Some people tend to assume that doctors are the best at treating ailments, but when it comes to hypnosis should a doctor be the preferred choice in hypnotherapy?
Certainly doctors have vast medical and physiological knowledge that might add to their understanding of the physical aspects of the hypnotic state, but a strong theoretical foundation does not necessarily make a great hypnosis practitioner.
In therapy it is the doing that makes the difference, not just learning or talking about it, or even writing about it. Assuming that a doctor is more knowledgeable or better at hypnosis may lead you down the wrong path. I wonder whether for some doctors their knowledge of the “truth” might even get in the way of their ability to work in a flexible manner.
I’m not saying that doctors can’t make great hypnotists, I’m sure they can. I’ve met lots of doctors and psychotherapists that are good at what they do and have managed to bring in hypnosis to their work. And I have also met people that are not medically trained and they’re fantastic hypnotherapists. Doctors may know the medical side of things, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good at hypnosis. In one-on-one hypnosis it is the creativity and flexibility of the therapist and of the client that makes a difference.
I think medical doctors are less likely to have vast experience in hypnosis simply because they mainly practice as a medical doctor, not as a hypnotist. If you specialise like I do and hypnotise thousands and thousands of people like I have you get to now what works and what doesn’t. Undoubtedly knowledge like this comes from experience, not from a doctorate.
I think some people feel the need to go out and study a PhD as more of a self-esteem boost so they can call themselves doctor. I don’t feel that need. I know that I am very good at hypnosis. When people buy our self hypnosis products they can be sure that they are getting years and years of experience in hypnosis and hypnotherapy.
I’m not going down the road of knocking the doctors; they do a fantastic job. We’d all be in a bit of a fix without them. My opinion is that just because someone is a doctor or has a doctorate, it doesn’t mean they are going to be a better hypnotherapist. Hypnosis is a creative art mastered only with experience.
Choosing a hypnosis practitioner should be done on the basis of knowledge and personal trust, not on whether there is a Dr. before or PhD after their name.
