How can you join the AHA?
To be a member of the Australian Hypnotherapists' Association (AHA), it does not matter where you studied. What does matter is that you are able to show the Board that you are properly trained. The AHA has a number of recognised courses which have been reviewed 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. Where these are not available, You are required to provide case studies and attend an interview as per the prospectus.
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 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 AEST/AEDT), if there are any points that need clarifying or do not fully explain what is required.
The AHA has been a the 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
As Australia’s first hypnotherapists’ association, we are a unifying voice between AHA Registered Clinical Hypnotherapists, the community and governments within Australia, ensuring the highest professional standards of practice and ethical conduct.
AHA Aims, Standards and Purpose,
Aims:
1. To provide continuing empirical leadership and support in the field of hypnotherapy to practicing registered clinical hypnotherapists throughout Australia.
2. To advance the hypnotherapy profession in Australia through the review of evidence-based academic research.
3. To be a self-regulatory body to provide for registration of AHA clinical hypnotherapists in Australia.
4. To liaise with Government for the benefit of members and the public.
5. To maintain a world class directory of qualified practicing registered clinical hypnotherapists.
6. To identify to consumers, registered clinical hypnotherapists who meet nationally approved AHA standards of practice.
7. To provide a single unified voice for the hypnotherapy industry.
8. To provide a Code of Ethics and Conduct and set of Practitioner Standards.
9. To provide a National Complaints procedural process and Ethics Committee.
10. To promote the professional development and growth of practicing registered clinical hypnotherapists.
11. To mentor and support newly qualified clinical hypnotherapists,
12. To support established members through challenging and difficult circumstances.
13. To review and recognise hypnotherapy education courses meet AHA minimum standards.
14. To provide an industry-based association for persons engaged in hypnotherapy education.
15. To raise awareness of Australian registered clinical hypnotherapists internationally.
16. To educate the community regarding the benefits of the hypnotherapy profession and the availability of reputable registered clinical hypnotherapists.
17. To provide a register of approved AHA supervisors.
Standards:
The Code of Ethics and Conduct and Training Standards documents reflect the association’s standards. These can be found on the AHA website www.ahahypnotherapy.org.au.
Purpose:
The AHA sees its purpose as providing:
• a professional association representing high standards, benefits and services for its members,
• a formal registration process that can be audited and made available for public scrutiny,
• an ability to raise public confidence and trust in the hypnotherapy profession through the provision of professional services
Private Health Fund provider Numbers
The AHA was the first hypnotherapy association to successfully negotiate provider numbers specifically for hypnotherapists in Australia. All AHA graduate, professional, clinical and advanced 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 please phone the advisory line 1300 552 254.
Promotional Opportunities
The AHA offers its members a number of promotional opportunities.
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Free listings in the directory
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Personalised description of your qualifications and specialties
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Receive additional telephone referrals from the AHA advisory line (answered 5 days a week from 9:00am to 12:00 pm AEST/AEDT)
AHA Advisory Line
The AHA has an advisory line available to the public 5 days a week, to answer questions and be directed to where they can access a hypnotherapist in their area.
This advisory line is answered between 9am and 12 noon AEST/AEDT Monday to Friday. Please call 1300 55 22 54 to access this service.
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 Administrator. 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:
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
National Register
The AHA has a directory of qualified Clinical 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 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, or to maintain a presence in the directory requires continued membership of the AHA as a graduate, professional, clinical member or advanced 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, who are interested in joining this highly respected progressive, proactive and continuously expanding hypnotherapy association, to apply for membership.
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) and Focus Insurance (Click here to apply)
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.
Member Application details
To become an AHA member, there are a number of requirements that need to be adhered to. Please read the requirements carefully including our Prospectus.
The AHA membership year runs from the 1st of April to the 31st of March each year. New members are welcome to join mid-year and will be invoiced on a pro rata basis to align with the standard membership year.
AHA Code of Ethics and Conduct
New applicants, please note that you are asked to agree to the Code of Ethics and Conduct when completing an AHA application form. To view: AHA Code of Ethics.
- Affiliate Membership
- Student Membership
- International Membership
Affiliate membership is for anyone who has an interest in hypnotherapy but is not practicing as a hypnotherapist. Yearly fees are $44.00 and pro rata fees will be applied if joining mid membership year. Please complete the online application form. Affiliate members are not eligible to be placed on the practitioner directory or able to use the AHA logo.
Graduate Membership
Please note that the minimum requirement for Graduate membership is completion of a hypnotherapy course of 800 hours or more that must also include a minimum of 110 hours of basic counselling/psychology processes.
Student members: Please think carefully about upgrading before you are completely ready. Supervision and CPD are required from the moment your Graduate membership application is approved. If you think you will not be practicing and therefore unable to meet membership requirements, it may be advisable to wait to upgrade to Graduate membership, alternatively you may wish to become an Affiliate member. Supervision hours are not dependent on the number of clients you see (or don't see) - it has to be done regardless.
You will require:
- All copies of your qualifications; witnessed by a JP, a police officer or a pharmacist (unless study has been completed at an AHA recognised course provider).
- A copy of your current First Aid Certificate (Provide First Aid HLTAID011 [was HLTAID003]) is the required course)
- A copy of your Professional Indemnity insurance.
- Health care funds require a Public Liability Policy and a Professional Indemnity Policy as a Hypnotherapist for an Indemnity amount of no less than $10,000,000 Professional Indemnity Insurance Cover and a $10,000,000 Public Liability Insurance cover. Fenton Green (click here to apply) and Focus Insurance (Click here to apply).
- 3 references, one (1) from your training institution and two (2) from people who are not related to you and who have known you professionally for at least two (2) years and can attest to your professional capabilities, good fame, reputation and character.
- Identification - Copy of your driver's license or passport.
- Working with children, you are required to contact the relevant child protection authorities in your state or territory and obtain working with children clearances. These application forms can be found at most post offices and online.
- National police clearance
If you have completed a course with an AHA recognised training organisation your first yearly membership fee of $240 is waived (this applies ONCE only for up to 5 years post-graduation). Graduate membership registration fee is $240 inc. GST and is due by the 31st of March each year.
If you have completed a course with a non-AHA recognised training organisation, a pro rata invoice will be issued at the time of application lodgement. To check if your training organisation is AHA recognised, please go to the AHA recognised courses page.
Contact the Administration team on 1300 55 22 54 or book an orientation call where you will be guided through the process.
From the time Graduate membership has been approved, you will be required to attend monthly supervision which must include 12 individual supervision sessions per year.
At renewal, you must provide evidence that you have attended 12 supervision sessions per year The evidence must include the date / type / duration and be signed by your supervisor. This can be via email, letter or your supervision record card.
If you joined mid membership year then pro rata is 1 point per month of membership.
You will also be required to accrue 20 points (hours) of annual CPD. If joining mid-year, this works out to 1.666 points per month of membership. Please also note that excess CPD can be carried over to the following membership year (one year limit only).
Additional information regarding criteria and levels of study accepted for Graduate membership.
Please do not email any documents - during your orientation call you will be given the link to our portal.
Students upgrading to Graduate
If you are an existing student member, you are still required to complete and submit an upgrade form, contact Administration team on 1300 55 22 54 or book an orientation call where you will be guided through the process.
Upgrading your membership level
- Professional
- Clinical
- Advanced Clinical
Once Graduate membership is approved, then members will record all client hours in a log book provided by the AHA. When a Graduate member has reached 250 client hours while seeing a supervisor monthly, then Professional membership can be applied for in the members area
You are required to pay a one-off non-refundable application fee of $66 inc GST Application Form