FAQ GoAH

Hypnotherapy has long been researched and proven to be an effective modality to treat many illnesses and conditions. When used in a a clinical setting it is a safe and beneficial form of therapy with no harmful side effects and has been approved as a therapeutic practice by the British Medical Association in 1955 and by the American Medical Association in 1958.

Guild of Australian Hypnotherapist members are trained to the highest standard of practice and ethical conduct. If you’d like to know more about how clinical practice could help you, click Why Choose Hypnotherapy? | Guild of Australian Hypnotherapists

Hypnotherapy in Australia is a self-regulated industry and hypnotherapists are not, by law, required to meet any specific standard of training. Because of this many people find it difficult to know how to choose a hypnotherapist from the many advertising in their area.

It is the responsibility of the Peak Body (HCA) to set industry standards. If you are going to consult a hypnotherapist, it is in your best interest to make sure that the therapist you choose meets such standards. Such therapists who are members of HCA professional associations are listed on the HCA Accredited Clinical Hypnotherapists Register and can be found in every state and territory. Choosing a therapist who is a member of a recognised professional association protects you as a consumer of health services.

Professional associations such as the Guild of Australian Hypnotherapists provide accountability for therapists and serve as an avenue of recourse and arbitration for clients. They also ensure that therapists are professionally qualified and the associations provide ongoing training and professional supervision for members.

Hypnotherapists who are not members of such professional associations may not have recognised training, such training may also be inadequate and provided more for personal development than for professional practice. Many non-qualified hypnotherapists are individuals with an interest in hypnosis, or who may have experienced a trauma and use this as their qualification for helping others. Whilst personal life experiences are relevant, they alone do not qualify an individual for professional practice in hypnotherapy or counselling.

Questions you should ask when seeking treatment from a hypnotherapist

The answers to questions such as the following will help you decide whether your hypnotherapist meets the minimum reasonable industry standards:

• Do they abide by a Code of Conduct?
• Are they a financial member of a Nationally Recognised Professional Body of Hypnotherapists?
• Are they listed on the HCA National Register? Does he/she receive regular professional supervision?
• What organisation (s) are they a member of? Is it a national organisation? (A current dated and signed certificate of registration should be displayed).
• What are the practice hours and do you need an appointment?
• How much are sessions and are there any other costs involved?
• How long are normal sessions? (Sessions average between 50 and 90 minutes).
• What happens if the session goes over time?
• Are notes taken? If so, what happens to them?
• What are their qualifications and are they recognised?

If a hypnotherapist answers no to some of these, they may not meet the minimum industry standards.

Professional, qualified hypnotherapists should not be offended by these or other reasonable questions. Hypnotherapists who do not meet industry standards may try to convince you that there are no standards. It should be noted that some organisations do not meet with industry minimum standards.

It’s a safe choice to choose a GoAH member for the reasons listed above. As an organisation the GoAH is committed to seeing our profession grow, become more professional and a resource to the general public and other health professionals. For these reasons we believe choosing a GoAH member as a hypnotherapist is a wise choice.