Sydney James Van Pelt

Sydney James Van Pelt (born February 1, 1908 in Melbourne; † January 7, 1976) was an Australian medical doctor and pioneer of modern medical hypnosis and hypnotherapy as well as President of the British Society of Medical Hypnotists (for life).

Van Pelt grew up as an only child of a wealthy family. He graduated from Sydney Medical School and became commander of the Royal Australian Navy. Van Pelt was appointed to the staff of the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne at the end of 1933. He later founded the British Journal of Medical Hypnotism. In 1952 he was commissioned by the British Minister of Health, the Home Office and the National Association of Mental Health to assist in the adoption of the Hypnotism Bill.