module 2 | betterme
TRANSCRIPT
MODULE2HypnotherapyTraining
AbstractWhatisEntrainment?Entrainmentisaprincipleofphysics.Itisdefinedasthesynchronisationoftwoormorerhythmiccycles.Theprinciplesofentrainmentappearinchemistry,neurology,biology,pharmacology,medicine,astronomyandmore.
pg.2
SeminarandWorkbookTrainingfortheprofessionalHypnotherapist.
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TheEntrainmentPrinciple
WhatisEntrainment?
Entrainmentisaprincipleofphysics.Itisdefinedasthesynchronisationoftwo
or more rhythmic cycles. The principles of entrainment appear in chemistry,
neurology,biology,pharmacology,medicine,astronomyandmore.
Whilstworkingon thedesignof thependulumclock in1656,Dutch scientist
ChristianHuygensfoundthatifheplacedtwounsynchronisedclockssidebyside
on a wall, they would slowly synchronise to each other. In fact, the
synchronisationwassoprecisenotevenmechanicalinterventioncouldcalibrate
themmoreaccurately.
Ithaslongbeenobservedthatlightandsoundwavescanbeveryeffectivein
producing changes in consciousness. Since we are comprised of vibrational
energy,lightandsoundmaybethebestmediumforcreatingdesiredchanges.
It isanatural tendency for themind/body topace itself toa steadyexternal
pg.3
stimulus,suchasoceanwaves,thebeatofadrum,orthebeatingofamother’s
heart.
Whentwopendulumsaresetinmotionattwodissimilartimes,theentrainment
principleisobservable,asthependulumswilleventuallyswinginunison.
Using this principle, themind/body can be 'entrained' into various states of
being by promoting the presence of alpha, theta, or delta brainwave
frequencies.
Aphysicsphenomenonofresonance,firstobservedinthe17thcentury,hasan
effectonallofus.Entrainment isdefinedas thetendency for twooscillating
bodiestolockintophasesothattheyvibrateinharmony.Itisalsodefinedasa
synchronisationoftwoormorerhythmiccycles.Theprincipleofentrainmentis
universal,appearinginchemistry,pharmacology,biology,medicine,psychology,
sociology, astronomy, architecture and more. The classic example shows
individual pulsing heartmuscle cells.When they are brought close together,
theybeginpulsinginsynchrony.Anotherexampleoftheentrainmenteffectis
womenwholiveinthesamehouseholdoftenfindthattheirmenstrualcycles
willcoincide.
pg.4
MusicalEntrainment
Theentrainmentprocessisquiteevidentinmusic.Itispossibletohaverhythmic
entrainment, melodic entrainment and dynamic entrainment. Entrainment
musichasthepotentialto(1)resonatewiththelistener’sfeelings,(2)transform
negativityintopositivity,and(3)promoteastateoflivelinessorserenity.Certain
sounds, in specific sequence can help bring the listener from one place to
another.
Hypnosis music has been developed with the entrainment transformation
principle in mind. It creates a type of sound “mirror” that first reflects the
currentstressorturmoilofthelistener,andlaterreflectsthedesiredmoodand
feeling.Asthemusicgraduallytransforms,itsresolutionmaybeexperiencedin
thelistener,physicallyoremotionally.
StimulatingtheBrain
The easiestwayof applying stimulus to thebrain is via ears and eyes. Since
humans cannot hear sounds low enough to be useful for brain stimulation,
special techniques must be used. One such special technique used is called
binauralbeats.
Iftheleftearispresentedwithasteadytoneof495Hzandtherightearasteady
toneof505Hz,thesetwotonescombineinthebrain.Thedifference,10Hz,is
perceived by the brain and is a very effective stimulus for brainwave
entrainment. This 10Hz is formed entirely by the brain. When using stereo
headphones,theleftandrightsoundsdonotmixtogetheruntilinyourbrain.
pg.5
Thefrequencydifference,whenperceivedbybrainthisway,iscalledabinaural
beat.
Togetastimulusof10Hz,youmayusetonesof495Hzand505Hz,or400Hzand
410Hz,or862Hzand872Hz,orsoon.Theonlyrequirementsarethatthetone
is heardwell enough and that it is below about 1000Hz. Below 1000Hz, the
wavelength of the sound is sufficiently small so that the soundwaves curve
aroundtheskull.
pg.6
BrainWaves
SomerelaxationMP3’sandCD’sarenotsuitableforhypnosis.Thisisbecause
they containALPHA,BETA andDELTA rhythmswhichmay in fact inhibit the
trance state. Specialist music containing THETA rhythms will enhance your
inductionastheycontainbinauralbeatsthuskeepingyourclient inthetheta
state.MakesureyourmusicisCopyrightfree.
pg.7
DeepeningtheTrance
Deepeningistheprocessofmakingatrancestatemoreprofound.Thegoalof
deepeningistocreateamindsetmoreacceptingofsuggestion(somnambulism).
Hereareafewideasbehindtheconceptofdeepening.
• Hypnosis is a state in which your associative and dissociative (linking
thingstogetherorsplittingthingsup)powersareincreased.
• Youcanusethehypnoticstatetolinkanythingtoanythingelse.
• Fordeepening,takeanyactionorthoughtthatthesubjectisgoingtohave
andassociateittowhatyouwantthemtodo.
Herearesomeexamples…
ArmDropDeepening
"OK,I'mgoingtoreachoverandpickupyourleftarm(picksuparmuntilarmis
extendedasifsleepwalking).Ithinkyou'llfindthatthisarmwillstayupallby
itselfforalittlewhile(keepssupportingarm,lessenssupportuntilarmstaysup
by itself).Good.Now, I'd like you to, as yourarmbegins to feelheavierand
beginstowanttodropdowntoyourthigh,relaxmoredeeplyandletyourarm
comedownasanindicationthatyouarerelaxingmoredeeplyandfully.That's
good, allow thatarm to comedownonlyasquicklyas you relaxmuchmore
deeply, fully good... and as that arm touches your leg you become twice as
relaxed,(armtouchesleg)...good."
Counting
Inamoment,I'mgoingtocountfrom10downto1…
Andinallowingeachnumbertohelpyourbodygrowmorerelaxed…yourmind
gomorerelaxed…sothatcertainthoughts justfadeaway…likesandslipping
throughyourfingers…
pg.8
youcanfindthateasyrelaxationofmindandbody,becauseofthesewords,just
happensnow,
10,easilyrelaxingalloveragain9,then8deeperstill,feelinggreat7,6,5mind
andbodyrelaxedandalive
4... relaxingmore3then2,yourdeepeninggrewat1wonderfuldeep levels,
goingdeeperThat'sright…
Elevators&Escalators
Inamoment,I'mgoingtoaskyoutoimagineyourselfatthetopofanescalator.
I'mgoingtocountdownfrom10to1,asIsaythenumber10inyourimagination,
stepontotheescalator.Allowyourselftogodeeperintorelaxationwitheach
numberIsay.WhenIreachthenumber1,stepofftheescalatorintoastateof
relaxationdeeperthanyou'veeverfeltbefore.
10,stepontheescalatorandgomuchdeeper.
9,relaxingmoreandmorewitheachnumber.
8,allowingyourselftogodeeperanddeeperwitheachnumber.
7,eachnumberandeacheasy,naturalbreathyoutakehelpsyourelaxmore
fully.
6,5,doingdeeperintorelaxation.
4,feelingrelaxationflowandeveryareaofyourbody.
3,2,allowingyourbodyfeelawonderful,attherelaxation.
