THE Journal Issue 2 Vol 10 www.hypnotherapists.org.uk Summer 2010

Clinical Outcomes Measurement Burden or Therapeutic tool?

Supervisors Friend or foe?

Language Impact on reality

Private Practice Extravaganza Returns! The lighter side Solihull, 19th June 2010 - Details On Page 3

moving therapy forward National Council for Hypnotherapy Address: PO Box 14542, Studley, Warwickshire, B97 9HH Phone / Fax: 0845 544 0788 / 0845 544 0821 Website: www.hypnotherapists.org.uk Email: [email protected] Contents Editorial...... 1 Committee News...... 2 Letters To The Editor...... 6 Psycho(a)logical Semiotics and Neurolinguistic Pragmagic...... 8 Tokophobia - The Response from Hypno-...... 15 The Lighter Side...... 18 The Solution Focused Approach to Hypnotherapy...... 25 Clinical Outcomes Measurement - Burden or Therapeutic tool?...... 28 CPD Diary...... 30 I am your Supervisor. Friend or Foe? Discuss...... 32 Metaphor Corner...... 35 Book Reviews...... 36 The NCH Committee Chairman: Paul White Tel: 0208 647 9357 email: [email protected] Company Secretary: Martin Armstrong-Prior Tel: 0116 276 4911 email: [email protected] Executive Director: Sophie Fletcher Tel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Marketing Director: Paul Howard Tel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Ethics Director: Peter Newell Tel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Research Director: Donald Robertson Tel: 01403 248 266 email: [email protected] Technology Director: Rob Woodgate Tel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Development Director: John Harrington Tel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Supervision Director: Trevor Silvester Tel: 01638 720020 email: [email protected] Ex-Officio Roles Administrators: Brenda Bentley and Annie Dee Hughes Tel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] Training & Accreditation: Jill Tonks Tel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected] professional Standards: Jo-Anne Kelleher Tel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected]

Journal Editor: Rob Woodgate ©iStockphoto.com/geotrac Cover: Tel: 0845 544 0788 email: [email protected]

The National Council for Hypnotherapy, established in 1973 under its former title “The Hypnotherapy Register”, represents the practice of Clinical Hypnotherapy as a discrete profession in its own right. Membership is open to those practitioners able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, evidence of training and clinical experience relevant to the field. The NCH is a member of the UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations. In other words, the practice of Editorial Hypnotherapy doesn’t seem to be the problem... PEOPLE are the problem.

If we are seeking regulation as a means of achieving credibility alone, perhaps this is a dangerous game; I’m not surprised there are some mixed feelings about VSR in the profession.

For example, some believe that VSR under CNHC will harm our cred- ibility by throwing our lot in with he NCH has a palpable en- say who has the right to practice is professions who have a question- ergy and buzz as our new the ‘easy route’ to ensuring higher able evidence base. There is also the NCH committee members standards of education - If we stop concern that regulation will be the settle in their roles and all the ‘charlatans’ from being able start of a slippery slope that may see startT making their mark. to practice, then we’ll achieve higher ‘lay’ hypnotherapy marginalised by standards and more credibility. groups claiming it (or certain condi- Top of the agenda has been the tions) their exclusive domain on the development of training standards The problem is that one mans charla- basis of a perceived ability to harm. and the process of Voluntary Self tan is another mans professional. Regulation (VSR). Even with those reservations in mind, For example, as an NCH member, I believe that the present VSR process As I’ve been reading and reflecting have you ever looked at the ‘trained is broadly a good thing: it is uniting on the committee chatter, I’ve found in a weekend’ schools out there and our once fractured profession under myself asking the question: what’s thought, ‘if only we could regulate an agreed minimum set of standards the intention of that? these people out of business, we’d and common codes of ethics and get more credibility as a profession’? practice, and will hopefully make us Those of you familiar with NLP will strong enough to lobby effectively recognise this as a ‘chunking’ ques- I know I have. After all, it’s human against any later moves to curb our tion (non-NLPers will of course use nature to look for a ‘bad guy’ to freedom to practice. other terminology). vindicate one’s own position. Long term, however, I believe that As I chunked up both aims - ‘Regu- By the same token, however, you can credibility and professional secu- lation’ and ‘Training Standards’ - I bet that there are (perhaps psycho- rity will come more from the focus found myself left with one overrid- logically or medically trained) profes- on externally quantifiable training ing common professional intention sionals thinking the same about us! standards, with Professional Associa- - ‘increasing the credibility of our tions like NCH supporting members profession’. The freedom to practice “lay” hypno- in marketing their practices and the therapy around the world has been profession effectively. (Of course, I was able to chunk higher successfully fought (notably by Gil than that into personal intentions - Boyne and others) for many years Unlike Regulation, the pursuit of for example: more credibility means on the grounds that there has never Training Standards has no down- more clients, means more people been a credible documented case of side risk, and with the current shift helped and more money etc - but actual harm to a client resulting from towards evidence based methodolo- credibility was the highest profes- hypnotherapy alone. gies, can only sional motivation.) serve to make Of course, there are plenty of cases us stronger. Anyway, it occurred to me that these of client abuse (in all its forms), but twin pillars of credibility - ‘Regula- these can happen in any perceived Enjoy the read. tion’ and ‘Training Standards’ - seem authority based relationship (thera- to be heavily entwined. pist/client, doctor/patient, teacher/ Rob Woodgate pupil, adult/child, priest/altar boy Perhaps that’s because the ability to etc).

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 1 you are interested in VSR and in the Committee News future of our profession please do not hesitate to contact me directly as we would like your help and views in moving forward.

Many of you will be aware of the name ‘Hypnobirthing’ and its founder Marie Mongon; it has come to our attention that some time ago she made an application to the Intel- lectual Property Office (IPO) in the UK for a Trade Mark for the term This seems an appropriate time to ‘Hypnobirthing’. This process involves View From The Chair mention that Margaret Wiggall our two stages: Stage One involves a Finance Administrator has retired legal appraisal of the application by and has gracefully stepped back the Trade Mark Examination Team The deadline for from the foray of administering a at the IPO. If the application satisfies this issue of the busy and initially complicated posi- the Trade Mark Act then Stage 2 is Journal has been tion. The transition from Margaret to that the application will be published pulled forward a Annie Dee Hughes has been smooth in the Trade Mark’s Journal. After little owing to the and efficient, for which much credit such time, interested parties are able well deserved holi- is due to Margaret’s dedication and to make ‘observations’ on the appli- day of our highly hard work and Annie’s previous work cation. esteemed Editor, experience and quick grasp of our Rob Woodgate, so as I am writing procedures and processes. I am sure We have requested that the IPO, now a good few weeks before the you will all join with me in wishing through their electronic caveat serv- General Election. You will no doubt Margaret a very happy retirement and ice, automatically make us aware be reading this in the reflective glow welcoming Annie to the family. when the application is published; at of a new bright and bushy tailed that stage we will resubmit the obser- Government, or maybe by that time The Voluntary Self-regulation Proc- vations that we have already made they will be telling us all how things ess (VSR) is continuing to occupy regarding this application. really are! much time with some key members of our Executive, with Mr. Martin Once again I would encourage The good news from the NCH is that Armstrong-Prior at the sharp end members with any views regard- all the changes we have introduced of the business. I think it is fair to ing this matter to contact me or over the last year or so have enabled say that the Executive are in the any other member of the Executive us to reverse most of the financial main (however with some noticeable to discuss the matter in more detail trends of the previous year. I am look- exceptions and in varying degrees) so that our formal observations will ing at the first draft of our year on embracing the move towards VSR. reflect the views of our members. year comparisons and I am delighted My position is very clear in that I do Currently those members to whom I to say that subscriptions are up, total not see the CNHC as a destination have already spoken are opposed to income up and our administrative but merely a part of the journey that this application. costs and expenses are significantly we need to travel in order to ensure reduced, which means once again we our profession is perceived by the There is much more that I could write are in a good position and looking general public and other healthcare about but I know that many of my for new ways to invest our surplus professionals as being credible and colleagues are looking forward to revenue for the benefit of you, our regulated in the best interests of our telling you about developments in members; you will already be aware clients. However, as we are now in the their areas of responsibility so I look that we have increased our advertis- process of bringing together Training forward to seeing you at our Summer ing spend and are considering other Standards/Learning Outcomes and Conference/Extravaganza. ways in which we can support you, the Codes of Ethics and Conduct, I and we would welcome your ideas believe that a dedicated task force of Paul White and . interested parties may make a valu- able contribution to this process. If

2 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk - Hypnotherapy Extravaganza

Sponsored by 19th June 2010 ST Johns Hotel 651 Warwick Rd, Solihull, B91 1AT Keynote Speakers include For up to the minute speaker information visit www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/event

Dr John Butler is a highly regarded hypnotherapist with over 28 years and 30,000 hours of practice as a successful clinical practitioner. He is an instructor in and teaches clinical applications to surgeons and anaesthetists in a course accredited by the Royal College of Anaesthetists. His talk at last year’s Extravaganza was so well received we have asked him to return to go into much greater depth about pain control. He intends to impart some techniques that you can experience and actually use in your practice.

Keith Antoine is a Performance Coach In the 90’s he was appointed as the youngest GB National Coach for sprints & relays, Paralympic Team Coach, Senior Sprints/Hurdles Coach for the Midlands, as well as personally coaching athletes to medals in the European & World Junior Championships, and onto teams for the Commonwealth, European, World & Olympic Games. Keith will be showing you how you can use some of his coaching techniques to help your clients towards their goals. These techniques are used by some of the top athletes in the world, why not your clients too?

We are holding the NCH AGM at 2 pm and a members dinner in Prices the evening to finish off this incredible day. It is only open to NCH Delegate - NCH member ...... £60 members. The numbers for the dinner are strictly limited so book (Including Lunch, Teas & Coffees) early to avoid disappointment. Delegate - Non NCH member ...... £100 Evening member dinner ...... £20 (including wine sponsored by Towergate) All prices exclude VAT Don’t delay Attendees are Special price for the first 100 members that book for the Extravaganza and the evening meal of £70 + VAT. awarded with a So make sure you get in quick, as space is now very limited. To book go to CPD certificate. www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/event 0845 544 0788

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 3 The deadline for responses will be the ure then we can deal with grand- Member Services News 31st of August. We will then issue an parenting, Hypnotherapists from the action plan with timescale for deliv- EU and applicants who have taken ery clearly laid out. courses that have not been accredited to these levels but who can demon- First of all, I’d like Please take the time to read the strat- strate the necessary knowledge and to thank all egy and to respond. As a membership skills. The final task will then be to fill members who organisation, we hope that as many in the middle ground with the Core either attended or of you as possible will take the time Curriculum, which will produce the expressed an inter- to get involved and help implement necessary knowledge and skills in the est in attending these changes. successful applicant. the focus groups we ran in March - some members Sophie Fletcher Many people are concerned about travelled significant distances in order ‘getting into bed’ with the CNHC and to attend. It was a great opportunity its Complementary and Alternative for those of us who attended to meet Company Secretary News (CAM) groups. THIS IS NOT and share ideas. From both sessions it THE ONLY POSSIBILITY. While the became clear that there were some funding is being provided through the key services that the NCH could be PFIH on the basis that we are work- offering to members which would In the last two ing to this end, it is not a foregone support them in both starting a prac- Journals I have conclusion. There are several other tice and in maintaining and enhanc- given you a lot of possibilities including a free-standing ing their practice. information about Independent Hypnotherapy Register. the developments The process we are going through at As a result, the areas that we will in Regulation and this time is simply to produce a model be focussing on in our Membership in the Independ- for VSR that will be acceptable to the Services Strategy and which were ent Safeguarding Agency. DoH who are the real paymasters. If key areas of debate within the focus we can produce a sound argument groups are: We continue to work towards Volun- for the IHR then they may accept and tary Self Regulation (VSR) and have recognise that outcome as well. • Building a strong sense of agreement on the Codes of Ethics community amongst practitioners and Practice that will form part of The ISA is now well underway. Many throughout the UK. the proposal for VSR. The next task will be thinking that recommen- that we are looking at is describing dation 8 of the Singleton Report • Improving access to specialist the ‘hoops’ that candidates for entry means that we do not come under information online and to our onto the Register will have to jump the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Specialist Advisors. through. These are much the same as Act 2006. THIS WRONG! In fact it is those applicants to any professional now clear that all Hypnotherapy is • Creating an online library of PDFs, body have to satisfy; 1) Probity, 2) a Regulated Activity within the Act. facts sheets and useful forms. Professional Insurance, 3) Agreement That means that most of the statu- to abide by the Codes of Ethics & tory requirements apply to us, though • Affordable access to NCH events, Practice, and 4) Competence. exactly where and when is yet to be such as the Extravaganza. made clear. So if anyone who is on Items 2 & 3 are easy to agree and a Barred List carries out a Regulated • Phase II of web development have been agreed in outline. Member- Activity, it will be an offence for to improve online access for ship of the ISA registration scheme is which the punishment is 5 years in members. being considered for item 1 (why do prison. As soon as I can get definitive the hard work when someone else is statements of any other areas, I’ll put • Improve transparency of structure, already doing it). For item 4, a set of them out. So watch the website and processes and procedures within Learning Outcomes validated to an members bulletins. If item one in the the organisation. acceptable standard is being consid- list of Hoops is ISA registration, that ered. These may then be proved either will decide it all. In June we will be distributing by a Diploma that satisfies all those the Strategy in more detail, and all requirements or validated transferable members will be invited to comment. learning. If we use this type of meas-

4 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk

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Specialists in Local Health Fairs Birmingham on 20th June and Surrey on 10th January 2010 With over 200 stands, we give you plenty of choice; from Acupuncture to Zen massage. We also have lectures and workshops throughout the day which are free for you to attend. If you are looking for advice, information on different therapies or you are just interested to find out more about natural health, come along and have a chat with some of the professionals at the fair. Visit our website at www.naturalhealthfair.co.uk for details. Learn and discover how natural health therapies could help you. Entry just £3 Lots of different local therapies and products in one place. Get free advice from natural health care professionals. Stop Press..... Lots of great special offers and discounts available. If you would like to Looking for a new career? Talk to therapy schools. exhibit at this fair Advice and tips on how to achieve a healthier lifestyle. we still have a few stands left.

