Should We Be Concerned?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on July 19, 2010 at 5:44pm

Actually Richard, Kevin said, "Ooph...
With all do respect, James... Hypnosis CAN in fact be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. I compare it very much like a scalpel actually... It can be used to heal and it can be used to harm (if someone doesn't know how to handle it safely.)"

And others have pointed out hypnosis is dangerous.

But it is not. I usually try to avoid these ongoing internet semantic debates, but I this belief (which is widely held, I would say even by the majority so Kevin is not out of line, and I realize I am in the minority) is one clinged to by psychologists and mental health professionals (like you and me - both LMFT's) and is used to justify the exclusion of unlicensed practitioners of hypnosis.

The whole claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" in the "wrong hands" is why our profession lives in fear of "the boards" clamping down on the practice of hypnosis. (Actually since 90% of my students ARE licensed mental health professionals, I really am out on a limb endorsing non-licensed practitioners, but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die).

I hear the claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" as the reason my videos should not be on youtube, or that I should not make an assessment tool available online for download.

And although in the minority, I simply do not believe "hypnosis" is dangerous, or that negative life experiences (abreaction) are bad.

I do not want to appear to be dissing either Kevin or Doreen or the many people who agree with them, Kevin is a respected trainer who obviously care about both his clients and students, but in the end even if someone hears a hypnotist describe an elevator and recalls their unprocessed rape, it is likely to happen at the mall when the see an elevator descend between floors, or at a movie with a rape scene or elevator scene, or even reading an open forum like this where someone with a similar experience revivifies the experience. And if they do, and even if it is painful - are they harmed? This is part of life, the negative and the positive, the emotionally intense and the painful. This does not mean one is "harmed".

@ Michael, hypnosis was not what caused the abuses of the 80's and 90's by mental health professionals. I was there in Houston at the time. The high profile cases were in my backyard, and I talked at length with victims of hypnothrapist abuse from Washington, who were victimized by therapists, police and the courts. Had none of these doctors/therapists/cops known hypnosis, they still would have exploited and abused the people in there care. They were on a religious power trip, a law enforcement power trip and a doctor power trip. The therapists and doctors who created FMS in clients were exploiters, who caused the same problems other less high in profile therapists have caused without hypnosis.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Atkinson on July 19, 2010 at 5:50pm

Doreen ... The reason we need to obtain referrals has to do with the laws that are in place to restrict and control those who are not psychologists. An example in support of this is how organized religion is allowed to practice psychology openly, and not be in violation of the law; however hypnotherapists are regarded as untrained and should be controlled for fear of what they might do to a client. How is being a religious figure make you more qualified?

As I said earlier, I think you will find that throughout history organized religion has caused more harm to people than hypnosis ever will ... religions operate with free will ... to council, to provide therapy, and to give marriage guidance without having received any formal training.

Show me the proof that hypnosis has ever been proven dangerous to anyone? The only cases I have ever read deal with people's fear of the unknown and their willingness to control something they do not fully understand.



Doreen Cohanim C.Ht said:

Thank You Richard, so what you saying is, we don't need doctor referrals, we don't need training, we can read and watch videos and then we are fine to take care of just about anyone and it's safe?

In that case why people bothering to advice other hypnotist to insist on doctor referral's, we can just take care of anyone with out it, since hypnosis it self is not dangerous.

In this case there is nothing to be concerned about, is it?

Respectfully, Doreen Cohanim C.Ht

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Permalink Reply by Antoine Pruyssers on July 19, 2010 at 5:56pm

Can hypnosis be dangerous? My answer would be yes, but .....

The young people who come to HT, to learn more about hypnosis are interested and will go to any media where they will find the needed information, and because we live in the information-era, that will not be hard for them.
So the question we have to ask ourselves is this:
"Do I trust myself to be the kind of mentor, that can provide these kids to learn a responsible way to hypnotize others?"
And the next question is:"Is it our responsibility to teach responsibility either way? "

The best we can do, is teach with all the moral standards we have embedded in our teachings, and trust that will be enough.
There are some here on the site, I have my concerns about, but are those adults my responsibility?
I think not.
What is my responsibility is that what I communicate to others will have an effect.
As soon as it has been said, it's up to the receivers, to handle it in their own conscience, and up to us, to trust that it will be handled in a constructive manner.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Clark MFT on July 19, 2010 at 6:23pm

Richard,

Again, the issue is not "is hypnosis dangerous?". It is much more complicated then that.

