Research into clinical hypnotherapy has expanded significantly over recent decades. Studies conducted by universities, medical centres, and peer-reviewed journals demonstrate how utilising deep relaxation and subconscious suggestion can serve as a supportive adjunct for habit change, stress management, and physical comfort.

Below is an overview of key clinical studies and meta-analyses examining the application of hypnotherapy across various health and wellness goals.

Research on Supporting Smoking Cessation

• Comparative Method Effectiveness: A large meta-analysis published in the Journal of Applied Psychology (combining results across 600 studies involving over 72,000 individuals) evaluated various non-pharmacological and behavioural strategies for breaking smoking habits. On average, hypnosis was shown to be significantly more effective than attempting to quit through willpower alone or standard self-help methods.
• Source: University of Iowa, Journal of Applied Psychology (1992).
• Long-Term Abstinence & Support: A study examining guided health imagery and hypnosis for smoking cessation found that participants utilising hypnotherapy were twice as likely to remain smoke-free at a two-year follow-up compared to those attempting to quit without structured intervention.
• Source: Journal of Nursing Scholarship (2005).
• Clinical Protocol Outcomes: Research conducted at the University of Washington School of Medicine evaluated a structured hypnotherapy protocol for smoking cessation, reporting an overwhelming majority of participants remaining abstinent at long-term follow-up intervals.
• Source: International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (2001).

Studies on Weight Management & Mindful Eating

• Enhancing Behavioural Approaches: A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology analysed 18 studies comparing cognitive behavioural treatments (such as goal setting and relaxation) against the same treatments supplemented by hypnotherapy. Results indicated that participants receiving hypnotic adjuncts lost more weight and maintained their progress more effectively at two-year follow-ups.
• Source: University of Connecticut, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1996).
• Long-Term Habit Integration: In a study comparing behavioural weight management with and without hypnosis, researchers found that while both groups achieved initial weight loss, participants who utilised hypnotherapy continued to maintain and build upon their weight management goals at 8-month and 2-year follow-up periods.
• Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1985).

Research on Pain Management & Surgical Recovery

• Nervous System Modulation: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan research measuring regional cerebral blood flow during hypnotically-induced relaxation demonstrated that hypnotic suggestion engages cortical and subcortical dynamics in the brain, helping to alter sensory pain processing pathways.
• Source: Karolinska Institute, European Journal of Pain (1999).
• Reducing Procedural & Acute Discomfort: A comprehensive review from the University of Washington School of Medicine concluded that clinical hypnotherapy has a reliable and significant impact on easing both acute procedural distress and chronic discomfort across diverse clinical populations.
• Source: Psychological Bulletin (2003).
• Supporting Surgical Comfort: Research from the University of Liège evaluating over 1,400 surgical procedures noted that incorporating hypnosis alongside standard care contributed to improved patient comfort, reduced surgical anxiety, and faster recovery times.
• Source: Service d’Anesthésie-Réanimation, Université de Liège (1998).

Convenient Online Consultations via Zoom

All sessions with Lorna Jackson are conducted securely online via Zoom, allowing you to access dedicated, evidence-informed mindset coaching from the safety, quiet, and comfort of your home.

• Approved Telehealth Standards: Delivered in full alignment with online hypnotherapy practice standards set by peak Australian professional bodies, including the Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association (AHA).

A Brief Note on Individual Progress

Clinical hypnotherapy is a collaborative process that relies on your active engagement and willingness to create positive change. Because every individual’s background, history, and subconscious responses are unique, progress and individual outcomes naturally vary. Hypnotherapy provides supportive mindset tools and is not a substitute for formal medical, psychological, or psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.