Most of my first visit hypnosis clients have been struggling for a long time and tried mainstream options without success. Of course each person is unique but there is a consistent theme with everyone, they feel overwhelmed and powerless.
Another common thread for ‘newbie’s’ is that most have never experienced clinical hypnosis. In fact, most people have no experience with meditation or relaxing techniques of any kind. Inspite of this, the overwhelming majority have a very positive experience on the first visit.
Initially, most clients experience relief just having someone listen to their story. This certainly does not happen in the healthcare mainstream, practitioners must conform to insurance company’s guidelines as to how much time they can spend with each patient. Having someone truly listen to their problems can be extremely therapeutic unto itself.
Then comes the teaching; concisely explaining the hypnosis process and how to do it well plays a big part in the client’s success. I email all new clients an intro video that explains all of this prior to arrival. I draw connections between hypnosis and everyday experiences like daydreaming and zoning out to help demystify hypnosis which helps individuals to feel more comfortable.
Then comes the session itself; even though hypnosis is always relaxing and quite enjoyable, some new clients are unsure of what to expect and may feel a bit apprehensive. To help them comfortably transition I teach them some simple breathing techniques so they can do self-hypnosis on their own. By learning how to ‘own’ the process they become empowered and involved with their journey to success.
Next we seamlessly transition into the formal session. The client is already relaxed and in a light state of hypnosis so it is very easy for them to follow along and enjoy the ride. My clients wear Bose headphones and listen to soothing music and nature sounds while being guided into a deeply blissful hypnotic journey.
After the session I ask each client if they feel as though any emotional separation or distance from their problem. Most are pleasantly surprised by the immediate relief. They recall the problem but feel free of its hold on them. Many feel a sensation of lightness, weight loss clients feel like they have already lost weight after the initial session. Some talk about finally being able to breathe comfortably for the first time in a long time. First visit clients are well cared for; they learn a lot and leave the office feeling wonderful.
The most effective way to help clients succeed is to frame it in such an appealing way that there seems to be no other choice. Hypnosis taps into the imagination where individuals are guided to not only release the unproductive past, but to also anticipate success. It is so much easier when you feel as though you are simply trading-up to something better.
This can be so effective that many weight loss clients feel lighter before the scale shows any change. Prior to hypnosis their only approach to solving their problem was to obsess about it, figure it out, or out smart it. Hypnosis releases the battle and connects you to the fast track to success. In fact, many of my weight loss clients have said they felt lighter after the initial session.
Once the shift is initiated, the next step is to repeat the hypnotic solution frequently enough to support lasting success. If repetition creates problems then why not use the same approach to establish solutions. Clients receive a high quality recording of each session and my prescription is to ‘press play once a day’.
At times we all feel as though we are prisoners of one bad habit or another, something we just can’t shake or quit. My approach with hypnosis is all about the patterns and their roots. If we make the mistake of picking up a cigarette when we are very young and become a routine smoker, the smoking pattern, or habit, becomes rooted in the subconscious mind.
Once a pattern becomes rooted it is difficult to undo. The good news is that hypnosis gives you the power to change, power of thought. Hypnosis is the gateway to the subconscious mind making it comfortably easy to take control.
Keys to success:
Genuine desire to do what you say you want to do
Be open minded and follow instructions
Routine home reinforcement so new pattern becomes rooted
Hypnosis is a great tool supporting sobriety and healthy living. I help clients tap into the euphoric bliss of naturally occurring endorphin flow. Once individuals experience such profound relaxation, and incorporate it into their daily routine, most find it comfortably easy to maintain a substance-free lifestyle.
In addition to the feel good serenity of deep trance hypnosis, sessions include specific suggestions and imagery supporting healthy success. The subconscious then pulls in this new information and starts to piece together a new operating system of change. Listening to sessions routinely for a period of 2-3 months forms a foundation of healthy change.
We are creatures of habit, whatever we repeat, good or bad, becomes rooted in the hard drive, the subconscious mind. Hypnosis helps individuals to release unwanted patterns and plants new preferred alternatives. The transition to sobriety experienced with hypnosis is usually comfortable.
The process helps individuals feel as though they are ‘trading up’ to something better.If the individual has a legitimate desire to create healthy change; is open to be guided into hypnosis; and is consistent listening to sessions on their own; success is hard to avoid.
Most excessive drinkers initially have goals of moderation, being able to drink socially but that usually changes at some point through the process. Whatever they thought they got from alcoholis healthfully replaced by the meditative qualities of hypnosis. Clients like the way they feel, they sleep better, have more energy and are happier. [more]
A Boston area Hypnotherapist, with 10 years of medical experience as an RN, Paul has been helping clients since 2001 to overcome everyday challenges. Read more
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Paul’s Book
Healthy Hypnosis: The Simple Truth and Practical Use Paul explains the A-B-C’s of clinical hypnosis and offers case studies and examples of actual client sessions. This is a must read for anyone interested in this fascinating technique.
