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Welcome to the HYPNOSENSE Knowledge base, a page to supplement my FAQ pages with some extra answers and resources for enquiring minds... There are many relevant answers to this question, usually referring to a 'state of extreme relaxation commensurate with enhanced concentration' or words to that effect. Here's one of my favourite descriptions: Hypnosis is a state wherein the subconscious and conscious parts of the mind begin to work on the same concept at the same time without conflict. How many sessions Probably the question with the widest range of answers in the business! At one end, we have the 'whizz kids' who state that they 'can fix anything in one session'; at the other end, those who state that they might keep a client in therapy for four years if it was helping the client! There is no actual hard and fast rule, even for clients presenting with similar difficulties - and it also depends on what the client wants you to do. In general, suggestion work should be completed within four sessions (if there is no change at all after the second, it is unlikely that you will see a positive result unless you change your approach in some way). Regression styles of therapy will usually take longer - usually upwards of six one-hour sessions. The upper limit is hard to predict; usually it's no more than twelve but that is not a finite number by any means. How often? Weekly sessions seem to work quite well, though there are many therapists who work on a two-weekly basis; for any from of regression work, the weekly session seems to be by far the best approach. Referring on At any time when you are uncomfortable with the direction that therapy is taking, you should refer the client on if you unable to quickly resolve the situation. The best and most professional way is to say something like: "OK, that's got the basic work done - now it's time for me to refer you on to a specialist in your particular symptom," or words to that effect. If the client queries this, the best response is that this is not an unusual situation, that you work quite closely with several colleagues who are each specialists in their particular branch of therapy. The important thing is to ensure that you avoid working in a situation that is making you uncomfortable... sort it out, don't stick it out! Failure to resolve the issue could ultimately lead to you going into burn out. Hypnotherapy and psychology Many people wonder about the link between psychology and hypnotherapy; the links most relevant to the work of the hypnotherapist are associated with:
The 'regular' hypnotherapist should not attempt to work with the psychotically ill individual (more details of psychosis can be found elsewhere on this site) although it is entirely possible that hypnosis can be used in certain circumstances. For the 'regular' therapist encountering psychosis or psychotic behaviour, the course of action is very clear - refer them back to their Doctor so that they can be further referred to get the psychiatric help that they need. DO NOT tell the client, or anyone else, that you are diagnosing psychosis. Simply refer them back to their Doctor with the advice that they should tell him/her the same that they have told you. Contraindications Hypnosis is not suitable for:
Conscious Critical Faculty The Conscious Critical Faculty, often referred to as the 'CCF' can best be thought of as a kind of psychological membrane that separates conscious and subconscious. It constantly monitors all input from our senses and tends to reject that which does not agree with an idea or concept that has been previously experienced and accepted as 'valid' in some way. This is why if an individual has understood that s/he is stupid, there will be a rejection of information to the contrary, just as certainly as if s/he believes him/herself to be clever. In other words, unless we can get beneath the CCF, it is very difficult indeed to make lasting change. False Memories These may or may not exist; false belief, however, is much more likely. In any event, as long as the therapist conscientiously uses 'clean language' and steadfastly avoids leading, the possibility of creating either is greatly minimised. You can find more on 'clean language' elsewhere on this site. Working with sexual difficulties of the opposite sex There are some who will tell you that you should only work with sexual difficulties with your own gender. Whilst there are some grounds for this belief, it is fair to say that cross-sex therapy can and often does produce a faster and more effective therapy. The most important aspects are for the therapist to:
