How can Switch-Up Hypnotherapy help me overcome depression?

Published on 21 October 2025 at 13:30

At Switch-Up Hypnotherapy, many clients first come to us with anxiety, panic attacks, or PTSD. Depression often shows up alongside these conditions, but it’s also a unique challenge on its own. This page will help you understand:

  • How depression differs from (but overlaps with) anxiety

  • The role of trauma and PTSD in shaping depression

  • What hypnotherapy actually is – and what it isn’t

  • How research supports hypnotherapy for depression and PTSD

  • How Switch-Up’s unique approach works in practice

  • Practical tips you can use between sessions

  • Common concerns and questions people have before starting

 

Understanding Depression vs Anxiety

Many people confuse depression and anxiety, or assume they’re the same thing. They often occur together, but they affect you differently.

  • Anxiety is usually future-focused: it’s about what might go wrong. It heightens the stress response, makes you restless, and keeps your nervous system “switched on.”

  • Depression is more past- or present-focused: it’s about feeling stuck, flat, or hopeless. It drains motivation and colours your outlook.

The two often fuel each other. Long-term anxiety can wear you down into depression. Living with depression can make you anxious about whether you’ll ever recover.

👉 If you’re asking “Do I have depression or anxiety – or both?” you’re not alone. Many clients don’t fit neatly into one box, and part of our work is clarifying what’s happening for you.

 

(Cleveland Clinic - https://health.clevelandclinic.org/anxiety-vs-depression-which-do-i-have-or-both)

Potential Causes of Depression and Anxiety

 

There isn’t one single cause. Often it’s a combination of factors, such as:

  • Trauma: single events (accidents, loss) or ongoing experiences (abuse, neglect, bullying)

  • Genetics / family history: a higher risk if depression runs in your family

  • Brain function: imbalances in stress or mood regulation systems

  • Life stressors: work loss, relationship breakdown, illness, financial strain

  • Thinking patterns: rumination, self-criticism, negative beliefs

  • Environment: lack of support, isolation, unstable childhood experiences

  • Physical health: chronic pain, sleep problems, hormonal changes, poor nutrition

 

👉 Depression often builds up over time, with stress and negative beliefs piling up until it feels impossible to move forward. Anxiety often starts with anticipating threat or danger. But both can trap you in a cycle of exhaustion and hopelessness.

 

PTSD and Complex PTSD: Why They Matter for Depression

 

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) develops after experiencing or witnessing trauma. Complex PTSD results from repeated trauma over time – often during childhood or in situations where escape wasn’t possible.

 

Common PTSD/Complex PTSD symptoms include:

  • Flashbacks or intrusive memories

  • Nightmares and disturbed sleep

  • Hypervigilance: being “on edge,” easily startled, or irritable

  • Avoidance of reminders of trauma

  • Negative mood and self-beliefs: guilt, shame, hopelessness

 

👉 How PTSD connects with depression:

  • The constant stress response drains your energy and resilience

  • Trauma-related negative beliefs (“I’m worthless,” “I’ll never be safe”) feed depression

  • Avoidance and withdrawal lead to isolation and hopelessness

This is why we always screen for PTSD/Complex PTSD when clients come in with depression. Addressing the underlying trauma often creates the biggest shift.

 

What is Hypnotherapy?

 

A lot of people are curious – or sceptical – about hypnotherapy. Let’s clear a few things up.

 

Instead, it’s a state of relaxed, focused awareness where your mind is more open to helpful suggestions and new ways of seeing things. In this state, we can:

  • Access the subconscious patterns that drive low mood and self-doubt

  • Reframe traumatic memories so they lose their emotional “sting”

  • Replace negative beliefs with healthier, more compassionate ones

  • Support the work of therapies like CBT by making change stick more deeply

 

👉 Many clients describe it as “finally being able to think and feel differently – not just trying to force it.”

 

The Science Behind Hypnotherapy

 

Research supports hypnotherapy for depression, PTSD, anxiety. Some highlights:

So hypnotherapy is evidence-based (moderate to strong in many cases), though as always, individual results vary.

 

Different Hypnotherapy Approaches & When They’re Used

Here are some of the approaches you’ll see in hypnotherapy, and how they suit different issues:

How Switch-Up Hypnotherapy Works

 

Here’s how you can expect it to be when you come to Switch-Up:

 

  1. Initial Consultation

    • We talk through your history: mood, patterns, trauma, current symptoms.

    • We explore what’s working, what isn’t, your goals.

    • We screen for PTSD / Complex PTSD if needed.

    • We assess what kind of depression: mild, moderate, severe; onset; presence of anxiety.

  2. Personalised Treatment Plan Integrating Cognitive-Behavioural Strategies

    • If you have negative self-beliefs, rumination, we use CBT tools: recognising automatic thoughts, challenging them, behaviour activation (doing things even if small).

    • Hypnotherapy techniques selected to suit: relaxation, imagery, suggestion, parts work, reprocessing trauma.

    • If PTSD or Complex PTSD, we may use imagery rescripting, gradual exposure (in safe way), working with triggers, reducing avoidance.

  3. Session Structure

    • Preparation: relaxation, establishing safety.

    • Induction of hypnosis: bringing you to a focused, calm state.

    • Therapeutic work: suggestions & reframing; working with past experiences; integrating new beliefs; perhaps rewriting internal narratives.