A baby bottle can be dangerous if used by a molevelent or ignorant person. If used precisely or foolishly a rubber chicken can kill.

(For the record.. I do agree that an abreaction is not all that big a deal and that you can do anything without formal hypnosis that you can do with formal hypnosis. These are not the issues)

Richard

Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com said:

Actually Richard, Kevin said, "Ooph...
With all do respect, James... Hypnosis CAN in fact be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. I compare it very much like a scalpel actually... It can be used to heal and it can be used to harm (if someone doesn't know how to handle it safely.)"

And others have pointed out hypnosis is dangerous.

But it is not. I usually try to avoid these ongoing internet semantic debates, but I this belief (which is widely held, I would say even by the majority so Kevin is not out of line, and I realize I am in the minority) is one clinged to by psychologists and mental health professionals (like you and me - both LMFT's) and is used to justify the exclusion of unlicensed practitioners of hypnosis.

The whole claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" in the "wrong hands" is why our profession lives in fear of "the boards" clamping down on the practice of hypnosis. (Actually since 90% of my students ARE licensed mental health professionals, I really am out on a limb endorsing non-licensed practitioners, but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die).

I hear the claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" as the reason my videos should not be on youtube, or that I should not make an assessment tool available online for download.

And although in the minority, I simply do not believe "hypnosis" is dangerous, or that negative life experiences (abreaction) are bad.

I do not want to appear to be dissing either Kevin or Doreen or the many people who agree with them, Kevin is a respected trainer who obviously care about both his clients and students, but in the end even if someone hears a hypnotist describe an elevator and recalls their unprocessed rape, it is likely to happen at the mall when the see an elevator descend between floors, or at a movie with a rape scene or elevator scene, or even reading an open forum like this where someone with a similar experience revivifies the experience. And if they do, and even if it is painful - are they harmed? This is part of life, the negative and the positive, the emotionally intense and the painful. This does not mean one is "harmed".

@ Michael, hypnosis was not what caused the abuses of the 80's and 90's by mental health professionals. I was there in Houston at the time. The high profile cases were in my backyard, and I talked at length with victims of hypnothrapist abuse from Washington, who were victimized by therapists, police and the courts. Had none of these doctors/therapists/cops known hypnosis, they still would have exploited and abused the people in there care. They were on a religious power trip, a law enforcement power trip and a doctor power trip. The therapists and doctors who created FMS in clients were exploiters, who caused the same problems other less high in profile therapists have caused without hypnosis.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on July 19, 2010 at 6:30pm

Thanks Richard -

I agree exploitive therapists of all persuasions can and do exploit their patients without hypnosis. It's just that using hypnosis makes them more effective- Right?

@ Richard C. -
Well said --

@ Antoine -
Yes, and hypnosis in this situation is very safe...

Cool...

Michael E.

Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com said:

Actually Richard, Kevin said, "Ooph...
With all do respect, James... Hypnosis CAN in fact be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. I compare it very much like a scalpel actually... It can be used to heal and it can be used to harm (if someone doesn't know how to handle it safely.)"

And others have pointed out hypnosis is dangerous.

But it is not. I usually try to avoid these ongoing internet semantic debates, but I this belief (which is widely held, I would say even by the majority so Kevin is not out of line, and I realize I am in the minority) is one clinged to by psychologists and mental health professionals (like you and me - both LMFT's) and is used to justify the exclusion of unlicensed practitioners of hypnosis.

The whole claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" in the "wrong hands" is why our profession lives in fear of "the boards" clamping down on the practice of hypnosis. (Actually since 90% of my students ARE licensed mental health professionals, I really am out on a limb endorsing non-licensed practitioners, but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die).

I hear the claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" as the reason my videos should not be on youtube, or that I should not make an assessment tool available online for download.

And although in the minority, I simply do not believe "hypnosis" is dangerous, or that negative life experiences (abreaction) are bad.

