Feeling Anxious After Hypnotherapy? Here’s Why It’s Normal - and How to Move Forward

Have you ever left a hypnotherapy session feeling calmer, only to find a wave of anxiety wash over you later? You’re not alone - and it doesn’t mean the therapy “didn’t work.” In fact, post-hypnotherapy anxiety can be a sign that real change is happening deep within your subconscious.

Below, we explore why you might feel anxious after hypnotherapy, what the research tells us, and practical steps you can take to integrate these powerful shifts into lasting wellbeing.

1. It’s Part of Emotional Processing

Hypnotherapy works by accessing the subconscious mind, where long-buried emotions and memories reside. When these thoughts begin to surface, an initial period of anxiety or restlessness can occur.

• Data Insight: A survey in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found that 30% of clients report a temporary increase in anxiety or emotional intensity in the days following their first few sessions.

• Why it happens: Just as processing grief or trauma in counselling can feel unsettling, hypnotherapy can unlock emotions you’ve managed to suppress. This “release” phase is a healthy step toward healing.

2. Old Thought Patterns Are Being Disrupted

When negative beliefs, like “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t cope”, start to loosen their grip, your mind can feel unsteady. Disrupting these patterns is precisely the goal of hypnotherapy, but change can feel strange before it feels better.

• Statistic: Research from the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis shows that 45% of clients experience mild discomfort or “cognitive turbulence” during the integration phase.

• The upside: That turbulence means your brain is rewiring itself. As your new, positive suggestions take root, the old anxiety-generating loops gradually fade.

3. Anxiety Is Often Short-Lived

And the good news? Post-hypnotherapy anxiety usually passes quickly. Just as a deep tissue massage can leave you tender before new muscle tone emerges, your mind can feel sore before it feels stronger.

• Findings: In follow-up studies, 80% of participants reported that any heightened anxiety resolved within 3–5 days of their session.

• Tip: Plan lighter days immediately after your hypnotherapy appointment. Schedule gentle activities, such as walking in nature or reading, to give your mind the space to settle.

4. Strategies to Soothe Post-Hypnosis Anxiety

You don’t have to ride out these feelings alone. Simple, evidence-based techniques can help your nervous system to recalibrate:

• Mindful journaling: Writing for just 10 minutes a day can reduce anxiety by 20%, according to research in Behaviour Research and Therapy. Note any thoughts or feelings that arose during your session: acknowledging them helps release their hold. Sharing them with your therapist in your next session could also be useful.

• Deep-breathing exercises: Practise box breathing (inhale 4 counts, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) to activate your body’s relaxation response.

• Gentle movement: Yoga or a slow walk can lower cortisol - your stress hormone - by up to 30%, a study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found.

• Follow-up support: A short counselling check-in can ensure you’re integrating insights safely and effectively.

5. Combating Anxiety with Ongoing Therapy

Hypnotherapy is most powerful when combined with ongoing support. Counselling, CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) can reinforce your new mindset and tackle any lingering anxieties head-on.

• Evidence: A clinical review in Psychotherapy Research showed that clients who combined hypnotherapy with CBT experienced a 50% greater reduction in anxiety symptoms than those using either therapy as a standalone treatment.

• Our approach: At OLIP Therapy, we tailor a personalised programme, blending hypnotherapy with counselling or specialised EMDR sessions, to help you integrate positive change smoothly and sustainably.

Ready to Transform Anxiety into Empowerment?

Feeling anxious after hypnotherapy can be unsettling, but it’s often a sign that profound healing is underway. With the right strategies and professional support, you can harness these shifts to build lasting calm, confidence, and resilience.

If you’re tired of riding the emotional rollercoaster alone, contact OLIP Therapy today. Our experienced team is here to guide you—through gentle hypnotherapy, compassionate counselling, and powerful EMDR—toward a life free from persistent anxiety. Whether it’s in-person sessions you are interested in, or would rather access our services online, contact us today.

📞 Call us on 0800 970 4776
🌐 Visit www.oliptherapy.co.uk

Take the first step to ease post-hypnosis anxiety and embrace the positive change you deserve. Your journey to lasting wellbeing starts now.