How Hypnotherapy Works with Other Relevant Therapies
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) are closely related. Both originated in the USA and, although it is not necessary to use hypnosis to practise CBT or NLP, hypnosis can be used as a powerful tool to increase the effectiveness of both methods.
Both CBT and NLP view people as being programmed in their thinking and emotions. Importantly, both approaches claim that through rational and practical methods, people do not need to be victims of their emotions or thinking. Even conditions often considered “irrational”, such as depression and obsessions, can be treated using the commonsense principles that both methods promote.
We are programmed from the time we are in the womb, both physically and mentally. Some of this programming is beneficial, some destructive, and much lies somewhere in between. The main aim of CBT and NLP is to make people aware of their programming and, through that awareness, enable them to change it.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is based on the ideas of Aaron Beck. He reacted against dominant therapeutic approaches that tended to take power away from individuals and cast them as passive cases for treatment.
In psychoanalysis, the focus was on unconscious forces controlling the person. In behavioural therapy, attention was placed on external factors such as environment or social situations. Biological therapies relied on medication or, in some cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Beck emphasised a commonsense approach, recognising that people often use their minds very effectively to deal with problems. CBT focuses on how people think, interpret events, and respond emotionally.
This aligns closely with hypnosis, where the individual’s mind accepts or rejects suggestions based on whether they feel appropriate. Even when seeking help, the person remains an active participant, using their own resources to create change.
Traditionally, CBT has not been practised within hypnosis. This is not due to incompatibility, but rather because CBT developed independently of hypnotic practice.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
By contrast, NLP has been closely linked with hypnosis since its inception. NLP was developed by modelling therapists who consistently achieved successful outcomes, including Milton Erickson, the pioneer of modern hypnotherapy.
NLP also draws on the work of Carl Rogers, the founder of client-centred counselling, which emphasises empathy, warmth and genuine listening. Many effective therapeutic approaches are incorporated into NLP through modelling.
The linguistic aspect of NLP refers to the language we use and how it shapes thought. For example, NLP challenges rigid ideas of success and failure. A well-known NLP phrase states:
“Nothing succeeds like failure and nothing fails like success.”
This highlights how perspective changes over time. Events initially seen as failures may later prove beneficial, and apparent successes may disappoint. NLP encourages people to draw meaning from their own experiences rather than adopting fixed interpretations.
CBT works in a very similar way.
Control, Resilience and Perspective
NLP emphasises that it is not what happens to us that matters most, but how we respond. Different people respond very differently to adversity.
Historical examples such as Nelson Mandela and Terry Waite demonstrate extraordinary resilience under extreme circumstances. Their experiences illustrate how internal resources shape outcomes.
Because NLP addresses how we think about problems, it can be applied to a wide range of issues, many of which overlap with hypnotherapy. Empowering language is central. For example:
- “He makes me angry”
- becomes
- “I allowed myself to feel angry in response.”
This shift restores personal responsibility and control.
Wisdom involves knowing what can be changed, what cannot, and recognising the difference. A useful principle is:
“I accept myself as I am, while accepting the possibility of change.”
Hypnosis reinforces belief, motivation and commitment at a deeper level, embedding constructive attitudes within the subconscious mind.
The Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic (VAK) Model
NLP recognises that people process experience primarily through one or more dominant sensory channels:
- Visual – relating through images and sight
- Auditory – relating through sound and language
- Kinaesthetic – relating through feelings and bodily sensations
Visual people respond well to imagery and colour. Auditory people are sensitive to tone, rhythm and internal dialogue. Kinaesthetic people respond best to physical sensations, breathing, and comfort.
In hypnosis, tailoring techniques to the individual’s dominant sense improves effectiveness. Many people are balanced across all three, in which case multisensory hypnosis can be especially powerful.
Anchoring
Anchoring helps people focus on positive internal resources while not denying difficulties.
Positive anchors may include:
- supportive thoughts or phrases
- feelings of love, friendship or joy
- reassuring sounds or voices
- meaningful memories or sensory experiences
Negative thoughts often arise automatically. Positive thoughts usually require conscious encouragement. In CBT these negative patterns are known as automatic negative thoughts (ANTs).
Hypnosis helps install more constructive thoughts so they begin to arise automatically.
Reframing
Reframing encourages awareness of choice. In every situation, people can choose:
- whether to act
- how to act
Hypnosis supports reframing by freeing the subconscious mind to generate alternative responses. Ideally, multiple choices are explored, reducing rigidity and helplessness.
Working with the Subconscious
CBT and NLP must ultimately work at the subconscious level, where old programming resides. Change can feel threatening because early patterns are deeply ingrained.
Life, however, requires change. Carl Jung observed:
“Life is about risk.”
Avoiding change often causes greater suffering than facing it.
The Superior Attitude
This NLP concept emphasises developing strength over weakness rather than superiority over others. It focuses on controlling reactions rather than events.
A key principle is:
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
This is the core freedom individuals possess each day.
Example Hypnotic Script: Superior Attitude
Each day you choose your attitude towards life.
You cannot change the past.
You cannot control how others behave.
But you can control your response.
Your attitude is more important than circumstances, success or failure, money or education.
Even at the end of life, attitude remains within your control. As Voltaire said on his deathbed:
“Now the great adventure begins.”
CBT and NLP as Commonsense Therapies
Both CBT and NLP emphasise practical understanding. Once a problem is understood, commonsense strategies can be applied and reinforced through hypnosis.
Hypnosis helps embed new ways of thinking into the subconscious, replacing old patterns.
Psychosynthesis and the Self
Psychosynthesis focuses on moving toward what we want rather than away from what we don’t want.
It emphasises the Self — the deeper, enduring aspect of identity that guides purpose and resilience. This is distinct from the everyday “self” with which we often identify.
Over-identification with harmful behaviours (such as smoking, overeating or overworking) weakens wellbeing. Psychosynthesis teaches that:
We are dominated by what we identify with, but can control what we do not identify with.
The Self remains present throughout life and is a source of strength during adversity.
Your Inner Strength
This exercise develops access to inner strength through self-hypnosis. Visual individuals may imagine descending stairs to meet the Self or inner teacher. Others may experience this through feeling or inner dialogue.
The aim is to access deep internal resources that support resilience and change.
Conclusion
CBT, NLP and Psychosynthesis are powerful therapies in their own right. When combined with hypnosis, their effectiveness increases through reinforcement at the subconscious level.
Repetition of positive thoughts and attitudes is essential to overcome negative programming. Hypnosis provides a gentle and effective way to establish lasting change, bringing problems under control or eliminating them entirely.
Psychotherapy provides a supportive clinical space where individuals can explore deeper emotional themes and long-term relational dynamics, while hypnotherapy complements this by accessing the subconscious mind to reinforce positive change. If you are considering how CBT, NLP or hypnotherapy might fit with your personal therapeutic goals, a professional psychotherapist in Newport can help you decide the most appropriate combination of approaches for your needs.