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hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 5 To be really up to date in this field, Letters To The Editor you are really required to be members of the important professional bodies in the area of PTSD, such as the UK Trauma Association, the Euro- pean Society for Traumatic Studies E.S.T.S.S. and also the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, I.S.T.S.S. These are important bodies, which will keep you, as a Trauma therapist, up to date on the latest research, and approaches that are being used effectively. know what you are doing. Traumatised I have been working as a special- Unfortunately there are many thera- ist in this field for a long time (20 pists out there who go and treat years) and it is one that you need to Dear Rob, clients with PTSD who do a lot of be really dedicated in as a specialist harm and even have led people to in the subject. Hypnotherapy has its I’m writing in reply to the recent taking their own life. I have seen the place in the field of PTSD and it can letter published in the NCH Journal end results of what well-intentioned become one of the many effective with reference to the subject of treat- therapists have done to their clients. tools in the psychological tool bag ing returning veterans with PTSD. It has taken me a long time to get the of therapies that are available for the client stable again. So if you are not therapist to use for the benefit of the I can only echo the comments of the qualified in the subject please don’t client. There is no cure in the normal letter writer. I have been a suffer of treat any clients with this complex sense. What you do is to make the PTSD for over 44 years and in the problem but refer them on to some trauma manageable and then the last 20 years I have been treating one who is competent and quali- client is able to cope on a daily basis. clients with PTSD as a qualified PTSD fied in this field and who is properly You cannot take away their history specialist trauma counsellor and I supervised in this area. but by using cognitive methods you have recently completed my first part can make the way they view their of my HPD. I also have set up to offer There is a great need to have a large history better and get them to be able teaching to any therapist who needs number of qualified therapists in to cope better on a daily basis. and wants the training to become this growing field as this also covers an accredited Trauma therapist. This not only PTSD from a military back- This is only an opinion of a new training is accredited by the NCFE ground but also repressed child- member of your association but one and is available through the Central hood sexual abuse and also domestic who is long experienced in the field England College. violence. The demand for this service of PTSD, so I hope that my comments is going to grow and this is a problem are taken in the manner in which they I could not agree more with the that is not going to go away. are offered and not seen a criticism opinions of the letter writer on the of the opinions of others, but as a subject, as 98% of all therapists from Initial training in understanding positive addition to the subject and whatever discipline are not qualified PTSD is not a long process as it can to try improve things for any sufferers to treat Complex PTSD. Also there are be done in a minimum of 30 hours of PTSD that the members will come very few therapists who can qualify to but it is the ongoing CPD training across in their work. work as a supervisor in this field. that is most important as this is a field that is constantly developing. Regards love and light The average number of sessions to You as a working therapist have to John Roberts get a client to be stable is at least keep up-to-date on the latest infor- 12 sessions and probably more than mation and research that is on going Editor’s Reply - Welcome to the NCH that for very complex cases. It is a in the big world out there. New John, and well done for plugging very specialised area and should not research constantly comes to light your course. be undertaken by a therapist who has and changes the methods that are had no specialist training in this field, proving most effective in the field for If there ever were any members under as it is very dangerous if you don’t the clients. the impression that the Help for

6 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk Heroes promotion was in any way they may be. about treating PTSD, they certainly shouldn’t do now... I do not want to be bombarded by The James unsolicited advertising with the all- too-common nowadays initial front Braid Society promise of ‘Free’ when this is more Shocked usually a marketing ploy. The society is non-profit mak- ing and offers an open invita- Yours, tion to therapists to come along Dear Rob, Steve Brenton to one of its monthly meetings, whether members or not. I was shocked to read of Kay Cook’s Editor’s Reply - The NCH has always arrogant and patronising attitude had the ability to email members Annual subscription is a one- towards to her client in the article with third party offers. You may off payment of £20. Visitors are in the Spring Journal. Has she never remember, they were originally sent welcome to come and “try out” heard of the therapeutic relationship, via email, and more recently through the club before joining by just building rapport, having one foot in the E-bulletin. paying £5 entrance fee. the client’s world? We had a brief hiatus during the tran- Meetings are held in Central One size does not fit all. Some clients sition to our new website, but have London, upstairs at “The Car- are going to be nervous and we have now launched a more sophisticated penters Arms”, 12 Seymour to respond to every client as an indi- system which allows you to specifi- Place, W1H 7NE. Nearest tube vidual. If they are nervous and don’t cally opt-out of 3rd party offers station Marble Arch. understand, then we must reassure whilst still receiving all other member them, build a relationship where they notifications. Talks cover a range of subjects feel comfortable and relaxed. of interest to anyone involved The ‘3rd Party Offers’ service allows in clinical hypnosis. Expert Sending a new (and anxious) client the NCH to raise additional funds speakers are always welcome. away with instructions to listen to a from advertising which we can use CD does not sound to me a good way for member benefits, as well as The meetings begin at 7.15pm to build rapport and help a client to allowing carefully selected advertis- and end at 9pm on Thursdays. relax and feel at ease. And surely this ers to present special offers to NCH relaxed and trusting state is essential members. to success in our profession. Dates for 2010: We hope that you will choose to 17/6 Think again, Kay. Accept every client support the NCH by staying opted in 22/7 as an individual and aim to meet their to these occasional 3rd Party Adver- 16/9 individual needs. You will be a better tiser messages - however, if you don’t 14/10 and more successful hypnotherapist want them at all, you can opt out 18/11 and, hopefully, a more understanding online via your NCH account. and empathetic person. Near2Home was the first 3rd party Chairman, Leila Hart José Penrose offer sent using the new system, and 0207 4024311 this was charged at the full commer- cial rate. Secretary, Fiaz Ayub Uneasy 0207 2864107 Membership, Margaret Sin- Dear Rob, clair 0208 3956766 Got something to say? I have yet to give this more thought, www.jamesbraidsociety.com but I have an initial reaction of Whatever your view, email your unease at this use of the NCH as letters to me at: an organisation to peddle a private [email protected] company’s wares, however excellent

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 7 Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk Psycho(a)logical Semiotics [6].

Even our hugely scientised and tech- and Neurolinguistic nologised modern existences are understood through myth and with Pragmagic faith; consider, for example, “ ... CERN, the European Particle Phys- ics Laboratory, where a huge accel- erator is under construction that will By Patrick Jemmer PhD FRSPH enable experiments to be conducted into fundamental particles, the sub- atomic world of energy at the heart Alphabet Soup Now in terms of the of seemingly solid matter, and which “mediation of real- can also provide us with understand- As the language clanged and banged, ity through language” ing of the origins of the Universe. The Verbs vibrated on the inner line, we must remem- great accelerator is being assembled Grammar grated along the black gates ber that “The current from parts made across the world And the slang slung on the trodden banks. general belief is that with a precision that enables them to language and intelli- fit perfectly and completely together Drainpipes blocked with capitals and stops, gence co-evolved, and – an image of human communion Abject dialect on the bar crawl that both are strongly and cooperation that is startling in a Littering the walls, influenced by context. world which is so often divided. When The Thames awash with dirty rhyme. That ought to ring bells lowered, again with wonderful preci- with anyone who has sion, into the circular tunnel, several On all the park benches and in all the phone boxes, studied neuro linguis- kilometres in diameter, this extraor- Clattering messages with more stories tic programming (NLP) dinary machine will enable physicists Paper scatters in the autumn fall, – one of the principles to search for the Higgs particle – a Trails of ambiguous meaning. being ‘all meaning is particle believed to exist but which context dependent.’ has not yet definitively been shown While pythons hiss on the underground, And, in an NLP sense, to exist. So from beginning to end Passengers chatter the use of metaphor is this experiment, and the huge cost But make no sound a key that opens many of the equipment needed for it, is a And it’s soup to the untrained ear. of the doors in our mind work of faith” [8]. whether we’re aware of The lost tongue it or not” [6]. This is We will return to the reconciliation of Rolling around, lolling, because “The human the myth of science and the technol- Licking the best phrases. mind is a storytell- ogy of faith, later in this series of arti- Leaving London. ing device, a metaphor cles. However, the importance of such machine … it’s how our narratives in creating and maintain- Laura Dunlop [1]. minds work. It’s a trick ing personal and consensual realities we use to simplify things is that “ … everyone takes something revious work has traced the that would otherwise be incompre- different from a well written story development of language hensible” [7]. because they read it from their own as a supremely creative hu- frame of reference. Something that man faculty [2], [3], [4]. This is the reason why “Stories are an appears simple and boring to one P essential part of the human psyche individual might strike a deep chord And so we come to the philosophy of and we can use them to communi- with another – open to a completely therapeutic magic: to the realization cate more effectively and even direct different and more powerful interpre- that “Reality exists outside language, change in our own life” [6]. We can tation” [6]. but it is constantly mediated by and identify four basic narrative types “1. through language: and what we can Man vs. Self – 2. Man vs. Man – 3. Moreover, there is an isomorphism know and say has to be produced in Man vs. Nature – 4. Man vs. ‘It’” [6] between the narrative and the reality and through discourse” [5]. – although Shaw claimed these could constructed, since “The same is true be reduced to just two basic stories: with our own lives – we act them

8 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk THE DISCOVERY OF HYPNOSIS THE COMPLETE WRITINGS OF ‘THE FATHER OF HYPNOTHERAPY’

EDITED WITH COMMENTARY BY DONALD ROBERTSON SENIOR CLINICIAN HYPNOTHERAPIST (NCH) FOREWORD BY DR MICHAEL HEAP

James Braid introduced hypno3sm in 1841 as a scien3fic and ra3onal alterna3ve to 's animal magne3sm. This major textbook brings together all of Braid's wri3ngs on hypno3sm for the first 3me. Braid's wri3ngs have been carefully edited and annotated to make them more accessible to the modern reader. This is absolutely essen3al reading for any hypnotherapist, hypno3st, researcher, or those with an interest in the history of Mesmerism and hypno3sm.

“It gives me great pleasure to contribute this Foreword to The Discovery of Hypnosis: The Complete Wri@ngs of James Braid, the Father of Hypnotherapy. My first task is to congratulate its editor, Donald Robertson, on the quality of his work and in par@cular the fine scholarship displayed in his introductory chapters, of which I am sure all readers will be much apprecia@ve.” – From the Foreword by Dr Michael Heap

“This quintessen@al work should be obligatory study for anyone in the field of Hypnotherapy. Donald Robertson unfolds the history of this most powerful therapy, through the words and works, the experiments and demonstra@ons, of Dr. James Braid, in a straighMorward, deeply educa@onal and most enlightening fashion.” – John, Hypnotherapist, Ireland

Purchase from NCH, Amazon, or most online booksellers.

RRP: £29.99

Published by the NaEonal Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) www.hypnotherapists.org.uk / Tel: 0845 544 0788 ISBN: 978-­‐0956057006

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 9 out in the first person and often see In terms of the “entry into a new They are ‘the spaces between things, them from only one perspective. But age,” – “The world’s current social come to life … ’” [10]. in our own lives … we should remem- structures should collapse quite ber that we are the storyteller as well rapidly when that happens and Now whilst such a “walker in the as the character. We should occasion- chances are, only people capable of supercontext” might appear to us a ally stand outside our lives and look handling the immense influx of new “magician” I agree that “I’ve always dispassionately at the plot” [6]. information will be those already really disliked the term … In general, familiar with heavily-altered states of I think the old dusty magical lexicon We can, perhaps, bring all these ideas consciousness. For everyone else, it needs to be scrapped and replaced to together with the will seem like the fit the times. We need new terms that understanding The human mind is a Second Coming, adequately define the modern quan- that “ … digital storytelling device, a the arrival of the tum relativistic chaos magicks we’ve signal processing metaphor machine … it’s Space Broth- all been deconstructing. Numagick is is an apt meta- ers, the Rapture, the umbrella term … “ [9]. phor for magic how our minds work. It’s Hell on Earth, acting on reality a trick we use to simplify the 32nd path of Thus by performing the Numagick (i.e. magic acts things that would otherwise the Tree of Life to “ … compare and contrast the as a F[ourier] be incomprehensible or whatever they idea of an UrSprach with that of T [ r a n s f o r m ] decide to see – the Logos” [9] and to question our function on the everyone will get personal logomyth – “Does it hang input signal in our mental maps) … their own personal apocalyptic trans- together – should it be re-written – The idea of reality shattering sounds fer into this new mode of being” [10]. is it becoming too predictable?” [6], like a metaphor for the concept that we gain control over the “plot” and ‘reality’ is individually subjective, and Thus everyone will respond according once again become “Lingwiz’ds of Is” that our realities join together and to their nature so that “Some poor – “Essendi Incantatores” enchanting spill over into each others’ minds” souls will have to be guided out of and enhancing our own existences, [9]. Thus we can envisage “ … reality hell, others will have to be coaxed true “modern day urban shamans and – spacetime in its entirety – as being down from sci-fi Ultraspheres but sorcerers” and not just mere “real- a Fourier Transform that localizes we’ll all be living in a state of perma- ity hackers” [9]. And in this way, we (collapses) into individual experience nent psychedelic ecstasy and will might truly become Homo sapiens … G Morrison’s notion of the super- have to restructure our entire exist- (wise Man), rather than Pan narrans context [10] – stepping outside time, ence to cope with the new conscious- (storytelling Chimpanzee) [7]. seeing it all, looking at the transform, ness. I have a feeling that psychedelic as it were” [9]. drugs provide a flashforward glimpse We hope to come to the understand- of this kind of consciousness and ing that “ … meaning is not simply Morrison goes on to suggest that this help prepare the human mind for a message that has been expressed “entry into the Supercontext” is “ … when that mode of consciousness is intentionally by the sender accord- most likely to come in the form of a permanent” [10]. ing to a precise communicative will, mass consciousness change – possi- and consequently the work of the bly triggered by planetary electro- Under these circumstances “ … we interpretant sign is not limited to magnetic field alterations predicted should see a lot of people freaking the very basic operations of identi- to occur around that time – so that out when we re-enter what some fication, mechanical substitution, to basically everyone will start peak- Australian Aboriginals call Aljira (a mere recognition of the interpretant ing on the acid trip that never ends. word English is not up to the task sign … signs at high levels of sign- ‘Individuality’ will dissolve and your of translating, so it comes out as ness, of semioticity, cannot be inter- minds will start to merge into one ‘Dreamtime’) and I call ‘the Super- preted by simply referring to a fixed mass mind, which is likely to seem context’. When we see in a new way and pre-established code, through quite frightening and overwhelming, and become new to ourselves, we’ll mere decoding process” [11]. Then, especially for the sheltered minds, also see lots of stuff that will prob- maybe, we can develop an “Aesthet- and time will seem to disappear as we ably scare people who didn’t know it ics of Chaosmos” whereby “ … we identify with the mitochondria in our was there all along. People in delirium are slowly moving toward that level cells, instead of identifying with the and on the brink of death see these where we’ll be instantly creating our physical individual carrier ‘bodies’ we crawling, replicating ‘wilkie-swilkie own reality in a conscious manner use to expedite the shuffling around men’ all over everything and soon, I (5D)?” [9]. And “Until we get there of DNA” [10]. think, everyone will start to see them. we’re starting to get glimpses of the

