Training recommendations?

[Pixeler]

At this point, I'm actively searching for quality training in hypnosis. I live in Florida but am willing to travel a bit for the right education.

I've been following the threads about different hypnosis methodologies, traditional, Ericksonian, NLP etc. Many trainers don't make it very clear what their point-of-view is.

My short list so far is Topher Morrison, Michael Watson, Gerald Kein (all in Florida) and Mark Cunningham (I'd have to travel for this).

Kein and Cunningham I think are pretty traditional, Morrison and Watson seem NLP/Ericksonian.

I could use some guidance from this valuable group!

Thanks

[nUnregistered]

Pixeler

I've actually been pondering that decision myself and my short list is Kein or Cunningham. you really have to decide whether you want to learn the Elman technique or Ericksonian or both.

Cunninghan actually was originally trained by John Kappas(Hypnosis Motivation Institute),then Gil Boyne, and ended up with Gerald Kein
if you monitored his forum(Marknosis), he's highly complimentary of Gerald.
they both teach the Elman technique

if you want to learn Ericksonian hypnosis, you should really choose from Stephen Gilligan, John Overdurf & Julie Silverhorne(Neuro Energetics) or www.erickson-foundation.org. and of course Tad James. respectfully I wouldn't rate geographical convenience as the key criteria

[Pixeler]

Thanks nUn for the quick response.

You are right that geography shouldn't be the prime motivator in choosing training. It's certainly a factor though.

Expense is an issue to an extent, and interestingly, the law in Florida is certainly a consideration. Florida has a vague law dealing with hypnotherapy. Trainers in Florida are conversant in this law and can speak to establishing practices within its context.

Other than that, I'm looking for a solid foundation on which to launch a career. Your comments were great. I'm looking forward to other opinions too.

[Poodle]

Jerry is a great teacher but in a way he does a disservice to his students. You get one week hands on training. The remainder of the course is by video depending on how far you want to go. I'm probably going down in Sept. for additional training if I don't go for Certified Instructor training in April. I personally believe in a "full toolbox" so I would want more than just hypnosis as NLP lends itself very well in or out of trance and it just helps in life every day. Bennett/Stellar University usually has something in Florida during the calendar year. This is a heavy emphasis on NLP, Time Line Therapy but a decent amount of hypnosis training. Also posted above is American Pacific University. You will get to learn all of the above with Time Line Therapy as developed by Dr. Tad James probably by the master himself and also ancient Hawaiian Huna. With APU, you can go as far as you want to all the way to doctorate level. There is another NLP school in Colorado in the Rockies in the summer. Go back to the front page of this website and check out the training and the other two are imagineit.com and omnihypnosis@omni.com. Keith Livingston (advancingideas.com) is offering a class taught by Janis Ericson (notice no k) three times this year in differing locations. Keith has a very good program that is a beautiful blending of NLP with hypnosis. Janis is an excellent instructor. You would have to ask as to what you would be certified for. There is one in Santa Fe, NM that is for Clinical Hypnotherapy and takes about 2-1/2 months to get through. They teach enough NLP to make their practitioners a little dangerous IMO. Now you have many choices. Check them out and find the one you feel is right for what you want to learn.

[Merlin]

Me, I'd start with Kein.
He's OK, and convenient to Florida.

[dArKliGhT]

Poodle, do you happen to know the name of the Santa Fe school you referred to?

And could you elaborate on your comment "they teach enough NLP to make thier practitioners a little dangerous IMO."

Its too seductive a statement to not question, beyond your obvious intended meaning.

Thx ; )

[Poodle]

NLP is NOT a one day class! By that I mean they do not teach enough NLP to help anyone and only hinder. Actually it just totally pisses the hell out of a Master NLP Practitioner. Maybe they think exposure is good, but when someone tries to use something as powerful as NLP and doesn't know how, the results are very sad and it gives all of NLP a very bad name. This is also true of another training school near San Francisco. They think NLP is a bunch of bunk but yet they teach the John Bradshaw Inner Child work that went out in the '90's. Check your trainings carefully! If you just want hypnosis, then you are in a perfect place for it but your toolbox will not be full. NLP greatly aids hypnosis and produces profound trances on its own. Also Time Line Therapy is wonderful to know too.

I am wondering if you really, really want to learn. You seem to be hanging around a lot without making any real moves. I am not saying this to be harsh or critical -- just an observation.

