| Typical sessions with hypnotherapists begin with an | | | | While not required, gaining hypnotherapy certification |
| initial consultation, where the problem is assessed. | | | | can be a great way for aspiring hypnotherapists to |
| Perhaps a patient wants to lose weight, quit smoking, | | | | build rapport with prospective clients, gain added |
| control anger, assuage surgery fears or think more | | | | marketing exposure and prove themselves as a cut |
| positively. Next, the therapist will tell the patient more | | | | above the rest. The American Society for Clinical |
| about hypnosis and what to expect. | | | | Hypnosis Certification and Approved Consultant |
| During the session, the patient will be put into a state | | | | Program holds national prestige as an emerging |
| of trance and hypnotic suggestion or other special | | | | standard for hypnosis training. |
| techniques are used to transform a person's | | | | Professionals will receive a diploma from the |
| condition. While it may seem like mumbo-jumbo magic | | | | American Board of Medical Hypnosis, the American |
| spells, therapists say their work affirms a patient's | | | | Board of Psychological Hypnosis, the American Board |
| innermost desires, unblocks any reservations the | | | | of Hypnosis in Dentistry, or the American Hypnosis |
| person may have about achieving their goals and | | | | Board for Clinical Social Work. |
| uses mind over matter to inspire others to greatness. | | | | There are many schools specializing in training |
| Hypnotherapists are, first and foremost, | | | | hypnotherapists. In Southern California, the Hypnosis |
| self-motivated entrepreneurs. They are also naturally | | | | Motivation Institute offers an intensive four-week |
| positive people who have a strong desire to help | | | | course in hypnotherapy certification. Local residents |
| others. Since the job itself is so flexible, many | | | | can receive their training completely free and |
| therapists start off part-time, seeing people on the | | | | out-of-state individuals can take a distance course at |
| weekends or evenings while building a client base. | | | | no charge as well. In Illinois, The Alternative |
| They may team up with healing centers, physical | | | | Practitioner Academy (Apatoday) offers several |
| therapy offices, counselors, reiki yoga centers or | | | | different hypnosis training certifications, including |
| acupuncture clinics to gain business. Marketing and | | | | stage hypnotism, National Guild of Hypnotherapy |
| networking are central to the success of a | | | | certification, medical hypnotism and clinical |
| hypnotherapist. | | | | hypnotherapy. |
| Some professionals run home offices to keep | | | | They have free marketing training too. The |
| overhead costs down, while others gain employment | | | | Hypnotherapy Training Institute of San Francisco, |
| at a hypnosis center. Later, experienced specialists | | | | California is another respected school where people |
| usually branch off to hold weekend workshops and | | | | can learn about hypnosis through meetings, classes, |
| retreats, teach classes or offer group sessions. Some | | | | workshops, mentoring and courses. |
| even take their talents to the stage. | | | | |