A Textbook of Hypnotism

D. John Antony, OFM. Cap.

GURU PUBLICATIONS
No. 100, Kurinji Nagar, Near Lions Club
Dindigul – 624 005, Tamil Nadu, India
Tel: 0451-2441140; Mobile: 9994646046
Email: indianrajan@gmail.com
Website: www.indianpsychologyclinic.com

2014
 1
© D. John Antony, O.F.M.Cap., 2014

Other Books by the Author:

1. Dynamics of Counselling (1994, 2012)

Microskill Model
TA & NLP Included
2. Skills of Counselling (1995, 2003)
Microskill Model
Kinesics & Focusing Included
3. Types of Counselling (1996, 2011)
Lifespan Developmental & Situational Approach
Developmental Psychology included
4. Psychotherapies in Counselling (2003)
Includes Theories of Personality
5. Self Psychology in Counselling (2005)
A Textbook of Self Psychology
6. Family Counselling (2005)
The Classic Schools
7. Trauma Counselling (2005)
8. Emotions in Counselling (2005)
9. Mental Disorders Encountered in Counselling (2006)
A Textbook of Clinical Psychology Based on DSM-IV
10. Personality Profile Through Handwriting Analysis (2009)
A Textbook of Graphology
11. Principles and Practice of Counselling (2009)
Microskill Model
Kinesics & Clinical Psychology included
12. The Body Never Lies (2011)
The Basics of Body Language (Kinesics)
13. The Flute of a Broken Reed (Poems) (2012)
A Journey in Vulnerability
(A Series of Psychological Themes)
14. The Bangle Seller (Poems) (2012)
The Different Faces of Love
(A Series of Psychological Themes)
15. Mw;Wg;gLj;Jk; fiy (1996)
Ez;jpwd; khjphp
16. Mw;Wg;gLj;Jjypd; tiffs; (1997)
tho;T KOikf;fhd tsh;epiy kw;Wk; #oy; mZFKiw
tsh;epiyf;fhd cseytpay; ,izf;fg;gl;Ls;sJ

First Edition : March 2014

Published by : Guru Publications

No. 100, Kurinji Nagar, Near Lions Club
Dindigul – 624 005, Tamil Nadu, India.

Printed at : Oviya Graphic Printers, Dindigul. Mobile: (91) 9842930307

 2

Dedicated
to
all those who have been
misunderstood and ill-treated
for practising hypnosis
3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
May I have the joy of offering my gratitude to

Fr. Dr. A. J. Mathew,

Ph.D., OFM.Cap.,
The Provincial Minister of Amala Annai
Province of Tamil Nadu for his
encouragement,

Dr. K. Soundar Rajan, Ph.D.,

for his efficient editing and proofreading,

Mr. S. A. Rajan,
Clinical Psychologist
for his painstaking press work,

Dr. Stephen Kumar Prabhakar, Ph.D.,

for his able English Correction,

Fr. Augustine Newton, OFM.Cap.,

for his prompt technical assistance.

Fr. Arockia Doss, OFM.Cap.,

for his beautiful cover design,
 4

Hypnotism Format

1. Induction

2. Relaxation

3. Deepening

4. Trance

5. Suggestions

6. Post-hypnotic Suggestions and Triggers

7. Trance Termination
5 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Table of Contents (Concise)

Part I
Theoretical Considerations of Hypnosis
1. Introduction
2. Mind as a Computer
3. The Nature of Hypnosis
4. Myths about Hypnosis
5. Animal Magnetism
6. Hypnotisability
7. Language and Paralinguistics
8. Uses of Hypnosis
9. The History of Hypnosis
10. Client Involvement
11. Theories of Hypnosis
12. The Conscious
13. The Unconscious
14. Dissociation
15. Transference
16. Resistence
Part II
Practice of Hypnosis
17. Induction
18. Relaxation
19. Deepening
20. Trance
21. Suggestions
22. Post - Hypnotic Suggestions and Triggers
23. Trance Termination
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 6
Part III
Types of Hypnosis

24. Hypnotic Methods

25. Self-Hypnosis
26. Clinical Hypnosis (Hetero-Hypnosis)
27. Conversational Hypnosis (Covert Hypnosis)
28. Stage Hypnosis
29. Ericksonian Hypnosis (Milton H. Erickson’s Techniques)
30. Kids’ Hypnosis
31. Other Hypnoses
Part IV
Persons and Themes Connected to Hypnosis

32. Sigmund Freud and Hypnosis

33. Meditation
34. Imagination
35. Memory
36. Age Regression
37. Anesthesia
38. Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
39. Spiritual Development and Hypnosis
40. Legal Issues of Hypnosis
41. Shadow Side of Hypnosis
42. Future of Hypnosis
Part V
Samples of Hypnosis

43. Hypnosis Integrated to Counselling

44. Sample Suggestion Scripts
45. Illustration of Self- and Hetero - (Clinical) Hypnosis
Bibliography
Endnotes
 7 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Table of Contents (Detailed)

PART I
HYPNOSIS: THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF HYPNOSIS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. MIND AS A COMPUTER

1. The Human Brain

2. Ideas from Authority
3. Fantasy and Fiction Are the Same
3. THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS
1. Nomenclature
2. The Origin of Hypnosis
3. Towards a Definition
4. States vs. Non-State Debate
5. The Three States of a Continuum
6. Four Levels of the Organic Brain
7. Goal-Based Meditation
8. Double Hemisphere Activity
9. Hypnotherapy
10. Focused Awareness
11. Memory Retrieval
12. The Hypnotic Arc
13. The Suspended Critical Factor
14. The Experience of Hypnosis
1) Physio-Motor Changes
2) Physiological Changes
3) Time Change
4) Body Image Change
5) Thinking Processes Change
6) Emotion Change
7) Imagination Change
8) Senses Change
9) Memory Change
15. Hypnosis – A Natural Phenomenon
16. The Healing Process
17. All Hypnosis Is Self-Hypnosis
18. The Exit
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 8
4. THE MYTHS SURROUNDING HYPNOSIS
1. Hypnotists Have Mysterious Powers
2. One W ill Get “Stuck”
3. One W ill Violate One’s Ethical Code
4. One Gives Up Control
5. Weak-W illed People Are Easier to Hypnotize
6. Hypnosis Is Not Real
7. Hypnosis Can Give You Abilities You Do Not Normally Possess
8. Hypnosis Is Sleep
9. One Will Not Remember Anything After Hypnosis
10. One Is Always Aware in Hypnosis
11. Hypnosis Can Seriously Harm
12. In Hypnosis One Will Not Be Aware of Dangers
13. Memory Retrieval Is Always Accurate
14. A Hypnotist Might Pull Some Embarrassing Tricks on You
15. You Are Not Hypnotized if You Can Hear the Hypnotist
16. Under Hypnosis You May Reveal Your Deepest Sercrets
17. Hypnosis Is Occult
5. ANIMAL MAGNETISM
1. Mesmer and Animal Magnetism
2. Meanings of Animal Magnetism
1) A General Vital Universal Principle
2) A System of Cure
3) Magnetic Somnambulism
4) A Cultural Aspect

6. HYPNOTISABILITY

1. Hypnotizability Is Differential
2. Can All Be Hypnotized?
3. The Different Depths of Hypnosis
4. Hyper-Suggestibility
5. Who Can Be Hypnotized?
1) From Natural Point of View
2) From Clinical Point of View

7. LANGUAGE AND PARALINGUISTICS

1. The Three Hypnotic Power Words

1) Imagine/Picture
 9 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

2) You
3) Because
2. Hypnotic Language Pattern
1) Indirect Method
2) Non-Specific Suggestion
3) “Yes” Set
4) Tag Question
5) Illusory Choice
6) Double Binds
7) Nominalization
3. Words Shape Reality
4. Transforming Language
5. Hypnotic Tone
8. THE USES OF HYPNOSIS
1. Flight Phobia
2. Sports Performance
3. Weight Loss
4. Self-Confidence
5. Smoking Cessation
6. Stress and Anxiety
7. The Let-Down Effect
8. General Adaption Syndrome
9. Quick Stress Relief
10. Pain Relief
11. Fibromyalgia
12. Breaking Harmful Habits
13. Psychotherapy
14. Psychological Challenges
15. The Advantages of Hypnosis

9. THE HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS

1. Synopsis History
2. Ancient History
3. Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815)
4. The Marquis de Puysegar (1751-1825)
5. John Elliotson (1791-1868)
6. James Braid (1795-1860)
7. Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893)
8. Hippolyte Bernheim (1837-1990)
9. Clark L. Hull (1884-1952)
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 10
10. Pierre Janet (1859-1947)
11. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
12. Émile Coué (1857-1926)
13. Dave Elman (1900-1967)
14. Milton H. Erickson (1901-1980)
15. In Retrospect
10. CLIENT INVOLVEMENT
1. Professionalism
2. Outcome Oriented
3. Surprise Space
4. Greater Responsibility
5. Success Story
6. Know the Subject
11. THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS
1. State vs. Non-state Theories
2. Ernest Hilgard’s Neodissociation Theory (1979, 1986)
3. Dissociated Control Theory (DCT)
4. Dissociated-Experience Theory
5. Ego State Theory
6. Hypnosis as a Dissociative Condition
7. Mid-Dissociation
8. Gruzelier’s Neurophysiological Theory
9. Cold Control Theory
10. Physiological Theories
11. Sleep State Theory
12. Hypnosis as Modified or Special State of Consciousness
13. Hemispheric Laterality Theory
14. Systems Theory
15. Social-Cognitive/Cognitive-Behavioural/Response Set Theory
16. Spanos’ Socio-Cognitive Theory
17. Kirsch and Lynn’s Social Cognitive Approach
18. Conditioning and Inhibition Theory
19. Hypnosis as an Atavistic Phenomenon
20. Psychoanalytically Oriented Theories
21. Behavioural Theories
22. Social Role-Taking Theory
23. Cognitive-Behaviour Theory
24. Ego-Psychological Theory
25. Brown and Oakley’s Integrative Cognitive Theory
26. Kihlstrom’s Third W ay
 11 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

12. THE CONSCIOUS

1. The Beginning
2. Levels of Consciousness
3. Content of the Conscious
4. Different Views
5. Relationship between the Conscious and the Unconscious
6. Dreams Are Communication Channels

13. THE UNCONSCIOUS

1. The Unconscious
2. An Historical Overview
1) Sigmund Freud’s View of the Unconscious
2) Carl Jung’s View of the Unconscious
3) The Unconscious in Contemporary Cognitive Psychology
3. The Unconscious Is Most Powerful
4. Power to Change Resides in the Unconscious
5. The Unconscious Is Faster in Processing
6. Involving the Unconscious for Change
7. Controversy
8. Dreams and the Unconscious

14. DISSOCIATION
1. Various Meaning
2. Dissociation in Psychology
3. History
4. Relation to Trauma and Abuse
5. Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders
6. How Common Is Dissociation?
7. Forms of Dissociation
8. Theories of Dissociation
1) Dissociation (Psychology)
2) Hilgard’s Neodissociation Theory (1979, 1986)
3) Dissociated Control Theory (DCT) (Bowers, 1992;
Woody & Bowers, 1994)
4) Dissociated-Experience Theory
5) Hypnosis as a Dissociative Condition
6) Ego State Theory
15. TRANSFERENCE
1. Occurrence
2. Rapport as love
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 12
3. Rapport as bonding
4. Rapport as Addiction
5. Freudian Transference
6. Experience of Opposites
7. Pathological Transference
8. Transfer of Rapport
9. Transference in Psychotherapy
10. Rapport Impacts the Hypnotist
11. Counter-transference in Psychotherapy
16. RESISTANCE
1. Resistance vs. Reluctance
2. Resistance Is Fear
3. Sources of Resistance
1) Therapy Factors
2) Therapist Factors
3) Client Factors
4) Environmental and Other External Factors
4. Usefulness of Resistance
5. Way to Handle Resistance
1) Judo Method
2) Technique Custom Tailored
3) Distracting Technique
6. To Conclude

PART II
PRACTICE OF HYPNOSIS

17. INDUCTION
1. Induction
2. Induction Basics
3. Rules of Induction
4. Induction Techniques
1) Simple Induction
2) Visualization Induction
3) Deep Muscle Relaxation Induction
4) Progressive Relaxation Induction
5) Speech as Induction
6) Quick Induction by Regular Suggestion
7) Quick Induction by Post-Hypnotic Suggestion
8) Three-Thought Induction
 13 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

9) Handshake Induction
(1) Dead-fish Handshake Induction
(2) Pattern Interrupt Induction
10) Sticky Hands Induction
11) Breathing Induction
12) Eye Fixation Induction
13) Gazing Above the Line of Vision Induction
(1) James Braid’s Original Eye-Fixation Induction
(2) The Eye-Lock Induction
14) Confusion Induction
15) Counting Backward Induction
16) Standard Induction
5. Induction Scripts
1) A Standard Induction Script
2) Dave Elman’s Induction Script - 1
3) Dave Elman’s Induction Script - 2 (Modified)
4) Dave Elman’s Induction Script - 3 (Modified)
5) The Eye-To-Eye Induction Script
6) The “Special Nerve” Method
7) Progressive Relaxation Induction Script
18. RELAXATION
1. Hypnotically Induced Relaxation
2. Effects of Relaxation
3. Amplification of Relaxation
1) Direct Suggestion
2) Counting Method
3) Counting with Imagery
4) Progressive Relaxation
5) Autogenic Training
6) Pure Imagery
7) Use of Touch
8) Jacobson’s Method of Progressive Relaxation
9) Using Breathing to Start Relaxation
4. Relaxation Scripts
1) Muscle Based Script
2) Breath Based Script
3) Favourite Scene Based Script

19. DEEPENING
1. Frames
2. Primary Frames in Deepening
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 14
1) Focus Frame
2) World inside Frame
3) Fractionation Frame
4) Compliance/Capacity Frame
5) Responsiveness Frame
6) Flexibility Frame
3. Depths of Trance
4. Levels of Trance Depth
5. Hypnotic Depth Tests
6. Parts of Deepening
1) By Physical Relaxation
2) By Mental Relaxation
(1) By Counting Down
(2) By Visualization
7. Signs of Deepening
1) By Physical Signs
2) By Feedback
3) By Fractionation
4) By Physical Tests
(1) Catalepsy
(2) Hand-Lift Technique
(3) Amnesia Technique
8. Trance State
9. Deepening Techniques
1) Deepening by Realization
2) Pyramiding of Suggestions
3) Counting Backwards
4) The Countdown
5) Rocking
6) Deepening by Counting Backwards
7) Elevator
8) The Escalator
9) The Staircase
10) Silence
11) The Subject Counts Down
12) The Arm Drop
13) Fractionation (The Yo-Yo Effect)
14) Association
15) Repeated Induction
16) Deepening by Placebo Suggestion
17) Utilization of Sensory Motor Reactions
18) Feedback Methods
19) Post-Hypnotic Suggestion
10. Deepening Technique Illustration
 15 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

20. TRANCE
1. Essence of Hypnotic Trance
2. What It Feels Like in Trance
3. The Meaning of Trance
4. Conditional Reflex Aspect of Trance State Induction
5. Associate Reflexes
6. Deepening Trance
21. SUGGESTIONS
1.The Birth of Suggestion
2.Verbal Suggestion
3.General Considerations
4.Types of Suggestion
5.Direct and Indirect Suggestions
6.Direct vs. Indirect Suggestions
7.Building Suggestion
8. Delivering Suggestion
9.Rules of Hypnotic Suggestions
1) Being Positive
2) Using Present/Progressive Tense
3) Believable
4) As New Information
5) Effective Suggestions
6) Key words
7) Using Emotional Words
8) Avoiding Perfectionism
9) Using Action Words
10) Negative Positive Words
11) Under Control
12) Deeply Embed
13) Varied and Repeated
14) Achievable
15) Realistic
16) Meaningful and Evocative
17) Delivering Congruently
10. Helpful Suggestions
1) Physical Relaxation
2) Mental Comfort and Restfulness
3) Normal Sensation with Continued Comfort
4) Reinterpretation of Sensation
5) Normalization of Analgesia
1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 16
6) Dissociation and Dissociative Imagery
7) Lowering the Intensity of the Stimulus
8) Numbing and Analgesia
9) Creating a Hallucination

22. POST-HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS AND TRIGGERS

1. Post-Hypnotic Suggestion
2. Post-Hypnotic Suggestion with Meaning
3. Effectiveness
4. Literal-Minded Subjects
5. Hypnotic Trigger
6. Planting Hypnotic Trigger Words
7. Waking Up the Subject
8. Instant Trance
9. Ground Rules for Post-Hypnotic Suggestions
1) Unambiguous
2) Limiting the Scope
3) The Subject Knowing the Details of W hat He Needs to
Do W hen Triggered
4) Defining the Termination of the Effect
5) Post-Hypnotic Suggestion by Association

23. TRANCE TERMINATION

1. Options
2. Awakening ‘Back to Reality’
3. Undo Unusual Suggestions
4. Simple Termination
5. When Not Woken Up
6. Integrating
PART III
TYPES OF HYPNOSIS

24. HYPNOTIC METHODS

1. Self-Hypnosis
2. Hetero-Hypnosis
3. Stage Hypnosis
4. Ericksonian Hypnosis
25. SELF-HYPNOSIS
1. Hypnosis to Oneself
2. Context of Self-Hypnosis
3. Preparation
1
 17 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

4. Integrate Distraction
5. Accessing the Unconscious
6. Approaches to Self-Hypnotic Skills
7. A Detailed Guide to the Process of Self-Hypnosis
8. Self-Hypnosis May Take Some Practice
9. Benefits of Self-Hypnosis
10. Sharpening Skills
1) Visualization Exercises
2) Relaxation Exercises
3) Focus
11. Getting Affirmations into the Unconscious through Self-Hypnosis
1) Affirmations
2) The Way Affirmations Work
3) Creating Your Own Positive Affirmations
12. The Self-Hypnosis Process
1) Induction (Creation of Trance)
(1) Eye Fatigue – 1
(2) Eye Fatigue – 2
(3) Confusion Technique – 1
(4) Confusion Technique – 2
(5) Listening to Music
2) Deepening
(1) Progressive Physical Relaxation
(2) Mental Relaxation
(3) The Therapy (Suggestion)
(4) Awakening
13. Various Techniques to Self-hypnotize
1) Self-Hypnosis Routine and Suggestions
2) Betty Erickson’s Approach to Self-Hypnosis
3) A Model Design of Self-Hypnosis for Improving Self-confidence
14. Sample Scripts for Self-hypnosis
26. CLINICAL HYPNOSIS
(HETERO-HYPNOSIS)
1. Towards a Definition
2. Neither Asleep nor Awake
3. Highly Suggestible
4. Predominant Unconscious
5. The Objectives
6. Positive Feeling
7. Creating Positive Mindset
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 18
8. Pre-Agreed Positive Suggestions
9. Experience under Hypnosis
1) In Control
2) Fully Relaxed
3) Tranquility
4) Cooperative
5) Not Suitable for All
6) Narrowed Attention
7) Heightened Awareness
8) Involuntariness
9) Differently Experienced
10. Stage Hypnosis vs. Clinical Hypnosis
11. Memory Recall
12. Hypnosis in Psychotherapy
13. The Health Applications of Hypnosis
14. Hypnosis in Medicine
15. Mental Health and Hypnosis
1) The Use of Hypnosis for Mental Health
2) Reasons for Not Using Hypnosis in Counselling
16. The Use of Hypnosis in Medical Procedures
17. The Language of Hypnosis
18. Boundless Neural Pathways for the Mind
19. Three Phases of Operative Intervention
20. Waking Up from Hypnotic State
21. Threefold Uses
22. Enigma of Hypnosis
23. Successes and Failures
24. Sample Clinical Hypnosis Script
27. CONVERSATIONAL HYPNOSIS
(COVERT HYPNOSIS)
1. All Language Is Hypnotic
2. Covert Hypnosis
3. In-Depth Understanding
4. Professional Procedures
5. Secrets of Conversational Hypnosis
1) Have a Clear Goal in Mind
2) Believe in Yourself and Your Subject
3) Go There First Yourself
4) Establish and Maintain Rapport
5) Highlight Key Words and Phrases
 19 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING
6) Use a Descending Voice Tone
7) Notice Their Responses
8) Trust Your Unconscious
9) Give Them Time to Process
10) Wire in the Language Patterns
6. Distance Therapy: Phone Session
28. STAGE HYPNOSIS
1. Entertainment
2. “Implicit Contract”
3. Contexts of Hypnosis
4. Stage Hypnosis vs. Clinical Hypnosis
29. ERICKSONIAN HYPNOSIS
(MILTON H. ERICKSON’S TECHNIQUES)
1. Three Models of Hypnosis
2. Key Elements
3. Indirect Method
4. Use of Language
5. Freedom to Clients
6. Visualizing
7. The Unconscious Is Our Ally
8. Ericksonian Hypnosis
1) Cooperation
2) Key Ideas Underlying Ericksonian Hypnosis
3) Elementary Principles of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
9. Betty Erickson’s Hypnosis Technique
1) Some Basic Premises
2) Representational Systems and Altered States
3) Two Useful Tips
(1) The Unconscious Can Be Trusted
(2) Conscious Understanding Is Not Necessary for Change
4) Self-Hypnotic Technique
30. KIDS’ HYPNOSIS
1. More Easily Hypnotizable
2. Change Language
3. Sleepy Body Script
31. 0THER HYPNOSES
1. Therapeutic Hypnosis
2. Forensic Hypnosis
3. Street Hypnosis
4. Animal Hypnosis
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 20
PART IV
PERSONS AND THEMES CONNECTED TO HYPNOSIS

32. SIGMUND FREUD AND HYPNOSIS

1. Psychological Cause of Hysteria
2. Catharsis
3. Freud’s Impact on Hypnotism
4. Development of Freud’s Interest in Hypnosis
5. Freud’s Clinical Use of Hypnosis
6. Hypnosis as Evidence of the Unconscious
7. Freud’s Abandonment of Hypnosis
8. The Debt of Psychoanalysis to Hypnosis
9. Freud’s Stance in Terms of the “State vs. Non-State” Debate
10. Hypnosis and Sleep
11. Hypnosis and Attentional Processes
12. Hypnosis, Group Dynamics, and Reality Testing
13. Hypnosis asTransference
14. The Hypnotist’s Skill
15. Hypnotizability as a Trait
33. MEDITATION
1. Same and Different
2. Meditation Achieves a Blank Mind
3. Hypnosis Targets a Result
4. Experiences in Meditation
1) Calming Down and Slowing the Thoughts
2) Relaxing
3) Grounding and Centring
5. Relationship of Hypnosis to Neutral Hypnosis,Self-Hypnosis,and Meditation
1) Hypnosis (Hetero or Clinical)
2) Neutral Hypnosis
3) Self-Hypnosis
4) Meditation
6. Relaxation and Meditation
7. Hypnosis and Meditation
8. A Model for Clinical Meditation
34. IMAGINATION
1. Fusion of Rational and Non-Rational
2. Social Psychological Influences – Imagination and Absorption
3. Changes in Imagination
 21 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

35. MEMORY
1. Effects of Hypnosis on Memory
2. Confusing Fantasy as Fact
3. Hypnotic Hypermnesia Effect
4. Post-Hypnotic Amnesia
5. Hypnosis and False Memories
6. Hypnosis May Facilitate False Memory
7. Causal Connection
8. Double Bind
9. Mistaken Beliefs about Memory
10. Cult-Like Behaviour
11. Principles of Memory
12. Seven Principles of Remembering
1) Encoding
2) Organization
3) Time-Dependency
4) Cue-Dependency
5) Encoding Specificity
6) Schematic Processing
7) Reconstruction
13. No Internal Criteria
14. Hypnosis and Principles of Memory
15. Memory Changes
16. Hypnosis, Memory, and the Brain
17. Hypnosis Is Real
18. Enhancing Memory Recall
36. AGE REGRESSION
1. Purpose
2. Levels of Regression
1) Light Level
2) Medium Level
3) Deep Level
3. Revivification
4. Historically Accurate Memory?
5. Age Regression in Therapy
6. False Memories
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 22
37. ANESTHESIA
1. “Anesthesia Awareness”
2. Preoperative Suggestions
3. Hypnosis and Surgery
4. Entry into Clinical Practice
5. Open Future
38. HYPNOSIS AND NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP)
1. Benefits of NLP
2. Pattern Analysis
3. Focus of NLP
4. Identifying Behavioural Pattern
5. Hypnosis and NLP
39. SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND HYPNOSIS
1. Hypnosis: Another Tool to Spiritual Growth
2. Relaxation plus Focus
3. Different Forms of Spiritual Growth
1) Law-Abiding Type
2) Connection-to-the-Other Type
3) Fused-with-the-Supreme-Being Type

40. LEGAL ISSUES OF HYPNOSIS

1. Commonsense Measures
2. Tests on Abnormality
3. Cases of Personality Disorder
4. Treat with Respect
5. In Contemporary Framework
41. THE SHADOW SIDE OF HYPNOSIS
1. Hypnosis Is Helpful
2. False Memory and Undiagnosed Pain
3. Misused Hypnosis
4. Consequences of Hypnosis
5. Regarding Suggestions
6. Transference
7. No One Ever Got Struck
8. No Extremes
9. Not Immune to Nature
 23 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

42. THE FUTURE OF HYPNOSIS

1. Multifaceted Phenomenon
2. Solution to Modern Challenges
3. Predominant Role of the Unconscious
4. Active Right Hemisphere
5. Open to Creativity
6. Enhancing Natural Ability

Part V
Samples of Hypnosis

43. HYPNOSIS INTEGRATED TO COUNSELLING

1. Hypnosis Coupled with Other Disciplines
2. Hypnosis with Counselling
3. Hypnosis Alone
4. Hypnosis Integrated Counselling

44. SAMPLE SUGGESTION SCRIPTS

1. Healthy Eating
2. Sticking to Exercise
3. Healing an Injury
4. Self-Confidence
5. Public Speaking
6. For the Everyday Problems
7. For Weight Loss
8.Dealing with Test/Exam Anxiety
9.Confidence in Company
45. ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND HETRO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES
1. Illustration – 1 (For Self-Confidence in Company)
2. Illustration – 2 (For Pain Relief)
3. Illustration – 3 (For Physical Exercise)
4. Illustration – 4 (For Public Speaking)
5. Illustration – 5 (For Anger Reduction/Management)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
ENDNOTES
 THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF HYPNOSIS 24

PART I

THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF
HYPNOSIS
25 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING
 INTR ODUC TION 26

1. INTRODUCTION

Humans are interdependent. No man is an island nor can he

grow healthily all by himself. From the time we are born our thinking,
feeling, and behaving are shaped by others. How the child is dependent
on its parents and is influenced by them is obvious. This influence exerted
by the parents or caregivers continues all through our lives. The influence
of others is so much that many a time we go for counselling or
psychotherapy to extricate ourselves from the influence of those others.
How much we succeed in this attempt is another story.
I wonder if there is any area in which we are left all by ourselves.
Even the decisions we make all by ourselves are to a major extent
influenced by others. One may say that our decisions are made more by
our unconscious than by our conscious. We know that our unconscious
does not arise just by itself. It is greatly influenced by our childhood
experiences. Carl Jung even speaks of “collective unconscious” which is
the heritage we have received from our ancestry to perceive our experience
and interpret it in a particular mode irrespective of our individual differences.
You were not born with a set of beliefs. But by the time you grow
in a society you are indoctrinated (or conditioned) by a set of beliefs.
Those beliefs, whether social or religious, are given from your cultural
milieu in which you are a part. As you grow, you may understand them
as healthy/rational or unhealthy/irrational. How much you can do away
with them is not an easy job. These cultural influences are heavy and we
carry them without being ever aware of what they are and without critiquing
them.
In a way, every interaction with another may range from mild to
strong. We influence one another in a subtle way. I wonder when we are
free of the influence of others. In this influence the suggestions given
either directly or indirectly by others play an important role. We can also
influence ourselves by our own suggestions (autosuggestions). Hypnotists
say that the suggestions of others eventually become our own suggestions
in hypnosis before we carry them out.
 27 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

The influence exerted by others on us is, in a sense, hypnosis.

We may not be aware of it. Nonetheless, it is there ever present just
because we are interdependent. Our boastful claim of being independent
may not be fully real.
Years back I had a fascination for hypnosis not having read much
about it but only by hearsay. There were not enough materials or
opportunities to get acquainted with hypnosis. All the same, my interest
in hypnosis did not wane but on the contrary kept increasing. Then there
came a time when I was deeply absorbed in the writings of Sigmund
Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. He made noteworthy contribution to
psychology especially psychotherapy. In fact, he too was interested in
hypnosis along with his colleagues having seen for himself the astonishing
results of hypnosis. Soon he became disillusioned with hypnosis and he
went further in his research and landed on psychoanalysis with its cardinal
tools of free association and dream analysis.
The reason for Sigmund Freud to abandon the practice of hypnosis
was that the changes brought about by hypnosis, though fabulous, did
not last long. When I read about the turn of history in the life of Sigmund
Freud, my interest in hypnosis too waned until very recently. Of late, I
happened to view two short documentary films on hypnosis. They were
two invasive surgeries done for hernia. In one, the client was hypnotised
by a hypnotist and in another the client hypnotised himself to the point of
avoiding chemical anesthesia and completing the operation successfully.
I was awestruck at seeing the films. For me, from then onwards, no proof
was necessary to convince me of the effect and usefulness of hypnosis.
To carry out invasive surgery on persons hypnotised is not a small matter.
Indeed it is a big deal with lasting effect. I was wondering which therapy
as of now can do such a feat. Was not the result lasting and why on
earth such a hue and cry about the use of hypnosis? When we can use
simple hypnotic techniques and cure people of their problems and
maladies, why are we not making use of them just because there are
some negative opinions expressed down through the centuries? Every
medicine or therapy may have its own harmful effect if not properly taken
or done. An overdose of sleeping tablets can kill you but sleeping tablets
can enhance the sleep of patients who do not get sleep properly. For that
reason is it justified to decry sleeping tablets? Therefore, if hypnosis is
 INTR ODUC TION 28
misused by unscrupulous individuals, then it is not the problem with the
technique of hypnosis but with the persons who misused it.
Secondly in the field of counselling and psychotherapy we make
use of the techniques of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) profusely.
NLP is, in fact, part of hypnosis. If you take most of the techniques of
NLP, they resort to an “altered state” or trance state. Making clients get
into an altered state and making them access their unconscious for cure
is done in NLP and hypnosis. Nobody is against NLP but when it is the
question of hypnosis the age-old prejudices come to the fore as a strong
deterrent. As I am practising NLP for a number of years, I do not see any
difference between hypnosis and NLP. Therefore, I am convinced that
hypnosis could be a useful, simple, and amazing technique for the cure
and growth of people.
These being said, before starting to write this book I had a brush
with hypnosis just by chance. There was a young man suffering from
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Having listened to him in a
traditional counselling way, I wanted to attempt to deal with the issue.
Such cases are easily dealt with after some medication by the psychiatrist
about which I was contemplating. Then all of a sudden a though struck
me prompting me to put the client into a deep relaxation as he was
agitated and suggested to him his goals. He was a clean freak. He was
suspicious of drinking water anywhere and touching people by chance
while transacting and paying money at the counter, for example. He would
not leave his sandals along with others lest anyone by chance puts on
his sandals and contaminates them. Now the goals for this young man
were to realize that water is pure, people are clean, and any object he
comes into contact is reasonably clean. While he was in his rather deep
relaxation I suggested to him his goals and when he came out of his
trance, he grabbed my hands and said that he felt completely all right
from that moment onwards. Unwittingly this was the first hypnotism I
practiced by chance. It impressed me deeply and with another client
who was mortally afraid of death that might happen to him at any moment
in his life, I put him in a hypnotic trance during which time I suggested
that he is free from those fears of death. This gave stupendous result and
the client was wondering what miracle I did in his life.
 29 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

From then onwards I do not hesitate to use hypnosis and I have

been amply rewarded in a short while without wasting much time.
Hypnotism is a simple and natural method that can very easily be applied
almost to any of the human ailments, either applied by someone or by
oneself. The benefits are immense; it is less time-consuming, and
practically costs nothing.
You might have heard of hypnotherapy but here I use the term
“hypnotic counselling” in an attempt to integrate hypnosis with the standard
counselling. Therefore, I presuppose for the effective use of hypnosis,
one is familiar with counselling techniques. However, even if one is not
conversant with counselling methods, yet one can make use of the
hypnotic techniques with success.
With this introduction I would like to invite you to journey with me
along the labyrinth corridors of the history of hypnosis learning what
hypnosis is and how one can use it for oneself and for others.
For the sake of simplicity, and unless otherwise stated, the use
of “man,” “he,” “him,” “his,” and “himself” will apply equally to both genders.

Pope’s Approval of Hypnosis

In 1956, Pope Pius XII gave his approval of hypnosis. He
stated that the use of hypnosis by health care professionals for
diagnosis and treatment is permitted. In an address from the
Vatican on hypnosis in childbirth, the Pope gave these guidelines:
1. Hypnotism is a serious matter, and not something to
dabble in.
2. In its scientific use, the precautions dictated by both
science and morality must be followed.
3. Under the aspect of anaesthesia, it is governed by the
same principles as other forms of anaesthesia.
This is to say that the rules of good medicine apply to
the use of hypnosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_hypnosis (13.02.2014)
 THE MIND AS A COMPUTER 30
2. THE MIND AS A COMPUTER

The computer does incredulous works unheard of earlier. Our

brain too is like a computer. I think we cannot just compare human brain
to a computer. Computer with all its capacity is limited but human brain
is not limited. Therefore, our brain is far superior to a computer. All the
same, we can see how our brain works like a computer.
1. The Human Brain
Our unconscious mind works like a computer. Our brain is formed
fully at birth but may grow in size over time. It can also change. As
learning progresses, neurons make connections with one another. Very
clever people do have almost the same number of brain cells like the
average person but they have more neural connections. Some areas of
the brain can even take over certain functions not originally associated
with them (i.e., plasticity). This shows that brain can dramatically change.
For example, the brain of those who meditated for long shows great
activity during meditation. Good or bad habits will make changes in brain
circuitry and these changes in brain circuitry will lead to behaviour
modifications. Therefore, we can conclude that hypnosis which is an
activity involving our brain can alter not only the psychological mind, but
also the structure of the physical brain itself.
2. Ideas from Authority
When fixed ideas are accepted by the unconscious, they are
there until they are replaced by new ideas. Fixed ideas in our unconscious
continue to influence our attitude and behaviour. With regard to fixed
ideas, they can be accepted at any age, but they are more readily and
even without critiquing accepted by our unconscious when we are young.
As young ones, we lack fully developed reasoning power and we tend to
believe things that damage our self-image. There is something interesting
about ideas arising from authority. When ideas coming from authority
are repeated over and over again having an emotional component, they
are more likely to be accepted. (This is called brainwashing, and was
and is being done to the prisoners of war and to the spies caught in the
other country.) You may remember how you believed that you were stupid
 31 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

when some significant individuals told you so. As your unconscious

accepted the words of authority in your young age, now in hypnosis the
same unconscious will accept the suggestions of authority uncritically
and will tend to execute them. Thus your unconscious accepts and obeys
the commands (suggestions) of the hypnotist because he is an authority.
Your bad habits and negative feelings can be changed by
hypnosis. Hypnosis replaces your bad habits and negative feelings with
something new and good. You may still remember your old way of thinking
but it will not have any power over you anymore. You can recall a time
when you changed some old beliefs and later you never believed in them.
3. Fantasy and Fiction Are the Same
The brain is an organ which is the body’s control centre. In the
brain, only a small part of it, the cortex (the outer layer), is devoted to
thinking, though it has other functions too. It makes your body work
right, controlling your heartbeat and respiration, sending and receiving
impulses to and from one’s spinal cord and doing many more activities.
Experiences are processed and stored away as memories. The mind on
the contrary is an abstraction and it does not necessarily reside in the
brain but has some link to the cortex because it requires consciousness
and self-awareness. Activity in certain part of the brain is seen during
imagining doing something and also actually doing something. This shows
that the mind does not distinguish between real and imagined events.
This discovery has its bearing on hypnosis. Therefore, suggestions given
by the hypnotist can be taken by the subject as real when he imagines
them taking place. Thus, change can be effected in the subject. 1
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 32

3. THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS

A fair knowledge of the nature of hypnosis will go a long way in

understanding what hypnosis is and how one can practice it. Therefore,
this chapter deals with hypnosis in a comprehensive way.
1. Nomenclature
In the proper nomenclature, “hypnosis” is the trancelike state
itself and “hypnotism” is the procedure (method) by which one induces
trancelike state in oneself or in another.
“Hypnotherapy” refers to the application of hypnosis for personal
and professional development, emotional management, and other
therapeutic purposes.
“Hypnotist” is the one who guides the process and direction of
a hypnotic experience. A hypnotist is someone who induces the state of
hypnosis. He is a person who induces hypnosis to treat physical or
mental illness.
“Subject” will mean the individual experiencing hypnosis in
collaboration with a hypnotist. The process of hypnosis guides the subject,
and the subject participates by following the guidance of the hypnotist.
“Suggestion” is a statement or phrase giving direction or focus
within the hypnotic process. For example, the hypnotist may suggest
that the subject close his eyes, feel relaxed, and imagine a serene and
peaceful place.
“Trance” is a mental state that involves altered awareness and
focus. Trance state is experienced as relaxing. All of us feel a trancelike
state often especially when we zone out on television, losing track of
time when we are absorbed in a hobby or computer, or daydreaming.
“Subconscious” refers to processes, habits, mental patterns
which are outside of normal conscious awareness. It refers to the aspect
of the mind as below or underneath conscious thought.
“Unconscious” simply will mean “not conscious.” It can also
mean actual loss of consciousness as it happens when one faints. In the
 33 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

literature of hypnosis the words “subconscious” and “unconscious” are

interchangeably used. In sum, this refers to the aspect of mind that is
beneath or outside of our awareness.
2. The Origin of Hypnosis
The term “hypnosis,” comes from the Greek word “hypnos” which
means sleep. It is a special psychological state with certain physiological
attributes resembling sleep only superficially and marked by a functioning
of the individual at a level of awareness other than the ordinary conscious
state.
Hypnosis is not properly a sleep since one is alert to what is
going on around and also attentively listens to the voice of the hypnotist.
If one is really sleeping, one cannot be aware of the outside world and
the voice of someone. It is a conscious state of being fully awake and
focusing attention but with a decrease in their peripheral awareness. The
hypnotised individual experiences heightened suggestibility and focus
accompanied by a sense of tranquillity. The subject under hypnosis seems
to heed only to the communications of the hypnotist. This he seems to
do in an uncritical, automatic fashion, ignoring all aspects of the
environment other than those pointed out to him by the hypnotist. The
hypnotised individual has sensory experiences of seeing, feeling, smelling
in accordance with the hypnotist’s suggestions, even though the
suggestions may be in apparent contradiction to the reality. The
suggestions of the hypnotist can alter the memory and awareness of the
subject, and the effects of the suggestions may be extended (post-
hypnotically) into the subsequent waking life of the subject. Again, the
suggestions of the hypnotist can age-regress the subject with the result
of being in the conscious state of returning to a specific former age.
3. Towards a Definition
Hypnosis can be described as a social interaction in which one
person responds to suggestions given by the hypnotist for imaginative
experiences involving changes in perception, memory, and the voluntary
control of action.
The Natural State of Mind
Hypnosis is a natural state of mind. Normally many times a day
we are in a hypnotic state, as for example, while daydreaming, or you
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 34
are so much absorbed in your thought that you had to be shaken out of
it, or you were fully involved in watching a movie on television, reading a
book, waiting for an elevator, or when one is queuing for tickets or to
enter the office of an official or doctor, or you were driving a long distance
and you became aware only when you reached the end of your journey
(“Highway Hypnosis”). At least twice during a day you enter into a trance
state: the time just before entering into sleep (hypnagogic) and the time
just before awakening (hypnopompic) from sleep.
Mind on Two Levels
Though there had been many attempts to define hypnosis
improving on the previous definitions, no clear-cut definition has been
formulated since no one can really know what goes on inside another
person’s mind during hypnosis. All the same, hypnosis can be described
with the latest understanding abstracted from experiences. Our mind
works on two levels – conscious and unconscious, or outer and inner
states of mind. The conscious takes care of the day-to-day business
like planning, making decisions, performing physical activities, and solving
problems. The unconscious, on the other hand, is involved in activities
like the blinking of the eyes, feeling of pain, and habits. It is the
unconscious that comes into play when one is under hypnosis while the
conscious is somewhat subdued, not asleep but merely less interested
in what is going on. This decreased activity of the conscious permits the
unconscious to more readily accept what it is being told and govern the
body accordingly. One very important factor of the unconscious is that it
is totally objective. The unconscious uncritically accepts any suggestion
as fact without any clouding or emotion affecting its outcome.
The Conscious – The Preconscious – The Unconscious
To understand hypnosis, it is good to have knowledge of the
three levels of the mind. Sigmund Freud divided the human mind into
three parts: the conscious, the preconscious, and the unconscious. The
awareness part of us is the conscious. Whatever we are currently aware
of at a particular moment is the conscious. The preconscious contains
all that passed from the conscious to the immediate storehouse. You
can easily without any difficulty recall multiplication tables or rhymes
that you learned in your kindergarten or some favourite songs that you
 35 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

memorized. You are not conscious of these materials right now, yet with
ease you can recall them. Since these materials are just previous to
consciousness, it is supposed to be in the preconscious.
I make you regress to your early childhood and make you
remember incidents either good or bad. I can do it while you are under
psychotherapy or when you are doing your dream analysis. Where are
those materials that you do not remember right now but you can recollect
them with effort? They are in a realm that is called the unconscious.
Sigmund Freud said that one can access the unconscious by free
association (narrating whatever comes to your mind without censoring)
or dream analysis. The unconscious contains the repressed materials.
In general, the unconscious will represent anything other than the
conscious part of the mind.
Thus, there are three levels of the mind. In hypnosis the
unconscious is unlocked and imagination and emotions are going to be
very active.
In hypnosis the words “the conscious,” “the subconscious,” and
“the unconscious” are used. The word “the conscious” is used by every
author. The words “the subconscious” and “the unconscious” are used
by some authors as two different levels of the mind. The vast majority of
authors use either the subconscious or the unconscious meaning one
and the same reality interchangeably. Most authors prefer the word “the
subconscious.” In hypnotic literature the term “unconscious” is used
interchangeably with the term “subconscious” and also often referred to
as “subliminal.” In this book I use the word the “unconscious” meaning
the “subconscious.”
Your conscious is the alert mind which has short-term memory,
will power, reasoning, rationalization, analytical processes, and critical
thinking. It is the protective part of your mind during hypnosis. Your
conscious mind is always aware of what is going on during the hypnotic
process. We can also say that the conscious is more aware during the
process of hypnosis. Even though the subject appears to be relaxed and
sleeping, he is more alert. The conscious is the protective part of the
brain during hypnosis. That is why the subject cannot be made to do
things that he is not comfortable with. The conscious is the spokesperson
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 36
in our everyday life. In hypnosis the unconscious is allowed to speak. It
is a timid speaker. In hypnosis the subject’s five senses are very acute.
Hypnosis is a way to access a person’s unconscious mind
directly. Normally one is aware of the thought processes in his conscious
mind. One consciously thinks over the problems, chooses words as he
speaks, consciously tries to remember where he left something. When
doing all these things, his conscious mind is working hand-in-hand with
his unconscious mind. The unconscious part of his mind does his behind-
the-scene thinking. One’s unconscious accesses the vast reservoir of
information, that lets one solve problems, construct sentences, or locate
the misplaced things. In a way, it puts together plans and ideas and runs
them by one’s conscious mind. When new ideas come all of a sudden, it
is because one already thought through the process unconsciously.
The Official Definition
The American Psychological Association Division of Psychological
Hypnosis defines hypnosis as “a procedure during which a health
professional or researcher suggests that a client, patient, or subject
experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, or behaviour.”
Some view hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness, others as a
type of focused attention, and still others find a strong correlation between
the state of putting someone in a state of trance and his level of
suggestibility. The subject under hypnosis becomes more susceptible to
suggestion, causing changes in the way he thinks, feels, and behaves,
remaining in control of his actions. Some also say that a state of hypnosis
does not actually exist, but strong social expectations are being played
out by the person who believes that he is in a state of hypnosis. Since
hypnosis generally stimulates a feeling of relaxation it developed into a
therapy — hypnotherapy.
Medical field defines hypnosis as “a state wherein the subject’s
conscious mind stays relaxed and is still aware of what is happening in
the environment, but the subject’s unconscious is more active, making
that person more open to the suggestions of the hypnotist.”
Hypnosis is relaxing, or the ability to tune into the unconscious.
It is a very deep and subtle alteration or distortion of the brain of humans
so that it responds in certain ways and not in others. Hypnosis works on
 37 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING
levels that are hardly accessible by the ordinary person. Hypnosis is a
special kind of sleep, artificially brought on by “passes,” acute or prolonged
sensations, or a sustained attention, or an effort of the will.
4. State vs. Non-State Debate
It is not yet clear whether hypnosis is a qualitatively unique state
with some physiological and conditioned response components or only
a form of suggestion induced by high motivation, subject expectancy,
and a positive relationship between the hypnotist and the subject. There
are also cases in which hypnotic deafness, hypnotic blindness, analgesia
(pain-relief) and other responses seen in hypnosis were produced without
hypnosis. Thus, it is argued that unhypnotized persons can be motivated
to equal and even surpass the supposed superhuman physical feats
seen in hypnosis.
When James Braid introduced the concept of hypnotism, he
was not consistent with his proposal. At one time he spoke of hypnotism
as a specific sleep-like neurological state comparable to animal
hibernation or yogic meditation and at other times he spoke of it as
encompassing a number of different stages or states that are an extension
of ordinary psychological and physiological process. Braid seems to have
moved from a more “specific state” understanding to a more complex
“non-state” orientation.
According to the state theorists, the effects of hypnotism are
due primarily to a specific, abnormal, and uniform psychological or
physiological state of some description, often understood as “hypnotic
trance” or an “altered state of consciousness.” On the contrary, the non-
state theorists reject the idea of hypnotic trance and interpret the effects
of hypnotism as due to a combination of multiple task-specific factors
derived from normal cognitive, behavioural, and social psychology, such
as social role-perception, favourable motivation, active imagination,
positive cognitive set, response expectancy, and the active use of task-
specific subjective strategies. In sum, the non-state description is that
hypnotic behaviour is meaningful and goal-directed striving; its most
general goal being to behave like a hypnotized person as this is
continuously defined by the hypnotist and understood by the subject.
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 38
State and Non-State
Comparing these two theories we realize that the older “special
state” interpretation emphasizes the difference between hypnosis and
ordinary psychological process, while the “non-state” interpretation
emphasizes their similarity. Finally, we would understand that between
hypnotized and non-hypnotized individuals if the “hypnotic trance” does
exist, it only accounts for a small proportion of the effects attributed to
hypnotic suggestion, most of which can be replicated without hypnotic
induction.
Crossing Thresholds
“Limen” is a Latin word for “threshold.” During indigenous rituals,
tricksters and their counterparts cross many of the limen or thresholds.
Hypnotic phenomenon is luminal in nature and that the hypnotists share
many traits with traditional societies’ tricksters. The ambiguous nature
of hypnosis has been evident since the beginning. A person under hypnosis
may report hallucinations that confound his ordinary distinctions between
reality and hallucination, external and internal processes, and many other
binary oppositions including time and space, and mind and body. Hypnosis
can also obscure the distinction between fact and fiction in one’s memory
which is hotly disputed in “recovery memories” controversy. Imagination
plays a central role in both indigenous rituals and hypnosis.
5. Three States of a Continuum
The process of hypnosis from the start till its fully developed
hypnotic state can be thought of as a continuum which consists of three
stages proceeding from one to the next.
The First Stage: As it starts, there is a progressive elimination
of all channels of sensori-motor communication between the subject and
the outside world with the exception of the channel of communication
between the subject and the hypnotist. Here the hypnotist becomes
temporarily the sole representative of and contact person with the outside
world. It is something similar to an infant for whom the parents become
the contact persons with the outside world during the early life. The onset
of the hypnotic state starts with a partial sleep in which active sensorimotor
channels are restricted to those between the subject and the hypnotist.
As the sensorimotor channels are reduced, the Ego boundaries of the
 39 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

subject are obliterated thereby making it possible an inevitable

psychological fusion between the hypnotist and the subject.
The Second Stage: With this psychological fusion of the subject
and the hypnotist, the second phase starts. On account of this fusion
between them, for the subject, the words of the hypnotist become
indistinguishable from his own thoughts. That is why there is the
phenomenon of an apparent possible suggestibility of the subject. The
restricted sensorimotor relationship induces hypnagogic (a dream-like
semi-conscious state just before falling asleep) reverie in which vivid
sensory memories and images are released. These images and memories
which are not easily recalled or vividly imagined in ordinary circumstances
are from the visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory senses,
or modalities, or representations. The vividness of the sensory perception
brings to the surface buried memories and particularly the buried affects
(feelings) which are related to such sensory memories. Physiologically,
the hypnotic process is an extension of the processes of normal attention
which is the result of the creation in the central nervous system of a
concentrated focus of excitation while the surrounding areas are inhibited.
This is due first of all to the relative immobilization of the head or eye,
secondly to the influence of monotony. Monotony depends upon the
sensory adaptation, which in turn depends upon rhythm. Psychologically,
the diminution of alertness through allaying anxiety and other defenses
creates the focus of excitation within limited areas. This diminution of
alertness is a necessary prerequisite to the suppression of sensory
warning signals.
The Third Stage: The final stage of the fully developed hypnotic
state involves a partial re-expansion of ego boundaries, and an
incorporation of a fragmentary image of the hypnotist within the expanded
boundaries of the subject’s Ego. The incorporated image of the hypnotist
which echoes the hypnotist’s voice has for the time being becomes a
part of the subject’s temporary Ego. And so here the compliance of the
subject to the hypnotist’s commands is again more apparent. This final
phase represents the development of the infant’s Ego in which its
boundaries gradually expand, with the retention of parental images as
unconscious incorporated components of the developing Ego of the infant.
Just like what the unconscious image of the parental figure does in the
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 40
child or adult, the incorporated image of the hypnotist functions in the
subject. Here what one sees is that hypnosis is an experimental
reproduction of a natural developmental process of a human person.
Hypnosis is useful for the complete therapeutic displacement of disturbing
superego figures which are retained out of childhood. The mechanisms
of dream (such as transference, displacement, and condensation) are
evident in the hypnotic process.
6. The Four Levels of Organic Brain
Brain scans have proved that under hypnosis something does
affect the brain which does not happen normally. Hypnosis is not a state
of unconsciousness or sleep but a trance-like state where your conscious
and unconscious minds are equally awakened and aware.
There are four levels of the organic brain. The subject goes through
three of the four levels of the brain activity in order to reach the level of
hypnosis proper. The Beta Level – It is the cognitive state or full awake
state in which you have conscious awareness. The Alpha Level – This
state begins when one relaxes and the brain activity slows down. For
meditation and hypnosis this state is required. Most of the hypnotic activity
takes place in this level of brain wave. This is the most creative state
when we can be closer to the spiritual realm. The Theta State – After
the alpha level one enters into the theta state which is the state just
before losing consciousness and slip into the deep sleep state. The
Delta State – In this state one loses consciousness and falls into a
deep sleep state. In hypnosis, three states of the brain are involved – the
alpha, the theta, and the delta states. In sleep as well, we experience
the four levels of the brain activity. When we go to bed we are in the beta
level being very alert, then we enter the alpha state as we are relaxed,
after this we experience the theta state as our body becomes so relaxed
and is not moving. Then we slide into delta or deep sleep state. When we
get up next morning the whole process is reversed. We proceed from the
delta level through the theta level, the alpha level, to the beta level.
7. Goal Based Meditation
Hypnosis is a goal based meditation, a process that can get us
to achieve our goals without the struggle and force of conscious thought
and will power. If one ever daydreamed, dreamed or used his imagination
 41 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

to create something in his mind that one once did before or never did,
then that person was engaged in self-hypnosis, directing his mind to a
certain behaviour or outcome by using his imagination. There are things
that you wanted to do but could not do or did not want to do and yet did
anyway. This is because your desires are conscious thoughts while your
behaviours are created and motivated at the unconscious level. Therefore,
the simple process of hypnosis is the natural, safe, and expedient way
for behaviour modification. Hypnosis is a guided imagery or visualization,
the techniques athletes and successful achievers use in many areas of
life. In hypnosis, you can hear everything going on around you, you can
hear all of the suggestions you hear from the hypnotist. In hypnosis,
your unconscious mind is 88 percent more alert than in a conscious
state. Therefore, your unconscious mind accepts suggestions and creates
the behaviour changes or body changes in order to achieve the given
suggestions.
8. Double Hemisphere Activity
The concept of hemispheric specialization, with the left
hemisphere geared to analytic and the right hemisphere to non-analytic
tasks suggests that responses in hypnotic state are influenced by right-
hemisphere activity. Since the subject responds to verbal suggestions
during hypnosis, the role of the left hemisphere of the brain also should
be included. Therefore, it can be said that the subject under hypnosis
shows great flexibility in using the left and right hemispheres in a task-
appropriate manner, especially when they are actually hypnotized.
Hypnosis is a process of putting an individual into a state of heightened
suggestibility.
9. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a combination of hypnosis and therapeutic
intervention. The therapist leads the subject to positive change while the
subject is in trance which is a deeply relaxed state of heightened
suggestibility. Therefore, hypnosis is a trance state in which the subject
is in a heightened, more receptive state of mind. In hypnosis the subject
is not unconscious, he does not lose control of his faculties, and does
not do things that he would be unwilling to do otherwise. The subject
decides how deep the trance will be, what suggestions he will accept,
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 42
and when to awaken. Even though the subject is awakened by the
hypnotist, he is capable of coming to awareness of his own accord.
Precisely this is what happens when one self-hypnotizes.
Hypnosis can be thought of as a self-accepted journey away
from the reality of the moment. Though apparently the subject seems to
be asleep, he is fully awake at all times. He is simply in a heightened,
more receptive state of mind to receive suggestions from the hypnotist.
This we realize from the open-eye techniques, where the subject keeps
his eyes open during the hypnotherapy while he is in deep trance.
Hypnosis can be had both with closed eyes and with open eyes. When
one is having his eyes open, he is in an alert hypnosis. Often one finds
subjects on stage hypnosis with open eyes. Therefore, hypnosis is not
going to sleep but on the contrary being in a state of alertness with
reduced awareness of the surrounding but highly focused on limited area
of interest and being highly susceptible to suggestion from the hypnotist
10. Focused Awareness
Hypnosis is understood to be a state of focused awareness. Its
characteristics may vary. Though there are common elements of hypnosis,
it is manifested in individuals differently. The state of hypnosis cannot be
pinpointed on Electroencephalogram (EEG). Hypnosis does not have
any unique and unmistakable insignia indicating its presence.
Certainly one will not be asleep or unconscious. If one were asleep,
then how would it be possible that one has a dialogue with the hypnotist?
In fact, one is even more aware of what is going on around one than one
would ordinarily be but one can be selective about it which one does and
does not do in the waking state. In a way, under hypnosis one is in a very
relaxed and pleasant state.
11. Memory Retrieval
Hypnosis can bring back information that has been repressed or
forgotten. However, hypnosis cannot be said to facilitate accurate recall
of disturbing memories. There are cases of people who under hypnosis
are known to fabricate and lie. It is also a known fact that people can lie
even after an injection of truth serum (a chemical administered to reduce
inhibitions so that the subject reveals freely solicited information).
Therefore, if there are some personal information which the subject does
 43 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING
not choose to divulge or if the information is not consciously known, the
subject will not reveal it. Therefore, hypnosis is not a foolproof tool that
guarantees the factual revelation of the experiences of hypnotic subjects.
12. Hypnotic Arc
We can imagine a hypnotic arc. It is from full wakefulness to
hypnotic trance and back again to wakefulness. When you start your
hypnosis, you are fully awake and aware. You allow your mind to begin
to focus and your body to relax. You close your eyes and allow them to
relax more than they have ever been relaxed before. Gradually you enter
that state of total ease and relaxation and you will deepen that state
through suggestion allowing the body to grow very still and quiet, allowing
the mind to grow much focused down to that level we call somnambulism,
which is a very deep state of hypnosis. Thus, when you are so relaxed
you forget your body and you forget where you are and you are in a little
world you create using imagery or whatever suggestions you are using.
When it is time for you to come back, you just gradually allow the mind
and the body to reintegrate, to become very alert and at a certain point in
time you open your eyes on command and sometimes before, if you are
ready. Now you are normally alert and conscious once again. A typical
hypnotherapy takes thirty to sixty minutes.
13. Suspended Critical Factor
Hypnosis suspends the critical factor. For example, under
hypnosis a subject accepts as true statements that he would normally
reject. If the hypnotist says that you forgot your name, you forget it. Here
the subject seems to accept the authority of the hypnotist over his own
experience. With such experiences, the subjects later report that they
had known that the hypnotist was wrong but at the same time they felt
that it was easier to go along with the instructions of the hypnotist than
with their own experience. Hypnotic state is fairly common and at times
it cannot be distinguished from intense concentration when awareness
of one’s surroundings is lost.
Hypnosis indicates the ability of a person to set aside critical
judgment without relinquishing it completely, and to engage in make-
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 44
believe and fantasy. It may happen that for some, the make-believe is so
vivid that they mistake it for reality. Hypnosis is mainly a matter of the
abilities of the subject hypnotized and of the abilities of the hypnotist. A
hypnotist who has at least moderate interpersonal skills, and who is
able to establish a relationship of trust and an appearance of competence
can easily lead a person to hypnosis.
14. The Experience of Hypnosis
One may wonder how it feels like being hypnotized. It may vary
from person to person and the type of trance states. In any case, it is
going to be wonderful.
The phenomena of hypnosis cannot be easily measured. To a
certain extent, they can be measured by some of the psychological tests
gauging hypnotic susceptibility, or the aptitude for imagery. There are
also tests that center on physiological parameters expressed through
the electroencephalogram (EEG), or the metabolism of cerebral pathways.
However, the manifestations of the hypnotic phenomena tend to be
subjective as much as objective, expressing themselves in the overall
profile of the subject.
In spite of the controversy that exists regarding the mechanisms
by which the hypnotic phenomenon occurs, there is a fairly good general
agreement regarding the psychological and physiological phenomena
elicited through hypnosis. There are certain feelings that emerge as
common whereas some others are rare and idiosyncratic. Some emerge
from hypnosis very much astonished for the type of experience they had
while others report nothing extraordinary. In deeper trance of hypnotic
experience, if the subjects are asked to talk about or to notice how they
feel, they answer in monotone, slowly, and with pauses. If you ask them
some questions, they seem to express more details even though they
are slow in answering. This indicates that certain level of observing self-
awareness had been kindled while under hypnosis. Hypnosis is
noninvasive, non-pharmacologic and relatively inexpensive.
1) Physio-Motor Changes
Under hypnosis, the motions and the internal workings of the
body often feel decelerated. There is an experience of inertia or a feeling
of not desiring to move. If movements are made they are carried out less
 45 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

frequently having a reduced range as though in slow motion. The subject

frequently experiences a pervasive sensation of comfortable heaviness
permeating the neuromusculature. This experience of sensation which
goes along with physiological appeasement which is looked for and
suggested during the induction convinces the subject that some real
internal change is taking place.
2) Physiological Changes
During hypnosis the subject may experience various physiological
and biological changes. His legs and arms may feel particularly heavier
than normal, or lighter than normal and may feel like floating in the air. At
times, there may be tingling sensation in legs and arms. It is not strange
at times to feel that they are not there anymore. One may experience
the heartbeat slowing down, the breathing becoming shallower, the
stomach starting to bubble and gurgle and be quite noisy. One may have
increased watering of the eyes and fluttering of the eyelids. Some feel as
though they have become at-one with the chair or couch they are resting
on; there can be reluctance to move and experience distortion of time
(often an underestimation of the time spent during the session). When
one comes out of hypnosis, one may experience a feeling of wellbeing or
euphoria.
Though many accounts of physiological changes associated with
hypnosis are reported, there is no physiological variable shown to be
systematically or regularly associated with hypnosis. If physiological
changes are observed during hypnosis, they are greatly influenced by
the nature of the suggestions given. Cardiac variability during the initial
phase of hypnotic induction is being observed and that may be due to
the feeling of novelty about upcoming hypnotic experience. Reduced
bleeding time has been observed in patients undergoing surgical
procedures with hypnoanesthesia. Vasodilation and increased circulation
to otherwise poorly perfused areas are also reported in response to
hypnoanesthesia suggestions. Hypertensive subjects are able to
normalize their blood pressure. Under hypnosis breathing is more likely
to show less amplitude and to be more abdominally expressed. In deeper
hypnotic experience a slowing of the breathing rate is being observed.
Metabolic changes like alterations in blood glucose level, basal metabolic
rate, calcium metabolism, and oxygen saturation are observed following
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS
46
hypnotic suggestions. Even body temperature may be raised or lowered
depending upon the suggestion given. Gastric secretions, cerebral blood
flow, cerebral oxygen consumption, and electrodermal activity are said
to be associated with hypnosis. Likewise endocrine studies show release
of adrenocorticotropic hormone by pituitary gland and change in plasma
cortisol titers. Cutaneous functions have become more sensitive to hypnotic
influence. Changes in brain waves also are reported due to hypnosis.
However, the hypnotic condition has not yielded substantive physiological
correspondence.
One of the characteristics that accompany hypnosis though not
always is physiological languor. Though relaxation is suggested, there
are hypnotic-like states in which activation rather than relaxation response
is experienced by the subject. Such activation rather than relaxation is
seen in religious ceremonies. There are cases of individuals who
experience physical action in the context of psychological relaxation
like the one who wants to undertake intense physical activities post-
hypnotically. One during trance may visualize himself actualizing a
performance with peak mastery.
3) Time Change
For the subject, the sense of time under hypnosis shifts from
external to internal events. Internal events are subjectively slowed. Time
is felt less insistently; therefore, the subject experiences a long duration
as a short period. It is not uncommon for the subject to feel that time is
frozen or stands still.
4) Body Image Change
Under hypnosis, the subject may feel that his body is heavy as if
pushing into the cushions of the chair; or the body may feel lighter as
though floating. The body could also feel larger, expanded, and
macroscopic as though filling the whole room. It may also rarely feel
microscopic.
5) Thinking Processes Change
As the physiological processes slow down, the flow of thoughts
show variability in its velocity and direction. In normal waking period during
the day the rate at which one thought follows another varies. It may be
 47 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

faster at certain period of the day than at other times. In depression the
thought processes slow down. Certainly it will be accelerated in
hypomania and in psychostimulant intoxication. Sometimes under
hypnosis the flow of thoughts stops completely. At the same time, the
subject is alert and aware and is not depressed. He knows that thoughts
have ceased coming to the mind. Even though thoughts have desisted in
manifesting themselves, the subject is amazed that awareness of his
awareness is exquisitely preserved. There is a phenomenon called “Trance
Logic” which is a mental mechanism according to which logically
incongruous ideas can coexist without clashing.
6) Emotion Change
The word “emotion” indicates a conglomerate body of processes
involving the autonomic nervous system and many psychological
associations. In hypnosis, emotions may be quelled; certain feeling states
may be enhanced as well. A solitary feeling may be presented to the
subject for contemplation and amplification. For example, a depressed
person may be asked to recall a happy event and contemplate on it or
relive it in hypnosis. Thus, the happy feeling once recreated, can be then
hypnotically intensified so that it may exert its post-hypnotic ego-
strengthening influence. It is encouraging to know that hypnotically
induced feelings tend to persist beyond the hypnotic session. Therefore,
positive emotions can be revived in a subject by asking him to recall a
moment he had such a feeling in his past, and relive it amplifying it
through meditative focusing. Then the ability to experience that same
positive feeling becomes progressively easier; and he gradually starts to
integrate it into his everyday life.
7) Imagination Change
All of us experience the ability to create mental images though
at times patients say that they are unable to form mental images. While
we are asleep, messages flowing from the sense organs are drastically
reduced and awareness is shifted to the ever-ongoing inner mental life.
This paves the way for us to create mental images in dreams in a most
pronounced way. But in wakeful state, the same thing happens while we
daydream. The imagery of daydreams is complex under partial volitional
control. Thus, we create mental images in dreams while asleep, or in
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 48
daydreams while awake. The mental images may be visual impressions,
feelings, some aesthetic sensations, the interplay of dialogue, and intricate
scenarios. In hypnosis, it is better to make use of the imageries the
subjects enjoy and are comfortable with than to use imageries that the
subjects dislike. For example, one may like to enjoy a walk on the
seashore than a walk in the interior of a forest. In hypnosis the ability to
create, intensify, and sustain images is enhanced. For some subjects,
this faculty can be activated to such a degree that the sense of reality
recedes and imagery takes precedence.
It is also possible that the process of wakefulness can coexist
with the processes of imagery formation. In such situations when it goes
to the extreme, we have hallucination in which one has the intensely vivid
imagery. Thus, while being awake with wide open eyes, one can see an
object as if it were there (positive hallucination) and conversely cannot
see an object that is there (negative hallucination). In hypnosis, imagery
is turned into a therapeutic tool. Images constructed by the subject can,
through his real representations (senses) or the symbol he conveys,
point in the direction of creative insight, enhanced self-perception, personal
growth, and problem resolution. Thus, imagery can facilitate healing and
growth in subjects.
8) Senses Change
There are many stimuli that impinge on our senses. This is a
constant experience for us. As you are experiencing one sensation, for
example humidity, any other thing happening to you at that moment like
music from the neighbourhood may change your feeling and the feeling
of humidity will be momentarily overridden. This ability to move into or
away from sensory experience is utilized in hypnosis. For example, the
subject may be made to feel a painful experience more distant, less
insistent, less sharp, and more diffuse.
9) Memory Change
Our nervous system stores every experience. Though many
memories are present, they do not gain entrance to consciousness,
because they are connected to too much anxiety or psychic pain. Some
memories are cast aside since they do not have much relevance. There
are also memories that keep impinging too insistently on us and may be
 49 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

disruptive. Our mind has the ability to modulate access to personal

memory stores. Under hypnosis, the subject may be asked to move
away from the present reality and to rekindle the remembrance of an
event. This enhanced recall is called “hypermnesia.” In “post-hypnotic
amnesia,” the subject forgets what had happened during the hypnotic
experience. This happens automatically or by the suggestion given. In
either case, the forgotten elements of the experience usually return to
awareness at some point in the future, typically some days later.
15. Hypnosis - a Natural Phenomenon
Hypnosis uses the way our mind already works. In hypnosis,
one simply utilizes this natural phenomenon with direction and purpose
to get what one wants. Hypnosis is a mental state that happens naturally.
It is a very relaxing experience. Here one has a focused and selective
frame of mind. It is a condition of heightened access to imagination.
Without interference from external stimuli, or internal resistance, hypnosis
enhances access to mental resources. It is either a natural talent, or a
learned skill. Hypnosis is an effective method to open one’s mind to
suggestions. Hypnosis is a trance state which is very similar to
daydreaming. There is a shift from external attention and focus to internal
attention and focus. There appears a doorway to the unconscious allowing
a free flow of information and greater access to internal resources, memory,
and imagination. Hypnosis is a process which involves a shift from normal
attention and awareness to directed focus on primarily internal processes,
imagination, and selected elements. An access is had to the unconscious
that is normally beneath awareness.
Hypnosis is the term applied to a unique, complex form of unusual
but normal behaviour. It can probably be induced in all normal persons
under suitable conditions as well as in many persons suffering from various
types of difficulties or bad habits, addictions, mental disorders or
abnormality. It is primarily a special psychological state with certain
physical attributes. It resembles sleep superficially and is marked by a
functioning of the individual at a level of awareness other than the ordinary
conscious state which is called unconscious awareness. Functioning at
this special level of awareness is characterized by a state of receptiveness
and responsiveness in which inner experiential learning and understanding
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 50
can be accorded values comparable with or even the same as those
ordinarily given only to external reality stimuli.
Hypnosis is undertaken on the important consideration that the
subject be willing, cooperative, and interested in learning new experiences.
The hypnotist can progressively, persuasively, and repetitiously suggest
tiredness, relaxation, eye closure, loss of interest in externalities and an
increasing adequacy at the level of unconscious awareness.
The phenomenon of hypnosis differs from subject to subject and
from one trance to another. It depends upon the purpose to be served
and the depth of the trance to be achieved. Therefore, hypnosis is a
matter of degrees, ranging from light to profound trance states but with
no fixed constancy. However, there are certain basic manifestations whose
extent and clarity vary. Among them the most important thing is rapport.
Normally the subject responds only to stimuli from the hypnotist, who
may limit or direct the subject’s awareness or responsiveness as desired
and needed. However, the subject may remain in or actively establish
contact with part or all of the circumstances surrounding the trance
depending upon his personality needs or the demands of the situation.
16. The Healing Process
Hypnosis is a natural state of mind that can be used to solve
problems and for self-improvement. Stage hypnotism is for entertainment;
and stories about gaining control over the mind of others are fiction. There
is certainly a medical use of hypnosis. Here we are speaking of self-
hypnosis and in fact all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.
Hypnosis is a dynamic and vital healing process which embraces
all aspects of mental health care. It is client-centered as it focuses on
the discovery of the origin of the subject’s issues. While the subject is
regressing, the unconscious goes to the original cause, which gives the
subject and the hypnotist the opportunity to process the original feelings
surrounding the original experience or cause. The feelings that surround
the original event can be healed, thus empowering the subject to live the
life he wants to live. Hypnosis is more effective and works more quickly
than the traditionally established talk-therapy. Under hypnosis you are
more receptive to new ideas and you can effectively process the emotions
 51 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

linked to the original experiences that created negative feelings whatever

they were.
Hypnosis is a special form of communication to the unconscious
where habits are established and memory is stored. The language of the
unconscious is said to be visual. Therefore, the more detailed one’s image
of one’s goal, the faster one’s unconscious will create the changes one
desires. It is presumed that once your unconscious accepts new ideas,
your conscious automatically accepts them. It allows you access your
unconscious, which makes up 90 percent of your brain and stores all
memory. Desirable and lasting changes in one’s life can be brought about
under hypnosis by reprogramming and releasing thought patterns and
habits. Hypnosis is completely relaxing and makes you aware during
the experience. The hypnotist helps you to connect with your unconscious,
which puts you in control of your unconscious – the most powerful and
empowering aspect of your brain. In a certain sense, hypnosis restores
your freedom of choice, which you have not enjoyed for a long time.
There are three important ingredients of hypnosis. You should
believe that hypnosis will work; you should have a genuine desire for it to
work (motivation); and you should expect that it will work. Thus belief,
desire, and expectancy work in combination in hypnosis.
As we are victims of our own habits we have both positive and
negative habits. We are more focused on our negative habits than on our
positive habits. Habits are conditioned responses in our unconscious.
The unconscious does not recognize the difference between the good
habits and bad habits. In like manner, it does not know the difference
between reality and imagination. When we do something for a long time,
the unconscious thinks that the particular behaviour pattern is what you
really want and so it stores and makes it part of your natural behaviour.
Perhaps you want to change that behaviour consciously by will power
but your unconscious will not easily yield. Your will power alone will not
make permanent changes in your behaviour. The only way to change
your behaviour pattern is to change the remembered pattern in your
unconscious. This is done in hypnosis by bypassing the conscious and
appealing to the unconscious which readily opens up and makes the
necessary changes.
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 52