10 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk plasticity of the past, present and animal, cow. But if we think of the constitute some other type of indirect future” [9]. visual representation of a cow in a sign for something. Since semiotics is manual on animal husbandry – and, interesting in finding general rules So in summary, “ … we communi- even more, of the linguistic sign ‘cow’ and regularities, it tries to describe cate using stories, we learn through – we can see that both, in different these phenomena as generic func- stories, we share knowledge through degree, are arbitrary with respect to tions in some kind of system” [16]. stories. Our minds assign meaning to the concept of the animal they repre- symbols, whether they are pictures, sent. The articulation of an arbitrary So given the existence of signs and icons on your computer screen or sign – whether visual or verbal – with communicators, how can we model words written down” [6]. the concept of a referent is the prod- the act of communication? “Michael uct not of nature but of conven- Reddy [17] has noted our extensive Now, in attending to the above tion, and the conventionalism of use in English of ‘the conduit meta- discussions we must bear in mind discourses requires the intervention, phor’ in describing communicative that “Discursive ‘knowledge’ is the the support, of codes” [5]. acts. In this metaphor, ‘The speaker product not of the transparent repre- puts ideas (objects) into words sentation of the ‘real’ in language In order to see further than the “natu- (containers) and sends them (along but of the articulation of language ralized perceptions” of sign-concept a conduit) to a hearer who takes the on real relations and conditions. Thus relationships we need a means of idea/objects out of the word/contain- there is no intelligible discourse with- deconvolution, and thus semiotics ers’ [18]. The assumptions the meta- out the operation of a code” [5]. was born: “Semiotics is defined as phor involves are that: Language the study of signs as communicative functions like a conduit, transferring Moreover we must be at pains to real- phenomena that stand for or substi- thoughts bodily from one person to ize that “There is no degree zero in tute for something else [12] … de another; in writing and speaking, language. Naturalism and ‘realism’ Saussure described a ‘general science people insert their thoughts or feel- – the apparent fidelity of the repre- of signs’ that considered ‘any system ings into the words; words accom- sentation to the thing or concept of signs’ to be a language [13]. plish the transfer by containing the represented – is the result, the effect, thoughts or feelings and conveying of a certain specific articulation of The term ‘language’ is extended to them to others; in listening or read- language on the ‘real’. It is the result include written and spoken words, ing, people extract the thoughts and of a discursive practice” [5]. sounds, music, images, or gestures feelings once again from the words [13]. The most basic unit that refers [17]“ [19]. There exists a multitude of codes to or stands for something is the sign – which we might refer, but we find that which is comprised of a theoreti- However, we need to pay careful that “Simple visual signs appear to cal relationship between the signifier attention to this notion, since “The have achieved a ‘near-universality’ in as a word, sound underlying meta- this sense: though evidence remains or image, and the phor of commu- that even apparently ‘natural’ visual signified as the We should remember that nication as trans- codes are culture-specific. However, concept referred we are the storyteller as mission underlies this does not mean that no codes to by the signi- well as the character. We ‘commonsense’ have intervened; rather, that the fier [14]” [15]. should occasionally stand everyday usage codes have been profoundly natu- The philoso- but is in many ralized. The operation of naturalized phy underlying outside our lives and look ways mislead- codes reveals not the transparency semiotics might dispassionately at the plot ing and repays and ‘naturalness’ of language but the be summarized critical attention depth, the habituation and the near- by saying that … The trans- universality of the codes in use” [5]. “Semiotics is a perspective which mission model is not merely a gross consists in asking ourselves how over-simplification but a dangerously Moreover, there is an arbitrary conven- things become carriers of meaning. misleading misrepresentation of the tional relationship between sign and One reason for this is that one and nature of human communication. concept so that “The functioning of the same sign/image instance may This is particularly important since it the codes on the decoding side will play several different parts at the underlies the ‘commonsense’ under- frequently assume the status of natu- same time: a picture may represent standing of what communication is. ralized perceptions. This leads us to something, express something, refer Whilst such usage may be adequate think that the visual sign for ‘cow’ to its own material character, allude for many everyday purposes … the actually is (rather than represents) the to something, be a metaphor or concept needs critical reframing”[19].

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 11 Let us look in more detail at the a means for modelling many of the by contexts of ‘production’ or ‘recep- reasons why “The transmission model processes of consciousness. Feed- tion’ (texts do not mean simply what is not merely a gross over-simplifi- back is the response of the context either their producers or their inter- cation but a dangerously misleading to an output from the consciousness preters choose for them to mean), misrepresentation of the nature of to which the consciousness responds meanings may nevertheless be radi- human communication.” First, we becoming a process in action, live, cally inflected by particular contexts see that “The transmission model containing and maintaining itself, of ‘writing’ and ‘reading’ in space is an instrumental model in that it open-ended, subject to change, and and time.” [19]. We have seen previ- treats communication as a means to non-conservative. PROCESS” [20]. ously the importance of connotation a predetermined end. Perhaps this is and context and we can add to these the way in which some people expe- Thus “Even when we are simply the “socio-cultural” patterns to which rience communication. However, not listening to the radio, reading a book we are exposed since “We are all all communica- or watching TV we social beings, and our communica- tion is intentional: are far more inter- tive acts cannot be said to represent people uninten- pretively active the expression of purely individual tionally commu- Our minds assign meaning than we normally thoughts and feelings. Such thoughts nicate a great to symbols, whether they realize. There was and feelings are socio-culturally deal about their are pictures, icons on your no provision in the patterned. Even what we call ‘our’ attitudes simply computer screen or words original model for language isn’t our own: we are born through body feedback (reaction into it; we can’t change the rules. language. And, written down from the receiver). although this idea Feedback enables Words have connotations which we will sound daft to speakers to adjust don’t choose for them. An empha- those who’ve never experienced it, their performance to the needs and sis on creative individuality is itself a when some of us write something, we responses of their audience. A ‘feed- culturally-shaped myth which had a sometimes find out what we want to back loop’ was added by later theo- historically ‘modern’ origin in West- say only after we’ve finished writing rists, but the model remains linear” ern Europe” [19]. What about the about it” [19]. [19]. Furthermore, in the transmis- communication ‘register’ or ‘role’ in sion model, there is no distinction which we are operating? “We frame Secondly, it posits communication as between content and meaning and what is said differently according to “a one-way street” since “The trans- “… even the nature of the content the roles in which we communicate. mission model fixes and separates the seems irrelevant, whereas the subject, If a friend asks you later what you roles of ‘sender’ and ‘receiver’. But or the way in which the participants thought of … [a] lecture you are likely communication between two people feel about it, can shape the process to answer in a somewhat different involves simultaneous ‘sending’ and of communication. Insofar as content way from the way you might answer ‘receiving’ (not only talking, but also has any place (typically framed as the same question from the under- ‘body language’ and so on) … the ‘the message’), transmission models graduate course director in his office source is seen as the active decision- tend to equate content and meaning, … People in society do not all have the maker who determines the meaning whereas there may be varying degrees same social roles or the same rights. of the message; the destination is the of divergence between the ‘intended And not all meanings are accorded passive target. It is a linear, one-way meaning’ and the meanings gener- equal value. It makes a difference model, ascribing a secondary role to ated by interpreters” [19]. whether the participants are of the the ‘receiver’, who is seen as absorb- same social class, gender, broad age ing information. However, communi- And what about context? We know group or profession. We need only cation is not a one-way street” [19]. that “The ‘same’ text can be inter- think of whose meanings prevail in preted quite differently within differ- the doctor’s ” [19]. The problem here is the neglect of ent contexts” [19]. However, “Nor is feedback, where “Feedback is the there any mention in the transmission Allied to this problem is the fact that action that takes place in all proc- model of the importance of context: “Transmission models treat decoding esses of interaction within a state, or situational, social, institutional, polit- as a mirror image of encoding, allow- within an existence, or within an ecol- ical, cultural, historical. ing no room for the receiver’s inter- ogy of some sort; a social ecology, a pretative frames of reference. Where techno-ecology, a biological ecology Meaning cannot be independent of the message is recorded in some form, or any self-corrective system … The such contexts … Whilst it is true that ‘senders’ may well have little idea of thing about video here is that we find meaning is not wholly ‘determined’ who the ‘receivers’ may be (particu-

12 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk larly, of course, in relation to mass ics argue that this model is geared The same ‘message’ may represent communication). The receiver need towards improving a communica- multiple meanings” [19]. not simply accept, but may alterna- tor’s ability to manipulate a receiver. tively ignore or oppose a message. Carey notes that ‘the centre of this Another way of putting this is to We don’t all necessarily have to idea of communication is the trans- go back to our semiotics and real- accept messages which suggest that mission of signals or messages over ise that “The signifier and signi- a particular political programme is distance for the purposes of control fied are separate in theory but work good for us” [19]. And the final nail ... of distance and people’ [21]. In an together in a process of connecting in the coffin is the fact that “… the instrumental framework the process some communicative representation model is indifferent to the nature of involved is intended to be ‘transpar- with a concept or meaning. A word, the medium. And yet whether you ent’ to the participants (nothing is sound, or image (signifier) operates speak directly to, write to, or phone intended to distract from the sender’s simultaneously in association with its a lover, for instance, can have major communicative goal). Such a concep- conceptual (signified) referent. The implications for the meaning of your tion is as fundamental to the rheto- association of the signifier and the communication. There are widespread ric of science as it is alien to that of signified produce the sign through social conventions about the use of art. ‘Perfectly transparent communi- this theoretical correlation which is one medium rather than another for cation’ is impossible” [19]. Moreo- called signification or semiosis [13], specific purposes. People also differ in ver, “As Reddy notes, if this view [23]” [15]. their personal attitudes to the use of of language were correct, learning particular media … The medium can would be effortless and accurate. The Of course there are various types of affect both the form and the content problem with this view of language is sign and it becomes useful to make of a message. The medium is there- that learning is seen as passive, with the following distinctions: “The fore not simply ‘neutral’ in the proc- the learner simply ‘taking in’ infor- icon is a sign that resembles some- ess of communication” [19]. mation [22]” [19]. thing; an index provides a direct causal relationship between the sign Now, having set up this simplistic So what is the real state of affairs? and its referent in the world; and a model seemingly only to demolish it, Patently we really do communicate: symbol is a sign that is understood what remains? In fact, the real learn- so what is the mechanism? One only through a shared knowledge ing from these observations is that answer is “… to suggest that there is of cultural convention. In any case, “… meaning-making is not central no information in language, in books signification indicates the meaning in transmission models. It is widely or in any medium per se. If language of a sign within a particular cultural assumed that meaning is contained and books do ‘contain’ something, context of communication. While this in the ‘message’ rather than in its this is only words may seem obvi- interpretation” [19]. In such models rather than infor- Information and meaning ous, meanings are “It is as if communication consists of mation. Informa- social construc- a sender sending a packet of infor- tion and meaning arises only in the process tions and their mation to a receiver, whereas I would arises only in the of listeners, readers or differences are insist that communication is about process of listen- viewers actively making the subtle objects meaning rather than information. ers, readers or sense of what they hear of semiotic study One appalling consequence of the viewers actively [24]” [15]. postal metaphor for communication making sense of or see. Meaning is not is the current reference to ‘deliver- what they hear or ‘extracted’, but constructed But once again ing the curriculum’ in schools, as a see. Meaning is we bait the trap consequence of which teachers are not ‘extracted’, but constructed” [19]. of “naturalized perceptions” applied treated as postal workers. But the to certain sign-concept relationships, influence of the transmission model is This leads us to conclude that “… since “Iconic signs are … particularly widespread in our daily speech when there is no single, fixed meaning in vulnerable to being ‘read’ as natural we talk of ‘conveying meaning’, any message. We bring varying atti- because visual codes of perception are ‘getting the idea across’, ‘transferring tudes, expectations and understand- very widely distributed and because information’, and so on. We have to ings to communicative situations. this type of sign is less arbitrary than be very alert indeed to avoid falling Even if the receiver sees or hears a linguistic sign: the linguistic sign, into the clutches of such transmissive exactly the same message which the ‘cow’, possesses none of the proper- metaphors” [19]. sender sent, the sense which the ties of the thing represented, whereas receiver makes of it may be quite the visual sign appears to possess Indeed we find that “Some crit- different from the sender’s intention. some of those properties” [5].

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 13 Age of Morrison. wapURL: QZW7PKH. As an example of the caution we must as is the case, for instance, of verbal [11] Petrilli, S; Capozzi, R (editor) (1997) Reading exercise in this context, “ … the Pole ‘shifters’: the person indexically Eco: An Anthology – Towards Interpretation Star, for instance, may be an index of related to the sign ‘I’ is the one which Semiotics. Bloomington IN: Indiana University Press. the north celestial pole, but it is in at a particular moment pronounces [12] Eco, U (1976) A Theory of Semiotics. Bloom- no way caused by that astronomical the sound /ai/, which is to say that ington IN: Indiana University Press. [13] Barthes, R (1978); Lavers, A and Smith, C location. Nor is a personal pronoun, the indexical ground is produced at (translators) Elements of Semiology. New York or even a pointing finger … actually the very same moment in which the NY: Hill and Wang. caused by the person or thing for sign is put to use. Similarly, there [14] Stam, R, Burgoyne, R and Flitterman-Lewis, S (1992) New Vocabularies in Semiotics: Struc- which it stands; and if they may be is no class of ‘pointed-out objects’ turalism, Post-Structuralism and Beyond. New said to motivate it, then this is also known to exists, but a member of York NY: Routledge. true of all other signs. Moreover, if such a class is created each time an [15] Gaines, E (2002) Semiotic Analysis of Myth: A Proposal for an Applied Methodology. The could be added that even some cases act of pointing takes place … “ [25]. American Journal of Semiotics. Volume 17, which are often taken to confirm Number 2, pp 311 – 327. [16] Danesi, M (2002) A Glossary of Semiotics: in the causal explanation are actually The next article in this series goes on Understanding Media Semiotics. Oxford UK: doubtful: the causal agent may not to show how “Language proposes the Oxford University Press; From Sign to Image: be that which is signified, or may not illusion of objectivity merely as an An Introduction to Semiotics / “Vom Zeichen zum Bild. Eine Einführung in die Semiotik“; signify in the same respect in which abstraction. The failure to recognize wapURL: 0BBY5X8. it is the cause. Of all the innumer- this illusory nature of language will [17] Reddy, M J; Ortony, A (editor) (1979) Meta- able causes that have to concur in inevitably lead to bad results” [20]. phor and Thought: The Conduit Metaphor: A Case of Frame Conflict in Our Language about order for a rap on the door to occur Thus we find that “The subjectivity Language. Cambridge UK: Cambridge Univer- at a particular moment, the door and / objectivity illusion exposes one of sity Press. [18] Lakoff, G and Johnson, M (1980) Metaphors the material of which it is made, and the major problems of language; that We Live By. Chicago IL: University of Chicago a particular person and his moving language allows for the appearance Press. hand may seem to be the most impor- of concepts that in no way reflect [19] Chandler, D (2000) The Transmission Model of Communication. wapURL: WIK6W18. tant. However, if, at this moment, no the reality of things” [20]. With these [20] Jones, S (2008) The Brain Project: Notes on the person in particular is expected, the understandings we can begin to Cybernetics of Language and Video. wapURL: sign will only carry some very general develop our knowledge of psycho- NYI91V1. [21] Carey, J (1989) Communication as Culture. meaning such as there is somebody semiotics to therapeutic communi- New York NY: Routledge. (probably a human being) outside the cation and individuation-through- [22] Bowers, C A (1988) The Cultural Dimensions of Educational Computing: Understanding the door who wants me to open it and let language. Non-Neutrality of Technology. New York NY: him in’. Neither the particular person, Teachers College. nor his hand or the door, which are References [23] Barthes, R; Lavers, A (translator) (1972) [1] Dunlop, L (2008) Helium: Creative Writ- Mythologies. New York NY: Noonday. the causal agencies, are here parts of ing: Poetry: Language 4/13: Alphabet Soup. [24] Leeds-Hurwitz, W (1993) Semiotics and the meaning of the sign …” [25]. wapURL: O68PIAG. Communication: Signs, Codes, Cultures. Hills- [2] Jemmer, P (2007) “Nomen Omen” – Languaging dale NJ: Erlbaum. and the Nature of Names. The Hypnotherapy [25] Sonesson, G; Pankow, C (editor) (1995) Indexi- We can adduce further examples such Journal. Winter 2007, Issue 4, Volume 7, pp cality as Perceptual Mediation. Indexical- as “A person having the rolling gait 24 – 30. ity Papers from the Symposium “Indexikala [3] Jemmer, P (2007) “Lingua Creationis” and the Tecken” University of Göteborg November of a sailor [who] may, in fact, not be Creative Nature of Language. The Hypno- 1995. wapURL: S20I0UP. a sailor; and the pretzel hung out therapy Journal. Autumn 2007, Issue 3, Volume For brevity, all websites are referenced with unique above the bakery (admittedly an icon 7, pp 25 – 31. 7-Alphaneumeric “wapURL” addresses gener- [4] Jemmer, P (2009) “Omen Nomen” – Naming and ated at http://wapurl.co.uk/index.cfm. These of an index) is still to be seen when the Nature of Life. The Hypnotherapy Journal. were all checked and found to be available as the bakery is closed, and no bakery Spring 2009, Issue 1, Volume 9, pp 23 – 27. of 1600H 13 April 2010 and wapURL: S20I0UP, [5] Hall, S (editor) (1980) Centre for Contemporary products are for sale. Plausible indices for example, can be accessed via http://wapurl. Cultural Studies: Culture, Media, Language: co.uk/?S20I0UP (watch out for the question- of a unicorn may be produced using Working Papers in Cultural Studies, 1972 – 79: mark!). a set of horseshoes and a bull’s horn, Encoding/decoding. London UK: Hutchinson; wapURL: KWVDUES. and do not testify to the existence of [6] York, G (2004) Creatifica: Insight: January 2004: unicorns. A faked photograph of a Let Me Tell You a Story. wapURL: 9LX7Q41. [7] Pratchett, T, Stewart, I, Cohen, J S (2003) The unicorn, or whatever, may be assem- Science of Discworld II: The Globe. London UK: bled, using pieces of real photo- Ebury Press. graphs, processing them in a compu- [8] Rowell, G (2007) TimesOnline: 21 July 2007: Credo: Science and Politics Can Mean Nothing ter, or even creating them entirely by without Faith. wapURL: 9GK4EY2. means of a computer program” [25]. [9] Author Unknown (2008) Key 64: Making the Furthermore, “ … some indexical rela- Invisible Visible – Magical Language for New Magical Awareness (5 February 2005 – 20 May tions must come into being at the 2006). wapURL: JMZUQGR. same time as the sign is produced, [10] Brown, M (2004) ComiX-Fan Forums: The New

