Talking Point: Instant Inductions and Modern Hypnotic Practice - Gil Boyne in Budapest

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on November 19, 2009 at 5:45am

Hello Michael,

I wanted to sleep on this one and decide if I would even post a reply. The reason for that is that I have great respect for both you and Gil, and especially for the dedication and expertise that you both demonstrate in our field. I also believe that I can learn lessons of great value from each of you!

One of the aspects that originally drew me into hypnotherapy was the knowledge that I have the freedom to develop my own personal style. Eventually, through much modeling and experimentation, thanks to pioneers such as yourself and Gil, I am zoning in on that style. Of course, it is a living thing in itself and will always be growing and changing, I hope!

Along the way, I observe and experience a multitude of techniques. Some of them I immediately or eventually discard as not fitting my own personality or beliefs and others I embrace. Being able to discuss and learn more about technique is probably one of the highlights for me here on HypnoThoughts. Sometimes I am surprised when an "expert" here rejects something that I was not only trained to use, but have had success with. Other times my eyes are opened to incorporating ideas to which I previously did not relate. I like being challenged to look at my "gimme's" in a new light and I think that's healthy.

I believe it is very important to observe the symbiotic relationship between personality and technique. If I were to avail myself of the methods you refer to above, I doubt I would enjoy the desired outcome. But perhaps these work for another and most importantly, for his clients.

Michael, I have noticed that I attract a certain client, primarily female, who is not entirely trustful of male hypnotists. My own demeanor and personality makes her at ease and safe, which is conducive to our work, of course. Conversely, I have come to accept that there are other types of clients that I must develop my style toward; ones who expect and require an approach more akin to Gil's. WIll I adopt the techniques that Gil shows in these videos? Probably not, but I appreciate the reasons for him using them.

Thank you for posing these questions, as it has made me reflect on a couple of my own: Do I adjust my approach to gain the best results? How do I define my own ethical boundaries and do I stay within them?

Best wishes,

Kelley

Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on November 19, 2009 at 7:38am

Hi Kelley,

Thank you for your thoughtful response

I totally recognize and fully appreciate Gil's mastery and showmanship -- I just wondered if reflected the way members of HT.com practiced hypnosis within their private practices --

The following link to Doreen's thread may be of interest:

http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/how-hypnosis-and-nlp-can-...


Continue to do it -- Your way

me

Permalink Reply by Susan French on November 19, 2009 at 8:36am

Kelley,

I always love your posts...as Michael said, always so well thought out as well as making me think.

Michael,

I have to agree with you. That's why I look for the most up-dated information I can find. I find that lot of the old ideas just miss the boat for me. I'm always wary of anything that seems invasive, disrespectful or that treats the client in any way like an "object."

We have a lot of new information about the brain and about human behavior that needs (in my view) to be incorporated into the old methods. Sometimes the old methods have to give way to new ideas and just be discarded.

There was a quote I posted in the Notable Quotable's on my blog that has great relevance here. I'll try to find it and repost it here.

Susan

Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on November 19, 2009 at 8:43am

Hey, Michael,

I'm going to answer your questions in reverse order.

3. Yes, I use convincers in nearly every session. I want my clients to be certain that they have experienced hypnosis and that it is powerful. Otherwise, they may walk away doubting that it "worked," and as you know, doubt is our worst enemy.

I usually incorporate convincers into the changework. For instance, when the client makes an agreement with the unconscious, I mention that agreements are sealed with handshakes, so the client's hands can come together. I then do a little sticky to bind the hands together as a symbol that the client is unified in achieving a goal. If you look at Nongard's videos, he has a great example of using arm catalepsy to remove obstacles.

Before giving suggestions to drink lots of water, I usually induce a hallucination of extreme thirst, followed by a very slow hallucination of drinking a glass of water. Clients tell me that their mouths get extremely dry during the first part and that is alleviated in the second part. Now, I could just suggest that they drink lots of water, but I believe the convincers make the suggestion stronger. (I recently suggested to a client that water would taste delicious and slightly sweet. Immediately after the session, she asked for a drink of water. After the first long draft, she smiled and said, "This tastes just like fruit punch!")

2. If putting your hand in the client's face is part of your practice, then it seems like an honest way to promote it.

Sure, some people may be turned off by flashy demonstrations. Just as many will be drawn to check out hypnosis because of the same displays. I've heard from various stage hypnotists that after every show, they get requests for changework.

1. I don't typically use shock inductions in my office--unless I believe it will improve my effectiveness and/or serve as a convincer.

For example, I was working with a seventeen-year-old boy who was quite amazed by the hypnotic process. I used my usual gentle induction with him for his main session, but just before he left, I did a handshake-interrupt induction (and yes, it involved putting my hand over his face for a moment). I then reinforced all of our suggestions and brought him out. I believe that was a powerful convincer for him, and it took all of two minutes. Obviously, I have many clients for whom that would not be appropriate.

