(Most people that fail to achieve the hypnotic state do not achieve it because many hypnotists do not take sufficient time to explain enough about hypnosis to clear up misconceptions that can interfere with a client attaining the hypnotic state. Clinical hypnotherapists find that a “Preliminary Session” in which they take time to clear up misconceptions and fears about hypnosis is highly advisable when dealing with people who are seeking to be hypnotized, even if they have been hypnotized before.
Very often a client’s expectations regarding hypnosis are based on false assumptions and misconceptions, and it is the responsibility of the hypnotists to give the client proper information.
Most people fall into one of two categories in what they know about hypnosis: (1) There are those who know nothing at all, or (2) those who know a little, but most of what they know is wrong.
Those who are handicapped by misinformation also fall into two categories: (1) those who fear hypnosis, believing it is dangerous, supernatural, black magic, etc., and (2) those who believe it is a cure-all for everything, and who have absolute faith in it, based on a rather magical belief.
Prior to the first attempt at hypnotic induction, you should develop a degree of rapport with the person to be hypnotized. That can usually be accomplished by having a relaxed discussion with the person to prepare his or her mind for all that will follow.
That will involve correcting misunderstandings and providing correct information. You should also provide an opportunity for the client to bring up any questions he or she may have about hypnosis. This will help develop rapport and will also help erase unfounded fears the client may have about hypnosis).
Guide for the Preliminary Session
Before hypnotizing you I want to take a few minutes to explain a little about hypnosis. Most people have heard or read things about hypnosis which give them a false impression of what hypnosis really is. And it’s easy to understand why people do not understand hypnosis after seeing some of the weird things they show in the movies on television and in stage shows.
We need to remember that the directors of those movies and the television programs are trying to entertain people rather than inform them about the subject of hypnosis, and to entertain they write into the plot all kinds of sensationalism to try and make the program interesting. They show hypnosis being used in ways that it can’t really be used, and they show things that are untrue or which distort the truth, and it results in most people developing false impressions and total misunderstandings about hypnosis.
Going into a state of hypnosis is a perfectly natural experience. It is difficult to describe the hypnotic state since it is a little different for each person, but for most people it can be described as a deep, peaceful state of relaxation. The person who is hypnotized is aware of everything the hypnotist says at all times while he or she is in the hypnotic state. The belief that the hypnotized person is asleep or in a state of unconsciousness is a misconception. You will hear every word I say, and you will also be aware of everything you do while you are hypnotized. That’s one of the reasons a person can never be made to do anything he or she would be consciously opposed to doing if given the same suggestion when not in a hypnotic state.
I already mentioned that for most people the hypnotic state is a deep state of relaxation, and you will find that the more you let yourself relax, the more you let yourself relax, the more you will benefit from the helpful suggestions you receive. In other words, the more you let yourself co-operate, the more benefits you get from the experience, and you cannot be hypnotized without your co-operation or against your will.
There have been cases in which the effects of hypnosis have seemed miraculous because of the amazing results people have experienced as the result of being hypnotized, but it is not really a miraculous power. It is merely a means of helping people use unrealised abilities which they already possess, including the natural healing abilities of their own bodies.
Everyone has within them the ability to heal cuts, bruises, and broken bones. Those are not supernatural effects. They are normal, and hypnosis is a technique which enables your mind to use those same abilities to produce healing in all areas of your body.
When you are hypnotized, your sub-conscious mind is much more susceptible to suggestions, and your mind accepts helpful suggestions that cause your body processes to function properly and heal your body from any kind of illness.
Hypnosis enables your mind to accept suggestions that cause your self-confidence to increase. It allows your creative abilities to keep emerging. It improves your learning abilities, and helps you in many other ways.
Hypnosis enables you to achieve a state of mind that improves your character, and suggestions can be given to remove any features of your character which you wish to have removed and strengthen those features of your character which you feel are desirable.
It will help you to direct effectively all of your future efforts, and can help you to become more successful in all areas of your life.
Some writers have claimed that hypnosis is dangerous: that it weakens the will. Others say it can cause other symptoms to arise in place of those removed by hypnotic suggestions. Those are misconceptions. There has never been a case in the history of hypnosis in which it has ever caused other symptoms to arise in place of those that have been cured through hypnosis, and instead of weakening the will, it actually strengthens the will, and instead of weakening the mind, it actually improves the mind, and helps a person’s concentration as well as improves the ability to recall.
These are some of the facts about hypnosis. It is the ideal state for achieving whatever you need to achieve, whether it is healing of your body, improving study habits, developing self-confidence, reducing your body, overcoming bothersome habits, plus achieving many other goals you desire to achieve.
Do you have any questions you would like to ask before we proceed with the hypnotic session?
(NOTE: This is an example of some of the things you should cover before attempting to hypnotize a client. These suggestions in this “preliminary session” answer a lot of questions, and help the client develop some understanding about what to expect from hypnosis.
You of course would adapt it to your own needs, and the needs of the client that is in your clinic.
Not only dose a “preliminary session” such as this set the client’s mind at ease, it opens the way for the client to ask any questions he or she may have which need to be answered before attempting to hypnotize him or her.
It isn’t necessary to go into great detail in answering questions; in fact it is better to be brief, yet at the same time, in order to build rapport, the “preliminary session” should be conducted in an easy unhurried manner).