Postgraduate Training in Clinical Hypnosis 2024

Conducted by The Australian Society of Hypnosis Victorian Branch

Registrations for 2024 have closed.

The Postgraduate Training Course in Clinical Hypnosis consists of a series of structured online Training Modules; a number of In-Person or Zoom online supervised training days and a series of structured hurdle homework exercises completed between training days. This format is designed to reinforce students’ learning and more importantly, provide them with actual skills that will be immediately useful in their clinical setting.

The course consists of approximately 190 hours, with 25 hours of in=person or online small group supervised training with other students and the Training Supervisor allocated to each group.

The course supervised training days may be completed entirely online (for the benefit of rural and regional students) or some may be completed in-person.

NOTE that this is a Postgraduate Training Course available to health and mental health professionals registered with AHPRA or the ARCP (proof of registration required).

The Society’s Postgraduate Training in Clinical Hypnosis consists of fully integrated online modules and in-person or training components that together give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will enable you to effectively utilise clinical hypnosis in your professional setting. You will learn all you need to know about hypnosis and trance, to enable you to hypnotise; de-hypnotise; become familiar with the phenomena of trance; contraindications to the use of hypnosis; learn to assess hypnotic capacity; how to utilise hypnosis with CBT; and script-writing for anxiety disorders treatment in trance and hypnosis techniques useful in the treatment of the full range of disorders you encounter in your clinical setting.

This innovative course is an interesting and effective way to discover how to use clinical hypnosis with your clients. You complete each online component within a scheduled structure, coupled with homework exercises and in-person or online training days with other students and supervisors. There are set topics for presentation on each training day, but they are also structured to enable you to focus on the specialist applications in your clinical setting. You are not lectured to about clinical hypnosis, but learn specific techniques for trance utilisation with your clients. As clinical hypnosis is a “hands-on” practical set of skills, you will start using it with subjects within the first weeks of the course and you will be writing and practising hypnosis scripts very early in the course.

The course is taught by registered Psychologists, Medical Practitioners, Dentists and other health / mental health professionals who are experienced hypnosis practitioners and, more importantly, professionals trained to teach hypnosis. You will work with members of your profession and members of other professions, giving you the widest experience in using hypnosis in your clinical work.

Each stage of the process is described in detail below.

Each student receives a detailed document, setting out Homework Exercises and due dates for these, to ensure all know what is required at each point of the course.

Component I:

The Basics of Hypnosis

In their own time and prior to the first Training Day, students complete three online Training Modules:

Component II:

Assessing Hypnotic capacity and Contraindications to Clinical Hypnosis

In-Person or Online Training Day I – 10am to 4pm (see Training Day dates in the table below)

Morning Session:

Afternoon Session:

Following Training Day 1

Students undertake the following homework assignment:

  1. Students complete the online Training Module: “Assessment of Hypnotic Capacity.” This Module should be viewed several times, focusing on: (a) overall procedure; (b) subject’s behavioural responses; (c) subject’s subjective report of trance experiences; & (d) scoring procedure.
  2. Students practise the assessment protocol, to develop competency and familiarity with the standard test.
  3. Students carry out three (3) assessments, using professional colleagues or friends as subjects. They advise subjects that they are learning clinical hypnosis and that no therapy accompanies the standard test.
  4. Students submit three written reports detailing their assessments of hypnotic capacity, using the pro forma issued by ASH Ltd.
  5. These are rated as being “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory.” Those marked “Unsatisfactory” must be re-submitted or new assessments done, at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.
  6. These reports MUST be submitted and assessed as “Satisfactory” prior to the 2nd Training Day.

Component III:

Scripts for Trance Induction and Guided Imagery

In-Person or Online Training Day 2 – 10am-4pm

Morning session:

Afternoon Session:

Following Training Day 2, students complete the following online Training Module: “Induction, Deepening and Re-alerting Procedures”

Each student then completes the following homework assignment:

  1. The aim of this exercise is to design induction scripts for two subjects from the SHCS assessment. (It is not necessary to actually use the scripts with subjects.)
  2. Students select or create an induction script for each, using imagery or other induction strategy based upon subjects’ preferred style, as assessed in the SHCS score. You can use the text of sample scripts provided in the Course – but you must use scripts appropriate to your subjects’ preferred style.
  3. Scripts are submitted for assessment, including (a) brief subject presentation on the SHCS; (b) rationale for the script; and (c) actual script. More important than the actual script is the student’s rationale for the script with each subject.
  4. These must be completed prior to Training Day 3.

