How does one find a certified hypnotist?
Is there any organization to contact for reputable ones?

Hi tutie1,

You want a Certified Hypnotherapist! A Certified Hypnotherapist has undergone advanced training to learn how to handle any issue a client may have, excluding medical or psychological.

A certified hypnotist has only learned how to hypnotize people and maybe do stress reduction by taking a basic course, that is all. They are not qualified to do much in the way of therapy A BIG difference!

Check to see how long the person has attended school/training. You want someone who attended training longer than 1 weekend!!! Did they buy some DVDs on a website and pay for a certificate without any benefit of a live instructor or tutor? (Forget them!) Many doctors, psychotherapists and dentists have only trained over a weekend. You cannot learn everything you possibly need to know this way!

It is best if the person also has some training in NLP, or Neuro Linguistic Programming, and Ericksonian hypnotherapy -as did Paul McKenna.

There are many excellent distance training schools, but the best have classes and classwork that run 200 hours plus regular contact with a live tutor via phone and email, an internship program and continuing education.

Regulations vary from state to state, also. A Certified Hypnotherapist generally does not need a license except perhaps in a few states, but is issued a state recognized certificate.

Professional organizations may not make it much easier in searching since a few were created to support the quickie practitioner, but that probably is the best way to go. I'll refer you to the 2 largest below.

You can begin here:
http://www.hypnosis.edu/hypnotherapists/search/ The school is associated with the American Hypnosis Association (AHA) and the AFL-CIO through Hypnotherapist's Union Local 472. (The Hypnosis Motivation Institute is the school I attended.) Many AHA certified hypnotherapists do phone sessions enabling anyone anywhere to receive excellent help.

The NGH also has qualified members http://www.ngh.net/

I hope my answer has not confused you! Start with your yellow pages and ask many questions about the person's background or check out the 2 links above.
Kind regards,
Michelle


--- Edited by ManifestIntent at 2008-10-08 15:20:09 ---

is there one specific hypnotist for each different problem. im trying to find one that works that can help me keep up on trying to lose weight.

There is not one specific hypnotist for each problem, however, some specialize in smoking cessation, weight loss, anxiety, etc. Research the hypnotherapist in your area and ask them directly what they specialize in. We all get very similar basic training.

I cannot emphasize enough what ManifestIntent stated about finding a certified hypnotherapist!!! I suggest visiting with a hypnotherapist who is also a licensed psychologist/pychiatrist if you are tackling deeper issues or want to participate in early regression. Don't be fooled by the "showmen" and glitzy websites.

Another terrific certification board is the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). Visit their website or a list of certified hypnotist.

One of the best ways to find a hypnotist is through the NGH (National Guild of Hypnotists) at www.NGH.net. It has over 12,000 members all over the world. The NGH has certified instructors who maintain high standards. Some people out there have phony PHD's so be wary of those. There is no PHD in hypnosis !!

If you have a special area of need such as medical hypnosis for a pre-surgery,IBS,pain management,cancer treatment support etc. , then I would suggest you find someone with experience in those areas. Just ask!! If they have a medical background so much the better.

See if they are experienced with something called NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) which were some of the techniques that Mr. McKenna used .

You should feel comfortable with your hypnotist !!! Make sure they haven't learned hypnosis on line or at some 50 hour weekend course!! A certified instructor will have lots of experience and is usually a good bet of being competent. See if you hypnotist lectures at different hypnosis conferences and conventions, as this is another way to help you know you are getting someone with experience !!!

Hope this helps.

Seth-Deborah



--- Edited by HypnotherapyforHealth at 2008-12-20 23:14:15 ---