How to Become a Hypnotherapist

Hypnotherapist Key Stats
Education	4+ Years
Job Outlook	14%

A Hypnotherapist is a health care professional that uses their knowledge in alternative medicine and hypnotherapy to treat patients.

These professionals work with patients who want to eliminate or reduce unwanted behaviors or thoughts.

For example, of an individual who is trying to quit smoking may use a hypnotherapist as a means to quit or reduce their smoking.

Hypnotherapists may also work with a variety of other clients attempting to change an unwanted behavior.

Individuals who want to become a Hypnotherapist will have an interest in alternative medicine as well as have the ability to work well with clients and individuals who want to work on changing their behavior.

Education Requirements to Become a Hypnotherapist

The road to become a Hypnotherapist can vary between individuals because there are a limited number of accredited hypnotherapy programs.

However, individuals have some options to choose from in order to become Hypnotherapist.

Training programs vary from short term seminars that result in a certification, attending an accredited program for hypnotherapy training or pursue a formal education as a psychologist or medical practitioner.

The best option for individuals who want to become a Hypnotherapist is to acquire a graduate degree in Psychology that also includes training in hypnotherapy or complete a certification program in addition to attending graduate school.

Some short term hypnotherapy programs can last from one weekend to 8 weeks.

Individuals must research the program they are interested in order to determine how long it is.

These programs can begin with the basics of hypnotherapy, the anatomy of the mind and brain waves to teaching techniques that will help retrain the brain to be in the present moment, not in the past.

More comprehensive programs can last from 12 months to 2 years.

These programs offer in depth information on hypnotherapy in addition to the basics.

Classes will start with the fundamental background on hypnotherapy and may include some of the following courses:

• Hypnosis
• Clinical Hypnosis
• Handwriting analysis
• Medical Hypnosis
• Dream therapy
• Age regression
• Past life regression
• Clinical applications of hypnotherapy including: behavior modification, habit control, stress reduction

Individuals who want to become a Hypnotherapist also have the option to become a medical practitioner or counseling professional and then attend workshops and classes geared to learning hypnosis as a way to offer comprehensive services to their clients.

Some recommended medical professions include: medical doctor, nurse or Physician assistant.

Some helpful counseling professions include: life coach, social worker or psychologist.

Individuals choosing either a medical or counseling profession will fulfill the requirements to enter these professions, such as attending medical school for medical doctor, nursing school for nurses and graduate school to become a psychologist.

These individuals may then complete a certification program to add to their credentials, or for psychologists, gain additional training in hypnotherapy while in graduate school.

Hypnotherapist Job Description

Hypnotherapists are experienced in working with individuals who want to change their behavior to lead a healthier life.

These professionals meet with their patients to determine the behavior or symptom they’d like to reduce or eliminate.

Most commonly, Hypnotherapists are thought to help individuals curb such behaviors like smoking or overeating, but these professionals can also help aid patients manage stress, reduce physical pain and help curb or eliminate phobias.

A Hypnotherapist uses the state of hypnosis, which causes individuals to be in a state of inner concentration, to guide the patient in focusing their awareness towards a specific goal aimed at healing.

Additional medical goals can include: treating depression, athletic performance, sleep disorders or sexual performance.

Hypnotherapist Salary and Career Path

Hypnotherapists can earn up towards $75,000 per year although this amount can depend on a variety of factors including whether an individual is a small business owner or works for a medical or counseling establishment.

The job outlook for health diagnosing and treating practitioners, which includes hypnotherapists and other alternative health care professionals, is expected to increase by 8 to 14 percent through the year 2022.

Individuals interested in pursuing a career in alternative medicine may benefit in becoming a hypnotherapist.

Hypnotherapy can be a specialty that can be combined with other specializations such as psychology or medicine which can help individuals stand out when applying for jobs.

In addition, individuals pursuing this profession can also expect a healthy job outlook.

The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists, OCC Code 19-3031, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hypnotherapist?

A hypnotherapist is a trained professional of complementary medicine who, by introducing people in a trance-like state, helps them change their negative behavior, feelings, and way of thinking.

Hypnotherapists combine knowledge of psychology with hypnosis.

Hypnotherapy may help people overcome a variety of issues, including anxiety, anger, stress, grief, addictions, or insomnia.

If you are a sensitive, articulate and intuitive person who is passionate about psychology, hypnotherapy may be a good career path for you.

Hypnotherapists usually work in clinics or private practices.

Those who own their own private practice also need business and leadership skills.

How much does a hypnotherapist make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t record specific data about hypnotherapists but the median annual wage for psychologists, in general, was $79,010, as of May 2018.

Salaries in this field vary on many factors including the region, the employer and the psychologist’s level of experience.

Some earn less than $45,000 a year, while others make more than $120,000 a year.

How much does it cost to become a hypnotherapist?

If you want to become a hypnotherapist, you will need a master’s or a doctoral degree in counseling.

Before enrolling in a master’s program you will need a bachelor’s degree.

Tuition costs vary widely, depending on a number of different factors.

For example, the average annual cost for bachelor’s degree programs in counseling psychology is around $32,000-$33,000.

A master’s or doctoral degree in this field will cost you, on average, an additional $30,000 a year.

After becoming a licensed therapist you can further pursue a training program in hypnotherapy, which can cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the program you choose.

What is the demand for hypnotherapists?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for psychologists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028.

However, employment growth will vary by region and specialty and in order to have better job prospects, you should earn a degree from a reputable school and have a few years of experience in the field.

How long does it take to become a hypnotherapist?

If you want to become a hypnotherapist you will first have to become a licensed counselor/therapist.

For this, you will need a bachelor’s degree and a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling.

A bachelor’s degree can usually be earned in four years, while a master’s or doctoral degree can be obtained in 2-5 years.

Most states require therapists to be licensed; licensure requirements vary by state but you will usually need a doctorate in psychology, an internship, and one or two years of supervised professional experience.

Training/certification programs in hypnotherapy can usually be completed in a few days or a few weeks, depending on the program that you choose.