In-Person or Online Training Day 3 – 10am-4pm

Morning Session:

Afternoon Session:

Following Training Day 3, students complete the following online Training Modules:

Homework Exercise – having completed these online Training Modules, each student:

  1. Selects two (2) of their clients* (*as long as this does not compromise relationship with clients) and prepares a written script for each. Each script must contain: (a) induction script; (b) practice of desired behaviours while in trance, (c)at least two ego-strengthening techniques, (d) a post hypnotic suggestion; & (e) de-induction.
  2. Students submit a brief client history and script (from 1. above) for assessment.
  3. If appropriate, scripts may be utilized with clients and a report given back to the Course Coordinator.
  4. These must be submitted prior to Training Day 4
  5. Students then complete the following online Training Module: “Hypnosis and the Anxiety Disorders” prior to Training Day 4.

Component IV:

Applying Clinical Hypnosis to the Anxiety Disorders and Habits

In-Person or Online Training Day 4 – 10am-4pm

Morning Session:

Afternoon Session:

Component V:

Applying Clinical Hypnosis in Clinical Settings

Students complete the online modules: “Indirect and Ericksonian Techniques” and “Hypnosis and Smoking Cessation”

Homework Exercise – each student:

  1. Selects two (2) of their clients* (1) experiencing any of the anxiety disorders or any problem with anxiety as a clinical feature and (2)a habit disorder (*as long as this does not compromise relationship with clients) and prepares a written script for each. Each script must contain: (a) induction script; (b) practice of desired behaviours while in trance, (c)at least two ego-strengthening techniques, (d) a post hypnotic suggestion; & (e) de-induction. Where possible, students are encouraged to use indirect techniques in scripts.
  2. Students submit a brief client history and script for assessment.
  3. If appropriate, scripts may be utilized with clients and a report given back to the Course Coordinator.
  4. These must be submitted prior to Training Day 5

Then prior to Training Day 5, students view the following online modules:

In-Person or Online Training Day 5 – 10am-4pm

Morning Session:

Afternoon Session:

Follow-Up Day

On this voluntary training day, students learn how to prepare for their viva examination.

Important Note

Completion of homework exercises and attendance at the five training days are mandatory. Course completion and award of Full Membership is dependent upon full completion of these hurdle assignments.

Assessment

Each student must complete:

  1. Twenty (20) hours of supervised individual and/or small group supervision (you can commence this supervision prior to course completion – speak with F2F supervisors);
  2. Submit one (1) Case Study detailing trancework with clients by the due date in January of the following year (3000 words limit)(a sample report is provided to guide students); and
  3. Complete a viva with two Members of the ASH Ltd Board of Education.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

APS: Activities do not need endorsement by APS. Members can accrue Active CPD hours

The course is designed to meet the criteria for CPD (approx 190 hours, comprising online Training Modules; in-person or online supervision; homework exercises; and follow-up presentation).

Supervision Sessions for 2024 Courses

Day 1 2 3 4 5
Group 1
(Group Full)		 3-Feb 2-Mar 4-May 1-Jun 3-Aug
Group 2 10-Feb 16-Mar 11-May 16-Jun 10-Aug

Case Study Preparation Day for all students: 14-Sep 2024
Case Study due: 30-Nov 2024. Vivas 7-Dec & 14-Dec 2024

Registrations for 2024 have closed.

Webinars

For the Professional Development of its members, the Society will be conducting regular webinars throughout the year. These will be free to members in all states and available for a fee to qualified non-members. Contact the Society’s Federal Office (boeashltd@optusnet.com.au) for details.

Course Cost and Special Note

The Course cost is $2,700.00.

You may pay in full or pay a non-refundable $700 to guarantee your place. You must then make two subsequent payments of $1,000 due the first business day of April and May.

This includes:

Special Note:
Students may sometime seek to defer their training until the following year. The following conditions apply:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

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