Why Do Hypnotherapist's Need a Union?

The field of Hypnotherapy, in most of the United States of America, is a non-licensed profession. As recognition and demand for Hypnotherapy grows across the country, Hypnotherapist's right to practice comes under increasing attack from other groups; Psychologists, Medical Doctors, and other Hypnosis groups, who would like to pass regulation that restricts the practice of Hypnotherapy to their own profession or organization. Attempts to State license the profession more often that not creates even more restrictions that serve special interests.

By joining a Hypnotherapist's Union, who is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, you accomplish three (03) main goals:

Your voice to legislators concerning your wish to protect your right to practice Hypnotherapy carries the weight of the collective numbers of millions of Union members.
You have a watch dog, looking out any restrictive legislation or regulation that affects your right to practice hypnotherapy.
"Certification" with an independent and democratic body with a name "AFL-CIO" the public is already familiar.

The AFL-CIO
Hypnotherapist's Union Power

By affiliating with the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations), Hypnotherapists have gained much greater political strength and bargaining power then they ever could on their own. The Hypnotherapist's Union was organized to protect your career in hypnotherapy. It is the vanguard against restrictive legislation.

Almost everyone has heard of the AFL-CIO and knows that it is here to stay. Let us compare membership statistics with three of the most widely recognized professional associations.

The American Medical Association has approximately 26,000 members in the State of California.
The California Dental Association has approximately 12,000 members.
The American Psychological Association has approximately 4,575 members in California.
The AFL-CIO, of which we are a member, has between 600,000 and 700,000 members in California alone.

About the Hypnotherapist's Union Local 472

There are many Hypnotherapy Organizations. Many with official names like the "American Board" or "National Guild" or "American Council". Despite the official sounding names, none of these are Government Agencies. While some do offer wonderful benefits to their members, they are all owned or controlled by one person or group.

The Hypnotherapist's Union is a non-profit organization, governed by a Board of Directors, elected by the Hypnotherapist members they represent. While we have the "Union" name, we do not serve as a collective bargaining organization, nor do we organize strikes. Unlike most Unions all our members are self-employed.

We are your Legislative Watchdog and Hammer

The Hypnotherapist's Union is organized to create recognition and acceptance of hypnosis, and to lobby to prevent restrictions to the open and free practice of hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

The Hypnotherapist's Union Local 472 is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is elected by the General Membership every three years.

The Hypnotherapist's Union was founded in 1972 by Dr. John Kappas who literally defined the profession of Hypnotherapy when he authored the definition of a "Hypnotherapist" for the Federal Directory of Occupational Titles. This definition was lobbied by the Union affiliates to be added to the Directory and remains unchanged and in effect today. Dr. Kappas started this Union with the vision that Hypnotherapist's could use the AFL-CIO affiliation to protect themselves from restrictive legislation and govern themselves to direct their professional futures.

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