17. All Hypnosis Is Self-hypnosis

Ultimately all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. It is a powerful tool for
changing your behavior. The hypnotist simply plays the part of directing
you to use your power that already resides in you; a power that you may
not know is there. Hypnosis is not a state of mind or something that you
go into. The hypnotist just gets you to use your own powers. Hypnosis is
understood to be a natural function or process that occurs between your
mind and brain. The hypnotist through his suggestions directs you to tap
into a process that is already there in you. Hypnosis works best when
your physical body is in a sleeplike state of awareness. The subject
under hypnosis displays all of the brain activity displayed by a person
who is in the dream state or sleep. One can actually be both conscious
and asleep at the same time. For example, take your dream. While you
are dreaming you are perfectly conscious of what is going on in your
dream and yet you are asleep. In the same way, while you are under
hypnosis you are alert and asleep.
Always in Control
The subject is always in control and about 80-85 percent of the
process is his responsibility while 15 percent of the process is the
responsibility of the hypnotist. The hypnotist serves only as a guide in
the process and has no power or control over the subject. The subject
while under hypnosis has the power to open his eyes at any time and
end the session.
The Subject Determines the Depth
The subject’s ability to focus, concentrate, and respond to the
hypnotist will determine the depth of hypnosis that he will achieve. This
is the reason why intelligent individuals tend to be the best hypnotic
clients. Twenty percentage of the client population will enter a little to
medium depth of hypnosis; Sixty percent will experience a medium to
deep level of relaxation; twenty percent will experience profound depths
of hypnosis. Behavioural changes like overcoming fear of flying, quitting
smoking, and reducing weight can be achieved even in the lightest depths
of hypnosis with the proper motivation. I would rather insist on enough
motivation before starting hypnosis. One can, after repeated experience
 53 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

of hypnosis either by someone or by oneself, improve the depth of

hypnosis.
The Subject Decides to Enter Relaxation
Hypnosis is a condition of profound relaxation which one allows
oneself to enter, during which time there is an altered state of conscious
awareness. Children understand as real whatever story they hear. Only
when they grow up they acquire the skill of being critical and question.
Through the use of language, metaphor, rhythm, and tone, the hypnotist
is able to effectively switch off the critical factor so that once again
suggestions can be accepted by the subjects as they did as children.
Hypnosis is a safe way of accessing one’s natural intelligence and issuing
new instructions to enable one to create great miraculous changes in
one’s behaviour and body. In dreamlike states one drifts off. In hypnosis,
a systematic method is used to allow one to enter the natural dreamlike
state and communicate directly with one’s unconscious and issue new
suggestions or instructions. While in a trance, one is offered positive
suggestions, options, and new ideas to his unconscious, giving it new
information so that he can begin to change his mind about things. By
repetition, suggestions can also be reinforced. Suggestions are made to
one’s unconscious through metaphor (story) that bypasses the conscious
logical thinking process.
Experiences or beliefs that are stored in the unconscious can
be either positive or negative. Hypnosis facilitates you to identify and
release any unrealistic negative beliefs, and use one’s positive knowledge
and resources to resolve problems. Hypnosis bypasses the part of one’s
mind that limits one’s abilities or undermines one’s confidence. If one
believes that it will not help, then probably it will not, because he will
resist going into trance or reject the suggestions to prove himself right.
One cannot be hypnotized unless he agrees and fully cooperates.
The Subject Decides the Outcome
During the first session and initial consultation one describes in
detail what one would like to achieve or change about oneself. The number
of sessions one may need will depend on what one wants to make.
Usually most people notice a major change after the first session. What
one needs to do to be hypnotized is to allow oneself to relax. There is no
 THE NATURE OF HYPNOSIS 54
special ability required to be hypnotized except to allow oneself to relax.
Most people experience a slight drifting sensation while they are gradually
relaxing. One will feel very deeply relaxed. One will be aware of normal
sounds such as a telephone ringing or the passing traffic but in the trance
state one’s mind will dismiss them as of no importance. One may also
want to continue relaxing, feeling wonderful, and at the end of the session
one will feel deeply relaxed and refreshed.
Though one is deeply relaxed, one is actively involved in the
process at every stage. One’s unconscious is continuously processing
information. The hypnotist may ask the subject to move a finger or hand,
open his eyes, or speak to the hypnotist at some point – this is part of
the hypnotherapy and designed to reveal to the hypnotist how one is
faring. Once the subject is relaxed, he can start making the change he
wants. In hypnoanalysis, the subject will be communicating with the
hypnotist much more, speaking to the hypnotist in the trance. At the end
of the session one will awaken feeling refreshed and alert. Most people
find the experience very enjoyable. As you enter many times the natural
state of hypnosis (like daydreaming) and come out of it by yourself, it is
the same when someone guides you. You will surely come out eventually
even without the presence of the hypnotist.
18. The Exit
As you went into hypnosis you will come out of it, that is, it is
you who decided to go into hypnosis and also it is you who will decide to
come out of it. There are some people who so much enjoy the trance
state that they are unwilling to come out of it. Usually a hypnotist has
the means to get you out of it. Even if the hypnotist is missing after you
enter into a trance, you will come out of it since you may not hear the
voice of the hypnotist. You may, after a while, drift off into a natural sleep
and reawaken automatically. Therefore, there need not be any fear of
being lost in hypnosis without ever coming out of it by chance.2
 55 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

4. THE MYTHS ABOUT HYPNOSIS

There are a number of false beliefs about hypnosis. These false
beliefs have created fears and prejudices in the minds of people. These
prejudices come in the way of accepting the validity and usefulness of
hypnosis in one’s life. Let us now see what those false beliefs are.
1. Hypnotists Have Mysterious Powers
Franz Anton Mesmer and his disciples believed that they were
manipulating a force akin to magnetism when they put people into trances
for healing. But since the early 19th century it has become increasingly
clear that any “power” resides in the person who is hypnotized rather
than in the hypnotist. Of course, the hypnotist uses techniques to
influence the subject into particular mental states; but it is the subject
who produces the state. The fact that people can be hypnotized, some
easily, has been shown to be a stable trait across repeated trials, having
little to do with who hypnotizes the subject and how he does it. Since the
subject is the one who hypnotizes himself, we have got self-hynosis;
and self-hypnosis may be done to oneself by using audio recordings.
2. One Will Get “Stuck”
So far there had never been an incident of a subject who got
stuck in hypnosis. No one gets stuck awake or asleep. The states of
being awake or asleep are states for a period of time. They are natural
states and they give way to other states which also are temporary.
Hypnosis is another state for a while. For practical purposes, the hypnotist
explicitly ends the trance of the subject. In case the subject is left without
being brought to awareness, he will spontaneously either return to full
alertness or fall asleep; and if fallen asleep, he will come out of it naturally
having been refreshed. One stays in a trance state until one has solved
his problem. One might stay, for example, for six hours. Apart from that,
one usually wakes up when he wants. On rare occasions a subject may
not come out of the trance straight away. This is usually because they
are enjoying the relaxing state so much so that they do not want to
come out of it.
 THE MYTHS ABOUT HYPNOSIS 56
3. One Will Violate One’s Ethical Code
The subject will not knowingly violate his ethical code. Milton
Erickson used to make it clear that the subject was responsible for the
consequences of his actions. This he did just because there are instances
when the subject can manipulate the hypnotic situation. For example, a
subject may do something seemingly unethical if it is all right according
to his moral standards. Such a person may take advantage of hypnosis,
taking it as a sufficient excuse to do what he wants (unethical thing). In
stage hypnosis, the subject may do something contrary to his code of
conduct because he believes that what is done on the stage is forgivable
and also he experiences a group pressure that makes him do such funny
things.
Some believe that the hypnotist has control over your mind and
hence he can make you act against your own conscience. It just cannot
be done. You are, indeed, suggestible during hypnosis but the hypnotist
can never force you to act against your sense of morality and belief.
Sometimes people tend to believe after having seen stage
hypnosis or being ill-informed that the hypnotist controls the subject and
the subject has no independent will. To all appearance it looks like that
but when it comes to unethical suggestions from the part of the hypnotist,
the subject rejects it. It only shows that the suject can decide for himself
and make up his mind as to what to obey and what not to obey. Connected
to this, some also believe that the hypnotist can take advantage of the
subject for nefarious activities. This is simply not possible since no one
can be hypnotized against his will. Secondly when anything against one’s
morality and beliefs are suggested by the hypnotist, the subject forthwith
rejects it.
Some think that the hypnotist can make use of the subject for
sexual purposes. Here too the subject will not consent against her will. If
the subject was already eager to have sex with the hypnotist, then her
yielding to the hypnotist is not because of hypnosis, but on the contrary,
on account of her willingness to have sexual intimacy with the hypnotist
prior to hypnosis. In any intimate interaction like treatment, psychotherapy,
and counselling there is a phenomenon called “transference.” A subject
projects his earlier emotional experience both positive and negative onto
 57 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

the hypnotist. There is always a subtle erotic element in transference. In

a number of cases, the erotic aspect is very explicit. Thus it becomes an
erotic transference. If on account of the erotic transference a subject
seeks sexual intimacy with the hypnotist, it is not on account of the
hypnosis per se, but because of the relationship that gets established
between the physician and the patient, counsellor and counselle, hypnotist
and the subject. So, nobdy needs to blame hypnosis for that.
4. One Gives Up Control
It is not a question of giving up control of yourself to someone
else but rather it is the question of how to take it back in your life. Hypnosis
assists you to be more in control and live a healthier life. Hypnosis
teaches one how to tap into the power of one’s mind and thus improve
the quality of one’s life naturally. By hypnosis, one can learn the process
of transformation of one’s life in a short period of time with long-lasting
results.
5. Weak-Willed People Are Easier to Hypnotize
The impression that only weak-willed persons can be hypnotized
came about in those days when hypnotists were authoritarian — ordering
and commanding people. Some people who are averse to authoritarian
treatment will resent and will not cooperate with the hypnotist. Being
hypnotized has nothing to do with one’s will power but on one’s
intelligence, power to imagine, willingness to be hypnotized, and a good
ability to concentrate. Being open minded which is different from being
weak-willed, is definitely important. Actually intelligent persons can focus
easily — which is required for hypnosis. Therefore, intelligent persons
are the best subjects for hypnosis. Only persons who are unwilling are
difficult to be hypnotized.
6. Hypnosis Is Not Real
One might say that hypnosis is not real. We have ongoing
subterranean conversations going on in the mind. The conscious and the
unconscious are in constant dialogue with each other. This is at the
base of the phenomenon of self-hypnosis. If this dialogue is negative,
then the motivational energy one generates will have a negative tinge to
it. If this energy is not attended to, or changed, it finds expression as
another negative experience in your life. One negative thought quickly
 THE MYTHS ABOUT HYPNOSIS 58
attracts and leads into another. Thus, you hypnotize yourself in this way.
You might have experienced being worried about addressing a public
gathering. The more you thought about it, the more nervous you got. As
you approached the actual moment of addressing, you became a nervous
wreck. This is negative self-hypnosis.
Since hypnosis is a functioning trait of the mind itself, wherever
there is a functioning mind, hypnosis is there inseparably. One can replace
negative self-hypnosis with positive conditioning. Reprogramming our mind
can reverse the effects of years of negative conditioning and can help us
reconnect with ourselves on a much more natural level. Taking into account
the inner dialogue within us, we say that hypnosis is real and we engage
in it mostly every moment of everyday. Whenever a negative pattern of
behavior has been established through consistent and unconscious self-
hypnosis, there we realized hypnosis. Brain scan studies indicate that
for some people at least, genuine changes are occurring in the brain as
a consequence of hypnosis. Researches show that hypnotherapy is
effective for a number of conditions and for behaviour change.
7. Hypnosis Can Give You Abilities You Do Not Normally Possess
Hypnosis will enable you to do things you would not otherwise
be able to do. It does not mean that hypnosis can give you abilities you
do not normally have. Research indicates that what one is able to do
under hypnosis, one can also do it in one’s waking state, but perhaps,
not as effectively or as easily as under hypnosis. This is because hypnosis
involves selective attention. Parts of one’s mind which are normally used
for paying attention in general, can be used for paying very close attention
to one thing in particular. This perhaps gives the impression of having
unusual powers.
8. Hypnosis Is Sleep
Hypnosis is not sleep. It is a sleeplike state. In sleep proper we
do not have knowledge of the surroundings. But in hypnosis one has
knowledge of what goes on around oneself. One can hear the voice of the
hypnotist and follow the directions and accept his suggestions. These
things do not take place in sleep. There are also alert states of hypnosis
in the sense that one is fully awake with open eyes to the surroundings
while being in a deep state of hypnosis. If hypnosis were sleep, then the
subject cannot keep his eyes open and yet be deeply hypnotized.
For making a subject relax, the hypnotist may use the word
“sleep.” But that does not mean literally that the subject sleeps. It appears
that the subject is asleep but in fact he is aware of everything happening
 59 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

to him. In sleep, one is not aware of what is happening to him. Therefore,

it is not sleep. It only resembles a sleeplike state.
9. One Will Not Remember Anything After Hypnosis
Lots of people remember what happened under hypnosis. Some
forget spontaneously. Some forget if instructed to do so, and even in this
case, the memory can be recovered later. The memory is not actually
lost. The memory is stored where the conscious does not have current
access to it. The usual experience for all subjects is that they do remember
what went on under hypnosis.
10. One Is Always Aware in Hypnosis
Practically all naturally occurring hypnosis takes place without
the awareness of the person. The person realizes only after the hypnosis
is over, as for example, one is daydreaming, or absorbed in a movie or
not aware of having driven a long distance. Whenever you are influencing
others or being influenced by others; even if you are not speaking to
someone, your presence influences the other to a certain degree and
that is a hypnosis; it may be difficult to demarcate where communication
ends and hypnosis starts. But in formally induced hypnosis, the subject
is capable of being aware of, far more than they would otherwise be
aware of. One can hypnotize another without his knowing it, as for
example, when you buy things you might have been influenced by the
seller. It is a kind of passive affair.
11. Hypnosis Can Seriously Harm You
Nobody has been seriously hurt by hypnosis. The risk that you
can think of in hypnosis is lower than in any type of psychotherapy that
may be misused. Nobody considers the danger of physiotherapy or
traditional medicine. Any good thing can be misused and in that sense
hypnosis may be misused. But hypnosis is meant for cure and health. A
subject believes or a hypnotist makes him believe that the feeling of
involuntary responding really stems from the power of the hypnotist rather
than from the subject’s ability to become imaginatively involved. In that
sense, one can speak of the danger of hypnosis.
12. In Hypnosis One Will Not Be Aware of Dangers
A person under hypnosis is as aware of potential danger as any
wakeful person is. If, for example, a fire breaks out during the session,
 THE MYTHS ABOUT HYPNOSIS 60
the subject will easily come out of the trance and will deal with the situation
immediately and in an appropriate way. Remember the time you drove
through the same routine road. Often you would have slipped into a
daydreaming trance state. If there is any danger on the way, you would
automatically deal with the situation as though you had never been
dreaming and were in an altered state. Thus, in every hypnotic situation
the subject will come out of it as though he is fully aware of what is
happening to him and around him in case of danger.
13. Memory Retrieval Is Always Accurate
There is a phenomenon called “false memories of childhood sexual
abuse.” Here an erroneous memory has been implanted based on a
faculty theory of the cause of human psychic dysfunction. The imaginative
involvement of hypnosis may facilitate the process by which people come
to believe that a scripted memory of sexual abuse during their childhood
is true memory. This seems to be as the result of the vulnerable subjects
trusting a therapist to the extent of believing what they are told during the
course of treatment. Here the false memory of childhood sexual abuse is
the result of the wrong method of therapy rather than the utilization of
hypnosis as a part of that therapy. It is coercive instructions given by
hypnotists who are unscrupulous and who believe in buried memories of
childhood sexual abuse. Therefore, one need not blame hypnosis but the
real culprit is the coercive instructions given by the particular hypnotist.
If one has not learned some skills, or studied something, you will
not obtain them by hypnosis; that is you do not learn things magically. It
is unlikely that hypnosis can help one to recall repressed or forgotten
memories, because of the danger of false memories planted inadvertently
by the hypnotist. That is why hypnosis is not accepted as evidence for
truth in court cases. It is because the brain often cannot distinguish
between real and imagined events so much so you will not be certain
that a given memory is a real one. One may use hypnosis by clearing
the mind so that one can remember where one misplaced an article but
it will not help one to re-enact the time when one misplaced the article. It
is unlikely that one may use hypnosis to recall his past life, or moment
of his own birth.
14. A Hypnotist Might Pull Some Embarrassing Tricks on You
This myth is due to confusing clinical hypnosis with stage
hypnosis. A stage hypnotist will make the subjects do silly and
 61 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

embarrassing things because that is what is expected of them. The

subjects agree to this by stepping on stage and joining the show. In a
clinical setting, the hypnotist does not do this. Stage hypnosis and clinical
hypnosis are two very different disciplines, though both processes work
because the subjects are willing to cooperate with the hypnotist.
15. You Are Not Hypnotised if You Can Hear the Hypnotist
Each subject experiences hypnosis in his own unique way. It is
more a choice the subject makes to hear the voice of the hypnotist or
not. Therefore, hearing the hypnotist or not does not indicate success or
failure of hypnosis. One can allow one’s mind to drift away, or one can
choose to listen carefully to what the hypnotist says. There are some
subjects who simply cannot resist allowing their minds to drift away, as
they gain so much relaxation and pleasure from it.
16. Under Hypnosis You Reveal Your Deepest Secrets
Under hypnosis, our mind is fully aware and awake. Therefore, it
is not possible that one reveals his deepest secrets under hypnosis. In
fact, the subject can easily lie and be creative with the truth under
hypnosis. That is why the testimony of a person under hypnosis is not
accepted in the court. So it is a fact that one does not reveal one’s
secrets unless one wants to, even in the hypnotic state.
17. Hypnosis Is Occult
Hypnosis is a natural and inherent human ability, which everyone
has and which does not involve any mysterious powers or occult forces.
It does not take away one’s free will. The subject is not under the control
of the hypnotist. There is a certain argument adduced by association –
shamans, witch-doctors, and other such healers who use trances. These
are considered by some as pagan in the sense any trance state is
considered that way. We need to keep in mind that various brands of
faith-healing and revivalism also use trances and induce them very much
the same way as shamans and witch-doctors. Therefore, the argument
of association can be used against any form of healing. So hynosis is a
natural technique with no inherent religious content.3
 ANIMAL MAGNETISM 62

5. ANIMAL MAGNETISM
“Animal magnetism” is a term proposed by Franz Mesmer in the
18th century. The term “magnetism” was adopted by analogy, referring to
some interpersonal and general effects of reciprocal influence and/or
entanglement he observed. Mesmer attributed such effects to a supposed
“life energy” or “fluid” or “ethereal medium” believed to reside in the bodies
of animate beings (i.e., those that breathe).
1. Mesmer and Animal Magnetism
Mesmer chose the word “animal” to distinguish his supposed “vital
magnetic force” from those referred to at that time as “mineral magnetism,”
“cosmic magnetism,” and “planetary magnetism.” The theory became
the basis of treatment based on non-verbal elements such as gaze,
passes (movements of the hands near the body accompanied by the
intention of the operator), and mental elements as will and intention, and
that sometimes depended also on “laying on of hands.” Some of the
practices of animal magnetism branched out into hypnotism, spiritualism,
New Thought, the so called “magnetic healing,” and parapsychological
research. In modern usage, the phrase “animal magnetism” may refer to
a person’s sexual attractiveness or to raw charisma.
2. Meanings of Animal Magnetism
There are several meanings for the terms “animal magnetism” and
“mesmerism.” The term animal magnetism has at least four different levels
of meaning: 1) a general universal principle, 2) a specific method of vitalistic
cure, 3) a specific state of being and of consciousness (the
somnambulism), and 4) a cultural aspect.
1) A General Vital Universal Principle
Animal magnetism according to Mesmer is a principle that touches
both man and the universe at all levels: psychological, human, and
cosmological. It refers mainly to a theory to describe the entanglement
between man and the universe. It presupposes that it is something through
which everything in the universe is interconnected. It is something before
matter. Lacking other terms, he called it a “universal fluid.” This subtle
fluid or energy, source of life and health, fills the cosmos and moves in it.
This fluid is also the basis of the cosmos as it is the basis of which
 63 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

matter is constituted. This fluid is also a sort of energy or life force.

When this fluid circulates, living beings are healthy. When it is blocked,
one experiences sickness.
2) A System of Cure
In a more restricted sense, animal magnetism is the capability
present in all men (but mostly developed in those working as magnetists),
to use the vital fluid or life force for therapeutic purposes. According to
Mesmer, the magnetizer is able to direct his vital fluid toward the sick
person, and heal him. This theory was accepted by those who did not
accept the first theory of animal magnetism being a vital universal principle.
There is also a variation of this theory with a subjective meaning:
Animal magnetism as a subjective sensitivity. Mesmer said that as the
fluid (or life force) can only be perceived by the senses in a subjective
way, animal magnetism is also this sensibility, and that he calls “a sixth
sense.” The senses are neither defined nor described. They are rather
felt. Magnetism must be mainly transmitted through inward feeling. It is
only feeling that can make the theory of it understandable.
3) Magnetic Somnambulism
“Mesmeric state” or “mesmeric sleep” is used to define the state
of somnambulistic consciousness developed through the help of the
magnetizer. The term “animal magnetism” and even more so “mesmerism”
found in English literature are more frequently used to indicate techniques
utilized neither by Mesmer nor his theory, but for indicating this kind of
somnambulism and this specific somnambulistic state.
4) A Cultural Aspect
The expression “animal magnetism” is used for defining all cultural
phenomena that originated from Mesmer and the reflections about
somnambulism.4
 HY P NOTIS AB ILITY 64

6. HYPNOTISABILITY
This chapter deals with the question of how far we are capable
of being hypnotized. The experience of hypnosis is not same for everybody
and also the level of the depth of hypnosis.

1. Hypnotizability Is Differential

“Hypnotizability,” “hypnotic susceptibility,” “hypnotic ability,” and

“hypnotic responsivity” are terms that are used interchangeably in the
scientific literature on hypnosis. They simply refer descriptively to what
level a person is able to experience hypnosis. Hypnotic susceptibility is
known to be a differential phenomenon and there are individual differences
in this ability. Whatever attempts one may make to modify hypnotic ability
by training low responsive individuals to become highly responsive, the
individual differences are stable and enduring.

2. Can All Be Hypnotized?

The very idea of hypnotizability suggests that not everyone can

be hypnotized. If one does not want to be hypnotized, he cannot be
hypnotized. In this sense we can say that all cannot be hypnotized.

At the same time it is obvious that anyone with a normal ability

to concentrate can be hypnotized if he wants to be. Even we can hypnotize
children. A simple exercise for you to test if you are hypnotizable: While
sitting or standing, extend your arms in front of you, parallel to the floor.
You can turn your right palm up and your left palm down. Now you can
close your eyes and imagine a bucket of sand in your right hand while
the handle is in your palm and the bucket of sand hangs down. You can
also imagine a string attached to your left wrist, and at the other end is a
big blue helium-filled balloon. As you concentrate, your right hand gets
heavier and heavier and your left hand becomes lighter. You are not
supposed to move your hands. Take a few minutes, and open your eyes
and see where your hands are. If your right hand dropped and the left
hand lifted, your imagination has worked well. If the hands have not moved,
then you are putting up some resistance; you may need to spend some
 65 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

more time with relaxation. A subject communicates his hypnotizability

to the hypnotist more by his body language than by anything else.

Do you not know that you are entering into hypnosis a minimum
seven to ten times a day on the average. For most people it is even
more. Altered state, or hypnosis, is part of every person’s life. Even persons
can be hypnotized without their knowing. Every influence you have on
another is a form of hypnosis. In the same way, others can influence you
towards something. These are instances of being hypnotized without
ever realizing that one is hypnotized.

In fact anyone can be hypnotized since hypnosis is a natural

state and an inherent human ability provided that one understands simple
instructions and concentrates adequately. Secondly, if one trusts
(believes) the hypnotist and the hypnotist uses the right techniques, one
can be hypnotized. All things being equal, not all hypnotists can hypnotize
all subjects. Some will be hypnotized much more easily than others.
Hypnotizability is a trait and as such there are some who are “highly
hypnotizable” and others are “low hypnotizable.” Most therapeutic uses
of hypnosis do not depend on hypnotic depth. The only exception is pain
control, for which one requires a somewhat deeper trance for a successful
result. Therefore, for surgery, hypnosis cannot be used for everyone and
only for those who are highly hypnotizable. This inability need not be
equated with the statement that all cannot be hypnotized. Therefore, the
answer to the question whether all can be hypnotized is yes and no.

3. The Different Depths of Hypnosis

James Braid made a rough distinction between different stages

of hypnosis. He first termed them as the first and the second conscious
stage of hypnosis. Later he replaced these with a distinction between
“sub-hypnotic,” “full-hypnotic,” and “hypnotic coma” stages. Jean-Martin
Charcot made a distinction between stages of somnambulism
(Somnambulism is used in clinical psychology to describe sleepwalking,
but in hypnosis, it is referred to as the deepest level of hypnosis), lethargy,
 HY P NOTIS AB ILITY 66
and catalepsy. There arose different schools with different depth scales.
The older depth scales attempted to infer the level of hypnotic trance
based on supposed observable signs like spontaneous amnesia. The
subsequent scales measure the degree of observed or self-evaluated
responsiveness to specific suggestion tests, like direct suggestions of
arm rigidity (catalepsy). They also assess one’s susceptibility as “high,”
“medium,” and “low.” It is understood that hypnotizability scores are highly
stable over a person’s lifetime. The research by Deirdre Barrett suggests
that there are two distinct types of highly susceptible subjects who are
fantasiers and dissociaters. The fanasiers score high on absorption scales
and find it easy to block out real-world stimuli without hypnosis, spend
much time daydreaming. The dissociaters often have a history of trauma
and their association to daydreaming was often going blank. But both
score equally high on formal scales of hypnotic susceptibility. Among
the clinical group, persons with dissociative identity disorder have the
highest hypnotizability followed by those with post-traumatic stress
disorder.

4. Hyper-Suggestibility

In his later writings James Braid said that hypnosis is largely a

state of heightened suggestibility induced by expectation and focused
attention. Hippolyte Bernheim, a leading proponent of the “suggestion
theory” of hypnosis, went so far as to say that there is no hypnotic state,
only a heightened suggestibility. There is also a general consensus that
heightened suggestibility is an essential characteristic of hypnosis.
Therefore, if an individual after submitting to the hypnotic procedure shows
no genuine increase in susceptibility to any suggestions whatever, there
appears to be no point in calling him hypnotized even if he fully and
readily responds to suggestions of eye lid closure and other superficial
sleeping behaviour.

It is estimated that approximately 10-15 percentage of the

population is highly responsive to hypnosis. They are able to experience
 67 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

the classical phenomena like analgesia (pain reduction), age regression,

positive and negative hallucinations, and post-hypnotic amnesia.
Approximately 10-15 percentage of the population is unresponsive, or
minimally responsive to hypnosis. They are unable to experience even
mild subjective alterations, such as the suggestion (experienced by
approximately 90 percentage of the population) like that their arm is light
and weightless and is floating towards their forehead of its own accord.
The remaining majority of 70-80 percentage of the population is said to
be moderately responsive to hypnosis. They are known to experience
easy, and in some cases, moderately difficult hypnotic items, but at a
certain point they are unable to respond further. Now the question boils
down to who can be hypnotized.

5. Who Can Be Hypnotized?

1) From Natural Point of View

We do our daily chores automatically without reflecting or having

recourse to a strategy. Getting into hypnotic state is as natural as
breathing, sleeping, dreaming, and reading. We get into a light hypnotic
state whenever we are in the zone, or spaced out, daydreaming, or having
our head in the clouds, being out of the conscious state, or analytical
thinking. Many times every day we drift in and out of this light trance
state. Therefore, the question “can anyone be hypnotized” is answered
by saying “yes.” From the point of view of brain wave activity, we realize
that there are four levels: Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta. When you leave
the Beta level which is the total awareness conscious and analytical
state of mind, you drift into the Alpha state which is a light level hypnotic
state and a lot of change can be directed in this state. When you drift
into the next state of mind (that is Theta) you are in dreaming, asleep
and yet conscious because you are able to recollect your dreams since
you are aware. Otherwise you will never remember your dreams. Then is
the Beta state in which you are totally unconscious. In our daily day to
day living we may go through all the four levels. The Alpha and the Theta
states are hypnotic states. So everyone can be hypnotized.
 HY P NOTIS AB ILITY 68
Once I viewed a stage hypnotic session in which the hypnotist
called out asking if there was anyone who believed that he could not be
hypnotized. A volunteer went to the stage. After a while conversing with
the subject, the subject suddenly went into a hypnotic state. I guessed
that even though the subject claimed that he could not be hypnotized, he
became hypnotized; in a stage hypnosis there was the group pressure,
the expectation of the group desiring to see by all means that he could
be hypnotized. But the fact will remain true that if you do not want to be
hypnotized, then you will not.

There is a great individual difference in responding to hypnosis.

It has little to do with the techniques of the hypnotist. It has much to do
with the individual’s capacity, or talent, for experiencing hypnosis. Most
people are believed to be at least moderately hypnotizable. There are
relatively a few people who cannot be absolutely hypnotized. In the same
way, there are a few people who exhibit the highest level of responsiveness
(hypnotic virtuosos) to hypnosis.

2) From Clinical Point of View

There is controversy about hypnotizability. The question is whether

hypnotizability can be modified or manipulated. Some believe that if the
hypnotist takes the right approach virtually everyone can be hypnotized.
Some others believe that positive attitudes, motivations, and expectancies
concerning hypnosis can help hypnotizability. When hypnotizability is
measured scientifically we get a roughly normal (i.e., bell-shaped)
distribution of scores.

There is a belief that persons with a strong will power cannot be

hypnotized. On the contrary they are the best subjects since people
with a strong will power when they decide to cooperate with the hypnotist,
do it well. The success of hypnotism depends upon the cooperation of
the subject with the hypnotist and persons with strong will power are
good subjects to cooperate. Since hypnotism depends upon the
cooperation of the subject with the hypnotist, no one can really be
hypnotized against his will. Here we are speaking of formally inducing
 69 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

hypnosis whereas naturally occurring states of hypnosis is an everyday

occurrence in each one’s life and the type of influence which we exert
mutually on one another cannot be ruled out.

Therefore, to the question whether all can be hypnotized I would

answer in four ways: that is 1) from the natural point of view all undergo
hypnotic states at some time or other in each day; 2) from the point of
view of mutual influence all can be hypnotized, since we keep influencing
one another in our interactions; 3) for the formal induction of hypnosis
the cooperation of the subject is absolutely necessary. In this sense one
who does not want to be hypnotized cannot be hypnotized; and 4) of
course there are some who lack the capacity to be hypnotized like persons
who are very young, very elderly, and people of a very low intelligence
with an IQ below 70, particularly those who have an inability to concentrate,
people having neurological deficiencies, intoxicated people, those with
organic brain damage (lack of ability to concentrate and focus), those
who have fear or resistance to hypnosis or the hypnotist, all refractory
subjects who know that they are being hypnotized and decide to resist,
and those who are both suspicious and controlling of others. It is prudent
not to use hypnosis for persons with epilepsy, having bipolar (manic-
depressive), or schizophrenia.

Hypnosis is a skill. As a skill, some are more talented to achieve

it than others. Hypnosis is about allowing oneself to relax and to focus.
Persons of average intelligence and better can be hypnotized. If one
feels comfortable with hypnosis and trusts the hypnotists he can be
hypnotized.5
 LANGUAGE AND PARALINGUISTICS 70

7. LANGUAGE AND PARALINGUISTICS

The language we use (words), imageries, and paralinguistic
behaviours are powerful ways of communication. They can dramatically
affect the other depending upon many factors. This chapter considers
the power of language and paralinguistics in effecting hypnosis.
1. Three Hypnotic Power Words
1) Imagine/Picture
Firstly, if you ask a stranger to buy something, he may resist
and will not buy. Instead if you ask the stranger to imagine the outcome
of the sale or the usefulness of the article, then the stranger does not
resist. Imagining is like fantasizing which is fun and a mind-game. It is
not a task. It is enjoyable as a distraction from life. By asking someone
to imagine, you bypass the critical mind of that person. Imagining
stimulates the unconscious. The brain literally cannot tell the difference
between reality and fantasy or what is imagined. There is no difference in
visualizing a beautiful beach and seeing a beautiful beach. In sale and
purchase, if you as a salesperson get the other imagine owning a
particular article, he becomes as if he already has it, as if you have
already given the article to him. Naturally the other will attempt to have it
which means he will purchase it. If you give a sense of ownership even in
imagination it is better than just offering benefits. Instead of the word
“imagine” you could also use the word “picture.”
2) You
The word “you” bypasses the critical factor and thus stimulates
the unconscious. There are three most powerful words in sales: “you,”
“free” and “guaranteed.” Among them the word “you” is a hypnotic word
just because it represents your name; and your name is hypnotic. You
may more readily buy from a person who has the same name as yours or
same sounding letter in the first or in the last name. Instead of the name
of the person you use the word “you.” The name is so powerful that we
need to be careful about it. If you use the name of a person too often in
the conversation then you annoy him. You may use it in the beginning
and at the end of the conversation and this is welcome. But you can
 71 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

frequently use the word “you” since it does not annoy but makes the
other feel delighted and alert. That is why the word “you” is hypnotic.
3) Because
Humans crave for order. We want to know why something is the
way it is and what caused something to occur. These things we long for
in our lives. The cause and effect relationship is encapsulated in the
word “because.” When our critical mind hears this word it understands
that it has to let the author go straight to the unconscious bypassing the
conscious. Bypassing the conscious and going to the unconscious to
achieve our goal is the reason for using hypnosis. Therefore, the word
“because” is a hypnotic word since it does the work of hypnosis. Using
the word “because” satisfies the brain’s natural search for reason. Even
if a flimsy reason is given, the mind is not busy analyzing the genuineness
of the reason. It is enough that it got a reason for a particular request or
demand. For example, “Because your eyelids are heavy, you are getting
into a deep trance.”
By using the causal word “because” which need not be true, the
hypnotist makes the suggestion acceptable. For example, “because
closing the eyes makes you get into relaxation, you are about to go
deeper into relaxation.” The truth is that closing one’s eyes one does not
automatically get into relaxation. But here it is well accepted without
critiquing because it gives a causal connection.
2. Hypnotic Language Pattern
Hypnotic language is meant to produce a hypnotic trance. Trance
is a highly focused state of attention. Therefore, hypnotic language is a
language that focuses the attention and turns it inwards. Deliberate
confusion and ambiguity, metaphors, puns, analogies, and stories are
all ways of delivering the message straight to the unconscious bypassing
the conscious which tends to be more critical and analytical.
1) Indirect Statemments and Suggestions
A turn in the history of the language pattern occured when Milton
H. Erickson pioneered the “indirect” approach to hypnosis. Before this,
hypnotists were using direct methods telling the subjects what they are
 LANGUAGE AND PARALINGUISTICS 72
to do. For example, telling a subject “you are feeling relaxed” is a direct
method and it may work for some people but others will tend to resist
such a suggestion. An indirect way of telling the same thing is “and
perhaps as you sit there, listening to me here, you might begin to notice
a pleasant feeling of relaxation.” Here the subject is not told that he is
experiencing something or commanded to do something. Because of
the indirect way of telling, one might notice or not notice something. By
this you are structuring the languae in such a way that the subject’s
attention is focused and turned inwards, where it will search for meaning.
This of course produces trance.
2) Non-Specific Suggestion
If the suggestion is too specific, it may not match the internal,
imaginative reality of the subject. A hypnotist might say, “you are walking
deep into a thick forest and you feel very relaxed.” If by chance the subject
had a frightful experience of walking in a forest he may not feel relaxed
but rather frightened. Therefore, the hypnotist could say something like
this,”Now there might have been a time and a place in your life, where
you have felt woderfully relaxed, and excellently at ease. And I wonder if
you are able to get a sense of that right now.” Here the reference to “a
time and a place” is very generic and the subject can fill it with what suits
him by experience. By remembering that time and that place, the subject
can relive the feelings he had at that time producing that sense of relaxation
in the present moment.
3) “Yes” Set
The hypnotist might use a language to produce permissive,
attention-focused effect together with specific language patterns. Here
comes the “yes set,” which includes a series of statements which one
cannot help but agree with since they are self-evidently true. For example,
“as you sit in front of me, listening to what I say, you are making sense
of what I say and might begin to relax.” Here what is said to the subject
is true and therefore he has to agree by saying “yes.”
4) Tag Question
The hypnotist makes suggestions which are leading questions
that might indirectly pressurize the subject to answer “yes” and agree
 73 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

with what the hypnotist says. For example, “you already know how to
deepen your relaxation, don’t you?” has a tag at the end. By this leading
type of questions the subject is obliged to agree with you without realizing
the pressure exerted on him. It is an indirect method which makes the
statement less direct and easier to accept.
5) Illusory Choice
A certain outcome is expected and in that there is no choice but
apparently there is a choice given. For example, “slowly and gently you
will open your eyes and come back here immediately or in a minute.”
Here the subject becoming alert is taken for granted but he is only given
a choice between now and a minute later which is not a great difference
and it is as good as now. Secondly the other possibilities like for example
waking up after five minutes or so are left out.
6) Double Binds
A double bind is an emotionally distressing dilemma in our
communication. In it an individual or a group receives two or more
conflicting messages. In these messages, one negates the other. This
creates a situation in which response to one message results in a failed
response to the other and vice versa. When a double bind occurs the
person cannot confront the inherent dilemma, and therefore can neither
resolve it nor opt out of the situation. The double bind often utilizes a
form of control without open coercion – the use of confusion makes them
both difficult to respond to as well as to resist. If one says to a child “be
spontaneous” it is a double bind. Whether the child acts spontaneously
or not in both cases he is not spontaneous. If he acts spontaneously he
is obeying the command of his mother and therefore not spontaneous. If
he does not act spontaneous, he is not spontaneous. Thus is a double
bind.
7) Nominalisation
Nominalisations are abstract nouns that have no one agreed-
upon intrinsic meaning in the mind of everybody. As for example,
relaxation, calmness, tranquility, security, and peacefulness may be
understood differently by different people. When such nominalisations
are used, the subject turns his attention inwards to attach individual
meaning to them and this produces a trance.
 LANGUAGE AND PARALINGUISTICS 74
3. Words Shape Reality
Words are one of the factors that shape our thoughts, in turn forming
an integral ingredient in the construction of our relative reality. As words
make up one’s world, they also make up the world of the people with
whom we interact. In the same way, the words one listens paint intricate
pictures in one’s mind that influence one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Every word one uses and how he uses it, create a picture in the mind. It
may create a powerful emotional state in the other. One’s words shape
not only his reality but also the reality of all those one influences daily.
Therefore, the use of the correct words in conversation and especially in
hypnosis is necessary.
4.Transforming Language
There are six powerful tips for transforming one’s language to
have the most impact in conversation. 1) It is good to tell brief colourful
stories to form a picture of the setting or scene one wants to create when
one speaks. 2) The words one uses need to reflect the mood and emotion
that one wants to elicit. Therefore, using words that create double meaning
may be interpreted too broadly or incorrectly. 3) Since most people have
a short attention span, using fewer words is appreciated. 4) It is good to
avoid embedded negative commands. Instead of telling “Don’t forget to
buy some flowers” you could say “Remember to buy some flowers.” The
first way of telling is a negative command and our brain might pick up the
negative command. 5) It is good to give a genuine smile with the emotion
one wants to convey and subsequently the environment one wants to
create. What is seen (observing the body language) by the other is more
powerful than what one hears. 6) Match the tone and cadence of your
speaking with the emotion you want to communicate and subsequently
the environment you want to create.
5. Hypnotic Tone
The play and the modulation of the voice of the hypnotist are
very important. Each hypnotist has his own special voice and modulation.
On the average, most hypnotists use slow voice, which is clear and
normal in tone. You might have experienced in yourself when someone
gives a monotonous speech your attention drifts away. At that time, you
are in a mild trance state. A monotonous voice can put someone into a
 75 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

hypnotic state. For stage hypnosis, one needs to use a powerful and
strong voice as he will be talking with many people at the same time as
he is doing a public show.
The hypnotist has a choice between two types of voices that
work for induction techniques. The first one is rhythmic. This lets the
subject lull into a sleeplike trance. If for example you were to say: “Now
as you are focused, you feel relaxed.” The words “focused” and “relaxed”
sound the same. There is rhythm. The second is monotone. This makes
sure that the subject is focused with no diversions and distractions. Here
you go narrating items with monotone that the subject goes into a trance.
As for example you say: “As you concentrate on the muscles of your
head you relax deep; at every breath you take you enter into deeper
relaxation; you feel so sleepy and relaxed that you doubly become relaxed;
as you descend a staircase you are becoming more and more relaxed.”
These two voice modulations (rhythm and monotone) are used for
hypnotizing. You can also include other elements like raising the pitch
for post-hypnotic suggestions and pauses which ensure that the command
or suggestions are responded to within a set time frame. You can also
distort words for emphasis and desired effect as when you say: You are
feeling so sereeeene, peeeeeaceful, and relaaaaxxeed.6
 THE USES OF HYPNOSIS 76

8. THE USES OF HYPNOSIS

The uses of hypnosis is immense. One can harness the power
within the subject for the betterment of the subject in terms of healing
and growth
1. Flight Phobia
Phobia is an unreasonable fear of just anything. It is a persistent,
irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation (the phobic stimulus)
that results in a compelling desire to avoid it. This often leads either to
avoidance of the phobic stimulus or to enduring it with dread. You need
to know what you are afraid of. Then you can create suggestion that will
control the phobia. One can also use self-hypnosis to get over fear by
creating in one’s mind a feeling of comfort and safety while flying. You
may have to use an incremental approach in treating phobias. One must
not be in a hurry.
2. Sports Performance
Self-hypnosis is used by most successful athletes. It is said
that 90 percent of sports success is mental. What distinguishes the
winner from the losers from among a group of athletes is that the winner
mentally felt successful and he did everything accordingly without realizing
it. Concentration, self-confidence, determination, and rehearsal are part
of self-hypnosis with regard to sports. You need to anticipate what will be
required and visualize what you will do which is exactly rehearsal. Mental
practice is important after having learned and practiced the fundamentals.
3. Weight Loss
Self-hypnosis is ideal for weight loss. The approach you use is
not a straightforward one as with most other goals since the problem is
multi-faceted; you have to eat the right number of calories (usually less
than you normally eat), and do exercises. It is good to find out healthy,
low calorie foods and which intake is appropriate to meet your weight
loss and also what type of exercise you need to do. Now you entrust the
whole thing to the unconscious. Your preparation supplies the unconscious
with the right data to work with. Right type of exercise and better eating
go together. Once you have done the groundwork with eating less but
 77 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

appropriate eating and doing the ideal type of exercise, bring your
unconscious to the picture. It is good to reduce your weight little by little
though there are persons who have reduced their weight all of a sudden a
great deal. That perhaps may not work for you. There are also cases of
persons who just visualized their weight loss.
4. Self-Confidence
You may want self-confidence believing that you are good and
capable; you may need self-esteem thinking you like yourself; you want
self-efficacy believing that you can do such and such; these cases can
be worked out by self-hypnosis, and of course by a hypnotist as well.
These are not exclusive types of beliefs but overlapping ones. Working
on self-confidence gives you control over other aspects of your life that
are deficient.
5. Smoking Cessation
Smoking can be a behavioural problem (habit), or a true addiction.
In most instances both aspects are combined. Perhaps the physiological
craving is gone after seven days of not smoking but the psychological
craving is strong and may persist. Combining hypnosis with the assistance
of the medical professional will be helpful.
6. Stress and Anxiety
There are good stress and bad stress. In popular parlance by
the word “stress” we mean the bad stress. Good stress is necessary for
progress in our life. Athletes stress their muscles and nervous system to
get stronger, faster, and more skillful. When it is overdone beyond a
certain limit then you do not allow for adequate recovery it may lead to
burn out. You could work hard at your work and learn new skills in order
to succeed. Strike a balance in your stress endurance so that it is optimal
and leads to success. Hypnosis will help you maintain good stress.
Stress reduction is part of any self-hypnosis programme, because
you learn to relax in hypnosis. But reducing stress itself can be a goal in
hypnosis without other goals being envisaged. Most of the illnesses are
stress-related and they may not respond to treatment. Self-hypnosis will
work for these problems. Anxiety, for example, may be reduced by self-
hypnosis because by hypnosis you are reducing the level of stress which
 THE USES OF HYPNOSIS 78
in turn leads to anxiety. Nowadays, hypnosis can be an integral part of,
but not replacement for anxiety treatment. In self-hypnosis you need not
aim at anything. You sit quietly and enjoy the feeling of relaxation. Thus
you will reduce the level of stress and anxiety. You may also use hypnosis
for other goals.
7. The Let-Down Effect
There is a phenomenon called “let-down effect.” When you drop
from a state of high activation to a state of low activation, your immune
system slows down thus leaving you open to infection. It is better to
taper off, to go from high speed to low speed gradually. One may do this
adjustment, for example, taking a brief but brisk walk or you may use
hypnosis by getting into a light trance while stimulating your mind and
releasing serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter. You might have had
the experience of getting sick after a very stressful work is over. Usually
you get upper respiratory diseases, but could be also headaches,
gastrointestinal problems or any other illness you are prone to since
your immune system has dropped down. When you are working on a
project, for example, you feel a lot of stress since you have to complete
the work before the deadline. You may also be enjoying the challenge.
You may have both some feel-good endorphins releasing into your body
as well as the stress hormones like cortisol. As you are completing your
project and look forward to a nice vacation or rest, you get sick. Here
comes the let-down effect and hypnosis will help you to tide over the
difficulty.
8. General Adaptation Syndrome
Hans Selye developed the theory of general adaptation syndrome.
According to Selye there are three states of stress. First, one experiences
an alarm with the introduction of stress. After that comes adaptation as
the body and/or mind adapt to the new stressor. In the third stage the
stressors are high and one feels exhaustion. At this third stage the body
and /or mind are overwhelmed and can no longer adapt. Hypnosis can be
used to turn down the stress before it reaches the third stage. We realize
that stress comes in many forms like physical, mental, and environmental.
Stress is a reaction to a specific event, a sort of one-at-a-time phenomenon.
The body reacts to any stressor in a generalized way as in a fight-or-
 79 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

flight mechanism with faster heartbeat, delayed digestion, increase in

blood pressure, and decreased immunity. Stress is also cumulative. Not
everyone can handle many stressful situations well. When there are many
stressors, people may break down. For example, if you are giving up
alcohol, smoking habit, and doing dieting, these are all too much to
handle at a time. Therefore, it is better to phase things out.
9. Quick Stress Relief
The quick stress relief is a technique like anchoring in Neuro-
Linguistic Programming. By attaching an experience to any one of the
sensory experiences (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and
gustatory) you can evoke the same experience. In the same way, when
you are in a deep relaxation you can programme yourself saying: I reach
this state of calm relaxation whenever I want by saying “relax.” Then
when you really need to be relieved of a stressful situation, you will just
say “relax” and you will just experience the original deep relaxation you
had (which had been anchored to the word “relax” in the language of the
Neuro-Linguistic programming).
10. Pain Relief
Let us take headache. It is common knowledge that the most
common cause for headaches is stress. By hypnosis one can get relieved
of headache. First, one has to create a calm and peaceful environment
either with a therapist or alone by using self-hypnosis. By hypnosis you
can reduce headaches, balance the immune system, alter the chemicals
released in the brain, and create a different physiological state when one
is subjected to stress. Thus you will be relieved of headache. Now let us
take chronic pain. Arthritis is the common cause of chronic pain which
can range from an occasional annoyance to a debilitating condition. This
situation can be managed by Pain Management Hypnosis.
11. Fibromyalgia
It is a condition that involves chronic pain. Pain can be managed
by relaxation. Another way to manage pain is by distraction where, you
learn to train yourself to shift your concentration to something else. Yet
another method is by hypnosis. There are two types of pain: acute and
chronic. Acute pain is immediate or short term like you stub your toe or
 THE USES OF HYPNOSIS 80
sprain your ankle; and chronic pain is like arthritis. Hypnosis can be
used to control any pain. For the relief of pain, hypnosis works in three
phases: First is relaxation since in pain, muscles tense and exacerbate
the pain; second is sensory alteration or in other words you change your
perception of pain in which you transform the pain into another sensation;
the third is distraction in which you simply focus on sensations in some
other part of the body thus reducing the attention you pay to the pain.
To reduce pain you can imagine a thermometer on its side. Put 1
at one end and 10 at the other. Place your pain at a spot along the scale.
Ten is the worst you can imagine and one being hardly any. Now in
hypnosis relax and get into a trance. You can start visualizing your pain
subsiding as the mercury level moves slowly down the scale. You need
not force yourself to descend beyond where you feel comfortable to stop.
Hypnosis can practically eliminate any pain — especially back pain,
cancer pain, labour pains during childbirth, dental pain, headaches,
migraines, arthritis, and rheumatism.
Brain does not feel pain. It only sends signals to the rest of the
body in the forms of pain so that you realize that something is going
wrong. By hypnosis your brain redirects your energy away from
experiencing pain. When there is severe pain, first seek a medical
professional before embarking on hypnosis. Pain is a communication
that something is wrong and needs your attention and once your attention
is drawn to the pain by seeing a doctor or applying medicine or using
hypnosis you do not need the pain any more. Pain threshold is higher
when one is relaxed. Therefore, by relaxing while in pain you will prevent
pain becoming a chronic pain. It is good to keep in mind that hypnosis
can be too successful removing the symptom before the cause is found
out. Therefore, it is advisable that one sees a medical personnel regarding
pain before using hypnosis. For example, one has brain tumour on account
of which he has severe pain. If he uses hypnosis his pain will subside but
the tumour will remain and do harm. Therefore, let him first see a doctor
and get the necessary treatment and use hypnosis then for reducing
pain.
Hypnosis is not just a placebo effect, because there are actual
changes in brain function. Whenever pain occurs you could tell the area
that is affected to relax. This is a way of having a talk with your body.
 81 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

There are actual brain changes when hypnosis is used for pain
management. Hypnosis reduces the activity of the anterior cingulated
cortex involved in pain, but not the somatosensory cortex that processes
sensations. This only shows that using hypnosis for pain management
occurs in parts of the brain other than that where the pain is registered.
This fact confirms that hypnosis works for pain relief but does not explain
how hypnosis works. There is a technique for recovering from injury. For
example, if you hurt any part of the body, get into a trance and replay the
accident that caused the injury in your mind. The pain will surely get
worse when you replay but will quickly subside. You could do it two to
three times and when you get out of hypnosis the pain is less and the
part involved in the hurt will heal quickly after this mental exercise.
12. Breaking Harmful Habits
One can use hypnosis to break harmful habits and form healthy
ones. One can use it to play musical instruments better. One can use it
to be better organized and be more efficient at work. You can make use
of it to gain self-confidence and excel in activities about which you had
been hesitant. You can overcome test/exam anxiety and can use it for
public speaking if you are nervous about it.
13. Psychotherapy
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy. It can be
used to treat depression, anxiety, eating disorders, sleep disorders,
compulsive gambling, post-traumatic stress disorder, smoking cessation,
insomnia, and weight management. Hypnosis can be used in a variety of
forms with v arying success for age regression hypnotherapy or
hypnoanalysis, Ericksonian hypnotherapy, fears and phobias, addictions,
habit control, pain management, psychological therapy, relaxation, skin
disease, soothing anxious surgical patients, sports performance, and
weight loss.
With the help of hypnosis hallucinations, delusions, compulsions,
certain types of memory loss, and false memories can be created
temporarily. Highly suggestible individuals experience a greater reduction
in pain from hypnosis compared with placebo, whereas less suggestible
individuals experience no pain reduction. Hypnosis can be effective for
treating warts, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. For habit control, the
 THE USES OF HYPNOSIS 82
success rate is varied. For weight loss, hypnosis is successful as an
adjunct therapy. People who combined hypnosis with cognitive-behaviour-
therapy lost more weight than people who used cognitive-behaviour-
therapy alone.
14. Psychological Challenges
Hypnosis can address any challenge. The most popular reasons
for which people go for hypnotherapy are self-confidence, weight loss,
pain control, stress control, smoking cessation, sexual dysfunction,
scholastic goals, fears and phobias, any challenge of emotions and habits.
Any physical ailment must have medical attention and severe
psychological issue need proper psychological attention. Hypnosis is a
very powerful tool to enhance healing in physical and mental challenges.
Hypnosis is found to be an effective tool in empowering clients in
relationships, success, self-confidence, and scholastic goals.
Hypnosis along with proven therapeutic procedures can be a
highly effective form of treatment for many mental, physical, and
psychosomatic (psychophysiological) disorders. By regression, an adult
subject may be mentally traveling back to a point in youth or childhood
that was particularly troublesome, allowing the healing of old emotional
wounds. Someone can be led to understand that emotional pain has
been converted to physical pain, and that the pain can be eliminated
once the source has been addressed. A subject suffering from chronic
pain can be taught to control the pain without the use of medications.
There are a number of techniques to rectify dysfunctional behaviours
such as self-destructive habits, anxiety disorders, and managing side
effects of various medical treatments. Hypnosis can be used to stop
self-destructive and addictive habits like smoking, to curb the urge to eat
for overeaters, to stem the disruptive actions of tics, to cure insomnia, to
stop bed-wetting, and to minimize anxiety. Stress can generate anxiety.
Anxious people usually seek hypnotherapy for public speaking, test
taking, job stress, fears and phobias, mild to moderate depression,
enhancing quality of life and relieving anxiety and depressive symptoms
in terminally ill cancer patients.
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15. Advantages of Hypnosis

(1) One can remove his stress and anxiety and control his
emotions, (2) One can formulate creative, powerful, and positive
suggestions and programme his unconscious mind. For this one can
use self-hypnosis, (3) Identify one’s negative blocks and remove them,
(4) One can control one’s pain, (5) One can hypnotize others in a short
while, (6) One can teach others hypnosis so that they can solve their
problems, (7) One can identify the cause of one’s problem and deal with
it, (8) One can create one’s own imageries for healing, (9) One can
develop a rapport with any person or group within one and half minutes,
(10) With the use of “advanced timeline technique” one can set up one’s
goals in future, (11) One can gain confidence by way of anchoring, (12)
One can start to enjoy the subject one hated earlier in life, (13) One can
free one’s fear and become super-confident, and (14) One can easily
develop and enhance one’s psychic power.7
 THE HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS 84

9. THE HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS

Our understanding of hypnosis is enhanced when we know the
history through which the present practice emerged. In the beginning
things were not very clear. It is by means of trial and error our forefathers
struggled to understand hypnosis and practice it.
1. Synopsis History
Since the dawn of humanity, hypnosis existed. Hypnosis itself
has not changed. What has changed is the way in which we are able to
harness hypnosis. “Animal magnetism” is an early precursor to hypnosis
based on theories by Franz Mesmer (Mesmerism). Animal magnetism
refers to an intangible force, a sort of magnetic fluid that exists within
living creatures. The word “animal” was chosen to represent that this
magnetism exists within all creatures that have breath. An opponent of
Mesmerism was James Braid. He introduced a scientific approach when
he coined the term “hypnotism,” which is based instead on the power of
suggestion. He is generally considered as an influential researcher and
a pioneer of modern hypnosis. In the 20th century, Milton H. Erickson is
widely considered to be one of the most influential hypnotists. His method
uses indirect methods rather than direct methods of hypnotism. He
observed that indirect methods could be much more effective than direct
methods at times.
2. Ancient History
The origins of hypnosis goes back to the ancient temples of
Aesculapius, the Greek god of Medicine, where advice and reassurance
uttered by priests to sleeping patients was interpreted by the patients
themselves as gods speaking to them in their dreams.
3. Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815)
Probably hypnosis has been used since the beginning of time
under other names. It has been insinuated that the earliest description of
hypnosis may be portrayed in the Old Testament and in the Talmud. It is
also believed that hypnosis was practiced in ancient Egypt, some 3,000
years ago. It was around 1770 that western scientists first became involved
in hypnosis. Though the phenomenon of hypnosis may go back to ancient,
 85 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

prehistoric times, modern hypnosis starts with Franz Anton Mesmer, an

Austrian physician, who is widely acknowledged as the “Father of
Hypnosis.” He was born in Germany and studied medicine in Vienna. He
started practicing his theory which he called “Mesmerism” in Vienna and
moved to Paris where his work became fashionable.
Animal Magnetism
It seems that one day Mesmer watched a magician on a street in
Paris demonstrating that he could have the spectators do his bidding by
touching them with magnets. From that Mesmer believed that the magnets
had power of their own and from this belief developed his theory of “animal
magnetism.” He believed that good health depended on having correct
magnetic flow and that the direction of one’s magnetic flow could be
reversed easily. He said that he could direct this magnetic flow into
inanimate objects that would then be used for the good health of others.
Later the term “mesmerism” came to be applied to his mystical workings.
Imbalance of Animal Magnetism — Disease
Mesmer’s belief was that there was a quasi-magnetic fluid in the
very air we breathe and that the body’s nerves somehow absorbed this
fluid. The term “animal magnetism” was used by him for a fluid or force
within his body that would let him connect with and cure his patients.
Franz Mesmer thought that this magnetic force or fluid within the universe
influences the health of the human body. He used magnets to influence
this field and so cause healing. Mesmer observed that disease was caused
by imbalance of a physical force, called animal magnetism, which affects
various parts of the body. He also said that cures could be achieved by
redistributing this magnetic fluid. This procedure typically resulted in
pseudoepileptic seizures known as “crises.” By 1774 he said that the
same effects could be created by passing the hands, at a distance, in
front of the subject’s body, referred to as making “Mesmeric passes.”
The word “Mesmerism” arising from the name of Franz Mesmer was
intentionally used to separate its users from the various fluid and magnetic
theories embedded within the label magnetism.
As he was concerned about treating patients effectively, he
considered that disease was caused via a blockage of the circulation of
this magnetic fluid in the blood and the nervous system. Therefore,
 THE HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS 86
correcting the circulation of this liquid is the curing of diseases. In the
beginning he used magnets, and later his hand, which was passed over
the diseased body in an attempt to unblock the magnetic flow. He passed
his hand over the affected area. This procedure was given the name “animal
magnetism” and it was referred to as “Mesmerism.”
Mesmer found that, after opening a patient’s vein, letting the patient
bleed for a while, and by passing magnets over the wound would make
the bleeding stop. Also he discovered that using a stick instead of magnets
would also make the bleeding stop. He occasionally brought about
complete cures that other medical professionals of his time were not
able to do.
The French Royal Commission and Disapproval
King Luis XVI, in 1784 sent a Board/Commission of Inquiry to
investigate whether “Animal Magnetism” existed. The French Royal
Commission comprised of the great chemist Lavoisier, the astronomer
Jean Sylvain Bailly, the physician and inventor M. Guillotine; and the
American ambassador Benjamin Franklin was sent by the king to
investigate Mesmer. The commission conducted controlled psychological
experiments. By the experiments Mesmer’s theory was discredited even
though the practice continued. They concluded that there was no physical
force but any results were due to imagination, or placebo. They said that
the effects of mesmerism, while genuine in many cases, were achieved
by means of imagination and not by any physical force. Though the Board
accepted the results of Mesmer as valid, their placebo-controlled
experiments convinced them that mesmerism was most likely due to
belief and imagination rather than to any sort of invisible energy (animal
magnetism) transmitted from the body of the mesmerist. The Board said
that Mesmer is not throwing or producing anything from his hands that
one can see. Therefore, this mesmerism must be a fraud. At this Mesmer
left Paris and went back to Vienna to practice mesmerism. Soon he was
completely discredited causing him to leave the country. However,
Mesmer did awaken an interest in the power of the mind, and many
people studied his theories.
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4. The Marquis de Puysegur (1751-1825)

A dramatic change took place when one of Mesmer’s pupils and
followers, the Marquis de Puysegur, magnetized Victor Race, a young
shepherd. The Marquis de Puysegur used animal magnetism on this
young peasant who entered into a state of sleep while still being able to
communicate with Puysegur and respond to his suggestions. When the
peasant woke up he could remember nothing of what had occurred. Instead
of undergoing a magnetic crisis, Victor fell into a somnambulistic
(sleeplike) state in which he was responsive to instructions, and from
which he awoke with amnesia for what he had done in his somnambulistic
state. Hence Puysegur thought that the will of the person and the
operator’s actions were important factors in the success or failure of the
magnetism. This means to say that psychological influences were
extremely important in the whole process.
5. John Elliotson (1791-1868)
In the 19th century, John Elliotson, an English physician at the
University College London and James Esdaile, a surgeon reported the
successful use of mesmeric somnambulism as an anesthetic for surgery.
James Esdaile was operating on his patients using mesmeric sleep as
his anesthetic of choice in the 1840s. He performed 2000 operations
using only hypnosis as anesthetic and with no pain for the patients. John
Elliotson was disbarred from the medical profession as a direct result of
his demonstrations of animal magnetism. The medical profession was
divided on its opinion of the usefulness of mesmerism. Of course, later
ether and chloroform proved to be more reliably effective.
6. James Braid (1795-1860)
James Braid credited with the title the “Father of Modern Hypnotism”
is a major figure in the history of hypnotism. Hypnosis was not known as
it is now before Braid. He freed hypnotism from the occult shadows of
mesmerism through his insights into the nature of trance. Braid was
born in Kinross, Scotland, and studied medicine at the University of
Edinburgh.
Around 1840, a patient in the office of James Braid accidentally
entered a state of trance while waiting for an eye examination. Braid, as
he was aware of the disfavour of mesmerism and animal magnetism
 THE HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS 88
coined the terms “hypnotism” and “hypnosis” in 1843. And thus began
the serious study of this altered state of awareness.
Braid wrote the first book on hypnosis, “Neurypnology” in 1843. Dr.
James Esdaile (1805-1859) reported 345 major operations performed using
mesmeric sleep as the sole anesthetic in British India. Of course, the
discovery of chemical anesthetics soon saw the replacement of hypnotism
in this role (of anesthesia). The neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot advocated
hypnotism for the treatment of hysteria. The process of post-hypnotic
suggestion was first described during this period. Extraordinary
improvements in sensory acuity and memory were reported under
hypnosis.
Neuro-Hypnotism
Braid began to hear reports concerning various Oriental meditative
practices soon after the release of his publication on hypnotism,
“Neurypnology” (1843). He discussed some of the oriental practices in a
series of article entitled “Magic, Mesmerism, Hypnotism, etc., Historically
& Physiologically Considered.” He arduously drew analogies between
his own practice of hypnotism and various forms of Hindu yoga meditation
and other ancient spiritual practices, especially those involving voluntary
burial and apparent human hibernation. His interest in these practices
stems from his studies of the “Dabistan-i Mazahib,” the “School of
Religions,” an ancient Persian text describing a lot of Oriental religious
rituals, beliefs, and practices. Though Braid rejected the transcendental/
metaphysical interpretation given to these phenomena outright, he
accepted that these accounts of Oriental practices corroborated his view
that the effects of hypnotism could be produced in solitude, without the
presence of any other person. He could show the correlations between
many of the metaphysical Oriental practices and his own rational neuro-
hypnotism. He totally rejected all of the fluid theories and magnetic
practices of the mesmerists.
Eye-Fixation
Once he saw a performance in Manchester by a mesmerist Charles
Lafontaine whose act involved the use of mesmerism to make his subjects
impervious to pain. He demonstrated this by shocking them with a live
battery, or by burning them with candles, without ill effect. This converted
 89 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Braid to the practice of hypnosis. In the beginning Braid was skeptical

and thought that the whole thing to be a system of collusion or delusion,
or of excited imagination. But later he saw another performance which
involved the inability of the mesmerized subjects to open their eyes.
Braid researched on eye-fixation, conducting experiments. Once when
he came late for an appointment, he discovered his patient staring in rapt
fascination at the flickering flames of an oil lamp. From this he concluded
that eye-fixation was the key to mesmerism – a demonstrable physical
explanation, completely independent of “magnetism,” the “will of the
mesmerist,” or “universal fluid.” He summarily dismissed the idea that
trance was achieved through the lengthy ritual of hand gestures and
passes current at that time. He induced trance by having his subjects
focus their attention on a variety of illuminated objects, such as candle
flames or small mirrors, held at different distances from the subjects’
faces. Of course, this automatically produced exhaustion in the eyelids,
which would spontaneously close.
James Braid discovered that some subjects could go into a trance
if they simply fixated their eyes on a bright object, like a silver watch. He
believed that some sort of neurophysiological process was involved and
that hypnosis was very useful in disorders where no organic origin to the
problem could be identified. He also demonstrated that a single stimulus
(a word or an object) was enough to rehypnotize the subjects. At that
time no one knew how the process of hypnosis worked. There were many
theories put forward to explain hypnosis.
Monoideism
In the early 19th century, an Indo-Portuguese priest, Abbé Faria
introduced Oriental hypnosis to Paris. Unlike Mesmer, Faria claimed
that hypnosis was generated from within the mind by the power of
expectancy and cooperation of the patient. Taking the lead from Mesmer,
James Braid developed the procedure known as, “hypnosis.” He realized
that hypnosis was not a kind of sleep and he wanted to change the name
to “monoideaism” (single-idea-ism). Though this term accurately
described the process of trance induction, the term “hypnosis” prevailed
to this day. James Braid rejected Mesmer’s idea that hypnosis was
induced by magnetism, and ascribed the mesmeric trance to a
physiological process resulting from prolonged attention to a bright moving
 THE HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS 90
object or similar object of fixation. He said that “protracted ocular fixation”
fatigued certain parts of the brain and caused a trance – a “nervous sleep,”
or from the Greek, “neuro-hypnosis.”
James Braid observed that somnambulism (deep trance state) was
caused by the paralysis of nerve centers induced by fixation of the eyes
on an object. To eliminate the taint of mesmerism, Braid renamed the
state “neurhypnotism” (nervous sleep). This term was later shortened to
“hypnosis.” Braid concluded that hypnosis was due to the subject’s
concentration on a single thought (monoideism) rather than physiological
fatigue.
Nervous Sleep
Following the French commission’s findings, Dugald Stewat, an
influential academic philosopher of the “Scottish School of Common
Sense,” encouraged physicians to save elements of Mesmerism by
replacing the supernatural theory of “animal magnetism” with an
interpretation based on “common sense” laws of physiology and
psychology. In James Braid’s day, the Scottish School of Common Sense
provided the dominant theories of academic psychology. Braid revised
the theory and practice of Mesmerism and developed his own method of
“hypnotism” as a more rational and “common sense” alternative. The
term “Hypnotism,” or “Nervous Sleep,” is a peculiar condition of the nervous
system, into which one may enter, and which differs, in several respects,
from common sleep or the waking condition. Though Braid toyed with the
name “rational Mesmerism,” he ultimately emphasized his approach’s
uniqueness, carrying out informal experiments throughout his career to
refute the arguments of supernatural practices, and demonstrated instead
the role of ordinary physiological and psychological processes such as
suggestion and focused attention in producing the observed effects of
hypnotism.
Psycho-Physiology
Braid worked with the eminent physiologist Professor William
Benjamin Carpenter, a neuro-psychologist, who introduced the “ideo-motor
reflex” theory of suggestion. Prof. Carpenter observed several examples
of expectation and imagination apparently influencing involuntary muscle
movement. An example of the ideo-motor principle is the so-called
 91 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

