Permissive, not Authoritative, Hypnosis

"The Ericksonian approach, or Permissive Approach, acknowledges every person as a unique individual that has unique behaviors and ways of entering a trance state and receiving suggestions. The subject knows how to relax and how to enter a trance state. The hypnotist merely acts as a guide into a hypnotic state.
Before Dr. Milton Erickson developed the Permissive Approach, the prevailing method of hypnosis was known as Authoritative Hypnosis.

In Authoritative hypnosis, the hypnotist has a power relationship over the subject and uses relaxation techniques on the subject in order for them to enter a trance state. For example, one might be reminded of the popular image of stage hypnotists when they say, “You are getting sleepy” or “Your eyes are getting heavy” (Alman, 1983, p. 26).

The idea is that the hypnotist must act in a way to get the person’s conscious mind out of the way in order to open up the unconscious, usually attempting to put consciousness “to sleep” (Alman, 1983, p. 26).

In Authoritative Hypnosis, the unconscious mind if viewed as a reservoir or a fertile piece of ground in which one can “implant” suggestions. According to this approach, the unconscious is like a basement where experiences are stored and lay stagnant unless they are aroused by some external stimuli.

Also, according to this approach to unconsciousness, the hypnotist must then tell the unconscious mind what it should do.
This approach is also faulty, because the unconscious mind is not a neutral space which will do whatever the hypnotist tells it to do.

This theory of hypnosis is often ineffective, because if the person cannot enter a trance when the hypnotist tells them to, then they are viewed as simply “unhypnotizable”.

Milton Erickson believed that every person has the ability to enter a trance state, and every person does so on a daily basis (see Haley, 1986).

The unconscious, according to Erickson, is a living and active participant in the psyche, and “knows” what is best for the person.

Erickson saw the unconscious as intelligent and autonomous. He said the trance state is, “An opportunity for the subject to set aside his or her identification with any limiting conscious processes and shift into a context (i.e. trance) where he or she can access and utilize resources for therapeutic gain” (Zeig, 1980, p. 89).

Notice the shift in language; the hypnotist is not forcing the subject to enter into a trance state, but instead allowing them to do it themselves.

Using this approach, hypnotherapy treats each subject as an entirely unique person.

Erickson would say that “the hypnotist should utilize the subject’s present reality, affirming that what they are feeling is perfectly fine and that it can lead them into a desired outcome (e.g., experience trance)” ( Zeig, 1980, p. 89)

For Erickson, to accept the person’s reality meant that the hypnotist must have the attitude that what the subject is doing at any given time is valid. The person has perfectly good reasons for seeing the world in whatever way that they do. In comparison to the authoritative approach, this means that the person can never be unhypnotizable.

To accomplish this, Hypnotherapists engage in what is known as “pacing” and “leading.”

“Pacing” means that the hypnotist relays the person’s communications back to them, not attempting to coerce them in any way, in order to build trust and rapport between the subject and hypnotist.

The term “leading” means that the hypnotist communicates ideas or behaviors that are slightly different from the ones the subject is currently experiencing. However, these communications are slightly closer to the desired trance state.

For example, a hypnotist may say to a person, “You are sitting there, looking at me, breathing deeply, and as you shift in your chair you may also begin to shift into a state of comfortable relaxation” (Zeig, 1980, p. 90). The above quotation is a good example of pacing and leading, in that the subject’s non verbal communication is acknowledged, accepted, and then a new lead is proposed by the hypnotist.

This process of pacing and leading is continuous in hypnotherapy, like a spiraling stair case.

Any sort of resistance to a given lead is not really resistance at all, and certainly does not mean that the subject cannot be hypnotized. All it means is that the given lead does not work for that person. So the hypnotist can throw it out and try something new, thus actually doing something constructive because the hypnotist now knows what does not work for that person (Zeig, 1980, p. 89-90).

Erickson also emphasized the use of indirect language to allow the subject’s unconscious to reveal itself in whatever way it feels is best.

For example, if I say the word “sky” there are an infinite number of images that can be associated with that word. Someone could see a bright blue, clear sky. Someone else could see a blue sky with clouds, or a completely cloudy sky.

Ericksonian hypnotherapy utilizes this indirect language so that the subject can communicate their own association to the language presented, rather than conforming to a prefabricated idea that the hypnotist imposes on them.

