IHF professional and avocational members include seekers, practitioners and mind, body, spirit wellness experts from a full spectrum of experiences and training who honor the power of suggestion. Some professional members exclusively practice stand-alone professions like hypnosis, conflict resolution, and many other helpful disciplines. Others blend and incorporate holistic approaches. Some work independently, while others work in complementary capacities with other professions. The International Hypnosis Federation encourages members keen aware of their specific scope of practices and the rules and regulations of their country, state or city. Anything beyond an individual’s scope of practice is referred to one who is appropriately skilled in that arena. All professional IHF members are suitably educated, certified and/or licensed in their specialty, disciplines and interests. All commit to work together to bring upliftment, & positivity to their life, work, world and society.

HYPNOSIS AS A SOLE PRACTICE

IHF Certified Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Hypno-Counselor, or the like, may work independently. They use hypnosis techniques to assist clients. It is recommended that IHF hypnosis practitioner’s have you sign an IHF Disclosure form that informs you that: “A hypnotist is a legal wellness provider and not a licensed medical practitioner. Hypnosis is an ethical, alternative stand-alone wellness profession.”

In almost all states and countries, hypnotherapy is a non-licensed occupation, as are almost all other occupations.

The International Hypnosis Federation, represent thousands of professionally trained and certified hypnotists who diligently devote their practice to hypnosis. To find excellent hypnosis help in your neighborhood, consult www.hypnosisfederation.com. Hypnosis Synonyms Historically: Persians, Egyptians, Greek, Hebrews, Indian and Chinese called hypnotism “sacred sleep rituals” and “bridges to the divine” and the hypnotherapist, the “sleep practitioner.” 4th millennium BC Mesopotamia called hypnosis “dream seeking.” Dream seeking then became known as “incubation” from Latin “to lie down on.” Vision quest, walk about, introspection, mantras, meditation, staring at artifacts, and prayer became popular names for hypnosis as well.