“Chevreul pendulum” (named after Michael Eugène Chevreul). Chevreul

observed that divinatory pendulae were made to swing by unconscious
muscle movements, brought about by appropriate concentration alone.
Braid took the idea of Carpenter and applied it to his own theory,
realizing that the effect of focusing attention was to enhance the ideo-
motor reflex response. Braid extended Carpenter’s principle beyond the
muscular system and thus referred to the “ideo-dynamic” response and
coined the term “psycho-physiology” to refer to the study of general mind/
body interaction.
Greater Sensory Awareness
Braid is credited with having identified many key features of the
trance state itself. One such thing is “the greater sensory awareness”
that subjects display. He estimated that hearing in the trance state is
about twelve times more acute than in everyday consciousness. This he
proved by demonstrating that a subject can hear the ticking of a watch
that could not be heard more than three feet away, was audible from
thirty-five feet when the subject was in trance. This feature distinguishes
hypnotic trance from ordinary sleep. He also demonstrated that automatic
bodily process, such as heart rate and blood circulation, can be controlled
to a remarkable degree while in trance. Braid handed down to the posterity
an understanding of what hypnosis actually is – a psychological
phenomena rooted in a physiological process. This, we can say, is
behind all the developments and achievements in hypnosis throughout
the 20th century and beyond.
By hypnotism Braid tried to treat various psychological and physical
disorders. He had little success with organic (that is, physical, or non-
psychological) conditions. There were other physicians who claimed better
results, particularly using hypnosis for pain control. There was a report in
1842, that a painless amputation was performed on a hypnotized patient.
This was not considered a big deal as there were also other success
stories.
7. Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893)
Mean-Maretin Charcot, a leading neurologist then, working as head
of the neurological clinic at Salpêtrière in Paris, used hypnosis to treat
hysterics. He believed that hypnosis was an induced seizure as his
 THE HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS 92
hysteric patients showed epileptic-like symptoms when they were in a
trance.
8. Hippolyte Bernheim (1837-1990)
Hippolyte Bernheim who was a professor of medicine at the
University of Nancy thought that hypnosis was a special form of sleeping
where the subject’s attention is focused upon the suggestions made by
the hypnotist. By this he insisted on the psychological nature of the
process of hypnosis.
Hysteria vs. Suggestion
The study of hypnotism subsequently revolved around the fierce
debate between Jean-Martin Charcot and Hippolyte Bernheim, the two
most influential figures in the late 19th century hypnotism. Charcot operated
a clinic at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital (known as the “Paris School” or
the “Salpêtrière School,”) and had a clinic in Nancy (known as the “Nancy
School”). Charcot, influenced more by the Mesmerists, argued that
hypnotism is an abnormal state of nervous functioning found only in certain
hysterical women. He said that it manifests in a series of physical reactions
that could be divided into distinct stages. But Bernheim argued that anyone
could be hypnotized, and that it is an extension of normal psychological
functioning, and that its effects are due to suggestion. Now as we know,
the view of Bernheim dominates the hypnotic world.
9. Clark L. Hull (1884-1952)
The next major development for hypnosis came from the behaviour
psychology in an American university. Clark L. Hull an eminent American
psychologist published the first major compilation of laboratory studies
on hypnosis, titled “Hypnosis & Suggestibility” in 1933. In it he proved
that hypnosis and sleep had nothing in common. He did many publications
on hypnosis and suggestion and encouraged experiments and research
by mainstream psychologists. His interpretation of hypnosis from the
point of behaviour psychology emphasized conditioned reflexes and rivaled
the Freudian psychodynamic interpretation emphasizing unconscious
transference.
Clark L. Hull demystified hypnosis when he said that hypnosis
was essentially a normal part of human nature. What was very important
 93 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

in hypnosis was the subject’s imagination. Some are more responsive or

suggestible than others, he said. By the 1920s, hypnosis became the
focus of experimental investigation by psychologists.
The therapeutic use of hypnosis in medicine was accepted by the
British Medical Association in 1955 and by the American Medical
Association in 1958. An international Society of Hypnosis coordinates
and assesses the standards and practices of professional hypnotists
across the world. It is currently used in dentistry, medicine, and
psychology and has proved helpful when used alongside more conventional
treatments and therapies. Of course, it received a bad press report due
to the unscrupulous practices of some stage hypnotists. All the same,
now the professional use in treating both physical and mental disorders
continues to thrive. It is seen now as a form of relaxation. It is also seen
that individuals can learn to hypnotize themselves through progressive
relaxation techniques.
10. Pierre Janet (1859-1947)
Charcot appointed Pierre Janet as the director of the psychological
laboratory at Salpêtrière in 1888 after his doctorate in philosophy, which
dealt with psychological automatism. Janet reconciled elements of his
views with those of Bernheim and his followers and developed his own
sophisticated hypnotic psychotherapy based on the concept of
psychological dissociation which rivaled Freud’s attempt to provide a
more comprehensive theory of psychotherapy.
11. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, studied hypnotism
at the Paris school and visited the Nancy school. Initially Freud was
enthusiastic about hypnotherapy and emphasized hypnotic regression
and abreaction (catharsis) as therapeutic methods. Later he gradually
abandoned hypnotism in favour of psychoanalysis, emphasizing free
association, dream analysis, and interpretation of the unconscious.
Struggling with the great duration of time spent in psychoanalysis, he
suggested that it might be combined with hypnotic suggestion to hasten
the outcome of treatment. Not many of his followers were sufficiently
qualified in hypnosis to attempt the synthesis. Their work had a limited
 THE HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS 94
influence on the hypno-therapeutic approaches known variously as
“hypnotic regression,” “hypnotic progression,” and “hypnoanalysis.”
12. Émile Coué (1857-1926)
Coué assisted for two years at Nancy. He developed a new
orientation called “conscious autosuggestion.” He founded the New Nancy
School, a loose collaboration of practitioners who taught and promoted
his views. His method did not emphasize “sleep” or deep relaxation and
instead focused upon autosuggestion involving a specific series of
suggestion tests. Though he thought that he was not using hypnosis,
his followers viewed his approach as a form of light self-hypnosis. Coué’s
method came to be known as a self-help psychotherapy technique, which
contrasted with psychoanalysis and prefigured self-hypnosis and cognitive
therapy.
13. Dave Elman (1900 – 1967)
Dave Elman was a radio host, comedian, and song writer. He also
made contribution to hypnosis. He used to conduct many courses for
physicians and wrote in 1964 his classic book: “Findings in Hypnosis,”
which he later re-titled “Hypnotherapy.” His main legacy is the method of
induction, which was originally fashioned for speed work and later adapted
for the use of medical professionals. It is reported that his students
routinely obtained states of hypnosis adequate for medical and surgical
procedures in under three minutes. The first heart operation using hypnosis
rather than normal anesthesia (because of severe problems with the
patient) was performed by his students while Dave Elman was in the
operating room as “coach.”
14. Milton H. Erickson (1901 – 1980)
Milton H. Erickson is one of the most influential post-war hypnotists.
He popularized a new branch of hypnotherapy, known as “Ericksonian
Hypnotherapy” in the 1960s. His method is characterized primarily by
indirect suggestion, metaphor (actually analogies), confusion techniques,
and double binds in the place of formal hypnotic inductions. Some even
question if he really practiced hypnosis as his method was very different
from the traditional one. Milton H. Erickson used both verbal and nonverbal
techniques to bypass the conscious mind. His work with indirect
suggestion changed the concept of contemporary hypnotism.
 95 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

15. In Retrospect
From the 1880s, the use of hypnosis passed from surgical doctors
to mental health professionals. Charcot took the lead and his student
Pierre Janet introduced the theory of dissociation, the splitting of mental
aspects under hypnosis so that skills and memory could be made
inaccessible or recovered. It was Janet who provoked interest in the
unconscious and laid the framework for reintegration therapy for
dissociated personalities.
Revival in Europe: In the late 1880s interest was revived in
hypnosis by Jean Martin Charcot, a neurologist, who thought that hypnosis
and hysteria both reflected a disorder of the central nervous system. As
against Charcot’s neurological theories, A. A. Liebeault and Hippolyte
Bernheim, two French physicians, emphasized the role of suggestibility
in producing hypnosis. Sigmund Freud and Pierre Janet studied with
Charcot, and Freud developed his psycho-social theories of mental illness
after observing the suggestibility of hysterical patients in hypnosis.
In the United States: Since hypnosis involved change in conscious
awareness, William James and other psychologists became interested
in hypnosis. The first systematic experimental work on hypnosis was
reported by P.C. Young and Clark Hull. Milton H. Erickson too was
interested in hypnosis with his provocative clinical and experimental
studies. Interest in hypnosis rose rapidly after the World War II. Earnest
Hilgard together with Josephine Hilgard and Andre Weitzehhoffer founded
a laboratory for hypnosis research at Stanford University. As Hilgard was
regarded as one of the world’s most distinguished psychologist, his status
helped establish hypnosis as a legitimate subject of scientific inquiry.
In the early 1900s, interest in hypnosis seemed to wane. But during
the Second World War, field hospitals often ran short of the drugs needed
to treat the wounded soldiers. Under such appalling conditions, some
clinicians of hypnosis were able to provide pain relief and alleviation of
the suffering of the often severely injured patients. Pope Pius XII gave his
approval of hypnosis in 1956 stating that the use of hypnosis by health
care professionals for diagnosis and treatment is permitted. The British
Medical Association set up an inquiry in 1955 which favourably reported
hypnosis as a therapeutic tool. Recommendations were made by it that
 THE HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS 96
hypnosis should be taught at medical schools. In September 1958,
hypnosis was also approved by the Council of Mental Health of the
American Medical Association as a safe practice with no harmful side
effects. From then onwards there has been acceleration in the
establishment of hypnosis societies for doctors, dentists, and
psychologists. With the growth of communication and technology,
accessibility of hypnosis continues and the general public is able to get
the benefit of hypnosis.
Cognitive-behavioural Approach: In the second half of the 20th
century, two factors contributed to the development of the cognitive-
behavioural approach to hypnosis. (1) Cognitive and behavioral theories
of the nature of hypnosis became increasingly influential; (2) The
therapeutic practices of hypnotherapy and various forms of cognitive-
behavioural therapy overlapped and influenced each other. Hypnosis was
used by early behaviour therapists such as Joseph Wolpe and also by
early cognitive therapists such as Albert Ellis.8
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10. CLIENT INVOLVEMENT

Client results, in terms of cognitive, behavioural, and emotional
shifts, can range from disappointing to spectacular. One of the
contingencies for success is the client’s internal level of involvement in
the process. Knowing how to engage and encourage this critical factor
rests in the hands of the hypnotist. The following points will help provide
a general approach to integrate into practice, encouraging the client to
give his maximum involvement.
1. Professionalism
The hypnotist is a professional. Professionalism comes into play
when interacting with the client before and after each session. One should
not talk about irrelevant subject matter, or engage into much socialization
once inside the office. Joking should be kept to a minimum, and used
only for direct purposes of therapy. Create the mindset that everything
you do is for the client, never for you. Limit self-disclosure to the point of
absolute necessity. Dual relationships and countertransference can hurt
your client and your confidence.
2. Outcome Oriented
Let the client know that you expect great things. One of the best
ways to do that is to make promises. What is expected tends to be
realized. Talk about outcomes and their role in the process. It is good to
convey that following the instructions and focusing are the most important
parts of the process that lead to great results.
3. Surprise Space
Begin planting suggestions in their mindset regarding what happens
in hypnosis to be less concrete and factual, and more about letting things
happen. Talk to them about being able to enjoy the benefits without having
to know exactly how or why it works. Think conceptually about creating
a “surprise space” within the client’s mind for everything that happens in
the chair. Some clients may want to play therapist right away because of
a preconceived set of thoughts about the cause of the problem. It may be
good to tell the clients to have the attitude of the “spectator” and just sit
back. Take your lead in whatever you decide to do, which leaves them
 CLIENT INVOLVEMENT 98
with an understanding that anything is to be expected. The attitude of
“Let us see what happens,” can create an element of unknown that leaves
their mind open to a realm of greater possibility.
4. Greater Responsibility
It is a question of whether the subjects want to have good results
or great results. Some have the experience of putting in less effort and
having mediocre success. As you work together, the subjects will
understand that you cannot do it for them. The hypnotist need not work
harder than the subject. It is the subject who has to decide to quit a bad
habit if he wants. Hypnosis does not make it impossible not to quit but
makes it easy to quit. But the quitting has to be done by the subject
himself, of course, with the facilitation of the hypnotist. Therefore, greater
responsibility rests with the subject.
5. Each Client Is a Success Story
Each client is a new success story. Subjects are a part of a
successful whole within your client base. They need to know that what is
happening is standard operating procedure, and necessary. The truth is,
that most people do not like opening up. Letting the subject know that
they are not alone creates an environment that allows them to be more
open with their feelings and fosters compliance.
6. Know the Subject
The hypnotist should know what type of subject he has. Personality
psychology definitely plays a role in the relationship between the subject
and the hypnotist. Knowledge of personality or temperament types can
aid in your ability to profile your subjects. Having a communication strategy
in hand adds to your capacity to work with your subjects’ natural
disposition, and encourages further participation, both directly and
indirectly.
Knowing that your subject has his own level of arbitrary compliance,
insight, and commitment, among other things, is something that you
must always be aware of. Appropriate application of the above strategies
will support the hypnotist to guide the subject toward maximum
participation and more frequently. Without your subjects, you could not
do what you do. Having their fullest possible cooperation, openness, and
involvement can make all the difference in the hypnotic relationship. 9
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11. THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS

Theories of hypnosis are remarkably numerous and divergent. The
search for a unified theory has been elusive. To be integrated, such a
theory would have to explain the multitude of hypnotic phenomena, from
age regression to anesthesia and from catalepsy to hallucination; it would
have to account for the wide ranges of individual manifestations and show
the reasons for the striking subjective experiences that are often induced.
Since theories are approximations, it is probable that several of
them are concurrently valid, each seeing a portion of a multidimensional
process involving psychological, physiological, and social mechanisms.
The following theories are important currents of thought regarding the
hypnotic phenomena.
1. State vs. Non-state Theories
The key debate in hypnosis throughout the 20th century has been
between “state” and “non-state” theories whose properties are given below.
Of late, attempts have been made to integrate the findings from both of
these positions.
State Theories Non-state Theories
1 Hypnotic inductions produce an 1 Subjects respond to suggestion
altered state of consciousness. almost as well without hypnosis.
2 Hypnotic “trance” is associated with 2 Subjects in hypnosis experiments are
an altered process such as actively engaged.
dissociation or other altered states of
consciousness.
3 Responses to hypnotic suggestions 3 Responses to suggestions are a
are a result of special processes such product of normal psychological
as dissociation or other altered states processes such as attitudes,
of consciousness. expectancies, and motivation.
4 Hypnotisability is remarkably stable 4 Suggestibility can be modified with
over long periods. drugs or psychological procedures.

2. Ernest Hilgard’s Neodissociation Theory (Hilgard, 1979, 1986)

Ernest Hilgard developed the “neodissociation” theory of hypnotism.
He hypothesized that hypnosis causes the subjects to divide their
consciousness voluntarily. He says that one part responds to the hypnotist
while the other retains awareness of reality. He conducted experiments
in which subjects took an ice water bath telling them that the water was
of the ordinary temperature. The subjects said nothing about the water
 THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS 100
being cold or feeling pain. He then asked the subjects to lift their index
finger if they felt pain. About 70% of the subjects lifted their index finger.
This clearly indicates that even though the subjects were listening to the
suggestive hypnotist they sensed the water’s temperature.
It is a classical state theory. According to it, hypnotic phenomenon
is produced through dissociation within high level control systems. The
hypnotic induction splits the functioning of the executive control system
(ECS) into different streams. Part of the ECS functions normally, but is
unable to represent itself in conscious awareness due to the presence of
an “amnesic barrier.” Hypnotic suggestions act on the dissociated part
of the ECS and the subject is aware of the results of the suggestions,
but is not aware of the process by which they came about.
Suggestions from the hypnotist take much of the normal control
away from the subject. The hypnotist may influence the executive function
and change the hierarchical arrangements of the substructures. In
hypnosis this is what takes place; motor controls are altered, perception
and memory are distorted, and hallucinations may be perceived as external
reality.
Hilgard speaks of the “hidden observer” phenomenon whereby a
hidden part of the mind of the subject experiencing hypnotic pain relief
could be encouraged to elicit reports of the true pain experience. Hilgard’s
amnesic barrier and the hidden observer are controversial.
3. Dissociated Control Theory (DCT)
This theory applies the Norman and Shallice model of executive
control to explain hypnotic responding. Originally this model focused on
a functional dissociation between executive control and lower subsystems
of control. It proposes that when highly hypnotizable individuals are
hypnotized, the supervisory attentional system (SAS) has become
functionally dissociated from the contention scheduling system (CS) –
that is, these two levels cease to work together effectively. With the
higher level control system partly disabled when high-hypnotizables are
hypnotized, the individual is more dependent on lower-level CS-based
automatic processes. Contextual cues and suggestions from the
hypnotist influence the contention scheduling system and affect the
 101 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

hypnotized person’s experience directly. Critics say that current data do

not support a simple global shutdown of frontal functioning during hypnosis.
4. Dissociated-Experience Theory
This theory of hypnosis argues that the high hypnotisables execute
hypnotic responses voluntarily, but this effort is not monitored correctly
and is dissociated from the conscious awareness.
5. Ego State Theory
Ego state theory is connected to dissociation theory and also to
concepts dealing with the phenomenon of multiple personality,
psychogenic amnesia, and fugue states. This theory states the existence
of networks of personality traits, experiences, feelings, and behaviours,
which in various degrees of cohesion are bound by common principles.
Several ego states may coexist as fairly distinct entities within the same
individual, and their boundaries are thought to be loosely defined and
malleable, in contrast to the more rigidly constructed demarcations found
in multiple personality syndromes (i.e., dissociation identity disoreder
[DID]). In the hypnotic situation, different ego states may be communicated
with, for the purpose of bringing about a more global psychological
integration.
6. Hypnosis as a Dissociative Condition
For some, especially Haule, the concept of dissociation was central
to hypnosis. Dissociation may be defined as a personality trait,
characterized by modification of connections between the affect, cognition,
and perception of voluntary control over behaviour, as well as modifications
in the subjective experience of affect, voluntary control, and perception.
In this process, a body of ideas, emotions, and behaviours is capable of
splitting off from the personality to express itself with a certain degree of
autonomy. This dissociated material, actively separated from awareness,
can be brought to manifest itself through the use of certain techniques —
among which hypnosis is one.
Automatic handwriting provides a poignant illustration of this
phenomenon. The participant, conscious and alert, can watch his hand
write out answers to questions or even produce lengthy narratives, as if
detached from the supervision of the self. In this situation, there is an
 THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS 102
observing ego and a dissociated ego that is perceived by the observing
ego as acting independently. In clinical situations, these two egos can
be seen when the participant, during induction with the arm levitation
method, for example, is amazed to feel his arm rising, seemingly by
itself, to eventually touch his face thus signaling the onset of hypnosis.
Although we do not know the precise nature of the mechanisms of
dissociation either in the central nervous system or in the psychological
architecture, this theory describes some but not all of the characteristics
of hypnosis. The relationship of hypnotizability to the capacity for
dissociation needs to be explored further for clarity.
7. Mid-Dissociation
Y. D. Tsai in 1995 proposed the “mid-dissociation” as part of his psycho-
somatic theory of dreams. For him, inside each brain, there is a
programme “I” (the conscious self), which is distributed over the conscious
brain and coordinates mental functions (cortices), such as thinking,
imagining, sensing, moving, and reasoning. “I” also supervises memory
storage. He says that many bizarre states of consciousness are the
results of dissociation of certain mental functions from “I.” There are several
possible types of dissociation known to occur: 1) the subject’s imagination
is dissociated and sends the imagined content back to the sensory cortex
resulting in dreams or hallucinations, 2) some senses are dissociated,
resulting in hypnotic anesthesia, 3) motor function is dissociated, resulting
in immobility, 4) reason is dissociated and the subject obeys the
hypnotist’s orders, and 5) thought is dissociated and not controlled by
reason, hence, for example, the subject can straighten his body between
two chairs – with no support in between. The hypnotist’s suggestion can
also influence the subject long after the hypnosis session. In a normal
state of mind, the subject will do or believe as his reason dictates. But
when hypnotized, reason is replaced by the hypnotist’s suggestions to
make up decisions or beliefs, and the subject will be very uneasy in later
days if he does not do things as decided or his belief is contradicted. We
know that hypnotherapy is also based on this principle.
8. Gruzelier’s Neurophysiological Theory
This theory proposes that the high hypnotisables have better
executive function than the low hypnotisables and can thus deploy their
 103 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

attention in different ways. Gruzelier presents a model of hypnosis

characterized by changes in brain function. He describes the process of
hypnosis in three stages, each with its own characteristic pattern of
brain activity. He proposes that changes in the way the “attentional control
system” operates in hypnosis render the subject more suggestible.
In the first stage of induction, the subject pays close attention to
the words of the hypnotist: Activity is increased in predominantly left-
sided fronto-limbic brain regions. In the second stage, the subject lets
go of controlled attention and gives control to the hypnotist: There is a
reduction in the left frontal activity. In the third stage, there is an increase
in right-sided temporo-posterior systems as the subject engages in
passive imagery. By exhausting their frontal abilities during the induction,
the highs end up frontally impaired in a hypnotic state.
This model is supported by behavioural and neurophysiological
evidence and complements other state-like accounts of hypnotic
functioning. Criticism of this model comes from sociocognitive theorists
about whom we shall see later in this chapter.
9. Cold Control Theory
This theory considers the distinction between control and
awareness in terms of higher order thought theory, which states that we
are conscious of mental sates by having thoughts about those states. A
thought about being in a mental state is a second-order thought (SOT),
because it is a mental state about a mental state (e.g. “I see that the
rabbit is black”). This theory states that a successful response to hypnotic
suggestions can be achieved by forming an intention to perform the action
or cognitive activity required, without forming the higher order thought
about intending that action that would normally accompany reflective
performance of action.
10. Physiological Theories
Those who correlate conditions of consciousness with changes in
the central nervous system or those who hold that physiological events
may precede all mental events look for physical reasons to explain
hypnosis (i.e., variations in the electroencephalogram [EEG], in evoked
potentials, in cerebral blood flow, or in neurotransmitter dynamics).
 THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS 104
For some, hypnosis is based upon physiological disturbances.
For some others, the right hemisphere, with its connectedness to imagery
and feeling states, is more involved with hypnotic phenomena. Others
have been impressed by behavioural or anatomical capabilities such as
the eye-roll sign (the capacity of the eyes to roll backward into the head)
as reliable indicators of hypnotic susceptibility. If a particular
neurophysiological constellation proves to be a characteristic feature of
hypnosis, is it an effect of hypnosis or a cause? This question is yet to
be answered.
11. Sleep State Theory
Early hypnotists were misled by the resemblance of the hypnotic
state to sleep. It was thought that hypnosis was indeed a variant of the
sleeping state. Yet they could not solve the apparent contradiction that
their subjects behaved, in many ways, more as if awake than asleep.
Now sleep is understood as a state of aliveness than one of
suspended animation. It has been divided and subdivided into stages
correlated with a variety of dreaming activities, neurohumoral shifts,
neurotransmitter metabolism changes, and chronobiological cycles.
Sleep is a dynamic, phasic process with, presumably, several functions,
some of which are still unclear.
Ivan Pavlov termed hypnosis “partial sleep.” For him both sleep
and hypnosis resulted from the inhibition of certain cerebral areas. In
hypnosis, the preserv ation of “sentinel points” or channels of
communication accounted for some limited reactivity to surrounds. Some
point out that light sleep can become hypnotic-like by means of
establishing rapport through response to suggestion, and that, at times,
hypnotized individuals have fallen asleep when left undisturbed or given
appropriate suggestions.
When global physiological measures are considered, hypnosis is
very close to wakefulness. Reflexes are not altered in hypnosis, whereas
in sleep, they are diminished or absent. Moreover, sleep is accompanied
by marked modifications in the output of awareness whereas in hypnosis,
responsiveness to outside stimuli is preserved. In the current analysis,
hypnosis appears to be a condition that is neither the usual waking state
nor any of the sleep stages.
 105 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

12. Hypnosis as Modified or Special State of Consciousness

The view that hypnosis is a special state of consciousness finds
many followers. Hypnotized individuals often report experiences outside
the realm of their ordinary reality. Many deeply hypnotized participants
describe how incredibly relaxed or peaceful their experience was, and
how differently they perceived the flow of time, the configuration of their
body image, or the experiencing of their awareness.
During hypnosis, this subjective alteration in the personal field of
awareness or aliveness is correlated by “state of consciousness” (or
state) theorists to depth of hypnosis. State theorists posit quantitative
(for example, the substantivity of consciousness), as well as qualitative
changes (certain mental processes may be more or less operational,
that is, shift to primary process thinking, alterations in ego mechanisms,
or redirection to introspective orientation).
A strong support for the state theory is the occurrence of “trance
logic” that refers to the ability of deeply hypnotized subjects to experience
comfortably the coexistence of logically inconsistent perceptions or ideas.
The ability of the subject to mix freely his perceptions derived from reality
with those that stem from imagination and are perceived as hallucinations
that cannot be done by imitators. However, trance logic is also found in
dreams, in primary process thinking, and in schizophrenia. Therefore,
one wonders how unique it is to hypnosis.
At this time, we may not have developed the terminology to describe
the complex and varied conscious mental configuration in the mind’s
repertory. Although theorists often put themselves in state and non-state
camps, these divisions may, in the end, be unnecessarily polarizing. A
more integrated view would see hypnotic phenomena as occurring within
the context of certain mental sets (state theory) and as capable of being
intensified and shaped by many relevant influences, such as social
communication, cognitive factors, and interpersonal variables (non-state
theory).
13. Hemispheric Laterality Theory
For centuries, the roles of the brain were not realized fully. The
brain localizationists have worked to find discrete territories for each of
the many faculties expressed by humans. Although successful for purely
 THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS 106
motor or sensory modalities, this compartmentalizing approach has had
many difficulties with the mapping of associational areas and with such
psychological dimensions as emotionality, intelligence, and other higher
mental functions. This line of research has provided an appreciation for
the intricacies and the plasticity of the brain – as seen, for example, in
its adaptation to injury – and for the dynamic interrelatedness of both
hemispheres as they complement each other.
The left hemisphere in most individuals has more jurisdictions over
expressive speech, syntax, writing, reading, arithmetic, and rhythm. The
right hemisphere has greater involvement in processing visual, spatial
configurations, holistic analyses, melody, imagery, and the proper
interpretation of special meaning and metaphors.
It is in this area that hypnosis and hemispheric function meet.
Can resistance to induction be considered a manifestation of logical left
hemispheric overbearance? By what neurophysiological mechanisms do
techniques such as confusion, paradox, double-bind (the simultaneous
communication of conflicting messages), or reframing (changing a
person’s perspective of events or situations in order to change their
meaning), work to circumvent them? How can abilities inherently present
in the right or the left hemisphere be best utilized to enhance the
effectiveness of therapeutic hypnotic intervention? These are all questions
yet to be answered satisfactorily.
14. Systems theory
Systems theor y is an ex tension of Braid’s origi nal
conceptualization of hypnosis as involving a process of enhancing or
depressing nervous system activity. Systems theory considers the nervous
system’s organization into interacting subsystems. Hypnotic phenomena
involve not only increased or decreased activity of particular subsystems,
but also their interaction. In this the central phenomenon is that of feedback
loops, which suggest a mechanism for creating hypnotic phenomena.
15. Social-Cognitive/Cognitive-Behavioural/Response Set Theory
State theories argue that processes such as “repression” or
“dissociation” operate when subjects are given a suggestion, whereas
 107 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

non-state theories view subjects as active “doers” and observe the

suggested effect as an enactment rather than a happening.
Social-cognitive theory of hypnosis argues that the experience of
effortlessness in hypnosis results from subjects’ motivated tendencies
to interpret hypnotic suggestions as not requiring active planning and
effort (i.e. the experience of effortlessness stems from an attributional
error). The attribution of volition depends on the kind of response-set
which has been put into place, and if a hypnotic response-set is in place
then volition is attributed externally. In other words, effortlessness in
hypnosis comes about when individuals expect things to be effortless,
and “decide” (more or less consciously) to respond along with suggestions.
The socio-cognitive hypnosis theories do not imply that subjects
are always “faking,” or not really experiencing an involuntary hypnotic
response. Even though these models make use of the terms such as
“role enactment” or “self-presentation” they are still entirely consistent
with the notion that hypnotized subjects have unusual experiences.
16. Spanos’ Socio-Cognitive Theory
Spanos observed that attitudes, beliefs, imaginings, attributions,
and expectancies all shaped hypnotic phenomena. He used the construct
of strategic role enactment to explain how individuals transform
imaginings, thoughts, and feelings into experiences and behaviours that
are consistent with their ideas of how a good hypnotic subject should
respond to the overall hypnotic context and specific suggestions in
particular. According to him how subjects construe the hypnotic role is a
key determinant of hypnotic responsiveness. He says that hypnotic
behaviours could be explained by the same normal social-psychological
processes that explain non-hypnotic behaviours. Amnesia and the
response of high hypnotizables to suggestions for amnesia are often not
what they seem but in fact reflect mundane social-cognitive processes
such as compliance-induced reporting biases, alterations in attentional
focus, and misattribution of experience, rather than such special
processes as dissociation.
 THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS 108
17. Kirsch and Lynn’s Social Cognitive Approach
This theory emphasizes response expectancies as a determinant
of behaviour. It proposes that subjects in a hypnotic situation have
generalized response expectancy (a belief) that they will follow the
hypnotist’s instructions and will produce behaviours that are experienced
as involuntary. A consequence of this is that these subjects attribute
hypnotic responses to external causes (i.e. the hypnotist) and experience
them as involuntary. But hypnotic responses are initiated by the same
mechanisms as voluntary responses; the difference is in how the
behaviours are experienced.
18. Conditioning and Inhibition Theory
This theory defines hypnotic induction as the giving of a set of
suggestions so that a positive response to a previous suggestion
conditions the subject to respond more strongly to the next suggestion.
This induction is placed in a conditioning paradigm. A hypnotic induction
is explained as the conditioning of an inhibitory set, which increases
responsivity to suggestion by inhibiting stimuli and thoughts which would
contradict the suggested response.
19. Hypnosis as an Atavistic Phenomenon
This theory holds that hypnosis represents a more primordial style
of mentation, a return to an archaic mental functioning, in which suggestion
plays an important role. This primeval mental state is normally superseded,
but not replaced, in the waking state by logical, intellectual, and critical
faculties. In this model, during the antediluvian periods of their mental
evolution, humans functioned much more fully in modes of thought in
which nonverbal communication, hypnotic-like rapport, and body/mind
connectedness were in prominent evidence.
This theory explains several facets of hypnosis. In many hypnotic
inductions, critical faculties are placed at bay by giving monotonous,
repetitive suggestions. The prestige of the hypnotist is influential, perhaps
in the same way as that of important figures long ago in our evolutionary
past. Nonverbal communications are well known to occur prominently in
hypnosis. Participants often report being able to draw inferences from
many subliminal cues and to have increased sensitivity to the meta-
meaning and the emotional messages inherent in communications.
 109 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

In this theory, the depth of hypnosis can be equated to the

completeness of regression. Spontaneous pseudo-trance or daydreams
could represent a mixture of neotic and atavistic processes. Posthypnotic
suggestion phenomenon, the remarkable action by which instructions
given during hypnosis are carried out seemingly automatically at some
point in the future, and sometimes in the distant future, are explained by
a mechanism of introjections. In introjections a participant accepts the
hypnotist’s messages as his own and carries them out as self-fulfilling
and time-released personal actions. This theory though attractive does
not adequately account for hypnotic phenomena such as anesthesia
and hallucinations.
20. Psychoanalytically Oriented Theories
Very much similar to the atavistic theory, but much more centered
on stages of personal development, are the psychoanalytically inspired
theories of hypnosis that see portions of the participant’s psyche as
regressing to an infantile ego state, with the hypnotist acting as a parental
figure. The concept of hypnotic rapport becomes imbued with notions of
transference, the process by which feelings, attitudes, and wishes,
originally linked with an important person in one’s earlier life, are channeled
onto others.
Sigmund Freud had difficulty integrating hypnosis into his
psychoanalytic theory. He saw hypnotic phenomena through the
perspective of transference. Ferenczi believed that hypnosis recapitulated
the Oedipal situation. He also used expressions such as “paternal
hypnosis” and “maternal hypnosis” to further describe the nature of the
libidinal regression. If the induction was of the authoritarian or commanding
type, the subject would associate the hypnotist with a strong father, and
if permissive, with the mother. Implied in this view is a gender-oriented
element in the hypnotic condition that, barring some claims by occasional
subjects who experience erotic feeling in their trance, is not evident in
clinical observations.
 THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS 110
In the psychoanalytic view, hypnosis implies a regressed condition
in which magical expectations, dependency strivings, and primitive wishes
and fears are operational. In this perspective, the hypnotist is placed in
an omnipotent position. Many did not accept this particular concept while
others pointing to the rich potential of the transference condition implied
in hypnosis, have integrated its applications within the psychotherapeutic
context.
21. Behavioural Theories
This viewpoint contrasts with state theories of hypnosis, seeking
to strip the hypnotic state of its status as a separate entity or as a
distinct condition of consciousness. To bolster this position, some authors
point out that all the phenomenon said to occur in the hypnotic condition
can be produced in ordinary subjects in their normal waking state.
Now the question is if hypnosis is a more or less consciously
determined simulation. It is not so. Because, for example, if a major
operation is attempted on the hypnotized person and another simulator,
the simulator will quickly give up his pretence when the doctor approaches
him with a scalpel. Again a simulator cannot truly experience an auditory
or visual hallucination. Simulation is a conscious maneuver. Some believe
that hypnosis derives from deep motivations to behave like a hypnotized
person should. The definition of what constitutes hypnotic behaviour can
be overtly or subtly communicated by our culture or by the hypnotist who
presents cues, verbal and nonverbal, to this effect. This would explain
the varied manifestations of hypnosis in different cultures and during
different historical period, but it would not elucidate the deeper intrapsychic
mechanisms presumably needed for their creation.
The drive to behave in ways suggested by the hypnotist is related,
in this model, to the completeness of the hypnotic rapport. The strength
of the motivation to fulfill the hypnotist’s expectations has been proven to
be remarkably strong in some individuals. It is felt that the role-taking
behaviour of the subject may be so complete, profound, and intense that
there is total belief in its consistency and validity. The behavior of the
hypnotized individual becomes wholly congruent with self-image. The
suggested perception of reality assumes such complete self-synchronicity
that phenomena, even phenomena involving the deepest mechanisms of
 111 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

perception and the participation of the autonomic nervous system, are

spontaneously expressed.
22. Social Role-Taking Theory
Theodore Sarbin proposed and pioneered the “social role-taking”
theory. He argued that hypnotic responses were motivated attempts to
fulfill the socially constructed roles of hypnotic subjects. This theory
also led to the misunderstanding of hypnosis as faking. But Theodore
Sarbin emphasized the difference between faking and role-taking. In faking
there is little subjective identification with the role in question. In role-
taking the subject not only acts externally in accord with the role but
also subjectively identifies with it to some degree (acting, thinking, and
feeling “as if” he is hypnotized). Those who fake cannot undergo a surgery
whereas those role-taking can subject themselves for surgery.
He further explained the difference when he spoke of the similarity
between role-taking in hypnosis and role-taking in other areas such as
method acting, mental illness, and shamanic possession. This theory
clearly explains the stage hypnosis in which there is clearly strong
pressure to comply with a socially constructed role by performing
accordingly on a theatrical stage. So the social constructionism and
role-taking theory of hypnosis suggest that individuals are enacting (as
opposed to merely playing) a role and that really there is no such thing
as a hypnotic trance. A socially constructed relationship is said to be
built depending on how much rapport has been established between the
hypnotist and the subject.
There are some psychologists like Robert Baker and Graham
Wagstaff who claim that what we call hypnosis is actually a form of
learned social behaviour, a complex hybrid of social compliance,
relaxation, and suggestibility that can account for many esoteric
behavioural manifestations.
23. Cognitive-Behaviour Theory
A non-state “cognitive-behavioural” theory of hypnosis was proposed
by Barber, Spanos, and Chaves in 1974. This is in some respects similar
to Sarbin’s social role-taking theory and building upon the earlier research
of Barber. According to this theory, hypnosis is explained as an extension
of ordinary psychological processes like imagination, relaxation,
 THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS 112
expectation, and social compliance. Barber argued that responses to
hypnotic suggestions were mediated by a “positive cognitive set”
consisting of positive expectations, attitudes, and motivation. It was Daniel
Araoz subsequently coined the acronym “TEAM” to mean the subject’s
orientation to hypnosis in terms of “trust,” “expectation,” “attitude,” and
“motivation.” Barber also noted that similar factors mediate the response
both to hypnotism and to cognitive-behavioural theory (CBT), in particular
systematic desensitization. This theory led to the growing interest in the
relationship between hypnotherapy and CBT.
24. Ego-Psychological Theory
This theory proposes that the depth of a hypnotic trance is related
to the degree to which the participant loses awareness of the distinction
between imagination and reality. This distinction is termed the “generalized
reality orientation” and is characteristic of normal psychological
functioning. It distinguishes between primary processes (emotional,
holistic, illogical, unconscious, developmentally immature) and secondary
process (affect-free, analytical, logical, conscious, developmentally
mature). Whereas normal adult functioning is biased towards secondary
processing, the induction of hypnosis makes the subject “let go” of some
secondary process activity. This theory is not well-defined and thus not
as easily testable or falsifiable.
25. Brown and Oakley’s Integrative Cognitive Theory
Placing emphasis on the nature of perception and consciousness,
Brown and Oakley incorporate ideas from both dissociated control and
response-set theories. They include the dissociated control theory
concept which suggests that responses may be facilitated by an inhibition
of high-level attention, and the response-set idea that suggests
involuntariness is an attribution about the causes of behaviour.
26. Kihlstrom’s Third Way
This third way in hypnosis research construes hypnosis
simultaneously as both a state (sometimes) of profound cognitive change,
involving basic mechanisms of cognition and consciousness, and as a
social interaction, in which the hypnotist and the subject come together
for a specific purpose within a wider socio-cultural context.10
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12. THE CONSCIOUS

Sigmund Freud divided the human mind into the conscious, the
preconscious, and the unconscious. When the word “subconscious” is
used in hypnotic literatures, it refers to the “unconscious” of Freud. One
is conscious when one is awake; and unconscious when one is asleep
(and during certain medical conditions). Planning, decision making,
working, studying, and other everyday activities are under the control of
one’s conscious. Dreams, for example, come from one’s unconscious.
1. The Beginning
It was only towards the 18th century that studies were done on
consciousness. John Locke addressed the issue of consciousness. The
philosophers studied the idea of consciousness of self . W hat
distinguishes humans from animals is the fact that humans are aware
(conscious) that they are aware (conscious). What is in the unconscious
helps us to get along in society. But the conscious defends it. Therefore,
there is a problem in positive thinking. It stays in our conscious and does
not usually get through to the unconscious. It is in the unconscious that
changes take place. Now in hypnosis, we get through to the unconscious
and this is the task of self-hypnosis.
2. Levels of Consciousness
The levels of human consciousness can range from being fully
alert to being deeply asleep. By the brain wave frequency, each level is
distinguished. One need not imagine that there are rigid boundaries for
all of them. These states can easily blend into each other.
Beta: It is the normal state. Full consciousness having 13-25 cycles per
second (of brain wave frequency).
Alpha: Twilight period between being asleep and being awake. Hypnosis
and Meditation having 8-12 cycles per second (of brain wave frequency).
Theta: Deep hypnosis and meditation having 4-7 cycles per second (of
brain wave frequency).
Delta: Full Sleep having 0.5-3 cycles per second (of brain wave frequency).
Alpha and Theta are altered states of consciousness. In
these states behaviour modifications are likely to take place. If
 THE CONSCIOUS 114
suggestions are given at these states, they go directly into the
unconscious without any interference from the analytical conscious mind.
The unconscious has no power of reasoning and will accept the
suggestions as they are and will act upon them. Suggestions can be
effective under normal consciousness that is Beta level. Research shows
that suggestions are more effective under an altered state.
3. Content of the Conscious
In Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality, the conscious
consists of everything inside of our awareness. It is the mental processing
that one can think and talk about in a rational way. The conscious includes
such things as the sensations, perceptions, memories, feelings, and
fantasies inside of our current awareness. Closely connected to the
conscious is the “preconscious.” It includes the things that we are not
thinking of at the moment but which we can easily draw into conscious
awareness — like the rhyme we learned in childhood which is not in the
conscious but is in the preconscious and we can very easily retrieve it
into the conscious.
The conscious keeps hidden from awareness the repressed
material and pushes them into the unconscious. For Freud, the
unconscious has influence on our behaviour. To explain the reality of the
conscious and the unconscious, Freud made use of the metaphor of an
iceberg. The tip of the iceberg that extends above the water represents
the conscious mind. Beneath the water is the much larger bulk of the
iceberg, which represents the unconscious. Though the conscious and
the preconscious are important, according to Freud, they are far less
vital than the unconscious. He said that the things hidden from awareness
exerted the greatest influence over our personalities and behaviours.
4. Different Views
In history, hypnotists considered diff erently about how
suggestions are directed and to what region. Some believed that
suggestions are a form of communication directed primarily to the
subject’s conscious mind. There are others who believed that suggestions
are means of communicating with the unconscious or subconscious.
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These concepts were introduced to hypnotism by Sigmund Freud and

Pierre Janet at the end of the 19th century.
But Braid and Berhheim did not employ these concepts but
considered hypnotic suggestions to be addressed to the subject’s
conscious mind. Braid considers hypnotism as focused (conscious)
attention upon a dominant idea (suggestion). These differences only show
that there are different views regarding the nature of the mind. Now it is
observed that those who believed like Theodore Barber and Nicholas
Spanos that responses to suggestions are primarily mediated by the
conscious mind, made use of direct verbal suggestions and instructions.
On the contrary, those who believed (like Milton H. Erickson)
that responses to suggestions are mediated primarily by an unconscious
mind, made use of indirect suggestions, such as metaphors or stories,
whose intended meaning may be concealed from the conscious mind of
the subject.
5. Relationship between the Conscious and the Unconscious
It is good to keep in mind while studying higher trance, the
differences between the conscious and the unconscious and how they
inter-relate and maintain trance states. The predominant school of thought
on hypnosis proposes that hypnosis is a way to access a person’s
unconscious mind directly. One is aware (conscious) of the thought
process in one’s conscious mind. One thinks of the problems that are
right in front of him, consciously choosing words as one speaks. But in
all these, one’s conscious mind is working hand-in-hand with one’s
unconscious mind. The unconscious is behind the scene thinking. Actually
the unconscious accesses the vast reservoir of information that lets one
solve problems, construct sentences, or locate anything that has been
lost.
The unconscious puts together plans and ideas and runs them
by one’s conscious mind. Whenever a new idea comes to a person it is
because he has already thought through the process unconsciously.
There are a number of things we do automatically that are run by the
unconscious. Which of us actively works through the steps of breathing
minute to minute? All these are done by our unconscious. Typing, driving,
or swimming and many other small things are done by the unconscious.
 THE CONSCIOUS 116
Our unconscious also processes the physical information our bodies
receive. Therefore, our unconscious is the real brain behind every operation
we do consciously. The unconscious does our thinking, and it decides a
lot of what we want to do. Our conscious works to evaluate a lot of these
thoughts, makes decisions, and puts certain ideas into action. It also
processes new information and relays them to the unconscious. When
we are asleep, the conscious mind gets out of the way, and our
unconscious has free rein. Hypnotists theorize that the deep relaxation
and focusing exercises of hypnotism work to calm and subdue the
conscious mind so that it takes a less active role in our thinking process.
In the hypnotic state, one is still aware of what is going on, but one’s
conscious mind takes a back seat to one’s unconscious. This is precisely
what allows the hypnotist to work directly with the unconscious.
6. Dreams Are Communication Channels
Recurring stories that unravel in our brains as we sleep can
sometimes be the key to solve or open a variety of roadblocks that may
be strewn across our paths during our daily lives. Usually we dream our
dreams in peace without being woken up by them. Our dreams are
communicating something important. At times ignoring them may cost
us much. We can say that difficult and recurring dreams are merely a
frustrated or angry voice trying to get our attention to sort out the discomfort
that is being experienced at the unconscious. Perhaps running away
from the challenges of addressing this type of dreams can lead one into
ever increasing spirals of misery, anger, or depression. The unconscious
has a way of communicating.11
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13. THE UNCONSCIOUS

Our unconscious takes care of all the things we do automatically.
We do not actively work through the steps of breathing. We are not
aware of every little thing we do while driving. These are done by our
unconscious. Our unconscious also processes the physical information
our body receives. Our unconscious does most of our thinking and decides
a lot of what we do. When we are awake, our conscious works to evaluate
many of our thoughts, makes decisions and puts various ideas into action
and processes new information and relays it to the unconscious. But
when we are asleep, the conscious gets out of the way, leaving our
unconscious with free reign.
Whenever fixed ideas are accepted by the unconscious, they
stay there, until they are replaced. Once they reside in the unconscious,
they influence one’s attitude and behaviour. Let us see how the fixed
ideas get into the unconscious. In fact, fixed ideas can be accepted at
any age, but they are more likely to take root when we are young since
young children lack fully developed reasoning power. It is not that children
accept everything they are told, but they are more likely to believe things
that damage their self-image than adults. When ideas come from an
authority are repeated, and have an emotional component, they are more
likely to be accepted even if they are only overheard. Thus a child may
come to believe that he is stupid or incapable of doing something, if he
hears it often enough.
1. The Unconscious
The unconscious mind (or the unconscious) consists of the
process in the mind that occurs automatically and is not available to
introspection, and includes thought processes, memory, affect, and
motivation. Though these processes exist outside the awareness of the
conscious, they exert an impact on behaviour. The term “unconscious”
was coined by the 18th century German romantic philosopher Friedrich
Schelling and later introduced into English by the poet and essayist
Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The unconscious was popularized by the Austrian
neurologist and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Empirical research
indicates that the unconscious phenomena include repressed feelings,
 THE CONSCIOUS 118
automatic skills, subliminal perceptions, thoughts, habits, and automatic
reactions, and possibly also the complexes, hidden phobias, and desires.
According to psychoanalysis, unconscious processes are said
to be expressed in dreams in a symbolic form, as well as in slips of the
tongue and jokes. So the unconscious mind can be seen as the source
of dreams and automatic thoughts (those that appear without any apparent
cause), the repository of forgotten memories (that may still be accessible
to consciousness at some later time), and the locus of implicit knowledge
(the things that we have learned so well that we do them without thinking).
Human consciousness is understood to be influenced by other parts of
the mind. The other parts of the mind include unconsciousness as a
personal habit, being unaware, and intuition. Terms related to semi-
consciousness include awakening, implicit memory, subliminal
messages, trances, hypnagogia, and hypnosis. While sleep, sleep
walking, dreaming, delirium, and comas may signal the presence of
unconscious processes, these processes are not the unconscious mind
itself, but rather symptoms. There are also some critics who doubt the
existence of the unconscious.
2. An Historical Overview
Things that originate from outside of our consciousness and
influence our thinking were reflected in the ancient ideas of temptation,
divine inspiration, and the predominant role of the gods in affecting motives
and actions. The concept of internalized unconscious processes in the
mind was also insinuated in antiquity and has been explored across
wide variety of cultures. The unconscious dimension of mentality was
referred to between 2500 and 600 BC in the Hindu texts of Vedas. It is
found today in Ayurvedic medicine. Paracelsus is said to be the first
person to make mention of an unconscious aspect of cognition in his
work “Von den Krankheiten” (About Illness, 1567). His clinical
methodology created a coherent system which is regarded by some as
the beginning of modern scientific psychology. William Shakespeare
did mention the role of the unconscious in many of his plays though he
did not name it explicitly. Western philosophers Baruch Spinoza, Gottfried
Leibniz, Arthur Schopenhauer, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Georg Wilhelm
Friedrich Hegel, Soren Kierkegaard, and Friedrich Nietzsche
foreshadowed Freud’s theories. In 1890, William James, in his treatise
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on psychology examined the way Schopenhauer, von Hartmann, Janet,

Binet had used the term “unconscious” and “subconscious.” Therefore,
it is not Freud who discovered the unconscious. Now, of course, there is
no psychologist or psychiatrist who does not recognize the unconscious
cerebration not only real but of the highest importance.
1) Sigmund Freud’s View of the Unconscious
An iceberg is used as a visual representation of Freud’s theory
that most of the human mind operates unconsciously. Freud divided the
human mind into the conscious mind and the unconscius mind. In this
theory, the unconscious refers to the mental processes of which individuals
are unaware. Freud proposed a vertical and hierarchical architecture of
human consciousness as the conscious mind, the preconscious mind,
and the unconscious mind, each lying beneath the other. Freud was of
the opinion that significant psychic events take place below the surface
in the unconscious mind. He said that such events have both symbolic
and actual significance. According to the theory of psychoanalysis, the
unconscious does not include all that is not conscious, but rather what
is actively repressed from conscious thought or what a person is averse
to knowing consciously. Freud saw the unconscious as a repository for
socially unacceptable ideas, wishes, or desires, traumatic memories,
and painful emotions put out of mind by the mental mechanism called
“repression.”
The contents of the unconscious does not necessarily have to
be solely negative. The unconscious is a force that can only be recognized
by its effects. It expresses itself in the symptom. This view considers the
conscious as an adversary to its unconscious, warring to keep the
unconscious hidden. Unconscious thoughts are not directly accessible
to ordinary introspection, but are supposed to be capable of being “tapped”
and “interpreted” by special methods and techniques like free association,
dream analysis, and verbal slips in psychoanalysis. Since the
unconscious thoughts are normally cryptic, psychoanalysts interpret their
messages. Freud thought that psychological disturbances are largely
caused by personal conflicts existing at the unconscius level. His theory
attempts to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by
 THE CONSCIOUS 120
focusing on unconscious determinants of behaviour. Freud also used the
concept of the unconscious to explain certain kinds of neurotic behaviour.
The theory of the unconscious by Freud was substantially accepted by
his followers chief among whom are Carl Jung and Jacques Lacan.
2) Carl Jung’s View of the Unconscious
Carl Gustav Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist, accepted the concept
of the unconscious of Freud as a determinant of personality and took it
further by dividing the unconscious into two layers naming them as the
“personal unconscious” and the “collective unconscious.” The personal
unconscious of Jung corresponds to the unconscious of Freud when
Jung said that the personal unconscius is a reservoir of material that was
once conscious but has been forgotten or suppressed. The collecive
unconscious is the deepest level of the psyche, containing the
accumulation of inherited psychic structures and archetypal experiences.
Archetypes are images with universal meanings that are apparent in the
culture’s use of symbols. Thus, the collective unconscious is inherited.
It contains material of an entire species rather than an individual. Each
one of us shares the collective unconscious with the entire human race.
It is the whole spiritual heritage of humankind’s evolution, born anew in
the brain structure of every person. Thus Jung differed from Freud in the
concept of the structure of the unconscius and also did not accept the
belief of Freud that sexuality is at the base of all unconscious thoughts.
3) The Unconscious in Contemporary Cognitive Psychology
The theory of psychoanalysis was the first one to focus on the
phenomenon of unconsncious mental activity. A lot of research is done in
contemporary cognitive psychology on the mental activity that is not
mediated by conscious awareness. As against the psychoanalytic
tradition which speculates (in the sense of being hard to empirically verify)
Oedipus complex or Electra complex, the cognitive tradition of research
on unconscious processes is based on relatively few theoretical
assumptions and is very empirically oriented (in the sense of being mostly
data driven). Cognitive psychology points out that automatically and clearly
outside of conscious awareness, individuals register and acquire more
information than what they can experience through their conscious
thoughts.
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3. The Unconscious Is Most Powerful

Hypnosis can be said to be a condition of profound relaxation
which one allows oneself to enter, during which time there is an altered
state of conscious awareness. In order to understand hypnosis proper it
is good to have sufficient information about the unconscious. The
unconscious is the part of our mind that is the most powerful, containing
infinite wisdom and memory and a very deep level of intelligence. It is our
untapped resource for creativity and imagination. Our unconscious is the
seat of all our emotions and it directs nearly all of our behaviour. The
unconscious is also responsible for maintaining our body in good health
and for all autonomic processes like breathing, blood circulation, and
tissue regeneration, repair, fight or flight responses. It is estimated that
there are over 20 trillion cells in the human body and over 2,000 chemical
reactions in every cell every second of every day, all of which happen
unconsciously. It is the unconscious that is constantly monitoring millions
of bits of information every second and it is making decisions for us
about the data. Research indicates that we are able to process 7 unique
pieces of data at any one time. Therefore, there are so many processes
which happen unconsciously or outside of our normal conscious
awareness. It is the unconscious that looks after us and guides us through
life.
4. The Power to Change Resides in the Unconscious
Hypnosis is simply a relaxed state of focused attention. By
temporarily bypassing one’s conscious, it gives one the power to make
behavior changes at a deeper level than when one attempts to make
changes at the conscious level. Hypnosis increases the communication
between one’s conscious desires (like giving up smoking), and the
unconscious (where one’s true power to change exists).
5. The Unconscious Is Faster in Processing
One’s conscious mind is only able to process approximately 50
bits of information a second, whereas the unconscious processes
approximately 11 million bits per second. This will mean that our
unconscious is about 220 thousand times faster than our conscious.
Changes leading to success require changes to one’s beliefs about
 THE CONSCIOUS 122
oneself, the world, and others. It also involves making real changes in
one’s habits, preferences, and behaviours. It stands to reason to imagine
that we can make more efficient changes with little interference from the
conscious as possible. Thus, one can access the incredible processing
power of one’s unconscious without conscious interference. The conscious
is concerned about its main role in getting one through the day in the
here and now and not with changes.
6. Involving the Unconscious for Change
One may wonder why one cannot just decide to make a change,
and stick to it and why one needs to involve the unconscious. Research
shows that just one act of self-control depletes one’s ability to have self-
control in another unrelated area. For example, one is told not to eat ice
cream, but by this his ability to settle a simple solvable problem decreases.
We have a limited capacity for conscious self-control. But it is not the
case with our unconscious.
7. Controversy
First of all whether there is the unconscius is a disputed issue.
Franz Brentano rejected the concept of the unconscious of Freud in 1874.
Jean-Paul Satre criticizes the theory of the unconscious of Freud saying
that consciousness is essentially self-conscious and repression of Freud
is flawed. Erich Fromm says that the term “the unconscius” is a
mystification even though we may use it for reasons of convenience. For
him, there is no such thing as the unconscious, there are only experiences
of which we are aware, and others of which we are not aware that is, of
which we are unconscious, one might say. He gives an example saying
that if one hates another because of fear, the individual is aware of his
hate but not of the fear. One might say that the individual is conscious of
the hate and the fear is unconscious as a way of talking for reasons of
convenience. Yet his fear does not lie in a mysterious place called “the
unconscious.”
John Searle says that the very notion of a collection of thoughts
that exists in a privileged region of the mind such that they are in principle
never accessible to conscious awareness, is incoherent. It does not imply
that there are not non-conscious processes that form the basis of much
 123 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

of conscious life. But he argues that to posit the existence of something

that is like a thought in every way except for the fact that no one can ever
be aware of it is an incoherent concept. If you think of something as a
thought it either implies that it is being thought by a thinker or that it
could be thought by a thinker. Processes that are not causally related to
the phenomenon called thinking are more appropriately called the non-
conscius processes of the brain. David Holmes says that there is no
positive evidence for the concept of “repression.” Some of those who do
not accept the concept of the unconscious of Freud posit “cognitive
unconscious” (John Kihlstrom), an “adaptive unconscious” (Timothy
Wilson), or a “dumb unconscious” (Loftus & Klinger) which executes
automatic processes but lacks the complex mechanisms of repression
and symbolic return of the repressed.
Current cognitive psychology seeks to strip the notion of the
unconscious from its Freudian heritage, and alternative terms such as
“implicit,” or “automatic” have come into currency. These traditions
emphasize the degree to which cognitive processing happens outside
the scope of cognitive awareness and point out that things we are unaware
of can nonethless influence other cognitive processes as well as behaviour.
8. Dreams and the Unconscious
The purpose of dreams is to look into the unconscious urges and
unmet needs and seek to fulfil these wishes subconsciously. Since one
cannot fulfil such urges in real life, one seeks to fulfil these urges through
the process of dreaming. Freud said that the wish-fulfilling aspect of the
dream may be disguised due to the difficulty in distinguishing between
manifest content and latent content. The manifest content is the plot of a
dream at the surface level while the latent content is the hidden or disguised
meaning of the events in the plot. The latent content of the dream is what
supports the idea of wish fulfilment. It represents the intimate information
in the dreamer’s current issues and childhood conflicts.
Opposing Theories
As against the theory of Freud on dreams, Rosalind Cartwright
proposed that dreams provide people with the opportunity to act out and
work through everyday problems and emotional issues in a non-real setting
 THE CONSCIOUS 124
with no consequences. According to her cognitive problem-solving view,
a large amount of continuity exists between our waking thoughts and the
thoughts that exist in dreams. People who subscribe to this idea believe
that dreams allow participation in creative thinking and alternate ways to
handle situations when dealing with personal issues because dreams
are not restrained by logic or realism. Allan Hobson and his followers
came up with the “activation-synthesis hypothesis” which proposes that
dreams are simply the side effects of the neural activity in the brain that
produces beta brain waves during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that
are associated with wakefulness. They hypothize that the neurons fire
periodically during sleep in the lower brain levels and thus send random
signals to the cortex. The cortex then synthesizes a dream in reaction to
these signals in order to try to make sense of why the brain is sending
them. This theory does not state that dreams are meaningless. It only
downplays the role that emotional factors play in determining dreams.12
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14. DISSOCIATION
The phenomenon of dissociation is one of the central themes in
hypnosis. An understanding of this aspect of hypnosis will help one grasp
the full implication of the working of hypnosis in the treatment of subjects.
1. Various Meanings
A hypnotizable person is one who has the ability to dissociate.
The problem with this concept is that it has more than one meaning. (1)
It is used to mean the ability to perform two tasks simultaneouly, (2) It
points to the ability to focus upon one activity to the exclusion of all other
elements in a situation (in which case it may be formally indistinguishable
from absorption), and (3) It involves the notion of processing information
at a level that is not accessible to conscious awareness (Ernest R. Hilgard
1977). With all these contrary connotations, the fact that the concept
has survived for a long time indicates that this concept is implicated in
the hypnotic process. Perhaps to be useful, it needs a reformulation that
removes the various ambiguities
2. Dissociation in Psychology
In psychology, dissociation means a wide array of experiences
from a mild detachment from immediate surroundings to a more severe
detachment from physical and emotional experience. It is best understood
as a continuum. The most distinguishing characteristic of dissociation is
a detachment from reality rather than a loss of reality as in psychosis. In
cases that are mild, dissociation can be considered as a coping
mechanism or defence mechanism in attempting to master, minimize, or
tolerate stress, including boredom or conflict. At the non-pathological
end of the continuum, dissociation is understood as common events
such as daydreaming while driving a vehicle. Going further along the
continuum are non-pathological altered states of consciousness. More
pathological dissociation involves dissociative disorders, including
dissociative fugue, and depersonalization disorder with or without
alterations in personal identity or sense of self. Examples of these
alterations are:
A sense that the self or the world is unreal (depersonalization
and derealization); a loss of memory (amnesia); forgetting identity or
 DISSOC IATION 126
assuming a new self (fugue); and fragmentation of identity or self into
separate streams of consciousness (dissociative identity disorder which
was formerly termed as multiple personality disorder); and serious forms
of post-traumatic stress disorder. Dissociative disorders are sometimes
triggered by trauma, but may be preceded even by stress, psychoactive
substances, or no identifiable trigger at all. The International Classification
of Diseases - 10 (ICD-10) classifies conversion disorder as dissociative
disorder while the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DMS-IV) groups all dissociative disorders into a single category. Some
dissociative disruptions involve amnesia while other dissociative events
do not. Dissociative disorders are typically experienced as startling,
autonomous intrusions into an individual’s usual ways of responding or
functioning. Since they are unexpected and largely inexplicable in nature,
they tend to be quite unsettling.
3. History
The French philosopher and psychiatrist Pierre Janet (1859-1947)
is regarded as the author of the concept of dissociation. He did not believe
that dissociation was a psychological defense as proposed in the theory
of psychoanalysis of Freud. For Janet, dissociation occurred only in
persons who had a constitutional weakness of mental functioning that
led to hysteria when they were stressed. He insisted that dissociation
was a mental or cognitive deficit. Thus, he concluded that trauma is one
of the many stressors that could worsen the already-impaired mental
efficiency of a hysteric, thereby generating a number of hysterical (in
today’s language “dissociative”) symptoms.
There was a lull in the interest of dissociation until Ernest Hilgard
(1977) revived it. Carl Jung says that pathological manifestations of
dissociation are special or extreme cases of the normal operation of the
psyche. This structural dissociation, opposing tension, and hierarchy of
basic attitudes and functions in normal individual consciousness are the
basis of his “Psychological Types.” Dissociation, for him, is a natural
necessity for consciousness to operate in one faculty unhampered by
the demands of its opposite. Interest in dissociation as a clinical feature
has been growing in recent years as knowledge of post-traumatic stress
disorder, dissociative identity disorder, multiple personality controversy,
and neuroimaging increased.
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4. Relation to Trauma and Abuse

Dissociation has been considered as one of the constellation of
symptoms experienced by some victims of multiple forms of childhood
trauma, including physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.
Dissociation is correlated with a history of trauma. Dissociation is much
more common among those who are traumatized, yet at the same time
there are many who have suffered from trauma but who do not show
dissociative symptoms. Adult dissociation when comorbid with a history
of child abuse and otherwise interpersonal violence has been shown to
contribute to disturbance in parenting behaviour. Such behaviour may
contribute to cycles of familial violence and trauma. Just like wealth,
land and property are inherited to children, the tendency to abuse one’s
children may be inherited by the parents to their children – unless the
parents are aware of their oppressive patterns, get psychotherapeutic or
other help, and heal themselves. An abused child has more chance to
become an abuser himself/herself.
Symptoms of dissociation resulting from trauma may include
depersonalization, psychological numbing, disengagement, or amnesia
regarding the events of the abuse. It is believed that dissociation may
provide a temporary effective defense mechanism in cases of severe
trauma. All the same, in the long run, dissociation is associated with
decreased psychological functioning and adjustment. Child abuse,
especially chronic abuse starting at early ages, has been related to high
levels of dissociative symptoms in a clinical setup — including amnesia
for the abuse memories. The levels of dissociation are found to increase
with the severity of the abuse. It is hypothesized that current or recent
trauma may affect an individual’s assessment of the more distant past,
changing the experience of the past and resulting in dissociative states.
5. Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders
Dissociation is a mental process that causes a lack of
connection in a person’s thoughts, memory, and sense of identity. It
seems to fall on a continuum of severity. Mild form of it would be like
daydreaming, getting lost in a book, or when one is driving down a familiar
stretch of road and realizes that one does not remember the last several
miles. A severe and more chronic form is seen in Dissociative Identity
 DISSOC IATION 128
Disorder, once called Multiple Personality Disorder and other Dissociative
Disorders.
6. How Common Is Dissociation?
Transient and mild dissociative experiences are common. Nearly
one third of the population seems to have occasionally experienced as
though they are watching themselves in a movie. The incidence of these
experiences is highest in youth; and it steadily declines after the age of
20. Seven percent of the population may have suffered a dissociative
disorder at some time. It is also true that these disorders go undiagnosed
for many years.
7. Forms of Dissociation
The different forms of dissociative disorders are “psychogenic
amnesia” (the inability to recall personally significant memories),
“psychogenic fugue” (memory loss characteristic of amnesia, loss of
one’s identity, and fleeing from one’s home environment), and “multiple
personality” (the person has two or more distinct personalities that
alternate with one another and it is also known as “Dissociative Identity
Disorder” or “Multiple Personality Disorder”).
8. Theories of Dissociation
1) Dissociation (Psychology)
Pierre Janet who was working with hysterial patients originally
developed the idea of “dissociation of consciousness.” For him hypnosis
was an example of dissociation, whereby areas of an individual’s
behavioural control is separate from ordinary awareness. Hypnosis,
according to him, removes some control from the conscious mind, and
the individual would respond with autonomic, reflexive behaviour.
Weitzenhoffer explains hypnosis by this theory as “dissociation of
awareness from the majority of sensory and even strictly neural events
taking place.”
2) Hilgard’s Neodissociation Theory (Hilgard, 1979, 1986)
(pp. 99-100)
3) Dissociated Control Theory (DCT) (Bowers, 1992; Woody &
Bowers, 1994) (pp.100-101)
4) Dissociated-Experience Theory (p.101)
5) Hypnosis as a Dissociative Condition (pp.101)
6) Ego State Theory (pp.101)13
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15. TRANSFERENCE
In general, transference is a phenomenon characterized by
unconscious redirection of feelings from one person to another. It can
also be defined differently: Transference is the inappropriate repetition in
the present of a relationship that was important in a person’s childhood.
It is the redirection of feelings and desires and especially of those
unconsciously retained from childhood toward a new object. It is a
reproduction of emotions relating to repressed experiences, especially
of childhood, and the substitution of another person for the original object
of the repressed impulses. Transference was first introduced by Sigmund
Freud, who acknowledged its importance for psychoanalysis for a better
understanding of the patient’s feelings.
1. Occurrence
It is quite common that we transfer our feelings from our parents to
our partners or children (i.e., cross-generational entanglements). For
instance, you may be afraid of a person who resembles your authoritarian
and punitive father or you may like a person who resembles your childhood
chum.
2. Rapport as Love
After even one trance induction, subjects tend to feel an intense
emotional tie to the initiator of that induction. They feel bonded, approving,
and accepting of that source’s point of view and open to his spoken or
context-implied suggestions.
Rapport, the automatic tendency of trance experience causes an
attitude of respect, affection, and obedience in the subject. Rapport, a
French word meaning “harmony” or “connection” is the central
phenomenon of hypnosis, rather than suggestibility. Rapport is far more
than just a hypnotic phenomenon. Wherever there is charismatic
leadership, love, or even close friendship, there is rapport. The line that
lies between rapport and other love relationships is fuzzy. Rapport always
contains an element of dependence. It often has a subtle (or obvious)
erotic element. Anybody who performs well for the public generates
rapport. A teenager with a crush on a performer is in its grip. The crowd
tends to fall into rapport-love with their leader or heroes – political, religious,
 TRANSFERENCE 130
and cultural. Humans naturally bond to, and organize themselves around
leaders.
3. Rapport as Bonding
Subjects of the same hypnotist tend to bond. This principle has
many applications. Persons influenced by the same leader(s) tend to
trust each other, and to behave worthy of that trust. They relate as brothers
and sisters. This psychological trait enables the bonding of family,
congregation, and community.
4. Rapport as Addiction
Rapport can become an intense, emotional relationship. The subject
finds his thoughts fixed on the hypnotist between, as well as during,
hypnotic sessions. He begins also to pick up and obey the general context
clues from the hypnotist as to what to believe and how to behave. It can
be said that rapport is a psychological fusion between the hypnotist and
the subject. The subject is hypersensitive to the hypnotist to the extent
that he is able to perceive the latter’s faintest signs. Through habit and
training, a process of mutual understanding by signs develops between
them, of which neither is aware. The subject becomes sensitive to the
slightest shades of the hypnotist’s thoughts without realizing how, and
without the hypnotist’s awareness.
The development of rapport over a series of hypnotic sessions has
two distinct phases. Firstly, the subject feels freed from his/her symptoms
and feels much better. Secondly, the symptoms sometimes return
(somnambulistic passion) and the subject feels an increased need to
see the hypnotist and to be hypnotized again. This urge often assumes
the form of passion, ardent love, jealousy, superstitious fear, or profound
respect. Somnambulistic passion is a potpourri of possible elements:
erotic passion, or the kind of love one feels for a parent, or some other
kind of love. One element that never varies however is the patient’s need
to be directed.
5. Freudian Transference
Freud called rapport between the therapist and the subject as
transference. He believed that transference is a revival of the original
parent-child relationship. Psychoanalytically-trained hypnosis researchers
 131 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

believe that trance obedience was rooted in an unconscious longing for,

or regression to, a childhood behaviour (or instinctual early programming)
of total dependence on, and uncritical love of, the parent figures.
6. Experience of Opposites
Carl Jung says that within the transference dyad both participants
typically experience a variety of opposites. Therefore, in love and in
psychological growth, the key to success is the ability to endure the
tension of the opposites without abandoning the process, and this tension
allows one to grow and to transform.
7. Pathological Transference
Transference can become pathological only in a personally or
socially harmful context. Dr. Susan Andersen explains how transference
occurs in everyday life. It is said that when we encounter a person who
reminds us of someone whom we do or did like and who is or was
important to us, we infer, of course unconsciously, that this person is
indeed like our significant other (whether a lover, friend, relative, or any
other person). A number of effects arise from this, including inferring that
traits belong to the new person that in fact belongs to our significant
other. Thus, we tend to repeat relationship patterns from the past in the
present. As against liking, there is the phenomenon of transferring
unresolved rage towards previous love or hate-objects onto “surrogates,”
or individuals resembling or otherwise calling to mind the original object
of that hate.
8. Transfer of Rapport
Rapport can be transferred from one hypnotist to another by a
simple verbal command, called “transfer of rapport,” or “shifting the
rapport.” A hypnotist tells his subject to obey now a new hypnotist in the
same way he has been obeying the speaker. If the suggestion is accepted
at the subject’s automatic level of mind, rapport will shift.
9. Transference in Psychotherapy
In psychological counseling or psychotherapies, transference
refers to redirection of a patient’s feelings for a significant person to the
therapist. Transference may be experienced as an erotic attraction towards
a therapist, but it can be seen in many other forms like rage, hatred,
 TRANSFERENCE 132
mistrust, extreme dependence, or even placing the therapist in a god-
like or guru status. Transference, for Freud, whether affectionate or hostile
seems to constitute the greatest threat to the treatment but can become
its best tool. Since the transference between the patient and the therapist
happens on an unconscious level, psychodynamic therapists concern
themselves with the patient’s unconscious use to reveal unresolved
conflicts they have with childhood figures.
10. Rapport Impacts the Hypnotist
Rapport flows both ways. The hypnotic subject influences the
hypnotist’s behaviour, because a hypnotist unconsciously develops
suggestibility to the cues from his subjects. Thus, rapport tends to become
a situation of mutual suggestion. The subject gives his hypnotist what
the hypnotist secretly expects, and the hypnotist tends to create for the
subject what the subject secretly longs for and expects. This unconscious
collaboration between the charismatic leader and his followers has, in
the historical record, resulted in remarkable elaborations of mutual delusion
and absolutistic and costly loyalties.
11. Countertransference in Psychotherapy
Countertransference is redirection of a therapist’s feelings towards
a patient, or more generally, as a therapist’s emotional entanglement
with a patient. It is as important for a therapist to understand his
countertranference as he is supposed to understand transference. It not
only helps the therapist to regulate his emotions but also gives him valuable
insight into what the clients/patients are attempting to elicit in them.
Alfred Adler has a different perspective of these phenomena.
Instead of using the patient’s transference strategically in therapy, the
positive or negative transference is diplomatically pointed out and explained
as an obstacle to cooperation and improvement. For the therapist,
identification of countertransference will suggest that his own personal
training analysis needs to be continued to overcome these tendencies. If
not a continued training at least a consultation with his supervisor is
recommended. I think that with all these, it is good to keep in mind that
the vulnerability of the human person will always be there in any human
relationship. Therefore, it is good to take it along the stride and continue
as a wounded healer unless in extreme cases which warrant a referral.14
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16. THE CLIENT RESISTANCE

