7. Stage 2

Stage Two Course Details

This Stage Two course is open only to those students who have successfully completed the Stage One Foundation course. Students who successfully complete the Stage Two course, including the written exam and course work, are awarded the Certificate in Hypno-Psychotherapy, and are entitled to use the designating letters CHP (NC). They are also eligible to apply to join the NRHP as an Associate 2 Member, or will be automatically upgraded if they already have Associate 2 status.

The syllabus for this course requires students to attend for some 66 hours, usually spread over six weekends at monthly intervals, during which, tuition apart, there is an element of practical assessment. In addition, the student undertakes a programme of home study including the submission of five essays. The work is divided into two sections: theories of psychotherapy and additional techniques in hypnotherapy. In the Certificate exam, students will be required to show their knowledge of both sections.

The home study component consists of a comprehensive programme of reading and study from recommended text books, many of which may be purchased from the NCHP, and the writing of essays to indicate an understanding of the material studied. Thus the assessment criteria for the Certificate fall into three categories: practical assessment during the course, coupled with essay marks and exam results.

A: Theories of psychotherapy

Study of the main principles of various schools of psychological thought which are applicable to the work of the therapist, including:

Counselling: Includes an examination of the theory and practice of counselling, with particular reference to Carl Rogers' work. The Gestalt approach to therapy is also covered.

Freud: Libido theory, ego theory and defence mechanisms.

Jung: Analytical psychology. A broad overview, with particular emphasis being given to Jung's theory of the unconscious.

Adler: Individual psychology. The effect of parental and environmental influence. The reconstruction of clients' goals plays an important part in this theory.

Behavioural Psychology and Behaviour Therapy: A study of the main experimental bases of behaviour therapy, their practical application and their relevance to hypno-psychotherapy.

Ericksonian Techniques: A complete weekend is devoted to a Foundation Course on aspects of the contribution of Milton H Erickson.*

During the course emphasis is placed upon the application of both the theory covered in the lectures and the practical skills acquired. Thus, for instance, students are presented with actual case histories, and by means of class and group discussion, are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the formulation of treatments.

B: Additional hypno-psychotherapy techniques

• The recognition and treatment of psycho-logical disorders
  
  
• Practical counselling
  
  
• Techniques in hypno-psychotherapy, e.g.:
  
  
• Hypno-analysis
• Regression therapy
• Hypno-pictography
• Automatic writing
• Structured dream analysis
• Desensitisation techniques

As in Stage One, there are demonstrations by tutors and plenty of practical sessions for students to try out the various techniques themselves. Throughout the course, topics such as Ethics, Human Development and Sexuality are covered.

Although this Stage Two is a pre-examination course, students are not obliged to present themselves for examination. Some may choose to study this course for general interest, and may not require tangible evidence of their knowledge and ability. However, for those students who wish to commence practice as hypno- psychotherapists and continue working towards the NCHP Diploma, success in the Certificate exam is the pre-requisite for entry to Stage Three training.

*Although not compulsory for examination, the Erickson weekend is an essential component of the course. It must be completed, satisfactorily, for the letter of attendance and the NCHP Certificate to be awarded. Satisfactory completion is measured by the course tutor's continuous assessment over the weekend. Where necessary, the tutor may recommend that the weekend be repeated (at no extra fee, of course) until satisfactory completion is achieved.

Stage Two Course Outline

(45 Open University-specific points at Level 2)

Stage Two of the NCHP training builds upon the essential material covered on Stage One, and explores various schools of psychological theory and psychotherapeutic practice.

Please note: Tape recorders are not allowed on the course.

Weekend One

Confidentiality and Ethics (1)

Consultation and treatment schedules including ethical practice (1)

Various methods of conducting consultations

Techniques used in first treatment session

Identifying the problem area, diagnostic scanning

Introduction to Freudian theory - classical psychoanalytic theory

Alfred Adler - individual psychology (2, 3)

Advice on essay writing

Weekend Two

Freudian theory of development and structure of personality (2, 3)

Regression therapy - hypnoanalysis

'Journey to the self' - example of therapeutic script

Weekend Three

Carl Gustav Jung -

Psychodynamic theories and therapies (2, 3)

Dream analysis and its use in hypnosis

'Ancient standing stone' - example of ego strengthening script

Weekend Four

Behaviourism - conditioning and learning (2, 3)

Applications of behaviourism to psychotherapy

Further hypnoanalytic uncovering techniques -

Hypnopictography and automatic writing

Examples of psychometric tests

Weekend Five

Carl Rogers - Rogers' self theory (2, 3)

Client-centred therapy - the core conditions

Basic counselling pitfalls

Gestalt theory - the cycle of awareness, the five level model of neurosis (2)

Gestalt therapy - relationship, contact, awareness, techniques, dream work

Exam revision

Weekend Six

Ericksonian hypnotherapy - Foundation Course

Inductions - pacing and leading, naturally occurring trance states, confusion

Trancework - process instructions, metaphor

Ericksonian language patterns, script analysis, therapeutic framework

In accordance with UKCP requirements, and consistent with NCHP practice over many years, such topics as Ethics(1), Human Development(2) and Sexuality(3) are covered throughout the course, as indicated.