The
purpose of this prospectus is to answer some of your questions regarding hypnotherapy
training, and to outline for you how our course can train you to practise
as a
qualified professional hypnotherapist.
During the past few years people have shown an increasing interest in hypnotherapy, and are realising that it can bring about many beneficial changes - quickly, safely and permanently.
More and more the public in general, and the medical profession in particular, are turning to ethical hypnotherapists for help in bringing about positive changes in both mind and body in a minimum of time. They are also recognising that the concept of mind and body interacting with each other, either negatively or positively, is an accurate one.
The current lack of regulation in the whole field of complementary medicine is set to change, and we have been at the forefront of that movement, seeking high standards of ethics and practice in the form of National Occupational Standards.
Indeed both the principal of the College and its administrator are NVQ Assessors in the context of Training and Development.
In
this prospectus we have set out to answer the most common questions that people
ask about our course. We hope that this information is of interest to you,
and may help you decide that this course is the right one for you.
What are the aims and objectives of the college?
Our main concern is to raise the standards of hypnotherapy for the good of clients and therapists alike.
We believe in teaching hypnotherapy in a usable and dynamic form, and giving students the necessary skills to operate a successful practice.
During the training programme we aim to ensure that professional standards prevail, whilst at the same time placing emphasis on providing a happy and relaxed atmosphere in order to maximise the learning process for our students.
As in every skill, it is important that the practitioner is master of his craft. We regard hypnosis as the 'tool' for therapy, and it is vital that the therapist has a 'tool-box' of varied techniques in order to provide flexibility and the best therapy for the client.
Additionally, we ourselves are committed to keep up to date in the latest techniques in hypnotherapy so that we can pass these on to our students and clients.
And
finally, we aim to train our students in the most elegant and effective methods
possible for helping their clients to alleviate suffering and achieve their
fullest potential.
As this is a "hands-on" course, the emphasis is very much on practical training, and our students see the various techniques and methods demonstrated with volunteer class members. Students then work in pairs or small groups to practise and experience those techniques.
Different aspects of the therapy itself are further demonstrated with volunteer clients from outside the course. This enables our students to see how the techniques work in practice.
We are the only course to teach "HypnoHealing" - a specialised technique which deals with healing physical problems, devised by our founder in the 1960's.
The
class size is limited in number in order to allow for individual attention
and maximum supervision.
The College was founded in 1983 by Bill Atkinson-Ball (deceased), and is the original post-graduate training facility in Britain, dedicated to improving the standards of hypnotherapy.
His main contributions to the world of hypnotherapy included a unique method of accessing the sub-conscious mind, the simplified use of NLP techniques and his particular speciality “HypnoHealing”.
The College was founded as a result of many requests from hypnotherapists who had attended the workshops and seminars run by him and Cherith Powell. Subsequent classes followed by word of mouth and personal recommendation, and the College has continued to run at least three courses a year both in London and in Liverpool.
Cherith
Powell took over as Principal of the College after Bill’s death in 1992.
Classes are held in:
This Advanced Course was designed originally for existing hypnotherapists wishing to enhance their skills. We now also accept mature students who fulfil one or more of the following criteria:-
We believe that any worthwhile qualification has to be earned, so, providing you have attended each weekend of the course, completed both the written and practical assessments, and passed the written examination, then you will be awarded your Diploma by the Atkinson-Ball College.
Provided you fulfil the necessary criteria, you will be invited to become a member of our professional organisation, the Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy. This is a founder member of the British Complementary Medicine Association, and the UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations.
The course is also accredited by the Hypnotherapy Society and the British Complementary Medicine Association.
It has also been assessed and validated at practitioner level by The General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (UK).
Printed notes are issued in sections as the course progresses each weekend.
The comprehensive training includes valuable advice on how to set up a successful practice.
Students are advised on the use of recording equipment, record-keeping, marketing, advertising and insurance.
The final weekend of the course is devoted to ensuring that all relevant professional information is offered to students to ensure that they have full knowledge of business matters relative to their work as hypnotherapists.
Because we do not have to pay for expensive advertising to attract our students, we are able to keep our fees very competitive, and considerably lower than some other colleges.
