Like the Creating or Re-experiencing a Pleasant Scene induction, subjects find this induction very personal, eliciting the experience of the therapist "dancing" with them. As in the previous induction, you need to be prepared to pace and lead a variety of possible nonverbal behaviors.
Pre-trance discussion is used to seed outside and inside, which is central to the experience of this induction. We may ask subjects, "What's the weather like outside now?" or, "The temperature in here, inside this room, how does it feel to you?" Even more directly, we may tell them, "Today in the induction I'm going to ask you to experience some things inside and outside. Many people find this a very interesting experience, something in which they can become very absorbed." Subjects are also prepared for eye closure: "In a moment I'm going to ask you to look around the room and notice some things, and then ask you to close your eyes so we can draw a contrast between the two experiences. How does that sound?" If they decline, we tell them that is fine and simply proceed with something else.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Creating Or Re-Experiencing A Pleasant Scene Hypnosis - Part 3
DEEPENING
(Subject's name), among all the different aspects of your pleasant experience, perhaps there is one very vivid or memorable thing, maybe a feeling on your skin, maybe the thought of being there in that experience, maybe a color or a scent, a deep breath, or something else. Now in a moment I'm going to ask you to imagine one of those things, that's the way, and when one very pleasant thing from that experience comes to mind, let me know by nodding your head ... good ... and I'd like you to continue thinking of that one thing now, feeling and experiencing it, while I count out loud, from ten down to one, and as those numbers descend you can imagine yourself sinking even deeper into that pleasant experience ... ten ... nine ...
REALERTING
After the therapy portion, the subject may be realerted (speaking with a bit more volume) by, "As I count from one up to five you will begin to feel alert, and by the time my voice gets up to five you will feel alert and refreshed ... one ... two ..."
DEBRIEFING
Subjects are often fascinated by the way they can become absorbed in a rather simple exercise, especially one that is generated from their own experience. You might ask, "Do you wish to tell me what pleasant situation you imagined?" Most subjects will be eager to reveal this. Then foster their interest or fascination by asking about the quality of their experience, e.g., "Tell me more about walking along that beach ..." It is important to focus on the aspect of the imaginal experience elicited in the deepening, as this will both ratify trance and give you valuable information about the subject's capacity for imaginal absorption.
NOTES FOR PRACTICE
This induction works best if drawn out with ample pauses and silences, which allow the subject time to experience suggestions. Notice how pleasant was seeded early on, and later activated, in the induction.
Occasionally, subject may be unable to imagine something when asked to do so. If you do not receive a head nod, simply proceed with something like, "I'm going to count down now from ten to one and as those numbers descend you can imagine, in your own way, going deeper and deeper into trance." Debriefing is vital in finding out what does work and what does not work for the subject. With this information, you can adapt subsequent trancework to the subject's particular needs. We take note of virtually everything the subject says during debriefing, as these responses are most valuable in utilization. Fragments, curious impressions, or idle wonderings can become building blocks of therapy. The essence of utilization is being able to convert or reframe something negative ("If life hands you lemons, make lemonade"). For example, if a subject reports, "All I could think about was my dry mouth and how I didn't swallow," then next session would add, " ... and some people find it most curious - almost to the point of distraction - how they can notice certain feelings and sensations in their body, maybe something rather different than they expected, and these responses are perfectly normal and natural, and in fact sometimes people can become absorbed in these things, deepening their experience, and other times people pay passing notice before turning to something else in their body that catches their attention ..."
In this induction you need to be ready to place and lead a range of behaviours that may arise: changes in the breathing, moving around in the chair, flushing of the cheeks, eye flutter, etc. Eye flutter may mean distress or incongruence (feeling as if something doesn't "fit"). The subject may not remember this fleeting moment when queried during debriefing, so it is advisable to make a mental note of what you are saying when eye flutter occurs.
It is easy to understand how some subjects think you can actually read their minds when you become adept at pacing and leading. For example, the subject experiences eye flutter, which is followed by a positional shift and a long sigh. Your response is " ... and sometimes in trance a person may experience something upsetting, or maybe a strange thought or feeling, which can lead to changing position - or even perspective - and exhaling deeply can help a person appreciate the comfort of trance on an even deeper level ..."
