HEADS UP - The Division 30 Psychos have declared war on non-licensed hypnosis professionals!

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Permalink Reply by Susan French on June 6, 2009 at 4:38am

I hope that, like most changes in any system, it takes a really long time. At HMI they told us to belong to the union and to help in the fight to keep it as it is. That made sense I guess. Hopefully, we would be grandfathered in.

On the other hand, I think that licensing or certifications (as a hypnotherapist) given by governmental sources would bring credibility, consistency and accountability to our profession, which would ultimately be better for everyone. At least at the level similar to CNA, vocational nursing, or technical status.

Aren't midwives licensed or certified? That's about a natural occurrence as you can find but it has dangers.

Please don't throw tomatoes anyone.

Susan

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Permalink Reply by Graham Old on June 6, 2009 at 7:48am

Hey can a law like that even be passed? There will need to be very clear (and artificial) guidelines on what constitutes hypnosis, what is guided meditation, visualisation, NLP, Suggestion Therapy, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on June 7, 2009 at 2:44am

Adults have a responsibility to stand up to bullies of all persuasions, whenever it is nececessary to do so!

The APA's Div-30 Summer Newsletter contains a 4 page article titled: "Hypnosis: Professionalism or Quackery" urging APA members to help "educate" their local lawmakers about the need to restrict our practices... This is far more than some childish game -

It is clear where you stand Mr Duncan -- The question is: Who is ready, willing and able to help us defend our practices?

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Permalink Reply by Mac Stevens on June 7, 2009 at 3:05am

I think Paul has it right with his statement, "Because its so obviously all about greed. Not any hipocratic oath, not about helping people, not about "the Public Welfare".

Regulate and gov't certification equals cash! Law makers are going to love this!

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on June 7, 2009 at 3:10am

Hi Mac,

I do not disgaree with you and Paul -- Of course this is about greed -

However the weasels are urging lawmakers to protect the hen house by restricting our practices -- This is not a time to put our heads in the sand -- Their motivation doesn't change the challenges that face us.



Mac Stevens said:

I think Paul has it right with his statement, "Because its so obviously all about greed. Not any hipocratic oath, not about helping people, not about "the Public Welfare".
Regulate and gov't certification equals cash! Law makers are going to love this!
Paul Duncan said:

Does no one see how childish this whole "hypnosis" fued is?

The "Liscensed 'Medical' Professionals" fire a volley, we "Certified Hypnotists and Trained Laymen" fire back, and so it goes. We're SO childish, we're eventually going to ask mommy and daddy to solve the dispute (our congressional "leaders", who are of course known for their great wisdom and correctness of decision). And even once a decision is made, we'll all bitch and appeal, because we can't be grown ups and let everyone have their own hustle. And if you think what we do, and what a "Medical Professional" does ISN'T a hustle, you're a fool. There's a reason they call their businesses a "practice", because they don't have anything mastered either, so they need more practice. The whole thing is an ego-ridden, pathetic JOKE. The thing that embarasses me about this "profession" is the schoolyard fighting. As far as I'm concerned, doctors and "science" have it just as wrong as they say "we" do. As a matter of Fact, in 100 years, everyone will be looking at our time the same way we look at the "witch doctors" of several hundred years ago, and arrogantly laugh at all this silly hubub.

Because its so obviously all about greed. Not any hipocratic oath, not about helping people, not about "the Public Welfare".

Its just a bunch of greedy ego-laden bitches sniping at each other, damaging the the very thing we say we're trying to protect, and back and forth we go.

Embarassing, that's the only word I have for it. And depressing.

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Permalink Reply by Henxy on June 7, 2009 at 10:32am

As someone who is about to embark upon setting up a hypnotherapy service, employed by the NHS, I hope to find better-adjusted perspectives on both the medical and non-medical sides.
I also see it as part of my role to evangelise in a coherent and convincing manner. Knowing the amount of work which goes into rigorous medical research, I can understand why a fluffy HT talking about angels and auras may just grate on the nerves of a medical professional. Equally, I more than understand the frustration an HT experiences when denied the opportunity to help someone due to the lack of RCTs on hypnotherapeutic interventions.
Perpetuating the 'us and them' situation serves only to damage the patients/clients and reputations of HT and medicine. Taking a truly holisitic perspective on health IMHO means encompassing and making use of all that is available to aid those in need, and that means traditional medicine as well as HT.

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Permalink Reply by James Malone on June 7, 2009 at 2:43pm

Michael, could you please possibly provide a link or some more of the content of this publication? I imagine given the recent economic downturn, the certified hypnosis professional is going to be perceived as a greater threat to the bottom line of the licensed professions.

As far as the call for us to be licensed/regulated in some way I have been hearing this for quite some time. Yet one of our profession's overall strengths also seems to prevent this-that being our record of safety.

