The Pros and Cons of Hypnotherapy 2

Dave Elman wrote[i], “I have been teaching hypnosis to medical men for years, and have found that many of them seem to think they can become expert hypnotists after a few classroom and practice sessions.”

The American Counsel of Hypnosis Examiners (ACHE) requires 200 classroom hours for the equivalent certification (Certified Hypnotherapist), as does the Hypnotherapy Training Institute (HTI).

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist requires 300 hours.

The National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), of which I am a member, prides itself on requiring its members to complete 160 hours of classroom instruction to acquire certification.

The International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association (IMDHA) - 140 hours.

The International Hypnosis Society - 64 hours.

The National Board of Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (NBCCH) - only 60 hours of classroom instruction.

I recently spoke to a licensed counselor who completed a weekend certification.

Seriously, are there no industry standards?

Now, anyone who has been in the profession for any time recognizes that basic certification is … well … pretty basic. It’s really just a license to learn. In fact, Elman wrote, “A more accurate term than hypnotist is hypnotic operator.”

Like the operator of a motor vehicle, the newly graduated Certified Hypnotherapist/Hypnotist (CH) has acquired the equivalent of a license to learn.

Where I live, to attain one’s MV operator’s license it is necessary to pass through a graduated licensing program. This system is designed to help reduce accidents by imposing restrictions on the driver to ensure s/he does not operate outside of the scope of his or her training and experience. It typically takes 36 months to become fully licensed.

It seems to me that our profession would benefit from establishing similar guidelines for hypnosis practitioners. 

For example: MV operator level 1 is the learner’s (L) stage.

After passing a practical knowledge test, the learner must display a letter “L” on the back of his or her car whenever operating a vehicle. This alerts other motorists that the driver is learning so they can give him more space. After 12 months of prohibition-free driving, the learner qualifies to take his or her first road test.

The key points here are that a learner (L) is required to practice under supervision for 12 months! 

And he must inform the public regarding his level of expertise.

Once the operator passes the practical exam, he moves up from the learner (L) to the novice (N) stage. Some of the restrictions of the learner’s (L) license are now removed and the driver must display a letter “N” on the back of the vehicle. (The dyslexics turn their tag sideways. There are a surprising number of “Z’s” on the road!)

The novice no longer requires supervision. He may operate on his own but is restricted to one passenger.

After 24 months of prohibition-free driving in the novice (N) license stage, the operator must pass another test to show competence in making responsible decisions behind the wheel. He then graduates to full-privilege Class 5 driver’s license.

Professional drivers are required to be trained before operating a public or commercial transport such as taxi, bus, 18-wheel rigs, etc. and must pass both written and practical exams.

Now, when I went through basic training, I had to pass three certification exams – Hypnotist, Master Hypnotist, and Clinical Hypnotherapist.

‘Hypnotist” simply meant I could induce hypnosis by demonstrating two inductions, preferably Progressive Relaxation and Eye Fascination. And while we were required to purchase Dave Elman’s book, we were not required to actually read it! 

Nor were we introduced to the Elman Induction!

‘Master Hypnotist’ level required passing a written and oral board exam which included demonstration of practical skill in inducing hypnosis, deepening, and giving suggestions (a few lines which had to be memorized.)

The final level, ‘Clinical Hypnotherapist’ was the final written exam. 

While I studied hard for finals, the exam failed to test my knowledge of hypnosis. As a result, I did not feel that I had truly earned my CH designation.

And I was right. I sought out the training I needed to work confidently with deeper issues. Those letters should stand for something more than a few classroom hours. 

Dave Elman said so.

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[i] Dave Elman, Hypnotherapy, Westwood Publishing, 1964

The Pros and Cons of Hypnotherapy 1

A pig and a chicken are walking down the street. They look up and see a billboard with an ad for Denny’s Grand-Slam breakfast.

 The chicken points to the glossy, sunny-side-up eggs and proudly clucks, “You see that? That is a meaningful contribution!”

The pig looks up and, pointing out the three slices of bacon, grunts, “You see that? THAT IS TOTAL COMMITMENT!”

So I ask you, do you want to make a meaningful contribution? Or are you all in? Total commitment?

Or are you chicken?

In ‘A Return to Love, Marianne Williamson wrote, “The world needs healing desperately, like a bird with a broken wing.  People know this and millions have prayed. God heard us.  He sent help.  He sent you.”

The world needs healers. I believe hypnotherapy can answer that call. I also believe that to do so we’ll need to raise the bar on the practice of hypnotherapy!

Scottish neurosurgeon, James Braid (1795 – 1860) is considered to be the first genuine “Hypnotherapist” and the “Father of Modern Hypnotism.” It was Braid who adopted the term “hypnotism” as an abbreviation for “neuron-hypnotism” which he regarded as the sleep of the nervous system of the body.

The word “hypno”, from which “hypnotism” derives its name, comes from the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos. Hypnos’ had a twin brother, Thanatos, the god of death. Their father was Morpheus, the god of Dreams.

So hypnosis is the “little sleep.” Death is the “Big Sleep.” And when we sleep, we dream … But that is a subject for another day ….

