smoking cessation

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Permalink Reply by Antonio on December 5, 2009 at 4:30pm

First off, what kind of things did you suggest to her, and did you use a script?

Here are a couple of things worth considering:

1) Taking her like 6 months into the future imagining that she has been a smoke free for six months. Then you can ask her what happened that caused her to be a non-smoker (possibly what you had to do for her, the kinds of things you did and or suggested). Whatever she tells you/gives you, just use these. Go back to the present time and do whatever it is.

2) Future pace into 6 months from now, and have her become aware how she has been smoke free for 6 months. Possibly even going month by month, suggesting how its become much more easy for her with each and every day...yada yada

Antonio

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on December 5, 2009 at 9:31pm

As I was deciding-- if I wanted to help you or not, I found myself wondering how one can be a novice at helping clients stop smoking and still list smoking ceasation a specialty. What turned the tide in favor of helping you was your warm smile and I just happen to have a soft spot for helping out guys named Mike.

It's really as easy as ABC- Mike. Here goes:

What you need to know to help her stop smoking is that: She must have the desire to stop and the belief that she can. She has demonstrated her desire and your job is to make it reasonable for her to believe that she can... even though she started again after a week.

A) Setting The Stage

Hypnosis is a persuasive healing art. The most effective hypnosis professionals are easily able to utilize their pre-talks to frame every result a client has as a step in the right direction. Hint: Chances are your client already knows what smoking can do to her health, her pocketbook, her furniture, and the way she smells. Your pre-talk is an ideal time to remind her that She Really, Really Wants to Be Smoke Free and Give Her a Reason to Believe that she CAN DO IT!.

Example- "Qutting for a week demonstrates that you are able to stop smoking and the great news is that the moment you quit smoking, your body began to rebuild itself. Now that you have demonstrated that you can improve your chances for a longer and healthier life -- you just need some reinforcement and a powerful reminder that you really, really want to be smoke free... Blah, blah, blah..."

"Being smoke free will reduce your chances of cancer, heart disease, or stroke and generally strengthen your immune system. How about the thought of smelling better? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to get onto an airplane, or go to the theater or movies, or perhaps a favorite restaurant without having to consider when you can sneak a smoke? Besides the world has gone smoke-free and dummies* who still smoke need to stand outside in all kinds of weather just to cop a drag or two?" (*Be sure you are smiling when saying "dummies who smoke" to retain rapport and make your point) -- Keep it going: "If you feel a little foolish standing in a doorway, during a rainstorm, to smoke, you should only know how you look to others! Wouldn’t it be wonderful not to ever have to bother with going out for a smoke?" Again, the fact that you already stopped for a week is proof you can stop!

B)

If you haven't done so yet -- have her gather up everything connected to this unwanted habit, ashtrays, lighters, matches, and any cigarettes lying about, and put them in a bag or box to be thrown out. She doesn't need them anymore, and this sends a powerful message to her subconscious mind that she IS committed to being nicotine free.



C)

The hypnotic ritual --
The hypnotic ritual of your session starts with an induction - so use one that you are confident using and use a technique of choice -- "before bringing her back" and ending your hypnotic ritual, I recommend having her see herself surrounded by the people she loves and cares about and the people who love and care about her. She looks radiantly healthy and sounds just so happy as she tells her loved ones just how good she feels about being smoke free. She feels terrific as she listens to her loved ones cheering loudly and telling her how proud and happy they are that she is no longer smoking. She feels like a million dollars, She is thrilled to be smoke free and when she walks out of your office - she will be -- ready, willing and able to do it....

Bring her back and reinforce your session--

Congratulations Mike! You are on your way to specializing in helping clients STOP Smoking...

Michael E.

PS - Mail me a dollar...

=^..^=

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Permalink Reply by John Sannicandro on December 6, 2009 at 4:38am

Quote from Michael:If you haven't done so yet -- have her gather up everything connected to this unwanted habit, ashtrays, lighters, matches, and any cigarettes lying about, and put them in a bag or box to be thrown out. She doesn't need them anymore, and this sends a powerful message to her subconscious mind that she IS committed to being nicotine free.


