At the 2006 National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) Convention, President, Dr. Damon proposed a name change as to how we present ourselves to that of Consulting Hypnotist. At the time it sounded reasonable to me from a marketing standpoint, because the title itself seems to open the mind of non-hypnotists in a non-threatening way. "Oh? Who consults a hypnotist," has been a frequent question that quite nicely opens up conversations. I guess until "Consultants" start lobbying state legislatures to codify and license the use of the word "Consultant" hypno-consultants, we're good to go.

I happily support the NGH for any number of selfish reasons. The NGH has credentialed me first a Certified Hypnotist (Hypnotherapist) and now a Board Certified Hypnotist, (Hypnotherapist). At the time of my credentialing, and within the state I practice, the term "hypnotherapist" was not censured. From 2003, when I became a Certified Hypnotist, the issue of the words, "clinical," "therapist," "healing," "treating," "depression," "anxiety," etc. (and their derivatives) was already being openly talked about. These words were being co-opted by mental health professionals as part of their profession specific jargon. Those who did not hold advanced degrees in medical, dental or mental health OR were not licensed medical, dental, or mental health professionals within the state in which they did business, were EXCLUDED from using such words in their own professional settings. While not true in every state, the writing was on the wall, and the word was going out that hypnotists without attendant degrees and licensure should avoid using such words.

Dr. Damon was right. The Big Boys and Girls of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and their subset, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) get to call the legislative tune most of the time. The AFL/CIO Local #104 represents hypnotists at large by being pro-active, running interference and doing damage control within legislatures as they have the resources and abilities to do. Membership in this Union becomes important, if not essential, to practicing hypnotists because it is our dues that fuel the efforts to legislatively protect OUR profession; hypnotists providing hypnosis for our clients.

The APA has co-opted many words for their own use. Nouns such as "depression" or "anxiety" quickly come to mind. As in, "I'm dealing with some depression/anxiety in my life right now," or "Can you help me with this depression/anxiety?" The common person still does not know that by making such statements, THEY are illegally practicing medicine by obviously self-diagnosing themselves when they make such statements, or ask such questions! The APA has had passed into law in many states that those words are no longer nouns, but rather diagnoses which only they, and grudgingly, medically licensed professionals are able to use, legally.

Never mind that dictionaries of common English do not limit their definitions of such words as diagnoses of illnesses. No, in each case, it is only in later definitions that such words, including "therapy," are defined in their more restrictive medical or mental health fashion. Nevertheless, it is what is being codified that will interest a lawyer, not what Random House, Webster, or American Heritage may list.

In "therapy's" broadest meaning, it can be positively argued that the profession of positive life change hypnotism is therapeutic, as in the second and fourth definitions found in Dictionary.com, "a curative power or quality," and "any act, hobby, task, program, etc., that relieves tension." We DO THOSE THINGS as hypnotists; we just don't resort to psychotherapy to do it. Interestingly enough, very few psychotherapists utilize hypnotism, or do so sparingly and in limited fashion. That's fine with me.

Unfortunately, in many states the APA has been able to codify "therapy," and "therapist" in the more narrow definitions as per the same source, "the treatment of disease or disorders, as by some remedial, rehabilitating, or curative process: speech therapy," and "psychotherapy."

Absurd? Of course it is. It's like published authors getting together and sponsoring legislation that allow only published authors, editors, and copy-writers to use such words as "write," "writer," "note," "pen," "pencil in," "jot down," "edit," etc., because these are words specific to their profession and therefore should ONLY be used by their profession.

Therefore, in agreement with those who are smarter than I am, I am content to call myself a (Board Certified) Hypnotist and present that professional banner with pride. To define my professional role further in society, I am a Consulting Hypnotist who provides my services in both hypnotism and waking state skills to both groups and individuals to help them improve their lives in a non-therapeutic fashion. It isn't that my work doesn't help people "relieve tension," as per the above broad definition of therapy, it's just that it isn't (thank God!) "psychotherapy."

I just wish the same offenses against "Hypnotherapy" were taken against "Music Therapy," "Light Therapy," "Color Therapy," "Aroma Therapy," "Play Therapy," "Animal Therapy," "Art Therapy," etc., so that the absurdity of the turf protection could be more readily heard and seen.

There are enough mentally ill and mentally well people who need all of our professional resources. Why the greed on the part of the body politic, APA? Y'all take care of the mentally ill as best as you can. When some of your depressed and anxious patients do not progress as well as THEY would like to, then refer 'em to a Consulting Hypnotist. If we can manage to help your patients in some small way, well, we're just grateful for the opportunity.

Now, if we could just get some licensed mental health professionals to quit putting down the insurance code for "Outpatient Counseling," (reimbursable) when what they should be coding for is tobacco cessation or weight management (usually not reimbursable, or at least not for as many sessions). Tell me, does it really take an advanced degree to help someone quit smoking or reduce their weight?

If a person is mentally or physically ill (or at least diagnosed as such), they must first consult a licensed mental or medical doctor for treatment. However, if they are mentally or physically well and want to improve some bothersome aspect of their life, come see a hypnotist. If mental health and medical professionals have done all they can, then go see a hypnotist who will then work by referral to help  martial resources and improve their life. I think I can live with that as a Consulting Hypnotist; don't you think?

All the best,

Edward

Edward Wunder, BCH, CI, CPHI
A Hypnotic Change
Lincoln, NE

ewunder@ahchypnosis.com
www.ahchypnosis.com