I am Dave Elman’s son, and I took his Course 3 times before college. I did Hypnosis
in college. Then I became an engineer, served in the Air Force, taught college, and
eventually returned to teaching Hypnosis in 2008.
Dave Elman achieved fame as a Vaudeville Hypnotist, left that for other areas of Show
Business, returned to being a Stage Hypnotist, and was then “kidnapped” into teaching
Medical Hypnosis.
Our several Career Changes taught us both to take knowledge from one career and use
it your next one. For example, both Stage and Clinical Hypnotists build their practice
by public speaking. Knowing BOTH Tracks provides a wider "sales pull." But also,
there are tips and tricks in each which are of use to the other. This is the simplest
example of interest to this audience, but far from the only thing I will cover.
How do Stage Hypnosis and Clinical Hypnosis relate? Dave Elman did both and taught
that combination. He started Hypnosis at age 9; was in Vaudeville by 16, did Show
Business by 21; Left for Radio in the 1930s; Returned to Stage Hypnosis about 1948
or ’49, but was teaching Medical Hypnosis to physicians by 1949.
I may begin with a lecture, but as my intent is to meld the two Hypnosis Tracks, I will
transition to a Seminar form to increase the exchange of ideas and methods.