14 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk Tokophobia - The (d) Elective caesarean section Extreme fear of natural childbirth can motivate a request for an elec- Response from Hypno- tive caesarean section, in an attempt at avoidance. The physical and detri- Psychotherapy mental effects of this option are also well-documented. Hofberg and Ward (2003) cited the National Sentinel Caesarean Section Audit published By Sharon Mustard in October 2001, who found that one in five of births in England and Wales were by caesarean section; 7% A review and evaluation of primary research fear of childbirth and remain child- of these were at the mother’s request into anxiety disorders in childbirth and a less; some adopt. Many feel shame with no medical reason. proposal of effective treatments and interven- at their perceived inadequacy. The tions. This is Part 2 of a 4 part series of articles loss can be grieved into old age. The (e) Effect on the process of child- psychological impact of this can have birth far-reaching effects. Feelings of low Negative Consequences of self-worth, a loss of belonging and Zar (2001) suggested that a pregnant Tokophobia depression can result. woman’s expectations of the delivery are relevant to her experiences of and (b) Infertility behaviour during delivery. An untreated profound fear of child- birth can rule the individual’s life Following the pattern of phobias In childbirth, women can actu- decisions-restricting the choices they in general, a common tokophobic ally create the very situation they feel are open to them about their response is avoidance of the feared fear. The anxiety can create a ripple future. situation. This may be in the form effect that extends to the woman’s of a conscious decision not to have body, the baby, her partner and birth Recent newspaper articles (The a baby, or in the unconscious mani- professionals. Observer 16th December 2001, The festation of infertility. For medically Daily Mail 17th December 2001) unexplained infertility, there is often (i) Effect on the baby report that at least one woman in an underlying psychological expla- six is so terrified of giving birth that nation - unconscious fears around • More likely to experience distress she induces a miscarriage or avoids being pregnant or giving birth. becoming pregnant altogether. Fear • Post-natal emotional state or worry clearly can have a profound (c) Choosing abortion effect on whether the woman blocks A Bristol University Team found anxi- becoming pregnant in the first place. Although statistics are not available, ety in late pregnancy was linked to it is acknowledged that in a desper- higher cortisol levels in children aged Let us look further at the potential ate attempt to avoid the phobic situ- 10. (O’Connor et al, 2005) negative consequences: ation, in extreme cases an abortion is opted for, driven by the phobia itself. • Supply of oxygen to the baby is (a) Conscious decision not to have Hofberg and Brockington (2000) compromised a child reported two women who terminated a pregnancy because they were too Pregnant women who were more Within the Nicholas (2007) arti- terrified to endure a delivery. Unable anxious or stressed had significantly cle, 21-year old Ashley’s repulsion to understand their own aversion to abnormal patterns of blood flow of childbirth lead her to admit that, parturition, and in the absence of through the uterine arteries. 27% of as she gets older, she feels unable psychotherapy to assist in resolving the most anxious group had a resist- to have relationships with men who it, women can feel that it is their only ance index high enough to be of want biological children of their own. choice and to live with the psycho- “clinical concern”. Only 4% in the less logical impact of that decision. anxious group had similarly impaired Some women who continue to uterine artery blood flow. (Teixeira, want children never overcome their 1999)

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 15 • Encounter a resistant birth path Anxiety about childbirth has a corre- • Pain, behavioural symptoms of sponding physiological and chemical pain - swearing, aggression, • Being on the receiving end of Post response within the body. The body screaming Natal Depression is the action component of the mind. An anxious woman is much less likely Grantly Dick-Read (2004) observed • Likely to have more drugs in their to give birth naturally as the primi- the missing ingredient in easier, more system when first born tive survival mechanism ‘the fight comfortable births seemed to be or flight response’ will interpret the FEAR. • Slower mental development anxiety as a message that tells the body that this is not a ‘safe time or • Slow recovery rate Mental development at 18 months place for birth’, and the body will old was shown to be significantly respond accordingly, favouring parts • Increased chance of tearing or slower and they showed more fear of the body involved in defence. This need for episiotomy and anxiety when born to mothers is often interpreted as something who reported stress in later preg- being ‘wrong’ and intervention is • More likely to want chemical nancy (Glover, 2006) then started. anaesthesia

The fear of the whole process is likely Under these circumstances the mind- • Medical interventions are more to be passed onto the baby and the body connection can cause: likely - caesarean, forceps, process of birth becomes frighten- ventouse ing and traumatic. Assuming the • The cervix to be taut baby has an unconscious recollec- Women with a dread of childbirth are tion of having suffered that trauma, • Arteries to the uterus to tense and subject to an increased rate of emer- the foundations may already be laid constrict, blood supply diverted gency caesarean section or instru- for the development of a tokophobic away to defence systems mental vaginal delivery (Areskog et al, response in the next generation. 1983; Ryding et al, 1998 #1). • Restricted flow of blood and (ii) Effect on woman’s body and the oxygen sent to the baby (iii) Effect on partner process birth • Slowed or stopped labour • Tense and anxious Michel Odent (1984), as an obstetri- cian said, “One cannot help a normal • Stress hormone cortisol triggered • Potentially negative experience, physiological process, the point is not (oxytocin production, required for perhaps traumatic to hinder it.” an efficient labour, is hampered)

NCH Specialist Advisors

Sue Adamson 01625 879000 Pregnancy and childbirth Caroline Barker 01903 237 666 Depression David Collingwood-Bell 01978 769178 Tinnitus Gill Drury 0800 0832125 or 01142 552252 Pregnancy and childbirth Lesley Goddard 01522 882765 Sports Performance Brid Hendron 07732177110 Dentistry Rae Jenson 01506 830 190 Weight management John Lawrence 01506 830190 Pain management (Including Phantom Limb) Alix Needham 020 7935 1965 Stress Hilary Norris-Evans 01249 740506 Confidence/self esteem Edwin Salter 01553 769437 Public Speaking Anne Thornton-Patterson 07930 362492 Trichotillomania Penelope Walford 01983 875051 Smoking

16 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk • Reluctant for more children - Oxytocin is also produced during with Salisbury District Hospital NHS making a conscious choice or lactation - even when the mother Trust. She also trains practitioners infertility hears the signal from her hungry throughout the UK to specialise in baby. During lactation, the endor- the area of ‘Hypnosis for Childbirth’. • Loss of sexual interest in his part- phins as a built-in reward system ner encourages the mother to breastfeed. Contact Sharon on 01980 623089 The commonest causes of deficient or visit www.easibirthing.co.uk for (iv) Effect on Midwives and support lactation are worry and fear. course dates and information. staff: Positive prenatal, perinatal and • Woman coming into hospital too postnatal bonding is important for early increasing the baby’s sense of secu- rity. Emotions cross the placental • More time consuming barrier too.

• Argumentative In Part 3 & Part 4 of the series, I will review possible treatment interven- • Uncooperative tions from hypno-psychotherapy.

References • Request for more drugs Nicholas S. (2007) ‘Are you a tokophobic? The women who are too terrified of giving birth’, • More supervision required Daily Mail, 27th October, 2007. Hofberg KM. & Brockington IF. (2000) ‘Tokopho- bia: an unreasoning dread of childbirth’, Br J (f) Parenthood and ability to bond Psychiatry, 176, pp.83-5 Hofberg K. & Ward MR. (2003) ‘Fear of pregnancy and childbirth’, Postgrad. Med. J., 79, pp.505- I have already mentioned that medi- 510. cal interventions are more likely with Zar M. (2001) ‘Diagnostic aspects of fear of child- Message from birth’, Linköping Studies in Education and women who have a dread of child- Psychology, Dissertation No 78. birth. Ryding et al (1998 #2) found O’Connor TG, Ben-Shlomo Y, Heron J, Golding J, the Editor: that the mode of delivery influences Adams D, Glover V . (2005) ‘Prenatal Anxi- ety Predicts Individual Differences in Cortisol the women’s psychological state after in Pre-Adolescent Children’, Biol Psychiatry, 58, HELP!!! the delivery - with more negative pp.211-217. psychological reactions being associ- Teixeira JMA., Fisk NM. & Glover V. (1999) ‘Asso- I’m really keen that this ciation between maternal anxiety in pregnancy ated with assisted deliveries. and increased uterine artery resistance index: Journal continues to be a cohort based study’, British Medical Journal, platform for NCH members 318, pp.153-157. The biological sciences of the 1990’s Glover V. (2006) ‘Antenatal maternal stress/anxiety to communicate their ideas, are now showing that the first hour and effects on child neurodevelopment’, Early discoveries and experiences. following birth is a critical period in Human Dev., 82, pp.534-534. Odent, Michel (1984) Birth Reborn: What Childbirth the development of the capacity to Should Be. Random House Inc. If you have something to love. After the birth, there is a peak in Dick-Read, Grantly (2004) Childbirth Without Fear: say that would be of value oxytocin after the delivery of the baby The Principles and Practice of Natural Child- birth, Pinter & Martin Ltd. to your fellow members - which can induce maternal behav- Ryding EL., Wijma K. & Wijma B.(1998) ‘Expe- whether it’s something you iour. An antagonist, such as cortisol, riences of emergency caesarean section: a phenomenological study of 53 women’, BIRTH, have picked up from outside can hamper this (Odent, 1994). 25, pp.246-51. Ryding EL., Wijma K. & Wijma B. (1998) ‘Psycho- of Hypnotherapy that you The system which protects us from logical impact of emergency caesarean section think is useful, a metaphor, in comparison with elective caesarean section, pain is also the system which gives instrumental and normal delivery’, J Psycho- script or technique, a book us pleasure - natural opiates (endor- som Obstet Gynaecol, 19, pp.135-44. you want to review, a case phins), resulting in pleasure and Odent, Michel (1994) ‘Preventing Violence or Devel- oping the Capacity to Love: Which Perspective? study, or a flash of inspira- attachment. If a mother and baby Which Investment?’, Primal Health Research, tion you want to share - just are close to each other before they 2(3) Winter. send it to me: have eliminated their opiates, they As the founder and director of the are creating a mutual dependency or Easibirthing institute, Sharon runs [email protected] attachment relationship. Hypnosis for Childbirth courses privately and as part of a contract

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 17 I have been retired for more than a The Lighter Side decade now, and I can still see that lady clearly in my mind, and in a way, she was a salutary lesson in always By A. B. King being prepared for the unexpected. Like every other therapist with a few years practice, I soon learnt that whereas the majority of patients are perfectly reasonable people, things can go wrong from time to time; there may be misunderstandings, accidents or even gremlins to lighten the life of the hardworking practitioner. e are all familiar with of your own? As I subsequently learned, this lady the more serious side of was firmly convinced that people in our profession: helping The elderly lady sitting in the chair my profession existed solely to treat the bereaved to come opposite my desk looked at me in a pelvic illnesses, and nothing else! Wto terms with their loss; reducing the dubious fashion. Vaguely resembling pain of terminally ill patients; freeing the ‘granny’ as featured in the famous After some years of dabbling as a people of the nightmares that have Giles cartoons I was naturally keep- complete amateur, my professional come close to destroying their exist- ing a wary eye on her tightly furled career started under the guidance of ence; dealing with the suicidal and umbrella clutched defensively tight in a well-established practitioner, and I those who have given up all hope. her fist. She had arrived at the clinic soon discovered that there is a wealth One has no choice but to develop an without an appointment, and having of difference between ‘dabbling’, aura of detachment; yet all of us at a free period I had agreed to see her. and dealing with genuinely sick and times reach the end of the day feeling Initially very noncommittal about worried people for real. Even after mentally drained from the effort put the nature of her problem, I sought many weeks of serious training I was in. However, if we are honest, there is to allay her tension by explaining in never unleashed on anyone with seri- a lighter side to things, and I doubt broad terms the principles of hypno- ous problem, being required to ‘cut if my own experience garnered over therapeutic treatment. Judging by my teeth’ on such basic tasks as help- some forty years is much different the glowering expression with which ing people to quit smoking and the from anybody else’s. she favoured me, I was making little like. Eventually the day dawned when headway. I was finally allowed to work directly When I first set up the clinic and with my first patient, and unsuper- opened for business, I soon discovered “Dunno wot yer talking abaht,” she vised. Well, there has to be first time that my telephone number was very interrupted truculently, “Wossall that for anybody! similar to the local acupuncturist’s. At gotta do wiv my ‘ip?” the time, this gentleman was offer- The patient was a man consider- ing a stop-smoking course involving I admit to being slightly mystified by ably older than myself, who gave the the fixing of a stud to the ear of the the question. impression of having little patience, patient which they were required to and even less of a sense of humour. massage whenever they felt the urge “Your hip?” I queried, “You mean?” In those far off days, the stop-smok- to smoke. I was standing by the tele- ing course favoured by that particular phone one morning when it rang, and “Corsits me ‘ip; you thick or summit?” clinic was a single one-hour session. on picking the receiver up I heard a I endeavoured to exude confidence not-very-well-educated female voice I decided that the question was and skill, although in truth I had saying: “’ere, are you the bloke wot rhetorical and not worthy of a direct little of the former, and even less of sticks fings in people’s ears?” reply. the latter! However, I’m pleased to say that the patient proved to be a The resulting picture this conjured up “Madam, if you have a medical condi- responsive subject, and everything has often caused me to smile. Hope- tion, I don’t quite see...” went by the book. At the comple- fully, some of my other reminiscences tion of the session I asked him how will cause some of you to smile also, I didn’t get any farther. he felt. or maybe you will recognise the situa- tion as being markedly similar to one “Well, is you or ain’t you a ‘ipolist?” “Fine,” he exclaimed expansively,