Agree 100% with Michael Ellner. I find if the client has done all this before the session, then it shows a committment to quitting and the induction has already started before the client sets foot in my office as expectation has begun. I also add during the script the suggestion that breathing more clearly will lead to an increased ease during exercise and routine physical activity and that water will taste better than ever and be a substitute for mindless smoking. Smoking is a habit and habit replacement is important i.e. replace that old habit with more positive habits. I also teach deep breathing exercises that I ask clients to do daily and use when stressed or when the desire to smoke hits. These exercises are self hypnosis and reinforce the sessions results.

Good luck.
John
www.jslmhc.com

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Permalink Reply by Paul Dennehy (Paul Dee) on December 6, 2009 at 5:29am

A lot of smokers look at hypnosis as a makic wand as in one snap of the fingers and you're done. For hypnosis to work the smoker must really want to quit and be committed to quitting.

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on December 6, 2009 at 6:42am

Classic Michael Ellner stuff here, Mike. And a bargain at just a dollar! Note the key elements of hypnotic persuasion and positive approach. These two components, plus your magnetic smile, will lead you to your future success!

If I ever have a return smoking cessation client, I merely comment "The war is not always won in one battle..." I never intimate that there has been any type of failure, but, like Michael, point out the success of the one-week of smoke-free living and build from there.

Best wishes,

Kelley

Michael Ellner said:

As I was deciding-- if I wanted to help you or not, I found myself wondering how one can be a novice at helping clients stop smoking and still list smoking ceasation a specialty. What turned the tide in favor of helping you was your warm smile and I just happen to have a soft spot for helping out guys named Mike.

It's really as easy as ABC- Mike. Here goes:

What you need to know to help her stop smoking is that: She must have the desire to stop and the belief that she can. She has demonstrated her desire and your job is to make it reasonable for her to believe that she can... even though she started again after a week.

A) Setting The Stage

Hypnosis is a persuasive healing art. The most effective hypnosis professionals are easily able to utilize their pre-talks to frame every result a client has as a step in the right direction. Hint: Chances are your client already knows what smoking can do to her health, her pocketbook, her furniture, and the way she smells. Your pre-talk is an ideal time to remind her that She Really, Really Wants to Be Smoke Free and Give Her a Reason to Believe that she CAN DO IT!.

Example- "Qutting for a week demonstrates that you are able to stop smoking and the great news is that the moment you quit smoking, your body began to rebuild itself. Now that you have demonstrated that you can improve your chances for a longer and healthier life -- you just need some reinforcement and a powerful reminder that you really, really want to be smoke free... Blah, blah, blah..."

"Being smoke free will reduce your chances of cancer, heart disease, or stroke and generally strengthen your immune system. How about the thought of smelling better? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to get onto an airplane, or go to the theater or movies, or perhaps a favorite restaurant without having to consider when you can sneak a smoke? Besides the world has gone smoke-free and dummies* who still smoke need to stand outside in all kinds of weather just to cop a drag or two?" (*Be sure you are smiling when saying "dummies who smoke" to retain rapport and make your point) -- Keep it going: "If you feel a little foolish standing in a doorway, during a rainstorm, to smoke, you should only know how you look to others! Wouldn’t it be wonderful not to ever have to bother with going out for a smoke?" Again, the fact that you already stopped for a week is proof you can stop!

B)

If you haven't done so yet -- have her gather up everything connected to this unwanted habit, ashtrays, lighters, matches, and any cigarettes lying about, and put them in a bag or box to be thrown out. She doesn't need them anymore, and this sends a powerful message to her subconscious mind that she IS committed to being nicotine free.