(Subject's name), among all the different aspects of your pleasant experience, perhaps there is one very vivid or memorable thing, maybe a feeling on your skin, maybe the thought of being there in that experience, maybe a color or a scent, a deep breath, or something else. Now in a moment I'm going to ask you to imagine one of those things, that's the way, and when one very pleasant thing from that experience comes to mind, let me know by nodding your head ... good ... and I'd like you to continue thinking of that one thing now, feeling and experiencing it, while I count out loud, from ten down to one, and as those numbers descend you can imagine yourself sinking even deeper into that pleasant experience ... ten ... nine ...
REALERTING
After the therapy portion, the subject may be realerted (speaking with a bit more volume) by, "As I count from one up to five you will begin to feel alert, and by the time my voice gets up to five you will feel alert and refreshed ... one ... two ..."
DEBRIEFING
Subjects are often fascinated by the way they can become absorbed in a rather simple exercise, especially one that is generated from their own experience. You might ask, "Do you wish to tell me what pleasant situation you imagined?" Most subjects will be eager to reveal this. Then foster their interest or fascination by asking about the quality of their experience, e.g., "Tell me more about walking along that beach ..." It is important to focus on the aspect of the imaginal experience elicited in the deepening, as this will both ratify trance and give you valuable information about the subject's capacity for imaginal absorption.
NOTES FOR PRACTICE
This induction works best if drawn out with ample pauses and silences, which allow the subject time to experience suggestions. Notice how pleasant was seeded early on, and later activated, in the induction.
Occasionally, subject may be unable to imagine something when asked to do so. If you do not receive a head nod, simply proceed with something like, "I'm going to count down now from ten to one and as those numbers descend you can imagine, in your own way, going deeper and deeper into trance." Debriefing is vital in finding out what does work and what does not work for the subject. With this information, you can adapt subsequent trancework to the subject's particular needs. We take note of virtually everything the subject says during debriefing, as these responses are most valuable in utilization. Fragments, curious impressions, or idle wonderings can become building blocks of therapy. The essence of utilization is being able to convert or reframe something negative ("If life hands you lemons, make lemonade"). For example, if a subject reports, "All I could think about was my dry mouth and how I didn't swallow," then next session would add, " ... and some people find it most curious - almost to the point of distraction - how they can notice certain feelings and sensations in their body, maybe something rather different than they expected, and these responses are perfectly normal and natural, and in fact sometimes people can become absorbed in these things, deepening their experience, and other times people pay passing notice before turning to something else in their body that catches their attention ..."
In this induction you need to be ready to place and lead a range of behaviours that may arise: changes in the breathing, moving around in the chair, flushing of the cheeks, eye flutter, etc. Eye flutter may mean distress or incongruence (feeling as if something doesn't "fit"). The subject may not remember this fleeting moment when queried during debriefing, so it is advisable to make a mental note of what you are saying when eye flutter occurs.
It is easy to understand how some subjects think you can actually read their minds when you become adept at pacing and leading. For example, the subject experiences eye flutter, which is followed by a positional shift and a long sigh. Your response is " ... and sometimes in trance a person may experience something upsetting, or maybe a strange thought or feeling, which can lead to changing position - or even perspective - and exhaling deeply can help a person appreciate the comfort of trance on an even deeper level ..."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Creating Or Re-Experiencing A Pleasant Scene Hypnosis - Part 2
INDUCTION
As you sit back and begin to feel comfortably relaxed, I would like you (contingent suggestion) to let those eyes gently close ... that's the way ... recognizing that with those eyes closed you can go inside very pleasantly, (implication seeding, activated) accessing memories, past experiences, or other meaningful events, times gone by when you felt good. Now, (subject's name), I'd like you to take two deep, refreshing breaths and as you release that second breath you can drift (linking word) even more deeply into a satisfying a pleasant (implication seeding, activated) state of relaxation ...
Now, (subject's name), a few seconds ago when I mentioned thinking about a pleasant (seeding, activated) time from the past, perhaps something came to mind, and if so, you may nod your head ... (if a head nod is not forthcoming) and, if not, you can retrieve or even just imagine experiencing (permissive suggestion) something pleasant (seeding, activated) now, anything you like ... You don't have to say what it is and you can just enjoy it internally and privately ... (if a head nod still has not happened), and it can be anything you like, anything at all. One time a person (metaphor) sitting right there thought about a nice warm bath, and another though about a cool shower (apposition of opposites), a walk in the woods or along the beach, and when you have that pleasant experience there (implication), you may nod your head ... good ... breathing comfortably and relaxed, just letting it happen all by itself.