TITLES CURRENTLY USED BY HYPNOTISTS

Advanced Hypnotist/Hypnotherapist, Certified Hypnotist/Hypnotherapist/Hipnotizador (Spanish)- Addiction Counseling (Recovery) Hypnotherapy, Affirmation Therapy, Agent of Change, Alchemical Hypnotherapist, Alternative Therapist, Alternative Wellness Provider, Analytical Hypnotherapist, Analytical Body Hypnotherapist, Anti-Aging Hypnotherapist, Assertive Behavioralist, Assertive Behavior Hypnotherapist, Athletic Trainer, Autogenics Trainer, Behavioral Complementary Medicine, Behavioral Hypnotist, Behavioral Medicine, Behavioral Programmer, Behavioral Wellness Practitioner, Behaviorist, Behavior Modification Counselor, Biodynamics Hypnotherapist, Biohypnotist, Body-Centered Hypnotherapist, Brain Gym Specialist, Brain Trainer, Brain/Mind Coach, Career Counseling Specialist, Ceremonial Leader, Chemical Dependency Expert, Childbirth/Midwifery Hypnotist, Clerical Hypnotherapist, Clinical Care Hypnotherapist, Clinical Hypnosis Consultant, Clinical Hypnotist/Hypnotherapist, Co-Active Coach, Co-Dependency Counselor, Cognitive Hypnotherapist, Cognitive Linguist, Cognitive Neurohypnotist, Complementary Health Assistant, Complementary Medical Expert, Complementary Wellness Provider, Compulsion/Addiction Hypnotist, Conversational Hypnotist, Corrective Therapist, Consulting Hypnotist, Counseling Hypnotherapist, Couples Counselor, Creative Arts Therapist, Creativity Counselor, Crisis Interventionist, Cultural Ecologist, Curative Hypnotherapist, Demonstrational Hypnotist, Deprogrammer, Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy, Developmental Hypnotherapist, Dreambody Worker, Dream Worker, Geriatric Hypnotherapist, Eating Disorder Specialist, Educational Consultant, Educational Hypnotist, Emergency Hypnotherapist, Emotivational Therapist, Energy Hypnotherapist, Ericksonian Hypnotist/Hypnotherapist, Energy Medicine Practitioner, Energy Therapist, Energy Hypnotherapist, Esoteric Hypnotist, Experiential Hypnotherapist, Facilitator, Forensic Hypnotist, Guided Imagery Clinician, Guided Imagery Coach, Guided Imagery Specialist, Health Care Hypnotherapist, Healtheologist, Higher-Self Hypnotist, Holistic Hypnotist, Holistic Life Coach, Holistic Life Counselor, Holistic Practitioner, Holistic Therapist and Advanced Holistic Therapist, Hologramic Hypnotherapist, Human Dynamics Instructor, Humanistic Hypnotherapist, Hypno-Advisor, Hypnoaesthetician, Hypnoanalyst, Hypnoanesthesiologist, Hypno-Behavioral Therapist, Hypnobiologist, Hypnobirther, Hypnocoach, Hypnocounselor, Hypnocrat, Hypnodontist, Hypnodoula, Hypnogogue, Hypnohealer, Hypno-Integrationist, Hypno-Kinesiologist, Hypnolinguist, Hypnologist, Hypno-Massage Therapist, Hypno-Metabolic Specialist, Hypnomotivator, Hypno-oncologist, Hypnophysician, Hypnopotamus, Hypnopsychologist, Hypnopsychotherapist, Hypno-reading specialist, Hypnotic Guide, Hypno-Reiki Practitioner, Hypnoresearcher, Hypno-Scientist, Hypnosis Group Facilitator, Hypnosis Practitioner, Hypnosophist, Hypnosynthesis Practitioner, Hypnotechnician, Hypnotechnologist, Hypnotism Expert, Hypnotism Operator, Hypnosis Instructor, Hypnosis Operator, Hypnotherapist, Hypnotist, Idea Therapist, Imagery Facilitator, Inner Peace Facilitator, Inner Resource Expert, Insight Hypnotherapist, International Hypnosis Federation Instructor, Integral Studies Practitioner, Integral Therapist, Integrative Hypnotherapist, International