From the desk of Judith Pearson, Ph.D.
Dear Friends,
When I write for the NBCCH INTERLINK, I imagine all of us sitting down together around my kitchen table over coffee or tea, and getting to know each other, sharing our mutual interest in hypnotherapy. We'd tell each other about our work, and the latest things we've learned about clinical hypnosis, and we'd even exchange information about interesting conferences, books, and seminars. Since my kitchen table isn't that large, and getting all of you together at once isn't possible, I hope that this column will be the next best thing to it and that this newsletter will continue as a forum for the friendly exchange of ideas, advice, and innovations. So sit down, relax, and pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and read on.
I recently read something of interest in a newsletter of complimentary medicine and holistic health. The article said that more hospitals are creating staff positions for clinical hypnotherapists. Job requirements typically include a college degree, 120 hours hypnotherapy training, and 25 hours on hypnotic anesthesia and/or pain management training. The job description covers many duties including:
Hypnotic pain control for pre and post surgical patients
Relaxation therapy and guided imagery for enhancement of healing
Hypnosis for overcoming phobias, habits, and fears
Participating with physicians as part of the health care team
Presenting seminars to staff and community on the medical uses of hypnotherapy
This is exciting testimony that clinical hypnotherapy is gaining respect and recognition among those sectors of the medical community that are turning to a holistic approach to patient care. I have talked to members of NBCCH who are now doing more networking with doctors and medical clinics to ask for referrals and to help physicians understand what hypnotherapists do, and how our work is valuable to the health related professions.
Hypnotherapy is also making inroads in the field of sports medicine and sports psychology. Ted Garrett recently published Sporting Excellence (Anglo-American Books, 1999) explaining the uses of NLP and hypnosis for improved sports performance, for motivation to excel, and for helping sporting people cope with defeat, pain from injury, rehabilitation, and the stress of competition. Perhaps you'd like to offer hypnotherapy services to some local sports teams in your town.
I encourage those of you who are working in a medically related capacity to write an article for this newsletter and give other NBCCH certificate holders the benefit of your experience and advice. Working with physicians or offering your services to a nearby hospital, clinic, or sports team may present a possibility for expanding your practice or branching out into a new specialty. Perhaps you could even approach hospitals, clinics, or coaches with the idea of adding your services to their staff and write your own job description as a full-time employee or an independent contractor or consultant. Your NBCCH credential will carry much weight when you point out our high certification standards.
By now, I am sure the conversation around my kitchen table would really pick up as everyone begins to consider these ideas! More coffee anyone? Judy Pearson
Email Judy at: judypear@cox.net