History

What is the ASCH - Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists?

The Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists (ASCH) was formed in 1974 by a small group of clinical Hypnotherapists dedicated to maintain high ethical and professional standards in clinical hypnotherapy. Since that time the Society has grown steadily in membership and now has representatives in every state of Australia and as far afield as Fiji, New Zealand, Hong Kong and The United States of America.

The Original Concepts and ideals of the Founding Members have been rigorously maintained. Every Society Member is trained and examined in the relevant areas of study including, the clinical applications of hypnosis, psychology and counselling skills. Prospective members are psychologically assessed to ensure they are suitable persons to carry out therapy and members are required to enter into a supervisory relationship with experienced members during their training and initial period of membership. All members are sworn to uphold the professional and ethical standards as are set out in the Society’s comprehensive Code of Ethics.

The Society is administered by a Board of Directors, elected each year by the members. The Board includes professional hypnotherapists, medical practitioners and psychologists who are actively involved in clinical hypnotherapy.

Some of the objectives for which the Society was established are:

(a) To advance the knowledge, art science and practice of hypnosis and to maintain the highest possible ethical standards in the use of hypnosis.

(b) To further the prevention and treatment of ailments, afflictions and conditions with a view to reducing human suffering; and to co-operate with other authorities interested in the causes, diagnosis and treatment of such ailments, afflictions and conditions.

(c) To stimulate public interest in hypnosis and assist in keeping members up to date in the latest developments in the field of research into hypnotic techniques as applied to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of conditions that can be treated using hypnotic or similar techniques.

(d) To promote, develop and assist the study of and the acquisition, dissemination and application of knowledge and information concerning the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of psychosomatic ailments and conditions using hypnosis.

(e) To promote and establish funds for, and aid research and investigation into hypnotic techniques in their application to medicine and related fields and into the causes and treatment of ailments and conditions.

All members are required to maintain a strict standard of ethics. A separate publication, headed "Code of Ethics" is available on application to the Society.

In Addition to the origianal objectives, some of the current objectives of the Society are:

To keep members appraised of the latest developments and techniques used in clinical hypnotherapy the Society maintains a continuing educational programme comprised of discussion groups, workshops and seminars, supervised practice sessions and similar. In addition meetings are convened on a regular basis during which members are encouraged to exchange ideas and knowledge of their particular areas of expertise or specialisation.

Forum Discussions: The forum an exchange of knowledge between our members and often sparks exciting discussions, which members can join in or just observe.

Newsletters: The newsletter is now in electronic format and distributed to members regularly by e-mail. It contains a regular report from our president, Lyndall Briggs; Conference information; News from our editor, Barry Shirley; updates on lobbying health funds; ASCH Featured Article (from a previous journal); membership announcements; some hypnotherapy type humour; book reviews; articles of interest.

Workshops: The Society regularly organises weekend workshops, seminars and other educational programs. Every two years, an International Convention is held. For a list of upcoming workshops and conferences, please go to OPD Workshops & Conference.

Journal Publication: The Australian Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy & Hypnosis is published biannually by the Society. We currently have subscriptions for our journal from Universities and Libraries around the world. To view a sample of these journals, please go to Journal List.