James

Permalink Reply by Susan French on November 19, 2009 at 8:52am

Susan French said:

Kelley,

I always love your posts...as Michael said, always so well thought out as well as making me think.

Michael,

I have to agree with you. That's why I look for the most up-dated information I can find. I find that lot of the old ideas just miss the boat for me. I'm always wary of anything that seems invasive, disrespectful or that treats the client in any way like an "object."

We have a lot of new information about the brain and about human behavior that needs (in my view) to be incorporated into the old methods. Sometimes the old methods have to give way to new ideas and just be discarded.

There was a quote I posted in the Notable Quotable's on my blog that has great relevance here. I'll try to find it and repost it here.

Notable Quotable: "Science advances one funeral at a time." --Max Planck, German physicist in response to a situation in which the Old Guard in medicine was battling new information....as usual.

Susan

Susan

Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on November 19, 2009 at 9:40am

Thanks James --

me

James Hazlerig said:

Hey, Michael,

I'm going to answer your questions in reverse order.

3. Yes, I use convincers in nearly every session. I want my clients to be certain that they have experienced hypnosis and that it is powerful. Otherwise, they may walk away doubting that it "worked," and as you know, doubt is our worst enemy.

I usually incorporate convincers into the changework. For instance, when the client makes an agreement with the unconscious, I mention that agreements are sealed with handshakes, so the client's hands can come together. I then do a little sticky to bind the hands together as a symbol that the client is unified in achieving a goal. If you look at Nongard's videos, he has a great example of using arm catalepsy to remove obstacles.

Before giving suggestions to drink lots of water, I usually induce a hallucination of extreme thirst, followed by a very slow hallucination of drinking a glass of water. Clients tell me that their mouths get extremely dry during the first part and that is alleviated in the second part. Now, I could just suggest that they drink lots of water, but I believe the convincers make the suggestion stronger. (I recently suggested to a client that water would taste delicious and slightly sweet. Immediately after the session, she asked for a drink of water. After the first long draft, she smiled and said, "This tastes just like fruit punch!")

2. If putting your hand in the client's face is part of your practice, then it seems like an honest way to promote it.

Sure, some people may be turned off by flashy demonstrations. Just as many will be drawn to check out hypnosis because of the same displays. I've heard from various stage hypnotists that after every show, they get requests for changework.

1. I don't typically use shock inductions in my office--unless I believe it will improve my effectiveness and/or serve as a convincer.

For example, I was working with a seventeen-year-old boy who was quite amazed by the hypnotic process. I used my usual gentle induction with him for his main session, but just before he left, I did a handshake-interrupt induction (and yes, it involved putting my hand over his face for a moment). I then reinforced all of our suggestions and brought him out. I believe that was a powerful convincer for him, and it took all of two minutes. Obviously, I have many clients for whom that would not be appropriate.

James

Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on November 19, 2009 at 9:47am

I want to add that when I do eye catalepsy with a client, I teach it as part of a self-hypnosis exercise. So I'm not convincing the client that I have some kind of power, but rather that they do.

James

Permalink Reply by Roy Hunter on November 19, 2009 at 10:41am

Hi Michael,

You pose some interesting questions. Let me preface my response by stating that there are many different ways to get from Seattle to Denver…which metaphorically means there are many ways to hypnotize a client. While some techniques today might be looked on with suspicion, they were used with success many years ago. Now I’ll respond to your three questions…

1. When Charles Tebbetts asked me to teach his 9-month course, he wanted me to include this particular induction even though I never used it in my practice. The student volunteer failed to accept the suggestion to lock her knees, and I picked her up off the floor…so that was the last time I ever attempted that induction, period. I’m not willing to take a risk of a client getting injured. That being said, I’ve witnessed several stage hypnosis shows where the hypnotist used this type of induction. My other concern is that it gives the appearance of the client being “under the power” of the hypnotist.
2. I would not be comfortable with that technique, neither as a client nor as a hypnotherapist. However, if Gil obtains good results, I do not have the right to project my personal opinion into the way he practices unless there is harm to a client.
3. My response is an ABSOLUTE yes here, because analytical resisters can quickly fail if they leave a hypnotherapist’s office believing that they were not hypnotized. I use eye catalepsy for almost every client’s FIRST visit…and even on subsequent visits for analytical resisters. Tebbetts taught the the primary purpose of a convincer is to help the client validate that he/she is experiencing trance. To some clients this can mean the difference between success or failure.

