Alternative therapy include approaches such as hypnotherapy, Reiki, kinesiology, mindfulness and sound therapy. Some have evidence for particular uses, while others mainly support relaxation and general wellbeing.

Hypnotherapy has promising or established evidence for selected applications, including procedural anxiety, pain and gut-directed treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Reiki and kinesiology have far less reliable evidence for treating diagnosed conditions.

More than 27,000 Australians have turned to Bark for hypnotherapy, while over 1,300 have sought Reiki support. The platform connects customers with more than 430 hypnotherapists and 360 Reiki practitioners across Australia.

Compare alternative therapy practitioners through Bark by their qualifications, experience and approach before arranging a session.

The term “alternative therapy” covers practices that differ considerably in how they work, what they claim to address and how closely they’ve been studied.

Some are structured around a defined concern, while others focus on creating a relaxing or reflective experience. Here’s what the evidence supports and what to check before booking.

What types of alternative therapy are there?

Alternative therapy covers a broad range of approaches, from mind-based techniques such as hypnotherapy and mindfulness to practices such as Reiki, kinesiology, EFT tapping and sound therapy.

Some are used with a specific goal in mind. Hypnotherapy, for example, may focus on anxiety, phobias, pain or behaviour change, while mindfulness-based approaches are often used to manage stress and emotional wellbeing.

Others, including Reiki and sound therapy, are more commonly chosen for relaxation and general wellbeing rather than treatment of a diagnosed condition.

The evidence also differs considerably between therapies. Mindfulness and some forms of hypnotherapy have been studied more extensively, while research supporting Reiki, kinesiology and similar approaches remains much more limited.

Types of alternative therapy in Australia

Life coaching falls outside the usual clinical definition of therapy or alternative therapy, for that matter. People often choose it when they need structure, accountability or help moving towards a practical goal in their lives.

A life coach cannot diagnose or treat a mental health condition. Therapy or medical care is more appropriate where trauma, severe distress or a diagnosed condition is central to the problem.

Do alternative therapies actually work or is it placebo?

Whether an alternative therapy works depends on the approach and the outcome it is being used for. Reducing a symptom is not the same as treating a diagnosed condition, so the quality of evidence matters.

Some therapies have better support than others

Hypnotherapy has been studied for pain, procedural anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, phobias and smoking cessation. Results vary by use, with clearer benefits in some areas than others.

Mindfulness-based approaches also have evidence for reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety and low mood. They are commonly used alongside psychological care rather than as a substitute for it.

Reiki has much less clinical support. Some people report feeling calmer after a session, but studies have not shown that it reliably improves anxiety disorders or other diagnosed health conditions.

Feeling better is not the same as treating a condition

The placebo question is more nuanced than simply deciding whether a therapy is “real” or “not real”.

Relaxation, personal attention and the expectation of feeling better can all influence how someone feels after a session. Those effects can still be meaningful to the person receiving the therapy.

What matters clinically is whether the approach produces benefits beyond that experience and whether those benefits have been shown consistently in research.

The outcome being claimed matters

Alternative therapies should not be judged as one group because the evidence differs widely between approaches and conditions.

Hypnotherapy may be useful for one concern and far less useful for another. Reiki may provide relaxation without having reliable support as a treatment for a diagnosed condition.

The most useful way to assess any approach is to look at the specific outcome it is being used for, the quality of the evidence behind it and whether other medical or psychological care is also needed.

What’s the difference between hypnotherapy and Reiki?

Hypnotherapy and Reiki are often placed under the same broad label, but their methods and intended outcomes differ.

Hypnotherapy is verbal and goal-directed. The practitioner uses relaxation, focused attention and suggestions connected to a concern such as pain, anxiety or a habit.

Reiki is usually non-verbal. The client lies or sits while the practitioner places their hands lightly on or above different areas of the body.

Hypnotherapy vs Reiki

During Reiki, some people report warmth, tingling or deep relaxation. Others notice little beyond the quiet setting.

A practitioner might suggest several appointments, but there’s no clinically established number of Reiki sessions required to treat a condition.

