The difference between hypnotherapy and hypnosis is pretty simple – it’s mostly a difference in the way the word is used. Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of hypnosis (or ‘trance‘). By therapeutic, we mean to help, and within the context of other appropriate approaches. Our hypnotherapists might draw on techniques from counselling, CBT, psychological understandings, and other modalities. This is sometimes called psychotherapy.
Yes, in the sense that they both hypnotise people, but the context, reasons for doing so, and methods might be different. We use the terms ‘hypnotherapist’ and ‘hypnotist’ interchangeably, and refer to ourselves as both, or sometimes simply therapists or practitioners. A hypnotist is simply someone who knows how to hypnotise people.
Some hypnotherapists don’t like to call themselves hypnotists, because while all hypnotherapists are hypnotists, not all hypnotists are hypnotherapists. Stage hypnotists are often in the business of entertainment only, and that’s not what we do here. If you wish to learn a little more about hypnosis and how the hypnotherapists at Brisbane Hypnosis Centre work you can read more here.
So we don’t really mind what word you use! The important thing is that hypnosis is used for therapeutic, helpful purposes. Working with a professionally-trained clinical hypnotherapist will ensure that you have an opportunity to understand the process and ask questions.