The British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH) has a rich history that spans over seven decades, beginning in 1952 with the formation of the “British Society of Dental Hypnosis.” Originally focused on the dental field, the society expanded its scope in 1955 by incorporating a medical section and rebranded as “The Dental and Medical Society for the Study of Hypnosis.” This marked the first step towards broadening its reach beyond dentistry.
In 1968, the society adopted a new constitution and became known as “The British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis” (BSMDH). This name reflected its commitment to both medical and dental professionals interested in the use of clinical hypnosis.
A significant evolution occurred in 1977 with the establishment of the British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis (BSECH). This society catered primarily to psychologists and other professionals interested in both the theory and application of hypnosis. Unlike BSMDH, BSECH was more inclusive, allowing members who were not necessarily clinicians but were involved in experimental research or theoretical studies of hypnosis.
For various reasons, in 1992, BSMDH (Scotland) and BSMDH (Mets & South) Branches broke away from the main BSMDH Society and became autonomous bodies.
The late 1990s brought further inclusivity to BSMDH. In 1998, the society broadened its membership criteria to include psychologists and nurses, and by 2000, it extended to other registered health professionals, including UKCP-registered counsellors and BACP-accredited psychotherapists. This expansion reflected the growing recognition of hypnosis as a valuable tool across various healthcare disciplines.
In 2004, BSMDH became a registered charity, and by 2005, it had transformed into a company limited by guarantee. The following year marked a significant reunion when BSMDH (Mets and South) voted to rejoin BSMDH. That same year, BSMDH and BSECH formed a joint Academic and Accreditation Committee, reflecting their shared goals and overlapping memberships.
The culmination of these collaborative efforts came in 2007 when BSMDH and BSECH merged to form the British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH). This merger unified the strengths of both organisations, fostering a comprehensive platform for professionals from various fields to explore, study, and apply hypnosis in clinical and academic settings.
BSCAH continues to be a leading organisation, promoting the ethical and effective use of hypnosis in healthcare while supporting research and education in the field.
BSCAH Timeline
