AHA Hall of Fame

David Kennedy

My name is David Kennedy.

I have been a counsellor for over 50 years, beginning my working life as a church minister. I first came in contact with hypnosis in the early 1980’s when given a tape during an illness, not knowing it was hypnosis originally, but recognising the profound change that I experienced, I became curious about the control over our bodies and mind that was available to all of us.

After undergoing training in traditional hypnosis, I became aware that I had been using hypnotic techniques with the people who had been coming to me for help in my role as community counsellor.

My original training was revolutionised in 1990 when I came in contact with the concepts of the American psychiatrist, Dr Milton Erickson, M.D. From that point, I have incorporated the idea of client-centered, individually based therapy in both my practice and teaching. I can think of no more satisfying role for myself in this world than helping people change themselves using therapeutic hypnosis.

After coming to Queensland in the late eighties, along with setting up practices on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, I became involved in the long struggle for legislative change. I was a delegate to the historic 1994 Qld Government Legislative Review Committee. The outcome of our efforts resulted in changes to the law and deregulation of the practice of hypnosis in this state. The result is wide acceptance of clinical hypnotherapy

I represented the AHA for a number of years in Queensland as state executive officer. In 2007 I was pleased to be presented with life membership of the AHA.

Over the years I have presented hypnosis on radio and television, culminating in a nationwide presentation of hypnotherapy on Channel Nine’s ’What’s Good For You’.

Being in my middle seventies now, I continue seeing clients, but spend most of my time teaching clinical hypnosis and mentoring other therapists. Through the years of clinical practice I have learned a lot from the people I have seen, and it is my continuing passion to spread the word.

Like Harry Berger, I just may have to retire some day……….
 

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