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In addition to Happy Valentine's day, I've been reviewing all the smoking cessation information
Having confessed publically that I don't do well with smokers, I've been doing tons of research. I realizsed also that I hadn't worked with enough smokers to establish a good outline or sense of purpose or direction. Now I have 5 to work with. It's do or die.
I've gone over all of the wonderful and helpful posts I could find. When I combine them into one document, I'll post it on my blog. I've outlined every damned book and training I've done or read. I'll also post that when it's reasonably legible.
One of my mother's not-so-generous assessments of me was "New broom, sweep clean" which meant I started a lot of things but wasn't so great at follow-through. As a thriving 68-year old, I still hear those words every time I nag myself about something I haven't finished. However, my own conclusion after lo these many years is that it's really ok to start and stop on the journey towards knowledge. Sometimes you just can't get any further at that time. Sometimes it has to sink in enough so that you can then look again and see what's still missing.
In her defense, I guess, it still rankles me enough to motivate me more often than I like to admit.
I have now identified two several places where I think I'm missing the point or where I'm stuck.
Could I ask you guys, even if you shared it before, to answer again? I may have missed it and repetition certainly has its place in learning.
1. I realize that I don't have a good method or outline for prescreening, or, rather, determining how committed a client is (at that moment in time) to becoming non-smoker. Can you guys share the things you say or ask in pretalk or even on a phone interview?
2. Another place I find very awkward is in telling them what to expect or not expect in terms of how long it will take, how hard it will be, etc. I find that so many come in with the idea that they are going to walk out nonsmokers with no urges, cravings, etc. I don't know how to answer them.
3. Since I have seen that some of you guys really do seem to get it in one or two sessions, but I'm not there yet, I wonder if you could suggest a sentence or two to reassure the client that hypnosis for smoking cessation really does work, that some people get it in one session and others need more without setting either negative expectations or setting them up to expect a response that they may not experience, which leaves them feeling like they've failed. I can't seem to get this part.
4. I'm beginning to see that direct suggestion, direct drive, or simple hypnotic repetition is just not enough for most people. I'm beginning to see that the NLP techniques are the best for breaking up cravings, urges, etc. Can you guys share what you use for the cravings that DO come?
5. How do you guys (similar question to number 3 above) set them up for whatever it is they experience? If one session works, super. But it seems foolish to send them out without any idea of what kind of success or obstacles they might expect...again, without setting expectations that may not be realized and at the same time, not discouraging the degree of success they may experience.
6. Since I'm not comfortable yet with expecting it to be a one or two session program, because I'm still figuring it all out, how do you guys address the protocol outline: 1) throw away your cigs or leave them here or 2) what form of cutting down do you suggest? I've read wrapping the cigs up, cutting down in a specific way, changing brands, and all kinds of behavior mod stuff but that would only seem to apply if the one-session program failed. I don't know. This part really has me baffled and I've read so many different ideas.
7. How do you handle it when clients come back and say they've relapsed, to one or two or even back to where they were?
In summary:
1. Pretalk and questions that you ask
2. One session or 5 or 6? How do you decide? Do you just wait to see if they fail or not?
3. Identifying triggers
4. Breaking up cravings (I suppose most of this is NLP)...specifics?
5. How do you handle it when they don't succeed immediately?
Thanks in advance. Sorry if I'm being redundant but I'm gonna this sucker down or turn in my badge.
Susan
Tags: a, becoming, cessation, cigarettes, cravings, for, nonsmoker, pretalk, smoking
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris Holmes on -
I agree with Gordon that lots of approaches will work whether they hang on to the notion of addiction or they don't. Also, I appreciate that we get into habits with our therapeutic methods and the language we use, and if we seem to be doing okay with that, there is a natural resistance to change - who wants to re-write their smoking therapy if they've been doing that for years? That's only human nature.
Having said all of that, I have noticed that in my own clients that any hesitation in accepting my explanations as to why it is not an addiction - and please note that these explanations are presented both in the pre-talk and in again the trance section of the session - will often result in no cessation or only brief cessation, and that the subsequent acceptance of the conceptual shift (from "addiction" to "habit") in a follow-up session cures this. Put simply, a person who believes they are addicted to a powerful drug behaves like a person who is addicted to a powerful drug. If they really were a drug addict and physical addiction to nicotine were the true reason they didn't stop completely after the first session, then the result of the second session would be the same as the first.
So we can see from this that the very conception of a "drug addiction" is playing a very significant part in the behaviour and the reactions of the clients. Leave the notion of addiction in play, and you won't get the same success rate you can get if you take the time to wipe it out in every case. In a few cases that takes more than one session, but I can usually do it in one. The fact that I've now explained it to thousands of people individually helps! It is all explained in the book.
