June 7, 2007
Hypnotists and Credentials… Fact or Fiction?
Fact: Any Dr or PhD credential associated with a hypnotist is not valid. There is no accredited degree for a PhD in hypnotism and anyone that calls themselves Dr probably has a D.C.H. (Doctor of Hypnotherapy) which is not a doctoral degree. How do I know… I have one (PhD in Clinical Hypnotherapy)! In fairness, some of us actually did do the work to get the "non traditional" degree but if you were to see what an accredited doctoral candidate does to earn their degree, you would realize it's not even close. The only people that win are those who sell the diploma or the "course"… if one exists. This is a problem for our profession but the problem does not end there…
Have you ever heard of a Master Clinical Hypnotherapist? WHAT?! Where the &%#^ do you get that? Hypnotism is becoming more mainstream every day as people realize the tremendous benefits to be had with this process for help and healing. But the people in the profession that cross lines and call themselves what they aren't and those who practice in areas they are not qualified for or trained to do hurt us all and the profession as a whole. The organization that I am associated with and a Board Certified Member of is the National Guild of Hypnotists and I applaud their taking a stand on filtering out bogus or non accredited degrees.
So… for those who are reading this and are hypnotism professionals, put that Dr or PhD degree away, realize it hurts more than helps and remove those self indulgent "Master" and other misrepresenting titles (they are not credentials) from your name and be what we are… professional hypnotists motivating people to their desired personal success. And in case you're wondering… mine is sitting in the drawer as in my father's words, "It's best to practice what you preach" and "you're only as good as your word."
For professional hypnotism services and products visit A Better You Hypnosis, Inc.
Comments
June 8, 2007
Cal Banyan said:
Hi Tom,
Loved your blog entry; you are SO right on!
Keep up the good work; I appreciate all that you are doing for the NGH and the profession as a whole.
Cal Banyan, MA, BCH, CI, FNGH, OB
MA Psychology, University of North Dakota
NGH Board Certified Hypnotist
NGH Certified Instructor
Fellow NGH
Member of the Order of Braid Council
June 9, 2007
Sheila said:
I fully agree with what you are saying, Tom. However, I'm curious what letters you would like to see a person use if they have taken the advanced hypnotism training (beyond the Level I and II) course? Most people I've seen use the "MH" or "MCHt" letters, once they've completed that next level course. Is that the identical course that one instructor is now entitling "Master of Clinical Hypnotherapy"? Or is this a newer and more specialized course than what I believe might be (not sure) the Level III and IV courses, being that they are given on two consecutive weekends, and require initial NGH certification?
I do feel that some people just don't recognize the imminent danger they are putting our profession in by insisting on using the term "hypnotherapist", especially in jurisdictions where certain organizations are gunning for us already - why give them bait? I cannot speak to their use of the title "Dr.", but I do agree with you, that unless they have the FULL creditials of a doctorate, they shouldn't be using it. Especially at a time when our Ontario Provincial government has refused to grant that same title to many individuals (under their latest coup - Bill 171) who actually DO deserve to have the title, this seems to fly in the face of reason.
At the same time, though, certain people seem to either not be heeding the warnings, or the NGH has been making some exceptions. There shouldn't be exceptions for anyone.
Best regards,
Sheila M. Street, CH C.NLP
NGH Certified Hypnotist
NFNLP Certified NLP Practitioner
Administrator said:
Sheila… my reply is below your paragraph. You wrote and asked:
I fully agree with what you are saying, Tom. However, I'm curious what letters you would like to see a person use if they have taken the advanced hypnotism training (beyond the Level I and II) course? Most people I've seen use the "MH" or "MCHt" letters, once they've completed that next level course. Is that the identical course that one instructor is now entitling "Master of Clinical Hypnotherapy"? Or is this a newer and more specialized course than what I believe might be (not sure) the Level III and IV courses, being that they are given on two consecutive weekends, and require initial NGH certification?
There are courses that are given, such as mine, that are beyond that of the basic training someone receives. Let's include any professional with any degree. Because someone offers a course or class they created, it doesn't give them the right to suggest adding additional credentials. Credentials are earned through learning institutions, professional organizations, etc.
In our profession, there is still conflict for there is not an even playing field for us. Example: In some US states you can use the term hypnotherapist yet in others you cannot.
We are still at a point where individual truth and ethics are needed. There are people who have not worked with many clients and yet to gain enough training and experience yet take a weekend course and call themselves Clinical Hypnotherapists or Master Clinical Hypnotherapists.
Like in all areas of life you will find that people who are secure in themselves and are good at what they do, they don't embellish their credentials and only use what they have actually earned through the proper training and educational channels. As the saying goes, "Let the music do the talking."
Thank you for your comment and being a visitor to my blog,
Tom