Credentials & Experience:

Be aware that there are enormous numbers of organizations that provide a variety of hypnosis credentials that lack substance or significance.  So, how does one go about finding a credible, trustworthy clinical hypnotist? The answer is to ALWAYS check the hypnotist’s credentials and evidence of:  1) a license to practice medical and/or mental heath in your state, 2) higher education with a Master’s Degree and above (MSW, PhD, MD, DDS, etc.) in health, mental health, and comparable professions, 3) achievement of hypnosis credentialing through an organization with high hypnosis education standards, such as the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), Society for Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH), or the International Society of Hypnosis (ISH).  

education:

• Master’s Social Work: St. Louis University School of Social Service-St. Louis, MO  1994
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology:  Webster University-St. Louis, MO  1991

post-graduate education:  

• Michael D. Yapko, PhD.: 200-Hours Comprehensive Training in Applying Clinical Hypnosis in Strategic Psychotherapy utilizing Erickson Hypnosis.
• American Society of Clinical Hypnosis:  Certified in Clinical Hypnosis and Approved Consultant – 300+ ce hours
• Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis:  34 ce hours
• Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis:  30 ce hours
• National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute:  42 ce hours
• Somatic Experiencing:  Beginning Level – knowledge and skills in the SE biophysiological model for the resolution of trauma:  35 ce hours.
• The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Inc.:   Full Intensive Training in Erickson Approaches to Hypnosis: 90 ce hours;
• National Institute of Application of Behavior Medicine:  Mind/Body Medicine – 72 ce hours
• American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association:  Medical/Analytical Hypnosis – 54 ce hours
• Tobacco Addiction Specialty Credentialing Program:  Specialization in tobacco addiction and dependence – 85 ce hours
• Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program:  Two-year program in adult psychotherapy program; classroom instruction with twice weekly supervision with psychoanalysts

licensure:   –  Clinical Social Work SW004977

professional organizations:  

• Advanced Psycho-dynamic Psychotherapy Association
• American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
• Clinical Social Work Association
• International Association for the Study of Pain
• International Network of Women Against Tobacco
• Missouri Society Clinical Social Work
• National Association of Social Work
• National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute
• Society of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis

Work Experience:

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Webster University, then attended St. Louis University School of Social Service where I earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work ( MSW).

Since graduating with my MSW, I have worked with adults, adolescents, and children populations in various settings, including hospice, chemical dependency and dual diagnosis, and as lead psychotherapist in a clinic setting.

I have worked for 19 years now, of which I maintained a private practice 15 years, beginning part- then full-time in 2002.  Personally, for me, I have found the private practice setting to be well-suited with my progressive, innovative style for providing the work I enjoy most:  helping people learn how to self-heal by tapping into their own inner resources.