John G. Kappas

Dr. John G. Kappas (1925-2002) unknowingly distinguished himself as the father of Hypnotherapy as a distinct and separate profession when, with the help of the AFL/CIO International Union, he authored the definition of "Hypnotist" and “Hypnotherapist” for the Federal Dictionary of Occupational Titles. The introduction of these titles into the Federal Dictionary in 1973 marked the official recognition of the practice of hypnosis and the title of Hypnotherapist as a distinct and separate profession from the practice of Psychology.

Dr. Kappas’ influence on the profession of hypnotherapy in the U.S. expanded further in 1987 when the non-profit organization, the Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI), founded by Kappas in 1968, achieved distinction as the first hypnotherapy college in America to become nationally accredited by an accrediting agency authorized by the U.S. Department of Education.