Yes, there is the occasional creepy personality that gives us a black eye (as happens in every profession) Yet by and large our "technology" is very safe since it is ultimately controlled by the client. And it is my understanding the government cannot call for licensure unless unregulated practice would somehow create a public hazard, and no one has been able to make this case with hypnosis for self-improvement.

As long as we stick with helping "normal people overcome the normal problems of everyday life" or work with mental/physical disorders only with licensed referral, I really cannot see what benefit there would be to further regulation.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on June 7, 2009 at 3:19pm

I will scan and the post article as soon as I can- FYI- The article was mailed to me from the West Coast via regular mail on Saturday --

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Permalink Reply by Pattie Freeman CH.t, MST on June 7, 2009 at 3:38pm

I wish they would all grow up...I would like the link also.....

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Permalink Reply by Scott W. on June 15, 2009 at 6:45am

Unfortunately, you cannot access the bulletin from APA Division 30 website. They have some interesting things at their web site, http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/homepage.html, including a brochure for cllients, stating hypnosis is NOT a type of psychotherapy (enquiring minds want to know why then it should be regulated and restrict to people doing psychotherapy) and licensed psychologists should do clinical hypnosis--guess that throws under the bus: social workers, clergy, psychiatrists, other types of doctors, along with us!

Brochure at http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/forms/hypnosis_brochure.pdf
Definition of hypnosis at:http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/define_hypnosis.html
PowerPoint at:http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/powerpoint.html
I highly recommend viewing the PowerPoint, a quick overview of some of the psychological theories and controversies about hypnosis. Good intro.

This is from their brochure:
Is hypnosis therapy?
Hypnosis is not a type of psychotherapy. Instead, it is a technique that can be used, and that can be taught to you, in the context of other therapies.
Who should perform hypnosis?
Clinical hypnosis should be conducted only by properly trained and credentialed health care professionals (e.g., licensed psychologists) who have been specifically trained in the use of hypnosis, and who are working within the limits of their professional expertise.

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Permalink Reply by the grumpy hypnotist on June 15, 2009 at 3:19pm

Hello Michael,

Thank you for sharing the article in that other thread. I don't know the answers to your questions, except to say that I think the authors do raise legitimate criticisms and concerns about the field, which many unlicensed hypnotists would also agree with.

However, it is kind of weak for the authors to proclaim the superiority of having come from the tradition of research studies and controlled trials (good things), and yet their "evidence of quackery" is basically "Hey look at this stupid hypnosis website we found on the internet. And look at these dumb advertisements in the local paper." Duh.

What I find often lacking in both the licensed and unlicensed perspectives on this issue is that they both seem to completely miss the focus on the basic right of consumers to select choices in an informed manner.

People should be free to choose even ridiculous scientifically unsubstantiated modalities.

But they should also have the right not to be lied to by a practitioner who makes stuff up about either their credentials (using fake doctorates and diplomas), or the scientific basis of non-scientific things. Non-scientific things are wonderful! There's no need to pretend.

If hypnotists feel they are under attack, if it ever comes down to a legislative battle, I think the public's right to choose is the trump card that needs to be kept in mind. Hypnosis needs to be positioned as a basic right of the educated consumer, not a privilege of the hypnotist.

ie. NOT "Dear Congressman, I can tell you miraculous wonderous stories of how I cured my client's arthritis by speaking to their spirit guides in hypnosis. Don't listen to those evil greedy doctors and drug companies who want to shut me down... I know they can buy off politicians like you. Please save my hypnosis business, because I spent a lot of money to get my certificate!"

But rather: "Dear Congressman, having served many hundreds of your constituents with hypnosis, we are concerned about the legislation which would have prevented them and their communities from benefiting from our work. Not only that, but we believe that the community would be displeased with legislation which would deny them the freedom to choose. The legislation would force people who want to use hypnosis to stop smoking, or overcome a fear of public speaking (for example), to in effect classify themselves as undergoing treatment for drug addiction or having a mental disorder... etc. etc."

Anyway, I think we need to make sure that consumers (aka. voters) are on our side, because otherwise there is no hope of fighting against well-funded lobbyists and people with real degrees and credentials. Unfortunately, because of the way many "hypnotists" operate, it is understandable that many voters would think that this field is full of charlatans. That's our own fault (and personally I think it is mainly caused by the nature of the hypnosis certification industry).

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Permalink Reply by Bernard Yam on June 15, 2009 at 6:13pm

you are doing what you are doing because you love what you are doing, so just keep doing what you are doing.

Bring peace and delight to the world, reply all criticism with evidence and logic, recieve all with genuiness and grace.

The people who are against us are preying upon fear; we are acting on hope. Hope always wins.

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