These are my three cent’s worth…

Roy Hunter, M.S., FAPHP
www.royhunter.com

Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on November 19, 2009 at 10:58am

Thanks Roy

3 cents from you is like a Million dollars -- (real money)

I appreciate your answer-

Roy Hunter said:

Hi Michael,

You pose some interesting questions. Let me preface my response by stating that there are many different ways to get from Seattle to Denver…which metaphorically means there are many ways to hypnotize a client. While some techniques today might be looked on with suspicion, they were used with success many years ago. Now I’ll respond to your three questions…

1. When Charles Tebbetts asked me to teach his 9-month course, he wanted me to include this particular induction even though I never used it in my practice. The student volunteer failed to accept the suggestion to lock her knees, and I picked her up off the floor…so that was the last time I ever attempted that induction, period. I’m not willing to take a risk of a client getting injured. That being said, I’ve witnessed several stage hypnosis shows where the hypnotist used this type of induction. My other concern is that it gives the appearance of the client being “under the power” of the hypnotist.
2. I would not be comfortable with that technique, neither as a client nor as a hypnotherapist. However, if Gil obtains good results, I do not have the right to project my personal opinion into the way he practices unless there is harm to a client.
3. My response is an ABSOLUTE yes here, because analytical resisters can quickly fail if they leave a hypnotherapist’s office believing that they were not hypnotized. I use eye catalepsy for almost every client’s FIRST visit…and even on subsequent visits for analytical resisters. Tebbetts taught the the primary purpose of a convincer is to help the client validate that he/she is experiencing trance. To some clients this can mean the difference between success or failure.

These are my three cent’s worth…

Roy Hunter, M.S., FAPHP
www.royhunter.com

Permalink Reply by John R. Brochu on November 19, 2009 at 11:30am

Michael:
1) NO! This is more stage hypnosis than clinical hypnosis. There is a place for that style but not in my office.
2) NO- I don’t object to guiding a client’s head or touching a hand or shoulder. My clients know if I will touch them before the session.
3) Yes-I like convincers and use them in each session.

I would not perform the Human Bridge but at one time it was popular with stage hypnotist. I believe that Gil’s demo was classic and representative of hypnosis style that he made famous. When I was trained in Hypnosis this style was the cutting edge. I have never met Gil but I would guess that the video was just Gil being Gil.

Yours in Health,
John
BrochuHynosisCenter.com

Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on November 19, 2009 at 2:42pm

I guess I decided not to think on this but rather shoot from the hip here. I think that many people do not “get” Gil Boyne and I think that’s a shame. Gil Boyne was ahead of his time during the early years of his career. He is way ahead of his time now. I don’t think words like “more modern” really apply here. I feel it is more about modeling the hypnotic process and seperating the Ericksonian approach from that of Dave Elman. I think the issue is more about something I call Personal Power. Gil uses it effectively, others I have seen do not or cannot get results that way so they go off in a different direction. I take exception to the observation that the “differant” direction is more modern and therefore better. More to the point … can you use either approach equally well and arrive at the best solution for a given hypnotic interaction with any given client. If you cannot, don’t look askance at Gil because he can.
Gil was doing public demonstration Hypnosis. I have seen him on tape doing that same thing many many times. I use it in public often and it is very effective. That doesn’t mean I can’t sit across the room from someone or call them on the phone and guide them into hypnosis using language and voice tone alone. Different situations … different tools. It is all about what the subject experiences. I for one enjoyed Gil’s videos and found it very interesting and am glad to have the videos on Hypnothoughts as they are great teaching aids
I’ll answer the questions in the post

1) Do you believe that jerking a standing client's neck and shouting sleep and then guiding him or her into your chair is representative of your hypnosis practice?

Well I use speed trance and hand drop inductions with many of my clients. Jerking necks and arms is more reserved for public demonstrations.. but Yes I have done the Boyne body grab several times in my session room. But then.. some of my clients emerge laying on the floor ala Justin Tranz so “in appropriate situations“ I am comfortable with show stopper inductions.

2) Do you believe that putting your hand in a volunteers or client's face as was done in both of Gil's demos is an effective way to promote our profession or practices?

I actually don’t see a problem with it, particularly when you are shooting for TV and they want something dramatic to promote viewer interest. ,,, and doesn’t the Elman induction use a hand pretty close to the face? …and how many people have I seen rotating the head as a deepner.

3) Are convincers like "eye lock" necessary or even helpful in modern hypnotic practice?

Is this a trick question? There is that “modern” presupposition again. The eye lock done properly is one of the best convincers on the planet! Doesn’t the Elman start out with an eyelock? Helpful? YES!

Hugh Cole
The Pretty Goodest Hypnotist on the Planet

Permalink Reply by Michael Zappellini on November 20, 2009 at 12:05am

Hi Michael,
to answer you questions
1) NO
2) NO
3) NO
but I don't personally see any positive reason to ask these questions.
Cheers
Michael

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