C)

The hypnotic ritual --
The hypnotic ritual of your session starts with an induction - so use one that you are confident using and use a technique of choice -- "before bringing her back" and ending your hypnotic ritual, I recommend having her see herself surrounded by the people she loves and cares about and the people who love and care about her. She looks radiantly healthy and sounds just so happy as she tells her loved ones just how good she feels about being smoke free. She feels terrific as she listens to her loved ones cheering loudly and telling her how proud and happy they are that she is no longer smoking. She feels like a million dollars, She is thrilled to be smoke free and when she walks out of your office - she will be -- ready, willing and able to do it....

Bring her back and reinforce your session--

Congratulations Mike! You are on your way to specializing in helping clients STOP Smoking...

Michael E.

PS - Mail me a dollar...

=^..^=

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on December 6, 2009 at 6:57am

A few things.

First: Make sure the client is ready to stop and does not expect hypnosis to do it for them.

Second: Make a part of your session one that neutralizes the triggers that cause the cravings. If they want to stop, and their are no cravings, they forget to smoke.

Third: Have her creative mind come up with an alternate activity to replace smoking. A deep breath, sip of water, etc. What ever it is for them.

Fourth: Give her a post hypnotic tool for relaxation to relieve any stress she might encounter as a result of the behavior change.

I hope this helps you
John

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Permalink Reply by Susan French on December 6, 2009 at 8:16am

I have a question that's been rattling around in my head and intefering with every darned smoking cessation I've ever done.

Michael and John C, and Kelley, can you comment and anyone else who has an idea?

I always waffle over how to help the client decide on a strategy. Many come with the idea that they will stop magically, after one session. I don't want to give any "suggestion" that they cannot, because a few people do. I don't want to give a suggestion that it might be harder than they think, for the obvious reasons. But I don't want to send them out with false hope that the urges will be magically gone either. Ha-a--a-a-a-lp!

But I have yet to figure out a pretalk way of addressing the best mindset to have or how to say in the least limiting, most positive expectation way, that it's not necessarily a "magic wand, one-session does it all" process.

If someone can help me with this setup, I think I've got the rest wired. It's always the place where I trip over my tongue, especially when they've come with the idea that they will just quit after hypnosis and that will be that.

I can't figure out how to suggest that they might have urges and how to deal with them with suggesting that that can't do it in the way they envision.

I've been scratching my head for ten years on this one. Call me slow. I just haven't found the right words to begin to lead someone through this journey without getting in their way, discouraging them or giving them false hope that may undermine them.

Thanks.

I'll pay you a dollar, Michael just for being you and everything you share. Tell me where to send it.

Susan

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Permalink Reply by Susan French on December 6, 2009 at 8:24am

BTW: Michael, thank you for reminding me one more time about using the setup phrases that start with "Can you imagine?" or "What would it be like for you if..."

I STILL forget to use questions as much if not more than statements. God, I'm so narcissistic sometimes.

Susan

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on December 6, 2009 at 8:47am

Hi Susan,

This is an excellent question: how do you dispel expectation that hypnosis is a "Magic Pill" for issues such as smoking without destroying belief in hypnosis as a successful modality?

I think it is a matter of

1) Determining motivation for smoking cessation. I do this upon initial contact and if it appears that the client is not intrinsically (as opposed to extrinsically) motivated, I suggest they call back when really ready, explaining that hypnosis will not make them do something they don't wish.

2) If the client has passed that litmus test and makes it to the appointment still desiring to quit smoking, I use that expectation to our benefit: the belief that hypnosis is the path for help is powerful and I reinforce that belief, layering it with emperical evidence during the pre-talk. I agree that the client CAN stop smoking NOW and lead him to expressing his commitment and acting out the rituals, as Michael suggests, to dispose of the tangible elements of his habit.

Hope this helps!

Best wishes,

Kelley


Susan French said:

I have a question that's been rattling around in my head and intefering with every darned smoking cessation I've ever done.

Michael and John C, and Kelley, can you comment and anyone else who has an idea?

