State-Licensure and a Quality Education
Thoughts to consider when choosing a school for hypnotherapy training...

Taking on a new career is a big decision. Investing thousand of dollars in anything is not something to be taken lightly. Whether you are considering hypnotherapy training as a new profession or just for personal growth reasons, here at the Institute we understand that you would want to only choose the highest quality education possible. We encourage you to do your research and to ask the right questions when making this decision. Here are a few important things to consider:

Most hypnotherapy trainings are not licensed by their respective State's Board of Education. In fact, the Florida Institute of Hypnotherapy is the first school in the State of Florida to be licensed by the Florida Department of Education's Commission for Independent Education (License #3448.)

It is important to understand that many hypnotherapy training courses are quite good while not being State Licensed. There are many very well trained and highly experienced people running schools all over the country. However, many of them are operating illegally. Therefore, when making a choice to attend a school it is important to consider whether the owner of that school is actually operating under State laws.

Being a licensed school means that the owner of that school went through a very elaborate process of criminal background checks, audits or reviews of his or her financial stability, processed multiple applications requiring sworn testimonies of accuracy in front of a notary public, ensured safe building operations through occupational licenses, zoning compliance permits, fire inspections and site evaluations, and has the proper credentials to own and operate a school. The process of becoming State Licensed also ensures the financial safety of students due to the State of Florida's "Train-out" agreement which ensures that students are protected from owners who may stop classes before training is complete for any number of reasons.

State licensure also ensures a comprehensive student catalog that outlines many important themes including: grading policies, fair and accurate program and course descriptions, admission requirements, non-discrimination policies and an entire range of guidelines that protect and inform the student thoroughly.

Some hypnotherapy schools who have opted to try to avoid State licensing (an illegal action) have argued that hypnotherapy should not be bound by any licensing body and that we are all entitled to free speech according to the first amendment. Here at the Institute we agree that hypnotherapists should be certified and not licensed, but that schools operate under many different parameters than do individual practitioners. The use of hypnosis has never been documented to cause harm and does not include medical or therapeutic treatments that could be harmful to clients. Therefore, hypnotherapists are not licensed - and again we support this.

The Institute supports the "free and open practice" of hypnotherapy around the world, yet we also want to continually raise the standards of what it means to be a Hypnotherapist and a Hypnotherapy school. Acupuncture, massage, midwifery and even astrology schools all require State Licensure. Should hypnotherapy be below these high standards of operation?

Licensing post-secondary vocational institutes in the State of Florida ensures that they operate with integrity and honesty. It requires ongoing evaluations for license renewal and ensures that the "backbone" of the organization is solid, reputable and fair. While it cannot, and does not, guarantee the quality of the education, it ensures that the foundation for a solid education is firmly in place.

A Solid Education - Approved Hypnotherapy Schools

The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners is one of the oldest and most respected organizations in this field. Unlike most other Hypnotherapy organizations they require their schools to be state licensed and have standards for certification that are double and even triple that of most other organizations. Most schools, if you do your research, are not state licensed and only require about 100 to 150 hours for certification. The ACHE requires a minimum of 200 hours for Hypnotherapist Certification and 300 hours for Clinical Hypnotherapist Certification. Here at the Institute we require 220 hours for Hypnotherapist Certification and 350 hours for Clinical Certification. Our total program amounts to 410 total clock hours. This is not a weekend workshop or a home-study course, but an education you can say is truly above and beyond most of the industries standards.

The ACHE requires its Hypnotherapists to receive ongoing continuing education to ensure high standards of excellence as well as a regular renewal of the commitment to operate from its Code of Ethics. It has high standards for how a Hypnotherapist may market and promote him or herself and has worked for decades in legal matters to ensure that hypnotherapy as a profession is given the freedom and respect that it rightly deserves.

What is the A.C.H.E....Why was it created...

In 1973, the Hypnotist Examining Council was created as a non-profit professional organization engaging in self-regulation of all who utilized hypnosis/hypnotherapy as an integral part of a professional practice. The primary focus was on formal and appropriate education and training followed by a comprehensive written examination and a practical demonstration of hypnosis skills before a Board of Examiners. A code of ethics and principles of practice were formulated and adopted.

Shortly afterward, Gil Boyne was elected President of the organization and, in 1980, he founded the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners, a national organization that now certifies more than nine thousand hypnotherapists worldwide, including numerous physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists and representatives of the healing arts, counseling and allied professions.

Gil Boyne and Matthew Brownstein having lunch

at the 23rd Annual ACHE Conference

Examination and registration is conducted by Regional Examining Boards, and certification by our national parent body-- the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners.

The Regional Councils are the result of the demand for full participation by the experienced and influential practitioners in other states.

Currently there are Regional Examining Councils covering most of the United States and Canada and affiliates in the United Kingdom, Australia. New Zealand, Republic of China ( Shanghai and Hong Kong), Iran, and South Africa.
 

A Quality Education

Graduating from a State Licensed ACHE approved school still cannot guarantee a quality education. So much of that involves many other factors, as you can well imagine, however here at the Institute we would confidently recommend any State Licensed ACHE approved school over any non-licensed, non-ACHE school without a second thought. Yet like you we cannot research each and every school in the country. Assuming the basic standards as outlined above have been met, what else should you look for:

•  We would recommend a personal meeting or phone consultation with the school's director to get a feel for the energy and integrity that will infuse the entire education process. Just as you would not do private hypnotherapy sessions with just anyone, it is important that the staff and admissions department of the school are willing to give you ample time to understand what you are getting into and to answer all of your questions.

•  We would also recommend that you listen to your own inner guidance. After a thorough review of the school's credentials, promotional materials, catalog, curriculum, campus and staff it is only you who can make a final decision. Here at the Institute we want you to feel 100% confident in your decision to nurture an education through us. We want you to graduate with confidence and pride in your credentials - and just as you would want to be the very best at what you do, we would hope that you expect the same from the Institute that trains you and sends you off to help transform the world through a truly remarkable and rewarding career.

Please take the time to schedule a phone or office consultation with our school's Director to determine for yourself the quality of the education you will receive at the Institute. Once you are assured of State Licensing, ACHE school approval and a quality education experience, then we hope you can be truly confident in your choice of schools. Here at the Institute we do our best to operate from the premise of "go first class all the way," and we would encourage you to do the same in all of your endeavors as well.