On completion of the course, past graduates have stated that they gained full value for money, especially in view of the comprehensive training they had received.
We ask that you pay a deposit when you book a place on the course. A second payment is due one week prior to commencement of the course, and the balance is due on the fourth weekend.
However, if there is any difficulty we can be flexible on this, and you just need to talk to the principal.
No - we do not charge an examination fee, nor do we stipulate that you must have private therapy at an extra charge.
Neither do we insist that you must buy any additional reading material whilst you are doing the course.
Audio tapes, scripts and videos are available for sale at the end of the course, and we can only recommend that you invest in these resources at some time as we believe that they are an important aid to your professional practice.
On successful completion of the course graduates are invited to join the Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy, which requires an annual subscription of £45. However, this is not compulsory.
We have negotiated what we believe to be one of the best professional indemnity insurances for Hypnotherapists, and graduates of the Atkinson-Ball College can obtain this at a premium of £60, which provides £1 million cover.
Cherith started her working life in the banking world, in London. She now lives in Southport in the North of England, and has two grown-up children.
Cherith was originally trained by Bill in 1983 on an individual basis, with the specific intention of her becoming his assistant. This followed her years of research into various mind-expansion techniques, psychology, sociology & human biology, which convinced her that hypnotherapy is the most radical way to make beneficial changes.
Since then she has studied with some of the top names in Hypnotherapy, including Gil Boyne, Ormond McGill, Virginia Satir, Robert Dilts, Ernest Rossi, etc.
She adheres faithfully to the pioneering work that Bill started, i.e. to raise the standards of hypnotherapy in this country, and considers it a privilege that she was trained specifically for this purpose. In the classroom situation it is her aim always to maintain a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and also to ensure personally that every student is equipped with the therapeutic tools to enable each one to become an excellent hypnotherapist.
She co founded The Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy in 1990, was President of that organisation for 12 years.
GREG FORDE - (Assistant Tutor)
Greg, an American by birth, joined the staff of the Atkinson-Ball College in 1992, Bill and Cherith having recognised in him his special qualities, both in counselling skills and in his professional approach to hypnotherapy.
He first started practising hypnotherapy in 1967 whilst in the U.S. Forces, and over the years developed some of his own hypnotherapy techniques, mainly concerned with rapid inductions and short-term therapy.
He is in private practice in Norfolk, working from two therapy centres, and regularly gives talks on hypnotherapy both to private groups and to the medical profession.
Greg became president of The Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy in 2004
In Liverpool - the supervisor is Eamonn O'Brien.
Eamonn was formerly the senior counsellor at Liverpool John Moores University, where he was responsible for providing an appropriate counselling and support service for students and staff alike. He has counselling qualifications up to post-Masters level. He is now in private practice in Liverpool.
He trained with the Atkinson-Ball College in 1993, following initial training with Diane Zimberoff in the USA. Since then he has received further extensive training in hypnotherapy and NLP on both sides of the Atlantic.
In London - the supervisor is Christine Gould.
Christine has a varied background in the educational world, and has a Masters Degree in Education. Her specialist field is dealing with children who have specific learning difficulties.
Christine was a counsellor for many years before qualifying as a hypnotherapist. She originally trained in hypnotherapy in 1989, and then completed the advanced course with our college in 1992.
On completion of the course graduates are invited to join the Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy. As members of that organisation, it is a requirement that they attend at least two days of further training each year.
Our graduates are also entitled to continued support and advice from the tutors, and are encouraged to join one of our support groups in various parts of the country, where they can meet up with other graduates of the College to share ideas, as well as areas of common concern.
Our members also benefit from a free referral service stemming from extensive national advertising carried out by the Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy.
WEEKEND 1 - HYPNOSIS
WEEKEND 2 - HYPNOSIS - Continued
WEEKEND 3 - HYPNOTIC ANAESTHESIA and BASIC NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING
WEEKEND 4 - ADVANCED NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING
WEEKEND 5 - HYPNOANALYSIS
WEEKEND 6 - HYPNOHEALING
WEEKEND 7 - TIME LINE TECHNIQUES and DEALING WITH SPECIFIC ISSUES IN DEPTH
WEEKEND 8 - REVISION AND EXAM
The eight weekends are at three-weekly intervals. This allows time for the students to assimilate the course material and to practise the techniques.
