Become a Member
IRNCH HYPNOTHERAPY CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
Below are the certifications standards recognised by the IRNCH to become a Certified member.
Introduction
The below standards are a starting point for us to check whether your training certificate meets our requirement for IRNCH registration and certification. Once we have notified you that your certification meets our requirements, if you wish you can then become an IRNCH accredited member which further enhances your credibility as a Professional and is a recognised trust mark for the public and businesses searching for a professional. To understand the requirements to become IRNCH registered, certified and accredited just click here.
Certified Hypnotherapy Practitioner
All the below criteria are open to interpretation and will be assessed on an individual application basis. The emphasis for certification and accreditation is reliant on being a competent and effective Hypnotherapy Practitioner rather than the course content alone. The Hypnotherapy Practitioner is a foundation for further and more advanced Hypnotherapy Training.
We also recognise that Hypnotherapy Practitioner courses are taught in different contexts and for different purposes, such as, a personal development transformation for individuals or as an additional toolkit for coaches and businesspeople. We can contextualise our membership criteria to any field of application, and each will be considered on its own merits.
This certification must have a live training and evaluation element which is conducted by a IRNCH recognised Hypnotherapy Trainer, Master Hypnotherapist (under supervision of a recognised Hypnotherapy Trainer) or IRNCH recognised Hypnotherapy Master Trainer and a minimum total programme learning time of 100 hrs. This can be obtained utilising a blended learning (link to Membership FAQ page ‘What is blended learning?’) approach and must have elements of live face to face training whether in person or via virtual learning. (link to Membership FAQ page ‘What is virtual learning?’)
The Practitioner must also demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental skills, techniques, patterns, concepts, and principles of Hypnotherapy, and effectively applying them both independently and in interactions with others; observed by either a Certified Hypnotherapy Trainer or a Certified Hypnotherapist or Master Hypnotherapist under the guidance of a Certified Hypnotherapy Trainer.
There must be a formal knowledge check of the Hypnotherapy Practitioner content either by open or closed book test that assesses knowledge of theory, ethics and practical application.
There must be observed practical assessment of the candidate performing hypnotherapy sessions that measure rapport building, induction techniques, adaptability and session structure.
Certified Hypnotherapy Practitioner content:
- Knowledge of core hypnotherapy principles, including the history of Hypnosis, it’s uses and evidence- based principles.
- Demonstrate understanding of the mind, utilising essential psychological concepts, such as the conscious and unconscious mind, the critical faculty and the role of suggestion in influencing behaviour.
- Demonstrate how to establish and maintain effective rapport and how to break rapport whilst maintain the relationship, utilisation of pacing and leading another’s verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Utilisation of setting frames for the communication process and reframing to access resources
- Demonstrate application of Hypnotic techniques such as hypnotic inductions, deepeners and use of direct, indirect and post hypnotic suggestion.
- Understand the full client journey from the initial consultation, assessment, creating a safe environment, personalised therapy plans, and session structuring to post-session guidance and follow-ups.
- Understand how to apply the principles of ethics, confidentiality, client consent, and professional conduct, aligning with the Codes of Ethics from relevant UK hypnotherapy associations
- Understand the benefits of professional membership of a recognised Hypnotherapy organisation and of holding liability insurance to protect themselves and their clients.
- Show understanding of compliance with relevant laws connected to their Hypnotherapy practice e.g. advertising and marketing standards, data protection, data storage.
*This content is for guidance only and may vary. The course content must ensure that graduates from the Hypnotherapy Practitioner training program are equipped with essential skills, adhere to high ethical standards, and are ready to practice responsibly and effectively.
Certified Hypnotherapy Master/Advanced Practitioner
All the below criteria are open to interpretation and will be assessed on an individual application basis. The emphasis for certification and accreditation is reliant on being a competent and effective Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner rather than the course content alone. The Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner is an advanced Hypnotherapy Training and therefore should contain several elements which increase critical thinking, flexibility of behaviour and the understanding of the more complex concepts behind Hypnotherapy.
