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[8] Word Hypnosis Instant Induction
“Push on my hand, Close your eyes, SLEEP! Now, let us learn how to use these magical eight words for the hypnosis induction. Just as its verbal usage the induction itself is very simple and easy to perform. Firstly you will need the subjects permission, always use a willing subject, it is the ethical thing to do, once you have pre-talked them, got them to follow your instructions, you may begin the induction:
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ut your one hand, palm facing upwards in front of them. !sk them to ush on your "and. ush upwards matching their #trength !sk them to Close !heir Eyes "nce they ha#e done that, $nstantly %ove your hand from under theirs. &ive the Sleep 'ommand. (eepen
Hypnoti$e %nyone &o' in ()* Seconds
Now, follow the step by step process below to hypnoti)e anyone in some seconds.
Firstly, you must rela* the person whom you are going to hypnoti)e. $f your subject is not in a rela*ed state or if she +he, has fear of something, then it will be difficult to hypnoti)e her. #o your +irst tas, is to calm the hypnosis su-.ect. -hen the person is in rela*ed state, do the following actions. .- /ake one of her arms and ask her to look at your eyes. 0- !t the same time, 1ook at her eyes deeply while putting your arm on his neck at least 2 seconds. 3) Suddenly cry “SLEEP and mo#e his head to'ards you. !nd you are (4N5. /he moment you say 6sleep7, you have to 8uickly slip your hand away from hers. /his is very important action and must be done accurately.
Learn the Ei/ht [8] Word Hypnosis Instant Induction 0 1ideo
-y Leo 2opal 3 45 comments 6ollo' me on !'itter in Hypnosis Lessons !he 8 'ord instant hypnosis induction is one o+ the +e' inductions that al'ays seems to catch a -e/inners attention, the 8 'ord induction is .ust a simple adaptation on the %rm 7rop induction 8'hich it is9, the only di++erence is that it has 8 prede+ined 'ords that ma,e it all the more appealin/ and easier to per+orm especially +or the hypnotic -e/inner:
So, Ima/ine -ein/ a-le to Hypnoti$e anyone 'ith .ust 8 'ords 8+or the Induction9, sounds enticin/ to you; 2reat, -ecause it did +or me as 'ell, in +act the arm drop induction 'as one o+ the +irst inductions I learned: !hose <a/ical 8 'ords are= “Push on my hand, Close your eyes, SLEEP! &o', let us learn ho' to use these ma/ical ei/ht 'ords +or the hypnosis induction: >ust as its #er-al usa/e the induction itsel+ is #ery simple and easy to per+orm: 6irstly you 'ill need the su-.ects permission, al'ays use a 'illin/ su-.ect, it is the ethical thin/ to do, once you ha#e pre)tal,ed them, /ot them to +ollo' your instructions, you may -e/in the induction=
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Put your one hand, palm +acin/ up'ards in +ront o+ them: %s, them to Push on your Hand: Push up'ards matchin/ their Stren/th %s, them to Close !heir Eyes "nce they ha#e done that, Instantly <o#e your hand +rom under theirs: 2i#e the Sleep Command: 7eepen
!he Last three steps Should all happen instantaneously 'ithout 'aitin/, pausin/ or 'onderin/, you, the hypnotist, should -e con+ident that it 'ill 'or, and it 'ill:
?emem-er that this Induction has nothin/ to do 'ith the an/le o+ the hands, the +orce that they push, or little aspects li,e that, !his is a simple induction, do not complicate it, it simply 'or,s, -e con+ident that it 'ill, and ha#e a clear #ision and intent and then it surely 'ill: @elo' you 'ill +ind a #isual demonstration o+ this Induction -ein/ per+ormed= Hot <oney Induction=
Hot <oney Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: /wo 'oins “Hold one coin in each +ist and rest your +ists on your hips: &o' close your eyes: !he Coins are -ecomin/ 'armer and 'armer in your hands, as i+ they are -ein/ heated up: Warmer and 'armerA they are almost /ettin/ hot: !hey are hot, #ery, #ery hot! !he coins are hot, hot, hot you 'ant to drop them -ut you cannot -ecause your +in/ers are stuc, ti/htly around them: !a,e a deep -reath in and +or/et a-out the coins and let you eyes no' -e stuc, to/ether instead and you cannot open them, so .ust ta,e another deep -reath and relaB and /o deeply into hypnosis:
Can Cou 6i/ure "ut the ?iddle;
! man worked at a high security institution. /he man tried to log into his computer and the computer denied the password. "e then remembered that the passwords to the computers were reset every month for security reasons. "e called his boss for his new password. /he man said, ;<oss, my old password is out of date.; /he boss said, ;9es, it is. /he new password is different, but if you listen closely you will be able to figure out the new one. 9our new password has the same amount of letters as the old one, and four of the letters are the same.; -hat was his old password and what was his new password=
Hot <oney Induction=
Hot <oney Induction=
9ou -ill :e8uire: /wo 'oins “Hold one coin in each +ist and rest your +ists on your hips: &o' close your eyes: !he Coins are -ecomin/ 'armer and 'armer in your hands, as i+ they are -ein/ heated up: Warmer and 'armerA they are almost /ettin/ hot: !hey are hot, #ery, #ery hot! !he coins are hot, hot, hot you 'ant to drop them -ut you cannot -ecause your +in/ers are stuc, ti/htly around them: !a,e a deep -reath in and +or/et a-out the coins and let you eyes no' -e stuc, to/ether instead and you cannot open them, so .ust ta,e another deep -reath and relaB and /o deeply into hypnosis:
!he Penli/ht Induction=
!he Penli/ht Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! low powered penlight "ave you client sit comfortably in a chair and place the palm of your hand over their right eye, preventing them from seeing only through their right eye. #hine the pen light directly into their left eye from about an inch away. /he penlight should not bother the client, and if it does, simply hold the light further away from their face. !s you shine the dim light into your client>s eye, tell them to 6Deep starin/ into the li/ht and relaB your -ody completely: Cou 'ill close your eyes 'hen I tell you.7 !fter about thirty seconds or so forcefully say: 6Close your eyes ti/htly to/ether: Cou 'ill see inside your closed eyelids a #ery -ri/ht spot o+ li/ht: !his spot 'ill chan/e color as you 'atch it, it 'ill +ade a'ay +rom si/ht and then reappear: Watch the spot closely 'ithin your eyes: Concentrate closely on the li/ht and as you do -e/in to notice ho' you +eel yoursel+ -ecomin/ more and more relaBed, dro'sy, and sleepy.7 !he Penli/ht Sel+)Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! 1ow owered enlight "and the penlight over to your client. /ell them to grip the penlight and turn it on so that the on button is pushed down firmly. 4nce the light is on tell them to stare into the light and as they do that they will become very tired and drowsy. /ell them their eyes will 8uickly become tired and want to close and when their eyes close their hand will rela* allowing the light to turn off on it>s own. -hen the light goes out the will go deep into hypnosis. <e sure to tell them they may see the light come and go as bright spots within their eyes, and with each time the notice a bright spot they go deeper and even deeper into hypnosis. !s soon as your client drops the pen tell them: 6Cou /o deeper and deeper 'ith each and e#ery -reath you ta,e.7
Can Cou 6i/ure "ut the ?iddle;
! man worked at a high security institution. /he man tried to log into his computer and the computer denied the password. "e then remembered that the passwords to the computers were reset every month for security reasons. "e called his boss for his new password. /he man said, ;<oss, my old password is out of date.; /he boss said, ;9es, it is. /he new password is different, but if you listen closely you will be able to figure out the new one. 9our new password has the same amount of letters as the old one, and four of the letters are the same.; -hat was his old password and what was his new password=
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Watch !he Watch Induction=
Watch the Watch Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! -atch with a #econd "and “Loo, at the second hand o+ this 'atch +or thirty seconds and then close your eyes +or thirty seconds: !hen open your eyes and do it a/ain until your eyes re+use to open: When this happens you 'ill let them remain shut and deeper.7 !s the do this make sure to repeat the suggestion that it is getting 6increasin/ly di++icult to open your eyes:
Loo, Into Cour Spine Induction=
Loo, into Cour Spine Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! 'lient “Close your eyes and drop your head +or'ard upon your chest and ima/ine your are loo,in/ throu/h your -ody to the -ase o+ your spine: +1et this happen for about two minutes., “Ho' sleep that ma,es you, so you .ust relaB your entire -ody and /o to sleep:
Per+ume Induction=
Per+ume Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: #omething will a strong aromatic scent +i.e. perfume, fresh baked bread, or ammonia,.
“Close your eyes: !he smell that you notice does not produce sleep itsel+ yet it cause you to -ecome #ery dro'sy and your eyes 'ill not -e a-le to open:
@ite !he Cor, Induction=
@ite !he Cor, Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! 'ork /his induction fatigues the muscles and causes e*treme rela*ation. /he jaw muscles transfer fatigue to all parts of the body. #uggest: 6Place this cor, -et'een your teeth and close your eyes as you -ite +irmly into the cor, 'ith all your mi/ht: When you notice ho' tired you are, that is the +eelin/ o+ hypnosis comin/ o#er you: Ho' #ery much you 'ish to release this cor, and drop into slum-er: So let the cor, drop +rom your teeth and as it drops, you drop into deep relaBation and hypnosis:
Can Cou 6i/ure "ut the ?iddle;
! man worked at a high security institution. /he man tried to log into his computer and the computer denied the password. "e then remembered that the passwords to the computers were reset every month for security reasons. "e called his boss for his new password. /he man said, ;<oss, my old password is out of date.; /he boss said, ;9es, it is. /he new password is different, but if you listen closely you will be able to figure out the new one. 9our new password has the same amount of letters as the old one, and four of the letters are the same.; -hat was his old password and what was his new password=
6in/ertips 2lued !o/ether=
Wa,in/ Hypnotic Inductions E Con#incers= 6in/ertips 2lued !o/ether #tand in front of your client while looking them s8uarely in the eye. /ell /hem: 6Touch your fingertips together in front of your chest. Press them firmly and pretend that they have becpme stuck together. Pretend that they are stuck so tightly that you cannot pull them apart. The harder you pull the more firmly stuck they become. You are not to jerk them but exert a steady pull. Pretend, pretend, pretend. Your fingertips are stuck together so firmly that you cannot separate them. Try as hard as you will.” /he suggested effect is powerful and the client will find it impossible for him or her to pull their hands apart. $t is the best to have all fingers stuck together but one will do the trick.
!fter the person, still pushing their fingertips together and holding them against their chest, has found it impossible to pull them apart. #ay: 6 ow tightly your fingertips have become stuck ! via the power of suggestion ! now the fingertips will be impossible to pull apart.” /hen you grasp their wrists and try to pull, pull, pull their fingertips apart. $f you are doing a demonstration, have a strong man from the audience come up and try to pull the fingertips apart by clasping the wrists. /his leverage is such that even a child can resist a man. 9our subject>s fingers will not separate and resist all pulling. $n your office this e*periment goes a long way in convincing the client how much influence their mind has over their body. 4n stage, both parties will be undoubtedly ama)ed. /hen, instruct the hypnoti)ed person: 6"hen # blow on your fingers they come apart easily.7 !nd they do? /echnorati /ags: fingertips, glued
the @u$$ Induction=
!he @u$$ Induction= “Place the tips o+ your thum-s into each ear: With your middle and +ore+in/ers, li/htly close your eyes .ust enou/h to ,eep the li/ht out: Press you nostrils 'ith your rin/ +in/ers: Hum 'ith your mouth closed and +eel the #i-ration: &o', open your lips 'hile pushin/ your ton/ue a/ainst you closed +ront teeth and ma,e a -u$$in/ sound: ?elaB and /o to sleep: /his is what is called an overload induction. &iving so many commands and information that it would simply be easier for the mind to let go consciously and enter a hypnotic state than to deal with all the other nonsense going on.
6ascination o+ !ouch= F Inductions
9our touch is hypnotic. 9ou can tap your client on the third eye, tickle their face with a feather, put your hand in ice water and stripe their face with coldness, you can stand behind them and place your interlocked fingers against their forehead as you e*ert pressure against the sides of the head inward and rest their head on the chair back as you suggest, 6Close you eyes no' and the pressure you +eel no ma,es you +eel #ery, #ery sleepy: “!urn your attention to your eyelids and let them relaB:
“6ocus your attention on the -ottom o+ your +eet and +eel the -ottoms o+ your +eet completely relaB: Let your +eet -ecome loose, limp, and relaBed: &o' /ently +eel this relaBation cra'l up into your lo'er le/s, relaBin/ themA “Ca'n, ya'n, ya'nA the ya'nin/ sensation en/ul+s your entire -ody as you drop into deeper hypnotic sleep: “6ind the pulse -eats in your 'rist: When you do, count the -eats to yoursel+: %t this same time your heart 'ill /ro' slo'er and slo'er: Cour heart rate slo's in response to these thou/hts and you sin, deeper and deeper to sleep:
!he Cloc, 7ial Induction= !he Cloc, 7ial Induction= Cou Will ?eGuire= % dra'n cloc, +ace 'ith no hands
!a,e a piece o+ card-oard and dra' a circle and num-ers resem-lin/ a cloc, alon/ the inner rim: <a,e sure the num-ers are lar/e and easy to read: 6or the induction you, the hypnotherapist 'ill stand -ehind the client and instruct them to do the +ollo'in/= “Concentrate on the num-er one and, as you do, inhale deeply: !hen say the 'ord HsleepI aloud: While still +ocusin/ on the num-er one eBhale and say the 'ords Hdeep sleep:I &o' loo, at the neBt num-er, the num-er t'o, and inhale t'ice and say the 'ord HsleepI t'o times: !hen eBhale t'ice and say aloud Hdeep sleepI t'o times: &o' on to the num-er three and ta,e three deep -reaths in sayin/ the 'ord HsleepI and three eBhales sayin/ the 'ords Hdeep sleepI three timesA and so on and so +orth 'ith each num-er:
!he hypnotherapist is to -e usin/ a con+usion techniGue 'hile the client is per+orm this tedious tas,: It is the hypnotherapistIs .o- to -e 'hisperin/ a -arra/e o+ unnecessary 'ords into the clientIs ear as they do their -est to concentrate to concentrate on the num-ers: !his con+usion techniGue pro#o,es hypnosis= “Cour eyes concentrate upon the num-ers as your eyes mo#e +rom num-er to num-er around the cloc, dial, as you inhale and eBhale deeply and repeat the 'ords HsleepI and Hdeep sleepI it sends you do'n to sleep in deep hypnosis: It is more and more di++icult +or you to see the num-ers, they -e/in to -lur -e+ore your eyes: !he num-er are -lurrin/ more and more and your eyes are -ecomin/ tired and hea#y, so tired that the 'ant to close: Cour eyes are closin/: CouIre /ettin/ #ery tired o+ doin/ this 'hole thin/ and you .ust 'ant to /et it o#er 'ith: So .ust close your eyes no' and let the card drop +rom your hand as you drop into a deep hypnotic sleepA 2o to sleepA !hey proceed to /o +rom num-er to num-er, and -y the time they 'ould reach num-er t'el#e they 'ould ha#e to ta,e t'el#e deep -reaths in and out, say “sleep t'el#e times, and say “deep sleep t'el#e times: With each num-er the acti#ity -ecomes more and more di++icult and #ery +e' people e#er ma,e it past num-ers +i#e or siB:
Can Cou 6i/ure "ut the ?iddle; % man 'or,ed at a hi/h security institution: !he man tried to lo/ into his computer and the computer denied the pass'ord: He then remem-ered that the pass'ords to the computers 'ere reset e#ery month +or security reasons: He called his -oss +or his ne' pass'ord: !he man said, J@oss, my old pass'ord is out o+ date:J !he -oss said, JCes, it is: !he ne' pass'ord is
di++erent, -ut i+ you listen closely you 'ill -e a-le to +i/ure out the ne' one: Cour ne' pass'ord has the same amount o+ letters as the old one, and +our o+ the letters are the same:J What 'as his old pass'ord and 'hat 'as his ne' pass'ord; o ▶ ElmanIs Hypnotic Coma= o Ho' to Elicit the Hypnotic Coma= o What is !hou/ht;
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Loo, Into Cour Spine Induction= 6ascination o+ Hearin/= ( Inductions !he !ic,in/ Watch Induction= !he Hypnotic 1oice Induction= 8S,ill9 !he @u$$ Induction=
Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Nongard & Thomas 1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone or orders other than !y indi"id#al cons#mers$ a disco#nt is a"aila!le on the p#rchase o% & or more copies o% indi"id#al titles %or special mar'ets or premi#m #se( or %#rther details$ please contact the p#!lisher) PeachTree Pro%essional *d#cation$ +nc( ,1-, .( /ale$ .#ite 0,T#lsa$ 1K ,2103 45--6 07-87&03 www(.#!liminal.cience(com Keys to the Mind$ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone and Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
9y :ichard K( Nongard$ LM T;CCH and Nathan Thomas$ C(Ht( *dited !y Pa#la <#ncan Co"er Art !y :ic'y Nongard Copyright = :ichard K( Nongard irst Printing$ .eptem!er >--7 Printed in the ?nited .tates o% America( All rights reser"ed( No part o% this p#!lication may !e reprod#ced$ stored in a retrie"al system or transmitted in any %orm or !y any means 8 electronic$ mechanical$ photocopy$ recording or any other8 witho#t the prior written permission o% the p#!lisher( The only e@ception is !rie% A#otations in printed re"iews( +.9N) BBBBBBBBBBB > Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly P:A+.* Celcome to the wonder%#l world o% hypnosis ( ( ( with :ichard Nongard as yo#r g#ide$ yo# canDt miss( :ichard 'nows his way aro#nd hypnosis !etter than most hypnotists whoD"e !een doing it twice as many years as himsel%$ and heDs !een doing hypnosis %or a lot o% years ( ( ( so$ he o!"io#sly 'nows a lot and heDs 'ind eno#gh to in"ite yo# along and share his 'nowledge with yo#( Nathan Thomas may not !e A#ite as long in the
tooth as :ichard$ !#t heDs a gi%ted yo#ng man who is going places in the world o% hypnosis( Knowing yo#D"e got two s'illed hypnotic g#ides on yo#r Eo#rney$ yo# can rest ass#red that with the material co"ered in this !oo'$ yo#Dll not only #nloc' the 'eys to the mind$ !#t open doors into a %ascinating and wonder%#l %#t#re as a hypnotist ( ( ( and ( ( ( moreF ~ 9rian <a"id Phillips$ Ph< President$ .ociety o% *@periential Trance www(9rian<a"idPhillips(com A%ter re"iewing this !oo'$ +Dm glad to say :ichard Nongard and Nathan Thomas ha"e p#t together a !rilliant ed#cational wor' on the hypnosis pro%ession( This !oo' is an in"al#ea!le asset and reso#rce$ containing a wealth o% care%#lly car%ted in%ormation %or !oth the no"ice Gnew!ieG as well as enlightened insights to inspire and g#ide seasoned pro%essionals( This wor' insight%#lly co"ers a wide "ariety o% hypnosis techniA#es$ topics and methods$ while s'ill%#lly ens#ring the o% a"oidance o% pit%alls( This tome is a m#st8ha"e %or the li!rary o% any serio#s hypnotist or hypno8enth#siast( ~ Hohn Cer!one a'a IThe Trance8MasterJ www(Trance8Master(com Nongard & Thomas 0
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8 A N#ide!oo' and <K< Kideo %or Pro%essional .#ccess L The N.:+) Nongard .trengths and :eso#rces +n"entory Nongard & Thomas & Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone A91?T TH* A?TH1:. :ichard K( Nongard is a Licensed Marriage and amily Therapist$ a Certi%ied Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Certi%ied Personal itness Trainer$ and holds degrees in !oth Ministry and Co#nseling( A pop#lar 'eynote presenter and con%erence spea'er$ :ichard pro"ides accredited contin#ation ed#cation and ad"anced s'ills training to hypnotists$ psychotherapists$ ed#cation pro%essionals and criminal E#stice organizations aro#nd the glo!e on s#!Eects related to clinical hypnosis practice$ s#icide$ an@iety$ depression$ personality disorders$ dr#g$ alcohol and to!acco addiction$ domestic "iolence$ %itness and %amily health( He is the de"eloper o% the M#it.#ccessP To!acco Cessation Treatment Program #sed !y agencies and hospitals across the ?.$ as
well as se"eral pro%essional assessment tools and therape#tic client wor'!oo's$ and he is the acclaimed a#thor o% %i"e clinical practice te@t!oo's( .ol"ing pro!lems !y %oc#sing on e@isting client strengths is the hallmar' o% :ichardOs approach( Nathan Thomas$ C(Ht($ is the co8%o#nder o% the +nternational Association o% Teenage Hypnotists( Am!itio#s and dedicated$ Nathan is a master practitioner o% ne#ro8ling#istic techniA#es and lang#age patterns$ and is a world8renown contri!#tor to the %ield o% hypnosis( NathanDs !log$ %o#nd at www(KeysToTheMind(com$ is an amazing reso#rce %or any le"el o% hypnosis pro%essional( rom training material re"iews to new methods and approaches$ yo# will %ind new learnings to practice and enEoy( 3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +NT:1<?CT+1N 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 7 1 Chat is HypnosisQ 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 11 1& R Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy 1, R Chy ?se HypnosisQ 17 R +s Hypnosis .a%eQ 17 R <oes Hypnosis Cor'Q >- R Chat are the 9ene%its o% HypnosisQ
> The Cho$ Chat$ Chere$ Chen and Chy o% Hypnosis 88888 >0 >& R <e%ining Hypnosis >7 R Three Laws o% Hypnosis 00 R *ric'sonian Hypnosis 0& R <irecti"e Hypnosis 2, R The Hypnotic *@perience 20 R The *lements o% Hypnosis 27 R Hypnotic Myth 9#sting 31 R The History o% Hypnosis 3& R Three Laws o% .#ggestion 0 The Mechanics o% the Hypnotic Process ~ How to Hypnotize Anyone 8888888888888888888888888888888 3, 37 R The Pre8Tal' ,& R The +nd#ction ,7 R <eepeners 50 R .#ggesti"e Therapy 5& R The Awa'ening 5, R Case .t#dy 2 Key *ssential *lements %or *%%ecti"e Hypnotherapy 8888888 7& 7, R Client :elationships 1-, R Assessment and +nta'e & *@ploring the Hypnotic Process in <etail 8888888888888888 11, 117 R The Pre8Tal' 1>, R The +nd#ction 12, R <eepeners 3 The Art o% .#ggestion$ The Heart o% Hypnotherapy 88888 1&& 03 R Principles o% .#ggestion 21 R Therape#tic .cripting , A!reaction$ Practice and :e%errals 888888888888888888888888 130 5 Hypnotic Phenomena 888888888888888888888888888888888888888 1,&
+NT*:L?<* R Learning Hypnosis 8888888888888888888888888888 15& 7 Applications and Ca#tions R Memory and :egression 888 157 1- Hypnotic Lang#age 8888888888888888888888888888888888888888 170 11 Clinical Applications R Therape#tic +nter"ention 8888888 >-& >-, R Hypnotizing Children >11 R +nter"ention *%%icacy >1& R 9eha"ioral +ss#es >>0 R *motional Psych <isorders >01 R Pain Management >02 R .e@#al +ss#es >0& R .tress Management 1> *thics$ Morality and Legal Principles 88888888888888888888 >07 >21 R Morality +ss#es >27 R Pro%essional *thics >&5 R M#ac'ery C1NCL?.+1N 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 >31 Nongard & Thomas , Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +NT:1<?CT+1N TH* H1?:N*/ 9*N+N. Hello and welcome to Keys to the Mind$ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone and Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly( /o# are now !eginning the Eo#rney towards !ecoming a hypnotist and acA#iring
an e%%ecti"e array o% clinical hypnosis s'ills$ !#t !e%ore we di"e right into the Show to$O let #s !egin with a little introd#ction( This !oo' is a#thored !y mysel%$ :ichard Nongard$ alongside Nathan Thomas( + am a Licensed Marriage and amily Therapist$ a Certi%ied Clinical Hypnotherapist$ and a Certi%ied Personal itness Trainer$ with o"er >years e@perience wor'ing pro%essionally in the %ield o% hypnosis and o%%ering hypnosis training co#rses worldwide( Nathan Thomas is a Certi%ied Hypnotist and NLP practitioner regarded thro#gho#t the world as an e@pert in the %ield o% hypnosis( He la#nched and r#ns the +nternational Association %or Teenage Hypnotists and has trained h#ndreds o% people in the art and science o% hypnosis$ !oth online and %ace8to8 %ace( Nathan is the co8a#thor o% this te@t and has !een a h#ge help in researching and composing the material yo# will soon !e enEoying( Ce wo#ld li'e to than' yo# %or p#rchasing this !oo' and are e@cited to !e a!le to share o#r 'nowledge with yo#( 9y the time yo# ha"e re"iewed all o% the material in this te@t$ yo# will !e well on yo#r Nongard & Thomas 7
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone way to !ecoming a hypnotist 8 yo# will ha"e the !asic s'ills necessary to hypnotize a person$ !e a!le to lead them thro#gh a healing process$ and #nderstand how to awa'en them properly when the session is complete( Clinical Hypnosis is a "alid inter"ention endorsed !y !oth national and international medical and psychological associations %or well o"er &- years( +% yo# ha"e a clinical !ac'gro#nd in the helping pro%essions R social wor'$ co#nseling$ n#rsing$ medical doctor 8 yo# sho#ld %ind yo#rsel% ahead o% the learning c#r"e and happy to 'now that the s'ills o% hypnosis can !e easily integrated into yo#r e@isting therape#tic approaches %or helping clients to ma@imize their potential$ especially in the area o% !rie% therapy( or those o% yo# with no e@perience %rom a clinical perspecti"e in the co#nseling or medical pro%essions$ my g#ess is that yo# are pro!a!ly a person who enEoys helping other people( This is great$ !eca#se hypnosis helps promote healing( Training in clinical hypnosis pro"ides one o% those rare opport#nities where we can learn a s'ill
that can act#ally help change a personOs li%e %or the !etter( + am not a person who !elie"es that only those who ha"e a degree in clinical psychology sho#ld !e a!le to pro"ide hypnosis and ser"ices( + !elie"e that all people with an interest in helping others sho#ld !e gi"en the s'ills to do so e%%ecti"ely( Chen writing a single ed#cational te@t a!o#t hypnosis$ in order to ma'e s#re all the !ases are co"ered and that the instr#ction is reasona!ly complete$ the a#thors m#st ass#me that their a"erage readers ha"e little or no prior e@perience with hypnosis( Nathan and + ha"e wor'ed hard to %#l%ill this o!ligation !y incl#ding as m#ch %#ndamental content as possi!le within these pages( Howe"er$ we are well aware that many o% o#r readers are already e@perienced hypnotists see'ing to enhance their e@isting s'ills$ and we %eel con%ident that those o% yo# with more training will also %ind this !oo' to !e A#ite "al#a!le and #se%#l to yo#r o"erall 'nowledge !ase( Happy reading and learningF :ichard K( Nongard$ LM T;CCH Nathan Thomas$ C(Ht( 1Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
CHAPT*: 1 Chat is HypnosisQ Hypnosis can !e #tilized in many ways %or many p#rposes( This !oo' centers aro#nd #sing hypnosis as a %orm o% therapy$ 'nown as hypnotherapy or clinical hypnosis$ %or the p#rpose o% helping people to heal and %ind sol#tions to the pro!lems that they e@perience( .o that yo# can de"elop a solid #nderstanding o% what hypnosis really is and how it wor's$ and to %irmly lead yo# away %rom misconceptions o%ten created !y the media$ let #s !egin !y addressing a %ew concepts !e%ore we get into the core material( 9are with #s$ we promise that yo# will !e learning how to act#ally hypnotize someone sooner than yo# thin'( Hypnosis is a mani%estation o% nat#ral phenomena that all o% #s e@perience in day8to8day li%e( There is nothing mystical a!o#t hypnosis( There is no ."engali8li'e magical power that the hypnotist m#st possess in order to help an indi"id#al( +n %act$ it pro!a!ly wo#ld not !e possi!le to ha"e that type o% power and tr#ly !e !ene%icial and help%#l$ !eca#se s#ch dynamics wo#ld create an #neA#al relationship(
Ce all e@perience hypnotic phenomena in the co#rse o% a normal day) when we seem to Dzone o#tD while per%orming a ha!it#al Nongard & Thomas 11 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone tas' li'e !r#shing o#r teeth$ or seem to !e on Sa#topilotO when dri"ing to wor' e"ery day( Hypnosis is a sa%e and nat#ral process$ and can !e an e@tremely power%#l$ %ast8acting inter"ention( +t can help people !rea' %ree o% their old pro!lems so A#ic'ly that it lea"es other healing arts in the d#st( Thro#gho#t this !oo' yo# will o%ten read the word Strance(O Ce will address this in more detail later$ !#t %or now E#st thin' o% trance as a state o% hyper8s#ggesti!ility$ where the critical or conscio#s part o% the mind is less acti"e$ allowing the s#!conscio#s part o% the mind to a!sor! and accept s#ggestions and ideas( Chen yo# realize that the #nconscio#s mind ma'es #p a!o#t appro@imately 7-T o% o#r o"erall !rain power$ itDs easier to see how trance can certainly !e s#ch a power%#l state( My e@perience with hypnosis goes !ac' A#ite a %ew years( As
an #ndergrad#ate st#dent$ + too' a Eo! wor'ing in a chiropractorDs o%%ice$ and as part o% my d#ties + was instr#cted to per%orm progressi"e m#scle rela@ation 4PM:6 ind#ctions on clients( Now$ !ac' then + didnOt recognize PM: as an Dind#ctionD or ascri!e a DhypnosisD la!el to the process$ !#t e"ery day at the o%%ice + was #nwittingly hypnotizing people and gi"ing them the s'ills to rela@ and physically heal( 1nce + realized e@actly what + was doing and how and why it wor'ed so well$ + st#died hypnosis e@tensi"ely( + then learned to integrate it into n#mero#s areas o% my pro%essional wor'$ and + #tilize it daily in my personal li%e( +n addition to !eing a licensed marriage and %amily therapist and ha"ing a strong !ac'gro#nd as a s#!stance a!#se co#nselor$ + am also certi%ied as a personal %itness trainer( Hypnosis can easily !e incorporated into sports psychology and is #sed e%%ecti"ely %or helping a person to achie"e pea' le"els o% per%ormance in any %ield( 1"er the years + ha"e wor'ed with criminal E#stice clients$ addicted clients$ %amilies$ adolescents$ children and ad#lts$ and
%reA#ently + %ind mysel% drawing #pon my e@periences in hypnosis to pro"ide inter"entions %or helping clients to manage the physical mani8%estations o% their emotions$ to enhance health and wellness$ to change sel%8destr#cti"e s#!conscio#s patterns and to learn new patterns %or promoting healthy li%estyle and !eha"ioral choices( 1> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Clinical Hypnosis o%%ers a partic#larly #se%#l set o% s'ills that can !e applied to help sol"e or alter a "ariety o% sit#ations and pro!lems that we e@perience e"ery day( +n addition to my pro%essional e@perience$ hypnosis has had a h#ge positi"e in%l#ence on my personal li%e( + s#cceeded at smo'ing cessation a n#m!er o% years ago 4the n#m!er one reason clients see' o#t a clinical hypnotist6$ and also conA#ered my %ear o% %lying( Li'e most people who are a%raid to %ly$ + wo#ld rationalize my %ear) Chy wo#ld + get into a metal t#!e$ h#rtling thro#gh the atmosphere at 3-- miles an ho#r$ when + co#ld simply hop into a car and dri"e$ and ha"e the opport#nity to see America along the wayQ
+ o"ercame my %ear o% %lying in large part !y implementing the methods o% therape#tic hypnosis$ and today + %ly all o"er the world( These days$ when + %ind mysel% on an e@tremely long and !oring %light$ + #tilize trance and hypnotic techniA#es in order to help me get thro#gh it( This process prod#ces three !ene%its) one$ it ma'es the time pass m#ch %asterU two$ it ma'es the e@perience more prod#cti"eU and three$ + am %ar more com%orta!le and this$ in t#rn$ ma'es the passengers aro#nd me more com%orta!le( Many o% yo# ha"e pro!a!ly s#%%ered thro#gh %lights ne@t to someone who was noticea!ly highstr#ng$ ner"o#s or lac'ed rela@ation techniA#es$ and yo# 'now itDs not a pleasant e@perience( +t is important to realize that i% yo# want to practice clinical hypnosis to help others achie"e their goals$ yo# sho#ld e@perience hypnosis %or yo#rsel%( +tDs %ar easier to assist others 8 e%%ecti"ely 8 when yo# are intimately %amiliar with the process !y practicing the same s'ills in yo#r own day8to8day li%e( Nongard & Thomas 10 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 12
Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy 9e%ore we go any %#rther$ letOs ta'e a %ew min#tes and loo' at these two words) Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy( People o%ten as' me$ IHey$ :ichard$ is there a di%%erence !etween hypnosis and hypnotherapyQJ and yo# may !e wondering the same thing( +n this partic#lar training te@t$ when + #se the words hypnosis or hypnotherapy$ the two can !e #sed interchangea!ly( Howe"er$ do + !elie"e there is act#ally a di%%erence !etween the two termsQ /es$ + certainly + do( Hypnosis itsel% is not a therape#tic process( Hypnotherapy$ + !elie"e$ is a therape#tic process !#ilt #pon a %o#ndation o% helping$ o% empathy$ and o% sincerely desiring to help people ma'e changes$ %eel positi"e$ and accomplish their goals in li%e( Hypnosis is a state o% nat#ral phenomena$ and a "ehicle or tool %or pro"iding hypnotherapy( Hypnotherapy is the process o% !ringing a!o#t that hypnotic trance state$ and the hypnotist is simply the person who is helping another person to e@perience an ind#ced highlight o% the nat#ral trance8phenomena we all e@perience e"ery day(
Anyone can per%orm hypnosis( + ha"e many %riends who are stage hypnotists$ and + ha"e act#ally done some stage per%ormances mysel%( .tage hypnosis per%ormance does not reA#ire a !ac'gro#nd in clinical psychologyU people %rom all di%%erent career !ac'gro#nds can !ecome a stage hypnotist( .tage hypnosis does reA#ire learning how to manage a crowd$ the !asic strategies o% ind#ction and p#tting together a co#ple o% simple$ silly scripts$ !#t thatDs a!o#t it( Chether or not they are a good stage per%ormer and #se their s'ills responsi!ly$ ethically and e%%ecti"ely is an entirely di%%erent matter$ !#t tr#ly$ per%orming hypnosis is not something that reA#ires empathy$ respect or e"en care o% another indi"id#al( Now$ + hope that they do ha"e all o% those things$ !eca#se i% not$ + !elie"e they wo#ld !e #sing hypnosis Nongard & Thomas 1& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone irresponsi!ly$ and it is these h#man A#alities and personal elements that ma'e %or a good hypnotist and stage hypnosis show(
+ once met a stage hypnotist at a comedy cl#!U + went #p to him a%ter the show$ introd#ced mysel% and tal'ed to him a little !it( He was pro!a!ly a!o#t &- or && years old$ and + as'ed him how he learned to do hypnosis( He said$ IChen + was 5 years old$ + sent %or a !oo'let + saw ad"ertised in the !ac' o% a comic !oo' on how to hypnotize some!ody( + got it$ tried it$ and hypnotized my sister(J He had paid &- cents %or the secret o% hypnosis$ and has !een doing it e"ery day since he was in grade school( My point is certainly not to 'noc' stage hypnotists$ !#t simply to emphasize that anyone can hypnotize another person( + am o%ten as'ed i% a person$ who is in trance state$ can interact 8 can they tal'Q And the answer is yes$ they most certainly can( +% yo# ha"e e"er seen hypnotized s#!Eects interacting and completing assigned tas's at a stage show$ there sho#ld !e no A#estion that they can engage in con"ersation in the o%%ice( <#ring the co#rse o% hypnotherapy we want to %ind o#t in%ormation a!o#t o#r clients in order to !e a more e%%ecti"e helper( Ce will listen to their needs and as' A#estions d#ring the hypnotherapy
session( Clinical hypnosis practice in"ol"es inter"iewing and assessing clients$ teaching speci%ic s'ills$ meeting them at their partic#lar point o% need$ allowing them to "er!alize what those needs are and esta!lishing where they are ma'ing progress( 9y doing s#ch it sho#ld !ecome clear that clinical hypnosis is not necessarily a onesided endea"orU it is a highly interacti"e process( H#st as a stage hypnotist will hypnotize a gro#p o% people at one time #p on stage$ it is also possi!le to do a clinical hypnosis session with more than one person at a time( + o%ten ha"e h#s!ands and wi"es together in my co#nseling o%%ice %or a two8part hypnotherapy program( <#ring the %irst session + pro!a!ly spend a!o#t 0min#tes inter"iewing them %or assessment p#rposes$ then spend an additional >- or 0- min#tes going thro#gh what wo#ld !e considered a traditional hypnotherapy session( The second "isit generally consists o% almost 2- min#tes in traditional tal'8therapy$ cogniti"e!eha"ioral therapy$ and assessment$ !eca#se + teach them speci%ic 13 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
strategies$ and #ltimately we spend only a!o#t >- or >& min#tes engaged in hypnosis( Chat yo# can learn %rom the a!o"e e@ample is that hypnotherapy is a modality o% treatment that can incorporate elements not #s#ally categorized as hypnosis( Hypnosis$ in and o% itsel%$ is not inherently therape#ticU it can !e #sed %or entertainment$ incorporated into sales$ #sed to enhance pers#asion or sel%8 de"elopment$ and is o%ten e@perienced accidentally$ as mentioned earlier$ while dri"ing or going a!o#t m#ndane tas's( Hypnotherapy$ on the other hand$ is the str#ct#red #se o% hypnosis in a pro%essional en"ironment$ with the intention o% creating speci%ic remedial or generati"e changes( Chy #se hypnosisQ Chy #se hypnotherapyQ ArenOt there other methods o% helping people sol"e pro!lems R addiction$ an@iety$ depression$ se@#al dys%#nction$ con%idence and sel%8esteem$ %oc#s and concentration$ headaches$ insomnia$ weight gain$ etc 8 that are e%%ecti"eQ Certainly there are$ and +Om not going to 'noc' any other methods( or e@ample$ + thin' 1>8.tep programs R Alcoholics Anonymo#s$
Narcotics Anonymo#s$ Cocaine Addicts Anonymo#s and others R are signi%icantly pro%o#nd and e%%ecti"e %or aiding the reco"ery o% addiction( The 9ig 9oo' o% Alcoholics Anonymo#s was p#t together !y the %irst 1-- mem!ers o% the program( As alcoholics themsel"es$ they #nderstood the iss#es that others li'e them %aced$ and they de"eloped twel"e steps designed to help themsel"es and others lead the path to physical$ emotional and spirit#al healing$ and this process wor's %or those who wor' it( Hypnosis$ howe"er$ is another %antastic tool %or addressing addiction8related pro!lems( Cithdrawal is a physical process$ and hypnosis is a s'ill that helps a person to manage their physical e@periences thro#gh the power o% the mind( Cith or witho#t incorporating the 1>8.tep modality into treatment$ we still 'now that hypnosis is a power%#l and e%%ecti"e way to !oth change s#!conscio#s Nongard & Thomas 1, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone !eha"ioral associations and teach new s'ills %or managing the physical symptoms o% withdrawal(
9#t e"ery indi"id#al has di%%erent needs$ so as a co#nselor$ when someone comes to me with an alcohol or dr#g addiction pro!lem$ + assess which are the !est inter"entions + can pro"ide to help the indi"id#al e@perience relie% %rom their pro!lems$ !e it "ia hypnosis$ the 1> .teps$ cogniti"e8!eha"ioral methods$ or any other strategy designed to help resol"e their speci%ic iss#es( The important concept here is that as healers$ we %ind o#t what wor's$ what is e%%ecti"e$ and we #se it( 1r$ i% we are not A#ali%ied or e@perienced with the li'ely !est method$ we re%er to those who are( Let #s consider a contrary e@ample %rom a typical psychiatristDs o%%ice) A client comes in and claims to !e s#%%ering %rom depression( The psychiatrist$ !eing a medical doctor and there%ore oriented towards medications$ as a %irst line o% inter"ention$ wo#ld tell the depressed person that they sho#ld ta'e an antidepressant pill( 9#t research shows #s that i% a person engages in cardio"asc#lar e@ercise %or 2- min#tes a day$ 0 or 2 times a wee'$ %or si@ wee's or
longer$ they are e@ponentially more li'ely to e@perience a decrease in the symptoms associated with maEor depression than i% they ta'e antidepressant medications( +t #sed to !e !elie"ed that hypnosis was contra8indicated %or depression$ !#t in reality this is not tr#e at all( Michael /ap'o has written a great !oo' called Hypnosis and Treating <epression$ a wellresearched te@t showing the e%%icacy o% hypnosis as an inter"ention %or maEor depression( Happiness is$ a%ter all$ in the mind( + am not opposed to antidepressant medications$ and + ha"e met a lot o% people who$ partic#larly d#ring times o% catastrophic depression$ ha"e !een sta!ilized on medications( Howe"er$ when someone comes to me and says$ IHey$ +Om depressed and + need a resol#tion %or my depression$J one o% the %irst inter"entions + will prescri!e is that they engage in e@ercise on a reg#lar !asis %or a period o% si@ wee's or longer$ !eca#se + 'now that they will %eel !etter as a res#lt( Then + will most li'ely incl#de hypnosis in my repertoire o% inter"ention strategies( 15 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
+s hypnosis sa%eQ Hypnosis is sa%eU there are no negati"e side e%%ects %rom hypnosis( Cell$ + s#ppose there are some inherent ris's$ E#st li'e there are with dri"ing an a#tomo!ile or %lying on an airplane or li"ing li%e in general$ which co#ld happen d#ring a state o% hypnosis and co#ld !e potentially harm%#l to a person( or e@ample$ it is possi!le that someone co#ld$ in a state o% trance$ %all o#t o% their chair( And perhaps there is a chance %or some physical discom%ort d#ring a state o% m#sc#lar catalepsyU howe"er that is m#ch more li'ely to occ#r d#ring a stage hypnosis show than in the therapy o%%ice( The worry + hear most o%ten concerns a therapist a!#sing a client$ howe"er + do not thin' a hypnotherapist is any more li'ely to a!#se their client than any other %orm o% therapist( Contrary to some mis!elie%s$ hypnotherapy clients do not yield control to the hypnotistU the client maintains control o% their own mind and tho#ghts and they ma'e their own decisions( 1% co#rse there is always the ris' %or a!reaction) intense emotional e@periences which a person does not e@pect$ does not
enEoy$ and did not want to e@perience d#ring the process o% hypnosis( Howe"er$ these sit#ations are A#ite rare and are easily dealt with !y the competent hypnotist( 4Ce will disc#ss a!reaction in great detail later on(6 <oes hypnosis wor'Q Not only is hypnosis sa%e$ it wor's( :esearch shows that hypnosis is an e%%ecti"e treatment %or weight loss$ smo'ing cessation and depression( +t has !een shown to increase s#ccess in reco"ery %rom !#rns$ cancer$ irrita!le !owel syndrome and n#mero#s other ailments( +t is also highly e%%ecti"e %or generati"e impro"ement$ increasing tho#ght processes and prod#cti"ity( +n short$ yes$ hypnosis wor's( Nongard & Thomas 17 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Hohn .tossel$ one o% TKOs greatest s'eptics$ released a !oo' called$ Myths$ Lies and <ownright .t#pidity$ in which he set o#t to de!#n' many myths$ lies$ and legends in o#r society$ and one o% the s#!Eects he co"ered was hypnosis( 1n page >1& he wrote$ IH#st when my s'epticDs antennae con"ince me + always 'now !#n' when + see it$
+ get %ooled( + ass#med hypnosis in medicine was one more con game((( DHypnotherapy will help yo# lose weightFD CDmon$ i% it wor'ed$ there wo#ldnDt !e all those o"erweight people aro#nd( Tr#th) Hypnosis wor's 88 i% yo# let itFJ <oes hypnosis sol"e e"eryoneOs pro!lems all o% the timeQ No( There has ne"er !een and there ne"er will !e a one8size8%its8all approach that will %i@ e"ery iss#e$ e"ery time( H#st li'e there are di%%erent modalities o% inter"ention %or di%%erent medical$ psychological$ and spirit#al di%%ic#lties$ hypnosis is a tool which will !e e%%ecti"e with most o% o#r clients m#ch o% the time$ !#t not necessarily all( Chat are the 9ene%its o% HypnosisQ Hypnosis is Nat#ral Chene"er possi!le$ why wo#ldnOt we seize the opport#nity to pro"ide a nat#ral treatment to help a person 8 witho#t to@icity$ witho#t dr#gs$ witho#t li"er damage$ witho#t the side e%%ects o% chemotherapy or other medicationsQ 1% co#rse hypnosis does not always 'eep a person %rom needing other medical inter"entions$ howe"er$ sometimes clients are so s#ccess%#l with hypnosis that they
are a!le to gi"e #p higher ris's and more to@ic$ harm%#l protocols that were only #se%#l to them in the short term$ not the long r#n( + am certainly not ad"ocating that e"eryone A#it #sing all medications and other methods o% treatment and %oc#s e@cl#si"ely on hypnosisU + am simply saying that hypnosis is a sa%e$ e%%ecti"e and nat#ral treatment that can o%ten help enhance other approaches to treating their medical needs( .o why not gi"e it a shotQ Another !ene%it o% hypnosis is that it %eels good( The state o% hypnotic trance is a highly pleasant state to e@perience$ o%ten accompanied !y %eelings o% deep peace$ rela@ation and physical and mental >Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly com%ort( As healers$ o#r Eo! is essentially to ma'e people happy$ and what !etter way to do than with a method that %eels goodQ The process o% hypnosis is also highly e%%ecti"e %or teaching s'ills that o#r clients can ta'e with them when they lea"e o#r o%%ice$ to carry them thro#gh the ne@t pro!lem that they e@perience( Consider the client who e@periences panic attac's( Panic is a
"ery physical emotion( +n %act$ i% yo# loo' #p panic attac's in the <.M8+K 4the <iagnostic and .tatistical Man#al o% Mental <isorders$ %o#rth edition$ !y the American Psychological Association6$ yo# will see that the %irst eight symptoms listed are all physical in nat#re) !#tter%lies in the stomach$ trem!ling$ sha'iness$ sweating$ %eelings o% cho'ing$ chills$ %eeling dizzy$ and so on( Hypnosis teaches the s'ills that can help o"ercome these symptoms) to ta'e a deep !reath and to let it o#t slowly$ to %eel the o@ygen %ill their l#ngs$ to %eel their heart rate slow down$ and the physical di%%erence !etween tension and rela@ation( +n teaching o#r clients these s'ills$ we teach them how to sol"e not only the initial pro!lem they came to #s %or help with 4panic attac's6$ !#t also how to handle a host o% other o!stacles they may e@perience later in li%e( Hypnosis Cor's M#ic'ly +n the era o% managed care with limited time and limited reso#rces$ !oth clients and therapists are loo'ing %or !rie% therapy modalities( +n the Dolden days$D .igm#nd re#dOs !asic idea o% treatment was complete personality restr#ct#ringU he en"isioned a
therapy process that e@tended two or three times a wee' o"er a period o% ten to %i%teen years( These days we o%ten donOt ha"e ten or %i%teen sessions$ m#ch less years$ to !ring a client #p %rom hysterical misery to e"en common depression( Today$ o#r goal instead is to pro"ide inter"entions to help o#r clients to A#it smo'ing$ lose weight$ e@perience healing$ manage stress to achie"e s#ccess$ and generally %ind relie% %rom the pain%#l and di%%ic#lt sit#ations they ha"e in li%e$ and to do so A#ic'ly( Hypnotherapy reprograms the s#!conscio#s and teaches new s'ills that a person can act#ally apply in m#ltiple day8to8day li%e e@periences$ which o% co#rse ma'es hypnotherapy a !rie% inter"ention strategy( Most hypnotherapists will tell yo# that typically one$ two$ or three sessions is all they need to realize s#ccess with most clients %or Nongard & Thomas >1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone most iss#es( N#t Magazine$ the Eo#rnal o% gastroenterology$ came o#t with clinical research in 177, a%%irming the e%%icacy o% #sing hypnosis to treat irrita!le !owel syndrome 4+9.6$ a long8 s#%%ering$ misera!le
condition( They recommend a se"en8session protocol o% hypnosisU !rie% therapy( Now that yo# ha"e a reasona!ly good idea o% the !ene%its o% hypnosis$ and are !eginning to #nderstand what hypnosis act#ally is$ let #s leap right into this !oo'Os g#iding A#estion) How do yo# hypnotize someoneQ >> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: > The Cho$ Chat$ Chere$ Chen and Chy o% Hypnosis All hypnosis is essentially sel%8hypnosis( As a hypnotist$ + am %acilitating the nat#ral process o% helping a person to e@perience trance( +t is not something that + do to someoneU instead$ it is something that + am doing with them( +n %act$ e"en when + am recording hypnosis C<Os or per%orming hypnosis li"e on stage$ + %ind mysel% in my own zone o% trance( This is !eca#se hypnosis is a nat#ral process$ and the hypnotist$ E#st li'e the client$ will %ind themsel"es in "arying le"els o% trance d#ring the hypnotic proced#re( As + mentioned earlier$ hypnosis is a nat#ral occ#rrence that
we all e@perience at one time or another thro#gho#t the day( Thin' a!o#t the %irst %i"e min#tes !e%ore yo# %all asleep at night) yo# 'now yo# co#ld open yo#r eyes i% yo# wanted to$ !#t it %eels so good that yo# simply want to 'eep them sh#t( That in8 !etween8awa'e8andasleep time is a nat#ral trance state( Hypnosis o%ten carries with it a %#nction o% time distortion$ a %airly common hypnotic phenomenon( /o# get into yo#r car a%ter wor' and yo# dri"e towards home$ and !y the time yo# arri"e there Nongard & Thomas >0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ten or %i%teen min#tes later$ yo# thin'$ ICowF + donOt remem!er my dri"e %rom the o%%ice to my ho#seU + E#st sort o% showed #p(J /o#r s#!conscio#s mind was g#iding yo#r dri"e home$ whilst yo#r conscio#s mind was allowed to rela@ and Szone 4trance6 o#tO %or a while and %oc#s on more interesting s#!Eects( Hypnosis is the opposite o% meditation where the person is trying to clear their mind( +nstead$ hypnosis is an ind#ced state o% total concentration and %oc#s( Hypnotizing someone simply in"ol"es leading them thro#gh
the nat#ral phenomena that they ha"e already e@perienced in day8today li%e( Chen per%orming hypnosis$ we harness this nat#ral phenomenon thro#gh what is called the hypnotic process( The hypnotic process in"ol"es & stages) a time o% pre8tal' 4e@planation6$ the ind#ction 4going into trance6$ %ollowed !y deepeners 4increasing the trance state6$ then the s#ggestion phase 4therape#tic ideas6$ and %inally the awa'ening or dehypnotizing( As we ta'e o#r clients thro#gh this &8stage hypnotic process$ we will #se techniA#es s#ch as "is#alization$ interaction$ 'inesthetic e@periences$ and speci%ic word choices designed to address the s#!conscio#s mind in m#ch the same way that they e@perience trance in their e"eryday li%e( Chen yo# are done with this !oo'$ yo# will !e a!le to go thro#gh these %i"e stages and per%orm a "ariety o% di%%erent ind#ction and deepening techniA#es( >2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <e%ining Hypnosis According to the ?(.( <ept( o% *d#cation$ H#man .er"ices <i"ision$ hypnosis is)
IThe !y8pass o% the critical %actor o% the conscio#s mind 4a personDs analytical and E#dgmental a!ility6 %ollowed !y the esta!lishment o% accepta!le selecti"e thin'ing(J .o that this short !#t #se%#l statement !y the ?. No"ernment ma'es a little more sense$ a !rie% e@planation is li'ely in order( The mind has %o#r di%%erent di"isions) the Conscio#s Mind$ the Critical actor$ the .#!conscio#s Mind$ and the ?nconscio#s Mind( The ?nconscio#s Mind is where o#r instincts are 8 the things we intrinsically 'now %rom !irth and thro#gho#t li%e 8 and it protects #s re%le@i"ely( The ?nconscio#s Mind controls the a#tonomic ner"o#s system$ respiration and heart!eat( +ts learning is capacity limited$ !#t Pa"lo" demonstrated that it can !e impacted when he made dogs sali"ate to a ringing !ell( This is 'nown as classical conditioning( The .#!conscio#s Mind starts o#t empty$ then$ as we grow and learn$ the #nlimited capacity data!ase stores
o#r e@periences and perceptions$ which then create o#r personality$ emotions$ learned responses$ !elie%s and ha!its( These ideas and concepts !ecome Sem!eddedO and are then highly resistant to change( The .#!conscio#s Mind #ses its data!ase to protect against 'nown threats$ and to moti"ate #s to %#l%ill o#r needs( This is the concept o% Ta!#la :asa 8 e@periences and learning are written #pon #s( .ome ha"e called this temperament 4H#ng6( The s#!conscio#s mind resists conscio#s change$ !#t hypnosis can ha"e immediate e%%ect on the s#!conscio#s 49anyan6( Nongard & Thomas >& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone The Conscio#s Mind is analytical and logical$ and is where we spend most o% o#r time( The Conscio#s Mind protects #s against immediate threats and is where we pro!lem8sol"e 8 assess sit#ations and implement resol#tionsU it e"al#ates the speci%ic concern or iss#e that has its attention at the moment( +t then ma'es choices and decisions %or day8to8 day
%#nctioning( +n the Conscio#s Mind$ tho#ghts that are considered to !e more important will replace those o% less importance( Conscio#s change is temporal$ !eca#se the capacity is limited( This ma'es s#!conscio#s reprogramming more e%%ecti"e( The Conscio#s Mind is also where Iwill powerJ comes into play( 9#t as yo# may ha"e noticed$ A#ite o%ten o#r will power is not power%#l eno#gh$ and we o%ten A#ic'ly re"ert !ac' to o#r old ha!its and ways( This is d#e to the in%l#ence o% the Critical actor section o% o#r mind( The Critical actor is the gate8'eeper !etween the .#!conscio#s Mind and the Conscio#s Mind( +t %#nctions as a %ilter %or new in%ormation coming in %rom the Conscio#s Mind$ and compares;contrasts it to the e@isting data!ase o% !elie%s in the .#!conscio#s Mind( Chen the newly introd#ced data does not Ei!e with the e@isting data!ase$ the Critical actor reEects it$ !y not allowing changes in emotional or !eha"ioral responses to occ#r( This is why it is so di%%ic#lt to !rea' ha!its or change o#r !elie%s(
IThe !ypass o% the critical %actorJ o% the No"ernmentOs de%inition re%ers to the hypnotic processesO release o% the imposed limiting !elie%s 8 essentially disarming the Critical actor 8 which then allows emotional or !eha"ioral hypnotic s#ggestions to pass thro#gh the Conscio#s Mind and into the .#!conscio#s Mind( IThe esta!lishment o% accepta!le selecti"e thin'ingJ re%ers to the act#al creation o% new !elie%s in the .#!conscio#s Mind thro#gh s#ggesti!ility$ a sort o% reprogramming$ which allows yo# to !rea' ha!its$ change perceptions$ and create new a#toresponses to sit#ations( >3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Pro!a!ly the !est e@ample o% how these di%%erent !rain components wor' together is in relation to smo'ing( +% +O"e !een smo'ing cigarettes %or >- or 0- years$ my mind s#!conscio#sly !elie"es certain things to !e tr#e that simply are not$ s#ch as that +Dm going to %rea' o#t i% + donOt get nicotine( My mind !elie"es that i% +Om in a car$ + m#st light a cigarette$ or that i% + E#st ate dinner$ + need that
a%ter8dinner smo'e( 1"er >-$ 0- or 2- years o% smo'ing$ my s#!conscio#s mind has learned things that are not tr#e and has incorporated these inacc#rate !elie%s or cogniti"e8errors into my e"eryday li"ing( Hypnosis$ howe"er$ allows o#r s#!conscio#s mind to learn new or healthier patterns !y !ypassing the critical %actor and allowing into the s#!conscio#s mind a new set o% !elie%s$ !eha"iors and options( The conscio#s mind is the thin'ing part o% the mind$ and it is interesting to note that the thin'ing part is act#ally the smallest part o% the mind( +magine an ice!erg s#!merged #nder the ocean( A!o"e water$ the ice!erg only shows a!o#t 1-T o% its %#ll !#l'U 7-T is #nderneath the water line( Li'ewise$ the conscio#s mind cons#mes only a!o#t 1-T o% o#r mind power or capacity( There%ore$ a!o#t 7-T o% what the mind does is s#!conscio#s( +n the morning !e%ore yo# get #p$ yo# donOt ha"e to thin' a!o#t which leg yo# p#t in yo#r pants %irst$ yo# E#st get #p and p#t yo#r pants on( Chen yo# go to get a drin' o% water %rom a water
%o#ntain$ yo# donOt ha"e to conscio#sly decide$ I+ thin' + will mo"e my arm m#scles %irst and my th#m! m#scles ne@tUJ yo# E#st a#tomatically do these things in the proper order with the help o% the #nconscio#s mind( Ce do these things a#tomatically !eca#se o"er the years$ thro#gh !oth nat#re and n#rt#re R e@perience R we ha"e learned physically$ psychologically$ socially$ comm#nicati"ely how to do these things( The conscio#s mind is the part o% the mind that o#r attention is drawn to at any partic#lar time( They say that o#r conscio#s mind is only a!le to e@perience a!o#t se"en di%%erent things at the same timeU i% an eighth piece o% in%ormation is added$ it will !e reEected( Now$ the s#!conscio#s may act#ally a!sor! it$ e"en while the conscio#s mind is reEecting it( or e@ample) LetOs say yo# are !#sy coo'ing dinner( /o# are stirring a !ig pot o% !eans on the sto"e( /o# are p#tting corn!read Nongard & Thomas >, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone m#%%ins in the o"en( /o# donDt want to ma'e a mess or !#rn yo#rsel%(
/o# want the !#tter so%t d#ring the meal so yo#Dre getting the !#tter o#t o% the re%rigerator( +n the meantime$ the phone rings$ so yo# answer( +tDs yo#r sister tal'ing a!o#t her new Eo!( /o# are still loo'ing in the re%rigerator %or the !#tter$ and yo#r son comes into the 'itchen( He stands right ne@t to yo# and tal's to yo#( He sees yo# nod thin's that yo# are listening to him and hearing what he says( He tal's and tal's while yo# are on the phone with yo#r sister$ %inding the !#tter$ stirring the !eans on the sto"e$ setting the timer %or the m#%%ins$ getting !owls and spoons %rom the ca!inets and drawers$ and doing all the things related to dinner preparation( /o# ha"e se"en things going on at that moment( /o#r son tal'ing at yo# is n#m!er eight( /o# %ind the !#tter( Now yo#r mind is only doing si@ things !eca#se yo# %o#nd the !#tter( At that moment$ yo# loo' o"er and yo# realize someone is tal'ing to yo#( /o# %oc#s on yo#r son and say$ IChatQJ *"en tho#gh they were tal'ing to yo#$ yo# didnOt really e"en 'now they were there #ntil yo# %o#nd the !#tter$ #ntil yo#r conscio#s mind got rid o% something so that eighth piece o% in%ormation co#ld
occ#py the se"enth spot( This is the conscio#s mind in action$ processing only those things %ew that we ha"e immediate awareness o% at any gi"en time( 1#r s#!conscio#s mind is the part that stores all o% o#r li%e learning e@periences and creates %#nctional associations %or daily li"ing$ !oth healthy and #nhealthy( or the cigarette smo'er$ an association may !e$ I49eca#se6 + get in my car and + 4m#st6 light #p a cigarette(J .ometimes they will light a cigarette when they already ha"e another one !#rning in an ashtray$ !eca#se they a#tomatically light #p cigarettes a%ter certain associati"e c#es$ e"en i% they donOt necessarily smo'e them( This is the part o% the mind that we will reprogram #sing hypnosis$ so that actions !ecome consistent with healthy release$ rather than consistent with #nhealthy release( 4+ 'now that at this point yo#Dre loo'ing %or the Done$ two$ three 8 this is how yo# do it e@planation$D !#t tr#st me$ while yo# are reading and learning more a!o#t what hypnosis really is and how and why it wor's$ yo# are learning the %#ndamentals yo# need %or the one$ two$ three part( 6
>5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Three Laws 1% Hypnosis +n order %or #s to hypnotize someone$ we m#st #nderstand the laws o% hypnosis( These SlawsO are g#iding principles which yo# sho#ld endea"or to adhere to as m#ch as possi!le when doing hypnosis( The %irst law o% hypnosis is that the person !eing hypnotized m#st ha"e a clear image o% what the process and res#lts will %eel li'e and !e li'e( +n order to s#ccess%#lly achie"e change$ the client m#st !e a!le to clearly "is#alize$ imagine or at least #nderstand what the %inal res#lt o% that change will !e( +n the co#nseling world$ this is 'nown as in%ormed consent$ e@plaining what to e@pect !oth d#ring the therape#tic process and in the end( or e@ample$ when + gi"e someone my %o#r8 part smo'ing cessation C< series$ + #s#ally engage in a con"ersation li'e this one with a client named .#e) .#e as's$ ICill these help me to A#it smo'ingQJ + say$ I/es$ a!sol#tely(J .#e as's$ IHow long a%ter + listen to them #ntil + A#it
smo'ingQJ My answer is$ IAs soon as yo# start listening to them$ yo# ha"e stopped smo'ing(J 49y the way$ that is s#ggesti"e lang#age(6 .#e as's$ I<o + ha"e to listen to them o"er and o"er again in order to remain a non8smo'erQJ + reply$ INo$ yo# donOt need to listen to them o"er and o"er again to remain a non8smo'er( Most people %ind that i% they do listen to them o"er and o"er again$ it is !ene%icial !eca#se they learn speci%ic #se%#l strategies and s'ills( /o# will$ in %act$ !e a non8smo'er when yo# ma'e the commitment to listen to all %o#r o% these C<Os(J .ince o#r client m#st ha"e a clear image o% the intended res#lt$ + then as'ed .#e to pict#re in her mind o% listening to the C<Os and Nongard & Thomas >7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone !eing a non8smo'er( Chen she too' a min#te to create that mental pict#re$ there was no do#!t a!o#t it 8 she went home and p#t on that %irst C<$ and %rom that moment on she was a non8smo'er( 1#r clients need a clear pict#re o% what the o#tcome will !e$ to
"is#alize themsel"es e@periencing s#ccess( The client in pain needs to "is#alize that he is not e@periencing pain$ the client who needs to lose weight needs to "is#alize themsel"es thinner and healthier$ and the person who smo'es cigarettes needs to "is#alize that they are li"ing li%e not smo'ing cigarettes( This !rie% process will s#!stantially increase yo#r therape#tic s#ccess( The second law states that when the s#!EectDs will and imagination 4!elie%6 are in con%lict$ the imagination will always win( Another way o% stating this is that when the conscio#s and the #nconscio#s minds con%lict$ the #nconscio#s will always win( This concept act#ally gi"es #s a great ad"antage$ !eca#se it means that a clientOs rational side can gi"e way to imagination( Chen the rational side lets down its g#ard$ the critical %actor can !e side8stepped$ and old$ #nhealthy ways o% li"ing can !e replaced with new$ healthy ways( The third law o% hypnosis is that a s#ggestion is more li'ely to !e accepted when it is tied to a positi"e emotion or a%%ect$ with which the s#!Eect can identi%y(
.imply p#t$ s#ggestions that are positi"e are more li'ely to !e accepted than those that are negati"e( or e@ample$ in smo'ing cessation$ one co#ld #se negati"e s#ggestions in the %orm o% a"ersion therapy) IThe ne@t time yo# smell a cigarette !#rning$ yo# will !ecome na#seatingly ill( The smell o% smo'e will sic'en yo#r stomach( +t will irritate yo#r nostrils and gi"e yo# a headache(J +t has !een my e@perience that people generally do not accept negati"e s#ggestions$ !#t they will accept positi"e s#ggestions( +nstead o% telling a client that they will %eel nasty i% they see a cigarette or smell cigarette smo'e$ + say that they DenEoy !reathing %resh air$ 0Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly they %eel good when they can %eel the o@ygen %lowing in thro#gh the nostrils and into the l#ngsU %resh$ healing o@ygen carrying n#trients thro#gho#t their !ody(D As we create s#ggesti"e scripts to help o#r clients$ we want to always accent#ate the positi"e rather than the negati"es$ and %or the most part$ we want to a"oid a"ersion therapy all together( +nstead$ we
will replace old patterns o% !eha"ior with new patterns that are healthy and e@citing( or e@ample$ hereDs a therape#tic s#ggestion lesson + learned %rom my history as a dr#g and alcohol co#nselor) Chen a client wo#ld as'$ IAre yo# going to tell me that + canOt e"er #se dr#gs and alcohol againQJ + always answer with a %irm SNoFO %or two reasons( 1ne$ the answer con%#ses them and creates con%lict in the mind$ li'e a pattern interr#pt$ and there%ore also creates the instant opport#nity to impart new ideas into the s#!conscio#s$ and two$ instead o% %oc#sing on the negati"e o% ne"er #sing dr#gs again we want the client to %oc#s on the positi"es o% li"ing li%e happy and healthy witho#t the need %or chemicals( + want my clients who are reco"ering %rom addictions to enEoy what they did last night$ to li'e who they were with last night( + want them to enEoy li"ing li%e and not miss any o% it !y !eing dr#n' or stoned or high( + donOt want my clients to gi"e #p drin'ingU + want them to start lo"ing li%e clear8headed( Positi"e s#ggestions are m#ch more li'ely to !e recei"ed !y the s#!conscio#s than negati"e or a"ersion therapy oriented s#ggestions(
People are also more li'ely to accept SdoO s#ggestions rather than Sdo notO s#ggestions( /o#r s#ggestions R the words yo# #se 8 create images and tho#ghts inside the s#!conscio#s o% yo#r clients( +n order to DnotD thin' a!o#t doing something$ yo# m#st %irst thin' a!o#t doing it$ so always try to %rame yo#r s#ggestions in a positi"e$ pro8acti"e$ Din8the8nowD manner where"er possi!le( Ma'e s#re yo# %#lly #nderstand these three simple laws o% hypnosis$ and #se them in yo#r practiceU they will ma'e yo#r hypnosis practice e@ponentially more power%#l and e%%ecti"e( Nongard & Thomas 01 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 0> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly *ric'sonian Hypnosis + am as'ed A#ite o%ten a!o#t the di%%erence !etween *ric'sonian hypnotherapy and other approaches( Many people ha"e heard the term *ric'sonian Hypnosis$ !#t they donDt %#lly #nderstand what it means$ or how itDs rele"ant to practicing hypnotherapy( + am well trained in *ric'sonian hypnotherapy$ ha"ing st#died #nder a
master hypnotist in Cali%ornia and also in Nermany with a sept#agenarian psychologist who was trained in Arizona !y Milton *ric'son himsel%( + also spent some time in Toronto learning ne#roling#istic programming and NLPOs approaches to hypnosis and hypnotherapy( And$ ha"ing recei"ed ed#cation %rom these many di%%erent perspecti"es$ + wo#ld enco#rage yo# to do the same( *ric'sonian Hypnosis comes %rom the st#dy o% <r( Milton *ric'sonOs wor' d#ring the nineteen8%i%ties and 8si@ties( *ric'son was a psychiatrist and pro!a!ly st#died and researched more on clinical hypnosis that anyone else !e%ore or since$ and has !een considered one o% the greatest hypnotists o% o#r time( He !ro#ght the %ield o% hypnosis to pro%essional attention and %o#nded the one o% the %irst clinical hypnosis pro%essional associations in the 3-Ds$ and the Milton *ric'son o#ndation in Arizona is still acti"ely pro"iding hypnosis ed#cation to mental health pro%essionals today( *ric'son !elie"ed that trance is a nat#ral phenomenon$ that we are always in one state o% trance or another$ and there%ore that
ind#ction is not necessary( His "iew was that clients come to #s ready to !egin doing the wor'$ and so all that is needed is to simply %acilitate a deeper le"el o% trance thro#gh con"ersation$ witho#t the need %or a %ormal process( *ric'sonian hypnosis is partic#larly interacti"e( +t is m#ch more li'e traditional therapy$ in that a person is in a state o% trance and the hypnotist will inter"iew and as' A#estions and really engage in the assessment process d#ring the trance state( *ric'son ta#ght that psychic healing occ#rs witho#t the need %or directi"e commands$ that people ha"e within themsel"es all the 'nowledge they already need in order to sol"e their pro!lems$ and Nongard & Thomas 00 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone d#ring the co#rse o% a trance e@perience they are a!le to !ring those pree@isting internal realizations to the %ore%ront o% their mind and !egin the healing and pro!lem8sol"ing process( *ric'son also !elie"ed that the s#!conscio#s is responsi!le %or most o% o#r !eha"iors$ and + certainly agree with this perspecti"e$
e"en i% + generally go a!o#t addressing the iss#e %rom a di%%erent approach( *arlier + said + wo#ld teach yo# a &8 step hypnotic process( ?nli'e *ric'sonDs approach$ the process + will share is well de%ined$ !eca#se + thin' it is good %or those who are new to hypnosis to learn the %#ndamental steps in"ol"ed in the hypnotic state( +t will also #tilize a %ar more directi"e or instr#cti"e therape#tic approach$ !eca#se this is "ery practical %or the maEority o% clients on o#r caseload( Ne#ro8Ling#istic Programming 4or NLP6 is o%ten closely lin'ed with hypnosis$ and this is !eca#se the creators o% NLP$ Hohn Nrinder and :ichard 9andler$ when doing research on lang#age patterns and searching %or the secrets o% s#ccess%#l therapists$ disco"ered *ric'son and st#died the #niA#e lang#age patterns he commonly #sed d#ring hypnosis sessions( 9y modeling his approaches they were a!le to replicate his s#ccesses$ and th#s incorporated methods o% *ric'sonian hypnosis into the str#ct#re and content o% NLP( Altho#gh the modalities ta#ght in this !oo' will primarily !e
directi"e$ we will %reA#ently disc#ss *ric'sonian lang#age patterns !eca#se they are interesting and e%%ecti"e( +% yo# %ind the indirect approach help%#l and #se%#l to yo#$ + enco#rage yo# to see' o#t %#rther e@perience %rom an *ric'sonian perspecti"e( + also enco#rage yo# to ta'e a co#rse on ne#ro8ling#istic programming( ?nli'e my coa#thor Nathan Thomas who is incredi!ly s'illed at NLP$ + personally donOt call mysel% a ne#ro8ling#istic programmer$ !#t + ha"e %o#nd the training interesting and !ene%icial to the therape#tic wor' + do( 02 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <irecti"e Hypnosis Li'e *ric'sonian hypnotherapy$ the directi"e or traditional approach "iews trance as nat#ral phenomena) + am not doing anything to yo#$ + am merely %acilitating the e@periences that yo# already ha"e( 9#t while *ric'sonian hypnosis is an indirect %orm #tilizing con"ersational and metaphorical aspects in order to create trance and #nconscio#s change$ directi"e hypnosis or Sstandard hypnosisO is primarily literal and straight %orward(
#rthermore$ direct hypnosis operates #nder the !elie% that the ind#ction %acilitates trance$ and ind#ction is there%ore an essential element to the process( 9oth approaches ha"e their #ses( + ha"e %o#nd that$ especially with clients who ha"e little or no prior e@perience with hypnosis$ teaching them how to enter a deep le"el o% trance is easily accomplished thro#gh the ind#ction process( Now$ i% the client is already A#ite e@perienced and com%orta!le with hypnosis$ then + may perhaps %a"or the *ric'sonian approachU theyOll come into the o%%ice and +Oll simply say$ IThere is no need %or an ind#ction process today$ E#st go right to where it is yo#Od li'e to !e$ and weOll go ahead and start the wor'(J or the most part$ howe"er$ it is my e@perience that most o% o#r clients !ene%it %rom a %ormal ind#ction process( Another !elie% in traditional or directi"e hypnotherapy is that healing occ#rs as the res#lt o% shi%ting awareness$ %rom the !ody to the tho#ghts$ to mental images$ to emotions( As hypnotists we need to t#ne into and shape o#r clientsD awareness and e@periences( <irect hypnosis also teaches that the s#!conscio#s is
e@tremely recepti"e to s#ggestion when in a state o% trance( .o$ why not ta'e ad"antage o% this opport#nity !y ma'ing a speci%ic$ direct s#ggestion %or positi"e change$ rather than ta'ing the chance o% #sing a metaphor or stories that we hope o#r client grasps in the deeper interpretations they may conE#reQ Calling *ric'sonian hypnosis interacti"e does not mean that directi"e hypnosis is not interacti"e( The primary di%%erence is that *ric'sonDs approach is interacti"e d#ring the act#al hypnotic session$ while the directi"e approach is more interacti"e !e%ore the session Nongard & Thomas 0& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone d#ring the assessment inter"iew( +n directi"e hypnosis$ the hypnotist is #s#ally the only one tal'ing d#ring the trance state$ imparting s#ggestions gleaned %rom prior con"ersation( 03 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Hypnotic *@perience + am now going to ta'e yo# thro#gh a hypnotic e@perience( /es$ + am going to ta'e yo# thro#gh the %i"e8 step hypnotic process right now while yo# are reading this !oo'( This is how yo# really
!egin to learn how to hypnotize someone( Please #nderstand that this is E#st a !#ilding !loc'$ a !rie% demonstration$ not a complete hypnosis session$ !#t + want yo# to e@perience the process$ and later on + will pro"ide yo# with e@amples o% me wor'ing with a client so that yo# can "is#alize doing the ind#ction and deepening$ and all the things that yo# will do with a li"e s#!Eect( 9#t %or now + want yo# to act#ally e@perience a co#ple o% moments o% serenity( This will !e rather rapid$ !#t + promise that i% yo# do this$ e"en tho#gh yo# are sitting at home reading these pages and perhaps yo# might e"en %eel a little !it %#nny$ yo# will learn something new( /o# m#st s#rely !e wondering$ is someone really going to hypnotize me #sing words on a pageQ Hypnosis is a nat#ral process( +tOs a nat#ral phenomenon( +Om simply going to g#ide yo# thro#gh a process o% rela@ation( +tOs going to !e really simple( /o# will #nderstand the process o% hypnosis !etter as a res#lt o% this( The rest o% the !oo' will act#ally ma'e m#ch more sense to yo# as yo# learn
the process o% helping people to ma'e changes( +Om going to ta'e pro!a!ly less than %i"e min#tes here and simply g#ide yo# thro#gh a rather !rie% process to help yo# e@perience the state o% hypnosis( 1!"io#sly$ as yo# are reading there are many limitations$ so what + wo#ld li'e yo# to do is to read thro#gh the %ollowing "ery care%#lly$ may!e once or may!e twice to ma'e s#re itOs all in yo#r mind$ and then + want yo# to %ollow the instr#ctions$ sit down$ and e@perience hypnosis( /o# may e"en want to ha"e a %riend read it to yo#$ or as yo# read this E#st imagine yo#rsel% completing all the steps that the limitations o% the written word will not allow yo# to( ollowing !elow is what + wo#ld say i% + were hypnotizing yo# in person$ so Nongard & Thomas 0, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone read it$ and then once yo# are %amiliar with it remem!er it in yo#r mind as yo# do it( 9y the way$ i% yo# %ind yo#rsel% slipping into a rela@ed trance state e"en when E#st reading this$ donOt !e s#rprised$ it happens to a lot o% people(
irst$ + wo#ld li'e yo# to %ind a com%orta!le place( Chances are yo# are already in a com%orta!le chair( 9y the way$ + li'e it when people are in chairs when they %irst learn hypnosis( Later on we can ta'e hypnosis to the !edroom and lie down$ !#t + donOt want my clients to %all asleep$ so a chair is per%ect( Ma'e s#re yo# are com%orta!le and ma'e s#re yo#r arms are at rest( Ma'e s#re yo#r legs arenOt crossed( Chile yo# are sitting there$ what + wo#ld li'e yo# to do is simply stare at spot on the wall( H#st 'eep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on that place( Ta'e a deep !reath( 9reathe inV and e@hale( Again$ !reathe in( Let the air %ill yo#r l#ngs and hold that !reathe %or a moment( *@hale( Keep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on that spot( As yo# 'eep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on that areaV +Od li'e yo# to !egin to !ecome aware o% all the m#scles in yo#r !ody( Chances are pretty good that those m#scles are carrying some o% the tension o% the day( Ma'e a conscio#s e%%ort to rela@ those m#scles$ the m#scles in yo#r sho#lders$ and yo#r !ac'$ and yo#r !ody( Let yo#r !ody !ecome loose$ limp as a pile o% r#!!er !ands(
As yo# stare at that spot$ yo#Oll %ind that yo#r eyes !ecome perhaps more tired$ may!e e"en a little !it watery( As yo# stare at that spot$ the ne@t time yo#r eyes !lin'$ #se that as a c#e to simply close yo#r eyes and 'eep them closed( +% yo# ha"enOt !lin'ed yet$ go ahead and !lin' yo#r eyes( ?se that as a c#e to simply rela@ and close yo#r eyes and 'eep them closed( As yo# rela@V as yo#r eyes are closedV +Od li'e yo# to thin' o% something !ea#ti%#l that yo# %ind peace%#l and rela@ing( Ta'e another !reath( eel the air slowly %ill yo#r l#ngsV and e@hale( Allow yo#rsel% to go deeper into rela@ation and hypnosis( A part o% yo# 'nows that yo# co#ld open yo#r eyes i% yo# wanted to$ !#t !eca#se yo# are letting yo#rsel% rela@V and !eca#se it %eels goodV yo# simply donOt care to open yo#r eyes( 05 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly As yo# rela@V as yo# enEoy a moment o% tranA#ilityV as in yo#r mindOs eye yo# loo' at the !ea#ti%#l creation that yo# ha"e en"isionedV allow yo#rsel% to %eel a per%ect peace and rela@ation(
Let yo#r mind wonder( Let yo#r tho#ghts e@perience positi"e things( +n the A#iet serenity that yo# are c#rrently e@periencing$ E#st let yo#rsel% go deeper and deeper into a state o% rela@ation( As yo# e@perience rela@ation$ peace and serenity$ gi"e yo#rsel% the gi%t o% learning( 1pen yo#r mind to new possi!ilities and to e@perience all o% the things that we tal' a!o#t in these pages and retain that 'nowledgeV #se that 'nowledge to !ene%it the clients on yo#r caseload( As yo# e@perience this moment o% serenity$ recognize that yo# can choose to go !ac' to this place o% peace at any time( .imply !y ma'ing the decision to e@perience this state o% tranA#ility that yo#O"e created in yo#r mind( +Om going to co#nt %rom one to three( As + co#nt %rom one to three$ yo# will !ecome more alert and more aware o% the room aro#nd yo#( 1neVyo# are !ecoming %#lly alert$ reorienting to the room aro#nd yo#( TwoVyo# are opening yo#r eyes( /o# are %eeling a sense o% satis%action( ThreeVtotal peace$ total serenity$ and total rela@ation(
88888 .o now$ go %ind a com%orta!le seat$ re8read this$ and simply allow yo#rsel% to !e hypnotized( 1nce yo# ha"e enEoyed that peace%#l state %or a %ew moments$ E#st allow yo#r eyes to open$ %eel good$ and ret#rn to a normal state o% mind ready to contin#e learning the wonders o% hypnosis( <o not read any %#rther in the te@t #ntil yo# ha"e done this$ o'ayQ 88888 Nongard & Thomas 07 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Now thin') How long was that e@perienceQ Cas it three$ %o#r$ or %i"e min#tes longQ <id yo# e@perience serenity %or a co#ple o% min#tesQ +t was a complete hypnotic process$ altho#gh a!!re"iated( Many o% yo# are pro!a!ly thin'ing that yo# werenOt hypnotized( /o# %eel as i% yo# were %#lly aware o% e"erything that was going on( 9#t in hypnosis$ o#r s#!Eect is %#lly aware o% e"erything that is going on( Here are a co#ple A#estions to answer i% yo# want to 'now whether yo# were hypnotized or not) N#m!er one$ did yo# %ollow the directions that + ga"e yo#Q
+% yo# 'ept yo#r %oc#s on the spot and closed yo#r eyes and yo# %ollowed my s#ggestions and went thro#gh the process$ then yes$ yo# entered a state o% trance( N#m!er two$ a%ter spending three or %o#r or %i"e min#tes going thro#gh that process$ do yo# %eel di%%erent at the concl#sion o% the processQ <o yo# %eel physically more rela@edQ Mentally$ do yo# %eel more recepti"e to learningQ rom an e@periential perspecti"e$ did yo# %ind that was #se%#l to yo#Q +% the answer to any o% those A#estions is yes$ then yo# e@perienced a state o% change( That state change co#ld simply !e called hypnosis( +t co#ld e"en !e said yo# hypnotized yo#rsel%U yo# p#t the !oo' down$ and allowed it to wor'( /o# did it in yo#r head$ so in a way yo# ha"e E#st hypnotized yo#r %irst s#!Eect R yo#rsel% 8 ha"enOt yo#Q Now$ let #s A#ic'ly dissect the demonstration in regards to the pre8tal'$ the ind#ction$ the deepener$ the script$ and the awa'ening( *d#cating o#r client a!o#t hypnosis$ the hypnotic process$ and what the e@perience is going to !e li'e is important$ and there%ore
the pre8tal' is the %irst component( A lot o% new clients e@perience an@iety a!o#t hypnosis !eca#se they are not s#re e@actly what it is and they want to %eel in%ormed and com%orta!le !e%ore they gi"e consent( .o$ in the pre8tal'$ + will spend some time tal'ing a!o#t what hypnosis is and how it wor's$ de!#n' any myths they may ha"e$ ass#re them that + will !e respect%#l and that they wonOt !e telling me secrets d#ring the session$ !#ild a sense o% tr#st and rapport$ and allay any other concerns( 2Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly + ga"e a short pre8tal') + told yo# what to e@pect 8 that i% yo# did what + as'ed yo# to do$ yo# wo#ld %eel great and yo# wo#ld !e more e%%ecti"e at learning hypnosis( The ind#ction that + wal'ed yo# thro#gh was a simple *ye i@ation com!ined with M#scle :ela@ation( i@ating yo#r gaze on one spot on the wall ind#ces eye %atig#e$ and then + enco#raged yo# to loosen all yo#r m#scles to let go o% the tension o% the day( Admittedly$ in this short demonstration + did not #se a pro%o#nd deepener$ altho#gh + did s#ggest that yo# wo#ld go deeper
into a state o% hypnosis and e@perience deeper le"els o% rela@ation$ !#t + did not do what one might call a traditional deepener$ simply %or the sa'e o% time( Ne@t$ + ga"e yo# a %ew directi"e s#ggestions to %eel good$ that yo#r learning process wo#ld !e enhanced$ and that yo# wo#ld !ene%it %rom this !oo'( And then a%ter a moment o% serenity$ + concl#ded the session with a simple 08co#nt n#m!er awa'ening to show yo# how to ret#rn to a normal alert state o% awareness( The DscriptD yo# read a!o"e was short$ !#t it contained all the important components o% %acilitating the hypnotic process( Chen yo# !egin hypnotizing others$ yo# will #se a similar %orm#la or script$ altho#gh when yo# mo"e #p to therape#tic sessions it will !e m#ch longer and more detailed( And this is where a little !it o% #nease !egins to creep into the minds o% new hypnotists R what do + sayQ Chat i% + mess #p the words or the order or say something d#m!Q .ho#ld + memorize the ind#ction and the s#ggestions$ or can + write it all down %irst and read it %rom paperQ
Let me set yo#r mind at ease !e%ore we go any %#rther( Ce do not ha"e to !e per%ect in the lang#age that we #se( The most important %actor is that we are gen#ine and that we assist o#r clients in e@periencing hypnosis in a positi"e way( A lot o% people are h#ng #p on the words they #seU worried they might say the wrong thing( ?nless yo# are disrespecting yo#r clients or #sing a"ersion therapy or ma'ing s#ggestions that are #naccepta!le or con%lict with what o#r clients wo#ld li'e to e@perience as their goals$ there is really no danger in yo# saying the wrong thing( Nongard & Thomas 21 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone +% we mess #p a word or two$ itDs o'ay( +n reg#lar con"ersation + donOt always en#nciate e"ery word correctly$ and neither do yo#( *"ery now and then we trip o"er or misstate a word$ and it is o'ay i% we are not %lawless in o#r comm#nication when %acilitating an ind#ction or gi"ing s#ggestions( .ometimes when +Om writing on the !oard d#ring a training wor'shop + misspell words !eca#se +Dm !#sy
trying to thin' and tal' and teach and write( +tOs the same 'ind o% thing 8 my st#dents still #nderstand e@actly what + am trying to comm#nicate whether + spell all the words correctly or not( 1#r clients are in a state o% trance and will still #nderstand what we want them to do$ especially i% they are a willing participant engaged in the learning process( They are not necessarily aware o% a word or two that we missedU they are hearing the !roader conte@t( 2> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The *lements o% Hypnosis As yo# read the %ollowing disco#rse a!o#t the elements o% hypnosis$ thin' a!o#t whether or not yo# %eel yo# e@perienced them d#ring the pre"io#s demonstration( Hypnotic Koice ; Tone A signi%icant element o% the hypnotic process 8 which yo# were #na!le to e@perience in the traditional way thro#gh this medi#m$ #nless yo# had someone read the script to yo# 8 is the idea o% a Dhypnotic "oice(D +% yo# listen to any sel%8 hypnosis C<s or e@perience a li"e hypnosis session$ yo# may notice that the hypnotist
o%ten spea's in a rather di%%erent and special tone o% "oice$ one designed to con"ey con%idence$ calm$ tr#st$ and general serenity( This is important to the hypnotic process$ and yo# will want to practice this "oice to per%ection( /o# sho#ld spea' clearly and lo#dly 8 not necessarily lo#der than normal con"ersation$ !#t ta'e care that yo# do not whisper or trail o%% at the end o% words or sentences$ or drop consonants 4especially <s and Ts6( Also$ ta'e care not to spea' too A#ic'ly$ or too slowly( +t is good practice to reg#larly read alo#d %rom a !oo' or newspaper$ and to open yo#r mo#th a little wider when yo# spea'( <oing so$ yo# may notice that the words are clearer and proEect a more con%ident so#nd( /o# may wish to record yo#rsel% so that yo# 'now how yo#r "oice so#nds to others 4which is di%%erent than how it so#nds to yo#rsel%6$ and practice #sing di%%erent tones #ntil yo# are com%orta!le with !oth the A#ality and consistency( Nongard & Thomas 20 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Hypnotic Post#re
The way yo# are seated$ !oth the hypnotistDs physical post#re and the post#re o% the client$ can !e "ery important to the o#tcome o% the hypnotic process( 9e%ore + as'ed yo# to try the hypnosis demonstration$ d#ring the pre8tal' phase$ + said$ irst$ + wo#ld li'e yo# to %ind a com%orta!le place( Chances are yo# are already in a com%orta!le chair( 9y the way$ + li'e it when people are in chairs when they %irst learn hypnosis( Later on we can ta'e hypnosis to the !edroom and lie down$ !#t + donOt want my clients to %all asleep$ so a chair is per%ect( Ma'e s#re yo# are com%orta!le and ma'e s#re yo#r arms are at rest( Ma'e s#re yo#r legs arenOt crossed( + !elie"e it is important to get o#r clients in the correct post#re to learn hypnosis( Those who do yoga may %ind the techniA#es #se%#l %or helping o#r clients to e@perience a hypnotic post#re that is !ene%icial to rela@ation and the learning process( or the most part$ + want my clients com%orta!le in a chair with their arms to their side$ with their legs #ncrossed$ ta'ing a deep !reath$ and %eeling the air %ill their l#ngs( This helps prepare them %or the process o% rela@ation(
:ela@ation is not essential to hypnosis$ !#t it is certainly "ery #se%#l( As the hypnotist$ post#re is important to !oth yo#r o"erall pro%essional appearance and yo#r hypnotic "oice( +% yo# loo' down while reading a script alo#d and yo#r chin is close to yo#r chest$ it will change the tonal A#ality o% yo#r "oice( Try spea'ing !oth ways$ and notice the di%%erence 4record it i% possi!le6( :ead a passage 4%rom anything$ !#t pre%era!ly a hypnosis script6 alo#d while loo'ing down$ and then$ with yo#r head le"el 4eyes loo'ing %orward6 and yo#r nec' straight 8 read it alo#d again( /o# will notice that the so#nd o% yo#r "oice is immediately clearer with yo#r head raised$ !eca#se the laryn@ is a!le to wor' #nhindered( Always try to 'eep yo#r head le"el and yo#r nec' straight when yo# spea'$ as this adds to the clarity and the innate so#nd o% con%idence and a#thority in yo#r "oice( Additionally$ impro"ed physical %itness not only helps de"elop post#re and l#ng power$ !#t also tends to DsweetenD "ocal harmonics( 22 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnotic .etting
+ thin' a hypnotic setting is important( /o# may !e reading this !oo' in a "ariety o% di%%erent places( + too' %or granted earlier that yo# were in a com%orta!le$ A#iet en"ironment$ !#t this may not ha"e !een tr#e at allU yo# may ha"e !een reading on the s#!way or in a noisy o%%ice( /et$ can a client !e hypnotized in a noisy !arQ A!sol#tely R it can !e accomplished( + ha"e seen it done and + ha"e done it mysel%( People can !e hypnotized in any en"ironment$ howe"er in the therape#tic or clinical hypnosis process$ i% we ha"e the opport#nity to enhance hypnosis with a hypnotic setting$ we sho#ld ma'e the e%%ort( H#st as with traditional therapy$ yo# want to present an attit#de o% pro%essionalism with !oth yo#r own appearance and the s#rro#ndings o% the session( A com%orta!le chair sho#ld !e a"aila!le %or the client$ and yo# sho#ld !e com%orta!le as well$ whether sitting or standing( The room sho#ld !e %ree o% sight and so#nd distractions d#ring the ind#ction process( <imming lights are a pl#s$ and may!e decorate with a %ish tan' or rela@ing images on the walls$ com%orta!le
%#rnit#re( All o% these things can contri!#te positi"ely to a hypnotic setting( A Cilling .#!Eect or hypnosis to wor' the s#!Eect !eing hypnotized m#st !e willing to !e hypnotizedU they m#st want to listen and %ollow yo#r s#ggestions( +% yo# didnOt do what + as'ed yo# to do in the pre"io#s demonstration$ nothing will happen( 9y the way$ that was 'ind o% a pro%o#nd statement 8 i% o#r clients are not willing to do what we as' them to do$ + can reasona!ly g#arantee that nothing will change %or them( Howe"er$ when we ha"e a willing s#!Eect$ the hypnotic process is highly e%%ecti"e( ?nwilling$ ner"o#s$ or s'eptical clients may only need a more detailed pre8tal' e@planation o% the process to answer any lingering A#estions or concerns( .ho#ld they !e adamantly resistant$ they may simply need to !e re%erred %or more traditional %orms o% therapy( Nongard & Thomas 2& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Con%ident Therapist The additional characteristic we need is con%idence( Are yo#
con%ident that yo# can ind#ce a hypnotic tranceQ +t ta'es a !old person to get on stage in a noisy ta"ern and say$ ICelcome to tonightOs showF +% yo#Od li'e to e@perience hypnosis$ come on #p here to the stage and !ecome a star(J .tage hypnotists m#st !e "ery con%ident indi"id#als( + remem!er the %irst time + did a stage show) + was terri%iedF There is really no way to practice doing stage hypnosis$ there simply is no way to grasp that e@perience #ntil yo# are act#ally #p on stage doing it( /o# canOt E#st %ind &- or 1-- people and say that yo# want to try this o#t and see i% this wor'sU yo# ha"e to get it right the "ery %irst time$ and it ta'es a tremendo#s amo#nt o% con%idence to do so( Clinical hypnotists m#st also !e !old and ha"e con%idence in themsel"es and the hypnotic process( or the client to tr#st yo# and !e completely willing to %ollow yo#r s#ggestions d#ring the ind#ction and the s#ggesti"e hypnotherapy session$ they need to %eel that they are in competent hands$ so yo# m#st present yo#rsel% as !eing totally s#re a!o#t what yo# are doing 8 e"en at %irst when yo# are new and ine@perienced(
This is !oth an attit#de and a nat#ral s'ill that will come %rom practice( The only real way to practice hypnosis is to do it$ so once yo#D"e practiced a million times in yo#r head$ yo# essentially ha"e to D%a'e it #ntil yo# ma'e it$D cross yo#r %ingers$ hold yo#r !reath and E#st go %or it( Knowledge o% Approaches Another important element is 'nowledge o% "ario#s hypnotic approaches to ind#cing and deepening hypnosis$ and !eing a!le to determine 4thro#gh assessment6 which approaches will !e more !ene%icial to the indi"id#al client( This 'nowledge comes %rom research and practice$ along with a healthy dose o% common sense( +n the pre"io#s !rie% demonstration$ + #sed an eye %i@ation and rela@ation ind#ction( Ce will tal' in more detail a!o#t di%%erent methods o% ind#ction later 4*lman n#m!er co#nt$ .peed Trance$ arm 23 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly le"itation$ %ractionation$ etc6$ !#t %or now E#st 'now that it is important %or yo# to de"elop a !road repertoire o% techniA#es$ !eca#se di%%erent clients will respond !etter 4or worse6 to di%%erent
styles and approaches( or e@ample$ clients who ha"e ne"er !een hypnotized !e%ore can !e "ery an@io#s and apprehensi"e a!o#t the process( .ometimes in this circ#mstance + will #se an awareness ind#ction to help ease them into trance$ !y g#iding the client into e@periencing and !ecoming aware o% what their !ody is doing( H#st as some people li'e %lashy clothes and others are more s#!d#ed$ and some li'e roc' and roll m#sic and others pre%er co#ntry and western$ some clients li'e to %eel the hypnotic process physically or e"en see it "is#ally$ while others li'e to metaphorically dri%t$ dream and %loat( +% yo# try to %it e"ery client into the same generic ind#ction and deepening mold$ the hypnosis may not e%%ecti"e( Nongard & Thomas 2, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 25 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnotic Myth89#sting Now wo#ld !e a good time to tal' a!o#t some o% the myths associated with hypnosis( <#ring the initial inta'e or assessment process with a new client$ we need to disco"er i% they ha"e e"er !een
hypnotized !e%ore$ and i% not$ we need an idea o% what they 'now or thin' a!o#t hypnosis( Perhaps they ha"e listened to a hypnosis or rela@ation C<$ or ha"e seen a stage hypnotist at a co#nty %air$ or may!e all they 'now is that their neigh!or somehow A#it smo'ing with hypnosis$ whate"er that is$ and they want to A#it too( Clients o%ten call to sched#le a hypnosis appointment !eca#se they ha"e heard it can !e !ene%icial to them$ !#t they donOt 'now e@actly what hypnosis is$ and conseA#ently while they desire the !ene%its$ they may still !e %ear%#l o% the #n'nown process( Chen we #nderstand the many myths that people !elie"e a!o#t hypnosis$ we can address them d#ring the assessment process and the pre8tal'( +n order to !e e%%ecti"e at hypnosis$ yo# need to 'now the tr#th so yo# will ha"e answers %or yo#r clients and !e a!le to co#nter their misconceptions( Hypnosis <emonstrations are 9ad The %irst myth$ interestingly eno#gh$ is that stage hypnosis$ or hypnosis %or entertainment or any #se o#tside o% clinical care$ is !ad( .ome pro%essional associations li'e to espo#se that no one !#t an M<
or a psychologist sho#ld !e allowed to practice hypnosis$ and they are entitled to their position and attempt to proEect themsel"es as the only A#ali%ied e@perts in the %ield o% hypnosis( Howe"er$ in reality$ a lot o% non8medical people practice hypnosis$ and many o% those %ol's are stage per%ormers( The %act is$ hypnotic phenomena can !e A#ite entertaining$ and the stage per%ormer simply mani%ests or demonstrates nat#ral hypnotic phenomena with a gro#p o% indi"id#als( Catching yo#r %riend temporarily %orget her own name or the n#m!er two is %#nny( .eeing people acting silly on stage playing a m#sical instr#ment that doesnOt really e@ist is an am#sing thing to witness( Nongard & Thomas 27 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone <emonstrating hypnotic phenomena does not harm the s#!Eect( As a matter o% %act$ those who say that hypnosis sho#ld ne"er !e #sed %or entertainment pro!a!ly sho#ld not watch any o% Milton *ric'sonDs training "ideos$ !eca#se Milton *ric'son lo"ed to play with his patients( Many o% his "ideos %rom the 173-Os and ,-Os were
power%#l demonstrations o% physical and "er!al hypnotic phenomena$ !eca#se *ric'son himsel% %o#nd it entertaining as well as ed#cational( #rthermore$ many psychology pro%essors demonstrate hypnotic phenomena in their classrooms$ not only !eca#se it shows how power%#l hypnosis really is$ !#t also !eca#se itOs an entertaining thing to do in a h#m8dr#m class( Personally$ + thin' saying that a person sho#ld not !e allowed to demonstrate hypnotic phenomena on stage 4or anywhere o#tside a clinical o%%ice6 is a lot li'e saying a person canOt ma'e a mo"ie that is depressing !eca#se depression is real$ or that we sho#ldnOt !e a!le to ma'e a TK show that is happy !eca#se happiness is real( <emonstrating hypnotic phenomenon on stage is act#ally a good thing %or the pro%ession o"erall$ !eca#se as yo# will soon disco"er$ !e%ore most clients call o#r o%%ice %or an appointment$ their only e@perience with hypnosis was either "ia word o% mo#th or thro#gh witnessing a stage show( Chen someone sees a stage hypnotist per%orm$ they generally lea"e !elie"ing three things) 1ne$ that hypnotism is %#nU two that
hypnotism made people %eel good$ and three that hypnotism is power%#l R it really wor's( Now$ there are some !ad stage hypnotists o#t there$ E#st li'e there are !ad psychologists and social wor'ers( .ometimes people go to a traditional therapy session and lea"e %eeling misera!le$ and this can o% co#rse happen at a stage hypnosis show too$ or at a comedy show or a magic show or a roc' concert( People can ha"e !ad e@periences anywhere$ and some people E#st li'e to ha"e a !ad time( 1n the whole$ howe"er$ people lea"e a stage hypnosis show happily in awe$ and this positi"e e@pos#re is good %or dri"ing re%errals to the clinical pro%ession( &Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnosis is an Altered .tate o% Conscio#sness The second myth that people o%ten !elie"e is that hypnosis is a 4negati"ely6 altered state o% conscio#sness( An Ialtered stateJ implies an e@ternal %actor contri!#ting to a change$ s#ch as dr#n'enness or !eing stoned on dr#gs( Hypnosis$ as pre"io#sly disc#ssed$ is a nat#ral state that we all enter a %ew times each day( :esearchers ha"e di"ided
o#r nat#ral !rain %#nctions into %o#r separate le"els o% cycles per second$ or CP.( 4CP.6 Acti"ity Le"els) 1( 9*TA Normal daytime conscio#sness$ critical tho#ght le"el( 415 8 2CP.6 >( ALPHA :ela@ation le"el 8 !eginning to awa'en in the morning and crossing o"er into sleep at night( Associated with imaginati"e thin'ingU corresponds to light and medi#m le"els o% Hypnosis( 45 8 15 CP.6 0( TH*TA *arly stages o% sleepU deep daydreaming state( Associated with creati"e thin'ingU corresponds to medi#m and deep le"els o% Hypnosis( 42 8 , CP.6 2( <*LTA Pro%o#nd sleepU dream state( 41 8 0 CP.6 ThatDs itU thereDs no place else %or yo#r !rain to go$ d#ring hypnosis or otherwise( or most people$ hypnosis is a mid8alpha range acti"ity$ and altho#gh yo# are #nder hypnosis$ yo# remain %#lly conscio#s o% e"erything that is going on( Hypnosis is simply a matter o% setting aside the conscio#s
mind$ to one degree or another$ and selecti"ely %oc#sing oneDs attention on either a partic#lar point or a whole range o% e@periences( Nongard & Thomas &1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 9eca#se o% the hyper s#ggesti!ility inherent in the alpha and theta le"els$ positi"e programming d#ring hypnosis is e@tremely e%%ecti"e in helping to create positi"e li%e changes( 1#r !rains %#nction all day long !etween the highest le"el 4the !eta le"el6 and the lowest le"el o% !rain wa"e %#nctioning 4the delta le"el6( At !eta le"el$ !etween 15 and 2- cycles per second$ o#r !rain is at a %#lly alert stage( +% yo# are dri"ing in r#sh ho#r tra%%ic or yo# are loo'ing at a map trying to %ind a new ro#te home$ chances are pretty good yo# are %#nctioning in the highest le"els o% !eta !rain wa"e acti"ity( This is typical daytime alertnessU we are conscio#sly aware o% the things aro#nd #s and we are ma'ing cogniti"e decisions a!o#t actions and people and the things( *arly in the morning when we %irst get #p$ when we are crossing o"er into sleep at night$ and e"en may!e aro#nd two or three
oOcloc' in the a%ternoon a%ter a long l#nch$ we are li'ely to !e at the alpha le"el o% !rain wa"e %#nctioning$ !etween 5 and 15 cycles per second( At this le"el$ we are awa'e !#t rela@ed( This is the stage where imaginati"e thin'ing or daydreaming occ#rs$ and it corresponds to light and medi#m le"els o% trance( The theta le"el o% !rain wa"e %#nctioning$ at 2 to , cycles per second$ is a pro%o#nd state o% deep trance( Theta is associated with the early stages o% sleep and sometimes with deeper daydreams$ and corresponds with creati"e thin'ing and medi#m to deep le"els o% hypnosis( The deepest le"el o% !rain wa"e %#nctioning is the delta le"el$ 1 to 0 cycles per second( At a!o#t %o#r oOcloc' in the morning$ yo#Dre in the delta le"el$ a state o% deep and pro%o#nd sleep( No matter the time o% day or night$ we are %#nctioning !etween nat#ral !eta and delta le"elsU we canOt go anywhere else( Hypnotized .#!Eects are Asleep The third common myth regarding hypnosis is that the s#!Eect is asleep( Hypnosis comes %rom the Nree' word hypnos$ which
literally translates to sleep$ howe"er this name is inacc#rate( Hypnosis is generally a pro%o#nd state o% rela@ation$ a lowered state o% !rain le"el %#nctioning and acti"ity where o#r s#!conscio#s mind is more att#ned and open to new ideas$ !#t it is di%%erent %rom sleepU a sleeping person cannot #s#ally respond to s#ggestion( &> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +% yo# #se the word sleep with yo#r clients$ let them 'now$ especially d#ring the ind#ction$ that this is not li'e night time sleep$ this is sleep li'e rela@ation and letting go o% the tension o% the day( Hypnosis Con%licts with :eligion The %o#rth myth$ which ties in closely with the %i%th$ is that hypnosis "iolates religio#s r#les( + was chatting with a %riend who is a massage therapist and as'ed her$ IHey$ do yo# and yo#r h#s!and e"er #se hypnosis at yo#r massage therapy clinicQJ Her eyes grew wide and she stammered$ I1h no( Ce wo#ld ne"er do that(J C#rio#s a!o#t her response$ + as'ed$ IChy notQJ .he said$ INo$ no( Hypnosis "iolates o#r religion(J +nstead o% getting into a de!ate$ + E#st accepted her answer and
mo"ed on( There are a lot o% people o#t there who !elie"e there is a religio#s prohi!ition against hypnosis$ and + thin' this comes primarily %rom the myths or misconceptions that people ha"e a!o#t hypnosis$ s#ch as hypnosis is a door8way to the de"il or a'in to mind control( Hypnosis is a orm o% Mind Control This !rings #s to the %i%th myth$ that a hypnotized person s#!Eects their mind or gi"es their will o"er to the control o% another person( This is not tr#e( The ."engali8esA mystical$ all8power%#l A#ality attached to hypnosis originally came a!o#t %rom the 1572 no"el Tril!y$ !y Neorge <# Ma#rier$ which interestingly eno#gh has !een called the %irst D9est .eller(D <# Ma#rier died two years later !#t his characters$ the e"il stage hypnotist ."engali and his a!#sed lo"e Tril!y$ still li"e on today$ ha"ing !een recreated !y Hollywood an impressi"e twel"e times !etween 1573 and 1750$ and the !oo' was rep#!lished again in 1772( Admittedly$ some stage hypnotists li'e to !e percei"ed as ha"ing magical powers !eca#se it ma'es %or good showmanshipU that
is their chosen per%ormance persona$ their stage presence approach$ e"en tho#gh it is not a scienti%ic reality( Again$ hypnosis is a pro"en sa%e$ nat#ral and e%%ecti"e process that harnesses nat#ral a!ilities$ Nod8gi"en a!ilities$ i% yo# !elie"e that way$ which already reside within #s( And !eca#se o% this %act$ + cannot thin' o% any religion that wo#ldnOt want #s to #se o#r mind to the highest le"el o% potential$ or Nongard & Thomas &0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone any religion that has a !elie% system contra8 indicated !y hypnotic process( The only reason a person wo#ld !elie"e that religio#s r#les prohi!it hypnosis is !eca#se they ha"e a mis#nderstanding a!o#t the tr#e nat#re o% hypnosisU they !elie"e it to !e an altered state o% conscio#sness$ or perhaps a %orm o% meditation that is opposed to their accepted %orm o% meditation$ when others wo#ld say that hypnosis is really the opposite o% meditation( Personally$ my theory is that i% the de"il can clim! inside a personDs mind that easily$ he pro!a!ly doesnOt need a hypnotic process to do so( Howe"er$ the
reality o% Christian ideology is an entirely separate de!ate$ and one which we will now lea"e to dinner parties and theologians( A hypnotized person does not yield control and does not do anything in a hypnotic state that they wo#ld !e opposed to doing in a wa'ing state( Certainly people are more s#ggesti!le to ideas and new !eha"iors that are !ased on tr#th$ !#t they are not s#ggesti!le to the point that they will "iolate their personal moral !elie%s or the r#les o% society( The C+A and the KN9 spent a lot o% time and money in the 17&-Os and 3-Os trying to %ig#re o#t how to #se hypnosis to create the per%ect drone$ the h#man witho#t a conscience( 1!"io#sly$ had they s#cceeded$ o#r world wo#ld li'ely !e a %ar di%%erent place( The original Manch#rian Candidate mo"ie with ran' .inatra in 1730$ howe"er$ had !etter s#ccess and was a!le to #se hypnosis to create the per%ect drone Presidential assassin( Hollywood li'es to play the mind8control card !eca#se it ma'es good theater$ !#t the reality is people maintain total control d#ring hypnosis$ always possessing the a!ility to accept or reEect any s#ggestions they recei"e %rom the
hypnotist( Hypnosis is simply a lot more interesting and entertaining when portrayed as something sinister or comedic( Li'ewise$ the a"erage soccer mom dri"ing her sedan down a city street is rather !oring to witness when compared to a high8 speed Maserati8dri"ing dr#g8dealer police chase on the %reeway( #rther proo% a!o#t the lac' o% mind8control can act#ally !e %o#nd at the occasional !ad stage hypnosis show( People li'e to ha"e %#n and %eel good$ and when a hypnotist !egins to disrespect the s#!Eects or gi"e negati"e s#ggestions$ they will !e reEected( + attended a show at a comedy cl#! once and it was pretty good R the s#!Eects were A#ite responsi"e and e"eryone was ha"ing a good time R #ntil a!o#t hal% way thro#gh the show( + donDt 'now what happened$ !#t &2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly the hypnotistDs mood changed or may!e he decided on the spot to e@periment a !it$ and it all went downhill %rom there( He was gi"ing post8hypnotic s#ggestions with 'eywords$ and #nli'e the tone o% the pre"io#s s'its$ these were all negati"e( or
e@ample$ he act#ally said$ IThe person + am to#ching now$ when + say the word 9l#e$ yo# will %eel as i% someone has 'ic'ed yo# in the !alls(J And then$ mo"ing on to the ne@t person$ he act#ally said$ IThe person +Dm to#ching now$ when + say the word Candida$ yo# will %eel as i% someone has goosed yo#$ yo# 'now$ po'ed their %inger right #p in yo#r ass hole and ga"e it a good twist(J 4/es$ he really said this(6 As a general r#le$ when 'eywords are #sed li'e this in a stage show they are attached to h#moro#s !eha"iors$ li'e$ IAny time + say the color 9l#e$ yo# will E#mp #p and sing 9l#e .#ede .hoes and dance li'e *l"is(J Most anyone can and wo#ld happily respond to this silly s#ggestion$ !#t no one li'es to %eel as i% theyD"e !een !lind8sided with a 'ic' in the groin$ or elsewhere( This hypnotist went on to gi"e se"en s#!Eects se"en di%%erent 'eywords$ all with these 'inds o% terri!ly negati"e s#ggestions( Let me E#st state again that this was not a good showF Cho wo#ld want to e@perience those 'inds o% thingsQ Chere is the h#mor in thisQ *"en mem!ers o% the a#dience were ta'en a!ac'( These people "ol#nteered
to go #p on stage !eca#se they were told it was going to !e %#n and they wo#ld %eel good$ !#t now the hypnotist is handing o#t nonpleas#ra!le$ non8am#sing s#ggestions( ?nli'e the %irst >- or 0min#tes o% the show when things were going well and e"eryone was la#ghing and ha"ing a great time$ the s#!Eects now appeared a little con%#sed and ner"o#s$ li'ely wondering i% they co#ld still tr#st the hypnotist( Not good( He then went on with his patter or script where he #ses the 'eywords and the s#!Eect responds accordingly( He said$ ICell$ + went o#tside my hotel today and !oy was it pretty o#tF + loo'ed #p at the clear !l#e s'yVJ And the !l#e 'eyword s#!Eect E#st sat there( He didnOt respond( The hypnotist was clearly a little s#rprised$ so he mo"ed on to the ne@t 'eyword$ I.o + was tal'ing to my %riend CandidaV and Candida said(((J Again$ there was no response %rom the selected s#!Eect$ and now the hypnotist was e"en more rattled( He A#ic'ly went thro#gh all se"en o% his 'eywords and only one o#t o% the se"en participants responded$ !#t witho#t m#ch e@citement(
1!"io#sly relie"ed to !e done with that part o% the act$ the hypnotist Nongard & Thomas && Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone then went into a deepening s'it and came !ac' with more typical types o% silly s'its$ !#t the s#!Eects ne"er again responded A#ite as enth#siastically as they had d#ring the !eginning o% the show( .o again$ when we are hypnotized$ we do not yield control to another person$ we simply !ecome more s#ggesti!le in regards to accepting tr#e and !ene%icial patterns o% thin'ing( /o# Can 9ecome .t#c' in Hypnosis 1ne o% the greatest e@amples o% the si@th myth is displayed in the 1777 mo"ie$ 1%%ice .pace( +% yo# ha"enDt seen it$ go rent it( +tDs a really %#nny %ilm e"en with all the %alse st#%% a!o#t hypnosis( +n the mo"ie$ the main character$ Peter Ni!!ins$ is con"inced !y his girl%riend to go see a hypnotist$ and while heDs in trance recei"ing s#ggestions to rela@$ let go$ not worry so m#ch$ the hypnotist has a heart attac' and dies( Peter is then allegedly st#c' in a state o% hypnosis %or most o% the remainder o% the mo"ie$ happily li"ing A#ite
laissez8%aire$ and la#ghter ens#es( +% a hypnotherapist died in the middle o% a session 4or i% the power was c#t when listening to a sel%8 hypnosis C<6$ one o% two things wo#ld happen) one$ the client wo#ld stop hearing the hypnotic "oice and !ecome more alert and wa'e #p$ or two$ they wo#ld enter a deeper le"el o% trance and e"ent#ally %all into nat#ral sleep$ wa'ing nat#rally when they were rested( These are the only two things that can happen to a person who is hypnotizedU they will either wa'e #p or they will %all asleep( :emem!er$ o#r !rains are always wor'ing at one o% %o#r le"els o% %#nctioning) !eta$ alpha$ theta or delta( 1nly .ome People Can 9e Hypnotized This is simply #ntr#e( Anyone and e"eryone can !e hypnotized( Perhaps at a comedy stage hypnosis show only >- o#t o% 1-- are willing to go #p on stage$ and may!e only 1, o% those >- will rela@ and tr#st the process eno#gh to enter a A#ali%ying trance$ !#t the reality is that e"eryone can !e hypnotized( 1'ay$ there may !e a %ew sit#ational e@ceptionsU + s#ppose dr#n' or dr#gged people$ or perhaps those whose mental de%icits pre"ent concentration$ rela@ation
or the %ollowing o% directions might not !e easily hypnotiza!le( &3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly *"eryone has the a!ility to enter a di%%erent state o% !rainwa"e %#nctioning R E#st as they do on a reg#lar !asis in their daily li"es$ dri"ing a car$ watching a mo"ie$ going to ch#rch$ doing whate"er it is that people do( +t is tr#e that some people choose not to !e hypnotized in certain settings !eca#se their an@iety le"els are too high( ?s#ally this means that we ha"enOt done an adeA#ate pre8tal' to ed#cate them a!o#t hypnosis and help them o"ercome their %ears( .ome people are also more responsi"e to one style o% ind#ction o"er another$ !#t a lot o% this is dependent on their mood at the time$ which can !e assessed and targeted d#ring the inter"iew phase( .t#pid People are *asier to Hypnotize A common misconception is that wea' or less intelligent minds are easier to hypnotize( +n reality$ it is %ar easier to hypnotize people who ha"e the a!ility to concentrate and %oc#s and learn new things( The smarter yo# are$ the easier it is to concentrate$ and the harder yo# %all( As' any stage per%ormer and they will tell yo# they
pre%er doing college shows to any other %orm o% stage hypnosis( ChyQ College st#dents are smartU they had to !e smart eno#gh to get into college$ their minds are yo#ng and acti"e and they are acc#stomed to st#dying and %ollowing directions( Hypnosis is Considered a SNew AgeO or SAlternati"eO Therapy People o%ten thin' o% hypnosis as Dnew age$D !#t it has !een aro#nd %or cent#ries( *gyptian hieroglyphics record #se o% hypnosis$ and Nree' sleep temples #sed hypnosis %or healing( Perhaps !eca#se the %ield is still not legally reg#lated in most ?. states$ #nlicensed practitioners 8 who may also !e drawn to other #nreg#lated or alternati"e healing methods 8 tend to learn and practice hypnosis at a greater rate than the rest o% the pop#lation$ !#t hypnosis in and o% itsel% is not part o% any new age mo"ement or alternati"e therapy scheme( :emem!er$ the most prominent medical and psychological pro%essional associations are not e@actly the most li!eral and accepting gro#ps when it comes to alternati"e therapies$ yet they all do %ormally accept hypnosis( Nongard & Thomas &,
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone And the terms$ INew AgeJ and Ialternati"e therapyJ arenOt really #se%#l termsU they are generally #sed negati"ely !y one gro#p in power to descri!e something that is either #npro%ita!le to them$ c#ts into their !ase o% power o% %inances$ or something they ha"e not ta'e the time to #nderstand( .#ggesti!ility is a'e +% yo# really !elie"e that s#ggesti!ility isnDt real or doesnDt wor'$ E#st as' any ad"ertising e@ec#ti"e and then stand !ac'( /o# wonDt want to !e hit when they do#!le o"er la#ghing( How many items ha"e yo# !o#ght something yo# really didnDt need Ion imp#lseJ at the chec'8o#t co#nterQ Ha"e yo# e"er yawned a%ter seeing the "is#al c#e o% someone else yawning %irstQ History is replete with people responding to s#ggestion 8 o%ten in mass 8 sometimes in healthy ways and sometimes in negati"e ways( How a!o#t right now$ do yo# %eel li'e stretching and yawningQ Hypnosis is the 9est Treatment %or *"erything This myth is a little di%%erent( .ome people !elie"e that hypnosis is always the !est way to sol"e all pro!lems$ !#t this is not
tr#eU the !est sol#tion to a pro!lem will o!"io#sly depend on what the pro!lem is and the #niA#e needs o% the indi"id#al( <i%%erent people respond !etter or worse to di%%erent approaches$ depending on the iss#e at hand( or e@ample$ in my career as a dr#g and alcohol co#nselor + ha"e #sed nicotine replacement therapy$ methadone replacement therapy$ 1>8.tep programs$ !eha"ioral sel%8control training and many other treatment approaches( Hypnosis is e@tremely e%%ecti"e at impacting many iss#es and conditions$ !#t it is not the !e8all and end8 all o% therapy( The e%%ecti"e hypnotist sho#ld !e aware o% many di%%erent approaches$ and !e willing to re%er i% the !etter choice is o#tside the scope o% their practice a!ilities( Hypnosis is a way to sol"e some pro!lems( There is more than one way to s'in a cat$ and there is more than one way to A#it smo'ing( Hypnosis$ as with any other %orm o% treatment$ wor's %or those whom it wor's %or( &5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Trance <epth M#st 9e Certain
Another common erroneo#s !elie% is that trance depth is important( + ha"e met many hypnotists who !elie"e it is essential that their clients go into pro%o#nd states o% trance !e%ore they will !egin s#ggesti"e wor'( +n reality$ the s#!conscio#s mind will do its wor' at any stage or le"el o% trance( At the concl#sion o% a session a client once said to me$ I/o# 'now$ + %elt really rela@ed$ !#t + was aware o% e"erything yo# said and e"erything that was going on(J + then as'ed him how long the session was$ and he said$ IPretty short this time$ only a!o#t ten min#tes(J The session had act#ally !een a!o#t a hal%8ho#r long( Time distortion( + then as'ed him a!o#t some o% the things + s#ggested$ !#t he was #na!le to answer my A#estions with any detail$ !eca#se in reality$ he had !een in a m#ch deeper le"el o% trance than he e"en imagined possi!le( + want my clients to !e rela@ed and %eel good$ to let go o% their pro!lems and lea"e them 1--- miles away( Trance depth is #nimportant in clinical therapy( 1#r clients$ e"en in the lightest le"els o% trance$ will !e a!le to learn new s'ills and !ene%it %rom hypnosis(
Ce sho#ld not get h#ng #p on aiming %or trance depth$ !#t instead simply %oc#s on teaching o#r clients new s'ills and how to apply them to pro!lem8sol"ing in li%e( A#dio C<s are Not :eal Hypnosis The %inal myth is that recorded hypnosis$ li'e sessions on a tape or C<$ is not real hypnosis( As a matter o% %act$ the Ho#rnal o% Nastroenterology %o#nd that when treating irrita!le !owel syndrome$ clients responded eA#ally as well to recorded hypnosis sessions as they did to li"e sessions( or the hypnotic process to wor'$ what is important is whether or not the client %ollows the directions that are gi"en( +% they do$ they will e@perience trance and learn new s'ills$ and their s#!conscio#s will !e s#pplied with new in%ormation with which they can ta'e new actions( +% they do not %ollow directions$ these things will not happen$ whether they were listening to Memore@ or a li"e hypnotist( Nongard & Thomas &7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Li"e hypnosis does ha"e 'ey ad"antages howe"er$ s#ch as the
a!ility to !e interacti"e when appropriate and adE#st yo#r s#ggestions !ased on client o!ser"ation and %eed!ac'( A recording can as' A#estions %or the client to ponder$ !#t a "irt#al hypnotist cannot help ma'e their answers more prod#cti"e with additional or alternati"e targeted s#ggestions( 3Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The History o% Hypnosis The %o#ndations and the history o% hypnosis are !oth %ascinating and e@tremely important %or helping #s to tr#ly #nderstand the origins and nat#re o% o#r cra%t$ !#t donDt worry$ we wonOt spend too m#ch time here$ as + am s#re yo# are eager to !egin practicing hypnotic s'ills( irst and %oremost we need to #nderstand that hypnosis is not newU it has !een #sed since the earliest records o% man'ind %or healing$ al!eit !y a di%%erent name( .ome e"en claim that hypnosis was act#ally #sed at the !eginning o% time( The Nelson .t#dy 9i!le states in Nenesis >)>1) IAnd the Lord Nod ca#sed a deep sleep to %all on Adam and he sleptU and He too' one o% his ri!s$ and closed #p the
%lesh in its place(J +Om not getting into religion$ !#t + do %ind it interesting that one o% the %irst stories recorded in the !i!le is a story that seems to ha"e the description o% hypnosis !eing #sed as an anesthetic d#ring s#rgery( Ce o% co#rse cannot 'now i% that really is or is not the case$ !#t it is certainly a c#rio#s concept to consider( Ce do 'now %or a %act$ howe"er$ that early Nree' and *gyptian ci"ilizations #sed hypnotic trance8li'e sleep states %or healing( They !#ilt what were called .leep Temples$ with hieroglyphics on the walls depicting doctor8li'e %ig#res standing o"er what appear to !e sleeping or tranced indi"id#als d#ring a healing process( +n the 1&--Os$ the Middle Ages$ the pre"ailing opinion was that disease was ca#sed !y e"il spirits or !y doing !ad things( +n response$ priests and mystics #sed hypnosis %or healing !y p#tting people into a trance8li'e state and #sing hypnosis to rid people o% the "ario#s conditions with which they were a%%licted as a res#lt o% their sin%#l !eha"ior( Today we might call this an e@orcism( Ce mo"e into a more scienti%ic era o% hypnosis at a!o#t 1,5&(