Hypnosis Federation Hypnotist, Interventionist, Intuition Trainer, Investigative Hypnotist, Joy Therapist®, Kundalini Hypnotherapist, Life Coach Hypnotherapist, Life Strategy Expert, Life Therapist, Magnetizer, Marketing Expert, Master Hypnotist, Master Hypnotherapist, Master Mind Mentoring, Medical/Dental Hypnotherapist, Meditative Hypnotist, Memory Enhancement Specialist, Memory Recovery Therapist, Mental Engineer, Mentalism Expert, Mentalist, Mental Technician, Mental Wellness Technician, Mentoring, Meridian Energy Therapist, Mesmerist, Meta-Coach, Metaphysical Hypnotherapist, Metaphysical Parapsychologist, Metaphysician, Metaphysiotherapist, Meta-States Trainer, Mind/Body Integrationist, Mind Dynamics Coach, Mind-Full Cognition Specialist, Mind Imaging Expert, Mind Therapist, Motivational Consultant, Motivational Hypnotist, Motivational Speaker, Mystical Researcher, Naturalistic Hypnotist, Neuro Feedback Therapist, Neurohypnologist, Neurolinguistic Programmer, Neurolinguistic Psychologist, Neurolinguistic Psychotherapist, Neuro-Semanticist, Neuropsychologist, Neuropnologist, Neuro-semanticist, Operator, Pain Control Therapist, Para-Medical Hypnotherapist, Past Life Counselor, Past Life Therapist, Past Life Regressionist, Pastoral Hypnotherapist, Peak Performance Coach or Trainer, Pediatric Hypnotherapist, Performance Hypnotist, Performance Psychologist, Progressive Mental Alignment Coach, Professional Guided Imagery Expert, Professional Hypnotherapist, Professional Marketing Consultant (PMC), Prompter, Psychoacoustics Specialist, Psychobiologist, Psycho-Educational Specialist, Psycho-educator, Psycholinguistic Specialist, Psychosomaticist, Psychosophist, Psychospiritual Hypnotherapy, Psychotherapist and Unlicensed Psychotherapist, Psychotherapeutic Hypnotherapist, Quantum Change Specialist, Quantum Hypnotherapist, Rational Hypnotherapist, Redecision Therapist, Registered Counselor, Regression Therapist, Rehabilitation Counselor, Re-Imager, Reimaging Consultant, Rejuvenation Hypnotist, Relaxation Consultant, Relaxation Therapist, Relaxologist, Re-Patterner, Repatterning Counselor, Reprogrammer, Sacred Science Practitioner, Scientific Hypnotherapist, Self-Care Expert, Self-Expansion Hypnotherapist, Self-Helper, Self-Hypnosis Coach, Self Re-Engineering, Shamanic Hypnotherapist, Sleep Re-Trainer, Smoke Cessation Counselor/Specialist, Social Skills Counselor, Socio-Hypnotist, Solutions Focused Hypnotist, Sophrolgist, Soul Coach, Speech Enhancement Specialist, Spiritual Hypno-Counselor, Spiritual Response Therapist, Sports Hypnotist, Stage Hypnotist, Strategic Hypnotherapist, Stress Management Consultant, Substance Abuse Hypnotherapist, Subtle Energy Specialist, Suggestive Therapist, Support Group Facilitator, Surgical Hypnotherapist, Synergy Hypnotist, Systems Theorist, Talk Therapist, Tutor, Therapeutic Imagery Consultant, Thought-Field Therapist, Time Line Therapist, Time Based Therapist, Traditional Knowledge Specialist, Transactional Hypnotherapist, Transformational Breathworker, Transformational Hypnotherapist, Transpersonal Counselor, Transpersonal Hypnotherapist, Transpersonal Psychologist, Trauma Specialist, Verbal Analyst, Ultra-Mind Instructor, Visualization Therapist, Weight Loss Specialist, Wellness Expert, and Wellness Wizard. The word “Certified,” “Clinical” or “Professional” may be added to any of these titles.

