Hypnotism can be considered as a state of focussed concentration. It does have genuine healing potential. But it was once considered to be something associated with superstitions, evil, and magicians. It is because several persons including Franz Mesmer who introduced hypnotism to the medicine used it for exploitation rather than healing. However, it was recognized as a valid therapy in the medical field in the year 1955 in Great Britain and 1958 in the USA. You now have several mainstream doctors who undergo training in hypnotherapy. If you are one of the persons who is wondering how to become a hypnotherapist, read further.
Hypnotherapy – what is it?
Hypnotherapy is one of the psychotherapy procedures to treat patients. Hypnosis is used to bring about a state of calmness in a person and it is believed to be helpful for the person to make changes in himself/herself. This is in turn considered to be effective in addressing ailments that were otherwise not controlled by general medicine. The qualified professional who would be assisting the client /patient with the procedure is the hypnotherapist. Now, to the question of how to become a hypnotherapist?
Hypnotherapist- how can you become one?
One common question is hypnosis real? Answer is yes and hypnotherapy is used to address several issues. If you have to address the question as to how to become a hypnotherapist, you must have a fair idea of the career path well in advance. However, It is important to have a background in any one of the following fields to become a hypnotherapist.
The fields include
- Traditional medicine
- Behavioral sciences
- Counseling and Social work
- Psychiatry
- Psychotherapy
- Dentistry
You must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned disciplines obtain certification in hypnotherapy from a recognized body. Some courses range from 2 months to 2-3 years. you may choose the course and accreditation based on the career you are about to take. A short-term course would suffice if you wish to become a counselor who uses hypnotherapy, while an in-depth study and certification are required for the treatment of chronic patients. After completing the course, it is important to gain clinical experience by working under a practitioner. This would help expand your knowledge as well as gain relevant experience.
Once you have done all the above, you must get licensed and certified to practice as a hypnotherapist. A hypnotherapist must be state registered in certain countries and states while in certain countries or states where hypnotherapy is not considered to be a part of the medical profession, registration might not be necessary, it is important to get to know about the law of the state before you start practicing as a hypnotherapist.
Key skills of a hypnotherapist
To shine as a hypnotherapist, you must possess certain key skills. They include
- An understanding of hypnosis technique and psychotherapy
- Excellent verbal communication
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Self-motivation
- Great organization skills
- Patience
- Self-confidence
- Empathy
As a hypnotherapist, you must be able to deal with different types of people with diverse backgrounds and differing circumstances. It would involve having to work under one’s initiative and for long spells of work period to achieve effective results. if you are confident about these aspects, you can consider hypnotherapy as a career.