Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy Training

Integrating MINDFULNESS, HYPNOSIS & CBT

We’ve championed an “evidence-based” approach to hypnotherapy training for over 15 years. It’s what we are known for.

If you like science you’ll love this approach!

If you want your hypnotherapy practice to have a solid foundation you can feel confident and proud about, if you want to stand out from the crowd with a clear professional approach and unique qualifications – then you’ve come to the right place.

All course content is based on experimental research into the nature of hypnosis and clinical research into the effectiveness of hypnosis, CBT, mindfulness – and the combination of hypnosis and CBT.

Want to become an Accredited Hypnotherapist in 2020?

Starting a new career?

Our hypnotherapy courses are designed to work for those new to therapy as well as experienced therapists.

About two thirds of those on our courses are looking to switch careers and have a flexible source of income, doing meaningful work aligned with their values.

Or adding to your skill set?

About one third of course participants are already therapists or psychologists.

The combination of hypnosis, CBT and mindfulness creates a clear powerful model that helps your clients make deeper and more long-lasting change. And it’s also an attractive therapy addition that brings in more business.

We now have four different ways you can take the Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy:

Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy

– become a fully registered Hypnotherapist!

The three week Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is acknowledged as one of the leading hypnotherapy courses in the field.

Psychiatrists and psychologists travel from around the world to take this training.

The hypnosis course is accredited by the major hypnotherapy organisations (NCH, GHR). The hypnotherapy qualificationis verified by a government regulated examinations body (NCFE) as equivalent to a Level 4 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

The course is also approved by The British Psychological Society Learning Centre*.

The hypnotherapy training course includes learning all the nuts and bolts of doing basic and advanced hypnosis. PLUS foundational training in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Most importantly you learn how to integrate hypnosis with CBT and mindfulness using our proprietary approach: Hypno-CBT®.

You’ll learn a wide range of techniques (our “toolbox” of 35 different interventions to draw from), how to assess client problems, formulate models of the issue and design treatment plans.

Recent graduate Michael Startin shares his profound experience of the Diploma training.



Vimeo: Michael Startin – sharing experience of the Diploma training

With our no-risk, 100% money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose. You will have until the end of Day 3 to decide if you would like a full refund. Read more here.

Science-Based and Evidence-Based

The course takes a scientific approach and is based on known models of human change/learning.

We make it simple and understandable (just as you would for clients).

If you’ve taken or are taking a degree in psychology – then you’ll probably love this course.

And if you’re looking for a new career, then your training is the foundation of your new business. You want that foundation to be solid, based on research and grounded in science.

International Reputation

This is the only existing training anywhere in the world that offers a complete integrative model of hypnosis, CBT and mindfulness. Our training in London attracts psychologists and psychiatrists from around the world.

We now offer the hypnotherapy course as a live Webcast (using the Zoom platform) and also as a full online hypnotherapy practitioner training via a digital course that is supported by extensive expert one-t0-one tutoring and coaching.

Both programmes have been carefully designed to equal or exceed the experience of the live, in-person hypnotherapy training.

So this is now a fully available international training programme that you can take from your home in Canada or Australia, Hong Kong or the USA!

We also offer the training programme in China (currently Beijing) where Mark, the college principal, has presented as a keynote speaker at the 16th Chinese Psychology Conference.

Get our Prospectus AND Hypno-CBT® Toolbox of 35 evidence-based techniques

Get the Prospectus & Toolbox Now!

Designed for novices

AND experienced therapists

Most people taking the course are not therapists or psychologists, or even a have a degree in psychology.

Being deeply motivated to help others, eager to learn evidence-based techniques and ideas – and having a well grounded personality is all you need to bring.

However if you are an experienced therapist then you’ll develop a thorough grasp of the power and potential of hypnosis, especially when integrated with CBT.

You want to know how to help clients achieve deeper, faster and more permanent change. This course delivers that in spades.

You’ll feel confident in seeing that course materials are well referenced.

And excited to see the curation of so many effective techniques and the way we distill things down to key practical points.

Manuals, online resources and post-course support

Each hypnosis course has a 300 page manual and an online-resources section with powerpoints, videos of each day, forms, scripts, articles and much more.

Post course support is available through online groups, social events, CPD and business mentoring.

Diploma Structure and Course Stages



The Hypnotherapy Diploma training is divided into the following three stages, each of which is repeated several times a year.

They can be taken close together or spread over a year, giving you complete flexibility when planning your training.

*Stage 1: Certificate in Evidence-Based Hypnosis (7 days)

This stage must be completed before progressing on to stage 2 of the diploma.