TECHNIQUES COMMONLY USED BY HYPNOTISTS

Hypnotherapeutic Trance State Processes part I: A myriad of techniques that may include: abreaction management or releasement, accelerated healing, accelerated learning, acupressure point stimulation, action planning, activating intentionality, active imagination, addiction counseling hypnosis, affect bridge, affirmation, aggression release, altered state assessment, amnesia, analysis and assessment, anchoring, animal assisted counseling or therapy (ATT), animal magnetism, anesthesia, angel work, anti-aging, anxiety releasement, applied intuition, appreciative inquiry, ARC, archetypes, aroma therapy, art therapy, artificial somnambulism, assertiveness training, assessment, astral projection, attunement, auditing, authentic movement, auto-conditioning, autodiagnosis, autogenics, autohypnosis, automatic writing, autophonics, autosuggestion, aversion therapy, avoidance, body alignment, body psychotherapeutics, behavioral kinesiology, behavior assessment, behaviorism, behavior modification, behavior therapy, behavior therapy, belief evaluation, benchmarking (assessing), bereavement release, bilateral balancing, binds, b-value installation, biodynamics, bioenergetics, biofeedback (neurofeedback), bio-hypnosis, biomagnetics, biosynthesis, body hypnotherapy, body/mind, body psychometry, bombardment, boundaries, boundary shifting, brain fitness training, brain mapping, brain respiration training, brainstorming, brainwave entertainment, brainwave synchronization, breath work, brief conversational technique, brief therapy, brief solution focused hypnotherapy (BSFH), bruxism hypnosis, career mapping and development, careful listening, cascading effect, catalepsy, catharsis, cell demand, cellular releasement, centering, chakra balancing, chi-gong, childbirth conditioning, choice therapy, chunking, circle therapy, clearing, clinical imagery, coaching, co-active coaching or collaboration, co-counseling, cogitation, cognitive/behavioral therapy, cognitive linguistics, cognitive recruitment, cognitive shifting, coherency training, collaborative interpretation, color therapy, coma state, compart-mental-ization, compelling proposition, compounding, computer hypnosis, conation, concentration/relaxation, concept-therapy, conceptualizing, conceptual demolition, conceptual capsules, conditioning, conference room technique, conferencing, confirmation, conflict resolution or therapy, congruency training, congruity matching, confrontation, confusion technique, conscious control, conscious creation, consciousness raising, conscious recall, conscious sedation, contemplation, conversational conversion, convincers, core belief realignment, core energetics, core trauma releasement, corrective therapy, counseling, counter regression, counting your blessings, creative concentration, creative dreaming, creative visualization, creativity whack, crisis clearing, curative hypnosis, cutting cords, cybernetics, decontamination, deepening, deep listening, deflection, de-fragmentation, de-hypnotizing, deliberate creation, demonstration, depth hypnosis, denial intervention, de-hypnotizing, depersonalizing, depossession, de-programming, desensitizing and interceptive desensitization, dialoging with symptoms, disposition enhancement, distraction/diversion, directed prayer, directed toning, direct image substitution, direct suggestion, disassociation, disconnection, disguised suggestion, dis-identification, divine intervention, DNA command, DNA reprogramming, double bind, drama therapy, dream analysis, dream body process, dream levels, dream mapping or charting, dream work, dual induction, dynamic relaxation, education, eidetic imagery (re-imagery), elevated communication, eliciting techniques, Elman method, embedded suggestion, embodiment, emergence-see hypnosis, emotional acupressure, emotional clearing, emotional discharge, emotional expression, emotional first-aid, emotional freedom technique (EFT or tapping also BSFF, ET, PEAT, TAB, TAT, TFH, TFT), emotional integration, emotional processing, emotional re-education, emotional release, emotional self discovery, emotional stress release technique (ESR), encouragers, end-result imagery, endorphin release, energy balancing (electron balancing), energy communication, energy field work, energy flow manipulation, enneagram, entitlement, entrainment or brain entrainment, Ericksonian, essence repatterning, etheric plane communication, evoked insight, eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), eye movement hypnosis, expectation, explanation, expression technique, extraspection, eye movement hypnosis (EMH), eye roll, faith healing, family constellations, family systems, family intervention, fantasizing, fascination, feedback, filtering, focused breath, focused questioning, focusing, forensic interview, forgiveness, fractional relaxation, fractionalization, frame games, free association, future pacing, gamma hypnosis, gestalt dialog, glove anesthesia, goal directed fantasy, goal orientation, goal setting, grounding methods, group hypnotherapy, groupthink, group dynamics, guided affective imagery, guided fantasy, guided imagery, guided learning, guided meditation, guided search, guided visualization, habit control, Hakomi method, hallucination (negative and positive), healing imagery, hierarchic categorization, heiroscripting, hemispheric synchronization, holistic girth control, holodynamics, holographic repatterning, holographic replanning, holotropic breathwork, humanistic counseling, huna, hyper-kinesia, hyperesthesia, hypermnesia, hypersuggestibility, hypnagogic imagery, hypnoacoustics, hypnoanalysis, hypnoanesthesia, hypnobiography, hypnocatharsis, hypno-childbirth, hypno-coaching, hypno-dance, hypnodontics, hypno-dynamics, hypno-education, hypnoenergetics, hypnogenesis, hypnography, hypno-massage, hypnometrics, hypnopedia, hypno-persuasion, hypno-phrenology, hypno-reiki, hypnophysiotherpeutics, hypnoplasty, hypno-psychology, hypnosynthesis, hypostatization, hypno-yoga, ideal model imagery, ideomotor, ideodynamic or ideosensory response, imagery, imagining, imagination activation, imagineering, imbedded suggestion, implementation, imprinting, impulse control, incremental exposure, incremental induction, indirect suggestion, induction, inferred suggestion, inner child work, inner dialogue, inner sanctuary work, insight technique, installation, installing abundance mentality, inner contemplation, instate sleep suggestion, installation, integration, intentionality review, intention realignment, interactive guided imagery, interactive feedback, interior dialog, inter-life exploration, intervention, introspection, intuition, intuition medicine, intuitive guidance, investigative inquiry, joining the resistance, journaling, Stockwell’s Joy Therapy, Kenedi’s DNA process, karma healing, kinesiology, kundalini hypnosis,

