The Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association (AHA) is Australia's leading independent national registration and industry Peak Body representing and promoting the interests of the Australian hypnotherapy sector, committed to achieving better options for all Australians.

The AHA represents only professional clinical hypnotherapists and fulfils many crucial roles within the framework of the hypnotherapy profession. These include consistent standards in training, on going professional development, professional supervision, industry and professional representation to the government and other appropriate bodies. It was founded in 1949 and incorporated in 1956, and has grown into the largest independent professional body for hypnotherapists in Australia. Its Memorandum and Articles of Association have been registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

The AHA is a proactive professional body. It is not simply a membership body. The AHA exists for its members and therefore member benefits and services are our first priority. The AHA’s second priority is to ensure that the hypnotherapy profession is represented appropriately to government and other professional organisations. The AHA is unlike any other body for hypnotherapists in Australia. The AHA with its Free Advisory Line 1800 067 557 is able to react quickly to meet any enquiries.

The AHA is a non-profit organisation

The AHA is a non-profit, democratic institution, and is independent of any academic or commercial interest.

Membership

The AHA is the National Registration Body and the oldest and largest independent hypnotherapy Association in Australia. It is its independence that makes it unique and is an important part of its strength. When a hypnotherapist is a "registered hypnotherapist" the public knows that the hypnotherapist not only meets membership criteria but also meets other criteria such as accountability, risk management issues; ethical standards and supervision.

AHA membership has gained national recognition as the standard for the practice of hypnotherapy. Anecdotal evidence suggests that government departments, insurance companies and the public now recognize the importance of such standards and view AHA membership as a basic requirement for hypnotherapy as a treatment modality.

The AHA has members from many different nationalities, that speak many different languages, thus making hypnotherapy available to a wider range of the Non-English speaking population. Some of the languages spoken are: English, Arabic, Dutch, French, Greek, Italian, Persian, Polish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.

The AHA assessment process

The AHA defines a "registered hypnotherapist" as a professional having completed a qualification that meets AHA training standards. The AHA Executive administers a thorough assessment process for Clinical Membership that includes written, oral, and practical examinations, based on its competency and proficiency standards relating to the theory and practice of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. The Executive must be satisfied that every such applicant can appropriately demonstrate:

• good character and repute

• a history of appropriately supervised, ethical practice

• an understanding of the science of hypnosis /  hypnotherapy

• particular hypnotic and hypnotherapeutic skills

• the capacity to assess, plan and manage cases, referring when appropriate.

The AHA is in complete accord with the medical profession

The Association is in complete agreement with the medical profession in its opposition to the type of ‘hypnotist’ who makes wild and exaggerated claims. A Hypnotherapist who is a member of this Association is governed by a sworn code of ethics to take the deepest possible interest in every patient, to be at all times conscientious, persevering, kind, patient, thorough and trustworthy and to treat all information acquired during the treatment as highly confidential.

The AHA has successfully treated many thousands of patients

Over the years the Australian Hypnotherapists' Association Members have successfully treated many thousands of patients who suffered from a multitude of conditions. Most of these patients consulted them only after they had been unable to obtain relief by other means.

The members of this Association are specialists and provide a service quite distinct from that of a general medical practitioner or psychiatrist and are highly qualified in this specialised and scientific field.

AHA values continuing professional development education

The  AHA encourages continuing professional development by convening three workshops a year, facilitating a collegial and educational setting,  with both national and local speakers, that are open to all.  

Through professional and personal contacts with other national and international hypnotherapy associations, the  AHA encourages cooperative relationships with fellow professionals throughout the world.

AHA recognition

The AHA has been recognised as an authority on Clinical  Hypnotherapy by both Governmental and private agencies.   AHA members are regularly invited to speak at various Community and Service organisations about hypnosis  and hypnotherapy.  AHA members  are recognised as health professionals by most of the Private Health  Funds.

How much does it cost to visit a qualified therapist?

The  cost of consulting a Member of the Association will vary and you should  check when you make your appointment.  Most Private Health Funds will pay  for hypnotherapy services under Extras cover, check with the clinician and your Private Health insurer.

PACFA membership

The AHA is an inaugural member association of the peak body - Psychotherapists and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). For more information about PACFA visit: www.pacfa.org.au 

What AHA membership indicates

AHA membership provides recognition that the hypnotherapist has met the required training in clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy. AHA membership has gained national recognition as the standard for the practice of hypnotherapy. Antidotal evidence suggests that government departments, insurance companies and the public now recognize the importance of such standards and view AHA membership as a basic requirement for hypnotherapy as a treatment modality.

AHA Membership indicates several things that fellow professionals, government departments, insurance companies and the public are all interested in knowing about individuals who offer hypnotherapy in their practices. AHA Membership indicates that the hypnotherapist:

• Has undergone training to obtain a legitimate qualification from a recognised institution

• Is certified to practice in his/her state

• Has had his/her training in clinical hypnotherapy assessed by qualified assessors and such training has met the minimum requirements set by the AHA