Successful Hypnotherapy (1984)

After going through my own series of hypnotherapy sessions in 1989, I realized that I, too, could become one. All I had to do was find someone to teach me the methods. (And remember, in those days, there was no world wide web to instantly connect with others.)

To be honest, I don’t remember exactly how I got Neil French’s details, but it most probably was at the local library, since that was where I did all my research then. Anyway IAH (his organization) was located in Bournemouth, so I wrote to him, to obtain information.

It turns out that he had a correspondence course, which I was invited to enroll in. I did, and for about six months I got weekly lessons and homework by mail. (Can you imagine that, today?)

At the end of July, 1990, I sat my final exam (open book question and answer form) and sent it in. In return I got this certificate (because I don’t want to call it a diploma).

and this:

There, now I could take on clients. I advertised in the local newspaper, the Herald Express, and waited for the phone to ring. (Sound of crickets…)

So, I did what any worthwhile analyst does, I practiced on family and friends.

All told, I guess I had six clients in 18 months, so it wasn’t paying the mortgage at the bank. I did better with my Astrology work, which I was doing at the same time. Finally I had to pack hypnotherapy in and go back to working a ‘real’ job in the house construction industry.

And just in case you think this association didn’t have standards, check out what Neil had hidden behind the “diploma” in its frame:

Amen.