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Permalink Reply by Brett Cameron on -
Hi Susan, Wow this thread has more lives than a cat. Obviously not a smoking cat.
Susan said ... how do you guys address the protocol outline: 1) throw away your cigs or leave them here or 2) what form of cutting down do you suggest? I've read wrapping the cigs up, cutting down in a specific way, changing brands, and all kinds of behavior mod stuff but that would only seem to apply if the one-session program failed. I don't know. This part really has me baffled and I've read so many different ideas.
Can I add a couple more lines? At the end of the first session I will offer my waste paper basket as a collector of their now unwanted cigarettes. I have a few takers and I know that these people are more committed than others. I have outlined my Stop Smoking Programme earlier on this thread however ... in the pre-talk I tell them that there is one of three likely outcomes after the first session. Firstly you have had your last cigarette. Second possible outcome is that you might feel a need to have a last cigarette as though you were farewelling an old friend. The third possible outcome is that you are still smoking; maybe at a reduced rate because at a deeper level you are not ready yet, however if that is the case, you have no need to be concerned because we will address those issues in the second session.
Frankly I don't go for the one session plan. I want to make really sure that the client has the best possible attempt at achieving success. And we can't forget the point that I am in business and as others have mentioned earlier ... it is more lucrative to have them come back 2-3 times.
And lastly ... my message for Susan ... my favourite advertising logo of all time is NIKE ... Just Do It!
Go to the tarot deck ... pick the fool card ... and step off the cliff having faith that everything will be OK.
Brett
www.channelled.com.au
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Permalink Reply by Chris Holmes on
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Hi Brett! That tarot bit - slightly bemused as to how that relates to the rest of the post!
Anyway, the "one-session" part is a suggestion, and as we all know, there is no power in a suggestion... it is how the client FEELS about the suggestion at the moment it is presented, that's what counts. so we know before we start that some smokers will not be done in one session, which is why I also let them know that there is a reduced-rate back-up session in case of any hitch.
But if we don't suggest a one-session solution, many of those who would have accepted immediate change may then have expectations that change must necessarily be more complicated than that, when in fact it is only potentially so. Actually you do offer that outcome, so they can always accept it anyway but I wonder if we make that less likely (at least for some clients) if we offer other outcomes too which may be more in line with their more negative expectations!
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Permalink Reply by Susan French on -
Hi Brett,
You statement about this thread having as many lives as a cat is interesting. That is exactly what has happened every time I have posted a question about smoking. Me thinks smoking IS not as easy or simple as one might presume from all the responses...lol.
Thank you for adding your three outcomes. THAT is really helpful. In fact, I would say, more than anything else, that was precisely where I just couldn't put it together because there were so many different opinions and ideas. That's brilliant! Thanks. I will definitely use that.
Susan
Brett Cameron said:Hi Susan, Wow this thread has more lives than a cat. Obviously not a smoking cat.
Susan said ... how do you guys address the protocol outline: 1) throw away your cigs or leave them here or 2) what form of cutting down do you suggest? I've read wrapping the cigs up, cutting down in a specific way, changing brands, and all kinds of behavior mod stuff but that would only seem to apply if the one-session program failed. I don't know. This part really has me baffled and I've read so many different ideas.
Can I add a couple more lines? At the end of the first session I will offer my waste paper basket as a collector of their now unwanted cigarettes. I have a few takers and I know that these people are more committed than others. I have outlined my Stop Smoking Programme earlier on this thread however ... in the pre-talk I tell them that there is one of three likely outcomes after the first session. Firstly you have had your last cigarette. Second possible outcome is that you might feel a need to have a last cigarette as though you were farewelling an old friend. The third possible outcome is that you are still smoking; maybe at a reduced rate because at a deeper level you are not ready yet, however if that is the case, you have no need to be concerned because we will address those issues in the second session.
Frankly I don't go for the one session plan. I want to make really sure that the client has the best possible attempt at achieving success. And we can't forget the point that I am in business and as others have mentioned earlier ... it is more lucrative to have them come back 2-3 times.
And lastly ... my message for Susan ... my favourite advertising logo of all time is NIKE ... Just Do It!
Go to the tarot deck ... pick the fool card ... and step off the cliff having faith that everything will be OK.
