The Search for a Better Term than "Lay"

Fellow HypnoThinkers,

This topic cropped up in one of the other threads recently. As many of you know, I've taken umbrage with the use of the term "lay hypnotist" for reasons I've discussed in other threads.

As Keithanthony pointed out, Cal Banyan spoke on a recent video podcast on the need to reject this label, too. Banyan's argument was that if you look in any dictionary, the adjective "lay" is defined as "untrained," which is simply an inaccurate term--most of us have lots of training, sometimes far more training in hypnosis than the licensed practitioners.

I agree with Banyan, though in fact most dictionaries I consulted did not list "untrained" as the main definition of the adjective "lay." Most used terms such as "not associated with a profession," or "not an expert or a professional." One did define lay as "nonspecialist, unqualified, amateur, untrained, inexpert, nonprofessional."

"Lay" originally means "not ordained by God (via His priests) to perform sacraments." So really, by calling us "lay hypnotists," the psych community is casting themselves as priests with a divine mandate.

So, by any definition of "lay," we should reject that term as inaccurate and insulting.

The problem is what term to use in its place.

Of course, when talking to the public, we are simply "certified hypnotists," or "professional hypnotists," or "consulting hypnotherapists." But that's not the issue.

The issue is what term accurately differentiates between those of us who practice hypnosis as a profession, but are not licensed healthcare providers (such as doctors, dentists, counselors, nurses, and psychologists). We need a term of differentiation that is not derogatory.

The best I've come up with so far are terms like "unlicensed" or "non-degreed"--and I'm not happy with either term. In addition to being cumbersome, both carry mildly negative connotations of illegitimacy. They are also not wholly accurate--many "lay" hypnotists have advanced degrees in fields other than psychology and medicine.

So I invite this community to arrive at a better term to describe itself.

Remember, if you don't name yourself, anyone can name you.

James

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Permalink Reply by Roy Hunter on December 27, 2011 at 11:10am

To Michael and Aino...

I have used the term "hypnosis practitioner" numerous times in recent years. Regarding training and certification standards, there is another discussion group on this topic...so look that one up for my comments.

Happy New Year,

Roy

Michael Ellner said:

I agree with Aino..

When all is said and done licenses and/or certfications are not what make effective practitioners.

How does "hypnosis practitioner" sound toya?

Aino / Akpolarmom said:

Roy I like the definitions... but still just to throw a stick in the wheel Roy....and all in the spirit of playing devils advocate... How would you define professionally trained. There a many ways we can gain knowledge. One does not have to sit in a class to gain knowledge, and since there is no clear definition on certification ( seems like anyone can claim to be a certify-er of his or her students,) print out a certificate.... and... Voila, you're a "Certified Hypnotist"....the public is never going to know the difference, are they?

Yet I know people who have a Bandler Cert, yet they have never used it to change one life (or couldn't hypnotize their way out of a wet paper bag lol) I know other hypnotists, who have learned from books, videos, online courses/ practice, or even just personal experience, that change lives everyday, yet they don't have a piece of paper saying they are a hypnotist!

I have a piece of paper saying I am a "Certified Hypnotist" but must say that what I learned to receive it was just enough for me to jokingly tell my friends, "I now know how to hypnotize you, but then I don't know what the heck to do with you....!" maybe an over-generalization, but close to the truth. My other studies after the certificate is what makes me a hypnotist, one that have changed lives and made positive changes in the lives of my clients.

Aino

P.S. As a side note, "Professions" used to be limited to three, I think (Doctors, Clergy, Lawyers) they all had to profess, as in take an oath to join the ranks of their professions. It now seems to be a generic term used for any vocation/ career choice with a bit of education attached.

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Permalink Reply by docregal.com on December 27, 2011 at 12:56pm

I suggest when referring to hypnotists who primarily implement regressions with their work to use the phrasing, "Practitioner of Hypnotherapy" and those who are traditionalists and regularly refrain from using source work to refer to themselves as a "Hypnosis Practitioner". Blending both skills, one can simply be a "Consulting Hypnotist". The latter term is endorsed by NGH.

Roy Hunter said:

To Michael and Aino...

I have used the term "hypnosis practitioner" numerous times in recent years. Regarding training and certification standards, there is another discussion group on this topic...so look that one up for my comments.

Happy New Year,

Roy