teach clients self-hypnosis, which can be used at home, at work, or in stressful moments. This allows people to manage anxiety, practice confidence, or calm themselves in real time. Over weeks and months, these skills add up to lasting change.

A Gentle Step Toward Change

If you struggle with anxiety, phobias, or the lingering weight of trauma, hypnotherapy may be worth exploring. At its core, hypnosis is about harnessing your own mind’s ability to relax, let go of the past, reframe, and heal. In the hands of a skilled therapist, it becomes a bridge between where you are now and where you want to be.

For many, hypnosis is not about becoming someone else—it’s about becoming more fully themselves: calmer, freer, and more resilient.

Eugene Roginsky, LCSW, is the owner of Bridge2Horizon Psychotherapy and Counseling Services PLLC in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He has been working with families, couples, and individuals since the 1990s on overcoming anxiety, phobias, and psychological trauma utilizing evidence-based therapies, EMDR, and hypnosis.

Resources for Further Reading