How to Become a Certified Hypnotherapist and What to Expect

Many individuals face cognitive and irrational fears and disorders.  They are tormented by phobias and fears that cripple them in their social interaction with others.  Some also deal with a variety of bad habits that are detrimental to their over health.   These individuals are in need of help and care but in many cases counseling or medical treatment cannot help them overcome their fears and habits.  It takes a re-wiring of the brain to help them overcome their issues.

Hypnosis can help many people overcome these habits and phobias.  It can help heal the mind at the subconscious level and allow one to overcome anxiety, fear and compulsive thoughts that once seemed unchangeable in one’s behavior.

With so many people in need, qualified professionals can become certified in Hypnotherapy and offer important services to individuals who need professional help in Hypnotherapy.   This alternative method of cognitive healing can sometimes be the last chance a person has in again feeling normal or overcoming a crippling habit.

A Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist does not magically alter someone’s mind with magic or tricks but through scientific methods of how the brain is understood to function.   It involves a peaceful setting and willing patient to allow the certified hypnotherapist to unlock the mind and communicate with the subconscious regarding any underlying issues.   While not all cases are successful, many people do find success in overcoming fears and bad habits through continued therapy.  In many cases, hypnotherapy can be used in conjunction with other alternative and holistic methods.  In addition to counseling, meditation, tapping and other trauma therapies can be used.  Of course some therapies can only be practiced by a licensed counselor.  Hypnotherapy does not fall under this category and can be utilized by a qualified and trained certified professional.

What Types of Problems Will A Certified Hypnotherapist Face?

A certified Hypnotherapist will face an array of cognitive issues in patients.  Some of these issues be fears, others will be compulsive rituals, and others may include bad habits.

Among the many fears, Acrophobia remains a very common one.   Hypnotherapy hopes to find the root cause of the trauma that caused the initial fear and reteach the mind the foolishness of such a fear.    The same principle can be applied to other fears such as heights, the dark, or fears of individuals such as clowns.  The number of fears is as numerous as the number of people but all illogical fears can be defeated with a determined individual who works with the hypnotherapist on his or her issues.

Among rituals, hypnotherapy can be utilized for many compulsive issues.   Repetitive rituals include such behavior that requires reassurance over and over unless the particular ritual is conductive in complete order.  This is closely associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  Hypnotherapy hopes to calm the mind and the brain of the “noise” that clatters in the brain and forces these behaviors.  Many people seeking guidance may already be medicated and seeking counseling from other professionals.  As a certified hypnotherapist remember to treat only that which a certified professional can legally treat.  Also remember to ask patients if they are receiving other forms of treatment.  You may wish to contact the other caregivers to learn more about the patient.

Bad habits may be the biggest reason people seek out hypnotherapy.  People who overeat and are seeking a better diet, or individuals who are hopelessly trying to stop smoking are candidates for hypnotherapy.  In many cases, hypnotherapy can be successful for these individuals.  Again, it takes a determined individual who wishes to rid him or herself of the bad habit for the good of their own health.  In most cases, hypnotherapy may be their last hope of overcoming a smoking habit or losing the weight.  Hypnotherapy can offer the cognitive healing and skills to help patients overcome these challenges and again have a normal life.  You as a certified hypnotherapist can play a big role in a person’s life and a big difference in their overall health.

How to become a certified Hypnotherapist

If you are wondering how to become a certified hypnotherapist, then you should review the Hypnotherapy program at the American Institute of Health Care Professionals.  The program is for qualified professionals in the counseling or health care field.   An undergraduate degree or appropriate licensure is required as well.

Dr  Dominick Flarey, a certified hypnotherapist, instructs the courses.   The courses include core modules that cover the basics of hypnotherapy.   These courses are all online and require no travel or classroom interaction.   Except for the final course, all courses have an open book exam that is taken online.  After completion of each course, one receives a certificate in the mail for that individual course.

The first two courses, in addition to texts, requires the completion of a CD program in hypnosis.   In addition to audio guides, the program requires one to also submit a video or CD of the candidate conducting a session with a volunteer.  Each video or CD is evaluated by Dr Flarey and receives feedback.

If the candidate completes the required courses and practicum then they become eligible for certification.  Certification lasts three years.  One will receive in the mail, as in the case with the individual courses, a certificate.  This certificate, however, will not be folded but preserved for framing.  In addition, one also will receive a small plastic wallet sized identification card.  These cards also list the dates of certification and are very useful in interviews.

During those three years, a certified hypnotherapist must put in over five hundred hours of clinical work and fifty hours of academic courses in continuing education.   Upon completion of these requirements, one can then re-apply for certification in Hypnotherapy.

If you are still interested in how to become a certified hypnotherapist, then call the American Institute of Health Care Professionals for more information on the courses, program and certification.

In the meantime, thank you for your interest in the program and please continue to enjoy the blog and its various articles.