How to become a hypnotherapist

If you’re considering becoming a counsellor or a therapist, there are a whole host of specialist fields you can explore, including hypnotherapy.

People often think of hypnotherapy as the sort of spectacle you see on the stage, but in reality, hypnotherapy is an effective method of treatment for many conditions and concerns.

Whether you’re considering a career as a hypnotherapist or you would simply like to learn more about what the role entails, we’ve created a guide to everything that you need to know about becoming a hypnotherapist.

What does a hypnotherapist do?

Hypnotherapy is used to help treat a variety of issues and concerns. From trauma and addictions, through to fears and phobias, hypnosis can help people to make positive changes in their lives and overcome the issues that are affecting them.

As part of your role as a hypnotherapist, you will get the opportunity to work with a broad spectrum of clients. You will be faced with a number of different concerns and fears that you will help your clients to overcome.

With this in mind, it’s crucial that you have excellent communication skills and patience.

What qualifications do I require to become a hypnotherapist?

Although there are no essential qualifications needed to become a hypnotherapist, it will definitely work in your favour to complete a qualification that is accredited via the National Hypnotherapy Society, both from an employment point of view and when it comes to developing your skills and knowledge.

What are the working hours?

The vast majority of hypnotherapists are self-employed, meaning they can pretty much pick and choose their working hours.

It’s beneficial to have some experience in running a business or to have studied business. Of course, there are many courses that cover the basics of running a successful and profitable business you could consider before or alongside hypnotherapy training.

How much can a hypnotherapist earn?

What you will earn as a hypnotherapist depends on your experience, qualifications and skillset.

For example, a trainee hypnotherapist can expect to earn £1700 per month, based on a roster of five clients a week. A more established hypnotherapist can expect to take up as much as £8000 per month.

Where do hypnotherapists work?

The industry is extremely broad and, although most hypnotherapists are self-employed, a number of companies also offer hypnotherapy services.

Whether you are self-employed or secure a role with a company, you will be working indoors, usually in a comfortable and quiet space.

Key skills of great hypnotherapists

A great hypnotherapist possesses skills that allow them to successfully treat a wide range of issues and concerns.

From excellent communication skills, listening skills and the ability to approach every case with an open mind, through to patience, sensitivity, flexibility and customer service skills, you will need a variety of capabilities to become a respected hypnotherapist.

It’s also important that all hypnotherapists are non-judgemental and approach each case with an impartial mindset. Your clients should always feel safe, secure and comfortable, and of course, able to open up.

Your day-to-day tasks

Your working day as a hypnotherapist will be incredibly varied, with tasks including face-to-face meetings, note-taking, progress reports and relaxing your clients into hypnosis.

You will also be responsible for finding out your clients’ medical and social history, identifying the best courses of treatment and suggesting positive changes that they can make to help them overcome their problems.

Finding a training course

There are lots of different hypnotherapy courses that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience needed to successfully start your career in hypnotherapy. This begins with gaining certification from a credible source.

At Chrysalis Courses, we offer a number of counselling and hypnotherapy courses that will allow you to embark on your chosen career. No prior training is required for the majority of our courses, however, you will be looked favourably upon if you have a background in nursing or teaching, for example. Business studies is also beneficial.

Gaining a relevant qualification will give you instant credibility and prove that you have studied both the practical and academic aspects of hypnotherapy.

What does the training involve?

Although you will gain a lot of practical hypnosis experience whilst completing your hypnotherapy course, you will also cover a lot of academic content, including coursework.

During the course, you will focus on developing the skills, strategies and hypnosis techniques needed to understand every aspect of the hypnotherapy process.

How long does it take to become a qualified hypnotherapist?

As there are several different routes to becoming a qualified hypnotherapist, the length of time it will take to get your certification will vary.

The majority of course providers use their own levels for training completion, which can be completed in anything from a few months to a few years. To help progress further, it’s always a good idea to get some practical experience before completing your course, usually through volunteering. There are also apprenticeship opportunities available.

What hypnotherapist communities or societies are there?

Once you have your certification in hypnotherapy, you’ll be able to join hypnotherapist communities and societies.

This is a great way to build networks and connect with others in the industry, as well as staying in tune with industry developments, changes and news.

Remember, when signing up for a hypnotherapy course, you should always go with an accredited provider. If you're interested in studying Hypnotherapy with Chrysalis Courses, why not request a prospectus today?