Psychology / Hypnosis Graduate Schools in US

[esoteric]

I have about a year left in my undergraduate degree in Pyschology, and am now starting the process of selecting graduate programs to apply for. I want to find a good school to get my master's and maybe my Ph.D. at, but I want to get a solid base in Psychology and Hypnosis/Alter States of
Consciousness type of work. Also, I'm interested in experimental psych, not clinical, which makes my search a lot more specific. I've talked with Professors and other people on campus, but want to explore all avenues open to me, and would appreciate any thoughts from the board on schools, degree sets, etc.

[Poodle]

You must be at UW. Congratulations on your decision. I have found many clients that have had "some hypnosis training" in their psychology classes have absolutely no idea of what trance is like in the hands of a skilled practitioner. Somehow, I doubt if you can even get this at UW. I would sugget getting your Masters in Psychology (UW is a fine school for this) and then heading to the owners of this website for a good thorough learning program in hypnosis, NLP and TLT. The three work extremely well together and you would be doing yourself a disservice these days by only learning hypnosis. This would put you in an excellent position to know if you wished to continue on with your Doctorate incorporating all that you know. You will note that "the James boys" have their Doctorates. Besides, Hawaii has to sound very appealing after living in Laramie. Who knows, maybe you will turn out to be like Richard Bandler and Tad James coming up with your own version of a healing modality. I would also like to see you take quantum physics or mechanics which explains much and as I remember at UW it is an upper level course. Maybe the best person to ask about this would be Dr. Leo Sprinkle as I think he is still around the Laramie area. Check the phone book. Good luck and hope this helps a little.

[Don]

APU offers a Doctorate and PhD program in clinical hypnotherapy.

I like the idea of studying psychology, too. However, it should be pointed out that the major schools of psychological thought (as taught in universities), tend to have an entirely different paradigm than is found in hypnotherapy. Some people who study one may have a difficult time relating to the other.

[esoteric]

Thanks for the response, Poodle. I'm surprised anyone on the board knows of UW, let knows details of the school. Did you go here yourself? It's a pretty good school for a psychology degree, and I'm focusing as many of my courses as I can in neuro and cognitive psych. Unfortunately though, UW only offers Ph.D. psych grad programs, or I would probably just stay here and get my Master's.

Would you mind elaborating on why you are suggesting physics and mechanics for me? Also, does Dr. Sprinkle have a background in psych/hypnosis or physics? Didn't quite follow ya there. I'm especially interested in studying phenomena (if that's a fair term to use) of hypnosis, NLP, meditation and all related aspects. I don't want to do clinical or therapy with them though, I would rather explore their functions and help to advance them. Once again, thanks for your response.

Oh, and Hawaii sounds wonderful right now!

[esoteric]

APU offers a Doctorate and PhD program in clinical hypnotherapy.

I like the idea of studying psychology, too. However, it should be pointed out that the major schools of psychological thought (as taught in universities), tend to have an entirely different paradigm than is found in hypnotherapy. Some people who study one may have a difficult time relating to the other.

Don, I agree that hypnotherapy and psychology are often coming from different ends for clinical use. But, that really isn't my focus. I want to use a strong background in psychology, with an emphasis on cognitive and neuro/physio pysch, to examine and do research on hypnosis and similar concepts. If I wanted a Ph.D. in Clinical this would be a lot easier, but unfortunately I seem to have a desire to go into a rare field. Any other thoguhts or suggestions?

[Poodle]

Did you even look in the book to call Sprinkle. He is a "strange duck" for sure but I think he may have some very good answers to your questions. Just don't let him get on the subject of flying saucers. Question: How could you possibly to research without a thorough understanding of both? This puts us back at my original post. Do you really think you are going to find something better in Colorado or California, other than having to pay a lot of out-of-state tuition??

[Don]

I'm afraid not. It sounds to me like you are going to be coming from a total psychology background in order to examine certain aspects of hypnosis. In that case, I'd just focus on psyc and take trainings in hypnosis.

[Poodle]

Don, don't you think that APU would be able to offer a little more than just training in hypnosis. If someone wants to compare apples to oranges and do research on the subject, then one has to know exactly what an apple and an orange are or one would end up with very poor results. Exactly what constitutes training in hypnosis? It sure isn't a weekend class with a lot of internet work and it is seeming to me to be a subject that the more I do the more I learn, the more I learn, the more I want to learn as there seems to be no end to it as every person in the world is different. Does one ever completely and totally understand all there is to know about hypnosis, except maybe Terry who seems to be buried in research. Hopefully he will come out with a great book. Many, many less knowledgeable have had their books published. I can say a big Thank You to Dr. Tad James as TLT saved my behind this afternoon!!

[Don]

The entire APU focus is on the multiple facets of hypnosis. The experience is through distance learning, but not not brief internet classes. There is also in-person class training which counts toward the degree.

[Poodle]

My belief is if you take quantum physics (mechanics) it just may very well change your whole view of life in general. It definitely is an eye opener to say the least. You are dealing in BA courses so I wonder if you have the math skills to get in. Okay, you want to know all about hypnosis and NLP, then go on line to imagineit.com It is Bennett/Stellar University. It is about a two week course equal to one semester with lots and lots of hands on training. Forget the Reiki, Huna and Theta Healing. Problem is there seems to be an over emphasis on NLP and less on hypnosis. You will learn a lot but unfortunately you will be just getting your nose wet. There is soooooo much more to learn after that but it's a great first step and usually in a somewhat "cool" place. I believe Sprinkle used to teach at UW quite a few years ago (like about the time you were being born and before) and that he still has a hypnosis business in his home. I think a good visit with him would answer many of your questions. We do LOVE to talk about our craft. It is wonderful that science is now finally becoming interested in hypnosis and why and how it works as it does work wonders. I was just at KMart and there was a young lady working there on a cane and in so much pain it was unreal. I handed her my card and told her to get a MD referral for pain and I would take it away. She was destined to a life of suffering and tonight she knows there is an alternative. Back to the subject at hand. So far it seems that the most they have been able to come up with is measuring brain wave lengths. Correct me here, Terry, if I am wrong.

My grandfather homesteaded in this state an awfully long time ago and we have been here since with no plans on leaving! Honest, there is nothing wrong with UW! The current Vice President of the US graduated there, my brother graduated there and I have many friends that graduated from there that are also millionaires. For me it was never an option as they did not offer at that time what I wanted to learn.

Call up Sprinkle this weekend and pick his brain. You will probably find out more in person than we are able to offer here on the forum.

And, why not find someone very skilled in these arts in Wyoming? A person lives where their heart is. I have lived in or visited almost every country in the world and have never found anything that equals the beauty of Wyoming. Stand as straight as you can and just keep thinking "spring is coming soon"!! Any more questions, please feel free to PM me. Wishing you all the best, Pood

[Merlin]

Psych and hypnosis are almost mutually exclusive.
They work with the mind, but they do different things.
Which do you really want?

[Merlin]

You won't find much taking the acedemic path.
Hypnosis is more of an artisan skillset, as opposed to acedemic.

[Poodle]

It would seem that he wants BOTH. How could one possibly do research on hypnosis and trance without a good basic knowledge of what it is. Something in my mind thinks the person I referred to him may have taught psych. at UW and was also a darn good hypnotist. That's why I stated it would be like comparing apples to oranges without the knowledge of what an apple or orange really is.