Hypnotherapy and South Carolina

South Carolina seems to have a peculiar prohibition against “hypnotherapy”, having challenged at least one practitioner on the use of the word “hypnotherapy” on his website. The State may have accused him of the unlicensed practice of psychology.

The Code defines the “Practice of professional counseling” as the “functioning as a psychotherapist and may include, but is not limited to, providing … hypnotherapy.”.

The Code could certainly be challenged as overly broad and vague, as this same definition includes “school counseling”. Could a parent who admonishes his child to study harder conceivably be charged by the State with the unlicensed practice of psychology?

I’m confident that my practice does not violate South Carolina law. At the same time, I do not wish to incur the wrath of the Great State of South Carolina, so I shall conduct hypnosis sessions, including past-life regressions and spirit releasement work. I have always explained to clients and potential clients that I am not a therapist, psychotherapist, counselor, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist. “Hypnotherapy” will be conducted only in locations where it is not prohibited by law.

Dr. Hickman said she did therapy on dead folks and demons. I wonder how South Carolina would have controlled that.