Unfortunately, there is no dictionary definition of this phrase to which one can point with authority, and because there is a lack of concensus - much of it argumentative and sometimes disparaging - within the hypnotherapeutic community itself, a precise description as to what constitutes clinical hypnosis is unobtainable. Although each perspective has its staunch advocates, there is still much disagreement among the several factions.
One school of thought maintains that clinical hypnosis is therapeutic work done by medical professionals only. That is, practitioners who have at least a four-year degree in an allopathic discipline, such as registered nurses and physicians, or, secondarily, those with degrees in the field of psychology, are the only therapists who may properly refer to themselves as clinical hypnotists.
Another attempt at defining the term suggests that clinical hypnosis is the use of pre-prepared “scripts” that are read to clients while they are in a trance state, as suggestion material, in order to motivate behavioral change.
Some argue that clinical hypnosis is behavioral modification based upon recognized psychological protocols, such as Freudian analysis, rather than behavioral modification that empowers the client in a transpersonal manner that may have spiritual or metaphysical overtones.
And there are other refinements of definition, qualifiers and gradations of meaning which fall loosely into one or another of the above categories. However, the single unifying principle obvious among these diverse opinions is that there is, actually, no standardized definition unanimously accepted by hypnotherapists or their respective certifying, accrediting or licensing bodies.
There is one, however, which we at Eastburn Hypnotherapy Center feel is a helpful distinction to make for the benefit of the general public seeking reputable, well-qualified hypnotherapeutic assistance. From time to time, all those working in our field will find it necessary to reassure a prospective client that he or she will not be made to “cluck like a chicken,” or “bark like a dog.” It seems reasonable, then, in order to alleviate any nervousness or uncertainty among our prospective clients, to make some sort of distinction between hypnosis practiced by performers in the entertainment industry, that is, stage hypnotists, and hypnosis practiced by psychotherapists whose goal is to help clients overcome psychological obstacles.
We find the phrase “clinical hypnosis” quite useful in this regard, since it establishes a firm differentiation, understandable by all. So long as performers continue to use hypnotic trance to amuse and amaze an audience, we believe it is fair to all and disparaging to none to define clinical hypnosis as trancework done in the service of improving our clients’ quality of life.