Ericksonian therapy is concerned only with guiding the individual as he/she exists in the present, and so there would be no need to “dig up” past negative or traumatic experiences.

In fact, many times Ericksonian hypnotherapy is successful at treating the symptoms of a subject (sometimes eliminating them), which will allow the person the ability to look back at their experiences on their own in a calm manner (Zeig, 1980). "

adapted from Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by Kevin Sprenkle

The rapid induction method of hypnosis or not?

Recently I was asked if I use the rapid induction method of hypnosis.

The answer to the question is “no”, I do not use the rapid induction method, except the whole story is that I do not do any kind of formal induction.

For the beginning of the actual hypnosis part of my sessions, I use a guided visualization and breathing exercise to show you how to train your mind and body to return to this relaxed state whenever you choose.

Before the actual hypnosis part of our session, I work with clients in an active trance state, engaged in guided imagery, where the client is accessing Alpha and Theta brain wave states AND is fully awake and aware.

By the time we get to the actual hypnosis part of the session, my clients have already been in and out of different levels of trance several times, so I do not spend any time worrying about whether you are in trance or not.

Hypnosis has many levels that range from light to deep. Depth is just a metaphor used when speaking about hypnosis, as in the suggestion to go "deeper and deeper" into hypnosis. Hypnotic states are part of a continuum of regular consciousness, so you may reach many different hypnotic states during your session.

Hypnosis may not feel any different than your normal waking state of awareness.

During hypnosis, your conscious mind may remain focused on my words or it may drift off so you do not track what I am saying.

In my work, I tell my clients that it doesn’t matter what your conscious mind is doing during hypnosis, because your unconscious will be listening to everything I say and you can trust that you will go to the level of trance that is appropriate for you.

Indirect Suggestion Hypnosis

This information is from author, and leading hypnosis trainer, Keith Livingston.

Please click here to visit his website, HYPNOSIS 101, for more information about hypnosis.

"Most hypnotherapists do direct suggestion hypnosis. Period. But there's a whole other world put there--indirect suggestion hypnosis.

Indirect suggestion hypnosis covers a lot of ground so let's define it and see if we can get our heads wrapped around the idea. Indirect hypnosis is giving suggestions that are not obvious or direct instructions.

An oft-used example is the request "Can you get the door?" It's not in the form of an order like a direct suggestion would be ("Get the door.") The suggestion is implied rather than direct.

But indirect suggestion is so much more than couching suggestions in easier to swallow forms. Indirect suggestion also may include the framework of the session, metaphor, embedded suggestions, and a lot more.

But before we can explore how to use indirect suggestion hypnosis, it's useful to know how it works.

Conscious vs. Unconscious Processing

The unconscious however, is in charge of behaviors that are already well learned, body processes and emotion. The unconscious also has a wonderful ability to pick up patterns and categorizes events based on themes and emotions.

That's why, when you dream, there may not be a lot of logic in the dreams. Dreams often have themes and patterns and involve emotions. They may be difficult for us to understand consciously.

So, when you're communicating with the unconscious mind, it makes sense to package your communication in a way the unconscious already recognizes. Using metaphor, patterns, themes and emotions are powerful ways to drive suggestions deep into the mind.

Back to indirect suggestion.

How does it work?

Embedded Suggestions

Embedded suggestions are simply suggestions that are buried inside other communications as coded messages. The conscious mind focuses on the surface message and your unconscious picks up the messages hidden inside.

So, embedded suggestions use the unconscious mind's ability to notice patterns that may escape the conscious mind.

Metaphor

Metaphor uses the unconscious mind's ability to recognize themes and then apply them to the subject's own situation. You might use metaphor to tell a story that is similar in some way to your subject's situation but that involves a solution. If done well, the person being hypnotized will, without conscious interference, apply the solution delivered in the metaphor.

So, how does indirect suggestion hypnosis work? It works by packaging suggestions in the form that the unconscious already uses."

Please click here to visit Keith's website, HYPNOSIS 101, for more information about hypnosis.

Future Pacing with NLP

NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Future Pacing

Future Pacing allows you to look into the future and see yourself already having achieved the desired change.

Future pacing is a technique of "embedding" change into the future - to give you an experience of dealing positively with a situation before you get into the same situation again.

This is based on visualization: the mind cannot tell the difference between a scenario which is real and one which has been clearly visualized.

