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Membership Criteria and Benefits

GPSCH is one of the largest and most active component sections of ASCH. The Society's main purpose is to bring together professionals in medicine, dentistry, psychology, social work, and related disciplines that share investigative, scientific, and clinical interests in hypnosis. GPSCH promotes teaching and research related to hypnosis, and is dedicated to its appropriate use within the allied health professions. As a member, you can gain access to consultation, training, and continuing education credits; share and expand your expertise; and find fellowship with some of the foremost clinicians and researchers in the field of clinical hypnosis. GPSCH meets on a monthly basis throughout the academic year and conducts full-day workshops featuring internationally known clinicians and researchers. Your attendance at GPSCH-sponsored meetings and workshops can be used to satisfy ASCH requirements for certification and re-certification. Members receive the newsletter, GPSCH HypNews, the membership directory, and discounts on workshop fees.

At present, GPSCH has five membership categories: Full Member, Associate Member, Student Affiliate, Life Member, and Special Member.

Membership shall be granted to qualified individuals by action of the Board of Governors upon recommendation of the Membership Committee and as specified in the Bylaws.

All applicants must show evidence of professional training and experience in clinical or experimental hypnosis acceptable to the Membership Committee. A minimum of 20 documented hours of basic training consistent with ASCH's Standards of Training in Clinical Hypnosis (most recent edition) is required.

A Full Member (hereafter referred to as "Member") shall have:

• Any of the following professional credentials:
• A Doctorate in dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, psychology, or a related health care profession from a professional school, university, or college fully accredited by its appropriate regional accrediting body, and a current license to practice their profession in the state in which they practice; or
• Licensure as a psychologist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; or
• A Master's degree in Social Work and be certified in the National Registry (designated NASW), and state licensure as a social worker if required by the state; or
• A Master's or Doctoral degree in a health-related profession from a professional school, university, or college fully accredited by its appropriate regional accrediting body, who possesses full membership in their accepted national professional association, and who restricts their use of hypnosis to their area(s) of professional training and competence; or
• A Master's or Doctoral degree in a health-related profession from a professional school, university, or college fully accredited by its appropriate regional accrediting body, and who is certified at the independent practice level by the National Board for Certified Counselors (as an NCC or CCMHC) or the National Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (NCAC or MAC), or holds Clinical Membership in the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists or the American Group Psychotherapy Association, or holds certification in psychoanalysis from a nationally recognized psychoanalytic accreditation body, or holds certification at the independent practice level from a nationally recognized health profession certification board acceptable to the majority of the Board of Governors; and
• A minimum of 20 hours of basic training consistent with then current ASCH's Standards of Training in Clinical Hypnosis.
• In the event of changes in certification standards or credentialing bodies, the Board of Governors shall designate which membership categories and certifications qualify applicants for Member status in the Society.

An Associate Member shall have:

• Any of the following professional credentials:
  • A Doctorate in dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, psychology, or a related health care profession from a professional school, university, or college fully accredited by its appropriate regional accrediting body, and a current license or eligibility for licensure to practice their profession in the state in which they practice; or
  • Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a psychologist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; or
  • A Master's degree in Social Work and be certified or eligible for certification in the National Registry (designated NASW), and state licensure or eligibility for licensure if required by the state; or
  • A Master's or Doctoral degree in a health-related profession from a professional school, university, or college fully accredited by its appropriate regional accrediting body, shall meet the criteria or be eligible to meet the criteria as specified in Section 3.3.1.1.4 of these Bylaws, and intend to restrict their use of hypnosis to their area(s) of professional training and competence.
  • A Master's in social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy or equivalent degree and licensure or certification in his/her state, or appropriate national certification where state laws do not exist or do not apply, as specified in Section 3.3.1.1.5 of these Bylaws.
• An Associate Member shall have two (2) years time allotted for acquiring the prerequisite clinical experience and training (e.g., Basic ASCH Workshop or the equivalent as specified in Section 3.3.1.2) for Full Membership status.
• Upon completion of appropriate training (e.g., Basic ASCH Workshop or the equivalent as specified in Section 3.3.1.2) and following approval of the Membership Committee, an Associate Member shall automatically be advanced to Full Membership.
• If an Associate Member fails to complete requirements for Full Membership within two (2) years, his/her Associate Membership status will be terminated, and he/she shall not be permitted to reapply for Associate Member status.
• Associate Members shall have all privileges of membership except those of voting, holding office, or acting as Chairperson of a committee.

A Student Affiliate shall be:

• Pursuing a doctoral/masters degree at a professional school, university, or college fully accredited by its appropriate regional accrediting body.
• Granted affiliation status for a maximum of two (2) years with renewal at the discretion of the Membership Committee.

A Life Member shall be elected by the Board of Governors.

A Special Member is a professional who does not meet all of the qualifications for any of the above categories, but whose exceptional contributions and interests justify membership. Special Members shall be elected by the Board of Governors, and shall have all the privileges and responsibilities of a Full Member.

Membership in the Society shall neither be presented nor construed as a credential of expertise in the knowledge, understanding, or utilization of hypnosis.

Procedures for Membership Applications:

• Application for membership is sent to the Membership Committee on a form provided for that purpose, and accompanied by payment of dues for the fiscal year.
• The Membership Committee investigates the qualifications of the candidate, finalize its decision, and present it to the Board of Governors.
• The Board of Governors votes on the recommendations of the Membership Committee and notifies the applicant of its decision.

Procedure for Applying for Membership:

1. Click this link to view the GPSCH Membership Application in Microsoft Word format
2. Print the application.
3. Complete the application and mail it, along with a check (made payable to GPSCH) for $80 for Full Membership, $60 for Associate Membership, or $40 for Student Affiliate, to: