Latest news letter from the President

President's Report for April 2026

Dear Members

I hope this email finds you well as the year is quickly rolling by.

Please find the ‘April in review’ report below.

April’s Social Media blast

We hope you have noticed that the AHA has had a dedicated social media presence during the month of April. This campaign has been extensive with posts most days in our four social media groups and pages throughout Facebook and Instagram. Posts and stories were scheduled to significantly elevate our presence and visibility in the public and the wider community.

We've been actively promoting the AHA and the invaluable services we provide to our members as we also continue to promote the practice of clinical hypnotherapy in Australia.

This initiative came about to address some concerning misinformation that has surfaced from various sources. By sharing accurate information and showcasing the benefits of being part of the AHA, we aim to set the record straight!

During the month we have witnessed increased activity in the social media arena that has sparked greater public interest in the AHA even from outside of Australia. We have had requests for membership, and we hope this increased presence has  helped hypnotherapists searching for an association recognise what we hope you reading this already know: there is truly no better place to be than the AHA! 😊

A WIN: FOR CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY - MEDIBANK PRIVATE 

We are pleased to share the important outcome regarding our agreement with Medibank Private (MBP) for hypnotherapy services. We have previously highlighted to our members that the proposed criteria would effectively have disqualified all future graduates from accessing MBP rebates. Being the largest fund we deal with, we were concerned that this would also set a precedent to the other funds to follow suit.

However, following valuable feedback provided by the AHA to (MBP) about the proposed policy changes for Clinical Hypnotherapy, it was highlighted that the proposed modality-specific criteria did not align with current industry standards and best practices. As a result, the Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association was unable to sign the document.

Due to our long-standing and positive relationship with MBP, they were very receptive to our feedback, even though we were told other associations had already signed the document. The AHA and MBP further collaborated to refine these criteria, ensuring both the quality of services and the sustainability of our hypnotherapy provider network was maintained.

Medibank has now accepted and incorporated the AHA's suggestions, making adjustments to the modality-specific criteria for hypnotherapy, which is now integrated into the updated agreement. This agreement has been circulated for re-signing to all other eligible associations.

We would like to acknowledge and thank Caitlin MacKinnon, Senior Ancillary Operations Manager, for her time and willingness to collaborate with us to ensure that all Australian Clinical Hypnotherapists continue to receive MBP health insurance rebates, and importantly, that all MBP health fund members also have the opportunity to access hypnotherapy rebates.

Below are the revised criteria for your reference:

Hypnotherapy (Medibank Only)

• Training Requirements: Practitioners must complete a government-accredited Diploma or an equivalent qualification (minimum 1000 hours) that includes experiential training, ethics, and counselling skills. Accepted qualifications include:
  • 11271NAT
  • 10974NAT
• Course Duration: The course must be a minimum of:
  • 12 months for full-time students
  • 18 months for part-time students
• Qualification Restrictions: Educational qualifications will not be recognised if obtained through:
  • Correspondence or non-interactive, self-paced online courses
  • Clinical training that is not supervised by a recognised hypnotherapy tutor
• Practical Training: A minimum of 84 hours of practical clinical training must be conducted on campus or through ‘interactive’ online learning, supervised by a trainer with qualifications at the same level or higher than the modality being studied.
• Insurance Requirements: Providers must hold a current Professional Indemnity Insurance policy with a minimum coverage of  10,000,000 for Public Liability Insurance. The insurance must cover all practices and modalities.
• Ongoing Supervision: Providers are required to demonstrate ongoing supervision tailored to their competency, documented and assessed separately from the minimum Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
• Continuing Professional Development: Practitioners must complete a minimum of 20 hours of CPD per year, relevant to their practice modality.

Please note,

• All AHA members currently meet these recommendations.

Another Step Forward for Hypnotherapy

You may have seen our post about this on social media, but we wanted to share it here for those who did not see this.

One of our valued AHA members, who is himself a veteran, has achieved a powerful milestone on behalf of the profession through a new collaboration with Valour Health. This organisation supports both veterans and the broader community through a dual-focus model spanning veteran services and private health care.

Following highly productive discussions with their Practice Manager, this partnership has now moved into action. Our member recently spent the day in Sydney filming hypno-therapeutic content for Valour Health’s website and Instagram platforms. This is an exciting step toward greater visibility of hypnotherapy and accessibility for veterans in Australia.

Most notably, hypnotherapy will be actively promoted as part of Valour Health’s integrated care approach, signalling a meaningful shift toward wider acceptance within another multidisciplinary health framework. This aligns strongly with the AHA’s ongoing vision: to see hypnotherapy recognised, respected, and embedded within contemporary healthcare models.

A standout feature currently in development is an “Ask the Hypnotherapist” segment. This is designed to educate, inform, and engage the public. This initiative represents not only increased exposure, but also a vital opportunity to demystify hypnotherapy and highlight its evidence-based benefits.

While stepping in front of the camera was a new experience, it reflects the courage, innovation, and leadership being shown by our members as they help shape the future of the profession.

We look forward to sharing further updates and content as this collaboration unfolds. This is more than a win for one practitioner, it’s a step forward for the integration and acceptance of hypnotherapy across Australia.

The future is collaborative. The future is integrated. The future includes hypnotherapy.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE ASSOCIATION

We are now one month into the new membership year, and I would like to remind everyone of the ample opportunities available to engage with our association. It’s important to note that all members, including our graduates, are encouraged to participate in at least two association meetings per year, as stipulated by the AHA requirements.

We have a variety of gatherings designed to meet your interests and needs. All in all we offer over 35 FREE member meetings per year and another 15 plus which incur a member discounted cost.

