How can you join the AHA?

To be a member of the Australian Hypnotherapists Association (AHA), it does not matter where you learnt - what matters is that you are able to show the committee that you are properly trained and know your hypnosis. The AHA has a number of recognised courses which have been examined and found to meet criteria for graduate level AHA membership and above. Where a prospective member has not studied at one of these schools, academic transcripts are examined to ensure they meet AHA criteria. If these are not available, prospective members are examined in the relevant areas of hypnotherapy, including psychology and counselling, as well as the clinical applications of hypnotherapy.

Prospective members are also required to provide the AHA with a clean police check and where applicable, a working with children check. Then, once accepted as members, they are required to enter into a supervisory relationship with an experienced supervisor throughout their period of membership. All members are sworn to uphold the professional and ethical standards of the AHA as they are set out in the Association's Code of Ethics.

See the AHA Prospectus for further information.

Why Join the Australian Hypnotherapists Association: What does the AHA offer you that other associations don’t?

Thank you for your interest in joining the Australian Hypnotherapists Association, the accompanying information on this site explains the mission and membership criteria of the AHA. Please do not hesitate to phone us on our advisory Line 1300 552 254 (9:00am – 12:00pm, Monday – Friday), if there are any points that need clarifying or do not fully explain what is required.

The AHA has been a premier association in Australia for hypnotherapy and hypnotherapists since 1949 and is the oldest and largest hypnotherapy organisation in Australia. It is a national and progressive professional association that fulfils a critical role within the Australian hypnotherapy industry.

A Supportive Professional Association

The AHA is an independent association that offers its members services and benefits second to none. The AHA is primarily concerned with providing a unified voice for the hypnotherapy industry; with establishing a national complaints tribunal and supporting its members; by providing a consistent Code of Ethics; by setting industry standards for all hypnotherapists; by maintaining a national register of practicing hypnotherapists; by lobbying private health funds on behalf of its membership for members’ clients; by lobbying the government for better recognition of the profession; by making the general public more aware of the hypnotherapy profession and the availability of reputable hypnotherapists; by lobbying the Insurance companies for fair and reasonable insurance coverage; and for the formal recognition of hypnotherapy as a separate profession.

AHA Advisory Line

The AHA has an advisory line for the public to use 5 days a week, to answer questions and be recommended to a hypnotherapist in their area. Thus the association receives phone calls from the public asking for a hypnotherapist on a regular basis and we refer these enquires on to our registered members. This line is answered between 9am and 12 noon AEST/AEDT Monday to Friday. Please call 1300 55 22 54.

Private Health Fund provider Numbers

The AHA was the first hypnotherapy association to successfully negotiate provider numbers specifically for hypnotherapists in Australia. All AHA professional and clinical members are eligible to be placed on the health fund lists for a provider number from most of the health funds. For further information phone the advisory line 1300 552 254.

The AHA offers a continuing education programme

To help members keep abreast with the latest techniques and new developments that are happening in the field of clinical hypnotherapy the AHA maintains a continuing professional development program that consists of seminars, workshops and discussion/support groups, as well as supervision sessions etc. The AHA also holds quarterly general meetings via Zoom and encourages members to meet informally at every opportunity, thus giving members the opportunity to socialise, network and exchange ideas and knowledge about their particular areas of interest or expertise. Check out the "find a hypnotherapist" directory to find members in your area!

Details of upcoming events are found via the AHA events calendar. The AHA also has an online CPD shop which offers a more flexible way of learning.

Promotional Opportunities

The AHA offers its members a number of promotional opportunities.

Free listings in the directory
Personalised description of your qualifications and specialties
Receive additional telephone referrals from the AHA advisory line (answered 5 days a week from 9:00am to 12:00 pm)
Opportunity to be published in The Australian Hypnotherapy Journal. As a member you receive 4 issues free each year

International Affiliations

The AHA has an International Affiliation with the following international associations to enable the AHA to keep members informed about world movements in the hypnotherapy profession and to share links and ideas for the improvement and advancement of the art and science of hypnosis and hypnotherapy:

