EXAMPLE ANSWERS: Q20

Q20. Discuss the benefits of regular peer group support amongst hypnotherapists.

Learning outcomes: 6.1

Student answer Peer groups and peer support have a vital part to play in the developing and maintaining professional confidence and competence for hypnotherapists. They are a safe environment for sharing knowledge and experience with a group of likeminded and experienced individuals. This means that situations and feelings can be discussed. For example there are emotional or social challenges of working with people who are coming to you as a therapist with an expectation of being able to be ‘fixed’ and as a therapist we hear many personal and potentially difficult disclosures during meta-analysis. This can have a personal impact on the therapist and peer support enables this to be discussed. It also enables ideas for how to progress a case and positive sharing to take place; reassuring the therapist that they are not the only person ever to experience that situation. If there are a range of participants and experiences there are also a wide range of skills and experiences to be shared and learnt from. Peer support members will often bring articles or discuss books that they have read – widening the net of research that a practitioner is exposed to and sparking interest in new areas of interest. Engaging in peer support on a regular basis promotes therapists to be reflective practitioners which in turn will benefit practice and the patient experience. (LO 6.1 An appreciation for the benefits of peer groups and an awareness of how to organise one)

Tutor feedback (DO NOT delete/edit feedback. Write amendments, additional information & thoughts underneath this table) Correct. It is good to hear of these benefits that you have experienced from peer support meetings and that you give such value to the events which are crucial to one’s development and to the helping of others and the profession as a whole, thank you.

(Further student work goes here if requested through feedback)

Further Student Example Answer:  Training gives you the basics, hands on working with clients gives you experience, however even if you have had many months of continuous training or years of experience you are always likely to have a client presenting with something you didn’t cover or forgot since your course or just plain never heard of before.

That’s where the peer groups support is vital to ensure you are giving your best to your clients, the one’s you find easy may be difficult for another hypnotherapist and visa versa, sharing case notes (appropriately censored) helps to broaden everyone’s knowledge and experience as even the most comprehensive training manual could not possible cover every potential clients situation, so being able to ask fellow hypnotherapists is the best practical solution.

Hypnotherapy is a solitary role with just a number of clients with problems passing across your doorstep, this can lead to burn out if you do not have the support and ability to off load some of the issues you are presented with, talk therapy counselors are required to have regular meeting with supervisory counselors themselves to prevent the emotional overload that comes with listening to their clients, hypnotists are just as likely to hear and take on some of their clients issues and as such must have the facility to off load as necessary and peer support and mentoring are all part of the process.

Also each hypnotherapist can help their colleagues, for example you as a hypnotist specialising in weight control may be approached by someone with PTSD and that is a subject you do not normally work with but through your peer group you know a fellow hypnotist who does, you can refer the client safely knowing the client is in good hands and that other hypnotist may well make referrals back on issues you are specialising in.

Q20. Correct. You have brought up some important points that show your appreciation of peer support communication and attendance and you have recognised the important advantages of continued contact with peers and the sharing of information. A very appreciative and appropriate answer, well done.