In traditional therapy or counselling, the client’s resistance is
supposed to be “interpreted.” When the counsellor has no further
interpretation to offer, he might rationalize by simply saying that the client
is not ready to benefit from therapy.
1. Resistance vs. Reluctance
Resistance is different from reluctance. Among clients one finds
both resistance and reluctance. Reluctance is unwillingness to undergo
any type of therapy or counselling. Not much can be done with those
who are reluctant. But those who are resistant perhaps want to work out
their problem but somehow are prevented by unconscious motives.
2. Resistance Is Fear
While it takes a good deal of courage for clients to seek help and
to express their desires for change, they will still exhibit signs of
resistance. Resistance is basically a manifestation of a fear related to
uncovering one’s unconscious material. Some behaviour therapists say
that resistance is a rationalization which the therapist uses “against” the
client to account for his own inability or his own failure to reach the
client. It implies that the client is at fault for not taking responsibility in
the process of getting well.
3. Sources of Resistance
One could speculate that any therapeutic failure is due to the
method, or the hypnotist, or the resistance of the client, or environmental
and other factors but it is important to remember that one does not sit in
judgement and that resistance needs to be seen as a motivational factor.
1) Therapy Factors
(1) It could be a failure to recognize that the client is avoiding a
higher order anxiety; for example, an overweight client might fear that
after the weight loss a new readjustment may have to occur dealing with
social and sexual anxieties about dating.
(2) There are some secondary benefits (gains) that clients hold on
to, although the discomfort is in their way. Frequently clients prefer not
to get well because they do get benefits by being incapacitated.
 THE CLIENT RESISTANCE 134

2) Therapist Factors
(1) Resistance could be created by the incorrect use of the technique
which is being applied for the given client – this is usually due to a lack
of experience or training on the therapist’s part.
(2) It may be due to beginning therapy without the client’s
understanding or accepting the rationale for that particular therapy; giving
assignments or homework related to the client’s goal which are not relevant
or understood by the client; assignment given to the client is too time-
consuming; and the therapist’s lack of sensitivity in recognizing it.
(3) Resistance is often “caused” by the inability of the therapist to
get into sync with the client. The client comes in with a certain set of
beliefs; one of them being that he is so disturbed or so sick or so
uncomfortable, or so miserable that nobody can help him. The therapist
may believe that it is important for him to succeed with any client. While
the client is entitled to his own attitude, the therapist does not have that
luxury but needs to examine the client’s resistance and his own negative
feelings about the situation. It is important to recognize that any change
is difficult because it requires a relearning process.
(4) The therapist needs to recognize that any therapeutic process
is similar to a process of growth and the client will go through a growth
curve, which means that progress will be accomplished quickly at first,
followed by a plateau, then a possible regression and then a surge towards
health.
(5) Resistance may be the therapist’s inability or unwillingness to
see the client’s point of view. The client needs to know, before he can
accept the therapy, the rationale for the therapy. The client needs to
understand, if he requests it, the application of paradoxical techniques,
such as prescribing symptoms or encouraging a relapse. Let the client
know the law of reverse effect. Thus, a client suffering from symptoms
such as blushing or insomnia, can have it pointed out to him that the
harder he tries, the less he will succeed. Then the therapy might go into
intensifying the symptom in order to reduce it (i.e., paradoxical intention).
 135 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

3) Client Factors
(1) The client may have some “hidden agendas” that could prevent
treatment from progressing satisfactorily.
(2) When a client is referred to by a family member or a physician,
he may not really value the desired outcome of the therapy and so not
give it the necessary effort.
(3) It may be feeling very strongly about a self-fulfilling prophecy
and negative expectation. Thus, a client may come to therapy to prove
that his belief of not being able to succeed is going to be correct.
(4) Sometimes clients will exhibit a low frustration tolerance (LFT)
which then leads to self-defeating behaviours.
(5) Some of the manifestations of resistance can be seen through
the realizations of delay in receiving help. For instance, a client might
express all kinds of reasons, such as the therapeutic process being too
expensive, too long, and so on.
(6) The resistance on the part of the client is recognition that the
discomfort or the pain might represent only one part of a larger problem.
That realization can be a very frightening one and some people prefer not
to address it and just keep it under control a little bit longer.
(7) Walking away from the problem becomes part of the learned
behaviour pattern the client has assimilated. Walking away from the
therapeutic experience is an indicator that when fear is greater than pain
the result is so intolerable that clients prefer not to address it. At the first
contact it is usually revealed that the pain is great and the client seems
to focus only on a one-dimensional problem, and yet, through the use of
evaluative techniques, the therapist becomes aware that there are several
problems and the client may not be ready to address all of them because
of fear.
(8) Clients come to the therapist with the myth that they will be
put to trance; will experience trance; and they will feel fine after one
session. Even with a shortened therapy programme, in order to feel better,
one must first feel worse by going through a cleansing process, or catharsis
 THE CLIENT RESISTANCE 136
— as a counseling maxim puts it thus: “The way out of pain is by first
feeling the pain fully and goung through it, NOT bypassing it.”
4) Environmental and Other External Factors
(1) A deliberate sabotage from others (a client might be concerned
about his position in the family or in a marriage, should he become more
successful or assertive).
(2) There is also sabotage from other family members. In addition
to dealing with the problem of the client, the therapist may choose also
to work with family members who might be fostering unhealthy
dependency relationships.
(3) The therapist may be confronted with direct gains from not
getting better. For instance, clients who are experiencing chronic pain
and are on disability may consciously or unconsciously hold on to the
affliction, for it does bring rewards. In such cases, the therapist needs to
establish a differential diagnosis.
(4) Absence of rapport between the therapist and the client could
be a cause.
4. Usefulness of Resistance
In establishing a therapeutic relationship one must accept the
behaviour of the client and facilitate the expression of the behaviour. It is
the role of the therapist to indicate to the client that his behaviour can be
used in a way that can be of help to him. Thus, the important thing is not
for the therapist to agree with his behaviour but for the individual to be
able to use the behaviour to meet successfully any situation. Resistance
needs to be respected by the therapist. When resistance is exhibited, it
means that the therapist is moving too fast or expecting change too
soon. The expression of resistance is symbolic of the beginning of change.
Perhaps, with any patient there are at least two personalities: One that
wants to get well, the other that does not want to get well. Too much of
the wrong kind of reassurance to the first might make an immediate
enemy of the second, sabotaging the treatment.
Erickson is of the opinion that many therapists who talk about
bypassing, neutralizing or turning around patient’s resistance to achieve
 137 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

a desired end convey an implicit negative judgement against the part

that is doing the resistance – the “resistant part” is formally resisting for
a valid reason and possibly expressing very potently the life survival instinct
that so often appears to be missing in psychiatric patients. The goal
should be instead to contact that aspect looking for its positive force and
make an ally instead of conceiving it as a resistance.
5. Way to Handle Resistance
1) Judo Method
Resistance can be skillfully used by a therapist when one can
compare the handling of resistance with the philosophy used in judo:
rather than opposing the thrust, join it and increase it, thus this throws
the client off balance. This technique can be applied in hypnosis or any
psychotherapy. According to it, the client is encouraged to behave in
resisting behaviour, thus by allowing resistance, changes will begin to
happen. When one is invited to resist, there are two choices to be made:
One can either accept the invitation and resist, or refuse to accept the
invitation and thus comply with the hypnotist. In either case the hypnotist
succeeds. Firstly, when the subject accepts the invitation of the therapist
and offers resistance, he is agreeing with hypnotist and so actually there
is no resistance proper or the resistance will disappear eventually.
Secondly, when the subject refuses to accept the invitation of the hypnotist
to resist, he is giving up his resistance. In either case, the subject complies
with the hypnotist and thus resistance per se is weakened. This is what
the hypnotist wants the subject to have.
2) Technique Is Custom Tailored
The hypnotic technique to be adopted must be custom tailored to
each client. Giving a client choice for selecting his own technique reduces
resistance. One can anticipate resistance, especially with oppositional
clients, and thus diffuse by predicting what will happen before it happens.
For example, telling the client, “I think this will really help you, but you
are probably not ready to do it yet” or “you are probably going to think
that this is too hard for you to do it right now.” The client either opposes
the therapist or does the assignment or the credibility of the therapist is
maintained although the client does not accept the assignment.
 THE CLIENT RESISTANCE 138

3) Distracting Technique
There is also a technique called “distracting technique” described
by Erickson and Rossi and others. For instance, one can ask the client
to count backwards from 999 to 1 by 3’s (999, 996, 993, 990,……). By
doing so, the client bypasses consciousness and reduces the likelihood
of resistance and thus the client becomes more receptive to suggestion.
The therapist needs to be aware that his resistant client is offering in him
a very important fund of information, namely it sets already a pattern for
the interpersonal relationship between the client and the therapist.
6. To Conclude
Frequently, the therapist can tell when the client resists
recommendations or suggestions. However, deep seated unconscious
resistance to change is usually beyond the client’s awareness and can
usually only be discussed and uncovered in the therapeutic process.
The client has a right to be resistant or not. A resistant client is not to be
condemned or disapproved of but the therapist must accept the fact that
he needs the resistance at this time. Some practitioners feel that a
resistance technique is an expression of ill will on the part of the client.
The therapist cannot lose sight of the fact that the client comes for help.
Resistance is not good or bad. It just is there and needs to be respected
for it is the expression of many years of adjustment that the client has
had to live with and now he is expected to give it up.
Speaking of resistance Milton H. Erickson said that resistance
is an energy, use it, do not fight it. Since resistance is a force it can be
directed. So the energy of someone’s so-called resistance can be directed
rather than fought against. An example of dealing with a resistant smoker
is to tell him, “Of course, not everyone is able to stop smoking from the
very first session.” This statement is a bit of a challenge and the smoker
is given something else to rebel against. The therapist himself tells the
resistant smoker to smoke. Now the resistant smoker will rebel against
the statement of the therapist by stopping smoking.15
139 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

PART II

THE PRACTICE OF
HYPNOSIS
 INDUCTION 140
For practical purpose, we may formulate and follow a format of
hypnosis. In this section we shall formulate a format and deal with each
step in detail in subsequent chapters.
In short there are four steps: Induction, Trance, Suggestion,
and Termination. When you induce a subject he is in trance and during
that time you give him suggestions and finally wake him up.
For greater clarity and understanding, the hypnotic format is
conceived as having seven steps — which are: (1) Induction, (2)
Relaxation, (3) Deepening, (4) Trance, (5) Suggestions, (6) Posthypnotic
suggestions and triggers, and (7) Trance termination. Now we shall
proceed step by step starting with induction and ending with trance
termination.

17. INDUCTION
Hypnotic induction is the process by which a hypnotist puts
his subject into a hypnotic state. It is the process undertaken by the
hypnotist to establish the state/condition required for hypnosis to take
place. In self-hypnosis, of course, the subject will listen to a taped
induction or plays the roles of both the hypnotist and the subject. It is
argued that hypnotic induction is a necessary process meant to cause
the subject to enter a state of increased suggestibility, during which his
critical faculties are reduced and he is more prone to accept the
commands and suggestions of the hypnotist. This state is otherwise
called “trance.” There are others who argue that hypnotic induction is
merely a popularly-expected ritual, which is not required for hypnosis to
take place. They believe that hypnosis is a process of influence, which
is enhanced (or formalized) through expected cultural rituals.
The purpose of hypnotic induction is to focus the awareness on
something and gradually move through to evoke the desired results.
There are many methods. The focal point is relaxation. Progressive
relaxation involves deliberately tensing and relaxing (sometimes just
relaxing) each part of the body, paying attention to releasing every bit of
tension. Hypnotists also describe soothing surroundings or experiences
to produce relaxation.
 141 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

1. About Induction
Induction is to get you into the state of hypnosis which is the
trance. In fact, there are many different inductions. Some are very quick
and some others are lengthy. In hypnosis we want to divert the conscious
mind so that we can get through to the unconscious, which is where
change takes place. One of the ways of doing is through shock or surprise
which, of course, you will not be able to do while doing self-hypnosis.
The one that is most preferred for self-hypnosis is relaxation and repetition.
One gets around the conscious by fatiguing it so it lets down its vigilance.
The standard hypnotic induction centers on relaxation and it is lengthy.
As you practice more and more you may put yourself quickly into trance
by using a method of your choice. Since in hypnosis one is going to
divert the conscious, one way of doing it is to bore the conscious.
Therefore, it is not necessary that you do something clever or novel for
an induction.
The hypnotic induction is the process of transitioning from full
conscious awareness into hypnotic trance. In order to enter hypnosis
one has to be induced, whether one induces himself or allows himself to
be induced by the hypnotist. There are some prerequisites for induction.
They are: one has to focus and concentrate; one has to be relaxed; and
the brain has to be given something to ponder over. The more things the
mind has to ponder, the faster the induction. One has to overload the
conscious with information. Finally, the mind gets tired of listening to the
information. Usually after listening to a monotonous way of talking, the
conscious is tired and shuts off, so to speak, and then one enters that
wonderful state of hypnosis. Thus induction is a transition process by
which one is led from full wakefulness into that delightful state of trance.
2. Induction Basics
There are many techniques used depending upon the hypnotists
but in all of them we find that the hypnotist puts the subject in a very
deep state of relaxation. There are some who accomplish it through
visualization, some through muscle relaxation, and some others simply
talking to the subject. For the optimum result the subject should feel
comfortable and safe with the hypnotist.
 INDUCTION 142
Inductions may take 10 to 20 minutes. Depictions of relaxation
will effect corresponding decrease in tension. When the subject is picturing
scenes, it will evoke rapid eye movements. If the subject is asked to
speak, his speech becomes quieter, slower, and sloppier. The subject
feels more lethargic and may experience dissociation. At this point the
hypnotist will make a series of suggestions as smoothly as possible.
Choppy sentences create tension rather than soothe the subject. Therefore,
flowing sentences encourage relaxation, have good rhythm, and can offer
more leverage. For example, instead of saying three choppy sentences
separately you may connect them by a conjunction: “You hear my
commands and understand their meaning and obey their directions.” The
hypnotist also can step up words as: “As you hear my commands and
understand their meaning, you will obey their directions.” There is also a
powerful way of connecting sentences that has more impact on the subject
that is using causal words: “Since you hear my commands and understand
their meaning, you obey their directions.”
3. Rules of Induction
Strictly speaking there are no rules of induction. The situation
should prompt you the course of action. If something does not work, do
something else. One need not slavishly stick to a script.
1. Success breeds success. If the subject is responding
to something favourably and well, make use of that as a building
block to achieve other things. For example, “Your eyes are closing
and as they are closed they are very relaxed.” Closing the eyes
will come easily for any person and the hypnotist can build
relaxation on that.
2. If something you do does not work, make it seem not
to matter. You can expect something unexpected to happen.
Therefore, anything out of the way and unexpected happens,
find a way to use it, and channel it back into your speech in a
positive way. For example, you are proposing that the right hand
of the subject will rise automatically. After repeated commands
if it does not happen, you could say: “Your hand seems to be
saying that it needs some more time and care to rise up and
when it is ready we shall come back to it.”
143 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

3. Let your suggestions be non-voluntary. You could

perhaps say: “Your right hand will rise up” instead of saying “You
will raise your right hand.”
4. The manner of saying matters much. The tone you
use, the voice you make use of, inflection, pauses, and other
features of your speech will make a big difference. These are
called “paralinguistic behaviours.” For example, instead of saying
“You are going deeper and deeper into relaxation” you could say
“You are going d-e-e-p-e-r and d-e-e-p-e-r into relaxation.” Instead
of just saying “You are relaxed, calm, serene, peaceful, and
tranquil.” You could say “you are relaaaxed….sereeene…..
peeeaceful….and... traaaanquil.”
5. Let your suggestions use as many senses possible.
Among the visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory
senses each one of us has his own preference. We learn things
and unlearn things easily through our preferred senses. Therefore,
if you are not sure which sense is the preferred sense of the
subject, you can make your suggestions in such a way that any
subject will find his own preferred sense. For this, you can make
mention of all the five senses. You might say “NOTICE (visual)
how relaxation starts from your head, and SOUNDS (auditory)
like cascading of a torrent of water spreading to your neck. You
SENSE (kinesthetic) a deep feeling of being relaxed. Like the
freshness of the FRAGRANCE (olfactory) entering your nostrils
you are experiencing relaxation slowly permeating your entire
body. Like the taste of a FAVOURITE FOOD (gustatory) spreads
over your entire tongue and the mouth, you are experiencing
relaxation spreading pleasantly over your body.
6. You can make use of all the positive signals the subject
exhibits during hypnosis. For example, the subject has the
fluttering of the eyes. You could incorporate that action as though
that is what was expected of the subject by saying: “The fluttering
of your eyes really signals that you are entering deep into
relaxation.” You need not ignore such signs.
 INDUCTION 144
7. Repetition of the commands and suggestions are
important. Repetition strengthens what you are saying. Only make
sure that you make use of different words or tone of voice to
deliver it.
8. Let your suggestions be clear, direct and literal,
avoiding ambiguity. People under hypnosis tend to take your
suggestions literally. Therefore, anything ambiguous will not be
understood by the subject. Make sure your message is
understood even if the subject does not carry it out.
9. Let not your induction procedure challenge the subject
and make him contest. The subject might think, “I am too strong
to be hypnotized. Let him try and I shall continue to resist” or he
may think, “I am ready to be hypnotized. When is it going to
happen? I am still waiting.” These attitudes may sabotage your
initiatives.
4. Induction Techniques
(These techniques are used for deepening the relaxation and trance as
well)
Usually hypnosis is preceded by a “hypnotic induction.” This is
meant to put the subject into a “hypnotic trance.” This is according to the
state theory. But the non-state theory says that induction is a means of
heightening client expectation, defining his role, and focusing attention.
Therefore, of course, there are varieties of induction methods. By far the
most influential method is the original “eye-fixation” technique of James
Braid, also known as “Braidism.” There are also many variations of the
eye-fixation methods.
In all the techniques of induction what is being achieved is the
same response that confusion does. Induction elicits a trance state.
This trance state makes the attention go internal.
1) Simple Induction
The simplest way of induction is to take a few deep breaths
focusing the gaze on an object directly in front of you. At the last breathing
out of this exercise let your eyes gently close and begin to focus on your
inner experience.
 145 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

2) Visualization Induction
Visualization implies urging the subject to envision something
relaxing for him. It could be anything but for him it is relaxing. Therefore,
make sure what you may propose does not give negative feeling. For
example, walking in a thick forest alone may be frightening for one; for
another walking on the seashore may be threatening. Therefore, check
with the subject what type of scene would be relaxing and pleasing for
him. Whatever he chooses let him envision it in details of extreme clarity
with all the five senses. Visualization makes the exercise real and therefore
leads to a deeper relaxation.
3) Deep Muscle Relaxation Induction
This induction technique is ideal for the subject who is slightly
less creative. Muscle relaxation implies consciously relaxing separate
and specific muscle groups in the body. Most hypnotists begin with the
face or head and move downward through all the parts of the body ending
with the feet or toes. Here one purposely tenses and releases muscles
in succession which has excellent results and leaves the subject in a
deep state of relaxation. One can relax deeper if one first tenses the
muscles involved and then relaxes them. Using as many increments as
you can is effective. For example, you tense the muscles around your
eyes first, then your nose, then your mouth, then your cheeks, and then
your chin. This is done instead of tensing them all as one unit. While
tensing and relaxing you need to breathe. You breathe in when you tense
your muscles and breathe out when you relax and take one breath between
tensing and relaxing to let relaxation sink in. When you finish this induction,
you can survey your body and relax any area or group of muscles that
seem tight. With this you can go onto deepening the relaxation.
Personally I found asking the subjects to just relax first the whole
body and then asking them to relax each part of the body from the head
to the feet very rewarding. Subjects have felt as though I was singing a
lullaby that puts them to deep refreshing trance. Particularly I did not find
the tensing of the muscles necessary and on the contrary was difficult
for some subjects. Just starting to relax seems easier than tensing and
releasing. But, of course, for some, first tensing and then relaxing works
better.
 INDUCTION 146
4) Progressive Relaxation Induction
Progressive relaxation technique is used to create trance-formations.
It consists of sets of six statements. The first set has five accurate
descriptions of present experience and one abstract or unverifiable
statement. These things make the subject feel more and more relaxed
and secure. The second set contains four present-experiences and two
abstract ones. Thus one goes on diminishing the number of present-
experiences and increasing the abstract ones. Finally one has only six
abstract statements.
5) Speech as Induction
One may encounter subjects who may not respond to visualization
or deep muscle relaxation. In such situation the hypnotist can ease the
subject into trance by speaking softly to them, using soothing tone of
voice and instructing him to relax.
There can be many forms of hypnotic induction. These methods
are a peaceful descent into deep relaxation. Self-hypnosis uses the above
general methods, with subjects using pre-recorded instructions. It is good
to remember that anything which induces deep relaxation can work as
hypnotic induction.
The induction sequence of trance state is to allow both the body
and the mind to get into a state of complete relaxation. To induce the
mind to start to alter its state of awareness, breathing techniques,
relaxation, visualization imagery, use of metaphors or bombarding the
critical mind with an overload of information are used.
6) Quick Induction by Regular Suggestion
You can also use quick induction with a regular suggestion. You
can sit behind a desk or table. Now you put your fingertips of both hands
on the desk. Feel one hand becoming light and the other becoming
heavier. It is not important if your hands actually move. If they do so then
it is fun. Take a deep breath, drop shoulders, and put your hands in your
lap. Now you will experience a tingling sensation in the hands as the
energy moves through them. Now you can proceed with the self-hypnotic
session. If the inductions are done quickly then you are likely to do
them.
 147 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

7) Quick Induction by Post-Hypnotic Suggestion

There are many ways of doing quick inductions. Quick induction
by post-hypnotic suggestion is done this way. You can use the standard
induction plus some relaxation. Then give yourself the suggestion saying,
for example: Whenever I count backward from ten to one, I enter this
wonderful state of relaxation. Use a sentence of this sort which you are
not likely to do by accident. You repeat this over several days.
8) Three-Thought Induction (p. 341)
9) Handshake Induction
(1) Dead-fish Handshake Induction
It is a technique of induction introduced by Milton H. Erickson.
He gave the name “handshake induction” because of the position of the
hand at the beginning. Now extend your hand in front of you as though
you were going to shake the hand of someone. It is a kind of dead fish
handshake as your wrist is very loose. You may either close your eyes
or fix them on your hand. Now you need to pay attention to your breathing.
You will also notice how your hand is dangling in midair. You can also
imagine how your arm can be suspended in different ways, such as
floating in water or being suspended by balloons filled with helium. Imagine
now your hand begins to feel heavy. As you may count backward from
20, you feel your hand gets heavier. Any movement in your arm will make
you feel more comfortable. Your hand will fall in your lap as you complete
counting and you enter a trance. If your hand makes a choice to go up
and touch your face that also is a signal of a trance. It may happen that
your hand is still extended in front of you. In that case finish the induction
where you began it and continue with the rest of the session. This was
used by Milton H. Erickson. He was not very strict with the method.
Whatever way works for you is the right way according to him.
(2) Pattern Interrupt Induction
Handshake induction is a ‘pattern interrupt.’ Patterns are
understood as actions which we carry out every single day of our lives,
most often without thinking. Most patterns can be called reflexes, instincts,
or automatic responses. Though there are differences among them, their
names are used interchangeably. Now shaking hands is a fairly universal
 INDUCTION 148
pattern. When someone offers his hand to you, you automatically extend
yours to hold his and shake. When you interrupt this pattern it shakes
the unconscious opening up a very brief “window” during which one is
highly susceptible to hypnotic suggestion. When your chosen subject
extends his hand to shake yours, you can briefly shake but then swiftly
move his hand to cover his eyes. At the same time, you can place a
hand on the back of his head and apply very gentle downward pressure.
At this the subject will end up slightly hunched over, his hand covering
his eyes. By this procedure you lead the subject into a trance. You can
now tell him gently and yet firmly and conversationally that he will remain
in this trance until you bring him back to full alertness, giving him a
specific cue or word like “come back here.” This method is mostly used
for stage hypnosis. It is also good to remember that this method may not
work for everyone.
10) Sticky Hands Induction (p. 337)
11) Breathing Induction
While seated, put your feet flat on the floor and your hands in
your lap or by the sides, that is in a way you find comfortable and relaxed.
You can fix your gaze on the floor, looking down about 45 degrees. Breathe
deeply and easily that is from your diaphragm. It is the same as belly
breathing. In this your abdomen should move out when you inhale, and in
when you exhale. Continue a couple of minutes and you will enter a light
trance. Now you can close your eyes and continue with the self hypnosis.
A variant of this above induction is to use rhythmic breathing.
You will breathe in to a count of 5, pause for a while, and then breathe out
to a count of 7. You may try different rhythms. You may also try just
taking a few deep breaths and then go to rhythmic breathing. You need
not force yourself. What comes natural to you is good. As we are not
used to breathing deeply it is good to take deep breaths and make it a
practice even when you are not doing self-hypnosis. This method can
also be used by the hypnotist with his subjects by proposing and guiding
them.
 149 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

12) Eye Fixation Induction

In a standard induction one fixes his eyes on a spot on the
ceiling. Eye fixation can be part of many inductions. For your eye fixation,
you can use anything that works. You may use a candle taking care that
by accident you do not burn things around, as you are absorbed in
watching it. You may also use a pocket watch suspending it yourself.
You may use any interesting, intricate design of a picture or poster;
anything with different facets or colours. If you think that you have difficulty
in concentrating, you may sit for a few minutes and stare at something.
For example, you may take a flower so that you may look at the different
shades of colour. You may enter a light trance and you can also easily
come out of it. When you are experienced in self-hypnosis you can use
eye fixation induction. If you are a beginner, you can stare on a spot on
the ceiling.
13) Gazing Above Line of Vision Induction (p. 343)
(1) James Braid’s Original Eye-Fixation Induction
A bright object has to be held between the thumb, fore-, and
middle fingers of the left hand. The object has to be held from about eight
to fifteen inches from the eyes of the subject at such position above the
forehead as may be necessary to produce the greatest possible strain
upon the eyes and eyelids, and enable the subject to maintain a steady
fixed stare at the object. The subject is to be instructed that he is to
keep the eyes steadily fixed on the object, and the mind on the idea of
that one object. Then the fore- and the middle fingers of the right hand,
extended and a little separated are carried from the object towards the
eyes. In all likelihood, the eyelids will close involuntarily. At the same
time the subject is to fix his gaze on the object and the mind on the idea
of one object held above the eyes. After James Braid, many variations
and alternatives to the original hypnotic induction techniques were
developed. However, subsequent hypnotists have found later that on
average the hypnotic induction technique was not necessary as James
Braid himself acknowledged. Yet, it is safely said that nine out of ten
hypnotic techniques call for reclining posture, muscular relaxation, and
optical fixation followed by eye closure.
 INDUCTION 150
(2) The Eye-Lock Induction
The eye lock can be used as an induction or as a process of
priming for hypnosis, such as a suggestibility/susceptibility test. It can
also be used for doing impromptu hypnosis. The eye lock applies some
simple physical laws which are then enhanced with the use of suggestion.
It moves the subject’s awareness inwards and has it very focused and
attentive. Many of the process involving the use of eyes do tend to lend
themselves well to hypnosis.
The hypnotist asks the subject to close his eyes and then point
to a position about an inch back from their hairline upon their head. There
are some who propose the centre of the forehead. The further backward
and upward the eyesight goes, the better is its effect. Some hypnotists
place a finger of theirs on the head of the subject. It may be also better
that the subject himself places a finger on his head and focuses on it
while the hypnotist can keep busy with what he does and connected with
the subject.
Next, the hypnotist suggests that as the subject keeps his eyes
closed, he looks up at that point. The subject looks back and up to the
point on his head where his finger is. The hypnotist then suggests that
while the subject is looking at that spot, keeping his attention and eyes
focused on that spot, his eyes are becoming locked and sealed into that
position. The hypnotist can repeat it a couple of times. When the subject
remains focused on looking upward at the spot on his head, then he will
be physically unable to open his eyes. The hypnotist suggests that the
eyelids are locked as the subject continues to stare up at that point on
his head. He may also wonder how his eyes are locked and may think
that perhaps it is due to something else.
The hypnotist may say something like this: “As your eyes are
locked and sealed into position, try to open them and realize you cannot.”
The hypnotist also can repeat that the subject continue to stare up at the
spot on his head. This is done for ensuring that the subject actually and
physically cannot open his eyes, and then uses the presupposition again
telling like the following: “As your eyes are locked into position, you can
try to open them, and find that they are locked and tightly shut.”
 151 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

The hypnotist spoon feeds the outcome to the subject and

suggests that the subject cannot open his eyes. By this the hypnotist
builds in some element of failure by suggesting that the subject tries to
open his eyes which he cannot do.
This method of eye lock can be used as an induction, or to
suggest that the subject is already wonderfully responsive and ready for
something more exciting with the hypnosis.
A variant of this eye lock technique is to ask the subject to
squeeze his eyelids tightly shut and then to suggest that his eyelids
were locked and remind him that the eyelids are stuck so tightly together
that he cannot open his eyes, try as hard as he will. The hypnotist will
notice the subject failing to open his eyes and will tell him to forget about
his eyes and go right ahead to sleep as his eyes are closed. It is good to
keep the method simple and fairly rapid.
14) Confusion Induction
There is something called confusion induction which causes confusion
in the subject and provides him with an understandable option. The
confusion is often created by ambiguous statements or plays on words.
For example, the difference between a conductor and a teacher is that
the conductor minds the train and the teacher trains the mind. This creates
confusion in the subject at which he realizes an understandable option
which makes the subject silly. The option obtained is an escape route
from all that unpleasantness and ambiguity which is desirable. One more
example of creating confusion: “If you cannot make a person think as
you do, make him do as you think.”
15) Counting Backward Induction
Start breathing normally and close your eyes gently. Start counting
backwards from 100 in 3’s (i.e. 100, 97, 94,91,88,85, and so on). When
you have lost your track it is a sign that you reached the state of trance.
16) Standard Induction
There is a standard induction technique for self-hypnosis. One
can use or revise or replace with another induction. For beginners, this is
fine and even later. You need not repeat the same words. Only make
 INDUCTION 152
sure that you do not go to sleep. You will use the word “sleep” to enter
the state of hypnosis and it works wonderfully.
You fix your eyes on a spot on the ceiling, a spot that does not
require you to tilt your head back. You need to look at that spot and
nothing else. As you take a deep breath and let it out slowly, you can
say to yourself silently: “Sleep now.” After this, take a deep breath, let it
out as before and repeat the words: “Sleep now.” As you finish doing it for
the third time, close your eyes and breathe quietly and feel your eyelids
are growing heavy. Now your facial muscles are relaxing. You are
wondering if you will be able to open your eyes even if you tried hard. But
you will not want to try. You will feel so comfortable and relaxed; you are
sitting there with your eyelids closed and heavy.
To conclude, trance induction is an exploration, an adventure to
be enjoyed, rather than a job to be done. The hypnotist and the subject
need to be aware that their conscious minds can never be sure of the
results. The conscious mind is really the dependent partner. In this
process of induction, the subject’s unconscious develops specific skills
in relating to the conscious mind. For the subject, the purpose is to gain
proficiency in using the unconscious capabilities in ways he chooses.
Make use of all the above mentioned inductions and find out
which works best for you. You may also change from one technique to
another as you please. You can also make use of music. It is your
personal preference for self-hypnosis. If you use a particular music for
induction, then you should not use it for anything else. Therefore, keep a
particular music for self-hypnosis only.
5. Induction Scripts
1) A Standard Induction Script
“Place yourself in a comfortable position with both feet on the
floor. Let your arms rest on your lap or lay by the sides. Begin to focus
on your breathing, concentrating on your inhaling and exhaling. As you
breathe out, say within yourself ‘relax.’ Relax internally with each
exhalation and by saying to yourself the word ‘relax.’ Every time you say
the word ‘relax’ you enter into deeper relaxation.
 153 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

“From now onwards, you will listen with your unconscious to

what I am saying, ignoring any other sound, feeling, or thought. Allow
yourself to realize that only the unconscious experiences and understands
the trance induction. You are entering your unconscious and moving into
it. Your unconscious responds automatically and cooperatively with the
suggestions I am making. Your conscious is busy by focusing on your
breathing and relaxing. Therefore, it does not interfere with your
unconscious automatically and cooperatively following the suggestions I
am making.
“You will become aware of a response and that is a sign to go
ahead and enhance it. Aim at obtaining a complete response, and not
just a sign of it. You can feel the expected effect as much as possible.
You can also imagine what is to happen as vividly as you can. Let it
happen and feel it. You can recall the feelings associated with similar
experiences in your past. Re-experience them in your unconscious. You
can make use of whatever images, feelings, and ideas help you allow
your conscious to go deeper and deeper into sleep.
“As your unconscious is active I am speaking only to it and it
can hear me. Let your conscious continue focusing on your breathing
and relaxing. As you are within the hearing distance I am speaking to
your unconscious only. Your conscious mind is becoming bored and
distracted by your focusing on breathing, which leads the conscious
mind becoming uninterested, distracted, and going to sleep. As your
conscious is concentrating on your breathing, you are relaxing more and
more and going deeper and deeper into sleep.
“When your eyes get tired, it will be fine to close them but make
sure to keep an alert mental or visual image actively in your mind. Make
yourself comfortable as I am talking to your unconscious. I may not care
if your conscious is or is not listening to me.
“As your hands are resting on your lap, or on your thighs, or at
your sides, I am going to ask you a question. Your conscious should not
answer. It is addressed only to your unconscious. Let your unconscious
answer my question. Your conscious mind may have an answer to my
question but it can never be certain how the unconscious is going to
answer my question. Only your unconscious should answer the question.
 INDUCTION 154
My question is this: “Is your unconscious going to raise your right hand
or your left hand automatically?”
“Your conscious has no idea how your unconscious will answer
this question. But let your unconscious tell my conscious what it thinks
or understands by simply causing either your right or your left hand to
rise in the air automatically. Let your unconscious show me visibly what
it knows. Become aware of your hands and see what the answer is.
Since neither you nor I know the answer, but as you feel one or the other
of your hands lifting, we both will know the answer. You can feel slight
movement in one of your hands. You are feeling the beginning of the
move upward, and enjoy the sensation of its lifting. Rest contented to
learn how your unconscious is responding to the question. Your hand is
beginning to rise in the air. It feels as though it is something separate
from you. You do not control it. It is acting on its own. When you raise
your arm in the air, it is your unconscious answering my question in its
own way.
“Notice how your hand is continuing to rise towards your face.
As it touches your face, you will go into an even deeper trance state of
sleep and relaxation. Fine, now, let your hand relax and return to the
place where it was originally before rising.
“It is amazing to discover that your unconscious can communicate
with my conscious in this way. Since your unconscious has learned that
it can attain a trance state and do it remarkably well, it can learn various
trance phenomena. Henceforth, you can go into a deep trance just as
easily and quickly as your unconscious answered that question. Now
allow yourself to return to a fully conscious wakefulness.”
2) Dave Elman’s Induction Script – 1(Modified)
The script contains some important steps to be followed. They
are: 1) Deep breathing and closing eyes. 2) Testing the heaviness of the
arm. This is done by lifting an arm and gently dropping it on the lap of the
subject to test for loss of muscle tension. 3) There is eye catalepsy test
which involves telling the subject that he is unable to open his eyes. 4)
The next stage is “Fractionation” which means that one closes the eyes
and opens them. This is done repeatedly. 5) Next the subject loses the
track of numbers. This is a deepener for mental relaxation for amnesia.
 155 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

6) There is something called “elevator deepener.” It consists in making

the subject imagine climbing down the stairs. Here follows a script modeled
on the script of Dave Elman:
“Allow yourself to take a good deep breath. As you do that, close
your eyes. Let the muscles around your eyes relax and the eyes too, to
the point where those eye muscles will not work. Your eye muscles are
completely relaxed. Let us do it again and when you do it for the second
time you are going to be able to relax ten times as much as you are
relaxed already.
“Now open your eyes and close your eyes. Now you are greatly
relaxed. When you do it for the third time you will be doubly relaxed. Let
me now lift your hand and drop it gently. Your hand will plop into your lap
like a wet cloth. Now I am lifting it and you need not lift it for me. As your
hand is falling down it is a clear indication that you are very relaxed.
“So far you relaxed your muscles and now allow yourself to relax
your mind. For this, you can just count from a hundred backward. As you
say each number, you double your relaxation. When you count down,
after a few numbers, you are relaxed and numbers begin to disappear
and vanish in the air. Let me now lift up your right arm and when I drop it
then you are ten times relaxed and the numbers also drop out.”
3) Dave Elman’s Induction Script - 2 (Modified)
“Just begin to make yourself comfortable. Let your feet rest on
the floor and your hands on your lap, or by your either side. Let your
head drop forward slightly as you roll your eyes up and back as though
you were looking toward a point in your forehead. It may strain a little but
keep it up. Now inhale deeply which fills your lungs to the full. You continue
looking up and back. By now you allow your eyelids to grow heavy and
close down. You can exhale slowly and patiently. Now runs a deep
relaxation from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Let all the
muscles of your body become loose and lump and you are wonderfully
relaxed.
“It is time for you to bring your awareness again to your eyes.
Your eyes are already comfortably closed; imagine that they are closing
down all over again becoming even more heavy and lazy. Just relax those
 INDUCTION 156
muscles of the eyes so that they will not work anymore. Since you have
done it well, you can just test and find them shut and unable to open.
Since your eyelids are tightly shut, it is a clear indication that you are
relaxed. Let the wave of relaxation run down from the top of your head to
the tip of your toe.
“Let me help you relax even more. When I count from five to one,
you will be completely relaxed. Five, you are relaxing doubly. Four, you
are entering into a deep sleep. Three, you are relaxing deeper. Two, you
are asleep ten times. And one, you are totally relaxed and sleepy.
“As you are relaxed physically now you can go for relaxing your
mind. As you count down backward from hundred, you will be entering
into deeper relaxation. As you say hundred you are sufficiently relaxed.
Ninety-nine you are deeply relaxed. As you continue to count down, the
numbers disappear and you feel comfortably relaxed.”
4) Dave Elman’s Induction Script - 3 (Modified)
(This is a very powerful technique — widely used, very simple
and effective.) “Take a long deep breath. As you inhale just hold it for a
few seconds and allow your eyelids to close gently over your eyes and
let go of any tension in any part of your body. Allow yourself to relax as
much as you can right now.
“Slowly place your awareness on your eye muscles and relax
the muscles around your eyes. Your eyes are so relaxed that they are
too heavy to open. Even if you try hard they will not open. Let your relaxation
deepen much more. I am going to ask you to open and close your eyes.
When you close your eyes your feeling of relaxation becomes ten times
deeper. Allow it to happen and it will happen very easily. All right. Now
open your eyes and close them and you feel that relaxation flowing through
your entire body taking you much deeper. You are deeply immersed in
relaxation. Now deepen this relaxation much more. In a moment I am
going to ask you to open your eyes and close them. Again when you
close your eyes, you double your relaxation. Let every muscle in your
body relax. As long as you have this wonderful feeling of relaxation your
muscles will not work. I am going to lift your (right or left) hand by the
wrist, just a few inches, and drop it. If you have followed my instructions
up to now your hand will be just loose and limp like a wet cloth and will
 157 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

simply plop down. Let me do the lifting and when I release it, it just plops
down. As your hand plops down you will go much deeper ten times. (If
the subject helps to lift his hand you can say that you will do all the lifting
and the hand can remain heavy and relaxed.) So far you have relaxed
physically. Now you can start relaxing mentally.
“In a moment I shall ask you to begin slowly counting aloud
backward from 100. As you call out each number, you double your mental
relaxation. When you say each number let your mind become thrice
relaxed. As you reach 95 you will be so relaxed that all your body muscles
are supple and limp. Your relaxation is so much that even the numbers
you will forget and they fly away. Those numbers will leave you as you
leave them and you feel so deeply and profoundly relaxed. Now begin
with the aim of making yourself very much relaxed. You can say the first
number 100 and triple your relaxation.
Subject – 100, Hypnotist – Now you double your mental relaxation
and let the number fade away. Subject – 99. Hypnotist – Triple your
mental relaxation and see how the numbers leave you. They disappear
as you leave them. Subject – 98. Hypnotist – Ten times double your
relaxation and see the number disappearing… You are so relaxed and
the numbers have disappeared and you do not remember any of them.
So you are so relaxed.”
5) The Eye-To-Eye Induction Script
(Sit in front of the subject; instruct the subject to look at your eyes.)
“As you are seated in front of me, look into my eyes without blinking.
(If the subject smiles which might happen, you can tell: It is all
right that you smile since what you do is not something serious…)
“Relax and quieten yourself feeling calm, peaceful, serene, and
relaxed. As you are focusing on my eyes, take ten seconds and remain
there focusing. As I count from one to three, I want you to allow your
eyes to close tightly. You will hear me talking and you will be aware,
com plet ely aware of ev eryt hing that is happeni ng to you.
One…two…three… your eyes are closing…closing tightly. You feel that
your eyes are glued. You experience your eyes are rolling up in your
head turning upward as though you are looking at a spot near the top of
 INDUCTION 158
your head. (You may place your finger lightly at the middle top part of the
subject’s forehead.) No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to
open your eyes. (The subject will not be able to open his eyelids with his
eyes rolled back. It convinces the subject of the effect of hypnosis.) Now
you can stop trying to focus on the spot about your head…and now you
go to sleep plunging deeper and deeper…d-e-e-p-e-r and deeper and
going farther into deep relaxation. Allow your head to rest on your chest
and feel the whole body relaxed and loose. (You may place your hand on
the person’s back…and slowly ease him down in the chair with the head
into the chest.) With every breath you take, and with every beat of your
heart, …you will find yourself going deeper and deeper into
relaxation…plunging deeper and deeper and deeper.”
From here you can go into deepening techniques. As you are
speeding up the induction process, and rely on the subject responding
to you almost without hesitation, there may occur some negative reaction.
You can get to know how to handle such negative situations. The subject
may not look directly in your eyes, or not holding his stare. You can be
forceful and direct him in commanding that he does exactly as you tell.
The subject may not close his eyes when asked. In this situation, you
can repeat the command a few times gently and slowly. Even after this if
he is not closing his eyes, you can extend both your index fingers directly
just above his eyes as though you are going to close his eyes while
telling that he closes his eyes; this might induce the subject to close his
eyes. Even after this if the eyes are not closing, you can gently and
slowly place your index fingers on the eyelids and close his eyes telling
him: “I want your eyes to close now, and remain there with your eyes
closed until I tell you to open.” A variation of this method is to ask the
subject as he is seated in front of you to place his hands on his lap with
his palms up. You may also turn his hands and turn them over with his
palms facing upwards. This also gives you the opportunity to check his
resistance if there is any, and also to see how relaxed his hands are. If
his hands are resisting, you can say: “I want you to listen to my voice
and do as I ask you.” This eye-to-eye technique can also be done with
the subject standing upright and you standing in front of him. It may be a
good idea that when you do the induction while the subject stands, you
 159 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

can have a chair handy nearby so that you can gently lead the subject to
sit on the chair.
6) The “Special Nerve” Method
This method relies on the false belief that by touching the subject
and hitting certain “nerves,” you can induce hypnotic state. One need
not worry about this belief since all that you do in any other techniques
also is designed for the sake of inducing hypnosis.
With the subject seated in front of you, go through the following or
similar ritual. You can rub your hands together vigorously for a few
seconds, then open and close your fingers several times. Now extend
your hands and shake them for a few times. Again go through the hand
rubbing and opening and closing of fingers once more. Now place your
fingers on each side of your temple. Now you can close your eyes for a
few seconds, tilt it down, as though you are in deep thought, and then
suddenly remove your hands. Open your eyes, and stare directly at the
subject and say: “We are ready.” You can now place your left thumb and
index finger on the bridge of the subject’s nose, and the thumb, index-,
and middle finger of the right hand at the base of the neck by the shoulder
of the subject. Your both hands should apply moderate and even pressure
to these areas.
As you do this you can say thus: “As you sense that I am applying
pressure to certain nerves in your body, I am touching those nerves that
are directly linked to that part of your brain that controls your conscious
mind. As I do this you feel unusual sensation…a tingling sensation…as
your feeling extends out over your body, your body relaxes. You are
going to sleep with every breath you take and with every beat of your
heart getting sleepier and sleepier as I apply more pressure. Notice how
your eyes are getting very tired and your eyes becoming very heavy.
(From here the rest is the same as the eye-to-eye technique starting “As
I count from one to three…” p.157)
7) Progressive Relaxation Induction Script
“Close your eyes and allow yourself to relax. Take a deep breath
and exhale it. You can take another deep breath. Imagine your breath
 INDUCTION 160
flows out and spreads relaxation throughout your body. As I am talking to
you, you can feel the relaxation.
1. Focus your attention on the little muscles at the corners
of your eyes. Imagine them relaxing, the muscles easing out and
becoming limp and slack.
2. Imagine that relaxation spreading to your cheeks, then
your mouth, and the jaw. Imagine all those muscles relaxing, easing
out and becoming limp and slack.
3. Allow the relaxation to spread over your forehead and
your scalp, down the back of your neck, then your shoulders. See
how you are easing out any tension as you feel those muscles
becoming limp and slack.
4. Allow yourself to feel the relaxation spreading down your
upper arms, down through your forearms, through your hands, down
to your fingertips.
5. Experience your chest relaxing and the relaxation
spreading down over your abdomen, down through your thighs, all
the way down your legs, through your feet to the tips of your toes.
6. As you take your next breath, feel a wave of relaxation
moving down your entire body from the top of the head to the tips
of your toes.
(People may report different feelings in their body. Those may be
numbness in their arms and legs, a tingling sensation such as pins and
needles usually in their hands and arms, both numbness and tingling
feeling alternatively, lightness of the body or heaviness, buoyancy as
though one is floating above the chair, sinking in the chair, need to swallow
because of the dry mouth, eyeballs in their sockets and eyelids begin to
flicker or flutter ever so lightly, some form of sensory distortion or
detachment from the body. If any of these signs are experienced, mention
it and continue saying:)
“It only represents your willingness and readiness to allow yourself
to let go. As going into hypnosis is very gradual I am going to count from
10 to 1 in a moment. At each count you will notice you are drifting further
into hypnosis at your own pace. Imagine you are being transported to a
 161 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

very beautiful place, a special place in life, a very comfortable place where
you will be happy. Allow yourself to be there for a moment as I begin to
count. As I am going to count from 10 to 1 you can imagine that you are
walking down that staircase becoming closer and closer to that wonderful
scene of your choice. As I count down each number, you will feel your
pleasant state of mental and physical relaxation simply doubling.

“No. 10: You are on the 10th step on the top. You are relaxed and
are moving towards the scene of great relaxation…. No. 9: You have
descended to the 9th step. All your worries are flying away making you
feel free and light…..No. 8: As you are on the 8th step your relaxation is
tripled and you are deep asleep. The more you descend the more you
are relaxed and in a deep sleep….No. 7: As you are on the 7th step you
are incredibly feeling relaxed and asleep….No. 6: As you are on the 6 th
step you might feel pleasant tingling sensations in your hands and feet.
These sensations take you to deeper relaxation and sleep. …No.5: On
the 5th step you are optimally relaxed doubling the relaxation you have
already achieved….No. 4: As you are on the 4th step, let your busy and
wandering thoughts take some quiet time as your mind quiets and simply
sits back in peace. You go deeper and deeper into sleep redoubling your
relaxation…..No. 3: As you are on the 3rd step you may gently notice
how regular, deep, and quiet your breathing has become while your
relaxation has become ten times deeper….No. 2: As you are on the 2nd
step you feel totally relaxed and entering into deeper sleep than ever
before….No. 1: As you are about to descend you feel a wave of relaxation
flooding your whole body and mind….Now you are on your favourite scene
enjoying excellently and experiencing a deep and profound relaxation
that is simply optimum. You may just allow yourself to float in this
wonderful and peaceful state of relaxation knowing that this state of mind
is the place from which all changes and healing begin. Gently allow
yourself to enjoy for a while the relaxation you are experiencing. (Pause
for a while.)
 INDUCTION 162

“Your body and mind are so relaxed, totally relaxed, tranquil,

peaceful, serene, and calm. You are now open to receive helpful and
beneficial suggestions which I am going to give you. You may use those
suggestions and apply now or you may reject those that do not apply to
you right now but you may apply at a future time.” (At this moment the
hypnotist gives positive suggestions and reinforces them.)

Under the right conditions and in the proper state of mind anyone
is capable of being hypnotized. It is estimated that about one in every
five persons is naturally somnambulistic, a condition that closely
approaches the spontaneous hypnotic state. For them, being hypnotized
is almost innate. For others, hypnosis can be induced to varying degrees,
with careful guidance if they are motivated. If you find that a subject is
not falling into hypnotic state, consider reconditioning the subject to be a
willing participant in the exercise. It might even involve starting the process
all over again or rescheduling the session.16
 163 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

18. RELAXATION
Relaxation comes after the preparation and induction. The
subject will feel pretty relaxed after the induction and now he is going
further. The subject totally relaxes his entire body. I usually ask the subject
first to relax the whole body and then I use the Jacobson’s progressive
relaxation technique. However, as recommended by Jacobson, it is not
necessary to tense up the muscles and then relax, because it might
make some subjects feel hard to perform and obtain the relaxing effect.
It is a total systems relaxation which is cumulative. One who does self-
hypnosis can use a recorded script, or have someone read the script for
him, or read it over a few times and then go through the routine on his
own, without worrying about the exact words.
1. Hypnotically Induced Relaxation
In the neutral hypnosis, generalized relaxation is achieved while
in the special hypnotic procedure the amplification of the generalized
relaxation is had. Let us take, for example, the treatment of generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD). The hypnotist will get to know the anxiety’s
signature in a particular patient, that is where the anxiety in the body is
and how it can be described, as for example, whether it restricts breathing,
speaking clearly, thought, motor performance, or coordination. These
words will help the hypnotist to design his words and imagery accordingly.
If for example, a subject feels a burning sensation in the abdomen as an
anxiety equivalent, he may be asked to imagine sensations of coolness
to counteract it. The hypnotist would have explained to the subject
beforehand — before the induction itself — that relaxation is both physical
and mental. Physiologically the body in relaxation feels slowed down
and reluctant to move; the visceral spaces are experienced as comfortably
rested; and breathing and heart rate attain natural baseline rhythms.
Psychologically the mind progressively feels detached from concerns,
worries, and the current stressful emotions. The hypnotist can also ask
the subject what he would feel like if he were totally and deeply relaxed.
The response of the subject may point to useful avenues for tailoring the
hypnotic process to powerful preconceived notions.
 R E LAXATION 164
2. Effects of Relaxation
If hypnosis is used for improving health, the process can actually
affect the way the body functions. For example, by focusing on certain
biological and physiological aspects of the body, it is possible to cause
blood to flow better, veins to dilate, heart rate to reduce, and white blood
cells count to increase. Thus it can improve the immune system. This
way the unconscious is reprogrammed, using a variety of techniques —
like deep relaxation, therapeutic language, positive imagery, metaphors,
direct or indirect suggestion, and post-hypnotic anchors. The unconscious
can positively influence the conscious in any given situation or series of
events. The subject’s perception of the situation can be altered. He will
feel differently about it, and depending on the reason for the hypnosis, he
may feel more relaxed, calmer, optimistic, energized, healthier, motivated
and more in control of his responses, habits, and behaviours. The control
achieved thus increases the subject’s confidence, and with the growing
confidence comes the realization that he can actually achieve those goals
that he never thought possible. Thus, hypnosis can actually change the
way the subject’s body functions, causing blood to flow better by dilating
blood vessels, reduce heart rate, increase cell production to improve
health, as well as other health improvements. During hypnosis positive
language is used to encourage, motivate and reward achievements.
Positive confidence building is the building block of the whole process.
Contained within the language are suggestions, concepts, and ideas
that will help the subject — long after the session is over.
3. Amplification of Relaxation
It is useful that the hypnotist has at his disposal several
procedures for the amplification of relaxation. It is by a trial-and-error
approach that the hypnotist finds out which technique suits his subject.
Among the many techniques, here are a few:
1) Direct Suggestion
To attain desired results, direct suggestion for generalized
relaxation is enough. It will bring about a light to medium trance.
Suggestion for total body relaxation for letting go of tensions, physical
and mental, are good when rhythmically timed with breathing. People
experience differently: for example, one may say that he is floating or
 165 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

drifting. These imageries can be used to induce induction and further

deepening.
2) Counting Method
There are many variations of the counting technique. The subject
may be told that as the hypnotist counts down slowly from 20 to 1 (or 10
to 1), the subject will experience relaxation more and more profoundly, 1
representing the deepest level of relaxation the subject can attain at one
session.
3) Counting with Imagery
Counting can be combined with proposing some imagery. For
example, “as I count down from 10 to 1 you will find yourself walking ten
steps and you will experience wonderful feelings of total relaxation flowing
throughout your body.”
4) Progressive Relaxation (p. 331)
5) Autogenic Training
Some subjects are fascinated by the suggestions or feelings of
heaviness and sensations of warmth in the body. Autogenic training is a
method of psycho-physiological self-education combining elements both
hypnosis and meditation. Its author is J. H. Schultz, a German psychiatrist
and neurologist who was influenced by the research on sleep and hypnosis
performed by Oskar Voght at the Berlin Institute.
Voght observed that some subjects could produce in themselves
states of mind similar or identical to hypnosis. These could be produced
by the subjects by performing certain exercises. These exercises were
called by Vought “prophylactic rest – autohypnosis.” When Schultz
streamlined these exercises he found that the most deeply hypnotized
subjects invariably experienced sensations of heaviness and warmth in
various parts of their bodies and said that creation of these sensations
could bring about the experience of the trance state. In other words,
trance state could bring about the sensations of heaviness and warmth
and creation of heaviness and sensation of warmth can bring about trance
state. For this, a series of exercises was designed in a format of increasing
difficulty. In the beginning they were physiologically oriented, focusing
 R E LAXATION 166
on the neuromuscular and visceral systems. Here the subjects were
asked, in exercises of introspective creative imagination, to produce
sensations of heaviness and pleasant warmth in the limbs – since it was
easiest to produce them initially in these areas – then in the chest and in
the abdominal regions. Once the subjects master this technique they
move to meditative exercises, which focus on the development of certain
higher mental functions. The stages in this exercise are as follows:
First stage – Eyes Are Gently Closed: The subject is asked to
close his eyes gently. By a bodily introspection, the subject is asked to
eliminate obvious internal muscular tension. Now the sensation of
heaviness of the dominant arm, as it lies on the lap or by the side, is
brought to awareness. The subject may also repeat the sentence “my
(left or right) arm feels heavier and heavier” silently. Through a process of
generalization, the feeling of heaviness on the dominant arm is extended
to the other arm, and then to the legs first, and then to the back, and the
other regions of the head and neck. Thus the whole body is experienced
as being heavy.
Second stage – Warmth: Usually feelings of heaviness is
experienced more easily than the feeling of warmth. The process used to
create the sensation of heaviness is used to create the sensation of
warmth starting from one extremity and moving progressively to the entire
body — except for the forehead and temples which are imbued with
sensation of coolness. The subject may use the sentence “my arm feels
warmer, pleasantly warmer” and the imagery “my body feels like it is
resting on the pleasant warm sands of the beach.”
Third stage – Regularization of Cardiac Rhythm and Respiration:
Here the objective of this part of the exercise is not to seek control of the
cardiac rhythm as it may be done in some yoga exercises, but to effect
a slowdown and regularity of heart function which is congruent with total
relaxation. It is also experienced that deep hypnotic and meditative states
are accompanied by lowered metabolic work; decreased oxygen
consumption; a slow (50 to 60) beats per minute) heart rate; and slower,
more abdominal respiration. Here awareness is centered on the internal
sensations of cardiac pulsations – a hand may be placed over the
pericardium – and self instructions are given to help these desired results.
 167 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Fourth stage – Centering on the Upper Abdominal Region: Now

at this juncture the subject is guided to center a relaxed attentiveness on
the upper abdominal regions.
During the autogenically induced states there is evidence of
autonomic and metabolic slowdown.
6) Pure Imagery
Imageries are powerful ways of inducing relaxation. Which
imagery is compelling and attractive to the subject should be found out
beforehand by the hypnotist. For example, walking on a beach will trigger
a fear sensation of being sucked in by the waves. Once the hypnotist
discovers a particular imagery of lying down on the meadow, for example,
he can create a very engrossing effect by talking about the sights, sounds,
smells, and sensations one is likely to experience in such a setting.
7) Use of Touch
Touch is another powerful modality for bringing about relaxation
when used properly and on time. Touch can also be used to induce
analgesia in parts of the body. In the same way it can also be used to
suggest deep feelings of relaxation. For example, “As I touch your
forehead, your entire head becomes deeply relaxed — all the way down
to your neck. And now I shall touch your shoulders. As I do these, feelings
of deep relaxation begin to drift throughout your entire body.”
8) Jacobson’s Method of Relaxation
As Schultz worked on his autogenic method in Berlin, Jacobson
worked towards similar goals but through different routes. He observed
that the mere thought of a muscular action brings on electromyographic
changes. From this he pointed out the direct relationship between muscular
tonus and psychological tension. He developed a methodical technique
involving the progressive relaxation of all muscular groups in the body for
achieving relaxation at cortical levels. His methodology consists in this:
The hypnotist starts with the tip of one extremity – the right
hand, for example – and guides the subject to move his awareness to
the wrist, and the forearm. In deliberate succession, he eventually covers
the totality of the musculature. To enhance the experience of relaxation,
each muscle group is tensed and then released.
 R E LAXATION 168
9) Using Breathing to Start Relaxation
Often we may be breathing in an inefficient way using only our
chest. In this pattern, the shoulders are back, the chest is out, and the
stomach is in. This is an unhealthy and shallow inhalation involving only
the chest. When we use our chest only to breathe, our ribs cannot expand
and so the breathing is quite shallow. If we use our abdomen (and the
diaphragm) to inhale, then we have a much deeper and relaxing breath. It
is a very good way of beginning the process of relaxation that is helpful
for self-hypnosis. When in a situation of “fight or flight” response, our
body needs to react and so we take a sharp intake of breath so that
more oxygen can get to our muscles. There is a link between the way
one breathes and one’s state of mind. When one is anxious or agitated,
the breaths are fast, short, and shallow and one uses his chest. When
one is calm and relaxed, then his breaths come more slowly, more deeply
and more from the abdomen. Just as our state of mind affects the way
we breathe, it is also possible that our way of breathing can affect our
state of mind. This is called “cause and effect” principle. If you breathe
slowly and deeply you are more relaxed. If you take breath by using your
abdomen, you create a calmer and more tranquil feeling. Inhaling and
exhaling in relaxed way using the abdomen rather than the chest is a
key skill to develop.
The Best Way to Breathe
Allow the breath in through the nostrils unless they are blocked.
You may exhale through the mouth or the nostrils. Use the abdomen
rather than the chest. In this the diaphragm that lies underneath the
lungs acts as a bellow, moving downwards as the belly swells outwards
slightly, so expanding the lungs by drawing them downwards. Inhale and
exhale slowly and steadily, without holding the breath. Breathe naturally.
As you relax, your breathing will become slower and steadier and thus
you will become more relaxed. As one continues to relax and deepens
one’s trance state, then this will happen automatically without one having
to think about it. Make sure that the exhalation (out breath) should be
about twice as long as the inhalation (in breath). Finally, remember not
to concentrate too much on your breathing. Of course, there are meditation
techniques that focus on the breath. But in self-hypnosis, after deepening
the trance (which may be done by counting breath downwards) the focus
 169 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

should primarily be on the change one wants to create, rather than on

the breath and allow it to happen naturally.
Three Exercises
Taking Breath Using the Abdomen: “Sit comfortably, preferably
with your back straight and your hands resting gently in your lap or on
your knees. One may also do it by lying down, but it is much better to do
it while sitting. Inhale through the nose by deliberately allowing your
belly to move outwards — while deliberately keeping the chest still. Imagine
that all the muscles in between your ribs have become like floppy elastic
bands that do not work properly anymore and so you cannot expand
your chest. Practice this until you are comfortable with inhaling using
your abdomen. As you continue to practice this way of breathing you will
find it becoming automatic. Breathe in this way for a few minutes and
allow the deeper breaths to help you become calmer and more relaxed.”
Exercising a Little Control over the Breathing: “Sit
comfortably preferably with your back straight while your hands are
resting gently in your lap or on your knees or lying down by your sides.
The sitting position is preferred to lying down. Allow yourself to take one
or two deep abdominal breaths followed by inhalation and exhalation to
be natural for a few breaths. Breathe in using your abdomen and inhaling
through the nose for a count of 4. Pause very briefly. Your pausing is not
meant to be a ‘breath holding’ exercise. Then exhale for a count of 8.
Now pause briefly before starting again with the in-breath to a count of 4.
This needs to be repeated for 10 breaths. Now inhale and exhale normally
and effortlessly for a few minutes and feel the calmness that is being
generated within you. As an addition to this exercise you can also say to
yourself as you breathe out ‘Let go.’ By this you may experience even
deeper relaxation.”
Taking a Deep Breath by Using Both the Abdomen and the
Chest: “Taking deep breaths using both the abdomen and the chest will
completely fill your lungs. This technique fills your lungs with relaxing
breath and as you exhale you will feel a wave of relaxation spreading over
your entire body. Sit comfortably preferably with your back straight while
your hands are resting gently in your lap or on your knees or lying down
by your sides. The sitting position is preferred to doing it by lying down.
 R E LAXATION 170
Breathe normally for a few moments. Allow yourself to inhale very deeply
using only your abdomen. This is done by allowing your belly to expand
outwards while keeping your chest still. Now continue to inhale by
allowing your chest to expand until your lungs are completely full. Now
you can reverse the process. Exhale using only your chest (keeping
your abdomen still), then complete the exhalation by pulling your belly
inwards. Now inhale and exhale normally and effortlessly for a few minutes
and feel the relaxation that is generated within you.”
4. Relaxation Scripts
There are many types of scripts one can utilize for relaxation. All
of them will have some common elements in them. Putting together all
the essential elements here below you will find a model script one may
make use of:
1) Muscle Based Script (Progressive Relaxation of the Muscles)
(pp.331, 159 -160)
2) Breath Based Script (p. 335)
3) Favourite Scene Based Script (pp. 337 - 338)17
 171 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

19.DEEPENING
The next level in the hypnotic process is the “hypnotic deepener.”
This stage encourages the critical mind to fade into the background and
the unconscious mind to come into the foreground. By this a much deeper
hypnotic trance is achieved. In this state the subject has a vivid involvement
in imagined events, a shift into a context-free literal understanding of
words and phrases. There is a removal of the restrictions ordinarily
imposed upon conscious abilities and responses. The process of
hypnosis takes full advantage of these characteristics. In this stage, the
trigger and deepener stages are interwoven with each other, and the
subject is taken ever further from the conscious world.
Once the subject reaches a light state of hypnosis, it can be
deepened. The concentration or the relaxation can be deepened and
made much stronger. Once the subject’s brain has decided to go into
hypnosis to let the conscious critical mind shut off for a little while, the
unconscious takes over. The deepening techniques allow the brain to
get more and more focused, more and more relaxed, and enter deeper
into trance. Usually the deeper the trance, the more profound are the
results. But it is not always the case. There are certain issues for which
like weight loss, for example, lighter state of trance has proven to be
more effective. Hence, depending upon what one wants to achieve in a
given session, one may deepen or lighten the state several times during
the session.
1. Frames
Deepening is a series of techniques that a hypnotist will use to
clarify and magnify the trance state and the responsiveness of the subject.
There are many ways of deepening. One of them is through “Framing.” A
frame is the way you package and interpret the information you receive.
Thus there are two parts here. They are package and the receiving of that
package.
2. Primary Frames in Deepening
There are a number of primary frames in deepening the trance.
Some of them are:
1) Focus Frame
Focus frame is setting a frame of supreme focus. The hypnotist
suggests that his subject removes all distractions from his mind while
focusing only to the hypnotist’s voice. This helps the subject to move
from external awareness to a more internally oriented focus. One of the
statements frequently used is, “From this moment on, everything that I
say to you, no matter how ridiculous or absurd, will instantly become
 DEEPENING 172
your complete and total reality. Everything I say to you will instantly
become your reality, no matter how ridiculous or absurd it sounds.” Here
the hypnotist uses the exercise of counting down from 10 to 1 or stepping
down a staircase. The main reason for this is to create some sense of
distance from the subject’s external world.
2) World inside Frame
This is like writing a very descriptive story. The more senses are
involved the better it is. As the hypnotist progresses, he can use less
and less description in his language and encourage the trance subject to
fill in more and more blanks in his own description as the hypnotist uses
more and more vague language. The motive behind this exercise is to
teach the subject how to build worlds of experience inside and be highly
skilled at that.
3) Fractionation Frame
This is done by interrupting a behaviour or thought process
abruptly and then immediately following up with a deepener. This type of
contrasting creates an opportunity to notice an experience that one might
have overlooked in another context. For example, after tightening your
muscles of the arm if you relax, you may experience more relaxation.
Fractionation which is a specific way of using contrasts creates deep
hypnotic states by first bringing the subject into a trance and then bringing
him out, only so that you can bring him right back into an even deeper
trance. We can also use “confusion induction” to deepen. While doing
this it is necessary to tell the subject to “go even deeper into trance.”
This is another way of setting a frame.
4) Compliance/Capacity Frame
In this practice the hypnotist increases compliance of the subject
by doing some suggestibility/conv incer tests or skits to create
progressively a frame of compliance and capacity for trance phenomena.
When the hypnotist does this, the subject becomes really comfortable
performing the trance phenomena and becomes accustomed to taking
direction. For example, when the arm rises at the command of the
hypnotist, the hypnotist can appreciate it. Here you can applaud and
appreciate the subject’s unconscious mind. The hypnotist can positively
reinforce compliance and capacity with phrases such as, “That is right,”
or “You are doing great,” or “As a reward you can go even deeper into that
comfortable state.”
5) Responsiveness Frame
This refers to what the hypnotist builds with his subject. The
more the hypnotist positively reinforces unconscious responsiveness the
 173 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

more profound the experience for the subject. The hypnotist may want to
build that expectation that the subject can do these things and will enjoy
them.
6) Flexibility Frame
It is a frame which refers to the ability to frame, reframe, behave
and communicate in the most creative ways until the hypnotist gets the
desired results with himself and with the subject. If the hypnotist is flexible
in approach and understanding, he can always be learning and integrating
new skills as a hypnotist. When the hypnotist is flexible he can always
frame or re-frame the experience a subject is having in a way that is
beneficial to both the subject and the hypnotist. The most important
frame that the hypnotist is building as a performing hypnotist is that he is
the hypnotist, he is the expert, he has seen it, he has done it and
everything is going as he planned. He can also have the frame that he is
supremely curious, he has voracious appetite for learning, and that he
can learn anything. It is good to keep in mind that positive repetition is
highly hypnotic.
3. The Depths of the Trance
Trance depth is a subjective experience that is unique to each
subject. That is why the hypnotist uses multiple methods of deepening.
The hypnotist might say “go deeper, further, or higher into that state
where you can easily and effortlessly experience your world inside.” Depth
of trance is the ability to associate into that inner world with increasing
richness of sensory hues. Everyone has his own frame about hypnosis.
The hypnotist can put the subject on task to build his own deepening
experiences. One may want to float high above his body or further and
further away. The hypnotist can either direct a subject to do this or ask
him questions about how he does these things.
Deepening comes after achieving relaxation. You can go ever
deeper into relaxation or trancelike states which will help you reach your
unconscious. This part is called deepening. The staircase imagery is a
common approach to deepening. There are also other imageries for
deepening. You can see yourself slowly descending to a landing in a hot
air balloon. You can also use a sky writer. Imagine the sky writer writing
the numbers from 10 to 1 and see each number fading away as you go
deeper into the hypnotic trance or relaxation. Another option would be to
see yourself walking deeper and deeper into a beautiful forest. This last
imagery is also used for induction. There are subjects who may not like
certain imageries as they may bring in memories of fear. For example,
one subject reported that she does not like the staircase imagery as she
may fall down. Another subject told me that imagining herself on the
beach brings in memory of the waves sucking her in. Therefore, it is
 DEEPENING 174
better to ask the subject what imageries he would like to deepen
relaxation. Here is the way to propose the staircase imagery. (p.161)
You can also change the words in the above mentioned process to suit
the client and you (hypnotist).
4. Levels of Trance Depth
For practical purposes we can understand the depth of hypnotic
trance in three stages – light, medium, and deep. There are several
systems of classification; some of them are more ancient than others.
The difference lies in the nomenclature. One may encounter the following
descriptions depending on the source of information like lethargy,
catalepsy, somnambulism or hypnoidal, coma and the like. It is good to
keep in mind that the trance depth does not refer to an objective or
quantifiable state. It is characterized by the phenomena available in that
state. Therefore, trance depth is understood as equivalent to suggestibility.
Eyelid catalepsy, for example, is quite easy to obtain and so when this
phenomenon becomes available, one can label the trance depth as ‘light.’
Next, when pain control becomes available in hypnosis, it can happen
only when the subject becomes more suggestible. When that happens,
one can call this as a medium trance depth. When full amnesia or positive/
negative hallucinations are achieved which are extremes of hypnotic
phenomena and require the greatest suggestibility, one may call this as
a deep trance state.
The description of the three levels of depth can be like this: At
the light level of relaxation the subjects are totally aware of the surroundings
and sounds. At the medium level which is referred to as Alpha-Theta
states, the subjects have all the faculties functioning but are profoundly
relaxzed and theoretically able to accept and follow suggestions. At this
level subjects have the ability to pass tests and challenges. At the deepest
level known as somnambulism, the subjects are still aware of the
surroundings but are more or less in a vague or detached state of mind.
Subjects ususally accept suggestions rather instantaneously and without
critical resistance. It is also possible that subjects at this level too reject
suggestions. Trance depth is largely irrelevant except as a last resort
(1) to bypass a stubborn belief system (yet requiring openness to trance)
or (2) to encourage physical healing.
5. Hypnotic Depth Tests
When you have led the subject into a trance state, you may
want to assess and quantify the depth of trance the subject has achieved.
Assessment of the trance state will serve three purposes. First of all, if
subjects who are getting ready to undergo a medical procedure without
chemical anesthesia, it is very necessary that you find out if they are
indeed capable of reaching the necessary depth of hypnosis where total
 175 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

hypnotic anesthesia is possible. Secondly, by such assessment, the

subjects become convinced of the efficacy of hypnosis. Thirdly, for
subjects who are being hypnotized for the first time, there is a strong
desire to know if they are really hypnotized. Thus, the assessment will
prove to them that they are hypnotized or otherwise. When proofs are
provided through these tests, the subject is likely to accept and follow
through with the therapeutic suggestions of the hypnotist.
There are a few grading systems for the assessment of the
depth of trance. Let us see one of them by Harry Arons. It is Arons’ six
level depth tests. Aarons did noteworthy research on hypnosis and
designed tests and refined a systemic approach to analyzing and
categorizing hypnotic states. His tests progress from simple to difficult
procedures to provide an assessment of the corresponding hypnotic
depth. This method is only a guideline for understanding the depth.