[dArKliGhT]

NLP is NOT a one day class! By that I mean they do not teach enough NLP to help anyone and only hinder. Actually it just totally pisses the hell out of a Master NLP Practitioner. Maybe they think exposure is good, but when someone tries to use something as powerful as NLP and doesn't know how, the results are very sad and it gives all of NLP a very bad name. This is also true of another training school near San Francisco. They think NLP is a bunch of bunk but yet they teach the John Bradshaw Inner Child work that went out in the '90's. Check your trainings carefully! If you just want hypnosis, then you are in a perfect place for it but your toolbox will not be full. NLP greatly aids hypnosis and produces profound trances on its own. Also Time Line Therapy is wonderful to know too.

I am wondering if you really, really want to learn. You seem to be hanging around a lot without making any real moves. I am not saying this to be harsh or critical -- just an observation.

I absolutely agree w. you. And I'm glad I asked you to elaborate on your original statement. My thoughts of your intended meaning were in the opposite direction of what you REALLY were intending. I thought you meant "dangerous" in a complimentory/sarcastic tone. In that the school was THAT thorough and would bring their students to a level of INCREDIBLE COMPETENCE.

I don't know who you were talking to in your last line, but if it was directed towards me, what a funny statement. You observe that I'm "hanging around a lot without making any real moves"... yet at the same time you question my sincerity of learning. What else would I be doing on such a site!? My time "hanging out" is spent doing just what your questioning. Learning. Reading thread after thread. And asking such veterans in here (like yourself) about further education (schools, etc.). Granted I have only posted 2 things. But, I didn't know such "moves" where what qualified my sincerity in learning. At this point, I'm sponging a good 99% of my time here.

If you weren't talking to me, or if my response seems a tedious waste of time... its only because I've noticed so much criticism on this forum. The level of smug sarcasm, and know-it-all judgement is amazing. I can see that so many of the top-dogs in here have a wealth of knowledge and experience, yet so much of it often translates to just a superior display of that.

But back to my point in this drawn out response. I very much respect the knowledge and expertise of the pillars in here, and would like to learn more from those heights (minus the subtle and indirect displays of condescending superiority).

Once again, if that last comment was not directed towards me... this response is only my observations to the forum to better it. There is tremendous knowledge here, and I very much appreciate the people behind it. Thank you...

[Terry (existing)]

Darklight, you are correct in your observation of the tone on this board at times, and I contribute to it more often than most. You see, I believe people to be very valuable, and their main value is in the power of their minds. Sadly, so many waste their lives because they are too lazy to use what the good Lord gave them and do the work to improve on it. Hanging around this board is well and good if it helps improve your knowledge, but for those who just want to hang and get free information, they are wasting both their time and ours. You will learn much once you have the basics of a training it's true, but what you learn without training may tend to give you false beliefs, since words are frequently misunderstood. If you read the posts we get almost weekly asking the same damn fool questions, and expecting us to meet the posters expectations regardless of how stupid the question, you will know why the tone (G).... As for what is learned, many believe they can learn from books alone, and from boards like this, and then they attempt to use what they think they know on some other poor unsuspecting soul to the detriment of all. Not only that, but they then suggest that we are being greedy in suggesting that only hands on training is going to get them were they want to go. Stupid when you think about it, since most of us refuse to take any business from contacts on this board.

[dArKliGhT]

I hear you. I'm a global mod. for another forum myself, and can totally understand where your coming from.

I agree in the value of personal "training" and am very much interested in pursuing that route, when I can. When that time comes, no doubt I will appreciate the experience and opinions of the knowlegeable people of this forum to advise me where to go.

Until then... I will continue my sponging, and "using what the gord lord gave" me ; )

P.S. Much respect to you, and I enjoy the manner in which you responded to my post.

[Poodle]

The comments were made to Pixler who has not made up his/her mind about training in 6 weeks. That person is in an ideal place to learn hypnosis right in his/her own state with a good teacher. It just seemed strange to me when one of my friends asked the question, I gave her a list of the schools and what was taught and she is finishing up now and has clients waiting for her to get home. That is what I call a desire to learn. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink.

[Poodle]

The school in New Mexico is Hypnotherapy Academy of America in Santa Fe. I, personally, would much rather spend my time in Hawaii for about the same amount of money and come out knowing something. Upon complaining to them about the quality of their graduates I got the comment: "You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink". The person that had just spent 3 months there knew nothing of inductions, knew enough NLP to really piss someone that knows NLP off, and knew nothing about color and had absolutely no idea of how to or even check for trance. There is a very large difference between being relaxed and being in trance and constantly told the client: "You can resist me all you want but..." First lesson in hypnosis is RAPPORT. Second lesson in hypnosis, the client is always RIGHT even when TOTALLY WRONG so learn to work around it. You see, even in hypnosis, colors have meaning as yellow = warm and sunshine, white = divine and healing. There are very definite reasons why we say some of the things we do.