The idea is that, having visualized success, when they are again in the real-life situation, the previous hypnotic experience will give them the confidence they need to smoothly sail through the actual situation.

More from Steve G. Jones, M.Ed. who is a board certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. http://www.betterlivingwithhypnosis.com/

The alert trance is a type of trance used by many hypnotherapists.

“What is hypnosis?
Will I be unconscious?
I don’t want someone controlling my mind while I am under!”

"Since I hear these remarks with such regularity I figured it was best to address the issue in an article.

Some kinds of hypnosis therapy do indeed depend on the client being in a deep, nearly unconscious, state of hypnosis. In this state the client lies silently with eyes closed and may appear to be sound asleep. This is a restful, soothing, and very blissful state in which the body is floating, the mind is drifting, and one is mostly unconscious of the hypnotist’s words.

Such a state is sometimes referred to as somnambulism. This state is quite useful for hypnotic anesthesia in surgery and is an excellent state in which to deliver hypnotic suggestions, because it is a highly suggestible state.

Since it is the state preferred by many clinical hypnosis practitioners, it is the one most often associated with the word “hypnosis” in the public imagination.

It is indeed a state in which the client’s conscious mind is mostly gone, and the subconscious can be manipulated by the hypnotist’s words.

The client often awakens with no memory of what happened, as if they were in fact asleep.

It has been repeatedly documented that a hypnotized subject will never do anything to violate their internal ethical standards of behavior. Your subconscious mind will keep you safe in a hypnotic trance. Hypnotherapists who have proper training operate in an ethical fashion.

The alert trance is another type of trance used by many hypnotherapists.

The client is in a state of expanded awareness, similar to meditation, in which the client is completely, acutely aware of everything that is happening in their inner world, although they may be largely unaware of the normal stimuli of their physical environment, like the sound of traffic outside or the buzz of a phone. In this relaxed but alert state, the client may experience very powerful memories that emerge from the subconscious mind.

During the alert trance session, at no time are you asleep or in any way unconscious. Nor will you ever feel out of control or experience any loss of memory of the guided imagery trance journey. Instead every detail is recalled.

We have discovered that we don’t need to be unconscious in order to be hypnotized effectively! In fact in the alert state of trance we may have more energy and clarity to do effective emotional release than in deeper states.

When we hypnotists use the alert state of trance, we empower our clients to continue this powerful work on their own to create the results they desire. "

Summarized from
Hypnosis and the Alert State of Trance
By David Quigley

How Exactly Does Self-Hypnosis Work?

Here is some great information from Dr. Alman's Self-Hypnosis site:

"For over 30 years, hundreds of thousands of people around the world have been using Dr. Alman's Self-Hypnosis techniques to quickly and easily overcome addictions, end pain, rapidly lose weight (and keep it off), achieve their true potential and dramatically improve their lives!

Keep in mind, this is an eyes-closed system because first things happen on the inside and then they happen on the outside.

Self-hypnosis can be broken down to 5 key areas:
Mental imagery or Visualization
Concentrated attention
Relaxation
Meditation
Subconscious exploration

1) Mental imagery is very powerful, especially when the imagination is allowed to take over in a state of focused attention such as self-hypnosis. For example, if a person is obese or overweight, envisioning a thinner self would be the first step towards making that vision a reality. Until a person can allow themselves to envision being thinner, the motivation to take action will not happen. Another example of mental imagery would be to imagine rain softly washing away pain, stress and self-doubts. I think you get the idea…your imagination is a powerful tool when you know how to use it. Self-hypnosis will allow you to do just that.

2) Self-hypnosis can also allow you to achieve a state of concentrated attention. By focusing on ideas and thoughts that are compatible with what you would like to experience and achieve, the mind is more open to accepting the desired outcome. Self-hypnosis allows you to block out the outside influences and focus specifically on the desired outcome. But keep in mind, no one is forcing you to think a certain way or do anything against your will....it's all about you being in control, molding and shaping the life you desire, by focusing attention to bring about the outcome YOU desire.

3) Self-Hypnosis allows you to fully and completely relax. We live in a go-go, hurry up world. Many of us lack focus and aren't even sure how to relax. My self-hypnosis techniques encourage "true" relaxation through voice and visualization. When you learn to truly relax, the mind/body connection can be made - which creates an open window for change and progress in your life.

