Visual

I know a person who can visualise or 'see' recent things she has remembered as if it is photographic. She can pack a box and 2 years later knows exactly what's in there, unless of course, someone changes the order of the box by adding to it or rearranging it. If she loses her keys, she says she is invariably able to step through her steps the day prior and as a result, find them.

What puzzles me however, is as soon as she closes her eyes, she says she cannot visualise or create a picture in her mind.

Any ideas here?

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Permalink Reply by Michael Doherty on June 18, 2010 at 5:48am

What puzzles me is why you want her to close her eyes.

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Permalink Reply by tc_Burt on June 18, 2010 at 5:56am

She wishes to be a study bunny for me, and I am currently completing a diploma in hypnotherapy, which to date, suggests that all hypnosis invokes eye closure or requires eye closure and I am having difficulty in relating to her on a visual, kinesthetic or auditory plane, neither does she seem very gustatory or olfactory.

Michael Doherty said:

What puzzles me is why you want her to close her eyes.

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Permalink Reply by Antoine Pruyssers on June 18, 2010 at 6:10am

Find an other word for visualize!
Try "Imagine", that's more neutral.

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Permalink Reply by tc_Burt on June 18, 2010 at 6:14am

As a standard I suggest imagine, and she feels that she has no imagination as she feels that if she can imagine it, then surely she should be able to visualise it.
Antoine Pruyssers said:

Find an other word for visualize!
Try "Imagine", that's more neutral.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Doherty on June 18, 2010 at 6:32am

You say you are completing a diploma in hypnotherapy which "suggests that all hypnosis invokes eye closure or requires eye closure."

Well maybe there's your problem. I'm puzzled who suggested to you that all hypnosis invokes eye closure or requires eye closure.

I like Antoine suggestion of "imagine" as a word that's more neutral.

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on June 18, 2010 at 6:36am

Hi tc,

You might ask her what color her car is, or details about some other, familiar object.

Remember that the hypnotic experience involves more than just "seeing"...use other modalities to get past that resistance. Look at some of Don Gibbon's wonderful postings here and on his site www.hyperempiria.com for ideas on how to help her realize the full power of her imagination.

Best wishes,

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by tc_Burt on June 18, 2010 at 6:42am

I am not saying "all" , but rather the confines I am learning within, which I will continue to respect. I have done several non-locally recognised overseas courses, but this one counts for accreditation, insurance and health insurance, so I feel a need to comply.

Michael Doherty said:

You say you are completing a diploma in hypnotherapy which "suggests that all hypnosis invokes eye closure or requires eye closure."

Well maybe there's your problem. I'm puzzled who suggested to you that all hypnosis invokes eye closure or requires eye closure.

I like Antoine suggestion of "imagine" as a word that's more neutral.

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on June 18, 2010 at 6:55am

tc,
I have encountered this before. It seems to stem from the subject "not knowing how" to visualize at will, which some analytical types suffer from. These are the same very intelligent people that don't know what suggestions of "deeper" or "down" means, because of lack of direct experience.

Their analytical mind tries to make the visualization happen, and can't, because it needs to come from the imagination.

I have found that if you put them into a somnambulistic trance first, they then have no problem visualizing or (seeing with their mind's eye) because input is already from the imagination at that level of trance.

Once they do visualize, they then understand how, and it becomes easier over time and practice.

I hope this helps you
John

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Permalink Reply by tc_Burt on June 18, 2010 at 7:09am

Many thanks John, this seems to resonate with me

John Cleesattel said:

tc,
I have encountered this before. It seems to stem from the subject "not knowing how" to visualize at will, which some analytical types suffer from. These are the same very intelligent people that don't know what suggestions of "deeper" or "down" means, because of lack of direct experience.

Their analytical mind tries to make the visualization happen, and can't, because it needs to come from the imagination.

I have found that if you put them into a somnambulistic trance first, they then have no problem visualizing or (seeing with their mind's eye) because input is already from the imagination at that level of trance.

Once they do visualize, they then understand how, and it becomes easier over time and practice.

I hope this helps you
John

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Permalink Reply by Michael Doherty on June 18, 2010 at 8:18am

OK, I understand.

My own current focus of concern and study is the safety and effectiveness of treatment of post trauma stress. With that in mind, I offer a couple of lines that would be used in a study group context. I would not recommend this clinically where post trauma stress has not been ruled out.

If your concern is that you cannot get the person to close their eyes you can say:

...and in a moment I'm going to ask you to keep your eyes completely open....

and just see what happens.

Good luck with your studies and accreditation.

By the way, what most intrigues me about your story is: what is a study bunny and how is that different from a study buddy, any way? I know someone who is interested.

tc said:

I am not saying "all" , but rather the confines I am learning within, which I will continue to respect. I have done several non-locally recognised overseas courses, but this one counts for accreditation, insurance and health insurance, so I feel a need to comply.

Michael Doherty said:
You say you are completing a diploma in hypnotherapy which "suggests that all hypnosis invokes eye closure or requires eye closure."

Well maybe there's your problem. I'm puzzled who suggested to you that all hypnosis invokes eye closure or requires eye closure.

I like Antoine suggestion of "imagine" as a word that's more neutral.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Witherspoon on June 18, 2010 at 12:25pm

I understand completely because I have the same conundrum. I don't really see a picture in my mind but more imagine thing . My full time job is making the little gold crowns that you sometimes get at your dentist's office. You would thing this is a very visual trade but I really don't see pictures of what I am designing but imaging how the crown should look like when it is completed. I have been hypnotized many time but have yet to actually see things suggested during the session. Hypnosis works for me despite this lack of vision.