ranz Anton Mesmer$ who is o% co#rse the origin o% the words mesmerize and mesmerism$ was clearly a signi%icant player in terms o% the history o% hypnosis( Mesmer !elie"ed that there is magnetism in all things and all people$ and that the %low o% this magnetism$ when interr#pted$ ca#ses all illness( Nongard & Thomas 31 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone As a treatment$ he had his patients rela@ while he ho"ered his hands or wa"ed magnetic rods o"er them( A%ter se"eral min#tes o% passes$ he declared them c#red( 9e%ore long his %ame spread to a phenomenal degree$ and he was c#ring #p to 0--- patients per day$ #ntil e"ent#ally 9enEamin ran'lin was called in !y the King o% rance to in"estigate and declared his wor' to !e nothing more than Iimagination$J or in other words) the place!o e%%ect( 9#t consider the place!o e%%ect 8 itDs a lot li'e hypnosis$ isnOt itQ And e"en i% there was no tr#th in MesmerDs theory o% animal magnetism$ what he did 4simply a di%%erent way o% ind#cing trance6 wor'ed %or some reason$ and e"en a%ter !eing so8called de!#n'ed !y
ran'lin$ he still had many %ollowers( Two !elie"ers who piggy!ac'ed on MesmerDs wor' and #nderstanding o% trance and applied it in a di%%erent way were physicians Hames *sdaile and Hames 9raid( *sdaile$ who li"ed in 9ritish +ndia in the 15--Os$ recorded doing o"er 02- in"asi"e s#rgical proced#res #sing an adaptation o% mesmerism or hypnosis as an anesthetic( Mo"ing on to 1521$ Hames 9raid also per%ormed s#rgeries #sing hypnosis( 9raid is not only considered the I ather o% Modern Hypnosis$J !#t was also the %irst Ihypnotherapist$J credited with care%#lly choosing and then pop#larizing the word hypnosis$ which as mentioned pre"io#sly is deri"ed %rom the Nree' word hypnos$ re%erring to the god o% sleep( Mesmer may !e regarded as the grand%ather o% hypnosis$ !#t 9raid is the one who recognized the meaning and power o% the hypnotic state$ side8stepped aro#nd animal magnetism and the !ad p#!licity o% Dmesmerism$D ignored the imagination set$ and ad"anced research tremendo#sly along the psycho8 physiological path$ leading
#s towards todayDs %orm o% hypnosis and hypnotherape#tic practice( Than's to 9raid$ !y the 155-Ds$ many physicians were per%orming great wor' and research in the area o% medical and psychological hypnosis( or e@ample$ in 1552$ Am!roise LiW!ea#lt emphasized how hypnosis was a nat#ral phenomenon ind#ced !y the power o% s#ggestion( His ideas %o#nded the Nancy .chool 4or .#ggesti"e .chool6 o% tho#ght regarding hypnosis$ where Xmile Co#W 3> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly and .igm#nd re#d came to o!ser"e and st#dy( LiW!ea#lt is considered the I ather o% Modern Hypnotherapy(J rom 1712 to 1715 d#ring Corld Car +$ chemical anesthesia had not yet come into play !#t the Nermans #sed hypnosis on the !attle%ield %or analgesic needs$ pain management and s#rgical proced#res$ and as a psychiatric treatment( 1ne o% the %irst recorded #ses o% hypnosis %or treatment o% psychiatric disorders was !y the Nermans %or what was then called shell8shoc' syndrome( Ce mo"e now into the early to mid817--Os$ with Milton
*ric'son and Xmile Co#W$ two gentlemen who ha"e pro!a!ly had the greatest in%l#ence on o#r generationDs "ersion o% modern hypnotism( Milton *ric'son came #p with the hypothesis that not only is hypnosis is a nat#rally occ#rring phenomenon$ !#t there%ore %ormal ind#cti"e proced#res are not necessary in order to prod#ce trance or therape#tic !ene%its or to help people ma'e changes( As mentioned !e%ore$ *ric'sonDs method o% psychotherapy in"ol"es #sing con"ersational hypnotic lang#age in order to ind#ce trance in indi"id#als( He wo#ld start his sessions !y tal'ing a!o#t the e"eryday e@periences that clients ha"e( This con"ersational approach predicates hypnotic inter"ention on the clientDs %rame o% re%erence$ and this model o% therapy is adhered to !y most practitioners who #se hypnotherapy pro%essionally today( +n the early 17--Os$ Xmile Co#W was$ in my mind at least$ the I ather o% Positi"e Thin'ing(J He !elie"ed that repeating words or images eno#gh times will ca#se the s#!conscio#s to a!sor! them$ and s#!seA#ently he de"eloped a mantra8li'e conscio#s a#to8s#ggestion$
G*"ery day$ in e"ery way$ +Dm getting !etter and !etter(G <a"e *lman is another hypnotic pioneer who operated at the same time as Milton *ric'son 417&-Ds83-Ds6( *lman pioneered many rapid and directi"e #ses o% hypnotic trance and created the %amo#s S*lman +nd#ction$O a 08min#te hypnotic ind#ction still #sed %reA#ently today( This !rie% disco#rse %rom page &, o% indings in Hypnosis sho#ld gi"e yo# a good idea o% <a"e *lmanDs %#ndamental philosophy) IThe ways o% ind#cting hypnosis are almost co#ntless( And while some methods ta'e longer than others$ they can all !e #sed to prod#ce the deep state 'nown as somnam!#lism((( The methods o% achie"ing the trance state are limited only !y yo#r own imagination( Nongard & Thomas 30 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone There is no way in which yo# cannot hypnotize a patient$ pro"ided yo# 'now the art o% s#ggestion((( .ince eye8 clos#re is the %irst goal at which yo# m#st aim$ all yo# need is a de"ice that will ca#se it( Any de"ice will ca#se it$ pro"ided yo# 'now the art o% s#ggestion and
pro"ided the person e@pects to !e hypnotized((( This applies e"en to patients who ha"e ne"er !een pre"io#sly conditioned(J 32 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Three Laws o% .#ggestion Xmile Co#W also came #p with what + re%er to as the Three Laws o% .#ggestion( These pro"ide a %o#ndation %or most o% the s#ggesti"e therapy that we will #se with the clients on o#r caseload today( The Law o% Concentrated Attention Chene"er attention is concentrated on an idea o"er and o"er again$ it spontaneo#sly tends to realize itsel%$ pro"ided the idea is within the realms o% possi!ility( Co#WDs %oc#s was on aiding the e%%ects o% medications %or medical conditions$ and he !elie"ed that i% a patient !elie"ed that the medicine wo#ld wor' and they wo#ld !e c#red$ and %oc#sed their attention on !eing c#red$ they wo#ld indeed !ecome c#red( This approach was amazingly e%%ecti"e( The Law o% :e"erse *%%ort Co#W !elie"ed that the harder one tries to do something$ the less chance they ha"e %or s#ccess( A per%ect e@ample is when yo#
really need a good nightDs sleep$ and yo# 'now the alarm is going to go o%% at si@ oOcloc' in the morning$ so yo# go to !ed at ten oOcloc' instead o% ele"en oOcloc' !eca#se yo# 'now yo# need to sleep( /o# try to ma'e yo#rsel% sleep$ and now itOs ele"en oOcloc'( /o#Ore %lopping aro#nd on the !ed trying to get com%orta!le$ trying to sleep$ and at midnight yo#Ore still rolling aro#nd( At two8thirty in the morning$ yo#O"e had itF /o#Ore at the point where yo#Ore loo'ing at the cloc' saying$ I1'ay$ i% + go to sleep now$ +Oll ha"e three ho#rs and %orty8one min#tes o% sleep(J And then a while later itDs$ I+% + %inally get to sleep now$ +Oll ne"er !e a!le to wa'e #p$ so +Dd !etter E#st get #p now and stay awa'e(J This is the law o% re"erse e%%ort in action( The more someone tries to A#it smo'ing$ the more they smo'e( The more yo# try to remem!er something$ the harder it is to remem!er( Co#WDs idea was to %oc#s less on the willpower and more on the imagination %or greater res#lts$ and to replace negati"e tho#ghts with positi"e ones( or e@ample$ donDt stress and say$ I+Dll Nongard & Thomas 3&
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ne"er remem!er the com!ination to that loc'FJ +nstead$ say$ I1h well$ it will come to me in a %ew min#tes$J and most li'ely it will( The Law o% <ominant *%%ect The law o% dominant e%%ect means that a strong emotional s#ggestion tends to replace a wea'er one( The more emotionally intense or rele"ant a concept is$ the more li'ely it is to ta'e hold and !e %ollowed( Xmile Co#W was a "ery important and "al#ed contri!#tor to o#r early #nderstanding o% hypnosis$ and we will rely hea"ily on the principles o% his three laws o% s#ggestion as we str#ct#re o#r hypnotic s#ggestions( 33 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 0 The Mechanics o% the Hypnotic Process ~ How to Hypnotize Anyone This is it$ what yo#D"e !een waiting %or) /o# are a!o#t to learn the mechanics o% hypnosis$ how to act#ally wor' thro#gh the hypnotic process and ind#ce trance in someone( Ce will spend some time tal'ing a!o#t the %#ndamental steps
in"ol"ed in pre8tal' and assessment$ ind#ction and deepening techniA#es$ pre8scripted s#ggesti"e scripts$ and awa'ening or dehypnotizing o#r client( +% yo# %ollow this process$ yo# will indeed !e a!le to hypnotize anyone( Howe"er$ there is more to hypnotherapy than simply !eing a!le to p#t someone into a trance li'e state$ and we will disc#ss these things as well along the way( Nongard & Thomas 3, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 35 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Pre8Tal' 9e%ore we act#ally !egin an ind#cti"e process$ a pre8tal' is essential( +% yo# go see a stage per%ormance$ d#ring the %irst %i"e or so min#tes !e%ore the hypnotist in"ites "ol#nteers #p to the stage he or she will gi"e an introd#ction and the pre8tal'( Chen a client comes to yo# %or a hypnotherapy appointment$ they wonOt come in$ sit in the recliner and instantly !e ind#cted( +nstead$ yo# will %irst to spend a little !it o% time with the client per%orming an assessment inter"iew as part o% the pre8tal'(
<#ring the pre8tal'$ we will %ind o#t whether or not o#r client !een hypnotized !e%ore$ and i% so$ what their e@perience was li'e( Ce will !#ild rapport !y matching and mirroring their !ody lang#age and patterns o% speech$ and E#st generally !eing nice and %riendly( Ce will then as' i% they ha"e any speci%ic A#estions %or #s( .ometimes o#r clients ha"e A#estions %or #s a!o#t hypnosis that weO"e ne"er e"en tho#ght a!o#t !e%ore$ so it is important to as' not only !eca#se it o"ercomes resistance$ !#t also !eca#se on many occasions we can learn something %rom o#r clients( They may ha"e %ears and an@ieties a!o#t hypnosis which are logically a!s#rd$ !#t ignorance is simply an a!sence o% 'nowledge$ so it is o#r Eo! to !e patient and gently lead them to a place o% #nderstanding and acceptance thro#gh ed#cation and answering A#estions( + let clients 'now that e"en tho#gh + might #se the word sleep they will not act#ally !e asleepU sleep in this conte@t is E#st another word %or a trance8li'e state( And$ depending on the response + recei"e$ + may also de%ine the word trance( Trance is a nat#ral occ#rring
phenomenon and a state o% !eing that we all e@perience e"ery day$ m#ch li'e highway hypnosis( +tOs a condition o% pro%o#nd rela@ation( Li'e when yo#Dre dri"ing a car and ((( + let my clients 'now$ I/o# canOt stay hypnotized( + canOt get yo# to do anything against yo#r will$ and yo# will always !e sa%e and can emerge at anytime yo# choose$J and so %orth( The pre8tal' also !#ilds tr#st( 1#r clients are essentially going to !e sleeping with #s %or the ne@t 0- min#tes or so$ i% yo#Oll e@c#se the phrase$ and so they want to 'now the person with whom they will !e sleeping( Clients need to %eel they can tr#st me$ to 'now that :ichard really is a nice g#y who wants to help them o#t( 9#ilding Nongard & Thomas 37 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone tr#st is essential d#ring the pre8tal'$ !eca#se i% we donOt ha"e the clientDs tr#st we will not !#ild a therape#tic relationship$ which means it is #nli'ely they will go into a trance state and enEoy the !ene%its o% hypnosis( + always let my clients 'now d#ring the pre8tal' that there are %o#r things + can promise them)
N#m!er one is that they are going to %eel !etter than they ha"e e"er %elt !e%ore i% they participate in todayOs session( N#m!er two is that all hypnosis is sel%8 hypnosis( + am not going to !e doing anything to them$ !#t + am going to !e g#iding them thro#gh a process o% hypnosis that their !odies already 'now how to participate in( N#m!er three is that hypnosis will in %act help them with the iss#es that they ha"e presented today( And n#m!er %o#r$ + always ass#re my clients that while we are engaged in the process o% hypnosis + will ne"er as' them to do anything h#miliating nor to re"eal any secrets to me that are not part o% the presenting pro!lem and the therape#tic process( +Oll tell them right #p %ront that + respect what is important to themU their pri"acy and their dignity( All o% these things are important to comm#nicate d#ring the pre8tal' and assessment inter"iew session( Con"incers Con"incers are another hallmar' o% the pre8 tal'$ partic#larly with new clients$ as they help to !rea' the ice and let people 'now
what hypnosis is really all a!o#t$ thro#gh demonstrations or e@amples o% wa'ing hypnosis( This helps clients learn the process o% %ollowing s#ggestions$ and helps #s to meas#re resistance and sel%de"elopment( +% we do a co#ple o% con"incers d#ring the pre8 tal' phase and the client is not responding appropriately$ then may!e we need to go !ac' and address more their potential myths or %ears$ to disco"er how or why this person come in with the idea o% challenging the hypnotist$ or whate"er their resistance iss#e may !e( ,Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 1ne o% the most pop#lar con"incers %reA#ently #sed !y !oth stage hypnotists and clinical hypnotherapists is the simple I ingers <rawn TogetherJ test() IHold yo#r arms straight o#t in %ront o% yo#$ with yo#r %ingers clasped together$ and then e@tend the pointer or inde@ %inger o% each hand( Now$ p#ll those two %ingers apart as %ar as possi!le$ and stare hard at the space !etween them( As yo# stare !etween yo#r %ingers a magnetic %orce !egins to p#ll yo#r %ingers together(
/o# will notice that no matter how hard yo# try to 'eep yo#r %ingers apart$ they are !eing drawn closer and closer together( The harder yo# p#ll$ the stronger the magnet !ecomes and p#lls them together( oc#s on the space !etween yo#r %ingers( P#ll harder( Can yo# %eel the magnetQ /o#r %ingers are !eing drawn !y the magnet$ closer and closer together$ #ntil they to#ch(J Now$ i% a clientDs %ingers do not close$ that is %ine too( Ce simply tell them this shows they ha"e the a!ility to %oc#s and concentrate( There really isnOt a right or wrong answer hereU i% they ha"e the a!ility to resist the magnetic p#ll they %eel !etween their %ingers$ they are %oc#sing$ !#t not %oc#sing on the point !etween those two %ingers as + ha"e instr#cted( +Oll ed#cate them on %ollowing instr#ctions or try a di%%erent con"incer$ ta'ing the time to %#rther !#ild rapport and tr#st( Clients can %eel a little silly or em!arrassed at %irst with their %ingers #p in the air$ so maintaining a positi"e$ enco#raging demeanor and mo"ing on to another con"incer 8 no matter their initial s#ccess or %ail#re 8 can help them to rela@ and in the groo"e o%
%ollowing instr#ctions and going with the process( Nongard & Thomas ,1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Another ice8!rea'ing con"incer is the ICircle and the 3J I.it #p straight in yo#r chair with yo#r %eet %lat on the %loor( Chich hand do yo# write withQJ 4Le%t or rightQ6 INood( Now$ raise that arm and point #p 4at a slight angle$ li'e to a %ar corner o% the room 8 demonstrate6$ and e@tend and raise yo#r 4right;le%t6 %oot o%% the gro#nd 4%oot %rom same side as arm 8 le%t;le%t or right;right6( *@cellent( Now$ + want yo# to do two things at the same time( Cith yo#r %inger$ yo#Ore going write the n#m!er 3 in the air$ starting at the top 4co#nter8cloc'wise$ demonstrate6 8 and 8 with yo#r %oot$ yo#Ore going to ma'e a cloc'wise circle 4demonstrate6(J N1T*) /o# will demonstrate these two actions separately( ChyQ 9eca#se as the client will instantly disco"er when they try it$ itOs darn near impossi!le to do them !oth at the same time$ at least witho#t highly concentrated practice( Now$ yo# try(
A%ter the ine"ita!le la#ghter$ contin#e) INow$ try it again$ !#t draw the 3 %rom the loop #p$ while mo"ing yo#r %oot 4!oth cloc'wise$ demonstrate6 8 or %rom the top down$ !#t change direction o% yo#r %oot 4!oth co#ntercloc'wise$ demonstrate6(J 88 And then yo# might !rie%ly disc#ss le%t;right !rain %#nctioning and concentration$ !eca#se itOs interesting( As + once heard a stage hypnotist say$ IThis doesnOt ha"e a whole lot to do with hypnosis$ !#t it is E#st darned cool(J Act#ally$ it does ha"e a lot to do with hypnosis) it shows o#r clientOs willingness to %ollow s#ggestions$ the di%%erence !etween le%t and right !rain thin'ing$ the importance o% concentration$ and o% simply loo'ing at ,> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly things %rom a new and #niA#e or di%%erent perspecti"e( *"en tho#gh itOs not really considered a classic conditioning con"incer$ itOs one + li'e !eca#se people simply ha"e %#n doing those sorts o% things R and itDs one they will remem!er and share with others( As the client enters a trance state they !egin to e@hi!it
hypnotic phenomena$ and pointing these occ#rrences o#t helps !y con"incing or enco#raging them to rela@ e"en %#rther( *ric'son #sed to do this all the timeU heDd !e tal'ing with the client and simply say something li'e$ Sand are yo# aware that yo#r !reathing has !eg#n to slow downV /o#r eyelids seem to %l#tter as yo# listen to me(((O This is an e@tremely power%#l way o% !eginning to get yo#r clients com%orta!le with the idea o% going into hypnosis( The pre8tal'$ incl#ding con"incers$ sets the stage %or the %#t#re wor' we will do with the client( 1rm#nd McNill has !een re%erred to as the <ean o% American Hypnosis( +n his !oo'$ The New *ncyclopedia o% .tage Hypnotism$ he descri!es %o#r principles o% a good con"incer$ and these %o#r things are important to incorporate into o#r pre8tal'( o#r Principles o% a Nood Con"incer) 1( Ce m#st loc' o#r clientOs mind on the speci%ic s#ggestion we ha"e gi"en( >( To ha"e a person loc' their mind aro#nd an idea$ the s#ggestion m#st !e gi"en with con%idence( 0( Presentation m#st !e made in a way that does not !ring
the critical %actors o% the mind into action( 4This is where e@perience and hypnotic lang#age are important(6 2( The client m#st !e %ree %rom o!Eection$ so they will want to e@perience the s#ggestion( Nongard & Thomas ,0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Ce m#st tell the client with con%idence and certainty that their hands are loc'ed together$ and e"en tho#gh they 'now they co#ld p#ll them apart$ at this moment they now %eel li'e they cannot( Their hands !ecome tighter and tighter and tighter and it is now impossi!le %or them to p#ll their hands apart 8 e"en tho#gh all rational tho#ght wo#ld tell them that it is possi!le( The harder they try to p#ll their hands apart$ the more di%%ic#lt it !ecomes and their hands ha"e !ecome completely and totally loc'ed together(((( Ce ha"e to loc' o#r clientOs mind on the con"incer$ and we accomplish this !y gi"ing s#ggestions at the clientOs indi"id#al le"el o% %#nctioning$ so that we can a"oid them entering !ac' into the critical %actor o% reasoning and %ailing at the con"incer that weOre
gi"ing them( .imply p#t$ this process ma'es ma'e s#re o#r clients #nderstand what we are saying 8 witho#t them ha"ing to really thin' a!o#t it( Then$ o% co#rse$ pro!a!ly the most important aspect o% a con"incer is that o#r client m#st !e willing to participate$ to act#ally do what we s#ggest they do( +% the client is #nwilling to %ollow along with o#r instr#ctions$ they will not !ene%it %rom hypnotherapy( ,2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The +nd#ction 1nce we ha"e spent time with a client in the pre8tal' and con"incer stage$ we can then mo"e on to the ind#ction( 1#r client has come to #s %or help to resol"e their iss#eU they want to %eel !etter than they ha"e e"er %elt !e%ore( Ce ha"e o"ercome some o% their %ears and an@ieties !y !#ilding a relationship with them and e@plaining a little !it a!o#t the hypnosis process to them$ and now we can go ahead with an ind#ction( The %ormal ind#ction o% hypnosis does not need to !e a long process( Cith clients who ha"e !een hypnotized !e%ore$ a two or three
min#te ind#ction is li'ely all that is necessary( .ome clients who are #n%amiliar with hypnosis may !e a little more hesitant or resistant$ and so a %i"e to ten min#te ind#ction may !e necessary( +n rare cases will an ind#ction o% more than ten min#tes !e !ene%icial$ #nless we are trying to accomplish a speci%ic o!Eecti"e in hypnotherapy( +% the client has not achie"ed an optim#m le"el o% %#nctioning a%ter a ten min#te ind#ction with deepening$ they pro!a!ly are E#st too resistantU their iss#es need to !e addressed or perhaps another session needs to !e sched#led( The ind#ction is not really comple@( +t is E#st a script or a pattern that we #se to help o#r client rela@$ %eel serenity and a sense o% peace( Ce will teach them to !ecome aware o% and control their !ody$ and g#ide them to a state o% total concentration( There are si@ things that we want to !e a!le to accomplish with the ind#ction( ?nderstand$ howe"er$ that these are not all essentialU in hypnosis$ as with any %orm o% comm#nication$ there are little or no a!sol#tes$ !#t these %orm a good g#ideline to %ollow(
or those witho#t hypnotic e@perience$ ind#ction) 1( N#ides them into a state o% rela@ation >( Tests %or s#ggesti!ility 0( Ni"es them a %ramewor' %or practicing hypnosis 2( Helps a person rela@ Nongard & Thomas ,& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone &( oc#ses attention on something 4e@ample) speci%ic imagery6 3( <etaches them %rom e@ternal stressors;acti"ity +nd#ction g#ides o#r clients into a state o% rela@ation$ o%ten thro#gh therape#tic !reathing( + !egin most all o% my ind#ctions !y as'ing the client to sit #p in their chair$ ta'e a deep !reath$ and e@hale( Notice + said chair( + pre%er that my clients$ at least initially while learning hypnosis$ sit in a chair( +t is possi!le$ o% co#rse$ to engage in hypnosis while lying on the %loor or in a !ed$ !#t in an o%%ice setting$ sitting in a chair is pro!a!ly the !est way to rela@( A chair p#ts them in a position where they %eel sa%e and in control$ as opposed to lying down on a co#ch( Also$ + do not want my client to %all asleep d#ring hypnosisU + want them to !e awa'e and hypnotized(
A nice reclining chair is certainly accepta!le$ !#t itDs still a chair$ not a !ed( The second thing that we can accomplish in an ind#ction is a %#rther test o% s#ggesti!ility( or e@ample$ we s#ggest to o#r clients that$ as they %oc#s on a so#rce o% light or a spot on the !ac' o% their hand or something o% that sort$ that their eyes will !ecome tired( Ce tell them that they sho#ld 'eep their eyes open #ntil they !lin'( Chen they !lin'$ they sho#ld close their eyes and they sho#ld 'eep them closed( +% o#r client opens their eyes a%ter that$ they are not %ollowing yo#r s#ggestions( +% my client does not %ollow the directions e@actly as + prescri!e them the %irst time aro#nd$ that is %ine( + may point o#t that$ + see yo# ha"e the a!ility to concentrate and %oc#s and to remain alertU howe"er yo# can also #se those same energies %or rela@ation and to !ecome com%orta!le and to let loose the m#scles in yo#r !ody( Ce are contin#ing to test their s#ggesti!ility$ e"en d#ring the ind#ction process$ especially early on( Third$ ind#ction gi"es #s a %ramewor' %or hypnosis( People come to a hypnotist and they e@pect to !e hypnotized( +n %act$ all we
are doing is #tilizing nat#ral phenomena that occ#rs in o#r clientOs li%e to help them sol"e pro!lems$ !#t that is too simplistic %or some o% o#r clientsU they want to !e hypnotized( .o %or many clients$ a%ter the pre8tal' time + tell them speci%ically$ now we are going to do the ind#ction( This is the part o% o#r session where yo# will !ecome hypnotized( + always concl#de my ind#ctions !y reminding the client that they will always hear my "oice( They will contin#e to !e com%orta!le and %eel sa%e( They will accept the s#ggestions that + gi"e them %rom this point %orward( This is a %ramewor' %or s#ggestion that allows the client to ,3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly participate in the deepener$ the mental imagery that + want them to create$ and to mo"e on into the prescripti"e scripts or s#ggesti"e therapy( The %o#rth thing ind#ction does is %oc#s attention on a speci%ic point( Most o% o#r clients are stressed o#t( They are not happy$ they ha"e pro!lems) o"er8eating or o"er8smo'ing or o"er8drin'ing or o"errelationship di%%ic#lty8ing$ etc( They come to #s !eca#se li%e is not
going the way they want it to( Their li%e is "ery stress%#l( +n the ind#ction process$ the %irst %i"e min#tes o% hypnosis$ o#r client has !ecome a "ery rela@ed and com%orta!le !eca#se they are %oc#sing their attention on something 8 the hypnotic process 8 lea"ing all their cares and concerns o#tside the door$ and this is good( :ela@ation is the %i%th accomplishment o% ind#ction( An ind#ction that is partic#larly e%%ecti"e at accomplishing this state is the Sp#%%y clo#d$O which allows them to lea"e their tro#!les %loating away in an imaginary clo#d( S/o# are lying in a %ield$ loo'ing #p at a clear !l#e s'y with one white$ p#%%y clo#d %loating o%% into the distance( /o#r pro!lems are %loating away with the clo#d( arther and %arther away( Now 1$--- miles away(J Thro#gh an e@ercise li'e this we are %oc#sing the clientOs attention on something positi"e$ and this ma'es them %eel good( This is a positi"e o#tcome %or the ind#ction and the si@th or %inal thing an ind#ction accomplishes$ apart %rom the o!"io#s o% creating a state o% increased s#ggesti!ility) detachment %rom the
o#tside world$ and !ringing them into a state o% %oc#sed attention in o#r o%%ice( There are a n#m!er o% di%%erent types o% ind#ctions( +n %act$ let me clari%y) There are #nlimited types o% ind#ctions$ !eca#se an ind#ction is really E#st a way o% changing the clientDs state o% mind( +n this introd#ctory te@t$ howe"er$ we will !e %oc#sing on %or classical ind#ctions$ incl#ding Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation$ *ye i@ation$ Kis#al +magery$ and Awareness ind#ctions( These are %o#r ind#ctions that + ha"e %o#nd #se%#l with the clients on my caseload$ and + will pro"ide a written demonstration o% each here in a little while$ %irst an o"er"iew and then weDll dissect each one( Kis#al +magery$ *ye i@ation$ Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation$ and Awareness approaches can !e com!ined together$ e"en tho#gh an ind#ction may primarily !e a m#scle rela@ation ind#ction or may !e primarily eye %i@ation ind#ction$ and so %orth( Nongard & Thomas ,, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ,5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <eepeners
ollowing the pre8tal' and the ind#ction we go to the ne@t step$ which is deepening( The deepener is not essential !#t it does a co#ple o% things %or #s( irst$ it ser"es the p#rpose o% helping o#r clients rela@ %#rther( Ce want o#r clients to enter a deep trance state i% possi!le$ one where they are totally concentrated$ e@tremely %oc#sed$ and completely com%orta!le( As + mentioned earlier$ howe"er$ the depth o% trance is not always an essential %actor$ so we will not always need to #se a deepener( 9#t deepeners also accomplish the sta!ilizing o% the trance state$ which is partic#larly important i% we are #sing an instant or rapid ind#ction techniA#e( A deepener may !e "ery !rie%$ or yo# may choose one that may e"en ta'e more time than the ind#ctionU it depends on the client and what it is that we are trying to accomplish( Ce can #se deepening techniA#es at any point d#ring the session a%ter ind#ction( or e@ample$ i% d#ring o#r prescripti"e script the client !egins to !ecome more awa'e and more alert$ we can #se a deepener to 'eep them in a hea"ier trance state( +% yo# watch a stage
hypnotist$ a%ter they do their ind#ction$ they #s#ally #se a short deepener and then !egin their s'its( +% they !egin to ha"e a hard time$ as in the s#!Eects are starting to wa'e #p or !ecome less responsi"e$ yo#Oll see them engage in a s'it that really ser"es as a deepener( <eepeners also help to ins#re concentration and s#ggesti!ility( /o# co#ld thin' o% the deepener as essentially an e@tended ind#ction( 1%ten the ind#ction is physical in orientation$ and the deepening techniA#e is more "is#al and e@periential %or o#r client( +t %acilitates imagery and prepares them %or the s#ggestion part o% the hypnotic process( or e"ery hypnotherapist o#t there$ there is a di%%erent style o% deepening( And$ li'e all parts o% the hypnotic process there are %ew limitations$ !#t the %ollowing is an e@ample o% a "ery common and pop#lar deepener$ which simply in"ol"es direct s#ggestion and co#nting down) I rom this point %orward$ yo# will %eel com%orta!le and rela@ed( /o# will hear my "oice and respond to the things that + s#ggest and incorporate them into yo#r li%e( +Om going to co#nt
!ac'wards %rom %i"e to one( As + do$ with each n#m!er yo# are going Nongard & Thomas ,7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone to !ecome more rela@ed( i"eVyo#Ore all rela@ed( ThatOs good( o#rV going deeper now$ down( ThreeV more rela@edVtotal serenity( TwoVgoing down deeperV"ery good( 1neVall the way down nowV a complete total state o% rela@ation(J The a!o"e is a per%ect e@ample o% a simple %i"e8co#nt deepenerU %i"e$ %o#r$ three$ two$ one( Ce are s#ggesting to o#r client that they !ecome more rela@ed with each n#m!er #ntil they %inally e@perience total peace and serenity$ a pro%o#nd state o% trance( + want to emphasize that rela@ation and hypnosis are not the same thing$ !#t rela@ation is a #se%#l and pleasant gateway into hypnosis( Another pop#lar method o% deepening that was originally applied to hypnosis !y <a"e *lman is ractionation( The hypnotic principle !ehind ractionation is) i% a person is in a heightened state o% trance and is interr#pted$ when they are allowed to ret#rn to the
trance state$ the depth o% their trance will !ecome e"en more power%#l( To #se %ractionation$ the hypnotist acts li'e a snooze alarm$ g#iding the client in and o#t o% trance) asleep 8 awa'e 8 tal';%#nction 8 asleep 8 awa'e 8 tal';%#nction 8 asleep( or e@ample) At 3)--am the alarm cloc' goes o%%( /o# wa'e #p$ and %eel pretty good( 9#t yo# 'now yo# still can get !y with a little more sleep$ so yo# hit the snooze !#tton and roll o"er %or 7 more min#tes( Chen the alarm goes o%% again$ yo# hit snooze and rela@( +n 7 more min#tes$ it goes o%% again( Now yo# are irritatedU yo# were asleep again$ so yo# A#ic'ly hit the snooze and go right !ac' into sleep( +n 7 more min#tes$ it goes o%% again$ this time wa'ing yo# %rom a pro%o#nd sleep and really grating on yo#r ner"es( .o yo# hit snooze again( Chen it %inally goes o%% again in 7 more min#tes$ yo# realize yo# are o#t o% time and scram!le o#t o% !ed$ now %eeling more tired and groggy and perhaps generally m#ch worse than yo# originally %elt at 3)--am(
Hypnosis %ractionation wor's in the same manner) it con%#ses the mind and A#ic'ly increases and decreases trance depth( 5Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly This may !e somewhat !e irritating to the client$ !#t the process prod#ces pro%o#nd trance( +t %orces the client to concentrate on the words !eing spo'en$ and to s#!conscio#sly t#ne o#t other distractions and tho#ghts( acilitating %ractionation simply in"ol"es ind#cting trance in yo#r s#!Eect$ emerging them$ ind#cting trance again$ and emerging them$ and so on$ se"eral times( *ach time they enter trance they go progressi"ely deeper( +% we com!ine ractionation with the pop#lar co#ntdown techniA#e$ we mo"e o#r client to a lower le"el o% trance$ and !ring them !ac' #p to a lighter state$ ret#rn them to a lower le"el$ and !ring them !ac' #p$ and so %orth( or e@ample$ I+Om going to co#nt !ac'wards %rom ten to one( As + co#nt !ac'wards %rom ten to one$ yo# are going to !ecome more and more rela@ed( Cith each n#m!er$ yo#Oll do#!le the rela@ation( TenV !ecoming more rela@edV NineV
do#!ling the sensation o% rela@ationV all o% yo#r m#scles are loose( *ightV going deeper nowV .e"enV all the way down now( NineV !ecoming more rela@edV *ightVgoing deeperV .e"enV weOre do#!ling the sensation o% rela@ation( .i@V yo#Dre doing great( *ightV going deeper yetV .e"enV going down %#rtherV .i@V do#!ling the sensation o% rela@ation that yo# e@perience((((J This is called s'ipping !ac' and %orth with the n#m!ers is a %orm o% %ractionationU instead o% going directly %rom ten to one$ we go ten$ nine$ eight$ se"en$ nine$ eight$ se"en$ si@$ eight$ se"en$ si@$ and so on( +t !ecomes li'e the snooze alarm$ a techniA#e that somewhat awa'ens o#r client$ ma'es them more alert$ and then A#ic'ly ta'es them !ac' down$ and this is "ery e%%ecti"e at prod#cing a pro%o#nd and deep state o% trance( The staircase ind#ction is pro!a!ly one o% the most pop#lar$ and it can also !e #sed as a deepener( 9asically$ it com!ines "is#al imagery with a simple n#m!er co#ntdown( I+magine yo# are at the top o% a hea"enly %light o% stairs( There are ten steps( As yo# step
down each step$ yo# are going to !ecome more and more rela@ed( Cith each step$ yo# will go deeper into a state o% rela@ation$ stepping o#t o% yo#r mind %rom ten to nine((( %rom step nine down to eight(((J This is a simple staircase ind#ction$ or deepener( P#re "is#al imagery is also "ery e%%ecti"e( /o# can ta'e yo#r clients to a peace%#l scene$ s#ch as a %orest or the !each( 4:emem!er to chec' that yo#r client is com%orta!le with the scene yo# are ta'ing Nongard & Thomas 51 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone them to !e%orehand$ that they do not ha"e a pho!ia o% or negati"e associations with the mental scene yo# are %orming in their mind6( +nd#ctions and deepeners can always !e piggy!ac'ed on each other$ mirror each other$ and mimic each other( Kis#al imagery is "ery e%%ecti"e at prod#cing pro%o#nd le"els o% trance$ helping o#r clients to !ecome deeply rela@ed( 1ne o% my %a"orites is called the +sland <eepener( My client pict#res themsel"es sitting in the grotto o% a !ea#ti%#l hotel in a !ea#ti%#l area where there is nothing !#t clear
!l#e sea and a wonder%#l lagoon %illed with l#sh green plants( +n the lagoon there are %i"e "ery small islands$ and we will "isit each one( *ach island teaches them something new and creates "is#al imagery as they e@plore what is there %or them to see( This is a deepening techniA#e that !rings a!o#t a %eeling o% pleas#re$ serenity$ and rela@ation %or o#r clients( 5> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .#ggesti"e Therapy ollowing the deepener is the s#ggesti"e script$ %or s#ggesti"e hypnotherapy( Later we will tal' more in depth a!o#t speci%ics o% str#ct#ring s#ggestions$ how to phrase things and what to do$ !#t %or now + want to !rie%ly to#ch on the methods and the approach( Ce per%orm the pre8tal'$ ind#ction$ and the deepener$ and then we will gi"e o#r client some s#ggestions( As mentioned earlier$ s#ggestions %all into two primary categories) directi"e s#ggestions and in8directi"e s#ggestions( Ce want clients to respond to the direct s#ggestions that we gi"e( This is sometimes re%erred to as s'ill8 !#ilding hypnosis$ and it is
#sed %or promoting athletic s'ills$ %or de"eloping st#dy ha!its$ and %or changing destr#cti"e ha!its( +n directi"e hypnosis$ we are s#ggesting to o#r clients a new manner o% li"ing( or e@ample$ we might s#ggest that they can go to the !#%%et and eat smaller portions$ or only eat portions that are appropriate %or the speci%ic goals they ha"e set %or themsel"es$ or that they are no longer a smo'er$ or no longer %ear small spaces$ etcetera$ and we will do this in a direct manner( I/o# no longer %eel the #rge to smo'e(J I/o# now ha"e increased a!ilities to concentrate( /o# ha"e the a!ility to draw %rom the 'nowledge that yo# already possess inside o% yo# and recall that 'nowledge any time yo# choose to(J Ce are essentially telling o#r clients that they act#ally ha"e the capacity to do what they want and sho#ld do$ !y instr#cting their #nconscio#s mind to align with their conscio#s goals$ and "ery plainly and speci%ically how to achie"e the s#ccess they see'( An indirect approach is commonly #sed %or some o% the more comple@ di%%ic#lties clients may ha"e$ incl#ding treating psychiatric
disorders( +t is also a way to deal with resistance in the client relationship$ !eca#se with indirect s#ggestion$ o#r clients %eel more li'e they ha"e total control( The approach #ses metaphors$ and we %acilitate it in a con"ersational %ashion( or e@ample$ instead o% #sing direct s#ggestion and telling the client to close their eyes$ d#ring the ind#ction with indirect s#ggestion we co#ld #se the %ollowing statement) I/o# may choose to 'eep yo#r eyes open or yo# may Nongard & Thomas 50 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone choose to close them at any time$ whate"er yo# %eel most com%orta!le doing is E#st %ine(J +n indirect therapy$ we gi"e o#r clients s#ggestions that really come %rom within their own desires that we ha"e identi%ied d#ring the assessment( The #se o% metaphors in *ric'sonian hypnotherapy$ which is really an indirect approach$ is certainly "ery common$ !#t one o% the pro!lems with this approach is that sometimes we come #p with comple@ metaphors and o#r clients simply do not ha"e the cogniti"e or the intellect#al a!ilities necessary to e@trapolate how the
metaphor that has !een gi"en to ill#strate the point we are trying to ma'e in therapy relates to their li%e$ so when we #se metaphors in indirect hypnotherapy$ we need to ma'e s#re they do not go o"er o#r clientOs head( Chat is the !est approach to hypnosisQ The answer is #p to the hypnotist( The !est approach is the approach that wor's !est %or yo#$ the one that yo# are most com%orta!le wor'ing with( <irecti"e therapy is my personal inclination !eca#se it meshes well with my personality( Nathan$ my co8a#thor$ tends to %a"or a com!ination o% the two approaches( /o# sho#ld try o#t all styles and #se what wor's !est %or yo#( There are a %ew other components o% s#ggesti"e therapy scripting that + want to tal' a!o#t now( Later we will disc#ss writing them o#t and act#ally implementing them on a case !y case !asis with the clients on o#r caseload( And as a side note$ yo# do not ha"e to write o#t the s#ggestions yo# will !e gi"ing !e%orehand$ !#t the process can !e help%#l to the new hypnotist( Nathan$ %or e@ample$ ne"er #ses pre8written scripts$ as he %eels the #se o% them limits his
creati"ity and %oc#s on the client( +$ howe"er$ %eel that scripts are a #se%#l tool$ and while + may not write o#t an entire script word %or word$ + generally Eot down 'ey words that + want to remem!er to incl#de in the s#ggesti"e therapy process %or each indi"id#al client( /o# sho#ld ma'e #p yo#r own mind( Chether or not yo# e"ent#ally chose to #se scripts or not$ these sections the laws o% script writing will certainly help yo# cra%t e%%ecti"e s#ggestions( The prescripti"e script or s#ggestion process is where we will #se post8hypnotic s#ggestion$ the ideas they will incorporate into their li%e once they lea"e o#r o%%ice( An e@ample o% a post8hypnotic s#ggestion in regard to weight loss is) I/o# will %ind that green$ lea%y "egeta!les are satis%ying and taste good to yo#( Chen yo# %ind 52 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly yo#rsel% h#ngry$ yo# will choose healthy %oods !ased on the n#trition 'nowledge that yo# already possess(O A post8 hypnotic s#ggestion is acted #pon 4a%ter the hypnotic session6 in response to a trigger or speci%ic stim#l#s 4in this case$ D%eeling h#ngryD6(
Post8hypnotic s#ggestions wor' partic#larly well in regards to smo'ing cessation( I+% yo# e"er %eel the #rge to smo'e$ yo# will simply ta'e a deep !reath instead and 'now that the cra"ing %or a cigarette will pass in three to %i"e min#tes$ and in a %ew short days these cra"ings will !e a thing o% the past( Now rela@ and !reathe deeply$ %eeling the cool clean air %ill yo#r l#ngs(J Here the trigger o% %eeling a cra"ing is #sed to acti"ate the s#ggestion %or rela@ation thro#gh deep !reathing( These are new patterns o% !eha"ior that o#r clients are going to mani%est a%ter they lea"e o#r o%%ice when the hypnotic session has concl#ded( Hypnotic scripts sho#ld generally !e cra%ted #sing all %i"e senses$ with a !ias towards "is#alization$ as most people are highly "is#al$ or$ on the sense most leaned on !y the client 4in NLP terms$ their primary representational system6( .#ggestions sho#ld !e targeted speci%ically %or the symptom or condition the client wishes to address$ and sho#ld empower the client to #se their own reso#rces in order to get o"er old limitations and achie"e s#ccess( Awa'ening
<ehypnotizing o#r clients is the %inal stage in the hypnotic process( Ce go %rom pre8tal' to ind#ction to deepener$ to s#ggesti"e therapy$ and then e"ent#ally to awa'ening o#r client( As + said !e%ore$ it is impossi!le %or them to stay st#c' in hypnosis so we donOt need to worry a!o#t dehypnotizing too m#ch$ !#t there are some things that are important to tal' a!o#t( Typically$ the awa'ening is a %airly simple process$ s#ch as #sing the con"erse o% o#r pre"io#s deepener and co#nting %rom one to %i"e( Consider the %ollowing e@ample) I+Om going to co#nt %rom one to %i"e( As + co#nt #p to %i"e$ with each n#m!er yo# are going to !ecome more alert$ more awa'e( /o# are going to %eel more con%ident( /o# are going to %eel energy coming thro#gh yo#r !ody reE#"enating Nongard & Thomas 5& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone yo#V 1neV !eginning to awa'en( TwoV !ecoming more alertV ThreeV energy is %lowing thro#gh yo#r !ody( /o# are %eeling more con%ident( o#rV almost awa'eV( more aware o% the room aro#nd yo#((( almost thereV( i"eV totally awa'e$ totally alert(J
That is a simple awa'ening and "ariations on the a!o"e theme are s#ita!le %or most clients( Awa'ing$ howe"er$ can !ecome more comple@( .ometimes we ha"e a client who really enEoys the %eeling o% hypnosisU they are in a pro%o#nd state o% trance$ and they donOt want to wa'e #p so A#ic'ly( Ce may e@pand the awa'ening process %or them$ gi"ing more s#ggestions and ac'nowledge the com%ort that they %eel( or e@ample) I+ see that yo# ha"e !een enEoying the %eeling o% hypnosis that yo# are now e@periencing( /o# li'e this tranA#il spot( As yo# !ecome more alert and more energetic$ 'now that yo# ha"e the a!ility in yo#r mind to choose to ret#rn to e@actly this spot at any time yo# want to(J This s#ggesti"e concept lets o#r client 'now that the good %eelings they ha"e are not a one time thingU they can ret#rn to these %eelings again anytime they wish( This will typically o"ercome the resistance to emerging %rom a deep trance state( This 'ind o% comple@ awa'ening is generally only an indi"id#al pre%erence$ and indi"id#al needs are important( +% yo# had all the time in the world and didnDt need yo#r o%%ice %or another client$
yo# co#ld simply let the resistant client Dsleep it o%%D and awa'e nat#rally$ !#t we donDt really recommend that approach %or the pro%essional hypnotist( Another approach %or Dso#nd sleepersD is to !low a %ew A#ic' p#%%s o% air onto their eyelids( This ca#ses an a#tomatic response o% %l#ttering the eyes R and they will li'ely pop right open R creating a more alert or conscio#s state o% awareness( The dehypnotizing or awa'ening process pro"ides another e@cellent opport#nity %or imparting s#ggestions$ telling o#r clients how to respond$ how to %eel$ and how to interpret the session( Ce can gi"e s#ggestions d#ring the awa'ening s#ch as) IAs yo# !ecome more alert and aware$ yo# will !ecome %illed with con%idence( 9ecome more oriented to the room aro#nd yo#$ 'nowing that yo# will now go a!o#t today %eeling rested and rela@ed$ and %eeling good and empowered to ma'e the healthy choices(J 53 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Case .t#dy Now we ha"e a "ery special treat %or yo#( + ha"e !elow a word %or word transcript o% a hypnosis session + did with Meghan$ a
woman who agreed to !e %ilmed while e@periencing hypnosis in order to o"ercome some o% her own pro!lems$ and to help others learn( *"en tho#gh with this written transcript %rom the "ideo yo# miss the important non"er!al aspects o% the hypnotic process$ it is still an e@tremely "al#a!le e@ample o% hypnosis$ so st#dy it care%#lly and see how m#ch yo# can spot !ased on what we ha"e already co"ered( :ichard) Meghan has agreed to participate in this short section( Meghan) /es( :ichard) 1'ay( Act#ally$ + 'new the answer to that !eca#se + re%erred yo# to a %riend o% mine who saw yo# in clinical hypnotherapy to help yo# deal with some iss#es that were important to yo#( Cas that help%#l to yo#Q Meghan) /es( :ichard) 1ther than with my %riend$ Craig$ ha"e yo# !een hypnotized on any other occasionsQ Meghan) /es( +n Las Kegas at a stage show( :ichard) Chat happenedQ Chat was !eing a participant in a stage show li'eQ Meghan) +t was %#n( :ichard) +t was %#nQ Meghan) /eah( +t was %#n(
:ichard) +Om glad yo# enEoyed that in addition to the clinical hypnotherapy( +tOs easy to !e hypnotized( /o#O"e !een hypnotized a co#ple o% times !e%ore( CeOre E#st going to demonstrate hypnosis( Chat is going to happen here is + am going to go thro#gh an ind#ction and thro#gh some "is#alization e@ercises( +Om E#st going to gi"e yo# some s#ggestions( Hope%#lly$ it will help yo# %eel !etter Nongard & Thomas 5, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone thro#gho#t the rest o% the day$ gi"e yo# some energy$ may!e help yo# increase yo#r concentration$ and enEoy the day( <oes that so#nd li'e something that wo#ld !e !ene%icial to yo#Q Meghan) Kery good( :ichard) 1'ay$ great( + ha"e a co#ple o% A#estions %or yo#( <o yo# ha"e a cell phone on yo# right now and are yo# chewing g#mQ Meghan) /es( :ichard) Alright$ + noticed yo# were chewing g#m( Please ma'e
s#re yo#r phone is o%%$ and yo# can p#t the g#m here( Nreat( Now$ + want to #se an ind#ction that helps people to %eel the process o% hypnosis( +% yo# wo#ld E#st sit #p in yo#r chair$ sit #p straight( /o# can cross yo#r arms here %or right now( /o# can E#st !egin to %eel rela@ed( No ahead ta'e a deep !reath( 9reathe in$ and o#t( 9reathe in$ and !reathe o#t( <eep !reathing helps #s to %eel rela@ed$ and rela@ation$ o% co#rse$ %eels wonder%#l( + want yo# to %eel the process o% hypnosis here( +Om going to as' yo# to do something( +Om going to as' yo# to hold yo#r hand o#t here in %ront o% yo#( Hold it a little higher than eye le"el perhaps( H#st hold it o#t in %ront o% yo#( + see yo# are wearing some !racelets and !angles( + want yo# to hold yo#r hand o#t straight and lea"e yo#r hand E#st limp and rela@ed here( + want yo# to %ind a spot that yo# can %oc#s on$ on the !ac' o% yo#r hand( May!e itOs
part o% the !racelet or the !angle there( May!e itOs a hair on the !ac' o% yo#r hand or a 'n#c'le or an indentation in the s'in( ind a spot that yo# can %oc#s on( Keep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on that spot as yo# 'eep yo#r hand rigid in the air( Cith yo#r hand hope%#lly rela@ed$ %oc#s on that spot( +tOs o'ay to ta'e another deep !reath( 9reathe in and o#t( As yo# %oc#s on the spot$ yo# might notice yo#r arm !egins to %eel a little !it hea"y( That is a normal sensation( 55 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Arms are hea"y( H#st hold yo#r arm o#t as straight as yo# are doing now with yo#r hand limp and rela@ed as yo# contin#e to stare at that spot on the !ac' o% yo#r hand( Now$ close yo#r eyes and let them rela@( Keep yo#r eyes closed %rom this point %orward( Pict#re in yo#r mind the s#ggestions that + o%%er to yo#( /o#r hand is e@tended o#t in %ront o% yo#( +Om going to place an imaginary sand !#c'etU one li'e a child might
ha"e at the !each$ o"er the !ac' o% yo#r hand( +tOs going to hang %rom yo#r hand here( +tOs "ery light( +tOs not hea"y at all( +tOs a plastic sand !#c'et that a child might ta'e to the !each( +t$ o% co#rse$ comes with a little plastic sho"el( Chat + am going to do is ta'e one scoop o% sand( +Om going to p#t it in that !#c'et( +tOs not "ery hea"y$ !#t the added weight o% the sand is something that yo# can %eel( As yo# %eel the added weight o% the sand in the !#c'et hanging %rom yo#r wrist$ yo# !ecome more rela@ed( CeOre going to add another scoop o% sand to the !#c'et( As + do$ yo# can %eel the increased weight !egin to draw yo#r hand closer to yo#r 'nee( The !#c'et is not hea"y$ !#t it is$ in %act$ a little !it hea"ier with an e@tra scoop o% sand( +Om going to add a third scoop o% sand to the !#c'et( As + do that$ yo# can %eel the increased weight o% that sand !#c'et as yo# rela@( The rela@ation !ecomes more and more intense( The !#c'et !ecomes a little !it hea"ier and a
little !it hea"ier( +Om going to add a %o#rth scoop o% sand to the !#c'et( As + do$ the weight o% that sand !egins to p#ll yo#r arm down deeper as all o% the m#scles in yo#r !ody !ecome rela@ed( No ahead and rest yo#r hand on yo#r 'nee( That is %ine( +n %act$ yo# can e"en adE#st yo#rsel% %or com%ort i% yo# want to( No ahead and allow yo#rsel% to e@perience E#st a moment o% tranA#ility and rela@ation( Ta'e a !reath( eel the air thro#gh yo#r l#ngs( As yo# e@hale$ note the sensation o% peace and rela@ation that yo# e@perience( +n yo#r mind$ yo# ha"e the a!ility to rela@ at any time( Nongard & Thomas 57 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone /o# ha"e the a!ility to enter a state o% hypnosis or trance( This is a state o% hypnosis right now( /o# 'now that i% yo# wanted to yo# co#ld open yo#r eyes$ !#t yo# simply donOt care to( Allow yo#rsel% to sin' deeper into a state o% rela@ation(
+Om going to co#nt %rom %i"e down to one( Cith each n#m!er$ +Od li'e yo# to do#!le the sensation o% rela@ation in yo#r e@perience( Allow yo#rsel% to !ecome e"en more rela@ed$ more at peace$ more rested( i"eV going deeper into rela@ation( o#rV all the way down( ThreeV let go completely( *nEoy this moment o% serenity( TwoV deeper yet( 1neV all the way down now( /o#r pro!lems are a tho#sand miles away( All thatOs le%t are the sol#tions that are inside o% yo#( /o# ha"e the a!ility at any time to ma'e healthy choices and to do the things that yo# 'now in yo#r heart are good %or yo#( /o# e@pressed concerns a!o#t some o% the di%%ic#lties that yo# ha"e e@perienced( /o# ha"e the a!ility to draw on the e@periences yo# ha"e %rom the past to sol"e the pro!lems o% the %#t#re( rom this point %orward as yo# %ace the challenges o% li%e$ the reso#rces and the strengths o% %riends that yo# ha"e can all come together to help yo# !ecome a more per%ect
person who is a!le to handle li%eOs di%%ic#lties with pride$ with power( These are things that are important to yo#( Those are choices that yo# ha"e the a!ility to ma'e at any time( This is a state o% rela@ation$ o% peace$ o% total rest( Chen li%e !ecomes stress%#l at any time$ yo# can choose in yo#r mind to thin' !ac' to this place and this time and #se this e@perience o% rela@ation and tranA#ility to manage the stressors o% e"eryday li%e( That is a per%ectly good thing to do and something that yo# ha"e the capacity and the willingness to do( +Om going to co#nt now %rom one #p to %i"e( As + do$ yo# are going to !ecome more re%reshed$ more energetic and more awa'e( /o# 'now that at any time yo# want to 7Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly ret#rn to this place o% peace and tranA#ility$ yo# ha"e the capacity to do that !y simply choosing to( There are tas's !e%ore yo# thro#gho#t the rest o% the day(
/o# are going to !e a!le to complete those tas's with e@citement and energy( /o# are going to !e a!le to go a!o#t the rest o% the day %eeling !etter than perhaps yo#O"e %elt in a long time$ more rested$ more re%reshed than e"er !e%ore( 1neV yo# !egin to %eel energy coming thro#gh yo#r !ody( TwoV yo# !ecome more alert$ more awa'e( ThreeV as the energy %ills yo#r !ody$ yo# !egin to reorient yo#rsel% to the room aro#nd yo#( o#rV with yo#r eyes still closed$ yo# %eel rela@ed and yet at the same time energetic and awa'e( i"eV totally awa'e$ wide awa'e$ eyes open and totally re%reshed( 4:ichard snaps his %ingers(6 :ichard) That was a "ery !rie% session( How did yo# %eel d#ring that sessionQ Meghan) :ela@ed( :ichard) :ela@ation is good( <id yo# at any time wonder$ am + hypnotized or am + not hypnotizedQ Meghan) No( :ichard) NoQ <id it %eel li'e yo# were doing something odd or strangeQ
Meghan) No( :ichard) 1'ay( The s#ggestions + ga"e yo#$ how did yo# %eel a!o#t thoseQ Meghan) + E#st concentrated on them and E#st rela@ed( :ichard) 1'ay$ good( Nood( How do yo# %eel nowQ Meghan) :ela@ed( :ichard) <o yo# %eel good tho#ghQ Meghan) /es( :ichard) <o yo# %eel sleepy or do yo# %eel awa'eQ Nongard & Thomas 71 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Meghan) + %eel awa'e( :ichard) Alright$ great( Cell$ than's %or participating( + really appreciate yo#r help today( + hope yo# ha"e a wonder%#l day( Meghan) Than' yo#( + wo#ld li'e to spend a %ew pages tal'ing a!o#t the a!o"e session( As + e@plained to Meghan$ this !rie% session was intended %or demonstration p#rposes$ and so + hope yo# were a!le to recognize a lot the 'ey pieces d#ring the short e@perience( Ce !egan with a pre8tal'$ which was #n#s#ally short !eca#se + 'now that Meghan 'nows a lot a!o#t hypnosis and she had no
lingering worries to dispel( Howe"er$ + did ma'e a point to as' a!o#t g#m and a cell phone 4as + said$ + 'now Meghan6( <#ring the pre8tal'$ we want to %ind o#t i% there is anything that will 'eep hypnosis %rom !eing e%%ecti"e$ or anything that may distract the client %rom the hypnotic process$ s#ch as chewing g#m$ a cell phone$ things po'ing in their poc'et and so %orth$ in addition to any A#estions or %ears( + also had Meghan sit #p in the chair so that she was in a more nat#ral and healthy position( .itting #pright promotes healthy deep !reathing and is act#ally more cond#ci"e to rela@ation than slo#ching( Meghan is highly s#ggesti!le$ and + had act#ally #sed this approach with her once !e%ore$ and so the weight o% the sand !#c'et d#ring ind#ction was "ery hea"y to her( This transcript might act#ally ha"e !een a little longer had + #sed a di%%erent ind#ction$ !eca#se + had a hard time 'eeping the !#c'et #p long eno#gh to act#ally demonstrate what + was trying to accomplish( This ind#ction #tilizes m#ltiple senses and is one o% my %a"orites !eca#se it allows people to %eel the process o% hypnosis in a "ery power%#l way$ which
ma'es it a great con"incer as well( + #sed a !asic co#ntdown deepener !eca#se it is easy to demonstrate in this training man#al$ altho#gh as a r#le + pre%er the staircase method !eca#se it #tilizes "is#al imagery( + generally co#nt down %rom ten to one$ !#t yo# can #se an element o% con%#sion and start %rom 0- or e"en 2& or e"en 7,$ and going !ac'wards %rom there can !e #se%#l with some o% o#r clients$ some o% the time( The s#ggesti"e therapy process here was "ery simple) empowerment( + happened to 'now that Meghan was trying to deal 7> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly with some iss#es in li%e$ as we all are$ and + wanted her to %eel good a!o#t hersel%( + wanted her to 'now that she had the a!ility to draw on the tools that she already possessed to see her thro#gh$ incl#ding some good %riends( + also 'now that Meghan has had some prior positi"e e@periences dealing with other di%%ic#lties( + thin' one o% the most power%#l things a!o#t hypnosis is that we o%ten draw %rom the e@periences o#r client already has rather than trying to teach them
new things( or e@ample$ when it comes to weight loss$ my clients already 'now to eat well and e@ercise$ and the di%%erence !etween healthy and #nhealthy %ood choices( + want my clients to draw %rom the 'nowledge that they already possess and #se it to ma'e empowering decisions( +t is easier to ha"e clients draw #pon what they already 'now how to do$ than to ha"e them change to something new and di%%erent$ or teach them again %rom scratch( + also s#ggested that Meghan wo#ld %eel good thro#gho#t the day( + happen to 'now that she was pro!a!ly the %irst one awa'e in her time zoneU she rises !e%ore the crac' o% dawn most days( Chen someone gets #p early in the morning$ sometimes !y the middle o% the a%ternoon they !ecome a little tired and weary( + wanted Megan to %eel energetic thro#gho#t the rest o% the day$ 'nowing she co#ld complete necessary tas's with energy and e@citement( The awa'ening + #sed was A#ite simple( Again$ this is the opposite o% the deepening$ so + co#nted %rom one #p to %i"e$ and + snapped my %ingers at the end( The snap o% a %inger$ li'e a stage
hypnotist might do$ reorients my client to the roomU it pro"ides a so#nd A#e#e matching the "ocal in%lection and the s#ggestion that + am gi"ing$ so they !ecome dehypnotized and wa'e #p( This !rie% demonstration o% a complete hypnosis session allowed yo# to see the %i"e steps o% the hypnotic process R pre8tal'$ ind#ction$ deepening$ s#ggesti"e therapy and awa'ening R in action( Now we will wor' thro#gh the mechanics o% hypnosis$ adding more details to these steps as we go along$ to !#ild yo#r repertoire o% s'ills as a hypnotherapist( At this point$ howe"er$ yo# can hypnotize anyone( /o# can do e@actly what + did with Meghan and people will enter a state o% trance( Nongard & Thomas 70 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone /o# now 'now the %#ndamentals o% hypnosis and ha"e disco"ered that it is not roc'et science( Hypnotism is really a "ery simple thing to do$ !#t !ecoming a hypnotherapist is a little more di%%ic#lt( To !e a!le to e%%ecti"ely impact clients and the di%%ic#lties
they e@perience can !e a demanding process$ and to meet this challenge yo# still need more 'nowledge$ practice and e@perience( .o now$ let #s go !ac' and %ill in the !lan's and answer all the A#estions in regards to these %i"e areas$ and also tal' a!o#t some s'ills that can !e !ene%icial %or creating a %o#ndation %or a healthy relationship that really meets o#r clients at their partic#lar point o% need( 72 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 2 Key *ssential *lements %or *%%ecti"e Hypnotherapy <e"eloping a meaning%#l relationship with the indi"id#al client is a 'ey to A#ality hypnotherapy( This a"oids a rit#alistic approach to hypnosis$ or an approach that is not indi"id#ally tailored( :emem!ering that each client is di%%erent$ with #niA#e needs$ sit#ations and a!ilities is another 'ey( There%ore$ in this section + will share with yo# some assessment tools that are partic#larly #se%#l %or creating the %o#ndation %or a !ene%icial hypnotist;client relationship( Nongard & Thomas 7&
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 73 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Client :elationships .trengths and :eso#rces The %irst thing we m#st do is assess o#r clientOs strengths( Thro#gh therapy$ whether hypnosis or other %orms o% therapy$ the sad tr#th is that we really donOt ha"e the a!ility to %i@ what is wrong with many o% o#r clients( +nstead$ what we do ha"e the a!ility to do is to ta'e what is right and #se it to compensate %or the de%icits that e@ist( *"ery person on the planet possesses strengths and wea'ness( Chances are pretty good that the same things we donOt li'e a!o#t o#rsel"es today are the same things we didnOt li'e a!o#t o#rsel"es 1or >- or e"en 0- years ago( The things that we str#ggle with$ the character de%ects$ i% yo# want to call them that$ the pro!lems that we ha"e e@perienced and the things a!o#t o#r personality that create challenges 8 comp#lsi"ity$ procrastination$ anger 8 all the things that irritate #s a!o#t o#rsel"es today$ are most li'ely the same challenges that we started with(
9#t + ha"e good news %or yo#) *"en tho#gh these de%icits are li'ely to remain in o#r li%e$ we ha"e the a!ility to #se the strengths that we also possess to compensate %or these de%icits( or e@ample$ + am the single most disorganized h#man on the planet( There is no one more disorganized than me( Howe"er$ yo# cannot r#n a !#siness li'e mine i% yo# do not ha"e organizational s'ills( .o what do + doQ + #se my strengths) + am a good delegator and a good comm#nicator( + hire people who are good at organization$ and + #se my strengths o% delegation and comm#nication to let them 'now my !#siness needs$ and then they go a!o#t the tas' o% organization( They assist me !y telling me what + am s#pposed to !e doing on a day8to8day !asis( There ha"e !een times o"er the years when +O"e said$ I1h$ man$ this is going to !e a great wee'( +Om going to 'ic' !ac' and rela@ since + donOt ha"e any training e"ents to do( + thin' +Dll wallpaper the ho#se(J Then my o%%ice manager says$ ICait a min#te$ yo#Ore going to Corp#s Christi on Cednesday(J + then stammer$
IChat do yo# mean +Om going to Corp#s Christi on CednesdayQ ThatOs not #ntil the end o% the month(J And she patiently replies$ INo$ Nongard & Thomas 7, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone as itOs !een printed on the calendar %or the last three months$ itDs this Cednesday( And so$ since this is T#esday$ yo#r %light lea"es tomorrow at %o#r in the a%ternoon(J CowF + am not an organized g#y$ !#t %ort#nately + am a!le to compensate %or this de%icit !y drawing on my strengths o% delegation and comm#nication( Ce sol"e pro!lems !y drawing #pon a"aila!le reso#rces( <#ring the assessment process with o#r clients$ we ha"e to assess not only what the presenting pro!lem is 8 smo'ing cessation$ weight loss$ !ed wetting$ depression$ %ears or pho!ias 8 !#t we also need to assess what is right a!o#t the client$ what strengths and reso#rces they possess that may !e #se%#l %or achie"ing their goals( Later + will share with yo# a tool that was de"eloped speci%ically to assist in identi%ying o#r clientOs strengths and reso#rces( 9#ilding :apport and Tr#st
Ce m#st !#ild rapport with o#r clients( Notice that e"en d#ring the demonstration with Meghan$ a person + already 'new$ + engaged in a little small tal' !e%ore we !egan the session( :apport is essential( +% my ne@t client arri"ed$ and + came o#t to the waiting room and said$ IHi$ are yo#((( 4loo'ing at my notes6 9o!Q +tOs good to meet yo#( /o#r hypnosis session will !e in :oom 1ne( ollow me( +n here$ ha"e a seat( +Oll !e with yo# in E#st a moment$ + ha"e another client to attend to$J and then + go o#t and attend the other client$ and come !ac' in a %ew min#tes and say$ I9o!$ ha"e yo# e"er !een hypnotized !e%oreQJ 9o! replies$ INo$ + donDt 'now m#ch a!o#t it( + E#st(((J And + c#t in to say$ I1'ay$ itOs a really simple proced#re( + E#st want yo# to close yo#r eyes( CeOre going to go into an ind#ction now$ and +Dll help yo# A#it smo'ing$ so E#st do whate"er + say %rom here on o#t$J + ha"e done a poor Eo! as a hypnotherapist( There is no rapport8!#ilding in this e@ample$ and the client is not going to tr#st #s( or therapy to !e e%%ecti"e$ o#r clients m#st "iew #s as someone who is on their side and %#lly engaged in helping them sol"e their pro!lems( :apport is essential(
Personally$ + call rapport8!#ilding d#ring the assessment process Dsearch tal'(D .earch tal' is when we as' people A#estions a!o#t themsel"es( As' any pro%essional salesperson) i% yo# want to impress someone and learn the 'eys to their 4whate"er yo#Dre trying to learn6$ donOt tal' a!o#t yo#rsel% and the wonder%#l things that yo# 75 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly do( +nstead$ as' a!o#t them$ what they do and li'e and so %orth( Chat do yo# li'e to do %or %#nQ <o yo# ha"e any ho!!ies$ or do yo# collect anythingQ *ngaging people in small tal' is search tal'$ as'ing them A#estions a!o#t themsel"es( This is a great way to !#ild rapport and show yo#r gen#ine interest in the clientDs c#rrent and %#t#re well !eing( Tr#st is essential( As + said earlier$ o#r clients are going to !e sleeping with #s %or a!o#t >- to 2& min#tes in a typical hypnosis session$ and they may not %eel com%orta!le i% they ha"e ne"er met #s and they enco#nter a g#y in an o%%ice !y himsel% R especially %emale clients i% yo# are a male hypnotist( The !est scenario is to ha"e a
receptionist in the waiting room o#t %ront$ so the client 'nows there are other people aro#nd( + also want to comm#nicate tr#st !y answering A#estions honestly and con"eying important tr#ths( Tr#st is esta!lished !y !eing direct with clients$ recognizing the limitations o% hypnosis$ and e@plaining what the e@perience will !e li'e$ what they sho#ld e@pect( :espect and Honesty :especting o#r clients is a!sol#tely essential( The %o#ndation o% the therape#tic relationship m#st !e !#ilt on respect( *arly in my career as a psychotherapist$ + wor'ed with se@ o%%enders( + was a s#!stance a!#se co#nselor$ and the state re%erred people who were incarcerated to o#r se@ o%%ender training program( My %riends and %amily were always as'ing me$ IHow can yo# wor' with those peopleQJ The reality is$ e"en tho#gh those %ol's had clearly not #sed their strengths in positi"e ways$ and e"en tho#gh they had done some despica!le i% not downright e"il things$ + still had to respect them as h#man !eings( +% + did not$ + co#ld ne"er ha"e reached them to help %acilitate change( +n order to !e e%%ecti"e with clients who
are di%%erent %rom #s R whether that means they are a di%%erent race or religion$ or ha"e di%%erent "al#es or ed#cation$ or i% they are a dr#g #ser or a criminal 8 no matter how di%%ic#lt they are or how reprehensi!le they may !e to the rest o% society$ i% they are to !e o#r client$ we need to !e a!le to "iew each indi"id#al with a h#manistic approach$ recognizing the strengths inside that we ha"e the capacity to draw %rom to !egin the pro!lem8sol"ing process( Nongard & Thomas 77 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Ce also need to !e honest with o#r clients a!o#t the limitations o% hypnosis( .ome clients ma'e reA#ests s#ch as$ IMy sister was thin'ing a!o#t #sing hypnosis %or !reast enhancement( .he is a size 02A and wants to !ecome a 05 triple8 ( <o yo# thin' hypnosis can sa"e her Y&$--- on a !reast a#gmentation s#rgeryQJ Now$ + 'now many therapists who wo#ld say$ ICell$ hypnosis is "ery #se%#l in many ways( /o# 'now what the mind attends to$ it acts #pon( +% yo# "is#alize large !reasts$ yo# will in %act e"ent#ally
de"elop large !reasts(J The reality is this) + 'now a lot o% men$ who "is#alize large !reasts e"ery day$ and they E#st ha"enOt de"eloped any !reasts at all R so no$ it doesnOt wor' that way( This is$ o% co#rse$ a h#moro#s e@ample$ !#t it does ser"e to ill#strate that we need to !e honest a!o#t the limits o% hypnosis and what it is e%%ecti"e %or and what it is not( <o not ma'e %alse or #nE#sti%ia!le claims( 9e honest and respect the client( Hypnosis is e@tremely power%#l$ !#t it is not a miracle c#re %or e"ery ailment( 1penness LetOs tal' a!o#t openness( + 'now yo# were not a!le to see this$ !#t at a co#ple o% points d#ring my demonstration with Meghan R d#ring the pre8tal' and the ind#ction 8 + leaned %orward( + e"en to#ched her hand as + created a mental pict#re in her mind o% the little plastic sand !#c'et hanging o"er her hand( 1penness is essential$ !#t it is not always nat#ral %or #s to ha"e an open !ody post#re( +t is normal %or #s to !e a little reser"ed especially when we meet someone new$ !#t as a helper healer$ it is important to comm#nicate openness( +n grad#ate school$ + was ta#ght
a ni%ty acronym %or good therapy) .1L*:( +t stands %or) .it down$ 1pen !ody post#re$ Lean %orward$ ma'e *ye contact$ and :ela@( Chen acted on$ .1L*: creates a %eeling o% openness$ and there%ore an in"itation to !#ild rapport( .it downU get to the same le"el as yo#r client( 9e open in yo#r !ody post#re$ as opposed to radiating closed comm#nication( Lean %orward$ comm#nicate that yo# are with them( *ye contact is important( +t allows #s to see where o#r clientOs com%ort le"el is with #s$ to notice whether they hold o#r gaze or loo' away$ and how they respond to meeting o#r eyes( 1-Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 1nce we open #p and rela@$ clients will DreadD this and they will rela@$ too( This is "ery important( 1#r goal is to help clients rela@ with the process o% hypnotherapy( +% we are not rela@ed$ they will pic' #p on this and they will not rela@$ either( *A#ality Ce ha"e to treat o#r clients as o#r eA#als( This ties in with the respect iss#e( + li'e to "iew mysel% as a coach$ someone who is there with my client$ helping them to accomplish things$ %acilitating change
8 rather than the .#perior Hypnotherapist$ :ichard Nongard$ with ."engali8li'e narcissistic del#sions o% stat#s$ power and control( None o% that does o#r client any good( + tend to wear cas#al !#siness attire in clinical sessions$ !eca#se + !elie"e we sho#ld stri"e to create a com%orta!le yet pro%essional en"ironment$ not an a#stere !#siness setting( H#st li'e when they go to the dentist or to get their hair c#t$ clients will show #p %or hypnosis sessions in whate"er they were wearing when they le%t the ho#se$ perhaps a !#siness s#it or sweats or Eeans( As the hypnotist$ + certainly wonDt wear sweats 4#nless perhaps +Dm wor'ing speci%ically with sports per%ormance clients on the %ield6$ !#t + will !e a little more cas#al than an attorney or a !an'er$ with the hopes o% comm#nicating that while + may !e an e@pert at what + do$ +Dm also E#st an a"erage h#man li'e they are$ so we sho#ld get along E#st %ine( Listening Listening is also essential$ especially d#ring the assessment process( Clients may come to #s %or help with one pro!lem$ !#t #nderneath are other iss#es( Chen we listen and are attenti"e to those
things$ we can pic' #p important c#es( <#ring assessments %or weight loss or smo'ing cessation$ we want to listen to why the client has de"eloped their speci%ic ha!its$ and what those things do %or them( + !elie"e that any time someone does something #nhealthy it always meets legitimate needs$ and + want to 'now what those needs are( or e@ample$ letOs ta'e cigarettes( 1n the side o% a pac' o% cigarettes$ it says$ ICarning) This prod#ct may ca#se l#ng cancer(J 1r$ ICarning) Cigarettes ca#se heart disease$ emphysema$ l#ng disease$ and may complicate pregnancy(J +n %oreign co#ntries$ the warnings are e"en more interesting than they Nongard & Thomas 1-1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone are here in the ?.( +n Nermany$ the warning la!el says$ ICarning) This prod#ct may 'ill yo#(J Canada$ + thin'$ has the !est cigarette warnings( They #se pict#res$ s#ch as a g#y in o@ygen tent lying on a ta!le in a hospital( Carning la!els are directU they tell #s that cigarettes do !ad things( + donOt 'now a cigarette smo'er who doesnOt 'now that cigarettes ca#se pro!lems and really can 'ill them(
.o$ i% e"ery single cigarette smo'er #nderstands that the longterm e%%ects o% cigarette smo'ing are death$ destr#ction$ and illness 8 they all 'now this$ it is not a s#rprise to any o% them R why do they contin#e to smo'eQ They all 'now that i% they do not stop smo'ing the o#tcome is not going to !e positi"e( Chy do clients smo'e i% they 'now itOs !ad %or themQ 9eca#se the min#te they light a cigarette$ it does something %or them( +t helps them to rela@( 4At least$ thatOs what they claim( +tOs really not the cigarette that helps them rela@$ itOs the deep !reathing(6 Cigarette smo'ers ha"e %riends( At o%%ice !#ildings where smo'ing is still permitted$ yo#Dll see the smo'ers heading o#t to socialize at the smo'e hole$ while the non8 smo'ers are !ac' in their o%%ices wishing they had a !rea' also( Cigarette smo'ing gi"es people an e@c#se to ha"e rela@ing social time( .mo'ing also helps people de"elop a sense o% identity( Perceptions o% what the cigarette smo'er is li'e are comm#nicated thro#gh media and ad"ertising$ li'e the cool hero p#%%ing away in mo"ies and magazines( Ad"ertising wor's and those power%#l
messages are carried thro#gho#t the co#rse o% a personOs li%e( Chen they light #p$ they instantly !ecome someone they percei"e themsel"es to !e( The min#te someone lights a cigarette$ all 'inds o% good things happen %or them$ !eca#se there is nothing !ad a!o#t identity$ rela@ation$ social networ'ing$ and ta'ing a !rea'( .o the A#estion !ecomes) +s there any other way to meet their needs %or rela@ation$ identity$ socialization and ta'ing a !rea' %rom stressors 8 that is considered healthyQ Ce need to 'now o#r clientOs moti"ation %or smo'ing( Ce want to listen to o#r clients so that we can de"elop s#ggesti"e lang#age scripts to help o#r clients at their partic#lar indi"id#al point o% need( Ce want to ma'e s#re they can still 'eep all the !ene%its o% smo'ing$ what it really gi"es them$ witho#t the need %or the lethal cr#tch o% cigarettes( 1-> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly A"aila!ility and Consistency The ne@t important iss#e is yo#r a"aila!ility as a therapist( Now$ the reality is that at two oOcloc' in the morning$ yo# cannot call
me e"en i% yo# are s#icidalU yo# need to !e calling 711 or an emergency hot line( +Om not so narcissistic to !elie"e that + am the only person who can help someoneU + want my clients to de"elop sit#ational s#pports o#tside o% the therape#tic relationship$ !#t at the same time$ + want to !e a"aila!le( + want my clients to ha"e my email address$ !#t also to 'now that there is a time d#ring the day that + re"iew my client email$ and + will ret#rn an email or phone call to them at that time( +% they call the o%%ice and +Om not a"aila!le$ they need to lea"e a message and + will ret#rn the call when + am a!le( Ni"e clients yo#r time and ways to contact yo#$ !#t also "al#e yo#r own pri"acy and promote their independence Consistency is also important( +% + see a client %or m#ltiple sessions$ + want them to 'now not only that + e@pect them to !e there$ !#t + will !e there also( +O"e heard a n#m!er o% clients complain that their pre"io#s therapist 'ept changing appointment times on them( .ched#ling an appointment d#ring a !#sy wor' day or aro#nd childrenDs school e"ents can !e di%%ic#lt eno#gh the %irst time( <onDt
ma'e yo#r clients E#ggleU they will %ind someone else to see( Con%idence + mentioned con%idence !e%ore$ !#t + want to address it again here !eca#se it is so essential %or a good client;therapist relationship( Ce need to %eel con%ident a!o#t the wor' we do( Ce m#st ha"e con%idence in o#rsel"es so the client will ha"e con%idence in #s( 1therwise$ we lose e%%ecti"eness( Practicing is important( Chen + was %irst learning the %#ndamentals o% clinical hypnosis$ + wo#ld wal' aro#nd reciting ind#ctions$ deepeners and s#ggestions in my head$ trying to commit them to memory( + hypnotized e"erything in sight R door 'no!s 4(((when + t#rn yo# to the le%t yo# will %eel 1-times more rela@ed(((6$ my pillow at night 4(((three$ two and ((( when yo# reach the !ottom o% the staircase yo# will settle into p#re rela@ation$ as i% on a large$ white$ %l#%%y pillow(((6$ the shower head in the morning 4(((when yo# awa'en$ yo# will %eel re%reshed and in"igorated$ ready to ta'e on the tas's o% the day(((6 Nongard & Thomas 1-0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone
!eca#se + wanted to %eel con%ident wor'ing with clients$ witho#t ha"ing to read %rom a script( *"ery hypnotist will ha"e a di%%erent style and approach( .ome will type o#t a complete script or !orrow %rom a ready8made one they %ind online( 1thers will memorize e"ery word and not #se paper at all( .ome will not memorize or read$ !#t simply ad8li!$ ma'ing it #p as they watch client c#es( And still others will ha"e some parts memorized$ s#ch as the ind#ction$ !#t also ha"e short notes scri!!led on paper to remind them o% 'ey points to address d#ring the s#ggesti"e therapy phase( This last approach !est %its my personal style$ and as yo# progress with yo#r practice and gain con%idence with yo#r s'ills and 'nowledge$ yo# will de"elop yo#r own pre%erred style( + will say$ howe"er$ that the more yo# ha"e committed to memory R a "ariety o% ind#ctions$ deepeners$ s#ggesti"e scripts and awa'eners R the easier it will !e %or yo# to adE#st mid8stream to meet each indi"id#al clientOs partic#lar point o% need when interacting with them( Ha"ing con%idence and doing the things that are necessary to
de"elop con%idence are important( The easiest way to de"elop con%idence is to incorporate hypnosis into yo#r own li%e( Ha"e di%%ic#lty sleeping at nightQ ?se sel%8hypnosis techniA#es to p#t yo#rsel% to sleep( Are yo# a%raid to %lyQ Try ta'ing a %light on an airplane$ and #se the techniA#es o% hypnosis to help yo# o"ercome yo#r pho!ia or %ears( <o yo# ha"e a %ear o% sna'esQ + donOt thin' yo# need to !ecome a sna'e8handler$ !#t yo# sho#ld !e a!le to at least wal' past the reptile e@hi!it o% the zoo$ and hypnosis can help yo# to o"ercome some o% yo#r own pho!ias( Are yo# depressedQ /o# will !e teaching yo#r clients the di%%erence !etween tension and rela@ation$ and rela@ation and depressionU perhaps yo# sho#ld learn %or yo#rsel%( 1therwise$ yo# will !e %ar less help%#l than a therapist who has got his or her own li%e together( 1-2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Li"e Healthy <o yo# drin' too m#chQ <o yo# smo'e cigarettesQ Loo' at yo#rsel% in the mirror( <o yo# ha"e a %ew e@tra po#nds$ perhaps !eca#se yo# are o"er 2-$ li'e meQ Cell$ a %ew e@tra po#nds are
pro!a!ly o'ay$ !#t do yo# ha"e 2-$ &-$ 3-$ or 1-- e@tra po#ndsQ /o#r clients are not going to %eel con%ident getting help %rom yo# i% they notice that yo#r li%e is not a model o% s#ccess %or them to learn %rom( Ce can de"elop a tremendo#s amo#nt o% con%idence !y doing the things that we as' o#r clients to do$ so get o#t there and e@perience some hypnosis R practice$ practice$ practice 8 and change yo#r own li%e %or the !etter while yo#Dre at itF + wo#ld also s#ggest listening to some hypnosis C<s prepared !y other pro%essionals and;or #ndergoing a co#rse o% li"e hypnosis %rom a pro%essional who can assist yo# in resol"ing some o% the iss#es that yo# e@perience in yo#r own li%e( + thin' this is important not only %or yo# to ha"e a similar e@perience as yo#r clients$ !#t also %or yo# to ha"e a clean manner o% li"ing( This ties in a !it with the a!o"e$ in that i% yo# smo'e$ yo# sho#ld A#it R #nless yo# do not plan to see smo'ers %or treatment 4A#ite possi!ly ,&T o% yo#r potential client !ase6$ or did yo# plan to !e hypocriticalQ +% yo# are o"erweight$ yo# sho#ld e@ercise more and eat right$ and so %orth$ %or yo#r own health$ o% co#rse$ !#t to set a
good e@ample %or yo#r clients( Nongard & Thomas 1-& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 1-3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Assessment and +nta'e Another s'ill we need to de"elop as hypnotherapists is that o% assessment( Chen meeting new clients and de"eloping rapport with them$ in order to present an e%%ecti"e pre8tal' choose the correct ind#ction method and create the proper s#ggestions %or change$ we m#st assess o#r clientsD strengths and reso#rces( +t is important to %ind o#t !asic in%ormation a!o#t them( There are three tools which + personally %ind highly e%%ecti"e in the inta'e process R %o#r$ i% yo# incl#de simply comm#nicating and as'ing rele"ant A#estions 4search tal'6 R !#t the three tools are as %ollows) +nta'e orm irst and %oremost$ yo# need a good inta'e %orm( /o# need to 'now yo#r clientOs name$ address and phone n#m!er( /o# need to 'now what name to call them !y$ yo# need their address to mail receipts or send %ollow8#p letters$ and yo# need their n#m!er in case
one o% yo# needs to resched#le %or some reason( Personally$ + also want their email address$ !eca#se that is an easier way %or many to comm#nicate$ incl#ding mysel%( As mentioned !e%ore$ we want to #se o#r clientOs strengths to come #p with inter"entions ideas( or e@ample$ i% my client is A#ite artisticU + 'now + can pro!a!ly !e "ery "is#al with them( +% they are an engineer$ + pro!a!ly want to !e more logical or concrete( Cith the artist$ + may #se a loose$ indirecti"e "is#alization ind#ction that mo"es %rom con"ersation right into a deepener( Cith the engineer or the acco#ntant$ + will pro!a!ly !e m#ch more pointed and concrete( + want to !e a!le to relate to clients according to their indi"id#al learning style and the way that they "iew and see and relate to the world aro#nd them( The inta'e %orm$ com!ined with inter"iewing disc#ssion$ helps gi"e me this "al#a!le in%ormation( Ce need to disco"er what the client wants o#t o% the session$ ma'ing s#re they ha"e a clear and speci%ic idea in mind o% e@actly Nongard & Thomas 1-, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone
what they want to accomplish$ and i% they ha"e more than one goal they need to prioritize( ?nderstand that while there is a lot + want to 'now a!o#t the client$ + am not going to gi"e them 15 pages o% %orms to complete li'e at a doctorDs o%%ice( The A#estions as'ed are not partic#larly n#mero#s or deep$ !#t they are rele"ant to hypnosis and their pro!lems( +% they had a pro!lem when they were two years old$ totally #nrelated to the process here$ + really donOt need to 'now that( + also as' them what their !elie% or #nderstanding is a!o#t hypnosis$ so + 'now what 'ind o% pre8tal' + need to gi"e( H#st !eca#se they showed #p on time and are now sitting in yo#r o%%ice does not mean they are a tr#e !elie"er( /o# wo#ld !e s#rprised how many people ma'e an appointment simply !eca#se they are desperate and someone said hypnosis might !e a!le to help$ !#t they really ha"e no idea what hypnosis is or does R they E#st want their pro!lem %i@ed$ now( + also want them to identi%y their own strengths$ reso#rces and de%icits( This is a hard A#estion at times$ %or anyone( Chat are yo#r
three !iggest strengthsQ Chat are yo#r three !iggest de%icitsQ +t might so#nd li'e a Eo! inter"iew A#estion$ !#t the answers can really help the hypnotist to de"elop targeted s#ggestion strategies( Ce donDt want to gi"e the general s#ggestion o% Dgoing to the gym a %ew times a wee' to wor' o#tD to someone who is a procrastinator or lac's time management s'ills( +% yo# 'now #p %ront they ha"e a pro!lem in this area$ !#t ha"e the strengths and reso#rces o% a solid social s#pport system and e@tra %inances$ yo# might s#ggest they Eoin a gym and set #p sessions with a personal trainer( A trainer will help hold them acco#nta!le to act#ally ma'e the time and show #p$ on time( As' yo#r clients to list any medical or mental health conditions %or which they are c#rrently !eing treated( + want to 'now the diagnosis$ the treating physician$ and the medications( Hypnotists do not prescri!e medications$ and + do not thin' it is necessarily appropriate %or #s to gi"e ad"ice a!o#t medications to clients$ howe"er we do need to #nderstand the impact that medications can ha"e on o#r clientsD li"es( Ce co#ld go to school to !ecome a
pharmacist$ !#t that wo#ld ta'e a long time and it wo#ldnOt ha"e a direct relationship to the wor' do$ so the easier$ %aster way to !ecome an e@pert on medications is to go down to the #sed !oo'store and as' %or a copy o% last yearOs P<:$ the PhysicianOs <es' :e%erence %or 1-5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly medications( +tOs a !ig %at !oo' with e"ery medication$ e"ery sidee%%ect$ appropriate dosages$ <A appro"ed #ses$ etcetera( +% my client is on a medication that + ha"enOt heard o% !e%ore$ + go loo' it #p in the P<: so + will #nderstand what side e%%ects there might !e that co#ld impact the client either positi"ely or negati"ely( + also want to 'now who their treating physician is( <epending on what +Dm seeing the client %or$ + may as' %or permission to send a note to their doctor so they can add it to their medical records that + am treating their client %or whate"er$ #sing hypnotherapy( Not only is this good %or the doctor to 'now what the patient is doing o#tside their o%%ice$ !#t it is also a way to e@pand o#r re%erral networ' and meet other pro%essionals who might re%er to #s in the
%#t#re( +t is important to 'now whether or not the client drin's alcohol and i% so$ how m#ch( Perhaps this comes o#t o% my e@perience as a s#!stance a!#se co#nselor$ !#t + 'now how general alcohol #se can impact li%e( .ome people who drin' on a reg#lar !asis$ not at an alcoholic le"el !#t %reA#ently$ ha"e impaired sleep patterns$ di%%ic#lty concentrating$ %oc#sing$ weight gain and things o% that sort$ and they donDt 'now that these pro!lems co#ld easily !e ca#sed !y the alcohol they cons#me( + want to 'now$ o% co#rse$ i% they smo'e cigarettes and how o%ten( May!e they came in %or weight loss and they donOt plan to A#it smo'ing( + still want to 'now !eca#se it will a%%ect my weight loss s#ggestion plans with them( Many people$ especially women$ do not want to stop smo'ing simply !eca#se they are a%raid they will gain weight when they A#it( /o# sho#ld disco"er i% this is the case$ to !e more e%%ecti"e with yo#r pre8tal' and yo#r therape#tic s#ggestions( <o they #se mariE#anaQ /es or no and how o%ten( <o they #se any other DrecreationalD dr#gsQ The common ones are cocaine and
other stim#lants$ ecstasy$ heroine$ methadone$ prescription or #nprescri!ed pain pills and anti8an@iety medications( + want to 'now a!o#t their dr#g #se history( Now$ not e"eryone is interested in chec'8 mar'ing$ I/es$ + #se cocaine and heroin$J on a %orm with their name on it$ so we ha"e to ass#re the client that the in%ormation will remain con%idential !etween me and them( +Om not a cop$ + E#st want to help them( <r#g #se impacts !rain wa"e %#nctioning$ and as a hypnotherapist it is important to !e aware o% what is going on with the clientDs !rain( Nongard & Thomas 1-7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone + want to 'now i% they ha"e sleep di%%ic#lties( People do not %#nction as well emotionally i% they do not reg#larly %ollow nat#ral sleep cycles( .leep pro!lems can !e d#e to stress$ depression$ an@iety$ medications$ ca%%eine$ nicotine$ and a host o% other reasons$ and we sho#ld ma'e an attempt to sort them o#t$ i% we can$ e"en i% they came in %or a di%%erent iss#e$ !eca#se lac' o% good sleep is o%ten a Catch >>$ contri!#ting to many other pro!lems(
+ want to 'now a!o#t their eating patterns$ !eca#se they will tell me a lot a!o#t the clientDs li%estyle choices$ the way they a!#se their !ody and what is important to them( + also want to 'now i% they are satis%ied or dissatis%ied in their personal relationships( <epending on what !ro#ght them to my o%%ice$ + pro!a!ly donOt need to 'now many speci%ics$ a general o"er"iew will do( or other iss#es$ howe"er$ this area will !e o% partic#lar importance$ especially i% + am doing co#pleOs co#nseling( + am licensed as a marriage %amily therapist$ and se@#al iss#es are a part o% my domain$ along with how they handle tension and stress$ what they do %or %#n$ their ho!!ies and so %orth( And$ it is especially important with co#ples to as' each o% them$ indi"id#ally$ what they want to accomplish with hypnosis$ to ma'e s#re they are on the same page( The last thing on the inta'e assessment %orm is the +n%ormed Consent( Ce will disc#ss this more later as it relates to lia!ility$ !#t we need to let o#r clients 'now the limits o% the ser"ices we o%%er and that they ha"e a choice to see #s or someone else at any time( Ce need
to doc#ment that we ha"e e@plained this to them and ha"e disc#ssed the ris's 4%ew i% any6 and !ene%its inherent in hypnosis( + then as' my clients to print their name in the space$ and then sign and date indicating they #nderstand what they wrote( +n%ormed consent is essential( This is the !asic assessment process in a n#tshell( +t !egins with a A#estionnaire and disc#ssion a!o#t the clientOs partic#lar needs$ strengths$ reso#rces and de%icits$ and then yo# can !egin to create targeted inter"entions to help the person reach their goals( 11Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .tyles o% Learning The second tool + #se d#ring the inta'e and assessment process is the .tyles o% Learning %orm( *ach one o% #s has a #niA#e learning style) some o% #s are more a#ditory in orientation$ others are more "is#al$ and others are more 'inesthetic( +t is important to realize$ howe"er$ that while we each may ha"e a partic#lar style o% learning !est s#ited to #s$ we all learn %rom all three orientations( No one is only a#ditory and ne"er learns or adopts in%ormation %rom a
'inesthetic or a "is#al perspecti"e$ and many clients may seem to share all three styles almost eA#ally( These things are not in%le@i!le( They can all wor' together to complement one another$ and people respond to di%%erent ideas at di%%erent times( + thin' i% we assessed someone as "is#al$ %or e@ample$ and we create nothing %or them other than "is#al scripts$ we will not ser"e the client well$ !eca#se most people can !ene%it across the !oard %rom all three learning styles( /o# can %ind a .tyles o% Learning A#estion sheet on the +nternet$ E#st do a search( The one + #se is adopted %rom wor' Colin :ose did on the s#!Eect$ and it as's a!o#t 1A#estions which can help #s determine whether o#r client is "is#al$ a#ditory or 'inesthetic; tactile in orientation( or e@ample$ the client may ma'e %i"e selections #nder "is#al$ two #nder a#ditory$ and three #nder tactile( Chat that tells me is this partic#lar client is oriented towards the "is#al style o% learning$ !#t since there are some positi"e answers in other !o@es$ all styles o% learning can !e !ene%icial %or that person$ with an emphasis on the "is#al(
Now let #s disc#ss how these three di%%erent learning styles relate to hypnosis( There are people who learn !est thro#gh so#ndrelated e@periences$ they respond "ery well to "er!al or spo'en instr#ctions( This is the 'ind o% person yo# can gi"e "er!al directions to E#st once 8 INo down Main street$ t#rn le%t at the third light$ head down %o#r !loc's$ t#rn right$ and when yo# see the %or'$ yield to the le%t$ itDs the se"enth ho#se on the rightJ 8 and witho#t a map they show #p at yo#r ho#se >- min#tes later( Nongard & Thomas 111 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 1ther people are more "is#al in orientation( They respond !est to what they see and read( These people generally ma'e !etter witnesses$ as they tend to a!sor! more "is#al details than a#ditory or 'inesthetic learners( They respond "ery well to paper maps$ !#t i% + ga"e them the same "er!al instr#ctions as in the pre"io#s e@ample$ they pro!a!ly co#ldnDt %ind the location R #nless they wrote it down and;or p#lled the act#al address #p on MapM#est or Noogle Maps$ printed o%% the ro#te$ and !ro#ght it with them(
Kinesthetic learning style %ol's respond to the physical sensations o% li%e$ to the e@periences they ha"e with mo"ement$ te@t#res$ to#ch( They learn !est thro#gh doing$ hands8on proEects and participation( They li'ely ha"e great hand8eye coordination$ and most o%ten remem!er things !y recalling what they were doing$ physically$ at the time( .e"eral years !ac' + had a traditional therapy client who was a hea"y mariE#ana smo'er( He was depressed and wasnOt doing too m#ch with his li%e( His girl%riend d#mped him !eca#se she didnOt want to !e with someone who was not moti"ated to do$ well$ m#ch o% anything( He needed to set some goals( + do goal8setting assignments with a lot o% my clientsU we disc#ss their goals and then they write them down$ o#tlining the o!Eecti"es with a pencil and paper( 9#t + 'new this partic#lar client was primarily 'inesthetic in orientation and "ery low on a#ditory$ so + had him do something di%%erent( He was a!o#t >- years old !#t still li"ing at home$ and + said$ IHey$ does yo#r mom ha"e !#nch o% magazines lying aro#nd the ho#seQJ
He said$ I?hhh$ yeah(J + said$ I+ want yo# get some o% those old magazines( No thro#gh them$ and + want yo# to c#t o#t all the pict#res yo# see that represent what yo# wish yo# had in li%e( or e@ample$ yo# said yo# were depressed( +% yo# see a yellow smiley %ace in a Cal8Mart ad$ c#t it o#t( /o# mentioned that yo# car was a cl#n'er( LetOs say yo# see an ad %or a !rand new car yo# wish had( C#t that o#t$ too( /o#r girl%riend E#st d#mped yo#Q +% yo# see a Kiagra ad with a g#y and a girl holding hands wal'ing down the !each$ c#t that pict#re o#t( Not the Kiagra$ E#st the happy co#ple holding hands part( Then$ arrange and gl#e all the pict#res yo# c#t o#t on a poster !oard(J 11> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly He did the assignment$ created a poster !oard collage$ and wow$ it was really impressi"e R the 'id had a lot o% artistic talent( This is a "ery tactile learning e@ercise) c#t$ paste$ stic'$ and mo"e( +t is also$ o!"io#sly$ "ery "is#al( + told him to ta'e his collage and to tape it inside his !edroom door$ !eca#se itDs one o% the %irst places he will
loo' in the morning$ and one o% the last places he will see at the end o% the day when he comes home to his room at motherOs ho#se( :emem!er$ this was a goal8setting assignment$ so + wanted him to aim %or something( + s#ggested that in the mornings when he loo's at the pict#res !e%ore heading o#t the door$ he sho#ld recognize that those images were the things he was going to !e aiming %or that day( +n a hypnotic process$ these three learning styles sho#ld and can easily !e incorporated into the s#ggestions that we #se( or e@ample$ when pro"iding hypnotic s#ggestions to an a#ditory learner we may say things li'e$ Ilisten to these s#ggestions$J or$ Ithis is what stillness so#nds li'e(J or the 'inesthetic indi"id#al$ we may s#ggest$ IPay attention to yo#r heart rate$ %eel yo#r heart !eat !ecoming slower and slower as yo# !reathe in$ and o#t( eel the o@ygen %ill yo#r l#ngs(J These are the types things a 'inesthetic learner responds to$ !eca#se it p#ts mo"ement$ %eeling and the physical nat#re o% the !ody into a perspecti"e that is easy %or them to relate to and #nderstand(
The "is#al learning style is easily incorporated into the hypnotic process !y #se o% "is#al imagery s#ggestions( Chite p#%%y clo#ds$ a staircase deepener$ rela@ing at the !each$ a serene clearing !y a mo#ntain stream$ and so %orth$ are partic#larly #se%#l$ !eca#se these clients can easily create those 'inds o% images in their mind( ?nderstanding learning styles is "ery important %or the e%%ecti"eness o% the hypnotic process( The more we #nderstand and #tilize related techniA#es$ the !etter we can assist o#r clients with getting most o#t o% their session with #s( Nongard & Thomas 110 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone .trengths and :eso#rces 1ne o% the most #se%#l assessment tools that + #se in my co#nseling practice is the N.:+) Nongard .trength and :eso#rces +n"entory( The N.:+ is a simple 18page assessment tool created !y Pa#la <#ncan Nongard to %ill a real need in the assessment process( + ha"e #sed it %or years in my own practice$ and ha"e !een licensing it to other mental health pro%essionals since the mid 177-Ds( The positi"e
%eed!ac' has !een tremendo#s$ and + thin' yo#Dll easily #nderstand the positi"e applications %or hypnotherapy inta'e( As pre"io#sly mentioned$ the most e%%ecti"e inter"ention ideas and s#ggesti"e scripts we can de"elop will come directly %rom the strengths and reso#rces the client already possesses$ and the N.:+ is designed to help identi%y them( Li'e the .tyles o% Learning A#estionnaire$ the N.:+ is a sel%8report$ meaning the client will chec'mar' the ideas listed that he or she relates to$ and ignore those they do not( .i@ sections co"er di%%erent areas o% li%e strengths$ reso#rces and a!ilities$ %rom whether they ha"e a Eo!$ to i% they wor' well with others or alone$ to their social s#pports and so %orth( .ometimes + may 'now what is right a!o#t a client$ !#t they ha"e a hard time accepting my o!ser"ations( Clients are o%ten good at determining what is wrong with themsel"es$ !#t not with seeing what is right( The items to choose %rom on the N.:+ are simple and non8 threatening$ and can ser"e to !#ild sel%8esteem once the page is co"ered in chec'8mar's that they$ themsel"es mar'ed(
:eso#rces are the things o#r clients ha"e to help them sol"e their pro!lems( or e@ample i% + were loo'ing %or a Eo!$ two reso#rces wo#ld !e a telephone and a car( .o$ i% + am loo'ing %or a Eo!$ + ha"e transportation and a way %or a prospecti"e employer to contact me and tell me i% + am hired( Those are reso#rces$ e@amples o% practical and #se%#l things that e@ist in my li%e to help me sol"e pro!lems( The N.:+ also meas#res the strengths o% a personOs interactions with others( + am a %irm !elie"er that King .olomon was right when he said$ IAs iron sharpens iron$ so one man sharpens another(J Ce need other people to help #s sol"e pro!lems( 9eing a!le to identi%y and integrate the clientDs strengths into their learning 112 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly processes can !e partic#larly #se%#l( +n order to #nderstand more a!o#t the strengths o#r client possesses$ we m#st learn as m#ch as we can a!o#t how they relate to others( The third iss#e addressed is ed#cation and s'ills( + want my client to recognize that the ed#cation and s'ills they posses are #se%#l
to them %or ma'ing positi"e changes( + want to !e a!le to incorporate their e@isting s'ills$ A#ali%ications and !ac'gro#nd when + am coming #p with s#ggesti"e therapy programs( +% a client is stressed o#t and %eels their li%e has !ecome #nmanagea!le$ it may !e help%#l to point o#t the other things they ha"e !een a!le to accomplish in li%e !eca#se they do ha"e management and organizational s'ills$ to show that they also posses the a!ility to ta'e !ac' control o% their c#rrent sit#ations !y #sing those same e@isting s'ills in other areas o% li%e( The N.:+ also s#r"eys personal attri!#tes( This is where we %ind o#t i% o#r clients percei"e themsel"es as tr#stworthy$ help%#l$ %riendly$ co#rteo#s$ 'ind$ o!edient$ cheer%#l$ thri%ty$ !ra"e$ clean$ re"erent and s#chli'e( + want my client to identi%y the character strengths they possess$ !eca#se those strengths are going to help compensate %or their de%icits( +% they want to lose weight$ and consider themsel"es to !e loyal and tho#ght%#l$ we can incorporate those traits into s#ggestions$ s#ch as$ I((( E#st as yo# are loyal to yo#r %amily when they need yo#$ yo# are also loyal to yo#rsel% and yo#r own health
needs$ choosing to eat only A#ality %oods with positi"e n#tritional "al#e that will s#pport yo#r weight loss goals(((J Ce also want to 'now a!o#t their sit#ational social s#pports$ the people they interact with( .it#ational s#pports are a!sol#tely essential( or e@ample$ when wor'ing with smo'ers$ it can !e help%#l to #se what we learn here to s#ggest that %or the %irst wee' or so o% their smo'e8%ree li"es$ they spend most o% their time associating with s#pporti"e non8smo'ers$ !e that their mother$ sister$ #ncle or pastor( Helping the client identi%y these s#pports #p %ront and incorporating their names into s#ggestions prepares them to get help %rom positi"e so#rces$ sho#ld they need it( All o% these iss#e areas can !e #sed to help come #p with s#ggesti"e therapy ideas targeted at their partic#lar point o% need( Chether yo# #se the N.:+ or a similar %orm$ perhaps o% yo#r own creation$ or whether yo# simply incorporate the a!o"e elements into the inta'e inter"iew$ what yo# will learn %rom this process will !e greatly important to the s#ccess o% yo#r sessions( Nongard & Thomas 11&
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 113 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: & *@ploring the Hypnotic Process in <etail Let #s now ret#rn to the %ormal process o% hypnosis$ and e@plore the 'ey elements o% the pre8tal'$ ind#ction and deepening in more detail( Nongard & Thomas 11, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 115 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Pre8Tal' +% yo# ha"e ne"er seen a stage hypnosis show$ + recommend that yo# do so at yo#r %irst opport#nity$ simply %or the ed#cational "al#e 4not to mention the entertainment "al#e6$ as it pro"ides an immensely power%#l e@ample o% what can !e accomplished with hypnosis$ A#ite easily( *"en in a noisy and o%ten chaotic en"ironment$ stage hypnotists can hypnotize large gro#ps o% willing people 8 in E#st a %ew min#tes( That may so#nd #n!elie"a!le$ !#t tr#ly$ as + hope yo# realize
!y now$ anyone can !e hypnotized( ?nli'e the eager participants in a stage show$ those who are not so s#re that they want to !e hypnotized$ and e"en those who might act#ally %ear hypnosis$ can still !e hypnotized 8 i% the hypnotist ta'es the time to e@plain the hypnotic process to them( <etailing to the client e@actly what hypnosis is$ how it wor's$ how it %eels$ what will happen$ and how m#ch control they will maintain or lose o"er what they say or do$ can go a long way towards soothing the clientOs ner"es$ ad"ancing s#ggesti!ility$ and !#ilding necessary client;hypnotist tr#st and rapport( :emem!er at the !eginning o% this te@t when + said yo# sho#ld ha"e a little !ac'gro#nd in%ormation !e%ore we do"e into e@actly how to hypnotize someoneQ The in%ormation that %ollowed was the eA#i"alent o% the pre8tal' portion o% this co#rse$ rather li'e the concepts o% Spatient ed#cationO and Sin%ormed consentO rolled into one( Cith Con"incers Ce disc#ssed con"incers !e%ore$ the tests clients can do d#ring the pre8tal' that ser"e to !oth rein%orce the concepts and capa!ilities
o% hypnosis to the client$ and also gi"e the hypnotist an idea o% the clientOs early s#ggesti!ility response le"el$ their %oc#sed concentration le"el$ and their a!ility and desire to %ollow directions( Nongard & Thomas 117 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone + ga"e a co#ple o% e@amples earlier$ !#t here are a %ew more that yo# sho#ld try yo#rsel%$ and may choose to integrate into yo#r own pre8tal's as yo# !egin practicing( The I9oo';9alloonJ Test A%ter E#st !rie%ly ha"ing the client close his eyes and %oc#s on rela@ing$ he is told to e@tend one arm straight o#t$ palm #p( He is then told to raise his other arm straight #p a!o"e his head$ and to ma'e a %ist with his th#m! stic'ing #p li'e heOs hitchhi'ing( Then$ the hypnotist tells the client that in his open palm is a hea"y !oo' that he m#st s#pport$ and will sim#late this !y p#shing down a !it on the clientOs open palm( The hypnotist also tells the client that tied to his th#m! is a large heli#m %illed !alloon$ which is ca#sing his arm to rise higher and higher$ and the hypnotist may gently sA#eeze the clientOs th#m!$
%or %ocal point emphasis( As the hypnotist repeats and rein%orces these s#ggested concepts o"er and o"er$ more and more intensely in the ne@t min#te$ the clientOs e@tended arm will !egin to %all %rom the percei"ed weight o% the hea"y !oo'$ and their raised arm will stretch higher and higher$ as i% heOs almost !eing carried away !y the !alloon( Chen the client is s#ddenly told to open his eyes and %inds himsel% in this interesting position$ he is #s#ally %ar more con"inced o% the power o% hypnosis( +%$ howe"er$ the client does not respond as e@pected$ then he is perhaps either intentionally resistant$ or simply #na!le to %oc#s or %ollow directions( The hypnotherapist sho#ld then disc#ss the sit#ation with the client and determine the lac' o% response ca#se$ and then o"ercome the pro!lem$ i% possi!le$ with %#rther ed#cation$ or perhaps simply re%er the client %or a di%%erent %orm o% therapy( :emem!er$ %or hypnosis to wor'$ the client m#st !e willing( 1>Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly ingers <rawn Together Test 8 As i% the clientDs %ingers were magnetized(
IHold yo#r arms straight o#t in %ront o% yo#$ with yo#r %ingers clasped together$ and then e@tend the pointer %inger o% each hand( Now$ p#ll !oth %ingers apart as %ar as possi!le$ and stare hard at the space !etween them( /o# will notice that no matter how hard yo# try to 'eep yo#r %ingers apart$ they are !eing drawn closer and closer together( The harder yo# try to p#ll$ the stronger the magnet gets that p#lls them together( oc#s on the space !etween yo#r %ingers( Try to p#ll harder( Can yo# %eel the magnetQ /o#r %ingers are !eing drawn !y the magnet$ closer and closer together$ #ntil they to#ch(J The *ye8Loc' Test 8 The clientOs eyes close and !ecome gl#ed sh#t( ITa'e a deep !reath 8 hold it 8 now$ as yo# let it o#t$ E#st close yo#r eyes and let yo#r !ody rela@( Again$ ta'e a deep !reath 8 hold it 8 now slowly let it o#t and rela@ e"en more( :ela@ yo#r eyes$ and rela@ all the m#scles aro#nd yo#r eyes$ %#lly and completely(
/o#r eyelids are rela@ing and they are happy to !e closed( /o# are now so com%orta!ly rela@ed that yo#r eyes want to remain closed( No matter how hard yo# try to open yo#r eyes$ they will remain closed( Nongard & Thomas 1>1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Ta'e another deep !reath 8 hold it 8 now let it o#t and rela@ e"en more( Now that yo# are completely rela@ed$ try to open yo#r eyes$ and satis%y yo#rsel% that they remain closed(J 4Pa#se6 INood( Now stop trying and rela@ them again(J Alternati"e 4more direct6 "ersion) I+Dm going to co#nt down %rom %i"e to one( As + do$ yo#r eyelids will loc' so tightly closed that the more yo# try to open them$ the tighter they will loc' closed( i"e( Close yo#r eyes( /o#r eyes are pressing down tightly( o#r( Pressing down and sealing sh#t( Three( /o#r eyes are sealing closed$ as i% they were gl#ed( Two( They are loc'ed sh#t( The more yo# try to open them$ the tighter they loc' closed( 1ne( /o#r eyes are completely loc'ed sh#t(
Now$ try to open yo#r eyelids( /o# will %ind they loc' tighter and tighter( Kery good( /o# can stop trying now( .imply rela@(J The Hand Clasp Test 8 Loc'ing;gl#ing a clientOs hands together( JHold !oth hands o#t in %ront o% yo#$ palms #p( Nood( Now + am going to p#t some gl#e on yo#r palms(J 49r#sh yo#r hand across !oth o% theirs(6 INow$ press yo#r palms together(J 4<emonstrate(6 IAs yo# press harder and harder$ the gl#e on yo#r hands !egins to set 8 to dry and harden 8 and yo#r palms !ecome st#c' together( 1>> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The harder yo# press yo#r hands together$ the more st#c' they !ecome( Press hard( eel the gl#e hardening( /o#r hands are now completely gl#ed together$ and e"en i% yo# were to try to p#ll them apart$ they wo#ld stay st#c' together( /o#r hands are st#c' together( /o# can try to p#ll them apart$ !#t they will remain gl#ed sh#t( No ahead$ try to p#ll them apart(J 4Pa#se6
INood( /o# can stop trying now( /o#r hands are no longer st#c' together(J Alternati"e "ersion) INow weOre going to help yo# %ind o#t how strong yo#r powers o% imagination and concentration are( .tand here$ and loo' me directly in the eyes$ and concentrate completely on the ideas !ehind my words( P#t yo#r arms straight o#t in %ront o% yo#( Nood( Clasp yo#r palms together and interloc' yo#r %ingers( Kery good( Keep loo'ing at my eyes( Now$ p#sh yo#r hands together as tightly as yo# can and concentrate on this idea) DMy hands are st#c' together$ my hands are st#c' together(D Kery good( As yo# p#sh yo#r hands together$ tighter and tighter$ yo#r arms grow sti%% and rigid$ sti%% and rigid$ as yo#r hands loc' more tightly together$ as i% theyDre made o% one solid piece o% steel(J 4This Ssti%% and rigid$ solid as steelO sit#ation is called ScatalepsyO o% the arms$ as will !e e@plained shortly(6 Nongard & Thomas 1>0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone
IKeep loo'ing at my eyes( Now$ as yo# %#lly and completely concentrate on the idea that yo#r hands are one solid piece o% steel$ try in "ain to p#ll them apart$ and %ind that they are st#c' together$ sti%% and rigid$ st#c' together(J 4Let them try %or two or three seconds 8 no more6( INood( Now stop trying$ and allow yo#r arms and hands to rela@$ !ecome loose and limp$ and they will release easily(J 41n occasion$ some people may ha"e a little pro!lem getting their hands apart( H#st gently sha'e them loose and say$ I+tOs o'ay$ yo# can rela@ now and E#st let go(J6 The Hot 1!Eect test R The client holds a DwarmingD o!Eect #ntil it is too hot to hold com%orta!ly( IHold yo#r hand o#t$ palm #p( Nood( Now loo' at me( +n a min#te$ +Om going to p#t a small stone in yo#r hand( As the stone comes in contact with yo#r s'in$ it will !egin to get warmer and warmer( As it heats #p$ + want yo# to hold on to it as long as yo# can$ #ntil itOs E#st too hot %or yo# to hold( Are yo# readyQ Nood(J
4Place the stone 8 or other small$ smooth o!Eect6 in the center o% their palm$ and close their %ingers aro#nd it(6 IThe stone in yo#r hand is now reacting and growing warmer( The heat grows grad#ally$ second !y second$ it gets warmer and warmer( The longer yo# hold it$ the warmer it gets( +tOs getting warmer and warmer$ hotter and hotter( 1>2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +tOs li'e a hot potato( +tOs o'ay to open yo#r hand$ !#t it will still get hotter( Kery good( H#st try to hold on to it as long as yo# can stand the heat( +tOs now hotter$ and hotter(I 4Keep it #p #ntil the client drops the stone$ or perhaps sho#ld$ d#e to e%%ort limits(6 IKery good( /o# can p#t it down now$ so it will cool o%%(J Lemon <rop Test 8 As i% the client had a piece o% lemon candy in their mo#th( IThe mind and !ody wor' together in amazing ways( Chen the mind concentrates %#lly and completely on a speci%ic tho#ght$ the !ody will a#tomatically act as i% that tho#ght is tr#e( LetDs try an
e@ample( Close yo#r eyes and hold o#t yo#r palm(J 4Kery lightly and !rie%ly$ to#ch the center o% their palm(6 INow$ imagine there is a candy lemon drop in yo#r hand( Kis#alize the color in yo#r mind( .ee the way the light glints o%% the s#gary crystal coating( Pretend yo# can %eel the weight o% it in yo#r hand( As yo# gently sA#eeze the lemon drop$ listen %or any so#ndU %eel the shape and te@t#re(J 4<onDt !e too speci%ic in yo#r s#ggesti"e descriptions 8 the lemon drop in their mind might not loo' li'e the one in yo#r mind(6 I+n yo#r mindOs eye$ notice all the lemon dropOs details$ as yo# Nongard & Thomas 1>& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone !ring it #p closer to yo#r mo#th$ and pop it inside((( Notice how at %irst the lemon drop is sweet 8 #ntil the s#gary coating !egins to wear o%% 8 and now itOs so#rF 1h so so#rFJ N1T*) /o#Ore loo'ing %or physical reactions 8 p#c'ering %ace$ eye scr#nching$ etc( They may swallow$ m#sh their mo#th aro#nd$
and so %orth$ as they wo#ld when eating a real lemon drop( Chen con"incer tests are #sed d#ring the awa'e state$ they are sometimes called Iwa'ing hypnosis(J At other times$ "ariations o% these tests 4especially the !oo'8and8!alloon type tests6 are #sed as deepeners d#ring the ind#ction process( M#scle ScatalepsyO is a term #sed to descri!e the ind#ced phenomena o% a personOs m#scles loc'ing or !ecoming sti%% and rigid$ li'e a !oard( +n this state$ the cataleptic lim!4s6 can !e placed in any position yo# tell them$ and will remain there( /o# can p#ll on a personOs cataleptic arm$ and it will not mo"e( Chen this happens$ yo# 'now %or certain that the person is in a deep hypnotic trance( .tage hypnotists %reA#ently #se catalepsy tests$ as it pro"ides !oth certainty o% trance in the s#!Eect$ and also an amazing demonstration %or the a#dience o% the power o% hypnosis( 1>3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +nd#ction Cith many clients + will act#ally say$ I+t is now time to !egin the ind#ction$ and mo"e thro#gh the hypnotic process %rom a state o%
alertness to a deeper le"el o% rela@ation$ and trance(J Any ind#ctions that we disc#ss in this te@t$ or that yo# learn anywhere else$ are merely e@amples o% ways to carry o#t the hypnotic process( <o not limit yo#rsel% to only one approach( :ecognize that hypnosis is a nat#ral process$ pro%o#ndly easy to ind#ce$ and so all we are co"ering now are di%%erent e@amples o% how to %acilitate the process( Ce enco#rage yo# to learn$ st#dy$ pic' & chose$ adapt$ modi%y and create indi"id#al approaches that s#it !oth yo# and yo#r clients( or more e@amples other than what we are disc#ssing !elow yo# may want to loo' at www(.#!liminal.cience(com and download some o% the %ree material there( Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation 1ne o% the most pop#lar or well 'nown clinical ind#ctions is PM: or Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation( .ometimes a PM: ind#ction can !e slow$ !#t that is o'ay( +t can easily mo"e a client %rom a le"el o% alertness to a deep and pro%o#nd le"el o% trance( +t in"ol"es$ essentially$ helping o#r clients to identi%y where they are carrying the stress o% the day$ and teaches them how to release it and rela@(
As yo# are reading this te@t now$ pay attention to yo#r !ody( May!e yo# ha"e !een sitting and reading %or the last co#ple o% ho#rs( May!e this is the end o% the day %or yo# !eca#se yo# had to wor' all day( May!e it is end o% the wee' or the end o% the month( Perhaps things ha"e !een stress%#l %or yo#( There is pro!a!ly a spot on yo#r !ody yo# can identi%y where yo# are carrying the tension o% the day( +s it in yo#r nec'Q +n yo#r !ac'Q /o#r sho#ldersQ Chances are pretty good yo# can identi%y a spot( 1nce we identi%y where we are carrying the tension o% the day$ we can choose to rela@( Ce can release the tension in o#r !row( Ce can choose to rela@ o#r tense sho#lders$ the m#scles in o#r nec'$ and !ac'( As we ma'e a conscio#s choice and e%%ort to do this$ we can %eel Nongard & Thomas 1>, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone the rela@ation mo"e across o#r !ody$ and we are transported into a state o% physical rela@ation( As yo# notice yo#r !ody rela@ing$ yo# may !egin to realize how easy it is to also let yo#r mind rela@$ and E#st allow yo#rsel% to open #p to all the wonder%#l possi!ilities
learning hypnosis !rings yo#( The Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation +nd#ction is a "ery nonthreatening method %or %irst time clients( +tOs something people enEoy doing !eca#se e"eryone li'es to rela@ and %eel good( The process is simple to %ollow$ and is %amiliar to many( A lot o% clients who say they ha"e ne"er done hypnosis ha"e listened to rela@ation tapes or !een to rela@ation sessions$ which are generally m#ch li'e PM:( And + am s#re yo# !egan to notice as yo# read the paragraph a!o"e$ rela@ation$ !oth physical and mental$ is "ery pleasant$ isnOt itQ I eel the m#scles in yo#r !row and in yo#r nec' !egin to rela@( Loosen the m#scles in yo#r sho#lders( Now %eel the rela@ation happening in yo#r sho#lders( Let the rela@ation %low thro#gh yo#r arms to the tips o% yo#r %ingers( eel the m#scles in the chest and in the lower !ac'V and let go o% the tension in those m#sclesV as yo# rela@ yo#r !ody %eel the m#scles in yo#r !#ttoc's !egin to rela@V and in yo#r thighs and down to the !ottom o% yo#r %eetV and %inally e@tending into the toes(J Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation generally progresses %rom head
down to toe$ en"eloping the le%t and right sides as one on the way down( /o# co#ld$ o% co#rse$ !egin at the %eet and mo"e #p$ or e"en in the center and mo"e o#t$ !#t most people are acc#stomed to and more com%orta!le with the top8down ind#ction techniA#e( A PM: ind#ction can !e per%ormed in "ario#s lengths 8 short$ general and directi"eU or long$ detailed and more indirect( Chich "ersion yo# choose will li'ely depend on the clientOs prior hypnosis e@perience le"elU those with little or no e@perience or who are still a little an@io#s may !ene%it more %rom the longer "ersion$ while those who are eager and more s#ggesti!le sho#ld li'ely do %ine with an a!!re"iated "ersion( Thin' a!o#t how yo# co#ld integrate this simple yet power%#lly e%%ecti"e approach into other aspects o% hypnosis as well$ s#ch as a deepener or e"en as part o% s#ggesti"e therapy( Also recognize that hypnosis and rela@ation are two entirely and completely di%%erent things$ rela@ation is E#st a #se%#l and pleasant pathway to hypnosis( 1>5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
Z Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation 4PM:6 +nd#ction L Always spea' to the client slowly$ in calm$ soothing "oice( *nco#ragement is !ene%icial$ so remem!er to pepper yo#r lang#age thro#gho#t the session with positi"e rein%orcements s#ch as 8 IThatDs rightU "ery goodU yo#Dre doing E#st %ine$ e@cellent(J L +nstr#ct the client to sit #p in a com%orta!le position$ %eet %lat on the %loor$ arms rela@ed on their thighs( L Now !egin to g#ide the client into rela@ation$ !y %ollowing a script s#ch as) IKeep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on me( Ta'e a deep !reath$ hold it$ and as yo# let it o#t$ %eel yo#rsel% !egin to rela@( Ta'e another deep !reath( All the way in$ all the way o#t( Nood( *yes %oc#sed on me( Again$ !reathe all the way in$ all the way o#t( Cith e"ery !reath$ let yo#rsel% rela@ more and more$ deeper and deeper( All the way in$ all the way o#t( /o#r eyes may !e getting hea"y( +% so$ itOs o'ay to close them now( /o#Ore ne"er alseep$ E#st rela@ed( All the way in$ all the way o#t(J
Note) +% they still ha"e their eyes open a%ter a %ew more !reaths$ go ahead and tell them to let their eyes close( L +tOs important %or the ine@perienced client to 'now that they will always !e a!le to hear yo#r "oice and that yo# are there to help them and will always !e there to ta'e care o% them( *@ample) I oc#s on my "oice( +Om here to g#ide yo#( /o# will always !e a!le to hear what + say$ and my s#ggestions are designed to help yo# rela@ and %eel more com%orta!le( Nongard & Thomas 1>7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Ta'e a deep !reath( All the way in$ all the way o#t( Pay attention to the so#nd o% my "oice and listen to the s#ggestions that + am a!o#t to gi"e yo#(J L Now$ ha"e the client %oc#s their awareness on di%%erent parts o% their !ody$ and choose to rela@ them( *@ample) I9ecome aware o% the m#scles in yo#r nec' and sho#lders( Notice the tension there$ and now choose to let yo#r sho#lders rela@(
Ta'e a deep !reath and let yo#r head grow hea"y( Now e@hale$ and let yo#r chin drop down to yo#r chest( As yo# !ecome more rela@ed$ yo# !ecome more and more com%orta!le( *@cellent( Let yo#r arms !ecome loose and limp( Ta'e a deep !reath and as yo# e@hale$ let yo#r chest and !ac' !ecome e"en more rela@ed( <eeper and deeper$ ne"er alseep$ E#st rela@ed(G N1T*) /o# will s#ggest this type o% instr#ction 8 Inow %oc#s on these m#scles$ %eel the tension lea"ing$ let these m#scles go loose and limpJ 8 %or all areas o% the !ody$ wor'ing down %rom head to toe R !row$ %ace$ nec'$ sho#lders$ arms$ chest$ !ac'$ !#ttoc's$ thighs$ cal"es$ toesV6 L How long it sho#ld ta'e and how detailed yo# need to !e with each m#scle gro#p will depend on the indi"id#al client( Catch their physical responses$ and gi"e more attention to those areas where they appear to carry more stress( or most people$ >& or 0- min#tes is A#ite long eno#ghU those
