The Role of Scripts in Instruction--Is Yapko Exaggerating?

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Permalink Reply by Scott Sandland on December 12, 2011 at 10:17pm

My guess is answer two.

I've had instructors tell me to have a three ring binder of scripts in my lap when I'm with a client, but that was 13 years ago.

I had lunch with a hypnotist last year who was astonished to find out I could improvise inductions, or even Create my own processes. He had been taught to read scripts and never deviate from the content he purchased from his instructor.

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Permalink Reply by Lonnie Scott on December 12, 2011 at 11:36pm

We did use scripts in my training. The dependency on them was weakened a little at a time. The final day when we had a performance review, we were expected to use an induction and elicit hypnotic phenomena along the NGH depth scale all without a script anywhere in sight.

I bought my instructor's script book once we were done. A thin binder of material. A few of my books already had some examples in them. These are things I use for reminders and reference for idea generation. I've also written my own scripts and placed them in a three ring binder.

I'm sure someone can go through entire sessions without scripts, but I'm not one one of them. I don't read verbatim, but I do use sessions notes, and once in a while that includes using a personalized script for a portion. The only reason is simply so I don't forget to cover something important.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on December 13, 2011 at 3:17am

My understanding is one hypnois training school predicates certification on the condition you will do things exactly as you were taught to do them - using their scripts -- No creativety or innovations are allowed.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on December 13, 2011 at 3:32am

Hi James,

   My teacher hasn't advocated the verbatim use of scripts. From what I know, have seen, and understand of her approach it seems unlikely she would do this or advise it to her students. I would guess doing so verbatim risks getting in the way of communicating and working with the subconscious of the unique person sitting in front of you as a client.

  I have not seen anyone yet advocate strict adherence to a script verbatim. I am not aware of anyone advocating this anywhere I have encountered previously in books, websites, in 2 schools of hypnosis, in the trainings I have looked at but not undertaken. While my experience is very limited yet as a student-I would think if it occurs in many books and trainings I would have encountered it least once and remember it. At the very least I would have seen it on hypnothoughts and I haven't. I have seen people advise using a script as a springboard, guidance, or starting place especially in learning if the person is completely lost as to the process in the beginning. But never to actually work with clients. Not as a way to do hypnotherapy. 

  I don't know where Michael Yapko is getting this. I don't know why he would believe this. It is unnecessary to make the points he does about the use of scripts. It is a rather odd thing to say. Looking at the paragraphs before and after the part you quote from Trancework doesn't shed any light on this. The only parts of hypnosis that I have seen overstandardization in has been research and that may or may not be necessary to do research-I don't know at this point but may fit the specific requirements of performing studies. Studies may inform clinical practice but they can't replicate them exactly due to the nature of differences in how clinical practice and research studies are carried out. This is pretty well known from what I have read.  Perhaps I am missing something due to my inexperience and where I am in my education that Dr. Yapko does see. From my point of view he looks mistaken about the number of books and trainings advocating verbatim script reading to clients.  I can see possibly reading a script verbatim I wrote specifically for that client but I feel unlikely to do that and I don't like having to wear my reading glasses when working with someone anyway. Not to mention it would possibly distract me and the client from what is happening in the moment. Id much rather watch them for non verbal communications and feedback. I can't do that if I am reading.

  I am not sure where he is seeing many books or trainings advocating verbatim script reading based on presenting issue.

gentle day,

Lisa 

   

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Permalink Reply by John Paradise on December 13, 2011 at 4:18am

James,

For what purpose do you ask? and when you have the answer what will you do with that information?

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Conkle on December 13, 2011 at 5:15am

I believe that's how it used to be back in the day, and I'm sure there are several out of print books out there that suggest it. I don't really think he was exaggerating. And if he was, it was only to drive the point home that reading scripts verbatim is not necessary. I've heard other older hypnotist say the same thing in seminars I've listened to.

