The truth is that people in a position to affect the situation

simply do not know about it, or where they do know about it

they do not recognize its importance. This is understandable

After passing my Diploma course I feel that I had to tell you

as government officials are notorious 'firefighters' and

of my journey. I have had reservations about this and many

usually only react to something if it bites them on the rump

other courses and being a cynic felt that this institution was

(or there is a danger that it might do so).

a "money tree" for Mr. Michael Joseph.

Still, politicians are politicians and as such will respond to

Far from it after hearing from a patient that he was

public opinion. I feel sure that if enough people express an

prescribed Beta Blockers from a GP who was a self-taught

interest in changing this situation then the matter might be

hypnotherapist, or another case from an acquaintance who

raised and perhaps addressed. At the very least they should

advised me that he was preparing to "Do a stop smoking" for

be made aware of it.

up to a hundred people - that's right a hundred. When asked

simple questions like what if you have an abreaction he said:

I propose that everyone who has an interest in developing

" I haven't had one yet"; to how will you pace your patients:

and safeguarding our profession put their names to a

"what's that", but it is OK, he said, because he is going to

petition to be presented to the House of Commons. If you

give them all a CD that will help.

are interested in taking part in this petition please contact

the secretary of the BSCH for a petition form. I hope that

I started my journey over three years ago asking advice from

hypnotherapists, irrespective of professional association, will

an LCCH practitioner about where could I get some help for

join together to voice their concerns.

my son who suffers from Colitis and who was at University in

Leeds. After speaking with Peter Mabbut who directed me to

practitioners in Yorkshire, I decided to take the Certificate

The proposed petition paper:

course. It is a long slog for someone with no other formal

qualifications or exams, but hard work, and support from

friends and family, have led me to this point today.

I feel honoured and proud that I have managed to help many

patients that have been referred to me and help lift some of

the burden from their lives. For my son Joseph, who leads a

normal life now with just a little help from his dad, thank you

Michael, and all of your colleagues, for triggering this whole

experience. And, thank everybody at the LCCH for the

outstanding support and teaching that has today brought me

to the point of being a competent counsellor and therapist.

All of you new students with the same reservations, take it

from an old cynic that what you are taught and how you are

measured will lead to safe and ethical practise in the future.

Members are advised that the society has sourced an

alternative company for professional indemnity insurance.

There will always be a wide variety of training courses

This new company offers good cover at very competitive

presented and quality will naturally vary but courses that

rates. Please contact the secretary for more information.

claim to qualify practitioners at a professional level should

be subject to a national regulatory standard.

We congratulate John Hempstead, LCCH

examiner, on his appointment as a

Governor of the Royal Bournemouth and

Organizing Secretary

Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust.

British Society of Clinical Hypnosis

Tel: 01262 403 103

We congratulate Christa Mackinnon,

LCCH course director South West, on

her appointment as a Fellow of

Peninsula Medical School, University of

Exeter and Plymouth.