How do I become a hypnotherapist?
If the idea of becoming a certified hypnotherapist appeals to you, this article should help you understand the standards of conduct, ethics and practice that are required for public safety as well as the qualifications, certifications and training that you’ll be needing.
Firstly, what is hypnotherapy training?
Whilst there are many different types of hypnosis such as stage hypnosis and past-life-regression, we’ll be concentrating on using hypnosis for hypnotherapy in its various forms. A popular complementary treatment, hypnotherapy, brings positive behavioral transformations to improve the quality of a client’s life.
If you enjoy helping people out, are interested in using alternative therapies in an interesting way and have strong communication skills, then you should definitely consider a career in hypnotherapy.
Why should you become certified, registered hypnotherapist?
Firstly, if you want a successful hypnotherapy career, you need to get a certification from a credible source. Hypnosis courses and subsequent certification offer immeasurable long-term benefits for practitioners.
One of these benefits is the very title “certified hypnotherapist” that gives credibility to you and your practice plus re-assurance to potential clients. It demonstrates that you earned the hypnotherapy diploma after undergoing academic and practical studies to learn and master hypnotism.
Certification courses provide complete hypnosis training and cover the latest research, philosophy, and education in this field. A knowledge of these areas help you to become a specialist in how and why we use hypnotherapy and when to use which specific technique.
Bodies such as UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations are active in encouraging certification throughout the industry. These efforts help to grow public trust and enhance the legitimacy of the industry as a whole.
Indeed, earning a certification in hypnosis therapy is mandatory to join major industry trade groups which can help in growing your practice and stay connected to your industry associates.
Last but not least, the certification rewards your time and effort in the result of increased income. Many clients are willing to pay accordingly for consultants who hold multiple certifications and accreditations. Once certified, you can grow your practice from a single room right up to a huge group practice with colleagues should you so wish. We can support practitioners looking to achieve this with our mentorship programme.
How to become a certified hypnotherapist in the UK?
Hypnotherapy training programmes can include both coursework and in-person practical training. For instance, you can take hypnotherapy training in the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, that requires around 120-150 hours of classroom training. This is not mandatory though. By contrast, here at the UK Hypnosis Academy we have developed the skills and resources to enable students to get started in a career in hypnotherapy much quicker.
After completing all classes, you must send an application to the hypnotherapists’ board to receive your certification. If attending a standalone course from the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, it will be recognised by the British Psychological Society’s Learning Centre. However, the full-diploma is accredited by the National Council for Hypnotherapy. Once your verification gets completed, you’ll get your certification to start working as a qualified hypnotherapist.
What does hypnotherapy training involve?
Hypnotherapy training courses teach the strategies needed to begin a professional hypnotherapy practice. You’ll be able to learn hypnotherapy in detail, and gain an understanding of how the mind functions, how we can influence subconscious beliefs and practical advice and support to ensure you are able to integrate the hypnotherapy methods into your practice.
Our courses teach students how to master the fundamentals of hypnotherapy and helps them understand and utilise the power of the mind. In the early classes, you’ll learn about hypnotic language patterns and conducting hypnotherapy sessions. The training covers the crucial topics related to conscious and sub-conscious mind like body language, guided imagery, and suggestion therapy.
Once your theoretical concepts are clear, you can start using powerful hypnotic tests to guide people in the hypnotic condition and understand every aspect of the hypnosis process. Then, you can use the tools, interventions, your power of suggestion and methods like Kinetic Shift to positively affect clients’ behavior and beliefs. With the help of these different methods, you can run successful sessions with your clients every time.
Towards the end of the course, you’ll learn strategies to begin a professional hypnotherapy practice.
How long does it take to become a hypnotherapist?
Certified hypnosis and hypnotherapist training programmes depend on the training schools and their curriculum. Most training programmes can be completed in a few weeks while others take around 2-3 years. However, the duration of a hypnotherapist training programme can’t be associated with the ease of learning.
Hypnotherapy training courses should be long enough to cover essential topics that are required to practice hypnotherapy professionally. Normally, shorter training courses have a more intense format, where you teach yourself hypnosis daily for between five to twelve days.
Almost everywhere in the UK, you are required to complete a hypnosis training course with at least 120 (15 x 8-hour) classroom contact hours and then complete home study in around 330 (41 x 8 hour) hours along with a written assignment. For instance, The National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy normally splits the course into three stages that continue for approximately 2-3 years. A similar style is used by the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy which offers 7-days intensive training of the Diploma Course divided into stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3.
Who provides hypnotherapy training in the UK?
The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) provides hypnotherapy training through several accredited training institutes in the UK. Some of the major providers of hypnosis and hypnotherapy training courses use levels for training completion. For example, the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy have Certificate and Diploma courses. Its Certificate Course are approved by the British Psychological Society Learning Centre as Continued Professional Development. The Diploma is accredited by the National Council of Hypnotherapy, the Register for Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy, and the General Hypnotherapy Register.
Plenty of sources are available to learn hypnotherapy online with varying degrees of quality and professionalism. UK Hypnosis Academy isn’t accredited by National Council for Hypnotherapy because we have higher standards and we are the most popular online academy offering numerous online hypnotherapy courses. This hypnotherapy training programme allows you to learn to be hypnotherapist from the ease and comfort of your own home anytime.
Where can I train and study to become a hypnotist?
Full accredited hypnosis courses are available throghout the the UK. You can select any of these according to your budget and time commitment to complete the training.
On the other hand, you can switch to online training option if you are looking for a less stressful way to train yourself to be a hypnotherapist. You can find multiple hypnotherapy courses online by, offering basic to advanced level knowledge for beginners as well as experts.
If you wish to take your knowledge to the next level, you can find advanced online training sessions for hypnotherapy treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and similar conditions. These are taught by myself, Karl Smith (Lead Trainer at UKHA) and famous hypnotherapist Andy Steele so that you can learn how to help a person out of trauma and anxiety.
If you are just getting started or looking for sources to learn hypnosis free, you can check out our hypnotherapy training videos on Youtube.
Conclusion
We hope this article has covered every important aspect to help you become a UK hypnotherapist.
You should take hypnotherapy training from an accredited provider, become an expert in your field and join a professional hypnotherapy association to get trained and qualified to practice as a hypnotherapist. Or if you already have a counselling background, you can learn hypnosis to enhance your skill set. If you’re strugging with time or work commitments – don’t despair! Consider looking at online hypnosis therapy instead.
Good luck choosing the hypnotherapy training or course and I hope to see you at one of our events soon!
Written by: Karl Smith
Karl is a fully qualified and registered hypnotherapist, hypnotist and the managing director of UK Hypnosis Academy.
Hypnosis isn’t just a job for Karl, it’s a passion and a lifestyle.
Karl specialises in Post Traumatic Stress and Anxiety but also supports Sleeping Disorder Hypnosis, Hypnosis for Weight Loss, Cessation of Smoking Hypnosis, Hypnosis for Confidence, Hypnotherapy for Child Birth, Hypnosis for Stress amongst others.
Marathon Runner, Land End to John-O-Groats Cyclist, Extreme sports, Photographer and a Dad to two little terrors. Karl has served for 12 years in the British Army visiting many very hostile environments. He also served in a front line role in the Emergency Services here in the UK for many years.
