When people ring me about training, this is usually their first real question. They are interested, sometimes a little nervous, and they want to know which course to book without committing to more than they are ready for. Here is how I help them decide.
The short answer
The Foundation Diploma is a four month course that gives you a solid grounding in hypnotherapy and lets you find out whether this work is for you. The full Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy is a nine month course for people who know they want to practise, and takes you all the way to working confidently with clients.
Many students start with the Foundation Diploma and continue into the full Diploma.
This article is part of our Complete Guide to Hypnotherapy Training in the UK.
The Foundation Diploma in Hypnotherapy
The Foundation Diploma in Hypnotherapy runs over four months. Classroom learning in Glasgow is supported by an online course manual and handouts, so you can go back over things between sessions.
- How hypnosis works, and how to guide someone into a relaxed, focused state.
- The core techniques a hypnotherapist uses with common issues such as anxiety, confidence and habits.
- Plenty of practice, so the skills become your own.
The Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy
The Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy runs over nine months, in Glasgow and online. It builds on the foundations and goes much further into working with real clients.
- Assessing a client and planning a course of sessions.
- Working with anxiety, trauma and deeper issues.
- Running your own practice safely and ethically.
- Feeling ready to see clients when you finish, rather than hoping you are.
Which suits you?
- Curious but unsure. Start with the Foundation Diploma. You lose nothing, because you can continue into the full Diploma afterwards.
- Ready to practise. The full Diploma is the direct route and gives you the most time with real client work.
- Adding to work you already do. Coaches, teachers and health professionals often start with the Foundation Diploma to add hypnotherapy skills.
- Already a therapist. Talk to us. The right route depends on what you already bring.
Whichever you choose, the thing that matters most is confidence with real people.
I have written more about that in Will I Feel Confident Enough to Work with Clients? and Who Can Train as a Hypnotherapist?
Common questions
Can I start with the Foundation Diploma and move on to the full Diploma later?
Yes. Many students start with the four month Foundation Diploma and then continue into the full nine month Diploma when they are ready.
How long does each course take?
The Foundation Diploma takes four months. The full Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy takes nine months.
Where is the training taught?
In Glasgow, with online course materials alongside the classroom, and an online route for people who live further away.
Do I need any experience to start?
No. Both courses start from the beginning. What matters most is an interest in people and a willingness to practise.
Still not sure?
That is normal. Book a free call and we will talk it through with you, with no pressure either way. You can also see everything on our hypnotherapy training page.