Stage 2: Certificate in Behavioural Hypnotherapy (7 days)

This stage must be completed before progressing on to stage 3 of the diploma.

Stage 3: Certificate in Cognitive Hypnotherapy (7 days)

PLUS: written assessment (28 questions, 12 months to complete).

“An excellent course confirming that I will pursue this area of practice. I thoroughly enjoyed the week, appreciating the balance of theory and practice. Excellent teaching style, building positive learning experience each day.” – Caroline Linton, NHS psychiatrist

Fast Track Training or take it slower

We’ve been teaching this hypnotherapy course for 15 years and it’s been constantly refined by input from attendees and mental health professionals.

The outcome is an efficient, effective training with 21 days of intensive classroom training.

You can take a “fast-track” training ( 21 days over 8-10 weeks) or spread that over 18-24 months.

During the pandemic we are offering the Diploma Stages/Courses via Live Webcast (on Zoom).

Same format of 10am to 6pm for 7 consecutive days.

This format over Zoom is achieving very high satisfaction ratings.

“I was actually able to concentrate BETTER with the webcast than in the live classroom” (recent course participant)

Online Diploma Format: start dates on the 1st and 15th of every month

Book the Online Diploma

The next Live Webcast Diploma starts on September 14th 2020

Book Fast-Track Webcast Diploma

Book Webcast Diploma with date options

With our no-risk, 100% money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose. You will have until the end of Day 3 to decide if you would like a full refund. Read more here.

“A very feasible and relevant integration of hypnotherapy and CBT”

– Dr Anthony Dimech, psychiatrist

Online Diploma Course

At the end of 2019 we launched the full online version of our Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Diploma!

We are very excited that we can now offer aspiring hypnotherapists worldwide a qualification to start practising and helping others change.

We have carefully designed this online hypnotherapy course to be equivalent to the classroom training. It includes all the materials and content from the live course, as well as extensive one-to-one tutoring. After taking the Online Diploma you will be a fully registered hypnotherapist with an accredited and recognised qualification.

We are running two intakes per month, with limited spaces on each intake due to tutor availability.

Online Diploma Format: start dates on the 1st and 15th of every month

Book the Online Diploma

Read more about our online hypnotherapy course here.

OR – start with:

Certificate in Evidence-Based Hypnosis (7 days – Stage 1)

The one week Certificate in Evidence-Based Hypnosis course gives you a solid foundation in modern hypnosis and hypnotherapy (based on experimental and clinical research).

This course in hypnosis forms the first stage of our renowned three-week Diploma in Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy training programme.

It’s fascinating journey of self-discovery, a revelation of the mysteries of human experience and an exploration of human potential.

It’s a standalone training for psychologists and psychotherapists who want to add some basic hypnosis to their practice.

And it’s a great way to “try it out” if you’re not sure yet about the whole training Diploma programme

The next Live Webcast Stage 1 starts on September 14th 2020

View more dates here.

Student Interviews (their experience of the training)

Watch more video testimonials here.

The Scientific Approach to Self-Hypnosis Workshop (One-Day Taster)

– try us out or just come to learn the power of your mind!

Test the water? Interested to learn about hypnosis and the mysteries of the mind?

The perfect place to begin is with our Self-Hypnosis Skills Training Workshop.

This empowering, one day training in self-hypnosis can be taken as a stand-alone workshop or as the first day of our hypnotherapy course.

Come along, meet our trainers, and learn how to harness the power of your mind and imagination.

Book the Self-Hypnosis workshop

Already Trained as a Hypnotherapist?

If you’re already a trained hypnotherapist and would like to learn Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy and become an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist (including “Hypno-CBT®” licensed) then we have several options available.

Train Now, Pay Later…

We offer 12 month interest-free payment plans for our training courses to help spread the cost, we also offer hypnotherapy training student loan schemes with up to 36 months to repay.

There is no administrative fee. No interest. Just making the course accessible to you.

Questions? Comments?

We know it’s pretty confusing working out which hypnotherapy course to take with so many different qualifications, accreditations etc…

We’re happy to give you some practical advice and general information on choosing a course.

Our FAQ page offers lots of good information and advice. Or call us on 0207 112 9040 – and we’ll help explain the different qualifications and training standards.

With our no-risk, 100% money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose. You will have until the end of Day 3 to decide if you would like a full refund. Read more here.

Make an Enquiry

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About the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy – est. 2003.



The UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy is one of the world’s leading accredited hypnotherapy training schools specialising in teaching evidence-based hypnosis.

