Is Hypnotherapy available on the NHS?
Can I get free hypnotherapy treatment on the NHS?
Is there a list of NHS approved hypnotherapists?
Sadly, the answer to these questions is ‘no’.
There are a number of statements made by practitioners which could mislead you into believing that either funding is available through the NHS or that they are endorsed or recommended by the NHS, such as:-
- ‘NHS Provider Number‘ .
- In fact, this is simply a reference number used for accounting purposes by the NHS and any person can apply for this; it does not denote any kind of endorsement, credibility or validation whatsoever.
- ‘NHS Directory of Therapists‘
- There is no such directory. If you find a therapist advertising such a listing, it is likely to be a reference to the NHSTA directory (see below).
- ‘NHSta Directory of Complementary and Alternative Practitioners‘
- This is a listing of therapists published by an independent business. The company accepts advertisements from practitioners who are ‘willing to work’ with the NHS. It is not connected to the NHS in any way and no therapist listed is endorsed by the NHS.
For the NHS to fund or part-fund treatment with a fully trained, qualified and registered hypnotherapist, an application will need to be made through your own GP. Even if successful, the process will take a considerable time.
Private health or medical insurance companies, benevolent societies and other unions or corporations have their own procedures and rules to follow regarding payments to complementary or alternative therapists, so contact them directly for details.
At my practice, I get a small but steady stream of clients for Curative Hypnotherapy from doctors, midwives, dentists and other health professionals in the region, but these are usually recommendations, rather than referrals.