Hypnotherapeutic Trance State Processes part II: learned optimism, laugh therapy, laughing yoga, led meditation, leetha, life coaching, life (business) strategies, life style changes, life trap reframing, light & sight effects, linguistics, listening therapy, longevity response, lucid somnambulism, lulling, magnetism, mastermind modality, meditation, meditative breathwork, magnetism, mental first aid, mental rehearsal, mentorship, memory chain, memory enhancement, memory recovery, mental medicine, mental stimulation, mental suggestion, mental telegraphy, mer-ka-ba, mesmerism, meta-alignment, meta-coaching, metaphor, meta programs, mind/body medicine, mind/body cohesion-union or- integration, mind changing, mind control, mind dynamics, mind-field therapy, mind focusing, mindful dreaming, mindful meditation, mindfulness, mindful based stress reduction (MBSR), mind-line processes, mind mapping, mind mastery, mind medicine, mind movies, mind therapy, motivation, musicology, music therapy, naikan, natal regression therapy, neural integration, neurodynamics, neurofeedback, neurolinguistic programming, neurolinguistic psychology, neurypnology, neuro-semantics, neutralize, nocebo effect, non-pharmacologic analgesia, objective testing, (a person’s name)-ology, operant conditioning, optimal (peak) performance training, pain control, parallel selves therapy, parts dialogue or sub-personality, patterning, perceptual positioning, performance acceleration, personal mastery, phobia releasement, photostimulation, pinpoint method, pivotal response conditioning, placebo effect, planning, play therapy, poetry therapy, polarity therapy, positioning & repositioning, positive change techniques, positive energy meditation, positive hallucination, positive personification, positive projection, positive thinking, posturing, post-hypnotic suggestion, potential manifestation, pre-birth perception, pre-hypnosis interview, pressure-point hypnosis, primal integration, primordial consciousness, problem solving, process imagery, process oriented imagery, programming, progression, progressive mental alignment, progressive relaxation, projection, psychoanalysis, psychoacoustics, psychoacoustic conditioning, psychodynamics, psychodrama, psychofeedback, psychometric analysis, psycho-neuro clearing or regeneration, psychosynthesis, put down/put up thought replacement, pyramiding, quantum healing, quantum focus, quantum fusion (squish technique), rapid induction, rational-behavior hypnosis, rational-emotional integration, re-alert, reality therapy, rebalancing, rebirthing, recall and memory enhancement, re-connectedness, reconstruction, recovery, re-cycle, re-enforce,  redecision, re-evaluation, reformulation, re-framing, reflection, regression, rehearsal, re-image, reinforce, relaxation, relaxation response, relaxation training, relaxology, release, re-member, remote healing, renewed identity, reparent, repattern, repetition, repressed memory therapy, repression releasement, reprogram, re-script, resistance release, responsibility centering, rethinking,  retrospection, reversal, reverse brainwashing, reverse speech, re-visioning, revivification, rite, ritual, role-playing, sand-play or sand-tray therapy, scripting, secondary gain analysis, self attunement, self-communication, self-esteem counseling, self-expression, self-hypnosis instruction, self programmed belief building (SPB), self-referencing, semantic techniques, sensitizing event diffusement, sensitivity training, sensory awareness, sensory distortion, sensory motor response, sensory recruitment, shadow work process, shamanic ritual, Silva method, sleep-learning, smoke cessation protocols, social skills training, socio-psychology, solution-focus, soma/psychic integration, somatic process, somnambulism, song therapy, soul extraction, soul retrieval, sound therapy, speed reading, speech enhancement techniques, spirit releasement, spiritual response process, Stockwell’s Embracing Happiness Technique, Stockwell Zap, stress management, subconscious behavior modification, subliminal messaging, subpersonality work, suggestion, suggestibility enhancement, suggestive therapeutics, suggestive therapy work, swish method, symbolic restructuring, systematic desensitization, systematic integration, therapeutic imagery, thinking aloud, thought therapy, thought-field therapy, time-line therapy, toning and intoning, trance, trance channeling, trance dance, transactional balancing, transactional hypnoanalysis, transition counseling, trauma reversal, triggers, transformational breathwork, transformational counseling, transpersonal awareness, ultra-depth, ultra-mind development, uncovering techniques, unitive hypnosis, validation, veiled suggestion, visualization, verbal first aid, vibrational therapies, voice dialog, waking hypnosis, wellness vs. illness, whole brain learning, word association, yoga Nidra and ZMET®.

