Hypnotists that are also PhDs

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on November 19, 2009 at 11:27pm

PhD = Printed Hypnosis Diploma LOL


Of course even the University crowd plays that game, a Masters is the highest degree that can be given by the school, which is why the PhD is a philosophy degree. Just something else to throw money at (Piled high Dollars).

John

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Permalink Reply by Michael Zappellini on November 19, 2009 at 11:51pm

Hi John,
I don't know why you are interested in knowing about this , but anyway here it is
Ph.D. Neuropsychology state University of Milan Italy.

Cheers

Michael

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Permalink Reply by Conrad Cook on November 20, 2009 at 3:38am

Not all of them are real diplomas. You can get a Ph.D. from a degree mill with an authentic-sounding name. I was considering it, but most of them want a few thosand dollars and make you write a token thesis. Then I was thinking about opening my own non-accredited online university. I'm still thinking about it, in fact.

But this kind of thing happens more often than you might think. There's some controversy around the authenticity of John Grey's Ph.D., who wrote _Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus_, the details of which you can find on Wikipedia. I have heard that Richard Bandler was transparent about having a "marketing Ph.D." -- just so he could put the letters next to his name -- but I don't know that myself. I haven't really followed later Bandler stuff.

Another thing that happens is that universities often present guest speakers with honorary Ph.D.s. These are usually given to people of means, who have already made their mark on the world, and are less of an inflationary threat to people who have earned their Ph.Ds. Although it's still pretty bogus, in my opinion.

In theory, a Ph.D. is simply someone who has advanced his field in a way acknowledged by his peers. A math Ph.D. has proven some interesting or useful theorem; a physics Ph.D. has measured or discovered some physical property of matter or energy; a history Ph.D. has established the likelihood of a certain interpretation of historical evidence; and so on.

It doesn't necessarily mean they're trustworthy, honest, or even sane; but I guess it's sexy.


Conrad.

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Permalink Reply by Walt Potter on November 20, 2009 at 5:57am

In particular, it doesn't mean that they're smarter or better than other people. There's no reason for awe.

I use my Ph.D. only at the university. Otherwise I'm just Walt.

Conrad Cook said:

Not all of them are real diplomas. You can get a Ph.D. from a degree mill with an authentic-sounding name. I was considering it, but most of them want a few thosand dollars and make you write a token thesis. Then I was thinking about opening my own non-accredited online university. I'm still thinking about it, in fact.

But this kind of thing happens more often than you might think. There's some controversy around the authenticity of John Grey's Ph.D., who wrote _Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus_, the details of which you can find on Wikipedia. I have heard that Richard Bandler was transparent about having a "marketing Ph.D." -- just so he could put the letters next to his name -- but I don't know that myself. I haven't really followed later Bandler stuff.

Another thing that happens is that universities often present guest speakers with honorary Ph.D.s. These are usually given to people of means, who have already made their mark on the world, and are less of an inflationary threat to people who have earned their Ph.Ds. Although it's still pretty bogus, in my opinion.

In theory, a Ph.D. is simply someone who has advanced his field in a way acknowledged by his peers. A math Ph.D. has proven some interesting or useful theorem; a physics Ph.D. has measured or discovered some physical property of matter or energy; a history Ph.D. has established the likelihood of a certain interpretation of historical evidence; and so on.

It doesn't necessarily mean they're trustworthy, honest, or even sane; but I guess it's sexy.


Conrad.

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on November 20, 2009 at 6:26am

Last year, my shitu ryu karate instructor received an honorary PhD from a respected national karate organization for his 35 year contribution and expertise in martial arts. He told only a select few and we never saw it again. One student jokingly called him "Doctor Sensei" and got the glare.