Brett
www.channelled.com.au
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Permalink Reply by carol on
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I would like to thank you for this post. As a smoker who should give up (having had pneumonia and have copd)
Knowing all the reasons for giving up still haven't managed it .ok Ive cut down but thats as far as I get I`m a
novice hypnotherapist (and have in the past gone for hypnosis ) but to no avail The one thing I have discovered
while working with myself is the big one that comes up for me is Fear How stupid is that !. But it is knocking my
confidence in being a hypnotherapist . So I shall be studying this post for quite sometime methinks
Many thanks again
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Permalink Reply by Brett Cameron on
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Hi Chris ... the line about the tarot? ... simply a metaphor for change.
cheers ... Brett
Chris Holmes said:Hi Brett! That tarot bit - slightly bemused as to how that relates to the rest of the post!
Anyway, the "one-session" part is a suggestion, and as we all know, there is no power in a suggestion... it is how the client FEELS about the suggestion at the moment it is presented, that's what counts. so we know before we start that some smokers will not be done in one session, which is why I also let them know that there is a reduced-rate back-up session in case of any hitch.
But if we don't suggest a one-session solution, many of those who would have accepted immediate change may then have expectations that change must necessarily be more complicated than that, when in fact it is only potentially so. Actually you do offer that outcome, so they can always accept it anyway but I wonder if we make that less likely (at least for some clients) if we offer other outcomes too which may be more in line with their more negative expectations!
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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on -
No power in a suggestion? Its how the client feels about the suggestion that counts?
Umm.. I have stuck too many folks to walls that didn't feel they should be...I will disagree :)
John
Chris Holmes said:Hi Brett! That tarot bit - slightly bemused as to how that relates to the rest of the post!
Anyway, the "one-session" part is a suggestion, and as we all know, there is no power in a suggestion... it is how the client FEELS about the suggestion at the moment it is presented, that's what counts.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on -
Hey Brett--
Nike Ad in the movie “What Women Want”
You don’t stand in front of a mirror before a run wondering what the road will think of your outfit.
You don’t have to listen to its jokes and pretend they’re funny in order to run on it.
It would not be easier to run if you dressed sexier.
The road doesn’t notice if you’re not wearing lipstick.
Does not care how old you are.
You do not feel uncomfortable because you make more money than the road.
And you can call on the road whenever you feel like it.
Whether it’s been a day or even a couple of hours since your last date.
The only thing the road cares about, is that you pay it a visit once in a while.
Nike. No games…just sports…
This is a scene from the movie “What Women Want” (Mel Gibson).
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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on
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Here Kitty, Kitty,
Imagine - putting the responsibilty to stop smoking where it belongs - with the client --
For those who find it difficult to help clients stop smoking -- I predict that as you develop your Hypnotic Smoking Ceassation skills and confidence you will begin to realize that it is really as easy as I was telling you it is all along... Our clients are only too happy to tells us the best way to help them help themselves -- Believe in the power of suggestion - Believe in the innate resources within your clients and believe in yourselves -
You can explain to clients that there are several ways that people can stop smoking using hypnosis - Give them the whole spiel* (*James and Hugh love it when I use technical terms, That's right..) and let your clients decide on the best approach for them - That is a contract -- if you get my drift...
YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! THAT'S RIGHT..
Feel the purrrrr...
Michael E.
PS - According to the research -- there is no correct way to do it
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/562353?print-article
Keywords:
Smoke Cessation, Tobacco Cessation
Contact Information
Available for logged-in reporters only
Description
Although many smokers try to quit by selecting a “quit day” and going cold turkey, a new review finds that quitting gradually might work just as well.
Smokers Who Quit Gradually or Cold Turkey Have Similar Success
Released: 3/16/2010 3:00 PM EDT
Embargo expired: 3/16/2010 7:00 PM EDT
Source: Health Behavior News Service
Newswise — Although many smokers try to quit by selecting a “quit day” and going cold turkey, a new Cochrane review finds that quitting gradually might work just as well.
The authors evaluated 10 studies with 3,760 participants and studies had a minimum six-month follow-up period.
“All participants were asked to choose or were given a quit day to work toward, whether they quit gradually or abruptly,” said lead reviewer Nicola Lindson. “In these structured circumstances reduction was as successful as abrupt quitting.”
Lindson is a researcher at the U.K. Centre for Tobacco Control Studies at the University of Birmingham, in England.
The review appears in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates research in all aspects of health care. Systematic reviews draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content and quality of existing trials on a topic.
The studies all differed on the instructions given to participants on how they should reduce the amount of cigarettes smoked. For example, one study asked them to reduce their smoking by 50 percent over four weeks and then quit completely. Another study asked participants to reduce their smoking by five to 10 cigarettes per week over five weeks until they were not smoking at all.