I do not want to appear to be dissing either Kevin or Doreen or the many people who agree with them, Kevin is a respected trainer who obviously care about both his clients and students, but in the end even if someone hears a hypnotist describe an elevator and recalls their unprocessed rape, it is likely to happen at the mall when the see an elevator descend between floors, or at a movie with a rape scene or elevator scene, or even reading an open forum like this where someone with a similar experience revivifies the experience. And if they do, and even if it is painful - are they harmed? This is part of life, the negative and the positive, the emotionally intense and the painful. This does not mean one is "harmed".

@ Michael, hypnosis was not what caused the abuses of the 80's and 90's by mental health professionals. I was there in Houston at the time. The high profile cases were in my backyard, and I talked at length with victims of hypnothrapist abuse from Washington, who were victimized by therapists, police and the courts. Had none of these doctors/therapists/cops known hypnosis, they still would have exploited and abused the people in there care. They were on a religious power trip, a law enforcement power trip and a doctor power trip. The therapists and doctors who created FMS in clients were exploiters, who caused the same problems other less high in profile therapists have caused without hypnosis.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin Cole-NLPTrainingQuest.com on July 19, 2010 at 6:50pm

Richard said: "but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die)."

This is something we agree on-- Strongly.

By the way, I have seen some of your youtube videos and find them perfectly appropriate for continuing education.

That said, once again to clarify...

I believe and have seen hypnosis CAN be dangerous when used by an individual that does not know what they are doing and my beliefs are based on personal experience, not theory.

**One thing I will add however that I do not believe I mentioned before, and an LMFT that works at the V.A. hospital in Ventura California specifically with PTSD, currently taking one of my 16 day intensive reminded me of... There are certainly also cases of LICENSED therapists and CERTIFIED hypnotists that have been less than qualified to handle a severe spontaneous ab-reaction (which can happen anytime, including being regressed to a very positive memory).

The only other thing I can add in addition to that, is that I'm glad sources like hypnothoughts exists so that, as Antoine mentioned, those with less experience can at least have a better understanding of how to work safely with individuals and have a better idea of exactly how to handle extreme situations that they simply will not learn in a script. It's not even close to a replacement for quality formal training (live or even distant education), but I'm hopeful we can at least continue to do what we do on this site in regards to helping educate newbies and even each-other...

Stay Well,

Kevin

Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com said:

Actually Richard, Kevin said, "Ooph...
With all do respect, James... Hypnosis CAN in fact be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. I compare it very much like a scalpel actually... It can be used to heal and it can be used to harm (if someone doesn't know how to handle it safely.)" And others have pointed out hypnosis is dangerous.
But it is not. I usually try to avoid these ongoing internet semantic debates, but I this belief (which is widely held, I would say even by the majority so Kevin is not out of line, and I realize I am in the minority) is one clinged to by psychologists and mental health professionals (like you and me - both LMFT's) and is used to justify the exclusion of unlicensed practitioners of hypnosis.

The whole claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" in the "wrong hands" is why our profession lives in fear of "the boards" clamping down on the practice of hypnosis. (Actually since 90% of my students ARE licensed mental health professionals, I really am out on a limb endorsing non-licensed practitioners, but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die).

I hear the claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" as the reason my videos should not be on youtube, or that I should not make an assessment tool available online for download.

And although in the minority, I simply do not believe "hypnosis" is dangerous, or that negative life experiences (abreaction) are bad.

I do not want to appear to be dissing either Kevin or Doreen or the many people who agree with them, Kevin is a respected trainer who obviously care about both his clients and students, but in the end even if someone hears a hypnotist describe an elevator and recalls their unprocessed rape, it is likely to happen at the mall when the see an elevator descend between floors, or at a movie with a rape scene or elevator scene, or even reading an open forum like this where someone with a similar experience revivifies the experience. And if they do, and even if it is painful - are they harmed? This is part of life, the negative and the positive, the emotionally intense and the painful. This does not mean one is "harmed".