Our members can join in for our World's Biggest Meetup Groups, held 12 times a year. Beyond these, we offer specific Member meetings with the administrator on request. We also offer monthly Wednesday Workshops for a small fee, along with weekend workshops that all members are welcome to attend. Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and Special General Meetings (SGMs) are also open to everyone.

Additionally, graduate members have exclusive access to the graduate-specific meetings, which accrue both Supervision or CPD points and support them in building their new practices and assists them in meeting their Association requirements. We also have meetup groups specifically for supervisors, trainers, and clinical members, providing tailored networking opportunities within each group, all of which accrue CPD and / or peer supervision points.

With so many ways to get involved, we encourage you to enhance your membership by participating in these easily accessible experiences. You can find the meeting schedule for all upcoming meetings at the completion of this email.

AHA Reminder: Upholding Professional Behaviour in Clinical Hypnotherapy

The Australian Hypnotherapy Association (AHA) would like to reiterate the importance of maintaining appropriate and professional behaviour within all our professional interactions, whether that be client-to-practitioner, practitioner-to-practitioner, or training provider-to-training provider.

Our Code of Ethics and Conduct clearly outline the expected professional standards, not only within clinical settings but also in the broader community.

As representatives of the AHA and the broader clinical hypnotherapy profession, we are reminded that our personal behaviour reflects not only on our own practice, but also our commitment to raising the profile of our field. When we continue to uphold the highest of standards that exemplify professionalism in every setting, we lead the way for hypnotherapists to be viewed as the skilled health care professionals we are.

HYPNOTIC IDEAS EXCHANGE

We wanted to clarify that the Hypnotic Ideas Exchange (HIE) is a collaborative initiative of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), specifically organised through its North Carolina, Northern Virginia, Eastern Society, and New Jersey Component Sections.

Since its inception in May 2020, the HIE has become a cornerstone for hypnosis learning and professional community building. These dynamic virtual gatherings typically draw 70 to 100 participants per session, bringing together leading experts and practitioners to exchange valuable ideas, stories, metaphors, and techniques in the field of hypnosis.

We understand many of our members are already aware of this excellent professional development opportunity, but we wanted to send this as a friendly reminder not to overlook the HIE! The meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 PM ET, (Tuesday morning AEDT) and recordings are made available for those unable to attend live.

This is a wonderful resource for expanding your knowledge, connecting with peers, and staying current in the field. We encourage you to mark your calendars and take advantage of this free opportunity!

Share Your AHA Experience: Testimonials Needed!

We invite you to contribute a recorded testimonial to be featured on the AHA's YouTube channel and Facebook groups. We're seeking short (2-5 minutes) testimonials from members at all levels—whether you're new, a graduate, or an experienced professional.

If you're inspired to share what led you to join the AHA, what has motivated you to remain, and what benefits you find invaluable, we'd love to hear from you. These testimonials aim to highlight the positive aspects of our association, what we excel in, and what potential members might want to know.

Please send your recordings to president@ahahypnotherapy.org.au. All submissions will be reviewed and have the opportunity to be featured on both our YouTube and Facebook channels.

As a token of appreciation, participants will be entered into a draw for a $100 voucher for CPD on the Intuto platform. We encourage members to get creative and share your unique journey with the AHA!

MEMBERS BLOG

Don’t forget to visit the Members' Blog! We are continuously updating this section of the website with great articles covering various hypnotherapeutic topics. These resources may be of interest to you and beneficial to your practice. https://www.ahahypnotherapy.org.au/articles-research-and-resources/aha-members-blog

MEMBER NOTICEBOARD 

Congratulations to the following member/s on their successful membership applications. 

 

The AHA welcomes and Congratulates ALL OUR NEW Members AND membership UPGRADES

MEMBER NOTICEBOARD

If anyone has any award successes to share in the President’s Report Member Notice Board, please send them through to: president@ahahypnotheray.org.au

THERAPY BOOK REVIEWS

Pop over to the book review hub: 'Books to Inspire' if you are looking for something recommended to read or to listen to - https://www.ahahypnotherapy.org.au/articles-research-and-resources/books-to-inspire-reviews-audio-reflections

Also don't forget, If you have read a great book that you think is worth sharing, you can write a book review for the Hub and be awarded 2 CPD points.  

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
If you want to answer some fun fact questions and provide a picture of yourself, we can spotlight you in the months ahead.
To be involved all you need to do is fill in the following form and upload a picture of yourself to the following link: https://members.ahahypnotherapy.org.au/administration-forms/members-spotlight/  

 KEEPING IN TOUCH

Don't forget to check into the Facebook group and Instagram for everything current and interesting conversations.

• * https://www.facebook.com/groups/257684736308035 
• * https://www.facebook.com/ahahypnotherapy.org.au/
• * https://www.instagram.com/australianhypnotherapistsassoc/     

DATES FOR THE DIARY

The next meeting dates are as follows: NB: All, Sydney / Melbourne time.

•  Supervisor Meet-up-: 12^th  May 2026 : 9am  - 11a.m. AEST
• Graduate meet-up: May 22^nd  9am – 11 noon AEST
• World's biggest Member meet-up: May 15^th 4.00 - 6.00 p.m. AEDT
• Clinical Peer meet-up: May 5^th 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. AEDT
• AGM meeting: 22^nd June 2026  7pm AEST        
• Symposium:  S.A. May 2027 TBA
• Trainer’s meeting: 21^st September 7pm 2026  
• Special General Meeting: 7^th December 7pm 2026
• Academic Member Meeting: 7pm March 2027 date TBA

Danielle Aitken
National President
Australian Hypnotherapists Association 
e  president@ahahypnotherapy.org.au
w www.ahahypnotherapy.org.au
f  AHA Facebook