Why We Only Offer 10 Month, In-Session, Hands-On Training
There are a couple of questions that are occasionally asked: 1) "Do you offer distance learning (i.e. Hypnosis Instruction via Correspondence)?" and 2) "Do you offer a three to four week time accelerated intensive programme?" The answer to both these questions is really very simple. Let's look at the 'Do you offer distance learning' first.
It is really important to understand that there is a major difference between learning about hypnosis and learning how to facilitate hypnosis in a therapeutic client centred environment. The issue for us here at the Institute is therapist competency. That is, we train therapists not hypnotists.
We have always been amazed at how many people spend several thousands of dollars purchasing a canned video course, write the exam (?), get their diploma (?) and set-up a private practice (?) - only to discover that they have no idea what to do when someone comes in with a real problem. A problem that could be physical or psychogenic or psychosomatic or psychosuggestic or a combination of both emotional and physical.
Hypnosis is not the end in itself. Hypnosis is only one of the tools used in the complex modality called Hypnotherapy. There are also the skills of attending, empathy, immediacy; there is the skill development for handling 'secondary gain' and 'hidden agenda' issues (called challenging); there is the development of intake and consultation skills; there is the development of the skill of discernment of the hypnotic state and so forth - Hypnotherapy skill competency can only truly be learned through hands-on mentored Practicum instruction.
Let me give you an example:
Lets say you are suffering from a complex phobia that has been diminishing the quality of your life for as far back as you can remember. Now, it has begun to manifest physically in your body. Your family medical doctor tells you that the physical symptoms, while real, have no organic cause that can be "cured" medically. They recommend that you see a psychotherapist. After about six months of intense and costly psychotherapy, the therapist (wisely) suggests that the problem is deeply rooted in your past and that hypnosis may be the key for release. Now let me ask you a question: 'Would you entrust your complex issue to a person who received their clinical training via correspondence?' (The question really is rhetorical because to obvious answer is - 'no way').
Essential aspects of Hypnotherapy training leading to an effective, successful practice include: Experiencing numerous group and individual hypnosis processes and giving and receiving feedback about your subjective experiences; demonstrations and commentary followed by questions and answers; and supervised practice sessions with feedback from clients and supervising instructors. Correspondence courses are very limited in their potential for training persons to become Hypnotherapists, just as they would be for training persons to become counsellors, bodywork or medical practitioners.
Realise that we are not against distance learning, perse. What we are advocating is the instruction of a Clinical Hypnotherapist only inside a controlled and supervised environment, where competency can be assured. Once the therapist has completed their clinical training, we believe that distance learning for continued education is a valid option, but not as the vehicle for primary clinical training.
Let's move on to the second question we are occasionally asked: "Do you offer the training in a three to four week time accelerated intensive, so I can get it over with and set-up my practice right away?"
There are several reasons why we avoid this form of intensive training. First, it has been proven, time and time again, that the human mind can only retain a fraction of the instruction received in very intensive training without some form of anchoring. In fact, within three short weeks, you could be unable to recall as much as 60% of this so-called 'time accelerated intensive' training in your conscious mind.
The anchoring that was just spoke of is a combination of compounding and Practicum which requires an extended period of time to be effective. Thus, secondly then, the reason we train Clinical Hypnotherapists over a ten-month period utilizing required textbook readings, in-session lectures with PowerPoint™, video and live demonstrations is all about competency. Then add to this supervised Practicum, both in-session and logged between teaching sessions (totalling between 75-100 hours) coupled with supervisor/peer client consultation (completely unique to CRTI), again, the goal here is competency. This is 'student-centred training' for 'client-centred therapy'. That is why the therapists that graduate from the CrossRoads Training Institute (CRTI) are both competent and confident in their clinical training.
The entire programme at the CRTI has also been develop to meet the needs of those who are working. This includes therapists and counsellors who desire to expand their modality base and others who desire to change careers - where the option to stop employment is not available. The programme has been designed to meet the needs of people with real lives and responsibilities that want to avoid the added stress of "intensive" training. Thus, it is recommended to avoid Distance Learning and "time accelerated intensive" training, that fail to achieve what they promise.
Our goal at CRTI is the training of competent therapists and the only way to do this with integrity, is with supervised training and practice, and to do it right means the student must be committed to take the time to develop competence. We know that those trained at CRTI can meet the rigid requirements of certifying Associations, such as, the Association of Registered Clinical Hypnotherapists (ARCH Canada) at their Clinical Certification Level.
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