State Laws for Hypnotherapists in Virginia

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 Virginia, practicing clinical psychology includes using hypnosis for diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders. This can involve providing counseling, psychotherapy, and other psychological interventions. However, hypnotherapy for vocational and avocational self-improvement is distinct from these practices. The laws do not restrict hypnotherapy solely to licensed psychologists.

Many unlicensed individuals advertise hypnotherapy services online in Virginia.

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 123 hypnotherapists practicing/advertising in the State of Virginia.

Laws and Regulations

§ 54.1-3600. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:…

“Practice of clinical psychology” includes, but is not limited to:

1. “Testing and measuring” which consists of the psychological evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics such as intelligence, abilities, interests, aptitudes, achievements, motives, personality dynamics, psychoeducational processes, neuropsychological functioning, or other psychological attributes of individuals or groups.
2. “Diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders” which consists of the appropriate diagnosis of mental disorders according to standards of the profession and the ordering or providing of treatments according to need. Treatment includes providing counseling, psychotherapy, marital/family therapy, group therapy, behavior therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnosis, biofeedback, and other psychological interventions with the objective of modification of perception, adjustment, attitudes, feelings, values, self-concept, personality or personal goals, the treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological aspects of physical illness, pain, injury or disability.

8VAC20-620-10. School guidance and counseling services.

1. Pursuant to the Standards of Quality, each school shall make reasonably available, with available resources, to all students the following guidance and counseling services:…

3. On or before July 1, 1996, each local school board in Virginia shall adopt a policy, consistent with subdivisions A and B of this section, concerning school guidance and counseling programs in the schools under its jurisdiction. At a minimum, each local school board policy shall contain the following:…
   2. A provision prohibiting the use of counseling techniques which are beyond the scope of the professional certification or training of counselors, including hypnosis, or other psychotherapeutic techniques that are normally employed in medical or clinical settings and focus on mental illness or psychopathology.

Notes

1. We are not aware of any cases in which a person in Virginia has gotten into legal trouble for practicing hypnosis or hypnotherapy.
2. Google searches reveal a number of unlicensed individuals advertising hypnotherapy services in Virginia
3. 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.
4. Hypnotherapy for vocational and avocational self-improvement is different from “diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders” as described in § 54.1-3600.