Qualified hypnotherapist who know her stuff. I had an 83 year old lady who came for hypnotherapy last week. Since the age of four she’s literally feared everything from going outside to going in a lift. She’s the most fearful person I’ve ever met.
When she came for her free consultation she told me “I’ve not slept for the last four nights, as I was scared of what you’d do to me”. I knew this lady had to be handled with Kidd gloves, and had to be made to feel safe, calm and contented.
To be a qualified hypnotherapist I trained with the National Council for Clinical Hypnotherapy and my training was well in excess of £2000 for a twelve month course, and it gave me the letters HPD after my name, of which I’m very proud of, and it gained me access into so many associations, including the governments CNHC, NCH and the GHR.
This lady had been to another hypnotherapist, who when asked about her training and qualifications told her “I trained online, so I’m fully qualified to treat you”. The lady wasn’t comfortable; however she went along with the treatment. Apparently the hypnotherapist did a short induction and then went straight into the script, without a deepener, or any ego strengthening. As qualified hypnotherapists we really do have to know our stuff, and know how to handle really nervous people.
She made the mistake of putting her straight into a lift, and told her to press the button for the 23rd floor. Because she wasn’t relaxed enough and not in the trance state, she felt the fear and had a panic attack, and was unable to breathe.
Sadly, because the hypnotherapist hadn’t had face to face training, she’d no idea what to do. (Whereas a qualified hypnotherapist would have know how to calm and settle her down.) She sent for an ambulance for my lady, and it took her to hospital. It turned out that because the hypnotherapist trained on line, and had no face to face training she couldn’t get insurance, and couldn’t be accepted by any governing associations.
One of the nurses who attended to her asked her not to give in with hypnotherapy, and said she knew a qualified a hypnotherapists proceeded to write down my number. That’s how she contacted me. So, she came for her free consultation, and then her appointment. I hypnotised her, and made her a CD, which I dutifully dropped off the next day, and she looked so different from the day previously, more relaxed.
That was last Monday that she came to me, and her son just rang me to say thank you for giving his mum her life back. On Friday and Saturday she went in three lifts, two revolving and three toilets with locks, something she’s never been able to do. I’m delighted…totally delighted!
In 2002 I studied hypnotherapy online with a company call School of Natural Sciences, and BSY, I couldn’t become insured or be enrolled in a governing association. In 2004 I trained in hypnotherapy Face to Face and then 11 years ago it was over a thousand pounds to train.
What I’m trying to say is, if you want to learn hypnotherapy, don’t take these silly offers for £49 online; unless it’s just for fun, otherwise you’re setting yourself up for a very big fall. We can’t mess with people’s minds unless we truly know what we are doing!
When choosing a hypnotherapist ensure that:
- Your qualified hypnotherapist should be trained appropriately and meets all of the hypnotherapy guidelines for providing therapy.
- Your qualified hypnotherapist should explain the therapeutic process and how you can benefit from it, without guaranteeing your success. Basically a good hypnotherapist never makes guarantees.
- Your qualified hypnotherapist should help you to work through highly vulnerable feelings or memories in a safe and therapeutic way that does not re-traumatise you.
- You receive from your qualified hypnotherapist an intake form which should include informed consent, to complete before or with your first appointment. This pack should explain how therapy with your hypnotherapist works, what your rights are as a client, the fee schedule, insurance information, privacy information, and more.
- Your qualified hypnotherapist should explain how he or she can help you. He or she gives you concrete examples of what he or she will do and what you will need to do, and how you will know the therapy is progressing.
- Your qualified hypnotherapist regularly checks your progress against your goals and helps you to understand where you are and where you may still need to go.
- Unconditional positive regard and empathy, is a hallmark of good and qualified hypnotherapist. Demonstrating empathy within the therapeutic setting helps the client to feel safe, to feel understood, and ultimately to feel like he or she can make progress.
- Finally, your progress in therapy is the ultimate indicator of whether or not you are receiving good therapy.