1,nowmoredeeplyrelaxedthaneverbefore.
pg.9
18waystoinduceanddeepenhypnotictrance
Hereare18thingstosaytoinduceanddeepenhypnotictrance.Eachitemon
the list has a short script as an example. Keep inmind that somemethods
overlap.Readallthescriptsintheentirelistsequentiallyandyouwillhavean
effectivetranceinductionforrelaxation.
Beginbytellingtheclienttoclosehisorhereyes.Makeyourselfcomfortable
andcloseyoureyes.
1.Ask theclient to takeadeepbreathandrelax.Easebackandtakeadeep
breath,allthewayin.Asyouslowlyletitout,perhapsyoucanfeelyourmuscles
beginning to relax, at the same time that yourmind is just beginning topay
attentioninadifferentway.
2.Pacetheclient'scurrentexperiencewithtruismsandleadintotrance.Youare
listening to my voice, and the sounds in the room. You are aware of your
surroundings.Youareawareofthepositionofyourarmsandlegs.Youcanfeel
thetextureofyourclothing.Youcanfeelthesupportofthechaironwhichyou
aresitting.Younoticeyourbreathing,andyounoticehowmuchmorerelaxed
andcalmyoufeel,thanjustmomentsago.
3. Reassure the client that trance is easy to attain and he or she is a good
hypnoticsubject.Goingintotranceisdifferentforeachperson,andwhatever
wayyouexperienceitisjustfind.Iamsureyoucandothis.
4.Compounding:Themoreyoulisten,themoreyourelax.Themoreyourelax,
theeasier it is togowithinandachieve that levelof innerawarenesswhere
speciallearningtakesplace.
pg.10
5. Fractionation: As you learn to go into trance, you can practice it for
improvement.Openyoureyesforamoment.Lookaround.Nowcloseyoureyes
and go right back to an even more satisfying level of relaxation and
concentration.
6. Establish Cause-Effect: As you wonder what hypnosis is all about, you
understandmore.Eachbreathyouexhalecanmakeitmoresatisfying.Ihope
eachmomentthatpassesbringsyouagreatersenseofcomfort.Witheachword
Isay,youcanadvancemorecompletelyintorelaxationandconcentration,as
youplease.
7.ProgressiveRelaxation:(Suggestthateachpartofthebodyisrelaxing.Besure
topausebetweeneachsentence,givingtheclienttimetorespond).Sendthe
thoughtofrelaxationallthewaydowntoyourfeetandfeelyourfeetrelaxing.
Allowthatsamerelaxationtomovegentlyupwardthroughyourbody,intoyour
anklesandcalves.Lettherelaxingfeelingscontinue,sothatnowyourkneesand
thighs can feel more relaxed, as the relaxation moves into your hips and
abdomen.Nowfeelthemusclesofyourbackbeginningtorelaxandletgoofall
thattension.Evenyourshouldersrelaxascomfortingsensationsflowdowninto
yourchestandeachexhalehelpsthatsenseofrelaxationandlettinggo.Letthe
relaxationflowdownyourarms,intoyourelbows,downintoyourwrists,and
allthewaydowntothetipsofyourfingers.Yourentirebodyisrelaxingmore,
whilethatsoothingfeelingmovesintoyourneck,yourscalp,andallthemuscles
of your face relax. Your entire body feels relaxed from head to toe. All the
tensionhasmeltedaway.
8.Presupposethatdeepening isoccurring: Iwonderhowcompletelyyouare
relaxing.Youarediscovering foryourselfhowsatisfyingtrancecanbe.While
youarerelaxing,manysubtlechangesareoccurring.
pg.11
9.Describesomecommonaspectsoftrance:Yourbreathingmightbeslower
nowandmoreregular.Perhapsyourmusclesaremorerelaxedandyourhands
mightfeellooseandlimp,whileyourheartbeatandpulseareslowingdown.You
maybefindingiteasiertoconcentrateonthethingsIsay,althoughfromtime
totime,youarethinkingyourownthoughtstoo.
10.Suggestionsofallpossibilities:Peoplegointotranceinawidevarietyofways
andeveryone'sexperienceisunique.Somepeoplerelaxquickly,andsomerelax
moreslowlyandsomevarythepace.SomepeopleheareverywordIsay,and
others tune my voice in and out. Or you might pay attention to your own
thoughts and not really listen at all. For some, trance is a light, floating
experience,and forsome it isadeepheavyexperience,and forsome, it isa
combinationofsensations.Howyoucreatethisexperienceforyourselfisreally
uptoyou,oryoucanjustrelaxanddiscoverwhathappensnaturally.Itmaybe
whatyouexpectorsomethingdifferent,orsomeofeach.
11.ArmCatalepsy:Asyoufocusinward,youcannoticehowrelaxyourarmsare.
Letthemfeelsorelaxedthattheyfeelheavy-soheavythatfornow,theyjust
don'twanttomove.Theyaresoheavyandrelaxedthatit'sjusttoomucheffort
tomovethem.Trytoliftyourrightarmandfindyou'drathernotliftit,oritis
so heavy, it just doesn't want to lift. Stop trying and relax even more
comfortably. This should give you an indication that you are now fully in
hypnotictrance,andhowpleasantandpeacefulitcanbeforyou.
12.EyeClosure:Nowrelaxyoureyelidsandallthemusclesaroundyoureyes
evenmorethanbefore.Letyoureyelidsfeelheavyanddrowsy.Letyoureyelids
relaxsomuchthattheyjustdon'tfeellikeopening.Theyaresoheavy,sorelaxed
thatifyoutriedtoopenthem,itwouldseemdifficult.Nowrelaxyoureyelidsso
muchmorethattheyjustwanttostayshut.Lateron,ofcourse,theywillopen
pg.12
easily,butfornowyoucanenjoythefeelingofallowingyoursubconsciousto
takepartinthisprocess,relaxingyoureyelidssomuchtheyjustwanttostay
closed.Nowtestyoureyelidstobesuretheywanttostayshut.VeryGood!Now
stoptestingandexperiencethesatisfactionofrealizingthatyourmindandbody
arefullycooperatingwiththeprocessofhypnosis,asyourelaxmorepeacefully.
13. Revivify a memory of previous trance (if it was pleasant) or a similar
experience of comfort and relaxation: (Note: Ask the client to describe the
previous trancebefore youbegin hypnosis. Thenuse the client's ownwords
here,asyouhelptheclientaccessthememory).Itrustyoucanrememberthat
previous time when you were hypnotised. You might recall some of your
thoughtsandobservationsandthesensationsyoufeltasyourbodyrelaxedand
yourmindseemedto"focusinward,"asthoughyouwere"driftingeffortlessly"
while feeling comfortableand secure.You remember that itwas "a soothing
feelingtoletgoofallthatstress."Youcanhavethosesamesatisfyingfeelings
now.
14.MetaphororAnalogy:Somepeoplesaygoingintotranceisascomfortable
asgoingtobedatnight,attheendofalong,productiveday,withnothingelse
to dobut close the eyes and let go and relax. There arenodistractions and
nothing to think about. You can just let the mind drift, feeling warm and
comfortable,whileenjoyingthepeacefulquiet.
