Make a career of helping people.
Professional hypnotherapy training that combines practical skills, real-world experience and supportive, in-person learning. Explore our 10-month diploma pathway in Swindon, South Wales or Birmingham.
Upcoming cohorts: January 2027 · Course information and dates are subject to confirmation
Learn a skill. Change a life.
Whether you're changing career, adding to an existing helping profession, or exploring a new direction, learning hypnotherapy can open up rewarding possibilities.
This training is designed to help you understand the theory, develop practical skills, reflect on your learning and consider what professional practice involves. You don't need to arrive knowing all the answers.
Explore the course contentSupportive teaching with real practice
- Monthly teaching weekends over a 10-month programme
- Demonstrations, guided practice and tutor feedback
- Clinical ethics, assessment, boundaries and referral
- Help understanding the requirements of professional practice
- Business planning and practice development
Professional learning, human connection.
A clear pathway from curious beginner to developing practitioner, with space to ask questions and grow at your own pace.
Learn by doing
Explore hypnotic approaches through tutor demonstrations, pair work, discussion and supervised practice.
Understand the person
Study communication, goal setting, wellbeing, appropriate assessment and the limits of your professional remit.
Develop professional confidence
Receive teaching and feedback as you learn how to structure consultations and individual sessions.
Build a responsible practice
Explore informed consent, record-keeping, insurance, referral, professional development and ethical marketing.
Fit training around life
The course is advertised as one teaching weekend per month, supported by learning and assessment between modules.
Learn with an experienced tutor
Gary Smith brings his experience as a practising psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and clinical supervisor to the classroom.
Ten weekends. A progressive syllabus.
The modules below follow the topics in your current course information. Open any module to see what is covered; final sequencing and assessment requirements should be checked against your prospectus.
1Foundations — Understanding Hypnosis & the Brain
Course overview & learning objectives. History of hypnosis; what hypnosis is and isn't; hypnotic depths and how to recognise them; inductions; how to exit hypnosis; demonstrations and practical delivery. Neuroscience: brain function, nervous system, limbic system, stress & hormones, imagination vs reality, left/right brain, neuroplasticity, brain waves & sleep, REM and trance, mirror neurons.
2Smoking Cessation & Human Behaviour
Learn to help clients stop smoking in a single session — the full step-by-step session structure and timeline. Building rapport; understanding human behaviour; NLP techniques to support cessation. Introduction to the external portfolio assessment (evidence of theory referenced in practical setting).
3Phobias & Fears — Understanding and Supporting Change
How fear and phobic responses are created; latest research. A systematic, structured phobia-focused techniques with demonstrations and supervised practice. The five phobia sub-categories: natural/environment, injury, animal, situational, and other (choking, vomiting, illness, etc.).
4Complex Conditions & the Initial Consultation
Brain-based therapy in depth. Developing a complete initial consultation that moves clients forward — or helps them decide whether therapy is right for them. Assessment, contra-indications, when to refer to a GP, and working with medical professionals. Step-by-step guides plus creative practice with peers.
5Solution-Focused Clinical Session Structure
The solution-orientated approach: solutions, resources, coping skills, pre-treatment changes. Tools: accomplishment, goal, smaller-step, motivation and miracle questions; confidence, motivation & commitment scales; advanced listening skills; positive language and creating a climate of possibility.
6CBT-Orientated Clinical Structure
The cognitive model: automatic thoughts, emotional/behavioural/physiological reactions, challenging beliefs. Cognitive distortions and schemata; Aaron Beck's cognitive therapy. Introduction to DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) and its effect on the brain system.
7Mindfulness-Orientated Clinical Structure
Mindful attention and present-moment focus; exploring attention and responding to rumination and negative anticipation. The research evidence for mindfulness in pain management; body connection and emotional resonance.
8Peak Performance & Outcomes Measurement
Applying every tool for excellence in sport, business and performance — including a session with a world champion. Advanced reframing; flexible, script-free trance work. The CORP outcomes-measurement software and GSR (galvanic skin response) monitor for exploring physiological responses and evaluating progress.
9Script-Free Practice, Marketing & Final Assessments
Break free from scripts — create your own metaphors and bespoke trance work. A complete marketing and business plan: websites, online presence, and setting up private practice. Final assessments and portfolio completion.
