GHR vs NCH vs CNHC: Comparing Hypnotherapy Training CPD Requirements for UK Hypnotherapists

As a practicing hypnotherapist, you've probably found yourself wondering about the different CPD requirements across professional bodies. It's one of those things that can feel quite overwhelming when you're trying to balance running a practice with staying professionally compliant. I know that it's something many of my students have found it hard to understand, and include, whilst they're busy setting up their businesses. Let me break down what you need to know about three of the main professional bodies and how their CPD requirements actually work in practice.

Understanding the Major UK Hypnotherapy Professional Bodies

The landscape of hypnotherapy professional bodies can feel confusing, but the three main players each have their own approach to continuing professional development.

GHR (General Hypnotherapy Register) asks for 25 hours annually, with at least 15 hours needing to be directly hypnotherapy-related. The remaining 10 hours can venture into related fields like psychology, counseling, or wellness. They're quite thorough about documentation too, expecting a detailed CPD portfolio that shows your professional growth journey.

NCH (National Council for Hypnotherapy) takes a more streamlined approach with 15 hours annually. They want 10 hours focused specifically on hypnotherapy, leaving 5 hours for complementary subjects. What's interesting about NCH is their balance rule - you can't get more than one-third of your hours from a single type of activity, which actually encourages variety in your learning.

CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council) also requires 15 hours annually, with 10 hours needing to be directly relevant to your practice. As a statutory regulator, they're particularly focused on evidence-based practice and patient safety, which shows in their CPD expectations.

UK Hypnotherapy Training CPD Requirements: What This Really Means for Your Practice

When you're juggling client appointments, admin, and trying to grow your business, that difference between 15 and 25 hours can feel significant. GHR practitioners are looking at roughly 2 hours per month dedicated to CPD activities, while NCH and CNHC practitioners need about 1.25 hours monthly.

The reality is that both approaches have merit. Some practitioners thrive with the higher GHR requirement because it pushes them to stay deeply engaged with professional development. Others find the NCH and CNHC requirements more sustainable while still ensuring they're keeping their skills sharp and knowledge current.

The Types of Learning That Count

Here's where it gets interesting - all three bodies are quite flexible about what counts toward your CPD hours. Formal learning like workshops, online courses, conferences, and certification programs obviously tick the boxes. But they also recognize the value of supervision sessions, peer group discussions, case study reviews, and even professional reading.

What many practitioners don't realize is that self-directed learning can be incredibly valuable for CPD. Online resources, professional scripts, podcasts, mini-courses, and reflective practice all contribute to your professional development. This is particularly helpful when you're trying to fit learning around a busy practice schedule.

Making CPD Work for Your Schedule

When I first trained as a hypnotherapist there was only one option for CPD training, which was to attend live workshops and training days. These were often enjoyable, and useful, but very difficult to fit in with my schedule then which involved having two kids, one a toddler, and having to find time to travel to venues, sometimes staying overnight etc. The whole experience was very costly too! Thankfully, we have far more options now for meeting hypnotherapy CPD requirements, including face-to-face training, live online training and self-paced learning. It's important to remember, too, to include a mix of hypnotherapy CPD activities that count towards your learning and requirements.

This approach works because it acknowledges that different types of learning serve different purposes. Formal training gives you structured, comprehensive knowledge. Self-directed learning allows you to explore areas of particular interest or fill specific gaps in your practice. Peer learning helps you process and integrate what you've learned while building professional relationships.

The key is documentation. All three professional bodies want to see evidence of your learning and, more importantly, how you've applied it to your practice. Keeping detailed records isn't just about compliance - it's about tracking your own professional growth and identifying areas where you want to develop further.

Academy of the Inner Mind: Supporting Your CPD Journey

At Academy of the Inner Mind, we've designed our offerings specifically with busy practitioners in mind. We understand that you need CPD options that are both high-quality and flexible enough to fit around your practice commitments.

Our CPD courses are externally accredited through ACCPH, which means they meet the standards expected by GHR, NCH, and CNHC. We've developed specialized programs like HypnoMenopause®, KidsMatters®, HypnoIBS®, and Somasense® that don't just fulfill your CPD requirements - they give you practical skills you can implement immediately with clients.

But what really sets us apart is HypnoHub, our subscription service that provides ongoing CPD opportunities throughout the year. Rather than scrambling to complete your hours before your renewal deadline, you can access professional scripts, mini-courses, and expert podcasts whenever it suits your schedule. These resources all contribute to your CPD hours, whether you need 15 or 25 annually.

The scripts library is particularly popular with practitioners because it serves a dual purpose - you're learning new approaches and techniques while also building your resource bank for client sessions. The mini-courses are perfect for those moments when you have 30-60 minutes to spare and want to dive into a specific topic. And the podcasts? Well, they're ideal for learning during commutes, walks, or while doing admin tasks.

Planning Your CPD Year

Rather than viewing CPD as a box-ticking exercise, think of it as your professional development roadmap. A quarterly approach often works well - perhaps a major course or certification in Q1, workshops and peer learning in Q2, self-directed learning and reading in Q3, and a conference or advanced training in Q4.

The beauty of this approach is that it spreads your learning throughout the year and prevents the last-minute panic that many practitioners experience. It also allows you to build on what you've learned in previous quarters, creating a more cohesive professional development journey.

Whether you're working toward 15 or 25 hours, the goal should be learning that genuinely enhances your practice and improves outcomes for your clients. When you choose CPD activities that align with your interests and practice goals, the hours don't feel like a burden - they become an investment in your professional future.

Making It All Work Together

The reality is that successful CPD isn't about meeting minimum requirements - it's about creating a sustainable approach to lifelong learning that keeps you engaged, inspired, and effective in your practice. Whether you're registered with GHR, NCH, or CNHC, the principles remain the same: choose quality learning opportunities, maintain variety in your activities, and always consider how your learning translates into better client care.

At Academy of the Inner Mind, we're here to support that journey with flexible, practical CPD options that work around your schedule and genuinely enhance your practice. Our combination of structured courses and ongoing HypnoHub resources means you can meet your CPD requirements while building the specialized skills that set your practice apart.

The key is finding an approach that works for you and your practice. With the right resources and planning, CPD becomes less about compliance and more about professional growth - exactly as it should be.