It’s a long time since I trained as a hypnotherapist, but I was recently asked about what informed my choices of CE training, given that’s my specialism. Personally, I was driven by two things – interest and doing what I thought I should. Both were useful, but I would suggest that, if you’re truly interested in learning about something, that should be your starting point. If you’re passionate about a subject, even if you know very little about it at this point, that passion could just be a sign that it’s an area that’s calling you. And if you’re interested in a subject, it’s so much easier to work with clients who are drawn to you because of your knowledge and growing expertise.

One of the areas I’ve always loved working in is women’s health and the mind:body connection and my early CE training led to, eventually, developing HypnoMenopause®. Undertaking training to gain CE credits requires a commitment in terms of time, energy and money, so it’s important that you’re making an informed decision about which courses to choose.

Here are 10 things to consider when choosing your next hypnotherapy CE courses.

1. Choose What Lights You Up

If you’re genuinely not drawn to a subject but are doing it because you feel you should, it might feel like so much of a chore that it’s a sign it’s not the best area for you to be working in. After all, if you find learning a slog, you’re probably not going to enjoy the client work that much either. In contrast, learning about what you love, whether or not it seems like an obvious choice, could take you in directions you weren’t expecting.

2. Identify Your Knowledge Gaps (Without Judging Them)

We all have areas where we feel less sure, and that’s okay. Maybe it’s working with trauma, or maybe it’s weaving hypnotherapy into physical health concerns like IBS or working with children. CE courses can help you fill those gaps with confidence, rather than avoiding them. We all have to start somewhere and, if there’s an area that interests you but it’s simply a lack of confidence holding you back, commit to finding some quality training to help you bridge those gaps.

3. Listen to What Your Clients Are Telling You

This is one thing that was particularly important to me in the early days. The people who come through our doors are asking for things—sometimes directly, sometimes between the lines. Therapy doesn’t exist in a vacuum and people will seek out hypnotherapy for certain issues that might be gaining more attention, or in response to certain trends. If you notice more clients dealing with anxiety, chronic pain, or self-worth issues, choose courses that help you meet those needs.

4. Specialize Where Your Heart Calls You

There’s such power in niching down—not because we have to limit ourselves, but because it allows us to go deeper. Whether you feel called to support women’s wellness, neurodivergence, trauma recovery, or something else entirely, the right course can help you hone that specialty. Creating a niche practice also allows you to develop expertise, and it makes it far easier to market yourself to potential clients, who will often go to lengths to work with you.

5. Ensure the Course is Accredited (Your Time is Valuable)

Your time and energy are precious. Make sure the course offers recognized CE credits so your efforts support your professional standing. Accreditation also helps ensure the course meets a certain standard—which you absolutely deserve. If you’re not sure about the course quality, feel free to ask the trainer some questions about what’s included in your course materials.

6. Check the Trainer’s Experience and Values

Who’s guiding you matters. I always look at whether a trainer is not only knowledgeable but also aligned with my values—whether they understand the nuances of trauma-informed care, neurodivergence, or inclusivity. You deserve to learn from people who walk their talk. Does the trainer have a hypnotherapy practice? Are they someone who really understands client work? Do they specialise in hypnotherapy? All of these are important questions to ask.

7. Prioritize Practical, Usable Tools

Theory has its place, but at the end of the day, you need to know how to bring what you’ve learned into the room with a client. Seek courses that offer practical techniques, scripts, or case studies—tools you can use right away. Some courses are little more than a video of a training day – which is almost impossible to learn from (unless you were there for the training!).

8. Consider How You Learn Best

You might thrive in interactive workshops, or prefer self-paced, bite-sized lessons you can absorb at your own rhythm. There’s no right or wrong—honor what works for you. Some people benefit from completing assignments, others find that process is too pressurising and prefer to study in a more informal way. Make sure you find a course that meets your needs.

9. Think About How This Fits Into Your Existing Approach

Does the course integrate with what you already do? The best learning enhances your practice without overwhelming it. Whilst it’s great to learn new techniques, you also want tools that complement your style and allow you to grow as a practitioner.

10. Invest in Your Own Growth (Beyond the Credits)

Sometimes the most transformative courses are the ones that challenge us personally as well as professionally. Whether it’s learning to hold space for your own inner work, or embracing new perspectives, choose growth that feels expansive.

A Final Thought

CE courses aren’t just about keeping up—they’re about deepening your practice, so you can keep showing up for the people who trust you to hold space for them. Choose the ones that feel aligned, exciting, and supportive of the work youwant to do.

If you’re looking for accredited hypnotherapy CE courses that align with these values, I’ve curated a directory designed to help you find just that.

👉 [Browse the Hypnotherapy CE Course Directory here]

With warmth and encouragement,Claire Jack, Ph.D.