We also recognise that Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner courses are taught in different contexts and for different purposes, such as, a personal development transformation for individuals or as an additional toolkit for coaches and businesspeople. We can contextualise our membership criteria to any field of application, and each will be considered on its own merits.
This certification must have a live training and evaluation element which is conducted by a IRNCH recognised Certified Hypnotherapy Trainer, Certified Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner (under supervision of a recognised Certified Hypnotherapy Trainer) or IRNCH recognised Certified Hypnotherapy Master Trainer and a minimum total programme learning time of 100 hrs. This can be obtained utilising a blended learning (link to Membership FAQ page ‘What is blended learning?’) approach and must have elements of live face to face training whether in person or via virtual learning. (link to Membership FAQ page ‘What is virtual learning?’)
The Master Hypnotherapy Practitioner must also demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental skills, techniques, patterns, concepts, and principles of Hypnotherapy Practitioner and Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner, effectively applying them both independently and in interactions with others; observed by either a Certified Hypnotherapy Trainer or a Certified Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner under the guidance of a Certified Hypnotherapy Trainer.
There must be a formal knowledge check of the Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner content either by open or closed book test.
There must be observed practical assessment of the candidate performing hypnotherapy sessions that measure rapport building, induction techniques, adaptability and session structure.
Certified Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner content:
- Demonstrate competence in all Hypnotherapy Practitioner skills and knowledge.
- Research the history of Hypnosis and understand its development through to the present day.
- Demonstrate the utilisation of different types of Hypnotherapy approaches and inductions e.g. Ericksonian, Estabrookes, Elman
- Demonstrate complex, advanced Hypnotherapy techniques such as Regression therapy, Parts therapy, Metaphorical approaches and Transformational techniques for deep seated issues.
- Understand how to deal with sensitive and complex issues such as eating disorders, addictions and deep-rooted behavioural patterns while staying within the ethical boundaries of hypnotherapy.
- The appropriate integration of hypnotherapy with other modalities such as NLP, CBT, Mindfulness, for a holistic approach to client well-being.
- Understand the ethical complexities of working with clients who may have serious, complex issues, emphasising the boundaries of practice and when to refer to other professionals.
- Utilise methods of self-reflection, personal growth and continuous improvement, with a focus on understanding personal biases and maintaining professionalism.
*This content is for guidance only and may vary. The course content must ensure that graduates from the Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner training program are equipped with essential skills, adhere to high ethical standards, and are ready to practice responsibly and effectively.
Hypnotherapy Trainer
All the below criteria are open to interpretation and will be assessed on an individual application basis. The emphasis for certification and accreditation is reliant on being a competent and effective Hypnotherapy Trainer rather than the course content alone.
The Hypnotherapy Trainers Training is an advanced Hypnotherapy Training, and the candidate must show a comprehensive knowledge of both Hypnotherapy Practitioner and Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner combined with critical thinking, problem solving, flexibility of behaviour and the understanding of the more complex concepts behind Hypnotherapy.
We also recognise that Hypnotherapy Trainers Training courses are taught in different contexts and for different purposes, such as, a personal development transformation for individuals or as an additional toolkit for coaches and businesspeople. We can contextualise our membership criteria to any field of application, and each will be considered on its own merits.
This certification must have a live training and evaluation element which is conducted by a IRNCH recognised Certified Hypnotherapy Master Trainer, Certified Hypnotherapy Trainer (under supervision of a recognised Certified Hypnotherapy Master Trainer) and a minimum total programme learning time of 100 hrs. This can be obtained utilising a blended learning (link to Membership FAQ page ‘What is blended learning?’) approach and must have elements of live face to face training whether in person or via virtual learning. (link to Membership FAQ page ‘What is virtual learning?’)
