State Laws for Hypnotherapists in Michigan

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 Michigan, the practice of psychology, which includes hypnosis, requires a license and involves using psychological methods to diagnose, assess, and treat mental or emotional disorders. Hypnotherapy for vocational and avocational self-improvement is not considered part of this definition.

Many unlicensed individuals in Michigan 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 87 hypnotherapists practicing/advertising in the State of Michigan.

Laws and Regulations

333.18201 Definitions; principles of construction. Sec. 18201.

1. As used in this part:
   1. “Psychologist” means an individual who is licensed or authorized under this article to engage in the practice of psychology.
   2. “Practice of psychology” means the rendering to individuals, groups, organizations, or the public of services involving the application of principles, methods, and procedures of understanding, predicting, and influencing behavior for the purposes of the diagnosis, assessment related to diagnosis, prevention, amelioration, or treatment of mental or emotional disorders, disabilities or behavioral adjustment problems by means of psychotherapy, counseling, behavior modification, hypnosis, biofeedback techniques, psychological tests, or other verbal or behavioral means. The practice of psychology does not include the practice of medicine such as prescribing drugs, performing surgery, or administering electro-convulsive therapy.
2. In addition to the definitions in this part, article 1 contains general definitions and principles of construction applicable to all articles in this code and part 161 contains definitions applicable to this part.

Notes

1. Hypnotherapy for vocational and avocational self-improvement Is not “for the purposes of the diagnosis, assessment related to diagnosis, prevention, amelioration, or treatment of mental or emotional disorders, disabilities or behavioral adjustment problems”, which is required for the practice of psychology under 333.18201.
2. We are not aware of any cases in which a person in Michigan has gotten into legal trouble just for practicing hypnosis or hypnotherapy.
3. Google searches reveal a number of unlicensed individuals advertising hypnotherapy services in Michigan.
4. The law listed above is a “Titling Act” that outlines what licensed psychologists can do. It does not outline what everyone else other than licensed psychologists can and cannot do.
5. We are aware of one case in Michigan where a hypnotherapist was accused of sexually assaulting clients. That case ended in a hung jury in 2023, and the case may be retried. The charges were first-degree criminal sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and second degree criminal sexual conduct.