Secondary Gain is an advantage that the client in some way achieves as a result of his/her illness and which he/she is reluctant to relinquish. Unless there is an agreement to relinquish it, though, therapy is unlikely to proceed to a successful conclusion. It is very similar to the Hidden Agenda. The 'therapeutic alliance' This really refers to the relationship between client and therapist; it must be clearly delineated to a 'professionally close' relationship if therapy is to proceed along professional grounds. Social involvement will inhibit successful therapy, as indeed would any business involvement outside of the therapy itself. Transference Transference has been defined as: "A strange mixture of hostility, suspicion, affection and jealousy; it is not a single emotion but a cocktail with variable ingredients to be mixed in indeterminate quantities, according to the requirements of the individual partaking of it…" It can be used in therapy, since it can engender a feeling for the client of closeness with the therapist with an accompanying feeling of security, a knowledge that anything can be discussed with total safety. Abreaction An abreaction can and often will occur during any type of investigative therapy. It is the revivification of an event from the past, possibly from the formative years of the individual concerned, in which there was a perceived vulnerability and/or guilt. The analyst will seek to ensure that abreactive state is sustained to a natural conclusion, after which all negative emotional attachment to the event ceases to be. Those not trained in analytical techniques may instead seek to help the client to 'let go' of the state by asking him/her to let his/her mind drift to a safe/special place which has been previously created. Resistance Resistance is present within every client who arrives for therapy; in fact, it is resistance to change that has usually created their illness in the first place. The job of the therapist is to observe the form that the resistance takes, then use his/her therapeutic skills to bypass it where possible. A classic example of resistance and a therapeutic response is shown here: Client: "I wasn't hypnotised, I didn't go under." Therapist: "What would it have felt like if you had?" Resistance will not give way if you tackle it head on with something like: "I'm sorry, but you definitely did. I am a professional, you know." Such a response would be likely to actually increase resistance, rather then diminish it. Retraumatisation Many therapists, especially new therapists, worry about retraumatising the client by investigating traumatic moments from the past within regression styles of therapy. Skilled use of dissociation techniques, where necessary, makes it easy to avoid this situation but the most important factor is that all negative emotional content of a sensitising event must be released. Physical illnesses If we are working with any individual with physical illness, it is important that we do not lead the client to believe that we can offer some sort of magic 'cure'; when it is possible that we can alleviate their symptoms somewhat, it is important that we ensure that it is understood that any conventional medication must be continued until advised otherwise by the Doctor. If a client reports that he/she is suffering from a profound physical illness, such as Asthma, Diabetes (type 1 or type 2), or Epilepsy, then it is essential that we have the approval of their Doctor or other medical consultant before commencing any therapeutic work with them. It is not sufficient to simply know that they have consulted with a conventional medical practitioner; we need a letter from their doctor agreeing that there is no objection to our working with them. Inductions Inductions are what make hypnosis work - or not! It is important that you select an induction that is suitable for your client's 'style' and personality type. Here are some common induction methods:
Just occasionally, a client enjoys the state of hypnosis so much that he/she simply doesn't bother to respond to the instruction: "... and just open your eyes now, feeling good!" or similar. The classic answer, after a further attempt has been made, is to advise the client that you will not take them to that state again if they don't allow themselves to leave it the next time you count them up. In fact, though, it is often the fact that such a deep state of hypnosis exists that you can give the suggestion: "On the count of 5, your eyes will simply flick open as if of their own accord and you will find yourself wide awake, aware and feeling good!" or similar. This can work extremely well with even determined clients... You should never lose sight of the fact, though, that clients can and do simply go to sleep during the session! Then, it is usually only necessary to change the ambience of the room in some way - turn the music off or turn it on; open the blinds; turn on the lights; turn off the lights... or simply cough loudly! Therapeutic strategy What many might call the 'therapy proper', this is the part of our work that is the most important, as far as helping to alleviate our clients' problems is concerned. It is actually difficult to effectively define strategies, because, to paraphrase the late Milton Erickson: "There are as many therapies as there are clients." He probably originated the 'modern' idea that every client receives a different therapy that is tailor made for the presenting difficulty. There are, however, a few 'broad' methodologies that are in common use. Some are listed here:
I regret that the current litigious climate dictates that I cannot answer questions concerning your clients unless you are a student/graduate of E.I.C.H., or are a current member of APHP (www.aphp.net). |
