For many counsellors, psychotherapists, and clinical hypnotherapists, sexuality remains one of the most complex and underexplored areas of practice. Despite the prevalence of sexual concerns within therapeutic settings, many clinicians report limited confidence in addressing psychosexual issues. Dr Tracie O’Keefe’s Hypnosis in Sex Therapy: A Guide for Clinical Hypnotherapists and Medical Hypnotists makes a significant contribution to filling this gap, offering a comprehensive, clinically grounded, and highly practical guide for practitioners wishing to integrate hypnotherapy into sex therapy.

Drawing on more than five decades of experience in sex, gender, sexuality, psychotherapy, and clinical hypnosis, O’Keefe provides readers with a rare window into her clinical practice. The text is substantial in scope, combining foundational theory, psychosexual education, hypnotic interventions, and 40 detailed case studies. Rather than presenting rigid protocols, O’Keefe repeatedly emphasises the importance of individualised care. As she writes, “There are no rote methods here to cure all. Everyone who presents in sex therapy needs help specially designed for them, as an individual.” This statement encapsulates one of the book’s greatest strengths—its resistance to oversimplification.

The intended audience is broad, ranging from students and beginning hypnotherapists to seasoned psychotherapists seeking to expand their clinical repertoire. O’Keefe acknowledges this diversity directly, noting “the breadth of information is vast and amassed over half a century.” Readers are guided through biological, psychological, sociological, and hypnotic perspectives, reflecting her belief that effective therapy requires an integrated understanding of the whole person.

One of the book’s most valuable features is its extensive use of case studies. Rather than merely describing techniques, O’Keefe demonstrates how interventions unfold within real therapeutic encounters. This allows clinicians to appreciate not only what was done, but why. The inclusion of hypnotic scripts, trance intentions, clinical reasoning, and commentary creates an apprenticeship-like learning experience that many training texts lack.

Particularly compelling is O’Keefe’s reminder that “the client is more than their individual parts.” This holistic philosophy resonates strongly with contemporary counselling and psychotherapy practice, where relational, systemic, and biopsychosocial formulations increasingly guide intervention.

From a critical perspective, some readers from highly evidence-based traditions may find O’Keefe’s assertion that she is “science-informed, not evidence-based” provocative. However, rather than dismissing research, the statement appears to reflect her emphasis on clinical flexibility and responsiveness to individual client presentations. While some concepts would benefit from deeper engagement with contemporary empirical literature, the book’s primary value lies in its rich clinical wisdom and practical applicability.

Overall, Hypnosis in Sex Therapy is an impressive and much-needed resource. It is particularly recommended for counsellors, psychotherapists, sex therapists, and hypnotherapists who wish to develop greater confidence working with sexual concerns. O’Keefe’s work is thoughtful, compassionate, and unapologetically practical. It reminds us that effective therapy is not about applying techniques mechanically, but about understanding the complexity of human experience and responding with skill, curiosity, and respect.

Book Details
Book Review: Hypnosis in Sex Therapy: A Guide for Clinical Hypnotherapists and Medical Hypnotists
Author: Dr Tracie O’Keefe
Publisher: Australian Health & Education Centre Publication Date: 12 November 2025 Pages: 520
ISBN: 9780987510976 ISBN-10: 0987510975
Link: Hypnosis in Sex Therapy