From news.npiec.on.ca!torn!newsfeed.internetmci.com!hunter.premier.net!netnews.worldnet.att.net!uunet!in2.uu.net!nwnews.wa.com!news.halcyon.com!halcyon.com!rhunter Wed Jul 3 20:30:56 1996 Path: news.npiec.on.ca!torn!newsfeed.internetmci.com!hunter.premier.net!netnews.worldnet.att.net!uunet!in2.uu.net!nwnews.wa.com!news.halcyon.com!halcyon.com!rhunter From: rhunter@halcyon.com (Roy Hunter) Newsgroups: alt.hypnosis Subject: FAQ 2 of 5 (Rev. 6/96) Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 07:26:11 UNDEFINED Organization: Alliance Lines: 196 Distribution: world Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: blv-pm10-ip18.halcyon.com X-Newsreader: Trumpet for Windows [Version 1.0 Rev B final beta #1] This is the second FAQ posting, containing the answers to Questions 5-9. You may wish to read the one entitled "FAQ 1 of 5" first if you have not already done so, as it contains the Table of Contents and Questions 1-4. 5. How may I learn self-hypnosis? The best way to learn self-hypnosis is by asking a qualified hypnotherapist to teach you, and to give you post-hypnotic suggestions to reinforce what you learn. Additionally, you may find it helpful to read a good book on the subject. The one I like best is: SELF-HYPNOSIS AND OTHER MIND-EXPANDING TECHNIQUES by Charles Tebbetts (Westwood Publishing). A former member of British Parliament told me that, in his opinion, the above book was one of the two best books ever written on self-hypnosis. He also recommended my own self-hypnosis book to his students, which I've re-written and re-titled SELF-HYPNOSIS FOR EMPOWERMENT (originally published as "Success Through Mind Power" in 1987 by Westwood Publishing). It is available from me on-line for $7.77 (US$); e-mail me if interested. (The first version has been discontinued.) Also, SELF-HYPNOTISM by Leslie LeCron is very good, as well as HYPNOTISM & MEDITATION by Ormond McGill (Westwood Publishing). I personally enjoyed CREATIVE VISUALIZATION by Shakti Gawain (Publisher: New World Library). Additionally, there are many good self-help books on visualization that are really recommending self-hypnosis techniques even when the author does not disclose that the techniques are forms of self-hypnosis. 6. What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy? Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for self-improvement and/or the release of problems. All hypnotherapy employs hypnosis; but not all hypnosis is hypnotherapy. Additionally, mastering the art of hypnosis does not necessarily mean one is qualified as a hypnotherapist. Contrary to what many might believe, there is more to helping someone overcome an unwanted habit than simply giving hypnotic suggestions. If a person's subconscious resists positive suggestions for goal achievement, the competently trained hypnotherapist is far more likely to be of service than those with minimal training in hypnosis, or who are simply self-taught. And a background in counseling is NOT a substitute for adequate training in hypnotherapy when hypnosis is used to help people. 7. What books and/or other sources can you recommend? When I studied hypnosis back in 1983, Charles Tebbetts required all his students to read HYPNOTISM TODAY by LeCron & Bordeaux (Wilshire Book Co.). Although it was written almost a half-century ago, it stood for many years as the leading book recommended by my mentor, along with another book entitled HYPNOTHERAPY by Dave Elman (Westwood Publishing), which I strongly recommend that any serious student of hypnosis purchase and read, as well as John Hugh's HYPNOSIS: THE INDUCTION OF CONVICTION (available from the National Guild of Hypnotists). My own two-volume major work based on the teachings of my late mentor is already resulting in many praises from my peers: THE ART OF HYPNOSIS (1st edition sold out; 2nd version slated for 7/96, Kendall/Hunt; electronic version available from me) and THE ART OF HYPNOTHERAPY (Kendall/Hunt Publ.). You may order either by calling 1-800-228-0810. An OUTSTANDING resource list was compiled by Paul Bunnell, which is now a permanent part of this FAQ. It appears in "FAQ 5 of 5" after the answer to Question 17, along with a partial list of other books highly recommended by my peers. To avoid duplication, my list (which previously appeared here) now appears in the RESOURCE GUIDE section of this FAQ, along with Paul Bunnell's list of books and other valuable resources. 8. How can I choose a competent hypnosis instructor? Rather than simply telling you where to go, allow me to share my own views regarding instruction itself. My opinions expressed here are my own; this is NOT written in behalf of any hypnosis association. However, my response is from the point of reference of a combination of factors: my professional experience, my national involvement with several hypnosis associations and other leaders in the profession, my awareness that there are some who would like to control who can legally practice hypnosis, and that there are legitimate concerns raised about the inadequate training programs that are all too common. Many 3-day to 5-day training programs provide "certification" representing that a participant is a qualified or certified "hypnotherapist" who can work with almost any client walking through the door. I'll quote sections from pages 6-10 my own book, THE ART OF HYPNOTHERAPY: "Charles Tebbetts said numerous times that there is no substitute for practice to develop confidence and competence with the art of hypnosis. In my opinion, this is even more true for those who wish to teach the art of hypnosis. [portions deleted]...how can you determine whether or not your prospective trainer is your wisest