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Working with Difficult Clients
Along the lines of one topic of our class this past weekend...an Erickson story -
As a hypnotherapist Milton Erickson often had to deal with resistance from clients.
Part of Erickson's fame was in his ability to deal elegantly with the objections of even the most absurdly resistant clients.
He tells of one story where a client of his was hell bent of resisting Erickson, but still insisted on Erickson trying to hypnotise him.
Erickson spent a whole hour deliberately unsuccessfully using the most domineering and direct hypnotic techniques, while his client remained fully alert and was entirely unaffected.
After he had done this for an hour Erickson bought in another client of his, quickly lead her into a deep trance, and told her to hypnotise his resistant client.
She did so successfully, and on Erickson's instructions gave the client amnesia for the session, the woke him.
Erickson returned, acting as if nothing had happened.
He said he was sorry that the session was unsuccessful.
He lead him to the door, and shook his hand. He lifted his hand and lead him back into a deep trance, lead him back to his office and completed the therapy session.
The client left delighted with the successful session, with no idea of the other goings on.
By being domineering Erickson had centered all his objections on himself, when he left and sent in the other client he left with the resistant subjects objections.
Source: Tapes of Milton Erickson Hypnosis In Psychiatry Seminar in the 1950s.
As a hypnotherapist Milton Erickson often had to deal with resistance from clients.
Part of Erickson's fame was in his ability to deal elegantly with the objections of even the most absurdly resistant clients.
He tells of one story where a client of his was hell bent of resisting Erickson, but still insisted on Erickson trying to hypnotise him.
Erickson spent a whole hour deliberately unsuccessfully using the most domineering and direct hypnotic techniques, while his client remained fully alert and was entirely unaffected.
After he had done this for an hour Erickson bought in another client of his, quickly lead her into a deep trance, and told her to hypnotise his resistant client.
She did so successfully, and on Erickson's instructions gave the client amnesia for the session, the woke him.
Erickson returned, acting as if nothing had happened.
He said he was sorry that the session was unsuccessful.
He lead him to the door, and shook his hand. He lifted his hand and lead him back into a deep trance, lead him back to his office and completed the therapy session.
The client left delighted with the successful session, with no idea of the other goings on.
By being domineering Erickson had centered all his objections on himself, when he left and sent in the other client he left with the resistant subjects objections.
Source: Tapes of Milton Erickson Hypnosis In Psychiatry Seminar in the 1950s.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Maureen Meegan, CCHt on -
Hi Kimberly,
That's a great story; what a very creative example of directing the focus of the client (instead of one's ego getting in the way of dealing with a difficult client). Sure would've been wonderful to meet Erickson -- I bet he had a grand sense of humor. -
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Permalink Reply by Ian Hawkins on
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Very interesting. Helping the client get out of his own way?
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Permalink Reply by Grace Bradley on -
A technique I have found useful with resistive clients is to have them imagine an infinity symbol between their ears in whatever color appeals to them. So when the chatter starts during the induction they have something to go to. This allows them to focus and go in to trance easier.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on -
Hello Coloradians,
I believe that the genius of Erickson was his utilization - His clients provided the tools that he used...
In my opinion, it is a good idea to drop the very idea of a"difficult" client and instead view all of our clients as unique just like all the rest of our clients- The magic is in connecting to the client in front of you...
Hi Gracie --
Consider this -- Some times the chatter is a necessary part of the client's self-healing
Have a better day or night...
Just visiting,
Michael E. -
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Permalink Reply by Grace Bradley on
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I would agree with that. I use it when they are having trouble focusing and want to go into deep trance. I also believe if they are sitting in my chair they are there for a reason, therefore, I don't get too many resistive clients. I was a Drug and Alcohol counselor for 7 years. If you want experience with resistance try court ordered clients!! I was schooled in Resistant client 101 daily.
Grace -
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