I did script training and bought expensive script books, just to be told near the end of my training to throw it all away and use my own hypnotic voice and creativity from my unique seat of wisdom, using only bullet points if needed, but to never use--and I quote, "A stupid script to hypnotize people." That was scary to do at first, but has helped me tremendously as I am a much better hypnotist because of it. I'm glad I learned that lesson early on. You have to get off scripts to feel confident in your own hypnotic and creative abilities.

Trance out,

Steph 

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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on December 13, 2011 at 5:16am

Sometime writers need a puffy paragraph.   Something to fill words.   Not everything, even in a good book is good.   My suspicion this is an example of a rough draft paragraph that was kept because more was needed, even though in the editing process the intention was to clarify or expand on some idea poorly contained therein.

red the other 400 pages, I wouldn't get hung up on that.   I am kind of with John on that.

You could email Yapko and ask hi, but I bet he doesn't even remember writing that or that it is in the book.

t probably it traced back to the 1980's she many trainers, ofter with no real hypnosis experience, just a train the trainers course, we doing weekend certifications and selling script books on the back table.

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Permalink Reply by Graham Old on December 13, 2011 at 5:41am

That's exactly how I was trained first time around.

So, I went back and did it all again!

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Permalink Reply by Susan French on December 13, 2011 at 6:43am

I hadn't noticed this group before and I'm glad to see it.  This is something I've been struggling with since the beginning.  In fact, there was a big discussion on it last week when I asked again if anyone had any ideas about script construction.

I got some really good ideas and finally found my answer in Richard Nongards Writing Scripts.  It made so much sense that I can now be free to construct.  I don't like to rely on prewritten scripts either but I had never really been taught any real sense of structure so I was flailing around.

You might want to look at that discussion.  There was some great information.  Richards Script Writing was fabulous.  Melissa Tiers Integrative Hypnosis is also excellent.  I'm in the process of really internalizing them.

In the end, though, I have to agree with Graham:  I've been searching for the right training so that I can start from scratch and really get it down.

Richard and Richard Clarke are having a training that looks wonderful and not outrageouslycosting thousands of dollars.  I think it's going to be either $250 or $500 (probably $500) and I'm definitely taking that one.

I'm so glad that Graham shared what he did.  I thought I was the only one who was struggling because I hadn't been taught script construction, but rather programs for each specialty (pain, smoking, weight, etc.).  Because I couldn't figure out the logic of the structure that felt comfortable to me, I kept feeling like I was flailing.

I'm so glad that we're going to do training here.  I'm definitely in.  I feel as if I've got most of the pieces down now but I love going back to basics and reviewing.

Susan

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig - HypnosisAustin on December 13, 2011 at 7:50am

Thank you all for your responses--I look forward to more people weighing in. I'll reply to some questions and comments directed my way.

John--why am I asking this? I'm experiencing cognitive dissonance, and I'd like it resolved. Yapko's description of the world (in that paragraph) doesn't fit with what I've experienced and observed. I came to HT.com partly to find out what the landscape of the hypnosis world is, and I feel like I've gotten a pretty good view of it. Then I read something by an authority in the field that doesn't fit, and I'm trying to work out why.

What will I do with the answer? Mostly, feel satisfied to have resolved the cognitive dissonance. What does anyone do with any knowledge? I suppose I could write to the author and take him to task if I find that he's exaggerating, but I probably won't, especially in light of his generosity to me. If I write a review of his book, I might include a comment on that paragraph in the "What I Didn't Like" section. 

Richard--Don't worry; I won't throw out the whole book simply because of that paragraph. But I think it's important to read critically and to question what I read.

Everyone--I'm not really conflicted or wondering about how to use or not use scripts; there are plenty of discussions on that, and I agree with the HT consensus: scripts are great to use when they're useful, but not to abuse by reading them verbatim.

Thanks so much,

James

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig - HypnosisAustin on December 13, 2011 at 7:51am

If you don't mind, would you share where and when you received the "scripts verbatim" training? (If you're not comfortable posting, please PM me.)

Graham Old said:

That's exactly how I was trained first time around.

So, I went back and did it all again!

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Permalink Reply by Graham Old on December 13, 2011 at 8:07am

I'll PM you James.

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