with more e@perience or who are highly s#ggesti!le can easily !e %#lly rela@ed 4and there%ore Iind#ctedJ6 in &81min#tes( 10Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly L ThatOs all there is to itF Now yo# can deepen them %#rther and;or implement the therape#tic s#ggestions( L Chen yo# are ready to !ring them #p$ yo# can say something simple li'e) JNow$ +Dm going to co#nt %rom one to %i"e$ and then yo#r eyes will open and yo# will %eel alert$ rela@ed and re%reshed(G As yo# co#nt #p to %i"e slowly$ yo#r "oice can !ecome a little less soothing and more nat#ral so#nding with each n#m!er( 1nce yo# reach %o#r$ i% their eyes are not yet open$ say$ G1n the ne@t n#m!er yo#r eyes will open and yo#Dll %eel completely alert$ rela@ed and re%reshed( i"e( *yes open$ %eeling alert$ rela@ed and re%reshed(G /o# may also wish to IsnapJ a%ter the n#m!er %i"e( *ye i@ation
Another common method o% hypnotic ind#ction is *ye i@ation( *ye %i@ation prod#ces a physical c#e that the mind responds toU when o#r eyes are %atig#ed$ we close themU this tells #s to sleep( .tage hypnotists o%ten generate eye %atig#e !y ha"ing their s#!Eects close their eyes and then point their eye!alls #p as i% they are loo'ing thro#gh the top o% their head( Positioning the eye this way is "ery tiring$ and the m#scle %atig#e nat#rally ca#ses a sleepy %eeling$ leading to trance( + #sed eye %i@ation in the demonstration with Meghan !y ha"ing her stare at the !ac' o% her hand or at a point on the wall( A light so#rce can also !e #sed$ altho#gh yo# want to ta'e care that itDs a so%t or indirect light$ to protect the eye( Nongard & Thomas 101 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone or e@ample$ once + was wor'ing with a client in a %airly dar' room$ and there was an irritating ray o% s#nlight coming in thro#gh the window !linds( There was no way to !loc' the light$ so + decided to incorporate it into the hypnotic process$ #sing it as a %ocal point( +
said the client$ IChat + wo#ld li'e yo# to do is stare at that light coming thro#gh the window( H#st %oc#s on the corner o% the window where light is the !rightest( oc#s yo#r attention on that point( Keep yo#r eyes on that point and listen as yo# !egin to rela@(J + then went on with$ ITa'e a deep !reath( +nhale$ now e@hale( +nhale deep$ now e@hale(J He contin#ed to stare at the light and + said$ INow$ the ne@t time yo# !lin' yo#r eyes$ 'eep yo#r eyes closed( .imply donOt open them(J He stared at the spot o% light %or another 1& or >- seconds and then he !lin'ed$ and + told him again to 'eep his eyes closed( Adapta!ility is important( +nstead o% saying$ I<arn$ there is an irritating light coming into the room$ may!e we sho#ld change locations %or the session$ or$ letOs mo"e the %#rnit#re aro#nd so that we are %acing the other way$J we simply incorporated the light into the hypnotic process( 1ne o% the interesting things a!o#t com!ining *ye i@ation with a light so#rce is that i% yo# stare at a light %or a min#te or two and then close yo#r eyes$ yo# may see %loating clo#ds or trace p#%%s o%
"is#al imagery or photographic negati"e type silho#ettes( <epending on the color o% the light yo# had !een loo'ing at$ yo# may see the opposite spectr#m color when yo# close yo#r eyes$ p#rple !ecomes yellow$ !l#e !ecomes orange$ red to green$ etcetera( These phenomena images can !ecome a!stract creations to draw %rom d#ring the hypnotic process$ as well( +nterestingly eno#gh$ a light !#l! was #sed as the catalyst %or the %irst e"er o%%icial hypnotic ind#ction$ per%ormed !y Hames 9raid$ the man who coined the term Shypnosis(O 9raid was an ophthalmologist 4eye doctor6$ and he wo#ld prepare clients %or eye e@ams !y ha"ing them %i@ate on a point o% light( 1nce when 9raid was late %or a session$ the client decided to sa"e time !y staring at the light as he waited( 9raid wal'ed in 2- min#tes later and recognized that his client$ still staring !lan'ly into the light$ was e@hi!iting the %irst signs o% mesmerism( 9raid instr#cted the client to close his eyes$ and was immediately a!le to achie"e hypnotic phenomena( or many years a%ter$ eye %i@ation with a light !#l! was really
the only ind#ction #sed( Ker!al processes li'e those we ha"e dis8 10> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly c#ssed !rie%ly were added m#ch later !y the s#ggestion pioneer$ LiW!alt( Z *ye i@ation 8 The client stares at an o!Eect or a light so#rce( 1( A%ter ha"ing the client sit in a com%orta!le position with their %eet %lat on the %loor and arms loose in their lap$ as' them to direct their gaze at an o!Eect o% %i@ation 4a light$ a spot on a wall$ a speci%ic item6$ and not to shi%t their %oc#s( >( +nstr#ct the client to) I.tare at the light 4or other speci%ic %i@ation o!Eect6( Loc' yo#r eyes on it( Ta'e a %ew deep !reaths$ all the way in$ all the way o#t( Per%ect( H#st 'eep !reathing deeply( oc#s on the 4o!Eect6 and listen to the so#nd o% my "oice( /o# will %ind that yo#r eyelids may !egin to get hea"y$ almost as i% they had a hea"y weight attached to them( The longer yo# stare at this 4o!Eect6$ the hea"ier yo#r eyelids !ecome$ and yo# !lin'(
/o#r eyes %eel hea"y$ weighted$ as i% something is p#lling them down$ as i% they want to slowly close( Keep !reathing deeply( /o#Ore doing E#st %ine( /o#r eyes are drowsier and sleepier and hea"ier$ and yo# %eel as i% they are slowly closing$ slowly closingU getting drowsier and more tired$ and when they %inally do close$ how good yo#Dll %eel( <rowsy$ hea"y$ p#lling down$ down$ down$ slowly closing( +tOs getting harder and harder to see$ and yo# %eel good( *@cellent( Nongard & Thomas 100 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone +t is "ery$ "ery hard to 'eep them open$ and yo# %eel that "ery soon they will close tightlyU almost tightly closing$ almost tightly closing$ tightly closing( /o#r eyes are tightly closedU yo# %eel goodU yo# %eel com%orta!leU yo# are rela@ed all o"er( H#st allow yo#rsel% to dri%t and enEoy this peace%#l$ com%orta!le$ rela@ed state( Conder%#l( /o# will %ind that yo# head %eels hea"ierU it tends to nod
%orward some$ and this is com%orta!le( H#st contin#e to let yo#rsel% dri%t in an easy$ calm$ rela@ed state(J 0( ThatOs it( 9elie"e it or not$ ind#ction really can !e this simple( Now yo# can deepen them %#rther and;or implement the therape#tic s#ggestions( 2( As with all ind#ctions$ yo# can intensi%y this ind#ction !y care%#lly o!ser"ing the clientOs reactions and timing yo#r s#ggestions "ery closely with them( or e@ample$ yo# might ma'e the remar'$ I1ccasionally$ yo#r eyes are going to !lin'$J immediately a%ter yo# see the client !lin'( This rein%orces that their !eha"ior is accepta!le$ and enco#rages them to contin#e %ollowing yo#r instr#ctions( 102 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Mental or Kis#al +magery Ce to#ched #pon mental imagery a little !it earlier( This is another common ind#ction techniA#e$ which can also !e #sed %or deepening( The SimagesO #tilized can "ary %rom an ho#rglass letting o#t sand$ to a %lower spro#ting$ growing and !looming$ to an ocean
wa"e rolling o#t to sea$ and co#ntless other ideas( Howe"er$ the hypnotherapist sho#ld ta'e reasona!le care to not #tilize images or o!Eects within the "is#alizations that might !e dist#r!ing to the client in some way( or e@ample$ in the %ollowing ind#ction$ the image o% a S%l#%%y pillowO is #sed( + had originally written this script to #se a S%eather pillowO 8 !#t someone once mentioned that they had !ad allergies to %eathers$ and + decided that rather than ris' #nnecessary resistance d#ring the ind#ction !ased on an instincti"e re%le@ against %eathers$ + wo#ld simply change the o!EectOs description %rom D%eatherD to S%l#%%y$O as it wo#ld ser"e the same p#rpose( +% the client has an e@treme %ear o% heights$ #sing a staircase might not !e s#ch a good idea %or the ind#ctionU i% they are a%raid o% open water$ an ocean wa"e rolling o#t to sea might not !e so calming %or them( These iss#es$ howe"er$ co#ld perhaps !e addressed %or treatment in %#t#re sessions$ i% the client is agreea!le( /o# do not necessarily need to catalog each clientOs allergies$ %ears and pho!ias !e%ore yo# !egin an ind#ction$ !#t i% yo#r
ind#ction or prescripti"e script #tilizes imagery that some people are 'nown to ha"e di%%ic#lty with$ it wo#ld not h#rt to as' a general A#estion a!o#t the s#!Eect d#ring the assessment inta'e pre8tal' disc#ssion( Another consideration %or imagery ind#ction is the clientOs indi"id#al learning style) A#ditory$ Kis#al or Kinesthetic( +% yo# ha"e #sed the .tyles o% Learning or other similar assessment tool$ yo# can tailor yo#r ind#ction style to correspond with their dominant learning style( The %ollowing is a more detailed e@ample o% .taircase Kis#al +magery$ com!ined with *ye i@ation and Con%#sion) Nongard & Thomas 10& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone L Mental +magery 8 The client en"isions certain scenarios %or rela@ation( To !egin a S"is#allyO %oc#sed imagery ind#ction) L Ha"e the client sit in a com%orta!le position with their %eet %lat on the %loor and arms loose in their lap$ ta'e them A#ic'ly thro#gh a deep !reathing rela@ation period$ #ntil their eyes
are closed( L +nstr#ct the client similar to the %ollowing) I1#tside distractions or so#nds wonOt !other yo#U yo# are %oc#sed on rela@ation and my "oice( Pic' a point o% light in the room s#ch as a light !#l! to stare at$ and do not 8 do not close yo#r eyes$ #ntil + tell yo# to( *"ery %i!er o% yo#r !ody is !ecoming rela@ed( The day is doneU pro!lems are a tho#sand miles away( Ta'e a deep !reath( All the way in$ all the way o#t( /o#r sho#lders$ !ac' and e"ery m#scle o% yo#r !ody are rela@ed( *@cellent( /o#r %ind yo#r eyelids are hea"y and want to close$ as i% yo# were in a deep sleep( .oon yo# will !e a!le to close them( Let yo#r head %all gently %orward towards yo#r chest( Close yo#r eyes$ and 'eep them closed( A part o% yo#r mind 'nows yo# co#ld open them i% yo# wanted to$ !#t yo# simply do not care to( /o# co#ld %ight this rela@ation i% yo# wanted to$ and yo# 'now that yo# do not ha"e to participate$ !#t the smart ones always do !est
and are a!le to %oc#s( *asier to rela@ and let go( Ta'e another deep !reath$ all the 103 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly way in$ all the way o#t( Ne"er asleepU E#st rela@ed( Let yo#r mind %oc#s simply on rela@ing$ !eing reminded that a little 9 is E#st a !ac'wards <$ and an M is E#st a right8side *$ while the > and the [ loo' the same( Now$ in yo#r mindOs eye$ imagine yo# are in a meadow$ #nder the clear !l#e s'y( /o# see one single white p#%%y clo#d %loating high a!o"e yo#( +magine yo#rsel% lying down in the meadow$ loo'ing #p( Catch the p#%%y clo#d as it !egins to %loat away( The %#rther away it gets$ the smaller it gets$ #ntil it %loats %ar$ %ar away$ and as it %loats away yo# !ecome e"en more and more rela@ed( The clo#d is now %ar$ %ar away in the s'y$ and yo# are twice as deep( Now ten times as deep$ and now one h#ndred times deeper into rela@ation( 4.NAP6
Now the clo#d is gone 8 lea"ing only the clear !l#e s'y( *"en more rela@ed( A tho#sand times deeper into rela@ation( All o% yo#r m#scles %eel as loose as a pile o% r#!!er !ands( /o# ha"e the a!ility to rela@ and concentrate( The smarter yo# are the easier it is to %oc#s and rela@( <onOt try too hard$ E#st ma'e the decision to let go( Per%ect( +n this state o% rela@ation$ imagine yo#rsel% at the top o% a hea"enly %light o% stairs( There are ten stairs( At the !ottom are a so%t$ %l#%%y !ed and a com%orta!le pillow( Nongard & Thomas 10, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone + am going to co#nt down %rom ten$ as yo# mo"e down each stair( As + say the n#m!er ten$ yo# will rela@( Cith each additional n#m!er$ yo# will simply mo"e down$ deeper and deeper$ one step at a time$ rela@ing more completely with each step$ e"ent#ally resting com%orta!ly on that %l#%%y pillow atop the com%orta!le !ed(
Ten( At the top o% the stairs$ rela@ing and letting go( Nine( 9ecoming looser$ limper and calmer( *ight( .in'ing into rela@ation and serenity( +% + to#ch yo# or mo"e yo#$ this only rela@es yo# deeper( Ten( Nine( *ight( .e"en( Cay down( A tho#sand times deeper into rela@ation( .e"en( .i@( i"e( ThatOs %ine$ per%ect$ mo"ing towards the %l#%%y !ed( o#r( Three( Two( :ela@ing and %ollowing my s#ggestions( i"e( Loosen the m#scles in yo#r sho#lders and nec'( o#r( Three( Two( Cay down( Three( Two( Cay$ way rela@ed( Three( Two( <eeper and deeper( And %inally$ one( Let yo#r !ody go limp( .imply sin' into a more com%orta!le$ calm and peace%#l position( *@cellent( /o#Ore doing per%ectV(J L Now yo# can deepen them %#rther and;or implement the therape#tic s#ggestions( 105 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 9ody Awareness Another #se%#l "ehicle %or hypnotic ind#ction$ similar to progressi"e rela@ation$ is 9ody Awareness( + once saw a client who
came in %or an@iety8related iss#es$ restlessness$ and ina!ility to sleep( Chen he arri"ed %or the appointment$ he was act#ally sha'ing( Ner"o#s !y nat#re$ he was partic#larly an@io#s a!o#t hypnosis and the process( + #sed an awareness ind#ction$ !eca#se it is good %or those who are hesitant$ resistant$ s'eptical$ ner"o#s or an@io#s( +t helps them to !ecome aware o% what is going on$ and to rela@( + !egan !y pointing at a light so#rce and he !lin'ed a %ew times and closed his eyes( + then ga"e some deep !reathing commands$ which + thin' is one o% the %astest nat#ral ways to help o#r client !egin rela@ing( <eep !reathing slows the !ody down$ a#tomatically rela@ing #s almost instantly( + then said$ I/o# sense yo#rsel% sitting on the chair with eyes closedU perhaps this %eels strange to yo# !eing in a new place and engaging in a process called hypnosis( ThatOs o'ay i% itOs new$ i% itOs di%%erent$ and i% itOs strange to yo#( +n %act itOs o'ay to e"en !e a little !it ner"o#s( Perhaps yo# can %eel some !#tter%lies in the stomach or e"en sha'iness in the tips o% yo#r %ingers( +tOs o'ay to %oc#s on what
yo#r !ody is doing and how yo#r !ody is responding( /o# can %eel yo#r heart !eat( Perhaps at this moment$ yo# can %eel yo#r heart !eating %aster than yo# want it to$ !#t yo# ha"e the a!ility to slow yo#r heart rate down to ta'e a deep !reath inV and o#tV and to %eel how yo#r !ody responds to the e@perience that we are engaging in$ !y rela@ing now(J Nongard & Thomas 107 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone :apid +nd#ctions ormal ind#ctions are not always necessary %or hypnosis to occ#r( As *ric'son demonstrated so well$ we can simply tal' to a person in a con"ersational manner and !ring them slowly into a le"el o% trance where they are more recepti"e to s#ggesti"e therapy$ !eca#se they are now %#nctioning at a lower alpha le"el or e"en into theta le"els( This is especially tr#e %or o#r clients who are e@perienced and ready to get on with the process( People as' me a!o#t %ast ind#ctions all the time !eca#se they ha"e seen stage shows or may!e e"en my .peed Trance +nstant +nd#ction training "ideos prod#ced with my %riend and method
originator IThe Trance8Master$J hypnotist Hohn Cer!one( A stage hypnotist in"ites a gro#p o% indi"id#als #p on stage and says$ IHi$ welcome to the show(J The hypnotist then wal's #p to one o% the s#!Eects and as's$ IChatDs yo#r nameQ Chere are yo# %romQJ They say$ I+Dm 9o!$ %rom 9in'elman$ Ne!ras'a(J And the hypnotist says$ I.leep$J and poo%F 9o! is o#t cold( Then e"eryone in the a#dience says$ ICow$ how did that happenQJ ?nless the hypnotist was #sing .peed Trance techniA#es$ it pro!a!ly happened simply !eca#se o#t o% 1-people in the a#dience$ 1& o% them came %orward$ 1- o% them were highly s#ggesti!le$ and one o% them already 'new how to do hypnosis and was eager to !e o#t( Those people are called nat#ral somnam!#lists( They ma'e #p a!o#t 1-T o% the pop#lation$ and they are$ o% co#rse$ a stage hypnotistDs dream( <o somnam!#lists come to o#r o%%ice %or clinical hypnotherapyQ A!sol#tely( They are %amiliar with hypnosis$ they li'e how it %eels and they 'now it wor's( /o# can #s#ally say to a client who has
e@perience with hypnosis$ ICe are going to enter a state o% trance now( .imply close yo#r eyes and rela@( Let go$ all the way down( CeOre in that place yo# want to !e$ and now we are going to mo"e %orward with s#ggesti"e therapy$J and they are o#t and ready( +t really can !e that A#ic' and simple( +n hypnotherapy$ #nli'e stage presentations$ howe"er$ o#r goal is not %ast ind#ction( There is no real !ene%it to a %ast ind#ction in clinical hypnosis other than sa"ing time( The stage per%ormer li'es the 12Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly process to !e %aster simply !eca#se he doesnOt want to !ore the a#dience with a se"enteen min#te ind#ction( As a clinical hypnotist$ we ha"e already !#dgeted 0- or 2& min#tes %or the hypnotic session$ so we may as well ta'e the time and ma'e the ind#ction part o% the learning process( 9#t + 'now yo#Dre c#rio#s$ and there are a "ariety o% methods o% instant and rapid ind#ction$ many o% which can ta'e nonsomnam!#listic$ ne"er !e%ore hypnotized s#!Eects into a pro%o#nd state o% hypnosis in less than 1- seconds( /es$ really$ in a matter o%
seconds( Howe"er$ these techniA#es are hard to e@plain in !oo' %orm$ as they reA#ire step8!y8step physical demonstration( There are some "ideos #p on /o#T#!e(com o% Hohn Cer!one and + doing some o% these ind#ctions$ !#t %or a solid s'ills ed#cation in the art R and it is an art 8 + wo#ld recommend yo# chec' o#t the <K< set + mentioned earlier called .peed Trance$ +nstant Hypnotic +nd#ctions$ which is a"aila!le at .#!liminal.cience(com( Nongard & Thomas 121 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone +nd#ction #ndamentals R Te!!etDs .i@ +nd#ction Types As yo# may ha"e noticed %rom reading the a!o"e ind#ction style e@amples$ all hypnotic ind#ctions are essentially com!inations or adaptations o% a %ew %#ndamental methods or techniA#es( These are 'nown as Te!!etOs .i@ +nd#ction Types( Nathan Thomas$ my coa#thor$ !rea's these types down and e@plains them as %ollows) *ye i@ation Chen yo# %i@ate yo#r gaze #pon something long eno#gh$ there is a nat#ral tendency to !egin to Dtrance o#t(D atig#e o% the Ner"o#s .ystem
Physical and mental %atig#e also ca#ses a lessening o% the %oc#s o% the critical mind$ and an increased tendency to accept s#ggestions( This is o%ten interpreted as rela@ation( Con%#sion +% yo# con%#se someone eno#gh$ they will instantly accept any s#ggestion that o%%ers a way to escape this con%#sion( +n other words$ con%#sion ca#ses hyper8s#ggesti!ility$ or a state o% trance( Misdirection Conscio#s attention is %oc#sed elsewhere$ gi"ing yo# a per%ect opport#nity to slip s#ggestions straight into the #nconscio#s( Loss o% *A#ili!ri#m Chen yo# are o%% !alance$ yo#r state o% mind tends to change$ which "ery o%ten lowers yo#r a!ility to conscio#sly process and reEect s#ggestions( .hoc' +mmediately a%ter a shoc' there is split8second o% per%ect s#ggesti!ility$ as their mind scram!les to ma'e sense o% what is going on( This is an ideal opport#nity to slip in a short$ 12> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
sharp and clear s#ggestion$ s#ch as$ G.leepFG This$ when gently and respect%#lly #tilized$ is "ery e%%ecti"e in rapid and instant hypnotic ind#ctions( Thin' a!o#t the types a!o"e$ and consider in what interesting ways yo# can com!ine them when cra%ting hypnotic ind#ctions( Practice and e@periment with what yo# ha"e learned and remem!er not to !e !o#nd !y any limitations( Trance is a nat#ral process and one which is incredi!ly easy to ind#ceU in %act sometimes all that is reA#ired is yo#r own hypnotic intent( Hypnotic +ntent Hypnotic intent is ha"ing the intention within yo# to ind#ce trance in yo#r client or s#!Eect$ and ha"e them e@perience pro%o#nd and positi"e trans%ormation( Chen yo# hold this intention strongly within yo#r mind and let it %#el yo#r e"ery word and action$ yo#Oll %ind yo#rsel% E#st nat#rally and a#tomatically saying and doing the right things( Hypnosis will E#st happen$ witho#t yo# ha"ing to e"en thin' a!o#t it( Practice #sing the techniA#es yo# ha"e learned and then once yo# ha"e e@perience with them and can easily recognize the
e%%ecti"eness o% these methods and can notice when someone is entering trance$ mo"e on %rom them and rely on yo#r hypnotic intent( +t might so#nd odd now$ !#t ha"e %aith$ it wor's 8 which yo# will realize as yo#r con%idence and e@perience grows( Nongard & Thomas 120 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Practice +t is important that yo# !ecome e%%ecti"e at ind#cing trance with a wide range o% people( Nat#rally$ di%%erent people respond di%%erently to di%%erent c#es and s#ggestionsU some people are more a#dio8%oc#sed$ others more "is#al or more tactile( .ome are more ner"o#s and an@io#s$ and others are somnam!#listic( or this reason$ it is important that yo# !ecome pro%icient at determining what style o% ind#ction to #se with di%%erent clients( Thro#gh ed#cation and e@perience yo# will need to) <e"elop yo#r s'ills with di%%erent styles o% ind#ction( Practice rela@ation$ imagery$ co#nting and other %orms o% ind#ctions$ noticing the di%%erences !etween the
concepts;strategies they employ$ and the responses they illicit( 9ecome s'illed at noticing signs o% trance( Pay close attention to the clientOs physical$ emotional and "er!al responses to yo#r s#ggestions( .+NN. 1 T:ANC*) \ Catalepsy d#ring con"incer tests \ Physical stillness \ Neneral rela@ation and loosening o% the m#scles \ Nrad#al post#ral sl#mping \ G latteningG o% the %acial m#scles 4they loo' "ery rela@ed6 \ Ca@y s'in tone 4the person may !egin to loo' more li'e a manneA#in 8 this is "ery s#!tle6 \ l#ttering o% the eyelids \ :*M type eye mo"ements \ +ncreased redness or wetness o% the eyes$ when open \ *le"ated !ody temperat#re \ eelings o% warmth$ coolness or tingling sensations \ .wallowing or g#lping \ Changes in !reathing rate and depth \ ingers$ arms or legs twitching slightly 122 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Positi"ely rein%orce when yo# see a sign o% trance(
Chen the client responds positi"ely to yo#r ind#ction s#ggestions$ it is important to let them 'now that they are doing well( The client wants to please yo#$ and hearing periodically that they are per%orming properly will enco#rage them to contin#e %ollowing yo#r instr#ctions$ and help them go deeper into trance( AdE#st yo#r s#ggestions to the clientOs responses( Chen yo# s#ggest something that o!"io#sly wor's %or the client$ yo# can do more o% it or something similar( +% yo# try something and it does not wor'$ A#ic'ly s#ggest something else o% a di%%erent orientation( +nd#ction Acco#terments .tage per%ormers may #se acco#terments or gadgets associated with hypnosis R generally made %amo#s !y mo"ies$ !eca#se traditional ind#ctions are really rather !oring to watch on %ilm R at least in their mar'eting materials$ s#ch as the pend#l#m$ %ancy pen lights$ metronomes$ the spinning spiral or Dhypno8disc$D and so %orth( 9oth Tril!yDs ."engali and <rac#la made the Iloo' into my eyesJ
concept o% hypnotic ind#ction so %amo#s$ and altho#gh playing the Dstaring gameD li'e 'ids do can certainly wor' as a method o% eye %i@ation and %atig#e$ rarely wo#ld it e"er act#ally !e #sed !y clinical hypnotists today( + collect these 'inds o% hypno8gadgets and 'eep a %ew displayed in my o%%ice$ %or$ + g#ess$ thematic decoration( + donDt #se them with clients %or ind#ction p#rposes$ howe"er + ha"e disco"ered that they can !e great ice8!rea'ers and rapport !#ilders d#ring the Dget8to8'now8each8otherD part o% the session( Nongard & Thomas 12& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 123 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <eepeners ollowing the ind#ction are the deepeners( Again$ the 'ind and n#m!er o% deepeners are #nlimited$ so there is no DrightD or D!estD approach$ other than whate"er is !est %or yo# and yo#r client( That said$ let #s e@plore a %ew o% the most common types in more detail( The .imple Co#ntdown + saw a Las Kegas stage hypnotist #se a simple !ac'wards
co#ntdown$ and he did it$ %rom 1- down to 1$ in a!o#t >- seconds( ThatDs s#per A#ic'$ and he got really l#c'y that nightU his ind#ction was "ery strong and so the participants on stage were already in a %airly deep le"el o% trance( Nenerally$ the co#ntdown will !e longer and possi!ly com!ined with other elements( or e@ample$ I+ am going to co#nt !ac'wards %rom ten to one( As + do$ yo# are going to contin#e to rela@ all o% the m#scles in yo#r !odyV going down e"en deeper$ letting all o% yo#r m#scles !ecome as loose and limp as r#!!er !ands( Ten((( ma'ing s#re that the m#scles in the !row are rela@edV 7 V letting loose the m#scles in the nec' and sho#ldersV 5 V contin#ing to rela@ the arms and the %ingersV , V rela@ing the torso and yo#r !ac'V 3 V %eeling the rela@ation thro#gh yo#r legs and thro#gh yo#r 'nees and thro#gh yo#r thighsV & V !ecoming e"en more rela@ed VJ and so %orth( The a!o"e is an e@ample o% a ten8to8one simple co#ntdown com!ined with Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation rein%orcement( /o# do not ha"e to com!ine with anything$ simply co#nting down is %ine too(
+t all wor's 8 i% we are con%ident with the client$ i% o#r client wants to !e hypnotized$ and i% we ha"e done a good pre8tal'( Nongard & Thomas 12, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone The <a"e *lman +nd#ction;<eepening TechniA#e /o# can #se this techniA#e as either the ind#ction or the deepenerU they are interchangea!le( And$ when yo# thin' a!o#t it$ in many ways the ind#ction and the deepening are "ery similar$ arenOt theyQ This techniA#e as's %or the occ#rrence o% client8generated hypnotic amnesia as a phenomenon( The client does most o% the wor' themsel"es$ and perhaps this is why it is so e%%ecti"e( /o# will instr#ct the client to !egin co#nting down o#t lo#d %rom 1-- or %rom &- or where"er yo# want to start( As they say each n#m!er alo#d$ they are to "is#alize the n#m!er %ading away$ #ntil e"ent#ally$ #s#ally !y the third or %o#rth co#ntU they cannot see nor remem!er which n#m!er comes ne@t( As this occ#rs$ they will %ind themsel"es going deeper and deeper into trance( 1%ten the hypnotist
will instr#ct the client to say$ Ideeper and deeperJ or Ideeper and more rela@edJ !etween each n#m!er$ !eca#se this is a sel%8s#ggestion which ma'es the deepening occ#r e"en more A#ic'ly( or e@ample) I+ am going to as' yo# to co#nt !ac'wards$ o#t lo#d$ %rom %i%ty to one( +n yo#r mind$ + want yo# to "is#alize each n#m!er as yo# say it o#t lo#d( And then$ + want yo# to say$ I<eeper and deeper$J and as yo# do$ the n#m!er will E#st %ade away into nothingness( A%ter a %ew n#m!ers$ they will all !e gone A#ic'ly$ lea"ing nothing !#t rela@ation !ehind( I9egin now( i%ty((( deeper and deeper( And the &- %ades away( Kery good( orty8nine((( deeper and deeper and it %ades away( *@cellent( Notice that as yo# co#nt$ yo# ha"e tro#!le with which n#m!er %ollows ne@t( +t is o'ay to %orget the n#m!ers as they %ade away and yo# rela@ deeper and deeper( orty8 eight((( deeper and deeper ((( and the n#m!ers %ade away( The rela@ation do#!les and yo# %eel goodV H#st let the n#m!ers disappear now( /o# can let them %ade away to nothingU rela@ing deeper and deeperV#ntil all the
n#m!ers are gone and yo# are so rela@ed( Are they all goneQJ 125 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .taircase <eepener R Mo#ntain Path Kariation The staircase deepener$ li'e the n#m!er co#nt$ is a concept that can !e molded and adapted a million di%%erent ways( Personally$ when + #se a descending staircase co#ntdown$ + generally ha"e the client create in their mind a rela@ing$ %l#%%y !ed with a !ig %l#%%y pillow waiting %or them at the !ottom o% the stairwell$ which helps them to step down in their minds into a state o% total rest$ rela@ation and serenity( A similar deepener which #tilizes "is#al imagery and implied %atig#e is the mo#ntain deepener$ which may go something li'e this) I+ want yo# to pict#re in yo#r mind that yo# are in the rolling %oothills o% a mo#ntain range( +tOs a !ea#ti%#l day( The hills that yo# are tra"eling are not "ery steep( /o# notice a path !etween the hills that is easy %or yo# to %ollow( +n yo#r mindOs eye$ !egin wal'ing down that path thro#gh the rolling hills( As yo# do$ yo#Oll %ind that itOs serene and peace%#l$ a rela@ing e@perience %or yo#(
As yo# mo"e thro#gh the hills$ yo# notice the path !ecomes a little steeper( As it !ecomes a little steeper yo# ha"e to #se a little more energy to go #p the path( As yo# do$ yo# %eel rela@ed( /o# are enEoying yo#r s#rro#ndingsV the !irds in the air a!o"e$ the %resh air that yo# are !reathing( As yo# contin#e along the path$ yo# %ind that it !ecomes a little more di%%ic#lt to tra"elV /o# %ind it little more di%%ic#lt !eca#se itOs !ecoming a little steeper still( The path %rom the hills leads to the edge o% the mo#ntain$ and yo# %ind a place where yo# can com%orta!ly rela@( +tOs o'ay to rest %or a %ew min#tes on this path((( As yo# Eo#rney on the path #p to the mo#ntain$ yo# %ind that it !rings yo# an o"erwhelming sense o% peace( The path !ecomes perhaps a little narrower in some spots( ThatOs o'ay tho#gh !eca#se yo# ha"e %o#nd a wal'ing stic'( The wal'ing stic' can g#ide yo# thro#gh the parts o% the path that are a little steeper and little more di%%ic#lt( As yo# contin#e along yo#Oll %ind that yo# are e"en higher( /o# can loo' aro#nd and see the other mo#ntains in the distance(
They loo' so close( +t seems li'e yo# co#ld almost to#ch them( +n yo#r Nongard & Thomas 127 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone mind$ yo# 'now that they are act#ally miles away( This platea# is a wonder%#l resting spot$ !#t we are going to contin#e on the Eo#rney #p this narrow path$ #p this steeper hill$ to a spot where we %oc#s on resol"ing some o% the iss#es that yo# ha"e presented today(J Cith this mo#ntain deepener$ we are ta'ing the client thro#gh a peace%#l and rela@ing e@perience which can also act as a hypnotic metaphor %or the process o% pro!lem8sol"ing( or e@ample$ in the %ollowing s#ggesti"e therapy phase$ + wo#ld perhaps say to the client) ILi'e o#r Eo#rney #p the mo#ntain$ losing weight sometimes has di%%ic#lt places along the way( .ome roads are roc'y or narrow( /o# might not %eel li'e yo# ha"e all the choices yo# want to$ !#t yo# 'now that within yo#$ yo# can ma'e the choices that are necessary %or healthy eating and progress( Li'e the wal'ing stic' that g#ided yo# thro#gh those steep and narrow paths #p the mo#ntain$ the
'nowledge that yo# ha"e a!o#t healthy %oods and n#trition choices can !e a wal'ing stic' to help yo# ma'e decisions that are good %or yo#( /o#r %riends$ yo#r %amily$ the s#pports that yo# ha"e will all !e !ene%icial to yo# as yo# Eo#rney along the path o% !eing s#ccess%#l at achie"ing yo#r weight loss goals(J Chen #sing deepeners that incorporate imaginati"e Eo#rneys o% "is#al imagery$ + enco#rage yo# to !e creati"e( Thin' o% scenes that yo#r clients will relate to and enEoy$ and whene"er possi!le incorporate all %i"e senses into yo#r hypnotic description( /o# can also !e am!ig#o#s eno#gh to allow yo#r clients to create the scene themsel"es$ %or e@ample$ Sallow yo#r imagination to ta'e yo# to a certain place where yo# %eel com%orta!le and sa%eVJ /o# can e"en tal' to yo#r clients d#ring the hypnotic state and ha"e them descri!e and e@plain to yo# what they are e@periencing$ and #se this to gi"e them an empowering hypnotic Eo#rney which acts !oth as a deepener and a therape#tic metaphor !ased on e@actly what their own pre%erences and needs are( Practice tal'ing to yo#r clients and e@perimenting with
hypnotic Eo#rneys and imagination e@ercises$ and e@periment with new ideas R remem!ering$ o% co#rse$ to ma'e s#re that the client is o'ay with the 'ind o% scene yo# are creating( 1&Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly ractionation <eepening :emem!er the annoying snooze alarm we disc#ssed that sends yo# deeper e"ery time it goes o%%Q Another %ractionation techniA#e has a client close her eyes$ and then she is as'ed to open her eyes$ and then as'ed to close her eyes again$ and again( This is 'nown as KogtOs ractionation$ de"eloped !y Nerman hypnotist 1s'ar Kogt in the late 17th Cent#ry( KogtOs %ractionation or a "ariation thereo%$ is how stage hypnotists 'eep a show going( +t is easy to !ring someone #p to light le"els o% the trance$ ha"e them respond to s#ggestions$ and then instantly ta'e them !ac' down into a deeper le"el o% trance( At a stage show$ the hypnotist per%orms the ind#ction$ and then the deepener$ and then the %irst s'it( A lot o% times the %irst s'it has the s#!Eects playing an imagined m#sical instr#ment$ or perhaps a hot and cold
s'it where they e@perience minor 'inesthetic hall#cinations as their !ody temperat#re changes( These are called deepening s'its$ and they %amiliarize the s#!Eects with the hypnotic process( +n stage hypnosis$ s#ggestions mo"e %rom the easiest things to do$ to the most di%%ic#lt$ and !etween each s'it the participants are awa'ened 8 eyes open$ wide awa'e 8 and then p#t !ac' to SsleepO !y the hypnotist( As'ing them to wa'e #p$ do things$ demonstrate hypnotic phenomena and go !ac' to sleep is a %ractionation techniA#e( A%ter this happens many times thro#gho#t the show$ the s#!Eects are in a "ery deep le"el o% trance and are ready to per%orm more challenging demonstrations s#ch as hypnotic amnesia and m#sc#lar catalepsy( +n a clinical setting$ KogtDs %ractionation is #sed in less entertaining ways$ !#t %or the same p#rpose o% deepening the trance state( A session #tilizing KogtOs %ractionation will !e %airly long !eca#se one$ it can ta'e a little while with the awa'e;asleep;awa'e;asleep process$ and two$ yo# will want to ma@imize the s#ggesti"e therapy #se o% the pro%o#nd state yo# ha"e spent time creating(
The %ollowing is an e@ample o% what one co#ld say when #sing %ractionation com!ined with "is#al imagery primarily as a learning process$ getting the client acc#stomed to hypnosis and %ig#ring o#t how !est they respond( Nongard & Thomas 1&1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 4And E#st so yo# #nderstand$ %or demonstration p#rposes in this te@t + am going thro#gh this %ar more rapidly than + wo#ld with a client( :arely$ in a clinical setting$ wo#ld we do s#ch rapid "is#alizations or Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation e@ercises( /o# will need to #se yo#r own int#ition and common sense to add pa#ses and details( /o# will also need to incorporate client8targeted positi"e s#ggestions and other sensory e@periences(6 IChat + wo#ld li'e %or yo# to do is close yo#r eyes( + wo#ld li'e yo# to imagine that yo# are sitting in a %ield on a !ea#ti%#l spring a%ternoon( The weather is E#st per%ect( /o# can %eel the s#n on yo#r s'in$ !#t yo# are not too hot and yo# are not too cold( As yo# loo' at s'y$ yo# see that itOs a clear !l#e s'y( +n that
clear !l#e s'y$ yo# see one single$ white$ p#%%y clo#d( As it gently and lazily %loats thro#gh the s'y$ it !egins to disappear into the horizon( As it !ecomes smaller and smaller$ as yo# loo' at that clo#d$ yo# !ecome more and more rela@ed((( As the clo#d !ecomes tiny in size$ yo# realize it has disappeared into the distanceV + am going to co#nt !ac'wards %rom one to three$ and as + co#nt %rom one to three$ yo#Oll !ecome more awa'e( /o# will reorient yo#rsel% to the room and yo#Oll open yo#r eyes( 1ne$ two$ threeV 4.nap6(J Now o#r client is in a normal state$ and yo# may want to as' them$ ICere yo# a!le to see the pict#res in yo#r mindQ <id yo# see the p#%%y clo#dQ Cas it mo"ing slowlyQ Chat were the images li'eQ Co#ld yo# act#ally %eel the s#n on yo#r s'inQJ Ce as' a!o#t their e@perience !eca#se that will let #s 'now %or s#re that are they "is#alizing( +% they are not$ perhaps we sho#ld !e %oc#sing on another representational modality$ s#ch as 'inesthetic or a#ditory s#ggestions( Now$ we wo#ld as' the client to re8close his;her eyes$ and r#n
them thro#gh a A#ic' progressi"e rela@ation re8ind#ction to see how they respond$ and then emerge them 41$ >$ 0$ wide awa'e6 once again$ and as' a!o#t those e@periences( At this point we ha"e learned a!o#t the clientDs responses to imagery and rela@ation( Perhaps now weDll do an eye8%i@ation reind#ction with a n#m!er co#ntdown( And again$ we wo#ld wa'e the client and as' them a!o#t their e@periences$ and then we wo#ld possi!ly go on to say) 1&> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly I/o# are really getting the hang o% this( <oing a good Eo!( + am going to spend a co#ple o% more min#tes with yo#$ and d#ring that time$ +Om going to again help yo# to achie"e a le"el o% hypnosis to rela@ !oth yo#r mind and !ody$ and help yo# ma'e some changes in yo#r li%e(J Then we will do another re8ind#ction and deepener$ and then %inally get on with the therape#tic s#ggestion phase( Altho#gh the description a!o"e is !rie%$ this o#tline represents KogtOs %ractionation at its %inest( There are many other ways o% #tilizing %ractionation deepening$
s#ch as with rapid ind#ctions( /o# wo#ld do a rapid ind#ction$ %ollowed !y a A#ic' awa'ening$ then a rapid re8 ind#ction$ again and again$ so that 2 or & phases o% %ractionation 4awa'e;asleep6 %it into a!o#t a min#te( This can !e A#ite e%%ecti"e when yo# ha"e the con%idence to p#ll it o%%( This approach may also #se post8hypnotic s#ggestions as a trigger %or re8ind#ction$ especially i% yo# #se s#ggestion to a#gment the nat#ral e%%ect o% %ractionation( or e@ample$ a%ter the %irst ind#ction yo# co#ld say$ I+ am now going to co#nt %rom 1 to 0$ and when + reach 0 yo# will !e wide awa'e and %#lly alert( Howe"er when + say$ S08>818sleep$O yo#r eyes will close$ yo#r head will drop$ and yo# will immediately ret#rn to a deep and com%orta!le state o% trance$ going at least ten times deeper e"ery time we do this(O This techniA#e not only enhances the e%%ect o% the %ractionation$ !#t it also !egins to !#ild credi!ility with the client$ as they will$ o% co#rse$ respond per%ectly to this s#ggestion( .ince there are #nlimited ways o% ind#cing hypnosis$ there are
also #nlimited ways o% deepening the trance state$ so e@periment with the approaches that s#it yo# !est$ to de"elop yo#r own style and approach( Let the words %low %rom yo#r mind and ens#re yo# always spea' %rom a state o% com%ort and rela@ation( <escri!e to yo#r clients what it is li'e to !e in trance$ and they will %ollow yo# there( Nongard & Thomas 1&0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 1&2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 3 The Art o% .#ggestion ~ The Heart o% Hypnotherapy .#ggestion is "iewed as the heart o% hypnotherapy$ and is something that many traditional psychotherapists are not %amiliar with( +n co#nseling programs$ we were ta#ght :ogerian techniA#es to re%lect !ac' what we tho#ght we heard o#r client say( This approach does not answer A#estions nor gi"e ad"ice$ !#t p#ts it !ac' on the client( or e@ample$ i% a client says$ I:ichard$ + ha"e a A#estion %or yo#( + ha"e a choice to ma'e !etween these two options( Chich one
sho#ld + chooseQJ As a traditional therapist$ + wo#ld li'ely simply re%lect !ac' what + tho#ght + heard the client say) ICell$ Mr( Client$ what + thin' + heard yo# say was that yo# wondered what choice + wo#ld ma'e o#t o% two options((((J To me$ a :ogerian approach in therapy is somewhat li'e an *ric'sonian approach in hypnosis$ !elie"ing that o#r clients ha"e within them e"erything they need already$ and that they will ha"e an Sah8haO e@perience and generate their own insight when A#estioned( +t has !een my e@perience$ howe"er$ that most o% my clients in therapy donOt e"er generate that Sah8haO e@perience( <irected therapy and Nongard & Thomas 1&& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone directed hypnotherapy that act#ally gi"es s#ggestions can !e !ene%icial to o#r clients$ !#t this approach is o%ten resisted in traditional therapy( .#ggestion is power%#l and e%%ecti"e( or those who are #ncom%orta!le with s#ggestion 4!asically$ telling someone what to do6 !eca#se o% yo#r !ac'gro#nd or personality$ let me tell e@plain a
co#ple o% things( irst$ o#r hypnosis clients e@pect s#ggestion( They come to a hypnotist to ma'e positi"e li%e changes thro#gh the process o% hypnosis$ and that process in"ol"es the s#!conscio#s mind recei"ing positi"e s#ggestions$ and this is what they e@pect( .econdly$ o#r clients li'e hypnotic s#ggestions !eca#se it ma'es li%e !etter and easier %or them( +% they co#ld achie"e the same things on their own$ they wo#ld ha"e done it( Hypnosis helps$ and they li'e that( .#ggestion in general$ e"en witho#t hypnosis$ is highly e%%ecti"e( +% it werenDt$ there wo#ldnDt !e so many ad"ertisements e"erywhere( *"ery image in a magazine$ slogan on a poster and Eingle on the radio is a s#ggestion %or yo# to do or !#y something( +t really is amazing how responsi"e people are to sensory s#ggestions( The ne@t time yo#Dre sitting aro#nd the l#nch ta!le with a gro#p o% people$ gra! a %resh carton o% mil'( 1pen it #p$ ta'e a sip and E#st say$ I1h$ goshF This mil' is p#trid$ horri!ly rottenF Here$ smell that(J Then$ pass the carton o% good mil' aro#nd and watch what happens( 9eca#se yo# ga"e the s#ggestion that the mil' was
!ad with con"iction and con%idence$ they will respond physically in a negati"e way$ and e"eryone who smells the carton will respond to the p#trid$ nasty$ aw%#l mil' R e"en tho#gh the mil' is per%ectly good( Ha"e yo# e"er yawned E#st !eca#se yo# saw someone else yawnQ This is yet another e@ample o% why s#ggestion is a "ery power%#l and proli%ic change agent$ and can !e #sed to great e%%ect in the therape#tic process( Are yo# yawning nowQ 9eca#se s#ggestion is so power%#l$ we need to recognize that it can !e mis#sed( Most o% the clients on o#r caseload wo#ld ne"er act on a s#ggestion that was contrary to their own moral !elie%s$ !#t some clients are more s#ggesti!le than others$ and co#ld !e a!#sed !y an #nethical hypnotherapist( *"ery now and then there are cases o% #nethical psychiatrists$ social wor'ers and co#nselors a!#sing their clients( And$ e"ery now and then there are also stories o% #nethical hypnotherapists who ta'e ad"antage o% their clientOs s#ggesti!ility( 1&3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly ConseA#ently$ this is one o% the main reasons why people %ear
hypnosis( Chen it comes to ci"il litigation laws#its in psychotherapy$ pro!a!ly the three !iggest psychotherape#tic errors that clinicians ma'e are) %ail#re to recognize the power o% therape#tic relationship$ %ail#re to recognize the limitations o% their training and techniA#e$ and %ailing to respect the client( The same errors apply to hypnotherapy( +t is a "ery contentio#s and hotly de!ated iss#e among hypnotists as to whether someone can !e hypnotized to do something against their own will( Many hypnotists maintain that yo# cannot$ while others claim that morals and wills are only s#r%ace "eneers$ which themsel"es can !e changed !y s'illed and #nethical hypnotists( Chate"er yo#r own !elie%s on this matter are$ it is cr#cial that yo# always recognize the power o% s#ggestion$ and respect yo#r client( Principles o% .#ggestion Let #s now ta'e a closer loo' at some principles o% s#ggestion( These are g#idelines$ not hard and %ast r#les$ !#t they are help%#l to !ear in mind as yo# cra%t hypnotic s#ggestions( 9e Positi"e irst$ s#ggestions sho#ld !e phrased in the positi"e( Ce want
to say$ I/o# enEoy !reathing %resh !reathing air$J rather than$ IChene"er yo# smo'e$ yo# will !ecome sic' !y the no@io#s air that yo# are !reathing in$ and yo#Oll co#gh #ncontrolla!ly(J There is a di%%erence in res#lts( +nstead o% helping o#r client to stop doing something$ + want them start doing something positi"e( +nstead o% s#ggesting$ I/o# will A#it !iting yo#r nails$J s#ggest the positi"e$ I/o# will enEoy seeing yo#r nails grow long and e"en(J That is not to say yo# can ne"er phrase s#ggestions in the negati"e$ or ne"er #se SdonOtO or SstopO lang#age$ !#t as a r#le$ tell them what to do$ rather than what not to do( Nongard & Thomas 1&, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 9e Clear .#ggestions also need to !e #nderstood !y o#r client( 1#r metaphors and s#ggestions need to !e constr#cted appropriately %or the indi"id#al clientDs age and le"el o% cogniti"e and moral de"elopment$ so that they donOt go o"er the clientDs head( +n general$ s#ggestions that they can instantly #nderstand on a practical$ %#nctional
le"el are !etter than comple@ s#ggestions %or which they need to #se their conscio#s minds to decipher( .tay oc#sed .#ggestions sho#ld %oc#s on single topic$ rather than m#ltiple ideas( As with cogniti"e8!eha"ioral therapy$ the s#ggestions gi"en will %oc#s on speci%ic identi%ied iss#es$ pro!lems or sit#ations$ and are designed to pro"ide alternati"e relie% strategies or goals( The Iyo# will A#it smo'ing$ lose weight$ and start !eing nice and cleaning ho#se e"ery dayJ all in one ro#nd approach is simply not e%%ecti"e( .ome s#ggestions and impro"ements do go hand in hand$ s#ch as con%idence and sel% esteem$ howe"er$ as a r#le$ %oc#s on pro"iding change8s#ggestions %or only one maEor iss#e per session$ so that yo# can help the client to %#lly %oc#s on it( .tay +n the Now .#ggestions sho#ld also !e in the present tense$ rather than the %#t#re or past tense( People come to yo# !eca#se they want to change$ and so yo# might as well help them ma'e those changes now( +nstead o% s#ggesting$ S+n 0 to 3 wee's yo# will !e a non8smo'er$J s#ggest$ I/o# are now a non8smo'er$ a happy$ healthy and smo'e8%ree
indi"id#al(J To s#pport present8tense s#ggestions$ we may #se posthypnotic s#ggestions( Post8hypnotic s#ggestions are new patterns o% !eha"ior gi"en d#ring hypnosis$ with the intention o% !eing incorporated into the clientOs li%e %ollowing hypnosis( These directi"e s#ggestions gi"e the client an answer down the road o#tside yo#r o%%ice %or what to do when %aced with a challenge( or e@ample$ I/o# are contin#ing to lose weight and %eel great( +% yo# %eel the #rge to snac'$ yo# will reach %or healthy$ nat#ral %oods$ instead o% processed chips and dip or coo'ies(J 1&5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 9e *d#cational Hypnosis is a learning tool$ and hypnotherapy o%ten ma'es #se o% metaphors d#ring s#ggestions in e%%ort to show how speci%ic concepts$ perceptions$ actions$ !elie%s and goals may relate$ as well as to con"ey concepts which can later !e translated and applied to m#ltiple sit#ations( They are also %reA#ently #sed as relie% mechanisms$ partic#larly %or clients needing stress management help(
or e@ample$ I/o#r daily stress is li'e the lea"es o% a tree( +t !#ilds %rom the roots$ and then rises( .ee yo#r stress rising #p thro#gh the tr#n'$ and tra"elling o#t along the !ranches$ thinning and thinning as it %lows #pward and o#tward$ getting smaller and smaller as it reaches the end o% the thin !ranches$ then e"en smaller as it t#rns into !ea#ti%#l green lea"es( .ee the green lea"es t#rn golden$ then !rown$ and now watch them detach$ %all o%% and %loat to the gro#nd$ discarded and no longer necessary$ no longer e@isting(J :emem!er$ howe"er$ that whate"er the %#nctioning le"el o% the client is when they are awa'e$ will !e the %#nctioning le"el o% the client when they are asleep( /o# m#st tailor the therape#tic lang#age o% yo#r prescripti"e scripts R incl#ding metaphors 8 to meet the intellect#al$ ed#cational$ social$ economic$ physical and emotional %#nctioning le"els o% the indi"id#al client( +% they wo#ld not !e a!le to grasp the metaphorical relationship !etween Sthe "iew o% a s#nrise %rom atop a mo#ntainD and a Dpositi"e o#tloo' on their %#t#re marital relationshipO while awa'e$ they will not !e a!le to do it #nder
hypnosis( 9e :ealistic As we disc#ssed earlier$ s#ggestions sho#ld !e !ased on the clientOs strengths$ and sho#ld !e attaina!le( .omeone seeing yo# %or weight loss is not going to lose 2- po#nds in one wee'$ so do not ma'e #nrealistic s#ggestions( .#ggest progress$ constant realistic and impressi"e impro"ement$ s#ch as$ I/o# will contin#e to lose weight at a rapid and healthy pace$ to the point where yo# are at the ideal weight %or optim#m health( /o# will !e s#rprised !y how %ast yo# lose weight when yo# increase yo#r e@ercise and ma'e healthy %ood choices$ and yo# will %eel great noticing yo#rsel% !ecome slimmer and healthier as time goes !y(O Nongard & Thomas 1&7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ?tilize the .enses + thin' s#ggesti"e therapy sho#ld also incorporate the %i"e senses( Kis#al imagery 4what the client sees6$ ol%actory descriptions 4what the client smells6$ tactile descriptions 4what the client %eels physically6$ so#nd 4what the client hears6$ and taste$ d#ring the
practice o% the s#ggestions are all important areas to address( The more senses yo# can wor' into the s#ggestions #sed thro#gho#t the session$ the greater the e%%icacy will !e( or e@ample$ I/o# are !eginning to see yo#rsel% as a more con%ident indi"id#al( /o# can really %eel this growing con%idence s#rging thro#gh yo#( The idea that yo# are con%ident E#st so#nds right$ and when yo# realize E#st how con%ident yo# really are$ yo# will tr#ly !e a!le to taste the "ictory yo# ha"e earned(O :emem!er as well that most people ha"e a dominate "is#al learning style$ and so "is#al s#ggestions can !e highly e%%ecti"e( The client may !e instr#cted to "is#alize the desired goal or o#tcome as i% it were already achie"ed to per%ection$ and;or to "is#alize themsel"es wor'ing thro#gh the identi%ied pro!lem and reaching the desired concl#sion( or e@ample$ they may see themsel"es rela@ed and reading a !oo' on an airplane 4instead o% an@io#sly %idgeting6$ or spea'ing con%idently in %ront o% a large gro#p 4instead o% sweating and st#ttering6( As yo# can see$ there are many other ways o% incorporating
m#lti8sensory descriptions into the s#ggestion process$ so ta'e care to gi"e rich and meaning%#l s#ggestions( Additionally$ hypnotherapy is A#ite e%%ecti"e %or treating n#mero#s physical pro!lems and symptoms$ and there%ore sensory s#ggestions related to !ody awareness are commonly #sed %or those who are ner"o#s or ha"e an@iety disorders$ as well as those who lose %oc#s d#e to !ody preocc#pations( .#ggestions may !e gi"en to control !reathing or heart rate d#ring stress%#l sit#ations$ to raise or lower !ody temperat#re %or sports acti"ities$ and e"en to minimize or eliminate allergic reactions( 9ody awareness s#ggestions are also %reA#ently #sed %or pain management 8 !ecoming aware o% the a!sence o% pain( or e@ample$ I/o# can %eel the h#rt lea"ing the pain( There is less intensity now(J 13Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .#ggestions sho#ld also relate directly to the indi"id#al clientOs goals and presenting pro!lems$ rather than come only %rom a prepac'aged$ in%le@i!le script( Therape#tic .#ggesti"e .cripting The world o% hypnotherapy is %#ll o% scripts 8 scripts yo# ha"e
written$ scripts others ha"e written$ scripts that yo# can download %rom the internet or p#rchase in !oo's( There are prepac'aged scripts a"aila!le on E#st a!o#t e"ery s#!Eect yo# can imagine( These scripts are #se%#lU they can pro"ide direction or g#idelines %or addressing speci%ic iss#es$ and most o% the time$ the a#thor has ta'en the time to #se speci%ic lang#age and phrasing deemed !ene%icial or e%%ecti"e( Howe"er$ as mentioned !e%ore$ e"ery client is di%%erent$ and has not only di%%erent strengths and reso#rces$ !#t also di%%erent needs( Not e"ery client needs to lose %i%ty po#ndsU some only wish to drop a %ew po#nds and tone #p their m#scles( These are di%%erent goals$ and will reA#ire a di%%erent strategy when creating s#ggestions( *specially when yo# are less e@perienced$ it is %ine to #se these scripts as a tool %or !oth #nderstanding the hypnotherape#tic process and implementing s#ggestions 8 !#t yo# also want to ta'e the time to tailor the script to meet the speci%ic needs o% each indi"id#al client( The scripts are not written in stone$ and can !e easily
modi%iedU yo# may s#!stit#te indi"id#al words 4%l#%%y %or %eather6 or entire concepts 4clim!ing stairs instead o% a mo#ntain6( /o# may ta'e a section %rom one script and insert it in another( As yo# !ecome more e@perienced$ yo# will li'ely rely less and less on complete scripts$ and instead yo# may #tilize a hastily s'etched o#tline that yo# de"elop d#ring the inta'e;assessment process$ designed to meet the speci%ic needs o% the client( And remem!er the Law o% <ominant *%%ect) A stronger emotion will always replace a wea'er emotion( Attach signi%icant emotions to change when %orming s#ggestions( Nongard & Thomas 131 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone The mind is an amazing machineU modern comp#ters can hardly ri"al its a!ility to categorize and inde@ tho#ghts$ %eelings$ sensations$ corollary relationships$ entire e@periences$ and so %orth( *ach item in the mindOs data!ase is sim#ltaneo#sly organized chronologically$ !y intensity$ !y location$ !y time$ !y person$ !y emotion$ !y smell$ !y pre%erence$ !y pain$ and so on(
Chen yo# s#ggest that the mind retrie"e an emotion$ the mind will assess its meaning$ %#nction$ rele"ance$ relationship$ and intensity to e"erything in its data!ase( To %acilitate positi"e change$ the hypnotherapist needs to get the mindOs attention in a !ig way( ?sing s#ggestions with stronger emotional impact will increase e%%icacy %or change( or e@ample$ INow that yo# are a nonsmo'er$ yo# are enth#siastic a!o#t li%e$ and %eel as energetic as a person ten years yo#nger$J is %ar more attention8getting to the mind than$ IChen yo# A#it smo'ing$ yo# will %eel !etter(J 9etter$ relati"e to whatQ 9etter is a generic term that the mind will pass o"er as !eing less important and intense than e"en SgoodO 88 and IwhenJ is not concrete or speci%ic( 9etter than yo# %elt yesterdayQ That is more speci%ic$ !#t still not dramatic eno#gh to ta'e m#ch notice( 9etter than e"er !e%oreQ Cell$ that is !etter$ !#t is still neither speci%ic nor intense eno#gh to ca#se the mind to ta'e acti"e interest( Nood 8\ 9etter 8\ <ecent 8\ Nreat 8\ Conder%#l 8\ antastic 8\ Amazing
Ni"e the clientOs mind speci%ic emotional c#es$ #sing terms associated with high intensity( These are some tho#ghts in regards to s#ggestion that + hope yo# are a!le to incorporate in yo#r hypnotherapy practice( +t can !e a lot to ta'e in one go$ so practice$ practice$ practice and soon yo#Oll E#st %ind yo#rsel% nat#rally incorporating these principles into the hypnosis yo# do witho#t ha"ing to really thin' a!o#t it( 13> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: , A!reaction$ Practice and :e%errals Altho#gh hypnosis is nearly always a sa%e and pleasant process$ occasionally things can !e dist#r!ing or go wrong$ and yo#r s#!Eects can a!react( Chile this is #ncommon it is also "ery important to #nderstand$ and so + %elt this s#!Eect deser"ed a chapter to itsel%( Ce can de%ine a!reaction in a n#m!er o% ways( +n the !roadest sense$ since hypnosis is generally regarded as a rela@ing e@perience that ma'es one %eel good$ a!reaction then can !e de%ined simply as a I!ad tripO or #npleasant e@perience in hypnosis( Altho#gh a!reactions
are e@tremely rare$ it is cr#cial that yo# learn how to handle them con%idently and pro%essionally( An a!reaction is a state o% intense emotion$ where a person is act#ally re8li"ing an e@perience that perhaps tra#matized them in the past( +t is not simply a state where they are a remo"ed$ cas#al o!ser"er o% the !ad things they ha"e e@perienced 4li'e d#ring the ast Pho!ia C#re 8 yo# can %ind in%ormation a!o#t this techniA#e online6$ !#t where they are e@periencing all o"er again the tra#ma$ the misery and the horror o% past s#%%ering$ as i% they were act#ally right there in person at that moment and time( Nongard & Thomas 130 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone A!reactions can occ#r spontaneo#sly$ and they can !e created or ind#ced !y the hypnotist 8 either deli!erately as part o% a therape#tic process$ or accidentally when the hypnotist acts #nsa%ely( Typically$ a!reactions occ#r d#ring age8 regression phenomena or therapy$ which is a hypnotic process or method that reA#ires a lot o% training and e@perience to p#ll o%% sa%ely and e%%ecti"ely(
Chen #sed properly$ a therape#tic a!reaction has only two p#rposes) irst$ to disco"er what happened$ and second$ to disco"er who$ i% any$ the players are( 1nce this in%ormation is determined$ the hypnotherapist sho#ld terminate the a!reaction and !egin trans%ormational therapy( At this stage in yo#r training$ please$ please$ please do not attempt age8regressionsF A!reaction can also !e spontaneo#s( or e@ample$ imagine a client was s#ggested to regress !ac' to a time when they were eight years old( Now$ a stage hypnotist gi"ing this 'ind o% s#ggestion wo#ld li'ely intend %or the s#!Eects to act child8li'e and !e goo%y silly$ li'e little 'ids are( Howe"er$ what i% one o% the participants had a %ire at their ho#se when they were eight years old and a si!ling died( They were terri%ied and scarred at least mentally i% not physically( An a!reaction wo#ld ca#se the s#!Eect$ now %eeling eight years old again$ to re8e@perience the heat o% the %lames$ the terror o% the emotions$ hearing the cries o% the !rother who was lost in the %ire$ and so %orth( Not a pleasant thing to re8e@perience$ and de%initely a stage show
'iller( Chen some clinical clients are hypnotized$ they will s#ddenly %all into a!reaction and start crying$ yelling or %lailing a!o#t$ !eca#se they ha"e regressed to a tra#matic e"ent on their own( Ce co#ld !e doing a session and s#ddenly a metaphor !rings o#r client spontaneo#sly !ac' to an emotionally or physically tra#matic sit#ation( or e@ample$ perhaps we #sed the mo#ntain clim!ing metaphor %rom earlier$ and perhaps the client was once trapped on a mo#ntain or ca#ght in a %lash storm or e"en E#st !ro'e an an'le on a trail( Ce will !e a!le to see the tra#ma on their %ace$ in their physical responses$ and possi!ly in the lang#age they #se as they a!react( ?n%ort#nately$ yo# cannot pre8determine which clients might do this !y loo'ing at them or tal'ing to them( The s#!conscio#s mind sometimes protects a person %rom ha"ing to deal with tra#matic e"ents 8 s#ch as rape or a terri!le accident 8 !y !loc'ing that e"ent 132 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly %rom their conscio#s memoryU so while they may appear to !e
emotionally well8adE#sted on the o#tside$ they are act#ally s#!conscio#sly s#%%ering %rom some deep emotional sit#ation$ which may spontaneo#sly res#r%ace #nder hypnosis( Again$ spontaneo#s a!reaction is not common$ !#t it can occ#r at any time and we sho#ld !e ready %or it( Ce will disc#ss what to do a!o#t it in a %ew min#tes( As mentioned earlier$ a!reaction can also !e intentionally ind#ced( .ome hypnotists$ and reg#lar therapists too$ will deli!erately ca#se a!reactions as part o% therapy$ !elie"ing that !eing a!le to re8e@perience the %ears$ tra#mas$ di%%ic#lties or hardships in o#r li%e can teach #s lessons we need in the present$ to resol"e and come to terms with those di%%ic#lties( Personally$ + thin' that directed a!reaction is pro!a!ly o"er#sed$ !#t that it does ha"e therape#tic "al#e partic#larly with post8tra#matic stress disorder( The intr#si"e mental images or pict#res$ ol%actory sensations$ sleep dist#r!ances and all the signs and symptoms o% PT.< that occ#r %ollowing a tra#matic e"ent are ca#sed !y the "ictimOs mind trying to ma'e sense o#t o% what happened( :e8li"ing tra#matic e"ents is a
nat#ral process we all go thro#gh in order to come to terms with them and #nderstand what they mean( or e@ample$ + was in a serio#s car accident when my son was si@ months old( + was dri"ing down the road and this g#y was t#rning le%t o#t o% a par'ing lot( He apparently loo'ed le%t$ then right$ !#t %ailed to loo' le%t again$ hit the gas$ and smashed into the passenger side o% my car( +t was a horri%ic accident( Car seats then werenDt what they are now$ and my son was %lipped all aro#nd and ended #p #pside down$ not !reathing and !leeding o#t o% his mo#th( All + co#ld thin' was that in mo"ies$ thatDs what dead people do( + !ailed o#t o% the dri"erDs seat$ wrenched open the rear door$ and gra!!ed my son #p$ car seat and all( + didnOt wait %or the am!#lance to show #pU we were near a hospital and + %lagged down the %irst car + saw and screamed$ ITa'e me to the emergency roomFJ + was in shoc'$ and + remem!er yelling at the dri"er to dri"e %aster and that + had a dying !a!y( +t was "ery tra#matic and di%%ic#lt %or me( The emergency room had !een called ahead( + ha"e no idea who made the call !#t they were waiting when the dear$ sweet lady
dropped me o%%( The doctors too' my son %rom me and ran into the !#ilding( Then$ there + sat waiting %or a!o#t %i"e ho#rs( +Dm s#re yo# Nongard & Thomas 13& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone can imagine how + m#st ha"e !een %eeling d#ring that impossi!ly long wait( inally$ + was a!le to see my son in the pediatric intensi"e care #nit$ and mirac#lo#sly he e"ent#ally made a %#ll reco"ery( 1ne o% the things we 'now a!o#t memory is that people donOt ha"e memories !e%ore the age o% >2 months that stay with them thro#gho#t li%e$ so altho#gh physically my son s#%%ered m#ch more$ it was + who e@perienced the psychological tra#ma( Later in the day$ the police o%%icer who was in"estigating the accident came to tal' to me at the hospital( He has a little clip!oard and heOs as'ing me A#estions( He says$ I1'ay$ :ichard$ when was the %irst time that yo# !ecame aware o% the tr#c'QJ To which + replied$ ILoo'$ +O"e got st#%% to do( + mean$ +Dm not %eeling so good( My ri!s are crac'edU my son is #p in intensi"e care$ so as' me A#estions later( +t
was the other g#yOs %a#lt( +O"e got to go(J 9#t he was persistent( I+ E#st need to as' yo# a co#ple o% A#estions( + want to 'now a!o#t the tr#c'(J At this point +Dm so on edge itDs all + can do to remain remotely diplomatic( + said$ IThere was no tr#c'( A %rea'ing Che"y Corsica dro"e into me$ some d#de in a !l#e Corsica( /o# m#st ha"e me con%#sed with some other accident i% yo#Dre as'ing a!o#t a tr#c'(J + started to wal' away and the o%%icer gra!!ed my sho#lder$ stopped me$ t#rned me aro#nd and said$ I/eah$ a !l#e Corsica hit yo#( 9#t thatOs when yo# crossed o"er towards the oncoming tra%%ic and hit the semi tr#c'(J He wanted to 'now when + %irst !ecame aware o% the tr#c'$ and the answer was right then$ when he told me a!o#t it$ si@ ho#rs or so a%ter the accident occ#rred( + had !een in s#ch an emotional state and so %oc#sed on the crisis at hand in regards to my son that + was totally and completely #naware we had hit a semi tr#c' across the road( The ne@t se"eral days were a !l#r( A!o#t wee' later$ + had to dri"e to ort Corth$ Te@as to do a training session( + remem!er
dri"ing down the open interstate$ no tra%%ic$ not a car within miles$ and +Dm physically responding to imaginary tr#c's dri"ing into my car( My mind was trying to ma'e sense o% it all R with what + 'new had occ#rred a wee' earlier$ and what + had !een told happened( + reli"ed the accident in my mind tho#sands o% times o"er the ne@t month( +t is a nat#ral process %or o#r minds to want to ma'e sense o#t o% what has happened to #s$ to consider how it might ha"e t#rned o#t di%%erently$ either way( I+% we had !een hit !y the car one 133 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly more inch %orward$ we wo#ld ha"e !een dead$J or I+% + had only swer"ed it wo#ldnDt ha"e happened at all$J and so %orth( Personally$ + re8li"ed !oth what + 'new 4how we were hit !y the car6$ and tried to sort o#t the part + didnDt 'now 4where$ when$ why and how we hit the tr#c'6( These were intr#si"e mental images that really distressed me %or a period o% wee's %ollowing the accident( *"ent#ally tho#gh$ as a res#lt o% this processing$ + came to terms with all o% what happened and am now no longer negati"ely a%%ected !y
the e"ent( +n directed a!reaction$ the therape#tic goal is to help a person re8li"e their e@periences so they can p#t them into a conte@t#al %rame that ma'es sense to them$ and in many cases resol"e post8tra#matic stress disorder$ so they can %#nction in healthy ways in todayOs world( Altho#gh + do !elie"e it is sometimes important or help%#l %or clients to #nderstand the past$ + do not !elie"e they m#st re8li"e the past to get well( Chile #nderstanding the past may ma'e some changes easier 4s#ch as %or reco"ering %rom PT.<6$ + do not thin' it is essential %or change to occ#r 8 !eca#se tr#ly$ #nderstanding the past is not a part o% the change processU it is more o% a tool %or relapse pre"ention( :elated to this are two contro"ersial iss#es in regard to clinical hypnosis( irst is that memory is not li'e a tape recorder( +t is %le@i!le and does change o"er time( Things can !e added or remo"ed$ and memory can !e constr#cted( +% #sed incorrectly$ clinical hypnosis with age8regression can ca#se people to de"elop alse Memory .yndrome$ !elie"ing things occ#rred that did not$ which can create many
pro!lems in the real world( There%ore$ when doing all %orms o% regression or any wor' in"ol"ing tra#matic sit#ations we m#st ens#re we are properly trained and e@ercise e@treme ca#tion( And then there is recreational a!reaction( People are interested in !eing regressed !ac' to a speci%ic or general point in their past %or "ario#s reasons( .ome people want to re8 e@perience emotionallycharged times %rom their li%e( .ome !elie"e in the concept o% past li"es$ and want to e@plore the possi!ility( + do not ad"ocate this practice$ period( The hypnotherapist m#st remem!er that whene"er he #ses a regression techniA#e 8 o% any 'ind %or any p#rpose R there is always a possi!ility that the client will arri"e at a highly emotional sit#ation Nongard & Thomas 13, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone that ca#ses them to s#%%er a strong and perhaps A#ite pain%#l a!reaction( Personally$ + %ail to recognize m#ch "al#e in recreational a!reaction$ !#t yo# will meet indi"id#als in psychotherapy who ha"e
histrionic or narcissistic personalities$ and they sometimes see' o#t these e@periences( Perhaps they !elie"e that prod#cing an intense emotion generates catharsis or relie%$ e"en tho#gh it doesnDt !ring them to a point o% progress$ !#t may instead simply rein%orce their histrionic or narcissistic traits( H#st !e aware o% this rare !#t real possi!ility$ and proceed with ca#tion( +% yo# %eel there is no therape#tic "al#e to the a!reactions$ then do not proceed( The ethical hypnotherapist always aims to a"oid doing harm( There%ore$ to intentionally ca#se a!reaction with no therape#tic p#rpose in mind can !e indicati"e o% a poor assessment o% the clientOs condition$ or o% attempting to treat a client with hypnosis when their psychological di%%ic#lties wo#ld !est !e addressed thro#gh re%erral to traditional co#nseling or psychiatric approaches( .o now we arri"e at the o!"io#s A#estion) Chat do we do when a!reaction occ#rsQ irst o% all$ i% it is not related to the present pro!lem$ donOt to#ch it( or e@ample$ when o#r client comes to #s %or smo'ing cessation and an a!reaction occ#rs %or whate"er reason
related to a prior tra#matic e@perience$ there is no therape#tic rele"ance to the presenting pro!lem$ and so we lea"e the iss#e alone( Ce re%oc#s o#r client !ac' on the tas' at hand$ which in this case is a smo'ing cessation session( Please 'now that rarely wo#ld a client e@perience a!reaction d#ring a smo'ing cessation session$ as it is typically a reasona!ly simple process( Howe"er$ i% a client spontaneo#sly a!reacts d#ring any 'ind o% session$ E#st instr#ct them$ con%idently$ as i% yo# were in total control and 1--T calm and rela@ed$ that they are sa%e$ they are well$ the distressing scene is "anishing %rom their mind$ and they are ret#rning to this sa%e and com%orta!le o%%ice and towards addressing the iss#es at hand with yo#( .econd$ ne"er to#ch them( Let me repeat) <o not to#ch people who are a!reacting( Lea"e them in their chair( +% %or some reason they %lail aro#nd$ try to 'eep them sa%e$ mo"e %#rnit#re i% necessary$ g#ide them gently to the %loor i% yo# ha"e to$ !#t really$ really try not to 135 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly to#ch them( To#ching a client d#ring a!reaction can prod#ce physical
responses that are e@tremely stress%#l %or them$ and this may act#ally p#t #s at ris'$ especially i% the emotions are intense( And$ to#ching a client d#ring sit#ations li'e this also opens doorways to lia!ilityrelated iss#es( There are some times in hypnosis where to#ching a client is appropriate$ o% co#rse$ s#ch as a non8shaming$ non8se@#al$ gentle to#ch on the sho#lder$ or perhaps to#ching their hand %or emphasis is accepta!le( Howe"er$ yo# sho#ld always get in%ormed consent early on$ li'e d#ring the pre8tal'U I+ may to#ch yo# on the arm d#ring the session( +% + do$ itOs simply to help yo# rela@ %#rther( Cill this !e o'ayQJ +t is important to e@plain the p#rpose o% o#r to#ch and to ha"e them say it will !e o'ay %or yo# to do so( <#ring an a!reaction$ howe"er$ ne"er to#ch yo#r client( That hard and %ast r#le is not meant to !e !ro'en( Third$ i% yo# ha"enOt e@perienced or witnessed an a!reaction !e%ore$ 'now that it will !e to#gh %or yo#$ and it might e"en !e scary( ThereOs a commercial %or an #nderarm deodorant that says$ INe"er let them see yo# sweat(J Now is the time yo# hope yo# p#rchased a
good antiperspirant$ !eca#se a good hypnotist is a!le to remain in control( :emaining calm and in charge d#ring an emotional crisis is essential$ so that we can mo"e to the ne@t step) Ce need to create a s#ggestion that !rings o#r client !ac' to the present( A simple e@ample is$ I9o!$ what yo# are e@periencing right now is certainly di%%ic#lt %or yo#(J 4This is a pacing statementU it !rings #s into their reality$ and e"ent#ally !rings them !ac' into o#rs( ?sing se"eral o% these is o%ten help%#l(6 ICe are going to mo"e yo# into the present( +t is now today( +n today$ yo# can loo' !ac' to the e"ents that yo#O"e e@perienced in li%e( :ight now yo# are in my o%%ice( /o# are in my room( The e"ents o% the past are in the past( +n the present$ we are in my o%%ice( Chile we are in my o%%ice$ we are ta'ing a deep !reath( Ce are rela@ing( Ce are %eeling sa%e( Ce are %eeling sec#re( Ce are %eeling at peace e"en with di%%ic#lt things that happened in the past$ which are not the present(J This 'ind o% !rie% script sho#ld help !ring the client o#t o% their tra#matic mindset(
9e con%ident and #se yo#r common sense( .tep %irmly into yo#r clientDs reality$ direct them to release or let go o% their negati"e$ Nongard & Thomas 137 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone di%%ic#lt emotions$ and p#rpose%#lly lead them !ac' into the sa%ety o% the present( Please note) +% yo# are not a licensed mental health pro%essional 8 i% yo# are only certi%ied as a hypnotist 8 in many states$ practicing directed a!reaction as a part o% hypnosis can !e considered practicing psychiatry or psychology witho#t a license$ so i% yo# ha"e any inclination to engage in this 'ind o% therapy$ yo# sho#ld %irst cons#lt yo#r local laws and attain proper training and credentials( 1,Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Practice$ amily and :e%errals +t is easy to practice hypnosis on yo#r %riends and %amily( + enco#rage yo# to do some simple s#ggestions %or rela@ation and positi"e thin'ing$ and may!e r#n thro#gh some hypnotic phenomena %or entertainment p#rposes with anyone yo# can get to sit still long
eno#gh( This is a %#n way to re%ine yo#r s'ills and share hypnosis with those yo# care a!o#t( 9y practice$ + mean try and try and try again$ with the goal o% per%ecting yo#r patter and presentation style$ !eca#se in reality$ it can !e really di%%ic#lt to e%%ecti"ely hypnotize people yo# 'now$ to act#ally attain high le"els o% trance %or #se%#l therape#tic sessions( /o#r %riends and %amily will generally see yo# as a %riend and a %amily mem!er$ not as an a#thoritati"e pro%essional$ e"en when they 'now 4or ha"e at least !een told6 that yo# are one( They %eel weird or silly ha"ing yo# hypnotize them$ and may worry$ despite yo#r pre8tal'$ a!o#t di"#lging %amily secrets or whate"er it is that people worry a!o#t( And this is why practicing on %amily and %riends is "ery important and help%#l) /o# learn to o"ercome challenges$ !#ild yo#r con%idence$ and per%ect yo#r pre8 tal' R e"en i% yo# ne"er act#ally hypnotize those close to yo#( Practice$ practice$ practice( Again$ the more yo# go thro#gh the motions$ recite ind#ctions and %orm s#ggestions$ the !etter yo# will !ecome( .#ggest that the %or' now has the moti"ation it needs to
wor' side8!y8side with the 'ni%e to c#t yo#r por' chop( .#ggest yo#r car has the energy it needs to start and motor thro#gh the day( *@plain the hypnotic process to an imaginary client while yo#Dre dri"ing to wor'( /o# may dri"e e"eryone in yo#r ho#sehold and circle o% %riends crazy with this practice$ !#t it will pay o%% as yo#r s'ills are sharpened( Chen practicing hypnotizing those we 'now$ it is important to rela@ and ha"e %#n( +% they la#gh$ la#gh with them$ !#t 'eep them %oc#sed( 9e cas#al a!o#t the process R they will pic' #p on yo#r calm con%idence( And yo# m#st !e con%ident( Know that yo# are the hypnotist( Nongard & Thomas 1,1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone :emem!er$ howe"er$ that hypnosis only wor's when the s#!Eect is willing$ so yo# cannot %orce yo#r teenager to sit still on the co#ch %or a session while yo# gi"e them s#ggestions to clean their room and do their homewor'( Terror8!ased trance wor' does not wor'( Practicing with %amily and %riends is tr#ly %or the p#rposes o%
per%ecting yo#r style and approach$ %orm#lating$ adE#sting and memorizing yo#r patter$ and !ecoming com%orta!le creating therape#tic s#ggestions( That said$ once yo# anno#nce that yo# are a hypnotist and that yo# intend to help people lose weight$ A#it smo'ing$ o"ercome their stage %right and so %orth$ and especially a%ter yo# do a %ew s#ccess%#l demonstrations$ yo# may %ind certain %riends and %amily mem!ers coming to yo# %or help with all sorts o% iss#es( Hypnosis %or %#n$ practice and light iss#es is great with %riends and %amily$ !#t %or serio#s$ hea"y d#ty iss#es$ please re%er people yo# 'now well to another pro%essional( or one$ yo#Dre not yet ready to handle hea"y d#ty iss#es( And$ the hypnotic process reA#ires a speci%ic le"el o% tr#st !etween the client and the hypnotist( .trangers will come to yo#r o%%ice witho#t %amily or %riend history or D!aggage$D and will lea"e yo#r o%%ice witho#t it$ too( Traditional therapy has r#les against Id#al8relationshipsJ 8 !eing %riends with clients 8 and it is generally !est to draw these lines with hypnosis as well$ so as not to
set #p #nhealthy$ #neA#al or e"en #nethical relationships with people yo# interact with in yo#r real world( And$ #ntil yo# are more e@perienced$ please re%er people yo# do not 'now who come to yo# with hea"y d#ty iss#es$ as well( Ma'ing re%errals is one o% the hallmar's o% a good clinician( :ecognize that we canOt !e e"erything to all people$ and there are other competent pro%essionals a"aila!le( +n order to pro"ide competent care$ we m#st !e competent( Ce m#st contin#ally learn and practice and e@pand o#r s'ills and 'nowledge !ase$ and this ta'es time( Chen a client calls %or an appointment on an iss#e that yo# ha"e not wor'ed with !e%ore$ do some research on the s#!Eect( .co#r the +nternet %or ready8made scripts so yo# can st#dy the s#ggesti"e approaches #sed !y others( Call a hypnotist %riend and as' their ad"ice or opinion( This is how we learn( And then ma'e a decision( <o yo# %eel com%orta!le$ con%ident and competent to handle the iss#e with this clientQ Perhaps yo# do 1,> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
%eel this way( 9#t there is no shame in re%erring( 9#ilding a re%erral networ' is not only good !#siness$ !#t helps #s to manage o#r lia!ility and to do a good Eo!( Clinical hypnosis is one method o% treatment %or many conditions$ !#t it is not always the !est method %or all conditions or all clients( /o# m#st !e a!le to !oth recognize when another approach wo#ld !e more !ene%icial %or a client$ and !e a!le to re%er them to an appropriate so#rce %or alternati"e therapy( +t is help%#l to networ' within yo#r comm#nity and !ecome %amiliar and %riendly with a"aila!le clinicians and agencies who pro"ide ser"ices that yo# cannot or are not interested in pro"iding$ so that yo# are a!le to help yo#r clients get the help they need$ and so that they 'now yo# are o#t there and can re%er hypnosis8ready clients to yo#( Nongard & Thomas 1,0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 1,2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 5 Hypnotic Phenomena H#st as e"ery person is di%%erent and has di%%erent li%e
e@periences$ e"ery person will ha"e slightly di%%erent e@periences when #nder hypnosis$ ranging %rom changes in reasoning$ awareness and their creati"e imagination$ to physical changes in !lood press#re$ heart rate$ !ody temperat#re and other sensory perceptions( Ce re%er to these changes as hypnotic phenomena( Hypnotic phenomena are the !read and !#tter %or stage hypnotists who demonstrate hypnosis %or entertainment p#rposes( +n clinical hypnotherapy$ we will o!"io#sly not !e demonstrating hypnotic catalepsy or amnesia %or entertainment p#rposes$ !#t we may e@plain and demonstrate some o% these things %or the p#rpose o% con"incing o#r clients that the hypnotic process is real and "alid$ so they can %eel com%orta!le with the idea o% hypnosis( +% we are creati"e and open minded$ we can learn$ clinically$ %rom stage hypnosis demonstrations( + remem!er my %irst stage show as a hypnotist as i% it happened yesterday( 9eca#se there is really no way to practice a stage show !e%ore yo# go li"e with it$ yo# ha"e to get it right the %irst time 8 !#t with no practical e@perience in stage hypnosis$ it can !e di%%ic#lt
to de"elop the con%idence necessary to p#ll o%% that %irst show( Nongard & Thomas 1,& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone <#ring the show$ + s#ggested to a lady that she wo#ld %orget the e@istence o% the n#m!er >( 4This is a %reA#ent stage demonstration$ !eca#se not only can !e A#ite h#moro#s$ it is simply amazing to witness$ and a show is all a!o#t DwowingD the a#dience(6 + told her to hold o#t her right hand$ and co#nt her %ingers( .he loo'ed at me$ loo'ed at her hand$ and co#nted) I1$ 0$ 2$ &$ 3$J then ga"e me a sheepish grin( The a#dience was !lown away 8 !#t so was +U it act#ally wor'edF + then had her hold o#t her other hand and co#nt all o% her %ingers( .he did and said$ I180828&838,858781-8 11(J Cith this$ the crowd went wild$ and + tried to conceal my own amazement( A%ter the show$ still holding on to a little dis!elie% mysel%$ + tal'ed to her a!o#t her e@perience( .he remem!ered little a!o#t the ho#r she spent on stage$ and had clearly !een in a deep trance state( 1% co#rse + 'new !e%orehand that demonstrating these 'inds o%
hypnotic phenomena is how the hypnotist impresses and amazes the a#dience and creates entertainment$ howe"er$ witnessing it as a participant and !eing the one to ma'e it happen are two di%%erent things( A%ter + got o"er my shoc' that it wor'ed so easily$ + learned something %rom my e@periences on stage) hypnotic phenomena is easy to prod#ce$ !eca#se e"en tho#gh these phenomena may seem odd or strange when isolated as a direct command on stage$ they are act#ally nat#ral e@tensions o% li%e e@perience( *"ery mani%estation o% hypnotic phenomena occ#rs to one degree or another in real li%e( or e@ample$ Spercept#al changesO are %reA#ent hypnotic phenomena( The stage hypnotist #ses this when they s#ggest to participants that they are %reezing cold 8 and the gro#p then instincti"ely h#ddles together in comical ways to stay warm( Mothers #se this same phenomenon when their child !r#ises a 'nee$ !y s#ggesting that Mom can 'iss the S!oo8!ooO and ma'e the pain go away( The athlete who h#rts himsel% d#ring the !ig game$ !#t s#ppresses the
pain so they can contin#e to do what is most important to them$ essentially delaying the pain response #ntil the %inal whistle$ is practicing what can !e considered hypnotic phenomena( .inging and dancing li'e a roc' star is a power%#l stage demonstration o% disassociation$ !#t in real li%e$ most o% #s depart in o#r mind %rom the stressors o% the day to o#r daydreams$ and 1,3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly st#dents are notorio#s %or creating alternate realities in their heads d#ring college lect#res( The clinical hypnotist can #se hypnotic phenomena to help clients in a "ariety o% ways( 1!"io#sly$ in medical sit#ations$ mani%esting analgesia$ anesthesia and ideodynamic responses can !e #se%#l( Helping a client ta'e physical control o% their !ody %or panic disorder$ test an@iety or nicotine withdrawal thro#gh disassociation$ sensory perceptions$ and other phenomena can !e #se%#l( Teaching test8ta'ers$ gol%ers and athletes how to create d#al8realities can !e o% incredi!le per%ormance "al#e to them( TechniA#es o% age8regression
can help a person to resol"e past di%%ic#lties !y gaining new perspecti"es on their li%e e"ents$ and the phenomena o% time distortion is a great stress management tool( Now that + ha"e more e@perience in hypnosis$ + can #nderstand the great preca#tions that a stage hypnotist m#st ta'e in order to protect his participants$ and + can also see the potential %or a!#se( Howe"er$ #nli'e the pro%essional associations who despise stage hypnotism$ + still thin' that responsi!le demonstrations o% hypnotic phenomena can act#ally enhance the entire %ield o% hypnosis$ incl#ding clinical hypnotherapy( + reg#larly attend stage hypnosis shows in Las Kegas and elsewhere$ and o%ten ta'e my %riends who are c#rio#s a!o#t hypnosis$ !eca#se they can see the power o% hypnotic phenomenaU they see people ha"ing a good time and realize that hypnosis is not something to %ear( Hypnotic phenomena not only occ#rs on stage or in the therapy o%%ice$ !#t also on a daily !asis in reg#lar li%e 8 we E#st donOt notice these things going on( .ometimes we nat#rally e@perience time
distortion( Ha"e yo# e"er !een sitting thro#gh something that was really !oring$ and yo# start watching the cloc'$ and time seems to mo"e soooooo slowly$ and it E#st dri"es yo# crazyQ 1r what a!o#t those times when yo# are so capti"ated !y something that time E#st %lashes !yQ The old clichW Stime %lies when yo# are ha"ing %#nO clearly demonstrates power%#l$ nat#rally occ#rring deep trance phenomena( Ce nat#rally e@perience hypnotic amnesia 8 when we cannot remem!er a word that is on the tip o% o#r tong#e( Ce e@perience negati"e hall#cinations 8 when we are loo'ing all o"er %or something only to %ind it has !een in o#r hand or right in %ront o% #s the whole time( Ce e@perience Dhighway hypnosisD when we dri"e 8 o#r mind is !#sy thin'ing a!o#t wor' or dinner or tal'ing on the phone d#ring Nongard & Thomas 1,, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone the dri"e$ and we donDt realize that we are almost home #ntil we p#ll onto o#r street( Hypnotic phenomena incl#des) selecti"e amnesia$ m#sc#lar catalepsy$ analgesia$ anesthesia$ disassociation$ positi"e hall#cination$
negati"e hall#cinations$ sensory perception changes$ time distortions$ in"ol#ntary mo"ement$ perceptional changes$ and esta!lishment o% a d#al8reality( All o% these are things that occ#r nat#rally in a personOs li%e and can !e #sed in the therape#tic process in a "ariety o% di%%erent ways( The s'ill o% a good hypnotist is to !e a!le to direct and elicit these "ario#s phenomena at will$ and #tilize them %or the speci%ic goal or o#tcome o% the client( M#sc#lar Catalepsy This is perhaps one o% the more interesting 'inds o% hypnotic state) all the m#scles in a partic#lar area o% the !ody are !alanced and rigid to the point where that arm or leg or hand is totally still and st#c'$ and cannot !e mo"ed( This phenomena is nat#rally po#nced #pon !y stage hypnotists$ who hypnotically gl#e peopleOs hands to walls or arms in the air$ !#t it can also ha"e #ses in the clinic( Catalepsy occ#rs nat#rally in a "ariety o% psychological and physical disorders ranging %rom schizophrenia to epilepsy$ and can !e #tilized in the hypnotic process %or a n#m!er o% di%%erent reasons$ especially i% the physical iss#es that o#r client may ha"e are related to
irrita!le !owel syndrome$ pain management$ or post s#rgical reco"ery( Analgesia This is the dampening or a!sence o% the sense o% pain$ witho#t a loss o% conscio#sness( Perhaps a dermatologist is remo"ing a wart and the client is allergic to a local anesthetic( The anesthesiologist may #se hypnosis and s#ggest to the patient that in the area where he is c#tting the s'in there is no pain$ essentially mentally n#m!ing the area( There is still some sensation and %eeling that occ#rs$ !#t e"en i% the person sees the 'ni%e c#tting into the s'in and the wart !eing remo"ed$ there will !e no sensation o% pain( As with anesthesia$ there is a general insensi!ility to pain$ with or witho#t the laws o% conscio#sness$ !#t anesthesia is primarily associated with pro%o#ndly deep le"els o% trance and total loss o% sensation$ not E#st pain( 1,5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <isassociation This means simply separating onesel% %rom an idea or e@perience !y "iewing it thro#gh a second or third person perspecti"e$
loo'ing #pon something that happened to yo# as i% it happened to someone else( <isassociation in psychiatry has !een gi"en a rather !ad rap$ howe"er + %eel that i% there has !een a pain%#l e@perience and my disassociation protects me %rom intense emotions and %eeling tra#matized$ that is a good thing( How is it that some people emotionally s#r"i"e misera!le sit#ations li'e the 1'lahoma City !om!ing or 7;11$ when they e@perienced them %irsthandQ Thro#gh disassociation$ the psychological process has 'ept them %rom %eeling intense le"els o% pain that otherwise might !e emotionally detrimental( <isassociation can !e #sed in the hypnotic process to help o#r clients come to terms with their past and their a!ility to %#nction today( + ha"e always said$ A#oting %rom Chapter 227 in the 9ig 9oo' o% AA 4Alcoholics Anonymo#s6$ that acceptance is the 'ey to all o% o#r pro!lems today( Now$ acceptance doesnOt mean that + li'e the st#%% that happened to me$ it simply means that + am a!le to see it o#t there$ loo' at it$ and e"en tho#gh + donOt li'e it$ ac'nowledge that it e@ists$ and then + can
mo"e %rom that point %orward( This is a %orm o% dissociation that o#r clients will %ind most "al#a!le( Positi"e Hall#cinations Positi"e hall#cinations are "ery interesting( The Dpositi"eD re%ers to mentally adding something to yo#r scene or s#rro#ndings that is not really there( /o# see these in stage show demonstrations$ s#ch as when the hypnotist tells the participants that they are watching a scary mo"ie$ and then the participants will hall#cinate that they are watching a scary mo"ie and respond physically and emotionally to that mo"ie( +tOs a perception o% "is#al$ tactile$ a#ditory$ g#statory and ol%actory e@periences$ witho#t any real e@ternal stim#l#s$ and with a compelling sense o% reality( This can !e e@tremely well applied and noticed in "is#alization e@ercises( Nongard & Thomas 1,7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Negati"e Hall#cinations This is a "ery power%#l hypnotic phenomenon( Negati"e hall#cination is when yo# are #na!le to see something which is in %act there( Ce all do this e"ery day$ !loc'ing o#t the !illions o% !its o%
sensory data that wo#ld o"erload #s i% we %oc#sed on them( :ight now$ reading this$ what are yo# not aware o%Q <espite that !eing a "ery hypnotic A#estion$ + am s#re yo# can !egin to t#ne into yo#r s#rro#ndings and notice perhaps the whirr o% some machinery$ the site o% the wall or roo%$ may!e the so#nd o% !irds or cars o#tside( /o# were negati"ely hall#cinating these things !eca#se yo# were intently %oc#sed on reading( There is a %amo#s case o% a stage hypnotist who had a real li"e alligator wal' right o"er participants who were lying down on the stage and d#e to the negati"e hall#cination s#ggestions they recei"ed$ they were totally o!li"io#s to its presence( Amazing$ !#t tr#e( Ha"e yo# e"er !een ma'ing a sandwich$ and yo# go to the re%rigerator to get the mayonnaise o#t( /o# open #p the re%rigerator and yo# loo' %or mayonnaise and yo# canOt %ind it in there( /o# loo' all o"er %or the mayonnaise( inally yo# as' yo#r spo#se$ IHey honey$ whereOs the mayonnaiseQ Are we o#t o% mayonnaiseQJ And they wal' right o"er$ open #p the door$ and right there in %ront o% yo#r eyes is the mayonnaise(
Chat happened thereQ /o# had a negati"e hall#cination( /o# ga"e yo#rsel% the s#ggestion when yo# were ma'ing a sandwich$ IHey$ may!e we were o#t o% mayonnaise$J and then yo# acted on that s#ggestion( /o# opened the door$ and yo# didnOt see it$ e"en tho#gh it was right there in %ront o% yo#( Chen we apply this to therapy$ we ha"e not only an e@tremely power%#l con"incer$ !#t also a #se%#l set o% #nderstandings$ in that when we recognize what the client may pre"io#sly ha"e !een negati"ely hall#cinating in li%e$ li'e %or e@ample peopleOs positi"e reactions to them$ we can point these o#t and allow them to tr#ly enrich their world "iew( 15Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Altered .ensory Perception 1#r clients %eel$ taste$ smell$ hear$ and see things di%%erently when hypnotized than they do in a state o% %#ll alertness( This phenomena can !e #sed to ind#ce rela@ation and is !oth a nat#ral part o% the hypnotic process and o% o#r li"es( or e@ample$ itOs an a"erage day and yo# go %or a wal' to simply get some e@ercise( As
yo# are wal'ing yo# notice that the s#nset is !ea#ti%#l( This is the %irst time d#ring the day that yo# noticed the s'y( The s'y is A#ite !ea#ti%#l( As yo# loo' at the s'y$ the "is#al senses that yo# e@perience !ecome emphasized and increased and dominant at that partic#lar moment( /o#r sensory perceptions ha"e temporarily !een altered to !ecome primarily "is#al( Chen #tilized in the hypnotic process$ sensory shi%ts will almost a#tomatically help to ind#ce rela@ation and deeper le"els o% trance$ and responding physically to the hypnotic process( Time <istortion This is one o% the most %reA#ently occ#rring e@amples o% hypnotic phenomena( + went to a gro#p hypnosis e"ent one day E#st to see what they were doing( +t was a D%orty8 nine dollars to A#it smo'ing %ore"erD session at a Holiday +nn( *"en tho#gh + am no longer a smo'er$ + decided + wo#ld go see what this g#yOs SshowO was a!o#t( Two h#ndred people were there in a !ig !anA#et hall$ and instead o% sitting in chairs$ he had e"eryone lying on the %loor( or me this was marginally tolera!le$ howe"er + am s#re that some o% the
si@ty8year8olds in the room %o#nd it impossi!le to !e com%orta!le on the %loor( Chen the session was o"er$ he as'ed the participants$ IHow long was that sessionQ How many o% yo# %elt the e@perience was #nder three min#tesQJ A !#nch o% people raised their hands( + was shoc'ed( He then as'ed$ IHow many o% yo# !elie"e the session was !etween three min#tes and ten min#tesQJ A!o#t hal% the room raised their hand( And then$ I+% yo# thin' the session lasted %or ten to %i%teen min#tes raise yo#r hand(J Most o% the rest o% the people raised their hands( And %inally$ IHow many o% yo# %elt that the session lasted longer than %i%teen min#tesQJ 1#t o% two h#ndred people$ there were may!e %i"e or si@ hands #p in the air( The maEority o% people tho#ght Nongard & Thomas 151 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone it was less than ten min#tes( He then pointed to the digital cloc' on the podi#m$ to show that the session had act#ally !een twenty8nine min#tes long( Li'e this g#y$ at the concl#sion o% my sessions + almost always
as' my clients$ IHow did yo# %eel when yo# were !eing hypnotizedQ <o yo# %eel this was !ene%icialQ <escri!e %or me what yo# e@perience was li'e(J 1ne client said$ I+ %elt li'e my !ody was really rela@ed( + %elt li'e + co#ldnOt really mo"e e"en i% + wanted to( 9#t my mind was sharpU + 'new e@actly what was going on the whole time(J + then as'ed him$ IHow long do yo# thin' this session wasQJ He said$ IPro!a!ly a!o#t ten or %i%teen min#tes(J Clients almost always grossly #nderestimate the length o% time( The session had r#n a little o"er thirty min#tes( This %reA#ently occ#rring phenomenon is$ o% co#rse$ an e@tremely e%%ecti"e con"incer and demonstration o% hypnotic power( +n"ol#ntary Mo"ements These can occ#r nat#rally d#ring the hypnotic process( <#ring the ind#ction or deepening + will say to clients$ I/o# may notice a %l#ttering in yo#r eyes( /o# may notice a trem!ling E#st !eneath the s#r%ace o% the s'in( These are nat#ral things that people sometimes sense or %eel d#ring hypnosis(J Chen they note that they are e@periencing those things$ then they 'now they are e@periencing
hypnosis( Again$ this also acts as a power%#l con"incer( +deo8dynamic or #nconscio#s mo"ements are another %orm o% in"ol#ntary mo"ement which we can #tilize in hypnotherapy( These are those a#tomatic or conditioned responses that are generated on an #nconscio#s le"el !y the s#!Eect in response to stim#li$ either e@ternal or internal( ?nli'e the other ind#ced phenomena that we may e@perience while in trance$ ideo8dynamic responses occ#r no matter what one does( There is literally no way the indi"id#al can pre"ent these #nconscio#s !ody mo"ements$ or 'eep %rom re8 e@periencing %eelings and sensations( Ce can tell the client that their #nconscio#s will li%t a certain %inger to answer a A#estion with a yes$ and another %inger to answer a 15> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly A#estion with a no( Ce can then interrogate the client and as' them deep A#estions whilst gaining p#re and #ncensored in%ormation( Howe"er$ since ideo8dynamics are !y de%inition #nconscio#s responses$ the greater the degree o% dissociation present$ the more
that responses to %eelings$ mo"ements or sensations s#ggested !y the hypnotist can !e enhanced( There%ore$ %acilitating dissociation is a necessary %irst step prior to attempting proced#res s#ch as a#tomatic writing$ or %inger signaling( There are three 'inds o% +deo8dynamic :esponses) +deo8a%%ecti"e$ +deo8motor$ and +deo8sensory( +deoa%%ecti"e 8 *motional Mani%estations *motional mani%estations are the a#tomatic responses attached to the e@periences o% each indi"id#al( +t is "irt#ally impossi!le to !e entirely de"oid o% %eelings a!o#t something( *"ery person e@hi!its and attaches a wide range o% emotional responses to "ario#s e"ents in their li"es$ and these responses may di%%er in temperament and in the degree o% intensity %rom person to person$ and sit#ation to sit#ation( Chile in trance$ the indi"id#alOs %eelings associated with the ideas contained in the hypnotherapistOs s#ggestions may rise to the s#r%ace$ s#ch as !#ried negati"e %eelings o% h#rt and despair$ or positi"e %eelings o% Eoy and pleas#re( +deomotor 8 Physical Mani%estations The !odyDs #nconscio#s reactions to oneDs tho#ghts are o%ten
re%erred to as +deomotor :esponses( This is also more commonly called S!ody lang#ageO( +n therape#tic settings$ the ideomotor response can !e #sed to %acilitate dissociation$ to deepen the trance state$ and as an indicator o% responsi"eness( +dosensory 8 .ensory Mani%estations These are a#tomatic mental e@periences o% sensation associated with the processing o% hypnotic s#ggestions( The hypnotist will gi"e a detailed description o% the "ario#s sensory components associated with an e@perience$ which allows the client to re8 Nongard & Thomas 150 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone e@perience those sensations to a degree determined !y the amo#nt and type o% past personal e@perience with it( Phenomena s#ch as hand le"itation or lowering$ s#ch as in the sand !#c'et tests$ are also e@amples o% ideodynamic mo"ement( Chen o!ser"ing s#ch responses to s#ggestion$ !e aware that smooth %l#id and deli!erate mo"ement is not what we are a%terU we are loo'ing %or sha'y$ a#tomatic and in"ol#ntary mo"ement ca#sed p#rely !y their #nconscio#s minds(
Cith hand le"itation$ one o% their arms rising a#tomatically as a res#lt o% !oth direct and metaphorical s#ggestion can !e #se%#l when piggy8!ac'ing other s#ggestions( or e@ample$ SNow yo#r right hand will !egin to rise into the air$ as i% p#lled #p !y a tho#sand heli#m !alloons$ light as a %eather and li%ting #p higher and higher now( The higher this hand goes$ the deeper into trance yo# go$ and the more yo# respond completely at all le"els to the !ene%icial s#ggestions yo# will soon !e recei"ing(J Percept#al Changes These power%#l hypnotic phenomena occ#r not %rom the physical$ !#t %rom the cogniti"e perspecti"e( These mani%est %reA#ently in real li%e !etween mother and child( A three year old !oy %alls$ scrapes his 'nee and starts to cry( Chat does Mommy doQ .he comes o"er and 'isses the inE#ry to ma'e it %eel !etter( Mom gi"es the s#ggestion that 'isses ma'e pain go away$ then she 'isses the !oo!oo$ the child smiles$ sha'es it o%%$ and goes !ac' to playing( Hypnotic phenomena are interesting and perhaps amazing to witness$ !#t they are still completely nat#ral( 152
Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 4+nterl#de6 Learning Hypnosis Ta'e a moment now to thin' a!o#t what yo# ha"e learned in the past %ew chapters( Chat 'nowledge and s'ills ha"e yo# already gainedQ /o# 'now what hypnosis is$ how to prepare people %or it$ how to ind#ce the hypnotic state and deepen the process o% hypnosis$ how to cra%t e%%ecti"e s#ggestions and how to #tilize "ario#s hypnotic phenomena %or a speci%ic target or goal$ and how to awa'en the client %rom trance( Learning hypnosis thro#gh print can !e a tric'y iss#e$ and it will reA#ire e%%ort and energy on yo#r part( Cith this !oo'$ Nathan and + are gi"ing yo# the %#ndamental tools yo# need$ !#t it is #p to yo# to ta'e this in%ormation into the real world and apply it( + hope yo# ha"e !een practicing( +% not$ now is the time to !eginF *@plain how hypnosis wor's to the plant in the window( :ecite an ind#ction to yo#r dog( .#ggest to the microwa"e that e"ery time it dings$ it will %eel cheer%#l and enth#siastic a!o#t a Eo! well done(
ind ways and opport#nities to practice hypnosis e"ery chance yo# get( Per%orm simple ind#ctions on %riends and %amily$ and demonstrate some hypnotic phenomena %or the p#rpose o% entertainment and %#n( Hypnotize teddy !ears$ des' lamps and roc'ing chairs( Practice$ practice$ practice$ again and again and again( And Nongard & Thomas 15& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone then$ practice some more( Ma'e s#re that !y the time yo# attempt clinical hypnosis with serio#s iss#es yo# are an e@perienced and competent hypnotist( /o# may !e reading this and thin'ing$ INathan$ :ichard 8 yo# g#ys ha"e !een doing this %or years$ !#t how can yo# e@pect me to read one !oo' and then get o#t there and start hypnotizing peopleQJ Cell$ %irst o% all$ we do not e@pect yo# to only read one !oo' 4altho#gh we do e@pect yo# to start practicing hypnotizingF6 Learning how to do hypnosis is not something that can occ#r simply %rom reading a %ew pages or watching a %ew <K<s$ or %rom a single wee'end training co#rse( Learning to practice hypnotherapy pro%essionally
will ta'e lot o% time and e%%ort on yo#r part( 4And a lot o% practiceF6 +% yo# %eel o"erwhelmed !y what yo#D"e read so %ar$ ta'e a !rea'$ !rea' it down and re8read and practice short sections at a time( There are many additional reso#rces a"aila!le %or gaining more 'nowledge and #nderstanding( Ce o%%er se"eral training "ideos on a "ariety o% single s#!Eects$ %rom ind#ction and deepening approaches to hypnotic lang#age to e%%ecti"e s#ggesti"e script writing( There are written scripts yo# can download and st#dy$ and a#dio scripts yo# can listen to and learn %rom( There are li"e training classes and online wor'shops and more te@t!oo's and on and on and on( /o# will ne"er !e a!le to %#lly e@ha#st the ed#cational opport#nities a"aila!le %or impro"ing yo#r hypnosis s'ills( The training process ta'es a great deal o% time$ and some wo#ld say that learning hypnosis a li%e8long Eo#rney( Howe"er$ with practice$ yo# already 'now eno#gh now to act#ally ta'e clients thro#gh some g#ided imagery and progressi"e m#scle rela@ation %or ind#ction and deepening$ and to o%%er simple s#ggestions %or positi"e
change( *"ent#ally$ as yo# !ecome more com%orta!le with hypnotic lang#age and post8hypnotic s#ggestions$ yo# will !e a!le to incorporate those into the healing process( +t is help%#l when yo# #nderstand that per%orming simple hypnosis is not a !ig thing$ especially since it happens daily$ nat#rally$ to e"eryone( /o# can easily start small and !#ild #p$ so that yo# grad#ally ta'e yo#rsel% %rom doing little ind#ction and rela@ation pieces to more power%#l e@amples o% hypnotic phenomena and instant ind#ction( 153 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Chen yo# are loo'ing %or %riends and %amily to practice with$ !e light and respect%#l( Ac'nowledge #p %ront that they may la#gh or !e ner"o#s( /o#$ howe"er$ sho#ld remain con%ident and rela@ed( Ta'e hypnosis serio#sly$ !#t realize that when yo# are E#st practicing with people close to yo#$ yo# can rela@ and ha"e %#n as well( Practicing means trying$ and trying means there is room %or %ail#re( /o# will %ail( .ometimes yo#r %riend will simply not rela@ eno#gh to gi"e in and %ollow the ind#ction process( .ometimes yo#
will %orget what yo# meant to say and lose trance( .ometimes yo#r mother will not !e a!le to stop la#ghing long eno#gh to listen to yo#r pre8tal'( .o whatQ This is how we learn( ?s#ally yo# will easily !e a!le to %ig#re o#t why yo#r last attempt %ailed$ and there%ore yo# can adE#st yo#r approach ne@t time( H#st 'eep at it$ 'eep practicing and 'eep hypnotizing( 9e%ore long yo# will amaze e"en yo#rsel%( or additional !asic and ad"anced training reso#rces$ please %eel %ree to "isit) www(.#!liminal.cience(com www(KeysToTheMind(com Nongard & Thomas 15, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 155 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 7 Applications and Ca#tions 8 Memory and Age :egression Memory :ecall Hypnosis %or memory recall related to iss#es li'e test8ta'ing an@iety and con%idence !#ilding is highly e%%ecti"e( Nenerally$ the pro!lem is not with their memory at all$ !#t with the worry R the an@iety and stress generated o"er possi!ly %orgetting$ which ca#ses a
panic8dri"en !loc'ing e%%ect( +n this case$ teaching the client how to rela@ and %oc#s and thin' di%%erently d#ring testing sit#ations can !e A#ite !ene%icial %or helping them to pass e@ams %or which they ha"e st#died diligently( Howe"er$ there are some highly contro"ersial iss#es in clinical and %orensic hypnosis related to memory and recalling details o% past e"ents( 1ne thing we ha"e to #nderstand is that memory$ #nli'e a photograph$ is not static( Memory is %l#id and changes o"er time$ and there%ore it is not always 1--T relia!le( +% the mind canOt remem!er$ the mind will %ill in the !lan's with its own creations( *@ternal "alidation o% what a client tells #s in hypnotherapy related to past tra#mas or crimes is essential( This is the heart o% the Nongard & Thomas 157 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone repressed memory iss#e %rom the 175-s and D7-s$ when se"eral high pro%ile cases a!o#t child se@#al a!#se$ satanic rit#al c#lts and other heino#s crimes hit the co#rt system$ and in many o% them$ hypnosis was #sed to enhance the memory recall o% the "ictims( As a res#lt$
con"ictions were made and then many were rescinded when it came to light that the memories elicited thro#gh hypnosis may ha"e !een %alse( :epressed memory therapy is an area o% tremendo#s lia!ility %or mental health pro%essionals and hypnotists( Chen the elicitation o% repressed memories t#rns o#t to !e %alse or imagined$ the res#lting e@perience o% I alse Memory .yndromeJ carries its own !#nch o% emotional and psychological rami%ications( Today$ anyone practicing repressed memory therapy with hypnotic methods is a sitting d#c' %or laws#its( + want to stress that #sing %orensic hypnosis to help recollect memories o% 'nown e"ents 4%or e@ample$ ro!!ery or rape6 is accepta!le$ howe"er$ it m#st !e done with 4a6 ca#tion$ 4!6 a recognition that memory is %le@i!le$ changea!le$ adapta!le and not always acc#rate$ 4c6 recognition that o%ten times it cannot !e #sed in co#rt cases$ and 4d6 a witness who has !een hypnotized may not !e allowed to testi%y at all( *"ery E#risdiction has their own r#les$ which are$ o% co#rse$ s#!Eect to change at any time( 9eca#se o% those high8pro%ile cases a
%ew decades ago$ co#rts are now "ery s'ittish a!o#t accepting hypnotic memory recollections$ !eca#se we 'now memory is not static( +% a client !elie"es that when #nder hypnosis they may !e a!le to recall e"ents necessary to testi%y$ they m#st %irst see' other ways to "eri%y the memories$ and once memories are recalled$ the "alidity o% the details o% the reco"ered e"ent m#st !e con%irmed( Hypnotherapists sho#ld ta'e care to ma'e this a condition o% Iin%ormed consentJ in %orensic hypnosis$ and i% someone comes to yo# %or memory recollection ser"ices$ yo# sho#ld ha"e them chec' with their attorney %irst to see i% itDs really a good idea to proceed$ or not( There are a lot o% ca#tions when it comes to the past( And$ the real A#estion in therapy is not what happened yesterday$ !#t in what direction are we going$ todayQ Chat s'ills need to !e learned in order to mo"e in that directionQ 17Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Age :egression and Age Progression Age regression is di%%erent %rom repressed memory therapy$ and is a totally appropriate and accepta!le method o% cond#cting
hypnotherapy( Age regression is when$ d#ring the hypnotic process$ we mo"e o#r clients !ac' to a point in li%e$ may!e yesterday$ may!e a month ago$ may!e ten years ago$ may!e e"en !ac' to childhood$ where they re8e@perience past e"ents as i% they were li"ing them all o"er again( Age regression can power%#lly enhance memory( Howe"er$ as we disc#ssed !e%ore$ it sho#ld !e #sed with ca#tion$ as irresponsi!le age regression can ca#se a!reaction or the creation o% %alse memories( .o$ with these potentially negati"e responses$ why wo#ld we e"er want to #se age regression at allQ Age regression is o%ten #sed in certain therape#tic processes$ li'e *lmanOs Hypnoanalysis$ where one #ses regression to Ipin pointJ the ca#se or trigger o% a pro!lem$ and the #nderstandings drawn %rom the disco"ery help to resol"e the iss#e( The 'ey di%%erence !etween regressions and memory retrie"al is that when doing regressions$ one e@periences e"ents %irst hand as i% they are participating in the e"ent in person %or the %irst time$ rather than E#st loo'ing !ac' and trying to recall pieces o% an e"ent( Chen #sed with all appropriate ca#tions$
this is a "ery power%#l way o% gaining insight into the clientDs past times and e@periences( :egression can !e elicited li'e any other phenomena thro#gh direct s#ggestions$ metaphors$ or a com!ination o% !oth( or instance$ a%ter the ind#ction and deepener$ yo# might s#ggest$ INow we are going to mo"e !ac' in time to when yo# %irst e@perienced this pro!lem( Noing !ac' now$ thro#gh the days and the ho#rs$ time t#rning !ac'$ and when yo# arri"e !ac' at when yo# were e@periencing this %or the %irst time$ let me 'now(J /o# wo#ld then #se simple A#estions s#ch as$ IChere are yo# nowQJ or$ IHow old are yo#QJ and$ IChat can yo# see ; hear ; %eelQJ to orientate them to the scene$ and then !egin to A#estion them on the act#al mechanics o% the pro!lem itsel%( Nongard & Thomas 171 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone There is also a hypnotic phenomenon called age progression( Not only we can go !ac' in time and ta'e a loo'$ !#t we can also go %orward in time( Now$ o% co#rse we cannot predict the %#t#re$ so what
we mean when we tal' a!o#t age progression is ta'ing o#r attit#des$ "al#es$ A#alities$ strengths$ reso#rces and attri!#tes and applying them to a representation o% a sit#ation in the %#t#re( Ce can s#ggest that the client see themsel"es in the %#t#re !reathing %resh air as a non8smo'er$ a!le to enEoy li%e witho#t cigarettes$ or witho#t gorging themsel"es at a !#%%et$ or whate"er iss#e they are wor'ing on hypnotherapy( Thro#gh s#ggestion$ yo# can help the client apply the e@periences and what they 'now a!o#t themsel"es today towards a perception o% the %#t#re( The created image may not !e acc#rate$ !eca#se no one can 'now the %#t#re %or certain$ !#t a progression can create an emotional e@perience o% #sing e@isting reso#rces %or pro!lem8sol"ing( This is a #se%#l and a "al#a!le tool in hypnotherapy$ and personally$ + thin' age progression is pro!a!ly #nder8#tilized$ whereas age regression is pro!a!ly o"er8#sed( Memory is at !est a con%#sing iss#e$ and at worst a dangero#s one( Treat age regression and progression li'e any other hypnotic phenomena$ !#t act with ca#tion and care(
17> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 1Hypnotic Lang#age The str#ct#re and composition o% the lang#age that yo# #se$ and the way yo# cra%t and phrase yo#r hypnotic s#ggestions at e"ery part o% the hypnotic process$ is h#gely important( <epending on how ShypnoticO the lang#age we #se is$ we can !#ild agreement$ shi%t the %oc#s o% attention$ ind#ce trance$ em!ed s#ggestions$ create !inds or positi"e ling#istic traps$ and so m#ch more$ E#st with o#r choice o% words( The 'ey in%l#ence in the hypnosis worldOs #nderstanding and #se o% hypnotic lang#age R the words we #se and the way we #se them d#ring trance sessions R was Milton *ric'son$ who de"eloped his lang#age s'ills and a!ility o% !eing Sart%#lly "ag#eO to s#ch an e@tent that he wo#ld o%ten hypnotize and %#lly c#re clients in a seemingly normal con"ersation$ with the aid o% hypnotic stories and metaphors( Chen yo# learn hypnotic lang#age and integrate it into e"ery part o% the hypnotic process$ yo# will %ind the e%%ecti"eness o% the
hypnosis yo# do will increase 1-- %old$ as clients E#st nat#rally and a#tomatically accept all the s#ggestions they recei"e( +n hypnotherapy$ we try to help o#r clients generate a sol#tion they agree with !y the #se o% s#ggestions( H#st li'e in traditional therapy$ o#r goal is to mo"e o#r clients to a point where they ha"e Nongard & Thomas 170 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone that Sah8haO e@perience$ and are a!le to immediately resol"e their pro!lems( Hypnotic lang#age allows #s to %oc#s the reso#rces o% the mind in a speci%ic way$ whilst !eing Sart%#lly "ag#eO eno#gh %or o#r clients to come #p with their own sol#tions and resol#tions that %it in per%ectly with who they really are and what they really need( Ce are going to o"er"iew se"eral di%%erent lang#age patterns that yo# will want to !ecome %amiliar with( Ce co#ld pro!a!ly p#t together a three8ho#r lect#re on each o% these !#t in this te@t we will de"ote only a %ew paragraphs per pattern$ and it will !e #p to yo# to do more research( A wealth o% 'nowledge is a"aila!le on the +nternet
and thro#gh instr#ctional "ideos$ !oo's and training classes$ and someone co#ld pro!a!ly de"elop an entire grad#ate school c#rric#l#m E#st on the hypnotic lang#age patterns o% Milton *ric'son$ many o% which were identi%ied$ de%ined$ !ro'en down and st#died !y 9andler and Nrinder when they created NLP$ ne#ro8ling#istic programming( Lang#age patterns help #s to disassociate o#r clients %rom certain things$ while %oc#sing their attention on others( Ce want to !e art%#lly "ag#e$ !eca#se we want to a"oid disagreements with o#r client and allow them to come #p with their own sol#tion( A%ter all$ when it comes down to it$ no one 'nows what a client really needs more than the client themsel"es( Ce are merely #sing the process o% hypnosis to gi"e them access to that 'nowledge( +ncidentally$ hypnotic lang#age is typically ascri!ed to indirect styles o% hypnosis( Ce want o#r clients to !#ild consens#s with #s( +% a politician wants to s#cceed in de!ates or get his message across$ then they wo#ld !e well ser"ed !y !eing art%#lly "ag#e$ #sing hypnotic lang#age patterns and concepts o% NLP( The more yo# learn
a!o#t hypnosis and NLP$ when yo# watch politicians spea'ing on tele"ision yo# will disco"er that most o% the %ol's writing the speeches m#st ha"e pretty strong !ac'gro#nds in !oth( The words will o%ten !e o@ymoronic and speci%ically "ag#e$ !eca#se the politicianDs goal is to !#ild consens#s$ rather than create di"isions( He wants to a"oid the #se o% anything that wo#ld !ring o#t an o!Eection( .alespeople also %ind NLP #se%#l( or e@ample$ instead o% saying to a client$ I9#y this red car$J one might say$ IAnd yo# 'now$ as yo# come to consider which o% the cars yo# will !#y today$ yo# may %ind yo#rsel% thin'ing a!o#t some cars that really catch yo#r eye$ and E#st how they will loo' sitting pro#dly in yo#r own garage(J As 172 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly yo# learn the lang#age patterns detailed !elow$ thin' !ac' to this !rie% e@ample$ and see i% yo# can identi%y E#st why it was so hypnotic( Another thing to !ear in mind is that these patterns are also #sed !y all o% #s$ #nwittingly( +n %act$ yo# may notice yo#r clients #sing some o% these
patterns themsel"es as they descri!e their pro!lem to yo#$ so yo# sho#ld 'eep an eye o#t %or them and i% yo# deem it necessary$ stop yo#r client and as' them to clari%yU they may ha"e #sed hypnotic lang#age to hypnotize themsel"es into ha"ing their pro!lem in the %irst place( NLP has created a wonder%#l system called the DMeta Model$D which descri!es how to deal with these accidental hypnotic patterns( .ince this is not an NLP co#rse we will not %oc#s on these things here in great detail$ howe"er the Meta Model is certainly something that will !e e@tremely #se%#l %or yo# to research( Nominalization Many s#ccess%#l moti"ational Sg#r#Os are masters o% nominalization( People who #se NLP say any no#n that cannot !e p#t in a wheel!arrow is a nominalization( /o# can ta'e a toaster and p#t it in a wheel!arrow$ !#t yo# canOt ta'e learnings and p#t it;them in a wheel!arrow( LearningsQ +s that a wordQ /es$ itDs a nominalization( /o# can ma'e a nominalization o#t o% any e@perience !y t#rning it into a no#n( +n hypnotic lang#age$ yo# might say something li'e$ IThe
learnings that yo# are e@periencing(((J Cell$ learnings is now a no#n( +tOs a meaningless no#nU it canOt !e p#t in a wheel!arrow( 9#t #sing the word learnings %orces o#r client to a!stract what learnings are$ and how they e@perience the sight$ the so#nd$ the to#ch o% this new concept( The e@perience o% learning will !e #p to the indi"id#al client( +tOs going to draw #pon all o% their sensory e@periences( Nominalizations %orce o#r clients to draw on their wealth o% e@periences and reso#rces and #se these to really ascri!e power%#l and personal meaning to the words yo# #se( Three lang#age patterns related to nominalizations are #nspeci%ied no#ns$ #nspeci%ied re%erential indices$ and #nspeci%ied "er!s( Nongard & Thomas 17& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ?nspeci%ied No#ns LetDs say + want a client to !#ild consens#s with me$ to agree that hypnosis is a positi"e e@perience and wo#ld !e !ene%icial to them( To accomplish this$ + may say something li'e$ IPeople s#ccess%#lly #se hypnosis to get o"er their pro!lems(J Cell$ what peopleQ
Cho are these people$ and where are theyQ This statement is di%%ic#lt %or them to disagree with$ !eca#se it #ses an #nspeci%ied no#n( +% + were to say$ IAcademics 4a speci%ic no#n6 #se hypnosis to s#ccess%#lly sol"e pro!lems$J then someone might !e a!le to disagree with that( 1r$ i% + were to say$ IMeghan #ses hypnosis to impro"e the A#ality o% her li%e$J well$ someone may !e a!le to disagree or arg#e !eca#se itOs tied to a speci%ic person$ not them( Cith an #nspeci%ied no#n$ howe"er$ listeners can only agree$ th#s !#ilding consens#s( ?nspeci%ied no#ns help to a"oid the s#!conscio#s con%licts that clients may create with speci%ic no#ns$ whilst also ca#sing them to accept yo#r s#ggestions at some le"el( People can easily learn and #nderstand how to #se and apply these patterns in their comm#nication$ canOt theyQ ?nspeci%ied :e%erential +ndices These are no#ns that really donOt re%er to anything$ and are$ in a sense$ an e@ample o% #nspeci%ied no#n( or e@ample$ IAnd a person can %oc#s deeply on a certain sensation(J This lang#age patter is so "ag#e as to !oth ma'e disagreement "irt#ally impossi!le$ and lea"e
the client room to man#%act#re %or themsel"es the ideal sensation or e@perience( ?nspeci%ied "er!s or e@ample$ IA person can enEoy this$ easilyVJ Here the "er! is SenEoy$O howe"er$ the re%erential inde@ o% this "er! is #nspeci%ied$ so once again we are !eing art%#lly "ag#e( A person can see how these three patterns integrate and o"erlap$ and enEoy thin'ing a!o#t how one co#ld #se them in a power%#l and !ene%icial hypnotic process$ and identi%y them when #sed accidentally !y onesO clients$ easily now$ co#ldnOt oneQ 173 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Again$ the p#rpose o% hypnotic lang#age is not to so#nd weird or strange$ !#t to generate agreement and accept the clientDs s#!Eecti"e interpretation o% what is said( Hypnotic lang#age is all a!o#t creating a process %or o#r clients that is in agreement with the s#ggestions we gi"e them$ and letting them interpret the words we #se in the way that is most meaning%#l %or them( The clinician who watches stage shows can learn a great deal( *"ery s'it !#ilds #pon the di%%ic#lty o% the last$ !eca#se consens#s is
!#ilt !y the stage per%ormer thro#gho#t the show %rom s'it to s'it( +n hypnotherapy$ we want to !#ild consens#s with o#r clients( ?sing hypnotic lang#age in o#r scripts is one way to accomplish this goal$ and as + am s#re yo# are !eginning to notice$ it also has many other !ene%its( Three other lang#age patterns that are important %or #s to 'now are complimentary adEecti"es and ad"er!s$ the #se o% compara!le statements and a process called mind reading( These three patterns are 'eys to hypnotic lang#age !eca#se they create agreement and help to disassociate o#r clients %rom things we donOt want them to %oc#s on$ while also applying their energies in the directions that we want them to go( Complementary Ad"er!s and AdEecti"es The !asic concept o% high8end complementary ad"er!s and adEecti"es is to #se two complementary adEecti"es together in the same sentence$ there!y enco#raging clients to accept o#r pres#ppositions( +n the e@ample$ I*asily e@perience the pleas#res o% sel%8disco"ery$J easily and pleas#re are complimentary adEecti"es and
