AH Associates News

I've posted this as I strongly support the regulation of my profession for the safety and benefit of everybody concerned: Call to regulate therapy counsellors

Hi. Many people are more comfortable calling and talking to someone about personal challenges once they feel more comfortable with the idea of doing so. Take a look at this short video where I introduce myself and my practice: Meet the Therapist: Andrew Hill

I’ve just returned from another guest appearance with Mark O'Donnell on BBC Radio Wiltshire. Here you will find a short mp3 audio taken from my appearance earlier in January this year, in the midst of the bad weather that we experienced: Andrew Hill on BBC Radio Wiltshire Jan 2010

Hi. Just go to the FAQ's tab, and click on the "Do you have a brochure" link to be able to download my new brochure as a pdf file. It will be particularly useful for those past clients who may wish to pass something on about my practice to a family member, friend or colleague in need.

I have now finished the class room components of my NCHP (National College of Hypnosis & Psychotherapy) Advanced Diploma as part of my acredditation as a UKCP psychotherapist.

 

The exam consisted of two evaluated 50 minute sessions with a fellow student as the client. The examination was scored on the basis of:

• Consultation
• Empathy
• Adaptability
• Structure
• Intervention

My overall score secured a pass at "Distinction" level. I now only have written assignements and an NHS placement to complete, that I am currently arranging with my local primamry care trust.

 

A big THANK YOU to my tutors and fellow students.

As you may well know in the UK there is no need for a hypnotherapist to:

 

• Have received any formal training
• Belong to a professional body
• Carry professional liability insurance
• Be CRB checked
• Be accountable to a government recognised body
• Continue in education
• Be supervised
• Have to practice a minimum number of hours to gain adequate experience

Consequently, irrespective of any therapist’s “good” intentions, there is little assurance of professionalism, quality of therapy and indeed safety as far as a member of the public is concerned when choosing a therapist.

 

Until recently anyone could describe themselves as a “psychologist” or “psychotherapist”. Anyone still can describe themselves as a hypnotist or hypnotherapist and can even start a hypnotherapy training school.

 

The government is determined to standardise levels of mental health care and ethical, safe practice within the NHS and private sectors. Consequently it is now illegal to represent oneself as a psychologist (unless ratified by the British Psychological Society) and in 2011 to do so as a psychotherapist (unless ratified by the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy or British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy, and then only if educated to postgraduate degree level).

 

This is a major breakthrough by the government on behalf of the public, something that as a committed full-time therapist I fully support.

 

The government will no doubt then turn its attention to the practice of hypnotherapy and other mind-based therapies.

 

The UKCP has for many years recognised hypno-psychotherapy as a distinct branch of psychotherapy. The branch members practice a psychotherapeutically holistic approach, drawing upon their training in various sub-disciplines, while regularly utilising hypnosis as a tool to speed the rate of change.

 

Members are educated to master’s degree level and must uphold the rules and regulations stipulated by the UKCP, that as of 2011 will be ratified by the government. UKCP psychotherapists may take up NHS roles.

 

There are currently few UKCP accredited hypno-psychotherapists in the UK, mainly because of the lengthy (4 year), stringent, challenging and fully evaluated training that must be undertaken to achieve accreditation. Further, as part of the training the candidate must undergo a minimum amount of personal therapy, to ensure the psychological safety of the therapist and prevent the therapist’s personal needs being projected into the therapeutic setting.

 

The full requirement for UKCP accreditation may be found here:

 

UKCP Standards of Education and Training (2008) - the minimum core criteria psychotherapy with adults

 

I am currently on the Accredited Prior Learning UKCP qualification course run by the National College of Hypnosis & Psychotherapy. I am accepted as a UKCP member; “Candidate in Training”, and will obtain full membership in 2011, having already completed all of my personal therapy requirement.

Mark’s show runs weekdays 9 am till noon and is an entertainment show mixing music, news and events of national and local concern. Andrew often appears in his professional capacity to offer analysis and insight on psycho-social issues and quarterly to chat along with Mark and another invited guest. Andrew was once again a guest of Mark between 11 am and noon, where he and a fellow guest debated and chatted over current local and national news events while “keeping it real”. Andrew said, “It’s always fun, Mark and my fellow guest are always well informed, articulate and equipped with a good sense of humour! I’m not quite sure how we got around to talking about Star Trek and the experience of bringing a bottle of the local booze home from holiday only to discover that it doesn’t travel well? Anything can surely happen in this hour!”

Andrew attended this, the augural event on the 20th and 21st of June 2009 where over 100 Hypnotherapists and Hypno-Psychotherapists met at the First Annual International Hypno-Psychotherapy Conference. Delegates came from several countries to hear some excellent presentations which were not only informative but motivational as well. This event was such a success that the dates have been set for next year's event, 11th-13th of June 2010 in the Midlands (Leicester). Andrew commented, “The event was a great success all around and really set out the groundwork for the profession going forwards when legislation is introduced to ensure the national regulation of hypnotherapy. The attendees and sponsors are all to be considered at the top of their profession, not just clinically, but ethically too, dedicated to the educational standards that true professions seek out and their clients need to expect. I’ll certainly be along next year too”