Professional Board of Hypnotherapy, Inc. (Canada)
CCCH (Canada)
Peruvian Association of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (Peru)
Spanish Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists (Spain)
Association for Analytical & Cognitive Therapists (UK)
Association of Natural Medicine (UK)
Association for Professional & Clinical Hypnotherapy (UK)
British Association of Therapeutical Hypnotists (UK)
Clinical & Therapeutic Hypnosis Association (UK)
Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy (UK)
Curative Hypnotherapy Register (UK)
International Association of Precision Therapists (UK)
National Council of Psychotherapists (UK)
National Society of Professional Hypnotherapists (UK)
Organisation for Curative Hypnotherapists (UK)
Register of Trauma Specialists (UK)
United Fellowship of Hypnotherapists (UK)

National Register

The AHA has a directory of qualified hypnotherapists linked to the member database which is part of this website. This is continually updated in real time via the member database by the AHA members themselves. This directory reflects registration of practicing clinical members of the AHA. It is important for members to be listed in the directory to affirm to the public they are in fact registered hypnotherapists. After all it is registration that separates professional hypnotherapists from the rest and reflects accountability to the public, government and other agencies. Entry to the directory or to maintain a presence in the directory requires continued membership of the AHA as a professional or clinical member. No information is given out in regard to members details without their prior permission.

Effective Lobbying

The AHA National Executive lobbies governments (both state & federal) and meets with other professionals regularly. We are doing it, not just talking about it

The Largest Hypnotherapy Association In Australia

As the largest independent hypnotherapy association in Australia, the AHA’s high standards have withstood the test of time. For over seventy five years now it has been the leader in the field and it now invites all practicing hypnotherapists in Australia, New Zealand and overseas, that are interested in joining this highly respected progressive, proactive and continuously expanding hypnotherapy association, to apply for membership.

The AHA is a non-profit organisation

The AHA is a non-profit association with membership fees re-invested in various ways to promote the aims and objectives of the Association.

Low Cost Professional Indemnity Insurance

The AHA has negotiated on behalf of its members low cost professional indemnity insurance cover with Fenton Green (click here to apply).

The Australian Hypnotherapy Journal

AHA sends out a quarterly e-magazine to keep members informed of happenings within the association and industry. The Australian Hypnotherapy Journal contains articles and information on conferences, workshops, therapies, overseas news, business building hints, register of supervisors, fact pages, comments from members and also has a very competitive advertising scheme. The e-magazine is free to all members who supply us with an email address. Members are encouraged to submit articles/papers for publication.

International Reciprocal Alliances

Alliance between these major bodies can only bode well for the promotion of excellence and unity within the profession of Hypnotherapy on a truly international basis. Practitioners who may be considering relocation to either England or Canada should contact the AHA Head Office for full information on the scheme.

The General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (UK)
Association of Registered Clinical Hypnotherapists (Canada)
New Zealand Association of Professional Hypnotherapists (New Zealand)

Regular Workshops

The AHA holds regular one day workshops via Zoom. These workshops are attended by well known speakers and experts in their field, including at least two international speakers per year. The AHA also advertises workshops for its members as part of its contribution to helping members with their continuing professional development. Advertising costs are available on request from the editor of the Australian Hypnotherapy Journal. AHA members are given substantial discounts to AHA workshops.

The AHA offers continuing professional development programmes and networking opportunities to help members keep abreast with the latest techniques and new developments that are happening in the field of clinical hypnotherapy the AHA:

Maintains a continuing professional development program that consists of discounted seminars, workshops and support groups, as well as supervisors willing to help you with your career progress
The AHA also holds regular networking "meet ups", providing the opportunity for members to meet informally , thus giving members the opportunity to socialise, network and exchange ideas and knowledge about their particular areas of interest or expertise. The AHA is always looking for volunteers in their local areas to facilitate these get togethers.
The AHA also offers an online discussion group to help members with problem cases. If members have a question about a condition they haven’t encountered before, or understand how to resolve, they can put it to the online discussion group where other members can offer a range of suggestions regarding treatment.
If you are hypnotherapy student or qualified hypnotherapist looking for a supportive association to be part of, why not join the AHA today and become part of our friendly and supportive community.

Membership with these associations also reflects an international recognition of the AHA as the Australian hypnotherapy body and as an association that meets international standards. The AHA invites the members of these affiliated organisations to apply for membership. Should members from these associations be moving to Australia, we would welcome their membership application.

Please note: In 2014, the AHA increased its minimum educational standards to 600+ hours of study. Please check that you meet AHA criteria before applying for membership.