HEADS UP - The Division 30 Psychos have declared war on non-licensed hypnosis professionals!

[Michael Ellner]

FYI--

The Summer - 09 Edition of the Division 30, Psychological Hypnosis (APA) newsletter has an article urging Divison 30 members to lobby for restrictive laws concerning the practice of hypnosis. They are/will be contacting lawmakers asking for laws restricting hypnosis to licensed medical and mental health care professionals.

Whatcha think?

Michael Ellner

[Susan French]

I hope that, like most changes in any system, it takes a really long time. At HMI they told us to belong to the union and to help in the fight to keep it as it is. That made sense I guess. Hopefully, we would be grandfathered in.

On the other hand, I think that licensing or certifications (as a hypnotherapist) given by governmental sources would bring credibility, consistency and accountability to our profession, which would ultimately be better for everyone. At least at the level similar to CNA, vocational nursing, or technical status.

Aren't midwives licensed or certified? That's about a natural occurrence as you can find but it has dangers.

Please don't throw tomatoes anyone.

Susan

[Conrad Cook]

Can we have a link to this article?

C.

[Graham Old]

Hey can a law like that even be passed? There will need to be very clear (and artificial) guidelines on what constitutes hypnosis, what is guided meditation, visualisation, NLP, Suggestion Therapy, etc.

[Michael Ellner]

Adults have a responsibility to stand up to bullies of all persuasions, whenever it is nececessary to do so!

The APA's Div-30 Summer Newsletter contains a 4 page article titled: "Hypnosis: Professionalism or Quackery" urging APA members to help "educate" their local lawmakers about the need to restrict our practices... This is far more than some childish game -

It is clear where you stand Mr Duncan -- The question is: Who is ready, willing and able to help us defend our practices?

[Mac Stevens]

I think Paul has it right with his statement, "Because its so obviously all about greed. Not any hipocratic oath, not about helping people, not about "the Public Welfare".

Regulate and gov't certification equals cash! Law makers are going to love this!

[Michael Ellner]

Hi Mac,

I do not disgaree with you and Paul -- Of course this is about greed -

However the weasels are urging lawmakers to protect the hen house by restricting our practices -- This is not a time to put our heads in the sand -- Their motivation doesn't change the challenges that face us.



Mac Stevens said:

I think Paul has it right with his statement, "Because its so obviously all about greed. Not any hipocratic oath, not about helping people, not about "the Public Welfare".
Regulate and gov't certification equals cash! Law makers are going to love this!
Paul Duncan said:

Does no one see how childish this whole "hypnosis" fued is?

The "Liscensed 'Medical' Professionals" fire a volley, we "Certified Hypnotists and Trained Laymen" fire back, and so it goes. We're SO childish, we're eventually going to ask mommy and daddy to solve the dispute (our congressional "leaders", who are of course known for their great wisdom and correctness of decision). And even once a decision is made, we'll all bitch and appeal, because we can't be grown ups and let everyone have their own hustle. And if you think what we do, and what a "Medical Professional" does ISN'T a hustle, you're a fool. There's a reason they call their businesses a "practice", because they don't have anything mastered either, so they need more practice. The whole thing is an ego-ridden, pathetic JOKE. The thing that embarasses me about this "profession" is the schoolyard fighting. As far as I'm concerned, doctors and "science" have it just as wrong as they say "we" do. As a matter of Fact, in 100 years, everyone will be looking at our time the same way we look at the "witch doctors" of several hundred years ago, and arrogantly laugh at all this silly hubub.

Because its so obviously all about greed. Not any hipocratic oath, not about helping people, not about "the Public Welfare".

Its just a bunch of greedy ego-laden bitches sniping at each other, damaging the the very thing we say we're trying to protect, and back and forth we go.

Embarassing, that's the only word I have for it. And depressing.