15.Counting:Iamgoingtocountnowfromonetofive.Witheachnumber,just
letyourmindandbodyrelaxmoreandmore,sothatbythetimeIreachthe
numberfive,youwillbemuchmoredeeplyrelaxed,withafullersenseofinner
awareness. One, relaxing deeper and deeper. Two, relaxing more and
completely.Three,adeeplycomfortablefeeling.Four,goingwithintofindwhat
istheretodiscover.Five,muchmorerelaxednow.
pg.13
Note: If you use counting to deepen the trance, reverse the countwith you
reorienttheclient.Example:NowIamgoingtocountfromfivetooneandwith
eachnumberyou'llbecomeincreasinglyalert.Five,comingupnow.Four,feeling
morealert.Three,readytoreturntoconscious,wakefulawareness.Two,ready
tomoveaboutagainandopenyoureyes,andone,eyesopen,fullyalertnow.
16.Splitting:(Posetotheclientthatheorsheisawareoftwooppositethingsat
once. Use a different tone of voice for each one). You have a conscious
mind...andyouhaveasubconsciousmind.Yourconsciousmindisawareofthe
externalworld...andyour subconsciousmindmanagesyour innerawareness.
The consciousmind dealswith facts and logic...while the subconsciousmind
works with intuition and creativity. The conscious mind thinks about the
problems...whilethesubconsciousmindholdsthesolutions.Mereconversation
speakstotheconsciousmind...andhypnosisspeakstothesubconsciousmind.
17.Guidedimagery:Imagineyouaredriftingdownaquietstreaminacanoe,
underalovelybluesky.Thecurrentcarriesyoualong,soyoucanjustsitback
andrelaxandenjoythescenery.Overhead,anoccasionalcloudfloatsslowlyby,
movingeffortlesslywithitsownsenseofdirection,eventhoughyoudon'tknow
where it is going. It changes shape as it moves, sometimes resembling
something recognisable, sometimes not. On either side of you there is a
riverbank, with trees, grasses, shrubs and flowers. Butterflies flit among the
colourfulflowers,seemingtoknowjustwhattodotogetatthatsweetnectar
deepinsideeachone.Allispeacefulandtranquil,asyouletthecurrentcarry
you,andthegentlerockingofthecanoe,underthewarmthofthesunseemsto
lullyouintoadeeplyrestfulstate.
18. Word play: As you trance-sition into hypnotic trance in your own way,
gettingoutofyourownway,youmighttrance-fersomeprevious learningto
pg.14
haveityourownway,oritcouldbethatyouwaitfortheexperiencetotrance-
formyourawarenessofhowyouownthewayyoudoitandtrance-latewhatI
say,intosomethingyoucanusenoworhavediscoveredearlieron.
pg.15
Ideo-motorsignals
Oneofthemostpowerfultechniquesinhypnosis-ideo-motorsignaling.
Anideo-motorsignaliswaytocommunicatenon-verbally.
Ideo-motortechniquesarepowerfulforanumberofreasons.Sincethe
unconsciousmindfunctionsonmoreofametaphoricallevel,aleveldealing
withimageryandimaginationratherthanlogic,methodsthatusethebody
andemotionsratherthanourverbalskillsarehighlyeffectiveinreachingthat
partthemind.
Inotherwords,ifyouaregettingnon-verbalresponsesfromyourclient(or
fromyourself),youarecommunicatingwiththepartthemindyouneedto
communicatewith.
Usingideo-motormovementscommunicateswithunconscious,pre-verbalparts
ofthemind.Sincemanyproblemsalsooriginateinpre-verbalpartsofthemind
thistechniquecanbehighlyeffective.
Becauseideo-motormovementsdonotincludeverbalresponses,whatwemust
do it is set up a communication system that does not include speaking. The
easiestwaytodothisiswithapendulum.
Trythissimpleexperiment:Getapendulumorcreateoneby,tyingapieceof
string to a ring. You can alsouse anecklaceor gold chainof some sort that
swingseasilyinalldirections.Something8to10incheslongisideal.Restyour
elbowonatablewithyourarmstraightupandyourhandparalleltothetable
(yourwristwillbebentata90degreeangle).Holdthestringorchainlooselyin
betweenyourindexfingerandthumb.Askyourunconsciousmindtochoosea
movement to indicate yes. It can be a clockwise circular motion, a counter
clockwisecircularmotionorabackandforthmotioninanydirection.Mentally
pg.16
think "yes"overandoveragain.Usuallywithina fewseconds thependulum
beginstomove.Askyourunconscioustopickadifferentmotiontosignify"no".
Noticewhichwaythependulummovesthistime.Youhavenowsetup ideo-
motorsignalstocommunicatedirectlywithyourunconsciousmind.
Haveyoueverplayed20questions?Twentyquestionsisagamethatyouplay
wheresomeonethinksofanobjectandyouhavetoguesswhattheobjectis.
Youcanaskquestions,butonlyquestionsthatcanbeansweredyesorno.
Hereisanexample:Let'ssupposeIthoughtofapenguin.Youmightask"Isit
biggerthanacar?"Answer:NoQuestion:Doyouhangitonyourwall?Answer:
No.Question:Isitananimal?Answer:Yes.
Andsoon...
Youaresupposedtoguesstheanswerwithin20questions.
Sohowdoesthisrelatetoideomotormovements?Wecansetupapairofnon-
verbal responses to signify yes andno. You canuseeither thependulum,or
someotherbodymovement.Fingertwitchescanbeused;atwitchoftheright
indexfingercansignifyyes,andatwitchoftheleftindexfingercansignifyno.
Then we can ask the unconscious mind all sorts of questions, using the 20
questionsformat(yes/no).
Here'sanexampleofhowyouwouldgettheunconscioustodevelopanideo
motor signalling system: "Iwould like your unconscious to select a finger to
signifyyes.Whenithasselectedthatfinger,givethatfingeralittletwitch.(Wait
untilyouseeafingertwitch.)thankyou.Now,Iwouldlikeyou'reunconscious
toselectadifferentfingertosignifyno.Whenithasselectedthatfinger,give
thatfingerlittletwitch.(waituntilyouseeafingertwitch).Good."
Nowyoucanbegintoasktheunconsciousquestions.Makesureyoureiterate
andreinforcetheideomotorsignalsasyouaskquestions.Here'sanexample
pg.17
wherethepersonsunconsciousmindpickedtheleftindexfingerforyesandthe
leftlittlefingerforno.Wearegoingtousethistechniquetolocatetheoriginof
aproblem.
"Okay,doesyourunconsciousmindknowwhenthisproblemstarted?(Indicates
yes).Good.Didthisproblemstartbeforeyour20thbirthday?(Indicatesyes).
Didthisproblemstartbeforeyour18thbirthday?"(Indicatesno-wenarrowit
downfurtheruntilwediscovertheproblembeganduringthesummerofthe
client's19thyear).
Let's use the same technique to get theunconscious to commit tomaking a
changeinanailbitingbehaviour.Thisexampleisfromasituationwherewehave
deducedthattheclientneedsafeelingofrelaxationtoovercomethebehaviour.
"Does your unconscious mind understand what to do in order to solve this
problem?Answermeyesbytwitchingtheleftindexfingerornobytwitching
the left little finger. (Indicates yes).Wonderful.Does your unconsciousmind
nowtakeresponsibilityforcreatingandmanifestrelaxationinyoubehaviourfor
you inthosesituationswhereyouusedtobiteyournails?Answermeyesby
twitchingtheleftindexfingerornobytwitchingtheleftlittlefinger.(Indicates
yes).So,fromnowon,inthosesituationswhereyouusedtobiteyournails,you
automaticallyandfullyfeelawonderfulsenseofrelaxationsweepingoveryou.
Answermeyesbytwitchingtheleftindexfinger.(Indicatesyes).Excellent,I'd
liketothankyourunconsciousforhelpingusinthismatter."
