Trouble In Florida

I was sent this article today from a US news link, this will put a cat amongst the Pidgeons.

Dr. George Kenney under investigation after student commits suicide a day after being hypnotized

http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/192860/250/Principal-us...

North Port, Florida - Sixteen-year-old Wesley McKinley's suicide on April 8 is raising questions about what happened one day after his principal, Dr. George Kenney, hypnotized him.

"They're blaming him for his death," says Bianca Cannon a senior at North Port High School.

"He was doing it for good, not telling Wesley to harm himself," explains student Danielle Leopold.

Students say Kenney, a certified hypnotist and author, helps a lot.

"It's no big deal. He does it for kids that need help with exams and the stress of school. A lot of seniors do it, it helps them with finals," says Bianca.

"The students love him, the parents love him, and the staff loves him. He's a great guy. He's always been a good example and done wonderful things for the school," says Gary Leatherman, Communications director for the Sarasota School District.

Sarasota school district officials say the North Port High School principal is on paid administrative leave while it investigates. Leatherman says, "There's no presumption Dr. Kenney has done anything wrong. He's not being disciplined, he's not being suspended."

In a written statement, Sarasota School superintendent Lori White says Kenney's techniques "are outside the scope of normally accepted student counseling practices and is cause for serious concern."

Some students say Principal Kenney has been hypnotizing students for a couple of years, either in a classroom group setting or individually one-on-one. But school district officials say, while they were aware of Kenney's technique, his permission had limited use."

"He was authorized to demonstrate in psychology class with parent permission," says Leatherman.

Kenney reportedly had permission from Wesley's parents to use hypnosis on their son.

"It's ridiculous to hold him responsible, to say because that child was hypnotized [and] he killed himself, that's just wrong," says parent Vincent Giacinto.

A group of students held a protest Wednesday morning, showing support for Kenney and asking he return to work. They want Kenney to attend their graduation on June 4th.

The school district has not decided who will do the investigation -- if it will be handled by someone inside or outside the district offices.

10 News tried getting a hold of Principal Kenney and Wesley McKinley's parents, but our calls have not been returned.

Tags: death, hypnotherapy, hypnotise, suicide

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on May 19, 2011 at 5:19pm

HEADS UP--

FYI: I was contacted by a reporter from Fox News in Tampa. I am happy to report that they asked me if I believed that it is the
appropriate to use hypnosis in schools for sports enhancement and/or to improve grades." I did and I pointed out that students who want hypnotic assistance for improving their grades or performance in sports are not in need of therapy or therapists and the schools and
students are best served by working with certified hypnosis professionals. The reporter asked for contact info for certified
hypnosis practioners who have worked in a public or private school setting using hypnosis to help them with sports and/or grades to contact me with their contact info, a brief description of their experience and a short testamonial if available.

Please send me the info care of: revdocnyc@... ASAP -

Thank you,

Michael E.

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Permalink Reply by owen mcginty on May 20, 2011 at 1:52am

If he had frostys lucky charms for breakfast the day before committing suicide, could the cereal be blamed?

Unfortunately it sounds like the poor kid was getting the help he so badly needed, a little too late.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Sandland on May 20, 2011 at 3:27am

I have worked in high schools many times. I go to a high school at least once a year and present to their students, who really enjoy it. I've also worked with people who have characterized themselves as suicidal.

I agree with Blair and couldn't have said it better myself.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on May 20, 2011 at 4:53am

What a colossal injustice to Dr. George Kenney.

Outside the scope of "normally accepted student counseling practices"? What a cowardly statement. Hypnosis shouldn't be outside that scope of practices at all. He is certified, had a history of helping students, and got permission from the parents. I don't at all get why it would or should have resulted in administrative leave for Principal Kenney. I hope that his fellow hypnotherapists join in helping him. I hope the Florida Institute of Hypnotherapy helps him.

I can't even imagine how this has effected him on top of losing one of his students to suicide. Needlessly compounding what is already a terrible tragedy.

gentle day,

Lisa

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on May 20, 2011 at 4:59am

Right on Blair and Scott!

The reporter that I spoke to said that most people did not think that there was a connection between the suicide and hypnosis - they were looking at the issue of was it appropriate to use hypnosis in school and who should be doing the hypnosis.

FYI- My understanding is members of school board received an anonymous note suggesting the possibility of harm due to the use of hypnosis by an "unqualified" practitioner - They were then obligated to suspend principal K while investigating the possibility...