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Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on November 20, 2009 at 8:26am

A PhD is a certification that you know how to learn and how to study .. and ,,, that you have the discipline to do so. A PhD degree is awarded by a concensus of your peer scholars in an academically certified and recognized University that has a specialization in your field of study so that your peers are competant to review and comment on your work. A PhD thesis is a directed research study of an independant and significantly important aspect of your field of study. It is not always the thesis topic that is important, but your ability to do original research that is both accurate and independantly verified;
All that said.. it is quite possible to get an advanced degree with a specialization in Bullshit, You can attend any one of a number of internet distance learning universitys (with a Bullshit certification of course). Your peer reviewers must also be certified Bullshiters with a verifiable history of exceptional bullshiting ability (Plagarism helps, moneygrubbing is a plus, but not genuine evidence of Bullshiting capacity, it has to be something really exceptional like "These bullshit PhD's are worth something") One of the real "tell-tale" signitures of a Bullshit PhD degree is that the recipient thought so little of the degree that they let the University mail it to them or better still, downloaded it from the Internet,

Ok So you wanted to know about my degree.... I have a PhD in Organic Chemistry, I earned it from Rutgurs, the State University of New Jersey over years of hard and dedicated work. My family and friends flew in for the commencement. My thesis was reviewed by a someone who eventually went on to receive a Noble prize in Chemistry.
Parts of it were published in peer reviewed journals and compendiums..

Hugh Cole
The Pretty Goodest Hypnotist on the Planet
(who does know how to study and do research)

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Permalink Reply by Walt Potter on November 20, 2009 at 8:35am

My PhD is in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I published the main parts of my thesis in a peer reviewed journal. At the time it was really important and it opened doors to years of good professional life. Lots of memories....this is not the place.

Enjoy

Walt Potter said:

In particular, it doesn't mean that they're smarter or better than other people. There's no reason for awe.

I use my Ph.D. only at the university. Otherwise I'm just Walt.

Conrad Cook said:

Not all of them are real diplomas. You can get a Ph.D. from a degree mill with an authentic-sounding name. I was considering it, but most of them want a few thosand dollars and make you write a token thesis. Then I was thinking about opening my own non-accredited online university. I'm still thinking about it, in fact.

But this kind of thing happens more often than you might think. There's some controversy around the authenticity of John Grey's Ph.D., who wrote _Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus_, the details of which you can find on Wikipedia. I have heard that Richard Bandler was transparent about having a "marketing Ph.D." -- just so he could put the letters next to his name -- but I don't know that myself. I haven't really followed later Bandler stuff.

Another thing that happens is that universities often present guest speakers with honorary Ph.D.s. These are usually given to people of means, who have already made their mark on the world, and are less of an inflationary threat to people who have earned their Ph.Ds. Although it's still pretty bogus, in my opinion.

In theory, a Ph.D. is simply someone who has advanced his field in a way acknowledged by his peers. A math Ph.D. has proven some interesting or useful theorem; a physics Ph.D. has measured or discovered some physical property of matter or energy; a history Ph.D. has established the likelihood of a certain interpretation of historical evidence; and so on.

It doesn't necessarily mean they're trustworthy, honest, or even sane; but I guess it's sexy.


Conrad.

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on November 20, 2009 at 9:23am

I'm glad that others have commented on the phenomenon of fake Ph.D.s in the hypnosis field, as it's a pet peeve of mine, and I was holding back from going on a tirade.

A real university Ph.D. takes a lot of work. My parents were professors, and I was raised around Ph.D.s. (which is slightly better than being raised by wolves, I think. *grin*) Although having a Ph.D. is not an absolute guarantee of competence, intelligence, common sense, or moral character, it does indicate a certain level of achievement that I prefer to respect. Culturally, it implies credibility.

That's just one of several reason why fake Ph.D.s in our field are offensive. Here are some of the others:

1. While a fake Ph.D. may impress some clients, those with even a little wherewithal will spot it as fake, thus damaging your credibility and your ability to help potential clients.

2. Claiming fake degrees damages the reputation of entire profession.

3. Claiming fake degrees perpetuates the faulty notion of credentialism--the idea that someone with a degree is inherently more competent, intelligent, or ethical that someone without.