Nothing that I've seen indicates that the unconscious mind is capable of
predictingthefuture.Askingforlotterynumbersorthepredictionofeventsthat
dependonotherpeople is, inmyopinion,counterproductive.Herearesome
areasthatideomotorsignallingisgoodfor.
• Gettingacommitmentfromtheunconsciousmind
pg.18
• Findinglostitems
• Findingrootcausesofevents
• Remembering information that thesubjectknowsbut isunavailable to
theconsciousmind
Using a pendulum is also a powerful convincer for some people. Sometimes
peoplearescaredofhypnosisandusingapendulumisagoodwaytocreate
hypnosisandnon-threateningenvironment.
Beforebeginning the ideomotorquestioning, the therapistshouldexplain to
theclientthattheunconsciousmindcontrolsalltheinvoluntaryfunctionsofthe
body,suchasbreathing,heartbeatandbodytemperature.Thereforeitisvery
easyforittocontrolthemovementofthefingers.Also,asthereasonsforthe
client’sproblemarestoreddeeplyinthesubconsciousmind,thequestionscan
onlybeansweredatansubconsciouslevel.Ofcourseithastoberemembered
thatthequestionsaskedmustbecapableofbeingansweredbyastraight“yes”
or“no”.
ScripttoAllocateidea-motorSignals
Firstinducetranceandthenproceedasfollows......
NOWTHATYOUARESODEEPLYRELAXED,ICANNOWCOMMUNICATEWITHA
VERYSPECIALPARTOFYOU,THEPARTOF?YOUTHATKNOWSALLABOUTYOU.
IAMABOUTTOASKTHISSPECIALPARTOFYOUAFEWSIMPLEQUESTIONS........
ANDTHEANSWERSTOTHEQUESTIONSWILLBEEITHER“YES”OR“NO”
pg.19
SOIFTHESUBCONSCIOUSPARTOFYOUWOULDLIKETOINDICATE“YES”,THEN
THIS FINGER WILL RECEIVE MESSAGES FROM YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND
INDICATING“YES”.(Gentlystrokefinger)
AND IF THE SUBCONSCIOUS PART OF YOUWOULD LIKE TO INDICATE “NO”,
THENTHISFINGERWILLRECEIVEMESSAGESFROMYOURSUBCONSCIOUSMIND
INDICATING“NO”.(Gentlystrokefinger)
SO THAT THIS FINGER NOW BECOMES YOUR “YES” FINGER RECEIVING
MESSAGESFROMTHESUBCONSCIOUSMINDINDICATING”YES”(Gentlystroke
finger)
ANDTHISFINGERNOWBECOMESYOUR“NO”FINGERRECEIVINGMESSAGES
FROMTHESUBCONSCIOUSMINDINDICATING”NO”(Gentlystrokefinger)
SO,IFTHESUBCONSCIOUSPARTOFYOUUNDERSTANDSTHIS,THENINDICATE
“YES”NOW.......
Wait for response. If the response is immediateandpositive, then thiscould
indicateaconscioussignal.Asubconscioussignalwouldbedelayed,jerkyand
slight.
Everytimeyougetananswer,acknowledgetheanswerperhapsbystrokingthe
fingerbysaying“GOOD,NOWRELAX10TIMESDEEPER”
pg.20
Hypnotismhasnothingtodowithwillpower(orwon'tpowerasthecasemay
be). Will or won't power is a function of the conscious mind, whereas the
subconsciousmindisbasicallyinfluencedbytheimagination.
Inanybattlebetweentheimaginationandthewillpower,itistheimagination
that invariably wins. In other words, if there is ever a conflict between the
subconsciousandtheconscious,thentheSUBCONSCIOUSWILLALWAYSWIN!
Letslookatwhyitisthenthatsomepeoplebehaveinawaythatappearstobe
out of their control. The bestway to explain this is to use the example of a
personwhohasaphobiaforspiders.
Consciousknowledge.
Thespiderphobicknowsconsciouslythataspiderwillneverhurtthem.Itsno
goodsayingthingslike“ohcomeonitsonlyasmallspider”,thephobicalready
knowsthis,buts/hecannotcontrolthewayshefeelswhens/hethinksabouta
spiderorwhens/heisinthepresenceofaspider.
pg.21
SubconsciousKnowledge
Deepinthephobicssubconscious,thereisa“faulty”programmethattakesover
andrunseverytimethephobicisinthepresenceofaspider.Thesubconscious
willoverridetheconsciouslogicofknowingthespiderwillneverhurther.
Ironically,whenthephobicwasabout9monthsold,s/hewouldprobablypick
aspiderupandeatit,therewasnosubconsciousreactionthen!
Faulty programmes usually come from experience. Remember the
presuppositions“allexperiencehasastructure”.
Weallhavesomefaultyprogrammesinsomeformoranother.Theprogrammes
will continue to run, cued by a trigger, until the old outdated, unwanted
programmeisupdatedwithamoreacceptableone.However,insomecasesthe
clientmaynotbeconsciouslyawareofwhatthetriggeris.
Takeasmokerforinstance,heknowsthecigarettesarekillinghim,anditeven
saysonthepacketthatitwillcausecancer.Theymayapplyconsciouslogicto
thisanddecidetomakeaconsciousdecisiontostopsmoking.Soonafterthe
smokerhasmadethatconsciousdecision,thesubconsciouswillrun itsfaulty
programme. There is a belief in the subconscious that the smoker needs
cigarettestostayalive,itcan’tapplylogicsoitover-ridestheconsciousdecision
andthesmokerisforcedtohaveacigarette.Theremayalsobeotherelements
whichre-enforcesthesubconscious,forexample,anyphysicalorpsychological
addiction.
pg.22
Thiswillcontinuetohappenuntilthesubconsciousprogrammeisupdatedwith
a more appropriate programme. Hypnosis does just this, providing that the
suggestionsareformulatedcorrectlyandthatthesuggestionsareaccepted.
Rememberthatbecausethesubconsciouscannotanalyseandcriticise,itcannot
tell thedifferencebetweenaharmful behaviour and ahealthybehaviour, in
otherwordsitdoesnotrecognisewhetherabehaviourisnegativeorpositive.
Any behaviour which the subconscious is presenting, whether negative or
positive,initsoriginalformwasacceptedbythesubconsciousintheinterestof
theclient. Itdidnotknowthat itwaswrong.Rememberthepresuppositions
“underlyingeverybehaviourthereispositiveintent”.
pg.23
PlanningyourTherapy
History taking is a very important part of the treatment session andmaybe
calledthefirstphase.Thetherapistcanonlystarttohelptheclientwhens/he
hasgatheredenoughinformationforhim/hertoworkon.Thereisnowayof
arrivingatthepropertherapyforanemotionallydisturbedpersonwhocomes
fortreatmentexceptthroughathoroughhistorytaking.
History taking is not merely the gathering of essential facts to support or
disproveahypothesis;itisalsoanessentialpartoftherapy.Thedialogueduring
the history taking phase advances two essential factors inherent in the
therapeutic process, namely, the growth of a strong trusting relationship
between two persons and the gradual growth of insight, which arises from
dialogueandencounter.Rapportinotherwords.
Ofcourseacertainamountoftimehastogobybeforeaclientwillsettledown
enoughforthemtoopenupfully,howeverthistimefactorcanbeshortenedby
theuseofbodylanguagetechniquestobuilduprapport.
