Hypnotherapy

Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Apr 06, 2001 by Kim Sharp

There is an ongoing debate regarding the issue of clinically trained versus lay hypnotists. The position of the American Society of Clinical Hypnotists (ASCH) is that the training of lay hypnotists is unethical. This organization supports only the training of those persons who are pursuing an advanced degree in the health sciences. ASCH further believes that hypnotherapy is a treatment modality to be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment, not a treatment that stands alone in and of itself. Medical professionals believe that lay hypnotists keep the view of hypnotherapy in low esteem by the general public. They also believe that their practices are impacted economically by the lay hypnotists.

ASCH and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH) are two organizations that are trying to set up formal screening, training, and accrediting standards. Both of these organizations offer formal training to medical professionals at their annual meetings.

• Elman, Dave. Hypnotherapy. California: Westwood Publishing Co., 1964.
• Kappas, John G. Professional Hypnotism Manual: Introducing Physical and Emotional Suggestibility and Sexuality. California: Panorama Publishing Company, 1987.
• Murphy, Michael. The Future of the Body: Explorations Into the Further Evolution of Human Nature. California: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., 1992.
• Shrader, Wesley. The Amazing Power of Hypnosis: What It Can Do for You. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1976.
• Targ, Russell and Jane Katra. Miracles of Mind: Exploring Nonlocal Consciousness and Spiritual Healing. California: New World Library, 1998.

• Baumgaertel, Anna. "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Alternative and Controversial Treatments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder." Pediatric Clinics of North America (October 1999).
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• Newell, Sallie and Rob W. Sanson-Fisher. "Australian onbologists' self-reported knowledge and attitudes about non-traditional therapies used by cancer patients." Medical Journal of Australia (February 7, 2000).

• American Board of Hypnotherapy. 16842 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 476, Irvine, CA 92714. http://www.hypnosis.com/.
• American Psychotherapy & Medical Hypnosis Association. 210 S. Sierra, Reno, NV 89501. http://members.xoom.com/Hypnosis/.
• American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. 200 E. Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018.
• International Council for Medical and Clinical Therapists. 7361 McWhorter Place, Suite 300, Annandale, VA 22003-5469. http://www.ultradepth.com/ICMCT.htm.
• International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association. 4110 Edgeland, Suite 800, Royal Oak, MI 48073-2285. http://www.infinityinst.com.
• The National Board for Hypnotherapy and Hypnotic Anaesthesiology. 7841 West Ludlow Drive, Suite A, Peoria, AZ 85381. http://www.nbha-medicine.com/index.html.
• National Guild of Hypnotists. PO Box 308, Merrimack, NH. http://www.ngh.net
• Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. 6728 Old McLean Village Drive, McLean, VA 22101.
• World Hypnosis Organization, Inc. 2521 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618. http://www.worldhypnosis.org/about.html.>

Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Gale Group, 2001.