University Accredited: Advanced Diploma/Graduate Certificate/BSc/PGCert Conversion Course  
Clinical Hypnosis, Communication Skills and Related Techniques (Level 6 & 7) for Healthcare Professionals

This is the only course of this type that carries formal University accreditation at degree and post grad degree level (level 6 & 7) in the UK.

BSCAH Midlands along with their partners at Birmingham City University faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences will be delivering the University Advanced Diploma/ BSc / Graduate Certificate / PGCert starting 15th January 2022. Click on the link to find the course on BCU’s website

How will the course be taught due to Covid-19?

The Tutor Team has been working with BCU and cooperating with the guidance in their Covid Secure Policies. Consequently we have been working to develop a new framework through which we can deliver a stimulating and engaging online course using a variety of techniques with the tools which are available to us, including Microsoft Teams along with Moodle , email and telephone calls. The new format course will commence on 15th January 2022, with a “Virtual” Freshers week, to enable students to meet with the Course Tutors and fellow students. We will host informal Group and Individual Teams sessions to enable students, who have not used this platform previously, to familiarise themselves with some online techniques. It is expected that students will have a working knowledge of MS Teams before starting this course. 

This is now an online course with a mixture of ‘virtual classroom’ teaching, using various presentation techniques, and will include scheduled lectures with interactive student questions, ‘breakout rooms’, podcasts, seminars and tutorials. The online platform will enable the invitation of speakers both nationally and internationally to present on specialised topics. Alongside virtual classroom sessions, small group tutorials and demonstrations of practical techniques will take place and these will be linked to a students’ field of work by a tutor with specialist knowledge in that area, as all the tutors are current or former healthcare professionals with area specific understanding.

Dates 2022

This is the only level 6 or 7 stand alone university accredited course in clinical hypnosis and communicative techniques in the UK. If you’re a health professional who wants to improve your clinical skills by learning the theory and application of hypnosis and communication skills, this course is for you. You will learn how to develop communication and personal stress management skills working in a busy clinical setting. This programme is delivered by BSCAH in collaboration with Birmingham City University, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences. The programme is mapped to the National Occupational Standards for clinical hypnosis.

Please note that this course is not for those wishing to set up a hypnotherapist practice.

You will gain theoretical and practical knowledge of hypnosis and related techniques, will improve and enhance your consultation skills and widen your approaches to common mental health problems. Graduates will use newly acquired skills in both NHS and private health care settings.

Here is a sample of feedback from a range of past students:

“The course organisers have been fantastic in making the process of joining and starting the journey a really smooth process. A wonderful team is supporting the organisation of this course. The help offered is invaluable.”  Module 1

“Even though I have been using hypnosis in my own practice for years, I have learned so much in the first 2 days of the course that I have come out of ‘ the closet ‘ as it were. I have a renewed confidence and am practicing hypnosis in front of colleagues now openly! I highly recommend this course….” Module 1

“I have enjoyed the last couple of days & felt the academic and practical content was very well balanced. There is a lot to learn & understand but the arena makes it safe to explore issues. I was hesitant in relation to how I could use hypnosis initially but now can foresee how I can incorporate it into my future practice.” Module 2

“This is what I have been waiting for, for so many years.” Module 3

“I felt that as a professional within the NHS, the course was appropriate, full of depth and clinical relevance. The tutors showed great knowledge and ability to teach.” Module 3

Course Description

This award is based upon an existing well established and subscribed course offered to Doctors, Dentists, Psychologists, Dental Nurses, Registered Nurses, Midwives and other healthcare professionals registered with the HCPC, where the provision of hypnosis could become or is part of their professional role. The award will be delivered by accredited members of the Midlands Branch of BSCAH, using their own in-house learning materials and resources. This will be the 66th year in which the Midlands Branch has successfully run courses in hypnosis. The purpose of this award is to develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of hypnosis within their individual health field, particularly those working with anxious or stressed patients or clients whether in a medical, dental or health/social context. The course will also allow students to learn to manage their own stress levels when interacting with both patients/clients and colleagues together with goal setting techniques while developing interpersonal communication skills. 

The award comprises of 3 modules and is delivered over 8 contact days online (8 Saturdays) over the period of an academic year, with the remainder being self-directed study, enabling students to work at an individual pace. The modules will be a mixture of theory, practical sessions and discussion. Students will enrol with BCU, receive learning materials in the form of module handbooks, and have access to the University Library and online facilities to guide them through the award. They will have also access to the course tutors and a BCU award leader who will provide additional support via e-mail and or telephone for assignments. Successful completion of a reflective diary, 3 written assignments, and a viva voce will form the basis of the award for Level 6. 

The Level 7 assessment will be different from the Level 6. The two courses are indentical in every other way and are taught at the same time. The Level 7 PGCert which although is an award in its own right, may be carried over through APEL/APL for those wishing to study for a Masters in Healthcare. If you wish to study towards the level 7, an interview will be offered before the course starts. For further information please contact Hilary Walker: hilary.walker@bcu.ac.uk

The content of the three modules will cover both basic theory and practice of hypnosis and stress management with emphasis on theoretical underpinnings and targeting those areas where hypnotic approaches can be useful; such as anxiety and pain. The coursework will also focus on the principles and practice of stress and anxiety management for both practitioners and patients. As the course progresses more advanced techniques for specific problems will be explored and taught.

