How to Become a Clinical Hypnotherapist

Hypnotherapy is a form of Holistic and Integrative medicine that involves using hypnosis to induce a state of deep relaxation and concentration to achieve therapeutic results.
It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, phobias, and addiction. Clinical hypnotherapy, in particular, involves the use of hypnosis to treat medical and psychological issues.

If you have an interest in hypnotherapy and want to become a clinical hypnotherapist, here are the steps you may take:

1. Gain a thorough understanding of hypnotherapy: Before embarking on a career in clinical hypnotherapy, it's a good idea to have a little understanding of what it is and how it works. I recommend that you start by reading some books or articles on hypnosis and hypnotherapy, attending hypnosis workshops, taster sessions and even undergoing hypnotherapy yourself. This will give you a good foundation for your future studies.

2. Get certified: There are several organisations that offer certification programs in hypnotherapy.   Look for an organisation that offers a comprehensive program that covers both the theory and practical application of hypnotherapy.

3. Choose a trainer: Its a good idea to train with a school or college that is accredited or a member of a Hypnotherapy Association. This means the course has been assessed and is in alignment with CNHC standards.
CNHC is the UK voluntary regulator for complementary healthcare practitioners that was set up with government support to protect the public by providing a UK voluntary register of complementary therapists.
CNHC's register has been approved as an Accredited Register by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. This means CNHC has met the Professional Standards Authority’s demanding standards. The public and those who commission the services of complementary healthcare practitioners can choose with confidence, by looking for the CNHC quality mark. The CNHC has agreed that many of our professional organisations like the BSCH may verify applications for CNHC registration. 

The British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH) is a national professional body whose aim is to promote and assure high standards in the practice of hypnotherapy. Registration demands good quality training, ethical practice and adherence to our code of conduct. You can choose a therapist with confidence.

4. Obtain a relevant accredited practitioner Diploma: This will give you a deeper understanding of the underlying psychological principles and theories that form the basis of hypnotherapy. Your course of training will have a large amount of practice hours.  The practice will be supervised and a minimum of 120 hours.  you'll also receive some one to one supervision to guide your preprofessional development. You may find that your course is certified and accredited, or that its just certified and there are ways to upgrade to accredited.  In the USA There is no separation between certified and accredited.  If you are certified it means you have attained, practitioner level status. In the UK Hypnotherapy is unregulated so certified may not necessarily have the CNHC requirements where as Accredited usually means that the college adheres to a set of guidelines set by an external professional association. 

5. Gain experience: To become a successful clinical hypnotherapist, it's important to have hands-on experience working with clients. You can gain experience by working with a mentor, colleague, supervisor or by offering hypnotherapy services to friends and family.  However, friends and family usually say lovely things, so may leave you wondering if you really are fantastic and wonderful. This will help you develop your skills and gain confidence in your abilities. We recommend empty chair sessions (see previous blog and video).

6. Build a network: Networking is an important aspect of any career, and hypnotherapy is no exception. Join professional organisations, attend conferences and workshops, and connect with other hypnotherapists in your area. This will not only help you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, but also provide you with opportunities to collaborate and grow your business.

7. Develop a niche: While hypnotherapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, it's helpful bit not essential to develop a niche, an area of work you really love, that sets you apart from other hypnotherapists. This could be a specific condition or population that you specialise in, such as helping athletes overcome performance anxiety or working with children with ADHD.

8. Market yourself: Once you've obtained your Foundation or certification and gained some experience, it's time to start marketing yourself. This can include creating a website, developing a social media presence, and advertising your services through local newspapers and directories. It's also important to develop a strong referral network by building relationships with other healthcare professionals in your area.

Becoming a clinical hypnotherapist requires a combination of learning, training, and experience. These steps are just a bit of guidance its staying committed to your craft, that helps you build a successful career as a clinical hypnotherapist and help people overcome a wide range of medical and psychological conditions.