@ Michael, hypnosis was not what caused the abuses of the 80's and 90's by mental health professionals. I was there in Houston at the time. The high profile cases were in my backyard, and I talked at length with victims of hypnothrapist abuse from Washington, who were victimized by therapists, police and the courts. Had none of these doctors/therapists/cops known hypnosis, they still would have exploited and abused the people in there care. They were on a religious power trip, a law enforcement power trip and a doctor power trip. The therapists and doctors who created FMS in clients were exploiters, who caused the same problems other less high in profile therapists have caused without hypnosis.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richard Clark MFT on July 19, 2010 at 7:15pm

One more note Richard,

I know you have more experience in the field and are more widely traveled then I. I do believe that you have heard licensed professionals say that hypnosis is dangerous in the wrong hands.

Yet, my experience has been very different.

I've worked in the mental health field for the last 17 years. I've practiced hypnosis for the last 11 of those years and have had 100s of discussions with perhaps 1000s of licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists. Overwhelmingingly the response from these professionals was interested curiosity and a complete ignorance of the topic of hypnotherapy. The second highest response is one of disbelief in the efficacy. And lastly, for those that had an understanding of hypnosis and the hypnotherapy profession was a concern that individuals without regulated training were offering THERAPY for money. Not hypnosis but therapy.

The only time I have ever heard someone say they thought hypnosis was dangerous was when a hypnotherapist stated they heard a psychologist say it or when a hypnotherapist said it to make some other point.

Richard

Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com said:

Actually Richard, Kevin said, "Ooph...
With all do respect, James... Hypnosis CAN in fact be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. I compare it very much like a scalpel actually... It can be used to heal and it can be used to harm (if someone doesn't know how to handle it safely.)"

And others have pointed out hypnosis is dangerous.

But it is not. I usually try to avoid these ongoing internet semantic debates, but I this belief (which is widely held, I would say even by the majority so Kevin is not out of line, and I realize I am in the minority) is one clinged to by psychologists and mental health professionals (like you and me - both LMFT's) and is used to justify the exclusion of unlicensed practitioners of hypnosis.

The whole claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" in the "wrong hands" is why our profession lives in fear of "the boards" clamping down on the practice of hypnosis. (Actually since 90% of my students ARE licensed mental health professionals, I really am out on a limb endorsing non-licensed practitioners, but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die).

I hear the claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" as the reason my videos should not be on youtube, or that I should not make an assessment tool available online for download.

And although in the minority, I simply do not believe "hypnosis" is dangerous, or that negative life experiences (abreaction) are bad.

I do not want to appear to be dissing either Kevin or Doreen or the many people who agree with them, Kevin is a respected trainer who obviously care about both his clients and students, but in the end even if someone hears a hypnotist describe an elevator and recalls their unprocessed rape, it is likely to happen at the mall when the see an elevator descend between floors, or at a movie with a rape scene or elevator scene, or even reading an open forum like this where someone with a similar experience revivifies the experience. And if they do, and even if it is painful - are they harmed? This is part of life, the negative and the positive, the emotionally intense and the painful. This does not mean one is "harmed".

@ Michael, hypnosis was not what caused the abuses of the 80's and 90's by mental health professionals. I was there in Houston at the time. The high profile cases were in my backyard, and I talked at length with victims of hypnothrapist abuse from Washington, who were victimized by therapists, police and the courts. Had none of these doctors/therapists/cops known hypnosis, they still would have exploited and abused the people in there care. They were on a religious power trip, a law enforcement power trip and a doctor power trip. The therapists and doctors who created FMS in clients were exploiters, who caused the same problems other less high in profile therapists have caused without hypnosis.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on July 19, 2010 at 7:25pm

Kevin, Richard, et al,

An aside-

Please consider dropping the D from PTS - Ron Chase, MD who designed and ran the first VA-PTS"D" programs for the VA taught me that PTS is a normal, healthy reaction to the horrors or combat and it is disrepectful and harmful to view these Veterans as suffering from a disorder-

Thanks-

Michael E.


Kevin Cole-NLPTrainingQuest.com said:

Richard said: "but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die)."

This is something we agree on-- Strongly.

By the way, I have seen some of your youtube videos and find them perfectly appropriate for continuing education.

That said, once again to clarify...

