About the International Association of Pure Hypnoanalysts (IAPH)

The International Association of Pure Hypnoanalysts (IAPH), formerly known as the International Association of Hypnoanalysts (IAH), has been in operation since 1984.  It is the largest groups of hypnoanalysts in the world, and the only group of pure hypnoanalysts.

The IAPH is made up of a dynamic and focussed group of therapists who are dedicated to the professional and ethical use of hypnosis, combined with psychoanalysis, for the treatment of nervous disorders and emotional problems.  Practitioners of the IAPH practice one of the most effective forms of analytical hypnotherapy, called pure hypnoanalysis, which assists people to achieve long-term resolution of their issues, enabling the to lead their lives free from symptoms and issues that previously caused them difficulty.   The IAPH also recognise the benefit of using hypnosis, with suggestion, to assist people with more short term issues such as stopping smoking or nail-biting, and minimising nervousness associated with an upcoming event (e.g. an upcoming presentation, fear of flying or pre-exam nerves).

The IAPH is one of the most, if not THE most, exciting, professional and supportive hypnotherapy organisations for its members:  it has online support groups for students, practitioners and members; the Council of Management are democratically elected by the membership provide professional email and telephone support; and there is a strong sense of identity that has been built up amongst the IAPH’s members via its very active calendar of on-going training and events.  This means that practitioners always have support advice and guidance at the point they need it.     

To visit the IAPH’s website (for more information about the IAPH, its history, membership criteria, Code of Practice and Ethics, video testimonials from previous clients, media clips and articles), click here.

Who can join the IAPH as a Member?

In order to be eligible to join the IAPH, hypnotherapists must demonstrate that they have a reached a certain standard of expertise and proficiency.  There are three main criteria which have to be met:

1. They have undertaken, and passed, the Successful Hypnotherapy Diploma Course, which is run by the Hypnotherapy Control Board (HCB).  For more info on the training course, click here.

1. For info, the IAPH is currently the only hypnotherapy organisation that trains its own members:  many other organisations are simply registers or lists of therapists who have paid to join.

1. In addition to completing the Successful Hypnotherapy Diploma Course, they have successfully attended and participated in a specified amount of hand-on training.  For more info, click here. 

1. They have successfully undergone their own hypno-analysis training therapy (another example of how unique the IAPH is).  This is to minimise the potential for a therapists’ anxieties or emotion to be passed onto their clients, and vice versa.  

Ongoing Training and Supervision

In the same way that professionals such a medical doctors and social workers have to keep up to date with latest research and techniques, every practicing member of the IAPH is required to keep their knowledge and skills up to date by undertaking relevant ongoing study and training (also known as Continual professional Development – CPD) each year.  For more info, click here.

All members of the IAPH are required to have a supervisor with whom they can discuss issues that arise from their work on a regular basis.  The purpose of this supervision is to raise any particular challenges or difficulties within their work (anonymising client information at all times); to gain a greater understanding of their professional selves to ensure they do not bring their own worries or stress into their work with their clients and to discuss their skills and identify future training needs.

A research project into the efficacy and outcomes achieved using pure hypnoanalysis is currently being established to run for the next year.

The IAPH Code of Practice

All Members of the IAPH are bound by a Code of Practice and Ethics (to see the full Code of Practice, click here), that requires them to behave professionally and ethically at all times during their work.  For example:

• All Members are required to have professional indemnity insurance.
• They will discharge clients, or refer them to another reputable practitioner, at the earliest opportunity to maximise client care.
• They will be fully appreciative, and comply with, their duty of care to all presenting for treatment.
• The will preserve a client’s right to anonymity and privacy in accordance with the law.
• They will be aware at all times of issues of transference and counter-transference.
• They will develop self-awareness and insight into their own personality, their strengths and weaknesses.
• They will not bring hypnosis, hypnotherapy, hypnoanalysis or the IAPH into disrepute.