Frequently Asked Questions
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What is cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy?
Cognitive-behavioural approaches to hypnotherapy can bfe traced right back to the original writings of James Braid, the founder of hypnotherapy, who coined the term “hypnotism” in 1841. However, the expression “cognitive-behavioural” was first applied to hypnosis in 1974 by T.X. Barber, one of the most prolific researchers in the field, and his colleagues and has since been widely-used to describe several complementary theories of hypnosis which draw upon mainstream cognitive and behavioural psychology to understand hypnosis in a more scientific manner. Since the 1980s, many experts have also combined existing cognitive and behavioural techniques used in traditional hypnotherapy with concepts and techniques from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy is therefore one of the major modalities of modern hypnotherapy and distinguished by its adoption of an evidence-based approach to hypnosis which assimilates best practice from research on CBT, although certain aspects of cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy predate CBT by many decades.
What is the difference between cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy and CBT? Can I call myself a Cognitive-Behavioural Therapist if I have your diploma?
No. Cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy is a modality of hypnotherapy and not classed as a CBT training. Both approaches share similar theories and concepts and therefore complement each other well. Cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy also assimilates certain evidence-based techniques from CBT. Likewise, another major modality of hypnotherapy, “hypno-analysis”, draws upon theories, concepts, and techniques from psychoanalysis. However, this is a hypnotherapy diploma and not a CBT practitioner training. You will, nevertheless, learn about certain aspects of CBT during the training, of course.
Does the diploma training cover specific treatments e.g., for smoking cessation/weight loss/IBS etc?
The diploma focuses on teaching generic techniques for treating the widest range of problems and mainly focuses on anxiety, the most common presenting problem in hypnotherapy. We have a separate workshop for smoking cessation training because we have found that teaching an evidence-based approach to specific issues like this requires more time and material than is available on the standard diploma training and presupposes more knowledge and experience on the part of the therapist.
Do you teach NLP/Ericksonian techniques?
No. Our training has always adopted an evidence-based orientation and these methods lack sufficient support from research on hypnotherapy. Our college is known for adopting a predominantly cognitive-behavioural orientation to teaching hypnotherapy.
Do you teach past-life regression as part of the diploma?
No. Past-life regression is a “new age” technique and not normally considered part of mainstream clinical hypnotherapy. It is not included, for example, in the official National Occupational Standards for hypnotherapy published by Skills for Health. Our college adopts an evidence-based orientation and past-life regression lacks sufficient support from research to be considered part of this approach.
Why is it possible to do your course in such a short period of time when others take a year or more?
Basically, our course is a one-year hypnotherapy diploma which has been compressed into intensive modules you can attend over consecutive days – the total number of classroom hours is actually greater than on many “one-year” courses.
Most hypnotherapy training courses require approximately 120-150 hours of classroom training. Our course runs “intensively” over three seven-day blocks, whereas other courses may require one or two days of attendance each month. We are required to meet the same standard of training, but we have chosen to do so in a shorter space of time because that format is more popular with students who do not wish to travel each month, or who want to complete their qualification without delays between each module.
I have already trained in a different type of hypnotherapy. Do I need to start from Stage 1?
Not necessarily. If you already have sufficient training in hypnotherapy you may be eligible for our conversion course route, click here for further information.
Is your diploma recognised by the NHS? Will I get GP referrals?
The NHS do not recognise hypnotherapy diplomas. The Diploma is officially mapped against the National Occupational Standards for Hypnotherapy published by Skills for Health, and correlated with the NHS Key Skills Framework. It is, however, currently unusual for clients receiving hypnotherapy to be funded by the NHS. Most hypnotherapy clients self-refer and pay for their own treatment privately.
When can I start seeing clients?
We strongly recommend that you do not begin to treat clients for payment until you have been accredited to do so by a professional body like NCH or REBHP. Unless you are already qualified and registered to practice in an similar profession like counselling, life coaching, psychotherapy, CBT, etc., you would normally be required to complete the Diploma training and the assessment in full before being accredited to practice hypnotherapy.
How can I find out more about UK College graduates and how they have used their training?
The majority of our graduates set up in private practice once they have completed their diplomas and obtained professional insurance etc. Please see below for a few of our most succesful graduates, and click on their names to view their websites.
Clem and Margaret Turner
Pam Newbury
Olivia Rossiter
Will I get any support once I have completed my training with the college?
Yes. The College will provide ongoing support for students who require help completing their portfolio. You may also obtain support from REBHP or other professional organisations. All practising hypnotherapists should have a clinical supervisor, whose role is to continually mentor and support you in direct relation to your practice with clients.
Will I get any advice on how to set up and market a therapy practice?
The Stage 1 training manual contains a short section with basic advice on practice-building. The College are also happy to provide advice and support in this area where necessary. Further advice and support can be obtained from professional registers such as REBHP or specialist organisations like Business Link and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
How successful is hypnotherapy compared to other forms of therapy?
Hypnotherapy is one of the most evidence-based interventions available in the field of psychological therapy. It is supported by a broad range of research spanning a period of over 150 years, including modern meta-analysis, systematic reviews, laboratory experiments, brain imaging data, and individual clinical trials. The International Journal for Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis (IJCEH) is an excellent source of hypnosis research material, and a free subscription is available to REBHP Members.
Will I get help finding a supervisor?
Yes. Certain professional registers such as NCH maintain a database of approved supervisors and will provide members with support in finding a suitable supervisor.
Is there anything that you recommend I read in preparation for my training course?
Yes. No preparatory reading is normally required. However, we do suggest that you read some material. Click here to download a recommended reading list. The main textbook we suggest reading is the current edition of Hartland’s Medical & Dental Hypnosis by Heap & Aravind.
How much time should I leave between each stage of training?
That depends on your circumstances. If you are familiar with the subject already and feel confident that you’re able to keep up with the course then you can complete the stages of training close together. Alternatively, if you feel that you need more time to digest the course material and do background reading then you may space the stages out more, e.g., over a period of 18 months. The training programme was specifically designed to allow complete flexibility in this regard to suit different students’ needs.