Now, (subject's name), in your mind there (dissociative language), I'd like you to notice if you're inside or outside ... if it's daytime or nighttime, and perhaps you even know approximately what time it is ... hours and minutes, clock time, which isn't like trance time ... and if it's light or dark ... just noticing things inside as well as outside (apposition of opposites)...
Just feel (suggestions) the temperature on your skin ... and notice all the other things around you and notice colors around you ... and patterns ... and sounds ... or silence.
Feel each part of your body and the movements, there in that place, ... and notice your breathing ... the clothes you are wearing ... their texture on your skin ... on your arms or perhaps your back ... or maybe somewhere else, and feel your breath ... there where you are in that pleasant place, enjoying and appreciating it ...
As you sit back and begin to feel comfortably relaxed, I would like you (contingent suggestion) to let those eyes gently close ... that's the way ... recognizing that with those eyes closed you can go inside very pleasantly, (implication seeding, activated) accessing memories, past experiences, or other meaningful events, times gone by when you felt good. Now, (subject's name), I'd like you to take two deep, refreshing breaths and as you release that second breath you can drift (linking word) even more deeply into a satisfying a pleasant (implication seeding, activated) state of relaxation ...
Now, (subject's name), a few seconds ago when I mentioned thinking about a pleasant (seeding, activated) time from the past, perhaps something came to mind, and if so, you may nod your head ... (if a head nod is not forthcoming) and, if not, you can retrieve or even just imagine experiencing (permissive suggestion) something pleasant (seeding, activated) now, anything you like ... You don't have to say what it is and you can just enjoy it internally and privately ... (if a head nod still has not happened), and it can be anything you like, anything at all. One time a person (metaphor) sitting right there thought about a nice warm bath, and another though about a cool shower (apposition of opposites), a walk in the woods or along the beach, and when you have that pleasant experience there (implication), you may nod your head ... good ... breathing comfortably and relaxed, just letting it happen all by itself.
Now, (subject's name), in your mind there (dissociative language), I'd like you to notice if you're inside or outside ... if it's daytime or nighttime, and perhaps you even know approximately what time it is ... hours and minutes, clock time, which isn't like trance time ... and if it's light or dark ... just noticing things inside as well as outside (apposition of opposites)...
Just feel (suggestions) the temperature on your skin ... and notice all the other things around you and notice colors around you ... and patterns ... and sounds ... or silence.
Feel each part of your body and the movements, there in that place, ... and notice your breathing ... the clothes you are wearing ... their texture on your skin ... on your arms or perhaps your back ... or maybe somewhere else, and feel your breath ... there where you are in that pleasant place, enjoying and appreciating it ...
Creating Or Re-Experiencing A Pleasant Scene Hypnosis - Part 1
This induction, like the Perceiving Sensations induction, is very economical. It may appear to be quite simple, which it is, but that should not imply that it is easy. Clinicians who can use these inductions effectively usually have some previous hypnotherapy experience and already know some other inductions. People trained in neurolinguistic programming as well as hypnosis often prefer these inductions because they utilize the subject's current, ongoing behavior. These are also the inductions of choice among many Ericksonian hypnotherapists in Mexico, where the rich culture and language may aid in joining with a person's sensory experience.
Compared to conventional psychotherapy, hypnotherapy accelerates rapport because subjects must feel trust if the therapist is to lead them through the steps of trancework. Trust and rapport are expedited even more with inductions such as this one, in which the therapist closely observes subjects, pacing and leading their behavior. The therapist's leverage for influencing behavioral change may also be accelerated in very "personal" inductions such as these, in which subject and therapist seem to dance in sync.
We have found that subjects who do not close their eyes have difficulty experiencing these inductions. Accordingly, we like to find out about eye closure before we begin. We may say, for example, "Do this for me, please: Close your eyes for a second or two ... good ... now go ahead and close your eyes while I count to ten ... good, how did that feel?" We then ask if they would like to keep their eyes closed throughout today's trancework in order to have a more complete and pleasant (seeding) experience. Most people will say yes, but if the answer is no, we usually go to another induction, such as Eye Fixation or Don't Try Too Hard. If people feel uncomfortable with eye closure, this must be respected.
