Organization and functioning of ISCEH, The International Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis

The first international society of hypnosis founded in this century, the International Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (ISCEH), was organized in 1958 as a direct result of societal conflicts between The Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH) and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). Initially, it consisted of National Divisions built around key contributors in 30 different countries. This article describes the inception, organization, and development (including controversies and conflicts) of ISCEH up to 1973. At that time, through the cooperation of SCEH, ASCH, and other international groups, under the leadership of Dr. Ernest R Hilgard, ISCEH was reorganized, reconstituted, and renamed The International Society of Hypnosis (ISH). For the purpose of historical study, the society's voluminous correspondence, directories of officers and committees, awards, photographs, programs of congresses, election records, and other relevant documents have been cataloged and preserved in some 82 files in the Archives of the History of American Psychology at the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.