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Falling asleep in the session
If you have a client fall asleep whilst in trance how do most of you guys deal with it? I am aware of some therapists who just carry on with their suggestion or metaphor work regardless ... somehow I wouldn't be comfortable with that - after all they are not paying you to send them quite literally to sleep.
This has happened to me quite a few times and I will talk louder or maybe say something along the lines of ... and now you will feel my hand on your shoulder and this is your cue to rouse out of sleep just back into a lovely hypnotic state or something similar ... sometimes though they tend to slip back again.
I do however have a regular client who sees me every couple of weeks both for counselling and hypnosis to work on his goals and general self esteem. He almost always falls into a deep snoring sleep - on the occasions that he doesn't he reports as to not having been "very deep" . I think he equates it with hypnosis, I have explained otherwise and am now starting to think well if he's happy with falling asleep and feels he gets something from it maybe I shouldn't stress and its a job well done.
I would also just point out that I never use the words sleep in my induction, deepening or pretalk as I have never been comfortable saying it - I find it a bit "stagey" for me.
hmmmm your considered thoughts would be appreciated.
Sam
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Leshem Yosef on -
Hi Sam
Never happened to me because I don't use progressive relaxation at all
Sleepy people should not be come when they need sleep and rapid induction can solve the problem
Also active approach meaning that the client gets to follow instructions in the imaginary level
And ideomotor inductions can also make him experience the trance work and stay focus and awaken
Hope I help
Yosef
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Permalink Reply by Jackie Spencer on -
Hi Samantha,
For my snoozers I check for IMR. Sometimes the breathing suggests they are sleeping, but the IMR shows that the part I need is still paying attn. If after a time they do not respond with a finger lift I will move closer to them and speak a little more authoritatively, and that change is enough to rouse them a bit; or I may gently but firmly touch the 3rd eye area and tell them 'you're doing really well, now stay nice and relaxed, but come up just a little.' After the session I tell them how deeply they went and how well they did.
There are clients for whom your chair is the only true relaxation they get. If they fall asleep, it is in fact a compliment in many ways. It demonstrates their comfort and their trust. In the long run, if he keeps coming back and his life is changing in the way that he desires, the subconscious is doing what it does best while his conscious mind is getting its needs met and staying out of the way.
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Permalink Reply by docregal.com on -
Based upon your posting, "This has happened to me quite a few times..." suggests, Samantha, that something you are doing is creating these recurrences. Here are a few thoughts that come to mind:
1. Are your sessions with these clients held in the mid to late evening hours? If so, you may suggest having them make earlier appointments.
2. Are you delivering "droning" inductions? If you speak tediously in a dull monotonous tone, it has a tendency to create very deep inductions. Perhaps with these clients you can liven your speaking voice.
3. In your pre-talks are you explaining that hypnosis is not sleep? It needs to be understood by your clients that they can and will hear every word you are saying during the hypnotic process.
Perhaps it is something other than what I have mentioned. Be sure to project your intentions in accord with the results you expect.
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Permalink Reply by Jackie Spencer on
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ooh! Yosef's response also reminded me that you can do hypnosis inter-actively. You could guide your client into imagery and ask them to describe where they are, what's happening and use that to form your suggestions. Explain to your client that they can speak in hypnosis, that speaking may lighten their state, but the experience takes them deeper. This way they stay engaged, visualize and feel their desired change and leave with a whole new type of experience.
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Permalink Reply by Leshem Yosef on
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Yep
U can even build suggestions that he is doing some sport in his mind that lead him to the goal he need
That will keep him awake and focus
Jackie Spencer said:ooh! Yosef's response also reminded me that you can do hypnosis inter-actively. You could guide your client into imagery and ask them to describe where they are, what's happening and use that to form your suggestions. Explain to your client that they can speak in hypnosis, that speaking may lighten their state, but the experience takes them deeper. This way they stay engaged, visualize and feel their desired change and leave with a whole new type of experience.
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Permalink Reply by Leshem Yosef on
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Mabye to utilized it to Elman hypnosleep method
Dennis Atkinson said:I have had a very limited number of clients actually fall asleep ... and only one that I had to physically wake up ... but what I discovered after talking with them is that although they claim to not remember the session, they have either talked of making the changes suggested or actually repeat the suggestions that were given. This tells me their subconscious mind was listening throughout the session.
