6. Stage 1

Stage One Details

This is the foundation for the NCHP training, and serves as a necessary prerequisite to Stage Two, the Certificate course.

The aim of Stage One is to give students a knowledge of hypnosis and to train them to be efficient in inducing the hypnotic state, and in its management. The emphasis is on practical training, but because hypnosis involves human behaviour, and in order to establish an understanding of various theoretical concepts and principles, certain psychological factors need to be considered. A study of these factors, therefore, forms part of the Stage One course.

The course involves 44 hours of attendance at one of the tuition venues. These 44 hours are usually spread over four weekends at monthly intervals during which time, in addition to practical tuition, opportunities are available for students to discuss with their Tutors any problems that they have encountered during the intervening weeks.

Tutors will demonstrate the various techniques and there will be plenty of practical exercises for students to practise the hypnotic techniques in the safety of the training environment. Students wishing to practise hypnotic techniques on family and friends between weekends are encouraged to become Student Members of the NRHP. This membership provides insurance cover, at a half price premium, for students at all stages of training to practise hypnotherapy on family and friends, on a strictly non-commercial basis.

Work covered on Stage One is drawn from:

• Ethical issues relating to the use of hypnosis and hypnotherapy
  
  
• Fundamental principles of hypnosis/ hypnotherapy
  
  
• Tests for hypnotic suggestibility
  
  
• Preparing the subject for hypnosis
  
  
• The importance of semantics in the use of hypnosis
  
  
• Hypnotic induction techniques
  
  
• Hypnotic deepening techniques
  
  
• Termination of hypnosis
  
  
• The use of post-hypnotic suggestions
  
  
• Some psychological principles appli-cable to hypnosis
  
  
• Preparation and use of audio-therapy tapes
  
  
• Aspects of practice management

Also during Stage One, students are taught how to use hypnosis to help people alter certain behaviour patterns, such as smoking and overeating, and to assist people with such problems as examination or driving test nerves, insomnia, improving or restoring sporting competence, and other anxiety related states.

Students are introduced on Stage One to the NCHP's integrative approach to therapy. Various methods of inducing hypnosis are taught, with the intention that students develop a flexible approach to therapy. The NCHP feels it is important for a wide range of techniques to be taught as no single approach will suit all clients or, indeed, all therapists.

All clients bring some expectations with them to therapy so, while the Ericksonian approach, for instance, may be very effective for some clients, others will respond much better to the more traditional methods of inducing hypnosis (like the young boy, with very set ideas, who insisted the therapist produced a pocket watch and chain to swing before his eyes).

The basic premiss behind the NCHP's approach is that the therapy should be adapted to fit the client rather than the client being forced to adapt to the therapy. This flexible, eclectic approach is followed through in later stages of training to give students a broad-based psychotherapeutic framework.

Students wishing to proceed onto Stage Two are required to complete a short exam at the end of Stage One successfully. Once they have commenced Stage Two training, students may apply for Associate 1 Membership of the NRHP.  It is emphasised that this should not be interpreted as endorsing the establishment of a professional practice after only initial training. Unless trainees are, already, engaged in some professional practice to which techniques learned may form an appropriate addendum, they are recommended to take up the, non-commercial, Student Membership until they have completed Stage Two.

Stage One Course Outline

(30 Open University- specific points at Level 2)

The following is an overview of the topics covered on each weekend of the Stage One course. Demonstrations and practicals are arranged as appropriate throughout the course. Please note: Tape recorders are not allowed on the course.

Weekend One

Ethics and Confidentiality

Hypnosis - An historical and theoretical background

NCHP definition of hypnosis

Six stages of a hypnotherapy session

'Fixed gaze' induction technique

Termination of a hypnotherapy session

Hand levitation experiment (suggestibility test)

NCHP long induction

Abreactions and contra-indications

Weekend Two

Self hypnosis

Deepening of hypnosis

Eye closure experiment (suggestibility test)

Shorter induction techniques

Ideo-motor response (IMR)

CRC therapy (Calmness + Relaxation = Confidence)

The making and use of therapy tapes (audio tapes)

Weekend Three

Treatment of smokers:

• habit smokers - two session approach
• non-specific smokers - hierarchical approach

Weight reduction: habit overeating - six session approach

Further induction/eye closure methods

Preparatory work for weekend four: Preparation of consultation documentation, etc.

Exam revision

Weekend Four

Treatment of compulsive smokers

Treatment of compulsive overeaters

Further uses of hypnotherapy - Exam/driving test nerves, insomnia, sporting performance

Practice management: ethical issues

Discussion of consultation documentation, etc.

Course feedback
 

In accordance with UKCP requirements, and consistent with NCHP practice over the years, stage one concerns itself with ethical issues, which are addressed again throughout the course, and as a discrete topic.