Fear and previously hypnotized client (20 yrs ago) needs positive 2nd time Hypnotherapy Induction/session

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Permalink Reply by Jackie Spencer on February 12, 2010 at 11:30am

Hi Ruthy,

Your client trusts you if she is willing to come back for another session, so well done.

If you are not relaxed, your client will not relax. In your pre-talk as you mirror her, get in tune with her breathing, allow yourself to go into trance and see if you can lead her.

Let her know that hypnosis is a consent state and that she is in control at all times. Nothing will happen that she will not allow. If at any time she begins to feel uncomfortable, she can speak and still remain relaxed and calm. Even give her permission to work with her eyes open and she doesn't have to close them until she feels completely safe to do so.

You might tell her (if she is still uncomfortable) that you'll just work on relaxation and visualization. Maybe start with breathing exercises and a couple of progressive relaxations...head to toes, toes to head, waves of relaxation, lightwork, whatever is effective...to gently induce and deepen her. Give her warm fuzzy suggestions about how calm, peaceful and secure she feels and that it's okay to allow herself to feel that way.

And maybe that's enough for one session. Or if you're able to do more and she's willing, perhaps she can create her special place and hang out there for awhile.

Permalink Reply by Stephen Nispel on February 12, 2010 at 12:30pm

As a client who is currently working with a hypnotherapist for trust issues, I agree with Jackie, that starting off with just relaxation and positive affirmations for the first session, may be best.

Speaking from personal experience, knowing that the purpose of the session is to dredge up an old traumatic memory makes it very difficult to relax, even for someone who finds hypnosis fascinating and enjoyable. In my case, my therapist made sure to start off with sessions that were all about empowerment, and building my relaxation and visualization skills. It was only after I felt confident that I could overcome the fear, that we started the actual changework.

Permalink Reply by Suzan Iscil on February 12, 2010 at 6:05pm

I do a lot of NLP such as the movie theatre for desensitization and the client doesn't have to be deepened and doesn't have to reveal any details at all, but if she is not even ready to face the event, I do guided imagery to take the client to a healing pool in a safe place in nature. This pool is for physical, mental and emotional healing. When she leaves the wonderful soothing, healing pool, she goes further into the forest and sees a pool of forgiveness. She drifts and floats in the water and it washes away any unforgiveness (for herself as well as others) and finally, she leaves that pool and goes to a third pool where she sees her own reflection (perhaps as a child) - this is the pool of unconditional love and the warm, healing water wraps around her like a much needed hug. The water gives her reassurance that she is wonderful and that she is loved regardless of what she's done or said through her life. I close by repeating about 15 times, "You are love, you are loved, you are lovable."

Permalink Reply by Roy Bridger on February 16, 2010 at 6:40pm

I would explain to her that you are not going to use the same hypnosis as the other hypnotherapist and you are going to allow her to use her self-hypnosis. Whilst teaching her self-hypnosis just subtlily inject a few positive suggestions.

Permalink Reply by Ruthy M Boehm on February 22, 2010 at 8:42am

I want to thank you all for all your wonderfull ideas.....

My client came back and we did use almost all your ideas put together and it was so amazing to see her become relaxed and then talkative afterwards regarding her more positive experience this time around......She was able to go into a deeper trance state and she came back up to a light trance again but was still in trance.....

I was able to find out more about her background after the hypnosis session and she was much more in tune with her feelings....

Its hard to tell if she is ready for a regression session as of yet as she is still able to come out of a deep trance but I may try the movie theatre and healing pools..... (thanks Susan)

Roy I did use your idea and explained the difference and this helped I am sure....thank you

Jackie you hit it right on the nail regardin her breathing and my going into a trance state... I did try it the first time it was difficult but this time it was so much easier as I had to trance my self into not being aware of my clients stress and calming myself before she came and continuing it during....

thank you all.....

I am still new but on my way thanks to your support
Ruthy

Needless to say she made another appointment for regression work.....

Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on March 31, 2011 at 3:17pm

Hi Ruthy,

Any update with this client? And, would your approach change after your experience in Seattle?

:) Kelley