ad"er!s$ which rein%orces$ thro#gh high content le"els$ the pres#pposition that we want o#r clients to accept( Chat we are pres#pposing in this sentence is that o#r clients will e@perience sel%8disco"ery$ and that this e@perience will !e pleas#ra!le( Chen yo# cra%t sentences which pres#ppose a certain %act$ acceptance o% this %act will !e !ene%icial to the client( Pres#ppositions can !e "ery !asic) Swhen yo# A#it smo'ingUO or more co"ert) Swhen yo# loo' at yo#rsel% in the mirror in a %ew wee's time and realize that yo# are a non8smo'er$ E#st how !ig will yo#r smile !eQO +n !oth e@amples$ the pres#pposed %act is that the client shall A#it Nongard & Thomas 17, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone smo'ing( ?sing com8plimentary adEecti"es can ens#re these pres#ppositions are accepted witho#t challenge or de!ate( Compara!le .tatements Compara!le statements are #sed to !#ild consens#s$ create disassociation$ and draw o#r clients into what we want them to %oc#s on( Compara!le sentences #se the word SasO to lin' s#ggestions
together$ one o% which is #s#ally accepted as a pres#pposition$ while the other draws the %oc#s o% the mind( or e@ample$ I/o# will %eel good as yo# notice yo#r weight dropping dramatically(J Mind :eading This is where we ass#me 'nowledge that co#ld only really !e gained thro#gh mind reading( or e@ample$ I+ 'now that yo# ha"e chosen to ma'e the changes which + ha"e s#ggested(J Mind reading is an interesting way o% gaining a#thority o% proo% in the mind o% the client 4i% yo#r Smind readsO are "ag#e or acc#rate eno#gh to !e accepted6$ and also a s#!tle way o% implying s#ggestions( Ca#se and e%%ect patterns$ also 'nown as ling#istic !ridges or lin'ages are also "ery power%#l( The mind li'es to draw !ridges and ma'e connections !etween ideas$ and has also !een shown to act more power%#lly on s#ggestions when gi"en a reason$ no matter how irrational the reason is( The s#ggestion Snotice as the so#nd o% my "oice ca#ses yo# to rela@ deeplyO has no logical !asisU howe"er yo#Oll %ind that it will generate a m#ch more power%#l response than simply telling yo#r client to
Srela@(O 1ther power%#l words yo# can #se when lin'ing ideas are and$ as$ which means$ which ca#ses$ allows$ ena!les$ and enco#rages( 9eca#se yo# are reading this !oo' the in%ormation yo# are learning ca#ses yo# to thin' deeply a!o#t how yo# can #se and apply these patterns in the hypnosis yo# do$ which means that as yo# enEoy this !oo' yo# are !ecoming a m#ch more con%ident and e%%ecti"e hypnotist( 175 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <o yo# remem!er the old TK show .chool Ho#se :oc' with the song SConE#nction H#nction$ ChatOs /o#r #nctionQO They tal'ed a!o#t lang#age R "er!s$ prono#ns$ adEecti"es$ conE#nctions and s#ch 8 and pre8sented a little ed#cational clip !etween the cartoon cl#!s( The words SandO and D!#tD are e@amples o% a conE#nction( As yo# sit here and rela@$ realize conE#nctions are #sed to draw comparisons that o#r clients can agree with$ and are a "ery power%#l way o% #sing ca#se8e%%ect patterns( Li'e ling#istic !ridges$ conE#nctions can !e #se%#l %or !#ilding agreement( Connections and time are important(
Connections and time let o#r client !#ild consens#s not only with the present$ !#t an agreement with the pres#ppositions and the s#ggestions that we are ma'ing %or the %#t#re( This is one o% the reasons why post8hypnotic s#ggestion is e%%ecti"e( +t is easy %or my client to agree with$ I+ am not smo'ing right now$J !eca#se they are sitting in yo#r non8smo'ing o%%ice( or my client to ta'e it %rom the o%%ice$ se"en days o#t$ ten days o#t$ thirty days o#t$ sometimes reA#ires that they accept the s#ggestion post8 hypnotically$ and ma'ing a temporal connection allows this to happen( IAs yo# hear these words$ yo# !ecome c#rio#s a!o#t yo#r a!ilities(J The phrase Das yo# hear these wordsD is a time relationship( As + hear these words$ + !ecome c#rio#s a!o#t my a!ilities( As + !ecome c#rio#s a!o#t my a!ilities$ + can e@trapolate that into time( Now we are act#ally into age progression$ e"en on a non8le"el scale( +% this last pattern is a little con%#sing$ donOt worry( +t can !e m#ch more simply applied$ and is o%ten called Stime distortion(O or e@ample$ we can ta'e o#r clients %orward into the %#t#re with A#ite
direct s#ggestion$ s#ch as$ I.ee yo#rsel% in the %#t#re as a nonsmo'er$J or we can #se time distortion to create a power%#l S%#t#re memoryO in the mind o% the client) IAnd imagine yo#rsel% in the %#t#re$ a %ew wee's %rom now as a non smo'er$ loo'ing !ac' on now as !eing the start o% a wonder%#l positi"e change(J +% we wish to ta'e this to an e"en more hypnotic le"el and introd#ce a con%#sion element 4con%#sion is incredi!ly #se%#l %or !oth lowering o% resistance and aiding the acceptance o% s#ggestions6$ we might contin#e with this s#ggestion !y saying$ IAnd allowing yo#r mind to dri%t still %#rther into the %#t#re$ to 0$ 2$ &$ >-$ 0- years in the Nongard & Thomas 177 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone %#t#re$ seeing yo#rsel% remaining con%idently smo'e %ree$ and with each new year loo'ing !ac' with pride at the past$ and loo'ing %orward with pride to the %#t#re(J Notice how creating these connections in time are power%#l and e%%ecti"e at planting longlasting$ sel%8rein%orcing and time8resistant hypnotic s#ggestions( ClichWs and Adages
SToo many coo's spoil the !roth(O Cell$ according to whomQ Cho made this E#dgmentQ This is a power%#l way o% !eing moti"ational and seeming to spea' %rom a place o% a#thority$ s#ch as$ I+t is important that yo# rela@ deeply now$ and allow me to help yo#$ !eca#se many hands ma'e light wor'(J +n this e@ample$ two lost per%ormati"es were com!ined with the conE#nction D!eca#seD to create a reasona!ly hypnotic s#ggestion( +t is good to learn these patterns$ #se them$ and loo' %or them in the nat#ral speech o% yo#r clients( Con"ersational Post#lates Con"ersational post#lates are reA#ests %or action phrased in a yes or no sentence( or e@ample$ ICan yo# answer the phoneQJ To reply to this yes or no A#estion with a yes or no answer wo#ld !e %acetio#s$ !eca#se we can clearly identi%y these as imperati"es hidden in A#estion %orm( +n the ind#ction or the deepening$ yo# may say to the client$ ICan yo# go deeper into trance at this momentQ Can yo# 'eep yo#r eyes closedQ Can yo# create in yo#r mind a mental pict#re that !rings yo# peace and serenityQJ This is a reA#est %or action(
LetOs say weOre wor'ing with a client %or weight loss( Ce co#ld s#ggest$ ICan yo# start eating smaller portionsQJ 1r$ IAs yo# see yo#rsel% mo"ing thro#gh the !#%%et line$ yo# e@perience the desire to eat smaller portions and to only to ta'e in eno#gh %ood to meet yo#r essential needs %or n#trition( Can yo# do thisQJ Again$ itOs a reA#est %or action !ased on a yes or no A#estion( These con"ersational post#lates are #se%#l %or !#ilding consens#s$ %or disassociating o#r clients %rom the things we donOt want them to %oc#s on and associating with things we do want them to %oc#s on d#ring the hypnotic process( +t is also a nice and nondemanding way o% iss#ing instr#ctions that we all #se on a daily !asis( Can yo# learn these patterns easily and nat#rallyQ >-Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Lost per%ormati"es$ also called indirect pre8 s#ppositions$ are lang#age patterns containing at least one E#dgment$ whilst lea"ing the so#rce o% the E#dgment am!ig#o#s( Pres#ppositions Pres#ppositions are statements which can only !e accepted
and processed !y the client i% they #nconscio#sly accept a partic#lar s#ggestion to !e tr#e$ and there%ore they are an e@tremely e%%ecti"e method o% s#ggestion gi"ing( There are many types and %orms o% pres#ppositions$ one o% which is temporal$ or time !ased( A client may hear distracting noises d#ring the ind#ction$ and yo# may s#ggest that those noises will simply rein%orce their e@perience o% rela@ation( This is a common pres#pposition told with a time orientation to help them incorporate the e@periences into the hypnotherapy$ rather than to disassociate %rom the hypnotherapy process !eca#se o% the noises that they hear( As yo# read this !oo' there may !e other things happening aro#nd yo#$ !#t it is interesting to notice that as the rest o% the world contin#es aro#nd yo#$ yo#r %oc#s on these words only contin#es to deepen and intensi%y as yo# are learning easily now( 1rdinals Pres#ppositions may also !e !ased on ordinals$ which are the words %irst$ second$ third$ %o#rth$ %i%th and so on( or e@ample$ IAs yo# rela@$ yo# can %irst ta'e a deep !reath( .econd$ rela@ all o% yo#r
m#scles$ and third close yo#r eyes(J Cith this e@ample$ rela@ation is pres#pposed as speci%ic mani%estations o% rela@ation are gi"en( 1rdinals can also !e #sed in o#r s#ggesti"e process to ca#se o#r client to create an agreement( +n the conte@t o% smo'ing cessation yo# may s#ggest$ IThe %irst thing yo# can do is ma'e a decision( /o#O"e already made that decision or yo# wo#ldnOt !e here today( .econd$ yo# can !egin to %oc#s on yo#r !ody( As yo# %eel yo#r !ody$ the sensations that yo# are c#rrently e@periencing are sensations o% peace and satis%action$ !eca#se yo# 'now that yo# ha"e made the right decision( Third$ %rom this point %orward$ yo# will consider yo#rsel% to !e a nonsmo'er not !eca#se yo# are going to do Nongard & Thomas >-1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone something in the %#t#re$ !#t !eca#se it is what yo# ha"e already !ecome(J irst$ second$ and third]they pres#ppose an order o% things and implied instr#ction( irst yo# are going to read these words$ second yo# are going to thin' a!o#t what yo# ha"e learned$ third yo# are going to
!egin practicing it in the real world$ %o#rth yo# are going to %ind yo#rsel% getting really good at hypnosis$ %i%th yo# will then %ind yo#rsel% !eing an accomplished and s#ccess%#l hypnotist( The Choice o% I1rJ The word SorO is itsel% pres#ppositionU ICo#ld yo# pre%er to contin#e to !reathe in car!on dio@ide with each !reath$ or wo#ld yo# rather !reathe in %resh airQJ This e@ample gi"es o#r clients an o!"io#s choice and !#ilds consens#s$ !eca#se it gi"es them a choice o% only two things 8 one o% which they 'now that they donOt want to do$ and one they 'now they do want to do( The word SorO is a pres#pposition as it pres#pposes that there are only two a"aila!le options( Awareness DHa"e yo# realized that it is easy to go into hypnosis nowQO SNotice how yo# are rela@ingQO SAre yo# aware E#st how A#ic'ly yo# are accomplishing yo#r goalsQO These statements all reA#ire yo# to accept that what is !eing pres#pposed is tr#e( People will nat#rally accept what yo# are as'ing them to realize or notice$ !eca#se the iss#e %or them !ecomes not whether what yo# s#ggest is tr#e or not$ !#t
whether they ha"e realized or noticed it occ#rring or not( Ha"e yo# realized E#st how easy awareness pres#ppositions are to #se and applyQ 9inds A great pattern to #se is the !ind$ an e@ample o% ca#se and e%%ect$ which ca#ses people to !e ling#istically !o#nd or trapped in a contin#al loop( or e@ample$ IThe more yo# hear my "oice$ the more yo# %eel rela@ed(J This can also !e e@tended) IThe more yo# hear my "oice$ the more yo# rela@$ and the more yo# rela@$ the more yo# realize E#st how good it %eels to go into hypnosis$ and the deeper yo# go the !etter yo# %eel$ the !etter yo# %eel the deeper yo# go(J >-> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <o#!le 9ind$ or +ll#sion o% Choice This is o%ten #sed poorly !y sales people who might say something li'e$ ICo#ld yo# li'e this car in red or greenQJ with the pres#pposition !eing that yo# li'e the car( +n hypnosis$ we can !e m#ch more s#!tle and elegant( Milton *ric'son wo#ld o%ten as' his clients$ ICo#ld yo# li'e to go into a trance in this chair or that chairQJ
Chen yo# thin' a!o#t and practice these patterns$ it !ecomes A#ite easy to in"ent them on the %ly to %it almost any sit#ation( ICill yo# %ind yo#rsel% emerging %rom this trance %eeling happy$ positi"e and energized$ or will yo# simply %ind yo#rsel% %eeling as i% yo# ha"e had one o% the deepest and most rewarding nights o% sleep in yo#r li%eQJ And + donOt 'now whether yo# will learn these patterns easily and !egin going o#t there and practicing tal'ing hypnotically at once$ or whether yo# will E#st %ind yo#rsel% nat#rally #sing these patterns more and more in yo#r e"eryday comm#nication witho#t e"en ha"ing to thin' a!o#t it( *m!edded Commands IPeople can go into a trance deeply$ and as yo# go into a trance realize E#st how easy it is to enter trance now(J The command parts o% the sentence can !e a!sor!ed !y the #nconscio#s mind separately %rom the rest o% the comm#nication$ and s#!conscio#sly acted #pon( *m!edded commands are m#ch more power%#l i% s#!tly mar'ed o#t$ either with a shi%t in tonality$ a s#!tle gest#re or mannerism$ or something else only E#st noticea!le( Practice ways to #se em!edded
commands in yo#r speech$ and notice E#st how power%#l they can !e( Am!ig#ity *@ploiting the am!ig#o#s meaning o% words can !oth ind#ce con%#sion and s#!tly em!ed commands( There are many types o% am!ig#ity) phonological$ s#ch as the old sales e@ample I!y nowJ !eing #sed as an em!edded command %or S!#y now$O and with p#nct#ation 4or lac' thereo%6$ where the !eginning o% one sentence and the end o% another o"erlap$ o%ten #tilizing phonological am!ig#ity$ s#ch as) Dand yo# will wonder E#st what will !ecome s#ccess%#l now(O Nongard & Thomas >-0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Am!ig#ity can also !e !ased on scope) Sspea'ing to yo# as someone who li'es to e@perience hypnosis(O Here the scope is #nclear$ as it co#ld !e either yo#rsel% or the client who is the person mentioned( *@periment playing aro#nd with the "ario#s ways words$ sentences and phrases can !e interpreted( And spea'ing to yo# as someone who lo"es hypnotic lang#age patterns are easy to learn it is A#ite
nat#ral to see how yo# can p#t these ideas into practice( There are too many patterns and ways o% spea'ing hypnotically to en#merate and list$ so %or now E#st %oc#s on the ones we co"ered a!o"e$ practice them$ e@plore them and learn them( .earch %or the SMilton ModelO on the +nternet %or more e@amples and reso#rces i% yo# %eel yo# need them$ and i% yo# are really serio#s a!o#t tr#ly mastering these patterns$ !#y the !oo' IPatterns o% the Hypnotic TechniA#es o% Milton H *ric'son$ M(<($ Kol#me 1$J !y :ichard 9andler and Hohn Nrinder( .o !egin to %ind yo#rsel% easily a!sor!ing these patterns easily now and notice E#st how A#ic'ly yo# %ind yo#rsel% practicing$ and realize that the more yo# practice the !etter yo# get !eca#se when yo# practice yo# will either %ind yo#rsel% con%idently spinning patterns li'e a hypnotic master$ or simply o!ser"ing the amazingly hypnotic e%%ects yo# words seem to ha"e on others( >-2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 11 Clinical Applications o% Hypnosis 8 Therape#tic +nter"ention
+n this section + want to gi"e yo# a little !it o% clinical e"idence showing that hypnosis is e%%ecti"e$ and also o%%er #p a %ew o% the ca#tions and considerations yo# sho#ld o!ser"e when creating inter"ention in these areas( Again$ it is important to realize that hypnosis is not a one8size%its8 all treatment( .ome clients do reA#ire a re%erral %or "ariety o% reasons$ and some pro!lems will !e either !eyond the scope o% yo#r personal s'ills or hypnotherapy in general( +t is there%ore "ery important %or hypnotherapist to !e s'illed in !oth assessment and re%erral( Ce will !egin with a disc#ssion on hypnotizing children$ and then mo"e on to the most common conditions and disorders yo# may %ind in yo#r o%%ice( Nongard & Thomas >-& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone >-3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnotizing Children + am o%ten as'ed i% we can do hypnotherapy with children$ and the answer is yes$ most de%initely( +nterestingly eno#gh$ many
stage hypnotists pre%er wor'ing with teens and yo#ng ad#lts o"er older ad#lts$ !eca#se they ma'e s#ch e@cellent s#!Eects( Children are in the middle o% the most e@citing time o% e@perience in li%e( The %i"e senses o% sight$ so#nd$ to#ch$ smell and scent are more open and emphasized in a childOs li%e 8 not poll#ted !y e@periences or limitations R and there%ore the hypnotic process$ which draws on sensory e@periences$ is easy to accomplish with children( Children ha"e "i"id imaginations and are a!le to create clearly de%ined mental images as we tal' to them in the hypnotherapy process( Also$ children are not Eaded !y s'epticism( They "iew #s as an a#thority and accept what we tell them R i% %or no other reason that we are older$ and perhaps !eca#se we ha"e a title) hypnotist( /o# may %ind it interesting that the critical %actor 4gate 'eeper !etween conscio#s and s#!conscio#s minds6 is not really de"eloped #ntil we reach the age o% a!o#t , years old( My eldest children$ :ic'y and :achel$ ha"e always !een pretty good a!o#t going to sleep at night( My yo#ngest child$ Ale@$ on the
other hand$ is another story( He li'es to stay #p late and does not li'e to wa'e #p in the morning 8 m#ch li'e his %ather( 1ne night when Ale@ was pro!a!ly & or 3 yrs old$ + was !#sy trying to %inish an important proEect and Ale@ was ha"ing a hard time getting to sleep( rom down the hall + wo#ld hear$ I<addyQJ .igh( I/es$ Ale@$ what is itQJ INet me some waterQJ +Od go get him water and head !ac' to my o%%ice( I<addy$ t#rn the light on in the hall(J + wo#ld t#rn the hallway light on$ go !ac'$ sit down$ and a little while later +Dd hear$ I<addy$ come read to me(J He E#st wasnOt going to sleep( This went on %or a!o#t 0-82& min#tes$ and + was #p against a deadline( + was %r#strated( He wanted me to stay and tal' to him$ !#t + E#st co#ldnOt !eca#se + had to wor' on my proEect( And s#ddenly + had an idea) ILoo'$ + really canOt sit here and tal' to yo# anymore !eca#se 4a6 itDs really late and yo# are s#pposed to !e asleep$ and 4!6 + ha"e to %inish something( Howe"er$ + ha"e a rela@ation cassette tape in my o%%ice( +tOs me spea'ing( Co#ld yo# li'e to hear thatQJ He said$ Nongard & Thomas >-,
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone I.#re$J so + got the tape and set it #p in his room( + told him$ I/o# donDt ha"e to E#st listen to me tal'$ yo# can also do the things that + as' yo# to do on the tape$ i% yo# want to(J He was only & or 3 years old at the time$ !#t he seemed 'ind o% e@cited to hear dad on tape( He sn#ggled down closed his eyes and listened$ and + !ac'ed o#t o% the room( The recording was a typical complete progressi"e m#scle rela@ation session with !reathing e@ercises and "is#alization( + went !ac' to my o%%ice %ig#ring in a %ew min#tes + wo#ld hear$ IHey dad$ t#rn this o%%$J or IHey dad$ this is weird$J !#t no( A%ter a!o#t ten min#tes + po'ed my head in the door and there was Ale@ lying on the !ed$ act#ally tensing and rela@ing his m#scles$ %ollowing the instr#ctions on the progressi"e m#scle rela@ation tape( As + watched in awe$ he dri%ted o%% into deep sleep( The ne@t night when + was t#c'ing him in + as'ed$ IHey$ did yo# li'e listening to that tape last nightQJ He said$ I/eah$ it was cool(J 4<adDs cool$ yeaF6 + was almost a%raid to as'$ ICo#ld yo# li'e to hear
it againQJ !#t + did( He said$ I.#re$J so + t#rned it on and he was o#t li'e a light( Now$ se"eral years later$ whene"er Ale@ has tro#!le going to sleep he digs o#t the C< "ersion o% the PM: session and plays it( He enEoys the e@ercises$ the !reathing and "is#alization( Kids are open8minded and once e@posed$ most !ecome !ig %ans o% hypnosis( They can relate to o#r e@amples o% Dzoning o#t in classD and #nderstand that itOs a nat#rally occ#rring phenomenonU there is nothing mysterio#s a!o#t it to them( They are at the nat#ral phase in li%e where they are learning to ta'e physical control o"er their !odies as well as creati"e control o"er their minds anyway$ and so the concept o% hypnosis %its right in( <a"e *lman$ when wor'ing with children #nder the age o% 1-$ wo#ld spend only a!o#t 0- seconds on the complete pre8tal'$ ind#ction and deepening phase o% the hypnotic process$ and %rom there he wo#ld immediately mo"e on to s#ggestion8gi"ing( He did this !y %acilitating what he called the Spretend game$O where he wo#ld simply say$ IClose yo#r eyes and pretend that they are gl#ed sh#t(
Now test them( Now pretend that yo# canOt remem!er yo#r name( Now rela@ yo#rsel% completely and pretend that yo# are in deep$ deep hypnosis(J And thatOs all it too'( Chen wor'ing with children$ 'eep it %ast and %#n( <o not !ore them with long ind#ctions #nless yo# act#ally do want them to %all asleep( >-5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly + ha"e seen teens %or te@t8ta'ing an@iety and memory recall d#ring e@ams$ %or sports per%ormance$ %or weight loss iss#es and %or con%idence and sel%8esteem( +t is easy to ta'e children %rom a normal wa'ing state to the e@perience o% pro%o#nd deep trance phenomena li'e amnesia and hall#cination in a matter o% min#tes or e"en seconds$ !eca#se they are already there$ ready to accept and %#lly act on yo#r s#ggestions$ as long as it is %#n$ %ast$ rewarding$ pleasant$ and their imagination is stim#lated( Personally$ + do not wor' with children #nder age 1& or 13$ %or no real reason other than with e@perience we disco"er that we each wor' !est with certain 'inds o% clients$ and + %eel that + am more e%%ecti"e with older teens than yo#nger children( 1!"io#sly$ yo#
sho#ld ne"er practice hypnosis with children o% any age witho#t %irst gaining the permission and consent o% their parents( And$ a r#le + ha"e that yo# sho#ld consider %ollowing as well %or lia!ility reasons is to always insist on at least one parent !eing in the room d#ring the session i% the client is #nder 15( :esearch indicates that pediatric hypnosis is e%%ecti"e) Z Hypnosis in pediatrics) applications at a pediatric p#lmonary center 9y :an < An!ar$ Associate Pro%essor o% Pediatrics and Medicine$ <epartment o% Pediatrics ?pstate Medical ?ni"ersity$ ,&- *( Adams .treet$ .yrac#se$ N/ 10>1-$ ?.A 9MC Pediatrics >-->$ >)11 doi)1-(1153;12,18 >2018>811 L 9ac'gro#nd This report descri!es the #tility o% hypnosis %or patients who presented to a Pediatric P#lmonary Center o"er a 0-8month period( L Methods Hypnotherapy was o%%ered to 0-0 patients %rom May 1$ 1775 R 1cto!er 01$ >---( Patients o%%ered hypnotherapy incl#ded
those tho#ght to ha"e p#lmonary symptoms d#e to psychological iss#es$ discom%ort d#e to medications$ or %ear o% proced#res( +mpro"ement in symptoms %ollowing hyp8 Nongard & Thomas >-7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone nosis was o!ser"ed !y the p#lmonologist %or most patients with ha!it co#gh and con"ersion reaction( +mpro"ement o% other conditions %or which hypnosis was #sed was ga#ged !ased on patientsD s#!Eecti"e e"al#ations( L :es#lts Hypnotherapy was associated with impro"ement in 5-T o% patients with persistent asthma$ chest pain;press#re$ ha!it co#gh$ hyper"entilation$ shortness o% !reath$ sighing$ and "ocal cord dys%#nction( Chen impro"ement was reported$ in some cases symptoms resol"ed immediately a%ter hypnotherapy was %irst employed( or the others impro"ement was achie"ed a%ter hypnosis was #sed %or a %ew wee's( No patientsD symptoms worsened and no new symptoms emerged %ollowing hypnotherapy(
L Concl#sions Patients descri!ed in this report were #nli'ely to ha"e achie"ed rapid impro"ement in their symptoms witho#t the #se o% hypnotherapy( There%ore$ hypnotherapy can !e an important complementary therapy %or patients in a pediatric practice( Z Complementary and Alternati"e Medicine) A oc#s on Hypnosis in Children and the +ntegrati"e Treatment o% Atopic <ermatitis 9y Tammy C( Temp%er$ M.N$ :N8C$ PNP L +ndications %or Hypnosis in Children The indications %or hypnosis incl#de patient moti"ation and a pro!lem that is potentially treata!le with hypnosis( The patient needs to !e moti"ated to remedy the pro!lem$ and a good rapport m#st e@ist !etween the patient and the clinician( N#mero#s pediatric pro!lems ha"e !een s#ccess%#lly treated with hypnosis$ incl#ding an@iety associated with proced#res or illness$ asthma and allergies$ en#resis and encopresis$ and ha!it disorders li'e smo'ing$ tics$ nail !iting$
and th#m! s#c'ing( +t has !een #sed to enhance sel%8esteem and sel%8con%idence$ and %or sports enhancement$ sleep >1Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly pro!lems$ and attention de%icit disorders( Hypnosis has also !een s#ccess%#lly applied to enhance s#rgical anesthesia and ease discom%ort d#ring dental proced#res( +nter"ention *%%icacy Chen people as' me i% hypnosis is e%%ecti"e$ + tell them$ IHypnosis is e%%ecti"e %or those who hypnosis is e%%ecti"e %or(J + !elie"e the research$ and the research shows that people with medical pro!lems$ emotional pro!lems and #ndesira!le ha!its can o"ercome their di%%ic#lties #sing hypnosis( + !elie"e it is a pre%erred modality o% treatment in many cases and %or most clients$ !eca#se it is nat#ral$ and it is primarily a %orm o% !rie% therapy( +n todayOs world o% limited time and reso#rces$ !rie% therapy is a pre%erred method( 9#t again$ hypnosis is only e%%ecti"e %or those who it is e%%ecti"e %or( 1nly A#ac's !elie"e that only one modality o% treatment always wor's and is e%%ecti"e %or e"erything and e"eryone(
+ 'now many chiropractors$ some who e"en practice hypnosis( 1ne o% these %riends had orthoscopic s#rgery on his inE#red 'nee$ and he did not reEect traditional s#rgical proced#res to deal with his orthopedic condition( Most chiropractors are not A#ac's( They #se chiropractic medicine as a conser"ati"e treatment to a"oid in"asi"e proced#res$ !#t most chiropractors will certainly re%er to a s#rgeon or other medical doctor when necessary( Howe"er$ + ha"e also met a %ew chiropractors who are A#ac's( They !elie"e that all h#man disease$ pain and s#%%ering is in the spine$ and they detest traditional medicine( They thin' adE#stments can c#re e"erything %rom ear in%ections to cancer and psychiatric di%%ic#lties$ and they ne"er ma'e re%errals( 41#t o% %airness to my chiropractor %riends$ in my opinion$ some M<s 8 who !elie"e 4or at least practice as i%6 medication is the c#re to all h#man di%%ic#lties 8 are A#ac's too( Ce 'now$ %or e@ample$ that e@ercise three times a wee' is more e%%ecti"e than psychotropic medication %or the treatment o% maEor depression$ yet many doctors will a#tomatically write a prescription %or pills instead o% helping the
Nongard & Thomas >11 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone client de"elop an appropriate e@ercise regimen( ChyQ The pill approach is simply %aster and easier %or the doctor( Chen + as'ed an anesthesiologist why he does not #se hypnosis d#ring child!irth$ his reply was honest) I+ can ma'e Y12-- in %i"e min#tes gi"ing an epid#ral$ or Y1-- doing a %orty8min#te hypnosis session( /o# do the math(J6 <i%%erent things wor' %or di%%erent people$ and research pro"es that hypnosis wor's %or a lot o% people( Howe"er$ it is not something to apply indiscriminately to all clients %or all conditions( .ometimes hypnosis is the !etter choice$ and sometimes it is not( or those clients who are willing to learn new s'ills and see' !rie% inter"ention "ia a nat#ral approach with demonstrated e%%icacy$ hypnosis is e%%ecti"e and sho#ld !e considered a %irst8line inter"ention$ rather than relegated to the !ac' o% the clinicianOs repertoire( Z Hypnosis in Contemporary Medicine 9y Hames H( .tewart$ M< Mayo Clin Proc( >--&U5-)&118&>2
Hypnosis !ecame pop#lar as a treatment %or medical conditions in the late 1,--s when e%%ecti"e pharmace#tical and s#rgical treatment options were limited( To determine whether hypnosis has a role in contemporary medicine$ rele"ant trials and a %ew case reports are re"iewed( <espite s#!stantial "ariation in techniA#es among the n#mero#s reports$ patients treated with hypnosis e@perienced s#!stantial !ene%its %or many di%%erent medical conditions( An e@panded role %or hypnosis and a larger st#dy o% techniA#es appear to !e indicated( And now one more time !e%ore we get into hea"y disc#ssion$ let #s again hash o"er gi"ing s#ggestions "ia hypnosis scripts( Many hypnosis !oo's or co#rses will pro"ide yo# with scripts 8 word %or word e@actly what yo# sho#ld say when doing hypnosis$ %rom the pre8tal' thro#gh to the awa'ening( As mentioned earlier$ we recommend that i% yo# come across scripts$ %eel %ree to read and learn %rom them$ st#dy the lang#age #sed and the way the s#ggestion wor's$
and i% yo# really m#st$ practice with them$ !#t whene"er possi!le try not #se them with real clients( /o#r attention sho#ld !e on the client$ not on a piece o% paper in %ront o% yo#( >1> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly /o# want to watch yo#r client$ to st#dy their reactions( /o# want to !e a!le to %low with words and ideas nat#rally$ and allow yo#r mind to tell yo# what is !est to do in the moment( Milton *ric'son tells a story a!o#t when he was a child( He had a Eo! trying to get a local pig %armer to !#y or sign #p %or something$ and the %armer was A#ite rel#ctant and #ncooperati"e( As he was tal'ing to the %armer$ yo#ng Milton !ent down and !egan to scratch one o% the hogs that was milling aro#nd ne@t to him in the !arn( The %armer$ o!ser"ing the way the hog rela@ed and responded to this scratching$ said$ I/o# 'now what 'idU +Oll sign #p !eca#se yo# 'now how to scratch a hog(J *ric'son didnOt 'now that this was going to happen when he started scratching the hog$ he E#st %o#nd himsel% reacting instincti"ely or s#!conscio#sly( Chen wor'ing with clients$ yo# want to tr#st yo#r
#nconscio#s and ha"e %aith in yo#r a!ility to come #p with wonder%#l$ power%#l and deeply meaning%#l s#ggestions$ phrases$ metaphors and e"en original ind#ctions and deepeners R right now$ in the moment( H#st practice and yo# will soon %ind this s'ill coming nat#rally( Nongard & Thomas >10 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone And now$ mo"ing on to conditions and treatment( Ce ha"e di"ided #p the common iss#es yo# will !e wor'ing with into %i"e categories) L 9eha"ioral +ss#es L Psychiatric and *motional +ss#es L Pain Management L .e@#al +ss#es L .tress Management >12 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 9eha"ioral +ss#es Hypnotherapy is o%ten #sed as the modality o% inter"ention %or %o#r primary !eha"ioral iss#es) smo'ing cessation$ weight loss$ general ha!it control$ and dr#g and alcohol withdrawal( .mo'ing Cessation .mo'ing cessation is pro!a!ly the most pre"alent #se %or
hypnosis( Chy does hypnosis wor' %or smo'ing cessationQ +t wor's !eca#se it changes the s#!conscio#s associations that the smo'er has with cigarettes( or twenty years$ e"ery time they get in a car$ they light a cigarette( *"ery time they get angry$ they light a cigarette( These are s#!conscio#s associations$ ha!its( The conscio#s mind learns thro#gh repetitionU it repeats the e@perience o% cigarette a%ter cigarette and connects them to "ario#s speci%ic triggers$ !e they sit#ations$ emotions$ locations or actions( Many smo'ers report that a%ter they A#it$ they still reach %or cigarettes in their p#rse or %ront poc'et( These people ha"e A#it witho#t hypnosis( Appropriate hypnotherapy %or smo'ing cessation will change these a#tomatic associations and !eha"ior patterns( Hypnosis is also e%%ecti"e !eca#se helps a person manage the physical e%%ects o% withdrawal( Hypnosis in and o% itsel% can !e an alternati"e coping strategy( Hypnosis remo"es a "ery large part o% the cra"ings associated with smo'ing$ and also helps deal with the secondary gain( As mentioned earlier$ people smo'e %or a reason R
perhaps to %eel more con%ident or may!e they thin' it rela@es them or ma'es them loo' cool( Cith hypnosis$ yo# can allow them to %ind within themsel"es the !ene%its or reso#rces they thin' smo'ing gi"es them$ there%ore eliminating the need %or cigarettes( The e"idence is %airly clear in saying that nicotine g#m and patches and other %orms o% nicotine replacement therapies are highly ine%%ecti"e 4!y themsel"es6 compared to hypnosis$ as they %ail to address the psychological aspects o% smo'ing mentioned earlier( Cith hypnosis$ we can generally eliminate e"ery single one o% their reasons %or smo'ing whilst dealing with learned triggers$ associations and ha!it#al !eha"iors and greatly red#cing cra"ings( All people are Nongard & Thomas >1& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone di%%erent o% co#rse$ and certain approaches may wor' !etter %or certain clients( Chy it wor's) The mind is interestingU it is li'e a comp#ter$ remem!ering e"erything that we do and creating a#tomatic !eha"iors o#t o%
m#ndane li%e e@periences( Citho#t reprogramming these a#tomatic associations$ A#itting smo'ing can !e a di%%ic#lt tas'( Howe"er$ with hypnosis$ changing these a#tomatic !eha"iors is possi!leU the old associations are erased in the comp#ter o% o#r mind$ and the new and healthy patterns are committed to the s#!conscio#s( *"idence that it wor's) :esearchers at Te@as A&M ?ni"ersity .ystem Health .cience Center College o% Medicine reported 51T o% patients re%erred to hypnotherapy %or smo'ing cessation reported they were smo'e %ree at the concl#sion o% a three8session treatment program( ~ 25T reported they were smo'e %ree at the end o% a year( ~ 7&T reported they were satis%ied with the treatment they recei"ed( The <ana ar!er Cancer +nstit#te in 9oston %o#nd$ GThese res#lts s#ggest that hypnotherapy may !e an attracti"e alternati"e smo'ing cessation method$ partic#larly when #sed in conE#nction with a smo'e8%ree wor'site policy that
o%%ers added incenti"e %or smo'ers to thin' a!o#t A#itting(G +n a st#dy o% the American L#ng Association o% 1hio Hypnotherapy .mo'ing Cessation Program$ it was %o#nd that only >-T o% clients prescri!ed nicotine replacement therapies were compliant and that GHypnotherapy smo'ing cessation treatment o%%ers an alternati"e cessation method$ which may meet the #niA#e needs o% certain indi"id#als(G +n the 1hio st#dy$ a randomly selected sample o% participants completed telephone inter"iews #p to 1& months a%ter attending a treatment session( Twenty8 two percent o% participants reported not smo'ing d#ring the month prior to the inter"iew( >13 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Ca#tions) Many hypnotherapists #se a"ersion therapy to accomplish smo'ing cessation( They s#ggest Swhene"er yo# see a cigarette yo# will %eel totally rep#lsed and get a horri!le taste in yo#r mo#thO or other s#ch negati"e s#ggestions( This can !e e%%ecti"e in some cases$
!#t + %eel !eca#se it is essentially a "ery #npleasant modality and one which creates a great deal o% internal con%lict %or the client$ and there%ore torment and ang#ish sho#ld only !e #sed as a last resort( +t is %ar !etter to %#lly eliminate the need and desire to smo'e %rom a personOs conscio#s and #nconscio#s mind$ ena!ling them to !ecome a healthy smo'e8%ree indi"id#al( 1therwise$ i% we do not address the physical cra"ings and needs met$ %or e@ample$ the client may decide that a nasty taste is worth the social !ene%its smo'ing( /o#r clients will !e more s#ccess%#l with positi"e li"e8 changing s#ggestions( Additionally$ s#ggestions 4!oth when awa'e and #nder hypnosis6 to #tilize adE#nct relapse pre"ention s#pports 4Nicotine :eplacement Therapies$ call a %riend$ !reathe deeply$ e@ercise$ etc6 are may increase e%%icacy( Ceight Loss Hypnosis helps with weight loss( 1nly one strategy will help a person to s#cceed at !oth losing weight and 'eeping it o%%$ and that is to e@pend more calories than yo# ta'e in each day( Most o% #s ha"e tried losing weight thro#gh traditional methods o% dieting and
e@ercising$ and these 'inds o% programs are o%ten scienti%ically e%%ecti"e( ad diets$ li'e eating nothing !#t grape%r#it or c#tting o#t car!ohydrates$ can help a person to reach a A#ic' weight8loss goal( Howe"er$ witho#t a plan %or maintaining yo#r moti"ation and weight once yo# achie"e yo#r initial goals$ no matter how yo# got there$ yo# will A#ic'ly %ind yo#rsel% right !ac' where yo# started( The real reason people %ail at weight loss is not the ine%%ecti"eness o% the diets$ !#t rather the %ail#re that people on diets ha"e with changing li%elong patters o% thin'ing( There is no s#ch thing as a IHypnosis <iet(J Hypnosis is an e%%ecti"e tool %or promoting weight loss !eca#se it can do what diets cannot) +t can help yo# reprogram the destr#cti"e associations yo# ha"e with %ood and Nongard & Thomas >1, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone re8%rame yo#r "antage point on e@ercise and physical %itness$ helping yo# to change yo#r o"erall li%estyle( Conscio#s approaches to learning$ li'e positi"e a%%irmations or cogniti"e therapy$ can certainly play a role in helping a person to
achie"e weight loss$ and learning speci%ic strategies %or diet$ n#trition and e@ercise are all "al#a!le tools( 9#t research now shows that the s#!conscio#s mind controls m#ch more o% o#r !eha"iors than pre"io#sly tho#ght( The s#!conscio#s mind controls m#scle mo"ement$ heart rate$ !reathing and the a#tonomic ner"o#s system( +t is power%#l$ and A#ic'ly commits to ha!it what it learns( Ce were not !orn 'nowing how to wal'$ !#t o"er time$ we learned( Catch any toddler and yo# can see them trying to remem!er how to ta'e the ne@t step( 9y the time a child can r#n$ they no longer thin' a!o#t how to ta'e the ne@t step 8 they E#st do it( Ce ha"e no do#!t committed to memory #nhealthy patterns o% eating$ s#ch as #nconscio#sly associating !read with !#tter and salad with dressing( +% yo# are on a diet$ yo# str#ggle to ma'e conscio#s choices !ased on the recommendation o% the diet( 9#t when yo# are o%% the diet$ the #nconscio#s 'ic's in and tells yo# to p#t %rosting on yo#r !rownie$ witho#t e"er thin'ing a!o#t the impact on yo#r diet(
Many o% #s grew #p hearing o#r parents tell #s to eat e"erything on o#r plate and not to !e waste%#l( Now$ when we go into a resta#rant that wants to con"ince #s we ha"e recei"ed a good "al#e %or o#r money !y ser"ing #s portions that are three to %o#r times larger than the recommended caloric inta'e$ we s#!conscio#sly choose to eat e"erything they ser"e #s$ e"en i% it is sel%8de%eating and #nhealthy( There is m#ch more to weight loss than simply dieting or e@ercise( The s#!conscio#s relationships we ha"e with %ood are E#st as power%#l as o#r conscio#s !eha"iors( +n essence$ yo# co#ld say that it is possi!le to thin' yo#rsel% thin 8 !eca#se i% we change these s#!conscio#s associations$ we are a!le to choose a healthy manner o% li"ing a#tomatically( People are o%ten s#rprised to learn that they can alle"iate li%elong pho!ias and %ears with ne#ro8ling#istic programming$ a modality o% psychology that A#ic'ly trans%orms o#r s#!conscio#s >15 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly perceptions o% e"ents thro#gh creati"e "is#alization( People are
eA#ally s#rprised to learn that clinical hypnosis is a highly e%%ecti"e way o% achie"ing li%e goals( 9oth methods$ which o%ten o"erlap in some ways$ can help yo# to ma'e signi%icant li%e changes i% yo# choose to learn the principles o% change( The %ollowing #nconscio#s mis!elie%s o%ten 'eep people who are trying to lose weight %rom achie"ing their goals) L +% it loo's weird$ green$ or li'e a "egeta!le$ it m#st taste !ad( L +% it is good %or me$ it m#st taste terri!le( L +% it is !ad %or me$ it m#st taste good( L ood !rings me emotional satis%action( L + m#st eat e"erything on my plate( These 'inds o% mis!elie%s are o%ten ingrained into o#r s#!conscio#s( .am8+8AmOs %riend did %inally try the green eggs and ham$ !#t it too' a lot o% coa@ing( Hypnotic s#ggestion co#ld ha"e sa"ed .am a lot o% distress and changed his little %riendOs s#!conscio#s associations in only one pageF 49#t$ then the story wo#ld ha"e !een too shortV6 *"idence that it wor's) +n a meta8analysis o% two o#tcome st#dies$ patients #sing hypnosis lost almost twice the weight o% patients who did
not recei"e hypnosis d#ring treatment %or weight loss( Kirsch$ +r"ing 417736( Hypnotic enhancement o% cogniti"e!eha"ioral weight loss treatments88Another meta8 reanalysis( Ho#rnal o% Cons#lting and Clinical Psychology( A st#dy on the treatment o% o!esity 49oloco%s'y and Co#lthard8Morris( 175&6 showed a s#periority o% the com!ination o% !eha"ioral therapy and hypnosis e"en with a catamnesis o% >2 month( Hypnosis alters ha!it#al !eha"iors s#ch as snac'ing$ lowers or remo"es cra"ings$ creates moti"ation to e@ercise and can change !elie%s in s#ch a way that healthy %oods !ecome more enEoya!le than %atty %oods( Ceight loss hypnosis also wor's !eca#se it changes pres#ppositions( A pre8s#pposition %or many o"erweight people is S+Om Nongard & Thomas >17 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone going to eat all the %ood on my plate$ !eca#se + donOt want to waste it(O Hypnotherapy is good %or drawing on 'nowledge that yo# already ha"e( Most people do 'now the di%%erence !etween healthy and
#nhealthy %oods$ and hypnosis can moti"ate them to p#t this 'nowledge into practice( Ca#tions) Clients who come to hypnosis 8 or !egin any weight loss program 8 o%ten ha"e Imagical tho#ghtsJ a!o#t res#lts( :ealistic e@pectations and goals sho#ld !e disc#ssed$ and healthy le"els o% weight loss sho#ld !e the target( Healthy weight loss is grad#al( +t wo#ld !e #nhealthy %or a client to lose >& po#nds in the ne@t two wee's$ i% not impossi!le( Ce want o#r clients to e@perience weight loss in a realistic and !ene%icial way( Ce do not want o#r clients to de"elop eating disorders or a"ersions to %ood( Losing one to two po#nds a wee' %or women and two to three po#nds %or men is realistic$ attaina!le$ and healthy( +% o#r client wants to lose >- po#nds and it ta'es them eight to ten wee's$ + thin' that is pro!a!ly appropriate( Ce need to ed#cate o#r client that hypnosis will wor' %or them$ !#t it will ta'e time( The two things together$ time and new associations are a com!ination that leads to s#ccess( The client m#st #nderstand that hypnosis is not some magic
wand that we wa"e and their e@tra po#nds "anishU hypnosis wor's to get their s#!conscio#s mind on trac'$ so that they are !etter a!le to commit to p#tting their energy and e%%ort into the program( The only way to lose weight is to cons#me %ewer calories than the !ody !#rns in a day( This means that the hypnosis client$ E#st li'e anyone else$ m#st adE#st their %ood inta'e 4A#ality and A#antity6 and increase their physical e@ercise in order %or the change to !e s#ccess%#l( Hypnosis helps the clientDs internal moti"ations %or %ollowing thro#gh with these necessary steps( + thin' we need to !ecome 'nowledgea!le a!o#t the diagnosis o% eating disorders that some clients who come to #s %or treatment o% weight loss may ha"e( Ce may disco"er d#ring the assessment inter"iew that a client is #sing a !#nch o% other #nhealthy methods to try and lose weight$ %rom pills to star"ation diets$ and ha"ing 'nowledge o% those things is really essential( >>Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Ha!it Control Hypnosis is also e%%ecti"e %or general ha!it control$ and
especially those ha!its that deri"e %rom ner"o#s type conditions( A%ter all$ ha!its are controlled !y the #nconscio#s mind$ and hypnosis is great %or aiding rela@ation and red#cing an@iety( Cigarette smo'ing is more than a ha!itU it is also nicotine addiction( Ha!its are things li'e nail !iting$ hair chewing$ 'n#c'le crac'ing$ throat noises$ co#ghing$ tics$ and so %orth( Ha!its di%%er %rom addiction !eca#se there is not a physiological dependency on the !eha"ior( Cithdrawal %rom ha!its is only emotional$ rather than physical 4altho#gh some ha!its may reA#ire physical healing6( Ha!its are #s#ally prod#cts o% s#!conscio#s associations and learning patterns$ altho#gh personality characteristic may come into play$ incl#ding perhaps o!sessi"e traits and poor an@iety management s'ills( .e"eral research st#dies ha"e %o#nd that hypnotherapy is e%%ecti"e with pediatric patients who e@perienced ha!it#al tic disorders$ ha!it#al co#ghs$ and e"en !reathing di%%ic#lties( Howe"er$ sometimes deep8seeded psychological imp#lses may reA#ire m#ltiple
sessions !eca#se the ha!it is so deeply ingrained( Hypnotherapy %or changing or eliminating ha!its o%ten reA#ires m#ltiple sessions and the targeted de"elopment o% alternati"e !eha"iors( Alcoholism and <r#g Addiction The o%%icial position o% some pro%essional organizations is that alcohol and dr#g addiction sho#ld not !e treated with hypnosis( Personally$ + thin' the opposite is tr#e( + spent o"er ten years wor'ing as a dr#g and alcohol co#nselor in traditional 1>8.tep oriented treatment centers$ and + cannot thin' o% anything more e%%ecti"e %or managing the physical symptoms o% withdrawal distress than sel%8hypnosis( Hypnosis is easily incorporated with other modalities o% dr#g and alcohol treatment$ %rom AA programs to cogniti"e8!eha"ioral therapy programs( Nongard & Thomas >>1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Addictions and ha!its are the domain o% the #nconscio#s mind$ and the #nconscio#s mind is the domain o% the hypnotist$ and there%ore hypnosis is "ery e%%ecti"e %or dealing with addictions and
ha!its o% all sorts( Howe"er$ we m#st recognize that there may !e a need %or medically s#per"ised deto@( <eto@i%ication %rom alcohol and dr#gs can !e comple@$ and it can p#t a personOs li%e at ris'( There%ore$ i% yo# do see a client %or help reco"ering %rom addiction there sho#ld de%initely !e a physician re%erral so the client can !e e"al#ated %or any physical complications that may arise %rom withdrawal( *"idence that it wor's) Am H Clin Hypn( >--2 AprU23426)>5187, +n a research st#dy on sel%8hypnosis %or relapse pre"ention training with chronic dr#g;alcohol #sers$ indi"id#als who played sel%8hypnosis a#diotapes Gat least 0 to & times a wee'$G at ,8wee' %ollow8#p$ reported the highest le"els o% sel%8esteem and serenity$ and the least anger;imp#lsi"ity$ in comparison to the minimal8practice and control gro#ps( >>> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly *motional and Psychiatric <isorders +% yo# are a licensed mental health pro%essional pro"iding hypnotherapy in the conte@t o% emotional and psychiatric disorders$
yo# sho#ld e@perience no di%%ic#lty %rom a lia!ility or pro%essional ethics perspecti"e( Howe"er$ i% yo# are not licensed as a mental health pro%essional it is important to recognize the limitations o% yo#r training( Psychiatric illnesses are the domain o% the licensed pro%essional$ and so i% yo# %eel that an iss#e is o#t o% yo#r leag#e please immediately re%er the client( Now$ this does not mean that the hypnotist cannot help someone who is depressed( <epression is a normal h#man e@perience( Howe"er$ when it !ecomes a catastrophic illness s#ch as with s#icidal ideation or !ipolar disorder and other comple@ psychiatric iss#es$ then itOs time %or a re%erral( <ealing with general depression or an@iety or %ears related to pho!ias is certainly in the conte@t o% hypnotism apart %rom pro%essional therapy$ !#t ta'e these ca#tions to heart( 9#ilding a re%erral networ' and wor'ing with pro%essional peers to determine what is and what is not within the domain o% wor' that yo# do can sa"e the non8licensed hypnotist a lot o% time and grie%( There are %o#r areas commonly associated with hypnotherapy related to emotional and psychiatric disorders)
L Neneralized An@iety and Panic <isorders L Post8Tra#matic .tress <isorder L Pho!ias L <epression Nongard & Thomas >>0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Neneralized An@iety and Panic <isorders +% yo# open #p the <.M8+K 4the APADs <iagnostic and .tatical Man#al o% Mental <isorders$ Kol#me 26$ yo# will see that the %irst eight criteria %or the diagnosis o% panic disorder are all physicalU heart palpitation$ sweatiness$ trem!ling etc( Panic and an@iety are "ery physical emotions and o#r !odies respond strongly( Learning to ta'e physical control o"er emotions is something that hypnotherapy is partic#larly good at teaching( Many st#dies ha"e shown signi%icant red#ction in an@iety and panic le"els !y people treated with hypnotherapy$ e@tending as %ar o#t as three months post8 therapy( Hypnosis$ with an emphasis on teaching physical s'ills %or managing an@iety$ can help clients in a n#m!er o% ways) it can reprogram the s#!conscio#s to a#tomatically #se healthy coping strategies$ teach a client how to calm themsel"es down physically$
and help a person dissociate %rom #nrealistic %ears( *"idence that it wor's) Three8year %ollow8#p and clinical implications o% a mind%#lness meditation8!ased stress red#ction inter"ention in the treatment o% an@iety disorders( Hohn H( Miller M(<($ Ken letcher Ph(<($ and Hon Ka!at8[inn Ph(<( 8 <epartment o% Psychiatry$ ?ni"ersity o% Massach#setts Medical Center$ Corcester$ Massach#setts$ ?.A The .tress :ed#ction Clinic$ <epartment o% Medicine$ <i"ision o% Pre"enti"e and 9eha"ioral Medicine$ ?ni"ersity o% Massach#setts Medical Center$ Corcester$ Massach#setts$ ?.A A!stract) A pre"io#s st#dy o% >> medical patients with <.M8+++8:de%ined an@iety disorders showed clinically and statistically signi%icant impro"ements in s#!Eecti"e and o!Eecti"e symptoms o% an@iety and panic %ollowing an 58 wee' o#tpatient physician8re%erred gro#p stress red#ction inter"ention !ased on mind%#lness meditation( Twenty
s#!Eects demonstrated signi%icant red#ctions in Hamilton and 9ec' An@iety and <epression scores post8 inter"ention and at 08month %ollow8#p( >>2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Ca#tions) An@iety is a nat#ral emotion$ and E#st li'e depression and anger$ it can prod#ce !oth positi"e and negati"e res#lts( Netting rid o% all an@iety or all %ears is not necessarily a good thing( An@iety can ser"e as a warning instr#ment %or sel%8 protection( +n this conte@t$ clients sho#ld care%#lly e"al#ate their an@iety and disco"er what it is telling them( Post8Tra#matic .tress <isorder Hypnosis is e%%ecti"e %or post8tra#matic stress disorder !eca#se it helps replace dist#r!ing imagery$ as we disc#ssed earlier when + shared my car wrec' e@perience( Com!ining the principles o% NLP with hypnosis can !e A#ite e%%ecti"e %or speci%ic pho!ias and PT.<( The ca#tion with PT.< is$ o% co#rse$ the ris' %or a!reaction$ which we also disc#ssed earlier$ and it is something we need to !e prepared %or i% we are treating post8tra#matic stress disorder(
*"idence that it wor's) Tra"el Pho!ias 9y +ain 9( Mc+ntosh1 Ho#rnal o% Tra"el Medicine$ Kol#me > Page 77 8 H#ne 177& doi)1-(1111;E(1,-5850-&(177&(t!--30&(@ IHypnotherapy can !e "ery s#ccess%#l$ especially in people who present within a %ew days o% impending %light( Hypnotherapy incorporates trance ind#ction$ ego8 strengthening$ rela@ation$ desensitization$ and a#tohypnosis in a therape#tic program(J New #ses o% hypnosis in the treatment o% post8 tra#matic stress disorder( !y .piegel <$ Cardena *( <epartment o% Psychiatry and 9eha"ioral .ciences$ .tan%ord ?ni"ersity .chool o% Medicine( H Clin Psychiatry( 177- 1ctU&1 .#ppl)07820U disc#ssion 2283( Nongard & Thomas >>& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Hypnosis is associated with the treatment o% posttra#matic stress disorder 4PT.<6 %or two reasons) 416 the similarity !etween hypnotic phenomena and the symptoms o% PT.<$ and 4>6 the #tility o% hypnosis as a tool in
treatment( Physical tra#ma prod#ces a s#dden discontin#ity in cogniti"e and emotional e@perience that o%ten persists a%ter the tra#ma is o"er( This res#lts in symptoms s#ch as psychogenic amnesia$ intr#si"e reli"ing o% the e"ent as i% it were rec#rring$ n#m!ing o% responsi"eness$ and hypersensiti"ity to stim#li( Two st#dies ha"e shown that Kietnam "eterans with PT.< ha"e higher than normal hypnotiza!ility scores on standardized tests( Li'ewise$ a history o% physical a!#se in childhood has !een shown to !e strongly associated with dissociati"e symptoms later in li%e( #rthermore$ dissociati"e symptoms d#ring and soon a%ter tra#matic e@perience predict later PT.<( ormal hypnotic proced#res are especially help%#l !eca#se this pop#lation is highly hypnotiza!le( Hypnosis pro"ides controlled access to memories that may otherwise !e 'ept o#t o% conscio#sness( New #ses o% hypnosis in the psychotherapy o% PT.<
"ictims in"ol"e co#pling access to the dissociated tra#matic memories with positi"e restr#ct#ring o% those memories( Hypnosis can !e #sed to help patients %ace and !ear a tra#matic e@perience !y em!edding it in a new conte@t$ ac'nowledging helplessness d#ring the e"ent$ and yet lin'ing that e@perience with remoralizing memories s#ch as e%%orts at sel%8protection$ shared a%%ection with %riends who were 'illed$ or the a!ility to control the en"ironment at other times( +n this way$ hypnosis can !e #sed to pro"ide controlled access to memories that are then placed into a !roader perspecti"e( Patients can !e ta#ght sel%8hypnosis techniA#es that allow them to wor' thro#gh tra#matic memories and there!y red#ce spontaneo#s #n!idden intr#si"e recollections( >>3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Additi"e 9ene%it o% Hypnosis and Cogniti"e89eha"ioral Therapy in Treating Ac#te .tress <isorder( 9y 9ryant$ :ichard A(U Mo#lds$ Michelle L(U N#thrie$ :achel
M(U Ni@on$ :eginald <( K( Ho#rnal o% Cons#lting and Clinical Psychology( ,04>6$ Apr >--&$ 002802This research represents the %irst controlled treatment st#dy o% hypnosis and cogniti"eR !eha"ioral therapy 4C9T6 o% ac#te stress disorder 4A.<6( Ci"ilian tra#ma s#r"i"ors 4N 5,6 who met criteria %or A.< were randomly allocated to 3 sessions o% C9T$ C9T com!ined with hypnosis 4C9TR hypnosis6$ or s#pporti"e co#nseling 4.C6( C9T comprised e@pos#re$ cogniti"e restr#ct#ring$ and an@iety management( C9TRhypnosis comprised the C9T components with each imaginal e@pos#re preceded !y a hypnotic ind#ction and s#ggestions to engage %#lly in the e@pos#re( +n terms o% treatment completers 4n 376$ %ewer participants in the C9T and C9TRhypnosis gro#ps met criteria %or posttra#matic stress disorder at post treatment and 38month %ollow8#p than those in the .C gro#p( C9TRhypnosis res#lted in greater red#ction in re8e@periencing symptoms at post
treatment than C9T( These %indings s#ggest that hypnosis may ha"e #se in %acilitating the treatment e%%ects o% C9T %or posttra#matic stress( Ca#tions) Clients who de%ine themsel"es !y their tra#mas or a "ictim role need to rede%ine a new identity in order to act#ally ma'e healthy$ positi"e changes( Comple@ PT.< can !e a catastrophic psychiatric illness$ its comple@ity going !eyond hypnotherapy as a sole inter"ention in many cases$ necessitating re%erral to a A#ali%ied mental health pro%essional 4who practices sol#tion8%oc#sed therapy6 %or long8term treatment( Nongard & Thomas >>, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Pho!ias ear o% %lying can stem %rom prior e"ents$ s#ch as an emergency landing$ or !ecoming ill on a plane as a child$ or %rom a generalized an@iety$ or a speci%ic %ear s#ch as mechanical %ail#re or terrorism( ear o% %lying can also originate as another an@iety disorder$ s#ch as a generalized an@iety that !ecomes more se"ere in
the controlled sit#ation o% an aircra%t$ or as a mani%estation o% cla#stropho!ia( ear o% %lying occ#rs more %reA#ently now than in the past$ and it can de!ilitate indi"id#als$ leading to erratic !eha"ior on %lights with legal conseA#ences$ or derail certain career paths$ and it can 'eep people %rom enEoying all that li%e has to o%%er incl#ding %riends and %amily( .peci%ic pho!ias also incl#de reptiles$ insects$ mice$ clowns$ or other speci%ic %ears that mani%est in an otherwise healthy personOs li%e( The %ear can act#ally !e o% E#st a!o#t anything$ and pho!ias to one degree or another are common in the general pop#lation( :egression therapy strategies$ s#ch as the ast Pho!ia C#re 4yo# can %ind in%ormation a!o#t this techniA#e online6$ are o%ten #sed !y hypnotherapists when clients can isolate a speci%ic act#ating e"ent that triggered the %ear( +n this case$ going !ac' and re8li"ing the e"ent %rom a di%%erent perspecti"e 4as a witness on the sidelines6 can help desensitize a person$ m#ch li'e the ne#ro8 ling#stic strategy o% "is#alization that allows a person to !egin seeing themsel"es
o!ser"ing li%e di%%ic#lties 4rather than participating directly6 in an e%%ort to red#ce the importance o% the act#ating e"ent( Pho!ias$ s#ch as %ear o% %lying$ %ear o% sna'es spiders or heights or closed spaces may pre"ent the client %rom li"ing a normal li%e( Hypnotherapy is great %or addressing speci%ic pho!ias !eca#se it creates new physical and psychological responses$ which allow them to eliminate the old strategy or pattern o% thin'ing that #sed to ca#se them %ear( Pho!ias are o%ten an e@ample o% Done time learning(D .omeone is attac'ed !y a dog as a child$ and is %rom then on petri%ied o% any and all dogs( Chen they see e"en the tiniest p#ppy$ they create mental imagery o% them !eing attac'ed and ma#led( Chen we replace this negati"e mental imagery with more calming and positi"e tho#ght >>5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly patterns and red#ce the impact o% the %ear response$ pho!ias can !e eliminated( <epression Michael /ap'o$ in his landmar' !oo' that we pre"io#sly
mentioned$ Treating <epression with Hypnosis$ comes down hard on the psychiatric and pharmace#tical ind#stries who ha"e sold the lie to Americans that depression is as simple as a chemical im!alance that can !e Ire!alancedJ with anti8depressants( /ap'o does concede that !iology can play a role in depression$ !#t points to the %act that most depressions are holistic in nat#re( His tome ma'es a point that + ha"e o%ten made) we are m#ch more than the s#m total o% o#r dopamine and serotonin receptorsU o#r e@periences in li%e go %ar !eyond !rain chemistry( Those who "iew medication as a %irst line treatment %or depression are simplistic in their #nderstanding o% the h#man condition( +n the past$ hypnosis was "iewed as contraindicated %or patients who were depressed( Howe"er$ new research s#ggests that not only can hypnosis !e #tilized with the depressed personU it can also !e highly e%%ecti"e( Hypnosis draws on client strengths and e@isting coping strategies( +t ampli%ies positi"e attri!#tes that indi"id#als already possess$ to help them sol"e pro!lems 8 and these are the characteristics
o% s#ccess%#l treatment protocols %or depression( +t is tr#e that !iology can play a role in why some people are depressed$ and anti8depressants can help some people %#nction !etter 8 !#t they are less e%%ecti"e than reg#lar e@ercise and traditional cogniti"e8!eha"ioral approaches to treating depression( + !elie"e that yo# can only %#nction as well emotionally as yo# are %it physically( Hypnotherapy can !e #sed to sim#ltaneo#sly impact o#r physical$ emotional and spirit#al health( 1% co#rse$ the primary ca#tion with depression is s#icidal ideation( +% yo# are going to treat depressed indi"id#als it is essential that yo# ha"e some reso#rces %or assessments o% s#icidal ideation$ and i% yo# %eel yo#r client is s#icidal$ please strongly consider re%erral to a A#ali%ied pro%essional( Nongard & Thomas >>7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone A great reso#rce %or any le"el o% pro%essional$ whether yo# are licensed or not$ is the A.+MU the Ad#lt .#icidal +deation M#estionnaire( +t is a"aila!le %rom PA:$ Psychological Assessment :eso#rces
Company( There are se"eral depression and s#icidal ideation tools on the mar'et which yo# may want to research i% yo# see depressed clients$ !#t + personally li'e the A.+M !eca#se it yields not only the score %or the le"el o% s#icidal ideation$ !#t it also highlights critical indicators( Hypnosis can ma'e people %eel good( +t can gi"e them new perspecti"es on li%e$ allow them to see the positi"e side and to re%rame things in a prod#cti"e way( +t is cr#cial howe"er that %or more serio#s clients we 'eep in mind the deeper potential psychological ca#ses that may !e !ehind the depression they are e@periencing$ and consider re%erral( >0Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Pain Management Hypnotherapy has great e%%icacy %or treating pain$ and it is all nat#ral$ #nli'e medications$ which means no negati"e side e%%ects( 1#r !ody responds to o#r mind$ and pain is a mental thing( SChat the mind can concei"e$ the !ody can achie"eO is a statement %reA#ently heard in hypnotherapy$ and it is a!sol#tely tr#e(
:esearch st#dies ha"e demonstrated the e%%icacy o% clinical hypnosis %or pain management in "irt#ally e"ery single medical setting$ %rom treatment %or headaches and migraines$ arthritis$ child !irth$ !one$ m#scle and Eoint pain$ s#rgical anesthesia and posts#rgical reco"ery$ and se"ere !#rns( The ca#tion is that sometimes hypnotherapists ha"e the !elie% that i% yo# are #sing hypnosis$ there is no need %or adE#nct pain management medication( There has to !e a !alance$ and it sho#ld come %rom the client in conE#nction with their medical doctor( Hypnosis may help some clients to a"oid high le"els o% medications$ so they can %#nction cogniti"ely$ intellect#ally$ and spirit#ally at a higher le"el( There is a di%%erence !etween gi"ing someone ten o@ycontin a day %or a headache$ and gi"ing morphine to the dying cancer patient( 9alance and common sense( +n many cases$ hypnotherapy is !est #sed as an adE#nct treatment rather than a replacement treatment$ howe"er in other cases the client may !e a!le to a"oid pain medication and its side e%%ects all together( *nco#rage
yo#r clients to #se hypnotherapy consistent with their goals and what is medically appropriate( *"idence that it wor's) Hypnosis and Pain :ed#ction) The Latest :esearch ?ni"ersity o% +owa News :elease March 12$ >--& 9rain +maging .t#dies +n"estigate Pain :ed#ction 9y Hypnosis Nongard & Thomas >01 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Altho#gh hypnosis has !een shown to red#ce pain perception$ it is not clear how the techniA#e wor's( +denti%ying a so#nd$ scienti%ic e@planation %or hypnosisD e%%ect might increase acceptance and #se o% this sa%e pain8red#ction option in clinical settings( :esearchers at the ?ni"ersity o% +owa :oy H( and L#cille A( Car"er College o% Medicine and the Technical ?ni"ersity o% Aachen$ Nermany$ #sed %#nctional magnetic resonance imaging 4%M:+6 to %ind o#t i% hypnosis alters !rain acti"ity in a way that might e@plain pain red#ction( The res#lts are reported in the
No"em!er8<ecem!er >--2 iss#e o% :egional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine( The researchers %o#nd that "ol#nteers #nder hypnosis e@perienced signi%icant pain red#ction in response to pain%#l heat( They also had a distinctly di%%erent pattern o% !rain acti"ity compared to when they were not hypnotized and e@perienced the pain%#l heat( The changes in !rain acti"ity s#ggest that hypnosis somehow !loc's the pain signal %rom getting to the parts o% the !rain that percei"e pain( GThe maEor %inding %rom o#r st#dy$ which #sed %M:+ %or the %irst time to in"estigate !rain acti"ity #nder hypnosis %or pain s#ppression$ is that we see red#ced acti"ity in areas o% the pain networ' and increased acti"ity in other areas o% the !rain #nder hypnosis$G said .e!astian .ch#lz8.t#!ner$ M(<($ Ph(<($ ?+ assistant pro%essor 4clinical6 o% anesthesia and %irst a#thor o% the st#dy( GThe increased acti"ity might !e speci%ic %or hypnosis or might !e non8speci%ic$ !#t it de%initely does
something to red#ce the pain signal inp#t into the cortical str#ct#re(G ((( Hypnosis was s#ccess%#l in red#cing pain perception %or all 1> participants( Hypnotized "ol#nteers reported either no pain or signi%icantly red#ced pain 4less than 0 on the -81- pain scale6 in response to the pain%#l heat( ?nder hypnosis$ %M:+ showed that !rain acti"ity was red#ced in areas o% the pain networ'$ incl#ding the >0> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly primary sensory corte@$ which is responsi!le %or pain perception( :e"iew o% the *%%icacy o% Clinical Hypnosis with Headaches and Migraines The +nternational Ho#rnal o% Clinical and *@perimental HypnosisU Kol#me &&$ N#m!er > 8 April >--The twel"e8mem!er National +nstit#te o% Health Technology Assessment Panel on +ntegration o% 9eha"ioral and :ela@ation Approaches into the Treatment o% Chronic Pain and +nsomnia re"iewed e@isting o#tcome st#dies on hypnosis with cancer pain( They concl#ded that research8!ased e"idence s#ggests
hypnosis to !e e%%ecti"e with some chronic pain$ incl#ding tension headaches( Their paper presents an #pdated re"iew o% e@isting literat#re on the e%%icacy o% hypnosis %or the treatment o% headaches and migraines$ and determines that it meets the clinical psychology research criteria %or !eing a well8esta!lished and e%%icacio#s treatment$ essentially %ree o% the side e%%ects$ ris's o% ad"erse reactions$ and ongoing e@pense associated with traditional medication treatments( Ca#tions) Pain is an important signal and it does ser"e a "ery important p#rpose( Chile pain is #npleasant$ it is an indicator that something is wrong and sho#ld !e recognized as s#ch( Ne"er #se hypnosis %or pain control #nless yo# are s#re it is 1--T sa%e to do so( Nongard & Thomas >00 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone .e@#al +ss#es The !rain is the largest and most important se@ organ in the
!ody$ and reprogramming the !rain thro#gh hypnosis can help to alle"iate or deal with #nhealthy associations 4perhaps %ears or pho!ias %rom !ad past e@periences6$ %ailing physical responses 4mental or physical origins6$ and other insec#rities or iss#es related to se@#al intimacy( +% yo# are going to wor' with indi"id#als or co#ples to impro"e se@#al dys%#nction$ it is important that yo# !ecome com%orta!le and %amiliar with this topic %rom a pro%essional standpoint( /o# cannot !e a pr#de$ and yo# m#st !e a!le to disc#ss these pri"ate iss#es %ran'ly$ !#t %rom a clinical perspecti"e( There are n#mero#s reso#rces a"aila!le R hypnotist Cendi riesen has some great material on the s#!Eect o% intimacy R so do the research$ and st#dy it well( And again$ recognize that i% yo# are not a licensed mental health pro%essional$ yo# may simply not !e A#ali%ied to help with some iss#es( +% a clientDs topic R symptoms$ e@periences R seem to !e o"er yo#r head or %all into a more pathological realm$ please$ please re%er( 1nce more) There is no shame in re%erral( >02
Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .tress Management Let #s now %oc#s on the management o% stress$ which is A#ite a sel%8e@planatory iss#e$ as hypnosis and rela@ation are "ery o%ten com!ined( Hypnosis teaches rela@ation thro#gh therape#tic !reathing$ m#scle tension and rela@ation$ and the "is#al imagery necessary to e@perience deep peace( +n short$ it teaches people who donOt 'now how to rela@$ how to p#rpose%#lly$ conscio#sly rela@ !oth mind and !ody( Chat are the ca#tionsQ Nenerally spea'ing$ there are %ew ca#tions$ other than perhaps to let clients engaged in PM: 'now that i% they %eel an isolated deep pain in any part o% the !ody while doing the Stension and rela@ationO e@ercises$ strength training at the gym might help$ and cons#lting with a physician regarding #s#al pain can r#le o#t !one and m#scle inE#ries that ha"e gone #ndiagnosed( Also$ client conditions s#ch as s#pposed stress8 related headaches co#ld possi!ly !e indicati"e o% other pro!lems$ and sho#ld !e e"al#ated !y a physician to r#le o#t anything li'e a !rain t#mor(
Again$ ta'e the time to as' A#estions o% yo#r client in the inter"iew assessment process( Chen do they %eel stressed$ what are the primary ca#ses$ what their symptoms are$ what ha"e they tried R what has wor'ed and what has %ailed R and what they hope to achie"e #sing hypnosis as it concerns stress management( As a side note$ not drin'ing alcohol$ a"oiding ca%%eine and other dr#gs 8 incl#ding nicotine 8 can help yo# to %eel rested at night and to %eel stress %ree( Altho#gh in the short r#n$ these s#!stances seem to prod#ce rela@ation$ they physically a%%ect the !ody in the opposite manner( inding a nat#ral way to depart %rom the stressors o% the day is essential$ and hypnosis can !e a positi"e way to do this( The more yo# 'now a!o#t yo#r clientDs li%estyle$ the !etter a!le yo# will !e to de"elop targeted s#ggestions %or lasting change( Nongard & Thomas >0& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Testing and *@am An@iety +n general$ the category o% test an@iety %alls #nder the heading o% stress management$ rather than emotional8 related an@iety and
panic pro!lems( + 'now a hypnotist in Te@as who li"es in college town$ and 7-T o% his practice is de"oted to treating test an@iety related to st#dents preparing %or medical or law school entrance e@aminations$ term e@ams$ pro%essional oral e@aminations$ state !oards$ and so %orth( Hypnotherapy %or test8ta'ing wor's !eca#se it helps the person rela@$ and when they are more rela@ed they are a!le to %oc#s$ which aids their short8term memory( .t#dies show that people engaging in hypnosis prior to ta'ing e@aminations do !etter than those who do not( The ca#tion is that nat#rally some clients ha"e magical thin'ing$ li'e$ I+Oll go see a hypnotist and +Oll !e a!le to recall e"erything( + wonOt e"en need to st#dyFJ And then they !om! the test( The client sho#ld !e instr#cted to st#dy as normal( Hypnosis is not a s#!stit#te %or learning material( Ce do not want to rein%orce #nrealistic e@pectations$ so !e care%#l in yo#r mar'eting i% yo# want to attract these 'inds o% clients( +nstead$ we want them to 'now that hypnotherapy wor's %or managing an@iety and increasing rela@ation( +t pro"ides a
%eeling o% rest and well8!eing$ and aids in memory and %oc#s( The hypnotic state is also a state o% accelerated learning$ which ma'es sense when yo# thin' a!o#t s#ggestion in terms o% #s teaching the client( +% we teach o#r clients sel%8hypnosis s'ills to #se in conE#nction with their st#dies$ they will ha"e a lot more s#ccess with recall and #nderstanding( Long8term memory is$ a%ter all$ the domain o% the #nconscio#s( >03 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly *"idence that it wor's) Psychosocial and imm#ne e%%ects o% sel%8 hypnosis training %or stress management thro#gho#t the %irst semester o% medical school CN Chiteho#se$ < <inges$ *C 1rne$ .* Keller$ 9L 9ates$ NK 9a#er$ P Morahan$ 9A Ha#pt$ MM Carlin$ P9 9loom$ L [a#gg and MT 1rne +nstit#te o% Pennsyl"ania Hospital$ ?ni"ersity o% Pennsyl"ania Medical .chool$ Philadelphia$ ?.A( This st#dy was a 178wee' prospecti"e cond#cted to determine the e%%ecti"eness o% a sel%8 hypnosis;rela@ation
inter"ention to relie"e symptoms o% psychological distress and moderate imm#ne system reacti"ity to e@amination stress in 0& %irst8year medical st#dents( Twenty8one s#!Eects were randomly selected %or training in the #se o% sel%hypnosis as a coping s'ill and were enco#raged to practice reg#larly and to maintain daily diary records related to mood$ sleep$ physical symptoms$ and %reA#ency o% rela@ation practice( An additional 12 s#!Eects recei"ed no e@plicit training in stress8red#ction strategies$ !#t completed similar daily diaries( .el%8report psychosocial and symptom meas#res$ as well as !lood draws$ were o!tained at %o#r time points) orientation$ late semester$ e@amination period$ and post semester reco"ery( +t was %o#nd that signi%icant increases in stress and %atig#e occ#rred d#ring the e@amination period$ paralleled !y increases in co#nts o% 9 lymphocytes and acti"ated T lymphocytes$ PHA8ind#ced and PCM8ind#ced !lastogenesis$
and nat#ral 'iller cell 4NK6 cytoto@icity( No imm#ne decreases were o!ser"ed( .#!Eects in the sel%8 hypnosis condition reported signi%icantly less distress and an@iety than their noninter"ention co#nterparts$ !#t the two gro#ps did not di%%er with respect to imm#ne %#nction( Ne"ertheless$ within the sel%8hypnosis gro#p$ the A#ality o% the e@ercises 4i(e( rela@ation ratings6 predicted !oth the n#m!er o% NK cells and NK acti"ity( Nongard & Thomas >0, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone +t was concl#ded that stress associated with academic demands a%%ects imm#ne %#nction$ !#t imm#ne s#ppression is not ine"ita!le( Practice o% sel%8hypnosis red#ces distress$ witho#t di%%erential imm#ne e%%ects( Howe"er$ indi"id#al responses to the sel%8hypnosis inter"ention appear to predict imm#ne o#tcomes( 9ettering the Nood +n addition to alle"iating pro!lems$ hypnosis can also !e #sed to ma'e the good things !etter( This is called generati"e impro"ement(
Not all stress is D!ad(D Li'e the emotion anger$ stress can o%ten !e a positi"e moti"ator and energizer( The di%%erence is in perception$ and controlling and channeling the stress to ma'e it wor' %or yo# in these healthy ways( Hypnosis can !e #sed to target the #se o% nat#ral stress %or %oc#s$ to enhance and #nleash physical and mental reso#rces$ allowing them to !ecome !etter at sports$ to %#el creati"ity and enhance con%idence$ to impro"e academic per%ormance$ solidi%y personal relationships$ and deepen general happiness$ health$ and well!eing( R An ed#cational and s'ills disc#ssion on the iss#es a!o"e co#ld %ill an entire !oo'$ each( +n this te@t$ we ha"e pro"ided a !rie% o"er"iew and it is now #p to yo# to %#rther research and st#dy the areas which interest yo# most$ or ha"e most rele"ance %or the clients on yo#r caseload( :emem!er$ e"ery client is di%%erent R di%%erent e@periences$ e@pectations$ ed#cation$ spirit#al needs$ physical conditions$ and #ltimate goals( Ta'e the time in yo#r inter"iew assessment session to
get to 'now yo#r client a little$ listen to what they say$ as' A#estions to clari%y$ and do yo#r !est to de"elop s#ggesti"e therapy plan to help them achie"e lasting positi"e changes( >05 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 1> *thics$ Morality and Legal Principles :elated to Hypnotherapy There are certain ethical reA#irements and g#idelines that yo# need to adhere to in order to ma'e s#re the wor' yo# do is not only ethical$ !#t also %alls within the legislati"e constraints o% where"er yo# happen to !e li"ing( Hypnotherapy is primarily an #nreg#lated pro%ession( ?nli'e other licensea!le pro%essions s#ch as marriage and %amily therapy$ social wor'ing or psychology$ in most states E#st a!o#t anyone can hang o#t a shingle and say$ IHi$ +Om Hac';Hane .mith$ a certi%ied hypnotist(J .ome states do ha"e constraints regarding who may ad"ertise$ how they may ad"ertise$ and the types o% ser"ices that they may deli"er$ !#t only a %ew act#ally license or register hypnotists( Howe"er$ the ethical considerations$ whether yo# li"e in a state that
reg#lates hypnosis or does not$ need to !e addressed( +t is my opinion that the pro%ession o% hypnotherapy will mo"e %orward when responsi!le pro%essional associations ta'e it #pon themsel"es to pro"ide ethical g#idelines to their mem!ers and those mem!ers adhere strictly to the ethical g#idelines( Chen we ha"e pro%essionals practicing o#tside the !o#ndaries o% pro%essional associations and their speci%ic codes o% ethics$ we #s#ally r#n into Nongard & Thomas >07 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone di%%ic#lties with the perception o% hypnotherapy as a pro%essional practice( + hope in this chapter to not only answer some A#estions$ !#t really set the %o#ndation %or yo# in regards to practicing hypnotherapy responsi!ly and within the g#idelines o% what is generally considered !y the pro%essional associations o% today to !e good practice( The Code o% *thics that weDll #se in this te@t comes %rom the +C9CH$ the +nternational Certi%ication 9oard o% Clinical Hypnotherapy$
!eca#se + %ind it partic#larly comprehensi"e( There are other pro%essional associations with codes o% ethics$ !#t #pon re"iew$ + thin' that the others are not A#ite as speci%ic as the +C9CH Ds( 1% co#rse those whose mem!ers are strictly licensed mental health pro%essionals pro!a!ly ass#me that their mem!ers are already operating #nder the ethical codes o% their respecti"e pro%ession$ and perhaps that e@plains their "ag#eness( Let #s ta'e a loo' at the iss#es that are most important to #s regarding the moral and ethical practice o% clinical hypnosis$ and hope%#lly this !rie% disc#ssion will clari%y some A#estions and pro"ide some g#idance( Morality >2Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly irst$ let #s e@amine %i"e moral principles that sho#ld g#ide any pro%essionalOs actions and decision8ma'ing processes$ whether yo# are a massage therapist$ a hypnotist$ a marriage %amily therapist or a psychologist( i"e Moral Principles 8 %or Pro"iding *thical Care A#tonomy
+n all o% the actions we ta'e as hypnotherapists$ o#r goal is to help o#r clients %#nction independently( /ears ago$ + was one o% the %ew licensed mental health pro%essionals in a "ery$ "ery small town in Te@as( Another psychotherapist in town retired and re%erred all o% her clients to me( 1ne day + recei"ed a call %rom a client who Ihad to see me right away(J + did not ha"e a chance to loo' at the case notes ahead o% the time$ !#t + said to come on o"er( .he arri"ed and d#ring introd#ctions + glanced at her case history and saw that she had !een with the pre"io#s therapist %or a!o#t two years$ so the %irst A#estion + as'ed was$ I+ see yo#O"e !een in therapy %or the last two years( Chat yo# ha"e !een wor'ing onQJ .he said$ I<etachment(J + tho#ght that was pretty darn am#sing$ and so + as'ed$ ICho is it that yo# are trying to detach %romQJ .he said$ I1hF + am trying to detach %rom my grandmother(J .he loo'ed a!o#t thirty8%i"e$ and + tho#ght it was little odd that the therape#tic iss#e cons#ming her %or two years was how to detach %rom grandma( <espite my !em#sement + was c#rio#s$ and + had a Eo! to do$
so + as'ed her to descri!e her Nrandmother( According to her$ Nrandma was a horri!le person who had dominated and a%%ected m#ch o% her li%e( + %o#nd mysel% empathizing with the client and thin'ing$ S+% + had a Nrandma li'e that$ + too wo#ld want to !e as detached as possi!leFO Then the reality8therapist in me 'ic'ed in( IHey$ A#ic' A#estion here( /o# are thirty8%i"e years old( Chy donOt yo# mo"e o#t o% yo#r grandmotherOs ho#seQJ .he loo'ed at me strangely and said$ I+ donOt li"e with my grandmother(J Nongard & Thomas >21 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone + pa#sed$ then as'ed$ IChere does yo#r grandmother li"eQJ .he said$ ICashington(J + stared at her with a loo' o% !e%#ddlement and as'ed$ I/o#r grandmother li"es in CashingtonQ /o# ha"e spent two years in therapy in Te@as$ learning how to detach %rom yo#r grandmother who li"es in CashingtonQJ .he nodded and o%%ered a sheepish grin( + said$ I/o#r therape#tic assignment is not to come to therapy any longer( /o# need to %ind a real %riend$ one yo# donOt ha"e to pay to tal' to e"ery single wee'(J
/o# see$ the prior therapist had !ecome her !est %riend$ instead o% helping her to %ind a !est %riend( Ce can gi"e clients ad"ice and it may e"en !e %rom o#r own e@periences$ !#t we cannot !e their 1>8.tep sponsor( Ce can ha"e #nconditional positi"e regard %or o#r clients and accept them$ !#t we cannot !e their mother( Ce can act#ally gen#inely li'e o#r clients$ !#t it is not o#r Eo! to !e their %riend( 1#r Eo! is to !e a paid temporary pro%essional who helps them to %ind a real %riend$ a real mother$ a real sponsor$ and real sit#ational s#pports that help them sol"e pro!lems( Chen a client comes in to o#r o%%ice$ o#r %irst goal sho#ld !e to help them %#nction independently( This is$ !y the way$ one o% the reasons why + li'e hypnotherapy$ as it is !y nat#re a !rie% %orm o% therapy$ a A#ic' inter"ention( Certainly there are comple@ cases that may reA#ire m#ltiple sessions( or e@ample$ the standard recommended treatment protocol %or irrita!le !owel syndrome is se"en sessions$ and s#!stantial weight loss treatment o%ten %ollows a m#ltisession protocol o"er se"eral months( Howe"er$ most cases$ %rom
smo'ing cessation to pho!ia treatment$ generally reA#ire only one to three sessions$ ma@( Hypnotherapy promotes a#tonomy so o#r client can %#nction apart %rom a therape#tic relationship( The goal o% a good therapist is to get rid o% their clients$ not to %ill another !illa!le ho#r( 9ene%icence >2> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The !asic concept o% !ene%icence is the help we pro"ide sho#ld !e !ene%icial to the client( 1#r clients come to #s %or help with speci%ic pro!lems$ and it is o#r Eo! to help them %ind !ene%icial sol#tions( :eading a one8size8%its8all script may help a little$ !#t pro!a!ly wo#ld not !e near as !ene%icial as ta'ing the time to constr#ct indi"id#al therape#tic s#ggestions targeted to #tilize the clientDs speci%ic strengths and reso#rces to meet their indi"id#al needs( #rthermore$ we need to gi"e o#r clients what they want and as' %or$ not create more reasons to see them more %reA#ently( Pro"iding #nnecessary sessions is not !ene%icial( Non mal%easance
Not only sho#ld we promote goodness thro#gh !ene%icial o#tcomes$ !#t we also want to a"oid doing harm to o#r clients( irst and %oremost on this list$ o% co#rse$ is to ne"er$ e"er ha"e any 'ind o% romantic or se@#al relations with anyone who is or e"er has !een yo#r client( Ne"er( Period( This sets #p an #neA#al$ #nhealthy and #nethical dynamic( <onDt do it( Ce can do harm to o#r clients !y re"ealing con%idential in%ormation( There is no need to e"er disc#ss yo#r clientsD cases with anyone o#tside o% a pro%essional setting( /es$ yo# may disc#ss iss#es with other hypnotists$ therapists or doctors %or p#rposes o% g#idance or re%erral$ !#t yo# sho#ld not chat #p yo#r %riends at a party a!o#t Mr( .mith$ whom yo# saw %or se@#al dys%#nction last wee'( Ce can do harm to o#r clients !y !eing incompetent( +% yo# are #ns#re a!o#t a condition or treatment approach$ get ed#cated or re%er( <o not waste yo#r clientDs time or money$ or ta'e the ris' o% doing harm !y !eing arrogant( <o not ma'e yo#r clients !elie"e that yo# ha"e powers that yo# do not ha"e( 9e open and honest a!o#t the hypnotic process$ how
it wor's and what they sho#ld e@pect$ %rom the session itsel% to the end res#lts( Ce a"oid doing harm !y pro"iding pro%essional$ ethical$ A#ality care( H#stice Nongard & Thomas >20 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone H#stice reA#ires that we pro"ide eA#al treatment to all people( +t is o'ay to ha"e religio#s !elie%s and !iases( This is America and yo# are allowed to !elie"e anything yo# want a!o#t anything( Howe"er$ while we will always !ring o#r "al#es into the co#nseling process with #s$ we ha"e an o!ligation to pro"ide E#st ser"ices( +n order to !e a competent pro%essional$ we m#st p#t o#r own moral E#dgments$ !iases$ and !elie%s aside$ so that we can pro"ide eA#al treatment to all people( As a hypnotherapist$ yo# will meet all 'inds o% clients$ incl#ding many who donOt share the same morals$ %o#ndations$ and !elie%s as yo#( +% yo# are #na!le to pro"ide eA#al treatment to all clients$ then yo# need to %ind a di%%erent en"ironment to wor' in( idelity
+t is important to 'eep o#r promises( idelity implies !eing tr#th%#l and loyal$ and !eing worthy o% that tr#st( 1#r clients loo' to #s as a model( As + mentioned pre"io#sly$ modeling healthy !eha"ior !y not smo'ing$ not !eing a dr#n'$ not o"ereating$ !#t !eing a model %or health and %itness is really essential %or a hypnotist who promotes health8related ser"ices( Li'ewise$ we also need to model %or o#r clients %idelity !y !eing on time %or sessions( Chen we say we will %ollow thro#gh on something$ we %ollow thro#gh 8 !y calling !ac'$ !y !eing a"aila!le and accessi!le to o#r clients( idelity is essential %or pro"iding good care( +n reality$ ethics and morality are largely a matter o% common sense( Pro"ided yo# ha"e the right intentions and thin' thro#gh yo#r pro%essional actions$ yo# sho#ld %ind remaining ethical a simple tas'( >22 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly i"e Hallmar's o% Nood Therapy R %or :ed#cing Lia!ility /es$ there are many more than %i"e$ !#t these %i"e stri'e me as partic#larly cr#cial %or the wor' we do$ not only to !e a good
hypnotist in general$ !#t to also help minimize yo#r lia!ility( 1#r clients come to #s !eca#se they want #s to pro"ide good ser"icesU they e@pect that we will help them ma'e changes and do so e%%ecti"ely( Chen we pro"ide good care and competent ser"ices we are doing o#r Eo!s well$ and we are also sa%e on the legal %ront( Please #nderstand that + cannot tell yo# how to not get s#ed( There is an am!#lance8chasing trial attorney on e"ery corner who$ %or a Y2& %iling %ee$ will come a%ter yo# %or anything( Howe"er$ + can tell yo# that i% yo# are s#ed in ci"il co#rt$ the !est de%ense is to simply ha"e done yo#r Eo! properly and ha"e acted competently and pro%essionally at e"ery stage o% the way( Nood Hypnotherapy has Meas#ra!le .#ccess + !elie"e s#ccess sho#ld !e meas#red !y act#al recorda!le change$ rather than merely !y emotions o!ser"ed( Change means whether the presenting pro!lem is act#ally %i@ed$ or not( 1%ten we donOt %eel li'e we ha"e an o!Eecti"e way o% meas#ring s#ccess( Ce may say$ well$ i% the client lea"es happy then we ha"e done o#r Eo!( Cell$ i% the clientDs o!Eecti"e when they came to
yo# was to lea"e yo#r o%%ice happy in general$ then + s#ppose so$ !#t what a!o#t the iss#es yo# addressed d#ring the sessionQ *motion seems !oth %or #s and %or clients to !e a simple way to meas#re s#ccess$ !#t that is E#st a temporary ill#sion( +t does not matter i% they are happy when they lea"e i% they !egin smo'ing again three ho#rs later( Ce meas#re s#ccess !y helping the client achie"e real goals( Nongard & Thomas >2& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Nood Hypnotherapy oc#ses on the Present and the #t#re$ :ather than <welling on the Past The 'ey word here is dwelling( The past is important( 1#r e@periences do shape #s$ in%l#ence #s$ and lead #s to where we are today( .ometimes the c#lmination o% li%e e@periences can !e e@tremely di%%ic#lt$ !ringing clients to the point where therape#tic ser"ices are desired$ so it is essential to #nderstand o#r clientOs %ramewor' in the conte@t o% their past$ so that we may help them ma'e changes %or the %#t#re( Howe"er$ o%ten o#r clients o%ten wo#ld rather tal' a!o#t the
past$ !eca#se that is lot easier than ta'ing responsi!ility now %or action in the %#t#re$ and some therapists li'e tal'ing a!o#t the past$ !eca#se it %ills !illa!le ho#rs( Nood therapy$ howe"er$ does not %oc#s on or dwell on the past( +t recognizes its importance$ !#t %oc#ses on the present and the %#t#re and as's the A#estion) Chat are the tas's that need done to mo"e %rom the present scene to the pre%erred sceneQ 1#r goal is not to change the past$ which is a good thing since that cannot !e done( 1#r goal as a hypnotist is to help o#r clients ma'e changes so as not to repeat the past$ to mo"e %orward towards a positi"e$ desired goal( Nood Hypnotherapy ?nloc's o#r ClientOs .trengths A lot o% indi"id#als ha"e a lot o% pro!lems$ !#t they also ha"e #niA#e strengths( + may not !e a!le to completely %i@ what is wrong$ !#t + can ta'e the strengths that e@ist in that indi"id#alOs li%e and #se them to compensate %or their de%icits$ so they can choose a healthy manner o% li"ing %or the %#t#re( Chen + wor' with clients to %ind o#t ways to help them A#it smo'ing$ one o% the things + may as' is$ I1'ay$ yo# ha"e !een
smo'ing %or the last ten years( Cere there any circ#mstances in the last ten years where yo# normally wo#ld ha"e smo'ed$ !#t yo# did notQJ May!e they spent wee'ends with their mother who still doesnOt 'now they smo'e( 1r may!e they smo'e e"ery day e@cept sometimes .#ndays$ !eca#se they go to ch#rch( + want to draw %rom my clientDs e@isting repertoire o% reso#rces and personality strengths to help them sol"e pro!lems( >23 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Nood Hypnotherapy Mo!ilizes riends and amily into Acti"e .#pport or a lot o% iss#es$ people need other people in their e"eryday li"es to help them stay %oc#sed and maintain positi"e change( Chen wor'ing with the indi"id#al losing weight$ + want to try to %ind solid sit#ational s#pports$ the people who will help them maintain healthy %ood choices and s#pport their e@ercise goals( A lot o% times losing weight is a str#ggle !eca#se those they share the re%rigerator with ha"en not decided to ma'e the same healthy choices( Ce want the client to identi%y %riends$ %amily and cowor'ers who can help
rein%orce positi"e change( Nood Hypnotherapy Teaches .'ills Hypnosis clients learn how to rela@$ how to align their conscio#s and #nconscio#s reso#rces$ how to go into prod#cti"e trance states and manage stress$ and how to tr#ly !e all that they can !e$ and this is good( Again$ it is one thing %or the client to !e happy in o#r o%%ice$ !#t we m#st pro"ide them with the tools and s'ills they need to s#cceed at their goals once they lea"e o#r !#ilding( Nood s#ggestions teach the client how to draw #pon their strengths$ how to #tilize s#pport systems$ and how to thin' and react di%%erently to sit#ations in positi"e$ healthy ways( Nongard & Thomas >2, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone >25 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Pro%essional *thics As we !egin to wind down$ + want to go o"er the rele"ant ethical g#idelines pro"ided !y the +nternational Certi%ication 9oard %or Clinical Hypnotherapy in detail( As mentioned !e%ore$ + ha"e chosen to #se the +C9CHDs code !eca#se + thin' it is more
comprehensi"e than others( Chen yo# loo' at pro%essional organizations to Eoin$ !ecome a%%iliated with$ and;or to !ecome certi%ied !y$ ta'e some time and see what these organizations ha"e to o%%er( Those that do not ha"e a Code o% *thics are pro!a!ly not pro%essional associations acting in the !est interest o% the mem!ers it certi%ies( Please recognize also that while this Code re%ers to ICerti%ied Hypnotherapists$J the same concepts apply to ICerti%ied HypnotistsJ and e"en stage per%ormers$ as well( +C9CH certi%ied pro%essionals adhere to the %ollowing *thical Principles) a(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists promote client a#tonomy( !(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists respect clients and promote what is healthy %or clients( c(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists do not engage in !eha"iors that ca#se harm to clients or that e@ploit clients( d(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists "al#e contin#ing ed#cation and see' opport#nities to contin#e to grow in 'nowledge( e(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists recognize !oth the !ene%its and the limitations o% clinical hypnosis(
%(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists promote hypnotherapy with demonstrated e%%icacy rather than pse#doscience or modalities o% hypnosis that are merely spec#lati"e( g(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists acc#rately represent their ed#cational e@periences to clients( Nongard & Thomas >27 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone h(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists recognize the need %or psychological and medical re%errals to other pro%essionals and !#ild relationships with other disciplines o% helping( +(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists pro"ide clients with in%ormed consent at the o#tset o% hypnotherapy( E(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists 'eep client in%ormation con%idential$ e@cept when reA#ired !y law$ or with the clientOs written consent prior to release o% con%idential in%ormation( '(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists a"oid d#al8 relationships and se@#al contact with clients( l(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists pro"ide ser"ices in the conte@t o% pro%essional !#siness arrangements$ and esta!lish %ees and
payment arrangements clearly #nderstood !y clients( m(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists recognize the need to adhere to the principles o% respecting others when p#!licly demonstrating hypnosis in non8clinical settings( n(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists acc#rately represent credentials( o(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists promote p#!lic awareness o% hypnotherapy( p6 +C9CH Mem!ers do not solicit other mem!ers or clients a!o#t Eoining m#lti8le"el mar'eting programs( Certi%ied hypnotherapists promote a#tonomy( As yo# can see$ the %irst %ew ideas are !ased on the moral principles we disc#ssed a little while ago( 1#r goal is to help o#r clients %#nction apart %rom the pro%essional relationship and o#t in the real world( Certi%ied hypnotherapists respect their clients and promote what is healthy %or clients( The n#m!er one reason why clients !ring ci"il s#its against pro%essionals is not !eca#se they want the !ig !#c'sU they are moti"ated !y anger$ !eca#se they %eel li'e they ha"e !een disrespected(
Certi%ied hypnotherapists do not engage in !eha"iors that ca#se harm to or e@ploit clients( + ha"e had the opport#nity to do hypnosis with stars %rom Las Kegas$ Hollywood and 9roadway$ and ha"e had my pict#re ta'en with many$ !#t ne"er ha"e + p#t the >&Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly pict#res or e"en their names #p on my we!site( Ne"er ha"e + as'ed them to do personal testimonials$ e"en tho#gh their endorsements wo#ld pro!a!ly !e good %or my sales( +t wo#ld !e an e@ploitation o% those clients to re"eal their names( +t is important %or #s to respect o#r clients and not #se them %or o#r own gain$ whether they are %amo#s or not( As a hypnotist$ it is important that yo# are constantly learning( A lot o% people in pro%essional therapy try to do only the minim#m amo#nt o% contin#ing ed#cation reA#ired !y the state each year$ and + s#ppose that is their prerogati"e( Howe"er$ in my opinion$ it is essential %or yo#r own growth as a pro%essional and %or the good o% yo#r clients that yo# passionately immerse yo#rsel% in all the training
and materials that yo# can %ind and practice yo#r s'ills as m#ch as possi!le$ whether yo# are reA#ired to !y yo#r licensing or certi%ying associations$ or not( 1nce #pon a time$ + was treating an a#tistic client %or another presenting pro!lem( +n that partic#lar case$ + remem!er loo'ing at the records$ seeing a#tism in the client history$ and realizing that most e"erything + 'new a!o#t a#tism + had learned %rom the mo"ie :ain Man( *"en tho#gh + was a licensed mental health pro%essional$ + did not 'now m#ch a!o#t a#tism or other childhood per"asi"e mental illness or psychiatric disorders( *"en tho#gh + generally do not treat children$ + started going to training wor'shops and !o#ght !oo's on this s#!Eect$ so + wo#ld !e a!le to increase my !ase o% 'nowledge$ so that + co#ld !etter #nderstand the history o% some o% the clients that + was seeing %or ad#lt chemical dependency co#nseling and ad#lt traditional psychotherapy$ as well as hypnotherapy( Now$ yo# may not !e a licensed mental health pro%essional$ and yo# may not e"er see many clients %or iss#es !eyond smo'ing
cessation or weight loss$ !#t it will !e help%#l to yo# R and yo#r clients R i% yo# st#dy the a"aila!le reso#rces %or many commonly seen illnesses and conditions( Contin#ing ed#cation$ whether legally reA#ired or not$ is another hallmar' o% good therapy$ as yo# ne"er 'now when yo# may need it( Nongard & Thomas >&1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Certi%ied hypnotherapists recognize !oth the !ene%its and limitations o% clinical hypnosis( No to scholar(google(com 8 NoogleOs scholarly Eo#rnal search engine 8 and type in hypnotism and any disorder yo# can thin' o%$ and the res#lts will pro!a!ly s#rprise yo#( The e"idence %or the e%%icacy o% hypnotherapy as a treatment modality with physical conditions$ psychiatric conditions$ and !eha"ioral conditions is incredi!le$ demonstrated time a%ter time in Eo#rnal articles %or weight loss$ smo'ing cessation$ pain management$ e"en management o% allergy related symptoms$ child !irth$ and more( At the same time$ while hypnotherapy is highly e%%ecti"e %or many iss#es$ there are also limitations( .ome pro!lems may reA#ire
not only hypnotherapy$ !#t traditional cogniti"e8!eha"ioral or other %orms o% psychotherapy or medical treatment as well$ in order to %#lly assist the client with ma'ing the long8term changes they need or desire( Chile hypnosis is remar'a!ly e%%ecti"e$ it is a matter o% pro%essional ethics that yo# realize it is not a magic sol#tion to e"ery pro!lem( Certi%ied hypnotherapists promote hypnotherapy with a demonstrated e%%icacy$ rather than spec#lati"e pse#do8science( Hypnotherapy$ li'e assessment tools that are sel%8reports$ is limited !y the participantOs willingness to engage in the process( Ce ha"e to recognize the limitations( or e@ample$ memory is not li'e a "ideo cameraU hypnosis %or memory recall$ tra#matic e"ents$ or %orensics$ can !e inacc#rate or em!ellished( Certi%ied hypnotherapists sho#ld also acc#rately represent their ed#cational e@periences to clients( The %ield o% hypnotherapy is$ o% co#rse$ #nreg#lated( As s#ch$ there are people who ha"e no ed#cational e@perience at all$ not e"en a high school diploma$ who are practicing clinical hypnosis( There is nothing wrong with that R other
than + wo#ld call them a Dclinical hypnotistD and not a DhypnotherapistD R howe"er$ + %eel it is a matter o% pro%essional ethics that we do not o"erstate the ed#cation we ha"e recei"ed( Hypnosis itsel% is a learning process$ and learning how to %#lly %acilitate that process ta'es time( /o# m#st recognize that this te@t$ as well as any other training or certi%ication program$ is an entry point$ a starting point( >&> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +% yo# do not ha"e a clinical degree and yo# read this !oo'$ yo# will 'now how to hypnotize some!ody$ !#t #ntil yo# ha"e ho#rs and ho#rs o% practice and e@perience !ehind yo#$ yo# will not !e a competent hypnotherapist( +t is important to represent o#rsel"es acc#rately to clients$ and at this early stage in yo#r training$ to represent yo#rsel% as a hypnotherapist wo#ld not !e an ethical thing to do( The certi%ied hypnotherapist also recognizes the need %or psychological and medical re%errals to and %rom other pro%essionals and !#ilds relationships with other helping disciplines( Citho#t a
do#!t$ some o% the clients on o#r caseload need to !e re%erred %or medical inter"ention( or e@ample$ an alcoholic client comes in and says$ I+ canOt A#it drin'ing( + str#ggled with this appointment since eight oOcloc' in the morning so that + co#ld !e so!er %or the %irst time and participate in this session(J NreatF + want them to !e there$ and + will pro"ide ser"ices that can help them deal with the withdrawal symptoms they are e@periencing the %irst day( Howe"er$ + am also going to immediately re%er them to a physician$ !eca#se deto@i%ication can !e a dangero#s process %or some o% o#r clients( +% a client comes to yo# !eca#se they want help d#ring di%%ic#lt periods li'e cancer treatment$ post s#rgical proced#res$ or %or other medical treatments$ hypnosis can help them reco"er and manage their !odies( Howe"er$ we need to re%er them !ac' %or contin#ed %ollow8#p care necessary %or their medical conditions$ rather than simply letting them !elie"e that !eca#se they %eel good thereOs no need %or a%tercare or %ollow8#p( +n these cases$ hypnosis sho#ld !e "iewed as a s#pplement to$ rather than a replacement o%$
con"entional medical treatment( +% we ha"e clients with se"ere psychological or psychiatric dist#r!ances$ hypnosis can help them rela@ and ta'e physical control o"er their emotions( +t is o'ay to pro"ide some hypnosis ser"ices to some indi"id#als who ha"e psychological or psychiatric di%%ic#lties( Chat is not o'ay is treating$ witho#t ha"ing a license$ psychological and psychiatric di%%ic#lties( /o# will need to re%er those indi"id#als$ as well( Nongard & Thomas >&0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Certi%ied hypnotherapists pro"ide clients with in%ormed consent at the o#tset o% therapy( Ce ha"e disc#ssed this !e%oreU in%ormed consent ed#cates clients a!o#t the process they will !e engaging in( This occ#rs in the assessment inta'e and the pre8tal'( Certi%ied hypnotherapists 'eep client in%ormation con%idential$ e@cept when reA#ired !y law$ reA#ested !y a E#dge$ or with the clientOs written consent prior to the release to %amily or re%erral so#rces( This is essential( Now$ let me A#ic'ly address H+PAA
Con%identiality( Most hypnotherapists do not practice in a H+PAA reA#ired en"ironment( Howe"er$ E#st so yo# are aware$ the Health +ns#rance Porta!ility Act reg#lations reA#ires that certain %ederal sec#rity standards are met in regards to con%identiality o% data transmitted electronically to third8party payers 4ins#rance companies6( ?nless yo# are a licensed pro%essional wor'ing with ins#rance companies$ H+PAA is generally not something yo# will ha"e to worry a!o#t$ !#t ta'ing e@tra preca#tions with yo#r clientDs in%ormation is always a good thing( Certi%ied hypnotherapists need to a"oid d#al relationships and se@#al contact with clients( Again$ it is most li'ely a %elony in the state where yo# li"e to ha"e se@ with anyone who has !een or e"er was a client( There are millions o% other people who are not on yo#r caseload$ so please ha"e se@ with one o% them( +t really is that simple( There is a!sol#tely no e@c#se %or se@#al cond#ct with a client( +t is #naccepta!le( +t is #npro%essional( +t always harms clients( +t can ne"er !e E#sti%ied in the conte@t o% competent clinical care(
<#al relationships R !eing %riends with or doing !#siness with a client o#tside the o%%ice 8 are di%%ic#lt to manage and can !e eA#ally damaging to clients( They can p#t #s in sit#ations where %alse acc#sations can arise %rom h#rt %eelings and %ail#re to respect the client( Lia!ilities and laws#its come o#t o% d#al relationships( Ha"ing a re%erral networ' !ecomes essential in order to a"oid a d#al relationship( Now$ letOs say + go to the same gas station e"ery day to %ill #p my car$ and one day the cler' says to me$ I/o# 'now$ + noticed that yo#r credit card says :ichard K( Nongard$ and + thin' +D"e heard yo#r name on radio ads( <o yo# do hypnosisQJ + reply$ I/es$ thatDs me$ and + do(J He then says$ IAwesome$ can yo# help my wi%e A#it smo'ingQJ >&2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly + respond with$ I.#re$ hereDs my card(J This sit#ation is called networ'ingU it is not a d#al relationship( :e%er yo#r %riends$ neigh!ors$ %amily and those yo# wor' with to someone else %or hypnosis ser"ices( Certi%ied hypnotherapists pro"ide ser"ices in the conte@t o%
pro%essional !#siness arrangements and esta!lish %ees and payment arrangements clearly #nderstood !y clients( My payment arrangements are simpleU cash$ chec'$ or charge( + s#ppose + wo#ld pro!a!ly ta'e gold !#llion too$ !#t no one has o%%ered it( + donOt !arter( + donOt e@change wor'ing on my car %or hypnotherapy sessions( .ome clients li'e !artering$ and it may appeal to #s$ !#t in the end$ something a!o#t a !arter relationship always %eels #neA#al to one o% the !artering parties( +% yo# ha"e something + want$ +Om going to !#y it %rom yo#( +% + ha"e something yo# want 8 hypnosis ser"ices 8 yo# are going to !#y it %rom me$ cash$ chec'$ or charge( This is really the only way to pro"ide competent ser"ices( Also$ + let my clients 'now on the telephone when they sched#le their %irst appointment that payments are e@pected at the time ser"ices are rendered( This in%ormation is also on my we!site( .#ppose + ha"e a client that + am seeing %or m#ltiple sessions( Cill + let them slide on payment %or a sessionQ .#re$ they can catch me later or pay me ne@t wee'( Howe"er$ + will ne"er carry a client %or
more than two sessions( ChyQ They will end #p in de!t owing me money$ + will ha"e to c#t them o%%$ and they will resent me when + go !ac' and try to collect it %rom them$ and we wonDt !e ma'ing progress on their goals( +tOs E#st h#man nat#re( + want my clients to pay me %or the ser"ices + pro"ide$ and so my payment policies are clearly o#tlined in the orientation process( Cill + pro"ide ser"ices %or %reeQ /es$ to some people$ some times( The pro%ession has !een good to me$ and + thin' it is important %or #s to gi"e !ac' to the world aro#nd #s( 9#t$ we need to !e selecti"e in pic'ing the people who are most needy$ who will !ene%it$ and who will respect the gi%t we gi"e them( To me$ that is essential as well( Nongard & Thomas >&& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Certi%ied hypnotherapists recognize the need to adhere to the principles o% respecting others when p#!licly demonstrating hypnosis in non8clinical settings( Again$ as yo# can tell !y this te@t$ + personally !elie"e stage hypnosis is %ine when the clients or s#!Eects are respected( +n my opinion$ to say that a hypnotist sho#ld not !e
a!le to p#!licly demonstrate hypnosis %or entertainment p#rposes is li'e saying that Hollywood sho#ld not !e allowed to prod#ce mo"ies where people wo#ld e@perience anger or h#rt or %ear or sadness( Certi%ied Hypnotherapists acc#rately represent credentials( My !#siness cards and stationary all say :ichard K( Nongard$ LM T;CCH( This is !eca#se + am a state Licensed Marriage and amily Therapist$ and + am a Certi%ied Clinical Hypnotherapist( Many non8licensed hypnotists will ta'e co#rses and earn DdegreesD in hypnosis or hypnotherapy$ and then call themsel"es a doctor( The tr#th is that there is not one %#lly accredited ed#cational program in the ?nited .tates that o%%ers an act#al degree in hypnosis or hypnotherapy$ not a 9achelorDs or MasterDs or <octorate( The reason %or this is that psychologists li'e to !elie"e that hypnotherapy is their domain$ alone( Chether their position is right or wrong is irrele"ant to this disc#ssion( +n my e@perience$ the a"erage practicing non8licensed hypnotist generally has 1-- times more ed#cation and 'nowledge o% the %ield o% clinical hypnosis than the a"erage licensed
psychologist e"er recei"ed in grad#ate school( The point is) <o not represent yo#rsel% to clients as ha"ing earned degrees or credentials that yo# ha"e not( +t is per%ectly accepta!le %or yo# to ta'e any co#rse a"aila!le on the planet in hypnosis$ and + enco#rage yo# to ta'e as many as possi!le$ !eca#se the more training yo# ha"e the !etter hypnotist yo# will !e$ and the !etter ser"ed yo#r clients will !e$ as well( Howe"er$ please ta'e care not to get ca#ght #p in !og#s credentials( Certi%ication is one thing R it means yo# ha"e ta'en a co#rse$ and hope%#lly passed some sort o% comprehensi"e e@am$ and %or this yo# ha"e earned recognition thro#gh the %orm o% a pro%essional de"elopment certi%ication credential$ i(e( !ecome a Certi%ied Hypnotist( 9#t certi%ication is not the same as a degree$ so please mar'et yo#rsel% accordingly( >&3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Certi%ied Hypnotherapists sho#ld also promote p#!lic awareness o% hypnotherapy( /o# sho#ld !e on !oard %or promoting p#!lic awareness and ed#cation a!o#t hypnosis$ i% %or no other reason than to protect and %#rther yo#r own career(
*"ery year$ legislation !egins circ#lating in many states to restrict who can and cannot practice hypnotherapy and how it sho#ld !e practiced( .ome o% those decisions$ li'e the decision in +ndiana that says Dgro#p hypnosisD may ha"e no more than three participants$ are not really in the !est interest o% clients( *d#cating those who create legislation is important( Legislators only 'now what they 'now$ and so they o%ten "ote the way someone tells them to "ote( +% no one o%%ers an opposing ideal !ased on %acts rather than protectionism$ the !ill may !e passed and yo# may %ind yo#rsel% o#t o% !#siness( The %inal ideal is that +C9CH certi%ied hypnotherapists do not solicit other mem!ers or clients a!o#t Eoining m#lti8le"el mar'eting programs( The reason this statement e@ists is that many people are drawn to hypnosis !eca#se they are into non8 traditional modalities %or change in general$ and that spectr#m is A#ite !road( They may ha"e learned a!o#t hypnosis %rom e@pos#re to yoga or meditation$ or they may ha"e gone to a metaphysical %air and met a palm8reader or a past8li%e regressionist( No matter the origination$ the %act is that many
Dnat#ralistsD or complementary and alternati"e medicine 4CAM6 proponents are also into m#lti8le"el mar'eting plans$ %rom "itamins to hormones$ pre8paid legal ser"ices and so %orth( This is all %ine$ well and good$ and + ha"e no pro!lem with that whatsoe"er R + ha"e !o#ght my own li%etime s#pply o% miracle E#ice !e%ore R !#t clients are paying yo# %or hypnosis ser"ices$ not to ha"e a chance at Eoining yo#r down8line( Can yo# o%%er s#pplements or trin'ets in yo#r o%%ice %or clients to p#rchase i% they so chooseQ A!sol#tely( .ho#ld yo# harass yo#r clients a!o#t !#ying them or Eoining yo#r programQ A!sol#tely not( LetDs say yo# are at a hypnosis con"ention( .ho#ld yo# call the hotel room o% another hypnotist at si@ oDcloc' in the morning to tell them a!o#t a great opport#nity yo# ha"e to o%%er$ as once happened to meQ Most certainly not( Nongard & Thomas >&, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone M#ac'ery A %ew %inal tho#ghts) + donOt thin' we can tal' a!o#t pro%essional ethics and not tal' a!o#t A#ac's( The %ield o% mental
health co#nseling is %illed with A#ac'ery$ and hypnosis is certainly not e@empt( Personally$ + thin' it is A#ac'ery when a client is depressed and goes to a physician to get a prescription %or antidepressants and is sent o#t the door witho#t any other inter"ention !eing pro"ided( Ce 'now that the most e%%ecti"e inter"ention is not medication !#t cardio"asc#lar e@ercise three to %o#r times a wee'( Ce 'now that i% the doctor were to prescri!e e@ercise and i% the client were to %ollow thro#gh$ then the client wo#ld !ene%it a lot more( This does not mean that + am opposed to medication$ + E#st thin' we !ecome A#ac's when we only do what is %amiliar to #s witho#t considering the alternati"es( The one8size8%its8 all treatment modality can !ecome A#ac'ery$ e"en when the inter"ention is "alid( Chy is it that pro%essionals !ecome A#ac'sQ + ha"e met some nice people who gen#inely care a!o#t others$ !#t whether in the %ield o% medicine$ chiropractic$ hypnotherapy$ or pro%essional co#nseling$ they crossed o"er into SA#ac'dom(O ChyQ 9oredom( They learn a new techniA#e at a wee'end seminarU
may!e hypnosis$ may!e *M<:$ may!e n#tritional cons#lting$ and then they come !ac' and apply it to e"ery one o% their clients on their caseload( A lot o% people get e@cited a!o#t hypnosis$ and then apply indiscriminately to e"eryone and all o% the pro!lems that they see witho#t regard to the e%%icacy %or some conditions$ or e"en their clientOs desires( Personal crisis( People o%ten !ecome A#ac's !eca#se they e@perience and then resol"e a personal crisis( I+ had a pro!lem$ and + got %i@ed this way$ so this is the approach + am going to #se with yo#( +% yo# donOt li'e my approach$ go o#t there and ha"e some more misery( Come !ac' when yo# are ready to do it my way(J +n this e@ample$ + ha"e !ecome a A#ac' !eca#se + ha"e not e"en considered addressing my clientOs needs with any other set o% s'ills that + can draw #p on( <o not let yo#r personal e@periences$ S!aggageO or !ias o!str#ct the well!eing o% yo#r clients( Poor s#per"ision and acco#nta!ility( A lot o% hypnotherapists are not mem!ers o% any pro%essional associations$ they E#st practice >&5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
day8to8day$ do their own thing$ and ne"er associate with other hypnotists( They say that isolation !reeds insanity( Perhaps in this case it !reeds A#a'ery( 9eca#se the %ield o% hypnosis is largely #nreg#lated$ its pro%essionals o%ten ha"e poor s#per"ision and acco#nta!ility( + thin' it is important to contri!#te to the hypnosis associations$ and to reap the !ene%its they o%%er( + am a mem!er o% a "ariety o% di%%erent organizations$ + attend their con%erences and con"entions$ read their newsletters$ s#!mit my own articles$ attend classes and e"en teach some( 9eca#se o% this$ my s'ills ha"e !een enhanced and + ha"e made great %riends whom + can call #pon sho#ld + e"er ha"e a A#estion or concern a!o#t one o% my clients or a method or approach( + enco#rage yo# to !ecome in"ol"ed with other hypnotists$ on one le"el or another( Pro%it( + am a capitalist$ and + am all in %a"or o% pro%it( + li'e ma'ing money$ !eca#se + get to pay my mortgage$ %eed my 'ids$ "isit my o#t8o%8state %riends and do %#n things when + ha"e money in my poc'et( Howe"er$ despite this ideal$ we need to realize that o"eremphasis
on the pro%it moti"e can sometimes lead to A#ac'ery( or e@ample$ letOs say yo# !elie"e that Anton Mesmer was rightU the tr#e reason why we ha"e pro!lems is that o#r magnetic energy %orces are o#t o% whac'( <espite the %act that this concept has !een scienti%ically dispro"ed$ letOs say yo# ha"e clients who are depressed$ and yo# say$ IHey$ !#y this magnet %rom me and wear itU it will c#re yo#r depression(J /o# ha"e entered the %ield o% A#ac'ery !eca#se what yo# are really doing is selling magnets %or pro%it$ not helping the person( Another common D%or pro%itD practice is deli!erately prolonging the time spent with a client in a session or thro#gh m#ltiple sessions$ so as to gain more %ees( +% yo# can c#re something in one session$ do so( People pay #s#ally cash %or hypnosis ser"ices$ and to retain clients !eca#se they ha"e the a!ility to pay #s does not !#ild a#tonomy$ !#t leads to A#ac'ery( To pro"ide ser"ices %or any and e"ery condition$ e"en i% there is no demonstrated e%%icacy$ E#st !eca#se it is pro%ita!le$ is A#ac'ery$ not to mention #nethical( The
pro%it moti"e dri"es the engine o% o#r society most o% the time in a positi"e and in a good way$ !#t sometimes the pro%it moti"e can lead to A#ac'ery( Nongard & Thomas >&7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Please #nderstand that not all o% these sit#ations always lead to poor practice$ !#t we need to !e aware that they all ha"e the potential to open #p the doorway to A#ac'ery( >3Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly C1NCL?.+1N 9ac' to the 9eginning + was going to write TH* *N< at this point$ !#t + decided TH* 9*N+NN+NN was %ar more appropriate( *"en tho#gh + thin' this !oo' is A#ite comprehensi"e$ it is still a !asic$ !eginning co#rse %or those witho#t prior e@perience in hypnosis( /es$ it has ta#ght yo# a!o#t the mechanics o% hypnosis as well as some o% the n#ances$ !#t R at least hope%#lly 8 it is only the !eginning o% yo#r hypnotic training Eo#rney( + hope yo# ta'e %rom these pages a set o% s'ills that yo# can #se$ !#t also !#ild #pon$ and that yo# donOt end yo#r ed#cation in
hypnosis here( No on to read more materials$ watch "ideos and attend li"e trainings !y other pro%essionals( + too' se"eral di%%erent !asic hypnotherapy co#rses when + %irst learned hypnosis$ and this was A#ite !ene%icial !eca#se e"eryone has a little di%%erent perspecti"e or approach$ and !eing a!le to e"al#ate m#ltiple "iewpoints has allowed me to more %#lly %orm my own opinions$ perspecti"es$ styles and approaches( And + still attend classes$ !oth !asic and ad"anced( + am always loo'ing to learn something new$ and + li'e to see how other people teach people who are new to the pro%ession o% hypnotism( The world o% hypnosis is tr#ly e@citing$ and + am s#re yo# will enEoy e@ploring it %#rther( +t is also a world which many %ind con%#sing( Hypnotists sometimes contradict themsel"es and each other$ and o%ten cannot e"en agree on the de%inition o% hypnosis itsel%( + enco#rage yo# to em!race this con%#sion$ as it is one o% the most important gateways to Nongard & Thomas >31 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone #nderstanding$ and to ma'e yo#r own in%ormed E#dgments !ased on
ed#cation and practice e@perience( +% right now yo# are !eginning to %eel empowered and e@citing and can see yo#rsel% st#dying hypnosis with a passion and enEoying acA#iring these new s'ills and #nderstandings$ then the goals Nathan and + had when we !egan this !oo' are accomplished( Cishing yo# the !est o% l#c' on yo#r hypnotic Eo#rney$ :ichard K( Nongard$ LM T;CCH Nathan Thomas$ C(Ht( >3> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Learn Clinical Hypnosis 8 9ecome a Certi%ied HypnotistF This +C9CH home st#dy Certi%ication co#rse o% st#dy will teach yo# how hypnotize others sa%ely and e%%ecti"ely with con%idence$ and to assist clients with "ario#s di%%ic#lties !y #tilizing methods o% clinical hypnosis( +C9CH Ad"anced Certi%ication home st#dy program also a"aila!le( or more in%ormation$ please "isit) www(Hypnotherapy9oard(org Nongard & Thomas >30 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone www(Hypnosis8Training(com :egister online %or Nathan ThomasD %ree hypnosis e8newsletter at www(*%%ecti"eHypnosis(com
and recei"e a %ree copy o% the .treet HypnotistDs Hand!oo'( >32 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly L Hypnosis Training <K<s and Te@t!oo's L Critten +nd#ction & .#ggesti"e Therapy .cript <ownloads L (mp0 A#dio Clinical and .el%8Hypnosis .ession <ownloads L Li"e Training Class .ched#les L 9#siness Practice :eso#rces L M#ch MoreF www(.#!liminal.cience(com Nongard & Thomas >3& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone >33
“Push on my hand, Close your eyes, SLEEP! Now, let us learn how to use these magical eight words for the hypnosis induction. Just as its verbal usage the induction itself is very simple and easy to perform. Firstly you will need the subjects permission, always use a willing subject, it is the ethical thing to do, once you have pre-talked them, got them to follow your instructions, you may begin the induction:
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ut your one hand, palm facing upwards in front of them. !sk them to ush on your "and. ush upwards matching their #trength !sk them to Close !heir Eyes "nce they ha#e done that, $nstantly %ove your hand from under theirs. &ive the Sleep 'ommand. (eepen
Hypnoti$e %nyone &o' in ()* Seconds
Now, follow the step by step process below to hypnoti)e anyone in some seconds.
Firstly, you must rela* the person whom you are going to hypnoti)e. $f your subject is not in a rela*ed state or if she +he, has fear of something, then it will be difficult to hypnoti)e her. #o your +irst tas, is to calm the hypnosis su-.ect. -hen the person is in rela*ed state, do the following actions. .- /ake one of her arms and ask her to look at your eyes. 0- !t the same time, 1ook at her eyes deeply while putting your arm on his neck at least 2 seconds. 3) Suddenly cry “SLEEP and mo#e his head to'ards you. !nd you are (4N5. /he moment you say 6sleep7, you have to 8uickly slip your hand away from hers. /his is very important action and must be done accurately.