Established in 2003 the College has championed an evidence-based approach. We have led the way in providing hypnotherapy courses based on a cognitive-behavioural model and developing Hypno-CBT® – our own proprietary integration of hypnosis and CBT.

Our Diploma in Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy provides a complete professional training, leading to a fully accredited award.

The 7 day intensive training blocks allow you to complete your training in a focused and efficient way.

Our certificate and diploma courses are recognised by some of the UK’s leading therapy organisations.

Our trainers are highly-experienced, fully-qualified therapists who still maintain busy private practices.

Lessons focus on practical skills training under the close supervision of our trainers.

You will learn how to think like a therapist – assessing client issues, designing and delivering treatment plans.

We specialise in evidence-based and cognitive-behavioural approaches to hypnosis and clinical hypnotherapy – integrated with mindfulness.

Our Hypno-CBT® model represents a cutting edge approach to integrating hypnosis, mindfulness and CBT. We integrate Cognitive Hypnotherapy with Behavioural Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness-Based Approaches.

We teach a wide range of techniques for “unsticking” clients and creating positive change (Read about the Toolbox of 35 Techniques)

Trainers draw upon modern psychotherapy theory and practice (CBT, Hypnosis, ACT) and also philosophy and practices from Western (Stoic) Applied Philosophy, Buddhist psychology and Yoga Philosophy.

Interest-free payment plans and Early Bird discounts are available for our courses.

We provide excellent post course support and online resources – see our Student Support section

And more… read the article “35 Reasons to Train with The UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy” Programme“

Questions? Comments?

Call us on 0207 112 9040 or send us an enquiry here.

International Training in Hypnotherapy

The hypnotherapy training courses in London are attended by a wide range of learners from around the country and around the world. Typically about 20% to 25% of students will be international having travelled from various places outside of the UK to attend the training. Recently we have trained psychotherapists and coaches from Canada, Switzerland, Malta, Norway, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Hong Kong and also the United States including students from California, New York and Colorado.

Our new offering both by webcast and also via Online Digital Courses (Pre-recorded) allow anyone, anywhere internationally to take our CBH training courses.

Are you a hypnosis institute or hypnotherapy academy?

No. We don’t call ourselves a hypnotherapy training institute or a hypnotherapy academy (or Hypnosis Academy) because those terms have special regulations covering their use and can potentially be misleading to the public. We are one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the United Kingdom, have been established since 2003 and our training programme has a solid reputation in the professional field

What happens in your hypnosis classes?

When you come to study hypnosis with us or learn hypnotherapy you’ll be immersed in a very rich and intensive learning environment. Typically 40% to 50% of the classroom time is spent on practical exercises as therapist or as client. By the conclusion of our hypnosis course you will have had extensive experience as a therapist and also as a client receiving hypnotherapy. Hypnosis education should involve a mix of theory, practice, experience, discussion and reflection.

The qualification we offer is a vocational qualification. Therefore the course is primarily focused on practical (applied) knowledge and skills, although some background knowledge and theory is required.

What about hypnosis certification?

There aren’t any laws in the UK controlling who can call themselves a hypnotherapist or hypnotist. However, the profession has broadly agreed on some standards and our Hypnotherapy Diploma training meets all those requirements for certification (accreditation) so that you can be a certified hypnotherapist (accredited hypnotherapist or “accredited clinical hypnotherapist”).

This means that our hypnotherapy training course is recognised and accredited by the leading hypnotherapy organisations. Allowing you to join as an “accredited clinical hypnotherapist” (or “accredited clinical hypnotist”) once you have completed the clinical hypnotherapy training and also completed and passed your written assessment.

Do you teach Ericksonian hypnotherapy?

Do you offer an NLP training or NLP course?

Do you teach hypnoanalysis (regression hypnotherapy) courses?

In our hypnosis courses we have in-depth discussions on Ericksonian hypnotherapy, NLP training and hypnoanalysis – and some experience of doing positive regression hypnotherapy. However our training is focused on teaching “evidence-based hypnotherapy” and therefore tends to focus on cognitive-behavioural methods rather than other approaches, simply because of the depth of the evidence-base for cognitive and behavioural methods.

Ericksonian hypnotherapy , NLP training (Neurolinguistic Programming) and hypnoanalysis (regression) don’t have an evidence-base to support them, despite the claims made by many trainers. In addition they have quite different models of human psychology and the problems that occur (e.g. in mental health disorders), making it hard to blend these into an integrative therapy model. There are many interesting and controversial ideas in Ericksonian hypnotherapy, and some of these can be useful.