[dArKliGhT]

Agreed Poodle ; )

So to give you the window (which it feels would be quite a nice release right now, after your "horse to water" moment w. HAA, lol)... as well as beneficial to myself and others.

What in person school/university would you suggest in all of America, anywhere. Where simply is the best!?

Probably has been said in other threads, which I'll soon check... but thought it would be good to steer this thread back to topic, and end it on valuable note.

Thx :)

[Terry (existing)]

I am willling to bet that such a question would get almost as many answers as schools. In other words, each of us thinks of our training as being of value to us. Nobody can pick just one school and say it's the best. In fact I would say even a training run by one of the "greats" could come second to one run by an unknown in the eyes of some. Judgements can be clouded by time, and the existance of a skill gained from previous training etc, or even the personality of the student. The only exception to this would be a training run by ME, which of course would be fantastic and hard to beat, but then I am retired so it just won't happen (G)

[Poodle]

What is BEST is what is BEST FOR YOU! What DO YOU WANT TO LEARN? I am not inside your head so I don't know what all you want to learn. What is probably the best - right here on this Forum - American Pacific University where you can go all the way to Doctorate with hypnosis, etc. Not everyone has that many years to spend so you need to make a thorough internet check and call the schools up on the phone. Ask them what they teach and ask to speak to a teacher asking questions like "what do you think of Ericksonian hypnosis" or "Dave Elman techniques", etc. Avoid things like "history of hypnosis". That you can read in a book. Ask for recommendations from past students that are in practice and are doing very well. Just make sure that after you have checked them out thoroughly and asked all the questions by calling them up on the phone, you get your money's worth. I hate to see people pay thousands and thousands of dollars and end up knowing not much more than before.

I, personally, have not found all my "learning" to lie with one person so I have studied with four. My next grand adventure will be studying NLP with Richard Bandler himself. I am a Master Practitioner but I am NOT Richard Bandler. I'm already on the list and anticipating enjoying myself greatly. That is going to be FUN!!

[dArKliGhT]

Ask for recommendations from past students that are in practice and are doing very well.

Um... I thought thats what I was doing!?

Anyways... while both of your responses are valid. Can't we just take a break for a moment here, without weighing every letter and what its exponential ramifications will be.

Whatever happened to the "oh ya... theres a GREAT restaraunt right down the street... its called Svengali's. Hang a right, can't miss it!" And it turns out to be the best lil lunch you ever did have. ;)

My question was just an easy "hey"... not an invite to delve into another round of the semantics of advice.

Obviously from the schools I hoped you would have kindly advised... I would have looked into, and seen if they were what was "BEST FOR" me. But... I guess I'm right back where my own intelligence has brought me, minus the advice of experienced others.

Lets try to make things a little easier here. Cause after all... we can break it down to what my hair color is, or my ethnicity, etc, and how that will influence my relation to the geography of the school and its people, and its relation to prime learning conditions, etc.

Simplicity is key. (for a reason)

Other than another tedious and worthless round of words here... Enjoy Bandler. I'm sure he'll be absolutely amazing, and a total joy. :)

P.S. Terry... Don't tease me! lol (Certainly love to learn from you)

[Poodle]

Darklight - you have yet to tell us what you want to be trained in -- just hypnosis? hypnosis and NLP, just NLP, Time Line Therapy??? You are asking me to get inside your head to see what you want to learn. I cannot do that. You are not here with me now. Which part of the US is more convenient for you? There's training on the east and west coasts. I can tell you to probably stay away from two that I have mentioned. There are numerous others if you just put forth some ideas. There are trainings in England and Australia too. I know of one that goes to Mexico too. You will only be getting MY OPINION and not the opinion of the Forum.

[dArKliGhT]

Fair enough...

I respect and appreciate your opinion, thats why I am asking.

As far as what my interests are. Everything! lol
Hypnosis, NLP, and TLT.

The focus being Hypnosis and NLP. I understand I can take speciality courses w. Tad James to learn TLT from the man himself later.

I wouldn't want to sacrifice any1 for another though, and understand that in order to get a really great education/training in all those, I'll have to take several courses at several different schools with several different teachers. But, I would still like to learn and acquire an excellent and grounded understanding in each of those. So my aim would be to find an in-person school of extended duration (more than 7-days, hehee) and really educate myself with a powerful and (thorough) current knowledge of each. A strong foundation in which to expand upon, and refine w. other teachers, etc., as I go.