4. Claiming fake degrees can get you arrested in some states.

Here are some ways to spot a fake Ph.D. or doctorate:

1. The individual in question claims to have a doctorate in hypnosis or hypnotherapy. There are no legally accredited institutions that grant such a degree. (There have in the past been unaccredited schools that put students through a program of hypnosis education and then granted a degree. While such degrees are imho more meaningful than the buy-it-online variety, they are legally the same.)

2. The individual in question lists his/her name as "Dr. Whoever, Ph.D" or even worse, "Dr. Whoever, RN, CHt, BCH, DCH, Ph.D." Real academics list only the highest or most applicable degree, and they realize that listing the title and the degree is redundant.

3. The individual in question claims to have multiple doctorates--I've seen one member of this site who claims to have seven.

4. The institution granting the degree is not listed anywhere in the individual's bio information.

5. The institution is listed, but it's a notorious diploma mill. If you have doubt, google the name of the institution.

BTW, my hat's off to members of the site who have earned real degrees, and especially to those with the good sense to use the titles only in the settings where they apply. You are a credit to our profession.

James

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Permalink Reply by John R. Brochu on November 20, 2009 at 2:17pm

Walt and Hugh.. thanks.

Walt Potter said:

My PhD is in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I published the main parts of my thesis in a peer reviewed journal. At the time it was really important and it opened doors to years of good professional life. Lots of memories....this is not the place.

Enjoy

Walt Potter said:

In particular, it doesn't mean that they're smarter or better than other people. There's no reason for awe.

I use my Ph.D. only at the university. Otherwise I'm just Walt.

Conrad Cook said:

Not all of them are real diplomas. You can get a Ph.D. from a degree mill with an authentic-sounding name. I was considering it, but most of them want a few thosand dollars and make you write a token thesis. Then I was thinking about opening my own non-accredited online university. I'm still thinking about it, in fact.

But this kind of thing happens more often than you might think. There's some controversy around the authenticity of John Grey's Ph.D., who wrote _Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus_, the details of which you can find on Wikipedia. I have heard that Richard Bandler was transparent about having a "marketing Ph.D." -- just so he could put the letters next to his name -- but I don't know that myself. I haven't really followed later Bandler stuff.

Another thing that happens is that universities often present guest speakers with honorary Ph.D.s. These are usually given to people of means, who have already made their mark on the world, and are less of an inflationary threat to people who have earned their Ph.Ds. Although it's still pretty bogus, in my opinion.

In theory, a Ph.D. is simply someone who has advanced his field in a way acknowledged by his peers. A math Ph.D. has proven some interesting or useful theorem; a physics Ph.D. has measured or discovered some physical property of matter or energy; a history Ph.D. has established the likelihood of a certain interpretation of historical evidence; and so on.

It doesn't necessarily mean they're trustworthy, honest, or even sane; but I guess it's sexy.


Conrad.

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Permalink Reply by Conrad Cook on November 20, 2009 at 9:25pm

I just surfed around online... $3k now they're going for. Damn but I should get in on that!

Ofc, I'll need to tenure a few people to do the peer review. Who's in?


Conrad.

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Permalink Reply by John R. Brochu on November 21, 2009 at 6:36am

Conrad:

My query has fallen on deaf ears to anyone that signs on to this forum with those three letters after their name.
It seems that our industry is not immune to the fabulous fakes that are misrepresenting themselves to their clients and the world.

Yours in Health,
John

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Permalink Reply by Conrad Cook on November 21, 2009 at 5:54pm

John R. Brochu said:

It seems that our industry is not immune to the fabulous fakes that are misrepresenting themselves to their clients and the world.

So it should be a good business, if you can break into it.

In truth, I'm pretty ambivalent about *legitimate* degrees -- having known a few Ph.D.s who didn't have all that good judgement, and so on.

But you can't make assumptions either way. There was a guy online whose Ph.D. I assumed was fake, but it turned out to be legit. In psychology, no less. Still kind of a jerk, though.

Conrad.

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