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Hypnotherapy in Texas

Hello, I am new to the board. I currently live in the Bay Area in California and practice as a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. Due to my boyfriend's job transfer (tough times in the airline business), we will be moving to Austin, Texas in September. Frankly, I am a little bummed to see that Texas has different regulations around hypnosis than California.

I am wondering if anyone practicing in Texas could shed more light on the subject so that I can practice safely and legally when I move to Texas. It appears that I can no longer call myself a Hypnotherapist and should now use the term Hypnotist. What I pulled from the Hypnotherapist Union website is:

Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy when performed by a licensed psychologist are subject to Board Rules. 22 Texas Administrative Code § 465.5 The practice of psychology includes hypnosis for health care purposes and hypnotherapy The use of specific methods, techniques, or modalities within the practice of professional counseling is limited to professional counselors appropriately trained and competent in the use of such methods. Authorized counseling methods and modalities may include, but are not restricted to: (13) Hypnotherapy which utilizes the principles of hypnosis and post-hypnotic suggestion in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders and addictions. 22 Texas Administrative Code § 681.31.

Hypnotherapy may be provided by a marriage and family therapist. 22 Texas Administrative Code § 801.42

Court held that a hypnotist was not exempt from obtaining a medical license when he advertised hypnosis as a means of curing certain mental and physical disorders.

Can anyone from Texas share more about how they approach this issue? I know it's just wording, but I feel a little sad to take the therapeutic part out of the practice (hypnotherapy) and just call it hypnosis.

Thanks for your insight.

Tianna

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Susan French on July 21, 2008 at 7:40am: I've been considering Hypnosis Clinician or Practitioner but Clinician sounds more professional to me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Synapse on July 21, 2008 at 7:50am: I like that Susan. Some of the hypnotists here also call themselves "Consulting Hypnotists" Another one to consider and fits in with "CH" if you like using letters.

:o); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - HypnosisGurus.com on July 21, 2008 at 9:28am: Call yourself a hypnotist in Texas.
Or a "Professional Hypnotist"

You will LOVE Austin, and find an acceptance of hypnosis in Austin. I do a lot of training in Austin next training Sept. 11-12), my kids were born in Austin and I am seriously considering moving back this fall.

You may be used to California ALLOWING you to call yourself a hypnotherapist,
but "Hypnotist" is the correct term for those not licensed, and avoids much of the difficulty associated with accurate representation of credentials. Even in California, my feeling is people should not call themselfves hypnotherapists unless they are licensed, but that is a matter of my opinion.

Many of the rules, hassles and problems hypnotists have is becasue they want to be percieved as therapists doctors, whatever, and do not represent themselves as they truly are, and this can be avoided by simply using a correct term, and accuratly representing services.

Nothing wrong with being a hypnotist and calling yourself a hypnotist. In fact, I think it is good marketing, since hypnosis is fast, effective and brief. People see a hypnotist because they don't want to see a therapist. Texas also has strong rules against using fake doctorates and unaccredited degrees. A person calling themself a DCH in Texas, is setting themselves up for major problems.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Synapse on July 21, 2008 at 9:33am: "People see a hypnotist because they don't want to see a therapist."

A very good point, Richard!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tianna Roser on July 21, 2008 at 11:11am: When I hear the words "Professional Hypnotist" it makes me think of Stage Hypnotists. I guess I am looking for a term that differentiates in one's mind using hypnosis for entertainment and using hypnosis for personal development, etc. Hypnosis Clinician sounds good .... is that an acceptable usage to most people?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carla Shaver on July 21, 2008 at 12:04pm: Congrats on moving to Austin! I lived there 12 years and loved it. I transferred around a bit with my previous job and went to hypnosis school in L.A., then moved back to Texas (Houston) in 2006 to open a hypnosis practice. When I moved to Texas, I had a hard time with removing the "therapist" from my title too - I was concerned that "hypnotist" didn't sound professional. On my website and all print materials I now use "Certified Master Hypnotist", but out of habit I still sometimes call myself a hypnotherapist in conversations. Funny thing is, most people (in Texas) look at me funny when I say I'm a hypnotherapist because they have no idea what it is. But if I call myself a hypnotist, they're very curious and want to know more.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tianna Roser on July 21, 2008 at 12:46pm: Are there any general usage guidelines for such terms in Texas? For instance, here in CA I am a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist because I completed a 200 hr program and a 6 month internship for 100 hrs. What is the general consensus or is there one?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - HypnosisGurus.com on July 21, 2008 at 12:55pm: Yes, the Texas board are agressive in protecting the term "therapist". I am both licensed by the state of texas as a therapist, and a CE provider for all of the state mental health boards. They will bite (especially the psychology board) anyone who uses the term therapist. They do not care how many hours or interernships or how wonderful person is, they only care about "do you have a license to practice therapy?" The only certificates recognized are by the licensing boards, and the state of texas does not care about certifications from ANY organization.

It is not only the term "therapist" "therapy" 'counselor" etc. that is protected, it is what as known as a "practice protection state". That means, no matter what you call yourself, the practice of "therapy" is protected and reserved for those who are licensed.

Texas is an easy state to get along with, if you call yourself a hypnotist and do not represent yourself as providing treatment services for mental or medical health conditions. Professional hypnotists, helping people learn self-hypnosis and teaching the skills of change using modalities of trance, have no problems providing services or getting referrals.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tianna Roser on July 21, 2008 at 1:32pm: That's fine. I get the part about not using "therapist." I can understand how there is a big potential for misuse and it is a protectionary measure.

I should better clarify what I meant. I thought there might be particular terms that have been adopted by hypnotists in Texas to clarify whether a person has received say a one day training versus an extended training.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan French on July 22, 2008 at 12:04pm: What about the use of the word "clinician" or "practitioner"?

Thanks; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - HypnosisGurus.com on July 21, 2008 at 12:41pm: And what is wrong with stage hypnotists? :)
Actually though, unlike california, where the LMFT is supreme, in Texas, it is the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) that has the most clout in the mental health world (aside form social workers). As a result, Texas are accustomed to "Professional" as a word to associate with therapeutic related services, where californians arent.....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tianna Roser on July 21, 2008 at 12:58pm: No offense intended truly! Personally, I don't want to be up on stage so I prefer if those clients contact you and not me. ;)

Thanks for clarifying that Texans are used to the word Professional. Each region is so different. I've lived in places where the word "soda" was laughable and others where "pop" was embarrassing. Tomato, tomahto. (I personally have never met someone who says "tomahto") Except for the legal issue it's all just semantics, but important as to how the potential client perceives us.; ▶ Reply to This