About the Society
The Australian Society of Hypnosis Ltd (ASH) was formed in 1971 to provide basic and advanced skills hypnosis training for health professionals, and to provide a profession body for collegial support and networking. It was incorporated as a Limited Liability Company in 1982.
The Society provides hypnosis training for professionals who hold registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Authority. Such registration with the AHPRA is a prerequisite for membership, except for Counsellors, Speech Pathologist and Social Workers, for whom special provisions apply: Counsellors must be members of the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, Speech Pathologists must be members of Speech Pathology of Australia, and Social Workers must be members of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
State Branches run advanced and specialist hypnosis training programmes designed to foster clinical skills development across the range of applications of hypnosis in various health care settings. These consist of Webinars, Short Workshops and small presentations, peer support and supervision.
The Society holds an Annual Congress and workshops to facilitate a collegial and educational setting for members. It also encourages cooperative relationships with fellow professionals in hypnosis throughout the world, through professional and personal contacts with other national hypnosis societies. This 3-day Congress is hosted by a different State each year, and has been held in interesting locales such as Cradle Mountain (Tas.) Christchurch (N.Z.), Norfolk Island, Gold Coast and Brisbane. It is the principal opportunity for the exchange of ideas and techniques, for discussing problems, and for networking. There is usually at least one International speaker presenting.
The Society views hypnosis, not as an independent science, but as an adjunct to the range of treatment modalities for a wide range of health care applications.
ASH activities are overseen by a Federal Council, with representatives from each State Branch, while its day-to-day activities are conducted from the Federal Secretariat in Sydney. The Society’s training activities and accreditation are governed by a separate Board of Education.
Membership of the Society is open to the following health care professionals: Counsellors, Chiropractors, Dentists, Medical Practitioners, Midwives, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers & Speech Pathologists.
All the above practitioners join as Associate Members, and become eligible for Full Membership of the Society on satisfactory completion of approved training and/or the assessment process conducted by the Society.