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 Based
in Glendale, California, and with 9400 members
world-wide, the ACHE is the primary hypnotherapist
certifying association in the United States. It has the
highest educational standards of any hypnosis
association in the world, only accepting hypnotherapy
schools, such as the
Hypnotherapy Training Institute,
which satisfy the strict licensing requirements of the
California State Council for Private, Postsecondary and
Vocational Education. During the past 20 years, the ACHE
has done crucial work to legitimatize, protect and
strengthen the hypnotherapy profession in federal and
many state legislatures throughout the United States,
far more than all the other certifying agencies
combined.
To become a certified hypnotherapist, candidates must
complete the required minimum number of 200-300
classroom training hours by an ACHE approved school (not
by mail order) and pass both a written and practical
test. Members must agree in writing to abide by the
ACHE's code of ethics in their practice. Every two years
thereafter members must complete 30 hours of continuing
education for re-certification, as do other health
professionals.
Because of its rigorous standards, the ACHE is the only
hypnotherapy certification association which accepts
non-licensed professionals that is recognized by the
State of California and many other state and federal
government agencies. By comparison, the hypnosis
training requirements for both the Society for Clinical
and Experimental Hypnosis and the American Society of
Clinical Hypnosis, which both only accept licensed
professionals, are just a fraction of the ACHE's
training requirements. (The reason why hypnotherapists
are generally not licensed by the state is that hypnosis
is considered a safe procedure, without harmful
side-effects... unlike a dentist, doctor, massage
therapist or even a hair dresser; the things that they
do could possibly harm you.)
Consumer Beware! Make sure your hypnotherapist is
certified by an independent association, and not
just the bearer of a "certificate of completion" by the
weekend training program they attended or home study
course they completed. Claiming to have the title of
"Certified Hypnotherapist" without any accountability to
an association overseeing the certification, I believe,
is unethical and lowers professional standards. This
manipulation of language is encouraged by some
hypnotherapy training programs to both further their own
interests and illegitimately mimic the ACHE's high
standards.
As a Hypnotherapist holding a Certification from the
American Council of Hypnotist Examiners, I commit myself
to conduct my professional relationships in accord with
the Code of Ethics and subscribe to the following
statements:
I regard as my primary obligation the welfare of the
individual or group served.
I will not discriminate because of race, color,
religion, age, sex, or national ancestry and in my job
capacity will work to prevent and eliminate such
discrimination in rendering service, in work
assignments, and in employment practices.
I give precedence to my professional responsibility over
my personal interests.
I hold myself responsible for the quality and extent of
the service I perform.
I respect the privacy of the people I serve.
I respect the rights, desires and needs of my clients at
all times.
I use in a responsible manner information gained in
professional relationships.
I treat with respect the findings, views, and actions of
colleagues and use appropriate channels to express
judgment on these matters.
I practice hypnotherapy within the recognized knowledge
and competence of the profession and findings to the
body of hypnotism knowledge and practice.
I accept responsibility to help protect the community
against unethical practice by any individuals or
organizations engaged in hypnotic services.
I distinguish clearly, in public, between my statements
and actions as an individual and as a representative of
an organization.
I support the principle that professional practice
requires professional education.
I teach self-hypnosis to my clients/students whenever
possible.
I contribute my knowledge, skills and support to
programs of human welfare.
I agree to conduct my practice and all professional
interactions in strict accordance with the Code of
Ethics as defined. If I am charged with an ethics
violation, I understand that an investigation may be
conducted upon receipt of a written complaint signed by
a complaining victim. I will be given an opportunity to
present my version of the complaint to the Ethics
Committee. I understand that my Certification could be
suspended for a specified period of time or revoked by a
unanimous vote of the Ethics Committee. In any case, I
agree to hold the American Council of Hypnotist
Examiners harmless for such actions.
If you would like to check on the status of an ACHE
member, or find an ACHE Hypnotherapist or ACHE approved
school in your area, please call 1-800-894-9766.
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