During the first history taking session the clientmay be reluctant (formany
differentreasons)totalkabouttheirsymptom.Theywillelectinsteadtospeak
ofitinasuperficialway.Theymayevenbehopingthatallthetherapisthasto
doistowaveamagicwandandtheirsymptomwilldisappear.Thedominant
moodofthepersonactsupontheassociationsystemsofthemindinsuchaway
thatmemorybecomeshighlyselective. Thesubjectivethoughtsof theclient
can then distort their reasoning. Only those experiences which are in
accordancewiththeirmoodareadmittedtoconsciousrecognition.Theeffect
pg.24
ofthisisthattheclientonlyrememberswhats/hewantstorememberandcan
thereforefalsifytheirhistory.
Thetherapistmustrecognisethatinlisteningtotheunstructuredhistoryofan
emotionallydisturbedperson,theyarehearingahighlyselectiveaccountofthe
pastandmaybeadistortedone.Itisonlywhentheclienthassettledandrapport
hasbeenestablishedthatamorestructuredanddetailedhistorycanbetaken.
However it is importantthat initiallytheclient isallowedtotelltheirstory in
theirownway.
During the history taking, or information gathering as we sometimes call it,
clientsoftenhavea tendency toholdback fromdisclosing therealnatureof
theirsymptom.Maybetheyfeeltheyhavetogettoknowthetherapistbetter.
Again,asrapportisestablishedsotheclientbecomesmoreateaseandwillthen
start togive thetherapistmoredetailedandspecific informationabout their
symptom.
pg.25
ThePresentingProblem
It is importantthatthetherapistbeawarethatthepresentingsymptommay
justbeasmokescreenandmaynotcoincidewiththerealsymptomatall.These
smokescreensymptomsmaybeveryreal(i.e.thepersonmaybeacompulsive
handwasher,butthatisn'ttherealsymptom)andveryconvincing,leadingthe
therapist tobelievethatthis is theonecausingtheclienttohavedifficulties.
However, it isnotalwayspossibleduring the first therapy session toget the
clienttoadmittohavinganunderlyingsymptom.
SUBJECTIVEINTERPRETATIONS
Whenclientspresent themselves for therapy theygivevariedaccountsas to
whytheyhavetheirsymptoms.Someoftheinformationtheygivewillbebased
onfact,someofitwillbebasedontheirbeliefs.Thelatteraresubjectiveand
canbeanimportantreasonastowhytheclienthangsontothesymptom.Itis
much easier for the therapist to work with an actual behaviour or illness.
However, the client will usually insist on giving their own subjective
interpretationsregardingthesymptom.Manyofthesearenotusefulandifthe
therapist allows himself to be drawn into these interpretations they can
contaminatehisanalysisofthesymptom.Thetherapisthastobeawareofthe
possibilityofgettingsidetrackedbytheclient'ssubjectiveinterpretations.Ifhe
findshimselfgoingoffonatangentthenthechancesarehehasbeeninfluenced
bysomesubjectiveinformationgivenbytheclient.
pg.26
MAKING SUBJECTIVE INTERPRETATIONS ON WHY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE
SYMPTOMS.
Becausesomanyproblemsinvolveotherpeople,clientsofteninterpretother
people'sbehavioursfromtheirownsubjectiveviewpoint.Anexamplecouldbe
ofahusbandinterpretinghisdaughter'sbehaviourbysaying,"nowondershe
actslikethat,hermotherbehavedinjustthesameway".Inrealitythereason
forthedaughter'sbehaviourcouldbecausedbysomethingdifferent. This is
mind reading on the part of the client and can contaminate the therapeutic
process. What the therapist should be looking for is specific information.
Withoutthespecificinformationthetherapistcanfinishupbeingasconfused
astheclient.Equallythetherapistshouldnotresorttomindreading.
Clients will also make statements which are exaggerated. For example:
"everybodydoesit",howdoyouknowthateveryonedoesit.Anotheroneis:
"He’sthebestintheworld"howdoyouknowhe'sthebest.etc.,etc.,
It'suptothetherapisttogettheclienttobemorespecificandnottogeneralise.
Thetherapistmustnotfallintothissametrap.E.g.makinghisownsubjective
interpretations.
CLIENTSSUBJECTIVEINTERPRETATIONS.
1. Hereditaryinterpretations:"mymotherhadthesamesymptom"
2. Predictioninterpretations:"hewillsaythesamethingnexttime"
pg.27
3. Causeandeffectinterpretations:"shealwaysfeelsdepressed
whenourdaughterforgetstophone"
4. Biologicalinterpretations:"it’smyhormones"
5. Personalityinterpretations:"that'sjustthewayheis"
6. Casualinterpretations:"sheactsjustlikethatgirlontheTVwith
thesamesymptom."
7. Medicalinterpretations:"thedoctorsaysI'mdepressed,anditcould go
onforyears"
8. Cognitiveinterpretations:"He'sthinkingabouthisworkallthe
time"
9. Nominalisedinterpretations:"She'sconfusedanddoesn't
understandherexpectationsarepreventinguscommunicating".
10. Judgmentalinterpretations:"peopleshouldn'tbehavelikethat
shouldthey".
11. Emotionalinterpretations:"I'vealwaysbeenuptight,
.....it'smynerves"
pg.28
CASTINGDOUBTONSUBJECTIVEINTERPRETATIONS
Beingobjectivetotheclient'ssubjectiveinterpretations
Theclient'ssubjectiveinterpretationsoftheirsymptomcanbefarawayfrom
reality. Therefore, it isessential tohavecontrolwhenquestioning theclient,
otherwisetheclientwillrambleontalkingaboutirrelevancies,andmuchtime
willbewasted.
Shouldirrelevanciescomeintotheconversationthenthetherapistshouldeither
ignorethemorchallengethembyaskingaspecificquestion.Thequestioncould
be"whathasthatgottodowiththesymptom".Byaskingthistypeofquestion
the therapist will be able to keep control. Negative statements can be
acknowledgedandthenignored.Anodoftheheadisallthatisrequired.Point
outtotheclientanyexaggeratedaccountshe/shemaybemaking.
Whenthesearepointedoutitissurprisinghowquicklysomeclientswillchange
andbecomemoreobjectiveintheirthinking.
BARRIERS
Thetherapistmustbecarefulnottoallowapatternofholdingbacktodevelop
during thehistory takingas thiscanalsoextend into the induction. Thiscan
meantheclientholdingback,doesnotletgoandabarrierissetup.Theanswer
tothis is the formationofgoodrapportwithplentyof timetakenforhistory
taking.Theapproachtohistorytakingmustalwaysbeleisurely.Theclientdoes
notwanttobegiventhefeelingofbeingrushed.Informationgatheringshould
pg.29
proceedeasilyandcomfortablywith theminimumofdirectquestionsat the
outset.Theclientshouldbebroughtcasuallytodifficultareasandallowedto
unburdenthemselvesintheirownway.
THEREMAYNOTBEANUNDERLYINGSYMPTOM
As the therapist becomesmore experienced theywill be able to detect the
possibilitiesofanunderlyingsymptom.However,itisnotwisetoassumethat
therealwaysisone.
RESOURCES
During the history taking, the therapist should ascertain just what personal
resourcesandstrengththeclientmayhave.S/heshoulddetermineifthereare
any resources in thepastonwhich tobuild therapy. Remember that taking
historyrestorescontinuity.Itrelatesthepresenttothepastandthepasttothe
present.
pg.30
TabooWords
Intheprofessionofhypnotherapy,theirarecertainwordsthatthetherapist
shouldneveruse.(althoughmosthypnotherapistsarenotawareofit).Hereare
thethreemainwords,neverusethesewordswithaclient.Omitthemfromyour
personalvocabularynow!