I believe and have seen hypnosis CAN be dangerous when used by an individual that does not know what they are doing and my beliefs are based on personal experience, not theory.

**One thing I will add however that I do not believe I mentioned before, and an LMFT that works at the V.A. hospital in Ventura California specifically with PTSD, currently taking one of my 16 day intensive reminded me of... There are certainly also cases of LICENSED therapists and CERTIFIED hypnotists that have been less than qualified to handle a severe spontaneous ab-reaction (which can happen anytime, including being regressed to a very positive memory).

The only other thing I can add in addition to that, is that I'm glad sources like hypnothoughts exists so that, as Antoine mentioned, those with less experience can at least have a better understanding of how to work safely with individuals and have a better idea of exactly how to handle extreme situations that they simply will not learn in a script. It's not even close to a replacement for quality formal training (live or even distant education), but I'm hopeful we can at least continue to do what we do on this site in regards to helping educate newbies and even each-other...

Stay Well,

Kevin

Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com said:

Actually Richard, Kevin said, "Ooph...
With all do respect, James... Hypnosis CAN in fact be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. I compare it very much like a scalpel actually... It can be used to heal and it can be used to harm (if someone doesn't know how to handle it safely.)" And others have pointed out hypnosis is dangerous.
But it is not. I usually try to avoid these ongoing internet semantic debates, but I this belief (which is widely held, I would say even by the majority so Kevin is not out of line, and I realize I am in the minority) is one clinged to by psychologists and mental health professionals (like you and me - both LMFT's) and is used to justify the exclusion of unlicensed practitioners of hypnosis.

The whole claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" in the "wrong hands" is why our profession lives in fear of "the boards" clamping down on the practice of hypnosis. (Actually since 90% of my students ARE licensed mental health professionals, I really am out on a limb endorsing non-licensed practitioners, but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die).

I hear the claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" as the reason my videos should not be on youtube, or that I should not make an assessment tool available online for download.

And although in the minority, I simply do not believe "hypnosis" is dangerous, or that negative life experiences (abreaction) are bad.

I do not want to appear to be dissing either Kevin or Doreen or the many people who agree with them, Kevin is a respected trainer who obviously care about both his clients and students, but in the end even if someone hears a hypnotist describe an elevator and recalls their unprocessed rape, it is likely to happen at the mall when the see an elevator descend between floors, or at a movie with a rape scene or elevator scene, or even reading an open forum like this where someone with a similar experience revivifies the experience. And if they do, and even if it is painful - are they harmed? This is part of life, the negative and the positive, the emotionally intense and the painful. This does not mean one is "harmed".

@ Michael, hypnosis was not what caused the abuses of the 80's and 90's by mental health professionals. I was there in Houston at the time. The high profile cases were in my backyard, and I talked at length with victims of hypnothrapist abuse from Washington, who were victimized by therapists, police and the courts. Had none of these doctors/therapists/cops known hypnosis, they still would have exploited and abused the people in there care. They were on a religious power trip, a law enforcement power trip and a doctor power trip. The therapists and doctors who created FMS in clients were exploiters, who caused the same problems other less high in profile therapists have caused without hypnosis.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by hYpnoTiki on July 19, 2010 at 7:34pm

Doreen,

This discussion is nice and all, but what do you suggest for that matter ?

Because although their are knives in my kitchen, and free scripts on TV to use them not for cooking, I am trying to get a hold on the National Guild of Knives (NGK) so they can certify my teenage son, so he can use one in public cooking places. Those can be dangerous. Let's regulate !

P.S: my son doesn't have Internet access. Just real life access.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Antoine Pruyssers on July 19, 2010 at 7:37pm

Maybe the term Post-traumatic stress disorder should be changed by post-traumatic stress continuation?
(this way they even get a better grade: PTS-C)
Sorry for the side-step!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin Cole-NLPTrainingQuest.com on July 19, 2010 at 7:54pm

Completely agree Michael. I usually state "Post Traumatic Stress" and drop the "D" and I do not believe it's a "disorder" to be a bit upset from experiencing the traumas some of my clients have dealt with.

Said differently~ Dually noted and consider the "D" dropped in future posts...


