Membership Levels

The Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists (ASCH) was formed in 1974 with the following objectives:

• To advance the knowledge, art science and practice of hypnosis, and to maintain the highest possible ethical standards in the use of hypnosis.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 of the ASCH are required to maintain a strict standard of ethics. See Code of Ethics.

Admission to membership of the ASCH

Admission to membership of the ASCH is available to healthcare professionals, people who have studied or are studying hypnotherapy, and/or people with an interest in hypnosis. It is conditional upon agreement to adhere to the regulations laid down in the Articles of Association and the Code of Ethics of the ASCH and the satisfactory completion of a wide range of educational courses or otherwise meets the ASCH’s requirements for membership. Exemptions may be granted if, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, a candidate can provide existing qualifications and demonstrate competence commensurate with the ASCH’s requirements for the level of membership sought.

It is recommended that all practising members have First Aid training and indemnity insurance, and also accrue 20 ongoing professional development (OPD) points and 12 hours of supervision during the membership year, which runs from 1 July to 30 June each year.

All members of the ASCH enjoy the various benefits offered by the association, including access to the ASCH’s Members Only website.

Levels

Fellow

A Fellow has been deemed by the Board to have provided outstanding service to the ASCH, and without limiting the generality thereof, has established an extensive practice in hypnotherapy, advanced the knowledge of hypnotherapy or one of its fields, or has made substantial and original contributions to the advancement of hypnotherapy or one of its fields.

Emeritus

An Emeritus member is no longer practising hypnotherapy, and has been a Registered Professional Member or a Professional Member of the ASCH.

Registered Professional Member (health fund listing)

A Registered Professional member is a Professional member of at least 12 months standing or has a diploma from an approved school, and:

• holds a current First Aid Certificate
• has professional indemnity insurance
• undertakes ongoing professional development (OPD) as prescribed
• undertakes 12 months of ongoing clinical supervision or a combination of clinical supervision and peer supervision.

A Registered Professional member is entitled to apply for health fund registration through the ASCH.

Professional Member

A Professional member has completed successfully an approved course in hypnotherapy and its therapeutic application.

They may be an Intern Professional who is upgrading to Professional membership after completing all the educational requirements of the ASCH and has completed 20 hours of ongoing professional development and a minimum of 12 months clinical supervision.

A Professional member is entitled to use the acronyms of the ASCH and such abbreviated form or emblem as may be approved from time to time by the ASCH.

Intern Professional Member

An Intern Professional has satisfied the Board of their competence in the theory and practice of hypnosis by examination and has successfully completed all of the ASCH’s educational requirements to Intern Professional level.

The period of Intern Professional membership is one year, during which time the member must undergo clinical supervision, either group or one-on-one, with an ASCH-recognised supervisor. Peer supervision is not recognised at this level. The Intern must also complete 20 hours of ongoing professional development (OPD).

Senior Associate Member

A Senior Associate member has completed successfully an approved course in hypnosis and its therapeutic application and has satisfied the Board of their competence in the theory and practice of hypnosis by examination, but does not possess a diploma from an approved school required for intern Professional membership.

A Senior Associate is entitled to identify themselves as an ASCH Senior Associate. They can use the Senior Associate of ASCH logo.

Associate Member

An Associate member has an interest in hypnotherapy and has undertaken some training in hypnosis or related fields, but does not possess qualifications from an approved school that would allow them to practice hypnotherapy.  An Associate member is entitled to identify him/herself as an ASCH Associate, but cannot use the ASCH’s logo or acronyms.

Student Member

A Sponsored Student member:

• is sponsored by the ASCH during their first year of study for a diploma with an approved school
• on graduation, can apply for ASCH membership at the level deemed by the ASCH to be appropriate.

An Unsponsored Student member is not studying for a diploma with an approved school, but may upon graduation apply for Associate membership of the ASCH.