State Laws for Hypnotherapists in Illinois

Summary

Disclaimer: The following summary is a non-legal interpretation of how the hypnotherapy authors interpret the law as it applies for hypnotherapists. This is not a substitute for legal advice.

In Illinois, practicing hypnosis without a clinical psychology license is allowed as long as the person does not independently evaluate, classify, or treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, or imply they are a licensed clinical psychologist. Clinical psychology involves activities like psychotherapy and hypnosis when used to treat psychological disorders.

Many unlicensed individuals in Illinois advertise hypnotherapy services online.

Legal Case Highlights

As of the date of this publication, we were unable to find any known legal cases in this state where someone has faced legal action just for practicing hypnosis or hypnotherapy. (Unless there was a legal case in that state.)

Hypnotherapists

Important Note: Estimating the number of hypnotherapists practicing in any state is difficult if there is no state licensing or registration act in that state. This resource provides very rough estimates that are grossly under reported by Googling hypnotherapists who are actively advertising in that state.

As of 2024, there are approximately 83 hypnotherapists practicing/advertising in the State of Illinois.

Laws and Regulations

(225 ILCS 15/) Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act. 225 ILCS 15/3

8. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent a person from practicing hypnosis without a license issued under this Act provided that the person (1) does not otherwise engage in the practice of clinical psychology including, but not limited to, the independent evaluation, classification, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, or nervous disorders or conditions, developmental disabilities, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, and the psychological aspects of physical illness, (2) does not otherwise engage in the practice of medicine including, but not limited to, the diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental ailments or conditions, and (3) does not hold himself or herself out to the public by a title or description stating or implying that the individual is a clinical psychologist or is licensed to practice clinical psychology.

225 ILCS 15/2

5. “Clinical psychology” means the independent evaluation, classification, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral or nervous disorders or conditions, developmental disabilities, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, and the psychological aspects of physical illness. The practice of clinical psychology includes psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation and consultation, the use of psychological and neuropsychological testing, assessment, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavioral modification when any of these are used for the purpose of preventing or eliminating psychopathology, or for the amelioration of psychological disorders of individuals or groups. “Clinical psychology” does not include the use of hypnosis by unlicensed persons pursuant to Section 3. A person represents himself to be a “clinical psychologist” or “psychologist” within the meaning of this Act when he or she holds himself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “psychological”, “psychologic”, “psychologist”, “psychology”, or “clinical psychologist” or under such title or description offers to render or renders clinical psychological services as defined in paragraph (7) of this Section to individuals or the public for remuneration.

Notes

1. We are not aware of any cases in which a person in Illinois has gotten into legal trouble just for practicing hypnosis or hypnotherapy.
2. Google searches reveal a number of unlicensed individuals advertising hypnotherapy services in Illinois.