Australian
Hypnotherapists' Lack of Research Comprehension
HypnosisAustralia,
May 2007
By
Dr Tracie O'Keefe DCH, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist &
Counsellor
Editorial Director of HypnosisAustralia Online.
In today's
healthcare science-based marketplace it is imperative for all practitioners
within health professions to have a basic education in research methodologies.
Without this, how can a practitioner possibly review literature in order
to choose the best treatment for clients/patients or carry out research
in order to validate the efficacy of their applications?
Much of the
research in hypnosis-applied treatments is qualitative as opposed to quantitative
since, with regard to hypnotic and psychotherapeutic experiences, we are
dealing with subject interpretations. However, there is often a place
for quantitative statistical date when validating the therapeutic methodologies
and modalities, especially when we are dealing with the medical or paramedical
uses of hypnosis.
A medical
practitioner, dentist, psychologist or graduate-level educated counsellor/psychotherapist
has generally been training in research methodology as part of their primary
degree. This is standard in the biological sciences and social sciences.
Since hypnotherapists are not yet trained to degree standards in Australia,
there are, unfortunately, many practitioners who have absolutely no educational
grounding in research or professional comprehension of research methodologies.
Many of the
schools teaching hypnosis or hypnotherapy not only teach postgraduate
health professionals but also teach lay hypnotherapists who commence careers
in the heath profession at that school. Since the schools are constantly
trying to be competitive on cost, many of them do not push their students
to take, at the very least, research methodology 101. Neither do many
associations require full clinical members to have any background in research.
One of the
drawbacks of this situation is that hypnotherapists themselves are rarely
able to publish research or write books about hypnosis in a way that is
scientifically comprehensible. The core substantiations of any science
or healthcare profession is constant research and peer review, without
exception. Many hypnotherapy associations are currently saying that their
members are not doing well since the introduction of Medicare rebates
for psychologists in 2006 which has led to the public often choosing to
see psychologists, who are often less practised in hypnosis, for hypnosis,
simply because of the rebate.
This situation
often leads to other healthcare professions, and the state and federal
governments not taking hypnotherapists very seriously. Those practitioners
are often not seen as practising from a scientific basis but from new-age
esoteric philosophies; and this does little for the standing of the profession
of hypnotherapy as a standalone profession. Not that new-age esoteric
philosophies are any less of a valid reality but the government will not
give Medicare rebates for them or allow GST relief.
A huge reality
check is currently needed by the Australian hypnotherapy profession in
general to take stock of what a comprehensive scientific training in hypnotherapy
should really be. Only when the schools teaching hypnotherapy include
research education and the associations require that type of education
for full clinical membership will the profession of hypnotherapy have
a better chance of greater respect and standing in the wider society and
healthcare marketplace.
©HypnosisAustralia,
May 2007
|