4) Self-hypnosis allows you to reach a state of deep meditation. When you achieve this peaceful state, your mind is more open to receiving positive influence and allows you to delve deep inside your subconscious to address the issues that are holding you back and creating problems in your life.

Reaching this deep meditative state each day opens up a window in your nervous system that allows better communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. When this connection happens, the brain increases production of beneficial brain chemicals, including endorphins — the "happy chemicals" in the brain. The release of these chemicals through practices such as self-hypnosis has been shown to slow aging and improve overall well-being.

Without this open communication that is achieved through self-hypnosis, your entire body gets caught up and even overwhelmed by the stresses and chaos of your hectic lifestyle. Think about it…you get hit with stress from your job, family, health issues, financial concerns... the list goes on. To deal with this emotional and mental overload we often turn to coping mechanisms such as over-eating, smoking, anxiety, sleeplessness, anger, depression, or worse.

5) Self-hypnosis can be used for subconscious exploration, allowing you a better understanding of the "why's" regarding your unwanted actions or habits. This also allows us to identify whether past events or experiences are associated with causing the problem. Self-hypnosis allows you to bypass your critical conscious mind (the self-defeating thoughts and actions that keep you from doing what you know to be in your best interest) and tap directly into your subconscious to get to the root cause of the problem and therefore resolve the issue."

Holistic Hypnosis and Parts Integration

Holistic Hypnosis sometimes uses a technique in which the individual is seen to consist of a core Self surrounded by an assortment of "parts", sub-personalities, or aspects of who you are. These "parts" are like aspects of a single comprehensive personality. These "parts" are usually somewhat autonomous. In other words, they act as if they have a mind of their own. Some of these "parts" are stronger and more dominant than others. The less dominant ones often carry important feelings and are suppressed by their more dominant counterparts.

Different "parts" of you are responsible for whatever patterns keep occurring over and over again in your behavior. "Parts" can often be in conflict and become polarized against other "parts", keeping you from accomplishing your goals. It can seem like they are stuck in the past or that they have stopped speaking to each other. According to parts theory, polarization between "parts" causes conflict and often results in confusion, indecision, sabotage, or other negative behavior patterns.

Have you ever been ambivalent or conflicted in how you feel? For example, while I might be angry, I might also be afraid to say so. I can hold both feelings at the same time. We can even go on to meet that angry "part" and find out what is making it angry and what will soothe it. Parts language is a way of talking about conflicted feelings that promotes empowerment and perspective.

All 'parts" exsist for their positive intentions and have been doing something very important for you. If a particular "part" is not giving us the information or co-operation we are looking for, then we need to build more bridges through acknowledgement, understanding, respect and empathy. By consciously appreciating these "parts", these "parts" can now use a better way to support you in achieving your highest potential. Stay connected. Live in the present moment.

Growth and change involves blending the many dimensions of yourself to create a harmonious relationship with life, within and without, on all levels. As you experience this new awareness and aliveness, you will naturally experience a freeing of time and increased energy. Becoming less defensive and more flexible, with all of your parts working together to easily and effortlessly support you physically, emotionally and spiritually with compassion, grace, truth, love and gratitude.

HYPNOSIS COLOR RELAXATION INDUCTION

Hypnosis begins with a relaxation induction. As you relax you easily drift into a relaxed hypnotic state.

Allow your awareness to rise above your head into your creative resourceful state above….Look down on yourself and imagine the colors surrounding you …….

RED ....... slowly, calmly ....... easily ….... gently ….... allowing and feeling the comforting sensations of the most relaxed areas of your body begin to spread ….... releasing any old emotions, memories, beliefs ....... release any unnecessary guilt or whatever your body no longer needs, ....... whatever does not support you and nourish you ....... release insecurity and self consciousness ....... release being stuck or trapped ....... enjoy the pleasure and freedom of your body and life ....... feeling safe, secure and supported ....... feeling free to take action ....... and move forward and create excitement in your life ....... with all your needs being met easily and effortlessly .......