18 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk “absolutely fine!” and shortly after ominous fashion. passive to the end of the session. that he left, and I heaved a big sigh Finally he opened his eyes and looked of relief at having passed the first Working in this manner, and having at me with a strange expression, and major hurdle in my chosen career heard the cassettes so frequently, they I steeled myself for the worst. without mishap. were just background noise to me as I concentrated on the correspondence “There we are, Mr X,” I said as cheer- A couple of days later he was back. on the desk. I was half way through fully as I could, “How do you feel?” scribbling out some notes for another “Hello, Mr So-and-so,” I greeted him, patient when quite suddenly warn- “Very relaxed, thank you,” he trying to hide the anxiety I immedi- ing bells started to ring in my mind: responded politely, fixing me with his ately felt on seeing him return, “You something was wrong! I immediately totally expressionless eyes, “but I’m are not still smoking those disgusting switched off from what I was doing afraid I didn’t quite understand that cigarettes are you?” and listened to what I was saying to bit in the middle.” the patient. “Good Heavens no, old boy,” he Needless to say, it was the sort of responded jovially. To my horror I finally registered what mistake that a responsible practi- was wrong; there was my voice on tioner never makes more than once! “That’s good,” I said, vastly relieved the tape recorder solemnly assuring to discover that I had been successful this venerable gentleman that never I was in the reception of the clinic after all, “What can I do for you?” again in his life would he ever experi- one day reading through some notes ence the slightest degree of difficulty when the door opened and a man “I was just wondering if you could with menstruation! Paperwork went came in. The receptionist being at help me to stop smoking a pipe?” flying as I made a frenzied grab for lunch, and with no patients due I the recorder. Ad-libbing like a maniac looked up expectantly at this chance Many years later I had an echo of I swiftly extracted the tape, substi- visitor. A short, round man of about that situation with another smok- tuted the correct one and finally seventy years of age who reminded ing patient. This one reminded me settled down as I watched the patient me instantly of that famous comic of a retired clergyman. A very quietly like a hawk. There was no change of of a few years ago, Charlie Drake, spoken man who seemed to be as expression, and he remained totally (no, he didn’t say, ‘allo my darlin’!’) dry as dust in his approach to every- thing; he never once smiled in all the  time that I knew him. He came to me during a particularly busy period at  the clinic, and I was working under  about as much pressure as I could cope with, which is my excuse for   what followed.        By this time I was making extensive  use of tape recorders for dealing with     standard conditions such as smoking    courses etc, and my procedure, once  I had established a requisite degree of     hypnosis, was to advise the patient  that I would continue talking to them via an audio cassette. (Naturally, all of Full price £175 - only £100 for NCH members this having been previously explained Taught by NCH member David Botsford, to the patient and agreed to.) On this author of the book “Hypnosis for Smoking Cessation” particular morning I was running well behind schedule in everything, but   luckily this gentleman settled down   easily, and as soon as I could decently  do so, I switched on the tape recorder and scuttled back to my desk where www.selfhypnosiscd.co.uk/marketing the paperwork was piling up in an

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 19

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com he was very bandy, and rolled rather to give her, and my explanation of For example, a good many years than walked in. He had the stub of what was involved in treatment. She ago now I came into the clinic one a cigarette between his fingers, and eventually decided that she would morning a couple of weeks before he took a drag on this as he lurched like to make the requisite appoint- Christmas and only upon arrival did I towards me. He half collapsed on ments. realise that I had left my briefcase at the reception counter, coughing and home. As it happened, there were no spluttering like blazes in the most Explaining that I would still need to patients scheduled for that morning, alarming manner. see the patient before being able to and having explained the oversight to make such a commitment, I asked her my receptionist, told her that I would “I gotta problem!”, he gasped, stating if she would mind giving me some be returning home to collect it. In the obvious, and then took another details of the person for whom she the course of conversation it tran- deep draw on the ciga- was ‘acting’. spired that both she, and the young rette. ‘work experience’ girl that we had on “It is my husband,” she the staff at the time both needed to “Oh yes,” I responded replied, “surely I can deliver cards to friends or relatives in dubiously as he “I just want you to make the arrangements the area close to where I live, and the coughed and splut- ‘ipnotoze her and for him?” long and the short of it was that I tered in all directions, get her to leave my agreed that the pair of them could “and what might that boyfriend alone.” “I’m sorry,” I persisted, accompany me on this short journey be?” “I shall have to see and so that they could make their deliver- talk with him before I ies. Another drag, followed can undertake any sort by more coughing and of treatment.” I should mention here that the young spluttering as he stubbed the minis- girl, let’s call her Helen, which is noth- cule remains of the cigarette out on “I’m afraid that might be a bit diffi- ing like her real name, had a most the ashtray that stood on the counter. cult,” she said, looking slightly unprepossessing boyfriend who used This was immediately knocked onto embarrassed, “He likes to be asked to hang around outside the clinic the floor as another fierce paroxysm about these things first.” waiting for her to finish of a night. I seized him, and finally he leaned on had only ever seen him at a distance, his elbows trying to focus a pair of “I quite understand,” I responded and what I had seen hadn’t filled me bleary, blood-shot eyes on me. gallantly, “perhaps either you or your with any particular desire to decrease husband will telephone once you that distance. We returned from our “It’s a terrible problem,” he assured have talked matters over?” brief journey in good spirits (along me solemnly, “it’s going to kill me!” with the briefcase!) and as we pulled “Oh, there will be no need for that,” up outside the clinic we were aston- “Well, that’s what cigarettes will do she said quickly, and turning to look ished to see the boyfriend hammering to you if you don’t quit!” at a chair that stood against one wall with both fists on the clinic door, and of the consulting room she added, obviously beside him self with rage. “Cigarettes be buggered, I drink too “Are you happy about this Charles?” much!” “I know you’re in there,” he was She caught sight of my startled shouting as I emerged from the car, On another occasion, a quietly expression. “You filthy slut, how could you? I’ve dressed, well-spoken middle-aged heard all about men like him, you lady sitting by my desk explained “It’s all right,” she said, “he is a bit wait until I get my hands on the pair that she was talking to me on behalf shy about talking to other people, of you I’m gonna...” of someone else. This was the sort of but he says he is quite happy to come thing that has happened many time; whenever it is convenient.” “Excuse me,” I interrupted, “can I some nervous patients will send a rela- help?” tive or close friend to ‘test the water’ It isn’t always patients (or my own before summoning up the courage shortcomings!) that produce lighter “Who the hell are you?”, he to attend in person. We spent some moments, and it has to be admit- demanded, and resumed his hammer- time discussing what appeared to be ted that not all such moments are ing and shouting. a fairly run of the mill anxiety related thought of as being ‘light’ when they condition, and she seemed well satis- occur. “I’m the man ‘like him’”, I said point- fied with the information I was able edly, “ and the young lady designated

20 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk as a ‘filthy slut’ is standing behind announced truculently. his lips and a vacant glaze in his eyes. me with her colleague. Now, you The pair of them were holding hands, were saying that you are going to do; “I’m sorry, I am on my way to see a and it crossed my mind that if this what?” patient,” I explained as I fought for was the ‘boy-friend’ I’d heard about, breath, “If you would like to see my the woman deserved a medal. Still, Helen told me later that the ‘romance’ receptionist, she will be pleased to there’s no accounting for taste. was over, and I for one thought she make you...” had had a narrow escape “If you would like to come with me,” “Yeah, I know all about that,” she I managed to gasp, trying not to be It was a hot summer’s day, and the interrupted, grabbing my arm and sick over the patient (they tend to next patient on my list was a ‘Miss X’ attempting to anaesthetise me with object to such reactions) as I spoke. who wished to speak to me about “a her breath which was even more very personal matter.” I spoke on the pungent than the body odour, “That’s “Look, I don’t need no treatment!”, internal telephone to my receptionist my daughter; look, I don’t care what she announced, displaying an inter- to request that she be brought to the excuse she gives you, just get ‘er to esting selection of rotting teeth as consulting room. leave my boyfriend alone!” she dropped the man’s hands like two dollops of wet fish on his lap “I think it might be better if you come With that she flounced off out of the down here,” she replied, “ I’ve put her building. Feeling mildly amazed that “Then why are you here?” in the interview room. She’s in there the paint wasn’t peeling off the walls with her family.” I reached the door of the interview “It was the only way I could get mum room and opened it up. Well, if the here.” “Is there some sort of problem?” I stench outside was bad, it was like asked, picking up on the odd note in roses compared to the interior of that “I don’t understand.” I said, more her voice straight away. room! Trying not to gag I looked concerned about the difficulties with round and saw two figures. One was my breathing than anything else at “Er, I’d rather you formed you own a young woman, undoubtedly the that moment. opinion.” prospective patient who appeared to be a slightly more immature version “I just want you to ‘ipnotoze her and I made my way to the interview room, of the woman who had just left, and get her to leave my boyfriend alone.” which was rarely used unless we were the second figure that of a man of being a bit run off our feet, and as indeterminate age who looked (and The penny dropped. I approached, the door opened and smelled!) just as offensively as the a woman of about fifty years of age women. “You mean, this gentleman here?” emerged and headed towards me. She was considerably overweight, shab- Gormless is the word that’s springs to “That’s right, I only get him on bily dressed, and the sheer undiluted mind as I think of that man. Dirty, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, body-odour she radiated threatened unkempt, with straggly hair, a stubbly he has to satisfy her on Tuesdays, to choke me. face, with the remains of what was Thursdays and Saturdays.” probably his last meal on his chin, he “I wanna word with you,” she sat there with a permanent grin on www.hypnotherapy-resources.com John Hudson MNCH Senior Clinician F.A.P.H.P “Words that change lives” CPD Training Courses Resource Packs in Bristol or Bath Sport, Stress Management, Inductions, Scripts, Metaphors Improve your Practice Theory and Practise for Sport, Stress Management, Successful Therapy Successful Stop Smoking, Practice Building etc. Training CDs £27.00 Effective Reflective Language The Affect Bridge (includes Stop-Smoking Demo CD) Dates, venues, fees - see web page

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hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 21 “Who gets the benefit of his charms church.” She rose from her chair, and then on Sunday?” I asked, by now going paused as she reached the doorway blue in the face. I tried to picture the resulting scene to look back at me for a moment. and failed. “Oh, he goes home to his wife.” “By the way,” she said, “If an old lady “What on earth do you do if you comes through here, pay no attention The girl was still protesting volubly catch the little b- er, miscreants?” to her, it’s my mother.” as I ejected her and the ‘boy-friend’ from the building prior to throwing “What would you expect of a man “Oh, I didn’t realise you had your open every window and door in the of the cloth? I speak to them of the mother living here with you,” I place, and allowing my receptionist Word of the Lord.” responded. to revive me with a strong cup of tea. Thinking of the feral pack of semi- “Oh, she’s not of the living,” she said I was well and truly caught by a human beasts I had been coping with airily, “she just flits through here clergyman quite early on in my recently I couldn’t somehow see that from time to time.” And with that she career. A man of about my own working. departed, and I was left half expect- age, with a university background ing some sort of wraith to go drifting and a pronounced ‘Oxford’ accent “But what do you do if that fails?” I past! he appeared to possess no sense asked. of humour at all, yet for all that I Visiting patients in their homes is found him a most interesting man “Oh, that is simple,” he replied, always a risky business, particularly to converse with. Treatment for a putting the tips of his fingers together in modern times. In fact it is a prac- personal condition went encour- and looking decidedly beneficent, “I tice that I reluctantly had to aban- agingly to plan, and he was clearly kick them up the arse.” don during my last years in prac- well satisfied, and said so in his usual tice. Most of the people I saw were quiet and dignified manner. He looked at me blankly, and to this decent reasonable types, but every day I don’t know if he spoke in jest so often one came across a situation On the day of his last appointment or in earnest! which made everything a bit tricky, he came in a few minutes early, and and none more so than the follow- I was fulminating over the latest I reached Mrs M’s home quite late one ing episode that should be an object outrages of a local gang of vandals evening. I had tacked her onto the lesson for any therapist who offers a who had been targeting the exterior end of my list as a favour to a mutual ‘home-treatment’ service. of the clinic. friend. The prospective patient was known to This was a situation that arose out “I know how you me by sight, although of nothing, and all but finished my feel,” he said calmly “Don’t talk daft, I had never actually career. It happened some thirty years as I finished a brief you’d never get spoken to her. She was ago now, yet it remains fresh in my description of what a widow of about sixty memory, and it served to bring home had happened, and three of us in this years of age, smartly to me the very real dangers of home how annoyed I felt loo!” but not ostentatiously visiting. For obvious reasons I have as a consequence, dressed, and her home, changed identifiable details, but the “From time to time although perhaps essence of the matter is completely I also suffer from small by some peoples’ true, and I freely admit that the the unwanted attention of feckless standards, was nicely furnished and potential humour of the situation youngsters at the church.” decorated. She invited me in and bade only became apparent to me long me sit in a comfortable armchair, and after the event. “You know it is youngsters?” I asked after the obligatory mutual commen- curiously. dation of the weather, asked me if An appointment had been made for I would like a cup of tea whilst we me to visit the home of a new patient “Oh indeed, yes,” he responded, discussed the nature of her problem, to discuss what sounded to my recep- “I sometimes come upon them as and how I might be able to help her. tionist on the telephone to be a case they diligently practice writing these of agoraphobia. I reached my desti- strange four letter words that form It had been a long evening, and the nation punctually, discovering to my such a major part of their limited thought of some liquid refreshment annoyance that it was situated in a vocabulary upon the doors of the was quite acceptable, and so I agreed. block of tenements close to the city

