The 63rd Annual Training
OSCH Level 1 Clinical Hypnosis: the Fundamentals
This will be a virtual online course offering.
The course provides a solid foundation to get started using clinical hypnosis. It is also a great course for anyone who has stepped away from hypnosis and is in need of a refresher. Registration includes the course and a post course optional follow-up practice session.
The course covers the principles and process of hypnosis for use in diverse clinical settings. Participants will learn the principles and process of hypnotic elicitation, suggestions, and treatment.
Participants will learn about:
- What hypnosis is: definitions, steps and misperceptions
- Hypnotic phenomena
- Trance elicitation, intensifying, and reorienting techniques
- Hypnotic communication: the language and suggestion
- Handling resistance
- Applying hypnosis in your practice
- Hypnosis with adults and children
- Neurophysiology of hypnosis
- Screening, determining client fit for use of hypnosis - contraindications
- The ethical considerations in using hypnosis
- Mentored practice groups for application and skill development
The course is a mix of didactic presentations, demonstrations, experiential exercises, and opportunity to practice in safe, faculty led small groups. Small group mentored practice is tailored to the learning needs and style of each participant.
At the end of the 3 day course participants will have been taught the basic skills needed to utilize clinical hypnosis and begin using it in a practice setting. Course hours: Friday and Saturday 8:30 am- 6:10 pm, Sunday 8:30 am -3:30 pm (Listed hours: Pacific time zone)
Workshop Schedule Overview sample: Level 1_Hypnosis_2025 Final.pdf
Please help us promote our course. Download the Course Flyer and distribute it to your professional network.
Course Scholarship: BIPOC Scholarship The deadline to apply for our February 20-22, 2026 course is January 20th at 5 pm Pacific time.
Additionally, OSCH offers a mentor program for those who complete the course to have support and guidance in integrating course material into practice. Post-course consultation and skills practice groups are also available to OSCH members.
Continuing Education Credits:
The OSCH Level 1 Course content is consistent with the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) training guidelines. The course is approved by ASCH for 22 CE hours. This program has been approved by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis Standards of Training Committee to be used toward Membership and Certification requirements.
The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis-Education and Research Foundation (ASCH-ERF) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis-Education and Research Foundation (ASCH-ERF) designates this live activity for a maximum of 22 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. (CME)
This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (886386995-7390) for 22 continuing education contact hours.
This course is approved by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and as such is an approved continuing education course per Florida’s AC-Rule 64B-4-6002 American Society of Clinical Hypnosis-ERF is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider.
The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis Education & Research Foundation Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement. 10/1/2021 to 9/30/2027. Provider ID#217022
NASW OR has approved this course for 21.75 total CE hours, and NASW OR has identified 3 Ethics and 18.75 Clinical continuing education credits.
Both are accepted by most licensing boards; check with your clinical board to determine what is accepted for continuing education. If your license requires specific information to get CE approval, please contact the course director for assistance.
Course Registration:
Early Bird Pricing: Until January 31, 2026: $425 OSCH members, $550 non-OSCH members, $245 OSCH Associate Members (Students/Interns) and Students/Intern non members $310. Late registration from February 1, 2026: members $525, non-members $650 and Associate member $300, student non member $350. Registration closes end of day on February 14, 2026. If you have missed the registration deadline, please call the course director, Debbie Bensching, at 503-957-1164 for possible late admission.
Member rates are offered to other ASCH component society members.
GROUP RATES: $50 discount per person for groups of 3 or more. Groups must register together. Contact the course director for group registration.
Hypnosis: Clinical hypnosis is evidence based, client centered, cost effective, appropriate for all ages, diverse healthcare disciplines, and incorporates the science of neurobiology and brain plasticity. Hypnosis allows for more effective utilization of the client’s or patient's innate resources and enhances a range of communication skills that facilitate reaching therapeutic goals. Suggestion is an inevitable part of any treatment. In learning hypnosis, one is better able to understand current uses of language in treatment and how to increase and diversify the range of skills in suggesting therapeutic possibilities.
Questions?: Course Director Debbie Bensching, 503-944-5032 or debbie@debbiebensching.com
Participants must be licensed health care professionals or mental health providers licensed for independent practice. Residents, interns, and students enrolled in a graduate program may enroll for the course; proof of status will be required.
Course Review: If you have attended an OSCH Level 1 course in the past or are a current member of OSCH who has had Level 1 through ASCH or a component you may take the course as review at a discounted rate. Please contact the course director for details. Verification of prior attendance is required.
Event Cancellation Refund Policy:
Cancellation refund requests submitted in writing to info@oregonhypnosis.org at least 21 days before the start of the workshop will receive an 100% refund of the amount paid less a $35 administrative charge. Cancellation refund requests received 20 -15 days before the start of the workshop will receive a 50% refund of the amount paid less a $35 administrative charge. No refund will be issued for requests made with 14 days notice or less.
OSCH reserves the right to provide a member or 'workshop registrant 'a full refund or credit toward a future workshop in special circumstances for compassionate relief at OSCH leadership board discretion.
