Watch the swinging watch, count backward from three, fall asleep, and wake up barking like a dog or clucking like a chicken.
That’s usually what people automatically conjure up in their minds when you talk about hypnotherapy.
That or those Vegas shows where people embarrass themselves in front of crowds of people for a couple of laughs.
And, that is a type of hypnotherapy…kind of. But it’s not exactly the proper practice.
It’s a little more lighthearted and a lot less important compared to the healing vocation of hypnotherapy.
You know, the kind that actually focuses on taking individuals into a guided relaxation process that makes them more responsive to positive suggestions that can transform their lives.
Medical and mental health hypnotherapy training is a process that can help people overcome particular anxieties, fears, and phobias, changing unhealthy life habits such as smoking, drinking, or unhealthy eating, and reducing the recuperation time for a selection of illnesses and injuries.
And the process of becoming a qualified hypnotherapist isn’t quite as quick and easy as you may think.
It’s a discipline that takes time to master. But it is possible to do. And if you’d like to learn how to do so. Keep on reading.
Hypnotherapist Career Overview
There are tons of different clinical professionals that will opt to gain hypnotherapy under their long list of impressive skills that help them help others.
From doctors to nurses to social workers to counselors, and more. Many individuals are interested in the practice of using hypnotherapy for its positive reinforcement.
During the sessions, the practitioners will talk to the patient about their medical history, the issues they’re hoping to improve, how hypnotherapy works, and what they can expect from the session.
These sessions will usually last around 60 minutes in length and the practitioner will help the patient to become more relaxed and focused using guided imagery and suggestions to positively change their unwanted behaviors.
Training & Education
So, if you want to become a hypnotherapist, what training and education will you need to undergo? Let’s take a look.
Hypnotherapy School
First, you’ll be expected to undergo a hypnotherapy training program.
This will involve studying not only the practice of hypnosis but also the theory and history of it too.
During this time, you’ll also learn more about using hypnosis in a clinical setting, as well as understanding the correct techniques for each individual, and the difference between working with specific issues such as addiction, and any ethical concerns or issues.
The Length Of Study
So, now that you understand a little more about what you’ll need to learn during your training, let’s take a look at the overall length of time you can expect the training to take.
Generally speaking, most approved hypnotherapy certification training will expect a minimum of 40-100 hours of training workshops, depending on the course.
Then a further 20 hours of individual training while supervised. After this, you will also need anywhere between 2-5 years of practical experience in using hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy Certification
One thing to mention, too, is that most practitioners who partake in hypnotherapy training are already licensed professionals in the medical firled.
This means that they have usually already taken the necessary steps to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree.
This pre-existing education permits them to then obtain a hypnotherapy certification from a professional group.
This might not always be necessary, but it is worth checking the qualifications needed to enroll in your hypnotherapy course before you begin.
If you do need a master’s or doctoral degree before you can enroll in the course, then you’ll need to do a lot of work and research in a medical profession of some kind before you can advance on to your hypnotherapy course.
Once you’ve passed your hypnotherapy course, there is also the chance to branch out into specialty certifications in the hypnotherapy field.
So there is always the opportunity for progression in this career.
Career Outlook
So, now that you know the necessary steps needed to become a fully qualified hypnotherapist, let’s take a look at what the future will look like for you once you obtain that all-important certification.
Well, it appears that holistic medical treatments are on the rise.
Many individuals are looking for non-invasive drug-free ways to change their bad habits or battle their anxiety for example.
And because of this, many people are still reaching out to hypnotherapists. So, creating a client list is unlikely to be a difficult task.
In terms of salaries for graduates though, there is no set value you can really expect to receive.
This is because it can massively vary from occupation to occupation.
However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary is $47,940 and there is a projected job growth of around 3.6%.
When you look at the accrual percentiles though, there can be a huge discrepancy.
Those in the bottom 10% are typically earning anywhere between $29,000 and $38,000 depending on the location.
Whereas those in the top 10% are earning around $71,000 to $95,000.
From these statistics, it is also apparent that certain areas of the United States will influence the amount of money that you make in the profession.
Areas such as Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, and California are earning much more in hypnotherapy than places such as Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, and New Mexico were significantly lower.
Final Thoughts
Hypnotherapy is an amazing career choice that will allow you to massively influence others’ behaviors in a positive manner.
You’ll help many overcome intense phobias and anxieties, help people recover from injury quicker, and even change addictive and destructive unhealthy behaviors.
However, you won’t be able to do so without putting the time and effort in first.
This field can require a master’s degree as well as a further 5 years of education in the practice of hypnotherapy.
So, it’s a great option for those who are passionate about the subject, but be under no misconception, it’s a disciplined practice that takes a lot of time to truly learn and master.