Four studies gave participants either self-help information booklets or a handheld computer program to educate them on either of the assigned smoking cessation methods. Five studies gave participants either behavioral support through face-to-face counseling or via telephone calls, which taught strategies to help them avoid smoking when tempted. One study gave participants both self-help booklets and behavioral counseling.
Three studies gave participants nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine gum and lozenges, to help with either the smoking reduction or abrupt quitting.
Lindson said smokers might benefit from choosing more than one method to find success, such as combining a reduction or abrupt quit attempt with behavioral support or nicotine replacement therapy.
“At present, reduction is not recommended by national guidelines in the U.K. and U.S., so many sources of support do not offer a gradual quitting option,” she said.
“The American Lung Association advocates that those who wish to quit smoking do so with multiple intervention techniques,” said Jessica Kelly, manager of Advocacy and Respiratory Health Programs at the American Lung Association of Indiana. “Most smokers need more than one attempt to quit smoking and some may find that different combinations of therapies will work better for their needs and lifestyle.”
The review discloses that one of its co-authors received consulting fees from pharmaceutical companies that make smoking cessation products and another received consulting fees from companies that market products and services to aid in smoking cessation.
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international nonprofit, independent organization that produces and disseminates systematic reviews of health care interventions and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions. Visit http://www.cochrane.org for more information.
Lindson N, Aveyard P, Hughes JR. Reduction versus abrupt cessation in smokers who want to quit. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 3.
©2010 Newswise, Inc.215 E. 5th St. SW, Charlottesville VA 22903434-296-9417Privacy NoticeTerms of ServiceContact Us
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In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
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"It isn't the amount of time.
It isn't the theory of psychotherapy.
It's how you reach the personality by saying the right thing at the right time."
-- Milton H. Erickson, M.D.
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Permalink Reply by Susan French on
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I justed posted this on another forum that both Michael and I belong to, in regards to the research on the best way to handle smoking cessation (and in that post, it was a link to research on pain). I thought it bore repeating.
Here's the link that Michael posted and also posted below. I think it's a great one.
Michael posted below: PS - According to the research -- there is no correct way to do it
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/562353?print-article
Here was my response:
Michael,
Thank you so much for this.
Pain, like panic, reinforces itself and makes itself worse. A large part of
pain (and panic) intervention has to do with interrupting the cycle.
I remember a suggestive slogan on someone's tee shirt asking the question:
"how is an orgasm like an earthquake?" On the back side the answer "you
don't know when it will start or how long it will last." Something dumb.
The guy wearing it was mentally 12 years old, I think. But it stuck with me
in relation to panic and to pain (and maybe even smoking cessation).
The function of pain and panic is to get your attention. And the first
thing anyone in pain (or panic or the throes of quitting smoking) thinks of
is: "oh no...how long is it going last and how bad is it going to be?"
Since success through hypnotherapy and similar mind/body techniques has a
lot to do with interrupting the habitual response and redirecting it to a
more effective response, it would make sense that there would be as many
different kinds of responses as there are people who have them.
Good post. Thanks.
Susan
Thanks everyone for your ideas here.
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Permalink Reply by Susan French on
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And as fate would have it, I opened one of my subscription emails and this is what I found. It's a blog post by a psychotherapist who uses a lot of hypnosis/mindbody technques. It's about pain and brain changes that can be seen and measured in the brains of zen meditators in relation to pain response.
http://www.nicabm.com/nicabmblog/
I feel particularly gratified when I learn that something that we can only experience subjectively can be shown in measureable brain changes.
Susan
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Permalink Reply by Duncan Murray on -
Hey Michael
You seem to be going extremely Ericksonian on us all...Thaaat's right!
But I agree,Susan, there is no particular 'right' way of doing it other than listening to the client and hearing what they say before you do anything...and this thread does seem to have a life of its own/more lives than a cat!! Puuuurrrrrr!
Michael Ellner said:Here Kitty, Kitty,
Imagine - putting the responsibilty to stop smoking where it belongs - with the client --
For those who find it difficult to help clients stop smoking -- I predict that as you develop your Hypnotic Smoking Ceassation skills and confidence you will begin to realize that it is really as easy as I was telling you it is all along... Our clients are only too happy to tells us the best way to help them help themselves -- Believe in the power of suggestion - Believe in the innate resources within your clients and believe in yourselves -
You can explain to clients that there are several ways that people can stop smoking using hypnosis - Give them the whole spiel* (*James and Hugh love it when I use technical terms, That's right..) and let your clients decide on the best approach for them - That is a contract -- if you get my drift...
YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! THAT'S RIGHT..
Feel the purrrrr...
Michael E.
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