choice? First of all, ask your prospective hypnotherapy teacher whether or not he/she practices hypnotherapy on a full-time or part time basis, and for how many years. This is far more important than his or her academic credentials. [snip]..."I would far rather see someone teaching basic hypnotherapy with five years' experience in the profession than an instructor with a doctorate degree who only occasionally uses hypnosis in his or her practice of medicine or psychology--except for medical and/or other specialized applications of hypnosis. " (I believe specialty courses should be taught by those who specialize in those applications of hypnosis.) It is also my opinion that newly certified hypnotherapists who jump right into teaching hypnosis a few weeks after their certification course are jeopardizing the credibility of our profession. Pay your dues and get your experience first! SECOND: Find out the length of the training. Is it a one-weekend certification course? If so, forget it unless it is a specialized application of hypnosis for those who are already using hypnotherapy professionally. Most major hypnosis associations around the United States have now endorsed a 100-hour minimum training requirement before one may be considered a "certified hypnotherapist," even if said person has counseling experience. THIRD: Find out whether or not the techniques taught are client-centered and the classes student-centered. Will you learn hypnotherapy techniques that you must use on every single client? There is no hypnotic technique I know of that will work on all of the people all of the time. Charles Tebbetts taught what I call diversified client-centered hypnosis. Also, my teacher exclusively taught subject matter that was directly related to the art of hypnotherapy. He did not believe we needed hundreds of hours of classes on theories or on topics that have nothing to do with the practice of hypnotherapy. Additionally, has your instructor been certified as a hypnotherapy instructor? Many hypnotherapy instructors are self-appointed! While some self-appointed instructors may be competent, others might be teaching courses that are not recognized by any of the major hypnosis associations. Last but not least, find out whether the approach is self-empowerment or whether your instructor is treating people as "subjects" which he/she dominates during therapy. Realize that because hypnosis is an art, there is probably no such thing as a perfect instructor. Be willing to learn from him or her; but make certain you are also willing to continue learning and grow beyond your instructor's viewpoints. DON'T EVER make the mistake of thinking your instructor is the only person qualified to be an authority in hypnotherapy. None of us has all the answers, and I do not recognize anyone as the "leading authority" in hypnosis. We are all still learning. If the only program available near you is a short one, be willing to refer many of your clients to those who are adequately trained. Make a commitment to yourself to pursue additional training ASAP, and/or enroll in a home study course (check the resource guide). Even if you have counseling experience, please do NOT let 3-day or one-week certification instructors dupe you into thinking that their short courses offer sufficient training to qualify you to use regressions or other advanced techniques to deal with subconscious resistance to change! (The National Guild's Code of Ethics FORBIDS the use of hypnotic regression until you are trained in that area!) Don't get stung by the consequences of their failure to respond to the light of truth: there is NO SHORTCUT to learning hypnosis competently. The increasing controversies over "false memories" have resulted from therapists employing hypnotic regression without adequate training in hypnotic techniques! 9. Which courses or instructors come highly recommended? The answer to this question will vary based on who you ask. My earlier FAQ postings provided names and phone numbers of organizations which I can comfortably recommend; but due to incessant criticism and flames concerning organizations omitted or critiqued in past posts, I have chosen to delete giving specific recommendations in an informational posting. (NOTE: If you are seriously contemplating training, you may wish to refer to Paul Bunnell's RESOURCE GUIDE section at the end of FAQ 5 of 5.) I recommend you interview your prospective instructor. Also, if you study from someone who teaches one primary modality, be careful to avoid the trap of believing that your instructor's techniques are the only ones that are valid. NO technique, no matter how effective, will work for all the people all the time. Be willing to fit the technique to the client rather than vice versa. This requires width and depth of training! It is absolutely impossible for most people to learn enough techniques to accomplish this in just one week--no matter what his/her academic credentials are. If a one-week course or less is all that is initially available to you, then you might consider investing in a Home Study course. Then, please make a firm commitment to both yourself and your clients to continue your training as soon as you can afford to invest the time and money to do so, whether this is by investing in a home study course as a supplement to augment the shorter course, and/or by traveling to work with a competent trainer. Hypnosis is an art. I hope your instructor teaches it as such. Remember that an art cannot be mastered overnight! Give yourself TIME to learn. FAQ 2 of 5 (revised 6/96) submitted by: Roy Hunter, Certified Hypnotherapy Instructor Published Author and Professional Speaker/Trainer