The South Australian Society of Hypnosis Inc. (SASH) is a not-for-profit organisation that was formed in 2005 with the amalgamation of the state’s two professional hypnosis organisations, the South Australian Association of Hypnotherapists and the South Australian Society of Hypnosis (SA Branch). The former was incorporated in 1968 as the South Australian Hypnotherapists Association – SAHA, changing its name to the South Australian Association of Hypnotherapists in the early 1980s. The latter evolved from the Australian Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis which was founded in 1971. Over many years, these organisations provided training in clinical hypnosis to hundreds of psychologists, medical practitioners and dentists in South Australia. With the formation of the South Australian Society of Hypnosis (SASH), a new constitution was formed, and a mission statement developed to reflect the goals and ethos of this new society. In 2020 the South Australian Society of Hypnosis (SASH) formally separated from the Australian Society of Hypnosis – primarily to maintain and improve standards in clinical practice, teaching and research of clinical and experimental hypnosis. As a new independent society we are now affiliated with and a constituent society of, the International Society of Hypnosis (ISH), our constitution upgraded accordingly.
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to be recognised as the first choice for all matters relating to the ethical practice of hypnosis in the community, and the leader in professional education, training and research.
Our History
Since its inception in 2005, the membership of SASH has been steadily increasing. In 2010, in line with changes at the national level, SASH membership was expanded to include other qualified health care professionals. SASH has welcomed new members from the fields of social work, midwifery, nursing and physiotherapy. It is hoped that full members from these new disciplines will enhance the eclectic nature of the society alongside their colleagues in medicine, psychology and dentistry.
In addition to training those new to hypnosis, SASH provides ongoing professional development in the form of workshops, seminars and casebook meetings, the latter being a forum where members meet to discuss cases and provide mutual support.
Information and advice is available to members of the public via email, and our referral list of fully qualified hypnosis practitioners/hypnotherapists can be found under Find a Practitioner’ in our upgraded website.
SASH is run by members who are elected on an annual basis to serve on its Executive Committee. Without the dedication of these volunteers, none of the afore-mentioned services would be available. New members are welcomed (and encouraged) to become involved (by nominating for a position on the Executive or volunteering to assist on a sub-committee) so that SASH can continue to flourish.
Constitution & Code of Ethics
Membership with others
In 2021 SASH became a Constituent Society Member of the International Society of Hypnosis (ISH).
About ISH
The International Society for Hypnosis is the world headquarters for researchers and clinicians interested in hypnosis. ISH serves as the umbrella and meeting place for its members and 34 (still growing) Constituent Societies from around the world. Since 1973, ISH has regularly held triennial congresses. ISH traces its roots to the first International Congress for Experimental and Therapeutic Hypnotism held in Paris in 1889 and is proud of its deep connections to such luminaries as Jean-Martin Charcot, Pierre Janet, Sigmund Freud, and Ernest Hilgard. Joining ISH provides many benefits. Perhaps the most important is enjoying the connection with other like-minded colleagues and discovering the support and intellectual stimulation of the hypnosis community.
For more information visit their website at www.ishhypnosis.org