HYPNOSIS AS AN INTERACTIVE PRACTICE

Many IHF registered Hypnotists, Hypnotherapist, Hypnocounselors, and the like, blend their disciplines with other disciplines to assist a client. They may do this as a stand-alone service provider or may incorporate hypnosis into another licensed or certified profession. This is done as follows:

1. Alternative Adjunct Profession: The stand-alone alternative modality of Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist,

Hypnocounselor, or the like, may be used in conjunction with other disciplines. Many an IHF professional hypnotist works in an alternative manner with a myriad of other professionals. They perform their independent discipline in separate offices or in on-sight offices with other professionals. It is recommended that an Alternative adjunct client sign and date:

a) The IHF Complementary Disclosure form saying that “This professional hypnotist is not a licensed medical practitioner but a legal alternative/complementary wellness provider. (Forms are available by calling (310-541-4844) and

b) A “Record’s Release Form” saying “I give permission for my complementary care professional to discuss my care with my other providers.”

Or

2. Complementary Adjunct Profession: The stand-alone modality of Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Hypnocounselor, or the like, may be offered to complement another discipline and used hand-in-glove to enhance that discipline. It is recommended that a complementary adjunct client sign and date:

a) The IHF Complementary Disclosure form saying that “This professional hypnotist is not a licensed medical practitioner but a legal alternative/complementary wellness provider. (Forms are available by calling 310-541-4844) and

b) A “Record’s Release Form” saying “I give permission for my complementary care professional to discuss my care with my other providers.”

Or

3. Blended Adjunct Professionals: Some blend the stand-alone discipline of hypnosis into their other distinct certified and/or licensed practices. IHF blended adjunct practitioners who claim hypnosis in their practices comply with the educational standards of an IHF professional hypnotist as well as complying with the requirements of their other discipline(s).

Hypnosis trained blended practitioners, who include hypnosis within their other licensed or certified practices, covers a vast array of services including humanistic practices, personal growth, wellness, medicine, counseling, psychotherapy, acupuncture, chiropracty, massage, coaching, education, public relations, advertising, career counselors, arbitration, peacemaking, law, law enforcement, pastoral counseling...