In addition many NLP training courses teach a range of very creative techniques – but without research to demonstrate that they work they cannot really be claimed to be effective. However if an individual practitioner finds a particular NLP technique to be effective for them and their clients – we do not wish to undermine their confidence in that technique. In our experience many of the NLP training techniques that might appear to work perhaps to do – but the NLP theory explaining why the work is unlikely to be validated.

In psychotherapy training, and NLP training in particular, the saying coined by Professor Richard McNally (Director of Clinical Training at Harvard University) rings true “what is effective is not new and what is new is not effective”.

We spend some time distinguishing between Milton Erickson’s actual work, “Ericksonian hypnotherapy” (mainly developed by his biographers) and “neo-Ericksonian hypnotherapy” approaches like NLP training. The evidence-based approach is applied to looking at Eriksonian hypnotherapy – both his actual work vs the apparent myth making, experimental research into Ericksonian indirect suggestions and clinical evidence for Ericksonian hypnotherapy. Many hypnotherapy training courses are actually about 50% NLP training or sometimes primarily an NLP course. We do not teach NLP training methods on our hypnotherapy courses.

In the same way we look at the development of hypnoanalysis and consider both theoretical and effectiveness issues. Hypnoanalysis training is popular but overall hypnoanalysis lacks a strong evidence-base and also hypno-analytical methods raise concerns around safety to which we pay great attention, particularly with regard to false memories and reactivating painful material from the past.

While we cover Ericksonian hypnotherapy, hypnoanalysis training, as right now there is little evidence of their effectiveness.

What do I need to do to train to be a hypnotherapist?

This questions “how do I become a hypnotherapist” or “how to I a train to be a hypnotherapist” are often asked. You need to complete a hypnotherapy course with a minimum of 120 classroom contact hours and then complete home study (approximately 330 hours – but this varies by individual) and a written assessment. These are the generally agreed minimum standards for our profession and to become a professional hypnotherapist.

Do you offer “clinical hypnotherapy training” or “training in clinical hypnosis”?

The term “clinical hypnotherapy” (or “clinical hypnosis” or even “medical hypnosis”) really means hypnotherapy for any conditions that a client might visit a clinic for. So might apply more to utilising hypnotherapy to alleviate physical, mental or emotional distress (as opposed to using hypnotherapy for performance improvement or creativity). In this regard we do offer training in “clinical hypnotherapy” and “clinical hypnosis”.

However, hypnotherapists need to be aware of their sphere of competence and the client issues that they are qualified and competent to help with. And therefore be aware of which issues need to be referred to someone with the proper level of medical or psychiatric training.

Medical Hypnosis: Medical hypnosis training usually covers issues such as skin problems, psychosomatic disorders, stress related disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, tinnitus, insomnia, back pain and other chronic pain issues, quitting smoking, pre and post operative support, cancer treatment support, menopausal symptom support, weight loss, alcohol reduction, healthy lifestyle etc. Sometimes Medical Hypnosis is called Clinical Hypnosis. There really is no general agreement on these terms!

In general, medical issues must be checked with a GP and the GP needs to agree with hypnotherapy as a treatment. For mental health issues most hypnotherapists are competent to help with “sub-clinical” issues – for example anxiety that doesn’t meet the criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis.

Therefore the term “clinical hypnotherapist” is possibly problematic (since it might seem to indicate competence with clinical issues rather than “sub-clinical” issues).

Similar concerns could apply with using the term “medical hypnotherapist” or offering “medical hypnosis” or “medical hypnotherapy” or “clinical hypnotist”.

Clinical Hypnosis

Also “clinical hypnotherapy training” or “clinical hypnosis course” can make it appear that the training is limited to medical or mental health issues. In contrast through the Hypno-CBT® diploma training course you will see the wide range of creative applications for our approach (you can view the range of techniques covered, the Hypno-CBT® Toolbox here).

Once you understand the fundamentals and key drivers of anxiety and stress, and the underlying mechanisms of change and how these occur then you can apply our cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy approach into so many areas beyond the “clinical” or “medical”.

So yes, we offer clinical hypnotherapy training, clinical hypnosis courses, medical hypnosis – and actually much more!

Do you offer Accredited Hypnotherapy Courses?

Yes. Our accredited hypnotherapy course, or rather the Diploma that you are awarded, is accredited by The National Council of Hypnotherapy and The General Hypnotherapy Register. It’s also accredited by The Register for Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. In addition the Diploma qualification is externally verified and awarded by a national awarding and examining body, NCFE. The qualification awarded by NCFE is verified as being equivalent to NVQ Level 4 on the government educational framework

You can read more about accredited hypnotherapy courses here.

