Learn Hypnosis: A Comprehensive Guide to the what, why, and where of learning hypnosis.

And finally, expect your questions answered about where you can learn hypnosis and what type of hypnosis training would be best for you. 

Feel free to jump around the guide by clicking on the links below.  Or read how to learn hypnosis from top to bottom, and get a comprehensive understanding of the whole process.

What Is Hypnosis?

When you study hypnosis, you will learn about Suggestions And Suggestibility

When you learn hypnosis, you will learn that suggestion is one of the cornerstones of hypnotherapy, stage hypnosis, and self-hypnosis.

Suggestions are just what they sound like.  The hypnotist (hypnotherapist or stage hypnotist or even an individual practicing self hypnosis) presents an idea to be carried out, i.e. a suggestion.

Suggestibility is how likely a person is to follow an idea suggested to them. Some people define hypnosis in terms of suggestibility.

However, suppose a professional basketball player, someone you really admire, gave you the same suggestion?  You would be much more likely to listen, focus on what they say, and follow their suggestions, would you not? 

What if you paid $10,000 to go to a special training camp where your favorite basketball player of all time gave you the same suggestions?

As you learn hypnosis, you may discover other factors that can increase suggestibility as well.  For instance a person's emotional state, focusing in on a single idea, and trust... not to mention the hypnosis itself.

So, when you add suggestion to a mental state of focus and attention, you get hypnosis.

What are the main hypnosis categories?

The three main types of hypnosis are:

For hypnotherapy or self-hypnosis, hypnotic suggestions should be aimed toward the subject's well-being.  In stage hypnosis, suggestions will be mainly for entertainment purposes.

Training for each of these forms of hypnosis is different.

Hypnotherapy, Or Therapeutic Hypnosis

Hypnotherapy training courses focus on teaching hypnosis with a focus on helping a hypnotic subject achieve a therapeutic outcome from a hypnosis session.  Many of these outcomes fall into one or more of a just a few areas of focus, such as:

Although there are undoubtedly many more things we could add to the list.  The point is that when learning hypnotherapy, you will focus on learning hypnosis to help people.

Some of the things that might be included in a basic course to learn hypnotherapy would be a number of hypnotic inductions, as well as direct hypnotic suggestions. 

More advanced courses might include any number of additional techniques including regression techniques, metaphor, parts therapy, how to operate a successful practice, and more.

Regulations vary from place-to-place, so it's best to take a course recognized by at least one of the main industry trade groups, or professional organizations, so you can get certified by your favorite industry organization.

Who Can Hypnotize?

Learning to lead someone to a state of consciousness that encourages deep calm, focus, and concentration, is a matter of studying a few techniques and practicing them until you feel confidence with them.  That's it.

You can expect to become reasonably skilled in hypnosis from any competent instructor in a few hours. Most induction techniques (the process of hypnotizing someone) are relatively easy to learn.

Study, practice, and repeat a few times, and you'll have the technique down.

You can even induce trance by reading from a script, but it's not a recommended tactic for professionals.  Professional hypnotists need flexibility and a deeper knowledge of their craft to be effective.

That's the good news. However, the induction is just the starting point of a therapeutic session. You've also got to understand how to formulate suggestions (unless you're just going to read from a script).  You'll also need to learn how to use those techniques for various issues such as smoking cessation, weight loss, or overcoming fears and anxiety.

As far as prerequisites go, there usually aren't any. Regulations are almost non-existent in most areas. So, your main concern in choosing a hypnotherapy school for certification won't be meeting regulatory requirements, but rather the quality of the education.

To summarize: the skills required to be a competent hypnotist can be mastered by almost anyone, but it takes some time and dedication.

What Kind Of Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy Course Is Best?

Live training has one big advantage. You get feedback from a professional, on the spot. However, even with a class of 10 people, direct feedback on your skill level may be limited.

You can learn hypnosis via online courses, as well. You may be able to get feedback there, through submitting videos and audio.

Not everyone can adhere to a class schedule, or take weeks away from work to attend in-person. Online programs can be reviewed over-and-over, and you can learn at your own pace.

Most serious students take a few different courses. Books are great additions to live and online courses, but not recommended as a sole source of training.

How to Choose A Hypnosis School Or Course

It's important to match with a school, or instructor who offers a course that meets your needs. Some schools offer a free sample, or an introductory course. Hours of coursework are not as important as learning the fundamentals solidly, and getting the practice hours in.

Many successful hypnotherapists have learned hypnosis through live training, and many others have gone through online hypnosis courses and become quite successful. The best hypnotists, whether stage or therapeutic, continue to learn and improve their skills and knowledge for as long as they are in the profession.

If you are reading this because you want to learn hypnosis, the best thing you can do for yourself is figure out what works for you, and make sure to consider the following:

Don't be afraid to ask your potential instructor any questions you might have! How they respond tells you a lot about how their teaching style will work with your learning style.

Elements That Should Be Included in Your Hypnosis Education

Hypnotherapy generally include 6 main phases:

Pre-Induction Talk

Many people have fears and misconceptions about hypnotism, so it's good to alleviate their fears before you start. The best hypnotherapy schools will include what's called a pre-induction talk in their coursework, and their demonstrations. The pre-induction talk is really a major factor in how well a session goes. Every course should include a pre-induction talk section. 

Induction

If you want to hypnotize people, you'll learn inductions. There are thousands of hypnotic inductions. Most of them involve asking a client to relax, focus on their breathing, close their eyes, and go deeper into their imagination.

It's generally good if an induction includes testing for depth of trance. Ask your potential instructor if the inductions he or she teaches include testing.

Deepening

Deepening is the process of leading a client deeper into hypnosis, past the initial induction phase. It's simple.

If a program doesn't include deepening, it's a red flag.

Therapeutic Suggestions

This is where the rubber meets the road -- therapeutic suggestions.

Some courses try to skate by with reading from scripts. Steer clear of those courses!

At a minimum, a course should teach you how to use the information you gathered in the early parts of the session, to tailor your suggestions to the client.

Deepening is the process of leading a client deeper into hypnosis, past the initial induction phase. It's simple.

If a program doesn't include deepening, that's a red flag.

Other Hypnotic Techniques

There are a lot of techniques, protocols, and special processes in the field. Some of them are even trademarked, and only taught by certain people. 

Although many of them are quite good, don't be fooled by the hype. Most hypnosis techniques are well-known and are a combination of a few basic approaches. Putting a new name on it does not make it magical.

Direct suggestion is the most basic technique. Beyond that there are techniques involving regression, reframing, ideomotor techniques, conversational hypnosis, and so on.

Look for skill sets that meet your needs as a practitioner, and the kind of practice you want to have.