Compared to conventional psychotherapy, hypnotherapy accelerates rapport because subjects must feel trust if the therapist is to lead them through the steps of trancework. Trust and rapport are expedited even more with inductions such as this one, in which the therapist closely observes subjects, pacing and leading their behavior. The therapist's leverage for influencing behavioral change may also be accelerated in very "personal" inductions such as these, in which subject and therapist seem to dance in sync.
We have found that subjects who do not close their eyes have difficulty experiencing these inductions. Accordingly, we like to find out about eye closure before we begin. We may say, for example, "Do this for me, please: Close your eyes for a second or two ... good ... now go ahead and close your eyes while I count to ten ... good, how did that feel?" We then ask if they would like to keep their eyes closed throughout today's trancework in order to have a more complete and pleasant (seeding) experience. Most people will say yes, but if the answer is no, we usually go to another induction, such as Eye Fixation or Don't Try Too Hard. If people feel uncomfortable with eye closure, this must be respected.
Don't Try Too Hard - Part 3
DEEPENING
(Subject's name), I would like you to imagine, just imagine in your mind, a staircase, an elevator, or an escalator, something that goes down one floor at a time. When you have one of those in your mind, let me know by nodding your head ... Good, that's the way.
Now I'd like you to go down that staircase or whatever you're picturing in your mind, down from ten to one, at your own pace, in your own way, letting your experience deepen with each number down, and when you've gotten there, you will know and I will know because you will take one more deep, comfortable breath ... Good, that's the way.
REALERTING
After therapy, the subject may be realerted with the following: "In a few moments, your eyes will open. When you awaken, you may forget to remember, or you may remember to forget (bind of comparable alternatives/suggestion for amnesia) the important unconscious work you did here today. Soon, but not just yet, you'll be opening your eyes. You will feel great, just as though you have had a very pleasant nap. Your whole body will feel relaxed and refreshed. Everything about you will be comfortable and relaxed, your body and your mind, very relaxed and comfortable. And now, take several refreshing, energizing breaths and let yourself become fully alert and awake."
DEBRIEFING
As this induction is heavily oriented toward bodily relaxation, trance-ratifying questions should be directed accordingly. Since a suggestion for amnesia was given at the end, you may ask, "Do you have any conscious recollection of unconscious things that came to mind back there when you raised your finger?"
NOTES FOR PRACTICE
A period of silence is provided at the end of the induction. A "quiet time" such as this is one of the most effective deepening techniques we know, and it certainly follows the law of parsimony: less is more, and sometimes the absence of our words can be highly beneficial. For many subjects, further deepening wil be unnecessary.
The formal deepening portion is very permissive and, in effect, allows for subjects to go down any way they choose. This is important for people with pain or without mobility.
Notice that nothing is taken for granted. You know when they are ready to go deeper because they respond with a finger signal. When you ask the person to imagine something, you verify it by eliciting a head nod or some other signal. Occasionally they may not signal. If that happnes, some therapists repeat the request. However, we believe that this may create a power struggle or possibly lead subjects to think that they have failed or "got it wrong." Such negative situations are probably best avoided by simply moving on it no response is forthcoming. You can broach the problem during debriefing.
This induction introduced another way for the subject to communicate in trance: the finger signal. To be effective, subjects must place their hands on their lap where you can see them. What if you ask for a finger signal with the right hand and they move their left index finger? It may mean the subject is trying her best to cooperate. If confounding responses continue in subsequent sessions, it may be better to use a head nod instead. Finger signals will be discussed further with other inductions.
It is normal for subjects to forget some or all of what you tell them during trancework. However, you may nurture this process with suggestions for amnesia, as in this induction. Erickson and others believed that most problem-solving occurs at the level of the unconscious. Amnesia allows unconscious work to continue without interference from the conscious mind. Other ways to facilitate amnesia will be addressed in subsequent inductions.
(Subject's name), I would like you to imagine, just imagine in your mind, a staircase, an elevator, or an escalator, something that goes down one floor at a time. When you have one of those in your mind, let me know by nodding your head ... Good, that's the way.
