Key Takeaways
- 65.8% of Australian adults live with overweight or obesity (ABS National Health Survey, 2022).
- Hypnosis as an adjunct to CBT showed greater improvement than at least 70% of CBT-alone participants (Kirsch et al., Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1995).
- A review by Milling, Gover and Moriarty (2018) found hypnotic interventions show benefit for weight management, particularly around self-control and motivation.
- Hypnotherapy is not a magic fix. It works best alongside realistic nutrition, movement, and sleep.
If you’ve searched “does hypnotherapy work for weight loss Australia,” you’ve probably found one of two answers: it’s a miracle, or it’s worthless. Neither is true.
At Make Changes NLP & Hypnotherapy, Wendy Gadsby doesn’t promise instant results. What she does is work with the patterns underneath eating behaviour — the emotional triggers, the automatic habits, the beliefs that keep you stuck — using a practical, evidence-informed approach.
How It Works
Most people already know what they should do. The problem isn’t information. It’s doing it consistently when life gets stressful, tiring, or emotional.
Hypnotherapy uses a focused, relaxed state to work with the subconscious patterns that drive automatic behaviour. You’re not asleep. You’re not being controlled. You’re guided into a state where your mind becomes more receptive to new associations — reaching for a walk instead of the fridge after work, pausing before emotional eating, feeling satisfied with less.
A meta-analysis by Kirsch, Montgomery and Sapirstein (1995) found that adding hypnosis to cognitive behavioural therapy produced significantly better outcomes than CBT alone. A more recent review by Milling, Gover and Moriarty (2018, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis) found hypnotic interventions show benefit for weight management, particularly around self-control, motivation, and eating behaviour.
The evidence doesn’t say hypnosis melts kilos. It says hypnosis can help change the behaviours that influence weight — and that’s a more honest and useful claim.
Stress and sleep matter too. Research links stress with increased preference for high-fat, high-sugar foods (Adam & Epel, Physiology and Behavior, 2007). Short sleep is associated with higher body weight (Patel & Hu, Obesity, 2008). Hypnotherapy can support both stress regulation and sleep routines — two things that directly affect eating.
What to Expect
Your first session starts with a real conversation. What triggers your eating? Stress? Boredom? Reward? When did the pattern start? Wendy builds the session around what’s actually happening for you.
During hypnosis, you sit comfortably. Eyes closed. You’re guided into deep relaxation. Suggestions are specific — pausing before emotional eating, noticing fullness, choosing food that supports you rather than punishes you. You stay in control throughout.
Between sessions, you practise. Not perfectly. Just consistently. The people who get the best results treat hypnotherapy as a skill to build, not a pill to take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hypnotherapy actually work for weight loss?
It can — by changing the behaviours, emotional patterns, and automatic responses that influence eating. It’s not a guarantee, and it works best as part of a broader lifestyle approach.
What does hypnosis feel like?
Like deep relaxation with focused attention. Most people describe it as similar to daydreaming. You’re not “out of it.”
How many sessions?
Varies. Some notice changes quickly. Longer-standing patterns may need more sessions.
Is it just for emotional eating?
Emotional eating is a common reason people come in, but hypnotherapy can also help with portion control, cravings, motivation, and identity around food.
About the Author
Wendy Gadsby founded Make Changes NLP & Hypnotherapy in Melbourne. Certified Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner, and NLP Master Practitioner with over 15 years of experience and 5,000+ clients supported. Her approach is practical, direct, and grounded in real behaviour change.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for general education only. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. Hypnotherapy may support weight loss efforts but is not a substitute for advice from a qualified health professional. If you have a medical condition, eating disorder history, or complex health needs, speak with an appropriate health professional.