How do I become a hypnotherapist?

If all this sounds like a good fit for you, then it is time to check out some schools, find one you like, and get going on a certification program.

Many schools run certain programs (like the initial certification program) only two or three times a year, with advanced programs scheduled in between. That means you may have to wait for weeks or even a few months before the next session begins.

In the meantime, you can begin learning everything you can about hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Read books on hypnosis, and listen to all the hypnosis audio sessions you can. Read and listen with a critical eye and ear, not only asking questions to yourself about why certain choices were made by the producers of the material, but also identifying what you liked and disliked about them and why. What works for you, and what works for other people?

For your professional learning, seek the newer (last twenty years, if possible) books and materials by well established names. Books by Ph.D's usually offer good modern perspectives and include good connections to whole-body health, even if only in premise and background assumptions. Your school will be able to provide a reading list or recommend titles to you, but feel free to pursue reading about your particular interests and specialties in the field.

NLP, Neuro-Lingustic Programming, is also a rich field of study for hypnotherapists. NLP will teach you much of the language structures and visual language of the subconscious mind. There are many books on NLP, so grab some and start reading.

If there is a particular area of hypnotherapy that interests you, such as past life regression or hypnobirthing or peak performance for sports or creativity, then find books on those subjects and read them side-by-side with books on general hypnotherapy. Cross-reference methods and techniques, and research how different techniques are related.

You can do a lot of preliminary learning before you start classes, and you can continue to learn and gather information and experience from all kinds of courses while you attend classes. There are videos online at sites like YouTube.com and The Internet Archive, as well as many web sites about hypnosis and hypnotherapy by professional hypnotherapists. Read articles, ask questions, join online hypnotherapy groups (though you'll probably want to skip the popular hypno-erotica groups, they likely won't help you much professionally).

Ask questions of yourself and others. Discover, experiment, observe and explore. The more learning resources you have and develop as you train and go to school, the better prepared you'll be to continue your professional learning after you start your business, and that is a mark of excellence. Your chances of success increase tremendously if you approach your career as a life-long learning opportunity and commitment.

Most of all, discover what you love about it, develop what you are already good at and interested in, and develop your best curiosity and interest in people and their challenges and success.

We have a free download called, "The Confidence Equation: The Eight Things You Need For Automatic Confidence as a Professional". It helps explain more about the kinds of training, skills, practice and business resources to have in place for a successful career in hypnotherapy. We here at AAPH wish you the best on your journey. May you find health, wealth and happiness!