The Hypnotherapy Trainer must demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental skills, techniques, patterns, concepts, and principles of Hypnotherapy Practitioner and Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner, effectively applying them both independently and in interactions with others both overtly and covertly; observed by either a Certified Hypnotherapy Master Trainer or a Certified Hypnotherapy Trainer under the guidance of a Certified Hypnotherapy Master Trainer.
There must be a formal knowledge check of both of the Hypnotherapy Practitioner and Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner content by closed book test.
Hypnotherapy Trainer content:
- Demonstrate the ability to teach utilising their own behaviour and debrief what has been experienced to create an enhanced learning experience for the student.
- Create an inclusive, safe learning environment that caters for all leaners needs, respecting all models of the world while managing the environment in an ecological way.
- Demonstrate the ability to design a hypnotherapy curriculum, develop training sessions and structure training for different learning styles and paces.
- Understand how to maintain high ethical standards as a trainer, specifically being able to manage boundaries, confidentiality and safeguarding in training environments.
- Design effective training sessions that cater for all learning styles utilising a variety of delivery methods such as presentation, facilitation, metaphor, group exercises, knowledge checks.
- Carry out demonstration of Hypnotherapy inductions.
- Demonstrate how to assess students’ practical skills, knowledge and progress effectively, with a focus on creating fair and transparent evaluation criteria.
- Utilise different feedback sources for student evaluation and re-evaluation.
- Facilitate student’s self-discovery by utilisation of questions, demonstration, or direct feedback.
- Understand how to set up and market their training programs. manage business administration and logistics and build a credible reputation as a trainer.
- Demonstrate reflective practice and integration of feedback for own development.
*This content is for guidance only and may vary. The course content must ensure that graduates from the Hypnotherapy Trainers training program are equipped with essential skills, adhere to high ethical standards, and are ready to practice responsibly and effectively.
Certified Hypnotherapy Master Trainer
The Master Trainer qualification is the highest recognised qualification within NLP, Hypnotherapy and Coaching.
One of the obligations of a Master Trainer is to train the next generation of Trainers so they not only need to be excellent trainers, they need to also have an extensive knowledge of their subject and be seen as true experts.
There are training companies that just use the Master Trainer qualification as a business model to gain students at their own trainings which we believe is unethical and poor practice.
There are also many examples of Trainers being awarded the Hypnotherapy Master Trainer qualification who have conducted very few or no formal Hypnotherapy Trainings.
There are also examples of Trainers being awarded Hypnotherapy Master Trainer certification after attending a short training course. These examples are not acceptable to the IRNCH as they go against the principle that a Master Trainer should be a true master of the art and science of Hypnotherapy. This is also true in the fields of NLP and Coaching.
Master Trainers need to evidence that they are the very best Trainers in the industry, be exemplary role models and show their contribution to furthering the field they operate within.
The IRNCH have created two levels of Hypnotherapy Master Trainer: Certified Hypnotherapy Master Trainer, and Accredited Hypnotherapy Master Trainer.
A Certified Hypnotherapy Master Trainer will have undertaken a course or program of development and been issued a certificate by an IRNCH recognised Certified Hypnotherapy Master Trainer that they have met their criteria to be awarded the qualification. The IRNCH reserves the right to ask for further evidence if the certification does not meet our exacting requirements.
We see the Hypnotherapy Master Trainer certification is just the start of the Master Trainer journey and that the next step should be becoming an Accredited Hypnotherapy Master Trainer which calls for external evaluation by the IRNCH. We do not believe that achieving this highest level of qualification should be tied to things like the number of courses the Hypnotherapy Master Trainer has run or length of time they have been a Hypnotherapy Trainer but should be about the assessment of quality rather than quantity.
Those wishing to apply for IRNCH Accredited Hypnotherapy Master Trainer status, in their chosen field, will first need to be certified as an IRNCH Hypnotherapy Master Trainer and then contact the IRNCH to arrange a discussion regarding the accreditation process. Every individual application will be assessed on its own merits.