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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