This is very much a 'hands-on' course, and so the majority of the learning takes place in the classroom itself. However, certain assignments are set for students to do at home in order to reinforce particular aspects of the course, and these form part of the overall assessment.
We have always adopted an 'open house' policy, and we invite all prospective students to visit the course so that they can talk both to us and to the present students. We are also happy to give you the names of graduates who have recently completed our course.
The following is a very small sample of comments from some of our past graduates:-
"Extremely well-constructed course with the right balance of theory and practice on real live clients, to enable one to emerge with complete confidence in using the up-to-date techniques taught. The caring attention of the tutors could not be faulted and every single one of us benefited not only professionally, but also personally. (Joan H.)
Reinstated my value, belief and mostly confidence in hypnotherapy as a powerful tool in therapy, but mostly in training courses. After a previous bad experience, it was encouraging to know that there is still someone out there with a balance of professionalism and genuine care. (Sian K.)
Without doubt, the finest and most interesting course I have ever been on. The sheer professionalism of the tutors was absolutely fantastic and their ability to instill enthusiasm into their pupils was a delight to experience. I would recommend this course to any hypnotherapist who wishes to improve the quality of their work. (Sam B.)
Excellent, fantastic course which has already proved very useful. Although I have been in practice for over four years, I just don't know how I managed without it before. (Ion H.)
The fact that I have already recommended the course to several people keen to study hypnosis speaks for itself. Of all the hypnotherapy courses I have done, this has been the best one. (Ian D.)
A brilliant course which was incredibly well planned and well taught, with no time wasted. Highly recommended. (Sarah K.)
This course was the very best and most life changing I have ever been on. The qualification means more to me than any other I have ever achieved. (Carol H.)
This
course has exceeded every expectation that I had about it. For me, it has
been the answer to a dream to find real solutions to people's problems. It
is simple, concise, and most of all, it works! I cannot praise the course
too highly and all the people who have helped me along the way. (Malcolm G.)
Yes - this is a joint document with the Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy, and it is mandatory for all its members to sign a form agreeing to abide by the Code of Ethics.
Hypnotherapy practice is based on humanitarian, holistic ideals. Professional hypnotherapists are dedicated to serve the welfare of mankind and to the disciplined use of a recognised body of knowledge about hypnosis. It is a public trust that requires of its practitioners integrity, compassion, belief in the dignity and value of human beings, a commitment to service and a dedication to truth. It requires mastery of knowledge and skill gained thorough professional education and experience. Each member of the profession carries the responsibility of maintaining and improving hypnotherapy.
1.
Hypnotherapists must earn the confidence of their clients, offering to each
a full measure of service and devotion.
2. Hypnotherapists should strive to improve their knowledge and skill and
should make available the benefits of these skills to all their clients.
3. The profession should safeguard the public and itself against hypnotherapists
deficient in moral character or professional competence.
4. Hypnotherapists should observe all laws, uphold the dignity and honour
of the profession and accept its self-imposed disciplines.
5. The hypnotherapist must not illegally practise medicine or psychology and
must recommend that a client seek medical advice when this is appropriate.
6. A hypnotherapist should avoid dual relationships with clients, or offer
his/her services under terms or conditions which might impair the free and
complete exercise of his professional judgment and skill, reduce the quality
of his service, or risk exploitation.
7. A hypnotherapist should seek consultation with other professionals upon
request, in difficult situations or when it seems that the quality of service
may benefit.
8. A hypnotherapist must not reveal the confidences entrusted in him in the
course of professional practice, unless he is required to do so by law, or
to protect the client's welfare, or that of the community.
9. All hypnotherapists must help protect the public from misrepresentation,
exploitation, any unethical practices or conduct, and should manage their
own practice accordingly.
10. Hypnotherapists must ensure their advertising and other public representations
present a true picture.
11. Every effort must be made to ensure that clients are aware that it is
their own power and involvement that produces changes.
12. Self-glorification by the hypnotherapist at the expense of the client's
autonomy and personal integrity is unacceptable.
13. Members of the Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy must not use their
hypnosis skills in the context of stage hypnosis or for any entertainment
purposes.