Which alternative therapy has the best evidence for anxiety?

Mindfulness is one of the better-supported options for managing anxiety symptoms, particularly when used as part of a broader mental health plan.

Hypnotherapy may also help in some situations. Studies have found benefits for anxiety linked to medical or dental procedures, and it can sometimes be useful alongside psychological treatment.

Its usefulness is less clear for conditions such as panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and generalised anxiety. Results vary depending on the type of anxiety and how hypnotherapy is used.

Reiki may help some people feel calmer during or after a session, but there’s little reliable support for using it to treat an anxiety disorder itself.

If anxiety is persistent, severe or affecting daily life, start with a general practitioner, psychologist or qualified counsellor. Alternative therapies are better considered as additional support rather than the main form of care in these situations.

Bark’s individual therapy and counselling service includes professionals who work specifically with anxiety and related concerns.

What conditions has hypnotherapy been studied for?

Hypnotherapy has been explored across a range of physical and psychological concerns, but its usefulness varies considerably depending on the condition.

Some of the more promising areas include procedural anxiety, certain types of pain and irritable bowel syndrome. Gut-directed hypnotherapy, for example, is included in clinical guidance as an option for some people with IBS.

It has also been studied for phobias, smoking cessation, sleep difficulties and menopausal symptoms, although results are less consistent across these uses.

That variation is important when weighing up whether hypnotherapy is appropriate. Therapy that may help with one symptom or condition shouldn’t automatically be assumed to work equally well for another.

Where hypnotherapy is being used for a diagnosed medical or mental health condition, it is generally better considered as part of a broader treatment plan rather than a replacement for medical or psychological care.

How much does hypnotherapy cost in Australia?

Hypnotherapy sessions in Australia cost $100 to $250 including GST, based on Bark’s 2026 pricing data.

An initial 90-minute consultation usually costs $150 to $250 including GST. Standard follow-up appointments commonly cost $100 to $180 including GST.

The total programme cost depends on the concern and likely number of sessions.

Hypnotherapy programme costs

These prices are intended as a guide, as the total cost will vary with the number of sessions recommended and the type of support involved.

A practitioner should explain why they’re recommending a particular programme. Be cautious where someone sells a large package before properly discussing your history, goals and suitability.

The Bark hypnotherapy cost guide breaks down fees by appointment type, location and presenting concern.

Are alternative therapies regulated in Australia?

Regulation depends on the type of practitioner.

AHPRA regulates 16 health professions, including medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and psychology. It maintains a public register of people who are authorised to use those protected professional titles.

Hypnotherapy, Reiki and kinesiology aren’t Ahpra-regulated professions. There’s no mandatory national registration that someone must obtain before offering those services under those titles.

A practitioner can still hold another regulated qualification. For example, a registered psychologist or nurse may also have separate training in hypnosis or mindfulness.

Others enter the sector through private certificates or diplomas. Course depth and assessment can differ significantly between training providers.

The absence of AHPRA registration doesn’t automatically make someone unsafe. But it does mean you’ll need to examine their training, insurance, professional memberships and scope of practice more carefully.

What are the risks of trying an alternative therapy?

Most alternative therapies are low-risk when they’re non-invasive and delivered responsibly. The main concerns are less about immediate physical harm and more about whether the therapy is suitable, whether it delays appropriate care and how the practitioner handles more complex needs.

Delayed diagnosis or treatment

One of the biggest risks is relying on alternative therapy when a medical or psychological condition needs proper assessment.

This is particularly important when symptoms are persistent, worsening or affecting daily life. In these situations, alternative therapy may have a supportive role, but it shouldn’t take the place of appropriate diagnosis or treatment.

Physical or emotional side effects

Some therapies can cause temporary physical or emotional effects, even when they’re generally considered low-risk.

Hypnosis, for example, may occasionally lead to dizziness, headaches, anxiety or vivid memories. It may also be unsuitable for some people with severe mental illness or complex dissociative symptoms.