    • Post-hypnotic suggestions: things you do “outside” the session to reinforce changes.

    • (Potentially) Homework / outside tasks: CBT worksheets, self-hypnosis, journaling, behaviour tasks.

  4. Ongoing Support

    • Follow-up sessions are offered to review progress, adjust plan.

    • Maintenance to guard against relapse.

    • Tools you can use yourself between sessions.

 

The Role of Hypnotherapy in Treating PTSD / Complex PTSD

 

Because trauma can complicate depression, here’s how hypnotherapy addresses it:

  • Helps you safely revisit traumatic memories without being overwhelmed (dissociation, stabilisation).

  • Reduces the emotional and physiological reactivity to triggers.

  • Integrates traumatic memories so they lose the power to disrupt your mood constantly.

  • Works on negative core beliefs (e.g., “I’m worthless”, “I’m unsafe”) that often come with PTSD / Complex PTSD.

  • Helps rebuild sense of safety, control, self-esteem.

Research: moderate-to-low quality evidence shows hypnotherapy improves PTSD symptoms compared to no treatment.  https://library.neura.edu.au/ptsd-library/treatment/psychological-treatments/therapies-psychological-treatments/hypnotherapy/index.html

 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) + Hypnotherapy

 

When CBT is paired with hypnotherapy, the two reinforce each other:

 

What Makes Switch-Up Hypnotherapy Different - The Benefits

 

Here are the benefits you’ll get with Switch-Up:

  • Personalised plan for your depression, not one-size fits all.

  • Integration of hypnotherapy with CBT and trauma-informed care.

  • Safe space: emphasis on establishing safety, especially when working with PTSD or Complex PTSD.

  • Practical tools you can use every day, not just in sessions.

  • Ongoing support: not just “come in, do some sessions, end” but follow through to prevent relapse.

  • Evidence-based practice: we draw on up-to-date research, clinical trials.

 

 

Initial Consultation – What to Expect

 

When you first come to Switch-Up Hypnotherapy:

  • We talk: your history, what you’re feeling, when depression started, what makes it worse or better.

  • We explore anxiety, PTSD symptoms, how they interact with depression.

  • We set goals: “What do you want to feel differently?” “What are small changes that will matter to you?”

  • We assess suitability: on rare occasions other supports (medical, psychiatric) may also be needed.

  • And then I explain the process: what hypnotherapy is, what CBT is, how trauma work may fit in.

 

Common Concerns Clients Ask

  • Will I lose control?
    No. You remain aware and in control throughout.

  • Will I remember the session?
    Yes, though you may feel deeply relaxed, like a daydream.

  • Do I need to stop my medication first?
    No. Hypnotherapy works alongside medical or psychiatric treatment. We sometimes recommend combining them.

  • What if I don’t go “deep” enough?
    You don’t need to. Even light hypnosis can be effective.

  • How many sessions will I need?
    It varies, but most people notice changes within 3–6 sessions. Some with complex trauma benefit from longer support.

DIY Tips for Managing Depression (Between Sessions)

 

Here are some practical things you can try yourself:

  1. Behaviour Activation

    • Even when you don’t feel like it, schedule small activities you used to enjoy.

    • Set very small goals (e.g. walk 10 minutes, call a friend).

  2. Mindfulness / Relaxation Practices

    • Breathing exercises, body scans, meditation.

    • Can reduce rumination and calm the nervous system.

  3. Self-Hypnosis / Guided Imagery

    • Use recordings or scripts (we may supply some) to help you relax, imagine safer scenes, build positive self-beliefs.

  4. Cognitive Work

    • Keep a thought diary: when you notice negative thoughts (“I will never improve”, “I’m worthless”), write them down.

    • Challenge them: “What is evidence for/against this? What would I say to a friend in my position?”

  5. Physical Health

    • Sleep hygiene (consistent times, limit screens before bed).

    • Nutrition: simple, balanced diet - making healthier choices when you decide between options..

    • Movement: whatever you can manage (walking, stretching, light exercise).

  6. Social Support & Routine

    • Connect with people you trust - even when it’s hard.

    • Have a structured daily routine.

  7. Journaling

    • Write down what’s going well, moments of relief, things you are grateful for, however small.

    • Focus on your progress - not an end goal.

 

Good to Know

 

  • Hypnotherapy is powerful, but not magic. If depression is severe (risk of self-harm, suicidal thoughts), you’ll need psychiatric / psychological support. As part of my training in Cert IV Mental Health, I am competent in trauma-informed care, working with people with alcohol and other drugs, and people at risk of suicide.

  • Sometimes depression has biological underpinnings (e.g. hormonal, neurological) that benefit from medication or medical treatment.

  • Trauma work can bring up distressing emotions; you need to feel safe with a therapist you trust - I would be honoured if you choose me.

  • Progress may be gradual, with ups and downs. Some relapse risk remains; ongoing support helps.

 

Why You Should Choose Switch-Up Hypnotherapy

 

You might choose Switch-Up Hypnotherapy if:

  • You want relief from depression, not just its symptoms.

  • You believe that past trauma or negative beliefs are holding you back.

  • You want a treatment plan that uses hypnotherapy + CBT + trauma-informed approaches.

  • You prefer a therapist who will support you over time, not just one or two sessions.

 

Make a booking now

 

Luke O'Dwyer

+61 407 88 45 43

SwitchUpHypnotherapy@gmail.com 

 

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