Learn the Ei/ht [8] Word Hypnosis Instant Induction 0 1ideo
-y Leo 2opal 3 45 comments 6ollo' me on !'itter in Hypnosis Lessons !he 8 'ord instant hypnosis induction is one o+ the +e' inductions that al'ays seems to catch a -e/inners attention, the 8 'ord induction is .ust a simple adaptation on the %rm 7rop induction 8'hich it is9, the only di++erence is that it has 8 prede+ined 'ords that ma,e it all the more appealin/ and easier to per+orm especially +or the hypnotic -e/inner:
So, Ima/ine -ein/ a-le to Hypnoti$e anyone 'ith .ust 8 'ords 8+or the Induction9, sounds enticin/ to you; 2reat, -ecause it did +or me as 'ell, in +act the arm drop induction 'as one o+ the +irst inductions I learned: !hose <a/ical 8 'ords are= “Push on my hand, Close your eyes, SLEEP! &o', let us learn ho' to use these ma/ical ei/ht 'ords +or the hypnosis induction: >ust as its #er-al usa/e the induction itsel+ is #ery simple and easy to per+orm: 6irstly you 'ill need the su-.ects permission, al'ays use a 'illin/ su-.ect, it is the ethical thin/ to do, once you ha#e pre)tal,ed them, /ot them to +ollo' your instructions, you may -e/in the induction=
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Put your one hand, palm +acin/ up'ards in +ront o+ them: %s, them to Push on your Hand: Push up'ards matchin/ their Stren/th %s, them to Close !heir Eyes "nce they ha#e done that, Instantly <o#e your hand +rom under theirs: 2i#e the Sleep Command: 7eepen
!he Last three steps Should all happen instantaneously 'ithout 'aitin/, pausin/ or 'onderin/, you, the hypnotist, should -e con+ident that it 'ill 'or, and it 'ill:
?emem-er that this Induction has nothin/ to do 'ith the an/le o+ the hands, the +orce that they push, or little aspects li,e that, !his is a simple induction, do not complicate it, it simply 'or,s, -e con+ident that it 'ill, and ha#e a clear #ision and intent and then it surely 'ill: @elo' you 'ill +ind a #isual demonstration o+ this Induction -ein/ per+ormed= Hot <oney Induction=
Hot <oney Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: /wo 'oins “Hold one coin in each +ist and rest your +ists on your hips: &o' close your eyes: !he Coins are -ecomin/ 'armer and 'armer in your hands, as i+ they are -ein/ heated up: Warmer and 'armerA they are almost /ettin/ hot: !hey are hot, #ery, #ery hot! !he coins are hot, hot, hot you 'ant to drop them -ut you cannot -ecause your +in/ers are stuc, ti/htly around them: !a,e a deep -reath in and +or/et a-out the coins and let you eyes no' -e stuc, to/ether instead and you cannot open them, so .ust ta,e another deep -reath and relaB and /o deeply into hypnosis:
Can Cou 6i/ure "ut the ?iddle;
! man worked at a high security institution. /he man tried to log into his computer and the computer denied the password. "e then remembered that the passwords to the computers were reset every month for security reasons. "e called his boss for his new password. /he man said, ;<oss, my old password is out of date.; /he boss said, ;9es, it is. /he new password is different, but if you listen closely you will be able to figure out the new one. 9our new password has the same amount of letters as the old one, and four of the letters are the same.; -hat was his old password and what was his new password=
Hot <oney Induction=
Hot <oney Induction=
9ou -ill :e8uire: /wo 'oins “Hold one coin in each +ist and rest your +ists on your hips: &o' close your eyes: !he Coins are -ecomin/ 'armer and 'armer in your hands, as i+ they are -ein/ heated up: Warmer and 'armerA they are almost /ettin/ hot: !hey are hot, #ery, #ery hot! !he coins are hot, hot, hot you 'ant to drop them -ut you cannot -ecause your +in/ers are stuc, ti/htly around them: !a,e a deep -reath in and +or/et a-out the coins and let you eyes no' -e stuc, to/ether instead and you cannot open them, so .ust ta,e another deep -reath and relaB and /o deeply into hypnosis:
!he Penli/ht Induction=
!he Penli/ht Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! low powered penlight "ave you client sit comfortably in a chair and place the palm of your hand over their right eye, preventing them from seeing only through their right eye. #hine the pen light directly into their left eye from about an inch away. /he penlight should not bother the client, and if it does, simply hold the light further away from their face. !s you shine the dim light into your client>s eye, tell them to 6Deep starin/ into the li/ht and relaB your -ody completely: Cou 'ill close your eyes 'hen I tell you.7 !fter about thirty seconds or so forcefully say: 6Close your eyes ti/htly to/ether: Cou 'ill see inside your closed eyelids a #ery -ri/ht spot o+ li/ht: !his spot 'ill chan/e color as you 'atch it, it 'ill +ade a'ay +rom si/ht and then reappear: Watch the spot closely 'ithin your eyes: Concentrate closely on the li/ht and as you do -e/in to notice ho' you +eel yoursel+ -ecomin/ more and more relaBed, dro'sy, and sleepy.7 !he Penli/ht Sel+)Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! 1ow owered enlight "and the penlight over to your client. /ell them to grip the penlight and turn it on so that the on button is pushed down firmly. 4nce the light is on tell them to stare into the light and as they do that they will become very tired and drowsy. /ell them their eyes will 8uickly become tired and want to close and when their eyes close their hand will rela* allowing the light to turn off on it>s own. -hen the light goes out the will go deep into hypnosis. <e sure to tell them they may see the light come and go as bright spots within their eyes, and with each time the notice a bright spot they go deeper and even deeper into hypnosis. !s soon as your client drops the pen tell them: 6Cou /o deeper and deeper 'ith each and e#ery -reath you ta,e.7
Can Cou 6i/ure "ut the ?iddle;
! man worked at a high security institution. /he man tried to log into his computer and the computer denied the password. "e then remembered that the passwords to the computers were reset every month for security reasons. "e called his boss for his new password. /he man said, ;<oss, my old password is out of date.; /he boss said, ;9es, it is. /he new password is different, but if you listen closely you will be able to figure out the new one. 9our new password has the same amount of letters as the old one, and four of the letters are the same.; -hat was his old password and what was his new password=
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Watch !he Watch Induction=
Watch the Watch Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! -atch with a #econd "and “Loo, at the second hand o+ this 'atch +or thirty seconds and then close your eyes +or thirty seconds: !hen open your eyes and do it a/ain until your eyes re+use to open: When this happens you 'ill let them remain shut and deeper.7 !s the do this make sure to repeat the suggestion that it is getting 6increasin/ly di++icult to open your eyes:
Loo, Into Cour Spine Induction=
Loo, into Cour Spine Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! 'lient “Close your eyes and drop your head +or'ard upon your chest and ima/ine your are loo,in/ throu/h your -ody to the -ase o+ your spine: +1et this happen for about two minutes., “Ho' sleep that ma,es you, so you .ust relaB your entire -ody and /o to sleep:
Per+ume Induction=
Per+ume Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: #omething will a strong aromatic scent +i.e. perfume, fresh baked bread, or ammonia,.
“Close your eyes: !he smell that you notice does not produce sleep itsel+ yet it cause you to -ecome #ery dro'sy and your eyes 'ill not -e a-le to open:
@ite !he Cor, Induction=
@ite !he Cor, Induction= 9ou -ill :e8uire: ! 'ork /his induction fatigues the muscles and causes e*treme rela*ation. /he jaw muscles transfer fatigue to all parts of the body. #uggest: 6Place this cor, -et'een your teeth and close your eyes as you -ite +irmly into the cor, 'ith all your mi/ht: When you notice ho' tired you are, that is the +eelin/ o+ hypnosis comin/ o#er you: Ho' #ery much you 'ish to release this cor, and drop into slum-er: So let the cor, drop +rom your teeth and as it drops, you drop into deep relaBation and hypnosis:
Can Cou 6i/ure "ut the ?iddle;
! man worked at a high security institution. /he man tried to log into his computer and the computer denied the password. "e then remembered that the passwords to the computers were reset every month for security reasons. "e called his boss for his new password. /he man said, ;<oss, my old password is out of date.; /he boss said, ;9es, it is. /he new password is different, but if you listen closely you will be able to figure out the new one. 9our new password has the same amount of letters as the old one, and four of the letters are the same.; -hat was his old password and what was his new password=
6in/ertips 2lued !o/ether=
Wa,in/ Hypnotic Inductions E Con#incers= 6in/ertips 2lued !o/ether #tand in front of your client while looking them s8uarely in the eye. /ell /hem: 6Touch your fingertips together in front of your chest. Press them firmly and pretend that they have becpme stuck together. Pretend that they are stuck so tightly that you cannot pull them apart. The harder you pull the more firmly stuck they become. You are not to jerk them but exert a steady pull. Pretend, pretend, pretend. Your fingertips are stuck together so firmly that you cannot separate them. Try as hard as you will.” /he suggested effect is powerful and the client will find it impossible for him or her to pull their hands apart. $t is the best to have all fingers stuck together but one will do the trick.
!fter the person, still pushing their fingertips together and holding them against their chest, has found it impossible to pull them apart. #ay: 6 ow tightly your fingertips have become stuck ! via the power of suggestion ! now the fingertips will be impossible to pull apart.” /hen you grasp their wrists and try to pull, pull, pull their fingertips apart. $f you are doing a demonstration, have a strong man from the audience come up and try to pull the fingertips apart by clasping the wrists. /his leverage is such that even a child can resist a man. 9our subject>s fingers will not separate and resist all pulling. $n your office this e*periment goes a long way in convincing the client how much influence their mind has over their body. 4n stage, both parties will be undoubtedly ama)ed. /hen, instruct the hypnoti)ed person: 6"hen # blow on your fingers they come apart easily.7 !nd they do? /echnorati /ags: fingertips, glued
the @u$$ Induction=
!he @u$$ Induction= “Place the tips o+ your thum-s into each ear: With your middle and +ore+in/ers, li/htly close your eyes .ust enou/h to ,eep the li/ht out: Press you nostrils 'ith your rin/ +in/ers: Hum 'ith your mouth closed and +eel the #i-ration: &o', open your lips 'hile pushin/ your ton/ue a/ainst you closed +ront teeth and ma,e a -u$$in/ sound: ?elaB and /o to sleep: /his is what is called an overload induction. &iving so many commands and information that it would simply be easier for the mind to let go consciously and enter a hypnotic state than to deal with all the other nonsense going on.
6ascination o+ !ouch= F Inductions
9our touch is hypnotic. 9ou can tap your client on the third eye, tickle their face with a feather, put your hand in ice water and stripe their face with coldness, you can stand behind them and place your interlocked fingers against their forehead as you e*ert pressure against the sides of the head inward and rest their head on the chair back as you suggest, 6Close you eyes no' and the pressure you +eel no ma,es you +eel #ery, #ery sleepy: “!urn your attention to your eyelids and let them relaB:
“6ocus your attention on the -ottom o+ your +eet and +eel the -ottoms o+ your +eet completely relaB: Let your +eet -ecome loose, limp, and relaBed: &o' /ently +eel this relaBation cra'l up into your lo'er le/s, relaBin/ themA “Ca'n, ya'n, ya'nA the ya'nin/ sensation en/ul+s your entire -ody as you drop into deeper hypnotic sleep: “6ind the pulse -eats in your 'rist: When you do, count the -eats to yoursel+: %t this same time your heart 'ill /ro' slo'er and slo'er: Cour heart rate slo's in response to these thou/hts and you sin, deeper and deeper to sleep:
!he Cloc, 7ial Induction= !he Cloc, 7ial Induction= Cou Will ?eGuire= % dra'n cloc, +ace 'ith no hands
!a,e a piece o+ card-oard and dra' a circle and num-ers resem-lin/ a cloc, alon/ the inner rim: <a,e sure the num-ers are lar/e and easy to read: 6or the induction you, the hypnotherapist 'ill stand -ehind the client and instruct them to do the +ollo'in/= “Concentrate on the num-er one and, as you do, inhale deeply: !hen say the 'ord HsleepI aloud: While still +ocusin/ on the num-er one eBhale and say the 'ords Hdeep sleep:I &o' loo, at the neBt num-er, the num-er t'o, and inhale t'ice and say the 'ord HsleepI t'o times: !hen eBhale t'ice and say aloud Hdeep sleepI t'o times: &o' on to the num-er three and ta,e three deep -reaths in sayin/ the 'ord HsleepI and three eBhales sayin/ the 'ords Hdeep sleepI three timesA and so on and so +orth 'ith each num-er:
!he hypnotherapist is to -e usin/ a con+usion techniGue 'hile the client is per+orm this tedious tas,: It is the hypnotherapistIs .o- to -e 'hisperin/ a -arra/e o+ unnecessary 'ords into the clientIs ear as they do their -est to concentrate to concentrate on the num-ers: !his con+usion techniGue pro#o,es hypnosis= “Cour eyes concentrate upon the num-ers as your eyes mo#e +rom num-er to num-er around the cloc, dial, as you inhale and eBhale deeply and repeat the 'ords HsleepI and Hdeep sleepI it sends you do'n to sleep in deep hypnosis: It is more and more di++icult +or you to see the num-ers, they -e/in to -lur -e+ore your eyes: !he num-er are -lurrin/ more and more and your eyes are -ecomin/ tired and hea#y, so tired that the 'ant to close: Cour eyes are closin/: CouIre /ettin/ #ery tired o+ doin/ this 'hole thin/ and you .ust 'ant to /et it o#er 'ith: So .ust close your eyes no' and let the card drop +rom your hand as you drop into a deep hypnotic sleepA 2o to sleepA !hey proceed to /o +rom num-er to num-er, and -y the time they 'ould reach num-er t'el#e they 'ould ha#e to ta,e t'el#e deep -reaths in and out, say “sleep t'el#e times, and say “deep sleep t'el#e times: With each num-er the acti#ity -ecomes more and more di++icult and #ery +e' people e#er ma,e it past num-ers +i#e or siB:
Can Cou 6i/ure "ut the ?iddle; % man 'or,ed at a hi/h security institution: !he man tried to lo/ into his computer and the computer denied the pass'ord: He then remem-ered that the pass'ords to the computers 'ere reset e#ery month +or security reasons: He called his -oss +or his ne' pass'ord: !he man said, J@oss, my old pass'ord is out o+ date:J !he -oss said, JCes, it is: !he ne' pass'ord is
di++erent, -ut i+ you listen closely you 'ill -e a-le to +i/ure out the ne' one: Cour ne' pass'ord has the same amount o+ letters as the old one, and +our o+ the letters are the same:J What 'as his old pass'ord and 'hat 'as his ne' pass'ord; o ▶ ElmanIs Hypnotic Coma= o Ho' to Elicit the Hypnotic Coma= o What is !hou/ht;
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Loo, Into Cour Spine Induction= 6ascination o+ Hearin/= ( Inductions !he !ic,in/ Watch Induction= !he Hypnotic 1oice Induction= 8S,ill9 !he @u$$ Induction=
Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Nongard & Thomas 1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone or orders other than !y indi"id#al cons#mers$ a disco#nt is a"aila!le on the p#rchase o% & or more copies o% indi"id#al titles %or special mar'ets or premi#m #se( or %#rther details$ please contact the p#!lisher) PeachTree Pro%essional *d#cation$ +nc( ,1-, .( /ale$ .#ite 0,T#lsa$ 1K ,2103 45--6 07-87&03 www(.#!liminal.cience(com Keys to the Mind$ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone and Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
9y :ichard K( Nongard$ LM T;CCH and Nathan Thomas$ C(Ht( *dited !y Pa#la <#ncan Co"er Art !y :ic'y Nongard Copyright = :ichard K( Nongard irst Printing$ .eptem!er >--7 Printed in the ?nited .tates o% America( All rights reser"ed( No part o% this p#!lication may !e reprod#ced$ stored in a retrie"al system or transmitted in any %orm or !y any means 8 electronic$ mechanical$ photocopy$ recording or any other8 witho#t the prior written permission o% the p#!lisher( The only e@ception is !rie% A#otations in printed re"iews( +.9N) BBBBBBBBBBB > Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly P:A+.* Celcome to the wonder%#l world o% hypnosis ( ( ( with :ichard Nongard as yo#r g#ide$ yo# canDt miss( :ichard 'nows his way aro#nd hypnosis !etter than most hypnotists whoD"e !een doing it twice as many years as himsel%$ and heDs !een doing hypnosis %or a lot o% years ( ( ( so$ he o!"io#sly 'nows a lot and heDs 'ind eno#gh to in"ite yo# along and share his 'nowledge with yo#( Nathan Thomas may not !e A#ite as long in the
tooth as :ichard$ !#t heDs a gi%ted yo#ng man who is going places in the world o% hypnosis( Knowing yo#D"e got two s'illed hypnotic g#ides on yo#r Eo#rney$ yo# can rest ass#red that with the material co"ered in this !oo'$ yo#Dll not only #nloc' the 'eys to the mind$ !#t open doors into a %ascinating and wonder%#l %#t#re as a hypnotist ( ( ( and ( ( ( moreF ~ 9rian <a"id Phillips$ Ph< President$ .ociety o% *@periential Trance www(9rian<a"idPhillips(com A%ter re"iewing this !oo'$ +Dm glad to say :ichard Nongard and Nathan Thomas ha"e p#t together a !rilliant ed#cational wor' on the hypnosis pro%ession( This !oo' is an in"al#ea!le asset and reso#rce$ containing a wealth o% care%#lly car%ted in%ormation %or !oth the no"ice Gnew!ieG as well as enlightened insights to inspire and g#ide seasoned pro%essionals( This wor' insight%#lly co"ers a wide "ariety o% hypnosis techniA#es$ topics and methods$ while s'ill%#lly ens#ring the o% a"oidance o% pit%alls( This tome is a m#st8ha"e %or the li!rary o% any serio#s hypnotist or hypno8enth#siast( ~ Hohn Cer!one a'a IThe Trance8MasterJ www(Trance8Master(com Nongard & Thomas 0
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone A word a!o#t copyright in%ringement and e8 !oo's(((( +% yo# are the original p#rchaser o% this !oo'$ we want to than'8yo# %or yo# p#rchase( 9y !#ying this prod#ct and others yo# ha"e recognized the #niA#e "al#e that creators o% A#ality prod#cts deser"e( 1n the other hand$ i% this %ile was downloaded !y a torrent$ distri!#ted %rom a we!site not associated with the a#thors or p#!lishers$ or has !een emailed to yo# !y someone else$ yo# ha"e denied the creators o% this #niA#e and "al#a!le prod#ct the compensation they deser"e( +% this is the case$ please "isit www(.#!liminal.cience(com to o!tain a legal copy o% this te@t( <o not participate in illegal %ile sharing or distri!#tion o% this te@t( 2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly AL.1 AKA++LA9L* www ( .#!liminal.cience (com Te@t!oo's L +nd#ctions and <eepeners$ .tyles and Approaches %or *%%ecti"e Hypnosis L ?nderstanding Hypnosis and .el%8Hypnosis$ an easy to %ollow !oo'
a!o#t hypnotism <K< +nstr#ction L How to Crite *%%ecti"e Hypnosis .cripts and .#ggestions L .peed Trance) +nstant Hypnotic +nd#ctions L Mastering Hypnotic Power) ?sing Hypnotic Phenomena L Learn Hypnosis) How to Hypnotize Anyone L Learn how to #se Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation 4PM:6 %or more e%%ecti"e therapy and as a tool %or hypnotic ind#ction L How to do A#togenic Training) TechniA#es %or ta'ing control o% the mind8!ody connection L NLP *ssentials) .trategies %or Personal Power and +n%l#ence L Hypnotic +nd#ctions) Methods that Cor' 4Kol 16 L +nd#ctions and <eepeners 4Kol >6 L Learn How to <o .el% Hypnosis L Meditation TechniA#es %or the 9eginner A#dio C<s L Therape#tic :ela@ation 8 <istress Tolerance Training L +nsomnia$ M#it .mo'ing$ Ceight Loss$ Pain Management$ 1"ercoming Lost Lo"e$ Test8Ta'ing An@iety$ 9etter Nol%$ 9#ilding Con%idence$ and many other topics Pro%essional :eso#rces L :ichard NongardOs Crash Co#rse on 9#ilding a Pro%ita!le Practice
8 A N#ide!oo' and <K< Kideo %or Pro%essional .#ccess L The N.:+) Nongard .trengths and :eso#rces +n"entory Nongard & Thomas & Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone A91?T TH* A?TH1:. :ichard K( Nongard is a Licensed Marriage and amily Therapist$ a Certi%ied Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Certi%ied Personal itness Trainer$ and holds degrees in !oth Ministry and Co#nseling( A pop#lar 'eynote presenter and con%erence spea'er$ :ichard pro"ides accredited contin#ation ed#cation and ad"anced s'ills training to hypnotists$ psychotherapists$ ed#cation pro%essionals and criminal E#stice organizations aro#nd the glo!e on s#!Eects related to clinical hypnosis practice$ s#icide$ an@iety$ depression$ personality disorders$ dr#g$ alcohol and to!acco addiction$ domestic "iolence$ %itness and %amily health( He is the de"eloper o% the M#it.#ccessP To!acco Cessation Treatment Program #sed !y agencies and hospitals across the ?.$ as
well as se"eral pro%essional assessment tools and therape#tic client wor'!oo's$ and he is the acclaimed a#thor o% %i"e clinical practice te@t!oo's( .ol"ing pro!lems !y %oc#sing on e@isting client strengths is the hallmar' o% :ichardOs approach( Nathan Thomas$ C(Ht($ is the co8%o#nder o% the +nternational Association o% Teenage Hypnotists( Am!itio#s and dedicated$ Nathan is a master practitioner o% ne#ro8ling#istic techniA#es and lang#age patterns$ and is a world8renown contri!#tor to the %ield o% hypnosis( NathanDs !log$ %o#nd at www(KeysToTheMind(com$ is an amazing reso#rce %or any le"el o% hypnosis pro%essional( rom training material re"iews to new methods and approaches$ yo# will %ind new learnings to practice and enEoy( 3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +NT:1<?CT+1N 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 7 1 Chat is HypnosisQ 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 11 1& R Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy 1, R Chy ?se HypnosisQ 17 R +s Hypnosis .a%eQ 17 R <oes Hypnosis Cor'Q >- R Chat are the 9ene%its o% HypnosisQ
> The Cho$ Chat$ Chere$ Chen and Chy o% Hypnosis 88888 >0 >& R <e%ining Hypnosis >7 R Three Laws o% Hypnosis 00 R *ric'sonian Hypnosis 0& R <irecti"e Hypnosis 2, R The Hypnotic *@perience 20 R The *lements o% Hypnosis 27 R Hypnotic Myth 9#sting 31 R The History o% Hypnosis 3& R Three Laws o% .#ggestion 0 The Mechanics o% the Hypnotic Process ~ How to Hypnotize Anyone 8888888888888888888888888888888 3, 37 R The Pre8Tal' ,& R The +nd#ction ,7 R <eepeners 50 R .#ggesti"e Therapy 5& R The Awa'ening 5, R Case .t#dy 2 Key *ssential *lements %or *%%ecti"e Hypnotherapy 8888888 7& 7, R Client :elationships 1-, R Assessment and +nta'e & *@ploring the Hypnotic Process in <etail 8888888888888888 11, 117 R The Pre8Tal' 1>, R The +nd#ction 12, R <eepeners 3 The Art o% .#ggestion$ The Heart o% Hypnotherapy 88888 1&& 03 R Principles o% .#ggestion 21 R Therape#tic .cripting , A!reaction$ Practice and :e%errals 888888888888888888888888 130 5 Hypnotic Phenomena 888888888888888888888888888888888888888 1,&
+NT*:L?<* R Learning Hypnosis 8888888888888888888888888888 15& 7 Applications and Ca#tions R Memory and :egression 888 157 1- Hypnotic Lang#age 8888888888888888888888888888888888888888 170 11 Clinical Applications R Therape#tic +nter"ention 8888888 >-& >-, R Hypnotizing Children >11 R +nter"ention *%%icacy >1& R 9eha"ioral +ss#es >>0 R *motional Psych <isorders >01 R Pain Management >02 R .e@#al +ss#es >0& R .tress Management 1> *thics$ Morality and Legal Principles 88888888888888888888 >07 >21 R Morality +ss#es >27 R Pro%essional *thics >&5 R M#ac'ery C1NCL?.+1N 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 >31 Nongard & Thomas , Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +NT:1<?CT+1N TH* H1?:N*/ 9*N+N. Hello and welcome to Keys to the Mind$ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone and Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly( /o# are now !eginning the Eo#rney towards !ecoming a hypnotist and acA#iring
an e%%ecti"e array o% clinical hypnosis s'ills$ !#t !e%ore we di"e right into the Show to$O let #s !egin with a little introd#ction( This !oo' is a#thored !y mysel%$ :ichard Nongard$ alongside Nathan Thomas( + am a Licensed Marriage and amily Therapist$ a Certi%ied Clinical Hypnotherapist$ and a Certi%ied Personal itness Trainer$ with o"er >years e@perience wor'ing pro%essionally in the %ield o% hypnosis and o%%ering hypnosis training co#rses worldwide( Nathan Thomas is a Certi%ied Hypnotist and NLP practitioner regarded thro#gho#t the world as an e@pert in the %ield o% hypnosis( He la#nched and r#ns the +nternational Association %or Teenage Hypnotists and has trained h#ndreds o% people in the art and science o% hypnosis$ !oth online and %ace8to8 %ace( Nathan is the co8a#thor o% this te@t and has !een a h#ge help in researching and composing the material yo# will soon !e enEoying( Ce wo#ld li'e to than' yo# %or p#rchasing this !oo' and are e@cited to !e a!le to share o#r 'nowledge with yo#( 9y the time yo# ha"e re"iewed all o% the material in this te@t$ yo# will !e well on yo#r Nongard & Thomas 7
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone way to !ecoming a hypnotist 8 yo# will ha"e the !asic s'ills necessary to hypnotize a person$ !e a!le to lead them thro#gh a healing process$ and #nderstand how to awa'en them properly when the session is complete( Clinical Hypnosis is a "alid inter"ention endorsed !y !oth national and international medical and psychological associations %or well o"er &- years( +% yo# ha"e a clinical !ac'gro#nd in the helping pro%essions R social wor'$ co#nseling$ n#rsing$ medical doctor 8 yo# sho#ld %ind yo#rsel% ahead o% the learning c#r"e and happy to 'now that the s'ills o% hypnosis can !e easily integrated into yo#r e@isting therape#tic approaches %or helping clients to ma@imize their potential$ especially in the area o% !rie% therapy( or those o% yo# with no e@perience %rom a clinical perspecti"e in the co#nseling or medical pro%essions$ my g#ess is that yo# are pro!a!ly a person who enEoys helping other people( This is great$ !eca#se hypnosis helps promote healing( Training in clinical hypnosis pro"ides one o% those rare opport#nities where we can learn a s'ill
that can act#ally help change a personOs li%e %or the !etter( + am not a person who !elie"es that only those who ha"e a degree in clinical psychology sho#ld !e a!le to pro"ide hypnosis and ser"ices( + !elie"e that all people with an interest in helping others sho#ld !e gi"en the s'ills to do so e%%ecti"ely( Chen writing a single ed#cational te@t a!o#t hypnosis$ in order to ma'e s#re all the !ases are co"ered and that the instr#ction is reasona!ly complete$ the a#thors m#st ass#me that their a"erage readers ha"e little or no prior e@perience with hypnosis( Nathan and + ha"e wor'ed hard to %#l%ill this o!ligation !y incl#ding as m#ch %#ndamental content as possi!le within these pages( Howe"er$ we are well aware that many o% o#r readers are already e@perienced hypnotists see'ing to enhance their e@isting s'ills$ and we %eel con%ident that those o% yo# with more training will also %ind this !oo' to !e A#ite "al#a!le and #se%#l to yo#r o"erall 'nowledge !ase( Happy reading and learningF :ichard K( Nongard$ LM T;CCH Nathan Thomas$ C(Ht( 1Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
CHAPT*: 1 Chat is HypnosisQ Hypnosis can !e #tilized in many ways %or many p#rposes( This !oo' centers aro#nd #sing hypnosis as a %orm o% therapy$ 'nown as hypnotherapy or clinical hypnosis$ %or the p#rpose o% helping people to heal and %ind sol#tions to the pro!lems that they e@perience( .o that yo# can de"elop a solid #nderstanding o% what hypnosis really is and how it wor's$ and to %irmly lead yo# away %rom misconceptions o%ten created !y the media$ let #s !egin !y addressing a %ew concepts !e%ore we get into the core material( 9are with #s$ we promise that yo# will !e learning how to act#ally hypnotize someone sooner than yo# thin'( Hypnosis is a mani%estation o% nat#ral phenomena that all o% #s e@perience in day8to8day li%e( There is nothing mystical a!o#t hypnosis( There is no ."engali8li'e magical power that the hypnotist m#st possess in order to help an indi"id#al( +n %act$ it pro!a!ly wo#ld not !e possi!le to ha"e that type o% power and tr#ly !e !ene%icial and help%#l$ !eca#se s#ch dynamics wo#ld create an #neA#al relationship(
Ce all e@perience hypnotic phenomena in the co#rse o% a normal day) when we seem to Dzone o#tD while per%orming a ha!it#al Nongard & Thomas 11 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone tas' li'e !r#shing o#r teeth$ or seem to !e on Sa#topilotO when dri"ing to wor' e"ery day( Hypnosis is a sa%e and nat#ral process$ and can !e an e@tremely power%#l$ %ast8acting inter"ention( +t can help people !rea' %ree o% their old pro!lems so A#ic'ly that it lea"es other healing arts in the d#st( Thro#gho#t this !oo' yo# will o%ten read the word Strance(O Ce will address this in more detail later$ !#t %or now E#st thin' o% trance as a state o% hyper8s#ggesti!ility$ where the critical or conscio#s part o% the mind is less acti"e$ allowing the s#!conscio#s part o% the mind to a!sor! and accept s#ggestions and ideas( Chen yo# realize that the #nconscio#s mind ma'es #p a!o#t appro@imately 7-T o% o#r o"erall !rain power$ itDs easier to see how trance can certainly !e s#ch a power%#l state( My e@perience with hypnosis goes !ac' A#ite a %ew years( As
an #ndergrad#ate st#dent$ + too' a Eo! wor'ing in a chiropractorDs o%%ice$ and as part o% my d#ties + was instr#cted to per%orm progressi"e m#scle rela@ation 4PM:6 ind#ctions on clients( Now$ !ac' then + didnOt recognize PM: as an Dind#ctionD or ascri!e a DhypnosisD la!el to the process$ !#t e"ery day at the o%%ice + was #nwittingly hypnotizing people and gi"ing them the s'ills to rela@ and physically heal( 1nce + realized e@actly what + was doing and how and why it wor'ed so well$ + st#died hypnosis e@tensi"ely( + then learned to integrate it into n#mero#s areas o% my pro%essional wor'$ and + #tilize it daily in my personal li%e( +n addition to !eing a licensed marriage and %amily therapist and ha"ing a strong !ac'gro#nd as a s#!stance a!#se co#nselor$ + am also certi%ied as a personal %itness trainer( Hypnosis can easily !e incorporated into sports psychology and is #sed e%%ecti"ely %or helping a person to achie"e pea' le"els o% per%ormance in any %ield( 1"er the years + ha"e wor'ed with criminal E#stice clients$ addicted clients$ %amilies$ adolescents$ children and ad#lts$ and
%reA#ently + %ind mysel% drawing #pon my e@periences in hypnosis to pro"ide inter"entions %or helping clients to manage the physical mani8%estations o% their emotions$ to enhance health and wellness$ to change sel%8destr#cti"e s#!conscio#s patterns and to learn new patterns %or promoting healthy li%estyle and !eha"ioral choices( 1> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Clinical Hypnosis o%%ers a partic#larly #se%#l set o% s'ills that can !e applied to help sol"e or alter a "ariety o% sit#ations and pro!lems that we e@perience e"ery day( +n addition to my pro%essional e@perience$ hypnosis has had a h#ge positi"e in%l#ence on my personal li%e( + s#cceeded at smo'ing cessation a n#m!er o% years ago 4the n#m!er one reason clients see' o#t a clinical hypnotist6$ and also conA#ered my %ear o% %lying( Li'e most people who are a%raid to %ly$ + wo#ld rationalize my %ear) Chy wo#ld + get into a metal t#!e$ h#rtling thro#gh the atmosphere at 3-- miles an ho#r$ when + co#ld simply hop into a car and dri"e$ and ha"e the opport#nity to see America along the wayQ
+ o"ercame my %ear o% %lying in large part !y implementing the methods o% therape#tic hypnosis$ and today + %ly all o"er the world( These days$ when + %ind mysel% on an e@tremely long and !oring %light$ + #tilize trance and hypnotic techniA#es in order to help me get thro#gh it( This process prod#ces three !ene%its) one$ it ma'es the time pass m#ch %asterU two$ it ma'es the e@perience more prod#cti"eU and three$ + am %ar more com%orta!le and this$ in t#rn$ ma'es the passengers aro#nd me more com%orta!le( Many o% yo# ha"e pro!a!ly s#%%ered thro#gh %lights ne@t to someone who was noticea!ly highstr#ng$ ner"o#s or lac'ed rela@ation techniA#es$ and yo# 'now itDs not a pleasant e@perience( +t is important to realize that i% yo# want to practice clinical hypnosis to help others achie"e their goals$ yo# sho#ld e@perience hypnosis %or yo#rsel%( +tDs %ar easier to assist others 8 e%%ecti"ely 8 when yo# are intimately %amiliar with the process !y practicing the same s'ills in yo#r own day8to8day li%e( Nongard & Thomas 10 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 12
Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy 9e%ore we go any %#rther$ letOs ta'e a %ew min#tes and loo' at these two words) Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy( People o%ten as' me$ IHey$ :ichard$ is there a di%%erence !etween hypnosis and hypnotherapyQJ and yo# may !e wondering the same thing( +n this partic#lar training te@t$ when + #se the words hypnosis or hypnotherapy$ the two can !e #sed interchangea!ly( Howe"er$ do + !elie"e there is act#ally a di%%erence !etween the two termsQ /es$ + certainly + do( Hypnosis itsel% is not a therape#tic process( Hypnotherapy$ + !elie"e$ is a therape#tic process !#ilt #pon a %o#ndation o% helping$ o% empathy$ and o% sincerely desiring to help people ma'e changes$ %eel positi"e$ and accomplish their goals in li%e( Hypnosis is a state o% nat#ral phenomena$ and a "ehicle or tool %or pro"iding hypnotherapy( Hypnotherapy is the process o% !ringing a!o#t that hypnotic trance state$ and the hypnotist is simply the person who is helping another person to e@perience an ind#ced highlight o% the nat#ral trance8phenomena we all e@perience e"ery day(
Anyone can per%orm hypnosis( + ha"e many %riends who are stage hypnotists$ and + ha"e act#ally done some stage per%ormances mysel%( .tage hypnosis per%ormance does not reA#ire a !ac'gro#nd in clinical psychologyU people %rom all di%%erent career !ac'gro#nds can !ecome a stage hypnotist( .tage hypnosis does reA#ire learning how to manage a crowd$ the !asic strategies o% ind#ction and p#tting together a co#ple o% simple$ silly scripts$ !#t thatDs a!o#t it( Chether or not they are a good stage per%ormer and #se their s'ills responsi!ly$ ethically and e%%ecti"ely is an entirely di%%erent matter$ !#t tr#ly$ per%orming hypnosis is not something that reA#ires empathy$ respect or e"en care o% another indi"id#al( Now$ + hope that they do ha"e all o% those things$ !eca#se i% not$ + !elie"e they wo#ld !e #sing hypnosis Nongard & Thomas 1& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone irresponsi!ly$ and it is these h#man A#alities and personal elements that ma'e %or a good hypnotist and stage hypnosis show(
+ once met a stage hypnotist at a comedy cl#!U + went #p to him a%ter the show$ introd#ced mysel% and tal'ed to him a little !it( He was pro!a!ly a!o#t &- or && years old$ and + as'ed him how he learned to do hypnosis( He said$ IChen + was 5 years old$ + sent %or a !oo'let + saw ad"ertised in the !ac' o% a comic !oo' on how to hypnotize some!ody( + got it$ tried it$ and hypnotized my sister(J He had paid &- cents %or the secret o% hypnosis$ and has !een doing it e"ery day since he was in grade school( My point is certainly not to 'noc' stage hypnotists$ !#t simply to emphasize that anyone can hypnotize another person( + am o%ten as'ed i% a person$ who is in trance state$ can interact 8 can they tal'Q And the answer is yes$ they most certainly can( +% yo# ha"e e"er seen hypnotized s#!Eects interacting and completing assigned tas's at a stage show$ there sho#ld !e no A#estion that they can engage in con"ersation in the o%%ice( <#ring the co#rse o% hypnotherapy we want to %ind o#t in%ormation a!o#t o#r clients in order to !e a more e%%ecti"e helper( Ce will listen to their needs and as' A#estions d#ring the hypnotherapy
session( Clinical hypnosis practice in"ol"es inter"iewing and assessing clients$ teaching speci%ic s'ills$ meeting them at their partic#lar point o% need$ allowing them to "er!alize what those needs are and esta!lishing where they are ma'ing progress( 9y doing s#ch it sho#ld !ecome clear that clinical hypnosis is not necessarily a onesided endea"orU it is a highly interacti"e process( H#st as a stage hypnotist will hypnotize a gro#p o% people at one time #p on stage$ it is also possi!le to do a clinical hypnosis session with more than one person at a time( + o%ten ha"e h#s!ands and wi"es together in my co#nseling o%%ice %or a two8part hypnotherapy program( <#ring the %irst session + pro!a!ly spend a!o#t 0min#tes inter"iewing them %or assessment p#rposes$ then spend an additional >- or 0- min#tes going thro#gh what wo#ld !e considered a traditional hypnotherapy session( The second "isit generally consists o% almost 2- min#tes in traditional tal'8therapy$ cogniti"e!eha"ioral therapy$ and assessment$ !eca#se + teach them speci%ic 13 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
strategies$ and #ltimately we spend only a!o#t >- or >& min#tes engaged in hypnosis( Chat yo# can learn %rom the a!o"e e@ample is that hypnotherapy is a modality o% treatment that can incorporate elements not #s#ally categorized as hypnosis( Hypnosis$ in and o% itsel%$ is not inherently therape#ticU it can !e #sed %or entertainment$ incorporated into sales$ #sed to enhance pers#asion or sel%8 de"elopment$ and is o%ten e@perienced accidentally$ as mentioned earlier$ while dri"ing or going a!o#t m#ndane tas's( Hypnotherapy$ on the other hand$ is the str#ct#red #se o% hypnosis in a pro%essional en"ironment$ with the intention o% creating speci%ic remedial or generati"e changes( Chy #se hypnosisQ Chy #se hypnotherapyQ ArenOt there other methods o% helping people sol"e pro!lems R addiction$ an@iety$ depression$ se@#al dys%#nction$ con%idence and sel%8esteem$ %oc#s and concentration$ headaches$ insomnia$ weight gain$ etc 8 that are e%%ecti"eQ Certainly there are$ and +Om not going to 'noc' any other methods( or e@ample$ + thin' 1>8.tep programs R Alcoholics Anonymo#s$
Narcotics Anonymo#s$ Cocaine Addicts Anonymo#s and others R are signi%icantly pro%o#nd and e%%ecti"e %or aiding the reco"ery o% addiction( The 9ig 9oo' o% Alcoholics Anonymo#s was p#t together !y the %irst 1-- mem!ers o% the program( As alcoholics themsel"es$ they #nderstood the iss#es that others li'e them %aced$ and they de"eloped twel"e steps designed to help themsel"es and others lead the path to physical$ emotional and spirit#al healing$ and this process wor's %or those who wor' it( Hypnosis$ howe"er$ is another %antastic tool %or addressing addiction8related pro!lems( Cithdrawal is a physical process$ and hypnosis is a s'ill that helps a person to manage their physical e@periences thro#gh the power o% the mind( Cith or witho#t incorporating the 1>8.tep modality into treatment$ we still 'now that hypnosis is a power%#l and e%%ecti"e way to !oth change s#!conscio#s Nongard & Thomas 1, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone !eha"ioral associations and teach new s'ills %or managing the physical symptoms o% withdrawal(
9#t e"ery indi"id#al has di%%erent needs$ so as a co#nselor$ when someone comes to me with an alcohol or dr#g addiction pro!lem$ + assess which are the !est inter"entions + can pro"ide to help the indi"id#al e@perience relie% %rom their pro!lems$ !e it "ia hypnosis$ the 1> .teps$ cogniti"e8!eha"ioral methods$ or any other strategy designed to help resol"e their speci%ic iss#es( The important concept here is that as healers$ we %ind o#t what wor's$ what is e%%ecti"e$ and we #se it( 1r$ i% we are not A#ali%ied or e@perienced with the li'ely !est method$ we re%er to those who are( Let #s consider a contrary e@ample %rom a typical psychiatristDs o%%ice) A client comes in and claims to !e s#%%ering %rom depression( The psychiatrist$ !eing a medical doctor and there%ore oriented towards medications$ as a %irst line o% inter"ention$ wo#ld tell the depressed person that they sho#ld ta'e an antidepressant pill( 9#t research shows #s that i% a person engages in cardio"asc#lar e@ercise %or 2- min#tes a day$ 0 or 2 times a wee'$ %or si@ wee's or
longer$ they are e@ponentially more li'ely to e@perience a decrease in the symptoms associated with maEor depression than i% they ta'e antidepressant medications( +t #sed to !e !elie"ed that hypnosis was contra8indicated %or depression$ !#t in reality this is not tr#e at all( Michael /ap'o has written a great !oo' called Hypnosis and Treating <epression$ a wellresearched te@t showing the e%%icacy o% hypnosis as an inter"ention %or maEor depression( Happiness is$ a%ter all$ in the mind( + am not opposed to antidepressant medications$ and + ha"e met a lot o% people who$ partic#larly d#ring times o% catastrophic depression$ ha"e !een sta!ilized on medications( Howe"er$ when someone comes to me and says$ IHey$ +Om depressed and + need a resol#tion %or my depression$J one o% the %irst inter"entions + will prescri!e is that they engage in e@ercise on a reg#lar !asis %or a period o% si@ wee's or longer$ !eca#se + 'now that they will %eel !etter as a res#lt( Then + will most li'ely incl#de hypnosis in my repertoire o% inter"ention strategies( 15 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
+s hypnosis sa%eQ Hypnosis is sa%eU there are no negati"e side e%%ects %rom hypnosis( Cell$ + s#ppose there are some inherent ris's$ E#st li'e there are with dri"ing an a#tomo!ile or %lying on an airplane or li"ing li%e in general$ which co#ld happen d#ring a state o% hypnosis and co#ld !e potentially harm%#l to a person( or e@ample$ it is possi!le that someone co#ld$ in a state o% trance$ %all o#t o% their chair( And perhaps there is a chance %or some physical discom%ort d#ring a state o% m#sc#lar catalepsyU howe"er that is m#ch more li'ely to occ#r d#ring a stage hypnosis show than in the therapy o%%ice( The worry + hear most o%ten concerns a therapist a!#sing a client$ howe"er + do not thin' a hypnotherapist is any more li'ely to a!#se their client than any other %orm o% therapist( Contrary to some mis!elie%s$ hypnotherapy clients do not yield control to the hypnotistU the client maintains control o% their own mind and tho#ghts and they ma'e their own decisions( 1% co#rse there is always the ris' %or a!reaction) intense emotional e@periences which a person does not e@pect$ does not
enEoy$ and did not want to e@perience d#ring the process o% hypnosis( Howe"er$ these sit#ations are A#ite rare and are easily dealt with !y the competent hypnotist( 4Ce will disc#ss a!reaction in great detail later on(6 <oes hypnosis wor'Q Not only is hypnosis sa%e$ it wor's( :esearch shows that hypnosis is an e%%ecti"e treatment %or weight loss$ smo'ing cessation and depression( +t has !een shown to increase s#ccess in reco"ery %rom !#rns$ cancer$ irrita!le !owel syndrome and n#mero#s other ailments( +t is also highly e%%ecti"e %or generati"e impro"ement$ increasing tho#ght processes and prod#cti"ity( +n short$ yes$ hypnosis wor's( Nongard & Thomas 17 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Hohn .tossel$ one o% TKOs greatest s'eptics$ released a !oo' called$ Myths$ Lies and <ownright .t#pidity$ in which he set o#t to de!#n' many myths$ lies$ and legends in o#r society$ and one o% the s#!Eects he co"ered was hypnosis( 1n page >1& he wrote$ IH#st when my s'epticDs antennae con"ince me + always 'now !#n' when + see it$
+ get %ooled( + ass#med hypnosis in medicine was one more con game((( DHypnotherapy will help yo# lose weightFD CDmon$ i% it wor'ed$ there wo#ldnDt !e all those o"erweight people aro#nd( Tr#th) Hypnosis wor's 88 i% yo# let itFJ <oes hypnosis sol"e e"eryoneOs pro!lems all o% the timeQ No( There has ne"er !een and there ne"er will !e a one8size8%its8all approach that will %i@ e"ery iss#e$ e"ery time( H#st li'e there are di%%erent modalities o% inter"ention %or di%%erent medical$ psychological$ and spirit#al di%%ic#lties$ hypnosis is a tool which will !e e%%ecti"e with most o% o#r clients m#ch o% the time$ !#t not necessarily all( Chat are the 9ene%its o% HypnosisQ Hypnosis is Nat#ral Chene"er possi!le$ why wo#ldnOt we seize the opport#nity to pro"ide a nat#ral treatment to help a person 8 witho#t to@icity$ witho#t dr#gs$ witho#t li"er damage$ witho#t the side e%%ects o% chemotherapy or other medicationsQ 1% co#rse hypnosis does not always 'eep a person %rom needing other medical inter"entions$ howe"er$ sometimes clients are so s#ccess%#l with hypnosis that they
are a!le to gi"e #p higher ris's and more to@ic$ harm%#l protocols that were only #se%#l to them in the short term$ not the long r#n( + am certainly not ad"ocating that e"eryone A#it #sing all medications and other methods o% treatment and %oc#s e@cl#si"ely on hypnosisU + am simply saying that hypnosis is a sa%e$ e%%ecti"e and nat#ral treatment that can o%ten help enhance other approaches to treating their medical needs( .o why not gi"e it a shotQ Another !ene%it o% hypnosis is that it %eels good( The state o% hypnotic trance is a highly pleasant state to e@perience$ o%ten accompanied !y %eelings o% deep peace$ rela@ation and physical and mental >Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly com%ort( As healers$ o#r Eo! is essentially to ma'e people happy$ and what !etter way to do than with a method that %eels goodQ The process o% hypnosis is also highly e%%ecti"e %or teaching s'ills that o#r clients can ta'e with them when they lea"e o#r o%%ice$ to carry them thro#gh the ne@t pro!lem that they e@perience( Consider the client who e@periences panic attac's( Panic is a
"ery physical emotion( +n %act$ i% yo# loo' #p panic attac's in the <.M8+K 4the <iagnostic and .tatistical Man#al o% Mental <isorders$ %o#rth edition$ !y the American Psychological Association6$ yo# will see that the %irst eight symptoms listed are all physical in nat#re) !#tter%lies in the stomach$ trem!ling$ sha'iness$ sweating$ %eelings o% cho'ing$ chills$ %eeling dizzy$ and so on( Hypnosis teaches the s'ills that can help o"ercome these symptoms) to ta'e a deep !reath and to let it o#t slowly$ to %eel the o@ygen %ill their l#ngs$ to %eel their heart rate slow down$ and the physical di%%erence !etween tension and rela@ation( +n teaching o#r clients these s'ills$ we teach them how to sol"e not only the initial pro!lem they came to #s %or help with 4panic attac's6$ !#t also how to handle a host o% other o!stacles they may e@perience later in li%e( Hypnosis Cor's M#ic'ly +n the era o% managed care with limited time and limited reso#rces$ !oth clients and therapists are loo'ing %or !rie% therapy modalities( +n the Dolden days$D .igm#nd re#dOs !asic idea o% treatment was complete personality restr#ct#ringU he en"isioned a
therapy process that e@tended two or three times a wee' o"er a period o% ten to %i%teen years( These days we o%ten donOt ha"e ten or %i%teen sessions$ m#ch less years$ to !ring a client #p %rom hysterical misery to e"en common depression( Today$ o#r goal instead is to pro"ide inter"entions to help o#r clients to A#it smo'ing$ lose weight$ e@perience healing$ manage stress to achie"e s#ccess$ and generally %ind relie% %rom the pain%#l and di%%ic#lt sit#ations they ha"e in li%e$ and to do so A#ic'ly( Hypnotherapy reprograms the s#!conscio#s and teaches new s'ills that a person can act#ally apply in m#ltiple day8to8day li%e e@periences$ which o% co#rse ma'es hypnotherapy a !rie% inter"ention strategy( Most hypnotherapists will tell yo# that typically one$ two$ or three sessions is all they need to realize s#ccess with most clients %or Nongard & Thomas >1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone most iss#es( N#t Magazine$ the Eo#rnal o% gastroenterology$ came o#t with clinical research in 177, a%%irming the e%%icacy o% #sing hypnosis to treat irrita!le !owel syndrome 4+9.6$ a long8 s#%%ering$ misera!le
condition( They recommend a se"en8session protocol o% hypnosisU !rie% therapy( Now that yo# ha"e a reasona!ly good idea o% the !ene%its o% hypnosis$ and are !eginning to #nderstand what hypnosis act#ally is$ let #s leap right into this !oo'Os g#iding A#estion) How do yo# hypnotize someoneQ >> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: > The Cho$ Chat$ Chere$ Chen and Chy o% Hypnosis All hypnosis is essentially sel%8hypnosis( As a hypnotist$ + am %acilitating the nat#ral process o% helping a person to e@perience trance( +t is not something that + do to someoneU instead$ it is something that + am doing with them( +n %act$ e"en when + am recording hypnosis C<Os or per%orming hypnosis li"e on stage$ + %ind mysel% in my own zone o% trance( This is !eca#se hypnosis is a nat#ral process$ and the hypnotist$ E#st li'e the client$ will %ind themsel"es in "arying le"els o% trance d#ring the hypnotic proced#re( As + mentioned earlier$ hypnosis is a nat#ral occ#rrence that
we all e@perience at one time or another thro#gho#t the day( Thin' a!o#t the %irst %i"e min#tes !e%ore yo# %all asleep at night) yo# 'now yo# co#ld open yo#r eyes i% yo# wanted to$ !#t it %eels so good that yo# simply want to 'eep them sh#t( That in8 !etween8awa'e8andasleep time is a nat#ral trance state( Hypnosis o%ten carries with it a %#nction o% time distortion$ a %airly common hypnotic phenomenon( /o# get into yo#r car a%ter wor' and yo# dri"e towards home$ and !y the time yo# arri"e there Nongard & Thomas >0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ten or %i%teen min#tes later$ yo# thin'$ ICowF + donOt remem!er my dri"e %rom the o%%ice to my ho#seU + E#st sort o% showed #p(J /o#r s#!conscio#s mind was g#iding yo#r dri"e home$ whilst yo#r conscio#s mind was allowed to rela@ and Szone 4trance6 o#tO %or a while and %oc#s on more interesting s#!Eects( Hypnosis is the opposite o% meditation where the person is trying to clear their mind( +nstead$ hypnosis is an ind#ced state o% total concentration and %oc#s( Hypnotizing someone simply in"ol"es leading them thro#gh
the nat#ral phenomena that they ha"e already e@perienced in day8today li%e( Chen per%orming hypnosis$ we harness this nat#ral phenomenon thro#gh what is called the hypnotic process( The hypnotic process in"ol"es & stages) a time o% pre8tal' 4e@planation6$ the ind#ction 4going into trance6$ %ollowed !y deepeners 4increasing the trance state6$ then the s#ggestion phase 4therape#tic ideas6$ and %inally the awa'ening or dehypnotizing( As we ta'e o#r clients thro#gh this &8stage hypnotic process$ we will #se techniA#es s#ch as "is#alization$ interaction$ 'inesthetic e@periences$ and speci%ic word choices designed to address the s#!conscio#s mind in m#ch the same way that they e@perience trance in their e"eryday li%e( Chen yo# are done with this !oo'$ yo# will !e a!le to go thro#gh these %i"e stages and per%orm a "ariety o% di%%erent ind#ction and deepening techniA#es( >2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <e%ining Hypnosis According to the ?(.( <ept( o% *d#cation$ H#man .er"ices <i"ision$ hypnosis is)
IThe !y8pass o% the critical %actor o% the conscio#s mind 4a personDs analytical and E#dgmental a!ility6 %ollowed !y the esta!lishment o% accepta!le selecti"e thin'ing(J .o that this short !#t #se%#l statement !y the ?. No"ernment ma'es a little more sense$ a !rie% e@planation is li'ely in order( The mind has %o#r di%%erent di"isions) the Conscio#s Mind$ the Critical actor$ the .#!conscio#s Mind$ and the ?nconscio#s Mind( The ?nconscio#s Mind is where o#r instincts are 8 the things we intrinsically 'now %rom !irth and thro#gho#t li%e 8 and it protects #s re%le@i"ely( The ?nconscio#s Mind controls the a#tonomic ner"o#s system$ respiration and heart!eat( +ts learning is capacity limited$ !#t Pa"lo" demonstrated that it can !e impacted when he made dogs sali"ate to a ringing !ell( This is 'nown as classical conditioning( The .#!conscio#s Mind starts o#t empty$ then$ as we grow and learn$ the #nlimited capacity data!ase stores
o#r e@periences and perceptions$ which then create o#r personality$ emotions$ learned responses$ !elie%s and ha!its( These ideas and concepts !ecome Sem!eddedO and are then highly resistant to change( The .#!conscio#s Mind #ses its data!ase to protect against 'nown threats$ and to moti"ate #s to %#l%ill o#r needs( This is the concept o% Ta!#la :asa 8 e@periences and learning are written #pon #s( .ome ha"e called this temperament 4H#ng6( The s#!conscio#s mind resists conscio#s change$ !#t hypnosis can ha"e immediate e%%ect on the s#!conscio#s 49anyan6( Nongard & Thomas >& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone The Conscio#s Mind is analytical and logical$ and is where we spend most o% o#r time( The Conscio#s Mind protects #s against immediate threats and is where we pro!lem8sol"e 8 assess sit#ations and implement resol#tionsU it e"al#ates the speci%ic concern or iss#e that has its attention at the moment( +t then ma'es choices and decisions %or day8to8 day
%#nctioning( +n the Conscio#s Mind$ tho#ghts that are considered to !e more important will replace those o% less importance( Conscio#s change is temporal$ !eca#se the capacity is limited( This ma'es s#!conscio#s reprogramming more e%%ecti"e( The Conscio#s Mind is also where Iwill powerJ comes into play( 9#t as yo# may ha"e noticed$ A#ite o%ten o#r will power is not power%#l eno#gh$ and we o%ten A#ic'ly re"ert !ac' to o#r old ha!its and ways( This is d#e to the in%l#ence o% the Critical actor section o% o#r mind( The Critical actor is the gate8'eeper !etween the .#!conscio#s Mind and the Conscio#s Mind( +t %#nctions as a %ilter %or new in%ormation coming in %rom the Conscio#s Mind$ and compares;contrasts it to the e@isting data!ase o% !elie%s in the .#!conscio#s Mind( Chen the newly introd#ced data does not Ei!e with the e@isting data!ase$ the Critical actor reEects it$ !y not allowing changes in emotional or !eha"ioral responses to occ#r( This is why it is so di%%ic#lt to !rea' ha!its or change o#r !elie%s(
IThe !ypass o% the critical %actorJ o% the No"ernmentOs de%inition re%ers to the hypnotic processesO release o% the imposed limiting !elie%s 8 essentially disarming the Critical actor 8 which then allows emotional or !eha"ioral hypnotic s#ggestions to pass thro#gh the Conscio#s Mind and into the .#!conscio#s Mind( IThe esta!lishment o% accepta!le selecti"e thin'ingJ re%ers to the act#al creation o% new !elie%s in the .#!conscio#s Mind thro#gh s#ggesti!ility$ a sort o% reprogramming$ which allows yo# to !rea' ha!its$ change perceptions$ and create new a#toresponses to sit#ations( >3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Pro!a!ly the !est e@ample o% how these di%%erent !rain components wor' together is in relation to smo'ing( +% +O"e !een smo'ing cigarettes %or >- or 0- years$ my mind s#!conscio#sly !elie"es certain things to !e tr#e that simply are not$ s#ch as that +Dm going to %rea' o#t i% + donOt get nicotine( My mind !elie"es that i% +Om in a car$ + m#st light a cigarette$ or that i% + E#st ate dinner$ + need that
a%ter8dinner smo'e( 1"er >-$ 0- or 2- years o% smo'ing$ my s#!conscio#s mind has learned things that are not tr#e and has incorporated these inacc#rate !elie%s or cogniti"e8errors into my e"eryday li"ing( Hypnosis$ howe"er$ allows o#r s#!conscio#s mind to learn new or healthier patterns !y !ypassing the critical %actor and allowing into the s#!conscio#s mind a new set o% !elie%s$ !eha"iors and options( The conscio#s mind is the thin'ing part o% the mind$ and it is interesting to note that the thin'ing part is act#ally the smallest part o% the mind( +magine an ice!erg s#!merged #nder the ocean( A!o"e water$ the ice!erg only shows a!o#t 1-T o% its %#ll !#l'U 7-T is #nderneath the water line( Li'ewise$ the conscio#s mind cons#mes only a!o#t 1-T o% o#r mind power or capacity( There%ore$ a!o#t 7-T o% what the mind does is s#!conscio#s( +n the morning !e%ore yo# get #p$ yo# donOt ha"e to thin' a!o#t which leg yo# p#t in yo#r pants %irst$ yo# E#st get #p and p#t yo#r pants on( Chen yo# go to get a drin' o% water %rom a water
%o#ntain$ yo# donOt ha"e to conscio#sly decide$ I+ thin' + will mo"e my arm m#scles %irst and my th#m! m#scles ne@tUJ yo# E#st a#tomatically do these things in the proper order with the help o% the #nconscio#s mind( Ce do these things a#tomatically !eca#se o"er the years$ thro#gh !oth nat#re and n#rt#re R e@perience R we ha"e learned physically$ psychologically$ socially$ comm#nicati"ely how to do these things( The conscio#s mind is the part o% the mind that o#r attention is drawn to at any partic#lar time( They say that o#r conscio#s mind is only a!le to e@perience a!o#t se"en di%%erent things at the same timeU i% an eighth piece o% in%ormation is added$ it will !e reEected( Now$ the s#!conscio#s may act#ally a!sor! it$ e"en while the conscio#s mind is reEecting it( or e@ample) LetOs say yo# are !#sy coo'ing dinner( /o# are stirring a !ig pot o% !eans on the sto"e( /o# are p#tting corn!read Nongard & Thomas >, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone m#%%ins in the o"en( /o# donDt want to ma'e a mess or !#rn yo#rsel%(
/o# want the !#tter so%t d#ring the meal so yo#Dre getting the !#tter o#t o% the re%rigerator( +n the meantime$ the phone rings$ so yo# answer( +tDs yo#r sister tal'ing a!o#t her new Eo!( /o# are still loo'ing in the re%rigerator %or the !#tter$ and yo#r son comes into the 'itchen( He stands right ne@t to yo# and tal's to yo#( He sees yo# nod thin's that yo# are listening to him and hearing what he says( He tal's and tal's while yo# are on the phone with yo#r sister$ %inding the !#tter$ stirring the !eans on the sto"e$ setting the timer %or the m#%%ins$ getting !owls and spoons %rom the ca!inets and drawers$ and doing all the things related to dinner preparation( /o# ha"e se"en things going on at that moment( /o#r son tal'ing at yo# is n#m!er eight( /o# %ind the !#tter( Now yo#r mind is only doing si@ things !eca#se yo# %o#nd the !#tter( At that moment$ yo# loo' o"er and yo# realize someone is tal'ing to yo#( /o# %oc#s on yo#r son and say$ IChatQJ *"en tho#gh they were tal'ing to yo#$ yo# didnOt really e"en 'now they were there #ntil yo# %o#nd the !#tter$ #ntil yo#r conscio#s mind got rid o% something so that eighth piece o% in%ormation co#ld
occ#py the se"enth spot( This is the conscio#s mind in action$ processing only those things %ew that we ha"e immediate awareness o% at any gi"en time( 1#r s#!conscio#s mind is the part that stores all o% o#r li%e learning e@periences and creates %#nctional associations %or daily li"ing$ !oth healthy and #nhealthy( or the cigarette smo'er$ an association may !e$ I49eca#se6 + get in my car and + 4m#st6 light #p a cigarette(J .ometimes they will light a cigarette when they already ha"e another one !#rning in an ashtray$ !eca#se they a#tomatically light #p cigarettes a%ter certain associati"e c#es$ e"en i% they donOt necessarily smo'e them( This is the part o% the mind that we will reprogram #sing hypnosis$ so that actions !ecome consistent with healthy release$ rather than consistent with #nhealthy release( 4+ 'now that at this point yo#Dre loo'ing %or the Done$ two$ three 8 this is how yo# do it e@planation$D !#t tr#st me$ while yo# are reading and learning more a!o#t what hypnosis really is and how and why it wor's$ yo# are learning the %#ndamentals yo# need %or the one$ two$ three part( 6
>5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Three Laws 1% Hypnosis +n order %or #s to hypnotize someone$ we m#st #nderstand the laws o% hypnosis( These SlawsO are g#iding principles which yo# sho#ld endea"or to adhere to as m#ch as possi!le when doing hypnosis( The %irst law o% hypnosis is that the person !eing hypnotized m#st ha"e a clear image o% what the process and res#lts will %eel li'e and !e li'e( +n order to s#ccess%#lly achie"e change$ the client m#st !e a!le to clearly "is#alize$ imagine or at least #nderstand what the %inal res#lt o% that change will !e( +n the co#nseling world$ this is 'nown as in%ormed consent$ e@plaining what to e@pect !oth d#ring the therape#tic process and in the end( or e@ample$ when + gi"e someone my %o#r8 part smo'ing cessation C< series$ + #s#ally engage in a con"ersation li'e this one with a client named .#e) .#e as's$ ICill these help me to A#it smo'ingQJ + say$ I/es$ a!sol#tely(J .#e as's$ IHow long a%ter + listen to them #ntil + A#it
smo'ingQJ My answer is$ IAs soon as yo# start listening to them$ yo# ha"e stopped smo'ing(J 49y the way$ that is s#ggesti"e lang#age(6 .#e as's$ I<o + ha"e to listen to them o"er and o"er again in order to remain a non8smo'erQJ + reply$ INo$ yo# donOt need to listen to them o"er and o"er again to remain a non8smo'er( Most people %ind that i% they do listen to them o"er and o"er again$ it is !ene%icial !eca#se they learn speci%ic #se%#l strategies and s'ills( /o# will$ in %act$ !e a non8smo'er when yo# ma'e the commitment to listen to all %o#r o% these C<Os(J .ince o#r client m#st ha"e a clear image o% the intended res#lt$ + then as'ed .#e to pict#re in her mind o% listening to the C<Os and Nongard & Thomas >7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone !eing a non8smo'er( Chen she too' a min#te to create that mental pict#re$ there was no do#!t a!o#t it 8 she went home and p#t on that %irst C<$ and %rom that moment on she was a non8smo'er( 1#r clients need a clear pict#re o% what the o#tcome will !e$ to
"is#alize themsel"es e@periencing s#ccess( The client in pain needs to "is#alize that he is not e@periencing pain$ the client who needs to lose weight needs to "is#alize themsel"es thinner and healthier$ and the person who smo'es cigarettes needs to "is#alize that they are li"ing li%e not smo'ing cigarettes( This !rie% process will s#!stantially increase yo#r therape#tic s#ccess( The second law states that when the s#!EectDs will and imagination 4!elie%6 are in con%lict$ the imagination will always win( Another way o% stating this is that when the conscio#s and the #nconscio#s minds con%lict$ the #nconscio#s will always win( This concept act#ally gi"es #s a great ad"antage$ !eca#se it means that a clientOs rational side can gi"e way to imagination( Chen the rational side lets down its g#ard$ the critical %actor can !e side8stepped$ and old$ #nhealthy ways o% li"ing can !e replaced with new$ healthy ways( The third law o% hypnosis is that a s#ggestion is more li'ely to !e accepted when it is tied to a positi"e emotion or a%%ect$ with which the s#!Eect can identi%y(
.imply p#t$ s#ggestions that are positi"e are more li'ely to !e accepted than those that are negati"e( or e@ample$ in smo'ing cessation$ one co#ld #se negati"e s#ggestions in the %orm o% a"ersion therapy) IThe ne@t time yo# smell a cigarette !#rning$ yo# will !ecome na#seatingly ill( The smell o% smo'e will sic'en yo#r stomach( +t will irritate yo#r nostrils and gi"e yo# a headache(J +t has !een my e@perience that people generally do not accept negati"e s#ggestions$ !#t they will accept positi"e s#ggestions( +nstead o% telling a client that they will %eel nasty i% they see a cigarette or smell cigarette smo'e$ + say that they DenEoy !reathing %resh air$ 0Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly they %eel good when they can %eel the o@ygen %lowing in thro#gh the nostrils and into the l#ngsU %resh$ healing o@ygen carrying n#trients thro#gho#t their !ody(D As we create s#ggesti"e scripts to help o#r clients$ we want to always accent#ate the positi"e rather than the negati"es$ and %or the most part$ we want to a"oid a"ersion therapy all together( +nstead$ we
will replace old patterns o% !eha"ior with new patterns that are healthy and e@citing( or e@ample$ hereDs a therape#tic s#ggestion lesson + learned %rom my history as a dr#g and alcohol co#nselor) Chen a client wo#ld as'$ IAre yo# going to tell me that + canOt e"er #se dr#gs and alcohol againQJ + always answer with a %irm SNoFO %or two reasons( 1ne$ the answer con%#ses them and creates con%lict in the mind$ li'e a pattern interr#pt$ and there%ore also creates the instant opport#nity to impart new ideas into the s#!conscio#s$ and two$ instead o% %oc#sing on the negati"e o% ne"er #sing dr#gs again we want the client to %oc#s on the positi"es o% li"ing li%e happy and healthy witho#t the need %or chemicals( + want my clients who are reco"ering %rom addictions to enEoy what they did last night$ to li'e who they were with last night( + want them to enEoy li"ing li%e and not miss any o% it !y !eing dr#n' or stoned or high( + donOt want my clients to gi"e #p drin'ingU + want them to start lo"ing li%e clear8headed( Positi"e s#ggestions are m#ch more li'ely to !e recei"ed !y the s#!conscio#s than negati"e or a"ersion therapy oriented s#ggestions(
People are also more li'ely to accept SdoO s#ggestions rather than Sdo notO s#ggestions( /o#r s#ggestions R the words yo# #se 8 create images and tho#ghts inside the s#!conscio#s o% yo#r clients( +n order to DnotD thin' a!o#t doing something$ yo# m#st %irst thin' a!o#t doing it$ so always try to %rame yo#r s#ggestions in a positi"e$ pro8acti"e$ Din8the8nowD manner where"er possi!le( Ma'e s#re yo# %#lly #nderstand these three simple laws o% hypnosis$ and #se them in yo#r practiceU they will ma'e yo#r hypnosis practice e@ponentially more power%#l and e%%ecti"e( Nongard & Thomas 01 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 0> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly *ric'sonian Hypnosis + am as'ed A#ite o%ten a!o#t the di%%erence !etween *ric'sonian hypnotherapy and other approaches( Many people ha"e heard the term *ric'sonian Hypnosis$ !#t they donDt %#lly #nderstand what it means$ or how itDs rele"ant to practicing hypnotherapy( + am well trained in *ric'sonian hypnotherapy$ ha"ing st#died #nder a
master hypnotist in Cali%ornia and also in Nermany with a sept#agenarian psychologist who was trained in Arizona !y Milton *ric'son himsel%( + also spent some time in Toronto learning ne#roling#istic programming and NLPOs approaches to hypnosis and hypnotherapy( And$ ha"ing recei"ed ed#cation %rom these many di%%erent perspecti"es$ + wo#ld enco#rage yo# to do the same( *ric'sonian Hypnosis comes %rom the st#dy o% <r( Milton *ric'sonOs wor' d#ring the nineteen8%i%ties and 8si@ties( *ric'son was a psychiatrist and pro!a!ly st#died and researched more on clinical hypnosis that anyone else !e%ore or since$ and has !een considered one o% the greatest hypnotists o% o#r time( He !ro#ght the %ield o% hypnosis to pro%essional attention and %o#nded the one o% the %irst clinical hypnosis pro%essional associations in the 3-Ds$ and the Milton *ric'son o#ndation in Arizona is still acti"ely pro"iding hypnosis ed#cation to mental health pro%essionals today( *ric'son !elie"ed that trance is a nat#ral phenomenon$ that we are always in one state o% trance or another$ and there%ore that
ind#ction is not necessary( His "iew was that clients come to #s ready to !egin doing the wor'$ and so all that is needed is to simply %acilitate a deeper le"el o% trance thro#gh con"ersation$ witho#t the need %or a %ormal process( *ric'sonian hypnosis is partic#larly interacti"e( +t is m#ch more li'e traditional therapy$ in that a person is in a state o% trance and the hypnotist will inter"iew and as' A#estions and really engage in the assessment process d#ring the trance state( *ric'son ta#ght that psychic healing occ#rs witho#t the need %or directi"e commands$ that people ha"e within themsel"es all the 'nowledge they already need in order to sol"e their pro!lems$ and Nongard & Thomas 00 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone d#ring the co#rse o% a trance e@perience they are a!le to !ring those pree@isting internal realizations to the %ore%ront o% their mind and !egin the healing and pro!lem8sol"ing process( *ric'son also !elie"ed that the s#!conscio#s is responsi!le %or most o% o#r !eha"iors$ and + certainly agree with this perspecti"e$
e"en i% + generally go a!o#t addressing the iss#e %rom a di%%erent approach( *arlier + said + wo#ld teach yo# a &8 step hypnotic process( ?nli'e *ric'sonDs approach$ the process + will share is well de%ined$ !eca#se + thin' it is good %or those who are new to hypnosis to learn the %#ndamental steps in"ol"ed in the hypnotic state( +t will also #tilize a %ar more directi"e or instr#cti"e therape#tic approach$ !eca#se this is "ery practical %or the maEority o% clients on o#r caseload( Ne#ro8Ling#istic Programming 4or NLP6 is o%ten closely lin'ed with hypnosis$ and this is !eca#se the creators o% NLP$ Hohn Nrinder and :ichard 9andler$ when doing research on lang#age patterns and searching %or the secrets o% s#ccess%#l therapists$ disco"ered *ric'son and st#died the #niA#e lang#age patterns he commonly #sed d#ring hypnosis sessions( 9y modeling his approaches they were a!le to replicate his s#ccesses$ and th#s incorporated methods o% *ric'sonian hypnosis into the str#ct#re and content o% NLP( Altho#gh the modalities ta#ght in this !oo' will primarily !e
directi"e$ we will %reA#ently disc#ss *ric'sonian lang#age patterns !eca#se they are interesting and e%%ecti"e( +% yo# %ind the indirect approach help%#l and #se%#l to yo#$ + enco#rage yo# to see' o#t %#rther e@perience %rom an *ric'sonian perspecti"e( + also enco#rage yo# to ta'e a co#rse on ne#ro8ling#istic programming( ?nli'e my coa#thor Nathan Thomas who is incredi!ly s'illed at NLP$ + personally donOt call mysel% a ne#ro8ling#istic programmer$ !#t + ha"e %o#nd the training interesting and !ene%icial to the therape#tic wor' + do( 02 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <irecti"e Hypnosis Li'e *ric'sonian hypnotherapy$ the directi"e or traditional approach "iews trance as nat#ral phenomena) + am not doing anything to yo#$ + am merely %acilitating the e@periences that yo# already ha"e( 9#t while *ric'sonian hypnosis is an indirect %orm #tilizing con"ersational and metaphorical aspects in order to create trance and #nconscio#s change$ directi"e hypnosis or Sstandard hypnosisO is primarily literal and straight %orward(
#rthermore$ direct hypnosis operates #nder the !elie% that the ind#ction %acilitates trance$ and ind#ction is there%ore an essential element to the process( 9oth approaches ha"e their #ses( + ha"e %o#nd that$ especially with clients who ha"e little or no prior e@perience with hypnosis$ teaching them how to enter a deep le"el o% trance is easily accomplished thro#gh the ind#ction process( Now$ i% the client is already A#ite e@perienced and com%orta!le with hypnosis$ then + may perhaps %a"or the *ric'sonian approachU theyOll come into the o%%ice and +Oll simply say$ IThere is no need %or an ind#ction process today$ E#st go right to where it is yo#Od li'e to !e$ and weOll go ahead and start the wor'(J or the most part$ howe"er$ it is my e@perience that most o% o#r clients !ene%it %rom a %ormal ind#ction process( Another !elie% in traditional or directi"e hypnotherapy is that healing occ#rs as the res#lt o% shi%ting awareness$ %rom the !ody to the tho#ghts$ to mental images$ to emotions( As hypnotists we need to t#ne into and shape o#r clientsD awareness and e@periences( <irect hypnosis also teaches that the s#!conscio#s is
e@tremely recepti"e to s#ggestion when in a state o% trance( .o$ why not ta'e ad"antage o% this opport#nity !y ma'ing a speci%ic$ direct s#ggestion %or positi"e change$ rather than ta'ing the chance o% #sing a metaphor or stories that we hope o#r client grasps in the deeper interpretations they may conE#reQ Calling *ric'sonian hypnosis interacti"e does not mean that directi"e hypnosis is not interacti"e( The primary di%%erence is that *ric'sonDs approach is interacti"e d#ring the act#al hypnotic session$ while the directi"e approach is more interacti"e !e%ore the session Nongard & Thomas 0& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone d#ring the assessment inter"iew( +n directi"e hypnosis$ the hypnotist is #s#ally the only one tal'ing d#ring the trance state$ imparting s#ggestions gleaned %rom prior con"ersation( 03 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Hypnotic *@perience + am now going to ta'e yo# thro#gh a hypnotic e@perience( /es$ + am going to ta'e yo# thro#gh the %i"e8 step hypnotic process right now while yo# are reading this !oo'( This is how yo# really
!egin to learn how to hypnotize someone( Please #nderstand that this is E#st a !#ilding !loc'$ a !rie% demonstration$ not a complete hypnosis session$ !#t + want yo# to e@perience the process$ and later on + will pro"ide yo# with e@amples o% me wor'ing with a client so that yo# can "is#alize doing the ind#ction and deepening$ and all the things that yo# will do with a li"e s#!Eect( 9#t %or now + want yo# to act#ally e@perience a co#ple o% moments o% serenity( This will !e rather rapid$ !#t + promise that i% yo# do this$ e"en tho#gh yo# are sitting at home reading these pages and perhaps yo# might e"en %eel a little !it %#nny$ yo# will learn something new( /o# m#st s#rely !e wondering$ is someone really going to hypnotize me #sing words on a pageQ Hypnosis is a nat#ral process( +tOs a nat#ral phenomenon( +Om simply going to g#ide yo# thro#gh a process o% rela@ation( +tOs going to !e really simple( /o# will #nderstand the process o% hypnosis !etter as a res#lt o% this( The rest o% the !oo' will act#ally ma'e m#ch more sense to yo# as yo# learn
the process o% helping people to ma'e changes( +Om going to ta'e pro!a!ly less than %i"e min#tes here and simply g#ide yo# thro#gh a rather !rie% process to help yo# e@perience the state o% hypnosis( 1!"io#sly$ as yo# are reading there are many limitations$ so what + wo#ld li'e yo# to do is to read thro#gh the %ollowing "ery care%#lly$ may!e once or may!e twice to ma'e s#re itOs all in yo#r mind$ and then + want yo# to %ollow the instr#ctions$ sit down$ and e@perience hypnosis( /o# may e"en want to ha"e a %riend read it to yo#$ or as yo# read this E#st imagine yo#rsel% completing all the steps that the limitations o% the written word will not allow yo# to( ollowing !elow is what + wo#ld say i% + were hypnotizing yo# in person$ so Nongard & Thomas 0, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone read it$ and then once yo# are %amiliar with it remem!er it in yo#r mind as yo# do it( 9y the way$ i% yo# %ind yo#rsel% slipping into a rela@ed trance state e"en when E#st reading this$ donOt !e s#rprised$ it happens to a lot o% people(
irst$ + wo#ld li'e yo# to %ind a com%orta!le place( Chances are yo# are already in a com%orta!le chair( 9y the way$ + li'e it when people are in chairs when they %irst learn hypnosis( Later on we can ta'e hypnosis to the !edroom and lie down$ !#t + donOt want my clients to %all asleep$ so a chair is per%ect( Ma'e s#re yo# are com%orta!le and ma'e s#re yo#r arms are at rest( Ma'e s#re yo#r legs arenOt crossed( Chile yo# are sitting there$ what + wo#ld li'e yo# to do is simply stare at spot on the wall( H#st 'eep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on that place( Ta'e a deep !reath( 9reathe inV and e@hale( Again$ !reathe in( Let the air %ill yo#r l#ngs and hold that !reathe %or a moment( *@hale( Keep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on that spot( As yo# 'eep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on that areaV +Od li'e yo# to !egin to !ecome aware o% all the m#scles in yo#r !ody( Chances are pretty good that those m#scles are carrying some o% the tension o% the day( Ma'e a conscio#s e%%ort to rela@ those m#scles$ the m#scles in yo#r sho#lders$ and yo#r !ac'$ and yo#r !ody( Let yo#r !ody !ecome loose$ limp as a pile o% r#!!er !ands(
As yo# stare at that spot$ yo#Oll %ind that yo#r eyes !ecome perhaps more tired$ may!e e"en a little !it watery( As yo# stare at that spot$ the ne@t time yo#r eyes !lin'$ #se that as a c#e to simply close yo#r eyes and 'eep them closed( +% yo# ha"enOt !lin'ed yet$ go ahead and !lin' yo#r eyes( ?se that as a c#e to simply rela@ and close yo#r eyes and 'eep them closed( As yo# rela@V as yo#r eyes are closedV +Od li'e yo# to thin' o% something !ea#ti%#l that yo# %ind peace%#l and rela@ing( Ta'e another !reath( eel the air slowly %ill yo#r l#ngsV and e@hale( Allow yo#rsel% to go deeper into rela@ation and hypnosis( A part o% yo# 'nows that yo# co#ld open yo#r eyes i% yo# wanted to$ !#t !eca#se yo# are letting yo#rsel% rela@V and !eca#se it %eels goodV yo# simply donOt care to open yo#r eyes( 05 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly As yo# rela@V as yo# enEoy a moment o% tranA#ilityV as in yo#r mindOs eye yo# loo' at the !ea#ti%#l creation that yo# ha"e en"isionedV allow yo#rsel% to %eel a per%ect peace and rela@ation(
Let yo#r mind wonder( Let yo#r tho#ghts e@perience positi"e things( +n the A#iet serenity that yo# are c#rrently e@periencing$ E#st let yo#rsel% go deeper and deeper into a state o% rela@ation( As yo# e@perience rela@ation$ peace and serenity$ gi"e yo#rsel% the gi%t o% learning( 1pen yo#r mind to new possi!ilities and to e@perience all o% the things that we tal' a!o#t in these pages and retain that 'nowledgeV #se that 'nowledge to !ene%it the clients on yo#r caseload( As yo# e@perience this moment o% serenity$ recognize that yo# can choose to go !ac' to this place o% peace at any time( .imply !y ma'ing the decision to e@perience this state o% tranA#ility that yo#O"e created in yo#r mind( +Om going to co#nt %rom one to three( As + co#nt %rom one to three$ yo# will !ecome more alert and more aware o% the room aro#nd yo#( 1neVyo# are !ecoming %#lly alert$ reorienting to the room aro#nd yo#( TwoVyo# are opening yo#r eyes( /o# are %eeling a sense o% satis%action( ThreeVtotal peace$ total serenity$ and total rela@ation(
88888 .o now$ go %ind a com%orta!le seat$ re8read this$ and simply allow yo#rsel% to !e hypnotized( 1nce yo# ha"e enEoyed that peace%#l state %or a %ew moments$ E#st allow yo#r eyes to open$ %eel good$ and ret#rn to a normal state o% mind ready to contin#e learning the wonders o% hypnosis( <o not read any %#rther in the te@t #ntil yo# ha"e done this$ o'ayQ 88888 Nongard & Thomas 07 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Now thin') How long was that e@perienceQ Cas it three$ %o#r$ or %i"e min#tes longQ <id yo# e@perience serenity %or a co#ple o% min#tesQ +t was a complete hypnotic process$ altho#gh a!!re"iated( Many o% yo# are pro!a!ly thin'ing that yo# werenOt hypnotized( /o# %eel as i% yo# were %#lly aware o% e"erything that was going on( 9#t in hypnosis$ o#r s#!Eect is %#lly aware o% e"erything that is going on( Here are a co#ple A#estions to answer i% yo# want to 'now whether yo# were hypnotized or not) N#m!er one$ did yo# %ollow the directions that + ga"e yo#Q
+% yo# 'ept yo#r %oc#s on the spot and closed yo#r eyes and yo# %ollowed my s#ggestions and went thro#gh the process$ then yes$ yo# entered a state o% trance( N#m!er two$ a%ter spending three or %o#r or %i"e min#tes going thro#gh that process$ do yo# %eel di%%erent at the concl#sion o% the processQ <o yo# %eel physically more rela@edQ Mentally$ do yo# %eel more recepti"e to learningQ rom an e@periential perspecti"e$ did yo# %ind that was #se%#l to yo#Q +% the answer to any o% those A#estions is yes$ then yo# e@perienced a state o% change( That state change co#ld simply !e called hypnosis( +t co#ld e"en !e said yo# hypnotized yo#rsel%U yo# p#t the !oo' down$ and allowed it to wor'( /o# did it in yo#r head$ so in a way yo# ha"e E#st hypnotized yo#r %irst s#!Eect R yo#rsel% 8 ha"enOt yo#Q Now$ let #s A#ic'ly dissect the demonstration in regards to the pre8tal'$ the ind#ction$ the deepener$ the script$ and the awa'ening( *d#cating o#r client a!o#t hypnosis$ the hypnotic process$ and what the e@perience is going to !e li'e is important$ and there%ore
the pre8tal' is the %irst component( A lot o% new clients e@perience an@iety a!o#t hypnosis !eca#se they are not s#re e@actly what it is and they want to %eel in%ormed and com%orta!le !e%ore they gi"e consent( .o$ in the pre8tal'$ + will spend some time tal'ing a!o#t what hypnosis is and how it wor's$ de!#n' any myths they may ha"e$ ass#re them that + will !e respect%#l and that they wonOt !e telling me secrets d#ring the session$ !#ild a sense o% tr#st and rapport$ and allay any other concerns( 2Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly + ga"e a short pre8tal') + told yo# what to e@pect 8 that i% yo# did what + as'ed yo# to do$ yo# wo#ld %eel great and yo# wo#ld !e more e%%ecti"e at learning hypnosis( The ind#ction that + wal'ed yo# thro#gh was a simple *ye i@ation com!ined with M#scle :ela@ation( i@ating yo#r gaze on one spot on the wall ind#ces eye %atig#e$ and then + enco#raged yo# to loosen all yo#r m#scles to let go o% the tension o% the day( Admittedly$ in this short demonstration + did not #se a pro%o#nd deepener$ altho#gh + did s#ggest that yo# wo#ld go deeper
into a state o% hypnosis and e@perience deeper le"els o% rela@ation$ !#t + did not do what one might call a traditional deepener$ simply %or the sa'e o% time( Ne@t$ + ga"e yo# a %ew directi"e s#ggestions to %eel good$ that yo#r learning process wo#ld !e enhanced$ and that yo# wo#ld !ene%it %rom this !oo'( And then a%ter a moment o% serenity$ + concl#ded the session with a simple 08co#nt n#m!er awa'ening to show yo# how to ret#rn to a normal alert state o% awareness( The DscriptD yo# read a!o"e was short$ !#t it contained all the important components o% %acilitating the hypnotic process( Chen yo# !egin hypnotizing others$ yo# will #se a similar %orm#la or script$ altho#gh when yo# mo"e #p to therape#tic sessions it will !e m#ch longer and more detailed( And this is where a little !it o% #nease !egins to creep into the minds o% new hypnotists R what do + sayQ Chat i% + mess #p the words or the order or say something d#m!Q .ho#ld + memorize the ind#ction and the s#ggestions$ or can + write it all down %irst and read it %rom paperQ
Let me set yo#r mind at ease !e%ore we go any %#rther( Ce do not ha"e to !e per%ect in the lang#age that we #se( The most important %actor is that we are gen#ine and that we assist o#r clients in e@periencing hypnosis in a positi"e way( A lot o% people are h#ng #p on the words they #seU worried they might say the wrong thing( ?nless yo# are disrespecting yo#r clients or #sing a"ersion therapy or ma'ing s#ggestions that are #naccepta!le or con%lict with what o#r clients wo#ld li'e to e@perience as their goals$ there is really no danger in yo# saying the wrong thing( Nongard & Thomas 21 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone +% we mess #p a word or two$ itDs o'ay( +n reg#lar con"ersation + donOt always en#nciate e"ery word correctly$ and neither do yo#( *"ery now and then we trip o"er or misstate a word$ and it is o'ay i% we are not %lawless in o#r comm#nication when %acilitating an ind#ction or gi"ing s#ggestions( .ometimes when +Om writing on the !oard d#ring a training wor'shop + misspell words !eca#se +Dm !#sy
trying to thin' and tal' and teach and write( +tOs the same 'ind o% thing 8 my st#dents still #nderstand e@actly what + am trying to comm#nicate whether + spell all the words correctly or not( 1#r clients are in a state o% trance and will still #nderstand what we want them to do$ especially i% they are a willing participant engaged in the learning process( They are not necessarily aware o% a word or two that we missedU they are hearing the !roader conte@t( 2> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The *lements o% Hypnosis As yo# read the %ollowing disco#rse a!o#t the elements o% hypnosis$ thin' a!o#t whether or not yo# %eel yo# e@perienced them d#ring the pre"io#s demonstration( Hypnotic Koice ; Tone A signi%icant element o% the hypnotic process 8 which yo# were #na!le to e@perience in the traditional way thro#gh this medi#m$ #nless yo# had someone read the script to yo# 8 is the idea o% a Dhypnotic "oice(D +% yo# listen to any sel%8 hypnosis C<s or e@perience a li"e hypnosis session$ yo# may notice that the hypnotist
o%ten spea's in a rather di%%erent and special tone o% "oice$ one designed to con"ey con%idence$ calm$ tr#st$ and general serenity( This is important to the hypnotic process$ and yo# will want to practice this "oice to per%ection( /o# sho#ld spea' clearly and lo#dly 8 not necessarily lo#der than normal con"ersation$ !#t ta'e care that yo# do not whisper or trail o%% at the end o% words or sentences$ or drop consonants 4especially <s and Ts6( Also$ ta'e care not to spea' too A#ic'ly$ or too slowly( +t is good practice to reg#larly read alo#d %rom a !oo' or newspaper$ and to open yo#r mo#th a little wider when yo# spea'( <oing so$ yo# may notice that the words are clearer and proEect a more con%ident so#nd( /o# may wish to record yo#rsel% so that yo# 'now how yo#r "oice so#nds to others 4which is di%%erent than how it so#nds to yo#rsel%6$ and practice #sing di%%erent tones #ntil yo# are com%orta!le with !oth the A#ality and consistency( Nongard & Thomas 20 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Hypnotic Post#re
The way yo# are seated$ !oth the hypnotistDs physical post#re and the post#re o% the client$ can !e "ery important to the o#tcome o% the hypnotic process( 9e%ore + as'ed yo# to try the hypnosis demonstration$ d#ring the pre8tal' phase$ + said$ irst$ + wo#ld li'e yo# to %ind a com%orta!le place( Chances are yo# are already in a com%orta!le chair( 9y the way$ + li'e it when people are in chairs when they %irst learn hypnosis( Later on we can ta'e hypnosis to the !edroom and lie down$ !#t + donOt want my clients to %all asleep$ so a chair is per%ect( Ma'e s#re yo# are com%orta!le and ma'e s#re yo#r arms are at rest( Ma'e s#re yo#r legs arenOt crossed( + !elie"e it is important to get o#r clients in the correct post#re to learn hypnosis( Those who do yoga may %ind the techniA#es #se%#l %or helping o#r clients to e@perience a hypnotic post#re that is !ene%icial to rela@ation and the learning process( or the most part$ + want my clients com%orta!le in a chair with their arms to their side$ with their legs #ncrossed$ ta'ing a deep !reath$ and %eeling the air %ill their l#ngs( This helps prepare them %or the process o% rela@ation(
:ela@ation is not essential to hypnosis$ !#t it is certainly "ery #se%#l( As the hypnotist$ post#re is important to !oth yo#r o"erall pro%essional appearance and yo#r hypnotic "oice( +% yo# loo' down while reading a script alo#d and yo#r chin is close to yo#r chest$ it will change the tonal A#ality o% yo#r "oice( Try spea'ing !oth ways$ and notice the di%%erence 4record it i% possi!le6( :ead a passage 4%rom anything$ !#t pre%era!ly a hypnosis script6 alo#d while loo'ing down$ and then$ with yo#r head le"el 4eyes loo'ing %orward6 and yo#r nec' straight 8 read it alo#d again( /o# will notice that the so#nd o% yo#r "oice is immediately clearer with yo#r head raised$ !eca#se the laryn@ is a!le to wor' #nhindered( Always try to 'eep yo#r head le"el and yo#r nec' straight when yo# spea'$ as this adds to the clarity and the innate so#nd o% con%idence and a#thority in yo#r "oice( Additionally$ impro"ed physical %itness not only helps de"elop post#re and l#ng power$ !#t also tends to DsweetenD "ocal harmonics( 22 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnotic .etting
+ thin' a hypnotic setting is important( /o# may !e reading this !oo' in a "ariety o% di%%erent places( + too' %or granted earlier that yo# were in a com%orta!le$ A#iet en"ironment$ !#t this may not ha"e !een tr#e at allU yo# may ha"e !een reading on the s#!way or in a noisy o%%ice( /et$ can a client !e hypnotized in a noisy !arQ A!sol#tely R it can !e accomplished( + ha"e seen it done and + ha"e done it mysel%( People can !e hypnotized in any en"ironment$ howe"er in the therape#tic or clinical hypnosis process$ i% we ha"e the opport#nity to enhance hypnosis with a hypnotic setting$ we sho#ld ma'e the e%%ort( H#st as with traditional therapy$ yo# want to present an attit#de o% pro%essionalism with !oth yo#r own appearance and the s#rro#ndings o% the session( A com%orta!le chair sho#ld !e a"aila!le %or the client$ and yo# sho#ld !e com%orta!le as well$ whether sitting or standing( The room sho#ld !e %ree o% sight and so#nd distractions d#ring the ind#ction process( <imming lights are a pl#s$ and may!e decorate with a %ish tan' or rela@ing images on the walls$ com%orta!le
%#rnit#re( All o% these things can contri!#te positi"ely to a hypnotic setting( A Cilling .#!Eect or hypnosis to wor' the s#!Eect !eing hypnotized m#st !e willing to !e hypnotizedU they m#st want to listen and %ollow yo#r s#ggestions( +% yo# didnOt do what + as'ed yo# to do in the pre"io#s demonstration$ nothing will happen( 9y the way$ that was 'ind o% a pro%o#nd statement 8 i% o#r clients are not willing to do what we as' them to do$ + can reasona!ly g#arantee that nothing will change %or them( Howe"er$ when we ha"e a willing s#!Eect$ the hypnotic process is highly e%%ecti"e( ?nwilling$ ner"o#s$ or s'eptical clients may only need a more detailed pre8tal' e@planation o% the process to answer any lingering A#estions or concerns( .ho#ld they !e adamantly resistant$ they may simply need to !e re%erred %or more traditional %orms o% therapy( Nongard & Thomas 2& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Con%ident Therapist The additional characteristic we need is con%idence( Are yo#
con%ident that yo# can ind#ce a hypnotic tranceQ +t ta'es a !old person to get on stage in a noisy ta"ern and say$ ICelcome to tonightOs showF +% yo#Od li'e to e@perience hypnosis$ come on #p here to the stage and !ecome a star(J .tage hypnotists m#st !e "ery con%ident indi"id#als( + remem!er the %irst time + did a stage show) + was terri%iedF There is really no way to practice doing stage hypnosis$ there simply is no way to grasp that e@perience #ntil yo# are act#ally #p on stage doing it( /o# canOt E#st %ind &- or 1-- people and say that yo# want to try this o#t and see i% this wor'sU yo# ha"e to get it right the "ery %irst time$ and it ta'es a tremendo#s amo#nt o% con%idence to do so( Clinical hypnotists m#st also !e !old and ha"e con%idence in themsel"es and the hypnotic process( or the client to tr#st yo# and !e completely willing to %ollow yo#r s#ggestions d#ring the ind#ction and the s#ggesti"e hypnotherapy session$ they need to %eel that they are in competent hands$ so yo# m#st present yo#rsel% as !eing totally s#re a!o#t what yo# are doing 8 e"en at %irst when yo# are new and ine@perienced(
This is !oth an attit#de and a nat#ral s'ill that will come %rom practice( The only real way to practice hypnosis is to do it$ so once yo#D"e practiced a million times in yo#r head$ yo# essentially ha"e to D%a'e it #ntil yo# ma'e it$D cross yo#r %ingers$ hold yo#r !reath and E#st go %or it( Knowledge o% Approaches Another important element is 'nowledge o% "ario#s hypnotic approaches to ind#cing and deepening hypnosis$ and !eing a!le to determine 4thro#gh assessment6 which approaches will !e more !ene%icial to the indi"id#al client( This 'nowledge comes %rom research and practice$ along with a healthy dose o% common sense( +n the pre"io#s !rie% demonstration$ + #sed an eye %i@ation and rela@ation ind#ction( Ce will tal' in more detail a!o#t di%%erent methods o% ind#ction later 4*lman n#m!er co#nt$ .peed Trance$ arm 23 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly le"itation$ %ractionation$ etc6$ !#t %or now E#st 'now that it is important %or yo# to de"elop a !road repertoire o% techniA#es$ !eca#se di%%erent clients will respond !etter 4or worse6 to di%%erent
styles and approaches( or e@ample$ clients who ha"e ne"er !een hypnotized !e%ore can !e "ery an@io#s and apprehensi"e a!o#t the process( .ometimes in this circ#mstance + will #se an awareness ind#ction to help ease them into trance$ !y g#iding the client into e@periencing and !ecoming aware o% what their !ody is doing( H#st as some people li'e %lashy clothes and others are more s#!d#ed$ and some li'e roc' and roll m#sic and others pre%er co#ntry and western$ some clients li'e to %eel the hypnotic process physically or e"en see it "is#ally$ while others li'e to metaphorically dri%t$ dream and %loat( +% yo# try to %it e"ery client into the same generic ind#ction and deepening mold$ the hypnosis may not e%%ecti"e( Nongard & Thomas 2, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 25 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnotic Myth89#sting Now wo#ld !e a good time to tal' a!o#t some o% the myths associated with hypnosis( <#ring the initial inta'e or assessment process with a new client$ we need to disco"er i% they ha"e e"er !een
hypnotized !e%ore$ and i% not$ we need an idea o% what they 'now or thin' a!o#t hypnosis( Perhaps they ha"e listened to a hypnosis or rela@ation C<$ or ha"e seen a stage hypnotist at a co#nty %air$ or may!e all they 'now is that their neigh!or somehow A#it smo'ing with hypnosis$ whate"er that is$ and they want to A#it too( Clients o%ten call to sched#le a hypnosis appointment !eca#se they ha"e heard it can !e !ene%icial to them$ !#t they donOt 'now e@actly what hypnosis is$ and conseA#ently while they desire the !ene%its$ they may still !e %ear%#l o% the #n'nown process( Chen we #nderstand the many myths that people !elie"e a!o#t hypnosis$ we can address them d#ring the assessment process and the pre8tal'( +n order to !e e%%ecti"e at hypnosis$ yo# need to 'now the tr#th so yo# will ha"e answers %or yo#r clients and !e a!le to co#nter their misconceptions( Hypnosis <emonstrations are 9ad The %irst myth$ interestingly eno#gh$ is that stage hypnosis$ or hypnosis %or entertainment or any #se o#tside o% clinical care$ is !ad( .ome pro%essional associations li'e to espo#se that no one !#t an M<
or a psychologist sho#ld !e allowed to practice hypnosis$ and they are entitled to their position and attempt to proEect themsel"es as the only A#ali%ied e@perts in the %ield o% hypnosis( Howe"er$ in reality$ a lot o% non8medical people practice hypnosis$ and many o% those %ol's are stage per%ormers( The %act is$ hypnotic phenomena can !e A#ite entertaining$ and the stage per%ormer simply mani%ests or demonstrates nat#ral hypnotic phenomena with a gro#p o% indi"id#als( Catching yo#r %riend temporarily %orget her own name or the n#m!er two is %#nny( .eeing people acting silly on stage playing a m#sical instr#ment that doesnOt really e@ist is an am#sing thing to witness( Nongard & Thomas 27 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone <emonstrating hypnotic phenomena does not harm the s#!Eect( As a matter o% %act$ those who say that hypnosis sho#ld ne"er !e #sed %or entertainment pro!a!ly sho#ld not watch any o% Milton *ric'sonDs training "ideos$ !eca#se Milton *ric'son lo"ed to play with his patients( Many o% his "ideos %rom the 173-Os and ,-Os were
power%#l demonstrations o% physical and "er!al hypnotic phenomena$ !eca#se *ric'son himsel% %o#nd it entertaining as well as ed#cational( #rthermore$ many psychology pro%essors demonstrate hypnotic phenomena in their classrooms$ not only !eca#se it shows how power%#l hypnosis really is$ !#t also !eca#se itOs an entertaining thing to do in a h#m8dr#m class( Personally$ + thin' saying that a person sho#ld not !e allowed to demonstrate hypnotic phenomena on stage 4or anywhere o#tside a clinical o%%ice6 is a lot li'e saying a person canOt ma'e a mo"ie that is depressing !eca#se depression is real$ or that we sho#ldnOt !e a!le to ma'e a TK show that is happy !eca#se happiness is real( <emonstrating hypnotic phenomenon on stage is act#ally a good thing %or the pro%ession o"erall$ !eca#se as yo# will soon disco"er$ !e%ore most clients call o#r o%%ice %or an appointment$ their only e@perience with hypnosis was either "ia word o% mo#th or thro#gh witnessing a stage show( Chen someone sees a stage hypnotist per%orm$ they generally lea"e !elie"ing three things) 1ne$ that hypnotism is %#nU two that
hypnotism made people %eel good$ and three that hypnotism is power%#l R it really wor's( Now$ there are some !ad stage hypnotists o#t there$ E#st li'e there are !ad psychologists and social wor'ers( .ometimes people go to a traditional therapy session and lea"e %eeling misera!le$ and this can o% co#rse happen at a stage hypnosis show too$ or at a comedy show or a magic show or a roc' concert( People can ha"e !ad e@periences anywhere$ and some people E#st li'e to ha"e a !ad time( 1n the whole$ howe"er$ people lea"e a stage hypnosis show happily in awe$ and this positi"e e@pos#re is good %or dri"ing re%errals to the clinical pro%ession( &Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnosis is an Altered .tate o% Conscio#sness The second myth that people o%ten !elie"e is that hypnosis is a 4negati"ely6 altered state o% conscio#sness( An Ialtered stateJ implies an e@ternal %actor contri!#ting to a change$ s#ch as dr#n'enness or !eing stoned on dr#gs( Hypnosis$ as pre"io#sly disc#ssed$ is a nat#ral state that we all enter a %ew times each day( :esearchers ha"e di"ided
o#r nat#ral !rain %#nctions into %o#r separate le"els o% cycles per second$ or CP.( 4CP.6 Acti"ity Le"els) 1( 9*TA Normal daytime conscio#sness$ critical tho#ght le"el( 415 8 2CP.6 >( ALPHA :ela@ation le"el 8 !eginning to awa'en in the morning and crossing o"er into sleep at night( Associated with imaginati"e thin'ingU corresponds to light and medi#m le"els o% Hypnosis( 45 8 15 CP.6 0( TH*TA *arly stages o% sleepU deep daydreaming state( Associated with creati"e thin'ingU corresponds to medi#m and deep le"els o% Hypnosis( 42 8 , CP.6 2( <*LTA Pro%o#nd sleepU dream state( 41 8 0 CP.6 ThatDs itU thereDs no place else %or yo#r !rain to go$ d#ring hypnosis or otherwise( or most people$ hypnosis is a mid8alpha range acti"ity$ and altho#gh yo# are #nder hypnosis$ yo# remain %#lly conscio#s o% e"erything that is going on( Hypnosis is simply a matter o% setting aside the conscio#s
mind$ to one degree or another$ and selecti"ely %oc#sing oneDs attention on either a partic#lar point or a whole range o% e@periences( Nongard & Thomas &1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 9eca#se o% the hyper s#ggesti!ility inherent in the alpha and theta le"els$ positi"e programming d#ring hypnosis is e@tremely e%%ecti"e in helping to create positi"e li%e changes( 1#r !rains %#nction all day long !etween the highest le"el 4the !eta le"el6 and the lowest le"el o% !rain wa"e %#nctioning 4the delta le"el6( At !eta le"el$ !etween 15 and 2- cycles per second$ o#r !rain is at a %#lly alert stage( +% yo# are dri"ing in r#sh ho#r tra%%ic or yo# are loo'ing at a map trying to %ind a new ro#te home$ chances are pretty good yo# are %#nctioning in the highest le"els o% !eta !rain wa"e acti"ity( This is typical daytime alertnessU we are conscio#sly aware o% the things aro#nd #s and we are ma'ing cogniti"e decisions a!o#t actions and people and the things( *arly in the morning when we %irst get #p$ when we are crossing o"er into sleep at night$ and e"en may!e aro#nd two or three
oOcloc' in the a%ternoon a%ter a long l#nch$ we are li'ely to !e at the alpha le"el o% !rain wa"e %#nctioning$ !etween 5 and 15 cycles per second( At this le"el$ we are awa'e !#t rela@ed( This is the stage where imaginati"e thin'ing or daydreaming occ#rs$ and it corresponds to light and medi#m le"els o% trance( The theta le"el o% !rain wa"e %#nctioning$ at 2 to , cycles per second$ is a pro%o#nd state o% deep trance( Theta is associated with the early stages o% sleep and sometimes with deeper daydreams$ and corresponds with creati"e thin'ing and medi#m to deep le"els o% hypnosis( The deepest le"el o% !rain wa"e %#nctioning is the delta le"el$ 1 to 0 cycles per second( At a!o#t %o#r oOcloc' in the morning$ yo#Dre in the delta le"el$ a state o% deep and pro%o#nd sleep( No matter the time o% day or night$ we are %#nctioning !etween nat#ral !eta and delta le"elsU we canOt go anywhere else( Hypnotized .#!Eects are Asleep The third common myth regarding hypnosis is that the s#!Eect is asleep( Hypnosis comes %rom the Nree' word hypnos$ which
literally translates to sleep$ howe"er this name is inacc#rate( Hypnosis is generally a pro%o#nd state o% rela@ation$ a lowered state o% !rain le"el %#nctioning and acti"ity where o#r s#!conscio#s mind is more att#ned and open to new ideas$ !#t it is di%%erent %rom sleepU a sleeping person cannot #s#ally respond to s#ggestion( &> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +% yo# #se the word sleep with yo#r clients$ let them 'now$ especially d#ring the ind#ction$ that this is not li'e night time sleep$ this is sleep li'e rela@ation and letting go o% the tension o% the day( Hypnosis Con%licts with :eligion The %o#rth myth$ which ties in closely with the %i%th$ is that hypnosis "iolates religio#s r#les( + was chatting with a %riend who is a massage therapist and as'ed her$ IHey$ do yo# and yo#r h#s!and e"er #se hypnosis at yo#r massage therapy clinicQJ Her eyes grew wide and she stammered$ I1h no( Ce wo#ld ne"er do that(J C#rio#s a!o#t her response$ + as'ed$ IChy notQJ .he said$ INo$ no( Hypnosis "iolates o#r religion(J +nstead o% getting into a de!ate$ + E#st accepted her answer and
mo"ed on( There are a lot o% people o#t there who !elie"e there is a religio#s prohi!ition against hypnosis$ and + thin' this comes primarily %rom the myths or misconceptions that people ha"e a!o#t hypnosis$ s#ch as hypnosis is a door8way to the de"il or a'in to mind control( Hypnosis is a orm o% Mind Control This !rings #s to the %i%th myth$ that a hypnotized person s#!Eects their mind or gi"es their will o"er to the control o% another person( This is not tr#e( The ."engali8esA mystical$ all8power%#l A#ality attached to hypnosis originally came a!o#t %rom the 1572 no"el Tril!y$ !y Neorge <# Ma#rier$ which interestingly eno#gh has !een called the %irst D9est .eller(D <# Ma#rier died two years later !#t his characters$ the e"il stage hypnotist ."engali and his a!#sed lo"e Tril!y$ still li"e on today$ ha"ing !een recreated !y Hollywood an impressi"e twel"e times !etween 1573 and 1750$ and the !oo' was rep#!lished again in 1772( Admittedly$ some stage hypnotists li'e to !e percei"ed as ha"ing magical powers !eca#se it ma'es %or good showmanshipU that
is their chosen per%ormance persona$ their stage presence approach$ e"en tho#gh it is not a scienti%ic reality( Again$ hypnosis is a pro"en sa%e$ nat#ral and e%%ecti"e process that harnesses nat#ral a!ilities$ Nod8gi"en a!ilities$ i% yo# !elie"e that way$ which already reside within #s( And !eca#se o% this %act$ + cannot thin' o% any religion that wo#ldnOt want #s to #se o#r mind to the highest le"el o% potential$ or Nongard & Thomas &0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone any religion that has a !elie% system contra8 indicated !y hypnotic process( The only reason a person wo#ld !elie"e that religio#s r#les prohi!it hypnosis is !eca#se they ha"e a mis#nderstanding a!o#t the tr#e nat#re o% hypnosisU they !elie"e it to !e an altered state o% conscio#sness$ or perhaps a %orm o% meditation that is opposed to their accepted %orm o% meditation$ when others wo#ld say that hypnosis is really the opposite o% meditation( Personally$ my theory is that i% the de"il can clim! inside a personDs mind that easily$ he pro!a!ly doesnOt need a hypnotic process to do so( Howe"er$ the
reality o% Christian ideology is an entirely separate de!ate$ and one which we will now lea"e to dinner parties and theologians( A hypnotized person does not yield control and does not do anything in a hypnotic state that they wo#ld !e opposed to doing in a wa'ing state( Certainly people are more s#ggesti!le to ideas and new !eha"iors that are !ased on tr#th$ !#t they are not s#ggesti!le to the point that they will "iolate their personal moral !elie%s or the r#les o% society( The C+A and the KN9 spent a lot o% time and money in the 17&-Os and 3-Os trying to %ig#re o#t how to #se hypnosis to create the per%ect drone$ the h#man witho#t a conscience( 1!"io#sly$ had they s#cceeded$ o#r world wo#ld li'ely !e a %ar di%%erent place( The original Manch#rian Candidate mo"ie with ran' .inatra in 1730$ howe"er$ had !etter s#ccess and was a!le to #se hypnosis to create the per%ect drone Presidential assassin( Hollywood li'es to play the mind8control card !eca#se it ma'es good theater$ !#t the reality is people maintain total control d#ring hypnosis$ always possessing the a!ility to accept or reEect any s#ggestions they recei"e %rom the
hypnotist( Hypnosis is simply a lot more interesting and entertaining when portrayed as something sinister or comedic( Li'ewise$ the a"erage soccer mom dri"ing her sedan down a city street is rather !oring to witness when compared to a high8 speed Maserati8dri"ing dr#g8dealer police chase on the %reeway( #rther proo% a!o#t the lac' o% mind8control can act#ally !e %o#nd at the occasional !ad stage hypnosis show( People li'e to ha"e %#n and %eel good$ and when a hypnotist !egins to disrespect the s#!Eects or gi"e negati"e s#ggestions$ they will !e reEected( + attended a show at a comedy cl#! once and it was pretty good R the s#!Eects were A#ite responsi"e and e"eryone was ha"ing a good time R #ntil a!o#t hal% way thro#gh the show( + donDt 'now what happened$ !#t &2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly the hypnotistDs mood changed or may!e he decided on the spot to e@periment a !it$ and it all went downhill %rom there( He was gi"ing post8hypnotic s#ggestions with 'eywords$ and #nli'e the tone o% the pre"io#s s'its$ these were all negati"e( or
e@ample$ he act#ally said$ IThe person + am to#ching now$ when + say the word 9l#e$ yo# will %eel as i% someone has 'ic'ed yo# in the !alls(J And then$ mo"ing on to the ne@t person$ he act#ally said$ IThe person +Dm to#ching now$ when + say the word Candida$ yo# will %eel as i% someone has goosed yo#$ yo# 'now$ po'ed their %inger right #p in yo#r ass hole and ga"e it a good twist(J 4/es$ he really said this(6 As a general r#le$ when 'eywords are #sed li'e this in a stage show they are attached to h#moro#s !eha"iors$ li'e$ IAny time + say the color 9l#e$ yo# will E#mp #p and sing 9l#e .#ede .hoes and dance li'e *l"is(J Most anyone can and wo#ld happily respond to this silly s#ggestion$ !#t no one li'es to %eel as i% theyD"e !een !lind8sided with a 'ic' in the groin$ or elsewhere( This hypnotist went on to gi"e se"en s#!Eects se"en di%%erent 'eywords$ all with these 'inds o% terri!ly negati"e s#ggestions( Let me E#st state again that this was not a good showF Cho wo#ld want to e@perience those 'inds o% thingsQ Chere is the h#mor in thisQ *"en mem!ers o% the a#dience were ta'en a!ac'( These people "ol#nteered
to go #p on stage !eca#se they were told it was going to !e %#n and they wo#ld %eel good$ !#t now the hypnotist is handing o#t nonpleas#ra!le$ non8am#sing s#ggestions( ?nli'e the %irst >- or 0min#tes o% the show when things were going well and e"eryone was la#ghing and ha"ing a great time$ the s#!Eects now appeared a little con%#sed and ner"o#s$ li'ely wondering i% they co#ld still tr#st the hypnotist( Not good( He then went on with his patter or script where he #ses the 'eywords and the s#!Eect responds accordingly( He said$ ICell$ + went o#tside my hotel today and !oy was it pretty o#tF + loo'ed #p at the clear !l#e s'yVJ And the !l#e 'eyword s#!Eect E#st sat there( He didnOt respond( The hypnotist was clearly a little s#rprised$ so he mo"ed on to the ne@t 'eyword$ I.o + was tal'ing to my %riend CandidaV and Candida said(((J Again$ there was no response %rom the selected s#!Eect$ and now the hypnotist was e"en more rattled( He A#ic'ly went thro#gh all se"en o% his 'eywords and only one o#t o% the se"en participants responded$ !#t witho#t m#ch e@citement(
1!"io#sly relie"ed to !e done with that part o% the act$ the hypnotist Nongard & Thomas && Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone then went into a deepening s'it and came !ac' with more typical types o% silly s'its$ !#t the s#!Eects ne"er again responded A#ite as enth#siastically as they had d#ring the !eginning o% the show( .o again$ when we are hypnotized$ we do not yield control to another person$ we simply !ecome more s#ggesti!le in regards to accepting tr#e and !ene%icial patterns o% thin'ing( /o# Can 9ecome .t#c' in Hypnosis 1ne o% the greatest e@amples o% the si@th myth is displayed in the 1777 mo"ie$ 1%%ice .pace( +% yo# ha"enDt seen it$ go rent it( +tDs a really %#nny %ilm e"en with all the %alse st#%% a!o#t hypnosis( +n the mo"ie$ the main character$ Peter Ni!!ins$ is con"inced !y his girl%riend to go see a hypnotist$ and while heDs in trance recei"ing s#ggestions to rela@$ let go$ not worry so m#ch$ the hypnotist has a heart attac' and dies( Peter is then allegedly st#c' in a state o% hypnosis %or most o% the remainder o% the mo"ie$ happily li"ing A#ite
laissez8%aire$ and la#ghter ens#es( +% a hypnotherapist died in the middle o% a session 4or i% the power was c#t when listening to a sel%8 hypnosis C<6$ one o% two things wo#ld happen) one$ the client wo#ld stop hearing the hypnotic "oice and !ecome more alert and wa'e #p$ or two$ they wo#ld enter a deeper le"el o% trance and e"ent#ally %all into nat#ral sleep$ wa'ing nat#rally when they were rested( These are the only two things that can happen to a person who is hypnotizedU they will either wa'e #p or they will %all asleep( :emem!er$ o#r !rains are always wor'ing at one o% %o#r le"els o% %#nctioning) !eta$ alpha$ theta or delta( 1nly .ome People Can 9e Hypnotized This is simply #ntr#e( Anyone and e"eryone can !e hypnotized( Perhaps at a comedy stage hypnosis show only >- o#t o% 1-- are willing to go #p on stage$ and may!e only 1, o% those >- will rela@ and tr#st the process eno#gh to enter a A#ali%ying trance$ !#t the reality is that e"eryone can !e hypnotized( 1'ay$ there may !e a %ew sit#ational e@ceptionsU + s#ppose dr#n' or dr#gged people$ or perhaps those whose mental de%icits pre"ent concentration$ rela@ation
or the %ollowing o% directions might not !e easily hypnotiza!le( &3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly *"eryone has the a!ility to enter a di%%erent state o% !rainwa"e %#nctioning R E#st as they do on a reg#lar !asis in their daily li"es$ dri"ing a car$ watching a mo"ie$ going to ch#rch$ doing whate"er it is that people do( +t is tr#e that some people choose not to !e hypnotized in certain settings !eca#se their an@iety le"els are too high( ?s#ally this means that we ha"enOt done an adeA#ate pre8tal' to ed#cate them a!o#t hypnosis and help them o"ercome their %ears( .ome people are also more responsi"e to one style o% ind#ction o"er another$ !#t a lot o% this is dependent on their mood at the time$ which can !e assessed and targeted d#ring the inter"iew phase( .t#pid People are *asier to Hypnotize A common misconception is that wea' or less intelligent minds are easier to hypnotize( +n reality$ it is %ar easier to hypnotize people who ha"e the a!ility to concentrate and %oc#s and learn new things( The smarter yo# are$ the easier it is to concentrate$ and the harder yo# %all( As' any stage per%ormer and they will tell yo# they
pre%er doing college shows to any other %orm o% stage hypnosis( ChyQ College st#dents are smartU they had to !e smart eno#gh to get into college$ their minds are yo#ng and acti"e and they are acc#stomed to st#dying and %ollowing directions( Hypnosis is Considered a SNew AgeO or SAlternati"eO Therapy People o%ten thin' o% hypnosis as Dnew age$D !#t it has !een aro#nd %or cent#ries( *gyptian hieroglyphics record #se o% hypnosis$ and Nree' sleep temples #sed hypnosis %or healing( Perhaps !eca#se the %ield is still not legally reg#lated in most ?. states$ #nlicensed practitioners 8 who may also !e drawn to other #nreg#lated or alternati"e healing methods 8 tend to learn and practice hypnosis at a greater rate than the rest o% the pop#lation$ !#t hypnosis in and o% itsel% is not part o% any new age mo"ement or alternati"e therapy scheme( :emem!er$ the most prominent medical and psychological pro%essional associations are not e@actly the most li!eral and accepting gro#ps when it comes to alternati"e therapies$ yet they all do %ormally accept hypnosis( Nongard & Thomas &,
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone And the terms$ INew AgeJ and Ialternati"e therapyJ arenOt really #se%#l termsU they are generally #sed negati"ely !y one gro#p in power to descri!e something that is either #npro%ita!le to them$ c#ts into their !ase o% power o% %inances$ or something they ha"e not ta'e the time to #nderstand( .#ggesti!ility is a'e +% yo# really !elie"e that s#ggesti!ility isnDt real or doesnDt wor'$ E#st as' any ad"ertising e@ec#ti"e and then stand !ac'( /o# wonDt want to !e hit when they do#!le o"er la#ghing( How many items ha"e yo# !o#ght something yo# really didnDt need Ion imp#lseJ at the chec'8o#t co#nterQ Ha"e yo# e"er yawned a%ter seeing the "is#al c#e o% someone else yawning %irstQ History is replete with people responding to s#ggestion 8 o%ten in mass 8 sometimes in healthy ways and sometimes in negati"e ways( How a!o#t right now$ do yo# %eel li'e stretching and yawningQ Hypnosis is the 9est Treatment %or *"erything This myth is a little di%%erent( .ome people !elie"e that hypnosis is always the !est way to sol"e all pro!lems$ !#t this is not
tr#eU the !est sol#tion to a pro!lem will o!"io#sly depend on what the pro!lem is and the #niA#e needs o% the indi"id#al( <i%%erent people respond !etter or worse to di%%erent approaches$ depending on the iss#e at hand( or e@ample$ in my career as a dr#g and alcohol co#nselor + ha"e #sed nicotine replacement therapy$ methadone replacement therapy$ 1>8.tep programs$ !eha"ioral sel%8control training and many other treatment approaches( Hypnosis is e@tremely e%%ecti"e at impacting many iss#es and conditions$ !#t it is not the !e8all and end8 all o% therapy( The e%%ecti"e hypnotist sho#ld !e aware o% many di%%erent approaches$ and !e willing to re%er i% the !etter choice is o#tside the scope o% their practice a!ilities( Hypnosis is a way to sol"e some pro!lems( There is more than one way to s'in a cat$ and there is more than one way to A#it smo'ing( Hypnosis$ as with any other %orm o% treatment$ wor's %or those whom it wor's %or( &5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Trance <epth M#st 9e Certain
Another common erroneo#s !elie% is that trance depth is important( + ha"e met many hypnotists who !elie"e it is essential that their clients go into pro%o#nd states o% trance !e%ore they will !egin s#ggesti"e wor'( +n reality$ the s#!conscio#s mind will do its wor' at any stage or le"el o% trance( At the concl#sion o% a session a client once said to me$ I/o# 'now$ + %elt really rela@ed$ !#t + was aware o% e"erything yo# said and e"erything that was going on(J + then as'ed him how long the session was$ and he said$ IPretty short this time$ only a!o#t ten min#tes(J The session had act#ally !een a!o#t a hal%8ho#r long( Time distortion( + then as'ed him a!o#t some o% the things + s#ggested$ !#t he was #na!le to answer my A#estions with any detail$ !eca#se in reality$ he had !een in a m#ch deeper le"el o% trance than he e"en imagined possi!le( + want my clients to !e rela@ed and %eel good$ to let go o% their pro!lems and lea"e them 1--- miles away( Trance depth is #nimportant in clinical therapy( 1#r clients$ e"en in the lightest le"els o% trance$ will !e a!le to learn new s'ills and !ene%it %rom hypnosis(
Ce sho#ld not get h#ng #p on aiming %or trance depth$ !#t instead simply %oc#s on teaching o#r clients new s'ills and how to apply them to pro!lem8sol"ing in li%e( A#dio C<s are Not :eal Hypnosis The %inal myth is that recorded hypnosis$ li'e sessions on a tape or C<$ is not real hypnosis( As a matter o% %act$ the Ho#rnal o% Nastroenterology %o#nd that when treating irrita!le !owel syndrome$ clients responded eA#ally as well to recorded hypnosis sessions as they did to li"e sessions( or the hypnotic process to wor'$ what is important is whether or not the client %ollows the directions that are gi"en( +% they do$ they will e@perience trance and learn new s'ills$ and their s#!conscio#s will !e s#pplied with new in%ormation with which they can ta'e new actions( +% they do not %ollow directions$ these things will not happen$ whether they were listening to Memore@ or a li"e hypnotist( Nongard & Thomas &7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Li"e hypnosis does ha"e 'ey ad"antages howe"er$ s#ch as the
a!ility to !e interacti"e when appropriate and adE#st yo#r s#ggestions !ased on client o!ser"ation and %eed!ac'( A recording can as' A#estions %or the client to ponder$ !#t a "irt#al hypnotist cannot help ma'e their answers more prod#cti"e with additional or alternati"e targeted s#ggestions( 3Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The History o% Hypnosis The %o#ndations and the history o% hypnosis are !oth %ascinating and e@tremely important %or helping #s to tr#ly #nderstand the origins and nat#re o% o#r cra%t$ !#t donDt worry$ we wonOt spend too m#ch time here$ as + am s#re yo# are eager to !egin practicing hypnotic s'ills( irst and %oremost we need to #nderstand that hypnosis is not newU it has !een #sed since the earliest records o% man'ind %or healing$ al!eit !y a di%%erent name( .ome e"en claim that hypnosis was act#ally #sed at the !eginning o% time( The Nelson .t#dy 9i!le states in Nenesis >)>1) IAnd the Lord Nod ca#sed a deep sleep to %all on Adam and he sleptU and He too' one o% his ri!s$ and closed #p the
%lesh in its place(J +Om not getting into religion$ !#t + do %ind it interesting that one o% the %irst stories recorded in the !i!le is a story that seems to ha"e the description o% hypnosis !eing #sed as an anesthetic d#ring s#rgery( Ce o% co#rse cannot 'now i% that really is or is not the case$ !#t it is certainly a c#rio#s concept to consider( Ce do 'now %or a %act$ howe"er$ that early Nree' and *gyptian ci"ilizations #sed hypnotic trance8li'e sleep states %or healing( They !#ilt what were called .leep Temples$ with hieroglyphics on the walls depicting doctor8li'e %ig#res standing o"er what appear to !e sleeping or tranced indi"id#als d#ring a healing process( +n the 1&--Os$ the Middle Ages$ the pre"ailing opinion was that disease was ca#sed !y e"il spirits or !y doing !ad things( +n response$ priests and mystics #sed hypnosis %or healing !y p#tting people into a trance8li'e state and #sing hypnosis to rid people o% the "ario#s conditions with which they were a%%licted as a res#lt o% their sin%#l !eha"ior( Today we might call this an e@orcism( Ce mo"e into a more scienti%ic era o% hypnosis at a!o#t 1,5&(
