My First Experience as a Hypnotist

Well I figured I would share a brief introduction and of course my first and hypnosis session here for some opinions and possibly some creative criticism.

My name is Jordan Rowe, and I am currently a college student pursuing a Bachelors in Clinical Psychology, so I can eventually get my Pys.D in Clinical Psychology. Since I find myself constantly enjoying everything there is about Psychology, and the way the mind works, I found myself frequently coming across the use of Hypnosis in a Clinical setting in my studies. So I decided why not begin developing a knowledge of Hypnosis now, since I will need the skills later in life. So when the time comes to open a practice in a few years, I'll have the knowledge, and confidence to perform hypnosis properly and effectively.

So this brings me to my story, and of course my first hangup;

I had expressed my interest in hypnotism to my girlfriend, and she was ecstatic (she has been hypnotized a few times in her life). I had done some basic research on hypnotism, read about its applications, everything from stage shows, which I have seen first hand, to clinical applications. I had briefly over viewed a few relaxation scripts, and of course used some self hypnosis techniques to familiarize myself because I felt if I can't do it to myself, how was I supposed to help someone else. I still was oblivious to the details of proper hypnosis such as pretalks, inductions, deepeners etc. I suppose with a limited knowledge the scripts stood out because they were presented as, recite these, and you'll have anyone hypnotized instantly. After much research I felt I still wasn't knowledgeable enough to perform any type of hypnosis, I still felt I had to read books on the subject, and really broaden my knowledge before I try any form of hypnosis. So I ordered Keys to the Mind: Learn How to Hypnotize Anyone-- by Richard Nongard and Nathan Thomas (excellent book for beginners, best I've read.) and other similar books on Hypnosis to help assist my learning.

Unfortunately the 3-5 business days and time to read was not fast enough for my girlfriend, and friends to wait for my to begin hypnotizing them. My first attempt was on my girlfriend, since she was familiar with hypnosis, and had been hypnotized a few times, she was familiar with the steps involved. I felt that I wouldn't be able to hypnotize someone by reading from a script, so I took some ideas from several places and decided to give it a go.

I sat her down on a recliner, made sure she was comfortable, asked her if she had her cellphone off, or if anything was distracting her. After making sure she was comfortable, I began by asking her to do some deep breathing. Following the deep breathing, I asked her to close her eyes, and stare straight up (I had heard eye strain helped induce hypnosis). Once she had her eyes closed, I began with instructing her to relax her chest, with the deep breathing, and imagining it loosening, and I worked out from the chest, finishing with the extremities and her head. After noticing she was either, asleep, or very relaxed, I proceeded with a countdown from 5 to 1 to induce trance. I wasn't trying to use an induction and a deepener nor did I have knowledge I had used either, I was essentially throwing a Hail Mary and using everything I had read, in hopes to hypnotize her. After this she looked asleep, so I asked her to focus on my voice (I picked that up from a stage show), and asked her if she could open her eyes for me. She did, and to my astonishment, she was in a hypnotic trance. I continued to ask her to relax, and I decided to experiment slightly, and I asked her to forget the five, and after a few suggestions, she was unable to complete 2+3=5. To my astonishment she was unable to answer it correctly, and she had a confused look as to why she had forgot, so I felt I was successful in my first hypnosis session. Almost instantly after I asked her what 3+2 was, she let out a huge gasp, reoriented herself and began apologizing about that she was sorry that she didn't get hypnotized. I asked her a few questions about what had happened over the past 10-20 minutes, and she was amazed that she couldn't remember much of anything. So we both knew it had worked, but were unsure as to why she snapped out of it when she did.

After word got out that I had successfully hypnotized her, one of our close friend thought it would be fun. I instructed her that I did not feel I was ready to hypnotize someone who had no experience with hypnosis, with someone who also had little knowledge on how to correctly hypnotize someone. She persisted, and eventually I gave in and I decided to give it a try. After a brief time, we decided to give it a try, I tried basically the same induction I had used on my girlfriend, but after about 10 minutes, it became obvious she was not going to be hypnotized. I came to the conclusion that she just has a difficult time focusing on what was needed, instead of focusing on relaxing, she was focusing on other things, and she was likely still slightly apprehensive about the process, as her only knowledge of hypnosis came from Office Space, and Stage shows, and even after I assured her I was more than serious about this, and I didn't plan on making her cluck like a chicken, she still felt like hypnosis was 'weird'.

After this failed attempt, I came to realization that I was no where near ready to hypnotize anyone, so anyone else that asked, I politely declined, and told them I would be more than willing to try once I felt I was prepared, and confident enough to do it successfully.

So now about 3 weeks later, I feel like I have read enough, seen enough, and have the knowledge base to confidently begin hypnotizing people.

So for those who read this, I just want to ask your opinions on a few things;

Why although my girlfriend seemed to be in a deep level of trance, did she snap out seemingly out of nowhere?

Now that I am more knowledgeable of the process of hypnosis and how to properly prepare someone, and instruct them on how not to worry and that hypnosis is natural and common throughout a typical day, how would you go about hypnotizing someone who has a difficult focusing, or keeping still?

What should I do to effectively practice hypnosis? Should I try different people? Same people in different ways?

What is an effective pretalk to give a friend, who you can tell has a little bit of trouble, even without realizing it, letting you hypnotize them even though they say they are excited, and more than willing to participate?

Hope you enjoyed my first Blog;

Jordan

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Comment by Carol Sanders on May 29, 2010 at 1:02am: I used scripts for a few months...untill I started remembering more of what to say...Im still working on developing a "hypnotic vocabulary"...I have not had any failed sessions, but do find that my confidence wains at times. I agree w/ Richard in that the relationship has some to do with who will go in or wont and who stays and doesnt. I believe , as a newbie my self, its a matter or MY CONFIDENCE in MY ABILITY....I also believe hypnosis works everytime and its more a matter of "deepening". Keep practicing, practice in the mirror, on your dog, in the shower !...