Theword‘problem’
Althoughwemayusethewordproblemonthiscourse,itisquitewrongtouse
itintherapyorwhentakinghistory.Totalkaboutaclient’sproblemreinforces
thefactthattheydohaveaproblem.Thisthengivesthemtheopportunityto
holdontoit.
Thewords‘trustme’
Thesetwowordsinfertotheclientthattheremaybereasontodoubtyouasa
therapistsimplybyaskingaclienttotrusthim.Trustissomethingyoucannot
askforbutyoucaneasilyearn.
Theword‘try’
RememberEmileCoue’slawofreverseeffect....themoreyoutry....
Nevertellyourclientthatyouaregoingtotrytohypnotisehim,you’llhaveno
chance.Nevertellyourclientthatyouwilltrytohelphim,thisputsdoubtinthe
client’sconfidenceinyou.
Wecanandwedousetheword“try”,butonlytoouradvantage.Forexample,
wecouldgiveourclienta“worrywindow”
pg.31
Labelling
Ibelieveittobeveryfoolishofatherapist(oranyoneelse)to“label”clientswith
anillness.Tellingaclientthats/heisanALCOHOLICoraHYPOCHONDRIACoris
DEPRESSEDmerelyconfirmsthattheyhaveaproblem.Itgivesthempermission
tocontinuewiththeirbehaviourandholdontotheirsymptoms.Youcouldend
upmakingtheclientworsebycollaboratingwithhim/her.
Doctors often have a habit of labelling clients and this oftenmakes itmore
difficultforustoundothis.Doctorsoftentellclientsthattheywillhavetoput
upwith their illness for the rest of their life. The power of suggestion then
inhibitsrecovery.
Obviously,iftheyhavecancerorMSoranotherdisease,thenyoucannotdeny
thistothem.
Tellingawifebeaterthatheisanalcoholicgiveshiman“excuse”tocontinue
withhisbehaviour.Hemaysaythingslike,
“Ican’thelpit,I’manalcoholic”or“it’snotmyfault,it’sthebooze”
youmaycomeacrossclientswhosaythingslike:-
“thedoctorsaidImaybeabitdown,it’sbecauseI’vebeenunderalotofstress”
“I’vebeendiagnosedashaving??????andIcanexpecttofeellikethis”
“Ihavetroublewithmyhormones,andI’malwayslikethis.”
pg.32
“I’monmyperiod”(soI’mentitledtobesnappy)
Rememberthelawofconcentratedattention,well,labellingisawayofgetting
yourclienttoconcentrateontheideaofbeing??????
pg.33
SpecificQuestioning
Aftertheinitialhistorytakingwethenmoveontomorespecificquestioning.
Thesespecificquestionsareveryimportant. Theynotonlygivethetherapist
valuableinformationonwhichhecanbuildhistherapy,butbecausetheclient
hastogoinsideanumberoftimestogettheanswers,Ibelievethishelpswith
thetranceinductionlater.
Thereisatechniquecalled“THEFOURW’s”.thistechniqueisdesignedtodo
twothings.Firstly,tostoptheclientansweringyouwithsimpleyes’sandno’s,
butmoreimportantly,theclienthasto“goinside”,andcreatean“innersearch”
inordertogiveyoutheanswer.Thisthengetstheclientusedtogoing“inside”,
orshallwesaycreatesanalteredstateofawareness(hypnosis), thusgetting
your client to practice “going inside” (hypnosis) and therefore making your
hypnoticinductioneasier.
THEFOURW’s
1. WHEN doesthissymptomaffectyoumost?
2. WHERE diditfirsthappen?
3. WHAT aretheworstsymptoms?
4. WHY doyouthinkithappens?
ItisadvisabletoaskasmanyoftheseWquestionsasyoucanthinkof.
pg.34
QUESTIONS
1. “WHENDIDTHISFIRSTOCCUR?”
It is necessary to know just when the symptom started. Be aware, when
questioning, of any signs of them having had similar feelings long before it
becamesymptom.Youcanaskthisquestion.Iftheanswerisyes',thenWHAT
didtheydotoovercomethem.
2. “WHENDOESITOCCUR?”
Doesitalwaysoccurinthesamesituation?Doesitalwaysoccurwhenthatsame
personisaround?Whatbringsiton?
3. “HOWLONGDOESITLAST?”
Whatisthetimelimittothesymptom?
4. “WHENDOYOUNOTHAVEIT?”
Itmaywellbethattheclientsays,"Ialwayshaveit"Ofcoursetherewillbetimes
whentheydonothaveit.Thiscanbeveryenlighteningtotheclient,atthesame
timegivingthetherapistvaluableinformation.
pg.35
Verbalandnon-verbalCommunication
Anotherimportantpartofquestioningskillsistheabilitytoreadandtranslate
theverbalandnon-verbal communicationof theclient.Theclient is likely to
haveworkedoutlongbefores/hearrivesfortreatmentwhats/heisgoingto
tellyou.Someclientswillmaketheirsymptomsoundfarworsethanitreallyis.
Otherswilldo just theopposite.Bywatching thenon-verbalcommunication,
thetherapistcangetatruepictureoftheclient’spredicament.
Non-verbal cues to look for are change in expressions and body posture
movements showing signs of uneasiness etc. During information gathering a
client could give the therapist a distorted view of his/her symptom, maybe
becausetheyareembarrassedathavingthesymptom.Whenthishappensthe
nonverbalcommunicationwillbeincongruouswiththeverbalcommunication.
Clients may be totally unaware they are giving off signs of non-verbal
communication, thisbeinganunconsciousaction. The therapist should take
noteofthedifference inbothaspectsofcommunicationandinvestigatewhy
theclienthasdonethis.AswithIdeoMotorsignallingtheunconsciouscanand
doesdisagreewiththeconscious.
Whentheconsciousandunconsciousareindisagreement,thetherapistshould
believethenon-verbalorunconsciousratherthantheverbalcommunication.
The client is not necessarily telling lies. S/hewill be giving the details from
his/herconsciousawareness,althoughthismaybeverydifferentfromhis/her
unconsciousawareness.Bypractisingidentifyingnonverbalcues,itispossible
to tellwhat a person is feeling or even thinking. That is,whether they are,
thinkingpositivelyornegatively.
pg.36
TheOutcome
Towardstheendoftheinformationgatheringthetherapistshouldidentifyjust
whatoutcometheclientishopingfor.Istheoutcomeachievable?Althoughwe
havetobepositiveabouttheoutcomethereisnopointinmisleadingtheclient
iftheyhavesettheoutcomebeyondthatwhatisattainable.
Agoodwayofaskingyourclientwhat’swrongwiththeminapositivewayisto
askthisquestion.“ifIcouldclickmyfingers,andyouwereinstantlybetter,or
evencured,thenHOWWOULDYOUKNOW?”
Theclientwouldthengiveyouallthebenefitsofgettingbetter.Perhapss/he
mightsay,
“IwouldhavenicelongnailsandIwouldnolongerbeembarrassedbythestate
ofthem,Iwouldnothavetohidethem,andIcanmanicurethem”,or
“Iwouldwakeupinthemorningfeelingfit,healthyandstrong.Iwouldnolonger
feeltiredallthetime,Iwouldhavemoreenergyandbeabletocopebetter.”
pg.37
ArmLevitation
Arm levitation is a technique which demonstrates the theory that the
subconsciouspartofthemindcannottellthedifferencebetweenpretendand
real.Also,itdemonstrateshowpowerfulthepowerofsuggestionreallyis.Arm
levitationisalsoawayofprovingtoyourclientthattheyareactuallyinhypnosis
as they often think that they have not been hypnotised. There are however
therapeuticvaluesinthistechniquewhichwewilldiscusslaterinthecourse.
