What Is The Difference Between a Hypnotist and a Hypnotherapist?

For me the term “hypnotist” refers to someone who has learned how to hypnotize someone and is capable of leading others into a trance state, whether for entertainment purposes or for the basic problems, the “bread-and-butter” of a hypnotherapist’s work eg stop smoking, aid in weight loss, increase self-confidence.

Knowing how to hypnotize someone and knowing what to do with them in trance for therapeutic purposes is a world apart. Some GPs follow a short training in hypnosis as an add-on skill but rarely do they follow a full hypnotherapy training.

The term “hypnotherapist” means someone who has further training in psychology or psychotherapy so can aid someone who has personal problems, suffers from depression. A clinical hypnotherapist is also trained to help with medical problems eg IBS, skin disorders, high blood pressure, pain control - even hypnosis for analgesia.

Personally I trained with the National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy back in 1990. The National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy has been offering respected, evidenced based and independently accredited Hypnotherapy Training, Hypnosis Training and Psychotherapy Training since 1977. This makes the National College one of the longest established and most respected hypnotherapy/hypno-psychotherapy training institutes in the world.

Hypnosis has been an accepted form of treatment in the medical communities since 1955 and 1958 through the British Medical Association, and the American Medical Association respectively.

The National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy provides Hypnotherapy Training, Hypnosis Training, and Psychotherapy Training.

Current course structure is:

A: Theories of psychotherapy

Study of the main principles of various schools of psychological thought which are applicable to the work of the therapist, including:

Humanistic: Includes an examination of the theory and practice of humanistic psychotherapy, with particular reference to Carl Rogers' work. The Gestalt approach to therapy is also covered.

Freud: Libido theory, ego theory and defence mechanisms.

Jung: Analytical psychology. A broad overview, with particular emphasis being given to Jung's theory of the unconscious.

Adler: Individual psychology. The effect of parental and environmental influence. The reconstruction of clients' goals plays an important part in this theory.

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy: A study of the main experimental bases of cognitive behaviour therapy, their practical application and their relevance to hypno-psychotherapy.

Ericksonian Techniques: A complete weekend is devoted to a Foundation Course on aspects of the contribution of Milton H Erickson.

During the course emphasis is placed upon the application of both the theory covered in the lectures and the practical skills acquired. Thus, for instance, students are presented with actual case histories, and by means of class and group discussion, are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the formulation of treatments.

B: Additional hypno-psychotherapy techniques

• The recognition and treatment of psychological disorders
• Practical counselling
• Techniques in hypno-psychotherapy, e.g.:
• Hypno-analysis
• Regression therapy
• Hypno-pictography
• Automatic writing
• Structured dream analysis
• Desensitisation techniques

The students go on to join the NRHP, the National Register of Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists. (I was a member when practising in the UK.) This is what they say on their website about their training:

Training for NRHP members
• All regulated Members of the NRHP have trained to UKCP Hypno-Psychotherapy Section training requirements. This ensures a thorough training in hypno-psychotherapy, with comprehensive coverage of hypnotherapeutic techniques integrated with a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches. All members have undergone training externally accredited by organisations such as UKCP or the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education (BAC)

I have also taken further training in hypnosis, Eriksonian hypnosis and trained to Master level as an NLP practitioner.

My passion is Personal Development. I believe the people who I can help will find me. Indeed, clients sometimes say that they have been to psychologists, psychotherapists or psychiatrists for an extended period of time (and financial commitment) yet have only made real progress with me. One woman recently said after just two sessions that her life has changed forever. She described me as the most powerful person she had ever met.

I am not claiming to be the best but I know that I touch and change people’s lives. Clients even travel from other countries solely to seek my unique brand of therapy. It is also possible to conduct therapy over Skype with a Webcam at each end.

You can find out about me, Antonia Harrison, at Hypnotherapy Belgium

Fees for Skype sessions will be quoted on a personal basis.

Antonia Harrison is the English Hypnotherapist in Belgium and Master Practitioner of NLP.