Welcome to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis' Member Referral Service. You may search here for a member referral by location (state/province) and/or by specialty. Search individually by a single variable (state or province, and specialty), or you may combine searches to narrow the results of your search, e.g., Illinois and Behavioral Medicine. Upon completion of a search, you will first receive a list of individual members who fit your criteria. Click on the individual's name to receive a listing of:

• the member's name (membership status will be true as of the day of the query);
• city and state/province;
• specialty (click here for specialties and their abbreviations);
• telephone number; and
• certification status (either AP, Approved Consultant; or CE, regular certification - click here for further information) - the certification status will be true as of the day of the query.

You can then search again, view another member's name, or end the search.

	STATE/PROVINCE:		AB AE AK AL AP AR AZ BC CA CO CT DC DE FL FO GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MB MD ME MG MI MN MO MP MS MT NB NC ND NE NF NH NJ NM NS NSW NV NY OH OK ON ONT OR PA PE PQ PR QC RI RJ RSA SA SC SD SK TN TX UT VA VIC VT WA WI WV WY
	SPECIALTY:		Addictions Adolescent Medicine Aerospace Medicine Allergy Anesthesia Anxiety Behavioral Medicine Cardiovascular Disease Chemical Dependency Child Abuse Child Psychology Chiropractic Medicine Clinical Child Psychology Clinical Psychology Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Counseling Psychology Dermatology Dissociative Disorders Emergency Medicine Endodontia Family Practice Family Therapist Family, Marriage Psychology Forensic Gastroenterology General Dentistry General Practice (in their own profession) General Preventive Medicine Geriatrics Gynecology Hypnotherapy Industrial Medicine Internal Medicine Licensed Clinical Social Worker Licensed Professional Counselor Marriage & Family Therapy Neurological Surgery Neurology Obstetrics Occupational Medicine Oncology Opthalmology Oral Surgery Orthodontia Orthopedic Surgery Otolaryngology Otology Pain Management Pain Management (Anesthesiology) Palliative Medicine Pediatric Emergency Medicine Pediatrics Pedodontia Periodontia Podiatry Post Trauma Healing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Proctology Psychiatry Psychiatry, Neurology Psychotherapy Public Health Pulmonary Disease Rehabilitation Roentgenology, Radiology Sexual Abuse Sexual Trauma Sleep Medicine Speech-Language Pathology Sports Medicine Stress Management Surgery Thoracic Surgery Urology

IMPORTANT! ASCH makes every effort to ensure that the information in this database is accurate and current. However, it is ultimately the member's responsibility to provide corrections and updates for their contact information. Furthermore, specialty information is self-reported. Finally, membership does not automatically imply competence or guarantee the quality of a practitioner's work. It does indicate that, based on the information provided by the member, he or she has met minimum standards for training and education in the use of clinical hypnosis and has met all the regulatory requirements for practice in their state/province. The information in the database is updated weekly.

Members of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis hold degrees in many disciplines, including medicine, podiatry, dentistry, osteopathy, psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, and nursing. We suggest that you consult the practitioner of your choice. In the event that your first choice cannot be of assistance with your particular case, it is likely that he to she will be able to refer you to someone who can be of assistance.

Selecting a Qualified Professional
An advisory word to consumers on selecting a qualified practitioner of hypnosis.

Many practitioners claim to offer hypnosis to the public for a variety of purposes; losing weight, managing pain, or stopping smoking, etc. Frequently, extravagant statements and guarantees are presented in a sensationalistic way, and it can be confusing for  those wishing to learn hypnosis to know where to turn. One way to reduce that confusion is to ask yourself “Is this practitioner able to help me without using hypnosis. Or to say it another way, 'How do I know I can trust this person to solve my problem safely?'

ASCH recommends that when you are selecting a professional to assist with a particular symptom or goal, you choose a health care provider who is properly trained, licensed and credentialed.  This means that the individual has graduate training and holds a currently valid license in a health care field, such as medicine, dentistry, psychiatry, psychology, social work, or nursing. This generally also means that the individual holds an academic degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, and has had supervised experience in offering their professional services to clients and patients. An additional benefit of choosing a licensed health care provider is that your health care insurance may reimburse for services provided, although you should determine this in advance by contacting your insurer or asking your provider.

ASCH encourages you to inquire about the training and experience of any practitioner of hypnosis you intend to consult, in advance. Ask about their professional affiliations and background (medicine, psychology, social work, etc.). It is important to note that every member of ASCH must also be eligible for membership in their respective clinical organizations such as the : American Medical Assn, American Psychological Association, National Assn of Social Workers, American Dental Assn. , and they must adhere to relevant ethics code and state and federal laws pertaining to their work. If they are members of ASCH, they must also comply with the Code of Conduct of ASCH.

