Dr. A. M. Krasner (1928-2013)

 

 

 

 

Today I learned that my first hypnosis teacher passed away this past week.

I met Dr. A.M. (Al) Krasner in October 1991 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His wife, Arlene, and he were on the road, conducting week-end hypnosis trainings.

My girlfriend, JoAnne, had seen his local ad and we went to the preview. In the course materials I spotted a photo of Dr. Irene Hickman, a retired osteopath I had met in Fort Collins, Colo. in 1988. Dr. Hickman had started using hypnotherapy in her medical practice in 1950! I knew Al had to be on the up-and-up, if Irene was associated with his school.

We could not afford the course, so we left without registering. The following day JoAnne ran into Al and Arlene on the square in Santa Fe and he asked why we hadn’t signed up. He told her that she’d be good and “that guy you were with would be great”. He offered her a handshake deal of $50.00/month, and we went to Albuquerque the next week-end and did the 2½-day training. It was a “How To” course, with basic scripts for various topics, such as stop smoking, lose weight and relaxation hypnosis.

I found that I did not enjoy “directive” hypnosis; i.e., using scripts. In September 1992 I started my study and work with Dr. Hickman in Kirksville, Mo., and she and I went to the American Board of Hypnotherapy conference in Orange County, Calif. in February 1993. Irene’s method was non-directive, regression hypnotherapy.

As soon as we entered the hotel lobby, I heard, “Oh, there’s the fool!” Again I heard a loud voice, “There’s the fool.” I looked around and saw Dr. Krasner and his wife coming our way. He repeated, “There’s the fool” as he approached. I didn’t know what to think and asked “What do you mean?”

He said, “Why did you do it? You paid me! You are the only one I offered the monthly payment plan to who paid me!” He said every month on the 15th, his wife would say, “It must be the 15th. Here is Gus’s check!”

Although my study and interest in hypnosis and hypnotherapy went in a direction that was different from his training, I am deeply indebted to him. R.I.P., Dr. Krasner.

---