Michael E. @ http://www.nycanxietyhypnosis.com

Blair Palmerlee said:

This is like blaming a hypnotist if a drug addict gets hypnotized and ODs after. Post hoc ergo propter hoc... Post hoc ergo propter hoc, people. Why are people so amazingly bad at working out very simple matters of difference; I'm surprised they're able to figure out where their socks are in the morning.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on May 20, 2011 at 5:12pm

HEADS UP - I just posted an update on Principal Kenney and Hypnosis in school settings - in a safe place

http://www.hypnothoughts.com/group/asafeplaceforhypnosisprofessiona...

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Permalink Reply by Michael Haifleigh on May 21, 2011 at 3:23am

As with most investigations and news stories, information comes to light over time. It will be some time yet before the details are known here.

It’s probably the most unfortunate event for Wesley McKinley’s loved ones. It’s also unfortunate for George Kenney who, I’ll assume at this point, had the best interest of Wesley in mind.

This news story from 5/20/11 presents the following as aspects of the story:

Using Hypnosis “on” students…

Parental Consent…

Hypnosis vs Hypnotherapy…

Qualifications & Credentials…

Principles and desires…

According to a School Board member:

"We don't blame him for the suicide," says Shirley Brown, Sarasota School Board member. "He was told two years ago not to do one-on-one hypnosis, but only in psychology class to demonstrate hypnosis, not hypnotherapy, hypnosis."

If that is in fact true, it’s problematic.

The response of Hypnosis “Communities”, like this one, are probably important.

Keep your mind open, clear, and available to the details.

Michael

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Permalink Reply by Scott Sandland on May 21, 2011 at 4:28am

I don't know anything about the guy personally, but I think they are looking at this wrong. If I was a school employee and had been told not to do one-on-one hypnosis I would respect that boundary. If a troubled student came to me and clearly needed some immediate help, I might very well think that acting in that students best interest would supersede the administrations rules.

I don't know what was discussed or how it happened, but the students all seem to like and respect this guy. Its nice to know there was a person the students felt they could go to with their problems.

It's too bad people try to simplify a complex problem into a simple sentence. It's too bad that in tragic situations people try to solve something, even if it's not a problem.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on May 21, 2011 at 5:36am

Ah, I posted before waiting for all the facts to come out. I was totally wrong if these new facts are true. I have no reason to believe that they arn't in fact true.

Thank you, Michael, for reminding me of waiting for the all the facts to come out, and to keep my mind open, clear and available to the details. Those words are wise.

If he was told 2 years ago to not do one on one hypnosis with the students, and he chose to continue, that is just asking for trouble. I sure understand wanting to help, but it was sheer luck that he didn't get in trouble with the school board before this :( Especially because they appear to have specifically forbidden him to use hypnosis one on one with students. Hypnosis demonstration for psychology class ok-hypnotherapy or hypnosis outside of class one on one with students not ok. If that was what was actually said to him.

What would have been the legal/job ramifications if he had instead of using hypnosis at the school one on one if he had instead used it outside the school premises? I realize he can't solicit clients (parents) in school but what if they requested help for their kids out side of school premises? Would he be ok then? Can the school board or officers of it prevent him from practicing as a hypnotherapist even outside the school grounds with the students?

gentle day,

Lisa

ps-I do still believe that it should be within the scope of school counseling practice to be able to use hypnosis-but not if the school board has expressly forbidden a person to do so.

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Permalink Reply by kathryn monahan sheetz on May 21, 2011 at 7:08am

Question: was the school board's statement in a public meeting and properly recorded ortranscribed or a letter sent or was that an off the cuff remark.

Other than a valentine from a secret admirer any note by "anonymous" is suspect.

Did he have a counseling degree? If so, with parental permission it is within "scope of practice" although most pychcurriculums don't give much training in hypnosis.
boundaries are very important in scool settings.
Before I was a rn I was a teacher. When a student was troubled I would listen but let them know I would be discussing it with the school counselor. One school had excellent services another school the counselor needed help him self. Iit was a hard call.

Best regards. Kathy sheetz

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Permalink Reply by Bill Kennedy on May 21, 2011 at 7:21am

As a general rule, dual relationships are to be avoided. If a person is both a school principal and a therapist, then he should refer students from his school to another therapist.

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Permalink Reply by kathryn monahan sheetz on May 22, 2011 at 8:38am

dear blair.
The reason I said annonymous notes are suspect. Was that in this particular circumstance it singled out a person. Having said that a lot of preliminary non-publized investigational work could be done without harming the reputation of an individual.
And there is possibility of a hidden agenda of annonymous especially in a school environment. A few disgruntled people have been known to inhabit school environments. From students to the parents of students Who want more points to stay on the team or just a few more points to keep the on the "A" list could escalate into annoymous letters.

I didn't say ignore an annonymous letter I simply say there may be more to an annonymous letter. Police responding to a tip letter don't usually start the investigation by telling everyone they got a tip.

What this whole issue did for me was to remind about boundaries and how much media loves a headline
Regards kathy