Now I'd like you to go down that staircase or whatever you're picturing in your mind, down from ten to one, at your own pace, in your own way, letting your experience deepen with each number down, and when you've gotten there, you will know and I will know because you will take one more deep, comfortable breath ... Good, that's the way.
REALERTING
After therapy, the subject may be realerted with the following: "In a few moments, your eyes will open. When you awaken, you may forget to remember, or you may remember to forget (bind of comparable alternatives/suggestion for amnesia) the important unconscious work you did here today. Soon, but not just yet, you'll be opening your eyes. You will feel great, just as though you have had a very pleasant nap. Your whole body will feel relaxed and refreshed. Everything about you will be comfortable and relaxed, your body and your mind, very relaxed and comfortable. And now, take several refreshing, energizing breaths and let yourself become fully alert and awake."
DEBRIEFING
As this induction is heavily oriented toward bodily relaxation, trance-ratifying questions should be directed accordingly. Since a suggestion for amnesia was given at the end, you may ask, "Do you have any conscious recollection of unconscious things that came to mind back there when you raised your finger?"
NOTES FOR PRACTICE
A period of silence is provided at the end of the induction. A "quiet time" such as this is one of the most effective deepening techniques we know, and it certainly follows the law of parsimony: less is more, and sometimes the absence of our words can be highly beneficial. For many subjects, further deepening wil be unnecessary.
The formal deepening portion is very permissive and, in effect, allows for subjects to go down any way they choose. This is important for people with pain or without mobility.
Notice that nothing is taken for granted. You know when they are ready to go deeper because they respond with a finger signal. When you ask the person to imagine something, you verify it by eliciting a head nod or some other signal. Occasionally they may not signal. If that happnes, some therapists repeat the request. However, we believe that this may create a power struggle or possibly lead subjects to think that they have failed or "got it wrong." Such negative situations are probably best avoided by simply moving on it no response is forthcoming. You can broach the problem during debriefing.
This induction introduced another way for the subject to communicate in trance: the finger signal. To be effective, subjects must place their hands on their lap where you can see them. What if you ask for a finger signal with the right hand and they move their left index finger? It may mean the subject is trying her best to cooperate. If confounding responses continue in subsequent sessions, it may be better to use a head nod instead. Finger signals will be discussed further with other inductions.
It is normal for subjects to forget some or all of what you tell them during trancework. However, you may nurture this process with suggestions for amnesia, as in this induction. Erickson and others believed that most problem-solving occurs at the level of the unconscious. Amnesia allows unconscious work to continue without interference from the conscious mind. Other ways to facilitate amnesia will be addressed in subsequent inductions.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Don't Try Too Hard - Part 2
INDUCTION
(Subject's name), don't try too hard to make things happen, and don't try to stop things from happening (bind of comparable alternatives). Just allow your imagination to wander as you notice things going on, perhaps interesting or curious (hypnotic languages)thoughts or sensations, maybe on the inside or the outside, or both at the same (bind of comparable alternatives) time. You don't have to think, or reply, or try to do anything at all (not knowing/not doing). In fact, it isn't even necessary to listen (restraint) carefully to what I'm saying because your unconscious mind will inevitably pay attention (suggestion) to anything important, without any conscious effort on your part. Now, (subject's name), perhaps you thought ahead of time (suggestion) about this experience today. Maybe it crossed your mind yesterday or the day before, or maybe you wondered about it today (truisms) or in the waiting room a few minutes ago, and perhaps right now a part of you is observing the process while the rest of you just goes along with the experience (hidden observer), which is just fine, because beginning now you can let yourself go (suggestion) into just as light or deep a trance as you would like.
As you hear my voice you can allow your body to relax (contingent suggestion) as deeply as you can. Now take several deep breaths, just as deep as you'd like ... very good, that's the way ... A deep breath can feel so very comfortable and satisfying.
(If subject's eyes are not already closed) You may begin to notice that your eyes, and particularly your eyelids (suggestion), may feel very, very drowsy, heavy and somewhat sleepy ... and (linking word) as they begin to blink, they may become especially tired and heavy (suggestion), and when (when) it is hard to keep them open, those (dissociation) eyes may wish to close all by themselves (involuntariness), that's the way ... changing perspective ... and going inside can be a most curious (hypnotic language) contrast.
