Examination

I just finished examining practical examination for Hypnotherapy Certificate and Diploma courses today. It was quite tiring but good for me. At least I keep up with the knowledge of hypnosis. I still remember when I was doing the course, I was as nervous as many of them. Some are professionals, senior in age and experience but became nervous wrecks during practical exam. Some were highly qualified in their fields and tried to hide their nervousness thorough being over confident but finally messed up their practical exam. I have seen so many human behaviour facing stressful situation like an examination. Many admitted they were nervous wrecks when they came in to face me. I understood how they felt and tried to make them feel comfortable.
One behaviour which I couldn't accept is arrogance especially when they feel they are qualified professionals. No matter how highly successful they are in their field, hypnosis is a new area which they have to learn. In a way I feel sorry for them. Being well-known doctors, psychiatrists, professors, managers, Dato's, Tan Sris etc do not mean they can be good hypnotherapists if they don't practice and pass exams.
I hate failing people because taking this course is already a proof of high motivation and interest. But if performance in practical exam doesn't match the standard set and the expectation, I don't hesitate to fail them. For Certificate level candidates I was quite lenient and gave them a chance to redo the practical if I wasn't happy with the performance. At this level they learn hypnosis for themselves and NOT to others for therapy. But at Diploma level when they are trained to treat patients, I draw the line. Sub-standard performance means failure. Hypnotherapy by unqualified people spells disaster. Playing with people's subconscious mind is not a game. Wrongly treated, the patient can go bonkers.
Unfortunately in Malaysia, anyone who attends a short course on hypnosis can call and function as hypnotherapy. There is no controlling body to supervise the training and practice of hypnotherapy. Ethical practice and ethical conduct guidelines are not available. So it seems, it's free for all. This frightens me. Falling in the hands of unethical hypnotherapists will tarnish the good name of the profession and patients become victims. I hope those who seek hypnosis for treatment will examine the therapist's credentials first before agreeing to hypnosis session.