3 generations together

The first batch od Dilploma students in Clinical Hypnosis at Universiti Malaya Medical Faculty conducted by London College of Clinical Hypnosis. Photo taken together with Tan Sri Mahadevan (3rd right), our lecturer, Krista Mackinnon (middle) and Sheila Menon, LCCH the Principal (3rd left).

These last 2 weekends, I was busy being the examiner for practical exam for certificate and diploma courses in Clinical Hypnosis by London College of Clinical Hypnosis (Malaysia) at Universiti Malaya. I recalled the time I was a student being examined for the skills in conducting hypnosis sessions. Being a counsellor and teaching counselling was an advantage to me. Though stressful, it was quite fun actually. So,

I could imagine the stress the candidates went through. Some are doing so well but of course some need more practice. This is where ethic applies. Though it was difficult to assess people you know, the assessment has to be objective. I wish them all good luck.

I am a qualified clinical hypnotherapist as well as a counsellor. I find sometimes my counselling sessions were more effective if hypnosis is used but depends on the issue presented. Some clients don't want to talk at length about their problems and would like to focus on the issue. This is where hypnosis is helpful. For people who are in highly stressful jobs and there is the need to make quick decision, hypnosis is more appropriate. However as I am more comfortable delivering the session in English, delivering it in Malay is still a struggle. But I am doing OK and will improve as I go along.

I am thankful for LCCH for bringing clinical hypnosis in a very structured way to Malaysia. There are proper training, supervision, examinations (practical and written) with proper marking done by practicing hypnotherapists in England. The lectures who are having their own practices in UK and other countries like Portugal, came down to Malaysia specially to teach and conduct sessions during our class. Thank you to Peter Mabutt who were with us most of the time and he is the Director of Studies, UK. Special thanks to Sheila Menon who has the initiative to start this program when she returned after several years living in UK. LCCH has spread its wing to east Malaysia, Sinagapore and Brunei. The photo shows from left is Peter Mabutt, Dr Shahren (the Dean of Faculty Connitive Sciences and Human Development in Unimas) Sheila Menon and me at Unimas.

What I am about to talk is how 3 generations of individuals came together in a class. I wrote about how my relationship with Wan Radziah Ebling of Salt Lake City, changed from student- teacher relationship to friend to friend relationship. This is what happened in my hypnosis class. I met Associate Professor Dr Sarojini Menon who was my lecturer during my teaching Diploma course in Universiti Malaya. Of course she didn't remember me which is normal. There were so many students then and I took only one course from her. Regardless, I refereshed her memory of the 1968 events in UM. I marvel at this senior lady who is in her late 70s who was trained in guidance and counselling but still interested and committed to acquire more knowledge. So, I wasn't the oldest one in class though I come second! We reestablish our relationship and became checking mates for our sessions and role in LCCH. I enjoy interacting with her. Believe me, Saro is still the meticulous person and so systematic in her work. Above all, she has excellent memory - a shame to me who is so forgetful. So that is 2 generations coming together.

UMS counselling students when I was teaching them in 2000. Alex sitting behind me.

I was quite surprised to see Alex Ng in class. Alex was the clinical psychologist in Hospital Kuala Lumpur then and we met again when I was supervising Unimas student at HKL. He came looking for me when he heard I was there. That was a pleasure meeting old student. Alex was my student when I was teaching part-time in group counselling in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in 2000. I remember him well enough. Since Sabah students found it difficult to get my books, Alex became the agent who sold my books and enjoyed some pocket money out of it. His initiative increased the sale of the books and I am sure the publisher liked it a lot. Being a counsellor and a clinical psychologist, Alex was confident, in fact, I get help sometimes from him when I got stuck. So there were 3 generations of individuals meeting again as students in one class. How lucky can I be? Photo below was taken in 2007 at UM with Dr. Ana Zohrabian from UK, one of our lecturers.

I used group hypnosis to my students before they took their examinations so that they became more relaxed and able to focus. Some requested I did it regularly. Though it would be good but it was not appropriate as they have different issues to deal with. Anyway, it was a good experience for them and I hope it would increase their interest to acquire more skills.

Peter Mabutt put me in a trance using a technique he lectured in. I remember answering the questions he asked loudly but after waking up, the class said they hardly heard what I said. That was real trance and when awoke I was feeling good and fresh. We were taught different techniques and approaches in dealing with different issues brought by the partients. When under training I found it quite overwhelming but with practice it became easier.

I had a little exposure about hypnosis, way back in 1980s when I was in US but never tried or practiced it. Little knowledge is very dangerous. I was appalled when I found out there are some people who claimed themselves as hypnotherapists after being trained for a week or so. We have no regulating body to control this. It is frightening. I hope the public will be more careful and made sure the hypnotherapist they choose to see is a qualified one. Because of money, ethic is thrown aside, so be careful. There are people who are greedy and will take advantage of the guallible ones. This is just like counselling before. Anybody who underwent training for a week or so claimed themselves as counsellors. Thank God we have Lembaga Counsellor now, at least thing has improved a little bit.

So Alex, all the best in your new job at Subang Medical Centre. Saro, we will work together again helping LCCH Malaysia and good luck to those who are takling examinations. I must work on the ethics for hypnotherapy as I promised Sheila.

My small group hypnosis session with Seremban Hospital staff. Bill Forest inducing trance with Sharmini in hypnosis demonstration.

With Rusa, 4th from right and Mario (right) our lecturers from Portugal.