The Transparent Hypnotist

Sitting before me is the bill to renew my NGH (National Guild of Hypnotists) membership. For those of you who are not familiar with this, it is the association of choice for many hypnotists and it grants certification to those in this noble profession. When becoming a hypnotist, I chose my educational path based on NGH standards. I have always been a poster child for them.

However, after reading Michael’s Sunday Question and learning of the NGH’s issues with certain forms of hypnosis, I now take pause in returning those membership dues. It sounds as though the NGH has chosen various types of hypnosis and does not sanction them (erotic hypnosis and who-know-what else). Now as you may or may not know (based on emails I have received requesting it), I do not engage in the erotic arts at this point in my life. Frankly, I have nothing against it and I really see nothing wrong with it; its just not my choice of occupation or hobby. However, I question the NGH about their fascists sounding ideas when they threaten to ban reputable hypnotist who are willing to speak about non-traditional hypnosis at conferences other than the NGH ones. It would be one thing if the NGH was like some of the psychology hypnosis organizations, but they are not. They have embraced clinical hypnotists as well as hypnosis performers. I also have nothing against theatric hypnosis and if done well I believe it helps our cause, but really - I do not think erotic hypnosis is that far a cry from all of it. It too could advance the cause (in spite of the BDSM control stuff- no hypnotist is ever truly in control of another person - we are not puppet masters).

So, though I did not answer Michael’s question, I guess I am in this post. If I wanted to spend the money and join another organization other than the NGH, by gosh, I would do it. Hell or high water, I think it is wrong of the NGH to ban decent hypnotists just because they do things a bit untraditional. As long as the hypnotist in question plays by the NGH ethics and standards, I do not see the problem. There are many hypnotists out there who do several things like hypnosis shows and clinical hypnosis, teaching hypnosis and clinical hypnosis, and on and on. Why not be a day time clinical hypnotist and a femmedom hypnotists as night? I think it is very short sided of the NGH to have a bias against a certain portion of the field. If one of those hypnotists in question, breaks the code of ethics, well then indeed I agree that there be consequences, but if they don’t…

So, NGH - want to reconsider renewing my membership now?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 at 6:48 am and is filed under NGH. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.