Harry Arons’s Grading System for the Assessment of the Depth of Trance
No. Test Category Application Distribution
1. Eye catalepsy Hypnoidal Smoking, weight
loss 20% of
2. Arm catalepsy Catalepsy Behaviour Population
modification
3. Selective Full body Psychotherapy, 60% of
amnesia catalepsy stage show Population
4. Analgesia Total amnesia Dental work
5. Positive Somnambulism Anesthesia,
hallucination childbirth 20% of
6. Negative Profound Surgery Population
hallucination somnambulism

6. Parts of Deepening
There are two types of hypnosis deepening: Physical relaxation
and mental relaxation.
1) By Physical Relaxation
When the subject’s body is not relaxed that is being tense, or
agitated, or uncomfortable, then the subject will be more aware of his
body. His conscious will remain too active, and his trance will not be
deepened. When his body is relaxed enough, he will find that he becomes
unaware of his body, and he can work more easily with his unconscious.
There are two ways of bringing about the body relaxation. One is from top
of the head to the heels and another is from the heels to the top of the
head. Most hypnotists find it convenient to start from the top of the head
to the toes. The procedure is like this: (pp. 159-160)
 DEEPENING 176
2) By Mental Relaxation
As you are physically relaxed, you are now ready to continue
the hypnosis deepening through mental relaxation. There are two ways
of doing this:
(1) By Counting Down
Counting for mental relaxation or for deepening is done by
counting downwards. You yourself or the hypnotist count/s down from 10
to 1. You can say something like this: “On each breath, on each count,
I drift deeper into tranquil stillness of mind.” Preferably as you breathe
out start to count downwards. If you happen to breathe quickly, count on
every second breath to slow you down. When you count number 1 finally,
you should be more deeply in trance. You may repeat the process of
counting until you are comfortable with the level of relaxation you have
created.
(2) By Visualization
A. In this process you create pictures in your mind of places, or
times, and events in which you can feel tranquil stillness of mind. These
can be real or imaginary. It is essential to see that you are there in the
experience. It is not just seeing but experiencing the scene or events
with your senses. It is as if it is happening to you now. You can create
any type of pleasant scenes like a quiet golden beach at sunset, a
mountain lake, a meadow, a woodland walk, a mountain path, a gently
flowing river and the like. You can also combine visualization with counting
by imagining some steps, say 10, and descending to your imagined
location (pp. 160-161). You can count yourself down as you slowly walk
down the steps.
B. You could imagine yourself going down on an escalator.
Imagine that as you descend you drift deeper into relaxation. You can
imagine yourself in a lift going down 10 floors. As you proceed from one
floor to the next lower floor, you drift deeper into relaxation.
C. You can also imagine yourself overlooking a beach. The number
10 descends from the sky and sinks slowly into the sea. Likewise the
number 9, 8, and so on until the number 1 sinks out of sight. As each
number is sinking into the sea you become more relaxed. Thus at the
sinking of the number 1 you are totally and deeply relaxed. Keeping the
main principles, one can create one’s own visualization.
 177 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

7. Signs of Deepening
There are many ways of getting to know the depth of trance. It
can be known by physical signs, by feedback, by fractionation, and by
physical tests.
1) By Physical Signs
There are some classic indications of the deepening hypnotic
state. Some of them are: 1. Stillness, 2. Change of breathing, 3. Pallid/
waxen complexion, 4. Postural slumping, 5. Rapid Eye Movement (REM),
6. Eyelid fluttering, 7. Swallowing/gulping, 8. Increased lachrymation
(tearfulness), (9) Redness around the eyes.
2) By Feedback
Through personal experience the hypnotist will know the signs of
deepening. From the verbal feedback of the subject the hypnotist can
learn at what level the subject is. Hypnosis is a subjective experience
even though there are many common elements to it. There will be much
that will be unique to each individual.
3) By Fractionation
The hypnotist can gather information about the process of
hypnosis and depth of trance by using a fractionation type of induction.
By this method, the process is broken into stages and the subject is
questioned at each point for a verbal description of his particular
experience. The main purpose behind the fractionation method known as
“Vogt’s fractionation” is to discover the personal experience of the subject
as he begins to enter trance and then to “feedback” this information to
take him deeper. The subject is relaxed into the early stages of trance
and then roused and questioned for his particular experience of hypnosis.
This information is used to assist the subject to go deeper still. By this
method the subject is describing the best way that he should be
hypnotized. This method is not as quick as other methods. But its
interactive nature seems to lead to deeper trance states.
4) By Physical Tests
There are also physical tests that can give valuable information
to the hypnotist about the ongoing state of hypnosis especially its depth.
 DEEPENING 178
(1) Catalepsy
Catalepsy — usually of the eyelids — is the most common test.
The subject is asked to relax the muscles of the eyelids deeply in such
a way that his eyelids will not open. Indeed it is an excellent test of
relaxation, susceptibility, and willingness to cooperate with the hypnosis.
There is a physiological trick that is asking the subject to close the
eyes, with the head remaining still, and to look upwards with his eyes as
if at a point at the top of the head. In this position one cannot open one’s
eyes. This might convince the subject of the efficacy of the technique
used by the hypnotist.
(2) Hand-Lift Technique
There is the “hand lift technique.” When the subject is relaxing
with closed eyes, you can inform him that you are going to lift his hand.
Then gently the hypnotist raises one of the arms and lets it go. The
relaxed hand will flop limply back. The hypnotist can also add some
suggestions telling, “As your hand falls limply down, you will go deeper
and deeper into hypnosis,” or “as your hand falls to your lap you will go
twice as deeply as before into relaxation.”
(3) Amnesia Technique
Finally, there is a cognitive technique to test trance depth, which
does not rely on observation or physical testing. The hypnotist tests for
amnesia asking the subject to begin counting backwards from 300. The
hypnotist may propose any large number so that it is sufficiently large to
be out of the range of “automatic” counting. He suggests that a point will
soon be reached when the numbers will be forgotten. If at that time a
trance state exists, the suggestion will be accepted and the subject will
forget the numeric train of thought. This method has an added benefit. If
by chance the subject did not have the correct depth of trance at that
moment, the counting itself may well help bring it about.
8. Trance State
The hypnotist will be concerned about having the subject
experience trance state rather than concerned about the depth of the
trance. Therefore, trance depth need not be an important concern and
effective therapy can take place provided at least there is a light stage of
hypnosis established. All the same, obtaining a medium to deep hypnotic
state has two advantages. (1) A deeper trance inspires confidence in the
 179 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

hypnotist and it improves the personal performance of the hypnotist. It is

also detected at least subliminally by the subject. (2) A deeper trance is
a hypnotic convincer. Though it may not be any more therapeutic than a
light trance state, it is more of a contrast to normal waking state and so
helps to persuade the subject to think that something “significant” has
taken place.
9. Deepening Techniques
There are countless ways of inducing hypnosis. All these can be
used to produce the deep state known as somnambulism. There does
not seem to be any limit to achieving the trance state except one’s own
imagination. All can be hypnotized provided one knows the art of
suggestion. The eye closure is the first goal and you may use any device
that will cause eye closure.
Each person is different. Different induction techniques produce
different results with different individuals. Even the same person may
respond to the same induction in different ways at different times.
Therefore, the hypnotist needs to be competent in many induction
techniques and apply them according to the situation. Let us see some
deepening techniques.
Remember that for induction, relaxation, and deepening the one
and the same exercise can be used. But if you have used one exercise
for induction you need not use the same for relaxation and deepening —
as you have many options.
One uses deepening techniques following the initial induction and
relaxation. The concept “deepening” is a metaphor. No one precisely
knows what exactly is happening to the subject at that time. Here below
we shall see a few techniques that can be combined to fit a specific
subject.
1) Deepening by Realization
It may happen that subjects when they undergo hypnosis for
the first time may not believe that they are hypnotized. The use of level
one eye-stuck test serves as a convincer when they realize that they
cannot open their eyes. If they are encouraged at this point by telling
them that they are doing well, they can be asked to relax more and go
deeper. The hypnotist can achieve the same effect when the subject
 DEEPENING 180
cannot lower his arm in the level two test, or lose tract of his numbers in
the level three test.
Those who are hypnotized may not be convinced that they are in
fact hypnotized just because they seem awake and alert to the
surroundings and can hear what the hypnotist says. For them, the
techniques that can make them realize that they are hypnotized are in
fact the techniques of deepening the trance. Any of the muscular control
experiments would do for this technique. For example, when the subject
has been asked to close his eyes, the hypnotist can say that his eyes
are glued and they will not open however hard the subject may try and
they will open only at the command of the hypnotist. Another example
would be to ask the subject to extend his right/left hand saying that the
hand has become stiff like an iron bar and he will not bend or lower it. It
will become loose or can be lowered only at the command of the hypnotist.
2) Pyramiding of Suggestions
When you build on convincer one after another, the subject is
highly impressed. For example, after making the arm stiff and rigid if the
hypnotist suggests that the arm goes completely limp and fall loosely at
the side, it will impress the subject — convincing him further that he is
becoming hypnotized. Impressing the subject with another surprise right
after the realization that something is happening will serve to deepen him
in his trance. All the same, the hypnotist should be cautious not to go
beyond the immediate depth of the subject. The hypnotist should stop
just short of failure. Otherwise it will prove that the subject did not reach
a depth as deep as the hypnotist wants.
3) Counting Backwards
Counting backwards is a simple and reliable method of deepening.
It can be done in many ways: (1) The hypnotist can tell the subject that
the hypnotist will count backwards from one hundred. Also he can suggest
to the subject that on each count he will go deeper and deeper into
hypnosis. (2) As a variation of the above, the hypnotist can also say
“deeper” after each number. (3) The hypnotist can also ask the subject to
count backwards from one hundred and say the word “deeper” at every
number while the hypnotist keeps talking, perhaps, giving the subject
relaxing suggestions or another induction while the subject does the
 181 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

counting which adds an element of confusion to the subject and that

takes him into deeper relaxation or trance.
4) The Countdown (p. 151)
5) Rocking
(The subject can be either seated upright or standing.) The
hypnotist gently puts his hand on the client’s shoulder and, with small
motions, rocks him from side to side saying: “The more I rock you, the
more you go deep into relaxation; you go deeper and deeper into a
wonderful hypnotic rest, further and further into your inner self. You go
deeper and deeper into a peaceful relaxation as I rock you back and forth
and from side to side.
6) Deepening by Counting Backwards
Counting backwards is a simple method. It can be done in a
variety of ways. (1) The hypnotist simply tells the subject that he will
count backwards from 100 and at each count the subject will go deeper
and deeper into hypnosis. As the hypnotist continues counting, within a
few counts the subject will have gone into deep hypnosis and there may
not be any need to reach until the number one. It is good that the hypnotist
counts in a monotonous way which usually brings about induction or
deepening of hypnosis. (2) Count with Words: As the hypnotist counts,
he can add words like “deeper” or “profound” to the count, as for example:
One hundred deeper; ninety-nine profound. (3) The Subject Counts: The
counting from one hundred to one is done by the subject himself. If the
hypnotist instructs him that while progressing the counting, the numbers
will disappear since he will have gone into deep trance. Perhaps the
subject may not reach the end — that is, Number One. (4) The Subject
Counts and the Hypnotist Talks: This method of counting is done by the
subject while the hypnotist keeps talking to the subject. Strangely enough,
this method works well for a number of people. As the hypnotist talks,
the subject concentrates on counting and thus tends to pay less attention
to what the hypnotist says. As the hypnotist has instructed, the subject
goes into deep trance as he counts.
7) Elevator
Imagine you are in an elevator. It is on the 10th floor and is slowly
going down. You are about to descend from the 10th floor. With each
number going down, you are going deeper into hypnotic state. Now you
 DEEPENING 182
are on the 10th floor – entering into deep hypnosis. 9th floor – You are
pleasantly comfortable. 8th floor – You are getting into a deep sleep. 7th
floor – All your muscles are deeply relaxed. 6th floor - … etc.
8) The Escalator (p. 343)
9) The Staircase
Imagine yourself standing on top of a beautiful staircase of your
liking with ten steps leading down to your most favourite spot you enjoyed
in your life. As you descend each step, you are getting into a very deep
hypnotic state.
Stairway deepening is something similar to counting down
technique. Here the subject stands at the top of a stairway with 10 steps.
The hypnotist suggests this imagery to the subject and guides the subject
in the following way: (pp. in the induction)
10) Silence
I am going to keep silent for a moment allowing you to drift and
deepen your state deeper and deeper. My silence will take you to deeper
relaxation and deeper hypnotic state.
11) The Subject Counts Down (p. 335)
12) The Arm Drop (p. 341)
13) Fractionation (The Yo-Yo Effect) (p. 339)
14) Association
(This method consists of tying the hypnotic state to an ongoing
natural occurrence. For example: to the rhythm of one’s breathing, or
any noise the subject hears nearby.)
“ Close your eyes and get into a deep trance state. As you hear
the ticking of the wall clock, you will go deeper into the trance state.
Well, start now. Go deeper into relaxation and deeper hypnotic state.
Fine, well done. Proceed further and enter into deeper trance state twice
as before.”
15) Repeated Induction
Repeated induction or hypnotizing seems to be very effective in
deepening hypnosis just because the subject is accustomed to letting
go; his conscious resistance wanes. Some hypnotists use this technique
 183 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

by hypnotizing and awakening the subject four to five times during the
same period of two hours with five or ten minutes of intermissions to
permit the hypnotist and the subject to rest. In most instances the
hypnotic session can last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes of duration,
most of which is spent in repetition of suggestions. Usually the hypnotists
arouse the subject and re-hypnotize him immediately without awakening
him fully. It can be done this way:
“I am going to put you to trance. I shal l count
five…four…three…two…one. At the count of one, you will enter into a
deep trance. Now I am going to count one…two…three. At the count of
three you will awaken and open your eyes. As you open your eyes, they
will meet my eyes for a moment. Then I shall count slowly from five to
one. At the count of one you will quickly become extremely sleepy.” (The
hypnotist can pass the hands from the head to the trunk of the body of
the subject without physical contact and this will make the subject close
his eyes.) As your head will droop, get into a deeper trance. You will go
into deeper and deeper sleep than ever before. You will go into the deepest
som nambulisti c sl eep as I c ount f rom f iv e to one.
Five…four…three…two…one.” (This procedure can be repeated four to
five times.)
When a subject is re-hypnotized, he goes into deepening trance
compared to previous instances of hypnotizing. The progress of relaxation
seems to come in tiers or levels. After each induction by the hypnotist,
the subject seems to respond to the suggestion of the hypnotist from a
more deeply relaxed state causing him to experience a deeper level of
trance than in the previous inductions. This is what the stage hypnotists
make use of. Each time the stage hypnotist re-hypnotizes the subject,
he then goes on to more difficult tasks and demonstrations. Clinically
most subjects are extremely suggestible and very easy to hypnotize
again for about ten minutes directly after awakening.
16) Deepening by Placebo Suggestion
Placebo is used in medical language. It refers to giving a pill,
capsule, or injection of an innocuous substance to a patient in the guise
of medicine. It is intended that the use of innocuous substance will produce
the intended psychological effect for the patient. In hypnosis, placebo
will mean giving indirect suggestion to the client. For example, instead of
 DEEPENING 184
telling the subject to close his eyes, the hypnotist can say: “As you hear
my voice, notice how gently and slowly your eyes are becoming heavy
and closing in deep sleep.”
17) Utilization of Sensory Motor Reactions
The sensory motor reactions are known as the arm and hand
levitation method. This is usually employed in the induction procedure. It
can be also used for deepening hypnosis which means that the subject
is already in a light degree of hypnosis. If the hypnotist wants to use arm
and hand levitation, it presupposes that he used some other method of
induction. All the same, the same technique can also be used for induction
and deepening. When a subject is in a light hypnosis and there seems
to be resistance to go deeper for whatever reason, the responsibility can
be put on the subject for going deeper into trance. The hypnotist can
address the subject telling that for some reason he is resisting to go into
deeper trance. Therefore, he leaves the responsibility to the subject.
At the suggestion of the hypnotist, the subject’s hand will slowly
and steadily rise to the point of reaching his shoulder level and there his
hand will bend and his hand will slowly touch his face. At that moment he
will deeply enter into a profound trance state. The touching of the face by
the hand is a signal from his unconscious that it is willing to enter into a
deep, sound, and somnambulistic trance. The arm and hand levitation is
done with closed eyes so that the subject is not fully aroused.
18) Feedback Methods
Before hypnotizing, the hypnotist will get to know the favourable
places or scenes the subject enjoys most. W hen the subject is
hypnotized, the hypnotist feeds back to him in details that appeal to all
his senses, a vivid description of all the pleasures he would experience
while being at that place or scene.
In feedback methods, the subject is taken on an imaginary walk
through an endless, winding corridor, or tunnel, or a lazy canoe ride in a
lake or river. During the course of these trips, various imageries are used
to lead the subject into deeper trance. The imageries can be from all the
five senses, namely — visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and
gustatory. Not everyone enjoys imageries of all the five senses in equal
measures. Each one of us is attuned to certain senses. During the
imaginary journey to a meadow, forest, beach, tunnel, corridor, and
 185 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

anything of that sort, the hypnotist can propose enjoying the sight of
things, the feel of things, and the smell of things. The hypnotist literally
asks the subject to hallucinate as though those proposed imageries are
actually taking place. How far one fared in this exercise can be made out
only post-hypnotically by getting a feedback from the subject. As the
subject has various types of hallucination, the hypnotist proposes
deepening of the trance. It is very useful to make use of many methods
of deepening the trance.
19) Post-Hypnotic Suggestion
Before awakening the subject, the hypnotist can give a suggestion
that the next time he is hypnotized he will enjoy it more, go deeper more
quickly and more easily. This suggestion will be effective when the
hypnotist hypnotizes the subject later. Without much effort and formality
the subject will almost instantaneously go into trance. I have experienced
that if I had hypnotized a person one time, the next time I do not spend
much time to induce trance and deepening. Within no time the subject
directly enters into a trance. Added to that if I had proposed at the previous
instance of hypnosis that the next time the subject will automatically
enter into trance at my voice or at certain words, it does take place
instantaneously.
10. Deepening Technique Illustration
“Allow yourself to take a deep breath, exhale, and close your
eyes. You may take another deep breath and exhale. Let any stress,
tension, or irritation fly away. Imagine that being hypnotized is a wonderful
opportunity. You may begin to relax your body as if you were a “rag doll.”
Let all your muscles sag and become flexible. Allow your whole body to
sag. You may drift and dream and float into a deep hypnotic sleep. Allow
yourself to feel your body relaxing deeper and more enjoyable. Notice
also how easy it is to enjoy hypnotic relaxation. The deeper you go, the
more you enjoy it. As every muscle and every nerve in your body is
profoundly relaxed, it is time to go much deeper. (Now a Progressive
relaxation of the muscles can be used [pp. In the induction] and then go
to very effective deepening method of counting down that follows: [pp. In
the induction].)
“Now I shall help you go deeper. Allow yourself to focus your
attention on the right hand and lift the index finger up for me just about
 DEEPENING 186
half an inch. Now you may place your finger down. (At times it may just
remain there without going down to rest.) Allow your attention to focus on
the eyelids and notice how pleasantly heavy they feel. Of course, it is a
nice feeling. As you feel the heaviness in your eyelids, raise your index
finger of the right hand for me. That is fine. Now let us make your eyelids
even heavier. Imagine that your eyelids are heavy as lead. Again it is
indeed a nice feeling. Your eyelids are heavy because they feel like they
are made of lead, a heavy metal. As I count from five to one, let your
eyelids become as heavy as lead. Five...four...three...two...and...one.
Indeed, your eyelids are very very heavy like lead. If they are heavy as
lead, raise your index figer of the right hand for me. Very good. As you
feel the heaviness of the eyelids, pretend that there is a super-glue between
your eyelids and your eyelids are stuck tightly together. Allow yourself to
feel the heaviness and the eyelids stuck together. I shall count from one
to three and at the count of three you will try to open your eyes, but no
matter how hard you try, they will not open. Pretend all that I proposed
and when you realize (deepening via realization) that your eyelids are
stuck together, you will enter the deepest, most effective and most
enjoyable level of hypnosis. One...your eyelids are very heavy....Two....they
are stuck together with super-glue....Three...you try to open them but
they will not open. Try hard... and they will not open. Now leave trying
and sleep now deeper and deeper. (One can really imagine or pretend
and the unconscious does not know the difference between real and
imagined and so the eyelids are really locked. This functions as a
convincer and realization.)
One can very easily hypnotize a person but how deep the trance
is, is a question. Some hypnotists are content with leading the subjects
to a minimum state of trance for therapeutic purposes. Only a small
percentage of persons among the hypnotizable are capable of reaching
somnambulistic stage. By deepening the trance state one leads the
subject to the somnambulistic state. Therapeutic results are amazing
when the subject is in a somnambulistic state. Therefore, it is very
essential to aim at the somnambulistic state even though one can work
out healing procedures in a minimum level of the state of trance in
hypnosis.18
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20. TRANCE
The use of the term “trance” is older than Mesmer from whom
hypnotism originates. Now we are dealing with the “therapeutic” stage of
the hypnotic trance state. Here the unconscious mind is spoken to. Right
now, the unconscious is comfortable and ready to accept more precise
language, with either direct or indirect suggestions offered by the hypnotist.
The unconscious is encouraged to accept and experience new ideas,
thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. The subject will experience the actual
event/s that he is struggling to deal with, or the health issue, but this
time he will only experience positive sensations. He will see the goal he
wants and actually be there. The subject will use all his visual, auditory,
kinesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory senses and feelings to experience
this achievement. Whatever non-productive thoughts, concepts, ideas,
feelings, and behaviours are there, they are reduced. Post-hypnotic
“anchors” are introduced to enable the subject to make an instant
connection between the thoughts, feelings, and emotions he has
experienced during the hypnotic state, to the here-and-now situation he
may find himself in later, when in a fully wakeful state.
Hypnotic trance is not therapeutic in itself, but specific
suggestions and images fed to a client in a trance can profoundly alter
his behaviour.
1. Essence of Hypnotic Trance
The reason for using hypnotic trance is to enter into and learn
about the higher consciousness. Hypnotic trance induction is not a matter
of a hypnotist doing something to a subject. The hypnotist only acts as
a facilitator in assisting the subject to achieve a trance state. The hypnotic
state is an experience which belongs entirely to the subject. It is derived
from the subject’s own accumulated learning and memories. These are
not necessarily consciously recognized but are possible of manifestation
in a special state of non-waking awareness. The hypnotist can only proffer
stimuli and suggestions that evoke responsive behaviour based on the
experiential past of the subject. Therefore, the hypnotist is not doing
something, nor compels the subject to do certain things, or merely tells
the subject what he should do. When a trance state is elicited, it is still
a result of ideas, associations, mental processes and understandings
 TR ANCE 188
already existing and merely aroused with the subject himself. Therefore,
we conclude that what the hypnotist says or does serves only as a means
to stimulate and arouse in the subject past learning and experiential
acquisitions, some consciously and some unconsciously acquired.
Inductions are approaches that provide the subject with opportunities for
the intense self-absorption and inner experiences called “trance.” The
hypnotist relates creatively to this inner experience of the subject.
2. What It Feels Like in Trance (pp. 44 - 48)
3. Meaning of Trance
Trance is a descriptive term used in hypnosis and in other fields
as well. In religions, the term is often used to describe unusual
experiences reported by devout adepts. The anthropologist Erika
Bourguignon (1976), an expert on the so-called “spirit possession” has
differentiated between three types of states. They are (1) “possession”
in which a “spirit” has produced changes in someone’s behaviour, health,
or disposition without an accompanying shift in awareness; (2)
“possession trance” in which someone loses conscious awareness, while
the invading spirit’s own behaviour, speech patterns, and body movements
“take over” and can be observed by outsiders; (3) and “trance,” a so-
called “altered state of consciousness” including the loss of conscious
awareness but without the presence of a spirit or other outside entity.
If you take the “possession trance,” the intrusive spirit may be
quite benevolent, bringing new insights to the “possessed” individual by
means of “automatic writing,” “channeling,” or “mediumship.” At times
the spirit plays the role of a trickster, teaching the individual life lessons
through embarrassment, playful activities, or humour. There are other
types of cases in which an invading entity takes over a victim’s body as
the result of a malevolent sorcerer’s curse or simply to gratify the spirit’s
earthbound impulses and desires. These types of experiences are
extremely dissociative. The person manifests experiences and behaviours
that seem to exist apart from, or appear to have been disconnected from,
the mainstream of his conscious awareness, behavioural repertoire, and/
or self identity. The word “trance” has precise significance in anthropology
than in hypnosis.
 189 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Now, the hypnotist is not an intrusive spirit or a sorcerer. The

trance induced in subjects of hypnosis pale by comparison with the major
shifts in consciousness, behaviour, and sense of identity that characterize
trance activity in indigenous cultures. Therefore, it is more appropriate to
talk of “the hypnotic condition,” “the hypnotic situation,” “the hypnotic
process,” or “the hypnotic experience” than about “the hypnotic trance.”
The term ‘trance’ can be applied to any state of mind where that
person has a narrow focus of attention. In the trance state induced in
hypnosis, the subject has his eyes closed, is very relaxed, has a quiet
mind, and is aware of what is going on around him. In the hypnotic trance
state, the subject is able to step outside of his ordinary belief system.
Thus, he can bypass any limiting beliefs. In stage hypnosis, the hypnotist
elicits awe and obedience. If the subject believes that he has to do what
the hypnotist says, then that belief functions exactly the same as if he
were awake. Besides, the placebo effect is very powerful in hypnosis on
account of which the hypnotist often ensures that the subject realizes
that he has been hypnotized. The hypnotist convinces the subject’s
unconscious to do something the subject has never experienced before
like keeping his eyelids closed or lifting his arm up.
4. Conditional Reflex Aspect of Trance State Induction
Hypnosis is the production of reactions in the human organism
through the use of verbal or other associative reflexes. Experiments show
that words or thoughts act as mechanisms which trigger automatic
responses in our bodies. There are experiments conducted on the
contraction of the pupil (in the eye). Actually the pupil will contract in the
presence of light. But an individual’s pupil (either the right or left pupil
only) can be independently conditioned to contract by the word “contract.”
Still further, some individuals can be conditioned to say to themselves
the word “contract” while others can be conditioned to think of the word
“contract” and pupil constriction will take place in either case.
5. Associate Reflexes
This is simply the power of word and thought in human lives.
Automatic mental and bodily responses are caused throughout our lives
through specific words or thoughts. These responses are called “associate
 TR ANCE 190

reflexes.” Words or thoughts act as bells which trigger these unconscious

automatic responses. We know that hypnosis is the production of reactions
in the human organism through the use of verbal stimuli which trigger
associative reflexes. In hypnosis, we take advantage of certain
conditionings we already possess. For example, we take the word “sleep.”
When we hear the word sleep, we automatically get sleepy. This is a
conditioned response we already possess. We can also implant new
conditionings by repeatedly speaking certain words and reinforcing
responses to those words. For example, you can propose that the
subject’s right foot is stuck to the floor; and it happens. Ivan Pavlov used
conditioned response.
Skinner showed that reinforcing specifically chosen responses
is an even more powerful conditioning technique than classical Pavlovian
conditioning. Skinner’s conditioning is called “operant conditioning.” In
operant conditioning we select a specific behaviour and by rewarding
that behaviour we cause it to occur. When a subject responds to the
suggestion of the hypnotist to arm levitation, or whatever, the hypnotist
can verbally reinforce (appreciate) that behavior, enhancing its recurrence
6. Deepening the Trance
In hypnosis, deepening the trance is very important. If the trance
is not deepened then the suggestion given by the hypnotist will not be
accepted. There are, of course, different ways of deepening the trance.
Deepening the trance is undertaken after the hypnotic induction and when
the subject is already in a light state of trance.
In hypnosis we speak of deepening relaxation or deepening
trance. Though for clarity, different steps are delineated, in fact, after
induction one is already in a trance state. Therefore, saying “deepening
relaxation” or “deepening trance” are the same.
For deepening a trance, refer to the chapter “Deepening” where
you will find different techniques.19 .
 191 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

21. SUGGESTIONS
Suggestion is the goal which one wants to communicate to his
unconscious. This is precisely here you tell yourself what you want
yourself to do. The key to successful goal-oriented self-hypnosis is a
good suggestion. In self-hypnosis, even without the suggestion one can
get the benefits of stress reduction and enhanced concentration. If one
wants to get more specific results, one has to use a suggestion. In self-
hypnosis, which may not be a deep trance, you can always insert a
suggestion. The suggestion should be of at least a few sentences length.
Let the suggestion be on one topic and you can work on one goal at a
time. After the routine deepening you can insert the suggestion.
1. The Birth of Suggestion
Emile Coue (1857 – 1926), a French psychologist and
pharmacist, used to give medicine along with some positive suggestions
to his patients. He discovered that positive suggestions along with
medicine resulted in better health. He used to tell the patients to say to
themselves repeatedly: “Every day in every way, I am getting better and
better.” He also formulated the law of suggestions: (1) Whenever attention
is concentrated on an idea over and over again, it spontaneously tends
to realize itself. (2) The harder one tries to do something, the less chance
one has of success. (3) A stronger emotion tends to replace a weaker
one. This will mean that if you use repetition, forget about your will power,
and engage strong emotion, then that will contribute to the acceptance
of fixed ideas.
There was a great controversy between Jean-Martin Charcot and
Hippolyte Bernheim about the nature of hypnotism. Charcot ran a clinic
at the Pitié-Salpêtiè Hospital (also known as the “Paris School” or the
“Salpêtiè School”), while Bernheim had a clinic in Nancy (also known as
the “Nancy School”). Charcot, influenced by the Mesmerists, opined that
hypnotism is an abnormal state of nervous functioning found only in certain
hysterical women. He also claimed that it manifests in a series of physical
reactions that could be divided into distinct stages. Bernheim on the
contrary argued that anyone could be hypnotized, that it is an extension
 SUGGESTIONS 192
of normal psychological functioning, and that its effects are due to
suggestion. Now it is Bernheim’s view that dominates the hypnotic world.
2. Verbal Suggestion
James Braid first referred to the act of focusing the conscious
mind of the subject upon a single dominant idea. This technique involved
stimulating or reducing physiological functioning in different regions of
the body. Later Braid gave greater emphasis on the use of a variety of
different verbal and non-verbal forms of suggestion, including the use of
“waking suggestion” in hypnosis. Later it was Hippolyte Bernheim who
shifted the emphasis from the physical state of hypnosis on to the
psychological process of verbal suggestion.
Hypnotism is an induction of a peculiar psychical (i.e., mental)
condition which increases the susceptibility to suggestion. Bernheim’s
idea of the primacy of verbal suggestion in hypnotism dominated the
twentieth century — so much so that he is considered the father of modern
hypnotism. Now we make use of a wide variety of different forms of
suggestion including “direct” verbal suggestions, “indirect” verbal
suggestions such as requests or insinuations, metaphors, and other
rhetorical figures of speech, and non-verbal suggestion in the form of
mental imagery, voice tonality, and physical manipulation. Generally a
distinction is made between suggestions delivered “permissively” and
those made in a more “authoritarian” manner. A number of suggestions
are designed to bring about immediate responses – an arm rises
immediately. There are other suggestions that are hypnotheraputic
suggestions that are usually post-hypnotic ones that are intended to
trigger responses affecting behavior for periods ranging from days to a
lifetime in duration. To achieve peak effectiveness, the hypnotheraputic
suggestions are often repeated in many sessions.
3. General Considerations
Suggestions can be phrased as positively as possible. Even the
heavy words can be made light: “pain” can be described as “discomfort.”
Subjects usually take suggestions literally. Therefore, one must be
unambiguous as possible and one should be beware of literal translations.
Suggestions need to be given at a pace that matches the subjects’
breathing; because it enhances rapport and is an acceptable leisurely
 193 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

pace. The hypnotist can appeal to the preferred senses of the subjects.
In case the hypnotist receives a response that is confusing, he can ask
the subject if it is hurting a bit. When something unexpected happens it
is good to stay calm. Any disturbing element can be incorporated into
hypnosis. For example, if there is a noise from outside that disturbs the
subject you could say that as you hear the noise from outside you will
get into deeper sleep.
4. Types of Suggestion
Direct Suggestion: This is where you say such and such is
going to happen. For example, “As soon as I step inside my room I will
think of relaxation.”
Indirect Suggestion: It is comprised of visualization and
storytelling. In visualization you are mentally creating the event. It is not
only imagining pictures. You can make it vivid with all the senses. You
can imagine a situation with all the senses possible. Most people make
use of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. In storytelling, you relate an event
or anecdote which provides a sort of framework for conduct. These are to
be related in an appropriately serious manner.
Subliminals: When you narrate something, mark out certain
words. It could be in the form of certain unobtrusive gestures, change of
pitch, or loudness — in a slight manner, glance, things that are small
that do not require the subjects’ full attention but designed so, so that
they will be able to perceive them.
5. Direct and Indirect Suggestions
The use of direct or indirect suggestion refers to the structure of
language. Indirect suggestions come in many ways: body language, facial
expressions, tone and volume of voice, gestures, timing, eye contact,
and physical contact such as a handshake. Gender, age, bearing,
appearance, including health, body type, and clothing are major indirect
suggestions that can affect the meaning of our language.
The various personal meanings and connotations each of us
associates to words and phrases, the emotional state, mood, and
expectancies affect the meaning of language. There are things that function
as indirect suggestions like colours, harmony of styles, cleanliness,
 SUGGESTIONS 194
temperature, aromas or odours, condition of the office, reception area,
facilities, office building and the function, form, style, and quality of furniture.
There are also other additional aspects of location like the size
and prestige of the city or town, neighbouring offices and adjacent
buildings, section of city or town and immediate neighbourhood, people
one may encounter in the vicinity of his office, and noise and immediate
neighourhood, people one may encounter in the vicinity of one’s office,
and noise levels.
There are also cultural and semantic factors like the culture and
language in which the hypnotist and the subject meet and converse, and
each of their backgrounds and life experience. At a particular time, time
of day or night, current events and seasonal factors like holiday periods,
can be indirect suggestions that affect the way language influences
people.
There can be many indirect influences in the written and spoken
words. When seeing an opinion or suggestions we are influenced by the
venue like whether it is in a book, magazine, newspaper article,
advertisement, letter, email or billboard, and whether it is from a friend, a
relative, an organization we belong to, a government agency, or spam
email. With regard to suggestions or opinions from a book we are also
influenced by the quality of writing, the book’s quality and size, the cover,
the background and additional writings of the author. All these indeed
add a context that can affect the meaning and attention given to
suggestions.
When we take into account all these factors there may not be
such a thing as a simple, independent direct suggestion; because, the
context of a so-called “direct suggestion” always has a great many indirect
surrounding influences. Thus, the distinction between the direct and the
indirect suggestions become blurred depending upon the situation and
moment in time. Therefore, the degree of directness or indirectness of
suggestion is far more complex and individualized than what we generally
consider them to be. All the same for practical purposes we maintain the
distinction between direct and indirect suggestions.
 195 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

6. Direct vs. Indirect Suggestions

There is a misconception that direct suggestions are inferior;
maybe coming from individuals who identify themselves as Ericksonian
hypnotherapists. Since direct suggestion will only bring temporary relief,
will intensify the transference relationship toward authority, and will
increase repression of the conflict, people strive to be artfully indirect in
all suggestions and interventions.
But there are certain situations where, for example in gestalt
therapy, one cannot use indirect suggestions in the hot chair exercise.
For example, instead of telling the client to switch over the role from
being himself to being his father, one says, “I wonder if you would feel
comfortable to take the role of your father.” Direct methods ensure that
any response to a suggestion maybe due to the demands of the situation
or to the prestige of the hypnotist. On the contrary, any response to an
indirect suggestion will be due to the intervention and not to the situational
or prestige factors. Even in indirect suggestions prestige has a part to
play. Some hypnotists believe that the way to overcome resistance, or
potential resistance, is to use indirect suggestions.
As a conclusion we can say that though indirect suggestions
are preferred mostly, there are times when one needs to use direct
suggestions as well. There are times when predominantly indirect
suggestions may be more effective, and at other times predominantly
direct suggestions tend to be preferable. Some subjects tend to respond
favourably to one type of suggestion than another. What is needed is the
skillful use of a range of styles.
7. Building Suggestion
It is recommended that you put your suggestions together neatly
and in order, in order to reach the goal. As such there is no bad suggestion
unless one wants to harm some individuals in some way. Only make
sure that you have enough details so that what you say is clear and
really says what you want to achieve. You need not worry about the
grammar. You can be very informal. You could write out your suggestion
and sleep over it and polish it later. Meanwhile your unconscious would
have given you some hints to better your suggestions. Make use of a
language that is convenient to you and to the subject.
 SUGGESTIONS 196
8. Delivering the Suggestion
In giving suggestion, you need not be expressive. Actually in
hypnosis, we are going to bypass the conscious and the best way to do
that is to bring boredom into it. That is why a monotone voice is used in
delivering suggestions. First you could write out your suggestion adding
a key word. The key word will trigger off the beneficial suggestion. If you
want your subject to build up self-confidence, you could use the word
“self-confidence” as the key word. At the end of the suggestion, add,
“You recall this beneficial suggestion when I say the word ‘self-confidence.’”
In actual hypnotic process of doing the induction, relaxation, and
deepening, you ask the client to take a deep breath and say to him “self-
confidence” and his unconscious will replay the suggestion. Perhaps the
subject does not remember the words of the suggestion initially but after
relaxing and clearing his mind for a while, he will have them in his mind.
The subject is likely to have stray thoughts, but they will not interfere
with the success of hypnosis as long as the subject does not pay attention
to them.
9. Rules for Hypnotic Suggestions
There are no very stright rules for suggesting to subjects. However,
we can think of some general guidelines which most hypnotists follow.
Of course, the followers of Milton Erickson use “indirect” forms of
suggestion. Yet, the “classical suggestion effect” is associated with
hypnotic tradition stemming from James Braid, the founder of hynotherapy.
According to James Braid, hypnotism is a state of focused mental
attention upon a dominant expectant idea or mental image, which was
capable of evoking a bodily response by means of a neuro-psychological
mechanism known as the “ideo-dynamic reflex.” This classical suggestion
effect is easily achieved if the hypnotist adops certain principles of
suggestions which we consider below.
1) Being Positive
We instinctively obey more the positive commands than the
negative ones. That is why we are recommended to use positive
suggestions to our subjects and to ourselves as well. The words that
contain negative sense are “not,” “don’t,” “won’t,” “can’t,” “never,” “stop”
 197 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

and conditional words like “if” and “maybe.” Such words may usher in
resistance or negative reaction.
One of the cardinal rules of suggestion is that it is formulated in
the positive. Instead of saying “I am not tense” one can say “I am relaxed.”
Here the word “positive” does not mean “good” but rather it refers to the
formulation of suggestions in the affirmative. Suggestions are formulated
in the positive so that they directly refer to the experience or response
that subjects seek to evoke rather than attempting to do so by means of
verbal negation.
2) Using Present/Progressive Tense
Your unconscious perhaps does not understand tenses and does
not distinguish between the now and the later. The past is no more and
the future is not yet and so the unconscious takes everything as now.
When the message reaches the unconscious it is the present. Therefore,
it is good to phrase your suggestion in the present. Your unconscious
will take things literally. What you are programming for, will have to take
place in the future. Even here, you need to phrase your suggestion in the
present. For example, if you are saying, “I am going to take a walk in the
evening every day,” you may inadvertently allow it to be put off because it
implies the future. Instead, if you can say, “I take a walk in the evening
every day,” that sounds good to the unconscious and it is in the present.
At times certain ways of phrasing may not indicate your decision, as for
example, “I am convinced of having a shower after the evening walk,” it
does not indicate that you are going to have a shower. Therefore, you
could say, “I have a shower every day after the evening walk.” But in
post-hypnotic suggestion either giving to someone or to yourself in self-
hypnosis you may suggest an action in the future. That is perfectly all
right, as for example, “I shall study one hour early morning from 6 to 7.”
When suggestions are phrased in the future tense they create a
sense of detachment from the response. Those suggestions are not
evocative. They also, in addition, fail to provide any immediate evidence,
or feedback that proves that the suggestions have been effective. There
is a basic dilemma in hypnosis — namely that subjects seek to make
changes in the future but suggestions phrased in the future tense are
weak. Suggestion like “On Tuesday as you will be addressing the school
 SUGGESTIONS 198
assembly, you will feel calm and at ease” tends to be ineffectual. Instead,
the hypnotist can ask the subject to project himself into a future situation,
using mental imagery to make present tense suggestions appropriate.
Thus, the subject can be asked to imagine that it is Tuesday and picture
himself before the school assembly so that suggestions like “On Tuesday
as you are in front of the school assembly you feel calm and at ease” will
be effective.
Use progressive tense instead of present tense. For a person
who is just operated on, it may not be realistic to tell that he is healed.
Rather it can be said that he is healing quickly. Here you use progressive
tense. Progressive tense means using the present continuous tense.
3) Believable
The hypnotist puts the subject into a receptive state, using audio
techniques in combination with calming methodology. Once the subject
is in a receptive state, hypnotic suggestions are given. The suggestions
will vary depending on the subjects’ goals. Suggestions will work best
when the suggestions are believable to the subject. Being in a receptive
state is not enough; one has to believe the suggestions. Secondly, the
suggestions should be desirable to the subjects. For example, since the
subject has already decided to get help with what he considers
problematic, he is suggestible.
4) As New Information
While one is in a trance, the hypnotist offers positive suggestions,
opinions and new ideas to his unconscious mind giving it new information
so that he can begin to change his mind about things. The suggestions
that are made can be reinforced by repetition. Suggestions can be made
to the unconscious of the subject through metaphors (stories).
5) Effective Suggestions
One achieves one’s objective by the use of hypnotic suggestion
and visualization while one is in the hypnotic trance. Formulating effective
suggestions is very important. There are two basic rules for creating
effective suggestions: (1) keep it short, short enough to remember, and
(2) keep it simple, simple enough to handle.
 199 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

6) Key words
Key words are those that the hypnotist uses as specifics to his
suggestions. If, for example, you are speaking of relaxation, you may
use the word “deeper” as a key word. If you are speaking of cure, you
may use the words “good health.” If you are speaking of experience, you
may say “wonderful experience.” If you are doing hypnosis for alcoholism,
you need not avoid the word alcohol but integrate such words in your
suggestions telling how the subject can walk past the wine shop, and
politely refuse an offer of drink.
7) Using Emotional Words
Emotions strongly bind the subjects. Therefore, to connect to
emotions it is important that the hypnotist makes use of emotional words
in the suggestions. For example, if a subject is frozen at seeing the
audience from the stage, he can use words telling that the subject is
having a great time and enjoys himself immensely while on the stage
looking at the audience. Phrase the suggestions in a way that is
meaningful to the subject. Thus, a subject desiring to improve his music
talents can have a suggestion like this: “I learn more from each violin
lesson and practice every day playing better each day.” For a person
who wants to improve his health a suggestion can be like this: “I eat
healthy food and continue to improve my diet. I enjoy eating a healthy
diet.”
8) Avoiding Perfectionism
Being positive is good but when you aim at perfection you cross
the limit of being positive to being unrealistic. When you are a perfectionist
it builds up stress. Perfectionism is a neurosis; excellence is good. Aim
at excellence rather than perfection. One need not be too hard on oneself
or on others. Perfection may work against the goal of hypnosis. For
example, we may not have perfect health; but we can aim at good health.
9) Using Action Words
For suggestions, use action words rather than ability descriptions.
For example, instead of saying “I can study well” tell “I study well.” You
need not say “I am able to be happy and fun-loving” but tell “I am happy
 SUGGESTIONS 200
and fun-loving.” The first way of telling is ability description and the second
one is action words.
10) Negative Positive Words
There are apparently some positive words which the unconscious
understands as negative. For example, if you take the word “try” it has a
built-in excuse for failing. It only means one attempts and does not indicate
one will achieve or do it. It is attempting to do which is not doing. It does
not help to change fixed ideas. Another word is “hope.” Having hope will
mean that one does not give up. It amounts to saying “maybe.” When
dealing with the unconscious one needs a resolution, not an open-ended
“maybe.” Even the words “should,” “could,” and “can” let doubt in where
one is supposed to be positive.
11) Under the Control of the Subject
Suggestions should be under the control of the subject. For
example, “People will accept and applaud my performance” is outside
the control of the subject. Instead “I shall perform well and with great
confidence” is within the control of the subject.
Yet, others’ actions can be included in the suggestions depending
upon the context. For example, it is nice to say: “As you sing you will
notice the audience enjoying it.”
12) Deeply Embed
This is done in several ways like: asking the subject to engage
his imagination to picture himself having embodied his new desired
behaviour; repeating a meaningful phrase over and over again; listening
to a recorded message that one has made; and feeling the change. The
more the subject can involve all his senses with the positive change he
desires, the more powerful the hypnosis session will be. Once the
hypnotist is satisfied that his suggestions have been accepted by the
unconscious of the subject, he then can direct his subject to come out of
the trance and return to the normal waking state. It is useful that prior to
coming to waking state to remind the subject that once he is awake he
will feel wonderful and refreshed unless you are hypnotizing a person
before sleep so that you can suggest that he will have a very deep,
sound, and relaxing sleep.
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13) Varied and Repeated

Usually suggestions are to be repeated many times to get enough
strength. At the same time, when a word or phrase is repeated many
times there is a strong, and easily observed tendency for it to become
less evocative. They may become meaningless. Therefore, suggestions
are to be varied but revolve around the same idea or train of thought. The
hypnotist should vary the words while holding the idea constant. Thus it
is good to employ different words and phrases based on a single theme,
perhaps describing different aspects of a complex response.
14) Achievable
Suggestions usually work by evoking bodily responses. Therefore,
they should generally refer to behavioural or physiological changes that
could feasibly be evoked psychologically.
15) Realistic
The goals need to be realistic and appropriate. Once appropriate
and realistic goals are chosen, one needs to polish the suggestions by
saying the same thing in many different ways. Even though you need to
be realistic, you can exaggerate. One needs to be careful about using
superlatives like “the greatest,” “the most beautiful,” “the best ever,” and
“the most intelligent,” because the unconscious may not accept them.
One can be creative and use a lot of fun with the suggestions.
16) Meaningful and Evocative
Suggestions should be in the language the subject can understand
unequivocally. Words the hypnotist uses may be experienced as
personally meaningful and evocative to the subject. Some of the abstract
concepts can be understood differently by different subjects. For example,
“You are now more assertive” is an abstract suggestion. For some it may
evoke specific images, memories, and feelings. For others, it may simply
be too vague a concept to stir any specific response. Therefore, abstract
concepts are to be defined, fleshed out, by many specific suggestions.
Thus the sentence “You are now more assertive” can be made more
evocative if associated with a detailed assertive script or specific imagery.
 SUGGESTIONS 202
It is good to create a picture of what assertiveness is in the mind of the
subject.
17) Delivering Congruently
Research proves that subjects respond better to suggestions
which are delivered in a confident and meaningful tone of voice than those
which are repeated monotonously and lackadaisically.
10. Helpful Suggestions
The type of words used in suggesting to the subject in
hypnosis will have a dramatic effect on the subject’s responses.
Here below are some sample hypnotic, post-hypnotic, and imaginative
suggestions.
1) Physical Relaxation
You are feeling that every muscle in your body is just loosening
up, and just letting go, and lying flat like a limp rubber band, and you are
very deeply relaxed.
2) Mental Comfort and Restfulness
You are enjoying this moment profoundly. Although you are aware
of my voice and what I am saying, you are even more aware of the wave
of comfort enveloping your awareness. As you continue enjoying the
restfulness of not having to do anything in particular right now you feel
deeply relaxed in every fibre of your muscle.
3) Normal Sensation with Continued Comfort
It is true that you are experiencing normal sensation as usual.
All the same you experience extraordinarily more pleasant, more
surprising, more comfortable, and more restful than you might expect. It
is indeed a profound relaxation.
4) Reinterpretation of Sensation
As you feel the stimulus, you can ever more be mindful of its
intensity, mindful of its quality, reminded that there is no other meaning
except to be reminded of how comfortably relaxed you can feel. Whenever
 203 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

you feel the onset of the stimulus, you can feel an onet of great relaxation
quickly spreading into your entire body from the head to the feet.
5) Normalization of Analgesia
You have almost forgotten to feel your right hand but now you begin
to feel it as before. It is amazing how you could not feel your right hand a
moment before and now feel it at my word.
6) Dissociation and Dissociative Imagery
You are surprised to note how your body can be separate from your
immediate experience as if you are far awary, floating freely lifting yourself
right out of your body, and floating like a cloud in a beautiful blue sky with
pleasant breeze embracing you.
7) Lowering the Intensity of the Stimulus
Looks like you are overwhelmed by the stimulus. Now you have the
possibility and freedom to turn down the dial of your own sensation to the
optimum level you want so that you feel really comfortable and relaxed.
8) Numbing and Analgesia
You are feeling like having taken a painkiller; a curious tingling
sensation takes hold of you. You might enjoy letting your right hand
become more and more numb and you do not feel the pain — even if
pressure is applied to it.
9) Creating a Hallucination
As you are deeply relaxed with your eyes closed, I am going to ask
you in a moment to open your eyes, lean forward, and look to your right
and you see a window and a stranger on the other side of the window. Or,
while remaining as deeply relaxed and comfortably hypnotised as you
feel now, I would now like you to slowly open your eyes, turn your head
to your right, and look through the window and see the stranger.20
 POST-HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS AND TRIGGERS 204

22. POST-HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS

AND TRIGGERS
The first part of the process of hypnosis is the induction of the
relaxed trance state. It is a day-dreamy state of mind. This trance state
is to allow the body and mind to move into a state of complete relaxation.
Breathing techniques, visualization imagery, use of metaphors, or
bombarding the critical mind with an overload of information can induce
the mind to start to alter its state of awareness. This is to get the conscious
critical mind to switch off, to allow the subject to concentrate on what is
being said to him and to start to focus on the inner self. Here the hypnotist
can give suggestion which are the goals envisaged for the subject. He
can also give post-hypnotic suggestion of carrying out certain actions or
having certain feelings like self-confidence. To ignite or initiate the post-
hypnotic suggestion one uses triggers which should have been implanted
during the hypnotic session.
1. Post-Hypnotic Suggestion
A suggestion made to a hypnotized person that specifies an
action to be performed after awakening, often in response to a cue given
under hypnosis, is a post-hypnotic suggestion.
It is a suggestion that is given to a subject while he is in hypnosis
to help effect a change after he comes out of hypnosis. For example, the
hypnotist could say, “The harder you try to find the fear of darkness, the
harder it becomes. You are unable to find that fear. It is replaced by a
feeling of deep calm, centeredness, and peace of mind.”
2. Post-Hypnotic Suggestion with Meaning
Let us take advertisement. In order to connect with a person’s
psyche, the advertisement needs to tap into themes and metaphors that
have meaning for the target audience. For example, sex symbol such as
a scantly-dressed woman or a man, a smiling family with children, display
of wealth or opulence, such as a fancy automobile has meaning for the
audience. Thus a post-hypnotic suggestion should have meaning for the
subject.
 205 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

3. Effectiveness
The effectiveness of the post-hypnotic suggestion depends
on how deeply the subject was hypnotized at the time the post-
hynotic suggestion is given. If someone is deeply hypnotized he is
more likely to respond to a post-hypnotic suggestion. Also regardless
of the depth of the trance, how much the suggestion goes against
the subject’s own beliefs and ethical values determines the
effectiveness. Any suggestion against the beliefs and morals of the
subject will not be carried out.
4. Literal-minded subjects
At times, subjects literally understand the post-hypnotic
suggestions. Sometimes they tend to fill in the gaps or work out what
the hypnotist means on their own. It also happens that subjects tend to
do exactly what the hypnotist says and only what he says. Therefore, it
implies that the hypnotist needs to spell out far more clearly and
specifically in his instructions to subjects in a trance.
5. Hypnotic Trigger
The next stage is the process called ‘hypnotic trigger.’ Sometimes
a word is offered, or a particular behaviour, such as touching ones ear or
pressing a finger and thumb together. This very trigger can be used in our
normal waking state to produce the same state of calmness and relaxation
achieved during hypnosis. This stage of trigger can be used to bring
back to the conscious mind any imagery or suggestion that the
unconscious mind has visualized or heard during hypnosis. Usually the
hypnotist will inform the subject that the trigger word or action will only
take on this special significance when used in relation to hypnosis and
in all other circumstances the trigger will not have that special meaning
but only the ordinary meaning it always has.
6. Planting Hypnotic Trigger Words
A post-hypnotic suggestion is a command the hynotist gives to
the subject which is intended to be triggered sometime after the trance,
usually by a phrase the hypnotist says or by some other signal. It can
also be given to the subject in such a way that it automatically triggers
either at a specific time or in certain circumstances.
 POST-HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS AND TRIGGERS 206
Hypnotic trigger words are simply words used to cause someone
to act on the post-hypnotic commands after he wakes up. This part
resembles anchoring in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). When one
is reliving a past pleasant experience the therapist introduces any one of
the five senses, as for example touch. If the therapist touches the subject
at a particular place with particular pressure, the relived experience is
anchored. Then later when the therapist touches the person in the same
way he did for anchoring, the subject will automatically have the same
relived past, pleasant experience. Post-hypnotic triggers and anchoring
in NLP are the same.
In couple counseling when the couple is having intimacy problem,
the partner can make use of anchoring or post-hypnotic triggers. Here,
using hypnosis when one of the couple is under even a mild hypnotic
state the partner can say, for example:
Whenever I say the word “sleep” you will instantly close your
eyes and go into a deep hypnotic trance. Whenever I say to you “Blue
Sky” you will immediately feel amorous towards me. Whenever I say
“Deep Ocean” automatically you will feel comfortable in being close to
me. Whenever you hear me say “Running Stream,” you will instantly
want to approach me highly aroused.
Before the partner is woken up out of his trance state, and after
having implanted post-hypnotic suggestions, one may also give him
amnesia so that he will not remember what had happened.
This process is quite simple, it is simply a matter of giving him
another post-hypnotic suggestion that he will not remember. One will
say to him at this point: You will follow each and every suggestion I give
you. You will not remember that I gave you these commands. You will
not remember that you were hypnotized after I awaken you. You will
follow all of my commands and you will forget what happened while in
this trance.”
One might say that this way one can seduce someone to sexual
intimacy. It is good to remember that no suggestions can be given against
the subject’s morality and beliefs. The context I speak of is a couple
relationship in which both want sexual intimacy but are unable to
experience it. One cannot make use of this technique with a stranger
 207 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

who does not want to be intimate to you. It can be used only when two
individuals want to be sexually intimate but have problem in executing it.
It is between consensual partners to enhance intimacy and not with
strangers to seduce.
7. Waking Up the Subject
Now that one has finished installing all of the desired commands,
post-hypnotic suggestions, and trigger words, it is time to wake him up.
The following is the end of the hypnotic script. It is known as the “Coming
up” part.
“I will count from one to five. When I reach the count of five, your
eyes will open and you will be wide awake. I am counting now.
One….coming up more and more, feeling wonderfully good about yourself.
Two…completely and totally relaxed…Three….you are excellent in every
way, physically wonderful, mentally marvellous....Four… your body now
feels as if it has been bathed in pure, fresh spring water, clear, and
refreshed. On the next number you will open your eyes, take a deep
breath, stretch out and feel refreshed and feel more alert than ever before.
Five…eyes wide open, feeling wide awake, alert, wonderfully refreshed.
Have the best day you can possibly have.”
8. Instant Trance
One of the very useful post-hynotic suggestions the hypnotist
can give to the subject is one which will put the subject in a trance
instantly, rather than the hypnotist having to do a full induction each
time. To do this first think of a trigger phrase, action, or a combination
of the two which will not ever happen uninintentionally. Secondly,
while the subject is hypnotized, the hypnotist instructs the subject
that when he does or says this trigger that the subject will go into a
trance. It is useful to repeat this trigger to the subject over a number
of sessions to increase its effectiveness. For example, “When I say
three..., two..., one..., trance..., you will stop whatever you are
engaged in and will close your eyes and go straight into a trance.”
 POST-HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS AND TRIGGERS 208
9. Ground Rules for Post-Hypnotic Suggestions
1) Unambiguous
The suggestions are to be carefully thought out and worded. They
should be completely unambiguous and specific. For example, telling a
subject that whenever he hears the cock crow he will do such and such
thing. It is rather umbiguous since one may hear cock crowing many
times. Therefore, it is not very specific but ambiguous. It is good to
combine a physical action and a word or phrase to create the trigger. For
example, “In future when I touch one of your elbows and say the word
‘courage’ you will go straight into a trance.” if you touch one of your
elbows he will not go into a trance. If someone else touches one of his
elbows and says “courage” he will not go into a trance. It will only be
when you touch one of his elbows and say the word “courage” he will go
into a trance. You need to define when you want the post-hypnotic
suggestion to work, when you do not want it to work, and what you want
to happen. For example, “At 10 a.m. you will start being assertive.” The
problem with such a suggestion is that something might happen and at
10 a.m. and there may not be any need for the subject to be assertive.
Perhaps you could consider the following. “When you are with your
colleagues at office next time and others try to take advantage of you,
you will be assertive.”
2) Limiting the Scope
The hypnotist should limit the scope of the suggestions.
Sometimes you may want a post-hypnotic suggestion to be effective
each time you trigger it, or you want it to work once that is just the first
time you trigger it after the trance, or you want it to work when you alone
trigger it, or you want it to work only in certain locations like in the class
room. For example, “The next one time when I say ‘fun’ you will begin to
laugh to your heart’s content.” This will work for the next one time only
and no more.
3) The Subject Knowing the Details of What He Needs to Do When
Triggered
The post-hypnotic suggestion needs to be precise and not vague.
If not spelt out, the subject may do less than expected. For example, “In
 209 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

future when I say ‘Evening Cycle Exercises in the Garden’ you will perform
cycle exercise.” Here in the suggestion, what the subject is expected is
not spelt out. Consider the same suggestion put in different words. “In
future when I say ‘Evening Cycle Exercises in the Garden’ you will take
the cycle, ride on it for about 30 minutes continuously in the garden.”
4) Defining the Termination of the Effect
The hypnotist needs to define when the post-hypnotic suggestions’
effect stops. If the hypnotist were to say, “Just after I wake you from this
trance I say the word ‘Olympics’ you will start running.” Here in this
suggestion it has not been said when the running will have to stop.
Therefore, it is good to put it this way,”Just after I wake you up from this
trance when I say the word ‘Olympics’ you will start running for ten minutes
and then you will stop.”
5) Post-Hypnotic Suggestion by Association
If the hypnotist wants the subject to feel a certain way as a result
of a post-hypnotic suggestion, the hypnotist will get much better results
if he tells the subject what to feel like rather than just telling him what to
feel. For example, “In future when I say the words ‘mountain top’ you will
feel confident and courageous.” Here the type of confidence and courage
is not specified. Instead if it is said, “In future when I say the words
‘mountain top’ you will feel confident and courageous as you are feeling
in front of this group and in front of me feeling great about looking at us
and addressing us in bold, clear, and loud voice.” In the latter example,
the confidence and courage are spelt out. Here, the future feeling of
confidence and courage are associated with the feeling the subject has
right now.21
 TRANCE TERMINATION 210

23. TRANCE TERMINATION

Every good thing has to come to an end. Likewise hypnosis
comes to a close — terminating the trance. Trance is an altered state
and one does not come out of it all of a sudden. It is doing violence to a
person to ask him to come out of trance abruptly. Therefore, the subject
has to be brought out of trance gently. There is a way of doing it and we
shall see how.
1. Options
In the final stage called “The Termination,” the hypnotic trance is
brought to an end and the subject is gently brought back to full
consciousness and wakefulness. The subject is offered the option of
bringing back with him into his conscious world all the thoughts, feelings,
and behaviours that he has experienced during the hypnotic trance, and
he can also leave behind anything that he does not want. This proposal
allows the subject to decide what feelings, thoughts, and emotions he
has found most pleasurable and beneficial that he may wish to hold on in
his conscious mind. At the end of the session the subject should be left
feeling very calm, relaxed, and peaceful as one experiences in meditation.
2. Awakening ‘Back to Reality’
Awakening is the final stage in hypnosis. Now the subject comes
back to full awareness, allowing the conscious mind to come back to its
more dominant role. It would be disorienting, inconvenient, and
uncomfortable to come back from trance too quickly or incompletely —
with the subject’s unconscious still in overall control, and his senses not
fully working. Perhaps, it will look like sleepwalking. It needs to be
established by informing the subject that he has the possibility of waking
from hypnosis at any time either by deliberately bringing oneself back at
the end of hypnosis, or during the session due to a disturbance, or
distraction, or emergency. If by chance one comes out of the hypnotic
state, say for emergency, he can be put back to hypnotic state after
attending to whatever brought him out of that state so that the subject is
properly brought back to awareness. It is necessary to tell the subject
that he is going to be awakened. The hypnotist can use words appropriate
to the context.
3. Undo Unusual Suggestions
Bringing the subject back to here-and-now is easy. Before you
start awakening the subject, undo any unusual suggestions that you
would have made during the trance state so that on waking, the subject
does not feel life unpleasant. If for example, you had suggested numbness
in any part of the body, then undo it before awakening. If the hypnotist is
doubtful of what he had suggested, it is good to do a general “banishing.”
 211 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Then it is needed that you inform the subject that you are concluding the
session. Before this, make sure that the subject basks in the feeling of
relaxation for a while.
4. Simple Termination
Though one can abruptly be brought out from a trance state to
full awareness especially at times of emergency, it is more effective and
helpful to terminate the trance state gently. This way the subject certainly
would feel good for the rest of the day. Let us see a simple trance
termination process.
The hypnotist can instruct the subject and conduct the trance
termination by saying something like this: “As I am going to count from
1 to 5 you will slowly return to full awareness and will be refreshed and
relaxed at the count of the number 5. No. 1, you are totally relaxed,
feeling wonderful, and content. No. 2, you are beginning to experience
the sensation of your senses and the surrounding. No. 3, you are
proceeding to your normal state of awareness with freshness pouring in.
No. 4, your eyes feel bright, clear and alert. On the next count you will
open your eyelids and be fully aware, relaxed, and invigorated. No. 5,
open your eyes, and come back here fully awake and aware. You are
feeling great and wonderful.”
Another simple way is to tell the subject that when he is ready,
he can return to the here-and-now feeling, wonderfully fine in every way.
1, starting to return; 2, feeling more alert; 3, half way through; 4, feeling
fine in every way; and 5, awake.
5. When Not Woken Up
If the subject does not wake up within a reasonable amount of
time (a couple of minutes), you can say: “Slowly and gently come back
here and open your eyes within 10 seconds.” Even then if the subject
does not wake up, make sure that he has not fallen asleep. If you have
really made a person fall asleep, it is to your credit that you are capable
of making a person sleep soundly. Even after all these the subject does
not wake up, then leave it to his responsibility telling that he can come
back here when he is ready. Again if the subject delays, suggest that the
subject feels alert and his eyes are opening. You may also use a reinforcer
by switching back to your regular voice as you conclude calling out the
number 5. Perhaps you had been speaking slowly in a low tone and now
you can speak louder than usual at the count of the number 5.
6. Integrating
It is important to instruct the subject as to which method of the
trance termination will be utilized. The hypnotist might say, “You will
come out of the trance when I reach the count of three. One, you are now
 TRANCE TERMINATION 212
becoming more awake. Two, you are more and more awake. You are
now fully awake and completely refreshed. Three, you are fully awake
and alert as before and refreshed.” After the termination, it is advisable to
give the subject enough time to adjust. Adjustment may be assisted
through the introduction of a conversation in a normal speaking tone,
increased volume of any background music, the turning up of any lighting,
or the opening of any curtains.
After awakening it is good to remain relaxed to retain the calmness
that the subject would have generated during hypnosis and allow him to
be fully re-oriented to reality. It is good at this time to ask for a feedback.
If you had forgotten to undo certain things, the subject might remind you
of that and you can quickly induce a trance and undo the things that are
to be undone. If the subject speaks of some inconsideration on your
part, you can clear the air and acknowledge the validity of his complaint.
In fact the end of a hypnosis session is the beginning of a new
way of thinking and acting. How the end is brought about and what the
subject does next can make all the difference in the effectiveness of the
hypnotherapy. During the hypnosis the subject was put into a trancelike
state. This allows him to put away the conscious, often over-analytical
mind for a short time and allow a spoken message or script to take
centre stage in his thought processes. It is here, we can say, that
hypnosis is turned into hypnotherapy where suggestions are made that
can bring about changes in the life of the subject. For the subject to
move from the dreamy state of the trance to reall life, the trance is
specifically terminated.
There are five basic steps that lead up to trance termination. (1)
Review of what was learned during the session. This might also include
instructions on what to do with this new information. Making a summary
of the learning reinforces the desired changes. (2) Giving instructions to
forget to over-analyze the new information. It is part of the amnesia step
of the total hypnosis process. In fact, this might reinforce changes that
are desired. (3) Awakenng. This step is meant to gradually re-orient the
individual into a state of awareness. (4) Distraction. The subject is
distracted. It is something that either has nothing to do with the hypnosis
session or bringing up a topic that may have been discussed before
starting the trance. It is similar to amnesia in that it keeps the subject
from dwelling too much with the conscius mind on the informatiion from
the session. (5) The subject is questioned for the experience during
hypnosis. It is to know what the subject experienced. It further fills the
gap between the conscious and the unconscious experiences of the
hypnosis. This is another way of bringing the subject to consciousness.
The subject is mentally moving from the hypnotherapy to a natural state
either — full consciousness or sleep (at night when desired). 22
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PART III

TYPES OF HYPNOSIS
 HYPNOTIC METHODS 214
24. HYPNOTIC METHODS
There are no different types of hypnosis, but rather different levels
of (the state of mind termed) hypnosis. A number of different hypnotic
methods are used to achieve the level of mind known as hypnosis, trance,
Alpha or Theta level of mind. In trance, one’s focus of attention is directed
in such a way that learning, and the acceptance of hypnotic suggestions
are easily achieved.
We can identify from the history and practice of hypnosis there
are major hypnoses like self-hypnosis, hetero-hypnosis, stage hypnosis,
and Ericksonian hypnosis and minor ones like kids’ hypnosis and other
hypnoses like therapeutic hypnosis, forensic hypnosis, street hypnosis,
and animal hypnoses. A few words are here below about the major
hypnosis before we deal with them in detail.
1. Self-Hypnosis
Self-hypnosis refers to the induction of the hypnotic state by
oneself. In this one self-induces relaxation. It is a state of heightened
awareness and suggestibility, one is more capable of influencing one’s
bodily functions, and providing oneself with post-hypnotic suggestions.
Self-hypnosis is also called “auto-hypnosis.” It is a hypnosis
that is self-induced. The term auto-hypnosis is a euphemism for the self-
hypnosis procedure. Whether understood as auto-hypnosis or self-
hypnosis, it is the process of hypnotizing oneself for the purpose of some
desired gain or goal.
Auto-hypnosis is usually produced through the previous post-
hypnotic suggestion(s) offered by a hypnotist at some previous time. We
can say that every auto-suggestion was once a hetero-suggestion. Varying
degrees of auto-suggestion and auto-hypnosis are at the base of the
religious-healing movements.
Suggestions are easily accepted and carried out if they are
understood to originate from the self rather than being imposed by another.
If a person has a faith that he will recover by auto-suggestion he develops
more motivation. In this, the person feels self-pride in achieving which
strengths confidence essential for recovery. Auto-hypnosis makes available
 215 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

a tremendous reservoir of unrecognized potential strength which is a

forgotten asset. Diligent practice is usually necessary to obtain
satisfactory depth. Auto-hypnosis, in fact, is the primary phenomenon,
and the hetero-hypnosis is a guided self-hypnosis.
The signs of hypnosis will be quite different for someone as an
observer and as a participant. The signs will also change throughout the
trance, as the level of depth and involvement of the trance progresses.
Entering the trance too is different to different people as some may prefer
to sit, some others to stand, and still others to lie down.
2. Hetero-Hypnosis
Hetero-hypnosis is also known the “authoritarian” approach to
hypnosis. In this induction the hypnotic state is caused by someone
else (the hypnotist). Motivation, relaxation, and suggestion are involved
in hypnosis. It is the subject who allows the hypnotist to bring about a
state of relaxation — because the subject himself desires this state and
so he responds to the suggestions of the hypnotist. Some call the
hypnotist the “dream weaver.” The idea of authoritarian approach comes
from the practice of the early figures of hypnotism such as Mesmer,
Bernheim, Charcot, and Freud. Of course, now this method is used by
the stage hypnotists.
3. Stage Hypnosis
Stage hypnosis is done by a hypnotist for the general public to
entertain them. The subjects may be asked to do silly and amusing
things so that the audience is led to hilarity. It is more for show than for
healing. A number of things in stage hypnosis are common with other
methods of hypnosis. At times people are led to believe strange things
about hypnosis which may not be true. Stage hypnosis is to be taken for
its fun value and that is all.
4. Ericksonian Hypnosis
The method of Erickson is the “naturalistic or utilization approach.”
It helps the subject find his own talents for problem solving and healing in
his own unique manner. It encourages and facilitates the subject’s own
creative process. The elementary principles of Ericksonian hypnotherapy
are (1) accepting the person’s reality, and (2) utilizing the person’s reality.
The hypnotist paces the behaviour of the subject and later leads the
subject’s behavior to the desired goal.23
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 216