ranz Anton Mesmer$ who is o% co#rse the origin o% the words mesmerize and mesmerism$ was clearly a signi%icant player in terms o% the history o% hypnosis( Mesmer !elie"ed that there is magnetism in all things and all people$ and that the %low o% this magnetism$ when interr#pted$ ca#ses all illness( Nongard & Thomas 31 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone As a treatment$ he had his patients rela@ while he ho"ered his hands or wa"ed magnetic rods o"er them( A%ter se"eral min#tes o% passes$ he declared them c#red( 9e%ore long his %ame spread to a phenomenal degree$ and he was c#ring #p to 0--- patients per day$ #ntil e"ent#ally 9enEamin ran'lin was called in !y the King o% rance to in"estigate and declared his wor' to !e nothing more than Iimagination$J or in other words) the place!o e%%ect( 9#t consider the place!o e%%ect 8 itDs a lot li'e hypnosis$ isnOt itQ And e"en i% there was no tr#th in MesmerDs theory o% animal magnetism$ what he did 4simply a di%%erent way o% ind#cing trance6 wor'ed %or some reason$ and e"en a%ter !eing so8called de!#n'ed !y
ran'lin$ he still had many %ollowers( Two !elie"ers who piggy!ac'ed on MesmerDs wor' and #nderstanding o% trance and applied it in a di%%erent way were physicians Hames *sdaile and Hames 9raid( *sdaile$ who li"ed in 9ritish +ndia in the 15--Os$ recorded doing o"er 02- in"asi"e s#rgical proced#res #sing an adaptation o% mesmerism or hypnosis as an anesthetic( Mo"ing on to 1521$ Hames 9raid also per%ormed s#rgeries #sing hypnosis( 9raid is not only considered the I ather o% Modern Hypnosis$J !#t was also the %irst Ihypnotherapist$J credited with care%#lly choosing and then pop#larizing the word hypnosis$ which as mentioned pre"io#sly is deri"ed %rom the Nree' word hypnos$ re%erring to the god o% sleep( Mesmer may !e regarded as the grand%ather o% hypnosis$ !#t 9raid is the one who recognized the meaning and power o% the hypnotic state$ side8stepped aro#nd animal magnetism and the !ad p#!licity o% Dmesmerism$D ignored the imagination set$ and ad"anced research tremendo#sly along the psycho8 physiological path$ leading
#s towards todayDs %orm o% hypnosis and hypnotherape#tic practice( Than's to 9raid$ !y the 155-Ds$ many physicians were per%orming great wor' and research in the area o% medical and psychological hypnosis( or e@ample$ in 1552$ Am!roise LiW!ea#lt emphasized how hypnosis was a nat#ral phenomenon ind#ced !y the power o% s#ggestion( His ideas %o#nded the Nancy .chool 4or .#ggesti"e .chool6 o% tho#ght regarding hypnosis$ where Xmile Co#W 3> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly and .igm#nd re#d came to o!ser"e and st#dy( LiW!ea#lt is considered the I ather o% Modern Hypnotherapy(J rom 1712 to 1715 d#ring Corld Car +$ chemical anesthesia had not yet come into play !#t the Nermans #sed hypnosis on the !attle%ield %or analgesic needs$ pain management and s#rgical proced#res$ and as a psychiatric treatment( 1ne o% the %irst recorded #ses o% hypnosis %or treatment o% psychiatric disorders was !y the Nermans %or what was then called shell8shoc' syndrome( Ce mo"e now into the early to mid817--Os$ with Milton
*ric'son and Xmile Co#W$ two gentlemen who ha"e pro!a!ly had the greatest in%l#ence on o#r generationDs "ersion o% modern hypnotism( Milton *ric'son came #p with the hypothesis that not only is hypnosis is a nat#rally occ#rring phenomenon$ !#t there%ore %ormal ind#cti"e proced#res are not necessary in order to prod#ce trance or therape#tic !ene%its or to help people ma'e changes( As mentioned !e%ore$ *ric'sonDs method o% psychotherapy in"ol"es #sing con"ersational hypnotic lang#age in order to ind#ce trance in indi"id#als( He wo#ld start his sessions !y tal'ing a!o#t the e"eryday e@periences that clients ha"e( This con"ersational approach predicates hypnotic inter"ention on the clientDs %rame o% re%erence$ and this model o% therapy is adhered to !y most practitioners who #se hypnotherapy pro%essionally today( +n the early 17--Os$ Xmile Co#W was$ in my mind at least$ the I ather o% Positi"e Thin'ing(J He !elie"ed that repeating words or images eno#gh times will ca#se the s#!conscio#s to a!sor! them$ and s#!seA#ently he de"eloped a mantra8li'e conscio#s a#to8s#ggestion$
G*"ery day$ in e"ery way$ +Dm getting !etter and !etter(G <a"e *lman is another hypnotic pioneer who operated at the same time as Milton *ric'son 417&-Ds83-Ds6( *lman pioneered many rapid and directi"e #ses o% hypnotic trance and created the %amo#s S*lman +nd#ction$O a 08min#te hypnotic ind#ction still #sed %reA#ently today( This !rie% disco#rse %rom page &, o% indings in Hypnosis sho#ld gi"e yo# a good idea o% <a"e *lmanDs %#ndamental philosophy) IThe ways o% ind#cting hypnosis are almost co#ntless( And while some methods ta'e longer than others$ they can all !e #sed to prod#ce the deep state 'nown as somnam!#lism((( The methods o% achie"ing the trance state are limited only !y yo#r own imagination( Nongard & Thomas 30 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone There is no way in which yo# cannot hypnotize a patient$ pro"ided yo# 'now the art o% s#ggestion((( .ince eye8 clos#re is the %irst goal at which yo# m#st aim$ all yo# need is a de"ice that will ca#se it( Any de"ice will ca#se it$ pro"ided yo# 'now the art o% s#ggestion and
pro"ided the person e@pects to !e hypnotized((( This applies e"en to patients who ha"e ne"er !een pre"io#sly conditioned(J 32 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Three Laws o% .#ggestion Xmile Co#W also came #p with what + re%er to as the Three Laws o% .#ggestion( These pro"ide a %o#ndation %or most o% the s#ggesti"e therapy that we will #se with the clients on o#r caseload today( The Law o% Concentrated Attention Chene"er attention is concentrated on an idea o"er and o"er again$ it spontaneo#sly tends to realize itsel%$ pro"ided the idea is within the realms o% possi!ility( Co#WDs %oc#s was on aiding the e%%ects o% medications %or medical conditions$ and he !elie"ed that i% a patient !elie"ed that the medicine wo#ld wor' and they wo#ld !e c#red$ and %oc#sed their attention on !eing c#red$ they wo#ld indeed !ecome c#red( This approach was amazingly e%%ecti"e( The Law o% :e"erse *%%ort Co#W !elie"ed that the harder one tries to do something$ the less chance they ha"e %or s#ccess( A per%ect e@ample is when yo#
really need a good nightDs sleep$ and yo# 'now the alarm is going to go o%% at si@ oOcloc' in the morning$ so yo# go to !ed at ten oOcloc' instead o% ele"en oOcloc' !eca#se yo# 'now yo# need to sleep( /o# try to ma'e yo#rsel% sleep$ and now itOs ele"en oOcloc'( /o#Ore %lopping aro#nd on the !ed trying to get com%orta!le$ trying to sleep$ and at midnight yo#Ore still rolling aro#nd( At two8thirty in the morning$ yo#O"e had itF /o#Ore at the point where yo#Ore loo'ing at the cloc' saying$ I1'ay$ i% + go to sleep now$ +Oll ha"e three ho#rs and %orty8one min#tes o% sleep(J And then a while later itDs$ I+% + %inally get to sleep now$ +Oll ne"er !e a!le to wa'e #p$ so +Dd !etter E#st get #p now and stay awa'e(J This is the law o% re"erse e%%ort in action( The more someone tries to A#it smo'ing$ the more they smo'e( The more yo# try to remem!er something$ the harder it is to remem!er( Co#WDs idea was to %oc#s less on the willpower and more on the imagination %or greater res#lts$ and to replace negati"e tho#ghts with positi"e ones( or e@ample$ donDt stress and say$ I+Dll Nongard & Thomas 3&
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ne"er remem!er the com!ination to that loc'FJ +nstead$ say$ I1h well$ it will come to me in a %ew min#tes$J and most li'ely it will( The Law o% <ominant *%%ect The law o% dominant e%%ect means that a strong emotional s#ggestion tends to replace a wea'er one( The more emotionally intense or rele"ant a concept is$ the more li'ely it is to ta'e hold and !e %ollowed( Xmile Co#W was a "ery important and "al#ed contri!#tor to o#r early #nderstanding o% hypnosis$ and we will rely hea"ily on the principles o% his three laws o% s#ggestion as we str#ct#re o#r hypnotic s#ggestions( 33 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 0 The Mechanics o% the Hypnotic Process ~ How to Hypnotize Anyone This is it$ what yo#D"e !een waiting %or) /o# are a!o#t to learn the mechanics o% hypnosis$ how to act#ally wor' thro#gh the hypnotic process and ind#ce trance in someone( Ce will spend some time tal'ing a!o#t the %#ndamental steps
in"ol"ed in pre8tal' and assessment$ ind#ction and deepening techniA#es$ pre8scripted s#ggesti"e scripts$ and awa'ening or dehypnotizing o#r client( +% yo# %ollow this process$ yo# will indeed !e a!le to hypnotize anyone( Howe"er$ there is more to hypnotherapy than simply !eing a!le to p#t someone into a trance li'e state$ and we will disc#ss these things as well along the way( Nongard & Thomas 3, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 35 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Pre8Tal' 9e%ore we act#ally !egin an ind#cti"e process$ a pre8tal' is essential( +% yo# go see a stage per%ormance$ d#ring the %irst %i"e or so min#tes !e%ore the hypnotist in"ites "ol#nteers #p to the stage he or she will gi"e an introd#ction and the pre8tal'( Chen a client comes to yo# %or a hypnotherapy appointment$ they wonOt come in$ sit in the recliner and instantly !e ind#cted( +nstead$ yo# will %irst to spend a little !it o% time with the client per%orming an assessment inter"iew as part o% the pre8tal'(
<#ring the pre8tal'$ we will %ind o#t whether or not o#r client !een hypnotized !e%ore$ and i% so$ what their e@perience was li'e( Ce will !#ild rapport !y matching and mirroring their !ody lang#age and patterns o% speech$ and E#st generally !eing nice and %riendly( Ce will then as' i% they ha"e any speci%ic A#estions %or #s( .ometimes o#r clients ha"e A#estions %or #s a!o#t hypnosis that weO"e ne"er e"en tho#ght a!o#t !e%ore$ so it is important to as' not only !eca#se it o"ercomes resistance$ !#t also !eca#se on many occasions we can learn something %rom o#r clients( They may ha"e %ears and an@ieties a!o#t hypnosis which are logically a!s#rd$ !#t ignorance is simply an a!sence o% 'nowledge$ so it is o#r Eo! to !e patient and gently lead them to a place o% #nderstanding and acceptance thro#gh ed#cation and answering A#estions( + let clients 'now that e"en tho#gh + might #se the word sleep they will not act#ally !e asleepU sleep in this conte@t is E#st another word %or a trance8li'e state( And$ depending on the response + recei"e$ + may also de%ine the word trance( Trance is a nat#ral occ#rring
phenomenon and a state o% !eing that we all e@perience e"ery day$ m#ch li'e highway hypnosis( +tOs a condition o% pro%o#nd rela@ation( Li'e when yo#Dre dri"ing a car and ((( + let my clients 'now$ I/o# canOt stay hypnotized( + canOt get yo# to do anything against yo#r will$ and yo# will always !e sa%e and can emerge at anytime yo# choose$J and so %orth( The pre8tal' also !#ilds tr#st( 1#r clients are essentially going to !e sleeping with #s %or the ne@t 0- min#tes or so$ i% yo#Oll e@c#se the phrase$ and so they want to 'now the person with whom they will !e sleeping( Clients need to %eel they can tr#st me$ to 'now that :ichard really is a nice g#y who wants to help them o#t( 9#ilding Nongard & Thomas 37 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone tr#st is essential d#ring the pre8tal'$ !eca#se i% we donOt ha"e the clientDs tr#st we will not !#ild a therape#tic relationship$ which means it is #nli'ely they will go into a trance state and enEoy the !ene%its o% hypnosis( + always let my clients 'now d#ring the pre8tal' that there are %o#r things + can promise them)
N#m!er one is that they are going to %eel !etter than they ha"e e"er %elt !e%ore i% they participate in todayOs session( N#m!er two is that all hypnosis is sel%8 hypnosis( + am not going to !e doing anything to them$ !#t + am going to !e g#iding them thro#gh a process o% hypnosis that their !odies already 'now how to participate in( N#m!er three is that hypnosis will in %act help them with the iss#es that they ha"e presented today( And n#m!er %o#r$ + always ass#re my clients that while we are engaged in the process o% hypnosis + will ne"er as' them to do anything h#miliating nor to re"eal any secrets to me that are not part o% the presenting pro!lem and the therape#tic process( +Oll tell them right #p %ront that + respect what is important to themU their pri"acy and their dignity( All o% these things are important to comm#nicate d#ring the pre8tal' and assessment inter"iew session( Con"incers Con"incers are another hallmar' o% the pre8 tal'$ partic#larly with new clients$ as they help to !rea' the ice and let people 'now
what hypnosis is really all a!o#t$ thro#gh demonstrations or e@amples o% wa'ing hypnosis( This helps clients learn the process o% %ollowing s#ggestions$ and helps #s to meas#re resistance and sel%de"elopment( +% we do a co#ple o% con"incers d#ring the pre8 tal' phase and the client is not responding appropriately$ then may!e we need to go !ac' and address more their potential myths or %ears$ to disco"er how or why this person come in with the idea o% challenging the hypnotist$ or whate"er their resistance iss#e may !e( ,Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 1ne o% the most pop#lar con"incers %reA#ently #sed !y !oth stage hypnotists and clinical hypnotherapists is the simple I ingers <rawn TogetherJ test() IHold yo#r arms straight o#t in %ront o% yo#$ with yo#r %ingers clasped together$ and then e@tend the pointer or inde@ %inger o% each hand( Now$ p#ll those two %ingers apart as %ar as possi!le$ and stare hard at the space !etween them( As yo# stare !etween yo#r %ingers a magnetic %orce !egins to p#ll yo#r %ingers together(
/o# will notice that no matter how hard yo# try to 'eep yo#r %ingers apart$ they are !eing drawn closer and closer together( The harder yo# p#ll$ the stronger the magnet !ecomes and p#lls them together( oc#s on the space !etween yo#r %ingers( P#ll harder( Can yo# %eel the magnetQ /o#r %ingers are !eing drawn !y the magnet$ closer and closer together$ #ntil they to#ch(J Now$ i% a clientDs %ingers do not close$ that is %ine too( Ce simply tell them this shows they ha"e the a!ility to %oc#s and concentrate( There really isnOt a right or wrong answer hereU i% they ha"e the a!ility to resist the magnetic p#ll they %eel !etween their %ingers$ they are %oc#sing$ !#t not %oc#sing on the point !etween those two %ingers as + ha"e instr#cted( +Oll ed#cate them on %ollowing instr#ctions or try a di%%erent con"incer$ ta'ing the time to %#rther !#ild rapport and tr#st( Clients can %eel a little silly or em!arrassed at %irst with their %ingers #p in the air$ so maintaining a positi"e$ enco#raging demeanor and mo"ing on to another con"incer 8 no matter their initial s#ccess or %ail#re 8 can help them to rela@ and in the groo"e o%
%ollowing instr#ctions and going with the process( Nongard & Thomas ,1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Another ice8!rea'ing con"incer is the ICircle and the 3J I.it #p straight in yo#r chair with yo#r %eet %lat on the %loor( Chich hand do yo# write withQJ 4Le%t or rightQ6 INood( Now$ raise that arm and point #p 4at a slight angle$ li'e to a %ar corner o% the room 8 demonstrate6$ and e@tend and raise yo#r 4right;le%t6 %oot o%% the gro#nd 4%oot %rom same side as arm 8 le%t;le%t or right;right6( *@cellent( Now$ + want yo# to do two things at the same time( Cith yo#r %inger$ yo#Ore going write the n#m!er 3 in the air$ starting at the top 4co#nter8cloc'wise$ demonstrate6 8 and 8 with yo#r %oot$ yo#Ore going to ma'e a cloc'wise circle 4demonstrate6(J N1T*) /o# will demonstrate these two actions separately( ChyQ 9eca#se as the client will instantly disco"er when they try it$ itOs darn near impossi!le to do them !oth at the same time$ at least witho#t highly concentrated practice( Now$ yo# try(
A%ter the ine"ita!le la#ghter$ contin#e) INow$ try it again$ !#t draw the 3 %rom the loop #p$ while mo"ing yo#r %oot 4!oth cloc'wise$ demonstrate6 8 or %rom the top down$ !#t change direction o% yo#r %oot 4!oth co#ntercloc'wise$ demonstrate6(J 88 And then yo# might !rie%ly disc#ss le%t;right !rain %#nctioning and concentration$ !eca#se itOs interesting( As + once heard a stage hypnotist say$ IThis doesnOt ha"e a whole lot to do with hypnosis$ !#t it is E#st darned cool(J Act#ally$ it does ha"e a lot to do with hypnosis) it shows o#r clientOs willingness to %ollow s#ggestions$ the di%%erence !etween le%t and right !rain thin'ing$ the importance o% concentration$ and o% simply loo'ing at ,> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly things %rom a new and #niA#e or di%%erent perspecti"e( *"en tho#gh itOs not really considered a classic conditioning con"incer$ itOs one + li'e !eca#se people simply ha"e %#n doing those sorts o% things R and itDs one they will remem!er and share with others( As the client enters a trance state they !egin to e@hi!it
hypnotic phenomena$ and pointing these occ#rrences o#t helps !y con"incing or enco#raging them to rela@ e"en %#rther( *ric'son #sed to do this all the timeU heDd !e tal'ing with the client and simply say something li'e$ Sand are yo# aware that yo#r !reathing has !eg#n to slow downV /o#r eyelids seem to %l#tter as yo# listen to me(((O This is an e@tremely power%#l way o% !eginning to get yo#r clients com%orta!le with the idea o% going into hypnosis( The pre8tal'$ incl#ding con"incers$ sets the stage %or the %#t#re wor' we will do with the client( 1rm#nd McNill has !een re%erred to as the <ean o% American Hypnosis( +n his !oo'$ The New *ncyclopedia o% .tage Hypnotism$ he descri!es %o#r principles o% a good con"incer$ and these %o#r things are important to incorporate into o#r pre8tal'( o#r Principles o% a Nood Con"incer) 1( Ce m#st loc' o#r clientOs mind on the speci%ic s#ggestion we ha"e gi"en( >( To ha"e a person loc' their mind aro#nd an idea$ the s#ggestion m#st !e gi"en with con%idence( 0( Presentation m#st !e made in a way that does not !ring
the critical %actors o% the mind into action( 4This is where e@perience and hypnotic lang#age are important(6 2( The client m#st !e %ree %rom o!Eection$ so they will want to e@perience the s#ggestion( Nongard & Thomas ,0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Ce m#st tell the client with con%idence and certainty that their hands are loc'ed together$ and e"en tho#gh they 'now they co#ld p#ll them apart$ at this moment they now %eel li'e they cannot( Their hands !ecome tighter and tighter and tighter and it is now impossi!le %or them to p#ll their hands apart 8 e"en tho#gh all rational tho#ght wo#ld tell them that it is possi!le( The harder they try to p#ll their hands apart$ the more di%%ic#lt it !ecomes and their hands ha"e !ecome completely and totally loc'ed together(((( Ce ha"e to loc' o#r clientOs mind on the con"incer$ and we accomplish this !y gi"ing s#ggestions at the clientOs indi"id#al le"el o% %#nctioning$ so that we can a"oid them entering !ac' into the critical %actor o% reasoning and %ailing at the con"incer that weOre
gi"ing them( .imply p#t$ this process ma'es ma'e s#re o#r clients #nderstand what we are saying 8 witho#t them ha"ing to really thin' a!o#t it( Then$ o% co#rse$ pro!a!ly the most important aspect o% a con"incer is that o#r client m#st !e willing to participate$ to act#ally do what we s#ggest they do( +% the client is #nwilling to %ollow along with o#r instr#ctions$ they will not !ene%it %rom hypnotherapy( ,2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The +nd#ction 1nce we ha"e spent time with a client in the pre8tal' and con"incer stage$ we can then mo"e on to the ind#ction( 1#r client has come to #s %or help to resol"e their iss#eU they want to %eel !etter than they ha"e e"er %elt !e%ore( Ce ha"e o"ercome some o% their %ears and an@ieties !y !#ilding a relationship with them and e@plaining a little !it a!o#t the hypnosis process to them$ and now we can go ahead with an ind#ction( The %ormal ind#ction o% hypnosis does not need to !e a long process( Cith clients who ha"e !een hypnotized !e%ore$ a two or three
min#te ind#ction is li'ely all that is necessary( .ome clients who are #n%amiliar with hypnosis may !e a little more hesitant or resistant$ and so a %i"e to ten min#te ind#ction may !e necessary( +n rare cases will an ind#ction o% more than ten min#tes !e !ene%icial$ #nless we are trying to accomplish a speci%ic o!Eecti"e in hypnotherapy( +% the client has not achie"ed an optim#m le"el o% %#nctioning a%ter a ten min#te ind#ction with deepening$ they pro!a!ly are E#st too resistantU their iss#es need to !e addressed or perhaps another session needs to !e sched#led( The ind#ction is not really comple@( +t is E#st a script or a pattern that we #se to help o#r client rela@$ %eel serenity and a sense o% peace( Ce will teach them to !ecome aware o% and control their !ody$ and g#ide them to a state o% total concentration( There are si@ things that we want to !e a!le to accomplish with the ind#ction( ?nderstand$ howe"er$ that these are not all essentialU in hypnosis$ as with any %orm o% comm#nication$ there are little or no a!sol#tes$ !#t these %orm a good g#ideline to %ollow(
or those witho#t hypnotic e@perience$ ind#ction) 1( N#ides them into a state o% rela@ation >( Tests %or s#ggesti!ility 0( Ni"es them a %ramewor' %or practicing hypnosis 2( Helps a person rela@ Nongard & Thomas ,& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone &( oc#ses attention on something 4e@ample) speci%ic imagery6 3( <etaches them %rom e@ternal stressors;acti"ity +nd#ction g#ides o#r clients into a state o% rela@ation$ o%ten thro#gh therape#tic !reathing( + !egin most all o% my ind#ctions !y as'ing the client to sit #p in their chair$ ta'e a deep !reath$ and e@hale( Notice + said chair( + pre%er that my clients$ at least initially while learning hypnosis$ sit in a chair( +t is possi!le$ o% co#rse$ to engage in hypnosis while lying on the %loor or in a !ed$ !#t in an o%%ice setting$ sitting in a chair is pro!a!ly the !est way to rela@( A chair p#ts them in a position where they %eel sa%e and in control$ as opposed to lying down on a co#ch( Also$ + do not want my client to %all asleep d#ring hypnosisU + want them to !e awa'e and hypnotized(
A nice reclining chair is certainly accepta!le$ !#t itDs still a chair$ not a !ed( The second thing that we can accomplish in an ind#ction is a %#rther test o% s#ggesti!ility( or e@ample$ we s#ggest to o#r clients that$ as they %oc#s on a so#rce o% light or a spot on the !ac' o% their hand or something o% that sort$ that their eyes will !ecome tired( Ce tell them that they sho#ld 'eep their eyes open #ntil they !lin'( Chen they !lin'$ they sho#ld close their eyes and they sho#ld 'eep them closed( +% o#r client opens their eyes a%ter that$ they are not %ollowing yo#r s#ggestions( +% my client does not %ollow the directions e@actly as + prescri!e them the %irst time aro#nd$ that is %ine( + may point o#t that$ + see yo# ha"e the a!ility to concentrate and %oc#s and to remain alertU howe"er yo# can also #se those same energies %or rela@ation and to !ecome com%orta!le and to let loose the m#scles in yo#r !ody( Ce are contin#ing to test their s#ggesti!ility$ e"en d#ring the ind#ction process$ especially early on( Third$ ind#ction gi"es #s a %ramewor' %or hypnosis( People come to a hypnotist and they e@pect to !e hypnotized( +n %act$ all we
are doing is #tilizing nat#ral phenomena that occ#rs in o#r clientOs li%e to help them sol"e pro!lems$ !#t that is too simplistic %or some o% o#r clientsU they want to !e hypnotized( .o %or many clients$ a%ter the pre8tal' time + tell them speci%ically$ now we are going to do the ind#ction( This is the part o% o#r session where yo# will !ecome hypnotized( + always concl#de my ind#ctions !y reminding the client that they will always hear my "oice( They will contin#e to !e com%orta!le and %eel sa%e( They will accept the s#ggestions that + gi"e them %rom this point %orward( This is a %ramewor' %or s#ggestion that allows the client to ,3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly participate in the deepener$ the mental imagery that + want them to create$ and to mo"e on into the prescripti"e scripts or s#ggesti"e therapy( The %o#rth thing ind#ction does is %oc#s attention on a speci%ic point( Most o% o#r clients are stressed o#t( They are not happy$ they ha"e pro!lems) o"er8eating or o"er8smo'ing or o"er8drin'ing or o"errelationship di%%ic#lty8ing$ etc( They come to #s !eca#se li%e is not
going the way they want it to( Their li%e is "ery stress%#l( +n the ind#ction process$ the %irst %i"e min#tes o% hypnosis$ o#r client has !ecome a "ery rela@ed and com%orta!le !eca#se they are %oc#sing their attention on something 8 the hypnotic process 8 lea"ing all their cares and concerns o#tside the door$ and this is good( :ela@ation is the %i%th accomplishment o% ind#ction( An ind#ction that is partic#larly e%%ecti"e at accomplishing this state is the Sp#%%y clo#d$O which allows them to lea"e their tro#!les %loating away in an imaginary clo#d( S/o# are lying in a %ield$ loo'ing #p at a clear !l#e s'y with one white$ p#%%y clo#d %loating o%% into the distance( /o#r pro!lems are %loating away with the clo#d( arther and %arther away( Now 1$--- miles away(J Thro#gh an e@ercise li'e this we are %oc#sing the clientOs attention on something positi"e$ and this ma'es them %eel good( This is a positi"e o#tcome %or the ind#ction and the si@th or %inal thing an ind#ction accomplishes$ apart %rom the o!"io#s o% creating a state o% increased s#ggesti!ility) detachment %rom the
o#tside world$ and !ringing them into a state o% %oc#sed attention in o#r o%%ice( There are a n#m!er o% di%%erent types o% ind#ctions( +n %act$ let me clari%y) There are #nlimited types o% ind#ctions$ !eca#se an ind#ction is really E#st a way o% changing the clientDs state o% mind( +n this introd#ctory te@t$ howe"er$ we will !e %oc#sing on %or classical ind#ctions$ incl#ding Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation$ *ye i@ation$ Kis#al +magery$ and Awareness ind#ctions( These are %o#r ind#ctions that + ha"e %o#nd #se%#l with the clients on my caseload$ and + will pro"ide a written demonstration o% each here in a little while$ %irst an o"er"iew and then weDll dissect each one( Kis#al +magery$ *ye i@ation$ Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation$ and Awareness approaches can !e com!ined together$ e"en tho#gh an ind#ction may primarily !e a m#scle rela@ation ind#ction or may !e primarily eye %i@ation ind#ction$ and so %orth( Nongard & Thomas ,, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ,5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <eepeners
ollowing the pre8tal' and the ind#ction we go to the ne@t step$ which is deepening( The deepener is not essential !#t it does a co#ple o% things %or #s( irst$ it ser"es the p#rpose o% helping o#r clients rela@ %#rther( Ce want o#r clients to enter a deep trance state i% possi!le$ one where they are totally concentrated$ e@tremely %oc#sed$ and completely com%orta!le( As + mentioned earlier$ howe"er$ the depth o% trance is not always an essential %actor$ so we will not always need to #se a deepener( 9#t deepeners also accomplish the sta!ilizing o% the trance state$ which is partic#larly important i% we are #sing an instant or rapid ind#ction techniA#e( A deepener may !e "ery !rie%$ or yo# may choose one that may e"en ta'e more time than the ind#ctionU it depends on the client and what it is that we are trying to accomplish( Ce can #se deepening techniA#es at any point d#ring the session a%ter ind#ction( or e@ample$ i% d#ring o#r prescripti"e script the client !egins to !ecome more awa'e and more alert$ we can #se a deepener to 'eep them in a hea"ier trance state( +% yo# watch a stage
hypnotist$ a%ter they do their ind#ction$ they #s#ally #se a short deepener and then !egin their s'its( +% they !egin to ha"e a hard time$ as in the s#!Eects are starting to wa'e #p or !ecome less responsi"e$ yo#Oll see them engage in a s'it that really ser"es as a deepener( <eepeners also help to ins#re concentration and s#ggesti!ility( /o# co#ld thin' o% the deepener as essentially an e@tended ind#ction( 1%ten the ind#ction is physical in orientation$ and the deepening techniA#e is more "is#al and e@periential %or o#r client( +t %acilitates imagery and prepares them %or the s#ggestion part o% the hypnotic process( or e"ery hypnotherapist o#t there$ there is a di%%erent style o% deepening( And$ li'e all parts o% the hypnotic process there are %ew limitations$ !#t the %ollowing is an e@ample o% a "ery common and pop#lar deepener$ which simply in"ol"es direct s#ggestion and co#nting down) I rom this point %orward$ yo# will %eel com%orta!le and rela@ed( /o# will hear my "oice and respond to the things that + s#ggest and incorporate them into yo#r li%e( +Om going to co#nt
!ac'wards %rom %i"e to one( As + do$ with each n#m!er yo# are going Nongard & Thomas ,7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone to !ecome more rela@ed( i"eVyo#Ore all rela@ed( ThatOs good( o#rV going deeper now$ down( ThreeV more rela@edVtotal serenity( TwoVgoing down deeperV"ery good( 1neVall the way down nowV a complete total state o% rela@ation(J The a!o"e is a per%ect e@ample o% a simple %i"e8co#nt deepenerU %i"e$ %o#r$ three$ two$ one( Ce are s#ggesting to o#r client that they !ecome more rela@ed with each n#m!er #ntil they %inally e@perience total peace and serenity$ a pro%o#nd state o% trance( + want to emphasize that rela@ation and hypnosis are not the same thing$ !#t rela@ation is a #se%#l and pleasant gateway into hypnosis( Another pop#lar method o% deepening that was originally applied to hypnosis !y <a"e *lman is ractionation( The hypnotic principle !ehind ractionation is) i% a person is in a heightened state o% trance and is interr#pted$ when they are allowed to ret#rn to the
trance state$ the depth o% their trance will !ecome e"en more power%#l( To #se %ractionation$ the hypnotist acts li'e a snooze alarm$ g#iding the client in and o#t o% trance) asleep 8 awa'e 8 tal';%#nction 8 asleep 8 awa'e 8 tal';%#nction 8 asleep( or e@ample) At 3)--am the alarm cloc' goes o%%( /o# wa'e #p$ and %eel pretty good( 9#t yo# 'now yo# still can get !y with a little more sleep$ so yo# hit the snooze !#tton and roll o"er %or 7 more min#tes( Chen the alarm goes o%% again$ yo# hit snooze and rela@( +n 7 more min#tes$ it goes o%% again( Now yo# are irritatedU yo# were asleep again$ so yo# A#ic'ly hit the snooze and go right !ac' into sleep( +n 7 more min#tes$ it goes o%% again$ this time wa'ing yo# %rom a pro%o#nd sleep and really grating on yo#r ner"es( .o yo# hit snooze again( Chen it %inally goes o%% again in 7 more min#tes$ yo# realize yo# are o#t o% time and scram!le o#t o% !ed$ now %eeling more tired and groggy and perhaps generally m#ch worse than yo# originally %elt at 3)--am(
Hypnosis %ractionation wor's in the same manner) it con%#ses the mind and A#ic'ly increases and decreases trance depth( 5Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly This may !e somewhat !e irritating to the client$ !#t the process prod#ces pro%o#nd trance( +t %orces the client to concentrate on the words !eing spo'en$ and to s#!conscio#sly t#ne o#t other distractions and tho#ghts( acilitating %ractionation simply in"ol"es ind#cting trance in yo#r s#!Eect$ emerging them$ ind#cting trance again$ and emerging them$ and so on$ se"eral times( *ach time they enter trance they go progressi"ely deeper( +% we com!ine ractionation with the pop#lar co#ntdown techniA#e$ we mo"e o#r client to a lower le"el o% trance$ and !ring them !ac' #p to a lighter state$ ret#rn them to a lower le"el$ and !ring them !ac' #p$ and so %orth( or e@ample$ I+Om going to co#nt !ac'wards %rom ten to one( As + co#nt !ac'wards %rom ten to one$ yo# are going to !ecome more and more rela@ed( Cith each n#m!er$ yo#Oll do#!le the rela@ation( TenV !ecoming more rela@edV NineV
do#!ling the sensation o% rela@ationV all o% yo#r m#scles are loose( *ightV going deeper nowV .e"enV all the way down now( NineV !ecoming more rela@edV *ightVgoing deeperV .e"enV weOre do#!ling the sensation o% rela@ation( .i@V yo#Dre doing great( *ightV going deeper yetV .e"enV going down %#rtherV .i@V do#!ling the sensation o% rela@ation that yo# e@perience((((J This is called s'ipping !ac' and %orth with the n#m!ers is a %orm o% %ractionationU instead o% going directly %rom ten to one$ we go ten$ nine$ eight$ se"en$ nine$ eight$ se"en$ si@$ eight$ se"en$ si@$ and so on( +t !ecomes li'e the snooze alarm$ a techniA#e that somewhat awa'ens o#r client$ ma'es them more alert$ and then A#ic'ly ta'es them !ac' down$ and this is "ery e%%ecti"e at prod#cing a pro%o#nd and deep state o% trance( The staircase ind#ction is pro!a!ly one o% the most pop#lar$ and it can also !e #sed as a deepener( 9asically$ it com!ines "is#al imagery with a simple n#m!er co#ntdown( I+magine yo# are at the top o% a hea"enly %light o% stairs( There are ten steps( As yo# step
down each step$ yo# are going to !ecome more and more rela@ed( Cith each step$ yo# will go deeper into a state o% rela@ation$ stepping o#t o% yo#r mind %rom ten to nine((( %rom step nine down to eight(((J This is a simple staircase ind#ction$ or deepener( P#re "is#al imagery is also "ery e%%ecti"e( /o# can ta'e yo#r clients to a peace%#l scene$ s#ch as a %orest or the !each( 4:emem!er to chec' that yo#r client is com%orta!le with the scene yo# are ta'ing Nongard & Thomas 51 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone them to !e%orehand$ that they do not ha"e a pho!ia o% or negati"e associations with the mental scene yo# are %orming in their mind6( +nd#ctions and deepeners can always !e piggy!ac'ed on each other$ mirror each other$ and mimic each other( Kis#al imagery is "ery e%%ecti"e at prod#cing pro%o#nd le"els o% trance$ helping o#r clients to !ecome deeply rela@ed( 1ne o% my %a"orites is called the +sland <eepener( My client pict#res themsel"es sitting in the grotto o% a !ea#ti%#l hotel in a !ea#ti%#l area where there is nothing !#t clear
!l#e sea and a wonder%#l lagoon %illed with l#sh green plants( +n the lagoon there are %i"e "ery small islands$ and we will "isit each one( *ach island teaches them something new and creates "is#al imagery as they e@plore what is there %or them to see( This is a deepening techniA#e that !rings a!o#t a %eeling o% pleas#re$ serenity$ and rela@ation %or o#r clients( 5> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .#ggesti"e Therapy ollowing the deepener is the s#ggesti"e script$ %or s#ggesti"e hypnotherapy( Later we will tal' more in depth a!o#t speci%ics o% str#ct#ring s#ggestions$ how to phrase things and what to do$ !#t %or now + want to !rie%ly to#ch on the methods and the approach( Ce per%orm the pre8tal'$ ind#ction$ and the deepener$ and then we will gi"e o#r client some s#ggestions( As mentioned earlier$ s#ggestions %all into two primary categories) directi"e s#ggestions and in8directi"e s#ggestions( Ce want clients to respond to the direct s#ggestions that we gi"e( This is sometimes re%erred to as s'ill8 !#ilding hypnosis$ and it is
#sed %or promoting athletic s'ills$ %or de"eloping st#dy ha!its$ and %or changing destr#cti"e ha!its( +n directi"e hypnosis$ we are s#ggesting to o#r clients a new manner o% li"ing( or e@ample$ we might s#ggest that they can go to the !#%%et and eat smaller portions$ or only eat portions that are appropriate %or the speci%ic goals they ha"e set %or themsel"es$ or that they are no longer a smo'er$ or no longer %ear small spaces$ etcetera$ and we will do this in a direct manner( I/o# no longer %eel the #rge to smo'e(J I/o# now ha"e increased a!ilities to concentrate( /o# ha"e the a!ility to draw %rom the 'nowledge that yo# already possess inside o% yo# and recall that 'nowledge any time yo# choose to(J Ce are essentially telling o#r clients that they act#ally ha"e the capacity to do what they want and sho#ld do$ !y instr#cting their #nconscio#s mind to align with their conscio#s goals$ and "ery plainly and speci%ically how to achie"e the s#ccess they see'( An indirect approach is commonly #sed %or some o% the more comple@ di%%ic#lties clients may ha"e$ incl#ding treating psychiatric
disorders( +t is also a way to deal with resistance in the client relationship$ !eca#se with indirect s#ggestion$ o#r clients %eel more li'e they ha"e total control( The approach #ses metaphors$ and we %acilitate it in a con"ersational %ashion( or e@ample$ instead o% #sing direct s#ggestion and telling the client to close their eyes$ d#ring the ind#ction with indirect s#ggestion we co#ld #se the %ollowing statement) I/o# may choose to 'eep yo#r eyes open or yo# may Nongard & Thomas 50 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone choose to close them at any time$ whate"er yo# %eel most com%orta!le doing is E#st %ine(J +n indirect therapy$ we gi"e o#r clients s#ggestions that really come %rom within their own desires that we ha"e identi%ied d#ring the assessment( The #se o% metaphors in *ric'sonian hypnotherapy$ which is really an indirect approach$ is certainly "ery common$ !#t one o% the pro!lems with this approach is that sometimes we come #p with comple@ metaphors and o#r clients simply do not ha"e the cogniti"e or the intellect#al a!ilities necessary to e@trapolate how the
metaphor that has !een gi"en to ill#strate the point we are trying to ma'e in therapy relates to their li%e$ so when we #se metaphors in indirect hypnotherapy$ we need to ma'e s#re they do not go o"er o#r clientOs head( Chat is the !est approach to hypnosisQ The answer is #p to the hypnotist( The !est approach is the approach that wor's !est %or yo#$ the one that yo# are most com%orta!le wor'ing with( <irecti"e therapy is my personal inclination !eca#se it meshes well with my personality( Nathan$ my co8a#thor$ tends to %a"or a com!ination o% the two approaches( /o# sho#ld try o#t all styles and #se what wor's !est %or yo#( There are a %ew other components o% s#ggesti"e therapy scripting that + want to tal' a!o#t now( Later we will disc#ss writing them o#t and act#ally implementing them on a case !y case !asis with the clients on o#r caseload( And as a side note$ yo# do not ha"e to write o#t the s#ggestions yo# will !e gi"ing !e%orehand$ !#t the process can !e help%#l to the new hypnotist( Nathan$ %or e@ample$ ne"er #ses pre8written scripts$ as he %eels the #se o% them limits his
creati"ity and %oc#s on the client( +$ howe"er$ %eel that scripts are a #se%#l tool$ and while + may not write o#t an entire script word %or word$ + generally Eot down 'ey words that + want to remem!er to incl#de in the s#ggesti"e therapy process %or each indi"id#al client( /o# sho#ld ma'e #p yo#r own mind( Chether or not yo# e"ent#ally chose to #se scripts or not$ these sections the laws o% script writing will certainly help yo# cra%t e%%ecti"e s#ggestions( The prescripti"e script or s#ggestion process is where we will #se post8hypnotic s#ggestion$ the ideas they will incorporate into their li%e once they lea"e o#r o%%ice( An e@ample o% a post8hypnotic s#ggestion in regard to weight loss is) I/o# will %ind that green$ lea%y "egeta!les are satis%ying and taste good to yo#( Chen yo# %ind 52 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly yo#rsel% h#ngry$ yo# will choose healthy %oods !ased on the n#trition 'nowledge that yo# already possess(O A post8 hypnotic s#ggestion is acted #pon 4a%ter the hypnotic session6 in response to a trigger or speci%ic stim#l#s 4in this case$ D%eeling h#ngryD6(
Post8hypnotic s#ggestions wor' partic#larly well in regards to smo'ing cessation( I+% yo# e"er %eel the #rge to smo'e$ yo# will simply ta'e a deep !reath instead and 'now that the cra"ing %or a cigarette will pass in three to %i"e min#tes$ and in a %ew short days these cra"ings will !e a thing o% the past( Now rela@ and !reathe deeply$ %eeling the cool clean air %ill yo#r l#ngs(J Here the trigger o% %eeling a cra"ing is #sed to acti"ate the s#ggestion %or rela@ation thro#gh deep !reathing( These are new patterns o% !eha"ior that o#r clients are going to mani%est a%ter they lea"e o#r o%%ice when the hypnotic session has concl#ded( Hypnotic scripts sho#ld generally !e cra%ted #sing all %i"e senses$ with a !ias towards "is#alization$ as most people are highly "is#al$ or$ on the sense most leaned on !y the client 4in NLP terms$ their primary representational system6( .#ggestions sho#ld !e targeted speci%ically %or the symptom or condition the client wishes to address$ and sho#ld empower the client to #se their own reso#rces in order to get o"er old limitations and achie"e s#ccess( Awa'ening
<ehypnotizing o#r clients is the %inal stage in the hypnotic process( Ce go %rom pre8tal' to ind#ction to deepener$ to s#ggesti"e therapy$ and then e"ent#ally to awa'ening o#r client( As + said !e%ore$ it is impossi!le %or them to stay st#c' in hypnosis so we donOt need to worry a!o#t dehypnotizing too m#ch$ !#t there are some things that are important to tal' a!o#t( Typically$ the awa'ening is a %airly simple process$ s#ch as #sing the con"erse o% o#r pre"io#s deepener and co#nting %rom one to %i"e( Consider the %ollowing e@ample) I+Om going to co#nt %rom one to %i"e( As + co#nt #p to %i"e$ with each n#m!er yo# are going to !ecome more alert$ more awa'e( /o# are going to %eel more con%ident( /o# are going to %eel energy coming thro#gh yo#r !ody reE#"enating Nongard & Thomas 5& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone yo#V 1neV !eginning to awa'en( TwoV !ecoming more alertV ThreeV energy is %lowing thro#gh yo#r !ody( /o# are %eeling more con%ident( o#rV almost awa'eV( more aware o% the room aro#nd yo#((( almost thereV( i"eV totally awa'e$ totally alert(J
That is a simple awa'ening and "ariations on the a!o"e theme are s#ita!le %or most clients( Awa'ing$ howe"er$ can !ecome more comple@( .ometimes we ha"e a client who really enEoys the %eeling o% hypnosisU they are in a pro%o#nd state o% trance$ and they donOt want to wa'e #p so A#ic'ly( Ce may e@pand the awa'ening process %or them$ gi"ing more s#ggestions and ac'nowledge the com%ort that they %eel( or e@ample) I+ see that yo# ha"e !een enEoying the %eeling o% hypnosis that yo# are now e@periencing( /o# li'e this tranA#il spot( As yo# !ecome more alert and more energetic$ 'now that yo# ha"e the a!ility in yo#r mind to choose to ret#rn to e@actly this spot at any time yo# want to(J This s#ggesti"e concept lets o#r client 'now that the good %eelings they ha"e are not a one time thingU they can ret#rn to these %eelings again anytime they wish( This will typically o"ercome the resistance to emerging %rom a deep trance state( This 'ind o% comple@ awa'ening is generally only an indi"id#al pre%erence$ and indi"id#al needs are important( +% yo# had all the time in the world and didnDt need yo#r o%%ice %or another client$
yo# co#ld simply let the resistant client Dsleep it o%%D and awa'e nat#rally$ !#t we donDt really recommend that approach %or the pro%essional hypnotist( Another approach %or Dso#nd sleepersD is to !low a %ew A#ic' p#%%s o% air onto their eyelids( This ca#ses an a#tomatic response o% %l#ttering the eyes R and they will li'ely pop right open R creating a more alert or conscio#s state o% awareness( The dehypnotizing or awa'ening process pro"ides another e@cellent opport#nity %or imparting s#ggestions$ telling o#r clients how to respond$ how to %eel$ and how to interpret the session( Ce can gi"e s#ggestions d#ring the awa'ening s#ch as) IAs yo# !ecome more alert and aware$ yo# will !ecome %illed with con%idence( 9ecome more oriented to the room aro#nd yo#$ 'nowing that yo# will now go a!o#t today %eeling rested and rela@ed$ and %eeling good and empowered to ma'e the healthy choices(J 53 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Case .t#dy Now we ha"e a "ery special treat %or yo#( + ha"e !elow a word %or word transcript o% a hypnosis session + did with Meghan$ a
woman who agreed to !e %ilmed while e@periencing hypnosis in order to o"ercome some o% her own pro!lems$ and to help others learn( *"en tho#gh with this written transcript %rom the "ideo yo# miss the important non"er!al aspects o% the hypnotic process$ it is still an e@tremely "al#a!le e@ample o% hypnosis$ so st#dy it care%#lly and see how m#ch yo# can spot !ased on what we ha"e already co"ered( :ichard) Meghan has agreed to participate in this short section( Meghan) /es( :ichard) 1'ay( Act#ally$ + 'new the answer to that !eca#se + re%erred yo# to a %riend o% mine who saw yo# in clinical hypnotherapy to help yo# deal with some iss#es that were important to yo#( Cas that help%#l to yo#Q Meghan) /es( :ichard) 1ther than with my %riend$ Craig$ ha"e yo# !een hypnotized on any other occasionsQ Meghan) /es( +n Las Kegas at a stage show( :ichard) Chat happenedQ Chat was !eing a participant in a stage show li'eQ Meghan) +t was %#n( :ichard) +t was %#nQ Meghan) /eah( +t was %#n(
:ichard) +Om glad yo# enEoyed that in addition to the clinical hypnotherapy( +tOs easy to !e hypnotized( /o#O"e !een hypnotized a co#ple o% times !e%ore( CeOre E#st going to demonstrate hypnosis( Chat is going to happen here is + am going to go thro#gh an ind#ction and thro#gh some "is#alization e@ercises( +Om E#st going to gi"e yo# some s#ggestions( Hope%#lly$ it will help yo# %eel !etter Nongard & Thomas 5, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone thro#gho#t the rest o% the day$ gi"e yo# some energy$ may!e help yo# increase yo#r concentration$ and enEoy the day( <oes that so#nd li'e something that wo#ld !e !ene%icial to yo#Q Meghan) Kery good( :ichard) 1'ay$ great( + ha"e a co#ple o% A#estions %or yo#( <o yo# ha"e a cell phone on yo# right now and are yo# chewing g#mQ Meghan) /es( :ichard) Alright$ + noticed yo# were chewing g#m( Please ma'e
s#re yo#r phone is o%%$ and yo# can p#t the g#m here( Nreat( Now$ + want to #se an ind#ction that helps people to %eel the process o% hypnosis( +% yo# wo#ld E#st sit #p in yo#r chair$ sit #p straight( /o# can cross yo#r arms here %or right now( /o# can E#st !egin to %eel rela@ed( No ahead ta'e a deep !reath( 9reathe in$ and o#t( 9reathe in$ and !reathe o#t( <eep !reathing helps #s to %eel rela@ed$ and rela@ation$ o% co#rse$ %eels wonder%#l( + want yo# to %eel the process o% hypnosis here( +Om going to as' yo# to do something( +Om going to as' yo# to hold yo#r hand o#t here in %ront o% yo#( Hold it a little higher than eye le"el perhaps( H#st hold it o#t in %ront o% yo#( + see yo# are wearing some !racelets and !angles( + want yo# to hold yo#r hand o#t straight and lea"e yo#r hand E#st limp and rela@ed here( + want yo# to %ind a spot that yo# can %oc#s on$ on the !ac' o% yo#r hand( May!e itOs
part o% the !racelet or the !angle there( May!e itOs a hair on the !ac' o% yo#r hand or a 'n#c'le or an indentation in the s'in( ind a spot that yo# can %oc#s on( Keep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on that spot as yo# 'eep yo#r hand rigid in the air( Cith yo#r hand hope%#lly rela@ed$ %oc#s on that spot( +tOs o'ay to ta'e another deep !reath( 9reathe in and o#t( As yo# %oc#s on the spot$ yo# might notice yo#r arm !egins to %eel a little !it hea"y( That is a normal sensation( 55 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Arms are hea"y( H#st hold yo#r arm o#t as straight as yo# are doing now with yo#r hand limp and rela@ed as yo# contin#e to stare at that spot on the !ac' o% yo#r hand( Now$ close yo#r eyes and let them rela@( Keep yo#r eyes closed %rom this point %orward( Pict#re in yo#r mind the s#ggestions that + o%%er to yo#( /o#r hand is e@tended o#t in %ront o% yo#( +Om going to place an imaginary sand !#c'etU one li'e a child might
ha"e at the !each$ o"er the !ac' o% yo#r hand( +tOs going to hang %rom yo#r hand here( +tOs "ery light( +tOs not hea"y at all( +tOs a plastic sand !#c'et that a child might ta'e to the !each( +t$ o% co#rse$ comes with a little plastic sho"el( Chat + am going to do is ta'e one scoop o% sand( +Om going to p#t it in that !#c'et( +tOs not "ery hea"y$ !#t the added weight o% the sand is something that yo# can %eel( As yo# %eel the added weight o% the sand in the !#c'et hanging %rom yo#r wrist$ yo# !ecome more rela@ed( CeOre going to add another scoop o% sand to the !#c'et( As + do$ yo# can %eel the increased weight !egin to draw yo#r hand closer to yo#r 'nee( The !#c'et is not hea"y$ !#t it is$ in %act$ a little !it hea"ier with an e@tra scoop o% sand( +Om going to add a third scoop o% sand to the !#c'et( As + do that$ yo# can %eel the increased weight o% that sand !#c'et as yo# rela@( The rela@ation !ecomes more and more intense( The !#c'et !ecomes a little !it hea"ier and a
little !it hea"ier( +Om going to add a %o#rth scoop o% sand to the !#c'et( As + do$ the weight o% that sand !egins to p#ll yo#r arm down deeper as all o% the m#scles in yo#r !ody !ecome rela@ed( No ahead and rest yo#r hand on yo#r 'nee( That is %ine( +n %act$ yo# can e"en adE#st yo#rsel% %or com%ort i% yo# want to( No ahead and allow yo#rsel% to e@perience E#st a moment o% tranA#ility and rela@ation( Ta'e a !reath( eel the air thro#gh yo#r l#ngs( As yo# e@hale$ note the sensation o% peace and rela@ation that yo# e@perience( +n yo#r mind$ yo# ha"e the a!ility to rela@ at any time( Nongard & Thomas 57 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone /o# ha"e the a!ility to enter a state o% hypnosis or trance( This is a state o% hypnosis right now( /o# 'now that i% yo# wanted to yo# co#ld open yo#r eyes$ !#t yo# simply donOt care to( Allow yo#rsel% to sin' deeper into a state o% rela@ation(
+Om going to co#nt %rom %i"e down to one( Cith each n#m!er$ +Od li'e yo# to do#!le the sensation o% rela@ation in yo#r e@perience( Allow yo#rsel% to !ecome e"en more rela@ed$ more at peace$ more rested( i"eV going deeper into rela@ation( o#rV all the way down( ThreeV let go completely( *nEoy this moment o% serenity( TwoV deeper yet( 1neV all the way down now( /o#r pro!lems are a tho#sand miles away( All thatOs le%t are the sol#tions that are inside o% yo#( /o# ha"e the a!ility at any time to ma'e healthy choices and to do the things that yo# 'now in yo#r heart are good %or yo#( /o# e@pressed concerns a!o#t some o% the di%%ic#lties that yo# ha"e e@perienced( /o# ha"e the a!ility to draw on the e@periences yo# ha"e %rom the past to sol"e the pro!lems o% the %#t#re( rom this point %orward as yo# %ace the challenges o% li%e$ the reso#rces and the strengths o% %riends that yo# ha"e can all come together to help yo# !ecome a more per%ect
person who is a!le to handle li%eOs di%%ic#lties with pride$ with power( These are things that are important to yo#( Those are choices that yo# ha"e the a!ility to ma'e at any time( This is a state o% rela@ation$ o% peace$ o% total rest( Chen li%e !ecomes stress%#l at any time$ yo# can choose in yo#r mind to thin' !ac' to this place and this time and #se this e@perience o% rela@ation and tranA#ility to manage the stressors o% e"eryday li%e( That is a per%ectly good thing to do and something that yo# ha"e the capacity and the willingness to do( +Om going to co#nt now %rom one #p to %i"e( As + do$ yo# are going to !ecome more re%reshed$ more energetic and more awa'e( /o# 'now that at any time yo# want to 7Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly ret#rn to this place o% peace and tranA#ility$ yo# ha"e the capacity to do that !y simply choosing to( There are tas's !e%ore yo# thro#gho#t the rest o% the day(
/o# are going to !e a!le to complete those tas's with e@citement and energy( /o# are going to !e a!le to go a!o#t the rest o% the day %eeling !etter than perhaps yo#O"e %elt in a long time$ more rested$ more re%reshed than e"er !e%ore( 1neV yo# !egin to %eel energy coming thro#gh yo#r !ody( TwoV yo# !ecome more alert$ more awa'e( ThreeV as the energy %ills yo#r !ody$ yo# !egin to reorient yo#rsel% to the room aro#nd yo#( o#rV with yo#r eyes still closed$ yo# %eel rela@ed and yet at the same time energetic and awa'e( i"eV totally awa'e$ wide awa'e$ eyes open and totally re%reshed( 4:ichard snaps his %ingers(6 :ichard) That was a "ery !rie% session( How did yo# %eel d#ring that sessionQ Meghan) :ela@ed( :ichard) :ela@ation is good( <id yo# at any time wonder$ am + hypnotized or am + not hypnotizedQ Meghan) No( :ichard) NoQ <id it %eel li'e yo# were doing something odd or strangeQ
Meghan) No( :ichard) 1'ay( The s#ggestions + ga"e yo#$ how did yo# %eel a!o#t thoseQ Meghan) + E#st concentrated on them and E#st rela@ed( :ichard) 1'ay$ good( Nood( How do yo# %eel nowQ Meghan) :ela@ed( :ichard) <o yo# %eel good tho#ghQ Meghan) /es( :ichard) <o yo# %eel sleepy or do yo# %eel awa'eQ Nongard & Thomas 71 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Meghan) + %eel awa'e( :ichard) Alright$ great( Cell$ than's %or participating( + really appreciate yo#r help today( + hope yo# ha"e a wonder%#l day( Meghan) Than' yo#( + wo#ld li'e to spend a %ew pages tal'ing a!o#t the a!o"e session( As + e@plained to Meghan$ this !rie% session was intended %or demonstration p#rposes$ and so + hope yo# were a!le to recognize a lot the 'ey pieces d#ring the short e@perience( Ce !egan with a pre8tal'$ which was #n#s#ally short !eca#se + 'now that Meghan 'nows a lot a!o#t hypnosis and she had no
lingering worries to dispel( Howe"er$ + did ma'e a point to as' a!o#t g#m and a cell phone 4as + said$ + 'now Meghan6( <#ring the pre8tal'$ we want to %ind o#t i% there is anything that will 'eep hypnosis %rom !eing e%%ecti"e$ or anything that may distract the client %rom the hypnotic process$ s#ch as chewing g#m$ a cell phone$ things po'ing in their poc'et and so %orth$ in addition to any A#estions or %ears( + also had Meghan sit #p in the chair so that she was in a more nat#ral and healthy position( .itting #pright promotes healthy deep !reathing and is act#ally more cond#ci"e to rela@ation than slo#ching( Meghan is highly s#ggesti!le$ and + had act#ally #sed this approach with her once !e%ore$ and so the weight o% the sand !#c'et d#ring ind#ction was "ery hea"y to her( This transcript might act#ally ha"e !een a little longer had + #sed a di%%erent ind#ction$ !eca#se + had a hard time 'eeping the !#c'et #p long eno#gh to act#ally demonstrate what + was trying to accomplish( This ind#ction #tilizes m#ltiple senses and is one o% my %a"orites !eca#se it allows people to %eel the process o% hypnosis in a "ery power%#l way$ which
ma'es it a great con"incer as well( + #sed a !asic co#ntdown deepener !eca#se it is easy to demonstrate in this training man#al$ altho#gh as a r#le + pre%er the staircase method !eca#se it #tilizes "is#al imagery( + generally co#nt down %rom ten to one$ !#t yo# can #se an element o% con%#sion and start %rom 0- or e"en 2& or e"en 7,$ and going !ac'wards %rom there can !e #se%#l with some o% o#r clients$ some o% the time( The s#ggesti"e therapy process here was "ery simple) empowerment( + happened to 'now that Meghan was trying to deal 7> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly with some iss#es in li%e$ as we all are$ and + wanted her to %eel good a!o#t hersel%( + wanted her to 'now that she had the a!ility to draw on the tools that she already possessed to see her thro#gh$ incl#ding some good %riends( + also 'now that Meghan has had some prior positi"e e@periences dealing with other di%%ic#lties( + thin' one o% the most power%#l things a!o#t hypnosis is that we o%ten draw %rom the e@periences o#r client already has rather than trying to teach them
new things( or e@ample$ when it comes to weight loss$ my clients already 'now to eat well and e@ercise$ and the di%%erence !etween healthy and #nhealthy %ood choices( + want my clients to draw %rom the 'nowledge that they already possess and #se it to ma'e empowering decisions( +t is easier to ha"e clients draw #pon what they already 'now how to do$ than to ha"e them change to something new and di%%erent$ or teach them again %rom scratch( + also s#ggested that Meghan wo#ld %eel good thro#gho#t the day( + happen to 'now that she was pro!a!ly the %irst one awa'e in her time zoneU she rises !e%ore the crac' o% dawn most days( Chen someone gets #p early in the morning$ sometimes !y the middle o% the a%ternoon they !ecome a little tired and weary( + wanted Megan to %eel energetic thro#gho#t the rest o% the day$ 'nowing she co#ld complete necessary tas's with energy and e@citement( The awa'ening + #sed was A#ite simple( Again$ this is the opposite o% the deepening$ so + co#nted %rom one #p to %i"e$ and + snapped my %ingers at the end( The snap o% a %inger$ li'e a stage
hypnotist might do$ reorients my client to the roomU it pro"ides a so#nd A#e#e matching the "ocal in%lection and the s#ggestion that + am gi"ing$ so they !ecome dehypnotized and wa'e #p( This !rie% demonstration o% a complete hypnosis session allowed yo# to see the %i"e steps o% the hypnotic process R pre8tal'$ ind#ction$ deepening$ s#ggesti"e therapy and awa'ening R in action( Now we will wor' thro#gh the mechanics o% hypnosis$ adding more details to these steps as we go along$ to !#ild yo#r repertoire o% s'ills as a hypnotherapist( At this point$ howe"er$ yo# can hypnotize anyone( /o# can do e@actly what + did with Meghan and people will enter a state o% trance( Nongard & Thomas 70 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone /o# now 'now the %#ndamentals o% hypnosis and ha"e disco"ered that it is not roc'et science( Hypnotism is really a "ery simple thing to do$ !#t !ecoming a hypnotherapist is a little more di%%ic#lt( To !e a!le to e%%ecti"ely impact clients and the di%%ic#lties
they e@perience can !e a demanding process$ and to meet this challenge yo# still need more 'nowledge$ practice and e@perience( .o now$ let #s go !ac' and %ill in the !lan's and answer all the A#estions in regards to these %i"e areas$ and also tal' a!o#t some s'ills that can !e !ene%icial %or creating a %o#ndation %or a healthy relationship that really meets o#r clients at their partic#lar point o% need( 72 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 2 Key *ssential *lements %or *%%ecti"e Hypnotherapy <e"eloping a meaning%#l relationship with the indi"id#al client is a 'ey to A#ality hypnotherapy( This a"oids a rit#alistic approach to hypnosis$ or an approach that is not indi"id#ally tailored( :emem!ering that each client is di%%erent$ with #niA#e needs$ sit#ations and a!ilities is another 'ey( There%ore$ in this section + will share with yo# some assessment tools that are partic#larly #se%#l %or creating the %o#ndation %or a !ene%icial hypnotist;client relationship( Nongard & Thomas 7&
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 73 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Client :elationships .trengths and :eso#rces The %irst thing we m#st do is assess o#r clientOs strengths( Thro#gh therapy$ whether hypnosis or other %orms o% therapy$ the sad tr#th is that we really donOt ha"e the a!ility to %i@ what is wrong with many o% o#r clients( +nstead$ what we do ha"e the a!ility to do is to ta'e what is right and #se it to compensate %or the de%icits that e@ist( *"ery person on the planet possesses strengths and wea'ness( Chances are pretty good that the same things we donOt li'e a!o#t o#rsel"es today are the same things we didnOt li'e a!o#t o#rsel"es 1or >- or e"en 0- years ago( The things that we str#ggle with$ the character de%ects$ i% yo# want to call them that$ the pro!lems that we ha"e e@perienced and the things a!o#t o#r personality that create challenges 8 comp#lsi"ity$ procrastination$ anger 8 all the things that irritate #s a!o#t o#rsel"es today$ are most li'ely the same challenges that we started with(
9#t + ha"e good news %or yo#) *"en tho#gh these de%icits are li'ely to remain in o#r li%e$ we ha"e the a!ility to #se the strengths that we also possess to compensate %or these de%icits( or e@ample$ + am the single most disorganized h#man on the planet( There is no one more disorganized than me( Howe"er$ yo# cannot r#n a !#siness li'e mine i% yo# do not ha"e organizational s'ills( .o what do + doQ + #se my strengths) + am a good delegator and a good comm#nicator( + hire people who are good at organization$ and + #se my strengths o% delegation and comm#nication to let them 'now my !#siness needs$ and then they go a!o#t the tas' o% organization( They assist me !y telling me what + am s#pposed to !e doing on a day8to8day !asis( There ha"e !een times o"er the years when +O"e said$ I1h$ man$ this is going to !e a great wee'( +Om going to 'ic' !ac' and rela@ since + donOt ha"e any training e"ents to do( + thin' +Dll wallpaper the ho#se(J Then my o%%ice manager says$ ICait a min#te$ yo#Ore going to Corp#s Christi on Cednesday(J + then stammer$
IChat do yo# mean +Om going to Corp#s Christi on CednesdayQ ThatOs not #ntil the end o% the month(J And she patiently replies$ INo$ Nongard & Thomas 7, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone as itOs !een printed on the calendar %or the last three months$ itDs this Cednesday( And so$ since this is T#esday$ yo#r %light lea"es tomorrow at %o#r in the a%ternoon(J CowF + am not an organized g#y$ !#t %ort#nately + am a!le to compensate %or this de%icit !y drawing on my strengths o% delegation and comm#nication( Ce sol"e pro!lems !y drawing #pon a"aila!le reso#rces( <#ring the assessment process with o#r clients$ we ha"e to assess not only what the presenting pro!lem is 8 smo'ing cessation$ weight loss$ !ed wetting$ depression$ %ears or pho!ias 8 !#t we also need to assess what is right a!o#t the client$ what strengths and reso#rces they possess that may !e #se%#l %or achie"ing their goals( Later + will share with yo# a tool that was de"eloped speci%ically to assist in identi%ying o#r clientOs strengths and reso#rces( 9#ilding :apport and Tr#st
Ce m#st !#ild rapport with o#r clients( Notice that e"en d#ring the demonstration with Meghan$ a person + already 'new$ + engaged in a little small tal' !e%ore we !egan the session( :apport is essential( +% my ne@t client arri"ed$ and + came o#t to the waiting room and said$ IHi$ are yo#((( 4loo'ing at my notes6 9o!Q +tOs good to meet yo#( /o#r hypnosis session will !e in :oom 1ne( ollow me( +n here$ ha"e a seat( +Oll !e with yo# in E#st a moment$ + ha"e another client to attend to$J and then + go o#t and attend the other client$ and come !ac' in a %ew min#tes and say$ I9o!$ ha"e yo# e"er !een hypnotized !e%oreQJ 9o! replies$ INo$ + donDt 'now m#ch a!o#t it( + E#st(((J And + c#t in to say$ I1'ay$ itOs a really simple proced#re( + E#st want yo# to close yo#r eyes( CeOre going to go into an ind#ction now$ and +Dll help yo# A#it smo'ing$ so E#st do whate"er + say %rom here on o#t$J + ha"e done a poor Eo! as a hypnotherapist( There is no rapport8!#ilding in this e@ample$ and the client is not going to tr#st #s( or therapy to !e e%%ecti"e$ o#r clients m#st "iew #s as someone who is on their side and %#lly engaged in helping them sol"e their pro!lems( :apport is essential(
Personally$ + call rapport8!#ilding d#ring the assessment process Dsearch tal'(D .earch tal' is when we as' people A#estions a!o#t themsel"es( As' any pro%essional salesperson) i% yo# want to impress someone and learn the 'eys to their 4whate"er yo#Dre trying to learn6$ donOt tal' a!o#t yo#rsel% and the wonder%#l things that yo# 75 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly do( +nstead$ as' a!o#t them$ what they do and li'e and so %orth( Chat do yo# li'e to do %or %#nQ <o yo# ha"e any ho!!ies$ or do yo# collect anythingQ *ngaging people in small tal' is search tal'$ as'ing them A#estions a!o#t themsel"es( This is a great way to !#ild rapport and show yo#r gen#ine interest in the clientDs c#rrent and %#t#re well !eing( Tr#st is essential( As + said earlier$ o#r clients are going to !e sleeping with #s %or a!o#t >- to 2& min#tes in a typical hypnosis session$ and they may not %eel com%orta!le i% they ha"e ne"er met #s and they enco#nter a g#y in an o%%ice !y himsel% R especially %emale clients i% yo# are a male hypnotist( The !est scenario is to ha"e a
receptionist in the waiting room o#t %ront$ so the client 'nows there are other people aro#nd( + also want to comm#nicate tr#st !y answering A#estions honestly and con"eying important tr#ths( Tr#st is esta!lished !y !eing direct with clients$ recognizing the limitations o% hypnosis$ and e@plaining what the e@perience will !e li'e$ what they sho#ld e@pect( :espect and Honesty :especting o#r clients is a!sol#tely essential( The %o#ndation o% the therape#tic relationship m#st !e !#ilt on respect( *arly in my career as a psychotherapist$ + wor'ed with se@ o%%enders( + was a s#!stance a!#se co#nselor$ and the state re%erred people who were incarcerated to o#r se@ o%%ender training program( My %riends and %amily were always as'ing me$ IHow can yo# wor' with those peopleQJ The reality is$ e"en tho#gh those %ol's had clearly not #sed their strengths in positi"e ways$ and e"en tho#gh they had done some despica!le i% not downright e"il things$ + still had to respect them as h#man !eings( +% + did not$ + co#ld ne"er ha"e reached them to help %acilitate change( +n order to !e e%%ecti"e with clients who
are di%%erent %rom #s R whether that means they are a di%%erent race or religion$ or ha"e di%%erent "al#es or ed#cation$ or i% they are a dr#g #ser or a criminal 8 no matter how di%%ic#lt they are or how reprehensi!le they may !e to the rest o% society$ i% they are to !e o#r client$ we need to !e a!le to "iew each indi"id#al with a h#manistic approach$ recognizing the strengths inside that we ha"e the capacity to draw %rom to !egin the pro!lem8sol"ing process( Nongard & Thomas 77 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Ce also need to !e honest with o#r clients a!o#t the limitations o% hypnosis( .ome clients ma'e reA#ests s#ch as$ IMy sister was thin'ing a!o#t #sing hypnosis %or !reast enhancement( .he is a size 02A and wants to !ecome a 05 triple8 ( <o yo# thin' hypnosis can sa"e her Y&$--- on a !reast a#gmentation s#rgeryQJ Now$ + 'now many therapists who wo#ld say$ ICell$ hypnosis is "ery #se%#l in many ways( /o# 'now what the mind attends to$ it acts #pon( +% yo# "is#alize large !reasts$ yo# will in %act e"ent#ally
de"elop large !reasts(J The reality is this) + 'now a lot o% men$ who "is#alize large !reasts e"ery day$ and they E#st ha"enOt de"eloped any !reasts at all R so no$ it doesnOt wor' that way( This is$ o% co#rse$ a h#moro#s e@ample$ !#t it does ser"e to ill#strate that we need to !e honest a!o#t the limits o% hypnosis and what it is e%%ecti"e %or and what it is not( <o not ma'e %alse or #nE#sti%ia!le claims( 9e honest and respect the client( Hypnosis is e@tremely power%#l$ !#t it is not a miracle c#re %or e"ery ailment( 1penness LetOs tal' a!o#t openness( + 'now yo# were not a!le to see this$ !#t at a co#ple o% points d#ring my demonstration with Meghan R d#ring the pre8tal' and the ind#ction 8 + leaned %orward( + e"en to#ched her hand as + created a mental pict#re in her mind o% the little plastic sand !#c'et hanging o"er her hand( 1penness is essential$ !#t it is not always nat#ral %or #s to ha"e an open !ody post#re( +t is normal %or #s to !e a little reser"ed especially when we meet someone new$ !#t as a helper healer$ it is important to comm#nicate openness( +n grad#ate school$ + was ta#ght
a ni%ty acronym %or good therapy) .1L*:( +t stands %or) .it down$ 1pen !ody post#re$ Lean %orward$ ma'e *ye contact$ and :ela@( Chen acted on$ .1L*: creates a %eeling o% openness$ and there%ore an in"itation to !#ild rapport( .it downU get to the same le"el as yo#r client( 9e open in yo#r !ody post#re$ as opposed to radiating closed comm#nication( Lean %orward$ comm#nicate that yo# are with them( *ye contact is important( +t allows #s to see where o#r clientOs com%ort le"el is with #s$ to notice whether they hold o#r gaze or loo' away$ and how they respond to meeting o#r eyes( 1-Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 1nce we open #p and rela@$ clients will DreadD this and they will rela@$ too( This is "ery important( 1#r goal is to help clients rela@ with the process o% hypnotherapy( +% we are not rela@ed$ they will pic' #p on this and they will not rela@$ either( *A#ality Ce ha"e to treat o#r clients as o#r eA#als( This ties in with the respect iss#e( + li'e to "iew mysel% as a coach$ someone who is there with my client$ helping them to accomplish things$ %acilitating change
8 rather than the .#perior Hypnotherapist$ :ichard Nongard$ with ."engali8li'e narcissistic del#sions o% stat#s$ power and control( None o% that does o#r client any good( + tend to wear cas#al !#siness attire in clinical sessions$ !eca#se + !elie"e we sho#ld stri"e to create a com%orta!le yet pro%essional en"ironment$ not an a#stere !#siness setting( H#st li'e when they go to the dentist or to get their hair c#t$ clients will show #p %or hypnosis sessions in whate"er they were wearing when they le%t the ho#se$ perhaps a !#siness s#it or sweats or Eeans( As the hypnotist$ + certainly wonDt wear sweats 4#nless perhaps +Dm wor'ing speci%ically with sports per%ormance clients on the %ield6$ !#t + will !e a little more cas#al than an attorney or a !an'er$ with the hopes o% comm#nicating that while + may !e an e@pert at what + do$ +Dm also E#st an a"erage h#man li'e they are$ so we sho#ld get along E#st %ine( Listening Listening is also essential$ especially d#ring the assessment process( Clients may come to #s %or help with one pro!lem$ !#t #nderneath are other iss#es( Chen we listen and are attenti"e to those
things$ we can pic' #p important c#es( <#ring assessments %or weight loss or smo'ing cessation$ we want to listen to why the client has de"eloped their speci%ic ha!its$ and what those things do %or them( + !elie"e that any time someone does something #nhealthy it always meets legitimate needs$ and + want to 'now what those needs are( or e@ample$ letOs ta'e cigarettes( 1n the side o% a pac' o% cigarettes$ it says$ ICarning) This prod#ct may ca#se l#ng cancer(J 1r$ ICarning) Cigarettes ca#se heart disease$ emphysema$ l#ng disease$ and may complicate pregnancy(J +n %oreign co#ntries$ the warnings are e"en more interesting than they Nongard & Thomas 1-1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone are here in the ?.( +n Nermany$ the warning la!el says$ ICarning) This prod#ct may 'ill yo#(J Canada$ + thin'$ has the !est cigarette warnings( They #se pict#res$ s#ch as a g#y in o@ygen tent lying on a ta!le in a hospital( Carning la!els are directU they tell #s that cigarettes do !ad things( + donOt 'now a cigarette smo'er who doesnOt 'now that cigarettes ca#se pro!lems and really can 'ill them(
.o$ i% e"ery single cigarette smo'er #nderstands that the longterm e%%ects o% cigarette smo'ing are death$ destr#ction$ and illness 8 they all 'now this$ it is not a s#rprise to any o% them R why do they contin#e to smo'eQ They all 'now that i% they do not stop smo'ing the o#tcome is not going to !e positi"e( Chy do clients smo'e i% they 'now itOs !ad %or themQ 9eca#se the min#te they light a cigarette$ it does something %or them( +t helps them to rela@( 4At least$ thatOs what they claim( +tOs really not the cigarette that helps them rela@$ itOs the deep !reathing(6 Cigarette smo'ers ha"e %riends( At o%%ice !#ildings where smo'ing is still permitted$ yo#Dll see the smo'ers heading o#t to socialize at the smo'e hole$ while the non8 smo'ers are !ac' in their o%%ices wishing they had a !rea' also( Cigarette smo'ing gi"es people an e@c#se to ha"e rela@ing social time( .mo'ing also helps people de"elop a sense o% identity( Perceptions o% what the cigarette smo'er is li'e are comm#nicated thro#gh media and ad"ertising$ li'e the cool hero p#%%ing away in mo"ies and magazines( Ad"ertising wor's and those power%#l
messages are carried thro#gho#t the co#rse o% a personOs li%e( Chen they light #p$ they instantly !ecome someone they percei"e themsel"es to !e( The min#te someone lights a cigarette$ all 'inds o% good things happen %or them$ !eca#se there is nothing !ad a!o#t identity$ rela@ation$ social networ'ing$ and ta'ing a !rea'( .o the A#estion !ecomes) +s there any other way to meet their needs %or rela@ation$ identity$ socialization and ta'ing a !rea' %rom stressors 8 that is considered healthyQ Ce need to 'now o#r clientOs moti"ation %or smo'ing( Ce want to listen to o#r clients so that we can de"elop s#ggesti"e lang#age scripts to help o#r clients at their partic#lar indi"id#al point o% need( Ce want to ma'e s#re they can still 'eep all the !ene%its o% smo'ing$ what it really gi"es them$ witho#t the need %or the lethal cr#tch o% cigarettes( 1-> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly A"aila!ility and Consistency The ne@t important iss#e is yo#r a"aila!ility as a therapist( Now$ the reality is that at two oOcloc' in the morning$ yo# cannot call
me e"en i% yo# are s#icidalU yo# need to !e calling 711 or an emergency hot line( +Om not so narcissistic to !elie"e that + am the only person who can help someoneU + want my clients to de"elop sit#ational s#pports o#tside o% the therape#tic relationship$ !#t at the same time$ + want to !e a"aila!le( + want my clients to ha"e my email address$ !#t also to 'now that there is a time d#ring the day that + re"iew my client email$ and + will ret#rn an email or phone call to them at that time( +% they call the o%%ice and +Om not a"aila!le$ they need to lea"e a message and + will ret#rn the call when + am a!le( Ni"e clients yo#r time and ways to contact yo#$ !#t also "al#e yo#r own pri"acy and promote their independence Consistency is also important( +% + see a client %or m#ltiple sessions$ + want them to 'now not only that + e@pect them to !e there$ !#t + will !e there also( +O"e heard a n#m!er o% clients complain that their pre"io#s therapist 'ept changing appointment times on them( .ched#ling an appointment d#ring a !#sy wor' day or aro#nd childrenDs school e"ents can !e di%%ic#lt eno#gh the %irst time( <onDt
ma'e yo#r clients E#ggleU they will %ind someone else to see( Con%idence + mentioned con%idence !e%ore$ !#t + want to address it again here !eca#se it is so essential %or a good client;therapist relationship( Ce need to %eel con%ident a!o#t the wor' we do( Ce m#st ha"e con%idence in o#rsel"es so the client will ha"e con%idence in #s( 1therwise$ we lose e%%ecti"eness( Practicing is important( Chen + was %irst learning the %#ndamentals o% clinical hypnosis$ + wo#ld wal' aro#nd reciting ind#ctions$ deepeners and s#ggestions in my head$ trying to commit them to memory( + hypnotized e"erything in sight R door 'no!s 4(((when + t#rn yo# to the le%t yo# will %eel 1-times more rela@ed(((6$ my pillow at night 4(((three$ two and ((( when yo# reach the !ottom o% the staircase yo# will settle into p#re rela@ation$ as i% on a large$ white$ %l#%%y pillow(((6$ the shower head in the morning 4(((when yo# awa'en$ yo# will %eel re%reshed and in"igorated$ ready to ta'e on the tas's o% the day(((6 Nongard & Thomas 1-0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone
!eca#se + wanted to %eel con%ident wor'ing with clients$ witho#t ha"ing to read %rom a script( *"ery hypnotist will ha"e a di%%erent style and approach( .ome will type o#t a complete script or !orrow %rom a ready8made one they %ind online( 1thers will memorize e"ery word and not #se paper at all( .ome will not memorize or read$ !#t simply ad8li!$ ma'ing it #p as they watch client c#es( And still others will ha"e some parts memorized$ s#ch as the ind#ction$ !#t also ha"e short notes scri!!led on paper to remind them o% 'ey points to address d#ring the s#ggesti"e therapy phase( This last approach !est %its my personal style$ and as yo# progress with yo#r practice and gain con%idence with yo#r s'ills and 'nowledge$ yo# will de"elop yo#r own pre%erred style( + will say$ howe"er$ that the more yo# ha"e committed to memory R a "ariety o% ind#ctions$ deepeners$ s#ggesti"e scripts and awa'eners R the easier it will !e %or yo# to adE#st mid8stream to meet each indi"id#al clientOs partic#lar point o% need when interacting with them( Ha"ing con%idence and doing the things that are necessary to
de"elop con%idence are important( The easiest way to de"elop con%idence is to incorporate hypnosis into yo#r own li%e( Ha"e di%%ic#lty sleeping at nightQ ?se sel%8hypnosis techniA#es to p#t yo#rsel% to sleep( Are yo# a%raid to %lyQ Try ta'ing a %light on an airplane$ and #se the techniA#es o% hypnosis to help yo# o"ercome yo#r pho!ia or %ears( <o yo# ha"e a %ear o% sna'esQ + donOt thin' yo# need to !ecome a sna'e8handler$ !#t yo# sho#ld !e a!le to at least wal' past the reptile e@hi!it o% the zoo$ and hypnosis can help yo# to o"ercome some o% yo#r own pho!ias( Are yo# depressedQ /o# will !e teaching yo#r clients the di%%erence !etween tension and rela@ation$ and rela@ation and depressionU perhaps yo# sho#ld learn %or yo#rsel%( 1therwise$ yo# will !e %ar less help%#l than a therapist who has got his or her own li%e together( 1-2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Li"e Healthy <o yo# drin' too m#chQ <o yo# smo'e cigarettesQ Loo' at yo#rsel% in the mirror( <o yo# ha"e a %ew e@tra po#nds$ perhaps !eca#se yo# are o"er 2-$ li'e meQ Cell$ a %ew e@tra po#nds are
pro!a!ly o'ay$ !#t do yo# ha"e 2-$ &-$ 3-$ or 1-- e@tra po#ndsQ /o#r clients are not going to %eel con%ident getting help %rom yo# i% they notice that yo#r li%e is not a model o% s#ccess %or them to learn %rom( Ce can de"elop a tremendo#s amo#nt o% con%idence !y doing the things that we as' o#r clients to do$ so get o#t there and e@perience some hypnosis R practice$ practice$ practice 8 and change yo#r own li%e %or the !etter while yo#Dre at itF + wo#ld also s#ggest listening to some hypnosis C<s prepared !y other pro%essionals and;or #ndergoing a co#rse o% li"e hypnosis %rom a pro%essional who can assist yo# in resol"ing some o% the iss#es that yo# e@perience in yo#r own li%e( + thin' this is important not only %or yo# to ha"e a similar e@perience as yo#r clients$ !#t also %or yo# to ha"e a clean manner o% li"ing( This ties in a !it with the a!o"e$ in that i% yo# smo'e$ yo# sho#ld A#it R #nless yo# do not plan to see smo'ers %or treatment 4A#ite possi!ly ,&T o% yo#r potential client !ase6$ or did yo# plan to !e hypocriticalQ +% yo# are o"erweight$ yo# sho#ld e@ercise more and eat right$ and so %orth$ %or yo#r own health$ o% co#rse$ !#t to set a
good e@ample %or yo#r clients( Nongard & Thomas 1-& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 1-3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Assessment and +nta'e Another s'ill we need to de"elop as hypnotherapists is that o% assessment( Chen meeting new clients and de"eloping rapport with them$ in order to present an e%%ecti"e pre8tal' choose the correct ind#ction method and create the proper s#ggestions %or change$ we m#st assess o#r clientsD strengths and reso#rces( +t is important to %ind o#t !asic in%ormation a!o#t them( There are three tools which + personally %ind highly e%%ecti"e in the inta'e process R %o#r$ i% yo# incl#de simply comm#nicating and as'ing rele"ant A#estions 4search tal'6 R !#t the three tools are as %ollows) +nta'e orm irst and %oremost$ yo# need a good inta'e %orm( /o# need to 'now yo#r clientOs name$ address and phone n#m!er( /o# need to 'now what name to call them !y$ yo# need their address to mail receipts or send %ollow8#p letters$ and yo# need their n#m!er in case
one o% yo# needs to resched#le %or some reason( Personally$ + also want their email address$ !eca#se that is an easier way %or many to comm#nicate$ incl#ding mysel%( As mentioned !e%ore$ we want to #se o#r clientOs strengths to come #p with inter"entions ideas( or e@ample$ i% my client is A#ite artisticU + 'now + can pro!a!ly !e "ery "is#al with them( +% they are an engineer$ + pro!a!ly want to !e more logical or concrete( Cith the artist$ + may #se a loose$ indirecti"e "is#alization ind#ction that mo"es %rom con"ersation right into a deepener( Cith the engineer or the acco#ntant$ + will pro!a!ly !e m#ch more pointed and concrete( + want to !e a!le to relate to clients according to their indi"id#al learning style and the way that they "iew and see and relate to the world aro#nd them( The inta'e %orm$ com!ined with inter"iewing disc#ssion$ helps gi"e me this "al#a!le in%ormation( Ce need to disco"er what the client wants o#t o% the session$ ma'ing s#re they ha"e a clear and speci%ic idea in mind o% e@actly Nongard & Thomas 1-, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone
what they want to accomplish$ and i% they ha"e more than one goal they need to prioritize( ?nderstand that while there is a lot + want to 'now a!o#t the client$ + am not going to gi"e them 15 pages o% %orms to complete li'e at a doctorDs o%%ice( The A#estions as'ed are not partic#larly n#mero#s or deep$ !#t they are rele"ant to hypnosis and their pro!lems( +% they had a pro!lem when they were two years old$ totally #nrelated to the process here$ + really donOt need to 'now that( + also as' them what their !elie% or #nderstanding is a!o#t hypnosis$ so + 'now what 'ind o% pre8tal' + need to gi"e( H#st !eca#se they showed #p on time and are now sitting in yo#r o%%ice does not mean they are a tr#e !elie"er( /o# wo#ld !e s#rprised how many people ma'e an appointment simply !eca#se they are desperate and someone said hypnosis might !e a!le to help$ !#t they really ha"e no idea what hypnosis is or does R they E#st want their pro!lem %i@ed$ now( + also want them to identi%y their own strengths$ reso#rces and de%icits( This is a hard A#estion at times$ %or anyone( Chat are yo#r
three !iggest strengthsQ Chat are yo#r three !iggest de%icitsQ +t might so#nd li'e a Eo! inter"iew A#estion$ !#t the answers can really help the hypnotist to de"elop targeted s#ggestion strategies( Ce donDt want to gi"e the general s#ggestion o% Dgoing to the gym a %ew times a wee' to wor' o#tD to someone who is a procrastinator or lac's time management s'ills( +% yo# 'now #p %ront they ha"e a pro!lem in this area$ !#t ha"e the strengths and reso#rces o% a solid social s#pport system and e@tra %inances$ yo# might s#ggest they Eoin a gym and set #p sessions with a personal trainer( A trainer will help hold them acco#nta!le to act#ally ma'e the time and show #p$ on time( As' yo#r clients to list any medical or mental health conditions %or which they are c#rrently !eing treated( + want to 'now the diagnosis$ the treating physician$ and the medications( Hypnotists do not prescri!e medications$ and + do not thin' it is necessarily appropriate %or #s to gi"e ad"ice a!o#t medications to clients$ howe"er we do need to #nderstand the impact that medications can ha"e on o#r clientsD li"es( Ce co#ld go to school to !ecome a
pharmacist$ !#t that wo#ld ta'e a long time and it wo#ldnOt ha"e a direct relationship to the wor' do$ so the easier$ %aster way to !ecome an e@pert on medications is to go down to the #sed !oo'store and as' %or a copy o% last yearOs P<:$ the PhysicianOs <es' :e%erence %or 1-5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly medications( +tOs a !ig %at !oo' with e"ery medication$ e"ery sidee%%ect$ appropriate dosages$ <A appro"ed #ses$ etcetera( +% my client is on a medication that + ha"enOt heard o% !e%ore$ + go loo' it #p in the P<: so + will #nderstand what side e%%ects there might !e that co#ld impact the client either positi"ely or negati"ely( + also want to 'now who their treating physician is( <epending on what +Dm seeing the client %or$ + may as' %or permission to send a note to their doctor so they can add it to their medical records that + am treating their client %or whate"er$ #sing hypnotherapy( Not only is this good %or the doctor to 'now what the patient is doing o#tside their o%%ice$ !#t it is also a way to e@pand o#r re%erral networ' and meet other pro%essionals who might re%er to #s in the
%#t#re( +t is important to 'now whether or not the client drin's alcohol and i% so$ how m#ch( Perhaps this comes o#t o% my e@perience as a s#!stance a!#se co#nselor$ !#t + 'now how general alcohol #se can impact li%e( .ome people who drin' on a reg#lar !asis$ not at an alcoholic le"el !#t %reA#ently$ ha"e impaired sleep patterns$ di%%ic#lty concentrating$ %oc#sing$ weight gain and things o% that sort$ and they donDt 'now that these pro!lems co#ld easily !e ca#sed !y the alcohol they cons#me( + want to 'now$ o% co#rse$ i% they smo'e cigarettes and how o%ten( May!e they came in %or weight loss and they donOt plan to A#it smo'ing( + still want to 'now !eca#se it will a%%ect my weight loss s#ggestion plans with them( Many people$ especially women$ do not want to stop smo'ing simply !eca#se they are a%raid they will gain weight when they A#it( /o# sho#ld disco"er i% this is the case$ to !e more e%%ecti"e with yo#r pre8tal' and yo#r therape#tic s#ggestions( <o they #se mariE#anaQ /es or no and how o%ten( <o they #se any other DrecreationalD dr#gsQ The common ones are cocaine and
other stim#lants$ ecstasy$ heroine$ methadone$ prescription or #nprescri!ed pain pills and anti8an@iety medications( + want to 'now a!o#t their dr#g #se history( Now$ not e"eryone is interested in chec'8 mar'ing$ I/es$ + #se cocaine and heroin$J on a %orm with their name on it$ so we ha"e to ass#re the client that the in%ormation will remain con%idential !etween me and them( +Om not a cop$ + E#st want to help them( <r#g #se impacts !rain wa"e %#nctioning$ and as a hypnotherapist it is important to !e aware o% what is going on with the clientDs !rain( Nongard & Thomas 1-7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone + want to 'now i% they ha"e sleep di%%ic#lties( People do not %#nction as well emotionally i% they do not reg#larly %ollow nat#ral sleep cycles( .leep pro!lems can !e d#e to stress$ depression$ an@iety$ medications$ ca%%eine$ nicotine$ and a host o% other reasons$ and we sho#ld ma'e an attempt to sort them o#t$ i% we can$ e"en i% they came in %or a di%%erent iss#e$ !eca#se lac' o% good sleep is o%ten a Catch >>$ contri!#ting to many other pro!lems(
+ want to 'now a!o#t their eating patterns$ !eca#se they will tell me a lot a!o#t the clientDs li%estyle choices$ the way they a!#se their !ody and what is important to them( + also want to 'now i% they are satis%ied or dissatis%ied in their personal relationships( <epending on what !ro#ght them to my o%%ice$ + pro!a!ly donOt need to 'now many speci%ics$ a general o"er"iew will do( or other iss#es$ howe"er$ this area will !e o% partic#lar importance$ especially i% + am doing co#pleOs co#nseling( + am licensed as a marriage %amily therapist$ and se@#al iss#es are a part o% my domain$ along with how they handle tension and stress$ what they do %or %#n$ their ho!!ies and so %orth( And$ it is especially important with co#ples to as' each o% them$ indi"id#ally$ what they want to accomplish with hypnosis$ to ma'e s#re they are on the same page( The last thing on the inta'e assessment %orm is the +n%ormed Consent( Ce will disc#ss this more later as it relates to lia!ility$ !#t we need to let o#r clients 'now the limits o% the ser"ices we o%%er and that they ha"e a choice to see #s or someone else at any time( Ce need
to doc#ment that we ha"e e@plained this to them and ha"e disc#ssed the ris's 4%ew i% any6 and !ene%its inherent in hypnosis( + then as' my clients to print their name in the space$ and then sign and date indicating they #nderstand what they wrote( +n%ormed consent is essential( This is the !asic assessment process in a n#tshell( +t !egins with a A#estionnaire and disc#ssion a!o#t the clientOs partic#lar needs$ strengths$ reso#rces and de%icits$ and then yo# can !egin to create targeted inter"entions to help the person reach their goals( 11Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .tyles o% Learning The second tool + #se d#ring the inta'e and assessment process is the .tyles o% Learning %orm( *ach one o% #s has a #niA#e learning style) some o% #s are more a#ditory in orientation$ others are more "is#al$ and others are more 'inesthetic( +t is important to realize$ howe"er$ that while we each may ha"e a partic#lar style o% learning !est s#ited to #s$ we all learn %rom all three orientations( No one is only a#ditory and ne"er learns or adopts in%ormation %rom a
'inesthetic or a "is#al perspecti"e$ and many clients may seem to share all three styles almost eA#ally( These things are not in%le@i!le( They can all wor' together to complement one another$ and people respond to di%%erent ideas at di%%erent times( + thin' i% we assessed someone as "is#al$ %or e@ample$ and we create nothing %or them other than "is#al scripts$ we will not ser"e the client well$ !eca#se most people can !ene%it across the !oard %rom all three learning styles( /o# can %ind a .tyles o% Learning A#estion sheet on the +nternet$ E#st do a search( The one + #se is adopted %rom wor' Colin :ose did on the s#!Eect$ and it as's a!o#t 1A#estions which can help #s determine whether o#r client is "is#al$ a#ditory or 'inesthetic; tactile in orientation( or e@ample$ the client may ma'e %i"e selections #nder "is#al$ two #nder a#ditory$ and three #nder tactile( Chat that tells me is this partic#lar client is oriented towards the "is#al style o% learning$ !#t since there are some positi"e answers in other !o@es$ all styles o% learning can !e !ene%icial %or that person$ with an emphasis on the "is#al(
Now let #s disc#ss how these three di%%erent learning styles relate to hypnosis( There are people who learn !est thro#gh so#ndrelated e@periences$ they respond "ery well to "er!al or spo'en instr#ctions( This is the 'ind o% person yo# can gi"e "er!al directions to E#st once 8 INo down Main street$ t#rn le%t at the third light$ head down %o#r !loc's$ t#rn right$ and when yo# see the %or'$ yield to the le%t$ itDs the se"enth ho#se on the rightJ 8 and witho#t a map they show #p at yo#r ho#se >- min#tes later( Nongard & Thomas 111 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 1ther people are more "is#al in orientation( They respond !est to what they see and read( These people generally ma'e !etter witnesses$ as they tend to a!sor! more "is#al details than a#ditory or 'inesthetic learners( They respond "ery well to paper maps$ !#t i% + ga"e them the same "er!al instr#ctions as in the pre"io#s e@ample$ they pro!a!ly co#ldnDt %ind the location R #nless they wrote it down and;or p#lled the act#al address #p on MapM#est or Noogle Maps$ printed o%% the ro#te$ and !ro#ght it with them(
Kinesthetic learning style %ol's respond to the physical sensations o% li%e$ to the e@periences they ha"e with mo"ement$ te@t#res$ to#ch( They learn !est thro#gh doing$ hands8on proEects and participation( They li'ely ha"e great hand8eye coordination$ and most o%ten remem!er things !y recalling what they were doing$ physically$ at the time( .e"eral years !ac' + had a traditional therapy client who was a hea"y mariE#ana smo'er( He was depressed and wasnOt doing too m#ch with his li%e( His girl%riend d#mped him !eca#se she didnOt want to !e with someone who was not moti"ated to do$ well$ m#ch o% anything( He needed to set some goals( + do goal8setting assignments with a lot o% my clientsU we disc#ss their goals and then they write them down$ o#tlining the o!Eecti"es with a pencil and paper( 9#t + 'new this partic#lar client was primarily 'inesthetic in orientation and "ery low on a#ditory$ so + had him do something di%%erent( He was a!o#t >- years old !#t still li"ing at home$ and + said$ IHey$ does yo#r mom ha"e !#nch o% magazines lying aro#nd the ho#seQJ
He said$ I?hhh$ yeah(J + said$ I+ want yo# get some o% those old magazines( No thro#gh them$ and + want yo# to c#t o#t all the pict#res yo# see that represent what yo# wish yo# had in li%e( or e@ample$ yo# said yo# were depressed( +% yo# see a yellow smiley %ace in a Cal8Mart ad$ c#t it o#t( /o# mentioned that yo# car was a cl#n'er( LetOs say yo# see an ad %or a !rand new car yo# wish had( C#t that o#t$ too( /o#r girl%riend E#st d#mped yo#Q +% yo# see a Kiagra ad with a g#y and a girl holding hands wal'ing down the !each$ c#t that pict#re o#t( Not the Kiagra$ E#st the happy co#ple holding hands part( Then$ arrange and gl#e all the pict#res yo# c#t o#t on a poster !oard(J 11> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly He did the assignment$ created a poster !oard collage$ and wow$ it was really impressi"e R the 'id had a lot o% artistic talent( This is a "ery tactile learning e@ercise) c#t$ paste$ stic'$ and mo"e( +t is also$ o!"io#sly$ "ery "is#al( + told him to ta'e his collage and to tape it inside his !edroom door$ !eca#se itDs one o% the %irst places he will
loo' in the morning$ and one o% the last places he will see at the end o% the day when he comes home to his room at motherOs ho#se( :emem!er$ this was a goal8setting assignment$ so + wanted him to aim %or something( + s#ggested that in the mornings when he loo's at the pict#res !e%ore heading o#t the door$ he sho#ld recognize that those images were the things he was going to !e aiming %or that day( +n a hypnotic process$ these three learning styles sho#ld and can easily !e incorporated into the s#ggestions that we #se( or e@ample$ when pro"iding hypnotic s#ggestions to an a#ditory learner we may say things li'e$ Ilisten to these s#ggestions$J or$ Ithis is what stillness so#nds li'e(J or the 'inesthetic indi"id#al$ we may s#ggest$ IPay attention to yo#r heart rate$ %eel yo#r heart !eat !ecoming slower and slower as yo# !reathe in$ and o#t( eel the o@ygen %ill yo#r l#ngs(J These are the types things a 'inesthetic learner responds to$ !eca#se it p#ts mo"ement$ %eeling and the physical nat#re o% the !ody into a perspecti"e that is easy %or them to relate to and #nderstand(
The "is#al learning style is easily incorporated into the hypnotic process !y #se o% "is#al imagery s#ggestions( Chite p#%%y clo#ds$ a staircase deepener$ rela@ing at the !each$ a serene clearing !y a mo#ntain stream$ and so %orth$ are partic#larly #se%#l$ !eca#se these clients can easily create those 'inds o% images in their mind( ?nderstanding learning styles is "ery important %or the e%%ecti"eness o% the hypnotic process( The more we #nderstand and #tilize related techniA#es$ the !etter we can assist o#r clients with getting most o#t o% their session with #s( Nongard & Thomas 110 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone .trengths and :eso#rces 1ne o% the most #se%#l assessment tools that + #se in my co#nseling practice is the N.:+) Nongard .trength and :eso#rces +n"entory( The N.:+ is a simple 18page assessment tool created !y Pa#la <#ncan Nongard to %ill a real need in the assessment process( + ha"e #sed it %or years in my own practice$ and ha"e !een licensing it to other mental health pro%essionals since the mid 177-Ds( The positi"e
%eed!ac' has !een tremendo#s$ and + thin' yo#Dll easily #nderstand the positi"e applications %or hypnotherapy inta'e( As pre"io#sly mentioned$ the most e%%ecti"e inter"ention ideas and s#ggesti"e scripts we can de"elop will come directly %rom the strengths and reso#rces the client already possesses$ and the N.:+ is designed to help identi%y them( Li'e the .tyles o% Learning A#estionnaire$ the N.:+ is a sel%8report$ meaning the client will chec'mar' the ideas listed that he or she relates to$ and ignore those they do not( .i@ sections co"er di%%erent areas o% li%e strengths$ reso#rces and a!ilities$ %rom whether they ha"e a Eo!$ to i% they wor' well with others or alone$ to their social s#pports and so %orth( .ometimes + may 'now what is right a!o#t a client$ !#t they ha"e a hard time accepting my o!ser"ations( Clients are o%ten good at determining what is wrong with themsel"es$ !#t not with seeing what is right( The items to choose %rom on the N.:+ are simple and non8 threatening$ and can ser"e to !#ild sel%8esteem once the page is co"ered in chec'8mar's that they$ themsel"es mar'ed(
:eso#rces are the things o#r clients ha"e to help them sol"e their pro!lems( or e@ample i% + were loo'ing %or a Eo!$ two reso#rces wo#ld !e a telephone and a car( .o$ i% + am loo'ing %or a Eo!$ + ha"e transportation and a way %or a prospecti"e employer to contact me and tell me i% + am hired( Those are reso#rces$ e@amples o% practical and #se%#l things that e@ist in my li%e to help me sol"e pro!lems( The N.:+ also meas#res the strengths o% a personOs interactions with others( + am a %irm !elie"er that King .olomon was right when he said$ IAs iron sharpens iron$ so one man sharpens another(J Ce need other people to help #s sol"e pro!lems( 9eing a!le to identi%y and integrate the clientDs strengths into their learning 112 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly processes can !e partic#larly #se%#l( +n order to #nderstand more a!o#t the strengths o#r client possesses$ we m#st learn as m#ch as we can a!o#t how they relate to others( The third iss#e addressed is ed#cation and s'ills( + want my client to recognize that the ed#cation and s'ills they posses are #se%#l
to them %or ma'ing positi"e changes( + want to !e a!le to incorporate their e@isting s'ills$ A#ali%ications and !ac'gro#nd when + am coming #p with s#ggesti"e therapy programs( +% a client is stressed o#t and %eels their li%e has !ecome #nmanagea!le$ it may !e help%#l to point o#t the other things they ha"e !een a!le to accomplish in li%e !eca#se they do ha"e management and organizational s'ills$ to show that they also posses the a!ility to ta'e !ac' control o% their c#rrent sit#ations !y #sing those same e@isting s'ills in other areas o% li%e( The N.:+ also s#r"eys personal attri!#tes( This is where we %ind o#t i% o#r clients percei"e themsel"es as tr#stworthy$ help%#l$ %riendly$ co#rteo#s$ 'ind$ o!edient$ cheer%#l$ thri%ty$ !ra"e$ clean$ re"erent and s#chli'e( + want my client to identi%y the character strengths they possess$ !eca#se those strengths are going to help compensate %or their de%icits( +% they want to lose weight$ and consider themsel"es to !e loyal and tho#ght%#l$ we can incorporate those traits into s#ggestions$ s#ch as$ I((( E#st as yo# are loyal to yo#r %amily when they need yo#$ yo# are also loyal to yo#rsel% and yo#r own health
needs$ choosing to eat only A#ality %oods with positi"e n#tritional "al#e that will s#pport yo#r weight loss goals(((J Ce also want to 'now a!o#t their sit#ational social s#pports$ the people they interact with( .it#ational s#pports are a!sol#tely essential( or e@ample$ when wor'ing with smo'ers$ it can !e help%#l to #se what we learn here to s#ggest that %or the %irst wee' or so o% their smo'e8%ree li"es$ they spend most o% their time associating with s#pporti"e non8smo'ers$ !e that their mother$ sister$ #ncle or pastor( Helping the client identi%y these s#pports #p %ront and incorporating their names into s#ggestions prepares them to get help %rom positi"e so#rces$ sho#ld they need it( All o% these iss#e areas can !e #sed to help come #p with s#ggesti"e therapy ideas targeted at their partic#lar point o% need( Chether yo# #se the N.:+ or a similar %orm$ perhaps o% yo#r own creation$ or whether yo# simply incorporate the a!o"e elements into the inta'e inter"iew$ what yo# will learn %rom this process will !e greatly important to the s#ccess o% yo#r sessions( Nongard & Thomas 11&
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 113 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: & *@ploring the Hypnotic Process in <etail Let #s now ret#rn to the %ormal process o% hypnosis$ and e@plore the 'ey elements o% the pre8tal'$ ind#ction and deepening in more detail( Nongard & Thomas 11, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 115 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Pre8Tal' +% yo# ha"e ne"er seen a stage hypnosis show$ + recommend that yo# do so at yo#r %irst opport#nity$ simply %or the ed#cational "al#e 4not to mention the entertainment "al#e6$ as it pro"ides an immensely power%#l e@ample o% what can !e accomplished with hypnosis$ A#ite easily( *"en in a noisy and o%ten chaotic en"ironment$ stage hypnotists can hypnotize large gro#ps o% willing people 8 in E#st a %ew min#tes( That may so#nd #n!elie"a!le$ !#t tr#ly$ as + hope yo# realize
!y now$ anyone can !e hypnotized( ?nli'e the eager participants in a stage show$ those who are not so s#re that they want to !e hypnotized$ and e"en those who might act#ally %ear hypnosis$ can still !e hypnotized 8 i% the hypnotist ta'es the time to e@plain the hypnotic process to them( <etailing to the client e@actly what hypnosis is$ how it wor's$ how it %eels$ what will happen$ and how m#ch control they will maintain or lose o"er what they say or do$ can go a long way towards soothing the clientOs ner"es$ ad"ancing s#ggesti!ility$ and !#ilding necessary client;hypnotist tr#st and rapport( :emem!er at the !eginning o% this te@t when + said yo# sho#ld ha"e a little !ac'gro#nd in%ormation !e%ore we do"e into e@actly how to hypnotize someoneQ The in%ormation that %ollowed was the eA#i"alent o% the pre8tal' portion o% this co#rse$ rather li'e the concepts o% Spatient ed#cationO and Sin%ormed consentO rolled into one( Cith Con"incers Ce disc#ssed con"incers !e%ore$ the tests clients can do d#ring the pre8tal' that ser"e to !oth rein%orce the concepts and capa!ilities
o% hypnosis to the client$ and also gi"e the hypnotist an idea o% the clientOs early s#ggesti!ility response le"el$ their %oc#sed concentration le"el$ and their a!ility and desire to %ollow directions( Nongard & Thomas 117 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone + ga"e a co#ple o% e@amples earlier$ !#t here are a %ew more that yo# sho#ld try yo#rsel%$ and may choose to integrate into yo#r own pre8tal's as yo# !egin practicing( The I9oo';9alloonJ Test A%ter E#st !rie%ly ha"ing the client close his eyes and %oc#s on rela@ing$ he is told to e@tend one arm straight o#t$ palm #p( He is then told to raise his other arm straight #p a!o"e his head$ and to ma'e a %ist with his th#m! stic'ing #p li'e heOs hitchhi'ing( Then$ the hypnotist tells the client that in his open palm is a hea"y !oo' that he m#st s#pport$ and will sim#late this !y p#shing down a !it on the clientOs open palm( The hypnotist also tells the client that tied to his th#m! is a large heli#m %illed !alloon$ which is ca#sing his arm to rise higher and higher$ and the hypnotist may gently sA#eeze the clientOs th#m!$
%or %ocal point emphasis( As the hypnotist repeats and rein%orces these s#ggested concepts o"er and o"er$ more and more intensely in the ne@t min#te$ the clientOs e@tended arm will !egin to %all %rom the percei"ed weight o% the hea"y !oo'$ and their raised arm will stretch higher and higher$ as i% heOs almost !eing carried away !y the !alloon( Chen the client is s#ddenly told to open his eyes and %inds himsel% in this interesting position$ he is #s#ally %ar more con"inced o% the power o% hypnosis( +%$ howe"er$ the client does not respond as e@pected$ then he is perhaps either intentionally resistant$ or simply #na!le to %oc#s or %ollow directions( The hypnotherapist sho#ld then disc#ss the sit#ation with the client and determine the lac' o% response ca#se$ and then o"ercome the pro!lem$ i% possi!le$ with %#rther ed#cation$ or perhaps simply re%er the client %or a di%%erent %orm o% therapy( :emem!er$ %or hypnosis to wor'$ the client m#st !e willing( 1>Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly ingers <rawn Together Test 8 As i% the clientDs %ingers were magnetized(
IHold yo#r arms straight o#t in %ront o% yo#$ with yo#r %ingers clasped together$ and then e@tend the pointer %inger o% each hand( Now$ p#ll !oth %ingers apart as %ar as possi!le$ and stare hard at the space !etween them( /o# will notice that no matter how hard yo# try to 'eep yo#r %ingers apart$ they are !eing drawn closer and closer together( The harder yo# try to p#ll$ the stronger the magnet gets that p#lls them together( oc#s on the space !etween yo#r %ingers( Try to p#ll harder( Can yo# %eel the magnetQ /o#r %ingers are !eing drawn !y the magnet$ closer and closer together$ #ntil they to#ch(J The *ye8Loc' Test 8 The clientOs eyes close and !ecome gl#ed sh#t( ITa'e a deep !reath 8 hold it 8 now$ as yo# let it o#t$ E#st close yo#r eyes and let yo#r !ody rela@( Again$ ta'e a deep !reath 8 hold it 8 now slowly let it o#t and rela@ e"en more( :ela@ yo#r eyes$ and rela@ all the m#scles aro#nd yo#r eyes$ %#lly and completely(
/o#r eyelids are rela@ing and they are happy to !e closed( /o# are now so com%orta!ly rela@ed that yo#r eyes want to remain closed( No matter how hard yo# try to open yo#r eyes$ they will remain closed( Nongard & Thomas 1>1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Ta'e another deep !reath 8 hold it 8 now let it o#t and rela@ e"en more( Now that yo# are completely rela@ed$ try to open yo#r eyes$ and satis%y yo#rsel% that they remain closed(J 4Pa#se6 INood( Now stop trying and rela@ them again(J Alternati"e 4more direct6 "ersion) I+Dm going to co#nt down %rom %i"e to one( As + do$ yo#r eyelids will loc' so tightly closed that the more yo# try to open them$ the tighter they will loc' closed( i"e( Close yo#r eyes( /o#r eyes are pressing down tightly( o#r( Pressing down and sealing sh#t( Three( /o#r eyes are sealing closed$ as i% they were gl#ed( Two( They are loc'ed sh#t( The more yo# try to open them$ the tighter they loc' closed( 1ne( /o#r eyes are completely loc'ed sh#t(
Now$ try to open yo#r eyelids( /o# will %ind they loc' tighter and tighter( Kery good( /o# can stop trying now( .imply rela@(J The Hand Clasp Test 8 Loc'ing;gl#ing a clientOs hands together( JHold !oth hands o#t in %ront o% yo#$ palms #p( Nood( Now + am going to p#t some gl#e on yo#r palms(J 49r#sh yo#r hand across !oth o% theirs(6 INow$ press yo#r palms together(J 4<emonstrate(6 IAs yo# press harder and harder$ the gl#e on yo#r hands !egins to set 8 to dry and harden 8 and yo#r palms !ecome st#c' together( 1>> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The harder yo# press yo#r hands together$ the more st#c' they !ecome( Press hard( eel the gl#e hardening( /o#r hands are now completely gl#ed together$ and e"en i% yo# were to try to p#ll them apart$ they wo#ld stay st#c' together( /o#r hands are st#c' together( /o# can try to p#ll them apart$ !#t they will remain gl#ed sh#t( No ahead$ try to p#ll them apart(J 4Pa#se6
INood( /o# can stop trying now( /o#r hands are no longer st#c' together(J Alternati"e "ersion) INow weOre going to help yo# %ind o#t how strong yo#r powers o% imagination and concentration are( .tand here$ and loo' me directly in the eyes$ and concentrate completely on the ideas !ehind my words( P#t yo#r arms straight o#t in %ront o% yo#( Nood( Clasp yo#r palms together and interloc' yo#r %ingers( Kery good( Keep loo'ing at my eyes( Now$ p#sh yo#r hands together as tightly as yo# can and concentrate on this idea) DMy hands are st#c' together$ my hands are st#c' together(D Kery good( As yo# p#sh yo#r hands together$ tighter and tighter$ yo#r arms grow sti%% and rigid$ sti%% and rigid$ as yo#r hands loc' more tightly together$ as i% theyDre made o% one solid piece o% steel(J 4This Ssti%% and rigid$ solid as steelO sit#ation is called ScatalepsyO o% the arms$ as will !e e@plained shortly(6 Nongard & Thomas 1>0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone
IKeep loo'ing at my eyes( Now$ as yo# %#lly and completely concentrate on the idea that yo#r hands are one solid piece o% steel$ try in "ain to p#ll them apart$ and %ind that they are st#c' together$ sti%% and rigid$ st#c' together(J 4Let them try %or two or three seconds 8 no more6( INood( Now stop trying$ and allow yo#r arms and hands to rela@$ !ecome loose and limp$ and they will release easily(J 41n occasion$ some people may ha"e a little pro!lem getting their hands apart( H#st gently sha'e them loose and say$ I+tOs o'ay$ yo# can rela@ now and E#st let go(J6 The Hot 1!Eect test R The client holds a DwarmingD o!Eect #ntil it is too hot to hold com%orta!ly( IHold yo#r hand o#t$ palm #p( Nood( Now loo' at me( +n a min#te$ +Om going to p#t a small stone in yo#r hand( As the stone comes in contact with yo#r s'in$ it will !egin to get warmer and warmer( As it heats #p$ + want yo# to hold on to it as long as yo# can$ #ntil itOs E#st too hot %or yo# to hold( Are yo# readyQ Nood(J
4Place the stone 8 or other small$ smooth o!Eect6 in the center o% their palm$ and close their %ingers aro#nd it(6 IThe stone in yo#r hand is now reacting and growing warmer( The heat grows grad#ally$ second !y second$ it gets warmer and warmer( The longer yo# hold it$ the warmer it gets( +tOs getting warmer and warmer$ hotter and hotter( 1>2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +tOs li'e a hot potato( +tOs o'ay to open yo#r hand$ !#t it will still get hotter( Kery good( H#st try to hold on to it as long as yo# can stand the heat( +tOs now hotter$ and hotter(I 4Keep it #p #ntil the client drops the stone$ or perhaps sho#ld$ d#e to e%%ort limits(6 IKery good( /o# can p#t it down now$ so it will cool o%%(J Lemon <rop Test 8 As i% the client had a piece o% lemon candy in their mo#th( IThe mind and !ody wor' together in amazing ways( Chen the mind concentrates %#lly and completely on a speci%ic tho#ght$ the !ody will a#tomatically act as i% that tho#ght is tr#e( LetDs try an
e@ample( Close yo#r eyes and hold o#t yo#r palm(J 4Kery lightly and !rie%ly$ to#ch the center o% their palm(6 INow$ imagine there is a candy lemon drop in yo#r hand( Kis#alize the color in yo#r mind( .ee the way the light glints o%% the s#gary crystal coating( Pretend yo# can %eel the weight o% it in yo#r hand( As yo# gently sA#eeze the lemon drop$ listen %or any so#ndU %eel the shape and te@t#re(J 4<onDt !e too speci%ic in yo#r s#ggesti"e descriptions 8 the lemon drop in their mind might not loo' li'e the one in yo#r mind(6 I+n yo#r mindOs eye$ notice all the lemon dropOs details$ as yo# Nongard & Thomas 1>& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone !ring it #p closer to yo#r mo#th$ and pop it inside((( Notice how at %irst the lemon drop is sweet 8 #ntil the s#gary coating !egins to wear o%% 8 and now itOs so#rF 1h so so#rFJ N1T*) /o#Ore loo'ing %or physical reactions 8 p#c'ering %ace$ eye scr#nching$ etc( They may swallow$ m#sh their mo#th aro#nd$
and so %orth$ as they wo#ld when eating a real lemon drop( Chen con"incer tests are #sed d#ring the awa'e state$ they are sometimes called Iwa'ing hypnosis(J At other times$ "ariations o% these tests 4especially the !oo'8and8!alloon type tests6 are #sed as deepeners d#ring the ind#ction process( M#scle ScatalepsyO is a term #sed to descri!e the ind#ced phenomena o% a personOs m#scles loc'ing or !ecoming sti%% and rigid$ li'e a !oard( +n this state$ the cataleptic lim!4s6 can !e placed in any position yo# tell them$ and will remain there( /o# can p#ll on a personOs cataleptic arm$ and it will not mo"e( Chen this happens$ yo# 'now %or certain that the person is in a deep hypnotic trance( .tage hypnotists %reA#ently #se catalepsy tests$ as it pro"ides !oth certainty o% trance in the s#!Eect$ and also an amazing demonstration %or the a#dience o% the power o% hypnosis( 1>3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +nd#ction Cith many clients + will act#ally say$ I+t is now time to !egin the ind#ction$ and mo"e thro#gh the hypnotic process %rom a state o%
alertness to a deeper le"el o% rela@ation$ and trance(J Any ind#ctions that we disc#ss in this te@t$ or that yo# learn anywhere else$ are merely e@amples o% ways to carry o#t the hypnotic process( <o not limit yo#rsel% to only one approach( :ecognize that hypnosis is a nat#ral process$ pro%o#ndly easy to ind#ce$ and so all we are co"ering now are di%%erent e@amples o% how to %acilitate the process( Ce enco#rage yo# to learn$ st#dy$ pic' & chose$ adapt$ modi%y and create indi"id#al approaches that s#it !oth yo# and yo#r clients( or more e@amples other than what we are disc#ssing !elow yo# may want to loo' at www(.#!liminal.cience(com and download some o% the %ree material there( Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation 1ne o% the most pop#lar or well 'nown clinical ind#ctions is PM: or Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation( .ometimes a PM: ind#ction can !e slow$ !#t that is o'ay( +t can easily mo"e a client %rom a le"el o% alertness to a deep and pro%o#nd le"el o% trance( +t in"ol"es$ essentially$ helping o#r clients to identi%y where they are carrying the stress o% the day$ and teaches them how to release it and rela@(
As yo# are reading this te@t now$ pay attention to yo#r !ody( May!e yo# ha"e !een sitting and reading %or the last co#ple o% ho#rs( May!e this is the end o% the day %or yo# !eca#se yo# had to wor' all day( May!e it is end o% the wee' or the end o% the month( Perhaps things ha"e !een stress%#l %or yo#( There is pro!a!ly a spot on yo#r !ody yo# can identi%y where yo# are carrying the tension o% the day( +s it in yo#r nec'Q +n yo#r !ac'Q /o#r sho#ldersQ Chances are pretty good yo# can identi%y a spot( 1nce we identi%y where we are carrying the tension o% the day$ we can choose to rela@( Ce can release the tension in o#r !row( Ce can choose to rela@ o#r tense sho#lders$ the m#scles in o#r nec'$ and !ac'( As we ma'e a conscio#s choice and e%%ort to do this$ we can %eel Nongard & Thomas 1>, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone the rela@ation mo"e across o#r !ody$ and we are transported into a state o% physical rela@ation( As yo# notice yo#r !ody rela@ing$ yo# may !egin to realize how easy it is to also let yo#r mind rela@$ and E#st allow yo#rsel% to open #p to all the wonder%#l possi!ilities
learning hypnosis !rings yo#( The Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation +nd#ction is a "ery nonthreatening method %or %irst time clients( +tOs something people enEoy doing !eca#se e"eryone li'es to rela@ and %eel good( The process is simple to %ollow$ and is %amiliar to many( A lot o% clients who say they ha"e ne"er done hypnosis ha"e listened to rela@ation tapes or !een to rela@ation sessions$ which are generally m#ch li'e PM:( And + am s#re yo# !egan to notice as yo# read the paragraph a!o"e$ rela@ation$ !oth physical and mental$ is "ery pleasant$ isnOt itQ I eel the m#scles in yo#r !row and in yo#r nec' !egin to rela@( Loosen the m#scles in yo#r sho#lders( Now %eel the rela@ation happening in yo#r sho#lders( Let the rela@ation %low thro#gh yo#r arms to the tips o% yo#r %ingers( eel the m#scles in the chest and in the lower !ac'V and let go o% the tension in those m#sclesV as yo# rela@ yo#r !ody %eel the m#scles in yo#r !#ttoc's !egin to rela@V and in yo#r thighs and down to the !ottom o% yo#r %eetV and %inally e@tending into the toes(J Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation generally progresses %rom head
down to toe$ en"eloping the le%t and right sides as one on the way down( /o# co#ld$ o% co#rse$ !egin at the %eet and mo"e #p$ or e"en in the center and mo"e o#t$ !#t most people are acc#stomed to and more com%orta!le with the top8down ind#ction techniA#e( A PM: ind#ction can !e per%ormed in "ario#s lengths 8 short$ general and directi"eU or long$ detailed and more indirect( Chich "ersion yo# choose will li'ely depend on the clientOs prior hypnosis e@perience le"elU those with little or no e@perience or who are still a little an@io#s may !ene%it more %rom the longer "ersion$ while those who are eager and more s#ggesti!le sho#ld li'ely do %ine with an a!!re"iated "ersion( Thin' a!o#t how yo# co#ld integrate this simple yet power%#lly e%%ecti"e approach into other aspects o% hypnosis as well$ s#ch as a deepener or e"en as part o% s#ggesti"e therapy( Also recognize that hypnosis and rela@ation are two entirely and completely di%%erent things$ rela@ation is E#st a #se%#l and pleasant pathway to hypnosis( 1>5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
Z Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation 4PM:6 +nd#ction L Always spea' to the client slowly$ in calm$ soothing "oice( *nco#ragement is !ene%icial$ so remem!er to pepper yo#r lang#age thro#gho#t the session with positi"e rein%orcements s#ch as 8 IThatDs rightU "ery goodU yo#Dre doing E#st %ine$ e@cellent(J L +nstr#ct the client to sit #p in a com%orta!le position$ %eet %lat on the %loor$ arms rela@ed on their thighs( L Now !egin to g#ide the client into rela@ation$ !y %ollowing a script s#ch as) IKeep yo#r eyes %oc#sed on me( Ta'e a deep !reath$ hold it$ and as yo# let it o#t$ %eel yo#rsel% !egin to rela@( Ta'e another deep !reath( All the way in$ all the way o#t( Nood( *yes %oc#sed on me( Again$ !reathe all the way in$ all the way o#t( Cith e"ery !reath$ let yo#rsel% rela@ more and more$ deeper and deeper( All the way in$ all the way o#t( /o#r eyes may !e getting hea"y( +% so$ itOs o'ay to close them now( /o#Ore ne"er alseep$ E#st rela@ed( All the way in$ all the way o#t(J
Note) +% they still ha"e their eyes open a%ter a %ew more !reaths$ go ahead and tell them to let their eyes close( L +tOs important %or the ine@perienced client to 'now that they will always !e a!le to hear yo#r "oice and that yo# are there to help them and will always !e there to ta'e care o% them( *@ample) I oc#s on my "oice( +Om here to g#ide yo#( /o# will always !e a!le to hear what + say$ and my s#ggestions are designed to help yo# rela@ and %eel more com%orta!le( Nongard & Thomas 1>7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Ta'e a deep !reath( All the way in$ all the way o#t( Pay attention to the so#nd o% my "oice and listen to the s#ggestions that + am a!o#t to gi"e yo#(J L Now$ ha"e the client %oc#s their awareness on di%%erent parts o% their !ody$ and choose to rela@ them( *@ample) I9ecome aware o% the m#scles in yo#r nec' and sho#lders( Notice the tension there$ and now choose to let yo#r sho#lders rela@(