So, when I do have a client fall asleep, my theory is have a nice nap, and we will talk when you wake up.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on -
Hi Sam, et al,
I'd guess 1 in about 60 clients slips into a deep snooze during a session and boy can we have fun when that happens. If you put one of their hands in a bowl of warm water they will pee their pants. Putting shaving cream in their hand and tickling their noses is lots of fun as well -- "TIC"
We are master chefs - Sam,
I enjoy all of the ingredients that my clients bring to their sessions - If laughing, crying, passing gas and/or falling asleep are part of a client's healing journey -- I Work It.
Warmest regards,
Michael E.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on -
While I think it would be messy to make them pee in thier pants.... Micheal has some good points. Hypnosis is about utilization and what ever they bring to the table ... use it. Yosef's suggestion about hypnosleep is very good also. Clients in hypnosleep are highly highly suggestible. Your suggestions must be kept simple and direct and it is a bit of work to remain in rapport by breathing with them, but it works like a charm. I have had clients tell me they had simply fallen asleep and didn't think they were hypnotized and then just simply respond to post hypnotics they were given.
For the most part however the client should be "awake" and "in Trance" and interacting with you during a session. If too many are "sleeping" you may want to look at your beliefs about hypnosis and the inductions you are using,
Hugh Cole
The pretty goodest hypnotist on the planet
Michael Ellner said:Hi Sam, et al,
I'd guess 1 in about 60 clients slips into a deep snooze during a session and boy can we have fun when that happens. If you put one of their hands in a bowl of warm water they will pee their pants. Putting shaving cream in their hand and tickling their noses is lots of fun as well -- "TIC"
We are master chefs - Sam,
I enjoy all of the ingredients that my clients bring to their sessions - If laughing, crying, passing gas and/or falling asleep are part of a client's healing journey -- I Work It.
Warmest regards,
Michael E.
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Permalink Reply by Antoine Pruyssers on -
When I see a client dozing off, towards dreamland, I make em dance before they fall asleep.
In most cases they then literally "shake off" their problems like that, and for the self-confidence approach it's also a great way to get them to "get into the vibe".
Have fun, that's what you're teaching them!
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Permalink Reply by Anthony Jacquin on -
I find if you are observing your client closely then you can normally catch them on the cusp of sleep and bring them back 'up' by using their name more, increasing your tempo and volume.
If in doubt give them catalepsy. It is tough to fall asleep with your arm in the air.
Avoid reclining chairs, overheated offices and progressive body relaxation.
Anthony
www.headhacking.com
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Permalink Reply by tc_Burt on -
Snoring is not always associated with sleep, I have known snoring to be present, whilst the person believes they are lucid and are conversational in between, they are however, unaware they are snoring, so I presume snoring can be associated with relaxation despite the general consensus associating snoring with sleep.
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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on -
tc said:Snoring is not always associated with sleep, I have known snoring to be present, whilst the person believes they are fully aware and are conversational in between, they are however unaware they are snoring, so I presume snoring can be associated with relaxation.
I think you are quite right TC.
People often make snoring/ restricted breathing sounds whilst relaxing deeply, and sometimes they are very much aware of it, as they are awake/conscious/in hypnosis. sometimes they are unaware of it either because they are asleep, or because they are paying attention to something else.
From all I have observed, and read about, once a person actually goes to sleep, then you might as well be talking to a brick wall. I have not come across any convincing evidence that a person will respond to suggestions given while asleep.
If they look asleep, sound asleep, feel like they are asleep, and respond to suggestions, then they are almost certainly not sleeping.
All of the practical suggestions for helping to keep your client awake rather than letting them sleep through a session, are I believe on the right track. It's fine to let their mind drift and wander, and not pay attention, but if you suspect they are sleeping, then it is always worth while checking, to see if you can elicit a rersponse. either a consious response, to let you know they are still with you, or an IMR. If no response, then I suggest throwing a bucket of cold water over them. or perhaps in some more gentle way, waking them up, and either starting again, using more active participation, or reschedualling for another time when they are less tired.
Love and hugs,
Fable
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