22 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk centre. Having trudged up several anyone here with you?” flights of stairs, (the lifts had been vandalised and were out of order) I “Don’t talk daft, you’d never get three found the front door standing wide of us in this loo!” open, to display a highly unsavoury interior. The door itself looked like By this time I knew that I was on a it had been attacked with various loser, and I informed her that in the substances and weapons over a period circumstances I was unable to assist of years, and the internal décor, what her, and thus had no choice but to little I could see of it was generally in cancel the appointment. The decision a very poor state. One quick glance was not well received, and I departed from outside showed that the tenant to the sound of her screaming at of the flat certainly wasn’t terribly the top of her voice that I had to interested in matters domestic. The go in the loo with her! I could still INTERNATIONAL place stank, and rubbish was piled hear that demented voice as I beat haphazardly in various places down a hasty retreat, secretly glad that I ACCREDITATION the dingy hall. had not actually crossed the thresh- old! I returned to the office, thankful The National Guild of Hypnotists is I was tempted to turn around and to have escaped, and congratulated the oldest (founded in 1951) and walk away, and as events transpired, it myself that that was the end of the largest professional society for would certainly have been the wisest matter. hypnotherapists in the world. option. However, in this profession one has to push one’s personal feel- How wrong can one be? The NCH has negotiated a reciprocal ings aside when it comes to helping a agreement with the NGH in the USA, suffering human being, so I knocked I had been back less than an hour which currently has members in 40 loudly on the door. when I received a telephone call from countries. Check their website at a local radio station. It all started www.ngh.net for more information “Oo is it?” called a woman’s voice innocently enough, and I was given about their conferences and from somewhere within. the impression that the call was an publications. initial contact prior to arranging an I announced myself as I stood close interview to expound on the values A 20% discount is available for to the threshold. of hypnotherapy. I have done several your first year’s membership, which of these radio spots, and so it seemed brings with it four editions of the “I’m on the loo!” the woman shouted natural to me that another would be Journal of Hypnotism and four back. in the offing. editions of the Hypno-Gram. “Oh,” I responded, “I apologise for Too late did I suddenly recognise the If you would like to take advantage calling at an inconvenient moment, ‘softening up’ technique beloved of of this opportunity please contact I will wait.” media interviewers, and before I knew the NCH administrators for an what was happening I was being application form. “No, I want you to come in!” regaled with a report of my ‘sicken- ing crimes’ that were now going to “Are you sure?” be put out as part of a programme by that radio station as the spear- “Course I’m sure; you’ve got to come head of a campaign to get ‘perverts’ in to the toilet with me!” such as myself who pretended to be ‘therapists’ off the streets and behind Needless to say alarm bells were now bars! It seemed that the ‘lady’ I had ringing pretty loudly in my head. visited had been on to them in a state of great distress, alleging that I had “I’m very sorry,” I called back, forced her into the toilet of her home, wondering what neighbours were removed her underwear, and made making of this odd conversation, “I highly inappropriate suggestions will wait until you are ready to receive before ‘savagely’ interfering’ with her, some one appropriately. Do you have etc, ad-nauseum.

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 23 For a while it looked as if I was really It must have been about a year later “I see that you are in some pain?” I going to be put through the mangle, that she called in to see me during said to her. but fortunately for me chance took a the lunch hour whilst my receptionist decisive hand. No sooner was that tele- was out. I was standing in the clinic “Frozen shoulder,” she explained, phone call concluded than I received reception area at the time and failed “I’ve had it for some time.” one from a professional colleague on to recognise her immediately. another matter. It crossed my mind “Have you seen your doctor?” that his premises were much closer “Can I help you?” I enquired, believ- to the ‘patient’ than mine, and that ing at that moment that she was just “Yes, he just gives me tablets.” there was a chance that he either a casual enquirer. knew, or knew of, her. My luck was “Let me see if I can help you.” in, not only did he know the person “Hello Mr King,” she said, “I’m Miss concerned, he also knew the patient’s Y; I do hope that you remember me?” I then placed my hand on her shoul- GP! The end result was a formal apol- der and told her that she would feel ogy from the radio station. “Oh yes,” I said as recognition warmth from my fingers, and the dawned, “How are you?” pain would then fade away. Like I said, the humour of the situa- tion only occurred to me much later “Well, that’s why I came to see you; The effect was total. She moved her when another (and perfectly respect- you remember that you got me to arm gingerly at first, and then with able!) patient confided in me that she say over and over again ‘I can and I increasing vigour, calling everyone’s had this ‘thing’ about using the toilet will’?” attention to her ‘miracle’! I told her in her home ‘in case an unexpected that she must return to her doctor visitor should call’! “That’s right,” I agreed, “and you did and ask for an x-ray, but she could very well as I recall. So, what can I do scarcely contain her excitement, and Miss Y had about the worst case of for you now?” the effect on the rest of the audience nonexistent confidence that I have was fairly predictable in the circum- ever come across. A lightly built young “Well,” she said tentatively, “how I stances. One after another they woman in her early twenties, she all shall I put this? My problem is not started clamouring for assistance but slunk into the clinic under the so much ‘I can and I will’ as ‘I could in dealing with various aches and doormat. Although not unattractive, and I did’!” pains, and foolishly, I was touching she did her level best to conceal the one after another, and of course as fact, and in a crowd of two you prob- Only then did understanding dawn as every one knows, the belief in ‘mira- ably would never notice that she was I recognised that she had not just put cles’ once established is contagious. there. Every word and gesture was an on a little weight, she was very obvi- Naturally, I told each person in turn apology for even existing, indeed, I ously pregnant! that they should seek proper medical was mildly puzzled how she had got evaluation of their condition. so far in life without somebody else I suppose that my favourite light doing something quite desperate to moment came when I was invited to Right at the back of the hall was help her. give a lecture to a ladies’ club. The a truly ferocious looking woman meeting was convened in a small built something along the lines of a Be that as it may, we worked together comfortable hall, and there were female Sumo wrestler, and a face that for quite a long time, we dealt with about two dozen ladies present, of reminded me of a hippo. As I finally a number of factors that lay at the varying ages and from a variety of came close to her she looked up at root of the matter, and gradually the walks in life. The lecture appeared to me with a baleful expression, bared situation showed signs of improve- have been well received, and during her yellow teeth and snarled: “Young ment. The basis for the latter part the course of my discourse I noticed man, if you think you are putting of treatment consisted of instilling that one of the ladies sitting in the your hand where I’ve got a pain, within her the correct attitude to life front row was obviously in some you’ve got another think coming!” expressed in the mantra ‘I can and I degree of pain associated with her will’. Gradually she began to blossom, shoulder. Having already formed the She was dead right about that! and I felt pleased with the results, opinion that she was highly suggest- and a the completion of treatment ible, I couldn’t resist finishing matters she thanked me profusely for turning off with a touch of the light theat- her life round. ricals.

24 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk The Solution Focused Solution Focused Brief Approach to Hypnotherapy Therapy: The Beginning Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg (a married couple) became the origi- By Kay Cook nators of Solution Focused Brief Therapy when they created the Brief Therapy Centre in Milwaukee, USA. They were soon joined by Yvonne Dolan and others. The solution focused approach was radical in that patterns which were to become his it was solution rather than problem Milton H Erickson: The future. focused; thus clients were enabled to Inspiration move from a problem centred mind- He would lay in bed visualising what set to a solution focused mindset. it would be like to walk, noting the The approach is client centred, non- The history to solution focused smallest of mechanics which were judgemental and solutions are often therapy is a fascinating one and the cogs in the machine of the act not linked to the problem in a direct many people do not realise that it of walking. Unwittingly he activated way. For example, a client found was inspired by the work of the very the rehearsal room of his mind as he playing tennis improved her ability famous American psychiatrist and went over and over the small changes to concentrate at work as well as her hypnotherapist Milton H Erickson. which would be the beginning of social life! The life story of this gentleman is standing and of walking, skills which a huge inspiration and is of its own he went on to regain. The Brief Therapy Centre dealt mainly accord an illustration of the power with family problems which had often of a solution focused mind. Erick- Even then Erickson was sowing the become very complex over time. It son battled the paralysing affects of seeds of utilisation by locating inner was a revelation for the therapist to polio not once but twice having very resources gathered in other times be able to ask each family member unusually contracted the condition and other experiences and apply- present what they would see as twice, the first time when he was a ing them in this new context. He improvement, how would they recog- high school graduate. qualified as a psychiatrist and hypno- nise that improvement and what therapist rapidly acquiring a reputa- changes those small changes which When he heard the doctor tell his tion for what came to be known as were the beginnings of improvement mother “the boy will be dead by his “teaching tales” and metaphors. would bring to others close to them. morning” Erickson mustered an He would often succeed therapeuti- In this way the Client would shift instinctive solution focused response cally with cases where from problem forma- to the news. He became infuriated but his colleagues had tion mode into solu- quickly calmed himself and requested failed to create positive a client found tion formation mode. his mother to move a piece of furni- change. playing tennis ture to enable him to see the view improved her ability The originators of The from the window better. If his demise Naturally Erickson’s to concentrate at Brief Therapy Centre really was imminent he was certainly work was observed by used the therapy for going to enjoy the best possible view! many therapists who work as well as her a wide range of prob- sought to recreate social life lems including depres- Erickson regarded the time he spent his success. Grinder sion, behavioural prob- confined to bed with only the senses and Bandler were lems, addiction, family of sight and hearing to entertain inspired by some aspects of his work and relationship problems, anxiety, him as an education. He learnt to and created NLP (Neuro Linguistic self-harm, phobia and stress related be an observer of human movement, Programming). Most hypnotherapists issues. Solution focused Brief Ther- intention, thought, expression and today incorporate some NLP tech- apy spread to Europe and the UK with achievement. This close observa- niques in their work. BRIEF being formed in London. tion awakened in him the interest and understanding of unconscious When hypnotherapists began to

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 25 be trained in the Solution Focused been different, what has been better (akin to a stone age man looking for Approach the circle of inspiration had even in very small ways and what more dangers). really turned full circle linking back might other people have noticed. to Milton H Erickson the hypnothera- b) The creative potential of the right pist who inspired Steve de Shazer and f) Creativity is increased and positive brain is calibrated towards spotting Insoo Kim Berg! happy memories are accessed sponta- more threats, becoming every more neously and far more often. hypervigilant and creating more Within the last ten years the number anxiety. Pattern matches to memo- of hypnotherapists who have been g) Playfulness, lightness, laughter ries where an emotional not a logical trained in this approach in the UK has and creativity to be present. match is made. This system of illogi- greatly increased. The approach is cal pattern matching is very active in flexible and is as applicable to work- h) Therapy is non-judgemental, sowing the seeds of phobic responses ing with anxiety, phobia or depres- encourages mindfulness and is or simply those times when we say sion as it is to exam performance or respectful of your own wisdom. to ourselves “I can‘t“. Evolutionar- public speaking. Indeed the approach ily this emotional matching system has been used successfully to maxim- i) Homework experiments are is useful. For example, when a child ise sporting performance both at the suggested by therapist with clients burns itself for the first time it learns recreational and world championship being invited to add their own. If a to be cautious around all sources of level. I trained in Solution Focused client wishes to substitute their own heat not just the one which caused Hypnotherapy at the Clifton Prac- homework experiment for the one the burn. It is emotional matching tice in Bristol in 2006 knowing the suggested that is welcomed. and feeling anxious too close to heat approach would be compatible with which allows the child to learn with- the evolutionary understanding of j) NLP techniques will be used by out the need for repeat burns. It is the mind which had interested me for most therapists in some circum- easy to see how helpful this response many years. stances particularly where phobic or is in dealing with physical danger but compulsive responses are present. how unhelpful when dealing with Solution Focused Hypnotherapy: most 21st century threats. What to expect c) In this mode the subconscious a) Time spent discussing problem The Solution Focused Mind mind does what it did to keep our formation to be limited to under- ancestors safe - it will reference back standing the difference between making an emotional match to the operating in problem formation mode Before we look at how and why this past. In this mode we are recycling and solution formation mode. is so let us take a moment to look at a program and are not innovative why the problem focused mind is so thinkers - for innovative thinking we b) The formation or origin of a prob- unhelpful. need to be in solution focused mode. lem to be explained in terms of how the brain works. The influence of The Problem with a Problem Focused The benefits of The Solution thinking styles will be discussed. Mind Focused Mind c) The therapist presumes you have When we feel threatened we run the a) Our left brain intellectual and inner strengths, potential, resources, ancient fight, flight or freeze response language capacity are fully available creativity and life skills which you are which kept our ancestors safe and is a to us and are calibrated to deal with not yet utilising. valuable response in dangerous situ- problems and make the most of life. ations but this response is our “emer- We can train the left brain to take d) Hypnotherapy is used in every gency button“. When we perceive a control in this way which includes session to lower anxiety, help you benign threat in modern life we still the capacity to put itself in standby into solution focused mode and press our emergency button if our mode whilst we do something purely create the changes you identify at a anxiety is at a high enough level creative. We deal with things instead subconscious level with greater ease when the following will occur:- of sweeping them under the carpet. and rapidity. A CD is usually provided In solution focused hypnotherapy we for use at home. a) Our left brain capacity including greatly increase this capacity. our language faculty is greatly dimin- e) In second and subsequent sessions ished and is calibrated to search for b) The holistic mind: The full crea- the therapist will ask you what has anything else which could go wrong tive positively focused potential

26 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk of the right brain is available to us we are meant to have our parasympa- Rachie also used PET to find brain and working in synergy with the left thetic nervous system in control most areas associated with words and brain. The left brain is able to go into of the time as our bodies work better noted that these areas active at rest positive standby mode whenever the and age more slowly that way - to do became quiet as soon as the person positively focused imagination of the that in modern life we need to focus began physical activity. In 1997 right brain is the better resource to on solutions. The sympathetic nerv- these results were collaborated by problem solve or enjoy life. Anxiety ous system is there to be activated by Gordon Shulman and he and Rachie levels are kept low ensuring our auto- our emergency button in dangerous published a joint paper in 2001 posit- matic thoughts are positive ones! situations - it was designed for infre- ing they had discovered a hitherto quent use and rapid unrecognised default mode which the c) The subconscious resolution with a return brain only sets aside when it focuses mind will create and to intellectual and on something else. This work led keep updating new parasympathetic nerv- Rachie to speculate that the default positive reactions and for innovative ous system control. By network might provide the brain with thoughts to help us thinking we need focusing on the solu- an “inner rehearsal” for future actions as we live our lives. to be in solution tion we are creating the and choices. This concept fits in very Our thoughts are both focused mode equivalent of that rapid nicely with the model of the mind realistic and inspir- resolution!” that we work from as SFBTHyp in ing. The mind working which the imagination is the rehearsal in synergy in this way Solution Focused room of life. In SFBTHyp we assist can be an awesome Hypnotherapy and the client to operate the power of machine. Neuroscience: Some Supportive choice by setting the default mode to Research work in solution focused mode. Neurotransmission Day dreaming is what the brain As far as hypnosis goes the work of We produce lots of wonderful sero- gets up to when it is not occupied Woolley went further positing that tonin which allows us to feel we are by anything in particular. Marcus brain studies including PET and equal to and coping with the chal- Rachie, a neuroscientist at Washing- EEG’s have shown the involvement lenges of life. There are hundreds ton University, St Louis has carried of the anterior cingulate cortex, the of neurotransmitters but it would out a lot of research into this area. It thalamus and brainstem (ponto- seem that serotonin is the “key in the had been established that the brain mesencephalic) to be involved in the door” of positive neurotransmission. uses a huge amount of energy in production of hypnotic experiences. Major players in the neurotransmis- proportion to its dimension using The anterior cingulate cortex is sion cycle are serotonin, noradrenalin even more than the heart and he active in novelty detection and disso- and dopamine. Serotonin helps us to wanted to know what caused such a ciation from sensory input. Wool- cope with life, noradrenalin is a moti- high usage. ley notes “A conceptual framework vating factor so we create successful has been proposed which integrates action and when we feel successful He carried out studies into this area neurophysiology, systems thinking we create dopamine which leads to of the brain which utilised so much and psychology, as complementary more serotonin - so as you can see energy which fires up whenever the factors in hypnosis (citing Hasegawa solution focusing is an important tool brain is otherwise unoccupied. In and Jameson 2002)”. As hypnothera- within therapy but also a skill for life. doing so he discovered a new func- pists we have long since understood tional system within the brain - that hypnosis is both associative and When our neurotransmission operates default mode. disassociative allowing us to let go of properly we cope with life better and unwanted response patterns and to this also has physical benefits. When Guilio Tononi of The University of install new preferred responses, it is we generate the proper chemicals we Wisconsin-Madison was very excited good that we now understand how deal with long term conditions includ- by this stating “it’s not very frequent this operates within the brain. ing chronic pain better and we sleep that a new functional system is iden- better. Our parasympathetic nerv- tified in the brain…” Some neuro- ous system is in control which means scientists assign this new functional we are calmer physically with lower system the role of selecting memories blood pressure, better immune func- and mulling over future possibilities tion, better digestion and many other and combining them into a personal improved functions. Evolutionarily narrative.