25. SELF-HYPNOSIS
Self-hypnosis expands the privilege of autonomy. The link of
interpersonal rapport is dissolved as the experience becomes more fully
intrapsychic. A more conscious portion of the mind gives suggestions,
affirmations, and directives to another, more unconscious part. According
to some authors, the autonomy accompanying self-hypnosis may invite
disproportionate wanderings of attention and less task orientation than
that observed in the more structured hetero-hypnosis.
1. Hypnosis to Oneself
Self-hypnosis is said to happen when a person hypnotizes himself,
commonly involving the use of autosuggestion. Persons who practice
self-hypnosis may require assistance; some use devices known as mind
machines (using pulsing rhythmic sound and/or flashing light to alter the
frequency of the user’s brainwaves) to assist in the process; some others
use hypnotic recordings.
2. Context of Self-Hypnosis
Self-hypnosis is effectively used to solve many problems that
have their root cause in the mental condition. The technique is often
used to increase motivation to go on a diet, quit smoking, or reduce
stress. Phobias created in the mind due to fear and severe mental
depressions can be treated. Those who attempt to control body weight,
addiction to alcoholism or drugs, etc. can get quick relief from self-
hypnosis. It is fairly acceptable to all — since one need not have to
submit one’s thoughts and emotions in front of others. It can also be
practiced without anyone’s help whenever one wants it.
Self -hypnosis enables one to control one’s mind. One
understands his own problem completely than anyone else. Therefore,
one will be a better person to treat oneself after learning the techniques
of self-hypnosis. One can also use the process of hypnosis tailor-made
to suit one’s needs. Though the process of hypnosis is complex and
may require multiple skills, self-hypnosis includes only the fundamental
knowledge essential to control one’s mind. That is why it is simpler to
learn and practice self-hypnosis.
 217 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Usually one’s mind is preoccupied with beliefs and thoughts from

experiences in the past. These hidden thoughts in the unconscious are
responsible for every decision and action. Self-hypnosis trains the mind
to forget the negative thoughts that hinder one’s growth. The negative
thoughts are replaced with positive thoughts with a vision of better future.
Then the positive thoughts are imprinted in the unconscious through
repetition and visualization. Self-hypnosis requires complete relaxation
of the mind and the body. One should choose a place which provides
absolute solitude and comfort. The relaxation method needs to be learned.
3. Preparation
You can set aside 10 to 15 minutes per day to practice self-
hypnosis. You may do it at a convenient time; you need not do it at
bedtime as you may fall asleep before you finish, unless your motive is
to get a deep sleep. It is good to choose a place quiet and undisturbed.
You should feel warm and comfortable without feeling too hot or too cold.
There are some who sit in a chair and there are others who lie down while
practicing self-hypnosis. Let there not be any disturbance from people or
telephones. Unavoidable traffic noise can be integrated into your hypnosis.
Loosening any tight clothing you may be wearing makes you feel
comfortable. When you lie down it is good to take off your shoes. While
seated in a chair, put your feet flat on the floor and place your hands on
your lap without interlocking or by the sides next to you if you are lying
down.
4. Integrate Distraction
Since in hypnosis you close your eyes, most of the distractions
are from sounds. You can actually turn the distracting sounds into your
advantage saying: “I will relax more with every sound I hear.” Thus with
any annoying sound you will be going deeper into relaxation and trance.
Do not fight with the external sounds. You will always come out of the
hypnosis if there is a real emergency like any alarm sound, or smell of
smoke. Both your conscious and unconscious are programmed for your
self-preservation. It is good to practice self-hypnosis at the same time
every day. Anyway you need not practice hypnosis within an hour after
eating, or when you are hungry, or right before bedtime as you may fall
asleep. Though you may lie down on the floor or on a mat, you need not
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 218
lie down on your bed as you may be anchored to sleep. If you are afraid
that you would miss an appointment if by chance your hypnosis prolongs,
set an alarm lest you be bothered about terminating your trance on time.
You may not clear your mind of all thoughts other than hypnosis. If
thoughts keep intruding, just ignore them instead of paying attention or
being worried about them. When you do not fight against the intruding
thought they will lose their strength and slowly disappear. Therefore, it is
a good strategy not to pay attention or worry about them.
With practice you will be able to enter deeper relaxation and
deeper trance. In the beginning it is good not to force it. Learning self-
hypnosis takes repeated practice. Though hypnosis is a natural state, it
will take some time to enter it voluntarily. Even pieces of hypnosis can
be practiced every now and then as you are waiting for something.
Relaxation can be practiced whenever you have a small break from your
work schedule. Likewise you can practice induction. You may practice
pieces of hypnosis until they become your second nature. You can practice
it repeatedly, ideally every day to get the full benefits. You should not
practice hypnosis while operating some equipments or driving.
5. Accessing the Unconscious
A professional hypnotist helps one to get through to his
unconscious. In a way he is a go-between. But in self-hypnosis, one
gets through to one’s own unconscious. In this one talks to oneself. One
has the ability to manipulate one’s mind and change fixed ideas in his
unconscious that keep him from reaching his goals. In short, self-hypnosis
is a procedure that helps one change his mind. One’s will power will not
do it. If one tries to use his will power, he will end up reinforcing the
attitudes that are standing in his way. If there is no deep-seated block in
the way of trying something new, often one can “just do it” with will power.
Even here, relaxing will let you slide through and do it more easily.
There are some who are able and clever to access the
unconscious and enkindle the power of the mind for healing. I know a
man who met with a minor accident and the leg was so badly hurt that it
began to fester. He refused any medicine and just by self-hypnosis got
the leg cured. There was a woman who was highly diabetic. She decided
that she would not need any medicine because, according to her, God
 219 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

will take care of her. In fact she goes about without any medication,
eating anything and being very normal. These are examples of people
who use self-hypnosis to cure themselves.
6. Approaches to Self-hypnotic Skills
The important ingredients of self-hypnosis are relaxation and the
universal ability to construct mental pictures. Relaxation decreases the
background noise of the mind. In it the body adopts natural rhythms of
repose, and the mind allows its spontaneous creation of thoughts to
slow down. Within this tranquility, creative imagination finds opportunities
for sustaining mental images that project intensity and therapeutic
direction.
Self-hypnosis has greater impact if it involves a variety of senses.
It recruits more areas of the brain. Pictorial images correspond to the
activity of visual and visual association areas in the occipital lobes. Adding
language or music recruits auditory regions around the temporal lobes.
Integrating movements invites participation of the parietal lobes. Emotions
animate the limbic system and its wealth of connections to autonomic
neural networks and to the neuroendocrine system.
Certain techniques have the capacity to deepen relaxation and
to heighten the impact of mental images. Hypnosis is a special state of
mind permitting the experience of relaxation in its most profound realms.
Beyond the dissipation of tension, the body drifts into a state where
breathing slows down to become deeply abdominal; heart rate assumes
a m ellif luous cadence; blood pressure decompresses; and
electroencephalogram (EEG) rhythms shift into cerebral harmony. The
mind enters layers of feelings that traverse calm and move into
peacefulness. Relaxation knows no limits in its depths or in its boundaries.
Self-hypnosis seeks the attainment of experiences similar to
those searched for in hypnosis. Deep relaxation is created and the ability
to summon mental directives is enhanced. Mental images thus achieve
clarity, focus, and steadfastness. Energizing feelings such as self-
confidence and self-mastery are more easily conjured. In self-hypnosis,
the subject acts as guide and experiences solely through the impetus of
self-regulation. It gives the subjects the opportunity to develop a sense of
self-determination toward their condition.
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 220
7. A Detailed Guide to the Process of Self-Hypnosis
The ability to hypnotize oneself is a valuable tool for anyone to
possess. To hypnotize yourself, begin with a straight spine. It is advisable
that the beginner sits in a symmetrical position in a straight backed
chair, taking special note to maintain a straight elongated spine. Take
several deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. As
you perform this exercise, close your eyes and repeat this simple phrase
to yourself: “My body is limp…my body is limp… my body is limp.” Now
turn your attention toward your breathing. A simple, relaxing technique is
to breathe in through the nose for three seconds, (you should be counting
to yourself) hold the breath for nine seconds, release out of your mouth
for six seconds, and pause for three seconds. This cycle of breathing
should be repeated for several seconds, until you are comfortable, warm,
and relaxed. If it is extremely uncomfortable, you may shorten the held
breath step. Now that you are relaxed and focused on your breathing,
you must attune yourself to your body. Repeat now to yourself: “My legs
are limp.” After several repetitions, you should begin to notice the strong
sense of weakness in your legs. You will experience brief moments, in
which you will lose control of your legs. Do not be alarmed by this, rather
let them fall away and turn your attention to your solar plexus (part of
one’s stomach, below the ribs).
The solar plexus which is the centre of your breathing, should
now be ordered to relax in a way that follows with the cycle of breathing
that you have been performing. Repeat “My chest is relaxed,” after every
step of the breathing cycle. As your chest becomes relaxed and
subsequently detached, let it go.
Now that your body is complexly limp and relaxed, you may
begin to visualize. Think of a friend, or the picture of a particular project,
or the subject that has been bothering you. Now, begin to describe it in
your mind. Describe the colour, dimensions, and features of your picture.
This process will yield other pictures that will follow. Describe them all in
equal depth. This process should last for five to fifteen minutes, and upon
completion you will remember a surprisingly large portion (if not all) of
the images, and the order in which they followed. You should not open
your eyes, tell your body aloud to “Wake up” and proceed to reflect upon
the pictures that you saw. There is always an underlying theme to the
 221 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

images, and a conscious examining of them will yield an insight into

your true feelings concerning a subject. With this newly discovered insight,
you may come to terms with an issue or transform it into a work of art, be
it poetry, prose, sculpture, or painting. The relaxing sensation that is felt
should carry with you for the rest of the day, a sense that comes from
unconscious revelation.
8. Self-Hypnosis May Take Some Practice
Trance is merely an altered state of mind, one of many that a
person phases in and out of, throughout the day. Altered states are
necessary to get us out of preset ideas and habits. In an altered state,
facilitating change occurs more naturally. We want to use rationality and
logic to solve everything. But in relationships or with emotional issues
they have their limitations. Hypnosis bypasses all mental interference.
Hypnosis works most effectively for those who can concentrate. Hypnosis
can be defined as mindset allowing an unconscious facilitation to change.
In this state, the hypnotist can offer a new road map for the unconscious
mind to follow. The hypnotist helps the subject access this state and
gives useful instructions. One of the problems of self-hypnosis is
transitioning from unsettling or negative mindset over to a positive or
calming one. Learning self-hypnosis is learning to shift your focus and
awareness.
9. The Benefits of Self-Hypnosis
Self-hypnosis is becoming increasingly popular to help alleviate
a variety of health concerns. It can be a very useful complementary
approach to use in conjunction with any health care approach. It involves
placing a subject in a trancelike state often described as resembling
sleep. Though asleep, one is aware of surroundings. It places the mind
in an altered, relaxed state. While in this state, one’s attention is much
more focused than usual. At this time one is more open to suggestions
and less critical. It is precisely this particular attribute that makes self-
hypnosis so effective in treating a variety of health problems. It taps the
inherent connection between the mind and the body. Whether a person
eventually succumbs to the suggested altered state of mind ultimately
depends upon the person undergoing the process rather than the talent
of the hypnotist. Self-hypnosis is a method that quiets and relaxes one’s
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 222
body. It places the subject in an altered state like the one achieved in
meditation. One important aspect of this technique is mental imagery
which helps one to focus inward. The imagery may involve something
like descending a set of stairs or visualizing a quiet spot: example, a
deserted beach. Even one can visualize walking barefoot through a forest
with soft moss gently caressing one’s feet, relaxing by a brook bubbling
in the background and even the smell of damp earthiness of the forest
surrounding him.
This heightened relaxation is the “alpha state.” It is named this
way after the type of brain waves produced under these circumstances.
Now one begins to recite positive affirmations like, “I am wonderful,” “I am
fit” and the like. Once one is done, one comes out of the alpha state by
going up the imagined set of stairs that one descended originally or by
slowly walking out of the visualized surroundings.
Some believe that self-hypnosis causes the brain to release
natural substances (endorphins, neurotransmitters, etc.) which affect
one’s perception of pain as well as other symptoms of one’s health
problems. Some others propose that this method allows one to actually
control the reactions of one’s body through one’s unconscious mind.
Though there are many similarities between hypnosis and self-hypnosis,
there are also some differences. In self-hypnosis one is completely in
charge. One chooses one’s own time limits that one stays in his alpha
state, one chooses what health concerns one emphasizes, and one
chooses when one does this. With this freedom, one can adjust his self-
hypnosis schedules to fit his lifestyle as well as to discover the most
effective time and length of session to be beneficial.
There are many sports persons who use this technique to help
achieve their goals and improve their performance. Ideally this technique
can be used for just about any health concern that one has – from simple
relaxation to the pain management of childbirth. Of course, it is not
intended to cure one of any disease. However, many use it quite
successfully to alleviate the symptoms of many health problems. Self-
hypnosis is also an excellent tool to treat stress – which in itself is the
underlying cause of many chronic health conditions. Even if it helps one
manage many stressors that itself is a valuable function. Self-hypnosis
can help one achieve many healthy lifestyle changes in one’s life. One
 223 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

can go into one’s alpha state to reinforce one’s desire to follow an exercise
programme regularly. It can also be a boost to help one get rid of unhealthy
habits. It is also used to lose weight and quit smoking. Not that everyone
can use this technique quite easily. There are some who find that they
are not able to overcome their initial prejudices and preconceived ideas
about the stereotypical aspects of hypnosis. Some others may not
succeed to produce that relaxed alpha state required for the hypnotic
suggestions to become fully embedded in their unconscious. Compared
to some alternative health methods like exercises, self-hypnosis requires
more focus and more practice. But it can be a great choice for a subject
who cannot fully participate in exercises.
Self-hypnosis is used in a variety of ways. It can be applied to
overcome any psychological and emotional issues that most individuals
commonly face. Many use it to change and modify one’s behaviour, self-
perception, and unhealthy lifestyle. It can bring out one’s inner potential
and strengths. It can empower people to change their false beliefs and
become successful in life. It also enables people to face their fears and
overcome personal struggles as well. Some of the benefits are: increases
self-awareness; improves self-esteem and confidence; targets and
modifies unwanted, negative behaviours and limiting beliefs; installs
positive life-affirming beliefs; manages stress, anxiety, traumas and dietary
problems; and attracts abundance to life which includes happiness, love,
success, and health.
10. Sharpening Skills
Before one learns to do self-hypnosis fully, it is worth going
through a few preliminary exercises to sharpen one’s skills and boost
one’s mind power. There are a few techniques that are very important in
the use of hypnosis. They are the key tools like (1) visualization, (2)
relaxation, and (3) focus.
1) Visualization Exercises
Visualization is used together with suggestion to create the
change you are trying to achieve by using self-hypnosis. In trance you
can visualize the results you are aiming for: you can visualize how you
would look like after a stress management programme, or after working
on your self-esteem. There are some people who may have some physical
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 224
reason for not being able to create pictures in their mind. But otherwise,
everyone can visualize to some degree. For the visualization skills, we
can think of four exercises: one in which you visualize something you
know well; one in which you have to visualize something that you know
but with a little more creativity; one in which you have to make something
happen; and one in which you have to visualize something you have
never experienced.
A. Visualizing Something You Know Well (Visualization of Your
Home)
(1) Allow your eyes to gently close, (2) Imagine you are standing
in front of the main door into your home, (3) Notice what colour it is, (4)
Notice what it is made of, (5) Touch the door and feel its texture, (6) Now
open the door and go through the door – you are inside, (7) Walk through
into the kitchen – take the kettle – put some water in the kettle – put the
kettle on to boil – sit down, and (8) Now open your eyes again.
B. Visualizing Something You Know with Some Creativity
(Visualization of Balloons – 1)
(1) Close your eyes – take three deep breaths, (2) Imagine
yourself holding 7 balloons – each on a separate string – a red one, an
orange one, a yellow one, a green one, a light blue one, a dark blue one,
and a white one, (3) For a moment, hold one of the balloons in your
hands – feel its texture – hear the rubbery creaking sound it makes as
you run your fingers over it, (4) Now – one at a time – release the balloons
– in any order you wish – allow each one to float up and out of your
mental sight, and (5) When you have released them all – open your
eyes.
C. Visualizing to Make Something Happen (Visualization of
Balloons – 2)
(1) Close your eyes, (2) Allow a red balloon to appear at the right
hand side of your mental visual field, (3) Allow this balloon to move across
your mental field of view and disappear out of the left hand side, (4) Now
do the same with an orange balloon, now yellow, now green, now light
blue, now dark blue, and now white, (5) Now bring each one back in
reverse order from the left side of your vision to the right side, white, dark
blue, light blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and (6) Then open your eyes.
 225 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

D. Visualizing Something You Never Experienced (Imagined

Location)
(1) Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, (2) Think of
somewhere you would like to go – either just to visit or for a holiday –
somewhere you have never been, but would like to go, (3) Imagine what
that place looks like, (4) Imagine what you are doing there, (5) Imagine
how it sounds, (6) Imagine finding somewhere to relax – then imagine
how it feels, and (7) Now open your eyes.
2) Relaxation Exercises
Relaxation of both mind and body is another basic hypnosis
technique. By using these relaxation techniques you will be able to shift
your attention away from your physical and outer world realities and focus
on your inside world.
A. Counting the Breath
(1) Allow your eyes to gently close, (2) Begin to breathe gently
and slowly using your abdomen, (3) Begin (in your mind) to count your
breaths – starting at 10 and working back to 1, (4) When you reach
number one, take a deep breath, and then as you breathe gently and
slowly again, count your breaths from 10 down to 1 again, and (5) You
can repeat this process for as long as you wish – allow yourself to feel
the relaxation being generated within you.
B. Following the Breath
(1) Allow your eyes to gently close, (2) Begin to breathe gently
and slowly using your abdomen, (3) Just allow your mind to follow each
breath without counting – just follow the gentle in and out that happens
automatically, and (4) You can follow this procedure for as long as you
wish – allow yourself to feel the relaxation being generated within you.
C. Blank Mind
(1) Allow your eyes to gently close, (2) Begin to breathe gently
and slowly using your abdomen, (3) Try to imagine that you are looking
into your own head. As you look into your head, allow your vision to be
blank. Intrusive thoughts will come into your mind – do not worry – allow
them to go again and return to your blank mind, and (4) You can follow
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 226
this procedure for as long as you wish – allow yourself to feel the relaxation
being generated within you.
D. Physical Relaxation
Physical relaxation is another key component of self-hypnosis.
There is a progressive relaxation technique that starts from the top of the
head and goes to the tips of the toes. (pp. 159 - 160)
3) Focus
When self-hypnosis is done, after creating and deepening your
trance, you will need to give yourself the suggestions you created before
starting, and you will visualize the results. So, it is important that you
remain focused after you have started your trance session.
An exercise to enable you to practice remaining focused on the
process:
(1) Allow your eyes to gently close (2) Allow your mind to create
a picture of you relaxing in a light trance, (3) As you continue to visualize
yourself, repeat (in your mind) the phrase: “I focus on my objective,” (4)
Think of the timeframe in which you would achieve your objectives, (5)
Then, if you already know what your objective is in Learning self-hypnosis
techniques, then you can visualize yourself having achieved your aim,
and (6) Then open your eyes.
11. Getting Affimations into the Unconscious Through Self-hypnosis
1) Affirmations
Affirmations in the language of hypnosis are suggestions. When
we do either self-hypnosis or hetero-hypnosis we insert suggestions after
deepening the trance state. In the place of suggestions one can insert
affirmations and these too are suggestions.
All self-talk or inner dialogue is a stream of affirmations. Every
word you say or thought you think is an affirmation. These words and
thoughts reflect your inner truths and beliefs, many of which were formed
in childhood. They may be helpful or they may sabotage you from achieving
what you want. Most of these thoughts arise automatically, a learned
response that is a critical part of your survival system. The system calls
on strategies/responses that have worked in the past so that you do not
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have to re-examine every aspect of things every time something new

happens. Of course, this is a generalized response. The problem with
this is that the strategies/responses you learned as a youngster are
ineffective or inappropriate for succeeding in the adult world. For most
people, 80 to 100% of those thoughts are negative. Positive affirmations
are short, targeted statements that begin to retrain these responses to
ones that support the direction that you want to go and to support the
things that you want in your life. They use a combination of positive
emotion, visualization, and repetition, which are all proven methods of
unconscious change.
2) The Way Affirmations Work
Positive affirmation differs from an ingrained response. The
unconscious can either refuse/avoid the statement or it can re-evaluate
the response and the belief that lies beneath it. If the affirmation is far
removed from reality then the unconscious will reject it. For example, an
average looking man says that he is the most handsome person, then
his unconscious will reject it. But if the affirmation is believable, and feels
good, then, with repetition, the unconscious is likely to accept the
affirmation as true, and you can tell when this is working because your
response will feel good in your body, and mind, and inspire a sense of
joy, or well-being. If continually a good-feeling affirmation is repeated, it
will overcome even the strongest resistance. The point is both repeat the
affirmation a lot, and to challenge thoughts that bring up that conflict with
the affirmation or state that you are trying to adopt. Of course, affirmations
can start working immediately, but you will know that your new positive
beliefs are becoming a new truth for you when the positive change you
seek comes easily and naturally, and you see the effects reflected in
both your internal and external life.
3) Creating Your Own Positive Affirmations
Think of a few areas of your life that you would like to improve.
You can take a few items as too many changes at once can make the
process less effective. You can write a few positive statements for each
one of the items. Here are a few guidelines:
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 228
First of all, focus on what you want, rather than what you do not
want. Your unconscious follows the images and ideas that you present
to it. Secondly, make it something that is believable. It is good to
remember that too big a leap is likely to be rejected. It is good that you
move in the direction you want to go, even if it does not get you all the
way there, in one go. Thirdly, make sure that you can feel good about the
statement and the direction. Emotions are part of the language of the
unconscious. Therefore, when you feel good as you say your affirmation,
it shows the unconscious how you want to feel about your desired change.
If you have a big leap to make, start with a “releasing” affirmation. For a
person who wants to get the first class in the exam, the releasing
affirmation will be “I am willing to pay attention to my studies.” Later this
will lead one to the desired goal of getting the first class.
Some sample affirmations are: “My body is attuned to good
health;” “My broken leg heals quickly and easily;” and “I maintain optimum
weight.” You can supercharge your affirmations by saying them while
looking at yourself in the mirror, or writing them down and posting them
in a place that you will see them regularly, you can chant your affirmations,
or put them to music so that you can sing them to yourself. Self-hypnosis
is a very effective way to get your affirmations into your unconscious
quickly and easily. You may record your affirmations, ideally along with a
process that takes you into a light hypnotic state, and listen to it again
and again. This ideally works because it allows your conscious to relax
so that your unconscious can absorb the affirmations more easily. Once
you have gathered eight to ten affirmations ready, you may prepare a
script, insert your affirmations, and affirm your way into a whole new self.
12. The Self-Hypnosis Process
The components of the self-hypnosis process are just four: (1)
Induction (the creation of the trance), (2) Deepening (making the relaxation
deeper and the conscious less active), (3) The therapy, and (4) Awakening.
This is a shortened form of the self-hypnosis process. There are many
ways of doing self-hypnosis. What follows is one of them.
Preliminaries
Self-hypnosis is a very personal experience. Each one does it in
his own way. Therefore one needs to decide about which self-hypnosis
 229 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

techniques are best suited for one. It is good trying different techniques
to find out which are the best and most successful ones for one. There
are four preliminaries: 1) Decide how long, 2) Know your suggestion, 3)
Make yourself comfortable, and 4) Tell yourself you are doing self-hypnosis.
First — How long are you going to spend in hypnosis? There are
two ways to do this: Decide to do hypnosis for a length of time (i.e.
fifteen minutes); or decide to do it until a certain time on the clock (e.g.
if you start at 8 p.m. continue until 8.15 p.m.). In either way it is not
necessary to open one’s eyes and check the time on the clock. One’s
unconscious will tell one when it is time to end one’s trance. When one
tells himself at the beginning that one is doing self-hypnosis until a certain
time (or for a certain time), then when you bring yourself out of trance,
most probably, it will be the time one said or at least, very close to it.
Your self-hypnosis sessions vary in length. In the beginning you may
spend more time just creating, deepening, and experiencing trance
spending 15-20 minutes. With practice you may do them quite quickly
and can spend more time working to achieve your specific goals, while
at the same time taking only 10 minutes over the whole session.
Second – Make sure you know your suggestion and have a good
idea of your visualization.
Third – Make yourself comfortable. You can sit down or lie down.
It is good that you sit down so that you do not fall asleep. Make sure that
you will not be very much disturbed during the self-hypnosis session.
Fourth – Tell yourself you are doing self-hypnosis: I am doing
self-hypnosis for 15 minutes or I am doing self-hypnosis until quarter
past nine. It is also necessary that you put in a suggestion about coming
back to alertness if there is an emergency during your self-hypnosis: If
for any reason I need to come back to full awareness at any time during
my self-hypnosis, I do so immediately, coming back to full awareness,
back to full alertness at once.
1) Induction (Creation of Trance)
Induction is meant to create trance. There are many techniques
of creating trance among which four are recommended: two involve eye
fatigue while the other two involve confusion techniques. You may also
listen to music of your choice.
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 230
(1) Eye Fatigue - 1: The simplest is to take two or three (even
more) deep breaths while focusing the gaze on an object directly in front
of you. As you breathe out on the last of the deep breaths, allow your
eyes to gently close and begin to focus on your inner experience.
(2) Eye Fatigue - 2: Allow your eyes to close as you breathe
normally. After closing your eyes allow three thoughts to pass repeatedly
one after the other through your mind with increasing speed. Flick through
these thoughts repeatedly, quickly flicking from one thought to another
until you find your mind wandering off into a deepening relaxation. Now
you can focus on your inner experience. The fast thought processing
leads to fatigue and the response of the conscious is to shut down a bit.
When you are no longer flicking through your three thoughts you will
know that you have achieved the shutting down of the conscious.
(3) Confusion Technique - 1: While breathing normally, focus
on a spot directly ahead of you but slightly above your line of vision.
Focus on this spot by raising your eyes, not by lifting your head. Continue
to gaze at this spot until you feel your eyes are becoming increasingly
tired. When you reach the point at which you find it difficult to keep your
eyes open, allow them to gently close, and begin to focus on your inner
experience.
(4) Confusion Technique - 2: Allow your eyes to gently close.
Count backwards from 1000 in 3’s (i.e. 1000, 997, 994, 991 and so on).
While doing this, visualize each number in front of you as you keep your
eyes closed with each number you visualize being half the size of the
one before. You will know this has worked when you realize that you
have lost track of your counting.
You may try all of these techniques to find out which suits you.
You may also change from one to another occasionally for variety.
(5) Listening to Music: It is merely a personal choice. If you
can find some music that helps to create a relaxed feeling, then you can
go ahead and use it to help you relax. But once you use certain music
for self-hypnosis, then it cannot be used for anything else, since you are
anchored to that music and that music will put you in self-hypnosis
automatically. Now you can start a self-hypnosis session. Basically you
are closing your eyes and beginning to focus internally. Now you are
 231 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

ready to learn the next step – let us deepen that trance and get to the
stage where you can do some useful work.
Here ends the induction process and starts the deepening
process. It is deepening the relaxation or trance.
2) Deepening
The purpose of deepening the trance is to attain a state of mind
at which the therapy will be most effective. Even though there may be
many levels of trance from author to author, a simple categorization has
three main levels: light trance, medium trance, and deep trance (often
referred to as somnambulistic state). Some even refer to deeper level
such as “coma,” “catatonia,” and “ultra trance state.” For hypnotic purpose
a steady light trance state suffices. In all the experiences of hypnosis,
this level is sufficient to carry out work that leads to beneficial change.
The aim of deepening is to ensure that there is a suitable balance between
the conscious and the unconscious so that appropriate suggestions and
visualizations can be used to carry out the therapeutic work. As with
induction, there are a number of techniques that can be used with physical
relaxation, countdown techniques, and visualization being the most widely
used.
Deepening is an important stage in self-hypnosis. You need to
ensure that you are capable of deepening the hypnosis to a level at
which successful transformational work can be done. This ensures that
the conscious has taken a back seat. While in hypnosis, the conscious
should not interfere and analyze everything which will become a hindrance
for the effectiveness of hypnosis. Hence, to switch the conscious down a
little and give yourself the opportunity to work with the unconscious, the
self-hypnosis technique known as “deepening” is used. Everyone
experiences trance in his own way. Actually one need not get into the
deepest trance in self-hypnosis. In fact, it is desirable that one does not
get into too deeply in trance when one does self-hypnosis, because, if
one does so, one probably will not remember his suggestions. There are
two parts of deepening in hypnosis: physical relaxation and mental
relaxation.
(1) Progressive Physical Relaxation (pp. 159 - 160)
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 232
(2) Mental Relaxation (This technique is used for induction as well)
When one physically relaxed, one can continue the hypnosis
deepening through mental relaxation. There are two ways of doing it that
is deepening by counting down and deepening by visualization:
First Way - Deepening by counting down: It is advisable to give
yourself the suggestion of relaxation before you start to count: “As I
breathe out I count down from 10 to 1; on each breath, on each count, I
drift deeper into tranquil stillness of mind.” Then start to count downwards
as you breathe (preferably as you breathe out). If you are breathing quickly,
count on every second breath to slow you down. When you reach the
number 1, you should be more deeply in trance. Once again, your
unconscious will tell you whether you need to repeat the breathing and
counting. Just keep repeating the process until you are comfortable with
the level of relaxation you have created.
Second Way - Deepening by visualization: It is done by creating
pictures in your mind of places or times and events in which you can feel
tranquil stillness of mind – these can be real places or imagined places.
In any case, it is important to see this place as if you are there – not
seeing yourself in that place, but seeing the place through your eyes –
as if you are there – as if it is happening to you now. There are some
imageries that create peace of mind for example, a garden on a summer’s
day, a meadow, a woodland walk, a gently flowing river, a mountain path,
a mountain lake, a quiet golden beach at sunset. Thus, you can create
your own imageries. You can also combine visualization with counting
by imagining some steps (say 10 steps) descending to your imagined
location. Count yourself down as you slowly walk down the steps.
Another deepening by visualizations: You can imagine yourself
going down on an escalator – as you descend you drift deeper into
relaxation. You can imagine yourself in a lift going down 10 floors – as
you reach each lower floor, you drift deeper into relaxation. Imagine yourself
overlooking a beach – the number 10 descends from the sky and sinks
slowly into the sea, then the number 9, then the number 8, and so on
until the number 1 sinks out of sight. As each number sinks into the sea,
you become more deeply relaxed. One can create one’s own visualization
but one should keep the main principles in mind.
 233 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Counting for induction, relaxation, and deepening should be

downwards (counting down) that is, for example, from 10 to 1. Counting
for waking up should be upwards (counting back or counting up) that is
from 1 to 5.
3) The Therapy (Suggestion)
This makes the crux of self-hypnosis. It is for this that self-hypnosis
is undertaken. It is necessary to be clear about what one is trying to
achieve – how one wants to be, thinks, feels, and behaves. Therapy is
administered using a combination of suggestions and visualization. This
is the most important part of self-hypnosis and so it is worth taking time
to ensure that one gets this part right – to make sure that the suggestions
one creates will correctly deal with the issue one is working on, and that
his visualizations are of the outcome he desires.
It is for the sake of therapy, self-hypnosis is undertaken. Self-
hypnosis is learned in order to create positive change. After creating
your hypnotic trance which follows induction and deepening, you can
start to work towards achieving the goals you have set for yourself. It is
advisable that you try self-hypnosis before you start therapy. It is in order
that you get used to the process, so that you will be better at doing self-
hypnosis and thus you will achieve better results when you do start to
use your suggestions and visualizations. Before one starts to work on
one’s goals, there are a few things one should keep in mind:
(1) Make sure that you are clear about what you want to achieve
– make sure exactly how you want to think, feel, and behave. (2) Make
your goal or objective, the last thing you are trying to achieve. If your goal
involves a significant change in your behaviour, then it is quite acceptable
to set intermediate targets. (3) Make sure that your suggestions are
short, simple, in the present tense, positive, and believable. You can use
words for your suggestions; symbols and images for your visualizations
that are specific to you and are meaningful for you.
Doing the Therapy
After the induction and deepening phase of self-hypnosis you
will be at the point where you can do your “therapy” – you can work
towards the goals you have set for yourself by using the suggestions and
visualizations you have already created. After deepening, allow your mind
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 234
to drift until you feel to repeat your suggestion. Allow your unconscious
to guide you – you will simply “know” when the time is right to do therapy.
It is good to say your suggestion to yourself in your mind slowly
at least 5 times. Perhaps any fewer repetitions than 5 will not be enough
for the unconscious to accept the suggestion as normality. It is also
important not to repeat the suggestion for too long. It is found useful to
focus on an issue with positive suggestions and visualizations for at least
one minute at any time. When anything more than this is done the focus
is lost. It is important to be repetitive while retaining focus and being
“present.” One need not just rush through the suggestions in the mind –
allow it to be “spoken” each time as if it is the first time you have said it.
It is not that you should repeat the suggestion automatically. Repeat the
suggestion deliberately and thoughtfully. This makes the therapy more
effective. After repeating your suggestion and carrying out your
visualization you can allow your mind to drift back into deep relaxation
for a while to allow the therapy to begin to take its effect in the unconscious,
and to allow the self-hypnosis to create deep peace of mind within you.
After doing all these, it is time to bring yourself back to reality.
4) Awakening
Usually it is a simple case of counting back. It is not possible to
“get stuck” in a self-induced trance. You might perhaps fall asleep, and
you can avoid this by practicing it in a sitting position rather than lying
down. In any case, one’s unconscious will tell one when it is time to
return to full awareness, even if one has fallen asleep.
Awakening is the last part of the self-hypnosis process. This is
the part when you come back to full awareness, allowing the conscious
to come back to its more dominant role. It would be dangerous and
disorienting to come back from trance too quickly or incompletely, with
your unconscious still in overall control, and your senses not fully working
– it would be, perhaps, like sleepwalking. It is important that you are able
to fully and completely bring yourself out of your self-hypnosis session.
You can bring yourself out of self-hypnosis at any time: it may be at the
end of the session, or during the self-hypnosis due to a disturbance or
distraction. It is important to put in the suggestion about coming back to
full awareness in the induction stage itself when emergency happens. If
 235 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

by chance you had to come out of self-hypnosis urgently to attend to an

emergency, and if you have the time and opportunity after dealing with
the cause of the disturbance, it is a good idea to return to your relaxed
state of mind in order to bring yourself out of self-hypnosis properly – to
ensure that you are fully alert and aware by using the following process:
Mostly you will be able to get through your self-hypnosis session
uninterrupted, and so you will be able to bring yourself out of self-hypnosis
properly and in your own time. For this you just count up; so now you
need to count to tell yourself that you are awakening: It is now time to
come back to full awareness, back to full alertness. In a few moments’
time, I count from 1 to 10. I slowly awaken with each number. At the
count of 8 I open my eyes; at the count of 9 I am fully wide awake; fully
aware and fully alert at the count of 10. Now you slowly count up from 1
to 10. As you reach the number 8, open your eyes, and as you reach the
number 10, say to yourself: Ten – wide awake, wide awake, fully wide
awake.
After coming out of self-hypnosis it is advisable to allow yourself
to be relaxed, to retain the calmness that you would have generated
during your self-hypnosis, and to allow yourself to be fully re-oriented to
reality. You have completed the entire self-hypnosis process: induction,
deepening, therapy, and awakening.
The first few times you do self-hypnosis, you keep it simple and
just get used to the process remembering to include everything. When
you are confident about the process, then you can start to use your
suggestions and your visualizations to create the change you desire.
13. Various Techniques to Self-hypnotize
1) Self-Hypnosis Routine and Suggestions
(1) Pick a time and place when you will not have any distractions,
(2) Lie, or sit down comfortably wearing loose clothing with your
hands at your sides, and your legs uncrossed,
(3) Some may want to put on some soft music; ocean waves are
very good, because they help tune the heart rate to about sixty beats/
seconds,
 SELF-HYPNOSIS 236
(4) You can gently close your eyes, and with your eyes closed,
turn your eyes up to about the 10 or 11 o’clock position. At this point
take one of your fingers, and lightly touch the back high center point of
your head paying attention to the sensation of the touch as you replace
your hand at your side,
(5) Take a slow deep breath, and hold it for about three seconds,
and slowly let it out as you say to yourself the word “deeper,” while you
maintain your attention on the sensation you last felt from the touch to
your head, (Repeat this step about five to seven times if you feel you
need to relax further.)
(6) During the fifth or seventh breath, tell yourself that upon the
complete exhalation of your next breath you will find yourself in a special
place. This special place is your place, your place of solitude, your place
to relax. You might have a special place in mind, or you might just want
to wait and experience what your special imaginary place is like, and
(7) Once you have had enough rest, or finished your internal
work, (suggestions, visualizations, or a life challenge) which you set
yourself to do, simply state to yourself that after a count of one to five,
you will open your eyes fully refreshed, and feeling much better than ever
before.
2) Betty Erickson’s Approach to Self-Hypnosis (pp. 264 - 268)
3) A Model Design of Self-Hypnosis for Improving Self-
confidence
This exercise is designed to assist you to improve your confidence
by learning to focus on the skills and abilities that you excel at and on
the personal traits that reflect the best parts of who you are. Confident
people focus on the positive aspects of their life whereas non-confident
people place their focus on the negative aspects of their life.
You can begin the exercise with a relaxation exercise. You might
use a fractionation relaxation method. Start by breathing deeply for several
breaths and then focus on relaxing the different parts of your body. Start
with the scalp of your head and proceed to the tip of your toe, part by part
and slowly and gently allowing yourself to relax more and more deeply.
 237 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Once you are fully relaxed, you can think of something you do
well and allow yourself to feel good about that particular thing. It could be
anything,— even any insignificant thing according to you provided that
you feel that you are great in performing that act. For example, teaching,
cooking, any sports activity, gardening, and delivering a speech.
Appreciate yourself for being good at this. Notice how a feeling of
confidence begins to grow within you. You can really feel proud of it.
In the same way you can think of another thing you do well.
Allow confidence to spread your entire body and mind. You really feel
good about it and you appreciate yourself for this. Again feel proud of this
act in which you excel.
Now think of another thing in which you excel. Let confidence in
performing that thing expand and spread to your entire body and mind.
Sense how good it feels to be excelling in performing that activity.
Appreciate yourself for that and feel proud of yourself for this excellence.
Imagine yourself participating in a social gathering where you
have taken all these good qualities with you. You may also notice how
natural it is to feel good about yourself, to appreciate yourself, to feel
relaxed and confident. Feel great about yourself for the way you are, and
are experiencing and excelling; and you are pleasantly surprised for what
you are. Appreciate yourself for what you have become: all these qualities
have become a second nature to you, not to depart.
Continue this exercise for a month and you will realize how good,
happy, relaxed, and confident you are.
14. Sample Scripts for Self-hypnosis (pp. 330 - 344)24
 CLINICAL HYPNOSIS (HETERO-HYPNOSIS) 238

26. CLINICAL HYPNOSIS

(HETERO-HYPNOSIS)
Hypnosis is a very natural, pleasant and non-drug induced state
that almost anyone can attain. In fact, nearly everyone is hypnotized
every day. It may be surprising to many to learn that we experience
trance states many times in the course of our days and lives. Whenever
you “zone out,” daydream, or miss your turn because you were lost in
thought – it is a hypnotic state. Even passing into ordinary sleep involves
a kind of hypnotic relaxed state.
1. Towards a Definition
Clinical hypnosis is a procedure during which a qualified health
professional or therapist (hypnotist) gives a patient carefully worded
instructions to follow with the goal of helping the patient enter a state of
deep relaxation. The subject is aware of everything that is going on, but
becomes increasingly absorbed in using his imagination as directed by
the hypnotist. The hypnotist uses carefully worded language to help the
subject enter into a state of highly focused, suggestible attentiveness —
in which the subject is able to clear away mental clutter and focus on his
problem and solutions to the problem. The hypnotist employs a body of
techniques to help subjects acquire self-control, self-mastery, willpower,
and confidence to visualize, realize, and achieve their goals.
The hypnotist gives the subject suggestions to experience
changes in behaviours, feelings, sensations, images, perceptions,
thoughts, beliefs, and physical functions or symptoms. Suggestions
include relaxation, calmness, confidence, increased self-control and well-
being. Instructions are for imagining or thinking about pleasant
experiences.
2. Neither Asleep nor Awake
The experience of hypnosis is neither asleep nor awake; it is a
little like daydreaming, with a pleasant feeling of deep relaxation
underneath it all. It is being completely relaxed and yet aware of what is
going on around you. When using hypnosis, your focus turns inward and
you become extremely relaxed – physically, mentally, emotionally, and
 239 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

spiritually. You gain access to your unconscious, where professionals

say 90% of your total mind power resides and positive behavioural changes
originate more easily.
3. Highly Suggestible
While hypnotized, one is highly suggestible to statements, imagery,
ideas, feelings, emotions, attitudes, and memories that support one’s
stated goals. As a result, one meets the hypnotist to discuss his wants,
needs, goals, and what is troubling, annoying, or preventing one from
having the life one wants.
4. Predominant Unconscious
In hypnosis, one is aware of what the hypnotist says. There may
be times when one’s conscious drifts as one’s unconscious becomes
more prominent, and one may remember part but not remember
consciously everything that was said. Since the unconscious is always
present during hypnosis, it hears and remembers everything. When
deepening techniques take one to a more profound state, positive
suggestions in support of one’s specific goals are repetitively implanted
into one’s unconscious where they ultimately take root, develop, and
then manifest as desired changes, thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, feelings,
and actions.
5. Objectives (pp. 76 - 83)
6. Positive Feeling
Naturally, the mind/body system cannot maintain contradictory
states simultaneously. One cannot be both angry and content at the
same time. So once a relaxed hypnosis state is induced, negative
emotional states dissolve — as an overall sense of well-being and comfort
replace them during the session. In this state, one’s unconscious, the
seat of motivation, is highly receptive to the positive suggestions strongly
implanted within it. Benefits can last for weeks, months, years, perhaps
even a lifetime, depending on one’s belief in the process and one’s
commitment to using the tools and suggestions given.
7. Creating Positive Mindset
From childhood onwards, particularly before the age of 12, one is
highly suggestible to unpleasant experiences of the world, criticism from
 CLINICAL HYPNOSIS (HETERO-HYPNOSIS) 240
parents, teachers, siblings, and others, as well as the disturbing events
portrayed by the media.
One of the laws of mind is the “law of dominance.” It says that
what is presented to the mind more often and more forcefully is generally
what the mind comes to believe. It is estimated that for most people, the
amount of negative feedback and experiences that go into the unconscious,
where the self-concept forms, often far outweigh the positive love, support,
and validation provided. The unconscious generally accepts what it is
told or given without question. It can develop a negative self-concept that
one may carry throughout life.
In hypnosis, one works on sending positive messages to the
unconscious to reverse the damage and create a positive mindset and
self-image so that one is more likely to achieve one’s goals with greater
confidence and enjoyment.
The critical mind (partly conscious and partly unconscious), serves
to protect the human being against emotional damage by acting as a
filter to screen out what is harmful. It does not fully develop and function
until about the age of 12. Therefore, during the first 12 years of one’s life,
the negative influences can easily move from the conscious to the
unconscious without filtration. Thus, self-defeating fears and beliefs can
form. So, held deep in the unconscious, they often exert powerful negative
impact on the emotions. When they are triggered by events and
experiences of everyday life, these fears and limiting beliefs create
uncomfortable feelings, sensations, images, and thoughts. Thus,
unhealthy attitudes, habits, and low expectations often develop as a result,
which can shape behaviour in undesirable ways. Therefore, these negative
forces, when left unchecked, may exert such a powerful influence that a
person may go through life sabotaging rather than supporting their own
dreams, goals, and desires. Feelings of being stuck or emotionally
blocked are common reactions one experiences to unsuccessful
conscious attempts to break out of this cycle. Conscious determination
and will power may seem to work for a while. But too often the undesirable
habits and behaviours return, in full force, perhaps worse than before.
Finally the unconscious wins.
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8. Pre-Agreed Positive Suggestions

In hypnosis, one is given pre-discussed suggestions and
techniques that empower one. One learns how to use the suggestions
given, repeated, and stored within one’s unconscious. They will be pre-
agreed upon specific positive, supportive, and uplifting ideas, beliefs,
attitudes, feelings, and images. With these positive suggestions, one
receives the support of one’s unconscious so that one overcomes the
blocks, uses the desired behaviours, and reaches one’s goals. Thus
doing, one experiences one’s own transformation. Now no longer one is
the victim of negative unconscious programming, but one is free to be
one’s authentic self.
Hypnotherapy is a relatively brief, interactive, results-oriented
therapy that encompasses a variety of hypnotic processes and
techniques in a safe, confidential, and structured environment. It offers
effective tools for personal and professional transformation at comparatively
lower costs than other therapies; and it is an excellent partner to
psychotherapy.
9. Experience under Hypnosis
1) In Control
One remains in control at all times; nothing can be suggested that
one does not want; one can hear what is said at all times; one may
remember everything that is said; one can move around whenever one
wishes or adjust one’s position for greater comfort. No one can be
hypnotized against one’s will; even when hypnotized one can still mentally
reject any suggestion. One will often feel very refreshed as though one
just had a power nap. Most people report immediate stress reduction
and enjoy a feeling of well-being.
2) Fully Relaxed
Usually one’s mind becomes peaceful and calm while one’s body
relaxes fully. This provides a heightened self-awareness, inward focus,
expanded creativity, and enhanced imagination. This is the desired, ideal
state for creating positive change during clinical hypnosis. Sessions are
 CLINICAL HYPNOSIS (HETERO-HYPNOSIS) 242
customized to the individual’s needs and wants. One’s beliefs are
respected at all times.

3) Tranquility
One experiences both mental tranquility and physical relaxation
under hypnosis. Changes in perception are also common. Some feel
great heaviness coming over their bodies, others feel very light, numb or
even disembodied. Subjective floating, sinking, spinning, and tingling
sensation are also common. Since changes can take place during
hypnotic state, hypnosis becomes a remarkable tool for mental and
physical healing and makes the various specialized hypnotic techniques
possible.
4) Cooperative
Clinical therapeutic hypnosis is a state of purposeful and confidential
cooperation where one discuses with the hypnotist everything one wants
to address and one agrees about the suggestions in advance.
5) Not Suitable for All
Clinical hypnotherapy is not necessarily suitable for all people at
all times. Some are not suitable for it. Individuals who are both suspicious
and very controlling are not good candidates for the therapy. It is not an
effort-free treatment. Of course for some people the change process can
appear to be almost effortless. One may be given things to do when back
at home, relaxation techniques for example, and doing those things that
are vital to the overall, long term success. Though it can greatly increase
existing motivation, it is not a replacement for motivation. There should
be a reasonable level of motivation present.
6) Narrowed Attention
Hypnosis involv es changes in a person’s attention and
concentration. The focus of attention is narrowed, and the things attended
to are experienced more intensely than in the ordinary waking state.
What one focuses on holds his entire attention under hypnosis, so he
 243 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

tends to experience whatever he thinks of, imagines or remembers, more

vividly and clearly than he ordinarily can. Things that are outside the
narrow focus of enhanced attention at any given time may be forgotten.
Therefore, people sometimes temporarily become disoriented under
hypnosis.
7) Heightened Awareness
In the hypnotic state — which is an altered state of consciousness
— awareness, perception, and suggestibility are heightened. Both
conscious and unconscious mind are more receptive to acceptable,
therapeutic suggestions than they are in an ordinary waking state. This
makes it possible for the hypnotist to provide information to the subject’s
unconscious in a form that the unconscious can accept. In reality, all
hypnosis is self-hypnosis. It is because in order for a person to enter the
hypnotic state, he must follow the hypnotist’s instructions and his
conscious and unconscious minds must accept the hypnotist’s
suggestions and make them his own. If the subject’s mind wanders, that
is perfectly all right. It happens just because hypnosis is a state of
controlled daydream-type thinking.
8) Involuntariness
Another noteworthy characteristic of hypnotic state is the subjective
sense of “involuntariness.” People might feel that they are like passive
observers to whatever takes place. For example, if one is told that his
hand is rising, he feels his hand rising like a robot arm.
9) Differently Experienced
People are known to respond to hypnosis in different ways. Most
people report that they were not asleep, but instead, felt very relaxed and
could hear everything the hypnotist said. Some experience focused
attention in which they are calm and relaxed, others experience being
detached and deeply inwardly focused, and still others experience
sensations and perceptions heightened and more vivid.
10. Stage Hypnosis vs. Clinical Hypnosis (p. 258)
 CLINICAL HYPNOSIS (HETERO-HYPNOSIS) 244
11. Memory Recall
Hypermnesia suggestions are employed in forensic situations, with
forgetful witnesses and victims, or in therapeutic situations, to help patients
remember traumatic personal experiences or the events of early childhood.
Gains in recall produced by hypnotic suggestion were rarely dramatic,
and were matched by gains observed even when individuals are not
hypnotized. Besides, any increases obtained in valid recollection are
met by increases in false recollections. Hypnotized individuals especially
those who are highly hypnotizable may be especially vulnerable to
distortions in memory produced by leading questions and other subtle,
suggestive influences. It is the same case with hypnotic age regression.
Although age-regressed individuals may experience themselves as
children, and may behave in a childlike manner, there is no evidence that
they actually lose adult modes of mental functioning, or return to childlike
modes of mental functioning. They do not either retrieve forgotten memories
of childhood.
12. Hypnosis in Psychotherapy
There is little evidence that hypnoanalysis or hypnotherapy is more
effective than nonhypnotic forms of the same treatment. However, there
is a significant advantage when hypnosis is used to complement cognitive-
behavioural therapy for a number of problems.
It is likely that many clinical benefits of hypnosis are mediated by
placebo-like motivational and expectational processes that are with the
ceremony surrounding hypnosis rather than hypnosis per se. Some use
hypnosis in non-hypnotic ways and this tends to support the hypothesis
that whatever effects they achieve through hypnosis are related to its
placebo component.
13. Health Applications of Hypnosis
Hypnosis may not cure physical diseases. It can be used to
enhance relaxation and alleviate pain and other physical discomforts,
and therefore, it may make a positive contribution to the overall quality of
life. It is likely that what is understood as the result of hypnosis may
actually be mere relaxation, or a kind of placebo effect attributable to the
use of a hypnotic ritual. Hypnosis is most useful for pain relief like pain
 245 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

from burns, cancer, leukemia, childbirth, and dental procedures. Research

has not proved that hypnosis can enhance human performance. It seems
that hypnotic suggestions for increased muscular strength, endurance,
sensory acuity, or learning do not exceed what can be accomplished by
motivated persons outside hypnosis.
With regard to psychosomatic disorders, hypnotic suggestions
can have a specific effect on the remission of warts. All the same, the
same ef fects can be achiev ed by suggestions administered
nonhypnotically.
14. Hypnosis in Medicine
Hypnosis is now widely practiced in medicine, psychiatry, dentistry,
athletics, and business. Our bodies in general fight off illness. By using
hypnosis we are able to enhance our ability to heal and recover. We can
actually manage symptoms with less medication, control our own comfort
and level of relaxation and use creative imagery to look forward in time
envisioning resolution. What our mind conceives (believes) our body
achieves. Therefore, the healing potential of hypnosis lies within. It is not
as it were something administered to us from a hypnotist, but rather this
power resides in all of us. The hypnotist is the tour guide helping us tap
into our own skills and abilities. In fact, we all go in and out of hypnotic
trance several times each day. It is a very natural thing. Therefore, hypnosis
is just the act of enabling this process and then offering suggestions and
imagery supporting the desired change or improvement. It is an effective
way to either augment medical intervention or to fine tune and improve
many areas of our life. Hypnosis is now perceived as a treatment with
the capacity to support a wide range of physical, emotional, and
psychological concerns in the healthcare setting.
15. Mental Health and Hypnosis
1) Hypnotic Use for Mental Health
Hypnosis helps people get to the depth of their problems quickly,
and brings about solutions in far more pleasant ways than most other
mental health methods.
 CLINICAL HYPNOSIS (HETERO-HYPNOSIS) 246
Psychotics make poor hypnotic subjects for many reasons. They
are less likely to seek hypnosis as a solution. They do not trust others.
They can become violent even toward someone trying to help them. There
are occasions when one has stepped over the line from neurosis to
psychosis. Under no circumstances, should a hypnotherapist (or anyone)
untrained should deal with severe mental illness or attempt to assist, on
his own, such a person. We can safely use hypnosis to neurotic persons.
2) Reasons for not Using Hypnosis in Counselling
(1) Counellors are so ingrained in the traditional counseling process
with its general conviction that any mental healing takes a long time.
They have great difficulty in making the necessary paradigm shift into
understanding the value of hypnosis as a primary tool in the counselling
system. (2) Hypnotic training either does not make use of, or encourage
the counsellor’s particular abilities and experience. (3) The unconscious
belief system underlying the counsellor-counsellee relationship, which
implies dependence. (4) The natural lack of confidence in using hypnosis
if it is not used immediately and frequently.
16. Hypnosis in Medical Procedures
Hypnosis and self-hypnosis can be used in medical procedures
and operations. Hypnosis can easily enhance the well-being and
adjustments patients make to their medical trajectories. A patient who is
relaxed has a better chance of being a successful patient. Beyond
relaxation, the mind through its innate capabilities can proactively
contribute to the organism’s response to stress. In this perspective, a
successful patient is one who can relax and, in addition, can mobilize
special mental processes to gain psychological mastery of medical
interventions from the time of their planning to full recovery. These beneficial
mental processes borrow from different yet related disciplines, namely
hypnosis, self-hypnosis, and meditation. In all these, the mind makes
use of special dynamics to activate beneficial intra-psychological
communications.
17. The Language of Hypnosis
Hypnosis extends the range of influence of the conscious mind
into normally unconscious bodily networks. Hypnosis utilizes
 247 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

communications to establish contact with deep physiological functions.

These communications, because of their special characteristics, can be
called the language of hypnosis. Affirmations and mental images are
part of communication.
18. Boundless Neural Pathways for the Mind
Mental events are understood to have their corresponding resonance
in the circuitry of the nervous system. Each mental event has nervous
system ramifications that connect it to all other areas of the brain. Every
neuron connects in some way to every other cell in the nervous system
and projects its influence into the most delicate tendrils of its outer
reaches. It also interfaces with all organ systems from heart and
endocrine, to gastrointestinal and immune. Mental images, through these
neural pathways, are able to travel from their yet undetermined sites of
origin to transport messages into the entire matrix of the organism.
19. Three Phases of Surgical Intervention
First phase: Hypnosis can be applied to any one of the three phases
of operative intervention. The first phase starts from the diagnostic search,
to the decision to operate, to the actual procedure. In this phase, the
main objective is to achieve maximum relaxation. A state of psychological
preparedness is aimed at where the patient shows interest about the
procedure but is devoid of the anxiety or worry. Hypnosis acts as a powerful
relaxant of anticipatory anxiety and a potent enhancer of hopeful imagery.
In the second phase the operation (surgery) takes place. There is
a phenomenon called “anesthesia awareness.” It refers to patients recalling
events that had occurred during surgery and deep anesthesia. It implies
that even though the perception of pain may be absent, portions of mental
function remain active enough so that memory traces persist. The
phenomenon of post-hypnotic suggestion is known for the ability of the
hypnotized individuals to activate mental events, seemingly automatically,
subsequent to their hypnotic experience. Thus post-hypnotic suggestion
serves to anesthetize the patient making him not being aware of the
pain.
The third phase of an operative procedure is the recovery phase.
The fact that the perception of pain may be profoundly modified by mental
 CLINICAL HYPNOSIS (HETERO-HYPNOSIS) 248
functions suggests fruitful therapeutic avenues. Those with superior abilities
to experience hypnosis can modify their pain and sometimes totally abolish
it. Mental processes may accelerate tissue repair. If the patient shows
motivation and hopefulness, the rehabilitation process is smoother.
20. Waking Hypnotic State
Hypnosis is a relationship-based process of communication through
which the hypnotist induces in the patient an alteration in consciousness
and internal perception characterized by increased suggestibility.
Sometimes, an informal Waking Hypnosis State may develop before the
formal induction of a Hypnosis Trance State. This waking hypnosis state
has trance-like qualities that arise from the early experience of relaxation,
which naturally develops during the patient’s comfortable interaction with
the hypnotist. This comfort, the subject’s growing sense of trust in the
hypnotist and the subject’s expectation of eventually entering a formal
trance, all help create the experience of relaxation which leads into the
informal waking hypnosis state. The communication process that takes
place during this waking state is designed to start the process of change
that is later further fixed in place during the hypnosis trance state.
21. Threefold Uses
The hypnotist uses clinical hypnosis in three main ways:
1.Encouraging the Use of Imagination: Under a focused state of
attention, the mind can use mental imagery to make the things one
imagines actually happen. For example, one can be asked to imagine
that his pain is fading away.
2.Giving Direct Suggestions for Therapeutic Change: Ideas are
suggested to the subject in a form that the subject’s unconscious can
accept. This is initially done in the waking state. Then, the hypnotic
trance is induced with the goal of fixing the suggestions in place in the
subject’s unconscious.
3. Conducting Unconscious Exploration (Hypnoanalysis): It is to
promote understanding and insight about the roots of the subject’s problem
using a technique called “ideomotor analysis.”
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22. Enigma of Hypnosis

Hypnosis is one of the most intriguing phenomena in our mental
functioning — filled with seeming paradoxes. It is not sleep, and yet it is
not really a waking state either. It depends on attention and concentration,
and still is most often characterized by letting go and relaxing. It is most
easily induced by a skilled person using specific verbal techniques, and
yet it is exclusively the product of the hypnotized subject’s own mental
abilities.
23. Successes and Failures
Hypnosis is most effective in the treatment of clinical pain, asthma,
and a variety of dermatological conditions (such as warts and hives), and
less effective in the treatment of smoking, alcohol excess, and weight
loss. It is not precisely understood why hypnosis is effective for some
problems and not for others. Hypnotizability is seen as a major factor in
the successful treatment of headache and vertigo in skull-injured patients
and the reduction of the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks but
being highly hypnotizable may predispose a person to phobia. There is
no relationship between hypnotizability and successful treatment of
cigarette smoking. It is linked to the subject’s motivation. We can only
say that sometimes hypnosis is effective and sometimes not and that it
is difficult to predict who will benefit from it. Research needs to be done
to find out how effective hypnosis is clinically with a variety of presenting
problems and for whom. Hypnosis is used for reducing stress through
the use of deep alpha breathing, removing toxins and restoring the body.
Creative problem solving is also incorporated to help alleviate day-to-day
stresses.
To conduct clinical hypnosis (hetero-hypnosis) the hypnotist has
to follow the steps of induction, relaxation, deepening, trance, suggestions,
post-hypnotic suggestions, triggers, and trance termination.
24. Sample Clinical Hypnosis Scripts (pp. 330 - 344)25
 CONVERSATIONAL HYPNOSIS (COVERT HYPNOSIS) 250

27. CONVERSATIONAL HYPNOSIS

(COVERT HYPNOSIS)

W e are blissfully ignorant of the way we are being hypnotized in

ordinary conversation. Take for example the media which has a rather
universal influence on everybody. This is a covert hypnosis of which we
are not aware of.
1. All Language Is Hypnotic
Conversational hypnosis is the process of inducing a hypnotic trance
during a conversation. All language is hypnotic. When a speaker is too
dull you almost fell asleep; he was putting you to trance. Conversational
hypnosis is incredibly useful for getting a person to go into a trance and
access his inner resources, without having to mention the word
“hypnosis.” Hypnosis is quite possibly the most powerful approach to
communication ever devised, because it allows you to communicate with
a person’s unconscious (whether yours or someone else’s). While the
conscious mind enjoys the illusion of control, it is actually the
unconscious that is making the important decisions in a person’s life.
That means that if you can get in touch with someone’s unconscious,
you can be extraordinarily influential with that person.
2. Covert Hypnosis
Conversational hypnosis is also called “Covert Hypnosis.” The
general process of conversational hypnosis involves establishing rapport
with the subject, creating a state of temporary confusion with statements
that the subject is not expecting, and then applying suggestive notions
to the unconscious to trigger the behaviour that we desire. The most
powerful technique of influence is at play in the rapport building phase
and the phase where we trigger behaviour through the unconscious. Much
of the communications we are exposed to everyday (especially through
the media) are heavily embedded with conversational hypnosis techniques.
3. In-Depth Understanding
In rapport building phase we want to do more listening than talking
and we are listening for the signals that tell us what type of personality
our subject has and what belief system (that governs actions) our subject
operates under. At this level, we are aiming to understand people and the
 251 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

reasons for their behaviour on a much more in-depth level than

stereotypes do. A good conversational hypnotist builds rapport effectively
and later offers suggestions that make good sense to us. Once we have
used a few provoking and unexpected questions to make our subject
reconsider their viewpoints and open themselves to other ideas, we apply
the suggestion phase. Here we want to bypass the critical factor (the
conscious mind’s sense of judgement) and communicate directly with
the unconscious. Our unconscious is programmed to act upon expert
advice with compliance as this makes sense to our belief system. This
powerful conversational hypnosis technique is responsible for directing
the actions of others as well as making them believe that the ideas they
have come up with, are their own.
4. Professional Procedures
Let us see the conversational hypnosis and its professional
procedures. It is the process by which one can manage the mind of the
other persons. It takes place when the conversation is going on between
the subject and the hypnotist. The conversation is placed in the subliminal
mind of the subject. The optimal objective of hypnosis is to alter the view
of the individual in different questions as the subject is to be maneuvered
in the area of the thoughts. He is to act according to the wish of the
hypnotist.
In this method, the hypnotist alters the pattern of thought of the
subject, manners, feeling, and awareness of the life onto the subliminal
mind. Comparing with the conventional hypnotherapy, the covert hypnosis
is not dealing with the closed eyes. It also does not deal with any sort of
movement of the pendulum and the peculiar gestures of the hand.
The hypnotist provides the directions or suggestions to the individual
to be hypnotized. The directions and suggestions are symbolic in nature
— as these are presented in an unknown style. However, these directions
and suggestions are provided directly some time. The next step is to
make the rapport with the individual to be hypnotized. The hypnotist needs
to deactivate the critical mind of the listener. The fact is that the mind of
the listener is to be transformed from the usual state of thoughts to the
imaginary thinking state.
You can start with some scenarios and ask some questions. This
instantly closes the critical mind and makes the imagination control their
process of thoughts. When the subject successfully stops the critical
mindset, the hypnotist can pass the commands charismatically. The
 CONVERSATIONAL HYPNOSIS (COVERT HYPNOSIS) 252
efficacy of this method relies upon many things that are placed into it.
This fully relies upon the ways the hypnotist transforms the mind from
the critical state of thinking to the imaginary state. The sort of the
statements that the hypnotist makes persuades the subjects to be good
enough to execute the task well.
5. Secrets of Conversational Hypnosis
1) Have a Clear Goal in Mind
It is important to have a clear goal in mind. What responses do
you want to elicit from the other person? How will you know when you
have got those responses? If your goal is to get the person to go into a
trance, how will they look when they are in that trance? Make a clear
mental image of the person you are working with, having the responses
you desire. Your nervous system is goal-seeking. When you set a clear
mental goal, you get your entire nervous system working for you to achieve
that goal. Your unconscious is your most powerful ally. Creating a clear
goal in pictorial form, then adding in sounds and feelings as necessary is
one of the most powerful ways to get your unconscious working for you.
Pictures are one of the most powerful ways of communicating with your
unconscious. So if you create a mental image of your goal, in positive
terms, it creates a clear message to your unconscious. For example, if
you want someone to laugh, start by picturing him doing so (to really
super-charge the process, hear what you will hear and feel what you will
feel as well).
2) Believe in Yourself and in Your Subject
Your beliefs about yourself and the world have a massive effect on
how you respond. Your beliefs about your client will be communicated to
him in everything you say and do. For example, if you believe that your
client will not go into a trance, then he will not. If you believe that you
have an excellent hypnotic subject, then he is much more likely to be. If
you have difficulty believing that your client is an excellent hypnotic
subject, then just pretend. The principle involved here is “fake and make
it.” You can pretend anything and master it. Your unconscious does not
distinguish between a real experience and a vividly imagined one. If, for
example, you vividly imagine that your client is an excellent hypnotic
subject, your unconscious will start communicating that belief to him.
These communications will come out in the language you use, the
gestures you employ, and your voice tone. The amazing thing is that
these subtle communications are exactly the sort of thing that the client’s
 253 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

unconscious will pick up. It is actually a far more powerful level of

communication than just saying to someone “you are a superb hypnotic
subject.”
3) Go There First Yourself
One of the great things about feeling states (like happiness,
gratitude, love, and trance) is that it is infectitous. So if you want someone
else to go into a certain state, just go there first yourself. Whatever state
you want the other person to go into, go there first yourself. For example,
the quickest way to get a smile from someone is to start smiling at him.
Now the question is how to go there first. There are many different ways.
As you begin to practice, you will start to discover the approaches that
work most effectively for you. Some of them are:
(1) One of the quickest and easiest ways to change your state of
mind is to change your physiology. Jumping up and down, shaking
yourself, and beating your chest are all ways to break out of undesired
states. Adopting the postures and stances that you take when you are
accessing certain states can activate those states. (2) An excellent way
to become skilled at entering quickly into trance states is by practicing
self-hypnosis. Those who practice self-hypnosis and related forms like
meditation and yogic breathing are usually able to enter spontaneously
into altered states very quickly. (3) Fake and make it. Pretend. When
you pretend to go into a certain state, your nervous system gets the idea
very quickly, and the state soon manifests itself. You can pretend to be
in whatever state you like: the more convincingly you do it, the more you
will get into it. The more convincingly you are to yourself, the more the
other person will follow you into the state. (4) Anchor yourself. An anchor
is any representation (any one of the five senses) in the human nervous
system that triggers any other representation. You can anchor yourself
intentionally, for example: Think of an occasion when you had a highly
pleasurable, positive, or enjoyable experience. See what you saw then,
hear what you heard, and feel what you felt. As you feel the sensation
increase in intensity, squeeze the thumb and forefinger of your left hand
gently together for a few moments, and then release them. Now break
your state. Wait a few moments. Squeeze your thumb and forefinger
together again. The state will return. With practice, you will be able to
drop into a trance (and many other states) quickly and easily, whenever
you wish.
4) Establish and Maintain Rapport
Rapport has been described as what happens when we get the
attention of someone’s unconscious, and meet him at “his map of the
 CONVERSATIONAL HYPNOSIS (COVERT HYPNOSIS) 254
world.” It is simply understood as the sense of connection that develops
when you are interacting with someone you trust and feel comfortable
with. We are social creatures, and we often need to work with other
people to achieve what we want. This means that an ability to
communicate influentially is one of the most valuable skills a person can
have. An important aspect of influential communication is creating a
connection with the other person, and making him feel understood. There
are many ways to get into rapport both verbally and non-verbally, using
behaviour techniques, vocal flexibility, and internal shifts of consciousness.
5) Highlight the Key Words and Phrases
Once you have rapport, you can highlight specific key words and
phrases to communicate directly with the unconscious mind. This means
that you can use a seemingly ordinary conversation to mask subliminal
messages, and guide a person’s unconscious in a certain direction. This
is referred to as “analogue marking.” For this there are some tips:
(1) Decide on the message you want to send to the person’s
unconscious. For example, “Allow yourself to relax.” Think about the
context you can talk freely about, where that message would not be out
of place. Talk about the context, using a sentence that can accommodate
the embedded message. For example, “I went to that beach, and I was
able to feel really comfortable, because they have created that place
where you can allow yourself to relax while accomplishing something
beneficial and useful.” When you get to the embedded messages, do
something to mark them out for the person’s unconscious mind. For
this, perhaps, you can: slightly lower your voice tone, touch their arm,
raise your eyebrows, move your head to one side, and slow down your
voice.
6) Use a Descending Voice Tone
The pitch and tone of voice you use toward the end of a sentence
determines at a deep unconscious level what kind of sentence it is: rising
pitch gets processed as a question, level pitch gets processed as a
statement, descending pitch gets processed as a command. For making
suggestions, make use of a descending voice tone. The descending pitch
opens up the “command module” in someone’s brain. Others are more
likely to do what you want them do if the request is made with a
descending pitch, because their brain will process it as a command.
7) Notice Their Responses
How do you know if the suggestions you are making are having
the desired effect? Watch and listen. Hypnosis relies on having the sensory
 255 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

acuity to notice the effect you are having, particularly in the visual domain.
As persons begin to relax into a trance state, certain changes start to
take place. For example, their breathing may become slower, their face
may relax and become more symmetrical, their blink rate may slow down,
their eyes may close, and they may stop making movements and
gestures. There are some tips for sensory acuity: develop your peripheral
vision. Your peripheral vision notices movement and changes, while your
focal vision is good for examining fine detail. Be quiet inside. Internal
dialogue significantly hampers sensory acuity, so turn it off. When what
you are doing is not working, do something else.
8) Trust Your Unconscious
The conscious is capable of doing step by step thinking, while
your unconscious makes intuitive leaps. The conscious can hold a limited
number of things in awareness, while your unconscious can track
everything that is going on around you. The idea of the unconscious is
just a concept – it does not really exist. But it seems to be a useful way
of describing a person’s ability to receive, store, access, and influence
many things which seem to be outside the ordinary conscious awareness.
There are some tips to deal with the unconscious: Your unconscious will
always serve your best interest. For example, if you ask a question and
do not get a reply, assume that there is a very good reason for that. Then
ask a different question. Your unconscious processes negation differently
than the conscious. Communicate in positives; leave out the “not’s,”
“non’s,” and “no’s.” Start with smaller things then work your way up to
the big stuff. Be polite to your unconscious. Say “please” and “thank
you.”
9) Give Them Time to Process
Different people process information in different ways and at different
speeds. When using conversational hypnosis it is important that you
give people time to process (as against stage hypnosis where the
hypnotist will often use rapid suggestions to confuse the subject, overload
their conscious and make them more compliant). As the person goes
more deeply into a trance state, it can be useful to slow down your rate
of speaking slightly, and leave larger gaps between sentences. You can
even adjust your speaking rate to match their breathing rate. Speaking
on their out-breath will deepen a trance, speaking on their in-breath will
lighten it. When the subjects respond to your suggestions you will notice
involuntary signals such as twitches, blinks, skin colour changes, and
minor head nods. You may even choose to acknowledge the signals by
saying “That is right” but not too often.
 CONVERSATIONAL HYPNOSIS (COVERT HYPNOSIS) 256
10) Wire in the Language Patterns
Hypnotic language (particularly the indirect hypnosis patterns of
Milton H. Erickson) is probably the most powerful tool there is for
conversational hypnosis. There are some tips for this: Get a set of the
language patterns to study, write out examples of the language patterns
to wire them into your neurology at a deeper level, choose a pattern each
day, then practice using that pattern in your conversations that day.
6. Distance Therapy (Phone Sessions)
Hypnosis by phone sometimes provides a highly effective treatment
alternative to in-office sessions. On phone, one may be guided into a
deeply relaxed hypnotic state and then apply the same hypnotherapeutic
techniques to achieve those changes. Phone hypnosis works well for
some people because it involves an auditory process: the transformation
occurs in response to what your unconscious hears and accepts. For
those who are auditorily oriented, phone session is helpful. When I speak
to the clients over the phone from a long distance, I make use of the
techniques of the conversational hypnosis. It is less time-consuming,
less costly, and easy to apply. Some clients may even feel more relaxed
in their homes than in the therapist’s office, and hence the outcome may
be better. Also, obviously, the hassle of travel is avioded. 26
 257 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

28. STAGE HYPNOSIS

You might have observed people under hypnosis on stage doing
strange things which they normally will not do. It is either because they
want to do or they are convinced that they have to do. If you believe that
the hypnotist has power over you and so he has control over you, then
you feel obliged to do what he says — even strange things. However, you
will not go against your moral standards. You are in a way having more
control over what you do in a trancelike state than in an everyday state of
mind. That is why we say that hypnosis/hypnotherapy is done by you to
yourself, not by someone else.
1. Entertainment
Stage hypnosis is a form of entertainment, traditionally employed
in a club or theatre before an audience. It is often understood that hypnosis
is a form of mind control. It typically attempts to hypnotize the entire
audience and then select individuals who are ready and willing to come
up on stage and perform embarrassing or funny acts, while the audience
watches. The effects of stage hypnosis are probably due to a combination
of psychological factors, participant selection, suggestibility, physical
manipulation, stagecraft, and trickery. The desire to be the centre of
attention, having an excuse to defeat their own fear suppressors, and the
pressure to please are thought to convince the subjects to play a role.
2. “Implicit Contract”
Stage hypnosis is the foremost source of the stereotypes. There
is a folkloric misconception about hypnosis in the belief that the
hypnotized person is an automaton, completely under the sway of the
hypnotist. Subjects for stage hypnosis are screened by the stage hypnotist
for a high level of hypnotizability. Once this is made certain, the next
step is to determine that the volunteer endorses the “rules of the game”
of stage hypnosis, which is to entertain the audience. What is perceived
in stage hypnosis is the implicit “contract” that the stage volunteer has a
mandate to behave in a manner that might, ordinarily, be embarrassing
and transgressive of normal social conventions. Hypnotized subjects will
be returned rapidly to the audience if they are undemonstrative and do
not engage in the antics suggested by the stage hypnotist. In a way the
stage context provides a license to “act out” a variety of ordinarily
proscribed behaviours in public, without fear of reprisal. Here what appears
 STAGE HYPNOSIS 258
to be a demonstration of power exercised by one person over another is,
in reality, a willingness on the part of the hypnotized person on stage to
abide by the license to entertain an audience by acting silly.
3. Contexts of Hypnosis
To determine what type of hypnosis is being used, one needs to
check the context. We can arrive at quite radically different conclusions
about the nature of hypnosis, depending upon whether it has been
dispensed on the stage for entertainment, in the clinic for therapeutic
reasons, or in the forensic context in an attempt to bolster the fragmented
memory of a crime victim or witness who may have been traumatized by
such an experience.
4. Stage Hypnosis vs. Clinical Hypnosis
Stage Hypnosis
Stage hypnosis is usually performed in a club or at a party with
a group of spectators — while clinical hypnosis is induced in a private,
professional office setting by a certified clinician. Usually stage hypnosis
is to entertain and amuse an audience by directing willing subjects to
engage in sometimes silly behaviour or stunts under the direction of a
stage hypnotist. Most of the times the subjects are quite willing, want to
make an impression and be in the limelight, and very eagerly volunteer to
be part of the show. At times stage hypnosis may seem to humiliate its
subjects to get a laugh from the audience and thus the credibility and
therapeutic benefits of clinical hypnosis may be undermined.
Clinical Hypnosis
Clinical hypnosis is a widely practiced, extensively researched,
and a highly successful form of brief-term therapy for treating a variety of
psychological, emotional, physical, and spiritual problems. It is
understood as a private, confidential, one-on-one, collaborative and
interactive therapeutic process that takes place in a safe, comfortable,
controlled office setting. During each session, the subject enters a natural
state of focused relaxation and calm, intentionally induced for therapeutic
purposes. In this process, through directed dialogue and application of
various hypnotic suggestions and techniques, the subjects learn to move
beyond their fears and limitations to achieve their specific goals for lasting
self-improvement. In this type of hypnosis, the subjects cannot be forced
to do anything contrary to their will.27
 259 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

29. ERICKSONIAN HYPNOSIS

(MILTON H. ERICKSON’S TECHNIQUES)

The influence of Milton H. Erickson (1901-1980) is immense.