Ta'e a deep !reath and let yo#r head grow hea"y( Now e@hale$ and let yo#r chin drop down to yo#r chest( As yo# !ecome more rela@ed$ yo# !ecome more and more com%orta!le( *@cellent( Let yo#r arms !ecome loose and limp( Ta'e a deep !reath and as yo# e@hale$ let yo#r chest and !ac' !ecome e"en more rela@ed( <eeper and deeper$ ne"er alseep$ E#st rela@ed(G N1T*) /o# will s#ggest this type o% instr#ction 8 Inow %oc#s on these m#scles$ %eel the tension lea"ing$ let these m#scles go loose and limpJ 8 %or all areas o% the !ody$ wor'ing down %rom head to toe R !row$ %ace$ nec'$ sho#lders$ arms$ chest$ !ac'$ !#ttoc's$ thighs$ cal"es$ toesV6 L How long it sho#ld ta'e and how detailed yo# need to !e with each m#scle gro#p will depend on the indi"id#al client( Catch their physical responses$ and gi"e more attention to those areas where they appear to carry more stress( or most people$ >& or 0- min#tes is A#ite long eno#ghU those
with more e@perience or who are highly s#ggesti!le can easily !e %#lly rela@ed 4and there%ore Iind#ctedJ6 in &81min#tes( 10Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly L ThatOs all there is to itF Now yo# can deepen them %#rther and;or implement the therape#tic s#ggestions( L Chen yo# are ready to !ring them #p$ yo# can say something simple li'e) JNow$ +Dm going to co#nt %rom one to %i"e$ and then yo#r eyes will open and yo# will %eel alert$ rela@ed and re%reshed(G As yo# co#nt #p to %i"e slowly$ yo#r "oice can !ecome a little less soothing and more nat#ral so#nding with each n#m!er( 1nce yo# reach %o#r$ i% their eyes are not yet open$ say$ G1n the ne@t n#m!er yo#r eyes will open and yo#Dll %eel completely alert$ rela@ed and re%reshed( i"e( *yes open$ %eeling alert$ rela@ed and re%reshed(G /o# may also wish to IsnapJ a%ter the n#m!er %i"e( *ye i@ation
Another common method o% hypnotic ind#ction is *ye i@ation( *ye %i@ation prod#ces a physical c#e that the mind responds toU when o#r eyes are %atig#ed$ we close themU this tells #s to sleep( .tage hypnotists o%ten generate eye %atig#e !y ha"ing their s#!Eects close their eyes and then point their eye!alls #p as i% they are loo'ing thro#gh the top o% their head( Positioning the eye this way is "ery tiring$ and the m#scle %atig#e nat#rally ca#ses a sleepy %eeling$ leading to trance( + #sed eye %i@ation in the demonstration with Meghan !y ha"ing her stare at the !ac' o% her hand or at a point on the wall( A light so#rce can also !e #sed$ altho#gh yo# want to ta'e care that itDs a so%t or indirect light$ to protect the eye( Nongard & Thomas 101 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone or e@ample$ once + was wor'ing with a client in a %airly dar' room$ and there was an irritating ray o% s#nlight coming in thro#gh the window !linds( There was no way to !loc' the light$ so + decided to incorporate it into the hypnotic process$ #sing it as a %ocal point( +
said the client$ IChat + wo#ld li'e yo# to do is stare at that light coming thro#gh the window( H#st %oc#s on the corner o% the window where light is the !rightest( oc#s yo#r attention on that point( Keep yo#r eyes on that point and listen as yo# !egin to rela@(J + then went on with$ ITa'e a deep !reath( +nhale$ now e@hale( +nhale deep$ now e@hale(J He contin#ed to stare at the light and + said$ INow$ the ne@t time yo# !lin' yo#r eyes$ 'eep yo#r eyes closed( .imply donOt open them(J He stared at the spot o% light %or another 1& or >- seconds and then he !lin'ed$ and + told him again to 'eep his eyes closed( Adapta!ility is important( +nstead o% saying$ I<arn$ there is an irritating light coming into the room$ may!e we sho#ld change locations %or the session$ or$ letOs mo"e the %#rnit#re aro#nd so that we are %acing the other way$J we simply incorporated the light into the hypnotic process( 1ne o% the interesting things a!o#t com!ining *ye i@ation with a light so#rce is that i% yo# stare at a light %or a min#te or two and then close yo#r eyes$ yo# may see %loating clo#ds or trace p#%%s o%
"is#al imagery or photographic negati"e type silho#ettes( <epending on the color o% the light yo# had !een loo'ing at$ yo# may see the opposite spectr#m color when yo# close yo#r eyes$ p#rple !ecomes yellow$ !l#e !ecomes orange$ red to green$ etcetera( These phenomena images can !ecome a!stract creations to draw %rom d#ring the hypnotic process$ as well( +nterestingly eno#gh$ a light !#l! was #sed as the catalyst %or the %irst e"er o%%icial hypnotic ind#ction$ per%ormed !y Hames 9raid$ the man who coined the term Shypnosis(O 9raid was an ophthalmologist 4eye doctor6$ and he wo#ld prepare clients %or eye e@ams !y ha"ing them %i@ate on a point o% light( 1nce when 9raid was late %or a session$ the client decided to sa"e time !y staring at the light as he waited( 9raid wal'ed in 2- min#tes later and recognized that his client$ still staring !lan'ly into the light$ was e@hi!iting the %irst signs o% mesmerism( 9raid instr#cted the client to close his eyes$ and was immediately a!le to achie"e hypnotic phenomena( or many years a%ter$ eye %i@ation with a light !#l! was really
the only ind#ction #sed( Ker!al processes li'e those we ha"e dis8 10> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly c#ssed !rie%ly were added m#ch later !y the s#ggestion pioneer$ LiW!alt( Z *ye i@ation 8 The client stares at an o!Eect or a light so#rce( 1( A%ter ha"ing the client sit in a com%orta!le position with their %eet %lat on the %loor and arms loose in their lap$ as' them to direct their gaze at an o!Eect o% %i@ation 4a light$ a spot on a wall$ a speci%ic item6$ and not to shi%t their %oc#s( >( +nstr#ct the client to) I.tare at the light 4or other speci%ic %i@ation o!Eect6( Loc' yo#r eyes on it( Ta'e a %ew deep !reaths$ all the way in$ all the way o#t( Per%ect( H#st 'eep !reathing deeply( oc#s on the 4o!Eect6 and listen to the so#nd o% my "oice( /o# will %ind that yo#r eyelids may !egin to get hea"y$ almost as i% they had a hea"y weight attached to them( The longer yo# stare at this 4o!Eect6$ the hea"ier yo#r eyelids !ecome$ and yo# !lin'(
/o#r eyes %eel hea"y$ weighted$ as i% something is p#lling them down$ as i% they want to slowly close( Keep !reathing deeply( /o#Ore doing E#st %ine( /o#r eyes are drowsier and sleepier and hea"ier$ and yo# %eel as i% they are slowly closing$ slowly closingU getting drowsier and more tired$ and when they %inally do close$ how good yo#Dll %eel( <rowsy$ hea"y$ p#lling down$ down$ down$ slowly closing( +tOs getting harder and harder to see$ and yo# %eel good( *@cellent( Nongard & Thomas 100 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone +t is "ery$ "ery hard to 'eep them open$ and yo# %eel that "ery soon they will close tightlyU almost tightly closing$ almost tightly closing$ tightly closing( /o#r eyes are tightly closedU yo# %eel goodU yo# %eel com%orta!leU yo# are rela@ed all o"er( H#st allow yo#rsel% to dri%t and enEoy this peace%#l$ com%orta!le$ rela@ed state( Conder%#l( /o# will %ind that yo# head %eels hea"ierU it tends to nod
%orward some$ and this is com%orta!le( H#st contin#e to let yo#rsel% dri%t in an easy$ calm$ rela@ed state(J 0( ThatOs it( 9elie"e it or not$ ind#ction really can !e this simple( Now yo# can deepen them %#rther and;or implement the therape#tic s#ggestions( 2( As with all ind#ctions$ yo# can intensi%y this ind#ction !y care%#lly o!ser"ing the clientOs reactions and timing yo#r s#ggestions "ery closely with them( or e@ample$ yo# might ma'e the remar'$ I1ccasionally$ yo#r eyes are going to !lin'$J immediately a%ter yo# see the client !lin'( This rein%orces that their !eha"ior is accepta!le$ and enco#rages them to contin#e %ollowing yo#r instr#ctions( 102 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Mental or Kis#al +magery Ce to#ched #pon mental imagery a little !it earlier( This is another common ind#ction techniA#e$ which can also !e #sed %or deepening( The SimagesO #tilized can "ary %rom an ho#rglass letting o#t sand$ to a %lower spro#ting$ growing and !looming$ to an ocean
wa"e rolling o#t to sea$ and co#ntless other ideas( Howe"er$ the hypnotherapist sho#ld ta'e reasona!le care to not #tilize images or o!Eects within the "is#alizations that might !e dist#r!ing to the client in some way( or e@ample$ in the %ollowing ind#ction$ the image o% a S%l#%%y pillowO is #sed( + had originally written this script to #se a S%eather pillowO 8 !#t someone once mentioned that they had !ad allergies to %eathers$ and + decided that rather than ris' #nnecessary resistance d#ring the ind#ction !ased on an instincti"e re%le@ against %eathers$ + wo#ld simply change the o!EectOs description %rom D%eatherD to S%l#%%y$O as it wo#ld ser"e the same p#rpose( +% the client has an e@treme %ear o% heights$ #sing a staircase might not !e s#ch a good idea %or the ind#ctionU i% they are a%raid o% open water$ an ocean wa"e rolling o#t to sea might not !e so calming %or them( These iss#es$ howe"er$ co#ld perhaps !e addressed %or treatment in %#t#re sessions$ i% the client is agreea!le( /o# do not necessarily need to catalog each clientOs allergies$ %ears and pho!ias !e%ore yo# !egin an ind#ction$ !#t i% yo#r
ind#ction or prescripti"e script #tilizes imagery that some people are 'nown to ha"e di%%ic#lty with$ it wo#ld not h#rt to as' a general A#estion a!o#t the s#!Eect d#ring the assessment inta'e pre8tal' disc#ssion( Another consideration %or imagery ind#ction is the clientOs indi"id#al learning style) A#ditory$ Kis#al or Kinesthetic( +% yo# ha"e #sed the .tyles o% Learning or other similar assessment tool$ yo# can tailor yo#r ind#ction style to correspond with their dominant learning style( The %ollowing is a more detailed e@ample o% .taircase Kis#al +magery$ com!ined with *ye i@ation and Con%#sion) Nongard & Thomas 10& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone L Mental +magery 8 The client en"isions certain scenarios %or rela@ation( To !egin a S"is#allyO %oc#sed imagery ind#ction) L Ha"e the client sit in a com%orta!le position with their %eet %lat on the %loor and arms loose in their lap$ ta'e them A#ic'ly thro#gh a deep !reathing rela@ation period$ #ntil their eyes
are closed( L +nstr#ct the client similar to the %ollowing) I1#tside distractions or so#nds wonOt !other yo#U yo# are %oc#sed on rela@ation and my "oice( Pic' a point o% light in the room s#ch as a light !#l! to stare at$ and do not 8 do not close yo#r eyes$ #ntil + tell yo# to( *"ery %i!er o% yo#r !ody is !ecoming rela@ed( The day is doneU pro!lems are a tho#sand miles away( Ta'e a deep !reath( All the way in$ all the way o#t( /o#r sho#lders$ !ac' and e"ery m#scle o% yo#r !ody are rela@ed( *@cellent( /o#r %ind yo#r eyelids are hea"y and want to close$ as i% yo# were in a deep sleep( .oon yo# will !e a!le to close them( Let yo#r head %all gently %orward towards yo#r chest( Close yo#r eyes$ and 'eep them closed( A part o% yo#r mind 'nows yo# co#ld open them i% yo# wanted to$ !#t yo# simply do not care to( /o# co#ld %ight this rela@ation i% yo# wanted to$ and yo# 'now that yo# do not ha"e to participate$ !#t the smart ones always do !est
and are a!le to %oc#s( *asier to rela@ and let go( Ta'e another deep !reath$ all the 103 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly way in$ all the way o#t( Ne"er asleepU E#st rela@ed( Let yo#r mind %oc#s simply on rela@ing$ !eing reminded that a little 9 is E#st a !ac'wards <$ and an M is E#st a right8side *$ while the > and the [ loo' the same( Now$ in yo#r mindOs eye$ imagine yo# are in a meadow$ #nder the clear !l#e s'y( /o# see one single white p#%%y clo#d %loating high a!o"e yo#( +magine yo#rsel% lying down in the meadow$ loo'ing #p( Catch the p#%%y clo#d as it !egins to %loat away( The %#rther away it gets$ the smaller it gets$ #ntil it %loats %ar$ %ar away$ and as it %loats away yo# !ecome e"en more and more rela@ed( The clo#d is now %ar$ %ar away in the s'y$ and yo# are twice as deep( Now ten times as deep$ and now one h#ndred times deeper into rela@ation( 4.NAP6
Now the clo#d is gone 8 lea"ing only the clear !l#e s'y( *"en more rela@ed( A tho#sand times deeper into rela@ation( All o% yo#r m#scles %eel as loose as a pile o% r#!!er !ands( /o# ha"e the a!ility to rela@ and concentrate( The smarter yo# are the easier it is to %oc#s and rela@( <onOt try too hard$ E#st ma'e the decision to let go( Per%ect( +n this state o% rela@ation$ imagine yo#rsel% at the top o% a hea"enly %light o% stairs( There are ten stairs( At the !ottom are a so%t$ %l#%%y !ed and a com%orta!le pillow( Nongard & Thomas 10, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone + am going to co#nt down %rom ten$ as yo# mo"e down each stair( As + say the n#m!er ten$ yo# will rela@( Cith each additional n#m!er$ yo# will simply mo"e down$ deeper and deeper$ one step at a time$ rela@ing more completely with each step$ e"ent#ally resting com%orta!ly on that %l#%%y pillow atop the com%orta!le !ed(
Ten( At the top o% the stairs$ rela@ing and letting go( Nine( 9ecoming looser$ limper and calmer( *ight( .in'ing into rela@ation and serenity( +% + to#ch yo# or mo"e yo#$ this only rela@es yo# deeper( Ten( Nine( *ight( .e"en( Cay down( A tho#sand times deeper into rela@ation( .e"en( .i@( i"e( ThatOs %ine$ per%ect$ mo"ing towards the %l#%%y !ed( o#r( Three( Two( :ela@ing and %ollowing my s#ggestions( i"e( Loosen the m#scles in yo#r sho#lders and nec'( o#r( Three( Two( Cay down( Three( Two( Cay$ way rela@ed( Three( Two( <eeper and deeper( And %inally$ one( Let yo#r !ody go limp( .imply sin' into a more com%orta!le$ calm and peace%#l position( *@cellent( /o#Ore doing per%ectV(J L Now yo# can deepen them %#rther and;or implement the therape#tic s#ggestions( 105 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 9ody Awareness Another #se%#l "ehicle %or hypnotic ind#ction$ similar to progressi"e rela@ation$ is 9ody Awareness( + once saw a client who
came in %or an@iety8related iss#es$ restlessness$ and ina!ility to sleep( Chen he arri"ed %or the appointment$ he was act#ally sha'ing( Ner"o#s !y nat#re$ he was partic#larly an@io#s a!o#t hypnosis and the process( + #sed an awareness ind#ction$ !eca#se it is good %or those who are hesitant$ resistant$ s'eptical$ ner"o#s or an@io#s( +t helps them to !ecome aware o% what is going on$ and to rela@( + !egan !y pointing at a light so#rce and he !lin'ed a %ew times and closed his eyes( + then ga"e some deep !reathing commands$ which + thin' is one o% the %astest nat#ral ways to help o#r client !egin rela@ing( <eep !reathing slows the !ody down$ a#tomatically rela@ing #s almost instantly( + then said$ I/o# sense yo#rsel% sitting on the chair with eyes closedU perhaps this %eels strange to yo# !eing in a new place and engaging in a process called hypnosis( ThatOs o'ay i% itOs new$ i% itOs di%%erent$ and i% itOs strange to yo#( +n %act itOs o'ay to e"en !e a little !it ner"o#s( Perhaps yo# can %eel some !#tter%lies in the stomach or e"en sha'iness in the tips o% yo#r %ingers( +tOs o'ay to %oc#s on what
yo#r !ody is doing and how yo#r !ody is responding( /o# can %eel yo#r heart !eat( Perhaps at this moment$ yo# can %eel yo#r heart !eating %aster than yo# want it to$ !#t yo# ha"e the a!ility to slow yo#r heart rate down to ta'e a deep !reath inV and o#tV and to %eel how yo#r !ody responds to the e@perience that we are engaging in$ !y rela@ing now(J Nongard & Thomas 107 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone :apid +nd#ctions ormal ind#ctions are not always necessary %or hypnosis to occ#r( As *ric'son demonstrated so well$ we can simply tal' to a person in a con"ersational manner and !ring them slowly into a le"el o% trance where they are more recepti"e to s#ggesti"e therapy$ !eca#se they are now %#nctioning at a lower alpha le"el or e"en into theta le"els( This is especially tr#e %or o#r clients who are e@perienced and ready to get on with the process( People as' me a!o#t %ast ind#ctions all the time !eca#se they ha"e seen stage shows or may!e e"en my .peed Trance +nstant +nd#ction training "ideos prod#ced with my %riend and method
originator IThe Trance8Master$J hypnotist Hohn Cer!one( A stage hypnotist in"ites a gro#p o% indi"id#als #p on stage and says$ IHi$ welcome to the show(J The hypnotist then wal's #p to one o% the s#!Eects and as's$ IChatDs yo#r nameQ Chere are yo# %romQJ They say$ I+Dm 9o!$ %rom 9in'elman$ Ne!ras'a(J And the hypnotist says$ I.leep$J and poo%F 9o! is o#t cold( Then e"eryone in the a#dience says$ ICow$ how did that happenQJ ?nless the hypnotist was #sing .peed Trance techniA#es$ it pro!a!ly happened simply !eca#se o#t o% 1-people in the a#dience$ 1& o% them came %orward$ 1- o% them were highly s#ggesti!le$ and one o% them already 'new how to do hypnosis and was eager to !e o#t( Those people are called nat#ral somnam!#lists( They ma'e #p a!o#t 1-T o% the pop#lation$ and they are$ o% co#rse$ a stage hypnotistDs dream( <o somnam!#lists come to o#r o%%ice %or clinical hypnotherapyQ A!sol#tely( They are %amiliar with hypnosis$ they li'e how it %eels and they 'now it wor's( /o# can #s#ally say to a client who has
e@perience with hypnosis$ ICe are going to enter a state o% trance now( .imply close yo#r eyes and rela@( Let go$ all the way down( CeOre in that place yo# want to !e$ and now we are going to mo"e %orward with s#ggesti"e therapy$J and they are o#t and ready( +t really can !e that A#ic' and simple( +n hypnotherapy$ #nli'e stage presentations$ howe"er$ o#r goal is not %ast ind#ction( There is no real !ene%it to a %ast ind#ction in clinical hypnosis other than sa"ing time( The stage per%ormer li'es the 12Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly process to !e %aster simply !eca#se he doesnOt want to !ore the a#dience with a se"enteen min#te ind#ction( As a clinical hypnotist$ we ha"e already !#dgeted 0- or 2& min#tes %or the hypnotic session$ so we may as well ta'e the time and ma'e the ind#ction part o% the learning process( 9#t + 'now yo#Dre c#rio#s$ and there are a "ariety o% methods o% instant and rapid ind#ction$ many o% which can ta'e nonsomnam!#listic$ ne"er !e%ore hypnotized s#!Eects into a pro%o#nd state o% hypnosis in less than 1- seconds( /es$ really$ in a matter o%
seconds( Howe"er$ these techniA#es are hard to e@plain in !oo' %orm$ as they reA#ire step8!y8step physical demonstration( There are some "ideos #p on /o#T#!e(com o% Hohn Cer!one and + doing some o% these ind#ctions$ !#t %or a solid s'ills ed#cation in the art R and it is an art 8 + wo#ld recommend yo# chec' o#t the <K< set + mentioned earlier called .peed Trance$ +nstant Hypnotic +nd#ctions$ which is a"aila!le at .#!liminal.cience(com( Nongard & Thomas 121 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone +nd#ction #ndamentals R Te!!etDs .i@ +nd#ction Types As yo# may ha"e noticed %rom reading the a!o"e ind#ction style e@amples$ all hypnotic ind#ctions are essentially com!inations or adaptations o% a %ew %#ndamental methods or techniA#es( These are 'nown as Te!!etOs .i@ +nd#ction Types( Nathan Thomas$ my coa#thor$ !rea's these types down and e@plains them as %ollows) *ye i@ation Chen yo# %i@ate yo#r gaze #pon something long eno#gh$ there is a nat#ral tendency to !egin to Dtrance o#t(D atig#e o% the Ner"o#s .ystem
Physical and mental %atig#e also ca#ses a lessening o% the %oc#s o% the critical mind$ and an increased tendency to accept s#ggestions( This is o%ten interpreted as rela@ation( Con%#sion +% yo# con%#se someone eno#gh$ they will instantly accept any s#ggestion that o%%ers a way to escape this con%#sion( +n other words$ con%#sion ca#ses hyper8s#ggesti!ility$ or a state o% trance( Misdirection Conscio#s attention is %oc#sed elsewhere$ gi"ing yo# a per%ect opport#nity to slip s#ggestions straight into the #nconscio#s( Loss o% *A#ili!ri#m Chen yo# are o%% !alance$ yo#r state o% mind tends to change$ which "ery o%ten lowers yo#r a!ility to conscio#sly process and reEect s#ggestions( .hoc' +mmediately a%ter a shoc' there is split8second o% per%ect s#ggesti!ility$ as their mind scram!les to ma'e sense o% what is going on( This is an ideal opport#nity to slip in a short$ 12> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
sharp and clear s#ggestion$ s#ch as$ G.leepFG This$ when gently and respect%#lly #tilized$ is "ery e%%ecti"e in rapid and instant hypnotic ind#ctions( Thin' a!o#t the types a!o"e$ and consider in what interesting ways yo# can com!ine them when cra%ting hypnotic ind#ctions( Practice and e@periment with what yo# ha"e learned and remem!er not to !e !o#nd !y any limitations( Trance is a nat#ral process and one which is incredi!ly easy to ind#ceU in %act sometimes all that is reA#ired is yo#r own hypnotic intent( Hypnotic +ntent Hypnotic intent is ha"ing the intention within yo# to ind#ce trance in yo#r client or s#!Eect$ and ha"e them e@perience pro%o#nd and positi"e trans%ormation( Chen yo# hold this intention strongly within yo#r mind and let it %#el yo#r e"ery word and action$ yo#Oll %ind yo#rsel% E#st nat#rally and a#tomatically saying and doing the right things( Hypnosis will E#st happen$ witho#t yo# ha"ing to e"en thin' a!o#t it( Practice #sing the techniA#es yo# ha"e learned and then once yo# ha"e e@perience with them and can easily recognize the
e%%ecti"eness o% these methods and can notice when someone is entering trance$ mo"e on %rom them and rely on yo#r hypnotic intent( +t might so#nd odd now$ !#t ha"e %aith$ it wor's 8 which yo# will realize as yo#r con%idence and e@perience grows( Nongard & Thomas 120 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Practice +t is important that yo# !ecome e%%ecti"e at ind#cing trance with a wide range o% people( Nat#rally$ di%%erent people respond di%%erently to di%%erent c#es and s#ggestionsU some people are more a#dio8%oc#sed$ others more "is#al or more tactile( .ome are more ner"o#s and an@io#s$ and others are somnam!#listic( or this reason$ it is important that yo# !ecome pro%icient at determining what style o% ind#ction to #se with di%%erent clients( Thro#gh ed#cation and e@perience yo# will need to) <e"elop yo#r s'ills with di%%erent styles o% ind#ction( Practice rela@ation$ imagery$ co#nting and other %orms o% ind#ctions$ noticing the di%%erences !etween the
concepts;strategies they employ$ and the responses they illicit( 9ecome s'illed at noticing signs o% trance( Pay close attention to the clientOs physical$ emotional and "er!al responses to yo#r s#ggestions( .+NN. 1 T:ANC*) \ Catalepsy d#ring con"incer tests \ Physical stillness \ Neneral rela@ation and loosening o% the m#scles \ Nrad#al post#ral sl#mping \ G latteningG o% the %acial m#scles 4they loo' "ery rela@ed6 \ Ca@y s'in tone 4the person may !egin to loo' more li'e a manneA#in 8 this is "ery s#!tle6 \ l#ttering o% the eyelids \ :*M type eye mo"ements \ +ncreased redness or wetness o% the eyes$ when open \ *le"ated !ody temperat#re \ eelings o% warmth$ coolness or tingling sensations \ .wallowing or g#lping \ Changes in !reathing rate and depth \ ingers$ arms or legs twitching slightly 122 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Positi"ely rein%orce when yo# see a sign o% trance(
Chen the client responds positi"ely to yo#r ind#ction s#ggestions$ it is important to let them 'now that they are doing well( The client wants to please yo#$ and hearing periodically that they are per%orming properly will enco#rage them to contin#e %ollowing yo#r instr#ctions$ and help them go deeper into trance( AdE#st yo#r s#ggestions to the clientOs responses( Chen yo# s#ggest something that o!"io#sly wor's %or the client$ yo# can do more o% it or something similar( +% yo# try something and it does not wor'$ A#ic'ly s#ggest something else o% a di%%erent orientation( +nd#ction Acco#terments .tage per%ormers may #se acco#terments or gadgets associated with hypnosis R generally made %amo#s !y mo"ies$ !eca#se traditional ind#ctions are really rather !oring to watch on %ilm R at least in their mar'eting materials$ s#ch as the pend#l#m$ %ancy pen lights$ metronomes$ the spinning spiral or Dhypno8disc$D and so %orth( 9oth Tril!yDs ."engali and <rac#la made the Iloo' into my eyesJ
concept o% hypnotic ind#ction so %amo#s$ and altho#gh playing the Dstaring gameD li'e 'ids do can certainly wor' as a method o% eye %i@ation and %atig#e$ rarely wo#ld it e"er act#ally !e #sed !y clinical hypnotists today( + collect these 'inds o% hypno8gadgets and 'eep a %ew displayed in my o%%ice$ %or$ + g#ess$ thematic decoration( + donDt #se them with clients %or ind#ction p#rposes$ howe"er + ha"e disco"ered that they can !e great ice8!rea'ers and rapport !#ilders d#ring the Dget8to8'now8each8otherD part o% the session( Nongard & Thomas 12& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 123 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <eepeners ollowing the ind#ction are the deepeners( Again$ the 'ind and n#m!er o% deepeners are #nlimited$ so there is no DrightD or D!estD approach$ other than whate"er is !est %or yo# and yo#r client( That said$ let #s e@plore a %ew o% the most common types in more detail( The .imple Co#ntdown + saw a Las Kegas stage hypnotist #se a simple !ac'wards
co#ntdown$ and he did it$ %rom 1- down to 1$ in a!o#t >- seconds( ThatDs s#per A#ic'$ and he got really l#c'y that nightU his ind#ction was "ery strong and so the participants on stage were already in a %airly deep le"el o% trance( Nenerally$ the co#ntdown will !e longer and possi!ly com!ined with other elements( or e@ample$ I+ am going to co#nt !ac'wards %rom ten to one( As + do$ yo# are going to contin#e to rela@ all o% the m#scles in yo#r !odyV going down e"en deeper$ letting all o% yo#r m#scles !ecome as loose and limp as r#!!er !ands( Ten((( ma'ing s#re that the m#scles in the !row are rela@edV 7 V letting loose the m#scles in the nec' and sho#ldersV 5 V contin#ing to rela@ the arms and the %ingersV , V rela@ing the torso and yo#r !ac'V 3 V %eeling the rela@ation thro#gh yo#r legs and thro#gh yo#r 'nees and thro#gh yo#r thighsV & V !ecoming e"en more rela@ed VJ and so %orth( The a!o"e is an e@ample o% a ten8to8one simple co#ntdown com!ined with Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation rein%orcement( /o# do not ha"e to com!ine with anything$ simply co#nting down is %ine too(
+t all wor's 8 i% we are con%ident with the client$ i% o#r client wants to !e hypnotized$ and i% we ha"e done a good pre8tal'( Nongard & Thomas 12, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone The <a"e *lman +nd#ction;<eepening TechniA#e /o# can #se this techniA#e as either the ind#ction or the deepenerU they are interchangea!le( And$ when yo# thin' a!o#t it$ in many ways the ind#ction and the deepening are "ery similar$ arenOt theyQ This techniA#e as's %or the occ#rrence o% client8generated hypnotic amnesia as a phenomenon( The client does most o% the wor' themsel"es$ and perhaps this is why it is so e%%ecti"e( /o# will instr#ct the client to !egin co#nting down o#t lo#d %rom 1-- or %rom &- or where"er yo# want to start( As they say each n#m!er alo#d$ they are to "is#alize the n#m!er %ading away$ #ntil e"ent#ally$ #s#ally !y the third or %o#rth co#ntU they cannot see nor remem!er which n#m!er comes ne@t( As this occ#rs$ they will %ind themsel"es going deeper and deeper into trance( 1%ten the hypnotist
will instr#ct the client to say$ Ideeper and deeperJ or Ideeper and more rela@edJ !etween each n#m!er$ !eca#se this is a sel%8s#ggestion which ma'es the deepening occ#r e"en more A#ic'ly( or e@ample) I+ am going to as' yo# to co#nt !ac'wards$ o#t lo#d$ %rom %i%ty to one( +n yo#r mind$ + want yo# to "is#alize each n#m!er as yo# say it o#t lo#d( And then$ + want yo# to say$ I<eeper and deeper$J and as yo# do$ the n#m!er will E#st %ade away into nothingness( A%ter a %ew n#m!ers$ they will all !e gone A#ic'ly$ lea"ing nothing !#t rela@ation !ehind( I9egin now( i%ty((( deeper and deeper( And the &- %ades away( Kery good( orty8nine((( deeper and deeper and it %ades away( *@cellent( Notice that as yo# co#nt$ yo# ha"e tro#!le with which n#m!er %ollows ne@t( +t is o'ay to %orget the n#m!ers as they %ade away and yo# rela@ deeper and deeper( orty8 eight((( deeper and deeper ((( and the n#m!ers %ade away( The rela@ation do#!les and yo# %eel goodV H#st let the n#m!ers disappear now( /o# can let them %ade away to nothingU rela@ing deeper and deeperV#ntil all the
n#m!ers are gone and yo# are so rela@ed( Are they all goneQJ 125 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .taircase <eepener R Mo#ntain Path Kariation The staircase deepener$ li'e the n#m!er co#nt$ is a concept that can !e molded and adapted a million di%%erent ways( Personally$ when + #se a descending staircase co#ntdown$ + generally ha"e the client create in their mind a rela@ing$ %l#%%y !ed with a !ig %l#%%y pillow waiting %or them at the !ottom o% the stairwell$ which helps them to step down in their minds into a state o% total rest$ rela@ation and serenity( A similar deepener which #tilizes "is#al imagery and implied %atig#e is the mo#ntain deepener$ which may go something li'e this) I+ want yo# to pict#re in yo#r mind that yo# are in the rolling %oothills o% a mo#ntain range( +tOs a !ea#ti%#l day( The hills that yo# are tra"eling are not "ery steep( /o# notice a path !etween the hills that is easy %or yo# to %ollow( +n yo#r mindOs eye$ !egin wal'ing down that path thro#gh the rolling hills( As yo# do$ yo#Oll %ind that itOs serene and peace%#l$ a rela@ing e@perience %or yo#(
As yo# mo"e thro#gh the hills$ yo# notice the path !ecomes a little steeper( As it !ecomes a little steeper yo# ha"e to #se a little more energy to go #p the path( As yo# do$ yo# %eel rela@ed( /o# are enEoying yo#r s#rro#ndingsV the !irds in the air a!o"e$ the %resh air that yo# are !reathing( As yo# contin#e along the path$ yo# %ind that it !ecomes a little more di%%ic#lt to tra"elV /o# %ind it little more di%%ic#lt !eca#se itOs !ecoming a little steeper still( The path %rom the hills leads to the edge o% the mo#ntain$ and yo# %ind a place where yo# can com%orta!ly rela@( +tOs o'ay to rest %or a %ew min#tes on this path((( As yo# Eo#rney on the path #p to the mo#ntain$ yo# %ind that it !rings yo# an o"erwhelming sense o% peace( The path !ecomes perhaps a little narrower in some spots( ThatOs o'ay tho#gh !eca#se yo# ha"e %o#nd a wal'ing stic'( The wal'ing stic' can g#ide yo# thro#gh the parts o% the path that are a little steeper and little more di%%ic#lt( As yo# contin#e along yo#Oll %ind that yo# are e"en higher( /o# can loo' aro#nd and see the other mo#ntains in the distance(
They loo' so close( +t seems li'e yo# co#ld almost to#ch them( +n yo#r Nongard & Thomas 127 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone mind$ yo# 'now that they are act#ally miles away( This platea# is a wonder%#l resting spot$ !#t we are going to contin#e on the Eo#rney #p this narrow path$ #p this steeper hill$ to a spot where we %oc#s on resol"ing some o% the iss#es that yo# ha"e presented today(J Cith this mo#ntain deepener$ we are ta'ing the client thro#gh a peace%#l and rela@ing e@perience which can also act as a hypnotic metaphor %or the process o% pro!lem8sol"ing( or e@ample$ in the %ollowing s#ggesti"e therapy phase$ + wo#ld perhaps say to the client) ILi'e o#r Eo#rney #p the mo#ntain$ losing weight sometimes has di%%ic#lt places along the way( .ome roads are roc'y or narrow( /o# might not %eel li'e yo# ha"e all the choices yo# want to$ !#t yo# 'now that within yo#$ yo# can ma'e the choices that are necessary %or healthy eating and progress( Li'e the wal'ing stic' that g#ided yo# thro#gh those steep and narrow paths #p the mo#ntain$ the
'nowledge that yo# ha"e a!o#t healthy %oods and n#trition choices can !e a wal'ing stic' to help yo# ma'e decisions that are good %or yo#( /o#r %riends$ yo#r %amily$ the s#pports that yo# ha"e will all !e !ene%icial to yo# as yo# Eo#rney along the path o% !eing s#ccess%#l at achie"ing yo#r weight loss goals(J Chen #sing deepeners that incorporate imaginati"e Eo#rneys o% "is#al imagery$ + enco#rage yo# to !e creati"e( Thin' o% scenes that yo#r clients will relate to and enEoy$ and whene"er possi!le incorporate all %i"e senses into yo#r hypnotic description( /o# can also !e am!ig#o#s eno#gh to allow yo#r clients to create the scene themsel"es$ %or e@ample$ Sallow yo#r imagination to ta'e yo# to a certain place where yo# %eel com%orta!le and sa%eVJ /o# can e"en tal' to yo#r clients d#ring the hypnotic state and ha"e them descri!e and e@plain to yo# what they are e@periencing$ and #se this to gi"e them an empowering hypnotic Eo#rney which acts !oth as a deepener and a therape#tic metaphor !ased on e@actly what their own pre%erences and needs are( Practice tal'ing to yo#r clients and e@perimenting with
hypnotic Eo#rneys and imagination e@ercises$ and e@periment with new ideas R remem!ering$ o% co#rse$ to ma'e s#re that the client is o'ay with the 'ind o% scene yo# are creating( 1&Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly ractionation <eepening :emem!er the annoying snooze alarm we disc#ssed that sends yo# deeper e"ery time it goes o%%Q Another %ractionation techniA#e has a client close her eyes$ and then she is as'ed to open her eyes$ and then as'ed to close her eyes again$ and again( This is 'nown as KogtOs ractionation$ de"eloped !y Nerman hypnotist 1s'ar Kogt in the late 17th Cent#ry( KogtOs %ractionation or a "ariation thereo%$ is how stage hypnotists 'eep a show going( +t is easy to !ring someone #p to light le"els o% the trance$ ha"e them respond to s#ggestions$ and then instantly ta'e them !ac' down into a deeper le"el o% trance( At a stage show$ the hypnotist per%orms the ind#ction$ and then the deepener$ and then the %irst s'it( A lot o% times the %irst s'it has the s#!Eects playing an imagined m#sical instr#ment$ or perhaps a hot and cold
s'it where they e@perience minor 'inesthetic hall#cinations as their !ody temperat#re changes( These are called deepening s'its$ and they %amiliarize the s#!Eects with the hypnotic process( +n stage hypnosis$ s#ggestions mo"e %rom the easiest things to do$ to the most di%%ic#lt$ and !etween each s'it the participants are awa'ened 8 eyes open$ wide awa'e 8 and then p#t !ac' to SsleepO !y the hypnotist( As'ing them to wa'e #p$ do things$ demonstrate hypnotic phenomena and go !ac' to sleep is a %ractionation techniA#e( A%ter this happens many times thro#gho#t the show$ the s#!Eects are in a "ery deep le"el o% trance and are ready to per%orm more challenging demonstrations s#ch as hypnotic amnesia and m#sc#lar catalepsy( +n a clinical setting$ KogtDs %ractionation is #sed in less entertaining ways$ !#t %or the same p#rpose o% deepening the trance state( A session #tilizing KogtOs %ractionation will !e %airly long !eca#se one$ it can ta'e a little while with the awa'e;asleep;awa'e;asleep process$ and two$ yo# will want to ma@imize the s#ggesti"e therapy #se o% the pro%o#nd state yo# ha"e spent time creating(
The %ollowing is an e@ample o% what one co#ld say when #sing %ractionation com!ined with "is#al imagery primarily as a learning process$ getting the client acc#stomed to hypnosis and %ig#ring o#t how !est they respond( Nongard & Thomas 1&1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 4And E#st so yo# #nderstand$ %or demonstration p#rposes in this te@t + am going thro#gh this %ar more rapidly than + wo#ld with a client( :arely$ in a clinical setting$ wo#ld we do s#ch rapid "is#alizations or Progressi"e M#scle :ela@ation e@ercises( /o# will need to #se yo#r own int#ition and common sense to add pa#ses and details( /o# will also need to incorporate client8targeted positi"e s#ggestions and other sensory e@periences(6 IChat + wo#ld li'e %or yo# to do is close yo#r eyes( + wo#ld li'e yo# to imagine that yo# are sitting in a %ield on a !ea#ti%#l spring a%ternoon( The weather is E#st per%ect( /o# can %eel the s#n on yo#r s'in$ !#t yo# are not too hot and yo# are not too cold( As yo# loo' at s'y$ yo# see that itOs a clear !l#e s'y( +n that
clear !l#e s'y$ yo# see one single$ white$ p#%%y clo#d( As it gently and lazily %loats thro#gh the s'y$ it !egins to disappear into the horizon( As it !ecomes smaller and smaller$ as yo# loo' at that clo#d$ yo# !ecome more and more rela@ed((( As the clo#d !ecomes tiny in size$ yo# realize it has disappeared into the distanceV + am going to co#nt !ac'wards %rom one to three$ and as + co#nt %rom one to three$ yo#Oll !ecome more awa'e( /o# will reorient yo#rsel% to the room and yo#Oll open yo#r eyes( 1ne$ two$ threeV 4.nap6(J Now o#r client is in a normal state$ and yo# may want to as' them$ ICere yo# a!le to see the pict#res in yo#r mindQ <id yo# see the p#%%y clo#dQ Cas it mo"ing slowlyQ Chat were the images li'eQ Co#ld yo# act#ally %eel the s#n on yo#r s'inQJ Ce as' a!o#t their e@perience !eca#se that will let #s 'now %or s#re that are they "is#alizing( +% they are not$ perhaps we sho#ld !e %oc#sing on another representational modality$ s#ch as 'inesthetic or a#ditory s#ggestions( Now$ we wo#ld as' the client to re8close his;her eyes$ and r#n
them thro#gh a A#ic' progressi"e rela@ation re8ind#ction to see how they respond$ and then emerge them 41$ >$ 0$ wide awa'e6 once again$ and as' a!o#t those e@periences( At this point we ha"e learned a!o#t the clientDs responses to imagery and rela@ation( Perhaps now weDll do an eye8%i@ation reind#ction with a n#m!er co#ntdown( And again$ we wo#ld wa'e the client and as' them a!o#t their e@periences$ and then we wo#ld possi!ly go on to say) 1&> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly I/o# are really getting the hang o% this( <oing a good Eo!( + am going to spend a co#ple o% more min#tes with yo#$ and d#ring that time$ +Om going to again help yo# to achie"e a le"el o% hypnosis to rela@ !oth yo#r mind and !ody$ and help yo# ma'e some changes in yo#r li%e(J Then we will do another re8ind#ction and deepener$ and then %inally get on with the therape#tic s#ggestion phase( Altho#gh the description a!o"e is !rie%$ this o#tline represents KogtOs %ractionation at its %inest( There are many other ways o% #tilizing %ractionation deepening$
s#ch as with rapid ind#ctions( /o# wo#ld do a rapid ind#ction$ %ollowed !y a A#ic' awa'ening$ then a rapid re8 ind#ction$ again and again$ so that 2 or & phases o% %ractionation 4awa'e;asleep6 %it into a!o#t a min#te( This can !e A#ite e%%ecti"e when yo# ha"e the con%idence to p#ll it o%%( This approach may also #se post8hypnotic s#ggestions as a trigger %or re8ind#ction$ especially i% yo# #se s#ggestion to a#gment the nat#ral e%%ect o% %ractionation( or e@ample$ a%ter the %irst ind#ction yo# co#ld say$ I+ am now going to co#nt %rom 1 to 0$ and when + reach 0 yo# will !e wide awa'e and %#lly alert( Howe"er when + say$ S08>818sleep$O yo#r eyes will close$ yo#r head will drop$ and yo# will immediately ret#rn to a deep and com%orta!le state o% trance$ going at least ten times deeper e"ery time we do this(O This techniA#e not only enhances the e%%ect o% the %ractionation$ !#t it also !egins to !#ild credi!ility with the client$ as they will$ o% co#rse$ respond per%ectly to this s#ggestion( .ince there are #nlimited ways o% ind#cing hypnosis$ there are
also #nlimited ways o% deepening the trance state$ so e@periment with the approaches that s#it yo# !est$ to de"elop yo#r own style and approach( Let the words %low %rom yo#r mind and ens#re yo# always spea' %rom a state o% com%ort and rela@ation( <escri!e to yo#r clients what it is li'e to !e in trance$ and they will %ollow yo# there( Nongard & Thomas 1&0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 1&2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 3 The Art o% .#ggestion ~ The Heart o% Hypnotherapy .#ggestion is "iewed as the heart o% hypnotherapy$ and is something that many traditional psychotherapists are not %amiliar with( +n co#nseling programs$ we were ta#ght :ogerian techniA#es to re%lect !ac' what we tho#ght we heard o#r client say( This approach does not answer A#estions nor gi"e ad"ice$ !#t p#ts it !ac' on the client( or e@ample$ i% a client says$ I:ichard$ + ha"e a A#estion %or yo#( + ha"e a choice to ma'e !etween these two options( Chich one
sho#ld + chooseQJ As a traditional therapist$ + wo#ld li'ely simply re%lect !ac' what + tho#ght + heard the client say) ICell$ Mr( Client$ what + thin' + heard yo# say was that yo# wondered what choice + wo#ld ma'e o#t o% two options((((J To me$ a :ogerian approach in therapy is somewhat li'e an *ric'sonian approach in hypnosis$ !elie"ing that o#r clients ha"e within them e"erything they need already$ and that they will ha"e an Sah8haO e@perience and generate their own insight when A#estioned( +t has !een my e@perience$ howe"er$ that most o% my clients in therapy donOt e"er generate that Sah8haO e@perience( <irected therapy and Nongard & Thomas 1&& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone directed hypnotherapy that act#ally gi"es s#ggestions can !e !ene%icial to o#r clients$ !#t this approach is o%ten resisted in traditional therapy( .#ggestion is power%#l and e%%ecti"e( or those who are #ncom%orta!le with s#ggestion 4!asically$ telling someone what to do6 !eca#se o% yo#r !ac'gro#nd or personality$ let me tell e@plain a
co#ple o% things( irst$ o#r hypnosis clients e@pect s#ggestion( They come to a hypnotist to ma'e positi"e li%e changes thro#gh the process o% hypnosis$ and that process in"ol"es the s#!conscio#s mind recei"ing positi"e s#ggestions$ and this is what they e@pect( .econdly$ o#r clients li'e hypnotic s#ggestions !eca#se it ma'es li%e !etter and easier %or them( +% they co#ld achie"e the same things on their own$ they wo#ld ha"e done it( Hypnosis helps$ and they li'e that( .#ggestion in general$ e"en witho#t hypnosis$ is highly e%%ecti"e( +% it werenDt$ there wo#ldnDt !e so many ad"ertisements e"erywhere( *"ery image in a magazine$ slogan on a poster and Eingle on the radio is a s#ggestion %or yo# to do or !#y something( +t really is amazing how responsi"e people are to sensory s#ggestions( The ne@t time yo#Dre sitting aro#nd the l#nch ta!le with a gro#p o% people$ gra! a %resh carton o% mil'( 1pen it #p$ ta'e a sip and E#st say$ I1h$ goshF This mil' is p#trid$ horri!ly rottenF Here$ smell that(J Then$ pass the carton o% good mil' aro#nd and watch what happens( 9eca#se yo# ga"e the s#ggestion that the mil' was
!ad with con"iction and con%idence$ they will respond physically in a negati"e way$ and e"eryone who smells the carton will respond to the p#trid$ nasty$ aw%#l mil' R e"en tho#gh the mil' is per%ectly good( Ha"e yo# e"er yawned E#st !eca#se yo# saw someone else yawnQ This is yet another e@ample o% why s#ggestion is a "ery power%#l and proli%ic change agent$ and can !e #sed to great e%%ect in the therape#tic process( Are yo# yawning nowQ 9eca#se s#ggestion is so power%#l$ we need to recognize that it can !e mis#sed( Most o% the clients on o#r caseload wo#ld ne"er act on a s#ggestion that was contrary to their own moral !elie%s$ !#t some clients are more s#ggesti!le than others$ and co#ld !e a!#sed !y an #nethical hypnotherapist( *"ery now and then there are cases o% #nethical psychiatrists$ social wor'ers and co#nselors a!#sing their clients( And$ e"ery now and then there are also stories o% #nethical hypnotherapists who ta'e ad"antage o% their clientOs s#ggesti!ility( 1&3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly ConseA#ently$ this is one o% the main reasons why people %ear
hypnosis( Chen it comes to ci"il litigation laws#its in psychotherapy$ pro!a!ly the three !iggest psychotherape#tic errors that clinicians ma'e are) %ail#re to recognize the power o% therape#tic relationship$ %ail#re to recognize the limitations o% their training and techniA#e$ and %ailing to respect the client( The same errors apply to hypnotherapy( +t is a "ery contentio#s and hotly de!ated iss#e among hypnotists as to whether someone can !e hypnotized to do something against their own will( Many hypnotists maintain that yo# cannot$ while others claim that morals and wills are only s#r%ace "eneers$ which themsel"es can !e changed !y s'illed and #nethical hypnotists( Chate"er yo#r own !elie%s on this matter are$ it is cr#cial that yo# always recognize the power o% s#ggestion$ and respect yo#r client( Principles o% .#ggestion Let #s now ta'e a closer loo' at some principles o% s#ggestion( These are g#idelines$ not hard and %ast r#les$ !#t they are help%#l to !ear in mind as yo# cra%t hypnotic s#ggestions( 9e Positi"e irst$ s#ggestions sho#ld !e phrased in the positi"e( Ce want
to say$ I/o# enEoy !reathing %resh !reathing air$J rather than$ IChene"er yo# smo'e$ yo# will !ecome sic' !y the no@io#s air that yo# are !reathing in$ and yo#Oll co#gh #ncontrolla!ly(J There is a di%%erence in res#lts( +nstead o% helping o#r client to stop doing something$ + want them start doing something positi"e( +nstead o% s#ggesting$ I/o# will A#it !iting yo#r nails$J s#ggest the positi"e$ I/o# will enEoy seeing yo#r nails grow long and e"en(J That is not to say yo# can ne"er phrase s#ggestions in the negati"e$ or ne"er #se SdonOtO or SstopO lang#age$ !#t as a r#le$ tell them what to do$ rather than what not to do( Nongard & Thomas 1&, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 9e Clear .#ggestions also need to !e #nderstood !y o#r client( 1#r metaphors and s#ggestions need to !e constr#cted appropriately %or the indi"id#al clientDs age and le"el o% cogniti"e and moral de"elopment$ so that they donOt go o"er the clientDs head( +n general$ s#ggestions that they can instantly #nderstand on a practical$ %#nctional
le"el are !etter than comple@ s#ggestions %or which they need to #se their conscio#s minds to decipher( .tay oc#sed .#ggestions sho#ld %oc#s on single topic$ rather than m#ltiple ideas( As with cogniti"e8!eha"ioral therapy$ the s#ggestions gi"en will %oc#s on speci%ic identi%ied iss#es$ pro!lems or sit#ations$ and are designed to pro"ide alternati"e relie% strategies or goals( The Iyo# will A#it smo'ing$ lose weight$ and start !eing nice and cleaning ho#se e"ery dayJ all in one ro#nd approach is simply not e%%ecti"e( .ome s#ggestions and impro"ements do go hand in hand$ s#ch as con%idence and sel% esteem$ howe"er$ as a r#le$ %oc#s on pro"iding change8s#ggestions %or only one maEor iss#e per session$ so that yo# can help the client to %#lly %oc#s on it( .tay +n the Now .#ggestions sho#ld also !e in the present tense$ rather than the %#t#re or past tense( People come to yo# !eca#se they want to change$ and so yo# might as well help them ma'e those changes now( +nstead o% s#ggesting$ S+n 0 to 3 wee's yo# will !e a non8smo'er$J s#ggest$ I/o# are now a non8smo'er$ a happy$ healthy and smo'e8%ree
indi"id#al(J To s#pport present8tense s#ggestions$ we may #se posthypnotic s#ggestions( Post8hypnotic s#ggestions are new patterns o% !eha"ior gi"en d#ring hypnosis$ with the intention o% !eing incorporated into the clientOs li%e %ollowing hypnosis( These directi"e s#ggestions gi"e the client an answer down the road o#tside yo#r o%%ice %or what to do when %aced with a challenge( or e@ample$ I/o# are contin#ing to lose weight and %eel great( +% yo# %eel the #rge to snac'$ yo# will reach %or healthy$ nat#ral %oods$ instead o% processed chips and dip or coo'ies(J 1&5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 9e *d#cational Hypnosis is a learning tool$ and hypnotherapy o%ten ma'es #se o% metaphors d#ring s#ggestions in e%%ort to show how speci%ic concepts$ perceptions$ actions$ !elie%s and goals may relate$ as well as to con"ey concepts which can later !e translated and applied to m#ltiple sit#ations( They are also %reA#ently #sed as relie% mechanisms$ partic#larly %or clients needing stress management help(
or e@ample$ I/o#r daily stress is li'e the lea"es o% a tree( +t !#ilds %rom the roots$ and then rises( .ee yo#r stress rising #p thro#gh the tr#n'$ and tra"elling o#t along the !ranches$ thinning and thinning as it %lows #pward and o#tward$ getting smaller and smaller as it reaches the end o% the thin !ranches$ then e"en smaller as it t#rns into !ea#ti%#l green lea"es( .ee the green lea"es t#rn golden$ then !rown$ and now watch them detach$ %all o%% and %loat to the gro#nd$ discarded and no longer necessary$ no longer e@isting(J :emem!er$ howe"er$ that whate"er the %#nctioning le"el o% the client is when they are awa'e$ will !e the %#nctioning le"el o% the client when they are asleep( /o# m#st tailor the therape#tic lang#age o% yo#r prescripti"e scripts R incl#ding metaphors 8 to meet the intellect#al$ ed#cational$ social$ economic$ physical and emotional %#nctioning le"els o% the indi"id#al client( +% they wo#ld not !e a!le to grasp the metaphorical relationship !etween Sthe "iew o% a s#nrise %rom atop a mo#ntainD and a Dpositi"e o#tloo' on their %#t#re marital relationshipO while awa'e$ they will not !e a!le to do it #nder
hypnosis( 9e :ealistic As we disc#ssed earlier$ s#ggestions sho#ld !e !ased on the clientOs strengths$ and sho#ld !e attaina!le( .omeone seeing yo# %or weight loss is not going to lose 2- po#nds in one wee'$ so do not ma'e #nrealistic s#ggestions( .#ggest progress$ constant realistic and impressi"e impro"ement$ s#ch as$ I/o# will contin#e to lose weight at a rapid and healthy pace$ to the point where yo# are at the ideal weight %or optim#m health( /o# will !e s#rprised !y how %ast yo# lose weight when yo# increase yo#r e@ercise and ma'e healthy %ood choices$ and yo# will %eel great noticing yo#rsel% !ecome slimmer and healthier as time goes !y(O Nongard & Thomas 1&7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ?tilize the .enses + thin' s#ggesti"e therapy sho#ld also incorporate the %i"e senses( Kis#al imagery 4what the client sees6$ ol%actory descriptions 4what the client smells6$ tactile descriptions 4what the client %eels physically6$ so#nd 4what the client hears6$ and taste$ d#ring the
practice o% the s#ggestions are all important areas to address( The more senses yo# can wor' into the s#ggestions #sed thro#gho#t the session$ the greater the e%%icacy will !e( or e@ample$ I/o# are !eginning to see yo#rsel% as a more con%ident indi"id#al( /o# can really %eel this growing con%idence s#rging thro#gh yo#( The idea that yo# are con%ident E#st so#nds right$ and when yo# realize E#st how con%ident yo# really are$ yo# will tr#ly !e a!le to taste the "ictory yo# ha"e earned(O :emem!er as well that most people ha"e a dominate "is#al learning style$ and so "is#al s#ggestions can !e highly e%%ecti"e( The client may !e instr#cted to "is#alize the desired goal or o#tcome as i% it were already achie"ed to per%ection$ and;or to "is#alize themsel"es wor'ing thro#gh the identi%ied pro!lem and reaching the desired concl#sion( or e@ample$ they may see themsel"es rela@ed and reading a !oo' on an airplane 4instead o% an@io#sly %idgeting6$ or spea'ing con%idently in %ront o% a large gro#p 4instead o% sweating and st#ttering6( As yo# can see$ there are many other ways o% incorporating
m#lti8sensory descriptions into the s#ggestion process$ so ta'e care to gi"e rich and meaning%#l s#ggestions( Additionally$ hypnotherapy is A#ite e%%ecti"e %or treating n#mero#s physical pro!lems and symptoms$ and there%ore sensory s#ggestions related to !ody awareness are commonly #sed %or those who are ner"o#s or ha"e an@iety disorders$ as well as those who lose %oc#s d#e to !ody preocc#pations( .#ggestions may !e gi"en to control !reathing or heart rate d#ring stress%#l sit#ations$ to raise or lower !ody temperat#re %or sports acti"ities$ and e"en to minimize or eliminate allergic reactions( 9ody awareness s#ggestions are also %reA#ently #sed %or pain management 8 !ecoming aware o% the a!sence o% pain( or e@ample$ I/o# can %eel the h#rt lea"ing the pain( There is less intensity now(J 13Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .#ggestions sho#ld also relate directly to the indi"id#al clientOs goals and presenting pro!lems$ rather than come only %rom a prepac'aged$ in%le@i!le script( Therape#tic .#ggesti"e .cripting The world o% hypnotherapy is %#ll o% scripts 8 scripts yo# ha"e
written$ scripts others ha"e written$ scripts that yo# can download %rom the internet or p#rchase in !oo's( There are prepac'aged scripts a"aila!le on E#st a!o#t e"ery s#!Eect yo# can imagine( These scripts are #se%#lU they can pro"ide direction or g#idelines %or addressing speci%ic iss#es$ and most o% the time$ the a#thor has ta'en the time to #se speci%ic lang#age and phrasing deemed !ene%icial or e%%ecti"e( Howe"er$ as mentioned !e%ore$ e"ery client is di%%erent$ and has not only di%%erent strengths and reso#rces$ !#t also di%%erent needs( Not e"ery client needs to lose %i%ty po#ndsU some only wish to drop a %ew po#nds and tone #p their m#scles( These are di%%erent goals$ and will reA#ire a di%%erent strategy when creating s#ggestions( *specially when yo# are less e@perienced$ it is %ine to #se these scripts as a tool %or !oth #nderstanding the hypnotherape#tic process and implementing s#ggestions 8 !#t yo# also want to ta'e the time to tailor the script to meet the speci%ic needs o% each indi"id#al client( The scripts are not written in stone$ and can !e easily
modi%iedU yo# may s#!stit#te indi"id#al words 4%l#%%y %or %eather6 or entire concepts 4clim!ing stairs instead o% a mo#ntain6( /o# may ta'e a section %rom one script and insert it in another( As yo# !ecome more e@perienced$ yo# will li'ely rely less and less on complete scripts$ and instead yo# may #tilize a hastily s'etched o#tline that yo# de"elop d#ring the inta'e;assessment process$ designed to meet the speci%ic needs o% the client( And remem!er the Law o% <ominant *%%ect) A stronger emotion will always replace a wea'er emotion( Attach signi%icant emotions to change when %orming s#ggestions( Nongard & Thomas 131 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone The mind is an amazing machineU modern comp#ters can hardly ri"al its a!ility to categorize and inde@ tho#ghts$ %eelings$ sensations$ corollary relationships$ entire e@periences$ and so %orth( *ach item in the mindOs data!ase is sim#ltaneo#sly organized chronologically$ !y intensity$ !y location$ !y time$ !y person$ !y emotion$ !y smell$ !y pre%erence$ !y pain$ and so on(
Chen yo# s#ggest that the mind retrie"e an emotion$ the mind will assess its meaning$ %#nction$ rele"ance$ relationship$ and intensity to e"erything in its data!ase( To %acilitate positi"e change$ the hypnotherapist needs to get the mindOs attention in a !ig way( ?sing s#ggestions with stronger emotional impact will increase e%%icacy %or change( or e@ample$ INow that yo# are a nonsmo'er$ yo# are enth#siastic a!o#t li%e$ and %eel as energetic as a person ten years yo#nger$J is %ar more attention8getting to the mind than$ IChen yo# A#it smo'ing$ yo# will %eel !etter(J 9etter$ relati"e to whatQ 9etter is a generic term that the mind will pass o"er as !eing less important and intense than e"en SgoodO 88 and IwhenJ is not concrete or speci%ic( 9etter than yo# %elt yesterdayQ That is more speci%ic$ !#t still not dramatic eno#gh to ta'e m#ch notice( 9etter than e"er !e%oreQ Cell$ that is !etter$ !#t is still neither speci%ic nor intense eno#gh to ca#se the mind to ta'e acti"e interest( Nood 8\ 9etter 8\ <ecent 8\ Nreat 8\ Conder%#l 8\ antastic 8\ Amazing
Ni"e the clientOs mind speci%ic emotional c#es$ #sing terms associated with high intensity( These are some tho#ghts in regards to s#ggestion that + hope yo# are a!le to incorporate in yo#r hypnotherapy practice( +t can !e a lot to ta'e in one go$ so practice$ practice$ practice and soon yo#Oll E#st %ind yo#rsel% nat#rally incorporating these principles into the hypnosis yo# do witho#t ha"ing to really thin' a!o#t it( 13> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: , A!reaction$ Practice and :e%errals Altho#gh hypnosis is nearly always a sa%e and pleasant process$ occasionally things can !e dist#r!ing or go wrong$ and yo#r s#!Eects can a!react( Chile this is #ncommon it is also "ery important to #nderstand$ and so + %elt this s#!Eect deser"ed a chapter to itsel%( Ce can de%ine a!reaction in a n#m!er o% ways( +n the !roadest sense$ since hypnosis is generally regarded as a rela@ing e@perience that ma'es one %eel good$ a!reaction then can !e de%ined simply as a I!ad tripO or #npleasant e@perience in hypnosis( Altho#gh a!reactions
are e@tremely rare$ it is cr#cial that yo# learn how to handle them con%idently and pro%essionally( An a!reaction is a state o% intense emotion$ where a person is act#ally re8li"ing an e@perience that perhaps tra#matized them in the past( +t is not simply a state where they are a remo"ed$ cas#al o!ser"er o% the !ad things they ha"e e@perienced 4li'e d#ring the ast Pho!ia C#re 8 yo# can %ind in%ormation a!o#t this techniA#e online6$ !#t where they are e@periencing all o"er again the tra#ma$ the misery and the horror o% past s#%%ering$ as i% they were act#ally right there in person at that moment and time( Nongard & Thomas 130 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone A!reactions can occ#r spontaneo#sly$ and they can !e created or ind#ced !y the hypnotist 8 either deli!erately as part o% a therape#tic process$ or accidentally when the hypnotist acts #nsa%ely( Typically$ a!reactions occ#r d#ring age8 regression phenomena or therapy$ which is a hypnotic process or method that reA#ires a lot o% training and e@perience to p#ll o%% sa%ely and e%%ecti"ely(
Chen #sed properly$ a therape#tic a!reaction has only two p#rposes) irst$ to disco"er what happened$ and second$ to disco"er who$ i% any$ the players are( 1nce this in%ormation is determined$ the hypnotherapist sho#ld terminate the a!reaction and !egin trans%ormational therapy( At this stage in yo#r training$ please$ please$ please do not attempt age8regressionsF A!reaction can also !e spontaneo#s( or e@ample$ imagine a client was s#ggested to regress !ac' to a time when they were eight years old( Now$ a stage hypnotist gi"ing this 'ind o% s#ggestion wo#ld li'ely intend %or the s#!Eects to act child8li'e and !e goo%y silly$ li'e little 'ids are( Howe"er$ what i% one o% the participants had a %ire at their ho#se when they were eight years old and a si!ling died( They were terri%ied and scarred at least mentally i% not physically( An a!reaction wo#ld ca#se the s#!Eect$ now %eeling eight years old again$ to re8e@perience the heat o% the %lames$ the terror o% the emotions$ hearing the cries o% the !rother who was lost in the %ire$ and so %orth( Not a pleasant thing to re8e@perience$ and de%initely a stage show
'iller( Chen some clinical clients are hypnotized$ they will s#ddenly %all into a!reaction and start crying$ yelling or %lailing a!o#t$ !eca#se they ha"e regressed to a tra#matic e"ent on their own( Ce co#ld !e doing a session and s#ddenly a metaphor !rings o#r client spontaneo#sly !ac' to an emotionally or physically tra#matic sit#ation( or e@ample$ perhaps we #sed the mo#ntain clim!ing metaphor %rom earlier$ and perhaps the client was once trapped on a mo#ntain or ca#ght in a %lash storm or e"en E#st !ro'e an an'le on a trail( Ce will !e a!le to see the tra#ma on their %ace$ in their physical responses$ and possi!ly in the lang#age they #se as they a!react( ?n%ort#nately$ yo# cannot pre8determine which clients might do this !y loo'ing at them or tal'ing to them( The s#!conscio#s mind sometimes protects a person %rom ha"ing to deal with tra#matic e"ents 8 s#ch as rape or a terri!le accident 8 !y !loc'ing that e"ent 132 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly %rom their conscio#s memoryU so while they may appear to !e
emotionally well8adE#sted on the o#tside$ they are act#ally s#!conscio#sly s#%%ering %rom some deep emotional sit#ation$ which may spontaneo#sly res#r%ace #nder hypnosis( Again$ spontaneo#s a!reaction is not common$ !#t it can occ#r at any time and we sho#ld !e ready %or it( Ce will disc#ss what to do a!o#t it in a %ew min#tes( As mentioned earlier$ a!reaction can also !e intentionally ind#ced( .ome hypnotists$ and reg#lar therapists too$ will deli!erately ca#se a!reactions as part o% therapy$ !elie"ing that !eing a!le to re8e@perience the %ears$ tra#mas$ di%%ic#lties or hardships in o#r li%e can teach #s lessons we need in the present$ to resol"e and come to terms with those di%%ic#lties( Personally$ + thin' that directed a!reaction is pro!a!ly o"er#sed$ !#t that it does ha"e therape#tic "al#e partic#larly with post8tra#matic stress disorder( The intr#si"e mental images or pict#res$ ol%actory sensations$ sleep dist#r!ances and all the signs and symptoms o% PT.< that occ#r %ollowing a tra#matic e"ent are ca#sed !y the "ictimOs mind trying to ma'e sense o#t o% what happened( :e8li"ing tra#matic e"ents is a
nat#ral process we all go thro#gh in order to come to terms with them and #nderstand what they mean( or e@ample$ + was in a serio#s car accident when my son was si@ months old( + was dri"ing down the road and this g#y was t#rning le%t o#t o% a par'ing lot( He apparently loo'ed le%t$ then right$ !#t %ailed to loo' le%t again$ hit the gas$ and smashed into the passenger side o% my car( +t was a horri%ic accident( Car seats then werenDt what they are now$ and my son was %lipped all aro#nd and ended #p #pside down$ not !reathing and !leeding o#t o% his mo#th( All + co#ld thin' was that in mo"ies$ thatDs what dead people do( + !ailed o#t o% the dri"erDs seat$ wrenched open the rear door$ and gra!!ed my son #p$ car seat and all( + didnOt wait %or the am!#lance to show #pU we were near a hospital and + %lagged down the %irst car + saw and screamed$ ITa'e me to the emergency roomFJ + was in shoc'$ and + remem!er yelling at the dri"er to dri"e %aster and that + had a dying !a!y( +t was "ery tra#matic and di%%ic#lt %or me( The emergency room had !een called ahead( + ha"e no idea who made the call !#t they were waiting when the dear$ sweet lady
dropped me o%%( The doctors too' my son %rom me and ran into the !#ilding( Then$ there + sat waiting %or a!o#t %i"e ho#rs( +Dm s#re yo# Nongard & Thomas 13& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone can imagine how + m#st ha"e !een %eeling d#ring that impossi!ly long wait( inally$ + was a!le to see my son in the pediatric intensi"e care #nit$ and mirac#lo#sly he e"ent#ally made a %#ll reco"ery( 1ne o% the things we 'now a!o#t memory is that people donOt ha"e memories !e%ore the age o% >2 months that stay with them thro#gho#t li%e$ so altho#gh physically my son s#%%ered m#ch more$ it was + who e@perienced the psychological tra#ma( Later in the day$ the police o%%icer who was in"estigating the accident came to tal' to me at the hospital( He has a little clip!oard and heOs as'ing me A#estions( He says$ I1'ay$ :ichard$ when was the %irst time that yo# !ecame aware o% the tr#c'QJ To which + replied$ ILoo'$ +O"e got st#%% to do( + mean$ +Dm not %eeling so good( My ri!s are crac'edU my son is #p in intensi"e care$ so as' me A#estions later( +t
was the other g#yOs %a#lt( +O"e got to go(J 9#t he was persistent( I+ E#st need to as' yo# a co#ple o% A#estions( + want to 'now a!o#t the tr#c'(J At this point +Dm so on edge itDs all + can do to remain remotely diplomatic( + said$ IThere was no tr#c'( A %rea'ing Che"y Corsica dro"e into me$ some d#de in a !l#e Corsica( /o# m#st ha"e me con%#sed with some other accident i% yo#Dre as'ing a!o#t a tr#c'(J + started to wal' away and the o%%icer gra!!ed my sho#lder$ stopped me$ t#rned me aro#nd and said$ I/eah$ a !l#e Corsica hit yo#( 9#t thatOs when yo# crossed o"er towards the oncoming tra%%ic and hit the semi tr#c'(J He wanted to 'now when + %irst !ecame aware o% the tr#c'$ and the answer was right then$ when he told me a!o#t it$ si@ ho#rs or so a%ter the accident occ#rred( + had !een in s#ch an emotional state and so %oc#sed on the crisis at hand in regards to my son that + was totally and completely #naware we had hit a semi tr#c' across the road( The ne@t se"eral days were a !l#r( A!o#t wee' later$ + had to dri"e to ort Corth$ Te@as to do a training session( + remem!er
dri"ing down the open interstate$ no tra%%ic$ not a car within miles$ and +Dm physically responding to imaginary tr#c's dri"ing into my car( My mind was trying to ma'e sense o% it all R with what + 'new had occ#rred a wee' earlier$ and what + had !een told happened( + reli"ed the accident in my mind tho#sands o% times o"er the ne@t month( +t is a nat#ral process %or o#r minds to want to ma'e sense o#t o% what has happened to #s$ to consider how it might ha"e t#rned o#t di%%erently$ either way( I+% we had !een hit !y the car one 133 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly more inch %orward$ we wo#ld ha"e !een dead$J or I+% + had only swer"ed it wo#ldnDt ha"e happened at all$J and so %orth( Personally$ + re8li"ed !oth what + 'new 4how we were hit !y the car6$ and tried to sort o#t the part + didnDt 'now 4where$ when$ why and how we hit the tr#c'6( These were intr#si"e mental images that really distressed me %or a period o% wee's %ollowing the accident( *"ent#ally tho#gh$ as a res#lt o% this processing$ + came to terms with all o% what happened and am now no longer negati"ely a%%ected !y
the e"ent( +n directed a!reaction$ the therape#tic goal is to help a person re8li"e their e@periences so they can p#t them into a conte@t#al %rame that ma'es sense to them$ and in many cases resol"e post8tra#matic stress disorder$ so they can %#nction in healthy ways in todayOs world( Altho#gh + do !elie"e it is sometimes important or help%#l %or clients to #nderstand the past$ + do not !elie"e they m#st re8li"e the past to get well( Chile #nderstanding the past may ma'e some changes easier 4s#ch as %or reco"ering %rom PT.<6$ + do not thin' it is essential %or change to occ#r 8 !eca#se tr#ly$ #nderstanding the past is not a part o% the change processU it is more o% a tool %or relapse pre"ention( :elated to this are two contro"ersial iss#es in regard to clinical hypnosis( irst is that memory is not li'e a tape recorder( +t is %le@i!le and does change o"er time( Things can !e added or remo"ed$ and memory can !e constr#cted( +% #sed incorrectly$ clinical hypnosis with age8regression can ca#se people to de"elop alse Memory .yndrome$ !elie"ing things occ#rred that did not$ which can create many
pro!lems in the real world( There%ore$ when doing all %orms o% regression or any wor' in"ol"ing tra#matic sit#ations we m#st ens#re we are properly trained and e@ercise e@treme ca#tion( And then there is recreational a!reaction( People are interested in !eing regressed !ac' to a speci%ic or general point in their past %or "ario#s reasons( .ome people want to re8 e@perience emotionallycharged times %rom their li%e( .ome !elie"e in the concept o% past li"es$ and want to e@plore the possi!ility( + do not ad"ocate this practice$ period( The hypnotherapist m#st remem!er that whene"er he #ses a regression techniA#e 8 o% any 'ind %or any p#rpose R there is always a possi!ility that the client will arri"e at a highly emotional sit#ation Nongard & Thomas 13, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone that ca#ses them to s#%%er a strong and perhaps A#ite pain%#l a!reaction( Personally$ + %ail to recognize m#ch "al#e in recreational a!reaction$ !#t yo# will meet indi"id#als in psychotherapy who ha"e
histrionic or narcissistic personalities$ and they sometimes see' o#t these e@periences( Perhaps they !elie"e that prod#cing an intense emotion generates catharsis or relie%$ e"en tho#gh it doesnDt !ring them to a point o% progress$ !#t may instead simply rein%orce their histrionic or narcissistic traits( H#st !e aware o% this rare !#t real possi!ility$ and proceed with ca#tion( +% yo# %eel there is no therape#tic "al#e to the a!reactions$ then do not proceed( The ethical hypnotherapist always aims to a"oid doing harm( There%ore$ to intentionally ca#se a!reaction with no therape#tic p#rpose in mind can !e indicati"e o% a poor assessment o% the clientOs condition$ or o% attempting to treat a client with hypnosis when their psychological di%%ic#lties wo#ld !est !e addressed thro#gh re%erral to traditional co#nseling or psychiatric approaches( .o now we arri"e at the o!"io#s A#estion) Chat do we do when a!reaction occ#rsQ irst o% all$ i% it is not related to the present pro!lem$ donOt to#ch it( or e@ample$ when o#r client comes to #s %or smo'ing cessation and an a!reaction occ#rs %or whate"er reason
related to a prior tra#matic e@perience$ there is no therape#tic rele"ance to the presenting pro!lem$ and so we lea"e the iss#e alone( Ce re%oc#s o#r client !ac' on the tas' at hand$ which in this case is a smo'ing cessation session( Please 'now that rarely wo#ld a client e@perience a!reaction d#ring a smo'ing cessation session$ as it is typically a reasona!ly simple process( Howe"er$ i% a client spontaneo#sly a!reacts d#ring any 'ind o% session$ E#st instr#ct them$ con%idently$ as i% yo# were in total control and 1--T calm and rela@ed$ that they are sa%e$ they are well$ the distressing scene is "anishing %rom their mind$ and they are ret#rning to this sa%e and com%orta!le o%%ice and towards addressing the iss#es at hand with yo#( .econd$ ne"er to#ch them( Let me repeat) <o not to#ch people who are a!reacting( Lea"e them in their chair( +% %or some reason they %lail aro#nd$ try to 'eep them sa%e$ mo"e %#rnit#re i% necessary$ g#ide them gently to the %loor i% yo# ha"e to$ !#t really$ really try not to 135 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly to#ch them( To#ching a client d#ring a!reaction can prod#ce physical
responses that are e@tremely stress%#l %or them$ and this may act#ally p#t #s at ris'$ especially i% the emotions are intense( And$ to#ching a client d#ring sit#ations li'e this also opens doorways to lia!ilityrelated iss#es( There are some times in hypnosis where to#ching a client is appropriate$ o% co#rse$ s#ch as a non8shaming$ non8se@#al$ gentle to#ch on the sho#lder$ or perhaps to#ching their hand %or emphasis is accepta!le( Howe"er$ yo# sho#ld always get in%ormed consent early on$ li'e d#ring the pre8tal'U I+ may to#ch yo# on the arm d#ring the session( +% + do$ itOs simply to help yo# rela@ %#rther( Cill this !e o'ayQJ +t is important to e@plain the p#rpose o% o#r to#ch and to ha"e them say it will !e o'ay %or yo# to do so( <#ring an a!reaction$ howe"er$ ne"er to#ch yo#r client( That hard and %ast r#le is not meant to !e !ro'en( Third$ i% yo# ha"enOt e@perienced or witnessed an a!reaction !e%ore$ 'now that it will !e to#gh %or yo#$ and it might e"en !e scary( ThereOs a commercial %or an #nderarm deodorant that says$ INe"er let them see yo# sweat(J Now is the time yo# hope yo# p#rchased a
good antiperspirant$ !eca#se a good hypnotist is a!le to remain in control( :emaining calm and in charge d#ring an emotional crisis is essential$ so that we can mo"e to the ne@t step) Ce need to create a s#ggestion that !rings o#r client !ac' to the present( A simple e@ample is$ I9o!$ what yo# are e@periencing right now is certainly di%%ic#lt %or yo#(J 4This is a pacing statementU it !rings #s into their reality$ and e"ent#ally !rings them !ac' into o#rs( ?sing se"eral o% these is o%ten help%#l(6 ICe are going to mo"e yo# into the present( +t is now today( +n today$ yo# can loo' !ac' to the e"ents that yo#O"e e@perienced in li%e( :ight now yo# are in my o%%ice( /o# are in my room( The e"ents o% the past are in the past( +n the present$ we are in my o%%ice( Chile we are in my o%%ice$ we are ta'ing a deep !reath( Ce are rela@ing( Ce are %eeling sa%e( Ce are %eeling sec#re( Ce are %eeling at peace e"en with di%%ic#lt things that happened in the past$ which are not the present(J This 'ind o% !rie% script sho#ld help !ring the client o#t o% their tra#matic mindset(
9e con%ident and #se yo#r common sense( .tep %irmly into yo#r clientDs reality$ direct them to release or let go o% their negati"e$ Nongard & Thomas 137 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone di%%ic#lt emotions$ and p#rpose%#lly lead them !ac' into the sa%ety o% the present( Please note) +% yo# are not a licensed mental health pro%essional 8 i% yo# are only certi%ied as a hypnotist 8 in many states$ practicing directed a!reaction as a part o% hypnosis can !e considered practicing psychiatry or psychology witho#t a license$ so i% yo# ha"e any inclination to engage in this 'ind o% therapy$ yo# sho#ld %irst cons#lt yo#r local laws and attain proper training and credentials( 1,Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Practice$ amily and :e%errals +t is easy to practice hypnosis on yo#r %riends and %amily( + enco#rage yo# to do some simple s#ggestions %or rela@ation and positi"e thin'ing$ and may!e r#n thro#gh some hypnotic phenomena %or entertainment p#rposes with anyone yo# can get to sit still long
eno#gh( This is a %#n way to re%ine yo#r s'ills and share hypnosis with those yo# care a!o#t( 9y practice$ + mean try and try and try again$ with the goal o% per%ecting yo#r patter and presentation style$ !eca#se in reality$ it can !e really di%%ic#lt to e%%ecti"ely hypnotize people yo# 'now$ to act#ally attain high le"els o% trance %or #se%#l therape#tic sessions( /o#r %riends and %amily will generally see yo# as a %riend and a %amily mem!er$ not as an a#thoritati"e pro%essional$ e"en when they 'now 4or ha"e at least !een told6 that yo# are one( They %eel weird or silly ha"ing yo# hypnotize them$ and may worry$ despite yo#r pre8tal'$ a!o#t di"#lging %amily secrets or whate"er it is that people worry a!o#t( And this is why practicing on %amily and %riends is "ery important and help%#l) /o# learn to o"ercome challenges$ !#ild yo#r con%idence$ and per%ect yo#r pre8 tal' R e"en i% yo# ne"er act#ally hypnotize those close to yo#( Practice$ practice$ practice( Again$ the more yo# go thro#gh the motions$ recite ind#ctions and %orm s#ggestions$ the !etter yo# will !ecome( .#ggest that the %or' now has the moti"ation it needs to
wor' side8!y8side with the 'ni%e to c#t yo#r por' chop( .#ggest yo#r car has the energy it needs to start and motor thro#gh the day( *@plain the hypnotic process to an imaginary client while yo#Dre dri"ing to wor'( /o# may dri"e e"eryone in yo#r ho#sehold and circle o% %riends crazy with this practice$ !#t it will pay o%% as yo#r s'ills are sharpened( Chen practicing hypnotizing those we 'now$ it is important to rela@ and ha"e %#n( +% they la#gh$ la#gh with them$ !#t 'eep them %oc#sed( 9e cas#al a!o#t the process R they will pic' #p on yo#r calm con%idence( And yo# m#st !e con%ident( Know that yo# are the hypnotist( Nongard & Thomas 1,1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone :emem!er$ howe"er$ that hypnosis only wor's when the s#!Eect is willing$ so yo# cannot %orce yo#r teenager to sit still on the co#ch %or a session while yo# gi"e them s#ggestions to clean their room and do their homewor'( Terror8!ased trance wor' does not wor'( Practicing with %amily and %riends is tr#ly %or the p#rposes o%
per%ecting yo#r style and approach$ %orm#lating$ adE#sting and memorizing yo#r patter$ and !ecoming com%orta!le creating therape#tic s#ggestions( That said$ once yo# anno#nce that yo# are a hypnotist and that yo# intend to help people lose weight$ A#it smo'ing$ o"ercome their stage %right and so %orth$ and especially a%ter yo# do a %ew s#ccess%#l demonstrations$ yo# may %ind certain %riends and %amily mem!ers coming to yo# %or help with all sorts o% iss#es( Hypnosis %or %#n$ practice and light iss#es is great with %riends and %amily$ !#t %or serio#s$ hea"y d#ty iss#es$ please re%er people yo# 'now well to another pro%essional( or one$ yo#Dre not yet ready to handle hea"y d#ty iss#es( And$ the hypnotic process reA#ires a speci%ic le"el o% tr#st !etween the client and the hypnotist( .trangers will come to yo#r o%%ice witho#t %amily or %riend history or D!aggage$D and will lea"e yo#r o%%ice witho#t it$ too( Traditional therapy has r#les against Id#al8relationshipsJ 8 !eing %riends with clients 8 and it is generally !est to draw these lines with hypnosis as well$ so as not to
set #p #nhealthy$ #neA#al or e"en #nethical relationships with people yo# interact with in yo#r real world( And$ #ntil yo# are more e@perienced$ please re%er people yo# do not 'now who come to yo# with hea"y d#ty iss#es$ as well( Ma'ing re%errals is one o% the hallmar's o% a good clinician( :ecognize that we canOt !e e"erything to all people$ and there are other competent pro%essionals a"aila!le( +n order to pro"ide competent care$ we m#st !e competent( Ce m#st contin#ally learn and practice and e@pand o#r s'ills and 'nowledge !ase$ and this ta'es time( Chen a client calls %or an appointment on an iss#e that yo# ha"e not wor'ed with !e%ore$ do some research on the s#!Eect( .co#r the +nternet %or ready8made scripts so yo# can st#dy the s#ggesti"e approaches #sed !y others( Call a hypnotist %riend and as' their ad"ice or opinion( This is how we learn( And then ma'e a decision( <o yo# %eel com%orta!le$ con%ident and competent to handle the iss#e with this clientQ Perhaps yo# do 1,> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
%eel this way( 9#t there is no shame in re%erring( 9#ilding a re%erral networ' is not only good !#siness$ !#t helps #s to manage o#r lia!ility and to do a good Eo!( Clinical hypnosis is one method o% treatment %or many conditions$ !#t it is not always the !est method %or all conditions or all clients( /o# m#st !e a!le to !oth recognize when another approach wo#ld !e more !ene%icial %or a client$ and !e a!le to re%er them to an appropriate so#rce %or alternati"e therapy( +t is help%#l to networ' within yo#r comm#nity and !ecome %amiliar and %riendly with a"aila!le clinicians and agencies who pro"ide ser"ices that yo# cannot or are not interested in pro"iding$ so that yo# are a!le to help yo#r clients get the help they need$ and so that they 'now yo# are o#t there and can re%er hypnosis8ready clients to yo#( Nongard & Thomas 1,0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 1,2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 5 Hypnotic Phenomena H#st as e"ery person is di%%erent and has di%%erent li%e
e@periences$ e"ery person will ha"e slightly di%%erent e@periences when #nder hypnosis$ ranging %rom changes in reasoning$ awareness and their creati"e imagination$ to physical changes in !lood press#re$ heart rate$ !ody temperat#re and other sensory perceptions( Ce re%er to these changes as hypnotic phenomena( Hypnotic phenomena are the !read and !#tter %or stage hypnotists who demonstrate hypnosis %or entertainment p#rposes( +n clinical hypnotherapy$ we will o!"io#sly not !e demonstrating hypnotic catalepsy or amnesia %or entertainment p#rposes$ !#t we may e@plain and demonstrate some o% these things %or the p#rpose o% con"incing o#r clients that the hypnotic process is real and "alid$ so they can %eel com%orta!le with the idea o% hypnosis( +% we are creati"e and open minded$ we can learn$ clinically$ %rom stage hypnosis demonstrations( + remem!er my %irst stage show as a hypnotist as i% it happened yesterday( 9eca#se there is really no way to practice a stage show !e%ore yo# go li"e with it$ yo# ha"e to get it right the %irst time 8 !#t with no practical e@perience in stage hypnosis$ it can !e di%%ic#lt
to de"elop the con%idence necessary to p#ll o%% that %irst show( Nongard & Thomas 1,& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone <#ring the show$ + s#ggested to a lady that she wo#ld %orget the e@istence o% the n#m!er >( 4This is a %reA#ent stage demonstration$ !eca#se not only can !e A#ite h#moro#s$ it is simply amazing to witness$ and a show is all a!o#t DwowingD the a#dience(6 + told her to hold o#t her right hand$ and co#nt her %ingers( .he loo'ed at me$ loo'ed at her hand$ and co#nted) I1$ 0$ 2$ &$ 3$J then ga"e me a sheepish grin( The a#dience was !lown away 8 !#t so was +U it act#ally wor'edF + then had her hold o#t her other hand and co#nt all o% her %ingers( .he did and said$ I180828&838,858781-8 11(J Cith this$ the crowd went wild$ and + tried to conceal my own amazement( A%ter the show$ still holding on to a little dis!elie% mysel%$ + tal'ed to her a!o#t her e@perience( .he remem!ered little a!o#t the ho#r she spent on stage$ and had clearly !een in a deep trance state( 1% co#rse + 'new !e%orehand that demonstrating these 'inds o%
hypnotic phenomena is how the hypnotist impresses and amazes the a#dience and creates entertainment$ howe"er$ witnessing it as a participant and !eing the one to ma'e it happen are two di%%erent things( A%ter + got o"er my shoc' that it wor'ed so easily$ + learned something %rom my e@periences on stage) hypnotic phenomena is easy to prod#ce$ !eca#se e"en tho#gh these phenomena may seem odd or strange when isolated as a direct command on stage$ they are act#ally nat#ral e@tensions o% li%e e@perience( *"ery mani%estation o% hypnotic phenomena occ#rs to one degree or another in real li%e( or e@ample$ Spercept#al changesO are %reA#ent hypnotic phenomena( The stage hypnotist #ses this when they s#ggest to participants that they are %reezing cold 8 and the gro#p then instincti"ely h#ddles together in comical ways to stay warm( Mothers #se this same phenomenon when their child !r#ises a 'nee$ !y s#ggesting that Mom can 'iss the S!oo8!ooO and ma'e the pain go away( The athlete who h#rts himsel% d#ring the !ig game$ !#t s#ppresses the
pain so they can contin#e to do what is most important to them$ essentially delaying the pain response #ntil the %inal whistle$ is practicing what can !e considered hypnotic phenomena( .inging and dancing li'e a roc' star is a power%#l stage demonstration o% disassociation$ !#t in real li%e$ most o% #s depart in o#r mind %rom the stressors o% the day to o#r daydreams$ and 1,3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly st#dents are notorio#s %or creating alternate realities in their heads d#ring college lect#res( The clinical hypnotist can #se hypnotic phenomena to help clients in a "ariety o% ways( 1!"io#sly$ in medical sit#ations$ mani%esting analgesia$ anesthesia and ideodynamic responses can !e #se%#l( Helping a client ta'e physical control o% their !ody %or panic disorder$ test an@iety or nicotine withdrawal thro#gh disassociation$ sensory perceptions$ and other phenomena can !e #se%#l( Teaching test8ta'ers$ gol%ers and athletes how to create d#al8realities can !e o% incredi!le per%ormance "al#e to them( TechniA#es o% age8regression
can help a person to resol"e past di%%ic#lties !y gaining new perspecti"es on their li%e e"ents$ and the phenomena o% time distortion is a great stress management tool( Now that + ha"e more e@perience in hypnosis$ + can #nderstand the great preca#tions that a stage hypnotist m#st ta'e in order to protect his participants$ and + can also see the potential %or a!#se( Howe"er$ #nli'e the pro%essional associations who despise stage hypnotism$ + still thin' that responsi!le demonstrations o% hypnotic phenomena can act#ally enhance the entire %ield o% hypnosis$ incl#ding clinical hypnotherapy( + reg#larly attend stage hypnosis shows in Las Kegas and elsewhere$ and o%ten ta'e my %riends who are c#rio#s a!o#t hypnosis$ !eca#se they can see the power o% hypnotic phenomenaU they see people ha"ing a good time and realize that hypnosis is not something to %ear( Hypnotic phenomena not only occ#rs on stage or in the therapy o%%ice$ !#t also on a daily !asis in reg#lar li%e 8 we E#st donOt notice these things going on( .ometimes we nat#rally e@perience time
distortion( Ha"e yo# e"er !een sitting thro#gh something that was really !oring$ and yo# start watching the cloc'$ and time seems to mo"e soooooo slowly$ and it E#st dri"es yo# crazyQ 1r what a!o#t those times when yo# are so capti"ated !y something that time E#st %lashes !yQ The old clichW Stime %lies when yo# are ha"ing %#nO clearly demonstrates power%#l$ nat#rally occ#rring deep trance phenomena( Ce nat#rally e@perience hypnotic amnesia 8 when we cannot remem!er a word that is on the tip o% o#r tong#e( Ce e@perience negati"e hall#cinations 8 when we are loo'ing all o"er %or something only to %ind it has !een in o#r hand or right in %ront o% #s the whole time( Ce e@perience Dhighway hypnosisD when we dri"e 8 o#r mind is !#sy thin'ing a!o#t wor' or dinner or tal'ing on the phone d#ring Nongard & Thomas 1,, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone the dri"e$ and we donDt realize that we are almost home #ntil we p#ll onto o#r street( Hypnotic phenomena incl#des) selecti"e amnesia$ m#sc#lar catalepsy$ analgesia$ anesthesia$ disassociation$ positi"e hall#cination$
negati"e hall#cinations$ sensory perception changes$ time distortions$ in"ol#ntary mo"ement$ perceptional changes$ and esta!lishment o% a d#al8reality( All o% these are things that occ#r nat#rally in a personOs li%e and can !e #sed in the therape#tic process in a "ariety o% di%%erent ways( The s'ill o% a good hypnotist is to !e a!le to direct and elicit these "ario#s phenomena at will$ and #tilize them %or the speci%ic goal or o#tcome o% the client( M#sc#lar Catalepsy This is perhaps one o% the more interesting 'inds o% hypnotic state) all the m#scles in a partic#lar area o% the !ody are !alanced and rigid to the point where that arm or leg or hand is totally still and st#c'$ and cannot !e mo"ed( This phenomena is nat#rally po#nced #pon !y stage hypnotists$ who hypnotically gl#e peopleOs hands to walls or arms in the air$ !#t it can also ha"e #ses in the clinic( Catalepsy occ#rs nat#rally in a "ariety o% psychological and physical disorders ranging %rom schizophrenia to epilepsy$ and can !e #tilized in the hypnotic process %or a n#m!er o% di%%erent reasons$ especially i% the physical iss#es that o#r client may ha"e are related to
irrita!le !owel syndrome$ pain management$ or post s#rgical reco"ery( Analgesia This is the dampening or a!sence o% the sense o% pain$ witho#t a loss o% conscio#sness( Perhaps a dermatologist is remo"ing a wart and the client is allergic to a local anesthetic( The anesthesiologist may #se hypnosis and s#ggest to the patient that in the area where he is c#tting the s'in there is no pain$ essentially mentally n#m!ing the area( There is still some sensation and %eeling that occ#rs$ !#t e"en i% the person sees the 'ni%e c#tting into the s'in and the wart !eing remo"ed$ there will !e no sensation o% pain( As with anesthesia$ there is a general insensi!ility to pain$ with or witho#t the laws o% conscio#sness$ !#t anesthesia is primarily associated with pro%o#ndly deep le"els o% trance and total loss o% sensation$ not E#st pain( 1,5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <isassociation This means simply separating onesel% %rom an idea or e@perience !y "iewing it thro#gh a second or third person perspecti"e$
loo'ing #pon something that happened to yo# as i% it happened to someone else( <isassociation in psychiatry has !een gi"en a rather !ad rap$ howe"er + %eel that i% there has !een a pain%#l e@perience and my disassociation protects me %rom intense emotions and %eeling tra#matized$ that is a good thing( How is it that some people emotionally s#r"i"e misera!le sit#ations li'e the 1'lahoma City !om!ing or 7;11$ when they e@perienced them %irsthandQ Thro#gh disassociation$ the psychological process has 'ept them %rom %eeling intense le"els o% pain that otherwise might !e emotionally detrimental( <isassociation can !e #sed in the hypnotic process to help o#r clients come to terms with their past and their a!ility to %#nction today( + ha"e always said$ A#oting %rom Chapter 227 in the 9ig 9oo' o% AA 4Alcoholics Anonymo#s6$ that acceptance is the 'ey to all o% o#r pro!lems today( Now$ acceptance doesnOt mean that + li'e the st#%% that happened to me$ it simply means that + am a!le to see it o#t there$ loo' at it$ and e"en tho#gh + donOt li'e it$ ac'nowledge that it e@ists$ and then + can
mo"e %rom that point %orward( This is a %orm o% dissociation that o#r clients will %ind most "al#a!le( Positi"e Hall#cinations Positi"e hall#cinations are "ery interesting( The Dpositi"eD re%ers to mentally adding something to yo#r scene or s#rro#ndings that is not really there( /o# see these in stage show demonstrations$ s#ch as when the hypnotist tells the participants that they are watching a scary mo"ie$ and then the participants will hall#cinate that they are watching a scary mo"ie and respond physically and emotionally to that mo"ie( +tOs a perception o% "is#al$ tactile$ a#ditory$ g#statory and ol%actory e@periences$ witho#t any real e@ternal stim#l#s$ and with a compelling sense o% reality( This can !e e@tremely well applied and noticed in "is#alization e@ercises( Nongard & Thomas 1,7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Negati"e Hall#cinations This is a "ery power%#l hypnotic phenomenon( Negati"e hall#cination is when yo# are #na!le to see something which is in %act there( Ce all do this e"ery day$ !loc'ing o#t the !illions o% !its o%
sensory data that wo#ld o"erload #s i% we %oc#sed on them( :ight now$ reading this$ what are yo# not aware o%Q <espite that !eing a "ery hypnotic A#estion$ + am s#re yo# can !egin to t#ne into yo#r s#rro#ndings and notice perhaps the whirr o% some machinery$ the site o% the wall or roo%$ may!e the so#nd o% !irds or cars o#tside( /o# were negati"ely hall#cinating these things !eca#se yo# were intently %oc#sed on reading( There is a %amo#s case o% a stage hypnotist who had a real li"e alligator wal' right o"er participants who were lying down on the stage and d#e to the negati"e hall#cination s#ggestions they recei"ed$ they were totally o!li"io#s to its presence( Amazing$ !#t tr#e( Ha"e yo# e"er !een ma'ing a sandwich$ and yo# go to the re%rigerator to get the mayonnaise o#t( /o# open #p the re%rigerator and yo# loo' %or mayonnaise and yo# canOt %ind it in there( /o# loo' all o"er %or the mayonnaise( inally yo# as' yo#r spo#se$ IHey honey$ whereOs the mayonnaiseQ Are we o#t o% mayonnaiseQJ And they wal' right o"er$ open #p the door$ and right there in %ront o% yo#r eyes is the mayonnaise(
Chat happened thereQ /o# had a negati"e hall#cination( /o# ga"e yo#rsel% the s#ggestion when yo# were ma'ing a sandwich$ IHey$ may!e we were o#t o% mayonnaise$J and then yo# acted on that s#ggestion( /o# opened the door$ and yo# didnOt see it$ e"en tho#gh it was right there in %ront o% yo#( Chen we apply this to therapy$ we ha"e not only an e@tremely power%#l con"incer$ !#t also a #se%#l set o% #nderstandings$ in that when we recognize what the client may pre"io#sly ha"e !een negati"ely hall#cinating in li%e$ li'e %or e@ample peopleOs positi"e reactions to them$ we can point these o#t and allow them to tr#ly enrich their world "iew( 15Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Altered .ensory Perception 1#r clients %eel$ taste$ smell$ hear$ and see things di%%erently when hypnotized than they do in a state o% %#ll alertness( This phenomena can !e #sed to ind#ce rela@ation and is !oth a nat#ral part o% the hypnotic process and o% o#r li"es( or e@ample$ itOs an a"erage day and yo# go %or a wal' to simply get some e@ercise( As
yo# are wal'ing yo# notice that the s#nset is !ea#ti%#l( This is the %irst time d#ring the day that yo# noticed the s'y( The s'y is A#ite !ea#ti%#l( As yo# loo' at the s'y$ the "is#al senses that yo# e@perience !ecome emphasized and increased and dominant at that partic#lar moment( /o#r sensory perceptions ha"e temporarily !een altered to !ecome primarily "is#al( Chen #tilized in the hypnotic process$ sensory shi%ts will almost a#tomatically help to ind#ce rela@ation and deeper le"els o% trance$ and responding physically to the hypnotic process( Time <istortion This is one o% the most %reA#ently occ#rring e@amples o% hypnotic phenomena( + went to a gro#p hypnosis e"ent one day E#st to see what they were doing( +t was a D%orty8 nine dollars to A#it smo'ing %ore"erD session at a Holiday +nn( *"en tho#gh + am no longer a smo'er$ + decided + wo#ld go see what this g#yOs SshowO was a!o#t( Two h#ndred people were there in a !ig !anA#et hall$ and instead o% sitting in chairs$ he had e"eryone lying on the %loor( or me this was marginally tolera!le$ howe"er + am s#re that some o% the
si@ty8year8olds in the room %o#nd it impossi!le to !e com%orta!le on the %loor( Chen the session was o"er$ he as'ed the participants$ IHow long was that sessionQ How many o% yo# %elt the e@perience was #nder three min#tesQJ A !#nch o% people raised their hands( + was shoc'ed( He then as'ed$ IHow many o% yo# !elie"e the session was !etween three min#tes and ten min#tesQJ A!o#t hal% the room raised their hand( And then$ I+% yo# thin' the session lasted %or ten to %i%teen min#tes raise yo#r hand(J Most o% the rest o% the people raised their hands( And %inally$ IHow many o% yo# %elt that the session lasted longer than %i%teen min#tesQJ 1#t o% two h#ndred people$ there were may!e %i"e or si@ hands #p in the air( The maEority o% people tho#ght Nongard & Thomas 151 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone it was less than ten min#tes( He then pointed to the digital cloc' on the podi#m$ to show that the session had act#ally !een twenty8nine min#tes long( Li'e this g#y$ at the concl#sion o% my sessions + almost always
as' my clients$ IHow did yo# %eel when yo# were !eing hypnotizedQ <o yo# %eel this was !ene%icialQ <escri!e %or me what yo# e@perience was li'e(J 1ne client said$ I+ %elt li'e my !ody was really rela@ed( + %elt li'e + co#ldnOt really mo"e e"en i% + wanted to( 9#t my mind was sharpU + 'new e@actly what was going on the whole time(J + then as'ed him$ IHow long do yo# thin' this session wasQJ He said$ IPro!a!ly a!o#t ten or %i%teen min#tes(J Clients almost always grossly #nderestimate the length o% time( The session had r#n a little o"er thirty min#tes( This %reA#ently occ#rring phenomenon is$ o% co#rse$ an e@tremely e%%ecti"e con"incer and demonstration o% hypnotic power( +n"ol#ntary Mo"ements These can occ#r nat#rally d#ring the hypnotic process( <#ring the ind#ction or deepening + will say to clients$ I/o# may notice a %l#ttering in yo#r eyes( /o# may notice a trem!ling E#st !eneath the s#r%ace o% the s'in( These are nat#ral things that people sometimes sense or %eel d#ring hypnosis(J Chen they note that they are e@periencing those things$ then they 'now they are e@periencing
hypnosis( Again$ this also acts as a power%#l con"incer( +deo8dynamic or #nconscio#s mo"ements are another %orm o% in"ol#ntary mo"ement which we can #tilize in hypnotherapy( These are those a#tomatic or conditioned responses that are generated on an #nconscio#s le"el !y the s#!Eect in response to stim#li$ either e@ternal or internal( ?nli'e the other ind#ced phenomena that we may e@perience while in trance$ ideo8dynamic responses occ#r no matter what one does( There is literally no way the indi"id#al can pre"ent these #nconscio#s !ody mo"ements$ or 'eep %rom re8 e@periencing %eelings and sensations( Ce can tell the client that their #nconscio#s will li%t a certain %inger to answer a A#estion with a yes$ and another %inger to answer a 15> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly A#estion with a no( Ce can then interrogate the client and as' them deep A#estions whilst gaining p#re and #ncensored in%ormation( Howe"er$ since ideo8dynamics are !y de%inition #nconscio#s responses$ the greater the degree o% dissociation present$ the more
that responses to %eelings$ mo"ements or sensations s#ggested !y the hypnotist can !e enhanced( There%ore$ %acilitating dissociation is a necessary %irst step prior to attempting proced#res s#ch as a#tomatic writing$ or %inger signaling( There are three 'inds o% +deo8dynamic :esponses) +deo8a%%ecti"e$ +deo8motor$ and +deo8sensory( +deoa%%ecti"e 8 *motional Mani%estations *motional mani%estations are the a#tomatic responses attached to the e@periences o% each indi"id#al( +t is "irt#ally impossi!le to !e entirely de"oid o% %eelings a!o#t something( *"ery person e@hi!its and attaches a wide range o% emotional responses to "ario#s e"ents in their li"es$ and these responses may di%%er in temperament and in the degree o% intensity %rom person to person$ and sit#ation to sit#ation( Chile in trance$ the indi"id#alOs %eelings associated with the ideas contained in the hypnotherapistOs s#ggestions may rise to the s#r%ace$ s#ch as !#ried negati"e %eelings o% h#rt and despair$ or positi"e %eelings o% Eoy and pleas#re( +deomotor 8 Physical Mani%estations The !odyDs #nconscio#s reactions to oneDs tho#ghts are o%ten
re%erred to as +deomotor :esponses( This is also more commonly called S!ody lang#ageO( +n therape#tic settings$ the ideomotor response can !e #sed to %acilitate dissociation$ to deepen the trance state$ and as an indicator o% responsi"eness( +dosensory 8 .ensory Mani%estations These are a#tomatic mental e@periences o% sensation associated with the processing o% hypnotic s#ggestions( The hypnotist will gi"e a detailed description o% the "ario#s sensory components associated with an e@perience$ which allows the client to re8 Nongard & Thomas 150 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone e@perience those sensations to a degree determined !y the amo#nt and type o% past personal e@perience with it( Phenomena s#ch as hand le"itation or lowering$ s#ch as in the sand !#c'et tests$ are also e@amples o% ideodynamic mo"ement( Chen o!ser"ing s#ch responses to s#ggestion$ !e aware that smooth %l#id and deli!erate mo"ement is not what we are a%terU we are loo'ing %or sha'y$ a#tomatic and in"ol#ntary mo"ement ca#sed p#rely !y their #nconscio#s minds(
Cith hand le"itation$ one o% their arms rising a#tomatically as a res#lt o% !oth direct and metaphorical s#ggestion can !e #se%#l when piggy8!ac'ing other s#ggestions( or e@ample$ SNow yo#r right hand will !egin to rise into the air$ as i% p#lled #p !y a tho#sand heli#m !alloons$ light as a %eather and li%ting #p higher and higher now( The higher this hand goes$ the deeper into trance yo# go$ and the more yo# respond completely at all le"els to the !ene%icial s#ggestions yo# will soon !e recei"ing(J Percept#al Changes These power%#l hypnotic phenomena occ#r not %rom the physical$ !#t %rom the cogniti"e perspecti"e( These mani%est %reA#ently in real li%e !etween mother and child( A three year old !oy %alls$ scrapes his 'nee and starts to cry( Chat does Mommy doQ .he comes o"er and 'isses the inE#ry to ma'e it %eel !etter( Mom gi"es the s#ggestion that 'isses ma'e pain go away$ then she 'isses the !oo!oo$ the child smiles$ sha'es it o%%$ and goes !ac' to playing( Hypnotic phenomena are interesting and perhaps amazing to witness$ !#t they are still completely nat#ral( 152
Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 4+nterl#de6 Learning Hypnosis Ta'e a moment now to thin' a!o#t what yo# ha"e learned in the past %ew chapters( Chat 'nowledge and s'ills ha"e yo# already gainedQ /o# 'now what hypnosis is$ how to prepare people %or it$ how to ind#ce the hypnotic state and deepen the process o% hypnosis$ how to cra%t e%%ecti"e s#ggestions and how to #tilize "ario#s hypnotic phenomena %or a speci%ic target or goal$ and how to awa'en the client %rom trance( Learning hypnosis thro#gh print can !e a tric'y iss#e$ and it will reA#ire e%%ort and energy on yo#r part( Cith this !oo'$ Nathan and + are gi"ing yo# the %#ndamental tools yo# need$ !#t it is #p to yo# to ta'e this in%ormation into the real world and apply it( + hope yo# ha"e !een practicing( +% not$ now is the time to !eginF *@plain how hypnosis wor's to the plant in the window( :ecite an ind#ction to yo#r dog( .#ggest to the microwa"e that e"ery time it dings$ it will %eel cheer%#l and enth#siastic a!o#t a Eo! well done(
ind ways and opport#nities to practice hypnosis e"ery chance yo# get( Per%orm simple ind#ctions on %riends and %amily$ and demonstrate some hypnotic phenomena %or the p#rpose o% entertainment and %#n( Hypnotize teddy !ears$ des' lamps and roc'ing chairs( Practice$ practice$ practice$ again and again and again( And Nongard & Thomas 15& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone then$ practice some more( Ma'e s#re that !y the time yo# attempt clinical hypnosis with serio#s iss#es yo# are an e@perienced and competent hypnotist( /o# may !e reading this and thin'ing$ INathan$ :ichard 8 yo# g#ys ha"e !een doing this %or years$ !#t how can yo# e@pect me to read one !oo' and then get o#t there and start hypnotizing peopleQJ Cell$ %irst o% all$ we do not e@pect yo# to only read one !oo' 4altho#gh we do e@pect yo# to start practicing hypnotizingF6 Learning how to do hypnosis is not something that can occ#r simply %rom reading a %ew pages or watching a %ew <K<s$ or %rom a single wee'end training co#rse( Learning to practice hypnotherapy pro%essionally
will ta'e lot o% time and e%%ort on yo#r part( 4And a lot o% practiceF6 +% yo# %eel o"erwhelmed !y what yo#D"e read so %ar$ ta'e a !rea'$ !rea' it down and re8read and practice short sections at a time( There are many additional reso#rces a"aila!le %or gaining more 'nowledge and #nderstanding( Ce o%%er se"eral training "ideos on a "ariety o% single s#!Eects$ %rom ind#ction and deepening approaches to hypnotic lang#age to e%%ecti"e s#ggesti"e script writing( There are written scripts yo# can download and st#dy$ and a#dio scripts yo# can listen to and learn %rom( There are li"e training classes and online wor'shops and more te@t!oo's and on and on and on( /o# will ne"er !e a!le to %#lly e@ha#st the ed#cational opport#nities a"aila!le %or impro"ing yo#r hypnosis s'ills( The training process ta'es a great deal o% time$ and some wo#ld say that learning hypnosis a li%e8long Eo#rney( Howe"er$ with practice$ yo# already 'now eno#gh now to act#ally ta'e clients thro#gh some g#ided imagery and progressi"e m#scle rela@ation %or ind#ction and deepening$ and to o%%er simple s#ggestions %or positi"e
change( *"ent#ally$ as yo# !ecome more com%orta!le with hypnotic lang#age and post8hypnotic s#ggestions$ yo# will !e a!le to incorporate those into the healing process( +t is help%#l when yo# #nderstand that per%orming simple hypnosis is not a !ig thing$ especially since it happens daily$ nat#rally$ to e"eryone( /o# can easily start small and !#ild #p$ so that yo# grad#ally ta'e yo#rsel% %rom doing little ind#ction and rela@ation pieces to more power%#l e@amples o% hypnotic phenomena and instant ind#ction( 153 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Chen yo# are loo'ing %or %riends and %amily to practice with$ !e light and respect%#l( Ac'nowledge #p %ront that they may la#gh or !e ner"o#s( /o#$ howe"er$ sho#ld remain con%ident and rela@ed( Ta'e hypnosis serio#sly$ !#t realize that when yo# are E#st practicing with people close to yo#$ yo# can rela@ and ha"e %#n as well( Practicing means trying$ and trying means there is room %or %ail#re( /o# will %ail( .ometimes yo#r %riend will simply not rela@ eno#gh to gi"e in and %ollow the ind#ction process( .ometimes yo#
will %orget what yo# meant to say and lose trance( .ometimes yo#r mother will not !e a!le to stop la#ghing long eno#gh to listen to yo#r pre8tal'( .o whatQ This is how we learn( ?s#ally yo# will easily !e a!le to %ig#re o#t why yo#r last attempt %ailed$ and there%ore yo# can adE#st yo#r approach ne@t time( H#st 'eep at it$ 'eep practicing and 'eep hypnotizing( 9e%ore long yo# will amaze e"en yo#rsel%( or additional !asic and ad"anced training reso#rces$ please %eel %ree to "isit) www(.#!liminal.cience(com www(KeysToTheMind(com Nongard & Thomas 15, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone 155 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 7 Applications and Ca#tions 8 Memory and Age :egression Memory :ecall Hypnosis %or memory recall related to iss#es li'e test8ta'ing an@iety and con%idence !#ilding is highly e%%ecti"e( Nenerally$ the pro!lem is not with their memory at all$ !#t with the worry R the an@iety and stress generated o"er possi!ly %orgetting$ which ca#ses a
panic8dri"en !loc'ing e%%ect( +n this case$ teaching the client how to rela@ and %oc#s and thin' di%%erently d#ring testing sit#ations can !e A#ite !ene%icial %or helping them to pass e@ams %or which they ha"e st#died diligently( Howe"er$ there are some highly contro"ersial iss#es in clinical and %orensic hypnosis related to memory and recalling details o% past e"ents( 1ne thing we ha"e to #nderstand is that memory$ #nli'e a photograph$ is not static( Memory is %l#id and changes o"er time$ and there%ore it is not always 1--T relia!le( +% the mind canOt remem!er$ the mind will %ill in the !lan's with its own creations( *@ternal "alidation o% what a client tells #s in hypnotherapy related to past tra#mas or crimes is essential( This is the heart o% the Nongard & Thomas 157 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone repressed memory iss#e %rom the 175-s and D7-s$ when se"eral high pro%ile cases a!o#t child se@#al a!#se$ satanic rit#al c#lts and other heino#s crimes hit the co#rt system$ and in many o% them$ hypnosis was #sed to enhance the memory recall o% the "ictims( As a res#lt$
con"ictions were made and then many were rescinded when it came to light that the memories elicited thro#gh hypnosis may ha"e !een %alse( :epressed memory therapy is an area o% tremendo#s lia!ility %or mental health pro%essionals and hypnotists( Chen the elicitation o% repressed memories t#rns o#t to !e %alse or imagined$ the res#lting e@perience o% I alse Memory .yndromeJ carries its own !#nch o% emotional and psychological rami%ications( Today$ anyone practicing repressed memory therapy with hypnotic methods is a sitting d#c' %or laws#its( + want to stress that #sing %orensic hypnosis to help recollect memories o% 'nown e"ents 4%or e@ample$ ro!!ery or rape6 is accepta!le$ howe"er$ it m#st !e done with 4a6 ca#tion$ 4!6 a recognition that memory is %le@i!le$ changea!le$ adapta!le and not always acc#rate$ 4c6 recognition that o%ten times it cannot !e #sed in co#rt cases$ and 4d6 a witness who has !een hypnotized may not !e allowed to testi%y at all( *"ery E#risdiction has their own r#les$ which are$ o% co#rse$ s#!Eect to change at any time( 9eca#se o% those high8pro%ile cases a
%ew decades ago$ co#rts are now "ery s'ittish a!o#t accepting hypnotic memory recollections$ !eca#se we 'now memory is not static( +% a client !elie"es that when #nder hypnosis they may !e a!le to recall e"ents necessary to testi%y$ they m#st %irst see' other ways to "eri%y the memories$ and once memories are recalled$ the "alidity o% the details o% the reco"ered e"ent m#st !e con%irmed( Hypnotherapists sho#ld ta'e care to ma'e this a condition o% Iin%ormed consentJ in %orensic hypnosis$ and i% someone comes to yo# %or memory recollection ser"ices$ yo# sho#ld ha"e them chec' with their attorney %irst to see i% itDs really a good idea to proceed$ or not( There are a lot o% ca#tions when it comes to the past( And$ the real A#estion in therapy is not what happened yesterday$ !#t in what direction are we going$ todayQ Chat s'ills need to !e learned in order to mo"e in that directionQ 17Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Age :egression and Age Progression Age regression is di%%erent %rom repressed memory therapy$ and is a totally appropriate and accepta!le method o% cond#cting
hypnotherapy( Age regression is when$ d#ring the hypnotic process$ we mo"e o#r clients !ac' to a point in li%e$ may!e yesterday$ may!e a month ago$ may!e ten years ago$ may!e e"en !ac' to childhood$ where they re8e@perience past e"ents as i% they were li"ing them all o"er again( Age regression can power%#lly enhance memory( Howe"er$ as we disc#ssed !e%ore$ it sho#ld !e #sed with ca#tion$ as irresponsi!le age regression can ca#se a!reaction or the creation o% %alse memories( .o$ with these potentially negati"e responses$ why wo#ld we e"er want to #se age regression at allQ Age regression is o%ten #sed in certain therape#tic processes$ li'e *lmanOs Hypnoanalysis$ where one #ses regression to Ipin pointJ the ca#se or trigger o% a pro!lem$ and the #nderstandings drawn %rom the disco"ery help to resol"e the iss#e( The 'ey di%%erence !etween regressions and memory retrie"al is that when doing regressions$ one e@periences e"ents %irst hand as i% they are participating in the e"ent in person %or the %irst time$ rather than E#st loo'ing !ac' and trying to recall pieces o% an e"ent( Chen #sed with all appropriate ca#tions$
this is a "ery power%#l way o% gaining insight into the clientDs past times and e@periences( :egression can !e elicited li'e any other phenomena thro#gh direct s#ggestions$ metaphors$ or a com!ination o% !oth( or instance$ a%ter the ind#ction and deepener$ yo# might s#ggest$ INow we are going to mo"e !ac' in time to when yo# %irst e@perienced this pro!lem( Noing !ac' now$ thro#gh the days and the ho#rs$ time t#rning !ac'$ and when yo# arri"e !ac' at when yo# were e@periencing this %or the %irst time$ let me 'now(J /o# wo#ld then #se simple A#estions s#ch as$ IChere are yo# nowQJ or$ IHow old are yo#QJ and$ IChat can yo# see ; hear ; %eelQJ to orientate them to the scene$ and then !egin to A#estion them on the act#al mechanics o% the pro!lem itsel%( Nongard & Thomas 171 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone There is also a hypnotic phenomenon called age progression( Not only we can go !ac' in time and ta'e a loo'$ !#t we can also go %orward in time( Now$ o% co#rse we cannot predict the %#t#re$ so what
we mean when we tal' a!o#t age progression is ta'ing o#r attit#des$ "al#es$ A#alities$ strengths$ reso#rces and attri!#tes and applying them to a representation o% a sit#ation in the %#t#re( Ce can s#ggest that the client see themsel"es in the %#t#re !reathing %resh air as a non8smo'er$ a!le to enEoy li%e witho#t cigarettes$ or witho#t gorging themsel"es at a !#%%et$ or whate"er iss#e they are wor'ing on hypnotherapy( Thro#gh s#ggestion$ yo# can help the client apply the e@periences and what they 'now a!o#t themsel"es today towards a perception o% the %#t#re( The created image may not !e acc#rate$ !eca#se no one can 'now the %#t#re %or certain$ !#t a progression can create an emotional e@perience o% #sing e@isting reso#rces %or pro!lem8sol"ing( This is a #se%#l and a "al#a!le tool in hypnotherapy$ and personally$ + thin' age progression is pro!a!ly #nder8#tilized$ whereas age regression is pro!a!ly o"er8#sed( Memory is at !est a con%#sing iss#e$ and at worst a dangero#s one( Treat age regression and progression li'e any other hypnotic phenomena$ !#t act with ca#tion and care(
17> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 1Hypnotic Lang#age The str#ct#re and composition o% the lang#age that yo# #se$ and the way yo# cra%t and phrase yo#r hypnotic s#ggestions at e"ery part o% the hypnotic process$ is h#gely important( <epending on how ShypnoticO the lang#age we #se is$ we can !#ild agreement$ shi%t the %oc#s o% attention$ ind#ce trance$ em!ed s#ggestions$ create !inds or positi"e ling#istic traps$ and so m#ch more$ E#st with o#r choice o% words( The 'ey in%l#ence in the hypnosis worldOs #nderstanding and #se o% hypnotic lang#age R the words we #se and the way we #se them d#ring trance sessions R was Milton *ric'son$ who de"eloped his lang#age s'ills and a!ility o% !eing Sart%#lly "ag#eO to s#ch an e@tent that he wo#ld o%ten hypnotize and %#lly c#re clients in a seemingly normal con"ersation$ with the aid o% hypnotic stories and metaphors( Chen yo# learn hypnotic lang#age and integrate it into e"ery part o% the hypnotic process$ yo# will %ind the e%%ecti"eness o% the
hypnosis yo# do will increase 1-- %old$ as clients E#st nat#rally and a#tomatically accept all the s#ggestions they recei"e( +n hypnotherapy$ we try to help o#r clients generate a sol#tion they agree with !y the #se o% s#ggestions( H#st li'e in traditional therapy$ o#r goal is to mo"e o#r clients to a point where they ha"e Nongard & Thomas 170 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone that Sah8haO e@perience$ and are a!le to immediately resol"e their pro!lems( Hypnotic lang#age allows #s to %oc#s the reso#rces o% the mind in a speci%ic way$ whilst !eing Sart%#lly "ag#eO eno#gh %or o#r clients to come #p with their own sol#tions and resol#tions that %it in per%ectly with who they really are and what they really need( Ce are going to o"er"iew se"eral di%%erent lang#age patterns that yo# will want to !ecome %amiliar with( Ce co#ld pro!a!ly p#t together a three8ho#r lect#re on each o% these !#t in this te@t we will de"ote only a %ew paragraphs per pattern$ and it will !e #p to yo# to do more research( A wealth o% 'nowledge is a"aila!le on the +nternet
and thro#gh instr#ctional "ideos$ !oo's and training classes$ and someone co#ld pro!a!ly de"elop an entire grad#ate school c#rric#l#m E#st on the hypnotic lang#age patterns o% Milton *ric'son$ many o% which were identi%ied$ de%ined$ !ro'en down and st#died !y 9andler and Nrinder when they created NLP$ ne#ro8ling#istic programming( Lang#age patterns help #s to disassociate o#r clients %rom certain things$ while %oc#sing their attention on others( Ce want to !e art%#lly "ag#e$ !eca#se we want to a"oid disagreements with o#r client and allow them to come #p with their own sol#tion( A%ter all$ when it comes down to it$ no one 'nows what a client really needs more than the client themsel"es( Ce are merely #sing the process o% hypnosis to gi"e them access to that 'nowledge( +ncidentally$ hypnotic lang#age is typically ascri!ed to indirect styles o% hypnosis( Ce want o#r clients to !#ild consens#s with #s( +% a politician wants to s#cceed in de!ates or get his message across$ then they wo#ld !e well ser"ed !y !eing art%#lly "ag#e$ #sing hypnotic lang#age patterns and concepts o% NLP( The more yo# learn
a!o#t hypnosis and NLP$ when yo# watch politicians spea'ing on tele"ision yo# will disco"er that most o% the %ol's writing the speeches m#st ha"e pretty strong !ac'gro#nds in !oth( The words will o%ten !e o@ymoronic and speci%ically "ag#e$ !eca#se the politicianDs goal is to !#ild consens#s$ rather than create di"isions( He wants to a"oid the #se o% anything that wo#ld !ring o#t an o!Eection( .alespeople also %ind NLP #se%#l( or e@ample$ instead o% saying to a client$ I9#y this red car$J one might say$ IAnd yo# 'now$ as yo# come to consider which o% the cars yo# will !#y today$ yo# may %ind yo#rsel% thin'ing a!o#t some cars that really catch yo#r eye$ and E#st how they will loo' sitting pro#dly in yo#r own garage(J As 172 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly yo# learn the lang#age patterns detailed !elow$ thin' !ac' to this !rie% e@ample$ and see i% yo# can identi%y E#st why it was so hypnotic( Another thing to !ear in mind is that these patterns are also #sed !y all o% #s$ #nwittingly( +n %act$ yo# may notice yo#r clients #sing some o% these
patterns themsel"es as they descri!e their pro!lem to yo#$ so yo# sho#ld 'eep an eye o#t %or them and i% yo# deem it necessary$ stop yo#r client and as' them to clari%yU they may ha"e #sed hypnotic lang#age to hypnotize themsel"es into ha"ing their pro!lem in the %irst place( NLP has created a wonder%#l system called the DMeta Model$D which descri!es how to deal with these accidental hypnotic patterns( .ince this is not an NLP co#rse we will not %oc#s on these things here in great detail$ howe"er the Meta Model is certainly something that will !e e@tremely #se%#l %or yo# to research( Nominalization Many s#ccess%#l moti"ational Sg#r#Os are masters o% nominalization( People who #se NLP say any no#n that cannot !e p#t in a wheel!arrow is a nominalization( /o# can ta'e a toaster and p#t it in a wheel!arrow$ !#t yo# canOt ta'e learnings and p#t it;them in a wheel!arrow( LearningsQ +s that a wordQ /es$ itDs a nominalization( /o# can ma'e a nominalization o#t o% any e@perience !y t#rning it into a no#n( +n hypnotic lang#age$ yo# might say something li'e$ IThe
learnings that yo# are e@periencing(((J Cell$ learnings is now a no#n( +tOs a meaningless no#nU it canOt !e p#t in a wheel!arrow( 9#t #sing the word learnings %orces o#r client to a!stract what learnings are$ and how they e@perience the sight$ the so#nd$ the to#ch o% this new concept( The e@perience o% learning will !e #p to the indi"id#al client( +tOs going to draw #pon all o% their sensory e@periences( Nominalizations %orce o#r clients to draw on their wealth o% e@periences and reso#rces and #se these to really ascri!e power%#l and personal meaning to the words yo# #se( Three lang#age patterns related to nominalizations are #nspeci%ied no#ns$ #nspeci%ied re%erential indices$ and #nspeci%ied "er!s( Nongard & Thomas 17& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone ?nspeci%ied No#ns LetDs say + want a client to !#ild consens#s with me$ to agree that hypnosis is a positi"e e@perience and wo#ld !e !ene%icial to them( To accomplish this$ + may say something li'e$ IPeople s#ccess%#lly #se hypnosis to get o"er their pro!lems(J Cell$ what peopleQ
Cho are these people$ and where are theyQ This statement is di%%ic#lt %or them to disagree with$ !eca#se it #ses an #nspeci%ied no#n( +% + were to say$ IAcademics 4a speci%ic no#n6 #se hypnosis to s#ccess%#lly sol"e pro!lems$J then someone might !e a!le to disagree with that( 1r$ i% + were to say$ IMeghan #ses hypnosis to impro"e the A#ality o% her li%e$J well$ someone may !e a!le to disagree or arg#e !eca#se itOs tied to a speci%ic person$ not them( Cith an #nspeci%ied no#n$ howe"er$ listeners can only agree$ th#s !#ilding consens#s( ?nspeci%ied no#ns help to a"oid the s#!conscio#s con%licts that clients may create with speci%ic no#ns$ whilst also ca#sing them to accept yo#r s#ggestions at some le"el( People can easily learn and #nderstand how to #se and apply these patterns in their comm#nication$ canOt theyQ ?nspeci%ied :e%erential +ndices These are no#ns that really donOt re%er to anything$ and are$ in a sense$ an e@ample o% #nspeci%ied no#n( or e@ample$ IAnd a person can %oc#s deeply on a certain sensation(J This lang#age patter is so "ag#e as to !oth ma'e disagreement "irt#ally impossi!le$ and lea"e
the client room to man#%act#re %or themsel"es the ideal sensation or e@perience( ?nspeci%ied "er!s or e@ample$ IA person can enEoy this$ easilyVJ Here the "er! is SenEoy$O howe"er$ the re%erential inde@ o% this "er! is #nspeci%ied$ so once again we are !eing art%#lly "ag#e( A person can see how these three patterns integrate and o"erlap$ and enEoy thin'ing a!o#t how one co#ld #se them in a power%#l and !ene%icial hypnotic process$ and identi%y them when #sed accidentally !y onesO clients$ easily now$ co#ldnOt oneQ 173 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Again$ the p#rpose o% hypnotic lang#age is not to so#nd weird or strange$ !#t to generate agreement and accept the clientDs s#!Eecti"e interpretation o% what is said( Hypnotic lang#age is all a!o#t creating a process %or o#r clients that is in agreement with the s#ggestions we gi"e them$ and letting them interpret the words we #se in the way that is most meaning%#l %or them( The clinician who watches stage shows can learn a great deal( *"ery s'it !#ilds #pon the di%%ic#lty o% the last$ !eca#se consens#s is