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 27 Therapies (IAPT) national programme Clinical Outcomes has instigated a procedure of sessional collection of these measures – i.e. at each and every contact with a clini- Measurement - Burden or cian. In the IAPT programme, serv- ices have a target to collect repeated Therapeutic tool? clinical data from more than 90% of their patients. Even people who drop out of treatment in an unscheduled manner, therefore, will have some By Catherine O’Neill evidence of their progress before they cease contact with services.

utcomes measurement is scales are implemented and where Within the IAPT programme, the now seen as an essential data is used to help the clinician and importance of such regular data is part of the administration the client plan and carry out treat- particularly acute for the manage- involved in therapy, but ment. Most systems have focussed on ment of stepped care. Stepped care manyO believe it can also be a benefi- providing commissioners with service relies on a systematic method of cial therapeutic tool for use with cli- level audit data. assessing the progress of patients ents to identify areas of progress (or so that they can be offered the best lack thereof) and to formulate treat- However, even this tends to be incom- treatment. Many people respond very ment plans. plete with the best attempts reporting well to low-intensity treatments such less than 40% completion rates by as guided self-help but others require At Anxiety UK, a user led mental clinicians for post-therapy measures more intensive therapy. Sessional health charity that provides therapy (Stiles et al, 2006; 2008). Part of the outcome measures allow ‘stepping services nationally, we have recently reason for this is that most systems up’ decisions to be taken earlier undergone a reorganisation of our collect data intermittently, usually rather than later and avoid people therapy services and introduced pre pre- and post-treatment. If people languishing in treatment programmes and post outcome measures into the drop out of treatment before the when there is little improvement. service, to bring us in line with many post-treatment measurement point Unless health and/or social outcomes statutory primary mental health care or clinicians forget to collect the next are recorded accurately, regularly and services. set of measures, services have no frequently stepped care cannot be objective way of knowing the extent self-correcting. We work with clinical hypnotherapists to which they have helped the person across the UK and value the contribu- or not. Furthermore, we also know The measurement of clinical outcomes tion this group of professionals has to that incomplete data tends to overes- is not, therefore, merely an audit make in the treatment of anxiety. timate the overall effect of treatment process. Clinicians can use the data services, since it is provided by question- However, with the movement towards likely that people who naires to structure their evidence based practice, particularly ‘stay the course’ will be the collection of conversations, feed- in the NICE guidance and the commis- those most likely to be outcomes data for back to patients their sioning on the basis of outcomes, all improved. hypnotherapists progress, confirm their therapeutic services need to ensure presents a unique clinical interview infor- they are able to objectively evidence Ironically, the idea mation and manage the impact they make on clients. that rating scales are opportunity to the therapy process. In useful and appreci- show this discipline IAPT, scores on some David Richards, Professor of Mental ated by patients is as credible measures are collected Health Services Research, Mood often resisted by clini- onto electronic infor- Disorders Centre, School of Psychol- cians but supported mation systems which ogy, University of Exeter reports that, by patients themselves (Richards et automatically alert workers and their in many mental health services, the al, 2006). As a consequence of the supervisors to when a patient needs progress of patients is often assessed finding that patients appreciate the prioritising for supervision discus- irregularly, subjectively and infre- use of outcome measures during sions. These measures are, therefore, quently. Few services have instigated their contact with clinicians, the UK’s a critical component of the IAPT systems whereby objective rating Improving Access to Psychological method contributing as they do to

28 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk supervision discussions, stepped care collection of outcomes data for It will not only lead to hypnotherapy self-correction decisions and clinical hypnotherapists presents a unique becoming increasingly mainstream, decision making. opportunity to show this discipline but will result in hypnotherapy as credible, professional, and to achieving a higher understanding At Anxiety UK, we have found that compare its effectiveness objectively among mental health professionals. the introduction of these outcome with other disciplines. measures has been readily taken up Catherine O’Neill can be contacted by some therapists, yet others fail I encourage hypnotherapy bodies to at [email protected] or on to return even one set of complete get behind this movement of outcome 08444 775 774 data for their clients. I believe the focused and evidence based practice. Congratulations to our latest HPD qualifiers!

Lee S ADLEY Sarah FORD Natalia MACKEY John ANGUS Daryl FRASER Benjamin MANNING Susan BAYLISS Emily GALE Lesley MCCALL Thomas BECK Judith GOLDSMITH Paula MCGOWAN Jo BIDDULPH Carol GOODWIN Jayne MOFFATT Linda BIGGS Elaine GORRIE Giselle MONBIOT Frances BROOKSBANK Stuart GREENWOOD Nicola MORWOOD Penelope BROWN Joanna GUILIE Hilary MURRAY Dee BRYAN Ruth GUTTERIDGE Melanie PHILLIPS Richie BRYAN Seeta HAIDER Annaliiese PLOWRIGHT David BURGUM Ann HALL Barbie POOLE Chris CALLOWAY Clive HAMMOND Ian POPLE Karen CARTER laurie HARVEY Marie POWELL Wendy CHALK Nicholas HOLLAND Pauline PRIEST Tony COK Christina E HOLLAND Adele RICHMOND Gary CONDON Sam HOLLINGDALE Martin RIVETT Jenny COOK Nadine HOLT Sandra ROYCROFT-DAVIS Tessa COOKE William HONEY Samantha SMITH Sharon CORBRIDGE Jill HOWLESON Stuart SMITH claire COTTON Christian HUGHES Linda STEWART Marc CRAIG Janette HUNTER Agne TALMANTAITE Darren CUDDY Emma JOHNSON Tracie TEMPORAL Margaret CURLEY Jane JONES Susan VIVIIAN Susan DRAKE Sian JONES-SOUABNI Rebecca P WHITE Janette DUMBLE Erika KEAT Kim WILSON Jennifer EDDOLLS Caroline LASKOWSKA Joanna R WITTELS Prudence ELKINGTON Hedwige LERICHE Lubna YAQUB Andrew EVANS David LEWIS Lisa YELLAND Alexandra EVERDEN Dennis LINDSEY Giancarlo FALCHI Ross LIVINGS Want to see your name here? Contact Jill Tonks at [email protected] or visit www.hypnotherapypractitioner.org

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 29 CPD Diary Important Note: Official NCH CPD courses are listed with a purple background and are maximum of £60/day.

Other CPD listings are for infor- mation only; listing does not imply NCH endorsement.

Schools: Please see note at the end of the CPD Diary June 2010 Date Title / Trainer Venue Cost Contact Thu 10th The Nature and Treatment of Tinnitus Central Lon- £60 UK Academy (Wales & Borders) David Collingwood-Bell don Tel: 01978 769178 Email: [email protected] Sat 12th Weight Control Masterclass Norwich £60 East Anglian Institute Joy Gower Tel: 0845 833 0842 Email: [email protected] Sun 13th Advanced Smoking Workshop Norwich £60 East Anglian Institute Joy Gower Tel: 0845 833 0842 Email: [email protected] Sat 26th Certificate in Working with IBS Chesterfield, £60 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- Carole Wan & Alan Cooper Derbyshire nosis Tel: 01246 416544 Email: [email protected] Sun 27th Certificate in Smoking Cessation Chesterfield, £60 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- Carole Wan & Alan Cooper Derbyshire +VAT nosis Tel: 01246 416544 Email: [email protected] Wed 30th The Nature and Treatment of Tinnitus Liverpool £60 UK Academy (Wales & Borders) David Collingwood-Bell +VAT Tel: 01978 769178 Email: [email protected] July 2010 Date Title / Trainer Venue Cost Contact Sat 3rd Past Life Regression Masterclass Central Lon- £60 East Anglian Institute Joy Gower don Tel: 0845 833 0842 Email: [email protected] Sun 4th Intro to Transactional Analysis & Inner Norwich £60 East Anglian Institute Child Therapy Tel: 0845 833 0842 Sarah McRobert Email: [email protected] August 2010 Date Title / Trainer Venue Cost Contact Tue 3rd, Masterclass in Depressive Disorders Chesterfield, £180 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- (3 days) Carole Wan & Alan Cooper Derbyshire +VAT nosis Tel: 01246 416544 Email: [email protected] Tue 10th Cognitive Therapy for Hypnotherapists Sheffield £120 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- (2 days) Carole Wan & Alan Cooper +VAT nosis Tel: 01246 416544 Email: [email protected]

30 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk Date Title / Trainer Venue Cost Contact Thu 12th Certificate in Energy Psychology Sheffield £ 6 0 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- +VAT nosis Tel: 01246 416544 Email: [email protected] Mon 23rd Cognitive Therapy for Hypnotherapists Watford £120 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- (2 days) Carole Wan & Alan Cooper or Central +VAT nosis Tel: 01246 416544 London Email: [email protected] October 2010 Date Title / Trainer Venue Cost Contact Sat 30th The Nature and Treatment of Tinnitus Birmingham £60 UK Academy (Wales & Borders) David Collingwood-Bell Tel: 01978 769178 Email: [email protected] November 2010 Date Title / Trainer Venue Cost Contact Mon 8th Certificate in Smoking Cessation Watford £60 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- or Central +VAT nosis Tel: 01246 416544 London Email: [email protected] Tues 9th Certificate in Working with IBS Watford or £60 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- Central Lon- +VAT nosis Tel: 01246 416544 don Email: [email protected] Wed 10th Certificate in Energy Psychology Watford or £60 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- Central Lon- +VAT nosis Tel: 01246 416544 don Email: [email protected] Thu 11th Masterclass in Anxiety, Panic & Phobias Watford or £180 Academy of Clinical & Medical Hyp- (3 days) Central Lon- +VAT nosis Tel: 01246 416544 don Email: [email protected]

Training Schools. If you would like to offer NCH approved CPD, please contact the Development Director, John Harrington ([email protected]). For ‘other’ CPD, please contact the Editor (journal@hypnotherapists. org.uk) for Media Pack 04/07. NCH Website News! As part of our commitment to developing member services, and after numerous requests from advertis- ers, we’ve implemented a ‘Third Party Offers’ email option. This allows the NCH to raise additional funds from advertising which we can use for member benefits, as well as allowing carefully selected advertisers to present special offers which may be of interest to NCH members. We hope that you will choose to support the NCH by staying opted in to these occa- sional 3rd Party Advertiser messages - however, if you don’t want them at all, you can opt out online via your NCH account. If you would like to advertise to NCH members via this facility, please contact the Administrators for current pricing. Find out more: [email protected]

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 31 way along this new road of qualifi- I am your Supervisor. cation it may still remain daunting despite your best efforts. By invit- ing us to climb (or in my case not Friend or Foe? Discuss. so much of the climbing, more of a sedate gentle movement as the first flush of youth is now over) regularly By Joy Lawton from time to time into the passen- ger seat alongside you, we can take the opportunity to help and support you as you manoeuvre (have I spelt it right?) your car along the therapy route that suits you best and how you hen I used to see this you give time, money and commit- want to negotiate it. Remember it’s type of question in the ment to this process? Some of you your practice, it’s your journey. past in an exam or test may argue that your hard earned I always used to sigh money could be spent furthering So, looking at junctions, judging any Wand wonder how on earth to answer your practice instead of listening to obstacles, avoiding any road works it. More recently I had a bit more someone telling you what to do and and going through safely on as many of an idea for a potential answer how to do it. Point taken. You may green lights as we can. (I never go when I got someone to look after the argue that your time would be better through on amber or red, do you?) whippets, changed the wooden clogs spent fitting in another client and We do this together within an objec- for normal footwear, and set out in that your commitment isn’t in ques- tive and professional relationship 2009 from a dark and rainy Leeds (it’s tion. Both points taken. I can almost which allows for reflective practice. nearly always grim up north) to travel feel the boredom creeping in already So you get what it says on the tin. down to light and sunny Cambridge about why you’re required to do this A professional service that is the best for the start of my Supervision train- when you feel you don’t necessar- we can offer you in order to take safe ing. During my time ‘down south’ ily need Supervision. So thanks very care of your needs and those of your (northern expression there, sorry) I much, but no thanks. clients. We’d better not forget them! was given bucket loads of expertise, I suppose they do enter the equation experience, time and opportunity to I’ve come to think of being a Hypno- now and again if you come to think explore just what Supervision is, and therapist as akin to driving a car. of it. what it means to everyone involved in Mine of course would be a big red this fascinating hypnotherapy world flashy jag or sports car, although I So how does this Supervision business that we’re engaged in. reckon my husband (unfairly in my work? Well, you have a choice of opinion) would suggest if I ever asked Supervisor to help you do your own Time went really quickly, although him that I would be better suited to a thing. There are lots of us around, not so quickly when certain role play small neat little car with a top speed listed nicely and easily accessible for scenarios (don’t we all love it when of about 40mph. Little does he know, you in each edition of the Journal the trainer says its time for some even though we have been married with our names, the area where we role play situations?) didn’t go quite for years, years, and years! Yes, it’s live/work and our phone numbers. according to plan, (finger points at been a long time now. me for some strange reason) and You can also catch up with us by some occasional hilarity occurred. As Anyway to get back to this driving punching in your own address or the practical and theoretical train- lark again, your trainer/instructor has postcode on the NCH website, where ing continued and then was finalised helped you get to where you are now, you can easily locate us as therapists over the next few very busy months, they have given you a structured and who offer Supervision in relation to I became much more aware of the experienced route to take and you’ve wherever you happen to live. Here, many strands that make up the whole travelled along it and have succeeded for each of us you can find out more tapestry that we call Supervision. in passing your test. You are now details of what we get up to and what qualified and ready to go! Bit daunt- we like to work with. I reckon that So let’s look at this tapestry and ing travelling on your own though it’s a good idea to contact a few of us unravel it a bit so we are all ‘in the isn’t it? I certainly found it so. to see how we would potentially get know’. What can having regular on together, if we would have things Supervision do for you? Why should Even if you’ve travelled some of the in common in how we work (remem-

