Hypnosis on friends or relatives

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Permalink Reply by Doreen Cohanim C.Ht on August 20, 2008 at 3:32pm

Hi Jill,

The reason they recommend not to hypnotize close friends and or relative it's simply because they don't like to accept your suggestions for one reason, they are too close to you and you can be judgmental towards them or the opisite.

I use to hypnotize my friends for pass life regression and other simple issues such as relaxation, sleeping pattern, nail biting and smoking... and for other issues of self improvement and medical conditions i had to refer them out, since for some parts, I know I was going to judge them due to the fact that I knew their life style and that they could not convinced me other wise with their lies to let me think they do what they do and or when they are in denial...

So I assume there are exception to the rule, as long as your children are open to it, I say why not, go for it and if that didn't work, you can always refer them out.

Doreen


...

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Permalink Reply by Hypnotic Therapy Solutions on August 20, 2008 at 6:57pm

I just got back from a short Vacation in florida for my moms birthday and tried to use my skills on my mom and my brother....they wouldn't allow me to help them in person although I had made an MP3 recording for pain control for my mom and she did well with it. There is just something about knowing them too well..just like you said. Even though they have seen how much hypnosis has helped me recover they were still uncomfotable in person.
Angel

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on August 20, 2008 at 9:09pm

Sometimes a close relationship can get in the way of effective hypnosis, which I think is the main reason that some people caution against it. On the flipside, I've found that some people very close to me respond wonderfully to my suggestions.

I've worked with my mother, who experienced intestinal irregularities her entire life--until her hypnosis session early in June. Since then, she's been perfectly regular. I just finished doing a phone session with my sister, who is in the hospital. My wife has asked me to lead her into trance several times--the first time was to prevent procrastination while I was on the road. She called me that night to let me know she'd made 27 hats. (She makes cool things to sell: www.gypsyharte.etsy.com)

However, I have some friends who are a little more leery, and I think part of it is that they don't quite accept me as a hypnotist. It's not really a matter of seeming to have authority; they just remember me when I didn't know anything.

Is it unethical? I don't believe it is. I've not done anyone harm, nor have I created even the appearance of an inappropriate situation. So I think it's ridiculous to propose that my actions with my family have been unethical.

(From a practical standpoint, if you can't practice hypnosis with friends and family, whom are you going to learn with? Total strangers? We don't get to cut up cadavers the way that med students do--and it wouldn't help us if we did.)

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Permalink Reply by Roxann Higuera on August 21, 2008 at 6:16am

At Hypnosis Motivation Institute, the ethics we were taught are from the ACA Code of Ethics. Mainly what it covers is to say that nonprofessional relationships should be avoided with clients, former clients, their romantic partners, and their family members. It does not absolutely forbid them as it does with sexual or romantic relationships. It does not appear to cover the situation where the individuals have a prior personal relationship.

That being said, I don't see a problem with practicing basic inductions and relaxation type stuff with friends and family. After all, that would not be a counseling situation. As some have said, the fact that they know you so well could be a problem, though, because they would not necessarily see you as an authority figure. As for therapy, I'd stay well away from that. You'd be getting into their "stuff," and they might not want to share all the details that you would need to do good therapy. After all, what if it had something to do with YOU! It might then become difficult to remain objective.

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on August 21, 2008 at 6:43am

I stay away from therapy all together. I'm not a psychologist, a licensed professional counselor, or a psychiatrist. Anything I say to a client is friendly advice. If therapy happens in my office, it's not my fault.

*mildly facetious grin*

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Permalink Reply by bruce on August 21, 2008 at 6:52pm

It seems to me that there is transference between client and hypnotist/hypnotherapist. So, I don't like to hypnotize family and close friends, because it has the potential for changing the friendship dynamic in a way that I'm uncomfortable with.

For most family members, I'd imagine that the original relationship dynamic (for lack of a better word) would be quite hard to change... still, it doesn't feel right.

Just my gut feelings.

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Permalink Reply by Jill Bond on August 22, 2008 at 7:28am

Very interesting, thanks everyone for your input!

Peace,
Jill

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Permalink Reply by Eric G. Schneider on August 25, 2008 at 11:48am

Dear Jill,
This is one of those questions...;-)
I think it could be ok to hypnotize family and friends. I do NOT think it is ok to do hypnotherapy with them.

Best,
Eric

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Permalink Reply by Don Rice on August 25, 2008 at 6:52pm

Hi Jill,

Once I received my certificate I believe I am obligated to help ALL others when you can and that includes family members and friends. Yes, friends and family don't usually respond as well as strangers, but that's OK. You will find that when most intstructors give you warnings like. don't hypnotize family members, don't do stage shows. don't do rapid inductions, don't do past lives, etc.
It is because they are nbot able or afraid to do the techniques they tell you not to offer.

Do Good & Make Money Don

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Permalink Reply by Jill Bond on August 27, 2008 at 8:56am

Don,

Thanks for your views. I have had a ton of great feedback! Awesome.

Peace,
Jill

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Permalink Reply by Jim Bullard on August 27, 2008 at 10:56am

Jill,

I'm new at hypnotizing people, but when my kid asks me to hypnotize him, I'm not going to turn him down. If asked, or if family member wants it, why not? I know Elman's book doesn't recommend it, but I don't remember him making it an absolute law.I say go for it. By the way, my kid told me the next day it worked for him.

Jim

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Permalink Reply by Roy Hunter on August 27, 2008 at 3:09pm

This is not a black or white issue.

Working with a friend or relative depends on a combination of factors: the desired goal, the techniques used, said relative's trust in your professional skills, and the width and depth of your training.

While it may be unwise in some situations, I would NOT say it is unethical...and I tend to be more conservative than many. One of my former students provided great help for her husband while taking my course; but it was mutually agreed upon, and he trusted her training. I told her this was the exception rather than the rule, because it is difficult to remain objective (as pointed out in another post on this topic). In 21 years of teaching professional hypnosis, a number of my students have successfully helped friends and relatives during their training, as part of my hypnosis course is experiential. Rarely, however, have they facilitated regression or parts therapy with relatives.

I personally am more willing to do suggestion and imagery with relatives than employing regression or parts therapy. Last year I spent money to have a family friend (and certified hypnotherapist) facilitate hypnotherapy for my wife, as I felt she would have a better chance of success with someone who was more objective and unattached to the outcome. However, had my wife insisted on my helping her, I most certainly would have done my best.

I believe that each circumstance should be evaluated on its own.

Roy Hunter, M.S., FAPHP
Certified Hypnotism Instructor
www.royhunter.com

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