“The word "therapy" comes from the Greek "therapeia" meaning "a service, an attendance" which, in turn, is related to the Greek verb "therapeuo" meaning "I wait upon." Therapy was (and is) a service done to the sick.”[i]

The healers of ancient Egypt were known as “Therapeuts” - in Greek and Egyptian, “Essenes”. This was a secret brotherhood renowned for their service to the sick which involved healing both body and soul.

There are some who propose that the leader of the Essenes at Qumran, known as the ‘Teacher of Righteousness’, was also the Biblical Jesus. Jesus is well-known for his healing miracles. In the New Testament[ii] there’s a story about a woman who touches the hem of Jesus’ garment and is instantly healed. Jesus takes no credit for the miracle, however, telling the woman, “Your faith (belief) has healed you.”

A ‘Pro’ recognizes that all healing is self-healing; the power to heal resides in the mind of the individual.

Hippocrates[iii], the father of modern medicine, observed this power at work healing the body. He called it ‘vis medicatrix naturae,’ or ‘the healing power of nature.’ While this power is invisible, its effects are routinely witnessed. Whenever a wound heals, a bruise disappears, or a bone mends, it is not due to human intervention but to this seemingly magical natural power.

Sure, we can cleanse a wound, protect bruised tissues, or set a bone in place, but we cannot make the body heal. Recognizing this, Hippocrates taught his students that the healer’s task is to restore balance to the system. Interestingly, drug and surgical interventions were used, but only as a last resort.[iv] The emphasis was on removing the blocks to the natural flow of this healing energy to permit healing.

The ‘Con’ uses the title ‘healer.’ He professes to possess special powers which he offers, for a fee, of course. Steve Martin personified this role in the movie, ‘Leap of Faith’ where, as fake faith healer, Jonas Nightingale, he comes to realize that people are actually being healed despite his own lack of belief!

The truth is – healing happens. When we let it.

The power isn’t in the healer. It’s in the client. It always was. Dorothy, in the ‘Wizard of Oz’, discovered that she had it all along. She just needed to tap into it.

The ‘Pro’ knows this.

Pros serve the purpose of empowering the client to tap into “it”  - whatever “it” is. Using her skill and knowledge, the Pro guides the client through a process to release the blocks to awareness and restore the free-flow of this energy.

As it is restored, healing naturally follows.

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[i] Medicine.net

[ii] Luke 8:40-49

[iii] ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC

[iv] And back then ‘drugs’ were herbal remedies.

Don’t Believe Everything You Think

I admit it. I’m a bit of an information junkie. I can’t resist the temptation to check out various programs that are being offered.  I sign up for newsletters and weekly e-programs. And before long my head’s a-whirl with a lot of meaningless ‘krap.’ And I unsubscribe from everything.

Recently I stumbled upon some interesting questions, though.

This one got me thinking….

“What really annoys, irritates and grinds away at you regarding your idea/project/product/service? What about the subject really pisses you off?”[i]

Okay, there are pros and cons to everything in life but who doesn’t appreciate an invitation to gripe a little?

The object of the exercise is to identify the ‘grit in the oyster.’ What came to mind, as I pondered this question, was what it is that really irks me about my profession.

So here it is. CON #1:

Hypnosis schools that market certification as the easy ticket to a new, high-paying career. Dollar-driven hypnotherapy certification programs with too large or too small class sizes that ensure insufficient practice time and inadequate supervision.

And no post-graduate support system. You pays your money and it’s “sayonara”!

Add to this a plethora of CI’s with little-to-no actual experience in private practice and the profession has a formula for disaster.

“I’m a CH. Do you want fries with that?”

My first hypnosis certification course was with a local school located about an hour’s drive from my home. As the Fates would have it, another student who had signed up for the 4 week course, lived just a few blocks from my home. So we agreed to commute together and share costs.

For the next four weeks, Terry and I took turns driving to and from class. We became study buddies, reviewing course material and practicing together on weekends.

Terry was a dedicated and hard-working student who, in her eagerness to begin a new career as a Certified Hypnotherapist, had invested the last of her savings. She wanted it BAD!

Six months following graduation I found her clerking at a big-box retail store.

The truth is it takes more than a few weeks study to become a qualified hypnosis professional. It requires business acumen, marketing smarts, and years of study and practice to develop a successful practice – just like any profession.

Eleven years have passed since my first hypnosis certification and I have continued to study hypnosis and healing. Along the way I have been blessed to have some great teachers. And some not-so-great.  All taught me valuable lessons.

What does it take to be a PRO?

1. Know your stuff. Cultivate a thorough understanding of the underlying theories and concepts that will support your client’s success.
2. Develop expertise in using the tools. Immersing yourself in the practical application of whatever methods you utilize will build confidence and skill.
3. Don’t believe everything you think. Continue to learn. Subscribe to journals. Join a forum. Attend classes, seminars, conferences. Remember - you don’t have to reinvent the wheel! Learning from other’s successes and failures will shorten your learning curve and save you $$$
4. Walk your talk. Do your own work. Come from a place of experience and authenticity. And help raise the bar on our profession.

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[i] AndreaJLee.com