About BSCAH

The origins of BSCAH stem back to 1952 when "the British Society of Dental Hypnosis" was formed. Three years later a medical section was added and the society was renamed " The Dental and Medical Society for the Study of Hypnosis". In 1968 following adoption of a new constitution the society was renamed "The British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis" (BSMDH).

In 1977 the British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis (BSECH) was founded for people qualified in psychology, medicine, or dentistry, who shared an interest in the theory and applications of hypnosis, and in hypnosis research, as at that time BSMDH did not admit psychologists into its membership,. The majority of BSECH members were psychologists but not all members of BSECH saw patients - some did not have clinical qualifications and/or were chiefly interested in the theory of hypnosis or in experimental work.

The British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH) was formed in 2007 by the merger of these two professional societies BSMDH and BSECH.
Thus BSCAH is a national organisation of doctors, dentists, psychologists, and other health professionals who are trained and interested in hypnosis as a psychotherapeutic approach used in the treatment of a wide range of disorders.

BSCAH aims to promote the safe and responsible use of hypnosis in medicine, dentistry, and psychology, and to educate both our professional colleagues and the public about hypnosis and its uses.

BSCAH has a national council and local branches. Most of the activity of BSCAH is through the branches, which run meetings, workshops, and training courses within the ethos of BSCAH.

The council (comprising elected officers and representatives from the branches) manages the society and meets twice a year. Major decisions and constitutional changes are carried out at its annual general meeting each year. Council monitors the criteria for ethics, training, and accreditation. It supervises the production of a society newsletter and provides the editorial support for the academic journal "Contemporary Hypnosis". The council organises the annual gathering for the whole society.

The national office is in Leeds and employs a part-time secretary. The secretary handle liaison with the public, when appropriate, directs enquiries to the relevant officer.

The British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis is a non-profit making registered charity (charity number 1012806) and a company limited by guarantee (number 5120862). BSCAH is a constituent society of both the European and International Societies of Hypnosis.