Latest news letter from the President
Dear Members,
I hope this email finds you well. It’s a big report this month with lots going on in the AHA and August is going to be just as busy.
Please find our July in Review report below.
EXCITING COLLABORATIONS
MMA
Further to our ongoing collaboration with Ann Davey, CEO of Massage & Myotherapy Australia, and her team, we are pleased to share some exciting developments in our promotional efforts.
We have recently submitted a referenced introductory journal article titled “The Quiet Power of Clinical Hypnotherapy: A Journey into the Mind’s Innate Healing Potential”, which has now been approved for publication in their professional journal. With over 9,000 members and an international readership, the journal offers an excellent opportunity to expand awareness of Clinical Hypnotherapy and its evidence-based foundations. We will share the publication date with you as soon as it becomes available.
In addition, I had the pleasure of recording an interview for Massage & Myotherapy Connect, their podcast program shared across both YouTube and Facebook platforms. The episode, expected to air next month. explores what Hypnotherapy is, how it feels, and the science supporting its clinical use. A key focus of the discussion was how their members can safely refer clients to qualified hypnotherapists via the AHA’s “Find a Hypnotherapist” page, and how self-hypnosis, taught by skilled practitioners, may support therapist self-care and wellbeing.
These initiatives are part of our continuing commitment to raise the profile of Clinical Hypnotherapy and build meaningful professional connections across the allied health arena.
International Institute for Complimentary Therapists / IICT
Something New is Coming for AHA Members – Affordable Insurance, Made Easy
We’re excited to let you know that a new member benefit is on its way! Soon, you’ll have access to exclusive insurance rates through a dedicated AHA-branded portal designed with your needs in mind.
What to Expect:
- Affordable cover – around $180 AUD for $10 million Professional Indemnity and $10 million Public Liability across multiple modalities.
- Simple access – no complicated sign-ups, just a secure AHA-branded page made especially for you.
- Respect for your privacy – this service is purely transactional. You won’t receive any marketing from their partners, and your details are secure.
We’re also pleased to share that this partnership will support the long-term sustainability of the AHA, so it’s a win-win for everyone. We’ll share more soon and give you a preview before the portal goes live.
The use of Artificial Intelligence transcription for note taking / review
Important: AI Transcription is Not Recommended by the AHA for Therapy Sessions.
Following the recent AHA Board meeting, discussion and review of available information on the pro’s and cons of this technology, a unanimous recommendation was made against the use of AI transcription tools in clinical practice for our members.
While these tools may appear convenient, they can pose serious ethical, legal, and clinical concerns, chiefly around confidentiality and transcription accuracy.
Many AI platforms store data on third-party servers, which may or may not comply with Australian healthcare privacy laws. Without strict encryption, data ownership clarity, and informed client consent, their use risks breaching professional standards and eroding client trust.
There is also a concern surrounding Inaccuracy in Clinical Contexts. AI-generated transcripts can misinterpret accents, emotional nuance, therapeutic silence, humour such as things said in jest and other essential elements of the clinical exchange. This may lead to transcript misrepresentation and compromise of case recall at a later date, in the unlikely event of the therapists being called to defend the notes in a court of law.
Please note: This is a recommendation only and we urge all practitioners who decide to utilise AI platforms to do so with caution and due diligence in reviewing the confidentiality regarding storage and ownership of notes and the therapeutic appropriateness and accuracy of the platform.
HEALTH FUNDS
As per the email on this topic that was sent to all members, we wish to inform our members that the ARHG has finalised the accreditation criteria for hypnotherapy providers, allowing them to be registered with the ARHG Ancillary Provider Accreditation Service.
AHA are aware that the ARHG's consideration of hypnotherapy, alongside other ancillary services, could significantly increase our visibility and acceptance among health funds that currently do not cover us. This promising opportunity prompted our initial discussions with them.
During our meeting with ARHG we clarified AHA's established membership criteria, which uphold high industry standards and consequently secure strong relationships with many health funds. However, ARHG's final proposal introduces a distinction between RTO-trained (categorised as 'Accredited') and non-RTO-trained therapists (categorised as 'Listed'), potentially allowing health funds to choose whether to cover 'Listed' therapists due to an ‘opt out’ clause.
With limited RTO training schools currently recognised by AHA, this differentiation could negatively impact non-RTO-trained members who currently benefit from existing health fund coverage. As you will be aware, the AHA currently enjoy comprehensive coverage for our practicing members, therefore we are prudently exploring all options as we continue our discussions with ARHG on this point. A meeting is scheduled for next week.
We want to assure you that we do not view our non-RTO-trained therapists as inferior. Our commitment remains to safeguard the best interests of both Clinical Hypnotherapy and our members. We've communicated our concerns to ARHG and are evaluating all possibilities moving forward.
MARKETING
We’re about to kick off this year’s marketing campaign, which includes both social media and radio components, designed to direct more members of the public to the Find a Hypnotherapist page on our website. Keep an eye out as this rolls out!
We’ve planned a dedicated three-month social media campaign, beginning this week, and we are set to launch the radio campaign. These efforts build on the strong results of last year’s strategy and aim to further raise awareness of Clinical Hypnotherapy across the wider community.
MEMBER SURVEY
As previously mentioned, to ensure our work continues to reflect the needs of our members and the evolving landscape of our profession, we are currently conducting a member survey live for the month of August.
Your insights will help guide future initiatives and will contribute to the broader understanding of our field.
Have your say on the following link that can be found on the website homepage in the member area. https://members.ahahypnotherapy.org.au/member-area/aha-workshop-surveys/have-your-say-with-the-aha-2025/
SYMPOSIUM 2025
Symposium 25 is nearly here – and it’s one you won’t want to miss!
"The Many Applications of Clinical Hypnotherapy"
WHEN: Saturday 15th November | 9am–5pm AEDT
WHERE: Sydney Masonic Centre + Zoom Hybrid
This year we’re coming together at the stunning Sydney Masonic Conference Centre – a central, modern venue perfect for connection, learning and inspiration. With a fabulous speaker line-up and a great atmosphere guaranteed, now’s the time to plan your trip.
WHAT’S ON: Join us for a powerful day exploring how clinical hypnotherapy is making a difference across diverse areas of client care, including:
Sex addiction
Post-trauma growth
Breaking habits & addictions
Creative strategies for kids & teens
Hypnosis in psychotherapy
The healing power of laughter
Earn 7 CPD points
Connect with colleagues
Learn from expert presenters
Walk away informed, inspired & energised
Tickets at the following link :
https://www.ahahypnotherapy.org.au/events-workshops/aha-events-calendar
MEMBER NOTICEBOARD
Congratulations to the following members on their successful membership applications.
Congratulations to:
Graduate member
- Sarah Holloway
Clinical Members
- Valerie Kay Braendler
- Julie Makin
Also
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
For those of you who prefer to listen to your book reviews, a new audio version of the book reviews is now available, and they sound great!
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-: September 25th : 12.30 - 2.30 p.m. AEST
- * Graduate meet-up: September 25th - 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. AEST
- * World's biggest Member meet-up: August 15th 4.00 - 6.00 p.m. AEDT
- * Clinical Peer meet-up: August 5th - 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. AEDT
- * AGM meeting: June 2026 - TBC
- * Symposium: 2025 NSW Date: November 15th 2025
Danielle Aitken
National President
Australian Hypnotherapists Association
e president@ahahypnotherapy.org.au
w www.ahahypnotherapy.org.au
f AHA Facebook
