That familiar feeling of reaching for another biscuit when you’re not even hungry, or finishing an entire bag of crisps whilst watching television, can leave you feeling frustrated and out of control. Overeating often has little to do with physical hunger and everything to do with emotions, habits, and unconscious patterns that feel impossible to break.

Hypnotherapy works by accessing the subconscious mind where these eating patterns are stored. Rather than relying on willpower alone, it helps address the underlying triggers and creates new, healthier responses to food. What if you could sit down for a meal and naturally stop when satisfied, feeling completely at peace with your choices?

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to create a trance-like state of heightened awareness. In this relaxed state, your conscious mind becomes quieter whilst your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions and new ways of thinking.

Contrary to stage hypnosis, therapeutic hypnosis is a collaborative process where you remain in complete control. You’ll be aware of everything happening around you, able to speak and move if needed. Think of it as similar to that drowsy feeling just before you fall asleep, or when you’re so absorbed in a book that you lose track of time.

During this focused state, a qualified hypnotherapist can help you explore the thoughts, emotions, and beliefs that drive your eating behaviours. The aim is to reprogram unhelpful patterns and strengthen your natural ability to make conscious food choices. Your mind becomes like fertile soil, ready to receive and nurture new, healthier habits around food.

How Effective Is Hypnotherapy for Overeating?

Overeating often stems from complex interactions between emotional triggers, learned behaviours, and neurological reward pathways. When stress, boredom, or difficult emotions arise, your brain may automatically reach for food as a coping mechanism, even when your body doesn’t need nourishment.

Hypnotherapy works by helping to rewire these automatic responses at a subconscious level. Research published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found that participants using hypnotherapy for weight management showed significant improvements compared to diet-only approaches. Studies from Stanford University have also demonstrated that hypnotherapy can help alter brain activity patterns related to eating behaviours.

Imagine your relationship with food becoming like a calm conversation rather than an urgent demand. Many clients describe feeling as though a switch has been gently adjusted, allowing them to notice fullness signals they’d previously ignored. Sarah, a teacher from Manchester, found that after several sessions, she began naturally leaving food on her plate without the internal struggle she’d experienced for years.

The effectiveness often depends on addressing related patterns too. Many people find their overeating is connected to emotional eating or specific triggers around comfort eating. Research suggests that hypnotherapy’s strength lies in its ability to work with both the conscious desire to change and the unconscious patterns that maintain problematic eating.

Individual results vary considerably, and hypnotherapy works best when combined with practical strategies and ongoing support. The key is finding the approach that resonates with your particular situation and underlying triggers.

What Happens in a Session for Overeating?

Your first session typically begins with a detailed conversation about your eating patterns, triggers, and goals. Your hypnotherapist will want to understand when overeating tends to happen, what emotions or situations precede it, and what you’d like your relationship with food to look like instead.

During the hypnosis portion, you’ll be guided into a comfortable, relaxed state. Your hypnotherapist might use techniques like progressive muscle relaxation or breathing exercises. Once you’re in this focused state, they’ll introduce suggestions tailored to your specific challenges.

These might include visualising yourself eating slowly and mindfully, strengthening your awareness of hunger and fullness signals, or developing new responses to emotional triggers. Some sessions might involve mental rehearsal, where you imagine handling challenging food situations with confidence and control.

You might also explore the positive feelings associated with making healthy choices, or work on building a stronger sense of self-compassion around food. The language used is typically gentle and empowering, focusing on what you want to achieve rather than what you’re trying to avoid.

Sessions usually last 50-60 minutes, and many hypnotherapists provide audio recordings for you to use at home. This helps reinforce the positive suggestions and gives you a tool to use whenever you need extra support.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy

Many people worry they’ll lose control during hypnosis or be made to do something against their will. In therapeutic hypnosis, you remain fully aware and in control throughout the session. You can’t be hypnotised against your will or made to act against your core values.

Another common myth is that hypnotherapy only works on weak-minded or gullible people. Actually, research suggests that people with good concentration and imagination often respond particularly well to hypnosis. Intelligence and strong focus are assets, not barriers.

Some people believe hypnotherapy provides instant, magical results. Whilst some clients notice changes quite quickly, sustainable change typically develops gradually over several sessions. Think of it as learning a new skill rather than flicking a switch.

There’s also confusion between stage hypnosis and therapeutic hypnotherapy. Stage hypnosis is entertainment designed to create dramatic effects, whilst therapeutic hypnosis is a gentle, collaborative process focused on your wellbeing and goals.

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Overeating?

The number of sessions varies depending on how long-standing your eating patterns are, what’s driving them, and how you respond to hypnotherapy. Most hypnotherapists suggest starting with 4-6 sessions to allow time for new patterns to develop and strengthen.

Some clients notice subtle shifts after just one or two sessions, such as feeling more aware of their eating or finding it easier to pause before reaching for food. Others find that changes develop more gradually, with each session building on the previous work.

Complex eating patterns that are deeply connected to emotions or trauma may require more sessions. Your hypnotherapist should be able to give you a clearer idea after your initial consultation, based on your specific situation and goals.

Many people find it helpful to space sessions 1-2 weeks apart initially, allowing time to practise new behaviours between appointments. Some choose to have occasional maintenance sessions to reinforce positive changes and address any new challenges that arise.

Is Hypnotherapy Right for Me?

Hypnotherapy tends to work well for people who are motivated to change their eating patterns and open to exploring the psychological aspects of their relationship with food. If you’ve tried willpower-based approaches without lasting success, hypnotherapy might offer a different path forward.

It’s particularly suitable if you recognise emotional or habitual triggers in your eating, or if you struggle with unconscious overeating. However, it works best as part of a holistic approach that might include nutritional guidance and addressing any underlying health issues.

Consider whether you’re comfortable with the idea of relaxation techniques and guided imagery. Most people find hypnosis pleasant and calming, but it’s important that you feel at ease with the process. Some people with certain mental health conditions may need to consult their healthcare provider before beginning hypnotherapy.

If your overeating is part of a broader pattern involving food addiction or other compulsive behaviours, hypnotherapy can still be valuable alongside other support.

Explore more about hypnotherapy for Addictions & Compulsions.

The best way to know if hypnotherapy is right for you is to speak with a qualified hypnotherapist who can assess your individual situation and explain how they might approach your particular challenges with overeating.

Is Hypnotherapy as Effective Online?

This session can be conducted online from anywhere in the world—research published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare has demonstrated that online hypnotherapy is equally effective as in-person sessions for anxiety, with the added benefits of convenience and accessibility from your own comfortable environment. 

Many clients find that being in their own space actually helps them relax more deeply. 

If after that initial session you feel hypnotherapy isn’t right for you, there’s no obligation to continue. 

Book your introductory session and discover whether this approach resonates with you.