HYPNOSIS

Hypnosis Organizations©

There are many hypnosis organizations. Several years ago I located over 24 while doing research in the library. Only a few of these are large, viable groups, and most are privately owned businesses founded to support the graduates of their own hypnosis school. Contact them and inquire what benefits they offer to their members. Benefits can include a journal or newsletter of articles on hypnosis, on-going training opportunities, networking, conventions, local chapter meetings, update on legislation pertaining to hypnotists, hypnosis books, tapes & videos for sale, and membership in a professional group.

It is very important for anyone practicing hypnosis in any form to affiliate professionally. Besides the need for networking, and the continual need to update and improve one's skills, hypnotherapy is periodically challenged by other professions for the right to exist. It is important to band together to meet these challenges and to be proactive in writing our own legislation recognizing hypnosis as a respected profession in its own right.

Below is an list of American hypnosis organizations that we can recommend. They are listed in alphabetical order. While this is a very incomplete list of hypnosis groups, the others are in general, very small or we have insufficient information to recommend them. A couple of others we do not include because of their restrictive policies. Those marked * are the largest.

• *American Board of Hypnotherapy, 16842 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 475, Irvine, CA 92714; (800)872-9996. Founded by Al Krasner. Now owned by Dr. Tad James. Annual February Convention in Irvine, CA area, newsletter, more. Connected to the American Institute of Hypnotherapy and the Time Line Therapy Association.
• *American Council of Hypnosis Examiners, 700 South Central Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204; (800)894-8766. Gil Boyne, Founder/Director. Annual spring convention in Glendale, CA. Also connected to Westwood Publishing. Connected Gil Boyne's training program.
• *International Association of Counselors & Therapists, 10915 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 2142, Bonita Springs, Florida 33923; (941) 498-9710. Jillian LaVelle, Director. Excellent journal, chapter meetings, small, annual spring convention that alternates between Atlanta, Georgia, and New Jersey. Originally connected to Steve LaVelle's training program (Hypnodyne Foundation). Now since reorganization, IACThas other trainers.
• International Hypnosis Hall of Fame, 1602 Erbs Mill Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422; (610) 279-7499. Penny Dutton Raffa, Founder & Director. Small organization solely designed to honor the finest hypnotists in its annual April convention and awards banquet. No other events and no publications. Committed to build a museum to honor those who have contributed most to the field.
• *International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association, 4110 Edgeland, Suite 800, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073; (800) 257-5467. Dr. Anne Spencer, Founder/Director. Newsletter, annual October convention, referral service, more. Connected to Infinity Institute.
• Mid-America Hypnosis Conference, PO Box 1327, Bedford Park, Illinois 60499; (773)476-3452. Small, local hypnosis organization that puts on an annual fall convention in the Chicago suburbs.
• National Association of Transpersonal Therapists, PO Box 249, Goshen, Virginia 24439; (800)296-MIND. Founded & directed by Dr. Allen & Dee Chips. Small, warm organization that holds an annual convention, newsletter, chapter meetings. Connected to Eastern Institute of Hypnotherapy.
• National Board of Hypnotic Anaesthesiology, 7841 West Ludlow Drive, Suite A, Peoria, AZ 85381; (602) 843-2215; Founded by Dr. R D Longacre. Dr. Sheila M. Spears, Director.Newsletter, annual spring convention.
• North Coast Hypnosis Conference, c/o Retha Martin, Director, 5018 Mason Road, Berlin, Ohio 44814; (419) 433-5440. Small, annual April conference held in Sandusky, Ohio area. Connected to Retha's hypnosis training program.
• *National Guild of Hypnotists, PO Box 308, Merrimack, NH 03054-0308; (603) 429-0438. Dr. Dwight Damon, Director. Largest organization & largest convention held annually in Nashua, NH during the second week in August, video rental library, best journal, more. Sponsors many continuing education programs by various presenters throughout the year.