William A Michael Ph. D.

Information may not be reliable

Since the American Medical Association approved hypnosis as a valid form of treatment in 1958 and recommended more training be available, the demand for qualified professionals in this challenging and rewarding field has tremendously increased. Hypnosis is now used in all fields of treatment and change, including medicine, dentistry, psychology, social work, substance abuse, nursing, professional counseling, physical therapy, law enforcement, massage therapy, seminary training, chiropractic, sports, education and the communication arts.

The Clinical Hypnosis Institute is certified through the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association®, whose purpose and objectives are as follows:

The purpose of this International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association®, International Referral Service is to provide the community with excellently trained Certified Hypnotherapists. These Certified Hypnotherapists will work in harmony with local health care professionals to aid individuals in issues of health, happiness and dealing with specific medical challenges and procedures.

This program is designed to reduce the stress the individual is experiencing as a hospital patient and/or surgical patient, etc. Less stress allows the body to focus attention on its natural course of healing. The method to be used is hypnosis.

The objectives are clear: To help create a sense of peace and harmony within the individual so that the current challenge can be met and dealt with in a positive manner, thus making the journey toward wellness and peace of mind less traumatic.

Meet the requirements of D.R.G.
Reduce the amount of drugs the patient would normally require, especially in the control of pain.
Reduce the fear and anxiety associated with surgical procedures and catastrophic illness.
Assist the family in reducing their anxiety.
Teach the family members appropriate suggestions to reinforce the physician's and hospital staff's efforts on behalf of the patient.
Teach the patient how to use self-hypnosis after the hospital stay to control pain and aid in his/her healing process.
Help prepare the family for what they will feel as they wait for results of surgery, tests, etc.; as they see their beloved in ICU; and to dispel any negative feelings in order to create peace and harmony within themselves.

In addition to medical challenges all IMDHA members assist persons in dealing effectively with non-medical problems. Finding solutions to self-sabotaging habits leads to peace of mind and control of negative behavior. Self Empowerment is the goal.

Definition of Hypnosis
Hypnosis may be defined as an education and communication process to a person's mind that allows his/her conscious and subconscious mind to receive the same message. The process produces an altered state of consciousness through physical and mental relaxation. The critical faculty of mind is by-passed and the subconscious openly receives the communication. At this time, the senses are in a state of heightened awareness. The mind will only accept that which goes along with the established morals and ethics. The person in a hypnotic state will respond only to suggestions with which he/she is in agreement. Desire, belief and expectancy are necessary for this altered state to have effect in the outer behavior of the individual.

Students will become student members of the I.M.D.H.A. upon enrollment in the C.H.I.-Montana and will be certified by the I.M.D.H.A. upon successful completion of training and qualifying exams. Everyone interested in the power of the mind is welcome to attend. However, prospective students should be aware that the I.M.D.H.A. Code of Ethics is strictly followed by the Clinical Hypnosis Institute and all students are expected to learn and practice in strict accordance with it. It is as follows:

This ethics code provides a common set of values upon which members build their professional and scientific work and to provide education to members and non-members alike. The code is intended to provide the general principles to cover most situations encountered by members. It has as its primary goal the welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom members work. Members aspire to the highest possible standards of conduct, respect and protect human and civil rights. They do not participate in, or condone unfair discriminatory practices.

Members shall strive to maintain the highest standards of competence in their work. Members shall provide only those services and use only those techniques for which they are qualified by education, training or experience. They shall maintain knowledge of relevant scientific and professional information related to hypnosis and recognize the need for continuing education.

Members seek to promote integrity in the teaching and practice of hypnosis. In these activities members are honest, fair and respectable of others. To the extent feasible, members attempt to clarify for relevant parties the roles they are performing and to the function appropriately in accordance with those roles. Members rely on scientific or professionally derived knowledge when making professional judgments or when engaging in professional endeavors.

Consultations and Referrals
Members arrange for appropriate consultations and referrals based on the best interest of the client, with appropriate consent and subject to other relevant considerations, which include applicable laws and contractual obligations. When indicated and professionally appropriate members cooperate with other professionals in order to serve their client's best interest.

Fees and Financial Arrangements
As early as feasible in the professional relationship, the member and client reach an agreement specifying the compensation and billing arrangements. Member's fee practices are consistent with the law. Members do not misrepresent their fees.

Members discuss with the client as early as feasible in the relationship appropriate issues, such as the nature and anticipated path of wellness, fees and confidentiality. Members obtain appropriate informed consent for hypnosis-related procedures. The language is reasonably understandable to all participants.

Members have a primary obligation and take reasonable precautions to respect the confidential rights of those with whom they work or consult; recognizing that confidentiality may be established by law, institutional rules, professional or scientific relationships.

Terminating the Professional Relationship
Members do not abandon clients. A practitioner may terminate a professional relationship when it becomes reasonably clear that the client: no longer needs the service; is not benefiting from the service; or is being harmed by continuing the service.

The purpose of the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association® Standards of Practice Act is to define the scope of practice for its members. The organization realizes that a certain percentage of its members work with hypnosis as their primary vocation and others work with hypnosis as an adjunctive modality or "blend" with other professions such as: Therapeutic Touch, Reiki, Massage Therapy, Psychotherapy, Medical Professions, Dentistry and Holistic Healing, etc. In order to clarify the standards of practice for our members, IMDHA has established three categories titled Scope I, Scope II and Scope III. The descriptive categories are as follows.

Scope I refers to the IMDHA member whose sole practice is hypnosis. Members are not licensed or certified in any other profession and are trained to work independently in the field of hypnosis. These individuals are facilitators of hypnosis and their primary function is to assist clients in achieving wellness.

It is recommended that the client sign a "Consent To Receive Hypnosis' form. It is recommended that the member have a "Disclosure/Consent" form that includes the following:

The practitioner does not treat, prescribe for, or diagnose any condition.
The practitioner is a facilitator of hypnosis and is not practicing any other profession that requires a license under the laws and regulations of the state or province in question.
Hypnosis is not a replacement for medical treatment, psychological services or counseling.
These professionals are trained to work independently and also in a complementary manner with physicians, counselors and health care professionals. When working with other professionals, the client is to sign and date a "Records Release" form that gives the hypnotist and complementary care professional(s) permission to discuss the client's case. Anything beyond this scope of practice will be referred to another professional.

Scope II refers to the IMDHA member who works with hypnosis as a blend with other disciplines.

In the event that the IMDHA member has achieved educational training and has met the requirements that qualify him/her to practice other modalities such as Therapeutic Touch, Reiki, Massage Therapy, etc. he/she must be very clear about which modality they intend to practice and when they are practicing it.

It is recommended that the member prepares a "Statement of Disclosure" form that provides the client with an explanation of the various techniques that he/she is qualified to practice.

Scope III refers to the IMDHA members who are licensed or certified by his/her state or province that include (but are not limited to) the practice medicine, nursing, psychotherapy or any other health care/human service professional.

It is recommended that these members follow the rules and regulations that are required for their profession(s) by their state or province.

The IMDHA encourages its members to be clear about their scope of practice, as it is important to present their services in an ethical and professional manner.

C.H.I.-Montana is affiliated with Infinity Institute International, Inc. Hypnosis Training Schools Worldwide and offers students their licensed and internationally recognized Hypnosis Certification Training curriculum.
www.infinityinst.com

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