The vast majority of hypnotists will use some form of Ericksonian approach.
Erickson graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1928 with an
M.A. in Psychology and an M.D. and went on to hold senior psychiatric
posts in hospitals across the United States. He was stricken with polio
at the age of 17 and again at the age of 51, so that by the end of his life
he was confined to a wheelchair.
Milton H. Erickson is the Father of Modern Hypnotherapy. He is
considered by many to be the most influential hypnotherapist in history.
As a polio affected youth, he set about curing himself by watching and
imitating the small babies in his family and the way they began to learn
to move their hands and legs. In this way he learned more about sensory
perception and non-verbal communication skills. Later he used these
skills to develop the non-conventional “Ericksonian Hypnosis.”
1. Three Models of Hypnosis
There are three models of hypnosis: the traditional, standardized,
and Ericksonian. Traditional hypnosis has an authoritarian demeanour,
demands a high degree of compliance, knows only direct styles of
suggestion, does not have an individualized approach to different clients,
reacts to resistance through confrontation or interpretation, gives low
value to insights, does not recognize the possibility of secondary gains,
and has a negative characterization of the unconscious.
The standardized hypnosis too is like the traditional one except
that the demeanour may be permissive.
Ericksonian hypnosis uses various forms of indirect suggestions,
metaphors, truisms, encouraging resistance, seeding ideas, double binds,
use of space and position, implying a deviation, amnesia, emphasizing
the positive, and uncommon homework assignments. These were also
used by others before Erickson. But Erickson developed some of his
 ERICKSONIAN HYPNOSIS (MILTON H. ERICKSON’S TECHNIQUES) 260
methods in his own way or with greater flexibility than they had been
used before.
2. Key Elements
Erickson took to hypnosis as a way of overcoming his physical
limitations. Later he conducted many experiments on hypnotic
phenomena, such as hypnotically induced deafness and colour blindness.
Above all, his interest was in the therapeutic value of hypnosis. His
approach to hypnosis was very unique. Therefore, there are some key
elements in his practice that can be identified.
First of all, he was supremely flexible, adapting his approach to
each individual subject. At times, he would be direct, authoritarian, and
even aggressive. There are moments when he would be permissive,
indirect, and soothing. At times it would look like that he does not use
hypnosis in any recognizable form. Secondly he used to work with
symptoms to bring about a change. He saw problems as a process, an
unhelpful way of going about things that the client had developed, and
symptoms were part of that story. He believed that by changing the
symptom – its intensity, frequency or location – it is possible to change
the entire pattern of the problem. Just an example in his clinical practice.
A person with obsessive-compulsive-disorder (OCD) to wash her hands
50 times a day was advised to wash her hands for 100 times. Here this
new instruction changes the behaviour from an internal compulsion to an
externally imposed duty, which suddenly becomes much less compelling.
Thirdly, he engaged the unconscious by any means available. He believed
that the individual’s unconscious contained all of the resources necessry
to bring about a cure for that individual in the present moment. Unlike
Freud, he did not want to excavate the roots of the problem from the
distant past. He was fully aware that the language of the unconscious is
imagination, metaphor, therapeutic stories, anecdotes, jokes, puns, and
riddles. These are a crucial element of his work. These act like coded
messages for the unconscious, which is able to make the connection
and see the point of the story.
3. Indirect Method
The “smuggling in” of messages to the unconscious is hypnosis
for Erickson. He realized the importance of hypnosis as a therapeutic
 261 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

tool. He developed his own style of hypnosis, often referred to as “indirect”

or “conversational” hypnosis. He moved away from direct instructions to
go into trance, to a more subtle approach, based on rapport, trust, and
language patterns.
4. Use of Language
In his approach, language is used to direct the attention inwards
on a search for meaning or to verify what is being said. After that,
therapeutic or trance-inducing suggestins can be made. He used to tack
suggestins onto the end of a series of undeniable truths to give an
appearance of logical and natural progression. Just an example from his
practice is: “As you sit there listening to me here, your arms are resting
on the arms of the chair and your feet are on the floor and your eyelids
are starting to feel pleasantly heavy and drowsy.”
5. Freedom to Clients
Erickson allowed the client maximum freedom to interpret what is
being said in his own way. Thus he would say: “You may begin to find
new ways of feeling at ease at parties.” This of course, is better than
telling: “You are now more confident in talking to complete strangers at
parties.” He went to great lengths to see the world from the client’s point
of view, helping him reach his own goals and solutions, rather than
imposing his own idea of happiness on him.
Erickson’s life is a definitive break from the past in the history of
hypnosis. His approach is the one most often encountered today. His
great achievement was to bring hypnosis back to the service of the client,
by doing whatever is necessary to make it truly client-focused.
6. Visualizing
If you want to become a good football player, then you visualize
yourself performing the skills of a good football player successfully. Thus
your mind will be trained to envision you being a successful football player
and the results are markedly improved.
7. The Unconscious Is Our Ally
Most of our life experience happens primarily in the waking state
in which our conscious is in control. In a deep trance where our
 ERICKSONIAN HYPNOSIS (MILTON H. ERICKSON’S TECHNIQUES) 262
unconscious is in control, we are able to talk without awakening from the
trance. In the trance state, we often need to be taught to realize our
capabilities to function in supra-normal ways, with both our conscious
and unconscious playing their effective parts. We need to look at trance
as an opportunity to get to know ourselves at a different level of experience
and awareness. We need to learn that the unconscious is intelligent and
can operate autonomously.
The unconscious is our ally. In trance induction, the conscious is
really the dependent partner. The process is one in which the subject’s
unconscious develops specific skills in relating to the conscious. The
purpose is for the subject to gain proficiency in using unconscious
capabilities in ways it chooses. Braid’s method of helping to induce a
trance through having subjects stare at an object just above their line of
vision is still a useful technique. It is also sometimes effective for subjects
to fix their vision on a moving image while listening to a repetitive
suggestion. Most of the induction process should be, to begin with,
centered on the Ericksonian technique. The subject is encouraged to
focus on breathing, remaining constantly aware of inhalation and
exhalation.
8. Ericksonian Hypnosis
The Naturalistic or Utilization Approach, focuses on helping each
individual patient find his own talents for problem solving and healing in
his own unique manner. Ericksonian hypnosis emphasizes and facilitates
the patient’s own creative processes.
1) Cooperation
Ericksons approach is one of cooperation. Hypnosis should
primarily be the outcome of a situation in which intrapersonal and
interpersonal relationships are developed constructively. This cannot be
done by following rigid procedures and fixed methods or by striving to
reach a single specific goal. The complexity of human behaviour and its
underlying motivations make necessary a cognizance of the multitude of
factors existing in any situation rising between two personalities engaged
in a joint activity. The hypnotist can only guide, direct, supervise, and
provide the opportunity for the subject to do the productive work. To
 263 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

accomplish this, he must understand the situation and its needs, protect
the subject fully, and be able to recognize the work accomplished. He
must accept and utilize the behaviour that develops, and be able to create
opportunities and situations favourable for adequate functioning of the
subject.
2) Key Ideas Underlying Ericksonian Hypnosis
Each person is unique – which stresses that therapy should be
based on the client’s present beliefs, behaviour, motivations, and
symptoms.
(1) Hypnosis is an experiential process of communicating ideas.
Here the goal is experiential participation by the activation of ideas
already within the patient.
(2) Each person has generative resources. Clients are assisted in
the utilization of their own skills and resources.
(3) Trance potentiated resources are accomplished by offering an
unbiased state of self-receptive awareness in which new
understandings and manners of being may unfold.
(4) Trance is naturalistic – the processes of trance are present in
everyday states including the hypnotic problematic state.
(5) Ericksonian approaches orient to course-alignment rather than
error-correction accomplished by guiding clients towards their goals
and interests, rather than restricting self-expressions.
(6) A person’s uniqueness can be appreciated on many levels –
expressed as the deep self. These include the unconscious mind,
the conscious mind, and the contents of consciousness.
(7) Unconscious processes can operate generativ ely and
autonomously. This utilizes the principle that “whatever the client
is doing is exactly that which will allow him to change” provided
new understandings are brought forth.
 ERICKSONIAN HYPNOSIS (MILTON H. ERICKSON’S TECHNIQUES) 264

3) Elementary Principles of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy

The elementary principles of Ericksonian hypnotherapy are (1)
accepting the person’s reality, and (2) utilizing the person’s reality. To
accept the person’s reality, the hypnotist assumes and congruently
communicates that, what a person is doing is fine; and is exactly what
the hypnotist would like the person to be doing at the present time. To
utilize the given behaviour, the hypnotist generally conveys to the client
that what he is doing right now is exactly that which will allow him to
achieve the desired behaviour.
Ericksonian hypnosis principles in process-oriented terms: (1) pace
all behavior and (2) lead the behaviour. Pacing the behaviour means to
feedback to the client, the client’s expressions. This is done for the
purpose of establishing rapport and developing trust. After establishing
rapport, the hypnotist begins to lead by introducing behaviours that are
different from, but consistent with, the client’s present state, which moves
towards a desired state.
Another principle of effective communication is: Resistant behaviour
is a statement by the client indicating that the hypnotist needs to pace
some further aspect(s) of the client’s experience. Ericksonian hypnotist
should assume that all experience is valid and utilizable. Then he
behaviourally paces and leads towards the desired state. Here the
traditional concept of resistance is better viewed as behavioural feedback
indicating a need for further pacing by the hypnotist.
The utilization principle can be expressed as: a) pace and
depotentiate the conscious processes; b) absorb and amplify the
unconscious processes.
The Ericksonian hypnotist seeks to depotentiate the recurrent
(undesirable) conscious processes and to enable the previously
inaccessible resources to be actualized. To circumvent possible objections
(resistances), an indirect approach is often used.
 265 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

9. Betty Erickson’s (Wife of Milton Erickson) Hypnosis Technique

1) Some Basic Premises
This self-hypnosis method is based on the following premises. An
altered state of consciousness occurs when you process the information
outside of your primary representational system. (Representation system
refers to your senses.) Hypnosis is a state of concentrated and focused
attention. Going into hypnosis involves turning your attention away from
external experience and directing it internally. You can trust your
unconscious mind. Understanding by the conscious mind is not necessary
for change.
2) Representational Systems and Altered States
We process information (that is, we think) in pictures, sounds,
and feelings. In Neuro-Linguistic Programming, these sensory modalities
are referred to as representational systems. The visual system – The
external things we see and the internal images that we create of them.
The auditory system – The external things we hear and the internal sounds
that we create of them. The kinesthetic system – The things we feel.
These can be actual physical sensations or imagined ones. There are
also olfactory system and gustatory system.
Altered state: Most of us have developed great proficiency with
one or the other of our representational systems though we may use all
of them. An individual who thinks in images will not experience an altered
state of consciousness simply by visualizing. If that same individual were
to experience a preponderance of feelings or sensations, this would be
unusual – an alteration of his state of consciousness. Altered state means
processing information in a different manner than usual. Actually focused
attention on stereotypical images of hypnotists holding watches or other
fixation devices for clients to stare at are the result of this understanding
about hypnosis. When we are so involved in television or a piece of music
or a book we experience this naturally occurring hypnotic state.
 ERICKSONIAN HYPNOSIS (MILTON H. ERICKSON’S TECHNIQUES) 266

3) Useful Information
In hypnosis we go inside ourselves. At that time, we inwardly
focus in which we move away from the environment around us and turn
our attention inward.
(1) The Unconscious Can Be Trusted.
Your unconscious is full of resources. It has learned a lot during
your lifetime and it can apply them for you in hypnosis. Your conscious
can process only limited information at a time. But your unconscious
can process unlimited information.
(2) Conscious Understanding Is Not Necessary for Change
In many self-hypnosis procedures, the subjects enter a trance
and then give themselves suggestions. In the hypnotic procedure the
conscious is kept occupied so that it will not interfere while the
unconscious is doing the work.
4) Self-Hypnotic Technique
(1) Find a comfortable position – Get into a position in which
you can maintain for a period of time. Sitting is preferred to lying
as you may go to sleep. Get yourself centered, just looking in
front of you and breathing slowly and easily. Let yourself relax.
(2) Time – Determine the length of time that you intend to spend
and make a statement to yourself about it like “I am going into
self-hypnosis for 20 minutes…” Your internal clock will keep track
of the time for you.
(3) Purpose – Make a statement to yourself about your purpose
in going into self-hypnosis. It is good to allow the unconscious
to work on the issue rather than giving suggestions throughout,
so your purpose statement should reflect that fact. For example,
“for the purpose of allowing my unconscious to make the
adjustments that are appropriate to assist me in…..” Fill in the
blank with what you want to achieve such as “developing more
self-confidence in social situations.”
267 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

(4) Exit State – Make a final statement to yourself about the

state that you want to be in when you complete the process.
This statement will be shaped by what you want to do
immediately. For example, in normal situation “wide awake, alert,
and refreshed,” before going to bed, “relaxed and ready for sleep,”
and for doing a project, “motivated and full of energy.” You could
simply say to yourself “… and when I am finished, I am going to
feel…”
(5) The Process – Looking in front of you, notice three things
(one at a time) that you see. Go slowly, pausing for a moment
one each. It is preferable that they be small things, such as a
spot on the wall, a door knob, the corner of a picture frame. You
may also like to name the item as you look at them. “I see the
hinge on the door frame.” Now turn your attention to your auditory
channel and notice, one by one, three things that you hear. This
might allow you to incorporate sounds that occur in the
environment rather than being distracted by them. Next, attend
to your feelings and notice three sensations that you can feel. It
is useful to use sensations that normally are outside of your
awareness, such as the weight of your eyeglasses, the feeling
of your wrist watch, the texture of your shirt. Continue the process
using two visuals, then two auditories, and then two kinesthetics.
In the same manner, continue slowly with one of each.
By now you have completed the “external” portion of the
process. Now it is time to begin the “internal” part.
Close your eyes
Bring an image into your mind. You may construct an image
or simply take what comes. If something comes to you just use
it. If nothing comes, feel free to put something there. Pause and
let a sound come into your awareness or generate one and name
it. Although this is technically the internal part, if you should
hear a sound outside or in the room with you, it is all right to use
 ERICKSONIAN HYPNOSIS (MILTON H. ERICKSON’S TECHNIQUES) 268

that. Next, become aware of a feeling and name it. It is preferable

to do this internally – use your imagination. If you actually have
a physical sensation that gets your attention, use that. Repeat
the process with two images, two sounds, and two feelings.
Repeat the cycle once again using three images, three sounds,
and three feelings.
(6) Completing the Process – It is not unusual to space out
or lose consciousness during the process. Some people in the
beginning think that they have fallen asleep. But generally they
will find themselves coming back automatically at the end of the
allotted time. It is an indication that you were not sleeping and
that your unconscious was doing what you asked of it.
It is likely that most people do not get all the way through
the process. It is perfectly all right. If you should complete the
process before the time has ended, just continue with 4 images,
sounds, feelings, then 5 and so on. What about your goals? You
may rest assured that your unconscious is working for you in
the background while you are doing the process. If you practice
it regularly you will get better results.28
 269 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

30. KIDS’ HYPNOSIS

Not only you can easily hypnotize your children, they love the
experience. Kids have vivid imagination and once they know how to
combine relaxation with their imagination, they will have a valuable tool
for life. There are a few tips for it.
1. More Easily Hypnotizable
Children move more easily into hypnosis than do adults. Children
will generally not keep their eyes closed while in hypnosis, nor do they
stay still. This is normal. Do not demand that the child stay still or be
completely quiet. When a child makes a comment or squirms, it does
not mean that the child offers resistance to hypnosis, or relaxing. It usually
means that the child is very absorbed in the process. A simple approach
of eye fixation can be useful. Have the child stare at a spot on the wall, or
at something interesting. Older children can decide to go on a journey
(vacation). Give them a choice.
2. Change Language
Many children may not know the concept of “relaxation,” but they
know what “sleep” is. They also understand the idea of “heavy” muscles/
limbs. Most children under 12 years old do not need to be taken “deeper”
into hypnosis. But if you want, you could have the child imagine a staircase
and go down while getting heavier and sleepier with each step. Counting
10 to 1 can also be effective, especially if the child understands the
concept of numbers.
There is a script for very young children prior to sleep at night, or
before a nap. Have the child in bed in a comfortable sleeping position
first. Many parents find that it helps to play a pleasant and relaxing music
in the background. Ocean or nature sounds can play all night with the
digital machines available.
3. Sleepy Body Script
“Now do you remember what it feels like to go to sleep? (Wait for
a response.) ....... Yes, that is right. And it can feel very good to drift off
to sleep, does it not?.... And your body really likes to go to sleep because
 KIDS’ HYPNOSIS 270
it feels so good… So, let us think about your toes. Your toes can go to
sleep. Your toes know how to go to sleep. Let them go to sleep now and
tell me when your toes have gone to sleep….(Usually the child giggles
and there may be lots of squirming – this is ok. Most children will tell you
the body part is asleep within one to two minutes. They may speak,
murmur, or nod the head. Continue your hypnosis script [above] until the
toes are asleep.)…..
“Good… Now your feet…let me know when your feet have gone to
sleep….(You may touch the body part, and sometimes pick it up and
gently shake it and then let it drop into the bed. Wait for the response
that the feet are “asleep.”)…Very good. You are doing so well!....Now let
me know when your calves/lower parts of your legs are asleep…..(Your
child might prefer to do one side of the body first and then another. Some
children can do both legs/arms at the same time.)….. Now let your upper
legs go to sleep. Sleepy, sleepy legs, let me know when your upper legs
are asleep…..(Pause for a response.)…..Now your whole legs are asleep.
Very sleepy legs… nice and heavy…just sinking into the bed now…..
Now let your bum (bottom) go to sleep. Sleepy, sleepy bum (bottom)…
let me know when your bum (bottom) has gone to sleep….(Pause for a
response)…And your tummy…sleepy, sleepy tummy…..(Yawn to
encourage your child to feel sleepy. In empathy the child also will yawn.
You are inducing mirroring action in the child by which it yawns. Yawning
is a prelude to sleep.) ……Take the time you need and let me know when
your tummy has gone to sleep…..(Pause for a response.) …..
“Now your chest…. Let your chest go to sleep. Sleepy, sleepy
chest.. very comfortable… breathing easy… let me know when your chest
has gone to sleep…..(Pause for a response.)…..Now let your shoulders
go to sleep. Heavy, sleepy shoulders… let me know when your shoulders
have gone to sleep…..(Pause for a response.)…..And your arms. Now
let your arms, all the way down to your hands and fingers go very deeply
asleep. Sleepy, sleepy arms…let me know when your arms are
asleep…..(Pause for a response and pick up a wrist and gently shake
the arm.) ……See how heavy and sleepy your arm is now!.....And your
neck. The neck needs to have a very nice sleep now. Sleepy, sleepy
neck… tell your neck to go to sleep and when it is asleep, let me
know…..(Pause for a response.)……
 271 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

And your head. Your face…your cheeks…your forehead…your

eyebrows…your mouth and jaw. Your mouth has been busy all day and
now needs a nice rest, so let your mouth go to sleep and as it gets
sleepier and sleepier it slows right down…right down (i.e. if the child is
chatting) so tell your mouth it is time to sleep…. Do that in your mind
now…… And your ears… sleepy, sleepy ears… you can hear my voice
but your ears get sleepier as your whole body gets so, so sleepy
now…so…so sleepy.
“And your eyes. Sleepy, sleepy eyes…. (Yawn for effect.)…. Heavy,
sleepy eyes. When they are very sleepy they cannot even open…just let
them get heavy and sleepy now……(Repeat until the eyes close – if they
are slow to close, tell the child directly to close the eyes)…… …just
close your eyes now…… (Or tell your child to keep the eyelids open as
long as he can)……Keep your eyes open as long as you can…your
heavy, heavy eyelids, just keep them open… just try really hard to keep
them open… and the harder you try…the heavier they get, just try to
keep them open… and at some point you cannot keep them open any
longer and they will need to close and just let them close… but for now…
just keep them open as long as you can…Keep going until the eyelids
close….. Let me know when your eyes are sleep……(Pause for a
response.)…..
“So, as you go sleepier now you have pleasant dreams…pretty
dreams in your head…you can tell yourself in your mind ‘I have happy
dreams…I have happy dreams…I have happy dreams…’”
**********
(Add appropriate suggestions at this point – for example:)
“you make new friends at school, or you have a great day
tomorrow!, you are so calm for tomorrow’s spelling test, mummy and
daddy love you and so feel that love in your heart all day tomorrow.”
**********
It is nice to end this script with the eyes. When the eyes relax,
they are supposed to close, so tell the child this at the appropriate time.
Then the whole body goes to sleep.
 KIDS’ HYPNOSIS 272

The child is not usually asleep at the time, but has wound down
and much more ready to go to sleep. Some gentle stroking for a few
more minutes is appreciated by some children. If you are stroking, you
are creating a powerful mind-body connection to this relaxation that
hypnotists call an “anchor.” Make sure that you refrain from using any
energizing anchors.
This relaxation is about 5-10 minutes but works like magic to get
children to sleep a lot faster and easier than the usual process of telling
them to go to sleep.
The language of this script can be adapted to suit any category of
people and for hetero-hypnosis or self-hypnosis29
 273 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

31. OTHER HYPNOSES

1. Therapeutic Hypnosis
Therapeutic hypnosis refers to the grafting of hypnotic procedure
onto any of the recognized psychotherapeutic techniques. Hypnosis can
be used successfully as an adjunct, or ancillary procedure in therapy
that is psychoanalytic, gestalt, non-directive, or any of the many varieties
of behaviour modification that are based upon learning theory. Taken in
this sense, there is no such thing as hypnotherapy. It is only a number of
traditional approaches to psychotherapy that amalgamate hypnosis
successfully as a part of the treatment. Stage hypnosis is primarily for
entertainment while therapeutic hypnosis is directed towards helping a
person placed in the role of patient to alter his behaviour by replacing
self-defeating habits and patterns with adaptive ones.
2. Forensic Hypnosis
This theory is based on some questionable assumptions that
memory is reproductive rather than reconstructive, and that there is a
hypnotic hypermnesia effect. Certainly there are seemingly inaccessible
memories emerging in a hypnotic context, but there is never any certainty
that when this happens in hypnosis, it is caused by hypnosis. Added to
this, hypnotically elicited recollections are not necessarily true, no matter
how vivid and subjectively compelling they may be to the hypnotized
subject or to an observer of his behaviour.
3. Street Hypnosis
Street hypnotists are skilled individuals that have experience in
putting people into a rapid trance and make the individual perform fun
acts for the amusement of the others who pass by. Street hypnosis was
in vogue during the 18th century when mesmerism was used for the
entertainment of crowds. Perhaps the practice of hypnosis would have
died out but for the street hypnosis which saved it. As with any hypnosis,
street hypnosis starts with induction which is one of the fundamentals of
hypnosis.
 OTHER HYPNOSES 274
4. Animal Hypnosis
You might have observed a number of shows on TV or YouTube
in which demonstrations are done on animals for animal hypnosis. Now
the question arises if animals can be hypnotized. Let us see what happens
in animals when they are said to be under hypnosis.
Animals can be encouraged to enter a state that, on the face of it
bears some similarities to hypnosis in people. This state is best described
as motor inhibition in response to restraint but has also been variously
labeled as “tonic immobility,” “animal hypnosis,” “immobility reflex,”
“Totsellreflex,” or “fright paralysis.” Tonic immobility involves physically
restraining an animal, which then becomes immobile for a period of time.
The immobility usually ends abruptly “with the animal making an almost
immediate transition from the immobile to the mobile state.” The process
underlying hypnosis in human and the tonic immobility in animals are
very different. Hypnosis in humans is about verbal suggestions which
produce changes in subjective experience. Being relaxed and still is
sometimes part of hypnosis, but it is not necessary. Tonic immobility in
animals is defined by “immobility” and nothing more. Animals cannot
inform us about their subjective experience, and may not be self-aware
and be able to introspect as humans can.
To conclude, in the proper sense of hypnosis, I think only humans
can be hypnotized and not animals. What appears to be hypnosis in
animals is the tonic immobility which happens when an animal is
restrained. This can also take place as a result of fright in animals.
Therefore, there is no animal hypnosis per se .30
275 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

PART IV

PERSONS AND THEMES RELATED

TO HYPNOSIS
 SIGMUND FREUD AND HYPNOSIS 276

32. SIGMUND FREUD AND HYPNOSIS

Sigmund Freud grew increasingly interested in the unconscious.

He conceived of the unconscious as one of the dimensions of human life
— at once inaccessible and important as a source of thoughts and
actions. In his effort to decipher the meanings of hysterical symptoms
and other neglected mental phenomena that seemed beyond conscious
control (such as dreams and slips of tongue), he moved further away
from his neurological training. Realizing that apparently meaningless
behaviour actually expressed unconscious conflict, he developed
techniques for determining what the behaviour might mean.
With hypnotic suggestion, the hypnotist commands subjects to
stop having symptoms. With free association, the analyst intends to
create conditions in which subjects could grasp the significance of their
symptoms and thereby free themselves from illness.
1. Psychological Cause of Hysteria
Freud’s earlier works in psychology and psychoanalysis attempted
to understand and cure the human mind by means of hypnosis. Freud’s
initial exposure to hypnosis in a clinical setting was between 1885-1886
when he studied in Paris with Jean-Martin Charcot, a renowned French
professor of neurology. Charcot was concerned about the causes of
hysteria, a disorder which could cause paralyses and extreme fits. He
soon discovered that symptoms of hysteria could be induced in non-
hysterics by hypnotic suggestion and that the symptoms of hysterics
could be alleviated or transformed by hypnotic suggestion. This discovery,
of course, ran contrary to the then-prevalent belief that hysteria had
physiological causes. The discovery suggested that a deeper, unseen
level of consciousness could affect an individual’s conscious conduct.
2. Catharsis
Joseph Breuer applied hypnosis not just to cause or suppress the
symptoms of hysteria but to actually find out the root causes. Freud
collaborated with Joseph Breuer. Joseph Breuer found in his work with a
 277 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

client that by tracing her associations in an auto-hypnotic state, he could

not only find an original repressed incident, but could actually cure her of
her symptoms. When she related an event to a symptom while in a
hypnotic state, her symptom would become terribly powerful and dramatic
but would then be purged never to trouble her again. This powerful and
often traumatic transfer of a memory from the unconscious to the
conscious is known as catharsis, an effective method which also seems
to corroborate Freud’s theories on the mind. However, Freud soon
abandoned hypnosis in favour of conscious psychoanalysis, first for the
technique of free association, then eventually for his well-known technique
of observational, couch-based psychoanalysis.
3. Frued’s Impact on Hypnotism
Though Freud abandoned hypnosis for psychoanalysis, he
maintained an interest in hypnotic phenomenon throughout his work and
the questions he posed, as well as some of the solutions he offered,
have retained their relevance. Though Freud has often been blamed for
his simplistic thinking about hypnosis and for its eclipse, his writings
reveal a rich theory of hypnosis and a frank acknowledgement of the debt
of psychoanalytic theory and practice to hypnotism. In many respects,
he anticipated issues in current research. Though his emphasis on the
hypnotist’s skill may have been exaggerated, his insights concerning
attention, social expectations, group dynamics, reality testing, and the
relationship between hypnosis and sleep have been very useful in empirical
investigations.
4. Development of Freud’s Interest in Hypnosis
Freud attended a performance of Hansen the “magnetist,” which
made a profound impression on him and convinced him of the existence
of a genuine hypnotic state. Then he spent four months at the Salpêtrière
hospital where Charcot was conducting his studies of hypnosis. Freud
was impressed with clinical demonstrations that hysterical paralyses
could be reproduced by hypnotic suggestion. In 1890 Freud travelled to
Nancy to meet Charcot’s rival, Hippolyte Bernheim who used hypnosis
to treat patients, many of whom suffered from organic diseases. Back in
Vienna, Freud’s close friend Joseph Breuer was regressing in time
hysterical patients under hypnosis to trace the origin of their symptoms
 SIGMUND FREUD AND HYPNOSIS 278
and evoke normally inaccessible memories. Breuer’s use of hypnosis to
investigate and treat hysteria further strengthened Freud’s view of hypnosis
as a legitimate and useful therapeutic tool.
5. Freud’s Clinical Use of Hypnosis
Freud’s work provides evidence of extensive clinical experience
with the technique of hypnosis. The therapeutic use of hypnotic suggestion
was his principal instrument of work during the first years as a physician.
Subsequently he adopted Breuer’s cathartic method and when he visited
Bernheim he was convinced of the limitations of hypnotic suggestion. He
believed that not only functional disorders but quite a number of symptoms
of organic diseases are accessible to hypnosis.
6. Hypnosis as Evidence of the Unconscious
While watching Bernheim perform hypnosis, Freud was convinced
of the possibility that there could be powerful mental processes which
nevertheless remained hidden from the conscious mind. He observed
that when Bernheim used suggestion to encourage subjects with post-
hypnotic amnesia to recall a hypnotic session, the lost memories could
gradually be restored. So, he concluded that post-hypnotic suggestion
is a demonstration of the existence and mode of operation of the mental
unconscious and as experimental proof of the existence of “unconscious
psychical acts.”
7. Freud’s Abandonment of Hypnosis
Freud feared that patients would lose contact with the present
situation or become addicted to hypnosis as a narcotic. He was anxious
not to be restricted to treating hysteriform conditions. He became frustrated
as he could not hypnotize all patients nor put them into as deep a trance
as he would have liked. He, perhaps, desired a school of psychology
divorced from the simplicity of suggestion since when hypnotic techniques
are used, the patient can suggest to himself whatever he pleases. He
admitted that hypnotic techniques were easier and shorter to apply than
psychoanalysis. Yet he found therapeutic outcomes to be dependent on
a harmony between the patient and the therapist, and therefore, capricious
and impermanent. He said that even the most brilliant results were liable
to be suddenly wiped away if his personal relation with the patient became
 279 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

disturbed. He believed that symptoms often serve a protective function

and that those that have meaning for the patient should not be
indiscriminately removed. He said that hypnosis affords no insight into
the dynamics of the problem in question. According to him, hypnotic
treatment strengthens the repressions, but leaves all the processes that
have led to the formation of the symptoms unaltered. Hypnotic treatment
leaves the patient inert and unchanged, and unable to resist any fresh
occasion for falling ill. Hypnosis, he said, hides the very resistance that
needs to be recognized and overcome in psychoanalysis.
8. The Debt of Psychoanalysis to Hypnosis
Since Freud incorporated many of his observations and insights
concerning hypnotic behaviour and phenomena into the dynamics of
psychoanalysis, he can be said to have circumvented rather than
abandoned hypnosis. Dreams and hypnosis both afford access to the
forgotten material of childhood and Freud now chose to resort to dreams
rather than to hypnosis. Freud abandoned hypnosis only to rediscover
suggestion in the shape of transference. The suggestibility of the
hypnotized subject, like the transference of the analysand, involves a
directing of libidinal energy towards the hypnotist/analyst.
9. Freud’s Stance on the “State vs. Non-State” Debate
It was thought that a hypnotic state or trance fundamentally is
distinct from other states of consciousness as the essence of hypnosis.
This was the position of Charcot who said that the hypnotic state has
identifiable physiological characteristics. Against this came the position
of the sociocognitive approach viewing hypnosis not as an altered state
of consciousness, but as a product of situational and psychological
variables, like expectations and social role-playing. This was the position
of Bernheim. Freud initially oscillated between Charcot’s and Bernheim’s
positions, and his position was unclear. Freud unquestionably aligned
himself with the statists and to have claimed on the other hand that
hypnosis does not exist as a state. Freud pointed out that there are both
psychical and physiological phenomena in hypnotism. Therefore, it would
be one-sided to consider only one or the other. There is no criterion
which enables one to distinguish exactly between a psychical process
and a physiological one. Of course, contemporary research suggests
 SIGMUND FREUD AND HYPNOSIS 280
hypnosis (as Freud did) as a complex phenomenon with biological,
cognitive, and social aspects. Freud’s view fitted in somewhere between
Charcot and Bernheim as it fitted in somewhere between the altered
consciousness and sociocognitivist positions, which have today become
less dichotomous and tend to fall along a continuum.
10. Hypnosis and Sleep
Freud said that when hypnosis is most completely successful, it
is nothing other than ordinary sleep and when it is less completely
successful, it corresponds to the various stages of falling asleep. Empirical
evidence indicates that hypnosis has very little in common with sleep.
Behaviourally, the hypnotized subjects do not become drowsy or sleepy
unless this is suggested during induction. Physiologically, the
electroencephalograms (EEG) of hypnotized subjects resemble that of
subjects who are awake rather than asleep, unless sleepiness is
suggested by the hypnotist. Freud finally said that sleep and hypnosis
have in common withdrawal of interest from the external world. This shows
a modified position compatible with contemporary research – namely,
sleep in hypnosis means nothing more or less than an order to withdraw
all interest from the world and to concentrate it on the person of the
hypnotist. In the withdrawal of interest from the external world lies the
psychological characteristic of sleep and the kinship between sleep and
the state of hypnosis is based on it.
11. Hypnosis and Attentional Processes
Freud says that the subject is in reality concentrating his whole
attention on the hypnotist and no attention is paid to any but him. Freud
is of the opinion that the induction procedures of fixating on a bright
object and listening to a monotonous sound merely serve to divert
conscious attention and to hold it riveted. It is as if the hypnotist has said
to the subject to concern himself exclusively with the person of the
hypnotist and the rest of the world is quite uninteresting.
12. Hypnosis, Group Dynamics, and Reality Testing
The hypnotic subject bestows power and authority on the hypnotist
so much so that the hypnotist possesses a mysterious power that robs
the subject of his own will. The hypnotic relationship is a group formation
 281 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

with two members. In hypnosis, he says, the function for testing the
reality of things falls into the background. The suspension of reality testing
to which Freud refers is intuitively suggested by the mere fact that
hypnotized individuals are capable of experiencing positive and negative
perceptual hallucinations.
13. Hypnosis as Transference
For Freud transference, the interpersonal aspect of the hypnotic
situation is a fundamental element of hypnosis. He considered therapeutic
success using hypnosis to be dependent on the harmonious nature of
the patient-therapist relationship. Freud noted that the hypnotic state is
like the process of falling in love, with the same subjection, compliance,
and unlimited devotion without the sexual satisfaction. The hypnotist
awakens in the subject a portion of his archaic heritage which had also
made him compliant towards his parents.
14. The Hypnotist’s Skill
Freud said that a successful hypnotist must possess great skill.
The hypnotist’s experience as perceived by the subject appears to have
a significant effect on hypnotizability levels. Freud seems to have intuitively
understood this when he attributed some hypnotic successes to the
suggestive atmosphere which surrounds the hypnotist.
15. Hypnotizability as a Trait
Freud believed that ev erybody is hypnotizable, but that
hypnotizability is often hindered by resistance and other obstacles that
must be overcome by the hypnotist. Hypnosis is understood essentially
as an ability of the subject and not of the hypnotist. Responsiveness to
hypnosis has been shown to be as stable over time as any personality
trait. This stability suggests an underlying genetic factor, which has
recently been shown to explain some of the variance in hypnotizability.
Yet the issue is not settled. Freud said that the puzzling way in which
some people are subject to hypnosis, while others resist it completely,
points to some factor still unknown. We can never tell in advance whether
one can hypnotize a particular patient or not and the only way to discover
it is when attempting it. It has not been proved that accessibility to
hypnosis is related to any other of the individual’s attributes.
 SIGMUND FREUD AND HYPNOSIS 282
For Freud, there is no obvious relationship between susceptibility
to hypnosis and the therapeutic outcome. For him it was puzzling to
note that the suggestion/s may completely relieve some people from a
wide range of organic symptoms, yet fail to relieve others from manifestly
psychological ones and the depth of hypnosis is not invariably in direct
proportion to its success. It appears that hypnotizability is relevant to
the therapeutic process in those cases where the special hypnotic state
mediates the cure, while in other cases the non-specific elements of
hypnosis mediate the therapeutic effect. Freud could not hypnotize all of
his patients nor predict who would prove a good subject and who would
not. This fact was one of his major frustrations with the use of hypnosis
in his clinical work. Perhaps, this is also one of the factors that made
him give up hypnosis.
To conclude, Freud had a lifelong interest in hypnosis and he desired
very much to develop a general psychology of mental functioning. He
used hypnosis in clinical practice and thus contributed to its general
acceptance. He admitted the debt of psychoanalysis to hypnosis. His
thinking about the critical nature of the hypnotist’s skill seems outmoded
now. But his insight into the therapeutic potential and limits of hypnosis
and its relation to sleep and transference has been borne out by
subsequent researches. His approach to hypnosis as comprising
psychological states, social expectations, attention, and role playing
are even now major points for research.31
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33. MEDITATION
Meditation and hypnosis resemble each other so closely that we
may mistake one for the other. This chapter will clarify in what ways they
are similar and dissimilar.
1. Same and Different
Both meditation and hypnosis are the same. With regard to the
subjective feeling and the brain waves both are similar but the difference
comes with the intent. Meditation stills one’s mind and opens it to the
universe. Meditation is not to manipulate for a specific outcome. If one
does regular meditation he can lower his blood pressure and there are
other positive health benefits. Though meditation is used in many spiritual
traditions it can also be used without a spiritual component as in the
“relaxation response.” With self-hypnosis, there is a specific goal one
wants to support. There is nothing spiritual about self-hypnosis. It is a
practical skill that one can learn easily. Ideally perhaps, one does practice
regular meditation for enlightenment as well as for its health benefits,
and does self-hypnosis for practical results.
In both meditation and hypnosis the subject is relaxed and is in an
almost trancelike state, focusing on inner reflection and tapping into his
unconscious, focusing entirely on one solitary thought. There are more
differences than similarities.
2. Meditation Achieves a Blank Mind
With meditation one achieves a completely blank mind, devoid of
any and all thoughts. The goal in meditation is to empty one’s mind and
eliminate stress from one’s body through calming thoughts. In meditation,
one focuses on his breathing. By focusing only on this, one is quieting
his mind. Usually one has a mantra (or mantras) that one repeats
throughout the meditation process that brings one to a state of peace.
The chanting of a mantra (whether it is out loud or internal) tends to have
an almost rhythmic and calming effect on the body and mind.
3. Hypnosis Targets a Result
In hypnosis, one is targeting a singular, defined result, which is
one key element that differentiates hypnosis from meditation, such as
 ME DIT ATION 284
breaking a bad habit or ending an unnecessary fear. There are a number
of people who use hypnosis to stop binge eating and smoking. For
hypnosis, one is guided by a hypnotist to lead one to a hypnotic state. A
hypnotist is a highly trained professional employed to lead one into a
state of hypnosis before targeting one’s unconscious mind and helping
one to remove the barriers preventing one from achieving one’s end goal.
We experience hypnosis more often than we realize. Whenever
we zone out for an undetermined amount of time we have experienced a
type of self-hypnosis. Meditation is widely accepted as a beneficial
practice. It is something many people embrace on a daily basis. It will
take a lot of time and practice to achieve a true absence of thought in
meditation. Both meditation and hypnosis help us reduce stress and
achieve a more well-rounded sense of self; and both can help us reach a
predetermined desired outcome. Yet it is the practice and the desired
outcome that usually differ, with meditation focusing on lack of thought
and hypnosis aiming at change of behaviour.
4. Experiences in Meditation
1) Calming and Slowing Down the Thoughts
Our minds are racing from one thought to another without stopping.
But meditation gently slows the mind so that thoughts can be traced and
moved about with ease to clearly reveal their source and their conclusions.
2) Relaxing
Meditation relaxes the body and mind, and thus assists us to
think and discern better. The relaxation one gets in and after meditation
is wonderful.
3) Grounding and Centering
Grounding means moving energy in a downward direction. This
can slowly and subtly balance the body, open the energy centers, and
can help connect a person with inner guidance. By centering we mean
the movement of the consciousness that occurs within the confines of
the physical body. Often our attention is outside of our physical body,
particularly in children and women. That is why we find women in general
are less selfish and care more than some men about relationships, an
area that is outside of the physical body and in between people.
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5. Relationship of Hypnosis to Neutral Hypnosis, Self-Hypnosis, and

Meditation
1) Hypnosis (Hetero or Clinical)
In hypnosis, there is less or no perceived need to move physically;
attention is withdrawn from concerns with bodily motion and balance,
and there is less or no need to interact socially. In spite of that, in hypnosis
the subject still feels a presence and has awareness of the rapport with
another person – that being the hypnotist. In hypnosis, the elements of
this relationship are intertwined with the experience of the trance. Part of
the subject’s psyche is linked to the hypnotist’s psyche, in a process of
dynamic communication. The hypnotist is free to communicate with one
part of the subject’s self, then with another, but always maintaining a
bridge. The subject is not really free although the hypnotist may be very
permissive; the confines of the relationship remain.
2) Neutral Hypnosis
If a subject enters a hypnotic state and does not give himself
specific suggestions or directions, this is called “neutral hypnosis,” a
state marked by relaxation, free-floating imagery, and dream fragments
or sequences. In this situation, the sense of control floats, and is
undirected. The subject may or may not observe and remember. We can
say that it is an unstructured trance state.
3) Self-Hypnosis
In self-hypnosis there is more autonomy. A more conscious part of
the psyche gives suggestions to another more unconscious part. Self-
instructions are fairly specific and invite or reinforce personal change.
4) Meditation
Here we view meditation in connection with hypnotic phenomena.
To the type of neutral hypnosis if you add directed watchfulness then it
is meditation. The meditative trance and the self-hypnotic trance are similar
in quality. In meditation the subject starts out with no overt trance-inducing
signal, but with the resolve to begin and focuses the observing ego on a
part of the body (e.g. the solar plexus), a sound (mantra), a symbolic
image (mandala), a spiritual feeling, or a universal idea.
 ME DIT ATION 286
Though like most therapies, meditation claims to relieve many
somatic and psychological disorders, its clearest and best documented
indication is in the treatment of generalized anxiety. Meditation takes
dedication, motivation, daily practice, patience, and requires a certain
soundness of mind from the subject. It demands an ability to develop a
certain mindset of internal relaxed watchfulness, an ability to learn to
deal with thought intrusions, and a capacity to accept intermittent
progress.
6. Relaxation and Meditation
Relaxation is said to have both physical and psychological
components. At the physiological level, the experience is one of repose
and calm. Of all the manifestations of hypnotic phenomena, relaxation is
the most easily and consistently observed state. It is also observed that
in some subjects relaxation is strongly experienced and some even say
that they never before felt a relaxation level so profound.
This universal experience of relaxation is already present in neutral
hypnosis (i.e., hypnosis without any overt suggestions or the phase of
the hypnotic process following induction and preceding the presentation
of suggestions). When one adds proper suggestions to neutral hypnosis
it becomes hypnosis proper; hypnosis can be amplified many times over.
Once experienced by the subject, relaxation can, through the techniques
of self-hypnosis (the process by which a trance is brought on by the
participant himself) or post-hypnotic suggestion, be applied during
situations previously experienced as stressful or anxiogenic. The feeling
of relaxation in hypnosis can range from mild, general deceleration to
pervasive peacefulness. When one reaches the peaceful state, the parts
of the mind that contribute to anxiety are quieted.
Meditation is meant to let go of the anger from the past, events of
the past, all the planning for the future and accepting this present moment
and living every moment totally with depth. It is the art of doing nothing.
The rest one attains in meditation is deeper than the deepest sleep,
several times deeper. In meditation you transcend all desires. This brings
for one such coolness to the brain. It is in a sense overhauling or servicing
the whole body-mind complex. Such a practice will bring in so much of
relaxation. Ultimately meditation will lead you to great relaxation.
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7. Hypnosis and Meditation

Hypnosis and meditation are not too dissimilar from each other.
Both hypnosis and meditation allow one to block out the world around
one and to focus on an object, place, or word that will make you feel
tranquil, calm, and de-stressed. The main difference perhaps is the way
these two are practiced.
True meditation is typically the cessation of all thought. It can be
likened to the mind being a clean slate. It is being at peace with who we
are and what we do. If one reaches this stage, one ceases the
contemplation of what if one does this or what if one does not do this
right. Meditation can free one’s mind of all negative thoughts and let one
experience an inner peace. Problems do not disappear by meditation but
it helps one perceive them in a different light. The rumination process will
be less stressful and more productive once one can step back and see
things in perspective.
Meditation as a discipline takes steady practice over a long period
of time. It aims to clear one’s mind over long periods of time by allowing
thoughts to pass by while focusing on a point, a mantra, or some other
focus. Often breathing exercises accompany meditation. The goal in
meditation is to detach from one’s thoughts, and to experience a deep
awareness that one is not one’s thoughts. Meditation is content-less.
There is no specific goal aside from the meditation itself. Of course, it
can lead one to many health benefits, including stress relief and peace
of mind, but it is not goal-driven.
Hypnosis, however, is a state of focused attention where the
conscious mind is distracted so that work can be done with the
unconscious mind directly. In conclusion, the difference between hypnosis
and meditation is that they both bridge the unconscious/conscious
interface, with meditation being without content and not goal-driven, while
hypnosis has content and is goal-driven.
8. A Model for Clinical Meditation
Take for example an adult who suffers from anxiety and you are
conducting clinical meditation for him. Give him the preliminary relaxation
exercise – a shortened Jacobson technique (pp. 167) – as he sits calmly,
 ME DIT ATION 288
eyes closed, and ask him to send his awareness into his upper abdominal
region and simply to leave it there for a few minutes. Then tell him that
thought intrusions are frequent and are best dealt with by noticing them,
letting them pass, and returning to the focus of meditation. Now ask him
to terminate the experience, at his discretion, by simply deciding to do
so. In all probability after five minutes, he will open his eyes. The gnawing
burning feeling in his abdomen will have decreased by at least half, and
his chest cavity will feel considerably lighter. Give him home work of two
10-minute session a day of this meditation. This form of meditation is
more demanding than Transcendental Meditation [TM] because more
thought intrusions are usually experienced in this. (Transcendental
meditation refers to a specific form of mantra meditation. The TM technique
involves the use of a sound or mantra and is practiced for 15–20 minutes
twice per day.) After about six weeks he will experience a very satisfactory
diminution of anxiety symptoms with frequent periods of total clearing. 32
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34. IMAGINATION
There is a certainly individual difference in hypnotizability. The
difference centers on the idea that the hypnotized person deploys his
skills of imagination to the point of becoming deeply involved in the ongoing
fantasy activity of hypnotic induction. Josephine Hilgard coined the term
“imaginative involvement” to explain the hypnotic phenomenon. Sutcliffe
spoke of “delusion” in a descriptive sense to point to the manner in which
fantasy may take on reality value for some hypnotized subjects, and
becomes accepted by them as having happened in actuality. Theodore
Sarbin and William Coe spoke of the role of imaginings that become
believable. In each case, the thrust is in terms of imaginings that become
so vivid and intense that the person in hypnosis may not be able to
distinguish them from reality, and may come to believe that they are
actual occurrences. Auke Tellegen (1978/79) said that imagination or
fantasy is the ability to represent suggested events and states
imaginatively and enactively in such a manner that they are experienced
as real.
1. Fusion of the Rational and the Non-Rational
Research supports the view that hypnotic responsivity is related
to the ability to become absorbed in imagining such things as the setting
of the sun, or the smell of a flower. There is a subset of high hypnotizables
who are characterized as “fantasy addicts” — that is, a subject who
spends as many of his waking hours as possible engaged in fantasy and
imagination. There are some hypnotists who emphasize the role of fantasy
and imagination, but have placed less stress on the role of absorption,
though they all agree that reality testing may be suspended and belief
may be altered. Ernest Hilgard (1977) emphasized dissociation, and views
hypnosis as involving multiple, overlapping systems of cognitive control,
some of which may not always be available to conscious awareness and
which may tap into fantasy processes. Martin T. Orne (1980) sees
hypnosis as involving alterations, even distortions of perception, mood,
and memory. Judith Rhue and Steven J. Lynn (1989) view highly
hypnotizable subjects as highly prone to fantasy. Nicholas Spanos and
Theodore X. Barber (1974) view hypnosis as thinking along with and
experiencing suggestion related imaginings. Their emphasis is upon
 IMA GINAT ION 290
hypnotic behaviour as being entirely voluntary and rational, even though
hypnotic behaviour at least among high hypnotizables, appears to be an
admixture of voluntary and involuntary behavior, in which rational and
non-rational components are fused.
2. Social Psychological Influences – Imagination and Absorption
Theodore X. Barber (1969) says that positive motivations, favourable
attitudes, and positive beliefs about hypnosis (that being hypnotized is
an enjoyable and safe activity) also play an important role in determining
the hypnotic outcomes. This being so, such social psychological
influences are of little consequence to the experience of hypnosis if the
subject lacks such requisite abilities as imagination and absorption. Again
a subject with these requisite abilities will not respond to a hypnotic
induction procedure if he lacks the necessary motives, attitudes, and
beliefs. To illustrate this point let us consider the occurrence in the 19th
century about the post-hypnotic amnesia which occurred spontaneously.
This stemmed from the shared beliefs of the hypnotist and the subject
that this was the nature of the phenomenon. But only a small percentage
of subjects responded in this manner. Put it differently, only those subjects
who had the requisite ability responded in a manner consonant with the
prevailing belief of the period.
3. Changes in Imagination
To a certain degree, the ability to create mental images is present
in all of us. It is experienced in the most pronounced way in dreams
when messages flowing from the sense organs are drastically reduced
and awareness is shifted to the ever-ongoing inner mental life. When one
is in the waking state, the escape of mental images surfaces in
daydreams. The imagery of daydreams is complex and under partial
volitional control, and it is uniquely expressed in everyone; it may contain
visual impressions, feelings, some aesthetic sensations, the interplay of
dialogue, and intricate scenarios. At times, daydreams may be so
engrossing that coming back to reality feels shocking.
In hypnosis, the style of imagery used by the subject is important.
Both in hypnotic induction and in treatment, the stimulation of imagery,
in any one of its modalities, provides an important vehicle for progress.
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For example, it makes little sense to produce relaxation walking on the

sea shore with feet touching the water when the subject is afraid of waves.
If he likes a meadow he will respond positively while he is said to be
walking on a meadow.
The ability to create, intensify, and sustain images is enhanced in
hypnosis. In some subjects, this faculty can be activated to such a
degree that the sense of reality recedes and imagery takes precedence.
It is a situation in which the process of wakefulness coexists with the
processes of imagery formation. When it goes to the extreme, imagery
can be so intensely vivid that it is referred to as a hallucination. When it
happens, for example, a subject with his eyes wide open is able to see
an object as if it were there and conversely the subject might also not
see an object that really is there, a negative hallucination.
Imageries are turned into a therapeutic tool in hypnosis. Often,
images constructed by the subject can, through their real representations
or the symbol they convey, point to the direction of creative insight,
enhanced self-perception, personal growth, and problem resolution. Of
course, through their influence, they exert therapeutic effects.33
 ME MORY 292

35. MEMORY
Memory plays a vital role in hypnosis. There are some
misconceptions regarding the retrieval of memory in hypnosis and to
what extent the material recovered is true. This chapter will give you a
glimpse of the true nature of the role of memory in hypnosis.
1. Effects of Hypnosis on Memory
Hypnosis has three main effects on memory. (1) Hypnosis increases
productivity, but most of the new information is in error; (2) It increases
confidence for both correct and incorrect “novel” remembrances; (3) These
increases in productivity and confidence are found at all levels of
hypnotizability. But these effects are most pronounced in high
hypnotizables in hypnosis (as compared to when they are assigned to
an imagination or a repeated recall condition), as compared to low
hypnotizables who receive either hypnosis, imagination, and repeated
recall instructions.
2. Confusing Fantasy as Fact
Hypnosis is known to result in confabulation. It is a tendency to
confuse fantasy as fact. The new information elicited may be true, or it
could be a lie, it could be confabulated, or it could be pseudo-memory
that is manufactured in response to the demands of the hypnotic situation.
A century ago, these four alternatives – truth, lie, confabulation, or pseudo-
memory were emphasized by French forensic investigators.
3. Hypnotic Hypermnesia Effect
“Hypermnesia” refers to an abnormally vivid or complete memory.
When we say hypnotic hypermnesia, it refers to the belief that hypnosis
enhances accurate memory for the events that a person is initially unable
to remember. There is hardly any evidence to support this hypnotic
hypermnesia effect. People are known to produce more information with
the use of hypnosis. But it is not necessarily accurate. Since the
processes underlying response to hypnosis appear to implicate fantasy
and imagination, any novel material elicited in hypnosis needs to be
corroborated by independent means. This is of particular importance
especially when hypnosis is employed as a part of a police investigation
designed to elicit additional leads.
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4. Post-Hypnotic Amnesia
Post-hypnotic amnesia refers to the failure to remember most, if
not all of the events occurring in hypnosis, until a pre-arranged signal or
cue to recall them is administered. This occurrence is confined to the
top 10-15% of the population, and typically, these individuals remember
mere fragments of what transpired during the preceding period of hypnosis.
They are likely to recall, for instance, writing their name, their age, and
the date, but not that this request was made within the context of being
hypnotically age regressed to childhood. Some high hypnotizables have
a “blanket” amnesia for the events of hypnosis. This is more typical of
low hypnotizables asked to simulate hypnosis. Generally, the response
of simulators to this and other hypnotic items is to respond in terms of
the perceived demands of the situation. These persons tend to interpret
an amnesia suggestion as meaning that they cannot remember anything
at all until they receive the signal or cue to reverse the amnesia.
The fact of the reversibility of post-hypnotic amnesia distinguishes
it from amnesias of organic origin like the one from a blow to the head.
Memories based on retrograde amnesia (that is, one resulting from trauma
of either a psychological or physical character) may become available
eventually; the retrieval process is, ordinarily, slow and laborious. But
the reversal of hypnotically suggested amnesias is effected by a simple
suggestion that the person “can now remember everything.”
5. Hypnosis and False Memories
Recollections obtained during hypnosis can involve confabulations
and pseudo-memories and not only fail to be more accurate, but actually
appear to be less reliable than non-hypnotic recall, said the Council on
Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association in 1985.
6. Hypnosis May Facilitate False Memory
Hypnosis is understood as “imaginative involvement,” “believed-in
imaginings,” and “delusion.” Therefore, the role of hypnosis in creating
false memories is likely. Hypnosis facilitates and even hastens a process
whereby a suggested fantasy of the past comes to be accepted as a
“true memory.” False memories of childhood sexual abuse can develop
without recourse to hypnosis. Although hypnosis might re-awaken
childhood fantasies, it is in the context of the beliefs and actions of the
 ME MORY 294
hypnotist, an authority figure, that the fantasy might come to be interpreted
as historically accurate. Certainly there are some contexts, beliefs, and
processes in which hypnosis may facilitate false memories.
7. Causal Connection
False memories of childhood sexual abuse have surfaced in
relatively large numbers in recent years. It reveals a consistent pattern of
memory creation. This is what happens: A demoralized adult comes to
believe that he cannot negotiate life’s current difficulties alone and seeks
out a therapist. The therapist might believe that all psychological distemper
is the product of repressed memories of sexual abuse during childhood.
Thus the subject gets a causal connection between his present problem
and the supposed repressed memories of sexual abuse during childhood.
8. Double Bind
First of all, the therapist believes in the over-simplification that is
all dysfunctions are casually linked to the repressed incest memories.
Secondly, he might believe that “recovering” abuse memories will provide
the person with insight into his difficulties, and that this will lead to a
dissipation of symptoms. A therapist with such a belief will take the
disavowal of the abuse as evidence of being “in denial.” This leads the
patient into a double bind. There is something wrong with the patient if he
remembers that he has been abused. But there is also something wrong
if he does not remember – that is the patient is in denial.
9. Mistaken Beliefs about Memory
Some therapists believe that people with multiple personality
disorder were sexually abused during childhood even though as adults
they do not remember it. Given that “remembering” plays such a role,
hypnosis may be recommended for recovering lost memories. It is likely
that the therapist and the patient mistakenly believe that hypnosis is
highly effective in restoring “true memory” and that there is no need for
independent corroboration for reports that emerge with hypnosis. But the
fact is that this hypnotically enhanced recall may be highly confabulated.
10. Cult-Like Behaviour
Patients are sometimes urged to confront the alleged abusers,
not permitting them (the accused) to refute the accusations. They may
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be advised to get strong by suing at the same time as being informed

that they are not responsible for proving that they were abused. They are
also advised to break off all relations with the family and with anybody
else who questions the abuse narrative. They may be also involved in an
incest survivors’ group. They conform to a group mores and to “remember”
something that justifies their presence in such company.
11. Principles of Memory
There is a growing clinical interest in memory processes as there
is a claim that a whole host of problems, including anxiety, depression,
and eating disorders, have their origins in childhood experiences of incest
and other sexual trauma, abuse, neglect, and deprivation – memories of
which have been repressed by the patient. Many therapists attempt to
recover these memories, and bring them into conscious awareness, so
that the patient can deal with them more adaptively. Here hypnosis too
can play a role in this process. The very nature of memory places strict
limitations on the degree to which any attempt to recover memories from
the distant past will succeed. This will become evident when you read
the principles of remembering.
12. Seven Principles of Remembering
Memory processing consists of three stages: (1) encoding, the
process by which a trace of current experience is laid down in memory;
(2) storage, by which an encoded memory trace remains available over
time; and (3) retrieval, the process by which information is recovered
from storage and used in ongoing cognitive activity. Here we need to
remember that a memory cannot be retrieved from storage unless it was
encoded in the first place, or if it has been lost from storage. Even the
encoding of a memory, and its availability in storage, does not guarantee
that a veridical memory of the original event will be retrieved. To understand
this let us consider the manner in which memory operates.
Here below are reviewed seven principles of memory function that
set limits on the degree to which any attempt to recover a long-forgotten
memory can succeed: encoding, organization, time-dependency, cue-
dependency, encoding specificity, schematic processing, and
reconstruction. If there is no independent corroboration, there is no “litmus
test” that can reliably distinguish the true from the false memories, or
memories that are based on perception from those that are based on
 ME MORY 296
imagination. Practicing clinicians should use great caution when using
hypnosis or any other technique to facilitate delayed recall.
1) Encoding
The encoding of memory is governed by two principles, “elaboration”
and “organization.” The elaboration principle: The memorability of an event
increases when that event is related to pre-existing knowledge at the
time of encoding.
2) Organization
The memorability of an event increases when that event is related
to other events at the time of encoding. Events can be remembered to
the extent that they were encoded at the time they occurred, and that
proper encoding does not occur automatically, but rather requires active,
cognitive effort. On account of this we speak of infantile and childhood
amnesia which means that most adults remember so little of childhood
because children lack both the knowledge base and the information-
processing capacity to encode such memories in retrievable form. There
are also other factors like whether the event in question is the topic of
conversation between the child and the other people. Such social
interactions are likely to facilitate elaborative and organizational processes.
Elaboration and organization become highly operative in the case of
ostensibly repressed memories, most of which appear to be for events
occurring in early childhood, and cover events which by their very nature
are not shared with other people.
3) Time-Dependency
If a memory has been encoded, it remains available for subsequent
retrieval and use – at least in principle. But in practice, memories seem
to fade away over time. Thus we have another principle called “The Time-
Dependency Principle:” The memorability of an event declines as the
length of the storage interval (i.e., between encoding and retrieval)
increases.
4) Cue-Dependency
The memorability of an event increases with the amount of
information supplied by the retrieval cue. Remembering usually starts
with some kind of cue that provides some information about the event
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which is to be remembered. Those cues that are highly informative are

more likely to contact the available memory traces than those that are
not. Access to well encoded memories generally requires fewer retrieval
cues, and lots of retrieval cues can gain access even to very poorly
encoded memories. But subjects may remember more correct information
on a recognition test than on a recall test, but they also remember more
incorrect information.
5) Encoding Specificity
The memorability of an event increases when the information
processed at the time of retrieval was also processed at the time of
encoding. The manner in which an event is encoded – the meaning of the
event, how it is perceived and interpreted and categorized – determines
which retrieval cues will be successful in gaining access to that event.
Memories that have been processed during states of high emotional arousal
may only be accessible if the same affect is reinstated at the time of
retrieval.
6) Schematic Processing
The memorability of an event increases when that event is relevant
to the expectations and beliefs about that event. Events that are highly
congruent with expectations are highly memorable; but events that are
highly incongruent with active schemata are even more memorable. Events
that are inconsistent with preexisting schemata are surprising and draw
more attention, and receive more elaborative and organizational activity
at the time of encoding; and at the time of retrieval, the schema provides
additional cue information that can facilitate access relevant memories.
Therefore, events that are irrelevant to the schema get neither advantage,
and so are poorly remembered.
7) Reconstruction
The memory of an event reflects a blend of information retrieved
from the specific traces encoded at the time of that event with knowledge,
expectations, and beliefs derived from other sources. The notion of memory
retrieval obscures the fact that memories can be distorted, biased, and
otherwise changed by changes in perspective and other events that occur
after the time of encoding. The reconstruction principle means that any
 ME MORY 298
particular memory is only partly derived from trace information encoded
at the time of the event.
13. No Internal Criteria
In the final analysis, there are no any internal criteria – that is,
standards that can serve to distinguish reliably between accurate
recollections and fabrications and confabulations. In the absence of
external criteria – the verification of individual statements by objective
evidence, we have no means of reliably distinguishing between fact and
fantasy. The success of any attempt to exhume a memory will depend
on why that memory was forgotten. What is encoded depends on what
was perceived, and what is encoded determines what subsequently will
be retrieved. If an event is poorly encoded in the first instance, the prospects
for its subsequent retrieval and conscious recollection, especially after a
long retention interval, are very poor as well.
14. Hypnosis and the Principles of Memory
Hypnosis does not change the rules by which memories are
encoded, stored, and retrieved; accordingly, these rules constrain the
utility of hypnosis (or any other procedure) as a technique for the
enhancement of memory. There is no scientific evidence that hypnosis
can improve the retrieval of poorly encoded memories, or those that have
been degraded by interference accumulated over long retention intervals.
In principle, it is possible that hypnosis can be used to provide an extremely
rich set of retrieval cues, overcoming the encoding and storage conditions
as for example, age regression could be used to structure an hallucinated
environment that returns the subject to the circumstances, both
environmental and emotional, of the forgotten episode. The clinical and
forensic circumstances in which hypnosis is used to enhance recall are
those in which such information is rarely available. Hypnotically refreshed
memories should never be allowed to stand alone. They need to be
corroborated by independent objective evidence.
15. Memory Changes
The distant and detailed memories of childhood years can be vividly
brought back to us as adults. The nervous system stores every experience.
New experiences are recorded in its substance, in a sequenced series
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of bio-experiential events requiring, for their integrity, the proper functioning

