Fundamentals: Level 1 Training in Hypnosis (MSCH)

Organization: Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis 

Website: https://www.msch.us/education/2026-level-1-fundamentals-workshop/  

Event Title: Fundamentals: Level 1 Training in Hypnosis 

Agenda:  Timed_Agenda_for_Level_1_Workshop

Dates: 03/13/2026, 03/14/2026, 03/21/2026 

Location: Hybrid 

CE: 21 

Contact : Deb Schrobilgen – deb@msch.us  

Description: This course is designed to teach clinicians the ability to use clinical hypnosis in their area of practice. Clinical Hypnosis is a powerful therapeutic that draws upon the skills, adaptability, and creativity of clinicians. It has been used in medical, dental, and psychological treatment for hundreds of years. Clinical hypnosis incorporates understanding of current concepts of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuroplasticity with effective patient relationship and communcations skills. The MSCH Level 1 training is a standardized training prescribed by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. 

Learning Objectives: Introduction to Clinical Hypnosis. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Provide at least one commonly accepted definition of clinical hypnosis;
2. Explain 3 to 4 hypnosis terms and how they apply to the clinical hypnosis experience;
3. Define two commonly held misperceptions concerning hypnosis and give an accurate rebuttal for each.
Hypnotic Principles and Stages I & II. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Describe three effective ways to build and reinforce rapport;
2. Describe at least 4 observable physiological and 4 psychological/behavioral signs of trance;
3. Discuss the importance of removing suggestions;
4. Demonstrate at least 3 methods of reorienting.
Group Hypnotic Experience. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Experience clinical hypnosis and identify 3 aspects of their individual experience of trance.
Anatomy of the Hypnotic Experience. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Describe the steps in a formal hypnotic encounter;
2. Identify 2 characteristics of trance exhibited by the subject;
3. Define 3 changes the facilitator made during the reorientation phase of trance.
Hypnotic Phenomena. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Explain five different hypnotic phenomena;
2. Discuss and describe how the concept of trance logic and other hypnotic phenomena can be used therapeutically;
3. List at least three principles of eliciting phenomenon;
4. Define abreaction and describe how it can be addressed therapeutically.
Fundamentals of Hypnotic Communication and Formulation of Suggestions. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Explain at least two ways hypnotic communication creates positive expectancy;
2. Discuss Erickson’s Principle of Individualization and Utilization as it pertains to language and suggestion;
3. Name at least four commonly used words/phrases to reinforce the patient’s hypnotic experience;
4. Differentiate between direct and indirect suggestions.
Ethical Principles and Professional Conduct. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Describe at least two ethical-legal issues;
2. Discuss standards for professional conduct in using hypnosis clinically.
Self Hypnosis: How and What to Teach Patients. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Define self-hypnosis and explain the difference between self-hypnosis and hetero-hypnosis;
2. Describe at least three therapeutic applications of self-hypnosis in clinical practice;
3. Explain how to teach self-hypnosis to a patient. 
Introduction to Small Group Practice. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Identify the goals and rules of the experiential small group practice sessions.
Patient/Client Assessment, Presenting Hypnosis to the Patient/Client At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Summarize at least three key points about hypnosis to discuss in a non-technical manner with a client or patient/client;
2. Review important elements and recommended procedures in obtaining informed consent regarding the use of hypnosis clinically;
3. Discuss the fallibility of memory.
Neurophysiology of Hypnosis. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Describe how hypnosis affects the autonomic nervous system and the stress response;
2. Detail three implications of neurophysiological research on the practice of clinical hypnosis.
Intensification of Hypnotic Experience. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Describe three methods of trance intensification;
2. Demonstrate the ability to intensify the hypnotic experience in ways best tailored to their patient/client;
3. Identify how fractionation can be used to intensify trance.
Treatment Planning, Strategy and Technique Selection in Hypnotherapy. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Execute a thorough case assessment to elucidate the information necessary to develop a quality treatment plan;
2. Design a treatment plan for a patient/client who presents with anxiety;
3. List at least 4 hypnotic techniques/application that may be best suited to achieve the specific therapeutic goal in the case presented.
Hypnosis with Children. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Identify three developmental characteristics that make children particularly hypnotizable;
2. Describe how hypnotic approaches vary according to the developmental age of the child;
3. Describe the therapeutic benefits and applications of using hypnosis with children.
Integrating Hypnosis into Clinical Practice: Improving Health and Resilience. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Describe situations of uncertainty that might occur as clinical hypnosis is included in practice and identify strategies for managing/resolving such;
2. List at least three uses of hypnosis to your discipline that you have been taught and are ready to apply and three applications of hypnosis that require more training;
3. Describe three ways that he or she will begin to incorporate hypnotic communication, hypnosis and hypnotic techniques into his/her practice.
ASCH Membership and Certification. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Discuss ASCH’s clinical hypnosis standards of training, levels of training, and requirements for, ASCH certification;
2. Describe the opportunities available for further training, membership and certification.
Tailoring Hypnosis for your Client/Patient. At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Describe three ways to tailor hypnosis for his/her/their particular client/patient;
2. Identify at least four strategies for working through problems/concerns with hypnosis with his/her/their client/patient.
Ego Strengthening At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
1. Define what is meant by ego strengthening and how it might be used in clinical practice;
2. Identify three different types of ego strengthening;
3. Describe at least three strategies for ego strengthening in clinical hypnosis practice. 

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