PROCEDUREFORARMLEVITATION.
Firstinducehypnosisinthenormalway,thenproceedasfollows.
TIP:YOUMUSTBEPATIENTANDPERSISTENT
I WONDER IF YOU HAVE NOTICED YET THAT MAYBE YOU LEFT ARM FEELS
LIGHTER THAN YOUR RIGHT ARM. OR PERHAPS YOUR RIGHT ARM FEELS
HEAVIERTHANYOURLEFTARM.IWOULDLIKEYOUTOTAKENOTICEOFHOW
YOUR LIGHT ARM IS BECOMING LIGHTER AND LIGHTERWITH EVERYWORD
THATISPEAK.IWOULDLIKEYOUTOUSEYOURIMAGINATIONANDIMAGINE
THAT YOU ARM IS BECOMING LIGHTER AND LIGHTER, AND FLOATING AND
DRIFTINGUPWARDSALLBYITSELF.GENTLYANDEASILYYOURARMBEGINSTO
FLOATUPWARDSGETTING LIGHTERAND LIGHTER, AND IF YOUCOULD JUST
IMAGINE A LARGE HELIUM BALLOON TIED TO YOUR WRIST AND GENTLY
PULLING YOUR ARM UPWARDS, PERHAPS A HELIUM BALLOON OF YOUR
FAVOURITE COLOUR OR MAYBE EVEN A LARGE BOUQUET OF HELIUM
BALLOONSGENTLYPULLINGYOURARMUPWARDSANDALLOWINGYOURARM
pg.38
TOFLOATANDDRIFTUPWARDSALLBYITSELFGETTINGLIGHTERANDLIGHTER
ALLTHETIME,JUSTALLOWTHISTOHAPPEN,SIMPLYALLOWINGTHESOUND
OFMYVOICETOHELPYOURARMBECOMELIGHTERANDLIGHTER.
Nowrepeatthesesuggestionsuntilarmlevitationisachieved.
BEPATIENT!
Waituntilthearmhaslifted,andthenproceedasfollows
NOWIWOULDLIKEYOUTOOPENYOUREYESANDSEEWHEREYOURARMIS
NOW..................................................NOWCLOSEYOUREYESAGAINANDENJOY
THISPLEASANTRELAXEDFEELINGTHATYOUARENOWEXPERIENCING.
NOWIMAGINGTHATARMBECOMINGHEAVIERANDHEAVIERASTHEHELIUM
BALLOONSAREREMOVEDFROMYOURARMANDYOURARMBEGINSTOFALL
DOWNWARDSTOWARDSYOURKNEE.ASYOURARMFALLSANDGETSHEAVIER
ANDHEAVIER,YOUFINDYOURSELFRELAXINGMOREANDMOREASYOURARM
APPROACHESYOURKNEE.
WHENYOURARMTOUCHESYOURKNEE,YOUWILLFINDTHATYOUWILLRELAX
100TIMESDEEPERTHANYOUARENOW.
Wakeyourclientinthenormalway.
Sometimesyouhavetobeverypatientandpersistenttoachievearmlevitation.
If you find that nothing happens, do not assume that your client is NOT
pg.39
hypnotised,theyprobablyarehypnotisedbuttheresubconsciousisnotallowing
thistohappen.Rememberthatyourclientisalwaysincontrolandtheywillonly
dothethingsthatthesubconsciouswillallowthemtodo.
Abreaction
Abreaction’saretherelivingofearlytraumaticexperiences.Sometimesthey
are deliberately evoked. Sometimes they occur spontaneously. They can
oftenbedramaticandfrighteningfortheclientandthetherapist.
Ofall thephenomenaencounteredbytheworkinghypnotherapist–orstage
hypnotist,forthatmatter-theabreactionisprobablytheleastunderstood.Or
themostmisunderstood.Thefirstencounterthetherapisthaswiththisprocess
ofthemindisinclinedtopolarisehim/herandfromthatmomentons/hewill
eitherseektoavoiditliketheplagueorsearchitoutwithadeterminationthat
isatleastequaltotheclient'sresistance.
It's the type of training we receive that governs this response; analysts are
delightedbyabreaction,live(inthetherapeuticsense)forabreaction,andfirmly
believethatitprovidesthefastestandmostprofoundrelieffromallmannerof
psychologicalsymptoms.Othersmaybelesscertainofthis,viewingthissudden
intenselyemotionalstatewithalarm,andfranticallysearchingforwaystocalm
downwhattheiradministrationshavedisturbed.All therapistsshouldhavea
clear idea ofwhat is actually happening, and should also understand a Very
ImportantFact-abreaction,handledproperly,candoonlygoodforyourclient.
So, what exactly is it and how do we handle it? As for what it is, it is the
revivication of a traumatic experience that occurred in a moment of great
trauma-usually, thoughnotexclusively,duringour formativeyears. Inother
pg.40
words,thereleaseofarepression.Anadultrepressioncanoccurasaresultof,
say,atraumaticroadaccident,whenwethentendtocallitamnesia,instead.
Therecanbethreeseparate,thoughintimatelyconnected,memoriesinvolved
withanyformofrepression.Theperceptionoftheevent(usuallyvisual); the
physical sensations; and theemotional response.And, yes, theyAREentirely
separatememoriesandeachmay'surface'togetherorindividually.
Itisnotunusualforaclienttorecall,inonesession,aphysicalsensationofsome
sortsostronglythats/hecanactuallyFEEL it,yetnotdiscovertheemotional
responseortheexactnatureoftheeventuntiltheirnextsessionoreventhe
oneafter that. It is theemotionalpartofanyabreaction (oftenunwarranted
guilt,shame,orvulnerability)thatisthemostimportantandoncethishasbeen
'surfaced'andworkedthrough,itislikelythattheclientwilldisplaylittleorno
interestinfurtherinvestigationofthatparticularmemory.Itisnotuncommon,
infact,fortheemotiontobereleasedwithouteverdiscoveringwhatwasthe
causeofit;thisappearstomatterlittle,forcatharsiswillstillbeeffectedand
symptomsstillalleviated.Thisrevivicationcanbesorealistic,asfarastheclient
isconcerned,thattheirbodywillactuallyreproducethephysicalchangesthat
occurredatthetimeoftheevent; iftherewasanelementofsuffocation,for
example,yourclientmaysuddenlyfindgreatdifficultybreathing-ormayeven
stopbreathingforafewmoments.
Itcanbedifficult,forthecaringindividual,tositandwatchthiseventthatisso
evidentlyfullofpainunfoldinginfrontofthem,butonceyouhaveexperienced
thesenseoflightnessandreliefthataclientcanmanifestimmediatelyafterthe
abreactionhassubsided,youwillhavenomoreproblemwiththat.Itisnotfair
tosaythatalltheirsymptomswilldisappearovernight,butfromthatcathartic
momentonwards,yourclientwillstarttoFEELwellandhis/hersymptomatic
pg.41
work will very soon start to fade. Usually, you and your client will have an
understandingofwhytheeventthathasbeenrememberedshouldhavecaused
their symptoms. If not, it always possible that there is something else to be
releasedbut,thistime,itislikelytobelessintense.
