Chemotherapy-related nausea support using hypnotherapy (2 sessions)

(All identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.)

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Client: Woman in her 50s

 

Format: Online sessions (Zoom)

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Presenting concern

The client was undergoing chemotherapy and reached out a few days before her next cycle. Following her previous treatment, she experienced severe nausea, leaving her unable to eat or drink adequately for several days. She described feeling emotionally overwhelmed and worried about coping with upcoming treatments.

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After reading evidence online that hypnotherapy may support chemotherapy-related nausea, she contacted me for urgent support prior to her next round.

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Goals

Together we focused on

• Reducing the intensity and duration of nausea during and after chemotherapy

• Supporting her ability to eat, drink and rest more comfortably

• Increasing calm and confidence by addressing anticipatory anxiety around treatment

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Intervention

We worked across two sessions

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Session 1 – Relaxation and nervous system support

A stabilising hypnotherapy session designed to reduce stress and settle the body’s threat response, with calming imagery and an “anchor” she could use between sessions.

Session 2 – Nausea-focused hypnotherapy

A targeted hypnotherapy session using nausea-reduction suggestions, mind–body imagery, and conditioning techniques to help strengthen a calmer physical response during chemotherapy.

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Following each session, the client received a personalised audio recording to use in the days leading up to treatment, during chemotherapy (where appropriate), and afterwards.

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Outcome (client-reported)

The client reported a dramatic reduction in nausea during her next chemotherapy cycle - describing the improvement as “tremendous” and noting that she barely experienced nausea at all. She also reported that the nausea did not return in subsequent cycles, and that she felt more able to cope with the remainder of her treatment.

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Client feedback

“The difference was tremendous, I barely had any nausea at all… I now have only one treatment to go and have not been troubled with any more nausea. I am so grateful for finding this solution and will definitely consider hypnotherapy if needed in the future.”

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Note

Hypnotherapy is offered as a complementary support alongside medical treatment, not a replacement. Outcomes vary, and clients should always follow guidance from their oncology team.