Do you have any reviews of your hypnotherapy courses?

Yes we do have reviews of our hypnotherapy courses – as well as workshop reviews. We have formal evaluations on all of our courses in hypnosis and also testimonials from those attending our courses. You can read some of the testimonials here. Also you can watch some videos with students talking about their experience of our hypnotherapy training courses.

If you’d like some information on the formal evaluations or reviews please contact us.

We also have lots of information on how to choose a hypnotherapy training or how to find a hypnotherapy teacher.

Is this the same as Cognitive Hypnotherapy?

In the proper use of that term: yes.

However an NLP training school has also called its therapy approach “cognitive hypnotherapy” – which causes considerable confusion!

In terms of the proper use of that term (as introduced by Tosi, Dowd and Alladin in their academic articles and books*) then what we teach is “cognitive hypnotherapy“.

As both Professor E. Thomas Dowd and Dr Assen Alladin have stated, the term “cognitive hypnotherapy” is simply a short version for “cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy” – which they consider a little too long-winded. So yes, in the proper meaning of the term we do offer cognitive hypnotherapy training!

Please see our article “What is Cognitive Hypnotherapy” for clarification of the true meaning and origins of the term. it has nothing to do with NLP courses or NLP training.

Do you offer a short training? Or short courses in hypnosis?

We offer a one week Certificate in Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy or a three week Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy course.

Do you offer an online hypnotherapy course or hypnosis training online?

Or distance learning hypnotherapy training?

Yes! We have our entire Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Practitioner Training Programme available as an e-course (digital course, pre-recorded) – and this training programme is supported by extensive one to one personal tutoring and coaching, and also free online hypnotherapy practice sessions (register, login and you are assigned a partner to practice your hypnotherapy techniques with via Zoom Breakout room technology).

We are also offering the entire Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy Practitioner Training Programme via webcast on the Zoom platform. This has proved to enormously successful with some learners rating it HIGHER than the live classroom training in London.

Do you offer training in the USA?

I am based in the United States of America, can I take the online hypnosis training and practice in the United States with your qualification?

Great questions!

At this time we are not offering in-person,, live hypnotherapy training in the United States. However you can take either the Webcast or the Online Diploma (Digital Course with Tutoring) from your home in the USA.

We have several learners right now taking the Online Diploma who are based in the USA.

In order to understand if and how you can practice hypnosis in the United States, particularly what you can call yourself and how you can describe your “treatments”, you need to be aware of the legislation in your State with regard to practising hypnotherapy.

We have a special page here that provides links to read about the legal situation for practising hypnotherapists in various countries around the world, including in detail articles on the situation for hypnotherapists in the USA.

Do you offer Advanced Hypnotherapy Courses or Training?

Terms like “Advanced Hypnotherapy” don’t really have any particular meaning or standards. We consistently receive feedback that our hypnotherapy course is advanced hypnotherapy training compared to most others.

Unfortunately many people in our profession (and particularly those who teach NLP, NeuroLinguistic Programming, training courses) use language and titles in a fairly “loose” way. For example you can become a Licensed “Master Practitioner in NLP” with just a nine day NLP training course.

Many hypnotherapists have chosen to retrain in our cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy approach – and certainly they would say that compared to most hypnotherapy training programmes (and even so-called “clinical hypnotherapy training courses”) that this is an advanced hypnotherapy course.

*The term Cognitive Hypnotherapy was first introduced in 1985 by Milne in an article in The Australian Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (Volume 13). Then in the title of an article by Tosi in 1994 entitled Cognitive Hypnotherapy in Psychosomatic Illness (Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy) and by Alladin in an 1994 in an article on Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Depression. It was first appeared in a book title with the publication of Cognitive Hypnotherapy by Professor E. Thomas Dowd in 1999. In 2007 Dr Alladin published “Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Depression: An Evidence-Based Approach”. In 2008 “Cognitive Hypnotherapy: An Integrated Approach to the Treatment of Emotional Disorders”.

In each of these cases the term is used within the context of Cognitive Therapy as developed by Aaron T Beck. However an NLP training school in the UK introduced a book and training course called “cognitive hypnotherapy” – this is a blend of NLP training, hypnotherapy and some positive psychology. It has very little to do with cognitive therapy approaches of Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck – and none of the behavioural therapy features which were still retained in the cognitive therapy models that Ellis and Beck developed.