Have the fundamental education. In Chicago there are many higher education institutions, such as Cornell, that offer graduate degrees in Psychology--a requirement for certification. This education will be the basis for which hypnosis training can build. Cornell's graduate psychology degree requires an undergraduate degree, either in psychology or a comparable field. An undergraduate degree in psychology requires 40 psychology credits with a grade of C- or better and proficiency in statistics. Coursework includes classes like: Introduction to Psychology; Brain, Mind and Behavior; and Field Practicum. Students applying to the Psychology graduate program must also take the GRE. The program can last 3-6 years and has three primary fields: Perception, Cognition and Development, Behavioral and Evolutionary Neuroscience and Social and Personality Psychology.
Study hypnotherapy. There are courses in the Chicago area that teach hypnotherapy, in short courses that last less than a week, or in three month long courses. Some schools, such as Alternative Practitioner Academy in Arlington Heights (20 miles north of Chicago), offer training in three courses of 2 - 2 ½ days. Foundational and Self-Hypnosis Hypnotherapy introduces students to the basic concepts, hypnosis in a clinical setting, hypnosis in personal use. The Certification Course provides students a more refined knowledge of hypnosis as well as the various applications for hypnosis; the Graduate course prepares students for certification as a National Guild Certified Hypnotherapist.
Get certified. The National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists provides the public with the standards for hypnotherapeutic practice, and connects patients looking for a hypnotherapist with trained professionals. The National Board has specific requirements for six different certifications: Clinical Hypnotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist in Public Service, Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy, Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy in Public Service, Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy in Public Service. Certifications require a hypnosis course of at least 18 hours and a graduate level degree in an appropriate academic discipline (such as counselor or therapist, psychiatric nurse, school counselor or social worker). Diplomate certification requires the use of hypnotherapy for three years and 150 hours of practice in addition to the basic certification requirements. Fellow certification requires three years and 250 practice hours.