How to choose a school

• Does the course equip you to practice?
  Some schools divide their courses into foundation, certificate and diploma. Others may be highly theoretical with little practical application. If you wish to go into practice, you will be better suited to a course with more practical application.

• How much support do the course tutors offer you?
  All NCH-accredited schools have at least two tutors, and even though you may have one primary tutor, there should always be someone else you can go to with questions or comments.

• Support in between training days is important, so does the course offer tutor support or peer support?
  
• If you feel you might need it, is there continuing support when you have completed the course?
• What are the qualifications of the course tutors?
  These will vary. Training schools may have details on their individual websites but you can ask tutors about their original training and how much continuing development they undertake and any other relevant qualifications they may have, for example in training or assessing. You can also ask about their experience as hypnotherapist

While there is no regulation of the profession of hypnotherapy in the UK, there are National Occupational Standards. You can ask the school to demonstrate whether the course you are looking at adheres to these standards.

Most hypnotherapy training is run through private schools, some of which have their own professional body and so, in effect, accredit themselves. Schools accredited by the NCH, however, are externally validated not only by independent professional bodies but also by an awarding body as designated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in England, the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority in Wales, the Scottish Qualifications Authority or the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment in Northern Ireland.

Ongoing practice is a very important element of the teaching process. The teachers at schools accredited by the NCH have years of experience in the field working with clients, so not only will you learn academically but you will also gain great insights from their experience.

We believe it is vitally important that you see demonstrations of techniques and also get to practise. This gives you the confidence to practice with ‘real people’ as soon as you qualify. We strongly recommend that at your choice of school all trainers demonstrate and all give students a chance to practise and build their confidence.

The UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations (UKCHO) and Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) insist that schools train to a minimum standard of 120 hours face to face and 450 hours of total study time. Check your course criteria meet these hours

Request a full syllabus before you start the course and review that the course has sufficient depth and content to enable you to start in full practice as soon as you qualify. If you are unsure, ask the training school.

• Does the course include business and practice management?
  This is an important aspect of setting up practice as a hypnotherapist, and some schools can assist you with relevant and effective business practice.
• What is the tutor/student ratio?
  The best schools are where there is sufficient personal attention.NCH schools will have policies on equal opportunities and appeals, and should be able to accommodate the special needs of students.
• What independent professional associations do the trainers belong to?
• What professional body’s code of ethics does the school teach?
  Schools should also subscribe to a code of ethics for training itself. 
• Does the course entitle you to membership of a professional body?
  According to the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health, professional bodies should:
  • produce high quality, clear information for the public on its registrants and what they offer;
  • have registration requirements that include providing evidence of competence to practise;
  • require registrants to be insured to practise the therapy;
  • require or provide opportunities for continuing professional development;
  • have a code of conduct and practise;
  • have disciplinary and complaints procedures;
  • involve its members in decision-making;
  • publish its annual accounts.