Comment by Calvin - The Hypnotist on May 28, 2010 at 9:57am: hi jordan, i was in the same boat as u mate, even after my course i still didnt feel confident hypnotising someone, a friend wanted me 2 put him under an do allsorts of stage tricks an stop him smoking, when it came 2 it i was shiting bricks an even forgot how 2 deepen him. I did the magnetic hands induction an he did go under but quickly came back out. His faith in me quicky diminissed. What i learned from that day was keep it simple, no what ur saying off by heart an be confident. We all have 2 start somewhere. Ive got the video oe that session just 2 scared 2 upload it. Lol hope my experince helps.

Comment by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on May 27, 2010 at 8:39pm: Welcome to the world of hypnosis!

Why although my girlfriend seemed to be in a deep level of trance, did she snap out seemingly out of nowhere?
A variety of reasons, one could be your relationship with her. Many people have a hard time separating family/freind from hypnotist.

Now that I am more knowledgeable of the process of hypnosis and how to properly prepare someone, and instruct them on how not to worry and that hypnosis is natural and common throughout a typical day, how would you go about hypnotizing someone who has a difficult focusing, or keeping still?

Just incorporate it into the session, "its perfectly Ok to move or adjust for comfort, or even scratch an itch. In fact, it will help you relax further as you become more comfortable" and "Its ok with the consious mind to let your thoughts flow or even race, this is what minds do after all, so do not be distracted by this, simply embrase this as a time of creativity and intuition"

What should I do to effectively practice hypnosis?

Learn multiple inductions and practive them in self-hypnosis
Should I try different people?
yes
Same people in different ways?
yes
What is an effective pretalk to give a friend, who you can tell has a little bit of trouble, even without realizing it, letting you hypnotize them even though they say they are excited, and more than willing to participate?
GREAT question... "and as I guide you though this, recognize it is not me who who creating the state of hypnosis, but rather you, I am simply guiding you into a process that is already within you." and "As your friend, you may think with the consious mind, is Richard really hypnotizing me?!? Tha'ts OK, becsue as your subconsious mind expriences hypnosis, you will recognize it to be something within you rather than something i am doing to you"

Sorry about the typing, im on a micro-laptop

Comment by John Cleesattel on May 27, 2010 at 3:31pm: Jordan,
It sounds like you left the number 5 missing a bit too long and she got worried something was wrong. When in trance, we will automatically react to suggestion as long as there is no reason not to. If there is a reason, we will come out of trance to resolve it.

These discussions may help you considerably

http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/716892:Topic:98342

http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/how-to-hypnotize-people-part

If interested further, I wrote a book called "The Nature of Trance" and is available on my website.

I hope this helps you
John

Comment by Pattie Freeman CH.t, MST on May 27, 2010 at 3:05pm: Jordan,

Have you been hypnotized yet?..if not do it..no one knows the feeling of being hypnotized as the hypnotist and if they hadn't expereinced it then the confidence needs to be there.....You need confidence in order to show what you know...if your unsure then it shows by the way to execute the induction.

Practice is what you need and practice....pracitice.....practice and then more...you will learn alot and get enough of experience. Get certified and take lots of classes..workshops and learn all that you can there is always new and diffrerent techniques everyday so the more you know the more you will be prepared to handle situations like the one you recently had...

Keep studying and continue knowledge is power...wishing you success..

Comment by Aino / Akpolarmom on May 27, 2010 at 2:06pm: Jordan, This is great stuff to hear the experimenting and the quest for knowledge. I know where you are coming from, the hunger for information can be hard to quench.... For me it was a issue of the location I am in and I turned to the internet and have found SKYPE to be just a fantastic interactive ( Voice and Video) tool. There are a few more free resources available out there, that you may be interested in, for me that was key, because my hubby is not supportive of my quest for hypnotical knowledge. lol. My focus for using the knowledge is online sessions, which have worked well for my clients in their own privacy of their homes.

I invite you to join us on SKYPE... ( the IATH group [started by a couple of the younger teens] and lots of adult mentors are the main group we hang out in ...) look me up: ID is "polarmom" and we will get you introduced to lots of hypno friendly volunteers and mentors.

Thanks for sharing,
Aino

Comment by Kelley Woods on May 27, 2010 at 1:16pm: Hi Jordan,

Thanks for sharing your first hypnosis experience! Having a willing and adept partner makes it even better, as you now know. The reason why your gf snapped out of it may just be that she let herself go to a certain point that surprised her. And, if you didn't take advantage of that it left her hanging and she had no choice but to emerge from that state. Next time, have a plan. In fact, always have a plan and that plan is based on your partner's desired outcome.
If you really want to use hypnosis in a beneficial way, you can approach your hypnosis volunteer with the question: what do you want to get out of this?
Once you have a goal in mind, your own subconscious will spontaneously direct you. Remember that belief and expectation are primary components of the hypnotic adventure and when you set these up in your pretalk you have a much better chance of success. Some of the ideas that come to mind to tell someone who is struggling to achieve trance is that they don't have to try to do anything, in fact, if they want to just let their conscious mind drift off to other thoughts, that's perfectly fine...their subconscious is listening carefully to every word that you say...
Finding that rapport and feeling comfortable enough to let go is what it's mainly about. I always commend a client for giving themself this gift of comfort, because everyone knows that the hypnotic state is extremely healing and beneficial, etc...

Congrats and keep it up! Every day, in every way, it gets better and better!

Kelley