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Hypnosis Training Video #426: Controversy – DON’T Call Yourself a “Clinical” Hypnotist, and a Behind the Scenes Look at Becoming a Leader

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Comments

  1. Thank you Cal and Kelly for a great episode on two important things - how dangerous it can be to use the term clinical hypnotist, and what it takes to be a leader in the profession. I appreciated insight on both of these topics, and it was fun to hear Cal share his personal experience and thoughts on leadership. It is important to step up and be a leader - and that doesn't mean you have everything "figured out" sometimes you have to step up and put yourself out there at the same time. So you don't have to wait until you feel like an expert to step up! Great advice, thanks to both of you.

    • Hi Erika - Thanks for the comment. As you can see I am passionate about this idea of not pretending to be something you are not, in this case, pretending to be a medical professional by calling oneself a "clinical hypnotherapist". I think doing so endangers the entire profession. If we want to be a respected and distinct profession then we cannot impinge on the other professions by co-opting their titles. Thanks for all you do! Cal

  2. Thank you Cal and Kelly for sharing your insights about leadership. As you talked about the inner drive and passion, and knowing that you're doing what you are meant to do, it helps fan the flames to keep you going when it's hard and to inspire others to do so as well. It is true that Cal is a "dig in deep, all-in" kind of leader, and he continually inspires me to do better and to be better. Thanks Cal!!

    Great job Kelly on your second episode!! Thanks for bringing a great topic to the table!

  3. Firstly, well done Kelly on your second podcast - you have a natural ability to communicate well & I'm sure you're going to go from strength to strength. I enjoyed both podcasts immensely. It was great 'getting to know you a bit', thanks for sharing.

    Cal... I agree with Kelly that you seem to be a great leader. you are most certainly one of the most motivated people I've come across in all my internet research on anything to do with hypnosis & I love that about you, thanks for sharing the passion and all the information you do.

    Now, onto your rant about the term 'Clinical'. I was fascinated by your talk, and have to admit you have me thinking hard about this one. My problem with it, or more correctly question about it, is this. I have actually completed a Diploma of Clinical Hypnosis and Psychotherapy here in Australia. I have also just started my full distance training with you, so hopefully very soon will also be a top 1% er too. And as I'm currently in the process of creating a website for my practice, I'm interested in what you think about what I should call myself, mind you I think I probably know the answer now.

    Even though I also hold a Bachelors Degree in Psychology (but am not a clinical psychologist) and I am currently doing Post Grad in Professional Counselling, I seemed to be under the impression that made me worthy of being a 'Clinical Hypnotherapist'. Now, I'm not so sure.

    I have a professional workshop next weekend at my hypnosis training school & this is a question I intend asking. I will be intrigued with the answers offered there but am interested in what you think Cal.

    Thanks Cal, look forward to your thoughts
    Susan

    • Hi Susan - Thanks for your thoughtful response to the video and my rant in particular.

      What you decide to call yourself is completely up to you. If you are practicing in another country then your circumstances may be different. But here in the USA things are as they are and their are those in the AMA and APA that would like to completely shut down our profession. For them it has been a kind of "turf war".

      So I recommend that hypnosis professionals stay away from using medical terms and titles in describing who we are and what we do (unless you are in deed a medical professional or licensed Psychologist). Doing so will help to secure the ongoing development and growth of our profession and help to ensure that we will be able to continue to practice what we love, and continue to help so many people through the power of hypnosis.

      Cal

  4. Thanks for that quick reply Cal.

    Everything you say makes perfect sense to me & yes, I might be in another Country, but I fear the same difficulties could be seen here too. The AMA, APA & AHA here have been known to be like dogs with a bone on certain occasions.

    As an example, one of my final university units was Behavioural Psychology & we had to do a You Tube video using the principles of Behavioural psyc to help the viewer with a problem they wanted to change (our choice). I chose stop smoking & received accolades from the lecturer & he asked if he could post the link on our uni site to show other students a great example. No problems, right from my perspective...real nice pat on the back. A couple of weeks later, I was asked to take it down as he had been approached by "anon" saying that in my introduction I said that I was a "psychologist in training" and the title Psychologist was only to be legally used if I was interning & under application to the APA for registration!

    On reflection I think I will drop the Clinical altogether & go with Consulting Hypnotist & Psychotherapist. What do you think?

    Susan

  7. Hi Cal,

    I wish I had this advice before I had 'branded' my business. In CT I can conduct hypnosis sessions under my APRN licensure. My website has always indicated that I do not work with any symptom-related or issues without proper diagnosis and confirmation from the primary care physician or therapist (anxiety, OCD, etc). At the time I had looked up a definition of Clinical Hypnosis that referred to it as hypnosis practice by someone with advanced education in medicine, nursing, counseling, dentistry, etc. So I did not have the concerns that you have now raised.
    Very soon I will be relocating my practice to another state and changing the name slightly to eliminate this concern. But in the meantime I have added the following clause to my Client Bill of Rights and a variation on the home page of my website. Maybe this will add a layer of protection until I get relocated in a few months.

    "At Genesis Center for Clinical Hypnosis, the word “Clinical” in our name indicates Penny’s advanced nursing education, NOT the provision of medical/clinic services. Therefore, any client seeking hypnosis for a medical related condition needs to present signed approval or a referral from their physician, indicating that the medical professional is aware of the client’s intent to use hypnosis as a complementary 'therapy'. While hypnosis is an effective complementary adjunct for management of many medical conditions and/or symptoms, we make no guarantee of alleviation or elimination of said conditions/symptoms."

    I will require the clients initials on this paragraph. What do you think Cal?

    • Hi Penny - Of course everyone knows that I am not an attorney so this is not legal advice by any means. I'm just sharing my point of view from my perspective and experience. 🙂

      I am not comfortable with your solution. What if we changed the word "clinical" to the word "medical" in your paragraph after all they mean virtually the same thing. "“At Genesis Center for Medical Hypnosis, the word “Medical” in our name indicates Penny’s advanced nursing education, NOT the provision of medical/clinic services. Therefore, any client seeking hypnosis for a medical related condition needs to present signed approval or a referral from their physician, indicating that the medical professional is aware of the client’s intent to use hypnosis as a complementary ‘therapy’.

      I advise everyone who is not a licensed medical professional to stay clear of such terms such as "clinical", "treatment", "symptoms", and other such terms that can cause confusion. We just don't need them, and of course there can be legal problems as well if you do use them.

      Here are just a couple more thoughts... Like all professionals, we need to know the laws where we work and abide by them or face the consequences. Secondly, this can be a bit of a challenge because others in your area with no greater training or licensure than you are using them! This deceptive practice by others can put you at a disadvantage in the broader marketplace and make you feel pressured into using these deceptive practices as well. But don't do it! You don't need to. Just do excellent work and be a true hypnosis professional and you will do fine. Your hypnosis practice can thrive. Great hypnosis businesses are not built on titles and jargon, they are built by hypnosis professionals who get results.

      I hope that helps!
      Cal

  8. "...Great hypnosis businesses are not built on titles and jargon, they are built by hypnosis professionals who get results"

    Cal, in my opinion you sum it up perfectly with just that sentence.

  9. Thanks Cal. I appreciate the feedback. Hopefully I will be moved out of state very soon, and re-branding can be a one-time deal when I start my new practice.
    Penny

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