The feeling that you can attain in your body is a sensation of complete and total muscular relaxation (repetition) ... just relaxing into a deep and very relaxed state ... simply listening to my voice ... and drifting into a very, very pleasant state of mind ... a body that is free from all tension and tightness, free from stress and strain. As you listen to my voice guiding you into a total and complete state of relaxation (repetition) ... your mind, your body ... the muscular system, the nervous system ... lump, relaxed muscles ... and your breathing (suggestion) is the essence of deep, deep relaxation. Your entire body is becoming completely and totally relaxed, (suggestion) your head ... your face ... your neck ... shoulders ... back ... chest ... arms ... completely relaxed, very deeply relaxed, your mind and your body, relaxed, at ease, free from tension, tightness, stress and strain.
Feeling secure and at rest. Enjoying the sense of quietness and calmness. No pressure, no need to rush, no one to please, no one to satisfy. This is just your time to rest and enjoy (suggestion) a gentle peacefulness. Just letting go, quietly and gently, with nothing to bother you, and nothing to disturb you.
While you sit there quietly, you can notice your breathing (contingent suggestion), and at the same time you recognize you are moving deeper and deeper into relaxation. That's the way ...
As soon as your unconscious mind is ready to move deeper into trance, you can raise your right index finger. Good. You know, I once knew a woman (metaphor) who let her unconscious mind identify issues that had been bothering her. As she let her unconscious mind look into the solutions, that were already there inside her (embedded meaning/suggestion for internal search), she began to feel more and more at ease. And as you allow your own imagination to wander, peering into your own inside issues, your conscious mind may think about solutions, while your unconscious mind considers their implications; or perhaps your unconscious mind will generate some solutions, while your conscious mind wonders what the result might be (conscious-unconscious double bind).
And now, letting that comfort and calmness flow, out to every part of you. Bringing such a sense of peacefulness, and quiet, and calm, that any inner stresses can also relax. Allowing all the stress and strain to just fade into the background (suggestion), and become more and more distant, farther and farther away ...
And now I'm going to give you some quiet time, to continue experiencing a deep level of relaxation, enjoying it in your own way. (Allow about 90 seconds.)
(Subject's name), don't try too hard to make things happen, and don't try to stop things from happening (bind of comparable alternatives). Just allow your imagination to wander as you notice things going on, perhaps interesting or curious (hypnotic languages)thoughts or sensations, maybe on the inside or the outside, or both at the same (bind of comparable alternatives) time. You don't have to think, or reply, or try to do anything at all (not knowing/not doing). In fact, it isn't even necessary to listen (restraint) carefully to what I'm saying because your unconscious mind will inevitably pay attention (suggestion) to anything important, without any conscious effort on your part. Now, (subject's name), perhaps you thought ahead of time (suggestion) about this experience today. Maybe it crossed your mind yesterday or the day before, or maybe you wondered about it today (truisms) or in the waiting room a few minutes ago, and perhaps right now a part of you is observing the process while the rest of you just goes along with the experience (hidden observer), which is just fine, because beginning now you can let yourself go (suggestion) into just as light or deep a trance as you would like.
As you hear my voice you can allow your body to relax (contingent suggestion) as deeply as you can. Now take several deep breaths, just as deep as you'd like ... very good, that's the way ... A deep breath can feel so very comfortable and satisfying.
(If subject's eyes are not already closed) You may begin to notice that your eyes, and particularly your eyelids (suggestion), may feel very, very drowsy, heavy and somewhat sleepy ... and (linking word) as they begin to blink, they may become especially tired and heavy (suggestion), and when (when) it is hard to keep them open, those (dissociation) eyes may wish to close all by themselves (involuntariness), that's the way ... changing perspective ... and going inside can be a most curious (hypnotic language) contrast.
The feeling that you can attain in your body is a sensation of complete and total muscular relaxation (repetition) ... just relaxing into a deep and very relaxed state ... simply listening to my voice ... and drifting into a very, very pleasant state of mind ... a body that is free from all tension and tightness, free from stress and strain. As you listen to my voice guiding you into a total and complete state of relaxation (repetition) ... your mind, your body ... the muscular system, the nervous system ... lump, relaxed muscles ... and your breathing (suggestion) is the essence of deep, deep relaxation. Your entire body is becoming completely and totally relaxed, (suggestion) your head ... your face ... your neck ... shoulders ... back ... chest ... arms ... completely relaxed, very deeply relaxed, your mind and your body, relaxed, at ease, free from tension, tightness, stress and strain.