ORANGE ....... creating loving, caring, nurturing connection ....... and as this marvelous warm wonderful feeling of relaxation spreads to other parts of your body ....... the feeling of relaxation becomes stronger and continues to spread ....... with a sense of abundance, well-being, ....... loving and enjoying life ....... with the ability to accept all feelings without judgment ....... trusting one’s body ....... feeling free to discover who you are as an individual……

YELLOW ....... self worth ....... be and have enough ....... personal power ....... equality ....... digest new ideas and experiences ....... release worry ....... release fear ....... release anger ....... release grief ....... release old patterns and resentment ....... every nerve and muscle in your body is loose and limp and relaxed as you go deeper and deeper ....... release control, suffering, and struggle ....... feel connected ....... be at choice ....... access your own internal wisdom and inner guidance ....... feel centered, balanced and peaceful ....... feeling like you can have what you want and desire ....... feeling deserving and worthy of great things ....... life is an adventure .......

GREEN ....... easily give and receive ....... be worthy ....... release the past ....... release guilt ....... release pain ....... let go of holding back ....... nurturing and approving ....... reaching out and embracing life with love, laughter and joy ....... be fully grounded in your ability to feel valued and appreciated ....... at peace and at ease ....... the comfort spreads throughout every part of your body ....... this wonderful feeling of joy and happiness filling you with every breath ....... lighter and lighter .......

BLUE ....... willing to change and be free ....... be true to yourself ....... create magic and miracles ....... say how you feel and ask for what you want easily and effortlessly ....... speak your truth with compassion ....... knowing what it feels like to clearly communicate and receive my wants, needs, desires and dreams ....... allow yourself to feel calm, peaceful and relaxed .......

PURPLE ....... learn easily….know what you know ....... be aware ....... think and see clearly ....... make choices with proper discernment ....... be healthy ....... be creative ....... with insight and imagination ....... from head to toe ....... you feel perfect in everyway ....... you now feel the strength and energy circulating ....... strong and vital ....... flowing through every part of your being now ....... that living energy flowing through you right now ....... feel it floating and drifting now.......

WHITE ….... be filled with grace and gratitude….... feel connected to your own Renewable Creative Source ……. have faith in yourself ……. understand the bigger picture ….. resolve, release, and clear resentment, rejection and regret ....... activate change …… evolve ....... and gain spiritual structure and balance on all levels ....... function with youth, vitality and certainty …… transforming all into perfect health ....... forever regenerating ....... with positive purpose and direction …… receive in an unlimited way for the highest and best good of all ....... waking up all our potential for all that is .......

I am never going to smoke again. Isn’t that wonderful?

Hypnosis is very effective for helping you to be free of smoking. Hypnosis develops and focuses our ability to visualize or imagine. With hypnosis, relaxation, visualization and powerful suggestion, change happens easily and effortlessly.

Now……Open your mind. In the correct frame of mind you will find it amazingly easy. Start right now and say, I am never going to smoke again. Isn’t that wonderful?

Smoking is a form of hypnosis that you used to practice. Now we will break the spell smoking used to have on you.

It is only the doubting and waiting and fear of failure that may make it difficult to quit. Begin to experience the different things you will begin to give yourself instead of having a smoke. You will focus on coming up with three things for each of the times you smoke and replacing cigarettes with new ways to give yourself those things.

Hypnosis can be a powerful tool to strengthen your motivation and dissolve the hold that your current "smoking triggers" have over you, in addition to dissolving cravings, and making the whole process easier and much more likely to succeed.

At least two sessions are recommended when you are becoming a non-smoker for life. You become a "non-smoker" after the first session. You don't have to worry about "cold turkey" because you will not have the desire to smoke after your session.

If you do run into a situation where you have the desire to smoke, we will use it to do specific work on that particular situation where you were "triggered". The follow up sessions work on dissolving the habits attached to smoking to be sure the emotional and physical "triggers" for smoking are all gone.

Most people do not smoke after one session. The first session is about experiencing the different things you will begin to give yourself instead of having a smoke. This isn’t about will power or character. This is about finding what works for you.

Enhance your imaging abilities to improve your ability to be hypnotized

This exercise is from The Medicine Woman Inner Guidebook by Carol Bridges

Enhance your imaging abilities by gazing at an inspiring picture that leads your eye down a path, through a doorway or gate, into the picture and goes to some secret place.

Gaze at the picture......close your eyes and remember it in your mind's eye.......open your eyes.....gaze......close eyes......make your inner vision more clear..........open your eyes........gaze at any details your mind left out..........close your eyes..........visualize the scene again.........smell the smells.......feel the weather.......allow yourself to travel the path and go beyond the scene......open the door......go through the gate.......keep your mind focused on going farther into what you are creating.