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A Brief History
Unlike most comparable therapies, hypnotherapy measures its history not in years
or decades but in centuries. The usually acknowledged forerunner of modern
hypnotherapy, Franz Mesmer (1734-1815), believed in the existence of a universal
fluid, an imbalance of which caused illness. However, Mesmer's contemporaries
attributed his undoubted successes to his manipulation of a patient's
imagination. During the 19th century, this theme was followed by several doctors
who used hypnosis successfully, not only to treat psychological illness but also
as an anaesthetic for surgical operations.
Hypno-Psychotherapy
Although the development of chemical anaesthetics displaced the use of hypnosis
in surgery, and Freud's use of psycho-analysis began to displace it in
psychotherapy, the benefits and uses of hypnotherapy are such that it remains a
popular and adaptive form of therapy. Hypnotherapy may be used on its own, as
simple relaxation therapy, or it may be integrated with any of the great schools
of psychological thought. This integrative approach, termed hypno-psychotherapy,
has very wide therapeutic applications.
If only simple relaxation therapy is required, then someone with a basic
hypnotherapy training should be able to help. However, more complex emotional,
psychological or psychosomatic problems may require the help of a hypno-psychotherapist
who will have the skills to recognise and treat a wide range of disorders and
conditions.
The uses of Hypno-Psychotherapy
In addition to treating disorders of mood, thought or feeling, hypno-psychotherapy
may help with a wide range of psychological problems from habit disorders such
as smoking, over-eating and sleeplessness, to social difficulties such as lack
of confidence, exam/driving test nerves, phobias and panic attacks. It is also
widely used for enhancing sporting performance, creativity, memory and
concentration.
Hypno-psychotherapy also has other clinical and medical applications including
pre/post-operative treatments, anaesthesia and pain relief strategies. Many
stress-related physical problems such as some skin disorders, headaches and
bedwetting, also respond well to hypno-psychotherapy. Only a small selection of
the many problems posed by our society and the way we live are mentioned here.
There are many others which may be alleviated by hypnotherapy and they can be
discussed with a qualified hypno-psychotherapy tutor.
A safe form of therapy
In the right hands, hypnotherapy is a safe and beneficial therapy. The National
College will teach students how to take a client's full medical, emotional and
social history before deciding on a treatment strategy. There are some instances
where the use of hypnosis is not recommended, or where it should only be used
with care. A competent hypno-psychotherapist will be aware of such
contra-indications and may recommend an alternative form of psychotherapy or
modify their technique.
What are the public looking for?
These days, the general public is ever more aware of what should be expected
from a complementary medicine or psychotherapy practitioner. When they are
looking for a reputable hypno-psychotherapist people will, increasingly, need to
be assured that the practitioner has completed an accredited training and
belongs to a recognised professional association which requires members to
adhere to a Code of Ethics and carry appropriate insurance.
The informed potential client will know that a well regulated professional body
should have a complaints procedure and will require members to be in ongoing
supervision/peer supervision.
The training available
There is, currently, a wide range of hypnotherapy trainings available. These
vary from correspondence courses, to well-intentioned, but limited, brief or
intensive courses in hypnotherapy. There are also those which provide a
thorough, integrated training in hypno-psychotherapy, with comprehensive
coverage of the fundamentals of hypnotherapeutic techniques and various types of
psychological approach such as Adlerian, Behaviourism, Ericksonian, Freudian,
Gestalt, Rogerian and their modern equivalents. A good quality training will be
externally accredited and recognised by one of the major independent bodies such
as the UK Council for Psychotherapy or the European Association for Hypno
Psychotherapy. The National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy provides
training which falls within this latter category and is, also, externally
accredited by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and
Higher Education. The National College has Open University-specific credits at
each stage of its training.
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