Hypnotherapy in Psychiatric Care

Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy Program

DCH 807

Breyer State University

Professor: John McGrail, Ph.D.

Syllabus

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to DCH 807, a doctoral level course in the curriculum for the Degree, Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy. This course will help you become more familiar with the interrelationships between hypnotherapy and mental health conditions and disorders; both psychiatric and psychological, and also offer an opportunity to explore the evolving role of hypnosis in modern medicine, and dentistry. The integral 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. As such, therapeutic hypnosis is garnering ever more attention and popularity in mainstream healthcare and will most certainly enjoy an ever expanding role as the “new” model of holistic healthcare continues to develop and expand.  

The course will begin with an examination of conventional models of mental health disorders and conditions from the symptomatic and diagnostic perspectives designed and prescribed by the American Psychiatric Association. Legally, lay hypnotherapists cannot diagnose or treat what are considered psychogenic disorders or conditions without appropriate authorization by a licensed professional. Yet, as a practitioner you will certainly be approached by clients who have been diagnosed as having a disorder and either are or have been treated by conventional means. Thus it is invaluable to understand the symptoms and behaviors associated with a particular presenting issue that falls within that realm to assist you in deciding whether to take a the case and apply for the appropriate referral or pass on it as being out of your scope of practice. Understanding the symptomatic characteristics of a given condition (and the client’s beliefs in the symptoms) will also help you plan and implement a treatment protocol should you take the case.

From a broader perspective you will also be given an opportunity to explore the biology of hypnosis and the role hypnosis and hypnotherapy can, do, and will play in the emerging model of modern medicine, dentistry and general healthcare; a model that acknowledges and embraces the mind body connection as a central tenet to health and wellness. Your exploration and study may well help you develop new areas of specialization in clinical practice.

TIME FRAME: This is a five 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 five semester hours of credit.

TEXTBOOKS: There are three required and two recommended textbooks for this course.

Required:

How Therapists Diagnose: Seeing through the Psychiatric Eye, Hamstra, Bruce, New York, St. Martin’s Press, 1994, ISBN# 0-312-13087-2.

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.

Handbook of Magazine Article Writing, Michelle, Ruberg, Ed., Cincinnati, 2004, IBSN# 1-58297- 333-4

Recommended:

The Biology of Belief, Bruce Lipton, Santa Rosa, Mountain of Love/Elite Books, 2005, ISBN# 0-9759914-7-7

The Divine Matrix, Gregg Braden, Carlsbad, Hay House, 2007, IBSN# 978-1-4019-0573-6

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EXAMINATIONS: There no examinations for this course. This course is meant to assist you to further develop your analytical reading, research, and writing skills. There will be two reading assignments and two writing assignments; the writing assignments will determine your grade.

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 research, synthesis of knowledge, and writing. Each of two writing assignments will be worth half of your final grade. At this level of study, original thinking and your personal positions (supported by appropriate references) are both encouraged and expected to be part of your work. Content, structure, logic and flow are expected to be at levels suitable for publication. Plagiarism intended or otherwise will be grounds for failure. Do your own work and cite the work of others. Write carefully. Grammatical and or spelling errors are simply unacceptable at this level. 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 in the course 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 hypnosis and hypnotherapy, and also gain confidence in your ability to research and write at a level worthy of publication. Publishing is great way to promote hypnotherapy as a mainstream discipline, build your reputation in the field, and attract new clients to your practice.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: There will be two written assignments; a formal research paper written on a topic of your choosing relevant to the subject of hypnosis and mental health, and a second paper, written in the style and format of an article for publication in a contemporary popular magazine or casual journal. Your article can cover any topic of your choice relevant to hypnosis in medicine, dentistry, or pain management, and within the context of the mind-body model.

As mentioned, each paper will count for half of your final grade. The research paper must be written and presented in American Psychological Association (APA) approved format, so it is highly recommended that you consult the APA Publication Guide or a suitable reference guide to APA structure and style. The magazine article should be written in popular format as described in the Handbook of Magazine Article Writing and must include a query letter along with your manuscript. The details of both assignments can be found in the classroom for the course once you register.

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). Understand the process of diagnosing common mental health conditions in terms of conventional psychiatric/psychological paradigms.
2). Understand and recognize the primary categories and symptomatic/behavioral structures of adult mental health disorders as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
3). Explore the role of hypnotherapy in treating psychogenic and or medical/dental conditions.
4). Explore and understand the role and application of hypnosis and hypnotherapy in modern medicine, mental health, and dentistry, and its potential in the newly emerging mind-body paradigm of holistic healthcare.
5). Learn to propose and write an article for a contemporary popular magazine.

ASSIGNMENTS: There are two required reading assignments and two 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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