Is there a right way or a wrong way when it comes to Hypnosis?

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Permalink Reply by Wizardoftrance on December 3, 2008 at 6:52am

I for the most part agree. Whatever works best for you is the best way to do it. The need for scripts diminishes however, with understanding of what you are doing. Becoming experienced and familiar with what is required for what result is the normal process and the need for the scripts eventually goes away. Like having to refer to a road map until you know the way there kind of thing.
A lot of hypnosis training these days focus on giving you that kind of understanding so you don't need to rely on a script to know what to say, which I feel is a good thing.

John

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Permalink Reply by Jon Rhodes on December 3, 2008 at 12:42pm

Either way is perfectly valid, although I would say that you should be prepared to deviate from the script when necessary. When using a script you should be careful not to simply rattle the words off without thinking about what you are saying. I find that if I am mindful of what I am saying, then I automatically push and pull away from the script in an intuitive way, and , for example, change the wording to suit the language of the client. Also you will portray more emotion and passion, which will greatly enhance your suggestions. I have been on the receiving end of 'disinterested' hypnosis sessions in the past, and I could feel all the suggestions bounce off my head as I rejected them one by one!

The real advantage of scripts is that you are less prone to errors if you have a structured plan in front of you, especially if you are just starting out. When I started out I relied heavily on scripts. However I pushed myself by just deviating away from the scripts a tiny bit to start with, then more and more as my experience and confidence grew. For me, a bit of ad lib in a session helps keep me on my toes and passionate. I even ad lib when making recordings to try and create a 'real' feeling to the session.

I would like to add that if you choose to be a clinical hypnotherapist, then it is very helpful to work on becoming more extrovert and talkative. These are skills that can be improved over time, and they will help you become a better therapist. I am not talkative or extrovert by nature, but I have definitely improved over time.

I agree with John, that over time you tend to rely on scripts less and less, and this is a good thing.

If you are ever stuck for words then try this tip. Take a deep breath and say to yourself the word 'relax' on your out breath. Then in a calm and confident way, say to the client "I will give you a few moments to think about what I have said, and to absorb all the suggestions into your subconscious mind, as you relax deeper and deeper."

You have then bought yourself some time to relax and get back on track. You can even spend a minute or two doing some self hypnosis if it helps. When you know that you can do this at any time, you find that the words tend to flow easier as it removes the pressure to constantly talk.

Jon
HypnoBusters

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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on December 3, 2008 at 2:49pm

I use scripts, and would never go into a session without them. And sure I deviate from them, and rarely use them for induction, but I do use them for metaphor, story and direct suggestion. In fact I tell my clients, "You may hear me rustling paper, or even reading you a story or some suggestions. The reason is simple, I want to make sure I cover everything that is important to you and don't want to leave anything out that may be useful to you."
I am pretty good with words and pretty experience, I think being organized is a responsibilty I have to my clients, and that is what I use scripts for.
I usually use my own scripts I have written for many issues, or John Cerbones script book.

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Permalink Reply by John Bittner - Ocotillo Hypnosis on December 5, 2008 at 10:48am

For the most part, I try to avoid reading scripts during a session, with the exception of some elegantly worded neo-erickson scripts that I use on occasion. I never use a script for induction.

I do use scripts as a research and learning tool and then hang my own words, based on input from the client, on their metaphoric framework. Some of the "frameworks" that I employ for this purpose are C. Roy Hunter's Benefits script, Cal Banyan's High Road - Low Road, and Linda Bennett's Rainbow, Waterfall, and Wall of Fear scripts.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on December 5, 2008 at 1:18pm

Hi Christine,

The main thing, in my opinion, is learning how to relax into giving your clients a reason to believe that you are going to help them help themselves and exciting their imaginations -- in your intake/pre-talk... You want to have hypnotized them for change before guiding them through what-ever hypnotic ritual you use...
FYI -I teach my advanced students, who are often seasoned pros, to think of scripts as recipes and consider themselves master chefs - They give themselves permission to feel free to modify any and all scripts to compliment the client that they are working with-

Keeping that in mind, actors read scripts-- learn their lines and are easily able to perform them on a moment's notice without thinking about it-- they've learned their lines-- We can review and study a wide range of scripts, memorize them in the same way and mentally cut and paste to create new ones as needed --

And take it from me as some one who has been there and done that -- it's so much more fun to take the training wheels off and work in the moment -- Wheeeee!


Michael E.

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