Hypnosis Training Tips
Here’s the big secret about hypnosis. It isn’t a secret. Everything you need to learn hypnosis is easily accessible and often freely available. But, as with anything else that’s easily accessible and often freely available, there’s a lot of rubbish that you have to sort through before you get to the good stuff. So if you’re serious about learning hypnosis, you’ll need to consider some quality hypnosis training.
In this article, we’ll look at the types of hypnosis training available and what you might expect from each of them.
Hypnosis training comes in two basic models – distance learning, which these days pretty much means online, and classroom based. There are advantages (and disadvantages) to each of them, and the one you go for will largely depend on your goals for training, and your personal preferences. If you’re the sort of person that breaks into a cold sweat at the thought of being in a classroom, then an online course may be the way to go.
When it comes to distance learning, we’re living in something of a golden age. The internet, and the possibilities it offers for communication and dynamic presentation of information, has revolutionized training delivery. A good online course may offer dedicated learning software, video lessons, members’ forums, VoIP teleconferencing and so on.
This type of training is no longer the poor relation of classroom based study, and indeed, many classroom based training courses include some element of online support. It’s a particularly good model to consider if you’re looking for an overview or an introduction to hypnosis.
Classroom based hypnosis training inevitably involves more commitment, in terms of time and money. It ranges from morning workshops, to 5000 people in a conference center listening to a guru, with everything in between. The major advantage is that you get hands-on experience and the attention of an experienced tutor – unless you’re one of the 5000 people in a conference center, of course, but even then, you benefit from the crowd!
There is simply no substitute for this person-to-person contact, no matter how sophisticated our communications technology gets. Remember, hypnosis is all about people, and subtleties of communication. Classroom based hypnosis training is therefore ideal for more in-depth study. If you aim to become a practitioner, then you’ll need to consider this model very seriously.
All types of hypnosis training will cover the same sort of ground – the actual mechanics of hypnosis, developing rapport with a client, how to elicit the right information, inductions and specific interventions for specific problems, hypnotic language patterns and so on. As you become more experienced, training courses are available for continuing your professional development, developing different approaches, and studying specific areas in greater depth.
One final point to remember – if you’re serious about hypnosis, sooner or later you’re going to have to work with a real live human being – and real live human beings inconveniently refuse to behave like the examples in the text books! Good hypnosis training, therefore, should involve some element of practice with other people. This may be scary, but it’s not half as scary as facing a person for the first time without that practice. You can check out the Resource section for a list of trainings I recommend.
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21. June 2010 at 11:24 PM
Makes me wonder how colleges are still in business. Takes time for humans to break bad habits and quit following the crowds. That will never happen.
Just think with conversational hypnosis all you need to do is live close to a shopping mall and you can get all the practice you need.
This is why when I move in September and purchasing a hypnosis practice I will be living by the largest outdoor shopping mall in the country. That will be my training ground for conversational hypnosis.Plus I get to chase the girls around.Badabing!:)
25. June 2010 at 2:59 PM
Hi Chet,
The biggest outdoor shopping mall in the country huh? Your going to have a LOT of practice then. Igor better watch out
While I agree with your view on college I think they are helpful for who they are helpful for. Personally I feel that our education system needs a huge reform, but that’s just me.
You also touched on one of the biggest keys to success in this business. PRACTICE!!!! You learn by doing and learn even quicker by just doing. Go out and practice and if something doesn’t work look at it as feedback instead of failure. This way you never fail, you only learn.
Thanks for following blog Chet. You got a pretty good one going yourself. Keep up the great work!
23. June 2010 at 9:57 AM
Great article Josh!
There is such a wide variety of information and approaches out there, of greatly mixed quality.
I think people who want to learn need to trust their instincts when they look at the free stuff on line. And NEVER sign up for a course with someone you know nothing about (regardless of who may accredit them).
Keep up the good work with the blog!
All the very best
James Tripp
25. June 2010 at 3:03 PM
Hi James,
Thanks for reading and thanks for taking the time to comment. I completely agree with what you said above. It doesn’t matter who may accredit the teacher in reality because hypnosis doesn’t have a formal accredit system. Anyone can become certified and anyone, technically can issue certification.
During my beginning years I always did research and looked into who other successful hypnotists trained with. Testimonials and reviews from people actually practicing in this business can really help you speed up the learning curve.
Another problem with our profession is people think they can learn everything for FREE or online and this is a surefire way to failure. Yes, you can learn some good stuff online through blogs, free courses, e-mail list and etc, but nothing takes the place of good live training or at the least, a good home study course.
Great points James
Your friend,
Josh Houghton
23. June 2010 at 11:31 AM
Hi Josh,
As a practicing hypnotist I can share my experience of taking a classroom course where I actually had the experience of hypnotizing and being hypnotized by fellow students. They can give you feedback and you get the “feel” for it. I think this is very important for a beginner, as the first time you hypnotize someone professionally can be a anxiety creating experience. You want to know that your technique works, and that you can do it. Its also important to know how deep someone is in hypnosis, especially for advanced techniques like age regression.
Taking a distance learning course will probably not give you this experience, and while you might have a friend or relative that will allow you to practice on them, it is not the same thing.
John Kane
http://www.holistic-hypnosis.com
25. June 2010 at 3:07 PM
Hi John,
Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment. I couldn’t agree with you more John. There is nothing better then a live training in my opinion. I’ve come out of my pocket thousands of dollars over the years and you know what…It was worth every penny. I think of training as an investment in my career, plus tax write offs for certain trainings.
In a live class you get to meet other people and that feedback can be critically. You also learn that what works for one person doesn’t work for everyone. Also, I agree that with learning age regression a live class is the best. I’m not saying you can’t learn through video, but to have that live instruction is awesome. If your interested in learning age regression I highly recommend Matt Sison and Randy Shaw. Those guys are AWESOME!!
Thanks
Josh
24. July 2010 at 11:42 PM
I am actually looking for some online training. My mother runs a successful online hypnotherapy site. I am trying to get more involved but would like to get certified as a hypnotherapist. Any suggestions on the best online certification course available?
Thanks,
Chris
24. November 2010 at 12:13 AM
I think DVD hypnosis training is only effective when you have already got a good basic understanding of hypnosis. I would strongly recommend that you learn these basic techniques in a live training situation so that you can ask any questions and learn from the feedback instead of maybe blindly going in the wrong direction.
29. November 2010 at 4:00 PM
Not true Shona. At least not for everyone… I know quite a few people who are self taught from DVD’s, and they hypnotise just fine.
Of course, it depends upon the quality of the DVD’s and on the students willingness to take themselves through the learning curve. And, of course, for most people this is much easier with personal guidance.
All the very best
James
29. November 2010 at 4:50 PM
James I have to totally agree with you. I live on hypnosis DVD’s, in fact I do not watch television only educational hypnosis resources, and because of that when I go to practice the knowledge I have gained by the hours and hours of DVD’s I have watched is right there when I need it. You can NEVER get enough education in my opinion.