State Laws for Hypnotherapists in Missouri

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 Missouri, the practice of psychology, which includes hypnosis, requires a license and involves using psychological principles to evaluate, treat, and modify behavior. The definition of psychological principles is broad, and it is unclear if hypnotherapy falls strictly under this definition.

Many unlicensed individuals in Missouri 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 70 hypnotherapists practicing/advertising in the State of Missouri.

Laws and Regulations

337.015. Practice of psychology regulated – practice of psychology, defined. – 1. No person shall represent himself as a psychologist in the state of Missouri unless he is validly licensed and registered under the provisions of this chapter. No person shall engage in the practice of psychology in the state of Missouri unless he is validly licensed and registered under the provisions of this chapter unless otherwise exempt under the provisions of sections 337.010 to 337.090.

2. A person represents himself as a “psychologist” within the meaning of this chapter when he holds himself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “psychology”, “psychological”, or “psychologist”, or any term of like import, “psychometry”, “psychometrics”, “psychometrist”, “psychotherapy”, “psychotherapists”, “psychoanalysis”, “psychoanalyst”, or variants thereof or when the person purports to be trained, experienced or an expert in the field of psychology, and offers to render or renders services as defined below to individuals, groups, organizations, or the public for a fee, monetary or otherwise; provided, however, that professional counselors licensed to practice under this chapter, or a physician licensed to practice pursuant to chapter 334, who specializes in psychiatry, may use any of such terms except “psychology”, “psychological”, or “psychologist” so long as such is consistent with their respective licensing laws.
3. The “practice of psychology” within the meaning of this chapter is defined as the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, treatment, and modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures, for the purpose of preventing, treating, or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health . The practice of psychology includes, but is not limited to, psychometric or psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorder or disability in both inpatient and outpatient settings, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, as well as the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation; and teaching and training of psychological competence. Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups, and the public. The practice of psychology shall be construed within the meaning of this definition without regard to whether payment is received for services rendered.
4. The application of these principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to: diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of adjustment problems and emotional and mental disturbances of individuals and groups; hypnosis; counseling; educational and vocational counseling; personnel selection and management; the evaluation and planning for effective work and learning situations; advertising and market research; and the resolution of interpersonal and social conflicts.

Notes

1. It is unclear whether hypnotherapy involves “the application of psychological principles, methods and procedures” – which is required to be part of the “practice of psychology” under 337.015(3). Also, the phrase “the application of psychological principles, methods and procedures” is vague and broad so that it is unreasonable to assume that this is exclusively the domain of licensed psychologists. Almost everyone uses basic application of psychological principles in fields, for example, like advertising, human resources, training programs, etc.
2. It cannot be the case that the things listed under 337.015(3) – such as hypnosis – are meant to be exclusively reserved to licensed psychologists. Otherwise, only licensed psychologists would be permitted to evaluate intelligence (something teachers also do), assess abilities (something coaches, counselors, art critics, and many others do), etc.
3. We are not aware of any cases in which a person in Missouri has gotten into legal trouble for practicing hypnosis or hypnotherapy.
4. Google searches reveal a number of unlicensed individuals advertising hypnotherapy services in Missouri.
5. 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.