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What the letters after a hypnotherapist's name mean
A plain-English guideWritten by the directory, not by the practitioners
You'll see letters like DSFH, HPD, NCH reg after a hypnotherapist's name. Here's what each one means, and where you can look it up.
Good to know: hypnotherapy in the UK is self-regulated through professional registers and bodies, each with its own training standards and code of conduct. The letters below show where someone trained, which bodies they belong to, and any health-profession registration they also hold. The last column shows how each relates to hypnotherapy training.
| Letters | What it means | Can you check it? | Does it show hypnotherapy training? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered health professions (a health background alongside hypnotherapy) | |||
| RGN | Registered General Nurse. A nurse on the NMC register. It tells you they're a nurse, not that they trained in hypnotherapy. | Yes, the NMC register is public | Shows a nursing background |
| RM | Registered Midwife. On the NMC register. It tells you they're a midwife, not that they trained in hypnotherapy. | Yes, the NMC register is public | Shows a midwifery background |
| BSc(Hons)OT | Honours degree in occupational therapy. Practising OTs are registered with the HCPC. It says nothing about hypnotherapy. | Yes, the HCPC register is public | Shows an OT background |
| Bodies that vet who joins | |||
| BSCAH | British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis. Open only to people who are already registered health professionals, such as doctors, nurses and psychologists. It does not accept hypnotherapy courses as a way in, so it shows a health background plus an interest in clinical hypnosis. | Ask the society | Partly. Health background, hypnosis interest |
| CNHC (reg) | On the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council register, a voluntary UK register that the Professional Standards Authority approves. To be on it as a hypnotherapist you have to meet its hypnotherapy standards. | Yes, CNHC has a public search | Yes, the strongest hypnotherapy check on this page |
| Trade bodies and their registers (membership, with entry standards) | |||
| MNCH (reg) / NCH reg | Member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy, on its register. Usually needs the HPD diploma, an NCH-accredited school, or a portfolio. | Yes, NCH lists its members | Yes, if the registration is current |
| AfSFH (reg) | Registered member of the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. Needs a hypnotherapy diploma of at least 120 hours plus solution-focused training. | Yes, AfSFH lists its members | Yes, if the registration is current |
| GQHP / GHR | General Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice, awarded through the General Hypnotherapy Register after an accredited course. | Yes, the GHR has a register | Yes, if the registration is current |
| Course certificates (the training someone has completed) | |||
| HPD | The NCH's practitioner-level diploma. Sources word the name slightly differently. | Only through the NCH | Yes, but check who awarded it |
| DSFH | Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, a course diploma. | Ask the school | Yes, but check who awarded it |
| Dip.C.Hyp. / Dip.Cl.Hyp. | Diploma in (Clinical) Hypnotherapy, a course diploma. Ask which school awarded it. | Ask the school | Yes: ask which school |
| Dip Hyp CS | A diploma in hypnotherapy with counselling skills. Ask which school awarded it. | Ask the school | Yes: ask which school |
| C.C.Ht / C.M.H. / Ad. DIP CP MHS | Certificates from a particular training school. Your hypnotherapist will be happy to tell you what they stand for. | Ask them | Ask which school |
| Certified Hypnotherapist | A general description of a trained hypnotherapist. Ask which school or body they qualified with. | Ask them | Ask which school |
| Add-on methods (another technique they've learned) | |||
| NLP / NLP Master Practitioner / CPNLP | Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a coaching method. CPNLP means Certified Practitioner of NLP. A course certificate. | Ask the school | A related method |
| IEMT | Integral Eye Movement Therapy, a short technique using guided eye movements. A course certificate. | Ask the school | A related method |
| Other checks and experience | |||
| Enhanced DBS | An enhanced criminal record check: reassuring to see alongside a qualification. | Ask to see it | A background check |
| NHS | Works, or has worked, in the NHS: valuable health-service experience. | Ask them | Health-service experience |
What our ticks mean
No tickListed from public sources. We haven't heard from them and haven't checked anything.
✓ ClaimedThe practitioner has claimed their listing and agreed to our code of conduct. What the listing says is their own words.
✓✓ CheckedWe've seen their qualification certificate and their insurance, and we record when. Where they've shown photo ID or a DBS certificate, we say so.
We don't rank people by letters. We show them, explain them, and tell you what we've actually seen.