It’s one of the first questions people ask when they ring about training, and it’s a good one. So here’s a straight answer, including the part some training providers would rather you didn’t ask about.
The short answer
- Our full Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy is accredited by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC). It’s a qualification that is recognised nationally and internationally.
- Once qualified, you can join the General Hypnotherapy Register and register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). You can also register with the ACCPH.
- The Foundation Diploma is recognised by the GHSC and ACCPH, and once you complete it you can register with the ACCPH. To register with the GHSC and the CNHC, you need the full Diploma.
Why accreditation matters
Hypnotherapy isn’t regulated by law in the UK. Nothing stops someone doing a short course online and calling themselves a hypnotherapist the next day.
That’s exactly why accreditation matters. It shows a course has been checked against a recognised standard, it lets you register with professional bodies, and it makes it straightforward to get insured. Most importantly, it gives the people who come to you for help a reason to trust you.
What each course leads to
- Foundation Diploma. Four weekends over four months, with breaks in between to practise. There’s no formal written assessment; you’re assessed in the classroom. It’s a brilliant way to start, it’s recognised by the GHSC and ACCPH, and you can register with the ACCPH once you complete it.
- Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy. The full Diploma, over nine months. This is the course accredited by the GHSC, it’s recognised nationally and internationally, and it’s the one that leads to registration with the GHSC and the CNHC.
If you’re not sure which to choose, read Foundation Diploma or full Diploma: which is right for you?.
How the Diploma is assessed
Accreditation means you have to show you can actually do the work, not just that you turned up. As you move through the Diploma you complete:
- Three case studies
- An open book exam
- A practical assessment
Along the way you practise in the classroom, then with friends and family, and later with people in real world conditions.
What accreditation lets you do
- Register professionally. Join the General Hypnotherapy Register, and through it the CNHC, the independent voluntary regulator set up with government support. The CNHC is a very important body. You can also register with the ACCPH.
- Get insured. We encourage students to get insured once they’re practising with the wider public, and the accrediting bodies recommend approved insurers.
What accreditation can’t tell you
Accreditation tells you a course meets a standard. It doesn’t tell you whether you’ll get on with the person teaching it, or whether they still sit with clients themselves.
Some trainers haven’t been in a therapy room for years. If you talk the talk, you should walk the walk.
So once you’ve checked a course is accredited, keep going. Speak to the person who will actually teach you. Ask whether they’re still practising; I see anything from 10 to 30 clients a week. Ask to experience a session yourself. And look for online reviews from real clients, not just students.
There’s more on this in our complete guide to becoming a hypnotherapist and in how to choose the best hypnotherapy course in the UK.
Common questions
Is the Foundation Diploma accredited?
Yes. It’s recognised by the GHSC and ACCPH, and once you complete it you can register with the ACCPH. To register with the GHSC and the CNHC, you need to complete the full Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy.
Who accredits the Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy?
The General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC). The Diploma is recognised nationally and internationally.
Can I register with the CNHC after training with you?
Yes, once you’ve completed the full Diploma. You join the General Hypnotherapy Register first, and from there you can register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). You can also register with the ACCPH.
Can I get insured to practise?
Yes. We encourage students to get insured once they’re practising with the wider public, and the accrediting bodies recommend approved insurers.
Is hypnotherapy regulated in the UK?
Not by law. That’s why accreditation and voluntary registration with bodies like the CNHC matter so much.
Want to talk it through?
Our next Foundation Diploma and Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy courses start in February 2027 at our training centre at Orchard Park, Glasgow. Have a look at the details, or call us on 0141 340 9870 to speak to the people who will actually teach you.
Thinking about training with us?
Book a free call about the course. We can talk through the Foundation Diploma and the full Diploma, in the classroom in Glasgow or live online, and whether it is the right fit for you.
Book a call about the course