Course in Depth

Each module on the course consists of 200 hours of contact time and independent learning. Modules one and two consist of: Two 7.5 hour sessions of contact time (10 hours interactive lectures and 5 hours group/ individual activities and reflection) 185 hours guided independent and online learning. The final module will be delivered over a three month period consisting of: Four 7.5 hour sessions of contact time (16 hours interactive lectures and 14 hours group/ individual activities and reflection) 170 hours guided independent and online learning.

What is covered in the course

The award comprises of 3 modules and is delivered over 8 online contact days (8 Saturdays) over the period of an academic year, with the remainder being self-directed study, enabling students to work at an individual pace. The modules will be a mixture of theory, practical sessions and discussion. Students will enrol with BCU, receive learning materials in the form of module handbooks, and have access to the University Library and online facilities to guide them through the award. They will have also access to the course tutors and a BCU award leader who will provide additional support via e-mail and\or telephone for assignments. Successful completion of a reflective diary, 3 written assignments, and a viva voce will form the basis of the award (For level 6). The content of the three modules will cover both basic theory and practice of hypnosis and stress management with emphasis on theoretical underpinnings and targeting those areas where hypnotic approaches can be useful; such as anxiety and pain. The coursework will also focus on the principles and practice of stress and anxiety management for both practitioners and patients. As the course progresses more advanced techniques for specific problems will be explored and taught. You will learn through lead lectures, group discussion, practical demonstrations and guided student-to- student practice. On successful completion of the course you will have the opportunity to go on to acquire accreditation with the British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH). You will be taught by experienced practising clinicians and academics from medicine, dentistry, psychology and nursing who are accredited by BSCAH. 

Awards, aims, & objectives

This award addresses the increasing evidence for the efficacy of hypnosis and provides students with a sound evidence based introduction to hypnosis, enabling students to obtain a foundation of knowledge and skills as an aid to the practice of hypnosis.

The Module Learning Outcomes are mapped to the National Occupational Standards for Hypnotherapy SFHCNH23

• Demonstrate knowledge and a systematic understanding of the underpinning historical, theoretical, and ethical principles and practice of hypnosis.

• Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse a range of hypnotherapeutic techniques and exercises to support practical application.

• Demonstrate the ability to reflect upon and critically evaluate the complex processes involved in hypnotherapy practice and communicate the findings to specialist and non specialist audiences.

Qualifications offered

All students will study 60 credits at level 6 however the course offers 3 different exit qualifications. A student’s exit qualification is dependent upon the number of academic credits held prior to entry onto the course. If a student has a diploma qualification e.g Dip HE nursing (that is 120 credits at level 5) on successful completion of the 60 credits they will be awarded a BSc in Clinical Hypnosis: Language and Communcation Techniques in Healthcare.

If a student has less than 120 level 5 or has 120 at level 4, on successful completion of the 60 credits they will be awarded an Advanced Professional Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis: Language and Communcation Techniques in Healthcare. 

If a student has a qualification which was awarded prior to the Academic Credit system, on successful completion they will be awarded an Advanced Professional Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis: Language and Communcation Techniques in Healthcare.

If a student already has a degree qualification on successful completion of the 60 credits they will be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Hypnosis: Language and Communcation Techniques in Healthcare.

We also offer a Level 7 PGCert which although is an award in its own right, may be carried over through APEL/APL for those wishing to study for a Masters in Healthcare. 

Although the focus of the level 6 course is designed to be at an experiential clinical level, the level 7 course will also involve a greater depth of independent academic analysis. The teaching/practical sessions will not be segregated but for the assessment at level 7 you will need to have had experience in academic writing and current academic presentation.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be a registrant with a professional regulatory body for example the GMC; GDC; NMC, HCPC, BaDn, BACP (accredited) and BABCP (accredited). If you are not registered with any of these please send your CV to Hilary Walker at hilary.walker@bcu.ac.uk. You must have GCSE English or equivalent.

Total amount payable for the course is £2400. There are two payment options available:

1) Payment in full on application by bank transfer.

2) Deposit and instalments. £480 deposit to be paid on application.  The remaining £1920 in full by standing order in 4 monthly instalments of £480 on:

• 30th January 2022
• 28th February 2022
• 30th  March 2022
• 30th April 2022

Securing a place early in the year

Please be aware that demand is high and this annual course becomes fully subscribed quickly with places being awarded on a strictly first come first served basis. Please register your interest via email hilary.walker@bcu.ac.uk

For information regarding refunds of the course fees please email hilary.walker@bcu.ac.uk

For applications, further information including eligibility please contact Hilary Walker Branch Secretary, Midlands BSCAH at hilary.walker@bcu.ac.uk