There is something of immense importance when working with abreactive
statesandthatistomakeABSOLUTELYCERTAINthatyourclienthadaccessed
the emotional 'roots' of their psychological difficulty. It is the ORIGINATING
CAUSEOFTRAUMA(oftencalledtheInitialSensitisingEvent,orISE)thatweare
afterandnothingelsewilldo.Itisactuallyquiteeasytoascertainwhetherthey
havebeentotherightplaceornot...iftheemotionalresponsedoesnotstartto
fadewithinafewminutes,orifitreturnstoitsformerstrengtheachtimethe
memoryisaccessed,thenthereisstillworktodo.Workbackwardsfromthat
memory using either direct regression or free associative techniques to an
earliermemorywiththesameorsimilaremotionalqualitiesandworkthrough
that one in theway you have just been reading about. Keep going until the
negativeemotionhasclearedandcannotberestored.Theclientisthenwellon
theroadtosoundemotionalhealth.
Mostly,abreactionofthesortdiscussedinthisarticleappearsastheresultof
regression-styletherapies,butitcanalsohappenspontaneously.Eventhen,the
rulesarethesame-workthroughitandmakesureyou'vegotitallout.
pg.42
Therearethreeoccasionswhenyourclientmayabreact.
1. SPONTANEOUSLY. This may come on rapidly as you induce hypnosis,
withoutanyinfluencefromthetherapist.Ifthishappens,thensimplylet
ithappen.
2. WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. If and when the clients subconscious has
enough rapport with the therapist, the subconscious may take the
opportunitytolookatacertainissueanddealwithithereandnow.Again
thiswillhappenwithoutanyinfluencefromthetherapist.Ifthishappens,
thensimplyletithappen.
3. INDUCED ABREACTION. Some therapists will deliberately provoke an
abreaction.Theycallthistechnique“causeandeffect”therapy.
Thecauseandeffecttheorysoundsgood,butthinkofalltheproblemsitmay
causeifthisisNOTtherootcauseoftheproblem.Inourexperience,theroot
causeisusuallysomethingfarlesstraumatic(asfarastheadultisconcerned).
pg.43
Sometimesaclientmaybetotallyunawareofapasttraumaticexperience.They
have been able to apply amnesia to that period of their life as a means of
surviving.Itisonlywhenusinghypnoanalysisthattheeventcanbediscovered.
Ondiscoveryoftheeventanabreactioncantakeplacespontaneously.
Onceanabreactionstartstotakeplace,thetherapistmustcarryitthroughto
theend. Ifabreaction isprevented then thechancesofgetting theclient to
abreactagainwillberemote.Thisisbecausetheclientnowhasanawareness
ofthehiddentraumaticexperience.Therefore,theabreactionshouldbecarried
throughtotheend.Bygoingthroughthecompleteexperience,theclientcan
releaseallthosebentupandhiddenfeelings.Thisabreactioncanbefrightening
foraninexperiencedtherapist. Thetherapistshouldbeawarethattheclient
pg.44
could be violent depending on the original traumatic experience. This can
happen if the client recognises the therapist as being involved in the early
trauma.Thetherapistshouldremaincalmandinfullcontrolofthesituation,
supportingtheclientastheygothroughthisexperience.
During the abreaction, your client will find comfort in using the following
phrases.
“justgowithitFred,itsjustamemoryandmemoriescan’thurtyou.”
“itssafeforthistohappen”.
Aftertheabreaction,thetherapistshouldstarttoapplysomeformoftherapy.
This canbedoneby re-framing. The client shouldneverbeallowed to leave
withouttherapy.Bettertosendthemontheirwaywithnewbeliefs.
Thebestthingtodohereisjustbeforeyouwakethem,getthemtoregressback
tosomethingfunny.Thiswayyourclientleavesyouona“high”,withtherelease
oftheassociatedchemicals.
Re-framing issometimesnecessarytohealthememory. Forexampleachild
abused by a parent will feel very angry and resentful yet at the same time
wantingtobeloved.Theneedtobelovedisanimportantpartinre-framing
theclientsbeliefandattitudetowardstheparent.Theparentmaybealiveor
dead,howevertheclientsfeelingsofangermaystillbethesame.Oneapproach
canbethattheparenthadareasonforabusingthechild.(Rememberthebasic
presuppositions)Becausetheclientwillhaveinformationabouttheparentfrom
theirchildhood,theclientmaybeabletoaccepttherewasavalidreasonfor
pg.45
abusing.Bearinginmindthattheclientwantstobeloveds/hemaybewilling
to look at ways of understanding why the parents abused. Here there is a
possibilityofchangingthenegativefeelingsofhatredtowardstheparentinto
positivefeelingsofforgiveness.Thiswouldleadtotheclientleavingthetherapy
sessionfeelingsomuchbetter.
pg.46
HypnotherapywithChildren
Childrenareusuallyveryopentohypnotherapyandtheygenerallyhavefewer
misconceptionsaboutitthandoadultssincechildren,theyoungeronesatleast
havenotheardofstagehypnosis.
Perhapsthebiggestdifferences inworkingwithchildrenare in thedegreeof
formalityemployedinthestructureofthesessionthetechniquesusedandthe
styleofinteractionwiththechild.Childrentendtobeaccustomedtousingtheir
imagination, they live in itonadailybasis, switchingeasilybetweenbeinga
princessandafairy,oranurseinminutes.
Fromthetimeofbirthtoaround5yearsold,childrendonotillustrateacritical
faculty. This means that the conscious part of their mind is not yet fully
developed and the subconscious mind is "collecting" suggestions which will
"tailor"therepersonalityandeventuallymakethemthepersontheybecome,
withcertainbeliefsandofcoursedis-beliefs.
Because children of this age are learning various life skills using there
subconscious mind, they are susceptible to ALL suggestions put to them.
Childrenofthisageareextremelyopentothepowerofsuggestion.
Uptotheageofaround14childrenarestilldevelopingtheirconsciousmind,
thiswilleventuallygivethemtheabilitytothinkforthemselves,andtomake
certaindecisions.Andupuntilthisagetheyareveryeasytoputintohypnosis.
Indeed,youngchildrenspendlotsoftimeinhypnosis.
pg.47
From theageof around14 to18 the child slowlybecomesanadult and the
stressesandstrainsofadulthoodisveryobvious.Alsoduringthistime,there
consciousmind ismaturingand they start tomakedecisions for themselves,
moreoftenthannot,thesedecisionsarethewrongones.
Thingstodo-Thingstoremember
1. Checkoutlegalandsafetyproceduresandrequirementswhenworking
withchildren.
2. Preparesomeage-appropriateexplanationsofhypnosis.
3. Gainparentalsupportforyourapproachbetweensessions.
4. Speakdirectlytothechildratherthanaboutthechildduringthesession.
5. Usethechild’sownideas.
Children are very hypnotic, but youmust remember that they do get bored
easily.
AnexcellentbookbyLyndaHudson,Scripts&StrategiesinHypnotherapywith
childrencontainsawealthofinformationandideasforworkingwithchildren.
Nowyouhavelearnthowtohypnotiseyourclient,usingavarietyofinductions
and deepeners it is time to introduce you to the variety of tools andmind
management techniques that will help you to help your client. Scripts are
available froma varietyof sources including the internet, but althougha set
scriptmaybydefaulthelpafewpeopleinthemainbecausethetherapyhasnot
been tailored to the individual they are unlikely towork for themajority of
clients.
Therapistsworkwiththeclient,notthe illnessasdoctorsdo. Ifyoutreatthe
persontheillnesswillgoaway.
pg.48