Post-Graduate Training in Clinical Hypnosis

Description of Online Modules and Homework Exercises

After registering for the course and before the first training day, students begin training by watching the first three modules in their own time but in the sequence described below. Ideally, modules should be viewed without distractions and with associated handouts nearby for guidance. Modules are linked with the content and processes of the online small group training days and homework exercises built into and subsequent to each training day, so students are advised to schedule course activities into their routine.

Training days are scheduled approximately every six weeks, avoiding public holidays and school vacations. They typically run between 10AM and 3PM on Saturdays. Group sizes are designed to maximise the learning environment for each participant.

As a Post-Graduate Training Course in Clinical Hypnosis, you should expect to allocate at least five (5) hours a week to study and complete homework exercises. At some points, more time may have to be committed to ensuring timely completion of homework exercise (especially Module 4). This is time in addition to the hours spent on Training days.

The course is divided into a number of incremental components creating a structured approach which will provide students with all they need to know about hypnosis and trance, to enable them to hypnotise and dehypnotise; become familiar with the phenomena of trance; contraindications to the use of hypnosis; learn to assess hypnotic capacity; how to utilise hypnosis as part of their current therapeutic techniques; and script-writing to use as part of trance induction and therapy.

Component I: The Basics of Hypnosis

Prior to the first Training Day, students complete the first three Training Modules:

  • Module 1 “Understanding Clinical Hypnosis”
  • Module 2 “Phenomena of Hypnosis”
  • Module 3 “Contraindications to the Use of Hypnosis and Difficulties in Trance.”

Students then watch Module 4 “Assessment of Hypnotic Capacity” in preparation for Training Day 1. The module will help familiarise students with the assessment of hypnotic capacity, using a standard scale. The module includes a demonstration of the assessment of a real subject’s hypnotic capacity, carried out by a trained and experienced hypnosis practitioner.

Training Day I

Morning Session

  • Introduction to the Post-Graduate Clinical Hypnosis Training Course
  • Use of trance in clinical settings
  • Informal / formal experiences of trance
  • Review of learning principles from online Training Modules

Afternoon Session

  • Practice of induction techniques
  • Practice of assessment of hypnotic capacity / report writing

Following Training Day 1, students complete their first Homework Exercise: undertaking assessments of hypnotic capacity with three subjects and reporting these using the SHCS Pro Forma and submit these prior to Training Day 2. Details of this Homework Exercise (and subsequent exercises) can be found in the Assessment Details page.

While waiting for feedback, students complete Module 5: “Induction Techniques.”

Training Day 2

Morning Session

  • Review of assessment protocols and reports
  • Dealing with any assessment issues
  • Review of learning principles from online modules

Afternoon Session

  • Principles of induction, deepening and de-induction
  • Choosing induction methods
  • Sample inductions from supervisors' clinical practice
  • Discussion of next online module

Following Training Day 2, students complete Training Module 5: “Induction Techniques” again. They then undertake the next Homework Exercise (see details in the Assessment Details page).

Then students complete Module 7 “Hypnosis and Ego-Strengthening” and Module 8 “Hypnosis for Relaxation and Stress Management.”

Component II: Scripts for Trance Induction and Guided Imagery

Training Day 3

Morning Session

  • Review of learning principles from online Training Modules
  • Review of induction principles
  • The centrality of rehearsal in trance, ego-strengthening and post-hypnotic suggestions in therapy

Afternoon Session

  • Practice script writing (selection of client; preparation of script containing induction and imagery)
  • Presentation of scripts to group

Following Training Day 3, students watch Modules 7 and 8 again. They then complete their third Homework Exercise (see details in the Assessment Details page).

After completing the Homework Exercise, students watch Module 9 “Hypnosis and the Anxiety Disorders” and the Module “Ericksonian and Indirect Techniques.”

Training Day 4

Morning Session

  • Review of learning principles from online Training Modules
  • Discussion of scripts and use with clients
  • Group discussion of difficulties implementing hypnosis with clients

Afternoon Session

  • Discussion - hypnosis and anxiety disorders
  • Practice script writing for anxiety subjects
  • Discussion of indirect techniques in clinical work

After the day, students complete Homework Exercise 4 (refer Assessment Details page)

Component III: Applications of Hypnosis with Habit Disorders

Students complete the Module: “Hypnosis and Smoking Cessation”

Training Day 5

Morning Session

  • Hypnosis with children (HO)
  • Hypnosis and pain management (with HO)

Afternoon Session

  • General issues with hypnosis in psychology, counselling and other clinical settings.(psychobiological disorders; trauma; age regression etc - applications that interest each student)
  • Advice on case reports

Component IV: Applications of Hypnosis

As needed, you have ongoing access to the following online modules:

  • Introduction to Pain Management with Hypnosis (Powerpoint)
  • Self-Hypnosis
  • Smoking Cessation with Hypnosis
  • Hypnosis with Trauma - Part 1 (Powerpoint)
  • Hypnosis with Trauma - Part 2 (Powerpoint)
  • Hypnosis with Children (Powerpoint)
  • Hypnosis and Grief Counselling
  • Hypnosis, Psychoneuroimmunology and Mind-Body Healing (Powerpoint)

Component V: Follow-Up Zoom session

On this additional training day, students learn how to prepare for their oral case presentation and formal written case presentation (see section on assessment details).

Continuing Professional Development

The Post-Graduate Training Course in Clinical Hypnosis is designed to meet the criteria for CPD hours offered by professional associations.

The total that can be claimed will reflect the CPD approvals and students' time spent viewing modules, completing Homework Exercises, group work and writing scripts. Students should plan on committing a minimum of 60 hours to the structured component of the course. This does not include completion of homework exercises and private student work. Students are advised to keep a detailed log of training hours for CPD.

Course Cost

The cost of the course in total for 2025 is $2,900. This can be paid upfront in full or students can use our payment plan:

  • $900 payable with registration
  • Payment of $1,000 by 31 April 2025
  • Final payment of $1,000 by 20 June 2025

Banking details for EFT payments can be found on the Registration page