I always waffle over how to help the client decide on a strategy. Many come with the idea that they will stop magically, after one session. I don't want to give any "suggestion" that they cannot, because a few people do. I don't want to give a suggestion that it might be harder than they think, for the obvious reasons. But I don't want to send them out with false hope that the urges will be magically gone either. Ha-a--a-a-a-lp!

But I have yet to figure out a pretalk way of addressing the best mindset to have or how to say in the least limiting, most positive expectation way, that it's not necessarily a "magic wand, one-session does it all" process.

If someone can help me with this setup, I think I've got the rest wired. It's always the place where I trip over my tongue, especially when they've come with the idea that they will just quit after hypnosis and that will be that.

I can't figure out how to suggest that they might have urges and how to deal with them with suggesting that that can't do it in the way they envision.

I've been scratching my head for ten years on this one. Call me slow. I just haven't found the right words to begin to lead someone through this journey without getting in their way, discouraging them or giving them false hope that may undermine them.

Thanks.

I'll pay you a dollar, Michael just for being you and everything you share. Tell me where to send it.

Susan

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Permalink Reply by Susan French on December 6, 2009 at 10:50am

Hi Kelley,

It helps and thank you for it but as I chew on the information, I still wonder (and I have the feeling that it may be one sentence or two that I just haven't discovered yet) how to respond to a client who is hot to trot, ready to go, seems internal motivated and highly so and thinks that s/he is going to leave my office and have no urges or desires...that the smoking problem is "fixed."

Do I warn them that they may have urges? Do I discourage the idea that they can crumble their packages and throw them in my wastebasket and not have a single urge or desire? If hypnosis is predicated on the fact that we always (as best as we can) give the client a suggestion that is realistic, how do we provide a strategy for the urges that usually occur for most clients in the beginning?

I no longer think it's my protocol or experience or concept that's lacking. I think that the only place left that I am stuck is in how to address the fact that there may well be lingering thoughts of smoking and lingering urges or cravings.

What are the words you use to suggest to the client that he may experience urges (which in my experience they almost always do) and how to deal with them as they come up? What are the words you use when the client says: "and when I leave here I will have no desire for a cigarette, right?"

What kind of specific language to you use to prepare the client for this possibility/probability without diminishing the idea of how powerful hypnosis is?

I'm not meaning to be difficult, but I still don't hear the solution to that specific question, which is where I'm stuck.

Thanks,

Susan


Kelley Woods said:

Hi Susan,
This is an excellent question: how do you dispel expectation that hypnosis is a "Magic Pill" for issues such as smoking without destroying belief in hypnosis as a successful modality? I think it is a matter of

1) Determining motivation for smoking cessation. I do this upon initial contact and if it appears that the client is not intrinsically (as opposed to extrinsically) motivated, I suggest they call back when really ready, explaining that hypnosis will not make them do something they don't wish.

2) If the client has passed that litmus test and makes it to the appointment still desiring to quit smoking, I use that expectation to our benefit: the belief that hypnosis is the path for help is powerful and I reinforce that belief, layering it with emperical evidence during the pre-talk. I agree that the client CAN stop smoking NOW and lead him to expressing his commitment and acting out the rituals, as Michael suggests, to dispose of the tangible elements of his habit.

Hope this helps!

Best wishes,

Kelley


Susan French said:

I have a question that's been rattling around in my head and intefering with every darned smoking cessation I've ever done.

Michael and John C, and Kelley, can you comment and anyone else who has an idea?

I always waffle over how to help the client decide on a strategy. Many come with the idea that they will stop magically, after one session. I don't want to give any "suggestion" that they cannot, because a few people do. I don't want to give a suggestion that it might be harder than they think, for the obvious reasons. But I don't want to send them out with false hope that the urges will be magically gone either. Ha-a--a-a-a-lp!

But I have yet to figure out a pretalk way of addressing the best mindset to have or how to say in the least limiting, most positive expectation way, that it's not necessarily a "magic wand, one-session does it all" process.

If someone can help me with this setup, I think I've got the rest wired. It's always the place where I trip over my tongue, especially when they've come with the idea that they will just quit after hypnosis and that will be that.

