Mary Sidhwani of Ellicott City, Maryland = FAKE DOCTORATE

Mary Sidhwani is another non-doctors proclaiming, at every possible opportunity, that she holds a doctorate. Our first red flag was that she claims to have earned a "Masters in Clinical Hypnotherapy." Readers of this blog know well and clear that there is no such degree anywhere in the world. Yes, there are many degree mills who will sell you a piece of paper that reads "Masters in Clinical Hypnotherapy." However, it's worth as much as the paper that it's written on.

Next, Mary Sidhwani claims to be a psychotherapist. We researched this with the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists at https://mdbnc.dhmh.md.gov/pctVerification/

As we suspected, there is nobody by the name of Sidhwani anywhere in Maryland licensed to work as a psychotherapist.

Finally, in every web search pertaining to Mary Sidhwani, where she claims to have earned a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, she completely (and conveniently) omits the name of the institution from where she supposedly earned said degree.

Colette and Ron McKie - Family with FAKE PHDS

Colette McKie, who operates a hypnosis practice in Bowie, MD called"Turning Point," claims to have a Doctorate in Clinical Hypnotherapy from the American Pacific University, a known degree mill (see http://fakedoctorate.blogspot.com/2012/11/known-diploma-mills-resource-guide.html). There are no accredited doctoral or masters programs in hypnosis anywhere in the world.

Speaking of the McKie's, her husband Ron McKie, who also operates "Turning Point Hypnotherapy Strategies and Acupuncture," claims to have a Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Hypnotherapy from the same degree mill. Ron claims to be a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, who supposedly has a code of ethics. Except when it has to do with fake degrees.

We affirm that the McKie's are McFrauds when purporting to hold doctorates and bachelor's degrees in hypnosis.

In response to this posting, the McFrauds posted this statement on their website:

EDUCATIONIONAL STATEMENT [yes, the fake-PhD misspelled "Educational"]

It has come to our attention that there are some who question our educational background, specifically our degrees. I would like to clarify this.  [It's about time your fraudulent claims are questioned.] Our degrees in Clinical Hypnotherapy were issued from American Pacific University, located in Hawaii. This school Is a dedicated educational institute that has constantly worked at improving the level of their classes to ensure that its students receive the highest level of education possible. In fact, while we were in our degree programs, the University was going through the process of obtaining accreditation; which it has completed. Shortly after receiving their accreditation for distance learning, American Pacific University became Kona University; a fully accredited institution. [NEWSFLASH - Kona University does not offer ANY degrees in Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy. I also challenge you to go to Kona.edu and find ANY information about accreditation. Good luck with that.] The courses that we took, and the requirements and standards of knowledge that we were held to, met or exceeded, those of similar, accredited institutions.  [Really? Considering that there are NO accredited degree programs in hypnosis, how can there be anything similar? They paid a degree mill to send them a diploma.] The degree programs had the same requirements as other institutions for credit hours, and, for both of us, took 2-3 years to complete. We are both better for the experience. Contrary to the accusations of others, this institution is not a degree mill; we worked hard for the degrees we received. [You mean your NO DEGREEs?] If you feel that our educational background does not meet your needs, please look somewhere else. We are dedicated, professional practitioners [with phony degrees] who have your best interest [our pockets] in mind.

Patricia Armour - FAKE DOCTORATE

Patricia M. Armour
PhD in Scam Artistry

Patricia M. Armour, whose practice is called Mind Spa Mentor Hypnosis in Owings Mills, MD is currently the biggest bullshit artist we have seen. She claims to hold an "alternative Doctorate in C.O.R.E. Counseling/Education from the Institute of Transformational Studies in Glouchester, MA."
There is no such degree program and an "Alternative Doctorate" is NOT A DEGREE.

She is a member of the Institute of Applied Natural Science, National Guild of Hypnotists, International Association of Counselors and Therapists, American Society of Alternative Therapists, American Academy of Ericksonian Hypnosis, Society of Neuro-Linguistic Practitioners (NLP), and National Federation of Neuro-Linguistic Psychology. Shame on any institution that would allow a member to represent them as a complete FRAUD.

Kay Walkinshaw - FAKE PhD

Kay F. Walkinshaw, a hypnosis provider in Potomac, MD and Annandale, VA claims to have a PhD but will not say in what field or the name of the school she attended. She is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists and also the "founder" of the International Council for Medical and Clinical Therapists. She is also a member of the American Holistic Medical Association, American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists, International Association of Regression Research Therapists, Association of Research and Enlightenment, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, and the National Federation of Neurolinguistic Psychology. She also teaches a non-credit hypnosis course at the the Northern Virginia Community College. None care that she has a Doctorate of FRAUD.

Joanne Selinske - Derwood, MD FAKE PhD

Joanne Selinske of the Soul Source, located in Derwood, MD and serves the neighborhoods of Olney, Rockville, and Gaithersburg in Montgomery County claims to have "completed a doctoral program in transpersonal counseling." Of course, she doesn't state from where. That's because this scam artist didn't earn an accredited PhD from anywhere and there are no accredited "transpersonal counseling" programs anywhere. Before blowing your money on a moron such as this, be sure to verify their credentials first.