WARNING TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDING

Be wary of those who claim that being a licensed medical provider qualifies one to practice hypnosis. A few excellent licensed practitioners take on an additional career in hypnosis and use both disciplines. Hypnosis is not psychology or any other profession. It is hypnosis. A Psychologist or Psychiatrist is not a Hypnotist unless they have taken specific training. California Board Of Psychology representative, Tammey L. Bailey says it well in a letter dated June 29, 2005:

“California Business and Professional Code (B&P) exempts other professionals from having to be licensed as psychologists to work in a psychological nature consistent with the laws governing their respective professions provided that they do not offer therapy for emotional or mental disorders. Persons utilizing hypnotic techniques, which offer avocational or vocational self-improvement, are among those exempt from psychological licensure.”

Hypnosis is sometimes used by psychotherapists as an adjunct to psychotherapy. However, hypnotherapy by formally trained hypnotherapists is not the practice of psychotherapy and does not require a State license.

Hypnosis is an alternative, stand-alone, self-regulated, certified profession. Hypnotists do such an excellent job that most licensed helpers refer patients to professional hypnosis specialists. They know the power of this specific field and the benefits of a well-trained, qualified, hypnotist or hypnotherapist.

Once someone successfully satisfies state-approved guidelines and enters into the practice of any profession, recognized by state and federal agencies, that person's status becomes professional, not "lay."

• Acupuncturists
• Addiction Specialists
• Advisors
• Analysts
• Arbitrator
• Art Therapists
• Authors
• Behavioralists
• Biofeedback Specialists
• Child Birth Experts
• Child Care Providers
• Chiropractors
• Cognitive Hypnotherapists
• Complementary Care Providers
• Conflict Resolutionists
• Consciousness Trainers
• Counselors & Therapists,
• Consultants
• Creativity Coaches
• Dental & Medical
• Dispute Resolution Specialists
• Domestic Engineers
• Dream Analysts
• Educators & Instructors
• Elder Care Providers
• Energy Workers
• Forensic Specialists
• Guided Imagery Practitioners
• Guides
• Healers
• Health Care Specialists
• Humanists
• Holistic Wellness
• Hypno-Coaches
• Hypnologists
• Hypnocounselors
• Hypnotherapists
• Hypnotists
• Hypno-Yoga Therapists
• Native/Shamanic Practitioners
• Intuitive Development
• Joy Therapists
• Lawyers
• Life & Vocational Coaches
• Marketing Experts
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Massage/Physical Therapists
• Medical Professionals
• Media Professionals
• Mentors
• Mind/Body Fitness Workers
• Motivational Speakers
• Motivators Meditation Coaches
• Nutritionists
• Naturopaths/Homeopaths
• NLP Practitioners
• Nurses
• Parents
• Past Life Therapists
• Pastoral Counselors
• Performance & Stage Hypnotists
• Philosophers
• Physicians & Surgeons
• Psychologists
• Psychotherapists
• Psychiatrists
• Reiki Workers
• Researchers & Scientists
• Seekers
• Social Workers
• Sound Therapists
• Spiritual Counselors
• Sports Hypnotherapists
• Stage Entertainers
• Students
• Sports Consultants
• Substance Abuse Counselors
• Therapeutic Touch
• Transpersonal Hypnotists
• Verbal First-Aid Providers
• Visualizations Experts
• Wholistic Healers
• Writers & Creative Artists

Commonly used IHF Post Nominals

Here are a few of the Designations, Post-Nominals or letters used after a person's

name to designate their expertise:

• “BA” Bachelors of Arts
• “BCH” Board Certified Hypnotist or Hypnotherapist (for those who have passed the IHF board exam)
• “BS” Bachelors of Science
• “ACHt” Advanced Certified Hypnotherapist
• “AHT” Advanced Holistic Therapist
• “CA” Certified Arbitrator
• “CAH” Compulsion/Addiction Hypnotist
• “CCE” Certified Childbirth Educator
• “CH” Certified Hypnotist or Consulting Hypnotist
• “CHt” Certified Hypnotherapist (IHF requires 150 hours for this)
• “CHI” Certified Hypnosis Instructor
• “CNC” Certified Nutritional Consultant
• “DC” Doctor of Chiropractic
• “DCH” Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy
• “DRP” Dispute Resolution Practitioner
• “HT” Holistic Therapist
• “FIHF” or “Fellow” (for those with longevity in their field who have passed the IHF exam)
• “HC” Hypno-Counselor (New Jersey)
• “IHF CHI” (for those trained & using the International Hypnosis Federation 150 hour curriculum)
• “LCSW” Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• “LVN” Licensed Vocational Nurse
• “MA” Masters of Arts
• “MD” Medical Doctor
• “MFCC” Licensed Marriage, Family, Child Counselor
• “MFT” Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
• “NLP” Neuro-Linguistic Programmer or Psychologist
• “NLPI” Neuro-Linguistic Programming Instructor
• “PhD” Doctor of Philosophy
• “PMC” Professional Marketing Consultant
• “PsyD” Doctorate of Psychology
• “RN” Registered Nurse
• “RPT” Registered Physical Therapist

IHF Holistic Practitioners

International Hypnosis Federation members practice single or multi-disciplined mind/body/emotion/spirit/behavior approaches to bring life-changing hope, health, happiness, self-discovery, and transcendence. Holistic services offered by IHF members encompasses a vast array of ancient and modern approaches for positive thought, emotion, good health actions, good habits, conflict resolution, whole person fitness and altered states of consciousness that allow you to surpass limits.

Each International Hypnosis Federation member’s innovative practices are used alone or are blended with their other certified or licensed practices. IHF members include those certified and/or licensed in fields like acupuncture, counseling, dentistry, gynecology, healing, hypnosis, pastoral counseling, legal systems, corporate management, medicine, nursing, psychiatry, psychotherapy, physical therapy, religion, shamanism, philosophy and many more.

Transpersonal practitioners guide you to expand awareness to discover your life’s path and a positive future. They help you answer questions like, “Why am I here?” “What decision is for my highest good,” “How should I proceed?” “In the bigger picture, what is best for my evolution and growth?” They teach you to expand awareness to go beyond limits of cultural hypnosis, dogma, and your personality.

Transpersonal practices are determined by the skills of the IHF member. They may include integrative and transformational techniques like higher-states, spiritual counseling, pastoral counseling, verbal and non-verbal suggestion, archetypes & symbols, auric cleansing, automatic writing, energy work, dreamwork, guided meditation, intuitive awareness, kundalini, mental magic, mind training, mysticism, psychosynthesis, rebirthing, ritual, sacred ritual, soul extraction, soul journeys, soul retrieval, spirit emergence, spirit guidance, story telling, super-conscious phenomenon, time travel, trance channeling, urban shamanism, and other.

IHF Spiritual & Pastoral Counselor employ hypnotic mind-altering meditation and prayer for consciousness raising. Their varied philosophical and religious educational practices help clients relate to a higher self, higher power or higher guidance. © 2007 International Hypnosis Federation® Ethics & Standards Manual, All Rights Reserved

Some exclusively dedicate themselves to the stand-alone, self-regulated profession of hypnosis, while others employ a inclusive holistic approach to mind, body, spirit, fitness. Hypnotists, Hypnotherapist, Hypnocounselors, (and a myriad of practitioner titles) evoke trance and altered states to positively influence mental, emotional, and physical states. Their general goal is up-liftment, happiness, self-improvement, fitness, enhanced life quality, achievement, and to help clients overcoming pain and difficulties. Their specific goal is to assist a client to achieve their personal goals. Hypnotists positively persuade people to influence of their inner thoughts (sometimes called the subconscious), and their actions, and reactions.

Hypnosis, hypnotism, or hypnology are some of numerous names for this proud certified profession. Practitioners use blatant or veiled hypnosis to facilitate altered states of consciousness. The practice of hypnosis has had many names since ancient times.