!#ilt !y the stage per%ormer thro#gho#t the show %rom s'it to s'it( +n hypnotherapy$ we want to !#ild consens#s with o#r clients( ?sing hypnotic lang#age in o#r scripts is one way to accomplish this goal$ and as + am s#re yo# are !eginning to notice$ it also has many other !ene%its( Three other lang#age patterns that are important %or #s to 'now are complimentary adEecti"es and ad"er!s$ the #se o% compara!le statements and a process called mind reading( These three patterns are 'eys to hypnotic lang#age !eca#se they create agreement and help to disassociate o#r clients %rom things we donOt want them to %oc#s on$ while also applying their energies in the directions that we want them to go( Complementary Ad"er!s and AdEecti"es The !asic concept o% high8end complementary ad"er!s and adEecti"es is to #se two complementary adEecti"es together in the same sentence$ there!y enco#raging clients to accept o#r pres#ppositions( +n the e@ample$ I*asily e@perience the pleas#res o% sel%8disco"ery$J easily and pleas#re are complimentary adEecti"es and
ad"er!s$ which rein%orces$ thro#gh high content le"els$ the pres#pposition that we want o#r clients to accept( Chat we are pres#pposing in this sentence is that o#r clients will e@perience sel%8disco"ery$ and that this e@perience will !e pleas#ra!le( Chen yo# cra%t sentences which pres#ppose a certain %act$ acceptance o% this %act will !e !ene%icial to the client( Pres#ppositions can !e "ery !asic) Swhen yo# A#it smo'ingUO or more co"ert) Swhen yo# loo' at yo#rsel% in the mirror in a %ew wee's time and realize that yo# are a non8smo'er$ E#st how !ig will yo#r smile !eQO +n !oth e@amples$ the pres#pposed %act is that the client shall A#it Nongard & Thomas 17, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone smo'ing( ?sing com8plimentary adEecti"es can ens#re these pres#ppositions are accepted witho#t challenge or de!ate( Compara!le .tatements Compara!le statements are #sed to !#ild consens#s$ create disassociation$ and draw o#r clients into what we want them to %oc#s on( Compara!le sentences #se the word SasO to lin' s#ggestions
together$ one o% which is #s#ally accepted as a pres#pposition$ while the other draws the %oc#s o% the mind( or e@ample$ I/o# will %eel good as yo# notice yo#r weight dropping dramatically(J Mind :eading This is where we ass#me 'nowledge that co#ld only really !e gained thro#gh mind reading( or e@ample$ I+ 'now that yo# ha"e chosen to ma'e the changes which + ha"e s#ggested(J Mind reading is an interesting way o% gaining a#thority o% proo% in the mind o% the client 4i% yo#r Smind readsO are "ag#e or acc#rate eno#gh to !e accepted6$ and also a s#!tle way o% implying s#ggestions( Ca#se and e%%ect patterns$ also 'nown as ling#istic !ridges or lin'ages are also "ery power%#l( The mind li'es to draw !ridges and ma'e connections !etween ideas$ and has also !een shown to act more power%#lly on s#ggestions when gi"en a reason$ no matter how irrational the reason is( The s#ggestion Snotice as the so#nd o% my "oice ca#ses yo# to rela@ deeplyO has no logical !asisU howe"er yo#Oll %ind that it will generate a m#ch more power%#l response than simply telling yo#r client to
Srela@(O 1ther power%#l words yo# can #se when lin'ing ideas are and$ as$ which means$ which ca#ses$ allows$ ena!les$ and enco#rages( 9eca#se yo# are reading this !oo' the in%ormation yo# are learning ca#ses yo# to thin' deeply a!o#t how yo# can #se and apply these patterns in the hypnosis yo# do$ which means that as yo# enEoy this !oo' yo# are !ecoming a m#ch more con%ident and e%%ecti"e hypnotist( 175 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <o yo# remem!er the old TK show .chool Ho#se :oc' with the song SConE#nction H#nction$ ChatOs /o#r #nctionQO They tal'ed a!o#t lang#age R "er!s$ prono#ns$ adEecti"es$ conE#nctions and s#ch 8 and pre8sented a little ed#cational clip !etween the cartoon cl#!s( The words SandO and D!#tD are e@amples o% a conE#nction( As yo# sit here and rela@$ realize conE#nctions are #sed to draw comparisons that o#r clients can agree with$ and are a "ery power%#l way o% #sing ca#se8e%%ect patterns( Li'e ling#istic !ridges$ conE#nctions can !e #se%#l %or !#ilding agreement( Connections and time are important(
Connections and time let o#r client !#ild consens#s not only with the present$ !#t an agreement with the pres#ppositions and the s#ggestions that we are ma'ing %or the %#t#re( This is one o% the reasons why post8hypnotic s#ggestion is e%%ecti"e( +t is easy %or my client to agree with$ I+ am not smo'ing right now$J !eca#se they are sitting in yo#r non8smo'ing o%%ice( or my client to ta'e it %rom the o%%ice$ se"en days o#t$ ten days o#t$ thirty days o#t$ sometimes reA#ires that they accept the s#ggestion post8 hypnotically$ and ma'ing a temporal connection allows this to happen( IAs yo# hear these words$ yo# !ecome c#rio#s a!o#t yo#r a!ilities(J The phrase Das yo# hear these wordsD is a time relationship( As + hear these words$ + !ecome c#rio#s a!o#t my a!ilities( As + !ecome c#rio#s a!o#t my a!ilities$ + can e@trapolate that into time( Now we are act#ally into age progression$ e"en on a non8le"el scale( +% this last pattern is a little con%#sing$ donOt worry( +t can !e m#ch more simply applied$ and is o%ten called Stime distortion(O or e@ample$ we can ta'e o#r clients %orward into the %#t#re with A#ite
direct s#ggestion$ s#ch as$ I.ee yo#rsel% in the %#t#re as a nonsmo'er$J or we can #se time distortion to create a power%#l S%#t#re memoryO in the mind o% the client) IAnd imagine yo#rsel% in the %#t#re$ a %ew wee's %rom now as a non smo'er$ loo'ing !ac' on now as !eing the start o% a wonder%#l positi"e change(J +% we wish to ta'e this to an e"en more hypnotic le"el and introd#ce a con%#sion element 4con%#sion is incredi!ly #se%#l %or !oth lowering o% resistance and aiding the acceptance o% s#ggestions6$ we might contin#e with this s#ggestion !y saying$ IAnd allowing yo#r mind to dri%t still %#rther into the %#t#re$ to 0$ 2$ &$ >-$ 0- years in the Nongard & Thomas 177 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone %#t#re$ seeing yo#rsel% remaining con%idently smo'e %ree$ and with each new year loo'ing !ac' with pride at the past$ and loo'ing %orward with pride to the %#t#re(J Notice how creating these connections in time are power%#l and e%%ecti"e at planting longlasting$ sel%8rein%orcing and time8resistant hypnotic s#ggestions( ClichWs and Adages
SToo many coo's spoil the !roth(O Cell$ according to whomQ Cho made this E#dgmentQ This is a power%#l way o% !eing moti"ational and seeming to spea' %rom a place o% a#thority$ s#ch as$ I+t is important that yo# rela@ deeply now$ and allow me to help yo#$ !eca#se many hands ma'e light wor'(J +n this e@ample$ two lost per%ormati"es were com!ined with the conE#nction D!eca#seD to create a reasona!ly hypnotic s#ggestion( +t is good to learn these patterns$ #se them$ and loo' %or them in the nat#ral speech o% yo#r clients( Con"ersational Post#lates Con"ersational post#lates are reA#ests %or action phrased in a yes or no sentence( or e@ample$ ICan yo# answer the phoneQJ To reply to this yes or no A#estion with a yes or no answer wo#ld !e %acetio#s$ !eca#se we can clearly identi%y these as imperati"es hidden in A#estion %orm( +n the ind#ction or the deepening$ yo# may say to the client$ ICan yo# go deeper into trance at this momentQ Can yo# 'eep yo#r eyes closedQ Can yo# create in yo#r mind a mental pict#re that !rings yo# peace and serenityQJ This is a reA#est %or action(
LetOs say weOre wor'ing with a client %or weight loss( Ce co#ld s#ggest$ ICan yo# start eating smaller portionsQJ 1r$ IAs yo# see yo#rsel% mo"ing thro#gh the !#%%et line$ yo# e@perience the desire to eat smaller portions and to only to ta'e in eno#gh %ood to meet yo#r essential needs %or n#trition( Can yo# do thisQJ Again$ itOs a reA#est %or action !ased on a yes or no A#estion( These con"ersational post#lates are #se%#l %or !#ilding consens#s$ %or disassociating o#r clients %rom the things we donOt want them to %oc#s on and associating with things we do want them to %oc#s on d#ring the hypnotic process( +t is also a nice and nondemanding way o% iss#ing instr#ctions that we all #se on a daily !asis( Can yo# learn these patterns easily and nat#rallyQ >-Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Lost per%ormati"es$ also called indirect pre8 s#ppositions$ are lang#age patterns containing at least one E#dgment$ whilst lea"ing the so#rce o% the E#dgment am!ig#o#s( Pres#ppositions Pres#ppositions are statements which can only !e accepted
and processed !y the client i% they #nconscio#sly accept a partic#lar s#ggestion to !e tr#e$ and there%ore they are an e@tremely e%%ecti"e method o% s#ggestion gi"ing( There are many types and %orms o% pres#ppositions$ one o% which is temporal$ or time !ased( A client may hear distracting noises d#ring the ind#ction$ and yo# may s#ggest that those noises will simply rein%orce their e@perience o% rela@ation( This is a common pres#pposition told with a time orientation to help them incorporate the e@periences into the hypnotherapy$ rather than to disassociate %rom the hypnotherapy process !eca#se o% the noises that they hear( As yo# read this !oo' there may !e other things happening aro#nd yo#$ !#t it is interesting to notice that as the rest o% the world contin#es aro#nd yo#$ yo#r %oc#s on these words only contin#es to deepen and intensi%y as yo# are learning easily now( 1rdinals Pres#ppositions may also !e !ased on ordinals$ which are the words %irst$ second$ third$ %o#rth$ %i%th and so on( or e@ample$ IAs yo# rela@$ yo# can %irst ta'e a deep !reath( .econd$ rela@ all o% yo#r
m#scles$ and third close yo#r eyes(J Cith this e@ample$ rela@ation is pres#pposed as speci%ic mani%estations o% rela@ation are gi"en( 1rdinals can also !e #sed in o#r s#ggesti"e process to ca#se o#r client to create an agreement( +n the conte@t o% smo'ing cessation yo# may s#ggest$ IThe %irst thing yo# can do is ma'e a decision( /o#O"e already made that decision or yo# wo#ldnOt !e here today( .econd$ yo# can !egin to %oc#s on yo#r !ody( As yo# %eel yo#r !ody$ the sensations that yo# are c#rrently e@periencing are sensations o% peace and satis%action$ !eca#se yo# 'now that yo# ha"e made the right decision( Third$ %rom this point %orward$ yo# will consider yo#rsel% to !e a nonsmo'er not !eca#se yo# are going to do Nongard & Thomas >-1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone something in the %#t#re$ !#t !eca#se it is what yo# ha"e already !ecome(J irst$ second$ and third]they pres#ppose an order o% things and implied instr#ction( irst yo# are going to read these words$ second yo# are going to thin' a!o#t what yo# ha"e learned$ third yo# are going to
!egin practicing it in the real world$ %o#rth yo# are going to %ind yo#rsel% getting really good at hypnosis$ %i%th yo# will then %ind yo#rsel% !eing an accomplished and s#ccess%#l hypnotist( The Choice o% I1rJ The word SorO is itsel% pres#ppositionU ICo#ld yo# pre%er to contin#e to !reathe in car!on dio@ide with each !reath$ or wo#ld yo# rather !reathe in %resh airQJ This e@ample gi"es o#r clients an o!"io#s choice and !#ilds consens#s$ !eca#se it gi"es them a choice o% only two things 8 one o% which they 'now that they donOt want to do$ and one they 'now they do want to do( The word SorO is a pres#pposition as it pres#pposes that there are only two a"aila!le options( Awareness DHa"e yo# realized that it is easy to go into hypnosis nowQO SNotice how yo# are rela@ingQO SAre yo# aware E#st how A#ic'ly yo# are accomplishing yo#r goalsQO These statements all reA#ire yo# to accept that what is !eing pres#pposed is tr#e( People will nat#rally accept what yo# are as'ing them to realize or notice$ !eca#se the iss#e %or them !ecomes not whether what yo# s#ggest is tr#e or not$ !#t
whether they ha"e realized or noticed it occ#rring or not( Ha"e yo# realized E#st how easy awareness pres#ppositions are to #se and applyQ 9inds A great pattern to #se is the !ind$ an e@ample o% ca#se and e%%ect$ which ca#ses people to !e ling#istically !o#nd or trapped in a contin#al loop( or e@ample$ IThe more yo# hear my "oice$ the more yo# %eel rela@ed(J This can also !e e@tended) IThe more yo# hear my "oice$ the more yo# rela@$ and the more yo# rela@$ the more yo# realize E#st how good it %eels to go into hypnosis$ and the deeper yo# go the !etter yo# %eel$ the !etter yo# %eel the deeper yo# go(J >-> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly <o#!le 9ind$ or +ll#sion o% Choice This is o%ten #sed poorly !y sales people who might say something li'e$ ICo#ld yo# li'e this car in red or greenQJ with the pres#pposition !eing that yo# li'e the car( +n hypnosis$ we can !e m#ch more s#!tle and elegant( Milton *ric'son wo#ld o%ten as' his clients$ ICo#ld yo# li'e to go into a trance in this chair or that chairQJ
Chen yo# thin' a!o#t and practice these patterns$ it !ecomes A#ite easy to in"ent them on the %ly to %it almost any sit#ation( ICill yo# %ind yo#rsel% emerging %rom this trance %eeling happy$ positi"e and energized$ or will yo# simply %ind yo#rsel% %eeling as i% yo# ha"e had one o% the deepest and most rewarding nights o% sleep in yo#r li%eQJ And + donOt 'now whether yo# will learn these patterns easily and !egin going o#t there and practicing tal'ing hypnotically at once$ or whether yo# will E#st %ind yo#rsel% nat#rally #sing these patterns more and more in yo#r e"eryday comm#nication witho#t e"en ha"ing to thin' a!o#t it( *m!edded Commands IPeople can go into a trance deeply$ and as yo# go into a trance realize E#st how easy it is to enter trance now(J The command parts o% the sentence can !e a!sor!ed !y the #nconscio#s mind separately %rom the rest o% the comm#nication$ and s#!conscio#sly acted #pon( *m!edded commands are m#ch more power%#l i% s#!tly mar'ed o#t$ either with a shi%t in tonality$ a s#!tle gest#re or mannerism$ or something else only E#st noticea!le( Practice ways to #se em!edded
commands in yo#r speech$ and notice E#st how power%#l they can !e( Am!ig#ity *@ploiting the am!ig#o#s meaning o% words can !oth ind#ce con%#sion and s#!tly em!ed commands( There are many types o% am!ig#ity) phonological$ s#ch as the old sales e@ample I!y nowJ !eing #sed as an em!edded command %or S!#y now$O and with p#nct#ation 4or lac' thereo%6$ where the !eginning o% one sentence and the end o% another o"erlap$ o%ten #tilizing phonological am!ig#ity$ s#ch as) Dand yo# will wonder E#st what will !ecome s#ccess%#l now(O Nongard & Thomas >-0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Am!ig#ity can also !e !ased on scope) Sspea'ing to yo# as someone who li'es to e@perience hypnosis(O Here the scope is #nclear$ as it co#ld !e either yo#rsel% or the client who is the person mentioned( *@periment playing aro#nd with the "ario#s ways words$ sentences and phrases can !e interpreted( And spea'ing to yo# as someone who lo"es hypnotic lang#age patterns are easy to learn it is A#ite
nat#ral to see how yo# can p#t these ideas into practice( There are too many patterns and ways o% spea'ing hypnotically to en#merate and list$ so %or now E#st %oc#s on the ones we co"ered a!o"e$ practice them$ e@plore them and learn them( .earch %or the SMilton ModelO on the +nternet %or more e@amples and reso#rces i% yo# %eel yo# need them$ and i% yo# are really serio#s a!o#t tr#ly mastering these patterns$ !#y the !oo' IPatterns o% the Hypnotic TechniA#es o% Milton H *ric'son$ M(<($ Kol#me 1$J !y :ichard 9andler and Hohn Nrinder( .o !egin to %ind yo#rsel% easily a!sor!ing these patterns easily now and notice E#st how A#ic'ly yo# %ind yo#rsel% practicing$ and realize that the more yo# practice the !etter yo# get !eca#se when yo# practice yo# will either %ind yo#rsel% con%idently spinning patterns li'e a hypnotic master$ or simply o!ser"ing the amazingly hypnotic e%%ects yo# words seem to ha"e on others( >-2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 11 Clinical Applications o% Hypnosis 8 Therape#tic +nter"ention
+n this section + want to gi"e yo# a little !it o% clinical e"idence showing that hypnosis is e%%ecti"e$ and also o%%er #p a %ew o% the ca#tions and considerations yo# sho#ld o!ser"e when creating inter"ention in these areas( Again$ it is important to realize that hypnosis is not a one8size%its8 all treatment( .ome clients do reA#ire a re%erral %or "ariety o% reasons$ and some pro!lems will !e either !eyond the scope o% yo#r personal s'ills or hypnotherapy in general( +t is there%ore "ery important %or hypnotherapist to !e s'illed in !oth assessment and re%erral( Ce will !egin with a disc#ssion on hypnotizing children$ and then mo"e on to the most common conditions and disorders yo# may %ind in yo#r o%%ice( Nongard & Thomas >-& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone >-3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Hypnotizing Children + am o%ten as'ed i% we can do hypnotherapy with children$ and the answer is yes$ most de%initely( +nterestingly eno#gh$ many
stage hypnotists pre%er wor'ing with teens and yo#ng ad#lts o"er older ad#lts$ !eca#se they ma'e s#ch e@cellent s#!Eects( Children are in the middle o% the most e@citing time o% e@perience in li%e( The %i"e senses o% sight$ so#nd$ to#ch$ smell and scent are more open and emphasized in a childOs li%e 8 not poll#ted !y e@periences or limitations R and there%ore the hypnotic process$ which draws on sensory e@periences$ is easy to accomplish with children( Children ha"e "i"id imaginations and are a!le to create clearly de%ined mental images as we tal' to them in the hypnotherapy process( Also$ children are not Eaded !y s'epticism( They "iew #s as an a#thority and accept what we tell them R i% %or no other reason that we are older$ and perhaps !eca#se we ha"e a title) hypnotist( /o# may %ind it interesting that the critical %actor 4gate 'eeper !etween conscio#s and s#!conscio#s minds6 is not really de"eloped #ntil we reach the age o% a!o#t , years old( My eldest children$ :ic'y and :achel$ ha"e always !een pretty good a!o#t going to sleep at night( My yo#ngest child$ Ale@$ on the
other hand$ is another story( He li'es to stay #p late and does not li'e to wa'e #p in the morning 8 m#ch li'e his %ather( 1ne night when Ale@ was pro!a!ly & or 3 yrs old$ + was !#sy trying to %inish an important proEect and Ale@ was ha"ing a hard time getting to sleep( rom down the hall + wo#ld hear$ I<addyQJ .igh( I/es$ Ale@$ what is itQJ INet me some waterQJ +Od go get him water and head !ac' to my o%%ice( I<addy$ t#rn the light on in the hall(J + wo#ld t#rn the hallway light on$ go !ac'$ sit down$ and a little while later +Dd hear$ I<addy$ come read to me(J He E#st wasnOt going to sleep( This went on %or a!o#t 0-82& min#tes$ and + was #p against a deadline( + was %r#strated( He wanted me to stay and tal' to him$ !#t + E#st co#ldnOt !eca#se + had to wor' on my proEect( And s#ddenly + had an idea) ILoo'$ + really canOt sit here and tal' to yo# anymore !eca#se 4a6 itDs really late and yo# are s#pposed to !e asleep$ and 4!6 + ha"e to %inish something( Howe"er$ + ha"e a rela@ation cassette tape in my o%%ice( +tOs me spea'ing( Co#ld yo# li'e to hear thatQJ He said$ Nongard & Thomas >-,
Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone I.#re$J so + got the tape and set it #p in his room( + told him$ I/o# donDt ha"e to E#st listen to me tal'$ yo# can also do the things that + as' yo# to do on the tape$ i% yo# want to(J He was only & or 3 years old at the time$ !#t he seemed 'ind o% e@cited to hear dad on tape( He sn#ggled down closed his eyes and listened$ and + !ac'ed o#t o% the room( The recording was a typical complete progressi"e m#scle rela@ation session with !reathing e@ercises and "is#alization( + went !ac' to my o%%ice %ig#ring in a %ew min#tes + wo#ld hear$ IHey dad$ t#rn this o%%$J or IHey dad$ this is weird$J !#t no( A%ter a!o#t ten min#tes + po'ed my head in the door and there was Ale@ lying on the !ed$ act#ally tensing and rela@ing his m#scles$ %ollowing the instr#ctions on the progressi"e m#scle rela@ation tape( As + watched in awe$ he dri%ted o%% into deep sleep( The ne@t night when + was t#c'ing him in + as'ed$ IHey$ did yo# li'e listening to that tape last nightQJ He said$ I/eah$ it was cool(J 4<adDs cool$ yeaF6 + was almost a%raid to as'$ ICo#ld yo# li'e to hear
it againQJ !#t + did( He said$ I.#re$J so + t#rned it on and he was o#t li'e a light( Now$ se"eral years later$ whene"er Ale@ has tro#!le going to sleep he digs o#t the C< "ersion o% the PM: session and plays it( He enEoys the e@ercises$ the !reathing and "is#alization( Kids are open8minded and once e@posed$ most !ecome !ig %ans o% hypnosis( They can relate to o#r e@amples o% Dzoning o#t in classD and #nderstand that itOs a nat#rally occ#rring phenomenonU there is nothing mysterio#s a!o#t it to them( They are at the nat#ral phase in li%e where they are learning to ta'e physical control o"er their !odies as well as creati"e control o"er their minds anyway$ and so the concept o% hypnosis %its right in( <a"e *lman$ when wor'ing with children #nder the age o% 1-$ wo#ld spend only a!o#t 0- seconds on the complete pre8tal'$ ind#ction and deepening phase o% the hypnotic process$ and %rom there he wo#ld immediately mo"e on to s#ggestion8gi"ing( He did this !y %acilitating what he called the Spretend game$O where he wo#ld simply say$ IClose yo#r eyes and pretend that they are gl#ed sh#t(
Now test them( Now pretend that yo# canOt remem!er yo#r name( Now rela@ yo#rsel% completely and pretend that yo# are in deep$ deep hypnosis(J And thatOs all it too'( Chen wor'ing with children$ 'eep it %ast and %#n( <o not !ore them with long ind#ctions #nless yo# act#ally do want them to %all asleep( >-5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly + ha"e seen teens %or te@t8ta'ing an@iety and memory recall d#ring e@ams$ %or sports per%ormance$ %or weight loss iss#es and %or con%idence and sel%8esteem( +t is easy to ta'e children %rom a normal wa'ing state to the e@perience o% pro%o#nd deep trance phenomena li'e amnesia and hall#cination in a matter o% min#tes or e"en seconds$ !eca#se they are already there$ ready to accept and %#lly act on yo#r s#ggestions$ as long as it is %#n$ %ast$ rewarding$ pleasant$ and their imagination is stim#lated( Personally$ + do not wor' with children #nder age 1& or 13$ %or no real reason other than with e@perience we disco"er that we each wor' !est with certain 'inds o% clients$ and + %eel that + am more e%%ecti"e with older teens than yo#nger children( 1!"io#sly$ yo#
sho#ld ne"er practice hypnosis with children o% any age witho#t %irst gaining the permission and consent o% their parents( And$ a r#le + ha"e that yo# sho#ld consider %ollowing as well %or lia!ility reasons is to always insist on at least one parent !eing in the room d#ring the session i% the client is #nder 15( :esearch indicates that pediatric hypnosis is e%%ecti"e) Z Hypnosis in pediatrics) applications at a pediatric p#lmonary center 9y :an < An!ar$ Associate Pro%essor o% Pediatrics and Medicine$ <epartment o% Pediatrics ?pstate Medical ?ni"ersity$ ,&- *( Adams .treet$ .yrac#se$ N/ 10>1-$ ?.A 9MC Pediatrics >-->$ >)11 doi)1-(1153;12,18 >2018>811 L 9ac'gro#nd This report descri!es the #tility o% hypnosis %or patients who presented to a Pediatric P#lmonary Center o"er a 0-8month period( L Methods Hypnotherapy was o%%ered to 0-0 patients %rom May 1$ 1775 R 1cto!er 01$ >---( Patients o%%ered hypnotherapy incl#ded
those tho#ght to ha"e p#lmonary symptoms d#e to psychological iss#es$ discom%ort d#e to medications$ or %ear o% proced#res( +mpro"ement in symptoms %ollowing hyp8 Nongard & Thomas >-7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone nosis was o!ser"ed !y the p#lmonologist %or most patients with ha!it co#gh and con"ersion reaction( +mpro"ement o% other conditions %or which hypnosis was #sed was ga#ged !ased on patientsD s#!Eecti"e e"al#ations( L :es#lts Hypnotherapy was associated with impro"ement in 5-T o% patients with persistent asthma$ chest pain;press#re$ ha!it co#gh$ hyper"entilation$ shortness o% !reath$ sighing$ and "ocal cord dys%#nction( Chen impro"ement was reported$ in some cases symptoms resol"ed immediately a%ter hypnotherapy was %irst employed( or the others impro"ement was achie"ed a%ter hypnosis was #sed %or a %ew wee's( No patientsD symptoms worsened and no new symptoms emerged %ollowing hypnotherapy(
L Concl#sions Patients descri!ed in this report were #nli'ely to ha"e achie"ed rapid impro"ement in their symptoms witho#t the #se o% hypnotherapy( There%ore$ hypnotherapy can !e an important complementary therapy %or patients in a pediatric practice( Z Complementary and Alternati"e Medicine) A oc#s on Hypnosis in Children and the +ntegrati"e Treatment o% Atopic <ermatitis 9y Tammy C( Temp%er$ M.N$ :N8C$ PNP L +ndications %or Hypnosis in Children The indications %or hypnosis incl#de patient moti"ation and a pro!lem that is potentially treata!le with hypnosis( The patient needs to !e moti"ated to remedy the pro!lem$ and a good rapport m#st e@ist !etween the patient and the clinician( N#mero#s pediatric pro!lems ha"e !een s#ccess%#lly treated with hypnosis$ incl#ding an@iety associated with proced#res or illness$ asthma and allergies$ en#resis and encopresis$ and ha!it disorders li'e smo'ing$ tics$ nail !iting$
and th#m! s#c'ing( +t has !een #sed to enhance sel%8esteem and sel%8con%idence$ and %or sports enhancement$ sleep >1Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly pro!lems$ and attention de%icit disorders( Hypnosis has also !een s#ccess%#lly applied to enhance s#rgical anesthesia and ease discom%ort d#ring dental proced#res( +nter"ention *%%icacy Chen people as' me i% hypnosis is e%%ecti"e$ + tell them$ IHypnosis is e%%ecti"e %or those who hypnosis is e%%ecti"e %or(J + !elie"e the research$ and the research shows that people with medical pro!lems$ emotional pro!lems and #ndesira!le ha!its can o"ercome their di%%ic#lties #sing hypnosis( + !elie"e it is a pre%erred modality o% treatment in many cases and %or most clients$ !eca#se it is nat#ral$ and it is primarily a %orm o% !rie% therapy( +n todayOs world o% limited time and reso#rces$ !rie% therapy is a pre%erred method( 9#t again$ hypnosis is only e%%ecti"e %or those who it is e%%ecti"e %or( 1nly A#ac's !elie"e that only one modality o% treatment always wor's and is e%%ecti"e %or e"erything and e"eryone(
+ 'now many chiropractors$ some who e"en practice hypnosis( 1ne o% these %riends had orthoscopic s#rgery on his inE#red 'nee$ and he did not reEect traditional s#rgical proced#res to deal with his orthopedic condition( Most chiropractors are not A#ac's( They #se chiropractic medicine as a conser"ati"e treatment to a"oid in"asi"e proced#res$ !#t most chiropractors will certainly re%er to a s#rgeon or other medical doctor when necessary( Howe"er$ + ha"e also met a %ew chiropractors who are A#ac's( They !elie"e that all h#man disease$ pain and s#%%ering is in the spine$ and they detest traditional medicine( They thin' adE#stments can c#re e"erything %rom ear in%ections to cancer and psychiatric di%%ic#lties$ and they ne"er ma'e re%errals( 41#t o% %airness to my chiropractor %riends$ in my opinion$ some M<s 8 who !elie"e 4or at least practice as i%6 medication is the c#re to all h#man di%%ic#lties 8 are A#ac's too( Ce 'now$ %or e@ample$ that e@ercise three times a wee' is more e%%ecti"e than psychotropic medication %or the treatment o% maEor depression$ yet many doctors will a#tomatically write a prescription %or pills instead o% helping the
Nongard & Thomas >11 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone client de"elop an appropriate e@ercise regimen( ChyQ The pill approach is simply %aster and easier %or the doctor( Chen + as'ed an anesthesiologist why he does not #se hypnosis d#ring child!irth$ his reply was honest) I+ can ma'e Y12-- in %i"e min#tes gi"ing an epid#ral$ or Y1-- doing a %orty8min#te hypnosis session( /o# do the math(J6 <i%%erent things wor' %or di%%erent people$ and research pro"es that hypnosis wor's %or a lot o% people( Howe"er$ it is not something to apply indiscriminately to all clients %or all conditions( .ometimes hypnosis is the !etter choice$ and sometimes it is not( or those clients who are willing to learn new s'ills and see' !rie% inter"ention "ia a nat#ral approach with demonstrated e%%icacy$ hypnosis is e%%ecti"e and sho#ld !e considered a %irst8line inter"ention$ rather than relegated to the !ac' o% the clinicianOs repertoire( Z Hypnosis in Contemporary Medicine 9y Hames H( .tewart$ M< Mayo Clin Proc( >--&U5-)&118&>2
Hypnosis !ecame pop#lar as a treatment %or medical conditions in the late 1,--s when e%%ecti"e pharmace#tical and s#rgical treatment options were limited( To determine whether hypnosis has a role in contemporary medicine$ rele"ant trials and a %ew case reports are re"iewed( <espite s#!stantial "ariation in techniA#es among the n#mero#s reports$ patients treated with hypnosis e@perienced s#!stantial !ene%its %or many di%%erent medical conditions( An e@panded role %or hypnosis and a larger st#dy o% techniA#es appear to !e indicated( And now one more time !e%ore we get into hea"y disc#ssion$ let #s again hash o"er gi"ing s#ggestions "ia hypnosis scripts( Many hypnosis !oo's or co#rses will pro"ide yo# with scripts 8 word %or word e@actly what yo# sho#ld say when doing hypnosis$ %rom the pre8tal' thro#gh to the awa'ening( As mentioned earlier$ we recommend that i% yo# come across scripts$ %eel %ree to read and learn %rom them$ st#dy the lang#age #sed and the way the s#ggestion wor's$
and i% yo# really m#st$ practice with them$ !#t whene"er possi!le try not #se them with real clients( /o#r attention sho#ld !e on the client$ not on a piece o% paper in %ront o% yo#( >1> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly /o# want to watch yo#r client$ to st#dy their reactions( /o# want to !e a!le to %low with words and ideas nat#rally$ and allow yo#r mind to tell yo# what is !est to do in the moment( Milton *ric'son tells a story a!o#t when he was a child( He had a Eo! trying to get a local pig %armer to !#y or sign #p %or something$ and the %armer was A#ite rel#ctant and #ncooperati"e( As he was tal'ing to the %armer$ yo#ng Milton !ent down and !egan to scratch one o% the hogs that was milling aro#nd ne@t to him in the !arn( The %armer$ o!ser"ing the way the hog rela@ed and responded to this scratching$ said$ I/o# 'now what 'idU +Oll sign #p !eca#se yo# 'now how to scratch a hog(J *ric'son didnOt 'now that this was going to happen when he started scratching the hog$ he E#st %o#nd himsel% reacting instincti"ely or s#!conscio#sly( Chen wor'ing with clients$ yo# want to tr#st yo#r
#nconscio#s and ha"e %aith in yo#r a!ility to come #p with wonder%#l$ power%#l and deeply meaning%#l s#ggestions$ phrases$ metaphors and e"en original ind#ctions and deepeners R right now$ in the moment( H#st practice and yo# will soon %ind this s'ill coming nat#rally( Nongard & Thomas >10 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone And now$ mo"ing on to conditions and treatment( Ce ha"e di"ided #p the common iss#es yo# will !e wor'ing with into %i"e categories) L 9eha"ioral +ss#es L Psychiatric and *motional +ss#es L Pain Management L .e@#al +ss#es L .tress Management >12 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly 9eha"ioral +ss#es Hypnotherapy is o%ten #sed as the modality o% inter"ention %or %o#r primary !eha"ioral iss#es) smo'ing cessation$ weight loss$ general ha!it control$ and dr#g and alcohol withdrawal( .mo'ing Cessation .mo'ing cessation is pro!a!ly the most pre"alent #se %or
hypnosis( Chy does hypnosis wor' %or smo'ing cessationQ +t wor's !eca#se it changes the s#!conscio#s associations that the smo'er has with cigarettes( or twenty years$ e"ery time they get in a car$ they light a cigarette( *"ery time they get angry$ they light a cigarette( These are s#!conscio#s associations$ ha!its( The conscio#s mind learns thro#gh repetitionU it repeats the e@perience o% cigarette a%ter cigarette and connects them to "ario#s speci%ic triggers$ !e they sit#ations$ emotions$ locations or actions( Many smo'ers report that a%ter they A#it$ they still reach %or cigarettes in their p#rse or %ront poc'et( These people ha"e A#it witho#t hypnosis( Appropriate hypnotherapy %or smo'ing cessation will change these a#tomatic associations and !eha"ior patterns( Hypnosis is also e%%ecti"e !eca#se helps a person manage the physical e%%ects o% withdrawal( Hypnosis in and o% itsel% can !e an alternati"e coping strategy( Hypnosis remo"es a "ery large part o% the cra"ings associated with smo'ing$ and also helps deal with the secondary gain( As mentioned earlier$ people smo'e %or a reason R
perhaps to %eel more con%ident or may!e they thin' it rela@es them or ma'es them loo' cool( Cith hypnosis$ yo# can allow them to %ind within themsel"es the !ene%its or reso#rces they thin' smo'ing gi"es them$ there%ore eliminating the need %or cigarettes( The e"idence is %airly clear in saying that nicotine g#m and patches and other %orms o% nicotine replacement therapies are highly ine%%ecti"e 4!y themsel"es6 compared to hypnosis$ as they %ail to address the psychological aspects o% smo'ing mentioned earlier( Cith hypnosis$ we can generally eliminate e"ery single one o% their reasons %or smo'ing whilst dealing with learned triggers$ associations and ha!it#al !eha"iors and greatly red#cing cra"ings( All people are Nongard & Thomas >1& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone di%%erent o% co#rse$ and certain approaches may wor' !etter %or certain clients( Chy it wor's) The mind is interestingU it is li'e a comp#ter$ remem!ering e"erything that we do and creating a#tomatic !eha"iors o#t o%
m#ndane li%e e@periences( Citho#t reprogramming these a#tomatic associations$ A#itting smo'ing can !e a di%%ic#lt tas'( Howe"er$ with hypnosis$ changing these a#tomatic !eha"iors is possi!leU the old associations are erased in the comp#ter o% o#r mind$ and the new and healthy patterns are committed to the s#!conscio#s( *"idence that it wor's) :esearchers at Te@as A&M ?ni"ersity .ystem Health .cience Center College o% Medicine reported 51T o% patients re%erred to hypnotherapy %or smo'ing cessation reported they were smo'e %ree at the concl#sion o% a three8session treatment program( ~ 25T reported they were smo'e %ree at the end o% a year( ~ 7&T reported they were satis%ied with the treatment they recei"ed( The <ana ar!er Cancer +nstit#te in 9oston %o#nd$ GThese res#lts s#ggest that hypnotherapy may !e an attracti"e alternati"e smo'ing cessation method$ partic#larly when #sed in conE#nction with a smo'e8%ree wor'site policy that
o%%ers added incenti"e %or smo'ers to thin' a!o#t A#itting(G +n a st#dy o% the American L#ng Association o% 1hio Hypnotherapy .mo'ing Cessation Program$ it was %o#nd that only >-T o% clients prescri!ed nicotine replacement therapies were compliant and that GHypnotherapy smo'ing cessation treatment o%%ers an alternati"e cessation method$ which may meet the #niA#e needs o% certain indi"id#als(G +n the 1hio st#dy$ a randomly selected sample o% participants completed telephone inter"iews #p to 1& months a%ter attending a treatment session( Twenty8 two percent o% participants reported not smo'ing d#ring the month prior to the inter"iew( >13 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Ca#tions) Many hypnotherapists #se a"ersion therapy to accomplish smo'ing cessation( They s#ggest Swhene"er yo# see a cigarette yo# will %eel totally rep#lsed and get a horri!le taste in yo#r mo#thO or other s#ch negati"e s#ggestions( This can !e e%%ecti"e in some cases$
!#t + %eel !eca#se it is essentially a "ery #npleasant modality and one which creates a great deal o% internal con%lict %or the client$ and there%ore torment and ang#ish sho#ld only !e #sed as a last resort( +t is %ar !etter to %#lly eliminate the need and desire to smo'e %rom a personOs conscio#s and #nconscio#s mind$ ena!ling them to !ecome a healthy smo'e8%ree indi"id#al( 1therwise$ i% we do not address the physical cra"ings and needs met$ %or e@ample$ the client may decide that a nasty taste is worth the social !ene%its smo'ing( /o#r clients will !e more s#ccess%#l with positi"e li"e8 changing s#ggestions( Additionally$ s#ggestions 4!oth when awa'e and #nder hypnosis6 to #tilize adE#nct relapse pre"ention s#pports 4Nicotine :eplacement Therapies$ call a %riend$ !reathe deeply$ e@ercise$ etc6 are may increase e%%icacy( Ceight Loss Hypnosis helps with weight loss( 1nly one strategy will help a person to s#cceed at !oth losing weight and 'eeping it o%%$ and that is to e@pend more calories than yo# ta'e in each day( Most o% #s ha"e tried losing weight thro#gh traditional methods o% dieting and
e@ercising$ and these 'inds o% programs are o%ten scienti%ically e%%ecti"e( ad diets$ li'e eating nothing !#t grape%r#it or c#tting o#t car!ohydrates$ can help a person to reach a A#ic' weight8loss goal( Howe"er$ witho#t a plan %or maintaining yo#r moti"ation and weight once yo# achie"e yo#r initial goals$ no matter how yo# got there$ yo# will A#ic'ly %ind yo#rsel% right !ac' where yo# started( The real reason people %ail at weight loss is not the ine%%ecti"eness o% the diets$ !#t rather the %ail#re that people on diets ha"e with changing li%elong patters o% thin'ing( There is no s#ch thing as a IHypnosis <iet(J Hypnosis is an e%%ecti"e tool %or promoting weight loss !eca#se it can do what diets cannot) +t can help yo# reprogram the destr#cti"e associations yo# ha"e with %ood and Nongard & Thomas >1, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone re8%rame yo#r "antage point on e@ercise and physical %itness$ helping yo# to change yo#r o"erall li%estyle( Conscio#s approaches to learning$ li'e positi"e a%%irmations or cogniti"e therapy$ can certainly play a role in helping a person to
achie"e weight loss$ and learning speci%ic strategies %or diet$ n#trition and e@ercise are all "al#a!le tools( 9#t research now shows that the s#!conscio#s mind controls m#ch more o% o#r !eha"iors than pre"io#sly tho#ght( The s#!conscio#s mind controls m#scle mo"ement$ heart rate$ !reathing and the a#tonomic ner"o#s system( +t is power%#l$ and A#ic'ly commits to ha!it what it learns( Ce were not !orn 'nowing how to wal'$ !#t o"er time$ we learned( Catch any toddler and yo# can see them trying to remem!er how to ta'e the ne@t step( 9y the time a child can r#n$ they no longer thin' a!o#t how to ta'e the ne@t step 8 they E#st do it( Ce ha"e no do#!t committed to memory #nhealthy patterns o% eating$ s#ch as #nconscio#sly associating !read with !#tter and salad with dressing( +% yo# are on a diet$ yo# str#ggle to ma'e conscio#s choices !ased on the recommendation o% the diet( 9#t when yo# are o%% the diet$ the #nconscio#s 'ic's in and tells yo# to p#t %rosting on yo#r !rownie$ witho#t e"er thin'ing a!o#t the impact on yo#r diet(
Many o% #s grew #p hearing o#r parents tell #s to eat e"erything on o#r plate and not to !e waste%#l( Now$ when we go into a resta#rant that wants to con"ince #s we ha"e recei"ed a good "al#e %or o#r money !y ser"ing #s portions that are three to %o#r times larger than the recommended caloric inta'e$ we s#!conscio#sly choose to eat e"erything they ser"e #s$ e"en i% it is sel%8de%eating and #nhealthy( There is m#ch more to weight loss than simply dieting or e@ercise( The s#!conscio#s relationships we ha"e with %ood are E#st as power%#l as o#r conscio#s !eha"iors( +n essence$ yo# co#ld say that it is possi!le to thin' yo#rsel% thin 8 !eca#se i% we change these s#!conscio#s associations$ we are a!le to choose a healthy manner o% li"ing a#tomatically( People are o%ten s#rprised to learn that they can alle"iate li%elong pho!ias and %ears with ne#ro8ling#istic programming$ a modality o% psychology that A#ic'ly trans%orms o#r s#!conscio#s >15 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly perceptions o% e"ents thro#gh creati"e "is#alization( People are
eA#ally s#rprised to learn that clinical hypnosis is a highly e%%ecti"e way o% achie"ing li%e goals( 9oth methods$ which o%ten o"erlap in some ways$ can help yo# to ma'e signi%icant li%e changes i% yo# choose to learn the principles o% change( The %ollowing #nconscio#s mis!elie%s o%ten 'eep people who are trying to lose weight %rom achie"ing their goals) L +% it loo's weird$ green$ or li'e a "egeta!le$ it m#st taste !ad( L +% it is good %or me$ it m#st taste terri!le( L +% it is !ad %or me$ it m#st taste good( L ood !rings me emotional satis%action( L + m#st eat e"erything on my plate( These 'inds o% mis!elie%s are o%ten ingrained into o#r s#!conscio#s( .am8+8AmOs %riend did %inally try the green eggs and ham$ !#t it too' a lot o% coa@ing( Hypnotic s#ggestion co#ld ha"e sa"ed .am a lot o% distress and changed his little %riendOs s#!conscio#s associations in only one pageF 49#t$ then the story wo#ld ha"e !een too shortV6 *"idence that it wor's) +n a meta8analysis o% two o#tcome st#dies$ patients #sing hypnosis lost almost twice the weight o% patients who did
not recei"e hypnosis d#ring treatment %or weight loss( Kirsch$ +r"ing 417736( Hypnotic enhancement o% cogniti"e!eha"ioral weight loss treatments88Another meta8 reanalysis( Ho#rnal o% Cons#lting and Clinical Psychology( A st#dy on the treatment o% o!esity 49oloco%s'y and Co#lthard8Morris( 175&6 showed a s#periority o% the com!ination o% !eha"ioral therapy and hypnosis e"en with a catamnesis o% >2 month( Hypnosis alters ha!it#al !eha"iors s#ch as snac'ing$ lowers or remo"es cra"ings$ creates moti"ation to e@ercise and can change !elie%s in s#ch a way that healthy %oods !ecome more enEoya!le than %atty %oods( Ceight loss hypnosis also wor's !eca#se it changes pres#ppositions( A pre8s#pposition %or many o"erweight people is S+Om Nongard & Thomas >17 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone going to eat all the %ood on my plate$ !eca#se + donOt want to waste it(O Hypnotherapy is good %or drawing on 'nowledge that yo# already ha"e( Most people do 'now the di%%erence !etween healthy and
#nhealthy %oods$ and hypnosis can moti"ate them to p#t this 'nowledge into practice( Ca#tions) Clients who come to hypnosis 8 or !egin any weight loss program 8 o%ten ha"e Imagical tho#ghtsJ a!o#t res#lts( :ealistic e@pectations and goals sho#ld !e disc#ssed$ and healthy le"els o% weight loss sho#ld !e the target( Healthy weight loss is grad#al( +t wo#ld !e #nhealthy %or a client to lose >& po#nds in the ne@t two wee's$ i% not impossi!le( Ce want o#r clients to e@perience weight loss in a realistic and !ene%icial way( Ce do not want o#r clients to de"elop eating disorders or a"ersions to %ood( Losing one to two po#nds a wee' %or women and two to three po#nds %or men is realistic$ attaina!le$ and healthy( +% o#r client wants to lose >- po#nds and it ta'es them eight to ten wee's$ + thin' that is pro!a!ly appropriate( Ce need to ed#cate o#r client that hypnosis will wor' %or them$ !#t it will ta'e time( The two things together$ time and new associations are a com!ination that leads to s#ccess( The client m#st #nderstand that hypnosis is not some magic
wand that we wa"e and their e@tra po#nds "anishU hypnosis wor's to get their s#!conscio#s mind on trac'$ so that they are !etter a!le to commit to p#tting their energy and e%%ort into the program( The only way to lose weight is to cons#me %ewer calories than the !ody !#rns in a day( This means that the hypnosis client$ E#st li'e anyone else$ m#st adE#st their %ood inta'e 4A#ality and A#antity6 and increase their physical e@ercise in order %or the change to !e s#ccess%#l( Hypnosis helps the clientDs internal moti"ations %or %ollowing thro#gh with these necessary steps( + thin' we need to !ecome 'nowledgea!le a!o#t the diagnosis o% eating disorders that some clients who come to #s %or treatment o% weight loss may ha"e( Ce may disco"er d#ring the assessment inter"iew that a client is #sing a !#nch o% other #nhealthy methods to try and lose weight$ %rom pills to star"ation diets$ and ha"ing 'nowledge o% those things is really essential( >>Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Ha!it Control Hypnosis is also e%%ecti"e %or general ha!it control$ and
especially those ha!its that deri"e %rom ner"o#s type conditions( A%ter all$ ha!its are controlled !y the #nconscio#s mind$ and hypnosis is great %or aiding rela@ation and red#cing an@iety( Cigarette smo'ing is more than a ha!itU it is also nicotine addiction( Ha!its are things li'e nail !iting$ hair chewing$ 'n#c'le crac'ing$ throat noises$ co#ghing$ tics$ and so %orth( Ha!its di%%er %rom addiction !eca#se there is not a physiological dependency on the !eha"ior( Cithdrawal %rom ha!its is only emotional$ rather than physical 4altho#gh some ha!its may reA#ire physical healing6( Ha!its are #s#ally prod#cts o% s#!conscio#s associations and learning patterns$ altho#gh personality characteristic may come into play$ incl#ding perhaps o!sessi"e traits and poor an@iety management s'ills( .e"eral research st#dies ha"e %o#nd that hypnotherapy is e%%ecti"e with pediatric patients who e@perienced ha!it#al tic disorders$ ha!it#al co#ghs$ and e"en !reathing di%%ic#lties( Howe"er$ sometimes deep8seeded psychological imp#lses may reA#ire m#ltiple
sessions !eca#se the ha!it is so deeply ingrained( Hypnotherapy %or changing or eliminating ha!its o%ten reA#ires m#ltiple sessions and the targeted de"elopment o% alternati"e !eha"iors( Alcoholism and <r#g Addiction The o%%icial position o% some pro%essional organizations is that alcohol and dr#g addiction sho#ld not !e treated with hypnosis( Personally$ + thin' the opposite is tr#e( + spent o"er ten years wor'ing as a dr#g and alcohol co#nselor in traditional 1>8.tep oriented treatment centers$ and + cannot thin' o% anything more e%%ecti"e %or managing the physical symptoms o% withdrawal distress than sel%8hypnosis( Hypnosis is easily incorporated with other modalities o% dr#g and alcohol treatment$ %rom AA programs to cogniti"e8!eha"ioral therapy programs( Nongard & Thomas >>1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Addictions and ha!its are the domain o% the #nconscio#s mind$ and the #nconscio#s mind is the domain o% the hypnotist$ and there%ore hypnosis is "ery e%%ecti"e %or dealing with addictions and
ha!its o% all sorts( Howe"er$ we m#st recognize that there may !e a need %or medically s#per"ised deto@( <eto@i%ication %rom alcohol and dr#gs can !e comple@$ and it can p#t a personOs li%e at ris'( There%ore$ i% yo# do see a client %or help reco"ering %rom addiction there sho#ld de%initely !e a physician re%erral so the client can !e e"al#ated %or any physical complications that may arise %rom withdrawal( *"idence that it wor's) Am H Clin Hypn( >--2 AprU23426)>5187, +n a research st#dy on sel%8hypnosis %or relapse pre"ention training with chronic dr#g;alcohol #sers$ indi"id#als who played sel%8hypnosis a#diotapes Gat least 0 to & times a wee'$G at ,8wee' %ollow8#p$ reported the highest le"els o% sel%8esteem and serenity$ and the least anger;imp#lsi"ity$ in comparison to the minimal8practice and control gro#ps( >>> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly *motional and Psychiatric <isorders +% yo# are a licensed mental health pro%essional pro"iding hypnotherapy in the conte@t o% emotional and psychiatric disorders$
yo# sho#ld e@perience no di%%ic#lty %rom a lia!ility or pro%essional ethics perspecti"e( Howe"er$ i% yo# are not licensed as a mental health pro%essional it is important to recognize the limitations o% yo#r training( Psychiatric illnesses are the domain o% the licensed pro%essional$ and so i% yo# %eel that an iss#e is o#t o% yo#r leag#e please immediately re%er the client( Now$ this does not mean that the hypnotist cannot help someone who is depressed( <epression is a normal h#man e@perience( Howe"er$ when it !ecomes a catastrophic illness s#ch as with s#icidal ideation or !ipolar disorder and other comple@ psychiatric iss#es$ then itOs time %or a re%erral( <ealing with general depression or an@iety or %ears related to pho!ias is certainly in the conte@t o% hypnotism apart %rom pro%essional therapy$ !#t ta'e these ca#tions to heart( 9#ilding a re%erral networ' and wor'ing with pro%essional peers to determine what is and what is not within the domain o% wor' that yo# do can sa"e the non8licensed hypnotist a lot o% time and grie%( There are %o#r areas commonly associated with hypnotherapy related to emotional and psychiatric disorders)
L Neneralized An@iety and Panic <isorders L Post8Tra#matic .tress <isorder L Pho!ias L <epression Nongard & Thomas >>0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Neneralized An@iety and Panic <isorders +% yo# open #p the <.M8+K 4the APADs <iagnostic and .tatical Man#al o% Mental <isorders$ Kol#me 26$ yo# will see that the %irst eight criteria %or the diagnosis o% panic disorder are all physicalU heart palpitation$ sweatiness$ trem!ling etc( Panic and an@iety are "ery physical emotions and o#r !odies respond strongly( Learning to ta'e physical control o"er emotions is something that hypnotherapy is partic#larly good at teaching( Many st#dies ha"e shown signi%icant red#ction in an@iety and panic le"els !y people treated with hypnotherapy$ e@tending as %ar o#t as three months post8 therapy( Hypnosis$ with an emphasis on teaching physical s'ills %or managing an@iety$ can help clients in a n#m!er o% ways) it can reprogram the s#!conscio#s to a#tomatically #se healthy coping strategies$ teach a client how to calm themsel"es down physically$
and help a person dissociate %rom #nrealistic %ears( *"idence that it wor's) Three8year %ollow8#p and clinical implications o% a mind%#lness meditation8!ased stress red#ction inter"ention in the treatment o% an@iety disorders( Hohn H( Miller M(<($ Ken letcher Ph(<($ and Hon Ka!at8[inn Ph(<( 8 <epartment o% Psychiatry$ ?ni"ersity o% Massach#setts Medical Center$ Corcester$ Massach#setts$ ?.A The .tress :ed#ction Clinic$ <epartment o% Medicine$ <i"ision o% Pre"enti"e and 9eha"ioral Medicine$ ?ni"ersity o% Massach#setts Medical Center$ Corcester$ Massach#setts$ ?.A A!stract) A pre"io#s st#dy o% >> medical patients with <.M8+++8:de%ined an@iety disorders showed clinically and statistically signi%icant impro"ements in s#!Eecti"e and o!Eecti"e symptoms o% an@iety and panic %ollowing an 58 wee' o#tpatient physician8re%erred gro#p stress red#ction inter"ention !ased on mind%#lness meditation( Twenty
s#!Eects demonstrated signi%icant red#ctions in Hamilton and 9ec' An@iety and <epression scores post8 inter"ention and at 08month %ollow8#p( >>2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Ca#tions) An@iety is a nat#ral emotion$ and E#st li'e depression and anger$ it can prod#ce !oth positi"e and negati"e res#lts( Netting rid o% all an@iety or all %ears is not necessarily a good thing( An@iety can ser"e as a warning instr#ment %or sel%8 protection( +n this conte@t$ clients sho#ld care%#lly e"al#ate their an@iety and disco"er what it is telling them( Post8Tra#matic .tress <isorder Hypnosis is e%%ecti"e %or post8tra#matic stress disorder !eca#se it helps replace dist#r!ing imagery$ as we disc#ssed earlier when + shared my car wrec' e@perience( Com!ining the principles o% NLP with hypnosis can !e A#ite e%%ecti"e %or speci%ic pho!ias and PT.<( The ca#tion with PT.< is$ o% co#rse$ the ris' %or a!reaction$ which we also disc#ssed earlier$ and it is something we need to !e prepared %or i% we are treating post8tra#matic stress disorder(
*"idence that it wor's) Tra"el Pho!ias 9y +ain 9( Mc+ntosh1 Ho#rnal o% Tra"el Medicine$ Kol#me > Page 77 8 H#ne 177& doi)1-(1111;E(1,-5850-&(177&(t!--30&(@ IHypnotherapy can !e "ery s#ccess%#l$ especially in people who present within a %ew days o% impending %light( Hypnotherapy incorporates trance ind#ction$ ego8 strengthening$ rela@ation$ desensitization$ and a#tohypnosis in a therape#tic program(J New #ses o% hypnosis in the treatment o% post8 tra#matic stress disorder( !y .piegel <$ Cardena *( <epartment o% Psychiatry and 9eha"ioral .ciences$ .tan%ord ?ni"ersity .chool o% Medicine( H Clin Psychiatry( 177- 1ctU&1 .#ppl)07820U disc#ssion 2283( Nongard & Thomas >>& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Hypnosis is associated with the treatment o% posttra#matic stress disorder 4PT.<6 %or two reasons) 416 the similarity !etween hypnotic phenomena and the symptoms o% PT.<$ and 4>6 the #tility o% hypnosis as a tool in
treatment( Physical tra#ma prod#ces a s#dden discontin#ity in cogniti"e and emotional e@perience that o%ten persists a%ter the tra#ma is o"er( This res#lts in symptoms s#ch as psychogenic amnesia$ intr#si"e reli"ing o% the e"ent as i% it were rec#rring$ n#m!ing o% responsi"eness$ and hypersensiti"ity to stim#li( Two st#dies ha"e shown that Kietnam "eterans with PT.< ha"e higher than normal hypnotiza!ility scores on standardized tests( Li'ewise$ a history o% physical a!#se in childhood has !een shown to !e strongly associated with dissociati"e symptoms later in li%e( #rthermore$ dissociati"e symptoms d#ring and soon a%ter tra#matic e@perience predict later PT.<( ormal hypnotic proced#res are especially help%#l !eca#se this pop#lation is highly hypnotiza!le( Hypnosis pro"ides controlled access to memories that may otherwise !e 'ept o#t o% conscio#sness( New #ses o% hypnosis in the psychotherapy o% PT.<
"ictims in"ol"e co#pling access to the dissociated tra#matic memories with positi"e restr#ct#ring o% those memories( Hypnosis can !e #sed to help patients %ace and !ear a tra#matic e@perience !y em!edding it in a new conte@t$ ac'nowledging helplessness d#ring the e"ent$ and yet lin'ing that e@perience with remoralizing memories s#ch as e%%orts at sel%8protection$ shared a%%ection with %riends who were 'illed$ or the a!ility to control the en"ironment at other times( +n this way$ hypnosis can !e #sed to pro"ide controlled access to memories that are then placed into a !roader perspecti"e( Patients can !e ta#ght sel%8hypnosis techniA#es that allow them to wor' thro#gh tra#matic memories and there!y red#ce spontaneo#s #n!idden intr#si"e recollections( >>3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The Additi"e 9ene%it o% Hypnosis and Cogniti"e89eha"ioral Therapy in Treating Ac#te .tress <isorder( 9y 9ryant$ :ichard A(U Mo#lds$ Michelle L(U N#thrie$ :achel
M(U Ni@on$ :eginald <( K( Ho#rnal o% Cons#lting and Clinical Psychology( ,04>6$ Apr >--&$ 002802This research represents the %irst controlled treatment st#dy o% hypnosis and cogniti"eR !eha"ioral therapy 4C9T6 o% ac#te stress disorder 4A.<6( Ci"ilian tra#ma s#r"i"ors 4N 5,6 who met criteria %or A.< were randomly allocated to 3 sessions o% C9T$ C9T com!ined with hypnosis 4C9TR hypnosis6$ or s#pporti"e co#nseling 4.C6( C9T comprised e@pos#re$ cogniti"e restr#ct#ring$ and an@iety management( C9TRhypnosis comprised the C9T components with each imaginal e@pos#re preceded !y a hypnotic ind#ction and s#ggestions to engage %#lly in the e@pos#re( +n terms o% treatment completers 4n 376$ %ewer participants in the C9T and C9TRhypnosis gro#ps met criteria %or posttra#matic stress disorder at post treatment and 38month %ollow8#p than those in the .C gro#p( C9TRhypnosis res#lted in greater red#ction in re8e@periencing symptoms at post
treatment than C9T( These %indings s#ggest that hypnosis may ha"e #se in %acilitating the treatment e%%ects o% C9T %or posttra#matic stress( Ca#tions) Clients who de%ine themsel"es !y their tra#mas or a "ictim role need to rede%ine a new identity in order to act#ally ma'e healthy$ positi"e changes( Comple@ PT.< can !e a catastrophic psychiatric illness$ its comple@ity going !eyond hypnotherapy as a sole inter"ention in many cases$ necessitating re%erral to a A#ali%ied mental health pro%essional 4who practices sol#tion8%oc#sed therapy6 %or long8term treatment( Nongard & Thomas >>, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Pho!ias ear o% %lying can stem %rom prior e"ents$ s#ch as an emergency landing$ or !ecoming ill on a plane as a child$ or %rom a generalized an@iety$ or a speci%ic %ear s#ch as mechanical %ail#re or terrorism( ear o% %lying can also originate as another an@iety disorder$ s#ch as a generalized an@iety that !ecomes more se"ere in
the controlled sit#ation o% an aircra%t$ or as a mani%estation o% cla#stropho!ia( ear o% %lying occ#rs more %reA#ently now than in the past$ and it can de!ilitate indi"id#als$ leading to erratic !eha"ior on %lights with legal conseA#ences$ or derail certain career paths$ and it can 'eep people %rom enEoying all that li%e has to o%%er incl#ding %riends and %amily( .peci%ic pho!ias also incl#de reptiles$ insects$ mice$ clowns$ or other speci%ic %ears that mani%est in an otherwise healthy personOs li%e( The %ear can act#ally !e o% E#st a!o#t anything$ and pho!ias to one degree or another are common in the general pop#lation( :egression therapy strategies$ s#ch as the ast Pho!ia C#re 4yo# can %ind in%ormation a!o#t this techniA#e online6$ are o%ten #sed !y hypnotherapists when clients can isolate a speci%ic act#ating e"ent that triggered the %ear( +n this case$ going !ac' and re8li"ing the e"ent %rom a di%%erent perspecti"e 4as a witness on the sidelines6 can help desensitize a person$ m#ch li'e the ne#ro8 ling#stic strategy o% "is#alization that allows a person to !egin seeing themsel"es
o!ser"ing li%e di%%ic#lties 4rather than participating directly6 in an e%%ort to red#ce the importance o% the act#ating e"ent( Pho!ias$ s#ch as %ear o% %lying$ %ear o% sna'es spiders or heights or closed spaces may pre"ent the client %rom li"ing a normal li%e( Hypnotherapy is great %or addressing speci%ic pho!ias !eca#se it creates new physical and psychological responses$ which allow them to eliminate the old strategy or pattern o% thin'ing that #sed to ca#se them %ear( Pho!ias are o%ten an e@ample o% Done time learning(D .omeone is attac'ed !y a dog as a child$ and is %rom then on petri%ied o% any and all dogs( Chen they see e"en the tiniest p#ppy$ they create mental imagery o% them !eing attac'ed and ma#led( Chen we replace this negati"e mental imagery with more calming and positi"e tho#ght >>5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly patterns and red#ce the impact o% the %ear response$ pho!ias can !e eliminated( <epression Michael /ap'o$ in his landmar' !oo' that we pre"io#sly
mentioned$ Treating <epression with Hypnosis$ comes down hard on the psychiatric and pharmace#tical ind#stries who ha"e sold the lie to Americans that depression is as simple as a chemical im!alance that can !e Ire!alancedJ with anti8depressants( /ap'o does concede that !iology can play a role in depression$ !#t points to the %act that most depressions are holistic in nat#re( His tome ma'es a point that + ha"e o%ten made) we are m#ch more than the s#m total o% o#r dopamine and serotonin receptorsU o#r e@periences in li%e go %ar !eyond !rain chemistry( Those who "iew medication as a %irst line treatment %or depression are simplistic in their #nderstanding o% the h#man condition( +n the past$ hypnosis was "iewed as contraindicated %or patients who were depressed( Howe"er$ new research s#ggests that not only can hypnosis !e #tilized with the depressed personU it can also !e highly e%%ecti"e( Hypnosis draws on client strengths and e@isting coping strategies( +t ampli%ies positi"e attri!#tes that indi"id#als already possess$ to help them sol"e pro!lems 8 and these are the characteristics
o% s#ccess%#l treatment protocols %or depression( +t is tr#e that !iology can play a role in why some people are depressed$ and anti8depressants can help some people %#nction !etter 8 !#t they are less e%%ecti"e than reg#lar e@ercise and traditional cogniti"e8!eha"ioral approaches to treating depression( + !elie"e that yo# can only %#nction as well emotionally as yo# are %it physically( Hypnotherapy can !e #sed to sim#ltaneo#sly impact o#r physical$ emotional and spirit#al health( 1% co#rse$ the primary ca#tion with depression is s#icidal ideation( +% yo# are going to treat depressed indi"id#als it is essential that yo# ha"e some reso#rces %or assessments o% s#icidal ideation$ and i% yo# %eel yo#r client is s#icidal$ please strongly consider re%erral to a A#ali%ied pro%essional( Nongard & Thomas >>7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone A great reso#rce %or any le"el o% pro%essional$ whether yo# are licensed or not$ is the A.+MU the Ad#lt .#icidal +deation M#estionnaire( +t is a"aila!le %rom PA:$ Psychological Assessment :eso#rces
Company( There are se"eral depression and s#icidal ideation tools on the mar'et which yo# may want to research i% yo# see depressed clients$ !#t + personally li'e the A.+M !eca#se it yields not only the score %or the le"el o% s#icidal ideation$ !#t it also highlights critical indicators( Hypnosis can ma'e people %eel good( +t can gi"e them new perspecti"es on li%e$ allow them to see the positi"e side and to re%rame things in a prod#cti"e way( +t is cr#cial howe"er that %or more serio#s clients we 'eep in mind the deeper potential psychological ca#ses that may !e !ehind the depression they are e@periencing$ and consider re%erral( >0Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Pain Management Hypnotherapy has great e%%icacy %or treating pain$ and it is all nat#ral$ #nli'e medications$ which means no negati"e side e%%ects( 1#r !ody responds to o#r mind$ and pain is a mental thing( SChat the mind can concei"e$ the !ody can achie"eO is a statement %reA#ently heard in hypnotherapy$ and it is a!sol#tely tr#e(
:esearch st#dies ha"e demonstrated the e%%icacy o% clinical hypnosis %or pain management in "irt#ally e"ery single medical setting$ %rom treatment %or headaches and migraines$ arthritis$ child !irth$ !one$ m#scle and Eoint pain$ s#rgical anesthesia and posts#rgical reco"ery$ and se"ere !#rns( The ca#tion is that sometimes hypnotherapists ha"e the !elie% that i% yo# are #sing hypnosis$ there is no need %or adE#nct pain management medication( There has to !e a !alance$ and it sho#ld come %rom the client in conE#nction with their medical doctor( Hypnosis may help some clients to a"oid high le"els o% medications$ so they can %#nction cogniti"ely$ intellect#ally$ and spirit#ally at a higher le"el( There is a di%%erence !etween gi"ing someone ten o@ycontin a day %or a headache$ and gi"ing morphine to the dying cancer patient( 9alance and common sense( +n many cases$ hypnotherapy is !est #sed as an adE#nct treatment rather than a replacement treatment$ howe"er in other cases the client may !e a!le to a"oid pain medication and its side e%%ects all together( *nco#rage
yo#r clients to #se hypnotherapy consistent with their goals and what is medically appropriate( *"idence that it wor's) Hypnosis and Pain :ed#ction) The Latest :esearch ?ni"ersity o% +owa News :elease March 12$ >--& 9rain +maging .t#dies +n"estigate Pain :ed#ction 9y Hypnosis Nongard & Thomas >01 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Altho#gh hypnosis has !een shown to red#ce pain perception$ it is not clear how the techniA#e wor's( +denti%ying a so#nd$ scienti%ic e@planation %or hypnosisD e%%ect might increase acceptance and #se o% this sa%e pain8red#ction option in clinical settings( :esearchers at the ?ni"ersity o% +owa :oy H( and L#cille A( Car"er College o% Medicine and the Technical ?ni"ersity o% Aachen$ Nermany$ #sed %#nctional magnetic resonance imaging 4%M:+6 to %ind o#t i% hypnosis alters !rain acti"ity in a way that might e@plain pain red#ction( The res#lts are reported in the
No"em!er8<ecem!er >--2 iss#e o% :egional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine( The researchers %o#nd that "ol#nteers #nder hypnosis e@perienced signi%icant pain red#ction in response to pain%#l heat( They also had a distinctly di%%erent pattern o% !rain acti"ity compared to when they were not hypnotized and e@perienced the pain%#l heat( The changes in !rain acti"ity s#ggest that hypnosis somehow !loc's the pain signal %rom getting to the parts o% the !rain that percei"e pain( GThe maEor %inding %rom o#r st#dy$ which #sed %M:+ %or the %irst time to in"estigate !rain acti"ity #nder hypnosis %or pain s#ppression$ is that we see red#ced acti"ity in areas o% the pain networ' and increased acti"ity in other areas o% the !rain #nder hypnosis$G said .e!astian .ch#lz8.t#!ner$ M(<($ Ph(<($ ?+ assistant pro%essor 4clinical6 o% anesthesia and %irst a#thor o% the st#dy( GThe increased acti"ity might !e speci%ic %or hypnosis or might !e non8speci%ic$ !#t it de%initely does
something to red#ce the pain signal inp#t into the cortical str#ct#re(G ((( Hypnosis was s#ccess%#l in red#cing pain perception %or all 1> participants( Hypnotized "ol#nteers reported either no pain or signi%icantly red#ced pain 4less than 0 on the -81- pain scale6 in response to the pain%#l heat( ?nder hypnosis$ %M:+ showed that !rain acti"ity was red#ced in areas o% the pain networ'$ incl#ding the >0> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly primary sensory corte@$ which is responsi!le %or pain perception( :e"iew o% the *%%icacy o% Clinical Hypnosis with Headaches and Migraines The +nternational Ho#rnal o% Clinical and *@perimental HypnosisU Kol#me &&$ N#m!er > 8 April >--The twel"e8mem!er National +nstit#te o% Health Technology Assessment Panel on +ntegration o% 9eha"ioral and :ela@ation Approaches into the Treatment o% Chronic Pain and +nsomnia re"iewed e@isting o#tcome st#dies on hypnosis with cancer pain( They concl#ded that research8!ased e"idence s#ggests
hypnosis to !e e%%ecti"e with some chronic pain$ incl#ding tension headaches( Their paper presents an #pdated re"iew o% e@isting literat#re on the e%%icacy o% hypnosis %or the treatment o% headaches and migraines$ and determines that it meets the clinical psychology research criteria %or !eing a well8esta!lished and e%%icacio#s treatment$ essentially %ree o% the side e%%ects$ ris's o% ad"erse reactions$ and ongoing e@pense associated with traditional medication treatments( Ca#tions) Pain is an important signal and it does ser"e a "ery important p#rpose( Chile pain is #npleasant$ it is an indicator that something is wrong and sho#ld !e recognized as s#ch( Ne"er #se hypnosis %or pain control #nless yo# are s#re it is 1--T sa%e to do so( Nongard & Thomas >00 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone .e@#al +ss#es The !rain is the largest and most important se@ organ in the
!ody$ and reprogramming the !rain thro#gh hypnosis can help to alle"iate or deal with #nhealthy associations 4perhaps %ears or pho!ias %rom !ad past e@periences6$ %ailing physical responses 4mental or physical origins6$ and other insec#rities or iss#es related to se@#al intimacy( +% yo# are going to wor' with indi"id#als or co#ples to impro"e se@#al dys%#nction$ it is important that yo# !ecome com%orta!le and %amiliar with this topic %rom a pro%essional standpoint( /o# cannot !e a pr#de$ and yo# m#st !e a!le to disc#ss these pri"ate iss#es %ran'ly$ !#t %rom a clinical perspecti"e( There are n#mero#s reso#rces a"aila!le R hypnotist Cendi riesen has some great material on the s#!Eect o% intimacy R so do the research$ and st#dy it well( And again$ recognize that i% yo# are not a licensed mental health pro%essional$ yo# may simply not !e A#ali%ied to help with some iss#es( +% a clientDs topic R symptoms$ e@periences R seem to !e o"er yo#r head or %all into a more pathological realm$ please$ please re%er( 1nce more) There is no shame in re%erral( >02
Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly .tress Management Let #s now %oc#s on the management o% stress$ which is A#ite a sel%8e@planatory iss#e$ as hypnosis and rela@ation are "ery o%ten com!ined( Hypnosis teaches rela@ation thro#gh therape#tic !reathing$ m#scle tension and rela@ation$ and the "is#al imagery necessary to e@perience deep peace( +n short$ it teaches people who donOt 'now how to rela@$ how to p#rpose%#lly$ conscio#sly rela@ !oth mind and !ody( Chat are the ca#tionsQ Nenerally spea'ing$ there are %ew ca#tions$ other than perhaps to let clients engaged in PM: 'now that i% they %eel an isolated deep pain in any part o% the !ody while doing the Stension and rela@ationO e@ercises$ strength training at the gym might help$ and cons#lting with a physician regarding #s#al pain can r#le o#t !one and m#scle inE#ries that ha"e gone #ndiagnosed( Also$ client conditions s#ch as s#pposed stress8 related headaches co#ld possi!ly !e indicati"e o% other pro!lems$ and sho#ld !e e"al#ated !y a physician to r#le o#t anything li'e a !rain t#mor(
Again$ ta'e the time to as' A#estions o% yo#r client in the inter"iew assessment process( Chen do they %eel stressed$ what are the primary ca#ses$ what their symptoms are$ what ha"e they tried R what has wor'ed and what has %ailed R and what they hope to achie"e #sing hypnosis as it concerns stress management( As a side note$ not drin'ing alcohol$ a"oiding ca%%eine and other dr#gs 8 incl#ding nicotine 8 can help yo# to %eel rested at night and to %eel stress %ree( Altho#gh in the short r#n$ these s#!stances seem to prod#ce rela@ation$ they physically a%%ect the !ody in the opposite manner( inding a nat#ral way to depart %rom the stressors o% the day is essential$ and hypnosis can !e a positi"e way to do this( The more yo# 'now a!o#t yo#r clientDs li%estyle$ the !etter a!le yo# will !e to de"elop targeted s#ggestions %or lasting change( Nongard & Thomas >0& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Testing and *@am An@iety +n general$ the category o% test an@iety %alls #nder the heading o% stress management$ rather than emotional8 related an@iety and
panic pro!lems( + 'now a hypnotist in Te@as who li"es in college town$ and 7-T o% his practice is de"oted to treating test an@iety related to st#dents preparing %or medical or law school entrance e@aminations$ term e@ams$ pro%essional oral e@aminations$ state !oards$ and so %orth( Hypnotherapy %or test8ta'ing wor's !eca#se it helps the person rela@$ and when they are more rela@ed they are a!le to %oc#s$ which aids their short8term memory( .t#dies show that people engaging in hypnosis prior to ta'ing e@aminations do !etter than those who do not( The ca#tion is that nat#rally some clients ha"e magical thin'ing$ li'e$ I+Oll go see a hypnotist and +Oll !e a!le to recall e"erything( + wonOt e"en need to st#dyFJ And then they !om! the test( The client sho#ld !e instr#cted to st#dy as normal( Hypnosis is not a s#!stit#te %or learning material( Ce do not want to rein%orce #nrealistic e@pectations$ so !e care%#l in yo#r mar'eting i% yo# want to attract these 'inds o% clients( +nstead$ we want them to 'now that hypnotherapy wor's %or managing an@iety and increasing rela@ation( +t pro"ides a
%eeling o% rest and well8!eing$ and aids in memory and %oc#s( The hypnotic state is also a state o% accelerated learning$ which ma'es sense when yo# thin' a!o#t s#ggestion in terms o% #s teaching the client( +% we teach o#r clients sel%8hypnosis s'ills to #se in conE#nction with their st#dies$ they will ha"e a lot more s#ccess with recall and #nderstanding( Long8term memory is$ a%ter all$ the domain o% the #nconscio#s( >03 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly *"idence that it wor's) Psychosocial and imm#ne e%%ects o% sel%8 hypnosis training %or stress management thro#gho#t the %irst semester o% medical school CN Chiteho#se$ < <inges$ *C 1rne$ .* Keller$ 9L 9ates$ NK 9a#er$ P Morahan$ 9A Ha#pt$ MM Carlin$ P9 9loom$ L [a#gg and MT 1rne +nstit#te o% Pennsyl"ania Hospital$ ?ni"ersity o% Pennsyl"ania Medical .chool$ Philadelphia$ ?.A( This st#dy was a 178wee' prospecti"e cond#cted to determine the e%%ecti"eness o% a sel%8 hypnosis;rela@ation
inter"ention to relie"e symptoms o% psychological distress and moderate imm#ne system reacti"ity to e@amination stress in 0& %irst8year medical st#dents( Twenty8one s#!Eects were randomly selected %or training in the #se o% sel%hypnosis as a coping s'ill and were enco#raged to practice reg#larly and to maintain daily diary records related to mood$ sleep$ physical symptoms$ and %reA#ency o% rela@ation practice( An additional 12 s#!Eects recei"ed no e@plicit training in stress8red#ction strategies$ !#t completed similar daily diaries( .el%8report psychosocial and symptom meas#res$ as well as !lood draws$ were o!tained at %o#r time points) orientation$ late semester$ e@amination period$ and post semester reco"ery( +t was %o#nd that signi%icant increases in stress and %atig#e occ#rred d#ring the e@amination period$ paralleled !y increases in co#nts o% 9 lymphocytes and acti"ated T lymphocytes$ PHA8ind#ced and PCM8ind#ced !lastogenesis$
and nat#ral 'iller cell 4NK6 cytoto@icity( No imm#ne decreases were o!ser"ed( .#!Eects in the sel%8 hypnosis condition reported signi%icantly less distress and an@iety than their noninter"ention co#nterparts$ !#t the two gro#ps did not di%%er with respect to imm#ne %#nction( Ne"ertheless$ within the sel%8hypnosis gro#p$ the A#ality o% the e@ercises 4i(e( rela@ation ratings6 predicted !oth the n#m!er o% NK cells and NK acti"ity( Nongard & Thomas >0, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone +t was concl#ded that stress associated with academic demands a%%ects imm#ne %#nction$ !#t imm#ne s#ppression is not ine"ita!le( Practice o% sel%8hypnosis red#ces distress$ witho#t di%%erential imm#ne e%%ects( Howe"er$ indi"id#al responses to the sel%8hypnosis inter"ention appear to predict imm#ne o#tcomes( 9ettering the Nood +n addition to alle"iating pro!lems$ hypnosis can also !e #sed to ma'e the good things !etter( This is called generati"e impro"ement(
Not all stress is D!ad(D Li'e the emotion anger$ stress can o%ten !e a positi"e moti"ator and energizer( The di%%erence is in perception$ and controlling and channeling the stress to ma'e it wor' %or yo# in these healthy ways( Hypnosis can !e #sed to target the #se o% nat#ral stress %or %oc#s$ to enhance and #nleash physical and mental reso#rces$ allowing them to !ecome !etter at sports$ to %#el creati"ity and enhance con%idence$ to impro"e academic per%ormance$ solidi%y personal relationships$ and deepen general happiness$ health$ and well!eing( R An ed#cational and s'ills disc#ssion on the iss#es a!o"e co#ld %ill an entire !oo'$ each( +n this te@t$ we ha"e pro"ided a !rie% o"er"iew and it is now #p to yo# to %#rther research and st#dy the areas which interest yo# most$ or ha"e most rele"ance %or the clients on yo#r caseload( :emem!er$ e"ery client is di%%erent R di%%erent e@periences$ e@pectations$ ed#cation$ spirit#al needs$ physical conditions$ and #ltimate goals( Ta'e the time in yo#r inter"iew assessment session to
get to 'now yo#r client a little$ listen to what they say$ as' A#estions to clari%y$ and do yo#r !est to de"elop s#ggesti"e therapy plan to help them achie"e lasting positi"e changes( >05 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly CHAPT*: 1> *thics$ Morality and Legal Principles :elated to Hypnotherapy There are certain ethical reA#irements and g#idelines that yo# need to adhere to in order to ma'e s#re the wor' yo# do is not only ethical$ !#t also %alls within the legislati"e constraints o% where"er yo# happen to !e li"ing( Hypnotherapy is primarily an #nreg#lated pro%ession( ?nli'e other licensea!le pro%essions s#ch as marriage and %amily therapy$ social wor'ing or psychology$ in most states E#st a!o#t anyone can hang o#t a shingle and say$ IHi$ +Om Hac';Hane .mith$ a certi%ied hypnotist(J .ome states do ha"e constraints regarding who may ad"ertise$ how they may ad"ertise$ and the types o% ser"ices that they may deli"er$ !#t only a %ew act#ally license or register hypnotists( Howe"er$ the ethical considerations$ whether yo# li"e in a state that
reg#lates hypnosis or does not$ need to !e addressed( +t is my opinion that the pro%ession o% hypnotherapy will mo"e %orward when responsi!le pro%essional associations ta'e it #pon themsel"es to pro"ide ethical g#idelines to their mem!ers and those mem!ers adhere strictly to the ethical g#idelines( Chen we ha"e pro%essionals practicing o#tside the !o#ndaries o% pro%essional associations and their speci%ic codes o% ethics$ we #s#ally r#n into Nongard & Thomas >07 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone di%%ic#lties with the perception o% hypnotherapy as a pro%essional practice( + hope in this chapter to not only answer some A#estions$ !#t really set the %o#ndation %or yo# in regards to practicing hypnotherapy responsi!ly and within the g#idelines o% what is generally considered !y the pro%essional associations o% today to !e good practice( The Code o% *thics that weDll #se in this te@t comes %rom the +C9CH$ the +nternational Certi%ication 9oard o% Clinical Hypnotherapy$
!eca#se + %ind it partic#larly comprehensi"e( There are other pro%essional associations with codes o% ethics$ !#t #pon re"iew$ + thin' that the others are not A#ite as speci%ic as the +C9CH Ds( 1% co#rse those whose mem!ers are strictly licensed mental health pro%essionals pro!a!ly ass#me that their mem!ers are already operating #nder the ethical codes o% their respecti"e pro%ession$ and perhaps that e@plains their "ag#eness( Let #s ta'e a loo' at the iss#es that are most important to #s regarding the moral and ethical practice o% clinical hypnosis$ and hope%#lly this !rie% disc#ssion will clari%y some A#estions and pro"ide some g#idance( Morality >2Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly irst$ let #s e@amine %i"e moral principles that sho#ld g#ide any pro%essionalOs actions and decision8ma'ing processes$ whether yo# are a massage therapist$ a hypnotist$ a marriage %amily therapist or a psychologist( i"e Moral Principles 8 %or Pro"iding *thical Care A#tonomy
+n all o% the actions we ta'e as hypnotherapists$ o#r goal is to help o#r clients %#nction independently( /ears ago$ + was one o% the %ew licensed mental health pro%essionals in a "ery$ "ery small town in Te@as( Another psychotherapist in town retired and re%erred all o% her clients to me( 1ne day + recei"ed a call %rom a client who Ihad to see me right away(J + did not ha"e a chance to loo' at the case notes ahead o% the time$ !#t + said to come on o"er( .he arri"ed and d#ring introd#ctions + glanced at her case history and saw that she had !een with the pre"io#s therapist %or a!o#t two years$ so the %irst A#estion + as'ed was$ I+ see yo#O"e !een in therapy %or the last two years( Chat yo# ha"e !een wor'ing onQJ .he said$ I<etachment(J + tho#ght that was pretty darn am#sing$ and so + as'ed$ ICho is it that yo# are trying to detach %romQJ .he said$ I1hF + am trying to detach %rom my grandmother(J .he loo'ed a!o#t thirty8%i"e$ and + tho#ght it was little odd that the therape#tic iss#e cons#ming her %or two years was how to detach %rom grandma( <espite my !em#sement + was c#rio#s$ and + had a Eo! to do$
so + as'ed her to descri!e her Nrandmother( According to her$ Nrandma was a horri!le person who had dominated and a%%ected m#ch o% her li%e( + %o#nd mysel% empathizing with the client and thin'ing$ S+% + had a Nrandma li'e that$ + too wo#ld want to !e as detached as possi!leFO Then the reality8therapist in me 'ic'ed in( IHey$ A#ic' A#estion here( /o# are thirty8%i"e years old( Chy donOt yo# mo"e o#t o% yo#r grandmotherOs ho#seQJ .he loo'ed at me strangely and said$ I+ donOt li"e with my grandmother(J Nongard & Thomas >21 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone + pa#sed$ then as'ed$ IChere does yo#r grandmother li"eQJ .he said$ ICashington(J + stared at her with a loo' o% !e%#ddlement and as'ed$ I/o#r grandmother li"es in CashingtonQ /o# ha"e spent two years in therapy in Te@as$ learning how to detach %rom yo#r grandmother who li"es in CashingtonQJ .he nodded and o%%ered a sheepish grin( + said$ I/o#r therape#tic assignment is not to come to therapy any longer( /o# need to %ind a real %riend$ one yo# donOt ha"e to pay to tal' to e"ery single wee'(J
/o# see$ the prior therapist had !ecome her !est %riend$ instead o% helping her to %ind a !est %riend( Ce can gi"e clients ad"ice and it may e"en !e %rom o#r own e@periences$ !#t we cannot !e their 1>8.tep sponsor( Ce can ha"e #nconditional positi"e regard %or o#r clients and accept them$ !#t we cannot !e their mother( Ce can act#ally gen#inely li'e o#r clients$ !#t it is not o#r Eo! to !e their %riend( 1#r Eo! is to !e a paid temporary pro%essional who helps them to %ind a real %riend$ a real mother$ a real sponsor$ and real sit#ational s#pports that help them sol"e pro!lems( Chen a client comes in to o#r o%%ice$ o#r %irst goal sho#ld !e to help them %#nction independently( This is$ !y the way$ one o% the reasons why + li'e hypnotherapy$ as it is !y nat#re a !rie% %orm o% therapy$ a A#ic' inter"ention( Certainly there are comple@ cases that may reA#ire m#ltiple sessions( or e@ample$ the standard recommended treatment protocol %or irrita!le !owel syndrome is se"en sessions$ and s#!stantial weight loss treatment o%ten %ollows a m#ltisession protocol o"er se"eral months( Howe"er$ most cases$ %rom
smo'ing cessation to pho!ia treatment$ generally reA#ire only one to three sessions$ ma@( Hypnotherapy promotes a#tonomy so o#r client can %#nction apart %rom a therape#tic relationship( The goal o% a good therapist is to get rid o% their clients$ not to %ill another !illa!le ho#r( 9ene%icence >2> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly The !asic concept o% !ene%icence is the help we pro"ide sho#ld !e !ene%icial to the client( 1#r clients come to #s %or help with speci%ic pro!lems$ and it is o#r Eo! to help them %ind !ene%icial sol#tions( :eading a one8size8%its8all script may help a little$ !#t pro!a!ly wo#ld not !e near as !ene%icial as ta'ing the time to constr#ct indi"id#al therape#tic s#ggestions targeted to #tilize the clientDs speci%ic strengths and reso#rces to meet their indi"id#al needs( #rthermore$ we need to gi"e o#r clients what they want and as' %or$ not create more reasons to see them more %reA#ently( Pro"iding #nnecessary sessions is not !ene%icial( Non mal%easance
Not only sho#ld we promote goodness thro#gh !ene%icial o#tcomes$ !#t we also want to a"oid doing harm to o#r clients( irst and %oremost on this list$ o% co#rse$ is to ne"er$ e"er ha"e any 'ind o% romantic or se@#al relations with anyone who is or e"er has !een yo#r client( Ne"er( Period( This sets #p an #neA#al$ #nhealthy and #nethical dynamic( <onDt do it( Ce can do harm to o#r clients !y re"ealing con%idential in%ormation( There is no need to e"er disc#ss yo#r clientsD cases with anyone o#tside o% a pro%essional setting( /es$ yo# may disc#ss iss#es with other hypnotists$ therapists or doctors %or p#rposes o% g#idance or re%erral$ !#t yo# sho#ld not chat #p yo#r %riends at a party a!o#t Mr( .mith$ whom yo# saw %or se@#al dys%#nction last wee'( Ce can do harm to o#r clients !y !eing incompetent( +% yo# are #ns#re a!o#t a condition or treatment approach$ get ed#cated or re%er( <o not waste yo#r clientDs time or money$ or ta'e the ris' o% doing harm !y !eing arrogant( <o not ma'e yo#r clients !elie"e that yo# ha"e powers that yo# do not ha"e( 9e open and honest a!o#t the hypnotic process$ how
it wor's and what they sho#ld e@pect$ %rom the session itsel% to the end res#lts( Ce a"oid doing harm !y pro"iding pro%essional$ ethical$ A#ality care( H#stice Nongard & Thomas >20 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone H#stice reA#ires that we pro"ide eA#al treatment to all people( +t is o'ay to ha"e religio#s !elie%s and !iases( This is America and yo# are allowed to !elie"e anything yo# want a!o#t anything( Howe"er$ while we will always !ring o#r "al#es into the co#nseling process with #s$ we ha"e an o!ligation to pro"ide E#st ser"ices( +n order to !e a competent pro%essional$ we m#st p#t o#r own moral E#dgments$ !iases$ and !elie%s aside$ so that we can pro"ide eA#al treatment to all people( As a hypnotherapist$ yo# will meet all 'inds o% clients$ incl#ding many who donOt share the same morals$ %o#ndations$ and !elie%s as yo#( +% yo# are #na!le to pro"ide eA#al treatment to all clients$ then yo# need to %ind a di%%erent en"ironment to wor' in( idelity
+t is important to 'eep o#r promises( idelity implies !eing tr#th%#l and loyal$ and !eing worthy o% that tr#st( 1#r clients loo' to #s as a model( As + mentioned pre"io#sly$ modeling healthy !eha"ior !y not smo'ing$ not !eing a dr#n'$ not o"ereating$ !#t !eing a model %or health and %itness is really essential %or a hypnotist who promotes health8related ser"ices( Li'ewise$ we also need to model %or o#r clients %idelity !y !eing on time %or sessions( Chen we say we will %ollow thro#gh on something$ we %ollow thro#gh 8 !y calling !ac'$ !y !eing a"aila!le and accessi!le to o#r clients( idelity is essential %or pro"iding good care( +n reality$ ethics and morality are largely a matter o% common sense( Pro"ided yo# ha"e the right intentions and thin' thro#gh yo#r pro%essional actions$ yo# sho#ld %ind remaining ethical a simple tas'( >22 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly i"e Hallmar's o% Nood Therapy R %or :ed#cing Lia!ility /es$ there are many more than %i"e$ !#t these %i"e stri'e me as partic#larly cr#cial %or the wor' we do$ not only to !e a good
hypnotist in general$ !#t to also help minimize yo#r lia!ility( 1#r clients come to #s !eca#se they want #s to pro"ide good ser"icesU they e@pect that we will help them ma'e changes and do so e%%ecti"ely( Chen we pro"ide good care and competent ser"ices we are doing o#r Eo!s well$ and we are also sa%e on the legal %ront( Please #nderstand that + cannot tell yo# how to not get s#ed( There is an am!#lance8chasing trial attorney on e"ery corner who$ %or a Y2& %iling %ee$ will come a%ter yo# %or anything( Howe"er$ + can tell yo# that i% yo# are s#ed in ci"il co#rt$ the !est de%ense is to simply ha"e done yo#r Eo! properly and ha"e acted competently and pro%essionally at e"ery stage o% the way( Nood Hypnotherapy has Meas#ra!le .#ccess + !elie"e s#ccess sho#ld !e meas#red !y act#al recorda!le change$ rather than merely !y emotions o!ser"ed( Change means whether the presenting pro!lem is act#ally %i@ed$ or not( 1%ten we donOt %eel li'e we ha"e an o!Eecti"e way o% meas#ring s#ccess( Ce may say$ well$ i% the client lea"es happy then we ha"e done o#r Eo!( Cell$ i% the clientDs o!Eecti"e when they came to
yo# was to lea"e yo#r o%%ice happy in general$ then + s#ppose so$ !#t what a!o#t the iss#es yo# addressed d#ring the sessionQ *motion seems !oth %or #s and %or clients to !e a simple way to meas#re s#ccess$ !#t that is E#st a temporary ill#sion( +t does not matter i% they are happy when they lea"e i% they !egin smo'ing again three ho#rs later( Ce meas#re s#ccess !y helping the client achie"e real goals( Nongard & Thomas >2& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Nood Hypnotherapy oc#ses on the Present and the #t#re$ :ather than <welling on the Past The 'ey word here is dwelling( The past is important( 1#r e@periences do shape #s$ in%l#ence #s$ and lead #s to where we are today( .ometimes the c#lmination o% li%e e@periences can !e e@tremely di%%ic#lt$ !ringing clients to the point where therape#tic ser"ices are desired$ so it is essential to #nderstand o#r clientOs %ramewor' in the conte@t o% their past$ so that we may help them ma'e changes %or the %#t#re( Howe"er$ o%ten o#r clients o%ten wo#ld rather tal' a!o#t the
past$ !eca#se that is lot easier than ta'ing responsi!ility now %or action in the %#t#re$ and some therapists li'e tal'ing a!o#t the past$ !eca#se it %ills !illa!le ho#rs( Nood therapy$ howe"er$ does not %oc#s on or dwell on the past( +t recognizes its importance$ !#t %oc#ses on the present and the %#t#re and as's the A#estion) Chat are the tas's that need done to mo"e %rom the present scene to the pre%erred sceneQ 1#r goal is not to change the past$ which is a good thing since that cannot !e done( 1#r goal as a hypnotist is to help o#r clients ma'e changes so as not to repeat the past$ to mo"e %orward towards a positi"e$ desired goal( Nood Hypnotherapy ?nloc's o#r ClientOs .trengths A lot o% indi"id#als ha"e a lot o% pro!lems$ !#t they also ha"e #niA#e strengths( + may not !e a!le to completely %i@ what is wrong$ !#t + can ta'e the strengths that e@ist in that indi"id#alOs li%e and #se them to compensate %or their de%icits$ so they can choose a healthy manner o% li"ing %or the %#t#re( Chen + wor' with clients to %ind o#t ways to help them A#it smo'ing$ one o% the things + may as' is$ I1'ay$ yo# ha"e !een
smo'ing %or the last ten years( Cere there any circ#mstances in the last ten years where yo# normally wo#ld ha"e smo'ed$ !#t yo# did notQJ May!e they spent wee'ends with their mother who still doesnOt 'now they smo'e( 1r may!e they smo'e e"ery day e@cept sometimes .#ndays$ !eca#se they go to ch#rch( + want to draw %rom my clientDs e@isting repertoire o% reso#rces and personality strengths to help them sol"e pro!lems( >23 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Nood Hypnotherapy Mo!ilizes riends and amily into Acti"e .#pport or a lot o% iss#es$ people need other people in their e"eryday li"es to help them stay %oc#sed and maintain positi"e change( Chen wor'ing with the indi"id#al losing weight$ + want to try to %ind solid sit#ational s#pports$ the people who will help them maintain healthy %ood choices and s#pport their e@ercise goals( A lot o% times losing weight is a str#ggle !eca#se those they share the re%rigerator with ha"en not decided to ma'e the same healthy choices( Ce want the client to identi%y %riends$ %amily and cowor'ers who can help
rein%orce positi"e change( Nood Hypnotherapy Teaches .'ills Hypnosis clients learn how to rela@$ how to align their conscio#s and #nconscio#s reso#rces$ how to go into prod#cti"e trance states and manage stress$ and how to tr#ly !e all that they can !e$ and this is good( Again$ it is one thing %or the client to !e happy in o#r o%%ice$ !#t we m#st pro"ide them with the tools and s'ills they need to s#cceed at their goals once they lea"e o#r !#ilding( Nood s#ggestions teach the client how to draw #pon their strengths$ how to #tilize s#pport systems$ and how to thin' and react di%%erently to sit#ations in positi"e$ healthy ways( Nongard & Thomas >2, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone >25 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Pro%essional *thics As we !egin to wind down$ + want to go o"er the rele"ant ethical g#idelines pro"ided !y the +nternational Certi%ication 9oard %or Clinical Hypnotherapy in detail( As mentioned !e%ore$ + ha"e chosen to #se the +C9CHDs code !eca#se + thin' it is more
comprehensi"e than others( Chen yo# loo' at pro%essional organizations to Eoin$ !ecome a%%iliated with$ and;or to !ecome certi%ied !y$ ta'e some time and see what these organizations ha"e to o%%er( Those that do not ha"e a Code o% *thics are pro!a!ly not pro%essional associations acting in the !est interest o% the mem!ers it certi%ies( Please recognize also that while this Code re%ers to ICerti%ied Hypnotherapists$J the same concepts apply to ICerti%ied HypnotistsJ and e"en stage per%ormers$ as well( +C9CH certi%ied pro%essionals adhere to the %ollowing *thical Principles) a(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists promote client a#tonomy( !(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists respect clients and promote what is healthy %or clients( c(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists do not engage in !eha"iors that ca#se harm to clients or that e@ploit clients( d(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists "al#e contin#ing ed#cation and see' opport#nities to contin#e to grow in 'nowledge( e(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists recognize !oth the !ene%its and the limitations o% clinical hypnosis(
%(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists promote hypnotherapy with demonstrated e%%icacy rather than pse#doscience or modalities o% hypnosis that are merely spec#lati"e( g(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists acc#rately represent their ed#cational e@periences to clients( Nongard & Thomas >27 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone h(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists recognize the need %or psychological and medical re%errals to other pro%essionals and !#ild relationships with other disciplines o% helping( +(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists pro"ide clients with in%ormed consent at the o#tset o% hypnotherapy( E(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists 'eep client in%ormation con%idential$ e@cept when reA#ired !y law$ or with the clientOs written consent prior to release o% con%idential in%ormation( '(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists a"oid d#al8 relationships and se@#al contact with clients( l(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists pro"ide ser"ices in the conte@t o% pro%essional !#siness arrangements$ and esta!lish %ees and
payment arrangements clearly #nderstood !y clients( m(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists recognize the need to adhere to the principles o% respecting others when p#!licly demonstrating hypnosis in non8clinical settings( n(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists acc#rately represent credentials( o(6 +C9CH Certi%ied Hypnotherapists promote p#!lic awareness o% hypnotherapy( p6 +C9CH Mem!ers do not solicit other mem!ers or clients a!o#t Eoining m#lti8le"el mar'eting programs( Certi%ied hypnotherapists promote a#tonomy( As yo# can see$ the %irst %ew ideas are !ased on the moral principles we disc#ssed a little while ago( 1#r goal is to help o#r clients %#nction apart %rom the pro%essional relationship and o#t in the real world( Certi%ied hypnotherapists respect their clients and promote what is healthy %or clients( The n#m!er one reason why clients !ring ci"il s#its against pro%essionals is not !eca#se they want the !ig !#c'sU they are moti"ated !y anger$ !eca#se they %eel li'e they ha"e !een disrespected(
Certi%ied hypnotherapists do not engage in !eha"iors that ca#se harm to or e@ploit clients( + ha"e had the opport#nity to do hypnosis with stars %rom Las Kegas$ Hollywood and 9roadway$ and ha"e had my pict#re ta'en with many$ !#t ne"er ha"e + p#t the >&Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly pict#res or e"en their names #p on my we!site( Ne"er ha"e + as'ed them to do personal testimonials$ e"en tho#gh their endorsements wo#ld pro!a!ly !e good %or my sales( +t wo#ld !e an e@ploitation o% those clients to re"eal their names( +t is important %or #s to respect o#r clients and not #se them %or o#r own gain$ whether they are %amo#s or not( As a hypnotist$ it is important that yo# are constantly learning( A lot o% people in pro%essional therapy try to do only the minim#m amo#nt o% contin#ing ed#cation reA#ired !y the state each year$ and + s#ppose that is their prerogati"e( Howe"er$ in my opinion$ it is essential %or yo#r own growth as a pro%essional and %or the good o% yo#r clients that yo# passionately immerse yo#rsel% in all the training
and materials that yo# can %ind and practice yo#r s'ills as m#ch as possi!le$ whether yo# are reA#ired to !y yo#r licensing or certi%ying associations$ or not( 1nce #pon a time$ + was treating an a#tistic client %or another presenting pro!lem( +n that partic#lar case$ + remem!er loo'ing at the records$ seeing a#tism in the client history$ and realizing that most e"erything + 'new a!o#t a#tism + had learned %rom the mo"ie :ain Man( *"en tho#gh + was a licensed mental health pro%essional$ + did not 'now m#ch a!o#t a#tism or other childhood per"asi"e mental illness or psychiatric disorders( *"en tho#gh + generally do not treat children$ + started going to training wor'shops and !o#ght !oo's on this s#!Eect$ so + wo#ld !e a!le to increase my !ase o% 'nowledge$ so that + co#ld !etter #nderstand the history o% some o% the clients that + was seeing %or ad#lt chemical dependency co#nseling and ad#lt traditional psychotherapy$ as well as hypnotherapy( Now$ yo# may not !e a licensed mental health pro%essional$ and yo# may not e"er see many clients %or iss#es !eyond smo'ing
cessation or weight loss$ !#t it will !e help%#l to yo# R and yo#r clients R i% yo# st#dy the a"aila!le reso#rces %or many commonly seen illnesses and conditions( Contin#ing ed#cation$ whether legally reA#ired or not$ is another hallmar' o% good therapy$ as yo# ne"er 'now when yo# may need it( Nongard & Thomas >&1 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Certi%ied hypnotherapists recognize !oth the !ene%its and limitations o% clinical hypnosis( No to scholar(google(com 8 NoogleOs scholarly Eo#rnal search engine 8 and type in hypnotism and any disorder yo# can thin' o%$ and the res#lts will pro!a!ly s#rprise yo#( The e"idence %or the e%%icacy o% hypnotherapy as a treatment modality with physical conditions$ psychiatric conditions$ and !eha"ioral conditions is incredi!le$ demonstrated time a%ter time in Eo#rnal articles %or weight loss$ smo'ing cessation$ pain management$ e"en management o% allergy related symptoms$ child !irth$ and more( At the same time$ while hypnotherapy is highly e%%ecti"e %or many iss#es$ there are also limitations( .ome pro!lems may reA#ire
not only hypnotherapy$ !#t traditional cogniti"e8!eha"ioral or other %orms o% psychotherapy or medical treatment as well$ in order to %#lly assist the client with ma'ing the long8term changes they need or desire( Chile hypnosis is remar'a!ly e%%ecti"e$ it is a matter o% pro%essional ethics that yo# realize it is not a magic sol#tion to e"ery pro!lem( Certi%ied hypnotherapists promote hypnotherapy with a demonstrated e%%icacy$ rather than spec#lati"e pse#do8science( Hypnotherapy$ li'e assessment tools that are sel%8reports$ is limited !y the participantOs willingness to engage in the process( Ce ha"e to recognize the limitations( or e@ample$ memory is not li'e a "ideo cameraU hypnosis %or memory recall$ tra#matic e"ents$ or %orensics$ can !e inacc#rate or em!ellished( Certi%ied hypnotherapists sho#ld also acc#rately represent their ed#cational e@periences to clients( The %ield o% hypnotherapy is$ o% co#rse$ #nreg#lated( As s#ch$ there are people who ha"e no ed#cational e@perience at all$ not e"en a high school diploma$ who are practicing clinical hypnosis( There is nothing wrong with that R other
than + wo#ld call them a Dclinical hypnotistD and not a DhypnotherapistD R howe"er$ + %eel it is a matter o% pro%essional ethics that we do not o"erstate the ed#cation we ha"e recei"ed( Hypnosis itsel% is a learning process$ and learning how to %#lly %acilitate that process ta'es time( /o# m#st recognize that this te@t$ as well as any other training or certi%ication program$ is an entry point$ a starting point( >&> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly +% yo# do not ha"e a clinical degree and yo# read this !oo'$ yo# will 'now how to hypnotize some!ody$ !#t #ntil yo# ha"e ho#rs and ho#rs o% practice and e@perience !ehind yo#$ yo# will not !e a competent hypnotherapist( +t is important to represent o#rsel"es acc#rately to clients$ and at this early stage in yo#r training$ to represent yo#rsel% as a hypnotherapist wo#ld not !e an ethical thing to do( The certi%ied hypnotherapist also recognizes the need %or psychological and medical re%errals to and %rom other pro%essionals and !#ilds relationships with other helping disciplines( Citho#t a
do#!t$ some o% the clients on o#r caseload need to !e re%erred %or medical inter"ention( or e@ample$ an alcoholic client comes in and says$ I+ canOt A#it drin'ing( + str#ggled with this appointment since eight oOcloc' in the morning so that + co#ld !e so!er %or the %irst time and participate in this session(J NreatF + want them to !e there$ and + will pro"ide ser"ices that can help them deal with the withdrawal symptoms they are e@periencing the %irst day( Howe"er$ + am also going to immediately re%er them to a physician$ !eca#se deto@i%ication can !e a dangero#s process %or some o% o#r clients( +% a client comes to yo# !eca#se they want help d#ring di%%ic#lt periods li'e cancer treatment$ post s#rgical proced#res$ or %or other medical treatments$ hypnosis can help them reco"er and manage their !odies( Howe"er$ we need to re%er them !ac' %or contin#ed %ollow8#p care necessary %or their medical conditions$ rather than simply letting them !elie"e that !eca#se they %eel good thereOs no need %or a%tercare or %ollow8#p( +n these cases$ hypnosis sho#ld !e "iewed as a s#pplement to$ rather than a replacement o%$
con"entional medical treatment( +% we ha"e clients with se"ere psychological or psychiatric dist#r!ances$ hypnosis can help them rela@ and ta'e physical control o"er their emotions( +t is o'ay to pro"ide some hypnosis ser"ices to some indi"id#als who ha"e psychological or psychiatric di%%ic#lties( Chat is not o'ay is treating$ witho#t ha"ing a license$ psychological and psychiatric di%%ic#lties( /o# will need to re%er those indi"id#als$ as well( Nongard & Thomas >&0 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Certi%ied hypnotherapists pro"ide clients with in%ormed consent at the o#tset o% therapy( Ce ha"e disc#ssed this !e%oreU in%ormed consent ed#cates clients a!o#t the process they will !e engaging in( This occ#rs in the assessment inta'e and the pre8tal'( Certi%ied hypnotherapists 'eep client in%ormation con%idential$ e@cept when reA#ired !y law$ reA#ested !y a E#dge$ or with the clientOs written consent prior to the release to %amily or re%erral so#rces( This is essential( Now$ let me A#ic'ly address H+PAA
Con%identiality( Most hypnotherapists do not practice in a H+PAA reA#ired en"ironment( Howe"er$ E#st so yo# are aware$ the Health +ns#rance Porta!ility Act reg#lations reA#ires that certain %ederal sec#rity standards are met in regards to con%identiality o% data transmitted electronically to third8party payers 4ins#rance companies6( ?nless yo# are a licensed pro%essional wor'ing with ins#rance companies$ H+PAA is generally not something yo# will ha"e to worry a!o#t$ !#t ta'ing e@tra preca#tions with yo#r clientDs in%ormation is always a good thing( Certi%ied hypnotherapists need to a"oid d#al relationships and se@#al contact with clients( Again$ it is most li'ely a %elony in the state where yo# li"e to ha"e se@ with anyone who has !een or e"er was a client( There are millions o% other people who are not on yo#r caseload$ so please ha"e se@ with one o% them( +t really is that simple( There is a!sol#tely no e@c#se %or se@#al cond#ct with a client( +t is #naccepta!le( +t is #npro%essional( +t always harms clients( +t can ne"er !e E#sti%ied in the conte@t o% competent clinical care(
<#al relationships R !eing %riends with or doing !#siness with a client o#tside the o%%ice 8 are di%%ic#lt to manage and can !e eA#ally damaging to clients( They can p#t #s in sit#ations where %alse acc#sations can arise %rom h#rt %eelings and %ail#re to respect the client( Lia!ilities and laws#its come o#t o% d#al relationships( Ha"ing a re%erral networ' !ecomes essential in order to a"oid a d#al relationship( Now$ letOs say + go to the same gas station e"ery day to %ill #p my car$ and one day the cler' says to me$ I/o# 'now$ + noticed that yo#r credit card says :ichard K( Nongard$ and + thin' +D"e heard yo#r name on radio ads( <o yo# do hypnosisQJ + reply$ I/es$ thatDs me$ and + do(J He then says$ IAwesome$ can yo# help my wi%e A#it smo'ingQJ >&2 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly + respond with$ I.#re$ hereDs my card(J This sit#ation is called networ'ingU it is not a d#al relationship( :e%er yo#r %riends$ neigh!ors$ %amily and those yo# wor' with to someone else %or hypnosis ser"ices( Certi%ied hypnotherapists pro"ide ser"ices in the conte@t o%
pro%essional !#siness arrangements and esta!lish %ees and payment arrangements clearly #nderstood !y clients( My payment arrangements are simpleU cash$ chec'$ or charge( + s#ppose + wo#ld pro!a!ly ta'e gold !#llion too$ !#t no one has o%%ered it( + donOt !arter( + donOt e@change wor'ing on my car %or hypnotherapy sessions( .ome clients li'e !artering$ and it may appeal to #s$ !#t in the end$ something a!o#t a !arter relationship always %eels #neA#al to one o% the !artering parties( +% yo# ha"e something + want$ +Om going to !#y it %rom yo#( +% + ha"e something yo# want 8 hypnosis ser"ices 8 yo# are going to !#y it %rom me$ cash$ chec'$ or charge( This is really the only way to pro"ide competent ser"ices( Also$ + let my clients 'now on the telephone when they sched#le their %irst appointment that payments are e@pected at the time ser"ices are rendered( This in%ormation is also on my we!site( .#ppose + ha"e a client that + am seeing %or m#ltiple sessions( Cill + let them slide on payment %or a sessionQ .#re$ they can catch me later or pay me ne@t wee'( Howe"er$ + will ne"er carry a client %or
more than two sessions( ChyQ They will end #p in de!t owing me money$ + will ha"e to c#t them o%%$ and they will resent me when + go !ac' and try to collect it %rom them$ and we wonDt !e ma'ing progress on their goals( +tOs E#st h#man nat#re( + want my clients to pay me %or the ser"ices + pro"ide$ and so my payment policies are clearly o#tlined in the orientation process( Cill + pro"ide ser"ices %or %reeQ /es$ to some people$ some times( The pro%ession has !een good to me$ and + thin' it is important %or #s to gi"e !ac' to the world aro#nd #s( 9#t$ we need to !e selecti"e in pic'ing the people who are most needy$ who will !ene%it$ and who will respect the gi%t we gi"e them( To me$ that is essential as well( Nongard & Thomas >&& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Certi%ied hypnotherapists recognize the need to adhere to the principles o% respecting others when p#!licly demonstrating hypnosis in non8clinical settings( Again$ as yo# can tell !y this te@t$ + personally !elie"e stage hypnosis is %ine when the clients or s#!Eects are respected( +n my opinion$ to say that a hypnotist sho#ld not !e
a!le to p#!licly demonstrate hypnosis %or entertainment p#rposes is li'e saying that Hollywood sho#ld not !e allowed to prod#ce mo"ies where people wo#ld e@perience anger or h#rt or %ear or sadness( Certi%ied Hypnotherapists acc#rately represent credentials( My !#siness cards and stationary all say :ichard K( Nongard$ LM T;CCH( This is !eca#se + am a state Licensed Marriage and amily Therapist$ and + am a Certi%ied Clinical Hypnotherapist( Many non8licensed hypnotists will ta'e co#rses and earn DdegreesD in hypnosis or hypnotherapy$ and then call themsel"es a doctor( The tr#th is that there is not one %#lly accredited ed#cational program in the ?nited .tates that o%%ers an act#al degree in hypnosis or hypnotherapy$ not a 9achelorDs or MasterDs or <octorate( The reason %or this is that psychologists li'e to !elie"e that hypnotherapy is their domain$ alone( Chether their position is right or wrong is irrele"ant to this disc#ssion( +n my e@perience$ the a"erage practicing non8licensed hypnotist generally has 1-- times more ed#cation and 'nowledge o% the %ield o% clinical hypnosis than the a"erage licensed
psychologist e"er recei"ed in grad#ate school( The point is) <o not represent yo#rsel% to clients as ha"ing earned degrees or credentials that yo# ha"e not( +t is per%ectly accepta!le %or yo# to ta'e any co#rse a"aila!le on the planet in hypnosis$ and + enco#rage yo# to ta'e as many as possi!le$ !eca#se the more training yo# ha"e the !etter hypnotist yo# will !e$ and the !etter ser"ed yo#r clients will !e$ as well( Howe"er$ please ta'e care not to get ca#ght #p in !og#s credentials( Certi%ication is one thing R it means yo# ha"e ta'en a co#rse$ and hope%#lly passed some sort o% comprehensi"e e@am$ and %or this yo# ha"e earned recognition thro#gh the %orm o% a pro%essional de"elopment certi%ication credential$ i(e( !ecome a Certi%ied Hypnotist( 9#t certi%ication is not the same as a degree$ so please mar'et yo#rsel% accordingly( >&3 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Certi%ied Hypnotherapists sho#ld also promote p#!lic awareness o% hypnotherapy( /o# sho#ld !e on !oard %or promoting p#!lic awareness and ed#cation a!o#t hypnosis$ i% %or no other reason than to protect and %#rther yo#r own career(
*"ery year$ legislation !egins circ#lating in many states to restrict who can and cannot practice hypnotherapy and how it sho#ld !e practiced( .ome o% those decisions$ li'e the decision in +ndiana that says Dgro#p hypnosisD may ha"e no more than three participants$ are not really in the !est interest o% clients( *d#cating those who create legislation is important( Legislators only 'now what they 'now$ and so they o%ten "ote the way someone tells them to "ote( +% no one o%%ers an opposing ideal !ased on %acts rather than protectionism$ the !ill may !e passed and yo# may %ind yo#rsel% o#t o% !#siness( The %inal ideal is that +C9CH certi%ied hypnotherapists do not solicit other mem!ers or clients a!o#t Eoining m#lti8le"el mar'eting programs( The reason this statement e@ists is that many people are drawn to hypnosis !eca#se they are into non8 traditional modalities %or change in general$ and that spectr#m is A#ite !road( They may ha"e learned a!o#t hypnosis %rom e@pos#re to yoga or meditation$ or they may ha"e gone to a metaphysical %air and met a palm8reader or a past8li%e regressionist( No matter the origination$ the %act is that many
Dnat#ralistsD or complementary and alternati"e medicine 4CAM6 proponents are also into m#lti8le"el mar'eting plans$ %rom "itamins to hormones$ pre8paid legal ser"ices and so %orth( This is all %ine$ well and good$ and + ha"e no pro!lem with that whatsoe"er R + ha"e !o#ght my own li%etime s#pply o% miracle E#ice !e%ore R !#t clients are paying yo# %or hypnosis ser"ices$ not to ha"e a chance at Eoining yo#r down8line( Can yo# o%%er s#pplements or trin'ets in yo#r o%%ice %or clients to p#rchase i% they so chooseQ A!sol#tely( .ho#ld yo# harass yo#r clients a!o#t !#ying them or Eoining yo#r programQ A!sol#tely not( LetDs say yo# are at a hypnosis con"ention( .ho#ld yo# call the hotel room o% another hypnotist at si@ oDcloc' in the morning to tell them a!o#t a great opport#nity yo# ha"e to o%%er$ as once happened to meQ Most certainly not( Nongard & Thomas >&, Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone M#ac'ery A %ew %inal tho#ghts) + donOt thin' we can tal' a!o#t pro%essional ethics and not tal' a!o#t A#ac's( The %ield o% mental
health co#nseling is %illed with A#ac'ery$ and hypnosis is certainly not e@empt( Personally$ + thin' it is A#ac'ery when a client is depressed and goes to a physician to get a prescription %or antidepressants and is sent o#t the door witho#t any other inter"ention !eing pro"ided( Ce 'now that the most e%%ecti"e inter"ention is not medication !#t cardio"asc#lar e@ercise three to %o#r times a wee'( Ce 'now that i% the doctor were to prescri!e e@ercise and i% the client were to %ollow thro#gh$ then the client wo#ld !ene%it a lot more( This does not mean that + am opposed to medication$ + E#st thin' we !ecome A#ac's when we only do what is %amiliar to #s witho#t considering the alternati"es( The one8size8%its8 all treatment modality can !ecome A#ac'ery$ e"en when the inter"ention is "alid( Chy is it that pro%essionals !ecome A#ac'sQ + ha"e met some nice people who gen#inely care a!o#t others$ !#t whether in the %ield o% medicine$ chiropractic$ hypnotherapy$ or pro%essional co#nseling$ they crossed o"er into SA#ac'dom(O ChyQ 9oredom( They learn a new techniA#e at a wee'end seminarU
may!e hypnosis$ may!e *M<:$ may!e n#tritional cons#lting$ and then they come !ac' and apply it to e"ery one o% their clients on their caseload( A lot o% people get e@cited a!o#t hypnosis$ and then apply indiscriminately to e"eryone and all o% the pro!lems that they see witho#t regard to the e%%icacy %or some conditions$ or e"en their clientOs desires( Personal crisis( People o%ten !ecome A#ac's !eca#se they e@perience and then resol"e a personal crisis( I+ had a pro!lem$ and + got %i@ed this way$ so this is the approach + am going to #se with yo#( +% yo# donOt li'e my approach$ go o#t there and ha"e some more misery( Come !ac' when yo# are ready to do it my way(J +n this e@ample$ + ha"e !ecome a A#ac' !eca#se + ha"e not e"en considered addressing my clientOs needs with any other set o% s'ills that + can draw #p on( <o not let yo#r personal e@periences$ S!aggageO or !ias o!str#ct the well!eing o% yo#r clients( Poor s#per"ision and acco#nta!ility( A lot o% hypnotherapists are not mem!ers o% any pro%essional associations$ they E#st practice >&5 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly
day8to8day$ do their own thing$ and ne"er associate with other hypnotists( They say that isolation !reeds insanity( Perhaps in this case it !reeds A#a'ery( 9eca#se the %ield o% hypnosis is largely #nreg#lated$ its pro%essionals o%ten ha"e poor s#per"ision and acco#nta!ility( + thin' it is important to contri!#te to the hypnosis associations$ and to reap the !ene%its they o%%er( + am a mem!er o% a "ariety o% di%%erent organizations$ + attend their con%erences and con"entions$ read their newsletters$ s#!mit my own articles$ attend classes and e"en teach some( 9eca#se o% this$ my s'ills ha"e !een enhanced and + ha"e made great %riends whom + can call #pon sho#ld + e"er ha"e a A#estion or concern a!o#t one o% my clients or a method or approach( + enco#rage yo# to !ecome in"ol"ed with other hypnotists$ on one le"el or another( Pro%it( + am a capitalist$ and + am all in %a"or o% pro%it( + li'e ma'ing money$ !eca#se + get to pay my mortgage$ %eed my 'ids$ "isit my o#t8o%8state %riends and do %#n things when + ha"e money in my poc'et( Howe"er$ despite this ideal$ we need to realize that o"eremphasis
on the pro%it moti"e can sometimes lead to A#ac'ery( or e@ample$ letOs say yo# !elie"e that Anton Mesmer was rightU the tr#e reason why we ha"e pro!lems is that o#r magnetic energy %orces are o#t o% whac'( <espite the %act that this concept has !een scienti%ically dispro"ed$ letOs say yo# ha"e clients who are depressed$ and yo# say$ IHey$ !#y this magnet %rom me and wear itU it will c#re yo#r depression(J /o# ha"e entered the %ield o% A#ac'ery !eca#se what yo# are really doing is selling magnets %or pro%it$ not helping the person( Another common D%or pro%itD practice is deli!erately prolonging the time spent with a client in a session or thro#gh m#ltiple sessions$ so as to gain more %ees( +% yo# can c#re something in one session$ do so( People pay #s#ally cash %or hypnosis ser"ices$ and to retain clients !eca#se they ha"e the a!ility to pay #s does not !#ild a#tonomy$ !#t leads to A#ac'ery( To pro"ide ser"ices %or any and e"ery condition$ e"en i% there is no demonstrated e%%icacy$ E#st !eca#se it is pro%ita!le$ is A#ac'ery$ not to mention #nethical( The
pro%it moti"e dri"es the engine o% o#r society most o% the time in a positi"e and in a good way$ !#t sometimes the pro%it moti"e can lead to A#ac'ery( Nongard & Thomas >&7 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone Please #nderstand that not all o% these sit#ations always lead to poor practice$ !#t we need to !e aware that they all ha"e the potential to open #p the doorway to A#ac'ery( >3Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly C1NCL?.+1N 9ac' to the 9eginning + was going to write TH* *N< at this point$ !#t + decided TH* 9*N+NN+NN was %ar more appropriate( *"en tho#gh + thin' this !oo' is A#ite comprehensi"e$ it is still a !asic$ !eginning co#rse %or those witho#t prior e@perience in hypnosis( /es$ it has ta#ght yo# a!o#t the mechanics o% hypnosis as well as some o% the n#ances$ !#t R at least hope%#lly 8 it is only the !eginning o% yo#r hypnotic training Eo#rney( + hope yo# ta'e %rom these pages a set o% s'ills that yo# can #se$ !#t also !#ild #pon$ and that yo# donOt end yo#r ed#cation in
hypnosis here( No on to read more materials$ watch "ideos and attend li"e trainings !y other pro%essionals( + too' se"eral di%%erent !asic hypnotherapy co#rses when + %irst learned hypnosis$ and this was A#ite !ene%icial !eca#se e"eryone has a little di%%erent perspecti"e or approach$ and !eing a!le to e"al#ate m#ltiple "iewpoints has allowed me to more %#lly %orm my own opinions$ perspecti"es$ styles and approaches( And + still attend classes$ !oth !asic and ad"anced( + am always loo'ing to learn something new$ and + li'e to see how other people teach people who are new to the pro%ession o% hypnotism( The world o% hypnosis is tr#ly e@citing$ and + am s#re yo# will enEoy e@ploring it %#rther( +t is also a world which many %ind con%#sing( Hypnotists sometimes contradict themsel"es and each other$ and o%ten cannot e"en agree on the de%inition o% hypnosis itsel%( + enco#rage yo# to em!race this con%#sion$ as it is one o% the most important gateways to Nongard & Thomas >31 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone #nderstanding$ and to ma'e yo#r own in%ormed E#dgments !ased on
ed#cation and practice e@perience( +% right now yo# are !eginning to %eel empowered and e@citing and can see yo#rsel% st#dying hypnosis with a passion and enEoying acA#iring these new s'ills and #nderstandings$ then the goals Nathan and + had when we !egan this !oo' are accomplished( Cishing yo# the !est o% l#c' on yo#r hypnotic Eo#rney$ :ichard K( Nongard$ LM T;CCH Nathan Thomas$ C(Ht( >3> Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly Learn Clinical Hypnosis 8 9ecome a Certi%ied HypnotistF This +C9CH home st#dy Certi%ication co#rse o% st#dy will teach yo# how hypnotize others sa%ely and e%%ecti"ely with con%idence$ and to assist clients with "ario#s di%%ic#lties !y #tilizing methods o% clinical hypnosis( +C9CH Ad"anced Certi%ication home st#dy program also a"aila!le( or more in%ormation$ please "isit) www(Hypnotherapy9oard(org Nongard & Thomas >30 Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone www(Hypnosis8Training(com :egister online %or Nathan ThomasD %ree hypnosis e8newsletter at www(*%%ecti"eHypnosis(com
and recei"e a %ree copy o% the .treet HypnotistDs Hand!oo'( >32 Practice Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Correctly L Hypnosis Training <K<s and Te@t!oo's L Critten +nd#ction & .#ggesti"e Therapy .cript <ownloads L (mp0 A#dio Clinical and .el%8Hypnosis .ession <ownloads L Li"e Training Class .ched#les L 9#siness Practice :eso#rces L M#ch MoreF www(.#!liminal.cience(com Nongard & Thomas >3& Keys to the Mind ~ Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone >33