We hope that this has been helpful in selecting a health care professional to better meet your needs. If you have any further questions about deciding on whom to consult for hypnosis or related matters, please contact the ASCH central office.

Regionally Accredited Institutions

Regional accreditation consists of a voluntary, independent evaluation of the educational institution to determine that the curriculum is of uniform and sound quality, as established by criteria set by the accrediting organization.

Accreditation is important because it:  (1) determines an educational institution’s eligibility for participation in federal (Title IV) and state financial aid programs; (2) allows for acceptance and transfer of college credit; and (3) is a prerequisite for many graduate programs.

The most recognized and accepted type of accreditation in the United States is regional accreditation. There are six geographic regions in the United States with agencies that accredits colleges and university higher education programs. They are as follows: 1) New England Association of Schools and Colleges, 2) Middle States, Association of Colleges and Schools, 3) North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 4) Northwest Association of School and Colleges, 5) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and 6) Western Association of Schools and Colleges; Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

The simplest way to determine whether or not an educational institution is accredited is to visit the regional accrediting board Web site for their area and looking up the institution name.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT HYPNOSIS

1. What is clinical hypnosis?
2. What training is required and how would a qualified person be found?
3. Is hypnosis a new technique?
4. What is it used for?
5. What about treatment and cost?
6. What are some misconceptions?

What is clinical hypnosis?

Clinical hypnosis is an altered state of awareness, perception or consciousness that is used, by licensed and trained doctors or masters prepared individuals, for treating a psychological or physical problem. It is a highly relaxed state.

Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully. Because hypnosis allows people to use more of their potential, learning self-hypnosis is the ultimate act of self-control.

While there is general agreement that certain effects of hypnosis exist, there are differences of opinion within the research and clinical communities about how hypnosis works. Some researchers believe that hypnosis can be used by individuals to the degree they possess a hypnotic trait, much as they have traits associated with height, body size, hair color, etc. Other professionals who study and use hypnosis believe there are strong cognitive and interpersonal components that affect an individual's response to hypnotic environments and suggestions.

Recent research supports the view that hypnotic communication and suggestions effectively changes aspects of the persons physiological and neurological functions.

 What training is required to do hypnosis, and how can I find a qualified professional?

The use of hypnosis is restricted to psychologists and other health professionals such as physicians, dentists and masters prepared nurses, social workers or marital/family therapists licensed for this technique. It is to be used in conformance with their own training and licensing laws. Most cities have a state or local professional society which may be contacted for names of professionals.

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis takes a very strong position that hypnosis for the treatment of medical and psychological conditions should only be performed by licensed clinicians. This includes physicians, dentists, chiropractors and masters prepared nurses, social workers and marital/family therapists. Hypnosis is to be used in conformance with their own training and licensing laws. Most locales have a state or local professional society which can be contacted for names of professionals competent to provide hypnotic treatment.

 Is hypnosis a new technique?

Hypnosis has been used for a long as records have been kept. Modern clinical hypnosis is dated from the late 1700s, and the use of hypnosis has grown by leaps and bounds since 1958.

 What is hypnosis used for?

In the mental health area, it is used for phobias, anxiety, sexual problems, alcoholism, smoking control, speech disorders, weight control, chronic pain, age regression therapy, self-esteem/ego strengthening, memory/concentration improvement and forensic work. In medicine, it uses include anesthesia and surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, control of bleeding, pain control, burn therapy, dermatology and habit control. Dentistry uses it to control fear, dental surgery, saliva control, gagging, bruxism, control of bleeding, tongue biting and general oral hygiene.

 What about the length and cost of treatment?

The length of treatment will vary depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Hypnosis is one tool and may be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment. The cost will vary in different parts of the nation. You need to discuss finances openly with your health care professional. Most insurance companies will cover 50% - 80% of the cost of individual therapy only if treated by licensed professionals. Hypnosis often helps quicken the pace of treatment.

 What are some misconceptions about hypnosis?

You will not become unconscious and you will be aware of everything at all times. Your will is not weakened in any way. You are in control and cannot be made to do anything against your will. You will not begin to reveal information you wish to keep secret. Hypnosis is not sleep.

One common misconsception is that a hypnotized person loses their will and is partially or completely under the command of the hypnotist. Nothing could be further from the truth. This unfortunate belief is reinforced by many stage hypnotists. You are in control of yourself, and cannot be made to do anything that is against your will.

Hypnosis, particularly the deeper forms, can appear to be like sleep because the person's body is typically very still and quiet. There is usually a great deal of mental activity, and measurements of brain activity during hypnosis show a significant level of neurological activity.

      

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