The American Academy of Medical Hypnoanalysts (AAMH) was formed in 1974. Eight medical doctors, full of planning and foresight, gathered in Indiana to discuss forming a new professional group solely for the purpose of educating others about this exciting form of psychotherapy. Those eight men were George Honiotes, Theodore Tihansky, Louis Boswell, Jr., Richard Willard, Donald Postel, Richard Rubottom, Dan Hollowady and Frank Shubeck. In attendance as a visitor was John Scott, Sr., PhD. At first only medical doctors could be members. Two years later a second category of membership was created for PhD's. In 1978 Master's level therapists also gained membership. In 1990 the categories of membership were altered to reflect an equality of status based on clinical acumen rather than an artificial hierarchy of degree credentials.
All of the founders were trained by William J. Bryan, Jr., MD, JD, LLD. Dr. Bryan had discovered a new and different way of doing therapy. He was a brilliant man with a commanding presence, but he was not open to sharing his organization. Dr. Bryan died in 1977. Many of the eight founders had been teachers and lecturers in Dr. Bryan's training courses. Frustrated by the limitations on their input they chose to create a new entity.
Originally called the Society of Medical Hypnoanalysts it grew quickly. By 1980 there were 40 members. It grew to over 100 members by 1990. Restrictions due to managed care then began to eat into the level of interest in hypnosis. Many of the medical doctors returned exclusively to medicine. Others who had an interest in participating often could not afford to attend. Currently our roles show a growing membership of about 70 dues-paying members classified as Clinical or Associate, depending on their level of training in our modality. Medical Hypnoanalysis is no longer for the elite of medicine but is available to any licensed therapist regardless of the discipline under which he or she trained. Contemporary research in neuroscience has brought renewed interest in hypnosis and how it integrates the mind-body-spirit connection for core healing and transformation.
In 1980 the first issue of Medical Hypnoanalysis was published. It was produced in Memphis, TN by Ray Sexton, MD, Richard Maddock, PhD, John Scott, Sr., PhD and John Scott, Jr., MA (at that time). The Journal continued in publication for twenty years. Other editors have been Dan Zelling, MD, 1985-1991, Samuel Pizzi, PhD, 1991-2007, and Roxanne Lewis, PhD, 1997-2000. Current plans are to begin publishing in e-journal format.
