NCHP Courses Explained

 

The NCHP courses are structured in accordance with the needs of two groups of people. These are:

(a) People who wish to embark on a new career in hypno‑psychotherapy, and require a recognised training to assist them to achieve their goal.

(b) People who, although not wishing to enter practice, may wish to pursue their serious interest in the subject within the context of a recognised training programme.

Two further considerations have influenced the structure of the training.

 

·         The Academic Board is aware that many applicants, although having an interest in hypno‑psychotherapy, have little experience in its use.

·          Secondly, many applicants, although being able to meet the educational standards required to gain enrolment, may not have had the opportunity for many years to engage in serious study, and they will require a gradual reintroduction to a learning environment.

 

With these points in mind, NCHP courses commence with practical instruction, the academic content of the course being introduced gradually. Therefore, once having gained enrolment, if a student is prepared to follow the training and instruction provided, then he or she will experience little or no difficulty.

In addition, students and/or prospective students may be referred to an appropriate course in Psychology to preface, supplement or complement their regular NCHP training.

 

Personal development is not central to NCHP training, though it forms an important corollary, with self therapy being a compulsory component for UKCP Registration.

 

The NCHP's course tutors act as trainers, rather than as therapists (whilst all are, of course, qualified as such). The training schedule does not allow for course time to be taken up with individual therapy. In the event that personal issues arise during training (including reluctance to participate in course practical work) which require therapeutic intervention, the course tutor will refer the individual concerned to the NCHP so that a competent therapist can be recommended. Where necessary, and as advised by the course tutor, training may be interrupted until such time as the therapist selected recommends resumption.

 

We hope that this policy is seen as demonstrating a proper concern for the individual, balanced by our contractual commitment to deliver courses of training as defined in our Prospectus.

 

Course Organisation and Structure

 

Training with the NCHP may be undertaken on a part‑time basis by combining weekend attendance for practical tuition and lectures at one of the tuition venues, together with a programme of home study, the ideal method for students with domestic and/ or work commitments.

 

Each weekend consists of some eleven hours of practical instruction in the application of therapeutic techniques, combined with lectures on the various theories involved. Starting at 10.30am each day and finishing at 5pm, allowing for breaks, gives approximately 154 hours of class contact for the whole three stages of the training up to Diploma level.

 

In order to provide students with the sound theoretical basis on which all therapies are established, post‑foundation stages of the course also include studies of various schools of psychological thought. These theoretical studies are presented in the form of lectures and guided home reading supported by comprehensive notes.

 

The total number of study hours required to complete the course varies depending on what prior knowledge a student brings to the course. However, monitoring of past students' study patterns suggests that for a student with little prior knowledge of hypnosis, psychotherapy or psychology, total study hours up to UKCP registration level may amount to 1,200 hours over a four year period. This total includes class contact and supported self‑study, but does not include the time spent on written exams, supervision or self‑therapy.

 

The supported self‑study includes the following aspects:

·         home study of course notes

·         background reading

·         practical exercises outside class

·         essay research/writing

·         exam revision

·         dissertation research/writing

 

The course details which follow are, of necessity, generalised. The courses are subject to continuous evaluation and alteration. The NCHP reserves the right to make any alteration to the course deemed necessary by the Academic Board. It should be noted that successful completion of one stage does not, of itself, guarantee admission to the next.