01
What it is
Mayo Clinic describes hypnosis as "a changed state of awareness and increased relaxation that allows for improved focus and concentration," also called hypnotherapy (Mayo Clinic). Cleveland Clinic calls it "a state of deep relaxation and focused concentration" (Cleveland Clinic).
02
Common forms
- Clinical hypnosis, used by licensed health professionals within their own practice.
- Hypnotherapy or consulting hypnotism, offered by people certified by a hypnosis organisation who don't hold a health license.
The credentials section below shows how the two differ.
03
Who it may not suit
Mayo Clinic says "hypnosis may not be safe for some people with severe mental illness." It says using hypnosis to work through past stress "may trigger a strong emotional reaction." It lists uncommon reactions such as headache, dizziness, anxiety and sleep problems (Mayo Clinic). Mayo suggests asking whether a practitioner has "specialized training in hypnosis" (Mayo Clinic).
04
Credentials, and whether Arizona licenses it
We found no Arizona license for hypnotherapy. Arizona's definition of the practice of psychology does not mention hypnosis (A.R.S. 32-2061).
- American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), Certification in Clinical Hypnosis.
- Requires "at least a masters degree in a health care discipline" and a state license or certification to practise independently.
- Also requires approved workshops, 20 hours of consultation, and two years of practice using clinical hypnosis (ASCH).
- Hypnosis organisations that certify people without a health license, such as the National Guild of Hypnotists. Their training and titles vary. We have not confirmed them at the source yet, so they are not described here.
Some other states regulate hypnotherapists. Washington, for example, registers them (Washington DOH).
05
What a listing here shows for this kind of work
Two people can both say "hypnotherapist" and have very different training. A hypnotherapy listing here shows:
- which organisation certified the practitioner, confirmed with that organisation, with the date
- whether they hold a health license, checked with the state board