Kevin



Michael Ellner said:

Kevin, Richard, et al,
An aside- Please consider dropping the D from PTS - Ron Chase, MD who designed and ran the first VA-PTS"D" programs for the VA taught me that PTS is a normal, healthy reaction to the horrors or combat and it is disrepectful and harmful to view these Veterans as suffering from a disorder-

Thanks-

Michael E.


Kevin Cole-NLPTrainingQuest.com said:

Richard said: "but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die)."

This is something we agree on-- Strongly. By the way, I have seen some of your youtube videos and find them perfectly appropriate for continuing education.
That said, once again to clarify...

I believe and have seen hypnosis CAN be dangerous when used by an individual that does not know what they are doing and my beliefs are based on personal experience, not theory.

**One thing I will add however that I do not believe I mentioned before, and an LMFT that works at the V.A. hospital in Ventura California specifically with PTSD, currently taking one of my 16 day intensive reminded me of... There are certainly also cases of LICENSED therapists and CERTIFIED hypnotists that have been less than qualified to handle a severe spontaneous ab-reaction (which can happen anytime, including being regressed to a very positive memory).

The only other thing I can add in addition to that, is that I'm glad sources like hypnothoughts exists so that, as Antoine mentioned, those with less experience can at least have a better understanding of how to work safely with individuals and have a better idea of exactly how to handle extreme situations that they simply will not learn in a script. It's not even close to a replacement for quality formal training (live or even distant education), but I'm hopeful we can at least continue to do what we do on this site in regards to helping educate newbies and even each-other...

Stay Well,

Kevin

Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com said:

Actually Richard, Kevin said, "Ooph...
With all do respect, James... Hypnosis CAN in fact be VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. I compare it very much like a scalpel actually... It can be used to heal and it can be used to harm (if someone doesn't know how to handle it safely.)" And others have pointed out hypnosis is dangerous.
But it is not. I usually try to avoid these ongoing internet semantic debates, but I this belief (which is widely held, I would say even by the majority so Kevin is not out of line, and I realize I am in the minority) is one clinged to by psychologists and mental health professionals (like you and me - both LMFT's) and is used to justify the exclusion of unlicensed practitioners of hypnosis. The whole claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" in the "wrong hands" is why our profession lives in fear of "the boards" clamping down on the practice of hypnosis. (Actually since 90% of my students ARE licensed mental health professionals, I really am out on a limb endorsing non-licensed practitioners, but I will defend the right of the coach to practice sports performance with hypnosis, and the personal trainers right to practice weight loss hypnosis, the new age religious practitioner bringing healing, and the personal life coach bringing success and prosperity through hypnosis till the day the day I die).
I hear the claim that "hypnosis is dangerous" as the reason my videos should not be on youtube, or that I should not make an assessment tool available online for download.

And although in the minority, I simply do not believe "hypnosis" is dangerous, or that negative life experiences (abreaction) are bad.

I do not want to appear to be dissing either Kevin or Doreen or the many people who agree with them, Kevin is a respected trainer who obviously care about both his clients and students, but in the end even if someone hears a hypnotist describe an elevator and recalls their unprocessed rape, it is likely to happen at the mall when the see an elevator descend between floors, or at a movie with a rape scene or elevator scene, or even reading an open forum like this where someone with a similar experience revivifies the experience. And if they do, and even if it is painful - are they harmed? This is part of life, the negative and the positive, the emotionally intense and the painful. This does not mean one is "harmed".

@ Michael, hypnosis was not what caused the abuses of the 80's and 90's by mental health professionals. I was there in Houston at the time. The high profile cases were in my backyard, and I talked at length with victims of hypnothrapist abuse from Washington, who were victimized by therapists, police and the courts. Had none of these doctors/therapists/cops known hypnosis, they still would have exploited and abused the people in there care. They were on a religious power trip, a law enforcement power trip and a doctor power trip. The therapists and doctors who created FMS in clients were exploiters, who caused the same problems other less high in profile therapists have caused without hypnosis.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Chase on July 20, 2010 at 9:11am

Hypnosis is NOT dangerous.

But hypnotists could be and only decent training can solve that.

• ▶ Reply

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