10Reflective Practice, CPD & Graduation
Recap, Q&A and reflective practice. Professional requirements; continuing professional development (CPD) options with graduate discounts; joining professional bodies and obtaining insurance. Graduation — with your HPD (NCH) certificate and diploma.
A broad foundation for thoughtful practice.
Solution-focused work
Collaborative goals, strengths, resources, scaling questions and developing useful next steps.
Hypnosis and suggestion
Inductions, deepening, therapeutic language, imagery and tailoring sessions to the individual.
CBT-informed ideas
Introductions to thoughts, feelings, behaviour and cognitive approaches — not a standalone CBT practitioner qualification.
Mindfulness
Attention, awareness, stress management and the responsible use of mindful approaches.
NLP and Ericksonian methods
Language, metaphors and techniques explored critically, recognising that evidence varies between methods.
Ethics, boundaries and referral
Knowing when to work, when to consult a supervisor and when another form of care may be more appropriate.
Three locations. One connected learning journey.
Planning to travel up to around 100 miles? Our dedicated location pages help you explore the venue, surrounding areas, dates and how to enquire.
Swindon
Bradbury House, Westmead Drive, Swindon, SN5 7ER
Advertised start: 23–24 January 2027
Caerphilly
The Miners, Watford Road, Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ
Advertised start: 9–10 January 2027
Birmingham
86 The Green, Birmingham, B38 8RS
Advertised start: January 2027 — exact date TBC
Looking beyond your immediate area?
Swindon draws prospective students from Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol and Somerset. Caerphilly is a convenient option for Cardiff, Newport and wider South Wales; Birmingham serves the wider West Midlands. Driving distance and suitability will depend on your starting point.
For other Inspiraology locations, see the provider's location directory. Do not assume every advertised venue has a current intake.
Learn with Gary Smith.
A practising clinical hypnotherapist, psychotherapist, lecturer and clinical supervisor based in Swindon.
Gary brings practical client experience into the classroom, helping students connect therapeutic theory with the realities of listening, assessing, working ethically and reflecting on their work.
Find out more about GaryExperience that connects the classroom and clinic
- Senior lecturer with Inspiraology Hypnotherapy Training
- Practising psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist
- Experience in solution-focused approaches and clinical supervision
- Professional registrations: MNCH (Reg.), AfSFH (Reg.), CNHC (Reg.)
Course delivery and the awarding of qualifications are subject to the training provider's current programme and eligibility criteria.
Clear fees. A considered decision.
The advertised fee for this programme is £2,950. Ask for the current prospectus and terms before applying, including any assessment, registration or insurance costs.
Important: A training diploma is not a medical or psychology qualification. Professional registration and eligibility for different registers depend on the specific award, training format and each body's current criteria.
From interest to enrolment.
Explore
Read the syllabus and venue details, and consider how the training fits your goals and commitments.
Talk it through
Speak to the team about entry, accreditation, course fees, assessment and suitability.
Apply
Complete the provider's application process and confirm your place and dates directly with Inspiraology.
The details that matter.
Do I need prior therapy experience?
The current course information says no prior therapy qualification is required. The provider can explain its admission requirements and how to prepare.
How long is the course?
The advertised programme runs over 10 months, with one teaching weekend per month and additional study and practice between sessions.
Where can I train?
Gary’s featured venues are Swindon, Caerphilly in South Wales, and Birmingham. Please see the dedicated venue pages for addresses and upcoming intakes.
Can I work as a hypnotherapist after qualifying?
A diploma can support a route into practice. Registration, insurance and the scope of work you can undertake are subject to your qualifications, competence and each professional body’s current criteria.
Is the diploma Ofqual regulated?
Your original course information describes an HPD Level 4 pathway with NCH/NCFE accreditation. The exact award title, awarding organisation and regulated status should be checked against the current prospectus and qualification register.
Is it a fully online course?
This page features classroom-based training in three venues. Inspiraology also advertises separate live online programmes; qualifications and registration eligibility may differ by delivery mode.
What are the fees?
The current advertised fee is £2,950, or ten instalments of £295. Request the current terms to confirm what is included and any additional professional or assessment costs.
How can I apply or ask questions?
Use the application link, call the training enquiries number on 0808 188 9072, or contact Gary through Best Mind Therapy.
Ready to explore hypnotherapy training?
A conversation can help you decide whether the course, location and qualification pathway are right for you.
Swindon · Caerphilly · Birmingham · In-person learning