I currently live in California, but keeping on the west coast is not a priority. The priority would be simply where is the best. When I can afford to do this, both time wise and financially... I will do it right. So location is not such an issue, unless it was between 2 equally great schools.

Thank you Poodle :)

[Merlin]

>What in person school/university would you suggest in all of America, anywhere. Where simply is the best!?

Mine is the best ;-)

[Merlin]

Hi dArk,

What do you wish to do/accomplish with these skills?
entertain?
ease pain?
help people read faster?
enhance sports skills?
help cocaine addictions?
ease cancer pain?
help people overcome cancer?
consel prison inmates?
Marriage counselling? (Is there a difference<lol>)
Anesthesia for surgery?
Student test anxiety?
General practice?
other?

[pookie]

Mine is the best ;-)[/QUOTE]

What is your comming training schedule, and how does someone make a reservation?

pookie

[dArKliGhT]

My thoughts exactly!? lol

So Merlin? ; )

[dArKliGhT]

Hi Merlin...

I would wish to accomplish most all of your list, in the sense that my desire is to be so apt, as to fluidly be able to help any1 with whatever their concern may be.

But personally... I think I would want to focus most on pychological and emotional issues. Help people heal they're inner worlds and grow into their happier potential.

The specialties you mentioned, like enhance sports skills, etc. "yes", but only when they came to me, with a sincere spirit w. that being their sole focus. Otherwise... like I said... my desire is to help and heal the matters of the heart/mind.

; )

Thx... and I am curious what your advice is. I enjoy your posts, and value where you would suggest. Thanks again!

[Pixeler]

I probably should have responded to my own thread sooner, but I can report that I have committed to a training class. It wasn't an easy decision.

I've spoken with many of you, searched forums and really tried to get the "lay of the land". What follows is my opinion, backed up with my money!

I personally phoned many training schools and practitioners that I could contact. Almost everyone was helpful and willing to at least offer an opinion. I found that hopeful.

Frankly, the bottom line seem to be the methodology that is taught. Trainers are either pretty traditional or ericksonian.

Traditional seemed to be regarded as "old school". Ericsonian's seem to couple up with NLP training or other hypnotic adjunctives like Huna, time line etc.

In the time I was deciding, I took a multiday NLP intro. It was interesting, but not my "cup of tea". Please don't take offense to my "snubbing" of NLP. It just doesn't fully fit me. I found much of it of value, but also IMHO loads of pseudo-science. I work now in the science and healthcare field so maybe I'm predisposed this way.

Also - and again this is very subjective - many of the Ericksonian trainiers seemed more into "training" than "doing" which is a statement in itself. I found one exception. A gentlman that had oodles of clinical experiance. I was tempted there. Still he pushed NLP ...

Also in the wild are many "trainers" that seem to think that a web site and correspondence course are just dandy. I didn't agree.

In the end, I signed up with a traditional provider that no-one said bad things about - and has a long standing reputation as a teacher and practitioner.

BTW his is about the most expensive of all my choices.

I'm leaving names out till I finish the training. I'll be happy to report back after that what my experiance were if anyone cares to know.

Thanks all for your input.

[Poodle]

Okay Darklight - here comes my personal recommendation - Bennett/Stellar University. You will learn hypnosis incl. Ericksonian, NLP & TLT. I would guess from the material presented that he learned from Tad James in Hawaii. There is class demonstration then outdoors to practice on each other until you have it right. It is about 160 hours and they are LONG days with really no day off. Some people start and stop at Bennett/Stellar but if you really, really want to be good you will continue to study. The answers do not lie in just one person and then come the clients - what a learning curve that is. www.imagineit.org (http://www.imagineit.org) Remember: This is only my opinion and you can ask other members on the Forum and get just as many different answers. PM me for more info.

Gee, if only Terry would teach. What a gift to mankind that would be! Wish! Wish! Wish!

[dArKliGhT]

Excellent... thank you Poodle.

I have checked their website out, and it does look to be a good fit. I will look into them further, and appreciate your advice. Thanks again.

Let me add a few more wishes to your cause as well... lol
Wish! Wish! Wish!

[Poodle]

Since you are in CA, I would wait until this summer to go to AZ. Sedona is a "different" place. My best advice would be NOT to get a roommate. The rooms are only $80/night. Just bring your own food or drive over so you can get to town to get food. I will promise you will have FUN!! Hopefully this will just be a beginning for you as we are never through with learning until the day we die. PM me on how to save you money.