Steve Briggs's Page

The hypnotist instructs the subject to alternate opening & closing his eyes on each tap (TAP:  close; TAP:  open).  WHile the subject is focusing on the sound of the tapping and opening & closing his eyes, the hypnotist suggests relaxation and eye closure until the subject can no longer open his eyes.  Then you can use a deepener.

I've found that the best, most accurate depiction of hypnosis on film can be found in "Equus", starring Richard Burton and Peter Firth.  In the film (and play) Burton hypnotizes Firth with the pencil tapping/eye open-close induction (first tap, close eyes; second, open, etc).  I've always wondered if Firth (who also did the London and first broadway productions) and Daniel Radcliffe (on stage) ever actually went into trance.  I've used this induction myself, and found it useful with rsistant…

One of my most unusual experiences as a subject occurred when I was in kindergarten.  My class (all boys, with a male teacher) were sitting on an oval rug in the school's library when we met the school psychologist, a woman who appeared to be in her mid-to-late 60's.  One y one she had us line up in a vertical line in front of her.  When it was my turn to talk to her, she asked if I wanted to play a game.  I was told to follow her finger all the way to the right, then to the left.  The next…

As a new member to Hypnothoughts, I thought I'd tell you all some of my personal history with hypnosis.

As I stated elsewhere on this site, I was first hypnotized at the age of four, in Seattle, Washington.  I was apparently so defiant and energetic at home that my parents sent me to the day program at the University Washington Child Psychiatry clinic.  We kids (2 girls, myself, and two other boys) spent the day in playtime, art class, and sessions with the residents and the…