The Institute of Clinical Hypnosis

• The Foundation Course gives a through grounding in the subject and is the first step on the way to becoming a proficient hypnotherapist
• Students are expected to undertake additional studies and/or practice at home
• A Certificate of Attendance is awarded and certificate holders qualify to continue their studies on the Professional Course. Experience shows that over 90% choose to do so  
• For details click here

• Students on the Professional Course must either have obtained the ICH Foundation Course Certificate or be able to demonstrate, at interview, the requisite level of knowledge, skill and/or experience
• The course is spread over eight intensive weekends at monthly intervals
• Students who pass the end-of-course Diploma Examination are awarded the ICH Diploma and are entitled to use the designation "DCH" (Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis). They are also invited to join The Association of the Institute of Clinical Hypnosis  
• For details click here

• Students who have obtained the ICH Diploma are entitled to attend any of the ICH specialist masterclasses and are invited to study for the "DHP" (Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy)
• In order to qualify for the "DHP", students must complete a total of 8 days of additional training by attending ICH masterclasses. Core subjects of Pain Management (1 day) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (2 days) must be taken. Otherwise, students are completely free to choose the other 5 days of training from the full list of masterclasses
• The objective of the DHP training requirements is to ensure students obtain an even fuller complement of therapeutic skills. Anyone wishing to start their own hypnotherapy practice is strongly recommended to continue their training to this level  

• Once students have obtained the DHP, they become entitled to study to become a Master Clinical Hypnotherapist or "MCH"
• In order to qualify for the "MCH", students must complete a further 12 days of training (over and above the 8 days required for the DHP) by attending ICH masterclasses. Core subjects of Deep States Training (4 days) and Regression Therapy (2 days) must be taken. Otherwise, students are completely free to choose the other 6 days of training from the full list of masterclasses
• The objectives of the MCH training requirement are to bring students to an even higher professional level in the psychological and medical aspects of clinical hypnosis and to recognise individuals who have completed a significant number of additional days of ongoing training.
• For details click here

For details of these courses see below or click on the links above:

The Foundation Course

Hypnotherapy is a practical subject and previous formal academic qualifications are not vital for those wishing to enrol on the Foundation Course. All we ask is that you are interested in the subject and enthusiastic about learning!

The course lasts for six days and is spread over three weekends at two or three weekly intervals. A full agenda is packed into these sessions and while the practical side of the subject in particular is covered thoroughly, students need to be prepared to work conscientiously through the academic aspect of the course. We normally hold two Foundation Courses per year.

The ICH does occasionally hold week-long, intensive Foundation Courses, either when demand for the next weekend Foundation Course exceeds the number of places available or as and when sufficient interest is registered. If you would like to register your interest for a possible future week-long Foundation Course, please contact the ICH office (see "Contact Us"). 

 The following subjects are covered during the Foundation Course:

The Professional Course

The ICH Professional Course provides students with the most thorough and challenging training in the subject, leading to a Diploma (DCH - Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis) and the opportunity to join The Association of the Institute of Clinical Hypnosis (AICH). The Professional Course is open to holders of the ICH Foundation Course Certificate or those who can demonstrate, at interview, the requisite level of knowledge, skill and/or experience.

The course is spread over eight weekends at monthly intervals and we normally hold two Professional Courses per year. Each Professional Course is followed by one day of examinations (for which there is an additional fee of £170). The examination day will consist of one 3-hour written paper (three essays and a Multiple Choice Questionnaire), a practical examination and a short, written "Definitions Paper".

Throughout the course, theory is mixed with enjoyable and instructive practical sessions, so essential to building the confidence of the future practitioner. All the lecturers are people chosen not only for their superior knowledge of the material but also for their ability to teach it.

The Professional Course syllabus covers the following subjects:

Case Histories

Each weekend, case histories are discussed and analysed. These are provided either by students or by the lecturers.

Controversial topics such as stage hypnosis or False Memory Syndrome are explained and discussed in detail. There will be lectures by the medical and legal professions throughout the course.

Students attending the Professional Course are required to attend a minimum of two sessions of supervision with a trained supervisor prior to taking the Diploma Examination. Supervision is an integral part of the Professional Course and students will be allocated a supervisor during the second weekend of the Professional Course.

Students are expected to prepare six case histories and four homework assignments during the Professional Course and to submit these for assessment. All written work submitted by students is marked and discussed with them individually by the appropriate lecturer. It is also expected that, between course weekends, students will practise the skills that they have learned.

Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy

Students who have obtained the ICH Diploma are entitled to attend any of the ICH specialist masterclasses and are invited to study for the "DHP" (Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy).

In order to qualify for the "DHP", students must complete a total of 8 days of additional training by attending ICH masterclasses. Core subjects of Pain Management (1 day) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (3 days) must be taken. Otherwise, students are completely free to choose the other 5 days of training from the full list of masterclasses.

The masterclasses offered by the ICH are numerous, varied and specialist in nature. Full details about each of the masterclasses offered (including dates and costs) are set out on the Masterclasses page of the website and include:

Offering a flexible, modular approach to advanced training means that students can tailor their ongoing training and learning to their specific needs and interests by "picking and choosing" which masterclass modules to take.

The objective of the DHP training requirements is to ensure students obtain an even fuller complement of therapeutic skills. Anyone wishing to start their own hypnotherapy practice is strongly recommended to continue their training to this level.

There will be a time limit of 2 years from the date on which the ICH Diploma is obtained for the 8 days of training to be completed.  If the requisite number of training days is not completed during this time period, the opportunity to acquire the DHP will normally fall away.  Students will need to obtain the DHP before starting to accrue credit for the MCH (see below).

Once students have completed the requisite 8 days of additional training (including the core subjects), the DHP (Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy) will be awarded.

Master Clinical Hypnotherapist

Students who have obtained the DHP become entitled to study to become a Master Clinical Hypnotherapist or "MCH".

In order to qualify for the MCH, students must complete a further 12 days of training (over and above the 8 days required for the DHP) by attending ICH masterclasses. Core subjects of Deep States Training (4 days) and Regression Therapy (2 days) must be taken. Otherwise, students are completely free to choose the other 6 days of training from the full list of masterclasses.

Full details about each of the masterclasses offered (including dates and costs) are set out on the Masterclasses page of the website.

The objectives of the MCH training requirement are to bring students to an even higher professional level in the psychological and medical aspects of clinical hypnosis and to recognise individuals who have completed a significant number of additional days of ongoing training.

There will be a time limit of 4 years from the date on which the ICH Diploma is obtained for the 12 days of training to be completed. If the requisite number of training days is not completed during this time period, the opportunity to acquire the MCH will normally fall away.

Once students have completed the requisite 12 days of additional training (including the core subjects), the MCH (Master Clinical Hypnotherapist) will be awarded.