Hypnosis and Pain Control

Bachelor of Science in Clinical Hypnotherapy Program

BCH 215

Breyer State University

Professor: John McGrail, Ph.D.

Syllabus

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to BCH 215, Hypnosis and Pain Control, a bachelor level course in the curriculum for a Bachelor of Clinical Hypnotherapy degree. This course is designed to help you explore and understand the variety of applications and techniques for hypnosis in pain management, analgesia, and anesthesia. It is also meant to assist you in gaining a greater appreciation for the emergence or perhaps better, the re-emergence of hypnosis as an important modality in modern medicine and healthcare. Western medical science is returning to and embracing a more holistic paradigm, one that acknowledges the importance and inseparable relationship between the mind and body. The mind-body connection is no longer summarily dismissed, nor a matter of conjecture; it is acknowledged as a given. In advanced circles a human being is no longer considered a body with a mind, but rather a mind with a body. 

For the practicing hypnotherapist pain management can either become an area of specialization, or an important service offered as part of a general practice. If you are or will be engaging in practice as a hypnotherapist it is almost certain that you will be asked to provide this service. Thus, it is important to both understand and master some of the primary techniques for inducing hypnotic analgesia and anesthesia. At the same time it is equally vital that you understand and respect important factors involving legal and ethical issues related to scope-of-practice and pain management. Pain is an important physiological and symptomatic warning; eliminating pain can therefore mask an indication of a serious medical condition, which if left untreated, can lead to extremely serious consequences. You will, therefore, also be required to demonstrate your understanding of, and respect for the appropriate way to legally and ethically deal with these cases so as to protect both the health and wellbeing of your clients and your practice.

TIME FRAME: This is an eight semester-hour course and is allotted 10 weeks of time.  You must complete all assignments for the course by the end of the 10-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day upon which you notify me that your textbooks have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification.  Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded eight semester hours of credit.

TEXTBOOKS: There are two (2) required textbooks, and one (1) required video training program for this course.

Book 1: Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, William S. Kroger, Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2007, ISBN #0-397-50377

Book 2: Advances in Hypnosis for Medicine, Dentistry and Pain Prevention/Management, Brown, Donald, Ed. Carmarthen, Crown House Publishing, 2008, ISBN 10: 1845901207, ISBN-13: 978-1845901202.

VIDEO:

Pain Management, Andrew Newton, 2008.

The video program can be purchased on DVD or as a download from: www.hypnoman.com/store.htm.

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EXAMINATIONS: There will be no formal examinations for this course.  Your final grade will be based upon successfully completing three (3) writing assignments, one of which will be a research paper. The writing assignments will enable you to demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter in the texts and the video program, as well as the laws (and ethical issues) you deal with and consider in your particular location as they relate to working with pain management and other medical/dental cases. The research paper can be written on any topic of your choice that is relevant to hypnosis and pain management in any area of modern medicine and or dentistry. You will find the specific written assignments outlined below

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100 %    =   A
80-89 %     =    B
70-79 %     =    C
Below 70% =   Fail

Your final grade will be based upon the quality of your synthesis of knowledge, research, and writing. The initial essay assignment will comprise 15% of your grade, the study guide, consisting mostly of short to mid-length essay questions will count for 50%, and the independent research paper will comprise the final 35%.  Do your own work and cite the work of others. Plagiarism intended or otherwise will be grounds for failure. Please write carefully. Grammatical and or spelling errors are simply unacceptable. Any spelling errors or serious grammatical errors will result in an immediate 10% reduction in grade. Chronic misspelling or chronic poor grammar will result in a failing grade.

COMMUNICATION: I am available and delighted to support you throughout your studies and I want you to feel free to contact me with questions, concerns, etc. as you feel necessary. I request that primary contact and communication be accomplished via email for ease and consistency, but telephone conversations are absolutely fine. I prefer to pre-schedule phone calls. You can email a request and we’ll find a mutually acceptable time to speak. I want you to enjoy the process of exploring and learning more about this fascinating aspect of hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: There will be a total of three written assignments; an initial essay based upon the location of your practice, your credentials and personal training, and your understanding of the legal (and ethical) issues related to pain management cases; a study guide consisting of mostly short to mid-length essays designed to show your understanding and mastery of the reading and video, and an independent research paper based upon a topic of your choice relevant to the subject matter of the course.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Dr. John McGrail is clinical hypnotherapist also certified in NLP, Time Line Therapy, Therapeutic Imagery, EFT, and is the Creator of Quantum Therapy. He integrates these therapeutic modalities with a lifelong study and practice of Eastern and Native philosophies and over 25 years experience as a teacher, coach, and mentor across a variety of industries and disciplines, from military and commercial aviation, to film, television, and corporate communications and training. John thus combines a practical and powerful blend of Western science and shamanic spiritual wisdom to guide his clients in manifesting change, transformation, personal growth, and spiritual empowerment. His Los Angeles-based company, A Better You, Inc. serves individuals of all ages and backgrounds, as well as select corporate clients. Services range from individual sessions, to motivational presentations, training seminars, and workshops. Dr. McGrail earned a B.S from Cornell University and did his early graduate work in Communication Arts at the University of West Florida. He took his original training in clinical hypnotherapy at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in Los Angeles, the nation's first federally accredited college of hypnosis, then went on to earn a PhD in clinical hypnotherapy from Breyer State University. In addition to frequent televisions and radio appearances, John has published numerous articles on hypnosis and human development and is currently at work on two new books “Who’s Driving Your Bus,” and “Synthesis, the Power of Quantum Healing.” Dr. McGrail is an avid boater and blue-water fisherman. He also enjoys golf, wilderness hiking, and camping.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1). Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the legal and ethical issues involved with treating pain management cases, based upon your training, location of practice, and professional credentials.
2). Demonstrate an understanding the neurophysiologic and emotional aspects of hypnotic pain management.
3). Understand the role of belief, expectation, faith and the placebo in  hypnotic analgesia and anesthesia.
4). Explore and understand contraindications and the subject of  danger in hypnotic pain control techniques.
5). Understand the variety of applications for hypnosis in pain management in modern healthcare.
6). Understand the common techniques for creating hypnotic analgesia and anesthesia, including autohypnosis.
7). Demonstrate thorough knowledge and mastery of two hypnotic pain management techniques by analyzing and explaining the psychodynamics and components of the techniques.
8). Research, explore, and demonstrate deeper knowledge of one chosen aspect of hypnotic pain control and management in modern healthcare.

ASSIGNMENTS: There are two required reading assignments, a required video program for you to watch and analyze, and three graded writing assignments for this course. For specific assignments, please click on the link “Assignments”

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may address them to admassistant@breyerstate.com. An administrative faculty member will respond to all questions.

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