I can't figure out how to suggest that they might have urges and how to deal with them with suggesting that that can't do it in the way they envision.

I've been scratching my head for ten years on this one. Call me slow. I just haven't found the right words to begin to lead someone through this journey without getting in their way, discouraging them or giving them false hope that may undermine them.

Thanks.

I'll pay you a dollar, Michael just for being you and everything you share. Tell me where to send it.

Susan

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on December 6, 2009 at 3:12pm

Susan-- I'm glad you brought this up, as I've often been bothered by the same question.

Interestingly, the experts all seem to disagree on the best way to go about smoking cessation. Some say that cold turkey is the only way to go, and others insist that gradually cutting back is the best method. I often wonder if a totally authoritarian approach would be best--it's what smokers seem to expect. There just doesn't seem to be a magic bullet.

I have a friend who obsessively researched every hypnotic smoking cessation method he could find. Then he distilled his research into one method that he used on himself. He went from five packs a day to nothing, overnight. Sounds like a magic bullet, right?

However, his research partner is still smoking.

And the client with whom I used his method also kept smoking.

For every method I've heard of that had outrageous success, there's someone else for whom it just didn't work at all.

I don't have any solutions for you, but I thought you should know that you're not the only one who worries about this kind of thing.

James

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on December 6, 2009 at 4:10pm

Susan,
Since you have several questions, I will answer each below.

Susan French said:

I have a question that's been rattling around in my head and intefering with every darned smoking cessation I've ever done.
Michael and John C, and Kelley, can you comment and anyone else who has an idea? I always waffle over how to help the client decide on a strategy. Many come with the idea that they will stop magically, after one session. I don't want to give any "suggestion" that they cannot, because a few people do. I don't want to give a suggestion that it might be harder than they think, for the obvious reasons. But I don't want to send them out with false hope that the urges will be magically gone either. Ha-a--a-a-a-lp!
Haaaaalp! is on the way...
You have to decide what your particular stop smoking strategy is going to be. You are the one with the intervention techniques. If you want to do one session, create a one session strategy (very doable operationally, but business-wise not a good idea). If you think that several sessions are required and/or want to cover your butt in case of problems, establish a multi-session format. You can market it as a "pay as you go" system where the client determines how many sessions they need. The bottom line is, you need to be the one with the strategies and intervention techniques and just be able to explain them to the client as to what to expect.


But I have yet to figure out a pretalk way of addressing the best mindset to have or how to say in the least limiting, most positive expectation way, that it's not necessarily a "magic wand, one-session does it all" process.

Let them know what the sequence of events will be for the session(s) in your pretalk. That is what they really want to know and it will create the expectancy for them. If you are not comfortable doing one session interventions, then stick to the multi-session format, but create a generic playbook of what the sessions will entail. (My wand works quite well thank you...LOL)


If someone can help me with this setup, I think I've got the rest wired. It's always the place where I trip over my tongue, especially when they've come with the idea that they will just quit after hypnosis and that will be that.


The above is the best suggestion I can offer you. You determine what you will do and how you will do it before hand, what methods you will use, and what techniques you will include for what kind of session.

I can't figure out how to suggest that they might have urges and how to deal with them with suggesting that that can't do it in the way they envision.

As far as urges or withdrawal symptoms go, if done right, there won't be any. But; you can tell the client that in 95% of the cases their aren't any urges at all, but if they happen to end up in that 5%, to let you know and have them come back in for a booster session.


I've been scratching my head for ten years on this one. Call me slow. I just haven't found the right words to begin to lead someone through this journey without getting in their way, discouraging them or giving them false hope that may undermine them.

If you tell them on the phone to bring you a big craving (not to smoke for at least 4 hours before the session) and get rid of it within a minute of them entering your office, that's all the cred and encouragement you, or they, will need.

Thanks.

I'll pay you a dollar, Michael just for being you and everything you share. Tell me where to send it.

(Grin)

Susan

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