32 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk ber we are therapists too) and if there met up. Although thinking about it cause us any hassle do they? Don’t is any chance of us not working well now, one of us could have carried the get me started on that one. together, or as Human Resources call Journal under our arm as a signal of it nowadays ‘a clash of personalities’. our identity or our credentials (gosh, Our aim is to help you to move Whatever happened to Personnel? the dictionary is working hard today). with fluency and ease, to increase your confidence and expertise as We would provide you with some Our strategies could surpass even you negotiate your way along more additional information so you would those of James Bond I reckon. You complex, varying and demanding get a better idea about us person- could also opt for group supervision routes on any one journey. All this ally, and in return we would ask although not every Supervisor offers is done under a protective umbrella you to tell us about yourself so we this. So, a selection of Supervisors of safety, protection and stability. So, can both judge if we’re going to be and various methods of Supervision not really telling you what to do, or suited to potentially work together. for you to choose from. If all is tick- how to do it. That’s really boring. My personal information sheet etyboo then we would then draw up You receive quality time on a regu- doesn’t actually tell you that I eat a contract that we both agree with lar basis to help fulfil your needs chips occasionally (plenty of salt and which is reviewed regularly, and then and those of your clients. A double vinegar please) or like the odd glass off we go prepared and ready for that whammy as they say. of red wine that I partake of purely interesting and enjoyable journey! for medicinal purposes after a busy Sounds great doesn’t it? All we client day, or that I can get through Every now and again on this journey need from you is time, some money the top layer of a big box of choco- we would check the map, check your (remember I need my personal supply lates before you can finish saying a destination, what is occurring around of BIG boxes of chocolates) and basic induction (we’re made of stern you and see how together we can commitment – which brings us neatly stuff up north). circumvent (I had to look that one back to where we started. up too) obstacles, red lights, obstruc- Some things are better left unsaid like tions or any tight corners, so we get a The threads in the tapestry I hope are burping, or worse. Still it proves that clear and smooth road as possible to now taking on more of a recognis- we’re human just like you, and have get you from A to B with each client able shape, size and content of its been there in similar situations from and any other additional facets of own so you can begin to get a more time to time, that you might find your therapy practice. We learn from complete picture of how we like to yourself in now or in the future. So, each other. We develop together. work with you. in a nice way we’ve been around the block, we’ve read the book, seen the You have time and Nothing can be as film, bought the tee-shirt, and we’re opportunity to be beneficial or as good still in one piece. Well, almost. able to off-load any as this I hear you say. worries or concerns, I can get through the Well, actually it has You can opt for seeing us individually and to share any top layer of a big box the potential to be face to face if we live within reasona- disappointments and of chocolates before both of those things ble distance from you, or instead you victories with us. We you can finish saying if each of us is ready can have individual telephone super- learn from, and utilise and willing to take up vision if we happen to live a long way each experience in a basic induction the challenge, and if from where you are. Either method is order to make any there is an adequate perfectly acceptable to us. I opted for future journeys easier sharing of rapport, telephone supervision as there was no and better next time empathy and trust one suitable in my area, and this is you go along that route or any other between us. If you wanted to stay still ongoing. If my hour session has route by providing you with a safe and with this professional relationship been arranged to suit us both early in challenging way forward. We know that would be fine, or if after a period the morning, I can talk to my Super- that giving therapy and the confiden- of time you felt you would benefit visor in my jimjams and not worry tiality it necessarily involves can make from working with someone else to about how I look. Wouldn’t admit it our job a really lonely one sometimes. freshen up your approach that would to her though. Just had a thought, she We understand. We would probably be okay too. We would formally might do the same! We meet up from share interesting experiences too close it down and you would be free time to time and because we know as all our clients arrive on time, are to choose and work with someone each other’s voice well we didn’t walk model clients, we never encounter else from the list. If you did choose past each other the first time that we resistance from them and they never to stay with one particular Supervi-

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 33 sor over a period of time then things would perhaps be able to help and ideas, strategies and advice that will would be reviewed on a regular basis support you in different and more encourage and contribute to your to ensure that we were singing from successful ways that would suit you personal success. You decide what the same hymn sheet as it were. and your practice better. we are, and how we can support and help you when you say YES. If things weren’t working out as So as Elvis would have said (show- well as they should for any reason ing my age there) we’re ready to rock Right, I’m a bit tired now after all - whether it be either of us working and roll as your Supervisor. Are you this discussion. Where’s that plate together for a short or longer period willing to find out what Supervision of chips (not forgetting the salt and of time - as adults we don’t need can do for you? Because, as they vinegar), or glass of red wine, or big to throw our toys out of the pram say in the advert, ‘we’re worth it’. box of chocolates? I might even go - we would take steps to sort it out Okay, let’s go back to the beginning rash and have all three in one sitting! so it was working and as beneficial again. I am your Supervisor. Friend That detail isn’t in my personal infor- as it could be. Although if all else or Foe? Discuss. It has been, and I mation sheet either. Remember, I’m a failed then it would be acceptable to reckon we are neither friend nor foe. Supervisor, I have some pride. formally close the professional rela- We are primarily there as a facilita- tionship down, learn from it and then tor to support and help you survive move to someone else on the list that in a competitive market with varying

SUPERVISION

Below are a list of members who have successfully completed the NCH accredited Supervisors course or have been granted the designation AccHypSup through accredited prior learning.

Peter Adamson Warrington & NW 01942 677 426 Martin Armstrong-Prior Leicester 0116 276 4911 Fiona Biddle Loughborough & London 0150 988 1411 Dawn Biggs Bexhill 0870 787 5218 Michael Cameron London 0208 445 1369 Jennifer Charles Gloucester 01452 760166 Nick Cooke Birmingham 0121 444 1110 Tom Cottrell Edinburgh and Biggar 0131 2254437 Josephine Goss Scotland 01343 835705 Kate Harvey Nottingham 0115 948 0815 Val Hird York 01904 629 347 Christine Key Surrey 01932 560725 Stephanie Kirke Thatcham 01635 869444 John Lawrence Linlithgow 01506 830190 Joy Lawton Leeds 07771 556162 Mary Llewellyn Doncaster 01302 743113 Theresa Long Wimbledon 0208 241 7930 Lynn Martin Honiton, Devon 0208 457 2643 Gloria May London 0207 486 4553 Joe McAnelly Newcastle upon Tyne 0191 286 1161 Susan McIntyre Burnham on Sea 01278 784490 Hilary Norris-Evans Wiltshire 01249 740506 Paul Peace Sheffield & London 0114 235 1985 Su Ricks-McPherson Daventry 0844 736 2904 Lynnzie Stirling Edinburgh 0131 66 77 199 Carole Wan S.Yorks & London 01246 416 544 Patrick Waterson Ballymena (NI) 028 25631415

Do you run a not-for-profit peer supervision group? Advertise it free in the Journal! Contact the Editor.

34 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk The four-year-old watched it all in Metaphor Corner silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, ‘What are you making?’ Just as sweetly, the boy responded, ‘Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. ‘The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

because it might be dark soon and The words so struck the parents so Dog with a stick the walk will be over. that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. - Gary Webster Though no word was spoken, both Have you ever seen a dog proudly knew what must be done. carrying a big stick it has been play- ing with? The way they happily carry Wooden Bowl That evening the husband took it around like a trophy. Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the Of course dogs are very intelligent A frail old man went to live with his remainder of his days he ate every creatures, capable of showing real son, daughter-in-law, and four-year- meal with the family. And for some measurable intelligence and also old grandson. The old man’s hands reason, neither the husband nor wife emotion. So with all this intelligence trembled, his eyesight was blurred, seemed to care any longer when a you would think it shouldn’t be too and his step faltered fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the hard for a dog to get through a gate- tablecloth soiled. way with the stick; after all there may The family ate together at the table. be many gateways as it enjoys its But the elderly grandfather’s shaky - Author Unknown walk. hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon But the dog just goes up to the gate- onto the floor. When he grasped the Autopilot way with the big stick held horizon- glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. tally in its mouth and discovers the gateway isn’t as wide as the stick - The son and daughter-in-law became It’s wonderful to go through your but that doesn’t stop the dog trying irritated with the mess. ‘We must do life completely blissful and unaware - oh no, in fact it makes the dog just something about father,’ said the son. of things around you, like being a keep trying, and every time it tries, ‘I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, aeroplane on auto-pilot - letting the the stick stops the dog from going noisy eating, and food on the floor.’ navigational system do all the work through the gate. Again and again for you... Some times you find you it tries, the horizontal stick always So the husband and wife set a small are veered off your course to where catching the sides of the gateway. table in the corner. There, Grandfa- you want to go and you experience Sometimes the dog might even hurt ther ate alone while the rest of the things you do not want to experience itself; it just keeps banging the stick family enjoyed dinner. Since Grand- - these troubles, concerns and chal- across the gateway but it still tries father had broken a dish or two, his lenges come to your awareness and and tries and tries. food was served in a wooden bowl. this can be like turbulence on your journey to your destination. When What the dog doesn’t know is that, When the family glanced in Grand- you try consciously to change the all it has to do instead of banging father’s direction, sometimes he had course, but cannot seem to get off of itself against the gateway, is to simply a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, auto-pilot what do you do? turn its head to the side a little. It the only words the couple had for doesn’t take much effort or thought, him were sharp admonitions when he You notice... the things you are think- and then it can get through the gate- dropped a fork or spilled food. ing... the images you make in your way and enjoy the rest of its walk, mind... the feelings this creates in your

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal 35 body - where they are located, what would you call that feeling? Also how Book Reviews you are reacting to this feeling... and the results you keep getting.

Taking hold of the controls and steering your life towards your desti- nation - your goals - is simple... Just by being aware you are empowered to be more in control of what you are thinking and feeling affecting how you are acting...

Grab hold of the controls and Although aimed squarely at the notice... if the feeling is bad, you are general public, this is a great book for thinking about something you don’t Positive Shrinking hypnotherapists to read too. want... ask yourself, ‘what do I want instead?’... make a compelling picture By Kevin Laye Not only is it a welcome and light- or movie and noticed how different hearted stopgap between clients, but that can feel. When you hear that Reviewed by Rob Woodgate there is much to learn from the style. critical voice inside, change it to I was particularly impressed by the something silly - and notice how it author’s skilful weaving of hypnotic feels different... Positive Shrinking is a self help diet language into the narrative. book, written as a narrative. That feeling inside... you can feel it... From the very start, I found myself it’s your choice. Give yourself permis- It follows the story of two friends nodding along and smiling as the sion to feel it fully... ask yourself if you who meet up for their annual spa characters portrayed typical dieter are willing to let it go... and when... If weekend. Both have struggled to lose thoughts, feelings and behaviours - not then give yourself permission to weight all their lives, but this time building empathy and rapport with have it and ask yourself when you will one of them has a made a surprising the reader, before taking them along be ready to let it go... discovery... ‘Positive Shrinking’. for the ride.

You can let your emotions carry The author, an NCH member, comes As the discussion between the char- you or you can carry your emotions from the McKenna / Bandler / Calla- acters develops, the author carefully - you can express them or you can han stable, and this is reflected in seeds suggestions and catchy trigger suppress them - remember, they are the choice of techniques presented; phrases, such as ‘makes you thin...k’, part of your navigational system and including Thought Field Therapy ‘eat like a pig, look like a pig’, and have a purpose... They are appropri- (TFT), a Kinesiology style ideo- ‘Mind over platter’. ate at times... so you can be okay to dynamic test, NLP style positive acknowledge them --- to feel them imagery, mindful eating and a breath- By the end, I was ready to ‘Just do it!’. and if you are capable and willing ing exercise. you can release them when you no In summary, I really liked this book. longer need to have them to lighten The reader is introduced to each of It is straightforward, concise, and your cargo. Feeling so much more the techniques as part of the discus- skilfully delivers its message without lighter and brighter... sion between the friends, and there pretence or pomp. As such, I think is a good summary at the end of the it will have broad appeal, and some- When you are back on track toward book. thing useful to offer practitioners and your destination, you can go back to clients alike. auto-pilot... and just enjoy the ride, This short book is a very easy read, with new found empowerment giving and the humorous narrative blends ISBN: 1848501862 you so much more..... story and instruction effortlessly. RRP: £7.99 -Brenda Bentley This, combined with his glowing Published by Hay House foreword from Paul McKenna, will no doubt make this a book that piques the public interest.

36 The Hypnotherapy Journal - Issue 2 Vol 10 - hypnotherapists.org.uk The Hypnotherapy journal Address: PO Box 149, Gravesend, DA11 8XL Phone / Fax: 0845 544 0788 / 0870 7627329 Email: [email protected] Editor: Rob Woodgate MNCH(Reg), HPD, NLP(Master Prac) Proofreader: Lisa Langhorn, 01932 860107 Printer: Meridian Printers, 51-53 West Street, Long Sutton, Spalding, Lincs. PE12 9BN

THE HYPNOTHERAPY JOURNAL is published quarterly by The National Council for Hypnotherapy and is free for mem- bers. Because of potential copyright implications, no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior permission of the Editor, but where possible this is usually given, so please ask. CONTRIBUTIONS are welcomed, but we can accept no liability for any loss or damage, however caused. The preferred method for receiving contributions is by email in MS Word, Rich Text, or PDF format via email. Artwork can be sent as a Photoshop file (PSD), PDF, Encapsulated Postscript (EPS), TIFF or JPG (Max Quality Only). Snail mail contributions should be provided on a CD or typed (14pt Arial please) on single sided paper. Include postage and packing if you wish your work to be returned, and a stamped addressed postcard if you wish an acknowledgement of receipt. By submitting a contribution you grant the NCH an irrevocable worldwide non-exclusive royalty free licence to publish in The Hypnotherapy Journal or any other NCH publication, in any format capable of existence. You also warrant that the article is original, does not infringe any existing copyright, and that you have authority to grant us these rights to publish. Copyright remains with the author unless otherwise specified. DEADLINES are the second week of January, April, July and October, unless by arrangement. VIEWS expressed in The Hypnotherapy Journal are those of the contributor and are not necessarily shared by the Editor, Committee or members of the NCH. The appearance of an advertisement should in no way be taken as an endorsement by the NCH. If you would like to advertise in The Hypnotherapy Journal, please contact the Editor by email for a Media Pack. ISSN 1476-7570

hypnotherapists.org.uk - Issue 2 Vol 10 - The Hypnotherapy Journal Preferential Rates on your Professional Indemnity insurance as a member of the NCH

Have you considered what would happen if a client or third party tried to sue you as a result of your hypnotherapy work with them?

As an NCH member, you are entitled to preferential rates on Professional Liability insurance, which would protect you in the event of a civil claim against you for compensation.

If you’re a student of an NCH Accredited Training School you could be entitled to pay just £25* for your first year’s cover.

For a quote call 0113 391 9595, or visit: www.towergateprofessionalrisks.co.uk

*This is an indicative premium based on a student practitioner taking out cover for £1m limit of indemnity, and includes 5% insurance premium tax and a £5 underwriting fee.

Towergate Professional Risks is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited Registered Office: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority 5382/065/FL/07.09