Feeling secure and at rest. Enjoying the sense of quietness and calmness. No pressure, no need to rush, no one to please, no one to satisfy. This is just your time to rest and enjoy (suggestion) a gentle peacefulness. Just letting go, quietly and gently, with nothing to bother you, and nothing to disturb you.
While you sit there quietly, you can notice your breathing (contingent suggestion), and at the same time you recognize you are moving deeper and deeper into relaxation. That's the way ...
As soon as your unconscious mind is ready to move deeper into trance, you can raise your right index finger. Good. You know, I once knew a woman (metaphor) who let her unconscious mind identify issues that had been bothering her. As she let her unconscious mind look into the solutions, that were already there inside her (embedded meaning/suggestion for internal search), she began to feel more and more at ease. And as you allow your own imagination to wander, peering into your own inside issues, your conscious mind may think about solutions, while your unconscious mind considers their implications; or perhaps your unconscious mind will generate some solutions, while your conscious mind wonders what the result might be (conscious-unconscious double bind).
And now, letting that comfort and calmness flow, out to every part of you. Bringing such a sense of peacefulness, and quiet, and calm, that any inner stresses can also relax. Allowing all the stress and strain to just fade into the background (suggestion), and become more and more distant, farther and farther away ...
And now I'm going to give you some quiet time, to continue experiencing a deep level of relaxation, enjoying it in your own way. (Allow about 90 seconds.)
Don't Try Too Hard - Part 1
DON'T TRY TOO HARD
This induction may be the hypnotic equivalent of the progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique. Subjects are not asked to tense and relax their muscles as in PMR; however, in this induction you directly suggest relaxation in successive parts of the body. More concrete, bodily-oriented individuals, as well as adolescents and children, may respond favorably to this induction, which is more authoritarian than the previous one. Notice that the suggestion for eye closure is rather firm and directive, not permissive and general like the previous induction, which allowed for either continued eye fixation or eye closure. Accordingly, you need to be prepared to pace the subject's response in case eye closure does not occur, for example, "... or your eyes may find it more comfortable to remain open as your body continues to become more relaxed with each deep breath ..."
Communicating or "dancing" with the subject requires that you periodically look up from the script and monitor the subject's response. With practice and experience, you will not have to rely on a prepared script, and monitoring, pacing, and leading will become much easier.
As these script are written to be read aloud (and to have a hypnotic effect), conventional rules for writing are not followed. Sentences that begin with "and," incomplete and run-on sentences, and even double or triple negatives are included purposely.
The concept of unconscious mind is seeded in pre-trance discussion. The therapist may tell the subject that the unconscious mind is like the big part of the icebery, largely unseen beneath the water, or perhaps the therapist wonders aloud, "I wonder how your unconscious mind will benefit from this experience today ..."
This induction may be the hypnotic equivalent of the progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique. Subjects are not asked to tense and relax their muscles as in PMR; however, in this induction you directly suggest relaxation in successive parts of the body. More concrete, bodily-oriented individuals, as well as adolescents and children, may respond favorably to this induction, which is more authoritarian than the previous one. Notice that the suggestion for eye closure is rather firm and directive, not permissive and general like the previous induction, which allowed for either continued eye fixation or eye closure. Accordingly, you need to be prepared to pace the subject's response in case eye closure does not occur, for example, "... or your eyes may find it more comfortable to remain open as your body continues to become more relaxed with each deep breath ..."
Communicating or "dancing" with the subject requires that you periodically look up from the script and monitor the subject's response. With practice and experience, you will not have to rely on a prepared script, and monitoring, pacing, and leading will become much easier.
As these script are written to be read aloud (and to have a hypnotic effect), conventional rules for writing are not followed. Sentences that begin with "and," incomplete and run-on sentences, and even double or triple negatives are included purposely.
The concept of unconscious mind is seeded in pre-trance discussion. The therapist may tell the subject that the unconscious mind is like the big part of the icebery, largely unseen beneath the water, or perhaps the therapist wonders aloud, "I wonder how your unconscious mind will benefit from this experience today ..."
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