Reiki and sound therapy involve little physical manipulation, so direct physical risks are lower. Even so, individual health conditions can affect whether a particular approach is appropriate.

Poorly matched or inexperienced practitioners

Because many alternative therapies aren’t nationally regulated, training and professional standards can vary considerably.

This becomes more important when someone is seeking help for trauma, chronic pain or a mental health condition. A practitioner may have experience with general wellbeing sessions without having the background needed for more complex concerns.

The risk is not simply choosing an ineffective practitioner. It is receiving support from someone whose training doesn’t match the issue being addressed.

Conflicts with existing care

Alternative therapies can also become more complicated when someone is pregnant, taking medication or already receiving medical or psychological treatment.

The therapy itself may not directly interfere with that care, but the person’s wider health situation can change what is appropriate. This is why some therapies are better considered alongside advice from a GP or treating professional.

How do you find a qualified alternative therapist?

A good starting point is the practitioner’s training and experience. Look at where they studied, the depth of their qualification and whether their background is relevant to the reason you’re seeking support.

Useful checks include:

• Whether their training included supervised practice
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Membership of a relevant professional association
• Experience working with similar concerns
• Clear fees, cancellation terms and session expectations
• An explanation of when another type of care may be more appropriate

Association membership can provide some reassurance around training or professional conduct, although it doesn’t demonstrate that the therapy itself is effective.

The practitioner should also be able to explain how their approach works, what you can realistically expect from a session and where its limitations lie. This is especially important in areas without national registration requirements, where qualifications and standards can differ between providers.

How should you compare alternative therapy practitioners?

Choosing between practitioners is easier when you compare them against the kind of support you actually want. Someone looking for relaxation may prioritise different things from someone seeking help with pain, anxiety or behaviour change.

Match the practitioner to your reason for booking

Look for someone whose experience is relevant to the issue you want to address.

A practitioner who mainly offers general wellbeing sessions may not be the best fit for a more specific concern. Their background should make sense for the type of support you’re seeking.

Compare what each session actually includes

Ask how the appointment is structured, how long it lasts and what happens before or after the main therapy.

Also confirm whether an initial consultation is included, how progress is reviewed and whether follow-up support forms part of the service.

Look at the full cost, not just the session price

Compare the expected number of sessions as well as the fee for each appointment.

A lower session rate may not represent better value if the practitioner recommends a much longer course of support. Clear pricing makes it easier to compare the overall commitment.

Use reviews as one part of the decision

Client reviews can tell you whether a practitioner communicates clearly, creates a comfortable environment and delivers the service as described.

They’re useful for judging the experience of working with someone, but they don’t show whether a particular therapy is clinically effective.

Taking these factors together gives you a more useful comparison than choosing on price, popularity or testimonials alone.

When should you choose conventional care instead?

Begin with a GP or registered mental health professional where symptoms are severe, persistent or unexplained.

Conventional care should take priority where you have:

• A new or worsening medical symptom
• Severe or chronic pain without a diagnosis
• Panic attacks or disabling anxiety
• Depression or thoughts of self-harm
• Psychosis or dissociative symptoms
• Substance dependence
• Significant trauma symptoms

Alternative therapy shouldn’t delay an assessment or replace treatment recommended for a serious condition.

Complementary care may still have a place after the issue has been assessed. Discuss it with the professional managing your treatment, particularly where medication, pregnancy or other health conditions are involved.

Final thoughts

Alternative therapies don’t all have the same purpose or evidence behind them.

Mindfulness has established uses for several psychological concerns. Hypnosis has condition-specific evidence, particularly for selected forms of anxiety, pain and gut-directed care.

Reiki, kinesiology and sound therapy are more reasonably viewed as relaxation or wellbeing practices. Evidence that they treat diagnosed conditions remains limited.

Choose an approach according to the outcome you want, not the size of its claims. Check the practitioner’s training and treat complementary therapy as support rather than a replacement for necessary medical care.

You can compare therapy professionals through Bark by their experience, services and previous client feedback before deciding what type of support fits your needs.