[Henxy]

As someone who is about to embark upon setting up a hypnotherapy service, employed by the NHS, I hope to find better-adjusted perspectives on both the medical and non-medical sides.
I also see it as part of my role to evangelise in a coherent and convincing manner. Knowing the amount of work which goes into rigorous medical research, I can understand why a fluffy HT talking about angels and auras may just grate on the nerves of a medical professional. Equally, I more than understand the frustration an HT experiences when denied the opportunity to help someone due to the lack of RCTs on hypnotherapeutic interventions.
Perpetuating the 'us and them' situation serves only to damage the patients/clients and reputations of HT and medicine. Taking a truly holisitic perspective on health IMHO means encompassing and making use of all that is available to aid those in need, and that means traditional medicine as well as HT.

[James Malone]

Michael, could you please possibly provide a link or some more of the content of this publication? I imagine given the recent economic downturn, the certified hypnosis professional is going to be perceived as a greater threat to the bottom line of the licensed professions.

As far as the call for us to be licensed/regulated in some way I have been hearing this for quite some time. Yet one of our profession's overall strengths also seems to prevent this-that being our record of safety.

Yes, there is the occasional creepy personality that gives us a black eye (as happens in every profession) Yet by and large our "technology" is very safe since it is ultimately controlled by the client. And it is my understanding the government cannot call for licensure unless unregulated practice would somehow create a public hazard, and no one has been able to make this case with hypnosis for self-improvement.

As long as we stick with helping "normal people overcome the normal problems of everyday life" or work with mental/physical disorders only with licensed referral, I really cannot see what benefit there would be to further regulation.

[Michael Ellner]

I will scan and the post article as soon as I can- FYI- The article was mailed to me from the West Coast via regular mail on Saturday --

[Pattie Freeman Ch.t, CSH]

I wish they would all grow up...I would like the link also.....

[Scott W.]

Unfortunately, you cannot access the bulletin from APA Division 30 website. They have some interesting things at their web site, http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/homepage.html, including a brochure for cllients, stating hypnosis is NOT a type of psychotherapy (enquiring minds want to know why then it should be regulated and restrict to people doing psychotherapy) and licensed psychologists should do clinical hypnosis--guess that throws under the bus: social workers, clergy, psychiatrists, other types of doctors, along with us!

Brochure at http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/forms/hypnosis_brochure.pdf
Definition of hypnosis at:http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/define_hypnosis.html
PowerPoint at:http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/powerpoint.html
I highly recommend viewing the PowerPoint, a quick overview of some of the psychological theories and controversies about hypnosis. Good intro.

This is from their brochure:
Is hypnosis therapy?
Hypnosis is not a type of psychotherapy. Instead, it is a technique that can be used, and that can be taught to you, in the context of other therapies.
Who should perform hypnosis?
Clinical hypnosis should be conducted only by properly trained and credentialed health care professionals (e.g., licensed psychologists) who have been specifically trained in the use of hypnosis, and who are working within the limits of their professional expertise.

[Linda Gadbois, Ph.D., CCHt]

This has been an ongoing thing for quite some time now. Personally, I have mixed feelings, naturally I really dislike "regulations" that force things on you, but at the same time I have witnessed many "hypnosis practitioners" coming into the "profession" that only have a weekend certification and no background to mention in Psychology, Mind Sciences or Mental Health. Not only can they cause harm (often through good intentions) but they can end up in situations that they are not qualitfied to handle.

It seems like some of the national Hypnosis federations need to create their own regulations and set criteria, so that states and national ones may ease up a bit.
It seems like it's kinda of a tricky situation.
At the same time, I have a BA in hypnosis, and have been endlessly harassed by the state board in Colorado over and "advertising" issue, while students that I helped train, who in my opinion had trouble conducting a session and needed a great deal more practice and education around the subject were granted approval and certified as "unlisensed " practitioners. So state and federal regulation, falls short in many, many ways. Not to mention they can tie you up in endless red tape and what seems like impossible processes.

I find it a very frustrating situation personally. But I'm not a politician by any stretch of the imagination. :)

Linda