of short, intermediate, and long-term memory mechanisms.
Many memories, although indelibly present, do not gain entrance
to consciousness because they are connected to too much anxiety or
psychic pain. Others are cast aside because, in the priority of things,
they have little relevance. On the other hand, some memories impinge
too insistently upon daily life experience and may be disruptive. With
effort, one can push for the retrieval of a forgotten detail, or, as in
suppression, one can consciously coax into oblivion an uncomfortable
fact.
16. Hypnosis, Memory, and the Brain
Research points out to specific areas of the brain affected by
hypnosis. Hypnosis has long been considered a valuable technique for
recreating and then studying puzzling psychological phenomena. One
example of this approach is the technique known as post-hypnotic
amnesia (PHA) to model memory disorders such as functional amnesia,
which involves a sudden memory loss typically due to some sort of
psychological trauma rather than to brain damage or disease. Hypnotists
produce PHA by suggesting to a hypnotized person that after hypnosis
he will forget particular things until he receives a cancellation, such as
“Now you can remember everything.” Now PHA typically happens when
it is specifically suggested and it is much more likely to occur in those
with high levels of hypnotic ability, or high hypnotizable individuals.
Hypnotic state actually influences brain activity associated with memory.
High hypnotizable individuals with PHA typically show impaired
explicit memory, or difficulty consciously recalling events or material
targeted by the suggestion, and dissociation between implicit and explicit
memory, so that even though they cannot recall the forgotten information
it continues to influence their behaviour, thoughts, and actions. The
forgetting is reversible when the suggestion is cancelled. Dissociation
and reversibility confirm that PHA is not the result of poor encoding of the
memories or of normal forgetting, because the memories return as soon
as PHA is cancelled. PHA only reflects a temporary inability to retrieve
information that is safely stored in memory.
PHA and functional amnesia share several similar features. Persons
with functional amnesia following a traumatic experience such as a violent
 ME MORY 300
sexual assault or the death of a loved one, are unable to remember a part
or all of their personal past. All the same, as in PHA, they might still
show implicit evidence of the forgotten events like uncosnciously dialing
the phone number of a family member which they cannot consciously
recall.
17. Hypnosis Is Real
Research shows that hypnotic suggestions influence brain activity,
not just behaviour and experience. It is proved that the underlying brain
processes, which we assume are shared by PHA and functional amnesia.
Brain activation seen in PHA reflects a dampening – some form of rapid,
early inhibition of memory material –due to heightened activity in the
prefrontal cortex.
In PHA and in functional amnesia, the person is unable to
explicitly recall certain informatin, yet we see evidence of this material
on implicit measures. For example, a subject given PHA may fail to
recall the word “mother” learned earlier, but will have no trouble
completing the word “m_t_er.”
18. Enhancing Memory Recall
One begins to wonder if hypnosis can help one recall what is needed
to pass exams, or get a better grade. The answer is “yes” but the end
results depend on the degree of commitment of the individual, and the
skill of the hypnotist.
If a student wants to get a good grade he should have the ability to
memorize facts. First, teach the person/s how to relax through self-
hypnosis, both while learning prior to exam, and most importantly during
the exam. Next teach them to enhance their recall during the exam by
reading their lectures notes or textbook while in a deep hypnotic state of
mind, known as “somnambulistic depth.” Their eyes are open in deep
hypnosis whilst focused single-mindedly on the pages of their notes,
and all peripheral vision is blocked out. They can turn the pages of the
book or notes at the speed of five seconds per page. This is repeated five
to fifteen times before the exam, but then it only takes ten minutes to
read all the material for a particular subject at that speed. This method
can be used not only by students appearing for exam but also persons
who have to read masses of information in a fraction of the normal time
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by speed-reading using a process that employs hypnosis. They can also

improve their memory recall of what they have just read by the same
process.
Some memories, which are thought to have been forgotten and
therefore inaccessible in the conscious state, can be recalled during
hypnosis. This phenomenon is called “hyper amnesia.” In deep hypnosis,
age regression can be achieved by getting the person to relive experiences
in his past — even back to his childhood. There are cases of individuals
who recovered the objects hidden by themselves and which they did not
remember, but during hypnosis they could remember the place where
the object was hidden.
When it is a question of unpleasant or traumatic incidents, it is not
unusual for the unconscious mind to deliberately impose amnesia and
shut them out completely; however, in hypnosis they can be recalled. It
is also good to keep in mind that the unconscious does not always wish
to yield up its secrets. Often it may do this to protect the person from
having to relive an unpleasant or traumatic situation from the past. The
unconscious can also lie in hypnosis. It can hallucinate and fabricate
events in hypnosis. Therefore, it is good that the hypnotist does not ask
leading questions in hypnosis. Leading questions will be something like
this: “You were sexually abused in your childhood; Is it not?” In all likelihood
the subject will answer “yes” to please the hypnotist. Besides, the subject
visualizes and believes the subsequent images to be real memory. This
response of the subject need not be very deliberate but rather automatic
or unconscious. This phenomenon is called “False Memory Syndrome,”
where a person under hypnosis makes up a tale of a parent, relative, or
close friend sexually abusing that person earlier in his life.
That hypnosis can enhance memory is well established now.
Hypnosis can also help one comprehend and learn a subject one finds
difficult, for example mathematics. In hypnosis, it is to get over any phobia
of figures or symbols, and teaching one that figures and symbols are as
just another way of telling a story one can understand.34
 AGE REGRESSION 302
36. AGE REGRESSION
Age regression in hypnosis is a technique utilized by hypnotist to
help the subjects remember the perceptions and feelings caused by past
events that have an effect on their present illness. It is done when a
person is hypnotized and is instructed to recall a past event or regress to
an earlier age. The subject may then proceed to recall or relive events in
his life. If the hypnotist suggests that the subject is of a certain age, the
subject may begin to appear to talk, act, and think according to that age.
This allows for the subject to reinterpret his current situation with new
information and insights. Every age regression session can vary based
on the hypnotist and the subject.
1. Purpose
The purpose of hypnotic age regression is to reframe the negative
feelings and perceptions of the past to facilitate progress towards the
subject’s goals. It is meant to allow subjects to find the cause of their
current blocks and eliminate their past traumas. When hypnotized, the
subject is in an altered state that allows for his unconscious mind to be
accessed. It is the unconscious that holds the behaviours and habits
that people exhibit to protect them. These behaviours and habits are
repeated and held until they are no more necessary. When hypnotic age
regression is done, it allows for subjects to reframe and purge their
unnecessary behaviours.
2. Levels of Regression
In hypnosis there are three different levels. Each level has a
regression counterpart. Depending upon the level of hypnosis and
regression, the subject will be able to recall the past events as if it were
happening in the present. In hypnosis, a memory can be frozen (as we
freeze a scene in our TV) and explored more in depth.
1) Light Level
The first level is a light one and is referred to as the “hypnoidal
level.” Its regression counterpart is “recall.” This level is a mental level
between sleeping and waking. It is something similar to the state when
one begins to fall asleep at night or wakes up in the morning. It is also
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similar to the state one enters during meditation. At this level, the mind
is still aware of what is happening, but one is much more relaxed and
utilizes less logic. At this level of regression, the subject is able to recall
the event. Definitely the subject’s memory will be extended compared to
his memory when he is not hypnotized. The subject may be able to
recall an event from his childhood around the age of 5. Since he is less
distracted by the present, the subject will be able to recall more specific
details of his memory. We know that when one is not hypnotized, one is
constantly distracted by what is occurring in the present, which weakens
the ability to recall any past events. Even though the ability to experience
the memory may be very blurred in the recall level, yet it is very enhanced
compared to the non-hypnotized state.
2) Medium Level
This level is referred to as the “regression level.” At this level,
the subject is in a very relaxed level of consciousness and is less aware
of his body. The regression counterpart of this level is “viewing the
past.” Here the subject is able to focus on specific details of his
memories. It can be compared to a person watching a videotape of a
past event. Often one is able to see and feel the past experience. Still,
he is very much aware of the present moment. The subject is simply
primarily focused on viewing the past. At this level, the subject has a lot
of control. He is free to spend more time on pleasant memories instead
of unpleasant memories. Subjects are known to smell odours or hear
sounds related to the specific regression. The subject possesses control
of the entire regression experience at this level. Once the regression is
finished, the subject is still able to recall everything that he spoke of
while hypnotized.
3) Deep Level
This is the “somnambulistic level.” In this state, the subject
experiences profound relaxation which is generally a hypnotist’s goal
with the subject. The counterpart of this deep level is “revivification,”
which means to revive. In this level, the subject’s voice and other
characteristics may begin to change according to the time that they are
regressing to. Subjects are known even to begin to use phrases that
they have not used since they were of that age. There are some who
 AGE REGRESSION 304
doubt the validity of this stage saying that it is merely their imagination
hypnotized at work, rather than an actual regression to that age and
state of mind.
In this level, subjects are unable to recall all of the events that
occurred during their regression, similar to a dream. The subject is able
to recall certain details, but he feels the emotions as if he had just lived
through the experience again. Since subjects cannot recall the details of
their regression it is difficult to fulfill the purpose of a regression. All the
same, it is still an important level to reach during an age regression.
3. Revivification
Memory retrieval and hypermnesia involve a coming to the surface
of specific events and effects. But age regression implies a more complex
phenomenon, which is the reliving of a part of the past in the context of
the developmental stage of that time. In hypnosis, if the event is emotionally
charged, the subject may be asked to act as if he is on the side lines, as
an observer, in order to reduce the possible affectual impact and its
possible disruptive effects. If it is the question of complete age regression,
the episode is relived in all its immediacy and intensity.
4. Historically Accurate Memory?
Let us explore if the hypnotic age regression produces historically
accurate memories. Age regression in hypnosis refers to the hypnotized
person’s ability to “relive” an earlier period of his life. It is not the same as
thinking about the past, or remembering it. A subject in age regression
experiences being a younger age in a subjectively vivid and compelling
manner, and this is accompanied, quite often, by what appears to be age
appropriate changes in voice, mannerisms, and handwriting. Though the
age regressed subject’s behaviour can be very convincing subjectively,
that is no guarantee of the historical accuracy of anything that a person
recalls about his past during age regression. Results of research suggest
that the new information, elicited in hypnotic age regression, cannot be
taken at face value. It needs always to be corroborated by independent
means before it can be considered as factual.
It is also observed that people respond differentially to hypnotic
age regression. Approximately 50% of subjects who are able to experience
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it report duality. When they are questioned about their subjective

experience, they say that they felt both adult and child (either
simultaneously, or in alternation). The remaining 50% say that they felt a
quasi-literal regression. They state that they really felt that they were the
suggested age, and had no sense of being an adult. There seems to be
only one hypnotic item with which this differential response to age
regression correlates — that is, the “hidden observer” effect which seeks
to include dissociation.
From this, it is suggested that dissociation is also a differential
phenomenon, at least among those who are able to experience it. It is
found almost exclusively among high hypnotizables – that is the top 10-
15% of the population. It is becoming evident that more people of moderate
hypnotizability will be found to experience milder forms of dissociation.
The “hidden observer” is a metaphor for dissociation to indicate
that ideas could be cut off, or detached from the mainstream of
consciousness, where they could then fuel symptoms.
5. Age Regression in Therapy
Age regression in therapy will mean increased access to childhood
memories, thoughts, and feelings as a part of the psychotherapeutic
process. In hypnosis, the term describes a process in which the patient
returns to an earlier stage of life in order to explore a memory or to get in
touch with some difficult-to-access aspect of his personality. This is
employed in hypnosis — allowing the subject to project himself forward
to see a desired outcome or the consequences of his current destructive
behavior. Age regression for the purpose of “recovering” memories has
become controversial with many such cases involving child abuse, alien
abduction, and other traumatic incidents subsequently being discredited.
In attachment therapy, age regression is central. It is believed that
a child who has missed out on developmental stages can be made to
redo those stages at a later age by a variety of techniques. Many of such
techniques are intensely physical and confrontational and include forced
holding and eye contact, sometimes while being required to access
traumatic memories of past neglect or abuse or while being made to
experience extreme emotions such as rage or fear. Occasionally
 AGE REGRESSION 306
“rebirthing” has been used. There are also accompanying parenting
techniques which may use bottle feeding and systems of complete control
by the parent over the child’s basic needs including toileting and water.
6. False Memories
False memories are memories that seem to have occurred, but
are not real. They may be created at any time in everyday life. Since in
hypnosis, the subject is more susceptible to suggestions, the suggestions
may create false memories. This happens especially when the hypnotist
uses leading questions or if the hypnotist implies that some event
occurred that did not. Some hypnotists argue that suggestions are a
positive attribute during age regression and they only suggest a direction
to see what the subject reveals. However, one needs to exercise caution
in interpreting. Research has proved that if subjects are given warning
about pseudo-memories (false memories), it seemed helpful to some
extent in discouraging pseudo-memories, but did not prevent psudo-
memories and did not reduce the confidence subjects had in those
memories.35
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37. ANESTHESIA
There was a time when hypnosis was used as anesthesia for
surgery —especially during the world wars. Hypnosis has a tremendous
potential for analgesia and it can be harnessed for the benefit of the sick
population.
1. “Anesthesia Awareness”
The phenomenon of the possible preservation of portions of
awareness during chemical anesthesia is not strictly a mainstream feature
of hypnosis. All the same, it presents fascinating theoretical questions
and research directions into the dynamics of awareness as they relate
to various mental states. The crucial connective thread between hypnosis
and anesthesia comes from data suggesting that events occurring during
anesthesia may be retrieved by the use of hypnosis, and that the process
of anesthesia itself may be beneficially influenced by hypnotic intervention.
It was believed for a long time that a patient in the moderate or
even deeper levels of chemical anesthesia was in a state of other-
worldliness and had relinquished all semblance of consciousness.
Researches done on the relationship between anesthesia and awareness
indicate that the coexistence of these is not necessarily incompatible.
Of late, studies have increasingly focused upon hypnotic
recollection of the anesthesia experience. Although consciously many
of the patients have little or no memory of their surgical experience, some
(especially highly hypnotizable ones) are able to reconnect with these
buried memories in the context of trance.
2. Preoperative Suggestions
Some patients in situations of anesthesia experience are attuned
to meaningful communications by the treating personnel. This occurrence
has prompted hypnotherapists to introduce suggestions to patients
awaiting operative procedures. These suggestions are designed to protect
the patients against inadvertent negative communications, which may
be reacted to, physiologically or psychologically, with nefarious stress
reactions. For example, in the event of one of the operating personnel
mentioning, “there is a lot of blood loss here,” the patient may respond
 ANESTHESIA 308
with a rise in blood pressure and increased heart rate, promoting cardiac
instability. In such a situation, affirmative hypnotic suggestions can act
not only as a protective buffer but also as an activator to positive adaptation
mechanisms, making successful negotiation of the surgical process more
likely.
3. Hypnosis and Surgery
Hypnosis is the induction of a subjective state in which alterations
of perception or memory can be elicited by suggestion. The application
of hypnosis to alter pain perception and memory dates back by centuries.
But not much progress has been made to fully comprehend or appreciate
its potential compared to the pharmacologic advances in anesthesiology.
Since hypnosis seems to complement and possibly enhance conscious
sedation, there is a growing interest in hypnosis. Combination of analgesia
and hypnosis is superior to conventional pharmacologic anesthesia for
minor surgical cases.
There are many cases where an injury sustained during an intense
activity or absorbing preoccupation was not noticed until after the
excitement had subsided. This proves that the perception of pain and the
reaction to a noxious stimulus can be altered by psychological
mechanism. There are some anesthesiologists who systematically
marshal these central nervous system (CNS) processes to spare their
patients pain and reduce the need for drugs. The strongest appeal to the
mind can be done by hypnotic suggestions.
4. Entry into Clinical Practice
Use of hypnosis as an adjunct to surgical therapy dates back to
the 1830s when Jules Cloquet (mastectomy) and John Elliotson (numerous
operations) performed major surgical procedures with hypnosis as the
only anesthetic. The Scottish physician James Esdaile used
hypnoanesthesia in about 300 surgical patients in India between 1845
and 1851. Almost simultaneously chemical anesthetics (ether 1846,
chloroform 1847) were successfully introduced into surgical practice. So
hypnosis subsequently became less used as anesthetic. Off and on,
interest was shown in the clinical application of hypnosis as anesthetic
since the end of the Second World War. Instead of using hypnosis as an
 309 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

alternative for general anesthesia it has been studied as a complementary

technique. Hypnoanalgesia has emerged as a combination of hypnotic
techniques with pharmacological analgesia and sedation.
Not all patients can be hypnotized, and not every anesthesia care
provider may be willing and able to integrate hypnosis into his practice.
Hypnotic suggestibility is a feature that describes the ability of the individual
to reach a state of hypnotic trance. It is found that patients receptive to
hypnosis will reach a deeper hypnotic trance and attain a greater reduction
of pain perception and operative stress than those who are less receptive
to hypnosis. There is evidence to support that even patients who do not
reach the stage of hypnotic trance benefit from hypnotic suggestions.
5. An Open Future
Now we have data showing physically measurable effects of
suggestion or hypnosis on the nerv ous system. Imaging and
electrophysiological studies have demonstrated changes in spinal and
supraspinal pain pathways under the influence of hypnosis. Suggestions
and focused attention can measurably alter pain perception and pain
pathways. A similar influence may be expected for the autonomous nervous
system involved in modulating gastric motility, regional blood perfusion,
and the humeral response to stress. Faster wound healing, earlier
postoperative gastrointestinal recovery, and less nausea have been
reported when hypnosis or positive suggestions were part of the
preoperative management.
Now the question is whether we have enough data to elevate
autohypnosis and hypnosis to a clinical routine that promises benefits
for patients and surgeons. Only a few investigators have used hypnotic
techniques in the operating room. Only multi-institutional studies
encompassing large numbers of patients could test the hypothesis that
hypnosis benefits patients and health care facilities by increasing
satisfaction, reducing patient morbidity, and reducing cost. If hypnosis
and autosuggestions provide clinical benefit, they do so without the need
for equipment or drugs.36
 HYPNOSIS AND NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP) 310

38. HYPNOSIS AND NEURO-LINGUISTIC

PROGRAMMING (NLP)
Neuro-Linguistic Programming or commonly known in its
abbreviated form as NLP is a different method to help the client who does
not feel comfortable being hypnotized. NLP is one of the latest and
emerging trends in the field of psychotherapy that helps ordinary people
transform into successful persons. It causes a metamorphosis in people
and helps them in achieving greatness and reaching the zenith of success.
Research has indi cated the f oll owing recov ery rat es:
Psychoanalysis – 38% after 600 sessions, behaviour therapy – 72%
after 22 sessions, and hypnotherapy – 93% after 6 sessions.
Hypnotism is a well documented method for enabling a person to
behave in a controlled manner by unearthing the power of the unconscious
and goes a long way in curing a lot of mental conditions.
The process of hypnosis will assist you in changing limiting habitual
belief structures; release stress and anxiety; develop a deeper awareness
of personal emotional responses while releasing emotional triggers,
thereby gaining self-esteem and confidence. Hypnosis works by
reprogramming the mind like reprogramming a computer. The
reprogramming is accomplished through a communication process with
your conscious and unconscious to openly receive positive communication
for change resulting in your desired goals. In addition to hypnosis, Neuro-
Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques are used to reframe one’s
limiting belief patterns. NLP diagnoses the language patterns an individual
uses based on the thoughts and beliefs one possesses — whether
positive or negative. Today the use of hypnosis is seen in a variety of
fields including medicine, dentistry, law enforcement, professional sports,
and education.
1. The Benefits of NLP
NLP encompasses all those tools which help people build a
successful career. Attitude and behaviour of people determine their
successes. NLP rightly focuses on bringing about changes in their
behaviour and attitude. These changes radically transform individuals and
 311 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

help them achieve success in their life. Since the patients are treated on
an individual basis, there are huge chances of success with NLP. People
who are helped using NLP reap rich rewards in their personal and
professional lives. NLP can help people in various ways and it is up to
the individuals themselves to select the choices available, implement
them in the right manner, and benefit out of them.
2. Pattern Analysis
NLP is found to provide better solutions to commonly occurring
mental problems. It improves the person’s self-determination and
dedication to achieve better results with the process of overcoming their
known limitations and an emphasized functioning in the right way. It is
currently being promoted as an advanced science of technology that is
based on modeling and pattern analysis of an individual’s behaviour. It
helps people in opening or discovering the channels of success thereby
giving them an entirely different outlook to an existing entity.
3. The Focus of NLP
NLP focuses on self-enhancement or self-healing procedures.
Everyone’s behaviour is influenced by various factors and the behaviour
of a person follows a pattern. NLP techniques are adept at analyzing an
individual’s behaviour and deducing a pattern around it. It is hardly
interested in what is the action or the reason behind the behaviour
exhibited. NLP focuses on finding the triggers behind the particular
behaviour, the contextual or circumstantial influence that caused this
behavior, and also the person’s idiosyncratic features that are behind the
actions of the person.
4. Identifying the Behavioural Pattern
Identifying the behavioural pattern of the individual is the hardest
part of the process of Neuro-Linguistic Processing. Once the behavioural
pattern, the initiating stimuli behind it, the environmental influences, and
the person’s features that affect it are identified, proper analysis is
performed to identify those ones that critically affect the behaviour and
attitude of a person. After doing these processes, it is not so tough to
provide solutions that help to correct the flaws and bring about an
 HYPNOSIS AND NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP) 312
improvement. The process of self-improvement should be allowed to
happen gradually and should not be allowed to take place in a hurry.
5. Hypnosis and NLP
Viewing both hypnosis and NLP, I do not find any major differences
between them. Both are targeting the same results but in different paths.
The paths they follow are not much dissimilar. The outward signs of
hypnosis like induction, relaxation, deepening, suggestions, and
awakening are not followed in a manifest way in NLP. Those who practice
NLP do admit that the protocol of hypnosis is implicitly seen in NLP. I
would rather say that NLP is a disguised form of hypnosis. Instead of
using hypnosis one can use NLP and get the identical results. I clearly
see a set pattern and forward moving to the finality in both hypnosis and
NLP. Both in NLP and hypnosis altered states are induced and harnessed
for beneficial results. Practically most of the procedures of both disciplines
appeal to and communicate with the unconscious. In effect, both are
operative on the same level and appeal to the unconscious.37
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39. SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND HYPNOSIS

Hypnosis has a strong reputation for being an excellent tool for
changing habits. It is also a popular stage show activity that results in
some fascinating displays of mental manipulation. Some psychologists
use it as a means for treating mental dysfunctions. Success coaches
will use it for personal development. Hypnosis can be used for even greater
purposes including spiritual development. The process of hypnosis is
one of distracting the conscious mind long enough to implant alternate
suggestions to the inner mind. Hypnosis is not sleep, but rather a form of
tightly focused concentration.
1. Hypnosis – Another Tool to Spiritual Growth
Many spiritual traditions use meditation as a vehicle for
development. Meditation, as we know, is contentless hypnosis. Meditation
is neutral hypnosis plus directed watchfulness. Meditation too, is a process
of focusing the mind, but usually at a lower level of intensity. The lower
level of intensity makes meditation easier for the individual to attain and
control. Once the mind is focused to the degree common in hypnosis,
the ability to direct the course of activity is usually lost. This is one of the
difficulties in trying to use hypnosis by oneself. To reach a deep level,
you need to have an outside source of direction. But this difficulty can be
overcome by having another person direct you through the process, or
using pre-recorded hypnotic tapes that are being sold on the market, or
create your own hypnotic recordings. Now we have inexpensive voice
recorders; most cell phones have a voice recording facility.
2. Relaxation plus Focus
For spiritual development, beyond the basics of directing yourself
to relax your physical body, focus your mind through a series of steps to
attain the level of focus required, and the ending sequence of coming
back to normal consciousness. The progression of the working session
can follow a number of different formats.
3. Different Forms of Spiritual Growth
 SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND HYPNOSIS 314
Spiritual growth and development take many forms depending on
the culture in which one lives. The content of the hypnotic session depends
greatly on the belief system of the person.
1) Law-Abiding Type
If you believe that spiritual growth takes place when you live
according to a prescribed set of rules without deviation, then you would
use hypnosis to instill a “natural” tendency to live according to these
rules. This is exactly the same as the habit control usage of hypnosis
applied to those habits seen as being spiritual. Perhaps, your recording
will be a series of statements such as “You enjoy…” and “you will
always…”
2) Connection-To-The-Other Type
If you believe that spiritual development takes place when you are
able to make a strong connection to a higher power, then you would use
hypnosis to find and control the inner mechanisms responsible for making
that connection. In this format, hypnosis becomes a “practice session”
for learning how to make that connection better and stronger. Your
recording will generally be a guided daydream in which you take the
actions which lead to the stronger connection.
3) Fused-With-The-Supreme-Being Type
If you believe that spiritual growth and development happen as you
become more like the Supreme Being, then you would use hypnosis to
create whatever internal changes that need to happen to bring yourself
closer to that state. This format of hypnosis is a combination of the other
two formats.
To conclude, it all depends on what type of belief you have of
“spiritual growth.” Not all religions and all individuals have the same
concept of what spiritual growth means. Whatever type of concept you
have of spiritual growth, hypnosis can be utilized and your concept of
spiritual growth can be suggested to the subjects under hypnosis as the
goal of self-hypnosis or hetero (clinical) hypnosis.38
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40. LEGAL ISSUES OF HYPNOSIS

The hypnotic pioneer, Dr. James Braid, found that for a power so
remarkable and great, hypnosis was unbelievably harmless. But today’s
professional stage hypnotist must be mindful of the potential for legal
problems arising from his performances. Defending a lawsuit is an
expensive and time-consuming proposition even if one ultimately prevails.
1. Commonsense Measures
There are some commonsense measures you can take to help
minimize your exposure to potential problems. First and foremost, do
not use hypnosis to treat a subject for psychotic disorder or to experiment
psychologically in areas, such as past life regression. Avoid all hypnotic
tests which could harm a subject mentally or physically, as well as tests
that demonstrate invulnerability to pain.
2. Tests on Abnormality
Hypnotic tests that produce sym ptoms of psychological
abnormality, including amnesia, neurotic or psychopathic behaviour are
strictly taboo. “Amnesia” in this instance, does not refer to the common
practice of suggestion to a subject that he will not remember what
transpired while under hypnosis (post-hypnotic amnesia), but rather tests
which attempt to erase all memories of a subject’s identity from his mind.
The latter should be avoided.
3. Cases of Personality Disorder
Watch out for warning signs of personality disorders in volunteers.
It is perfectly natural for subjects to be a bit uneasy when they first come
up onstage. However, if any subjects appear to have significantly more
anxiety than the others, or exhibits physical manifestations, such as
twitching, trembling, profuse sweating, they should be dismissed early
from your performance as possible. It is best if they are not sent to their
seats alone, but dismissed with a few other people. Otherwise, it may
appear as if they were singled out.
 LEGAL ISSUES OF HYPNOSIS 316

4. Treat with Respect

Handle all of your subjects onstage with the courtesy and respect
they deserve. When someone volunteers, there is an implicit trust that
you will treat him properly while onstage. If you betray that trust by handling
them in a rough or abrasive manner or by intentionally embarrassing
them, you risk their legal wrath afterward. Always conduct yourself in a
thoroughly professional manner, handle your subjects gently and with
care, and never expect them to do something which will lower their self-
esteem. Rather, make your subjects the stars of your show, praise their
remarkable accomplishments to the audience, and finally, let them take
the bows.
5. In Contemporary Framework
Put your performance in a contemporary framework. Today’s
audiences are more interested in what they can do for themselves; so
slant your demonstration accordingly. Emphasize your role as simply
one of a facilitator that enables the audience to unleash their own amazing
powers of hypnosis. Inform them during the performance that every
hypnotic feat is a direct result of a subject’s own choosing and personal
accomplishment. Some shows do employ a paid subject for feats, such
as suspending a person between two chairs. If so, make sure you get a
signed legal release from that person. You can also obtain insurance
coverage to protect yourself.39
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41. THE SHADOW SIDE OF HYPNOSIS

Every human personality has its own shadow side. Shadow sides
are the negative aspects of any reality. Thus, the shadow side of hypnosis
will mean the negative implications embedded in the practice of hypnosis.
It is good to be aware of the negative side of hypnosis as well.
1. Hypnosis Is Helpful
Hypnosis as a form of therapy is excellent and very helpful. At the
least hypnosis is not a dangerous procedure in itself, but complications
may occur as the result of faulty technique on the part of the hypnotist,
or from misperceptions on the part of the hypnotized person.
2. False Memory and Undiagnosed Pain
Hypnosis may be used to recover “repressed” memories which
falsely lead clients to believe that their current symptoms are due to
being sexually abused as a child.
Sometimes, hypnotic age regression may elicit traumatic memories
of past events (which may or may not have happened); again, there exist
straightforward procedures for relieving the painful emotion of such
memories, regardless of whether they are based upon fact or fantasy. A
further area where care is required is in treating clinical pain with hypnosis.
Before embarking upon such a treatment, it is important that the patient
undergoes a neurological examination to ensure that the pain is not the
product of an undiagnosed organic origin. For example, if there is pain in
the head due to a tumor and hypnosis was done to mask it without
realizing that it is organic. Then it is an error. Of course, after diagnosing
that the pain is due to a tumor and to reduce the pain before the surgery
and after, it is appropriate. In this way pain due to organic reason is
medically addressed and hypnosis can cope with pain. Therefore, proper
diagnosis is required to apply appropriate treatment.
3. Misuse of Hypnosis
People speak of the dangers of hypnotism but they can hardly
specify what they are. Hypnosis is as innocent as sleep. We do not
 THE SHADOW SIDE OF HYPNOSIS 318
consider sleep as dangerous and in the same way hypnosis is not
dangerous. There had never been any evidence to indicate that hypnosis
damages the nervous system, or weakens the will or cause adverse
effect on the mental and physical health of an individual. The danger may
lie in the misuse of hypnotism. Like any other good thing can be misused,
hypnotism can also be misused.
4. Consequences of Hypnosis
No hypnotist can predict with certainty the reaction of the subject
to suggestion. It is the same case with counselling or any psychotherapy.
In most cases, subjects do not pose any problem in hypnosis. Of course,
there is an appreciable percentage of persons who may react in such a
way so as to cause difficulties. Even the best behaved subjects may
cause occasional difficulties. The difficulties may range from minor
emotional outbursts to full-fledged convulsive seizures. There may arise
post-hypnotic difficulties ranging from mild to severe headaches, with
vertigo and nausea, various degrees of depression, persistent drowsiness
arising immediately or only much later. These may happen in spite of
every precaution having been taken.
5. Regarding Suggestions
Individuals capable of developing very deep trance states may
experience the increase in their responsiveness to the hypnotist as a
result of having been hypnotized. The hypnotist should keep careful track
of all suggestions given to the subject and make certain that their influence
is completely removed before the subject leaves him, unless there is a
specific reason for retaining their influence. For example, if the hypnotist’s
suggestion to a timid subject that he would feel confident whenever he
sees an assembly of people whom he will address, that is a suggestion
which needs to be kept and not cancelled.
There is another delicate situation in hypnosis. If the hypnotist
were to give some instructions like the subject has to keep up his next
appointment, it needs to be given while the subject is under hypnosis.
The subject may connect this instruction with the suggestion he received
and may feel influenced by the instructions of the hypnotist.
Now the question is: to what extent the hypnotist has the right to
influence a subject’s behaviour outside the hypnotic situation. Decision
 319 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

regarding this situation has to be handled by each hypnotist by himself.

It is a good idea that the hypnotist should be circumspective to avoid
undue post-hypnotic effect. As for example, while hypnotizing you I give
you the instruction that next Wednesday when you come for the individual
session, you will automatically go to trance when I say the word “sleep.”
This may be a good idea to prepare the subject for the next session and
also to put him into trance immediately. But I have used the word
“Wednesday.” What will happen if next Wednesday the subject is not
able to come for the personal session? Therefore, these kinds of
suggestions can be avoided by the hypnotist since he does not know
how the subject will take those instructions given under hypnosis. Since
the reaction cannot be predicted with certainty, it is good to guard against
the instructions always. Again, it is recommended that only the necessary
instructions are to be given under hypnosis and the rest should be given
in the waking state.
6. Transference
Like in any helping profession of counsellors, psychotherapists,
physicians, and dentists, there can occur the phenomenon of
“transference.” In some cases some female subjects may come up with
the case of “rape fantasy,” that is, a strong conviction that the hypnotist
raped the subject while she was under hypnotic trance. It is not a special
situation for a hypnotist alone. One must use one’s prudence and caution
and follow the protocol necessary in a given situation of this sort. If you
know for sure that certain subjects are highly disturbed individuals and
may act unscrupulously, it is good to have the presence of a third party
with the consent of the subject while hypnotizing.
7. No One Ever Got Struck
The question what would happen if the hypnotist is forced to leave
the subject without awakening him. There is no danger at all. Place the
hypnotized person on a bed or couch and let him sleep it off. He will
awaken by himself after a while. No subject sleeps without a specific
command for more than an hour. The hypnotist can also name an assistant
or substitute who in his unexpected absence will take care of him.
 THE SHADOW SIDE OF HYPNOSIS 320
8. No Extremes
The hypnotist should not communicate any shocking news abruptly
to the subject. Also it is not recommended to change the subject’s
emotions from one extreme to another. For example, on stage hypnosis
asking the subject to laugh hilariously seeing a comedy on a TV and to
weep profusely immediately seeing a tragedy is too damaging to the
nervous system of the subject.
9. Not Immune to Nature
When you are inducing catalepsy, it should be done gradually. If
catalepsy is suggested for the arm, it might turn straight away stiff at
times damaging muscles. So, prepare the subject gradually before you
propose catalepsy of any part of the body. There are some irrational
beliefs concerning hypnosis that persons under hypnosis can withstand
the destructive influence of heat, cold, and injuries. Under hypnosis the
subject may put his finger in the flame but may not feel the heat by
suggestion. But his finger may be burnt. When pocked with a needle the
subject may not feel the pain by suggestion but if the needle is not
sterilized the subject may suffer infection. Likewise stretching the subject
between two chairs which is traditionally done can be endured by the
subject, but if he has some organic weakness of the body, that might
give trouble though he did the stunt successfully. Therefore, subjects are
not immune to the effects of nature just because they are hypnotized.
Any person, whether hypnotized or not, stares at the sun might
become blind. If the subject is asked to lift a weight too heavy for him will
suffer the strain even though he lifts it. The subject may be made to eat
substances that are not eaten in normal waking condition will suffer the
damages of having eaten such harmful substances. Just because the
subject is hypnotized, he will do what is commanded or suggested but
as a normal human person he will suffer the consequences attendant on
such actions.40
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42. THE FUTURE OF HYPNOSIS

1. Multifaceted Phenomenon
Hypnosis is a multifaceted phenomenon. There is no one hypnotic
process but several. There are three types of highly hypnotizable persons,
the “positively set,” the “fantasy prone,” and the “amnesia prone.” We are
not sure whether these differences actually represent separate dimensions
or whether they reflect differences in hypnotic induction and hypnotist-
client relationships. Instead of seeing hypnosis as a “state,” many
investigators have found terms that are more useful. Some speak of
“domain of hypnosis” and its three dimensions: the altered state, its
expectation and suggestibility, and the hypnotic relationship. A “domain”
is not a unitary phenomenon, and the accumulating data concerning
hypnosis reveals the complexity of studying experiences and behaviours
occurring on the limen of human activity.
Like hypnagogic states, hypnopompic states, and mystical states,
hypnosis poses challenges to those who appreciate it and want to mine
its treasures. This is something similar to what Jungians refer to as
“psychoid states,” what some Islamic traditions call the “imaginal realm,”
and a host of anomalous phenomena (e.g., clairvoyant, out-of-body, near-
death, and synesthetic experiences). The concept of a hypnotic domain
permits investigators and hypnotists to consider that hypnosis may differ
in various times and places, and that there are immense individual and
contextual differences in hypnotic phenomena. The situation would not
be as problematic if hypnosis were not a multifaceted phenomenon
requiring explanation at multiple levels.
2. Solution to Modern Challenges
Some investigators have missed the importance of the interpersonal
milieu in which hypnosis occurs, while others have come close to
destroying the most interesting hypnotic phenomena under the guise of
scientific objectivity. The luminal nature of hypnosis insures that those
who study it face challenges and struggles in searching for their elusive
quarry. Nevertheless, the struggle is worth it. Hypnosis, or more properly,
the varieties of hypnotic experience, can play an important role in alleviating
human pain, trauma, and other forms of suffering. Hypnotic experiences
can enrich the quality of human life. An understanding of hypnotic
phenomena, however partial and fragmentary it may be, is one of the
most productive paths currently available for the understanding of human
nature and human consciousness. These insights may play a critical
role in illuminating the steps that need to be taken by humans to insure
their survival.
 THE FUTURE OF HYPNOSIS 322
3. Predominant Role of the Unconscious
Researchers have looked at physical changes in the bodies of
subjects in numerous studies, but have found no significant physiological
changes while in this hypnotic trance state. It is because the body is
relaxed and slowed down during the process of hypnosis. However, there
is a change in the brain activity. The researchers noticed a change in the
rhythms of electrical voltage by using an electroencephalograph (EEG)
to measure the brain waves. Brain waves are different for the normal
waking state than they are for deep sleep or a dreaming state. The EEGs
from subjects in hypnosis were similar to those of the normal dreaming
and sleep states. This corresponds with the theory that the conscious
mind steps aside while another part of the mind (unconscious or
subconscious) accepts the suggestions during the hypnotherapy.
4. The Active Right Hemisphere
Researchers have also been looking at what is going on in the
cerebral cortex of the brain during hypnosis. A noticed reduction in activity
of the left hemisphere of the cortex and an increase of activity in the right
has been noticed with subjects while under hypnosis. Neurologists say
that the left hemisphere is the part of the brain that leads or controls
logic, deduction, and reasoning. The right hemisphere is the part of the
cortex that regulates or leads imagination and creativity. It supports the
idea that the creative, right brain takes the lead during hypnosis from the
restraining left brain. Therefore, hypnosis opens the unconscious mind.
5. Open to Creativity
Under hypnosis one is creative. Stage hypnotists say that subjects
are a lot like kids under hypnosis. They are imaginative and playful. There
are many stories of subjects acting funny on the stage under hypnosis.
This may be because the unconscious mind feels free and creative. It
lacks the inhibitions that the conscious mind has.
6. Enhancing Natural Ability
There are many emotions, negative thoughts, and life situations
that can get in the way of the creative process. Hypnosis can help with
those such as the fear of failure and self-criticism. It can serve to release,
enhance, support, and encourage a person’s inherent natural ability.
To conclude, we can say that hypnosis opens up vast vistas with
huge potential for human healing, health, and growth. The riches of
hypnosis have not been fully harvested. The usefulness of hypnosis needs
to be proclaimed and the near costless therapy of hypnosis has to be
made available by competent persons to the general public. 41
323 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

PART V

SAMPLES OF HYPNOGIS
 HYPNOSIS INTEGRATED TO COUNSELLING 324

43. HYPNOSIS INTEGRATED TO

COUNSELLING
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in therapy. It is also called
“Clinical Hypnotherapy.” It is classified as a “talking therapy” among
other talking therapies like counselling, psychotherapy, and specially
cognitive-behaviour therapy. Hypnotherapy is one of the mainstream
therapies. It is more than just hypnotic suggestion. In many respects,
hypnosis is a catalyst or accelerator of therapy. Hypnosis increases the
effectiveness of talking therapies. It has been researched that when
hypnosis is incorporated into cognitive-behaviour therapy, its effectiveness
is increased in 70 percent of cases.
1. Hypnosis Coupled with Other Disciplines
Hypnotherapy can involve many different therapeutic techniques/
approaches. In addition to the use of hypnosis for suggestion and analysis,
it can be used in conjunction with other interventions including counselling,
psychotherapy, psychology, cognitive-behaviour therapy, behaviour
therapy, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Whether the hypnotist
uses formal or informal hypnosis, his skills extend well beyond the process
of hypnosis. It is a brief therapy usually involving four to six sessions.
A therapy can be undertaken while one is in a deep state of
relaxation, allowing the subject to think more flexibly and clearly. This is
more effective than just conducting therapy alone. Clinically, hypnotherapy
is being used more widely by the medical personnel for the relief of many
psychosomatic symptoms which have not responded to medication. It
is, indeed, a very pleasant, natural process which allows the mind of the
subject to evolve and adapt, creating change on both mental and physical
levels.
2. Hypnosis with Counselling
Let us now see how hypnosis can be integrated to standard
counselling. For the most part, one proceeds with the counselling method
and at a certain point when the problem has been identified, the deficiency
of the client is pointed out, and the goal is set, hypnosis can take over.
Now let us proceed step by step.
 325 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

Imagine you are with a client. You will warmly welcome the client
according to the custom of your culture and ease the client by engaging
him in “small talk.” “Small Talk” will mean talk about neutral topics, like
the weather, mode of his travel, and the like. You would get valuable
information about the dynamics of the problem one carries with himself if
you observe the body language of the client. For, the body reveals more
information than the words of the client. Since the body never lies, you
will always get valuable information and true information about the client.
Now your duty is to attend to the client physically for which you will
follow skills like maintaining a distance of three to four feet without anything
in between you and the client, facing the client straight, maintaining eye
contact with six to eight blinks per minute, maintaining an open posture,
leaning forward, remaining relatively relaxed, mirroring in a subtle way
the behavior patterns and the vocal qualities of the client, and encouraging
him to continue talking.
It is time to let the client tell his whole story without interruption
unless it is needed to clarify what the client has said. Then you will
proceed to reflect the content of what the client said in order to make him
understand that you understood what he has hitherto said. Of course,
there are feelings which the client expressed or you find them buried.
You will reflect the feelings of the client. If there are strong negative feelings
like anger, grief, and guilt, you will help the client emote or discharge
them.
Now you are in a position to pinpoint the problem which can
arise from a wide spectrum of situations. Then you proceed to make the
client accept his contribution to the problem. The client does something
or does not do something that becomes the problem. Therefore, the goal
for the client for the therapy is the opposite of his deficiency, that is if
what the client does is a problem, then the goal will be not to do that, and
if what he does not do becomes a problem, then his goal will be to do
what he has not been doing. With the goals being set one takes up
hypnosis.
3. Hypnosis Alone
From now onwards you will follow the steps of hypnosis. You
start inducing the client into trance. It is called induction stage which is
 HYPNOSIS INTEGRATED TO COUNSELLING 326
the first step. By this one slightly enters into a trance. This is achieved
immediately with the second step called relaxation. By now the client
would have reached a sufficient level of trance state. For therapeutic
purpose, one would desire a deeper level of trance or relaxation which is
undertaken in the third step called deepening. Now the client is in the
fourth step called trance proper. The next step which is the fifth step is
implanting suggestions into the unconscious of the client. For this, the
goal you have already set with the client by counselling before starting
hypnosis is made use of. Once you have implanted suggestions proper
into the unconscious, you enter into the sixth step during which time
you give post-hypnotic suggestions. Post-hypnotic suggestions are
carried out after the client has been roused from the trance. In this step
you may also implant some trigger words which when used after the
hypnosis will bring about the trance state in the client. For example, you
can implant a trigger phrase like “white crow” for a particular state of
trance. When after the hypnosis is over, if the client were to pronounce
the phrase “white crow” he will get into the same hypnotic trance as he
experienced when the trigger was implanted. Now comes the final stage
which is the seventh step. It is the termination of trance and the client
is brought back to full consciousness.
4. Hypnosis Integrated Counselling
One may start with counselling proper and end up with the
hypnosis. Thus one can very easily integrate hypnosis to counseling.
The aim of this book is to integrate hypnosis with counselling. One can
do counselling separately or hypnosis separately. But it yields rich results
if you combine both. In this integrated method, you make use of the
conscious and the unconscious of the client. Perhaps, if you do counseling
alone, then the unconscious is left out — and it is in the unconscious all
changes take place. Therefore, the conscious alone has to struggle in
counselling proper. If you do hypnosis alone, then the unconscious is
involved but the conscious may be left out. But when you combine both,
you get the advantages of both the conscious by way of counselling and
the unconscious by way of hypnosis. Thus the client gains more and the
goal is attained easily. Both the client and the hypnotist/counsellor will
feel better for it.42
 327 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

44. SAMPLE SUGGESTION SCRIPTS

Here there are some sample scripts. These can be used in self-
hypnosis and also in hetero hypnosis (clinical hypnosis) by changing
the script from the first person singular (I) to the second person singular
(you) and vice versa. These models can be adapted to new situations
and cases. You can create your own scripts for yourself or to do hypnosis
for others. You can also improve on these models.
1. Healthy Eating
I always choose healthy food. I prefer food that is low in fat. I
choose food that is high in fibre. I love vegetables and eat them whenever
I can. I eat two or three fruits every day. I make sure that I eat low-fat
protein sources. I prefer whole grains and unprocessed carbohydrates. I
choose food that has little added sugar. When I eat out, I choose healthful
foods. Desserts are for special occasions. I take small portions of all my
foods. I stop eating when I am full. I eat slowly so I can enjoy the flavours.
Eating good, healthful food makes me feel great. I eat three meals and
two healthful snacks every day. I do not eat after eight o’clock at night. I
choose vegetables that are of a variety of colours. I use low-calorie salad
dressing. I eat vegetables first. I love eating healthful, low-fat food.
2. Sticking to Exercise (pp. 336 - 337)
3. Healing Injury
(For example, for a badly sprained ankle) My ankle is getting
better every day. The ligaments are healing. The nerves and blood vessels
are returning to normal. The pain in my ankle subsides as the ankle
heals. I apply ice to my ankle every day. I elevate my ankle when I am
seated. My ankle is getting stronger. My ankle is quickly returning to
normal strength and flexibility. I do my ankle exercises. My ankle improves
constantly and heals quickly.
4. Self-Confidence
I am in control of my life. I easily organize my priorities and handle
every challenge. I take time to resolve my problems. I choose my projects
so I always complete them successfully. I am relaxed and focused at all
times. Problem solving is easy and fun for me. I set priorities and schedule
my activities so I can enjoy my success. I stay centered and focused
 SAMPLE SUGGESTION SCRIPTS 328
when I am working and studying. I make time to enjoy family and friends.
I choose activities I enjoy. I am creative. I am productive. I remain stress
free. New ideas are fascinating to me. I am creative. New ideas stimulate
my creativity. I easily meet every challenge and grow daily in my self-
esteem. I am more confident every day. I complete my projects
successfully and on time. My creativity increases. I enjoy helping others.
I am kind and cheerful. I am becoming a better person.
5. Public Speaking (p. 341)
6. Everyday Problems
(For example having trouble finding your keys) I always put my
keys on the key rack when I come home. When I am at home, the keys
remain on the key rack unless I am using them. I always know where my
keys are. I instantly find my keys when I need them. I always replace my
keys on the rack. The key rack is the place for them to be. When I finish
using my keys, they go back on the rack. I always find my keys when I
need them. I find my keys on the key rack at home. When I get home I
replace my keys on the rack. I always find my keys easily.
7. For Weight Loss
Every time before you eat, you will check in with your stomach
to make sure that you are really hungry. If the stomach is not hungry you
will not eat. You also ask your stomach what you can eat that will make
you feel healthy and energized and satisfied 30 minutes from now. This
slender eating strategy will be a permanent thought process to attain
and maintain your ideal weight in your life. You will stop eating as soon
as your stomach is satisfied, before it actually feels full. Your unconscious
knows to adjust your metabolism until it is at the appropriate level. Now
your metabolism is just where it needs to be. You monitor your metabolism
and hormones every morning. They make any necessary adjustments in
order for you to attain and maintain your ideal weight, and your own
sense of balance. Certainly all systems work in harmony so that you
operate always at your fullest potential. You not only reach your ideal
weight, you will find it very easy to maintain it. You will find time throughout
the day to exercise and release all the toxins from your body and to aid
your metabolism to maintain optimum levels. You may be taking a walk,
gardening, riding a bicycle, or going to the gym. Exercise makes you
 329 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

feel healthy, confident, and energized. You will find at least a 20 minute
window during the day to move your body in a healthy way. Each time
you exercise and make a slender eating choice, you will have a huge
sense of accomplishment and pride. You are in control; the slender eating
strategy is already in your unconscious and is second nature to you.
8.Dealing with Test/Exam Anxiety
Tests allow you to understand how you are doing. Tests allow
you time to relax your muscles as you concentrate on using your
intelligence. You will look forward to examinations. You enjoy expanding
your mind and all of its abilities. Tests allow you to focus on valuable
information and knowledge. Surely someday you may need this knwledge
in your life and use the information you are learning to help someone you
care about. All of the information you study is recorded for easy access
whenever and wherever you need or want it. You can quickly and easily
retrieve this information. Imagine your mind is like a video camera. This
video camera is recording all of your experiences. Everything you see is
recorded; everything you hear is recorded; and everything you feel is
recorded. Every event and all this information is being recorded in your
brain. All of this information will be readily available whenever you want it.
You will review this information before you take each test. As you read
over the information many, many times, you will become very relaxed. It
looks so easy to quickly learn and absorb knowledge as you feel relaxed,
calm, and alert continually.
When you enter the test taking area, you will take three relaxing,
deep breaths. As you exhale, you will concentrate on letting all of the
tension out of your body. As you first view the test, you will take three
long, satisfying breaths, concentrating on relaxing your body. As you
more deeply relax, your mind becomes even more fully alert and aware,
running at full efficiency. When you reach a difficult question, you will
skip it and relax as you answer the easier questions, and then go back
to it later with calmness. You will slowly realise that questions that are
difficult will help you to prove your improved level of knowledge. In fact
you are much smarter than you ever thought possible.
9.Confidence in Company (pp. 330 - 331)43
 ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND HETERO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES 330
45. ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND
HETERO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES
There is no one single way to hypnosis. One can achieve a
hypnotic state by different means. Here below you will find some models
which may or may not suit you. You may prefer other models or you
would like to write your own, for you know yourself better than others.
Any method that is ethically permissible is all right for you to make use
of, provided that you attain your goal. There are many ways of inducing
trance, relaxation, deepening, suggesting, and awakening. Which model
suits you, you may make use of it.
The following scripts can be used for self-hypnosis and hetero-
hypnosis. For self-hypnosis someone can read the script for you or you
can record the script spoken by you or by someone else and play it
when you do self-hypnosis.
1. Illustration – 1 (For Self-Confidence in Company)
1) Induction
“Place yourself in a comfortable position with both feet on the
floor. Let your arms rest on your lap or lay by the sides. Begin to focus
on your breathing, concentrating on your inhaling and exhaling. As you
breathe out, say within yourself ‘relax.’ Relax internally with each
exhalation and by saying to yourself the word ‘relax.’ Every time you say
the word ‘relax’ you enter into deeper relaxation.
“From now onwards, you will listen with your unconscious to
what I am saying, ignoring any other sound, feeling, or thought. Allow
yourself to realize that only the unconscious experiences and understands
the trance induction. You are entering your unconscious and moving into
it. Your unconscious responds automatically and cooperatively with the
suggestions I am making. Your conscious is busy by focusing on your
breathing and relaxing. Therefore, it does not interfere with your
unconscious.
“As your unconscious is active, I am speaking only to it and it
can hear me. Let your conscious continue focusing on your breathing
and relaxing. As you are within the hearing distance I am speaking to
 331 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

your unconscious only. Your conscious mind is becoming bored and

distracted by your focusing on breathing, which leads the conscious
mind becoming uninterested, distracted, and going to sleep. As your
conscious is concentrating on your breathing, you are relaxing more and
more and are going deeper and deeper into sleep.
“You fix your eyes on a spot on the ceiling, a spot that does not
require you to tilt your head back. You need to look at that spot and
nothing else. As you take a deep breath and let it out slowly, you can
say to yourself silently: “Sleep now.” After this, take a deep breath, let it
out as before and repeat the words: “Sleep now.” As you finish doing it for
the third time, close your eyes and breathe quietly and feel your eyelids
are growing heavy. Now your facial muscles are relaxing. You are
wondering if you will be able to open your eyes even if you tried hard. But
you will not want to try. You will feel so comfortable and relaxed; you are
sitting there with your eyelids closed and heavy.”
2) Relaxation (Progressive Relaxation of the Muscles)
“Just relax your entire body…relax the muscles around your
eyes…the eyes themselves…relax the muscles of the nose,… lips,…
chin,… cheeks, and …ears…..relax the muscles of the scalp…relax the
muscles of the neck…relax the muscles of your shoulders….relax the
muscles of your hands…the fingers….relax the muscles of the
chest…relax the muscles of the back….relax the muscles of the stomach
and all the internal organs….relax the muscles of the waist…relax the
muscles of the genital and its surrounding areas….relax the muscles of
the thighs…relax the muscles of the knees….relax the muscles of the
legs…relax the muscles of the feet…now relax the entire body with all
its parts…breathe easily and let go of any tension in your body. You are
now totally relaxed, warm, and comfortable. Every muscle and nerve is
totally relaxed and you are calm, serene, peaceful, and content. Take a
few moments to enjoy this wonderful total relaxation. You feel sereeene,
peeeeeaceful, caaaaalm, conteeeennnted, relaaaaxed, and liiiight.”
3) Deepening
“Now become aware of being on an elevated place from where
descends a staircase of ten steps... You stand there relaxed and peaceful.
As you watch the steps, the steps will soon lead you to deep relaxation.
 ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND HETERO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES 332
The deeper you descend, the deeper you will be relaxed. When you walk
down you will land on a beautiful scene of your choice. In a moment I
would like you to walk down those ten steps along with me as I count
them off. One at a time you will step down and realize how deep your
relaxation becomes. You will become so limp and flexible. You may gently
place your palm on the rail and start to slowly descend the steps as I
count them down from 10 to 1. Ten: On the 10th step you are already
feeling comfortable and deeply relaxed... Nine: You are doubly relaxed
and doubly comfortable... Eight: Your relaxation and comfort start
increasing incredibly... Seven: You are experiencing greater relaxation...
Six: You are very relaxed and very comfortable... Five: Your relaxation
and comfort double... Four: You are deeply comfortable and deeply
relaxed... Three: You are more and more and more relaxed and
comfortable... Two: You are very near to the bottom and you realize how
deeply you are relaxed... One: Now you are deeper and deeper in relaxation
and feeling very comfortable... As you reach the base of the steps you
may gently allow the stairs and the ordinary, daily world to go as you go
deeper and deeper into relaxation. Now you are standing at the bottom of
the steps while feeling very relaxed and comfortable. Your steps are on a
beautiful scene of your choice. Comfort and peacefulness cover your
entire body and mind. Looks like you are in a very special place you
dreamt of. (You may describe to me the place you are in and the
surroundings.)”
4) Trance
“Now you are in a deep relaxing trance. Gently notice how pleasant
and enchantinting it is to be in this state. Perhaps, you have never before
experienced such a wonderful state. Take a few moments to enjoy this
absorbing state. There is a tramendous feeling of being taken up and
totally engrossed in this joyous experience of utmost pleasantness and
sweetness. It feels so good to be in this state and you would want that
this state should never depart from you. It is all right for you to feel this
way. Give permission to yourself to enjoy every bit of this experience.”
5) Suggestions
“You remain more relaxed and calmer whenever you are in the
presence of other people both in small and large groups or whether they
 333 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

are friends or strangers. You learn to be confident in front of other. You

are able to express yourself easily and confidently. You learn to speak
eloquently and confidently with intelligence and humour when appropriate.
Your conversations flow easily and you enjoy talking to people about any
subject that arises. You are able to meet people on equal terms feeling
great about yourself. You become so deeply interested, so deeply
absorbed in what you are saying that you become calmly focused in the
conversation. So you always remain excellently relaxed, wonderfully calm,
and self-confident when you are speaking to other people whether it is to
do with business or pleasure, whether it is on a one to one or to a group.
When you are with other people you are much less conscious of yourself
and your own feelings. Thus you are able to talk quite freely and naturally.
If you should begin to think of yourself, you immediately shift your attention
back to your conversation and you remain calm, confident, and self-
assured at all times.
“You notice that you get on well with people; you gain their respect
easily because you are a good listener and you speak with intelligence
and confidence. You like to laugh with people as you know it is a wonderful
way to communicate and this makes you feel happy and content. You
know that you can communicate easily with people from all walks of life
as you draw upon your own experiences of life to make your conversations
interesting. You also realize that you enjoy being around other people.
As your skills of communication grow more and more refined, you draw
opportunities towards you as people respond to your likeable easy-going
personality. As you grow more and more confident about your own abilities
in the company of other people, you grow more and more confident about
yourself and develop an inner calm and strength as the days, weeks,
and months go by.”
6) Post-Hypnotic Suggestion and Trigger
“Whenever you see someone cynically laughing at you in an
assembly, you feel confident and take it easy. You maintain your
composure and continue to enjoy the company of others — even in strange
groups.”
 ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND HETERO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES 334
Trigger
“When you enter a group and find indifferent people, you say to
yourself “peace to me” and immediately you feel calm, comfortable, and
relaxed.”
7) Trance Termination
“I am going to count from 1 to 5. You will slowly return to full
awareness and will be refreshed and relaxed at the count of the number
5. Before that I would like to remind you to decide to bring to your
wakefulness whatever experience you would like to carry and leave behind
whatever you may not desire. Make your own decision and choice. No.1,
you are totally relaxed, feeling wonderful, and content. No.2, you are
beginning to experience the sensation of your senses and the surrounding.
No.3, you are proceeding to your normal state of awareness with freshness
pouring in. No.4, your eyes feel bright, clear and alert. On the next count
you will open your eyelids and be fully aware, relaxed, and invigorated.
No. 5, open your eyes, and come back here fully awake and aware. You
are feeling great and wonderful. Now sit back for a while and relax. You
may stretch your body and arms.”
2. Illustration - 2 (For Pain Relief)
1) Induction
(Dave Elman’s Induction Modified) “Just begin to make yourself
comfortable. Let your feet rest on the floor and your hands on your lap, or
by either side. Let your head drop forward slightly as you roll your eyes
up and back as though you were looking toward a point in your forehead.
It may strain a little but keep it up. Now inhale deeply which fills your
lungs to the full. You continue looking up and back. By now you allow
your eyelids to grow heavy and close down. You can exhale slowly and
patiently. Now runs a deep relaxation from the top of your head to the tip
of your toes. Let all the muscles of your body become loose and limp
and you are wonderfully relaxed.
“It is time for you to bring your awareness again to your eyes.
Your eyes are already comfortably closed; imagine that they are closing
down all over again becoming even more heavy and lazy. Just relax those
muscles of the eyes so that they will not work anymore. Since you have
 335 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

done it well, you can just test and find them shut and unable to open.
Since your eyelids are tightly shut, it is a clear indication that you are
relaxed. Let the wave of relaxation run down from the top of your head to
the tip of your toe.”
2) Relaxation
(Breath Based) “As you sit comfotably and symmetrically in your
chair you can hold yourself upright with a minimum of muscular effort. As
you have gently drawn your eyelids on the eyes just begin to relax and
be aware of your breathing. Take a deep breath and letting it out making
your breathing slower and deeper. If you feel your attention is wandering,
gently bring it back to focus on your breathing. As you are more relaxed
you might notice certain pleasant sensations and things that you normally
overlook. You might feel the flow of cool air on your upper lip as you
breathe in and the warm air as you breathe out. You may allow your
attention to follow each in-breath a little bit deeper down each time;
continue to allow this way as you feel deep down inside. Allow yourself
to remain there for a while enjoying the relaxation you have achieved.
You may pause as long as you like and then slowly return.”
3) Deepening
(The Subject Counts Down) “In a moment you will start counting
down backwards from 100. Fine….. When you pronounce every number
you will say “Deeper relaxed and deeper relaxed.” When you do each
counting you double your mental relaxation. Thus you will be very relaxed
as you proceed and the numbers will escape your mind. You will allow
your mind to relax so deeply that the numbers will just fade away. If you
understand what I say, you can just nod your head. Well done….. Now
you can start counting …let the numbers fade away. Push them out of
your mind. Are they gone?… Fine, go deeper now. (If the subject counts
more than ten numbers you can ask him to stop saying) ‘Well done, that
is good enough; stop counting and relax deeper.’”
4) Trance
“By now you have reached a trance state. It is the deepest level of
hypnosis you have reached. It is so good to feel the way you right now
are feeling. It is marvellously engrossing you in complete and total
 ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND HETERO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES 336
relaxation and depth of sleep. You would very much desire to be in this
state because it is so very enchanting to you. It satisfies all your senses
and takes you to deeper realm of consciousness that is beyond your
imagining. Allow yourself to remain here in this state for a while. It is so
beneficial to experience this marv ellous state of the depth of
consciousness.”
5) Suggestions
“Looks like you are overwhelmed by the pain of arthritis. Now you
have the possibility and freedom to turn down the dial of your own
sensation to a pain-free level you want so that you feel really comfortable
and relaxed. Your pain is gone and you feel healthy and whole; even if
you want you do not feel the pain.”
6) Post-Hypnotic Suggestion and Trigger
“When you encounter arthritis pain, it will automaticaly turn into a
physical comfort.”
Trigger
“Whenever you experience arthritis you just say “Gone are the
pains” and you immediately feel a physical relief and comfort.”
7) Trance Termination
“In a moment, I will count from 1 to 5. At the count of 5 you will
open your eyes feeling fully alert and refreshed. You will realize that you
had a long period of deep, restful sleep, and awaken to your greatest
potential. Look back and check if you need to take any experience to
wakeful state. If there is anything you want to leave behind, you do so.
Number 1: You are coming up and emerging from your deep sleep. Number
2: Your body and mind are fully coordinated into a harmonious integrity.
Number 3: You are experiencing a great self-confidence in all your abilities.
Number 4: You have come almost to the brink of the threshold of your
awareness, taking a deep breath, wiggling your fingers and toes. Number
5: You open your eyes…Welcome back here, to the here and now, wide
awake and refreshed. You may stretch yourself if you like.”
 337 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

3. Illustration – 3 (For Sticking to Exercise)

1) Induction
(Sticky Hands Induction) “While being seated straight, close your
eyes, and press your hands together, in any position you choose. Press
the palms of the hands together tightly and tell yourself that your hands
are beginning to stick together. You should feel the palms touching each
other. You may feel your hands getting warm. You may try to pull your
palms apart and you may find they are stuck together. You can also
concentrate on your hands and make them feel cooler. When you decide,
you can tell yourself that your hands will no longer stick together. As you
drop your shoulders and relax your hands, they will fall into your lap.
Now you will feel them cooling off.” (Now you can continue your session.
For this exercise you can breathe normally. For a variant of this induction,
interlace your fingers and try to pull your hands apart and you may not
succeed. When you decide, spread your fingers and let your hands come
apart. If you are a hypnotist, you can propose this method to the subject.)
2) Relaxation
(Favourite Scene Based Script) “Let your body sink deep into
the chair you are in as you become comfortable with yourself. Your
muscles may shift and move as you start to relax. You may take twenty
minutes to relax fully and come back. Settle back and begin to enjoy the
freedom of listening to my voice and what I am saying. You may keep
aside any worry or any important projects that may draw your attention
right down. Say to yourself that you will pay attention to them as you
finish this relaxation exercise.
“Allow yourself to find your body in its most comfortable position.
You have allowed your eyes gently close down as they are feeling heavy
with sleep. The sensitive muscles around your eyes are closing and will
not feel like opening until I ask you to open them. Your eyes are glued
together and they remain that way in spite of your attempting to open
them. Because your eyes are closed you feel more relaxed.
“Now you can imagine any beautiful and pleasurable scene you
had experienced in the past. It could be anything like a beautiful beach
on a tropical lagoon, or a green and lustrous meadow in a park, or a deep
 ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND HETERO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES 338
forest with tall trees and crackling dead leaves on the ground, or any
imagery that pleases you. Experience the scene with all your senses
like seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting. Let it happen as if
you are experiencing afresh the same familiar scene.
“As you are experiencing the scene, imagine also that you are
descending a pathway, or a set of stairs of ten steps at the end of which
you are getting into that beautiful scene you imagine.
“As I am going to count from 10 to 1 you can imagine that you
are walking down that staircase becoming closer and closer to that
wonderful scene of your choice. As I count down each number, you will
feel your pleasant state of mental and physical relaxation simply doubling.
“No. 10: You are on the 10th step on the top. You are relaxed and
are moving towards the scene of great relaxation…. No. 9: You have
descended to the 9th step. All your worries are flying away making you
feel free and light….. No. 8: As you are on the 8th step your relaxation is
tripled and you are deep asleep. The more you descend the more you
are relaxed and in a deep sleep…. No. 7: As you are on the 7th step you
are incredibly feeling relaxed and asleep…. No. 6: As you are on the 6th
step you might feel pleasant tingling sensations in your hands and feet.
These sensations take you to deeper relaxation and sleep. … No. 5: On
the 5th step you are optimally relaxed doubling the relaxation you have
already achieved…. No. 4: As you are on the 4th step, let your busy and
wandering thoughts take some quiet time as your mind quiets and simply
sits back in peace. You go deeper and deeper into sleep redoubling your
relaxation….. No. 3: As you are on the 3rd step you may gently notice
how regular, deep, and quiet your breathing has become while your
relaxation has become ten times deeper…. No. 2: As you are on the 2nd
step you feel totally relaxed and entering into deeper sleep than ever
before…. No. 1: As you are about to descend you feel a wave of relaxation
flooding your whole body and mind…. Now you are on your favourite
scene enjoying excellently and experiencing a deep and profound
relaxation that is simply optimum. You may just allow yourself to float in
 339 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

this wonderful and peaceful state of relaxation knowing that this state of
mind is the place from which all changes and healing begin.
3) Deepening
(Fractionation [The Yo-Yo Effect] This method consists of
hypnotizing and alternately rousing a person a few times. This in fact
causes a compounding of the hypnotic state.)
“All right; now when I say ‘Sleep’ you will immediately close
your eyes and let yourself instantly and effortlessly go into a deeper
trance state. You will find that it is a wonderful experience to be in a
trance state. Each time I repeat ‘sleep’ you will go into deeper than ever
before into a trance state. As you have closed your eyes and are in a
deep trance I will count from one to three. At the count of three you will
awaken and open your eyes. O.K. ‘Sleep.’ You are in a deep trance
instantly. One…two…three. Open your eyes. Good, well done. Again
‘sleep.’ You are in a deep trance. One…two…three. Open your eyes and
you are wide awake. Again ‘sleep.’ You are in a deep trance as never
before. One…two…three. Open your eyes and you are alert and awake.”
4) Trance
“Allow yourself to notice gently how deep you are relaxed and
you are in a profoundly deep trance. It is amazing for you and you wonder
how you are able to be in such a wonderful state of peace and serenity.
Everything looks very calm and comfortable and you feel like resting
here for a while and enjoying every moment of your stay in this wonderful
state.”
5) Suggestion
“You walk for 30 minutes every day. You look forward to your
walk. You enjoy it immensely. It makes you feel great to walk every day.
You know you are becoming healthier by walking. You feel energetic
because you walk every day. You are invigorated after your walk. You
set aside 30 minutes every day for walking. You adjust your schedule to
make time for walking. You schedule your walks. Walking helps you
control your weight. Your heart is stronger. Exercise is part of the day.
You wear comfortable clothing and good walking shoes. You are aware of
 ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND HETERO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES 340

your surroundings and always walk carefully. You enjoy the scenery.
Walking every day improves your life.”
6) Post-Hypnotic Suggestion and Trigger
“Whenever you realize that you are not willing to undertake your
regular exercise and see people doing exercise, you immediately start
doing your exercise. For this you say the phrase that I tell you.”
Trigger
‘Whenever you say the phrase ‘up jumps the horse’ you
immediately feel compelled to undertake your exercise.”
7) Awakening
“Looks like it is time for you to wake up after the wonderful
experience of trance. I am going to count from one up to five, and you will
rise with me back to the normal and regular state of awareness fully
refreshed. One: You are beginning to rise as though you are emerging
from the bottom of a deep lake. You realize that you have done a great
job of learning to relax and take yourself to the peaceful place where
healing and change take place. Two: You are beginning to return to
awareness of the room and the environment having been refreshed after
a blissful bath. Three: Imagine you are moving rapidly up toward the
surface of the water, feeling amazed at how well you are learning to relax
fully and knowing that anything can be changed or healed from a place of
calm. Four: You are rising higher and higher and almost reached the
surface of the water and you bring some of the peace and calm which
you desire so much with you. You have learned to relax well and the skill
of doing it is yours now. Five: You have reached the surface of the water
and emerge yourself from the water; all your senses have fully returned
to you; you are feeling refreshed, wonderfully good; your eyes begin to
open and you return to this room and this time and place fully alert and
feeling marvellous.”
(It is another version of awakening.) “When you are ready, you
can return to the here-and-now feeling wonderfully fine in every way. Your
returning to wakefulness will be effected as I count from 1 to 5. It is a
good idea to take along with you as you enter the wakeful state whatever
you would like to carry from this wonderful experience. You may also
 341 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

leave behind what you do not like to take to your wakefulness. Let me
count now: 1, starting to return; 2, feeling more alert; 3, half way through;
4, feeling fine in every way; and 5, awake. Remain calm and integrate all
that you experienced and you may stretch your body if it pleases you.”
4. Illustration – 4 (For Public Speaking)
1) Induction
(Three-Thought Induction) “Start breathing normally and close
your eyes gently. Allow three thoughts to pass repeatedly one after the
other through your mind with increasing speed. For this, you can picture
to yourself anything like your favourite spot at home, a landscape you
like, and a beautiful flower. It could be any three items. You can flick
through these thoughts repeatedly from one thought to another until you
find your mind wandering off into a deepening relaxation. Now it is time
for you to focus on your inner experience. What is happening to you is
that the fast thought processing leads to confusion and your conscious
mind shuts down a bit. From the experience that you no longer flick
through your three thoughts is the indication that you achieved confusion
and your conscious mind is shutting down partially.”
2) Relaxation
Imagine any scene you like most. You could tell me what it is.
… (lying down on the meadow, for example). Just lie down on the beautiful
green meadow on a hill side overlooking a lake and a running stream
nearby making trickling sound. The water runs jumping down from the
top pouring on the stones and running down to the river. You watch the
birds that sing and fly about the landscape. You are able to feel the smell
of flowers from the bush nearby. As you are observing all these things
you are deeply relaxed and you go deeper and deeper into great
relaxation.”
3) Deepening
(The Arm Drop) “Now I want to check just how relaxed you are.
I shall pick up your right hand and just let it drop down. As I take your
right hand and lift it, you will allow it to droop totally and completely
relaxed. As I drop your hand into your lap you go deeper into relaxation
and deeper into sleep that is a comfortable feeling. You delve deep twice
 ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND HETERO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES 342
into relaxation and deeper into relaxation.” (You can drop the subject’s
arm into his lap and watch for signs of relaxation or tension.)
4) Trance
“Is it not wonderful to feel a great relaxation and a state of deep
trance? It is precisely for this you have been longing. Let your whole
body from the head to the toes realize this deep state of relaxation and
trance where you feel absolutely comfortable and at ease. Remain for a
while here and enjoy the trance state of profound relaxation.”
5) Suggestion
“You enjoy speaking in front of a group. You are relaxed and your
mind is sharp. You feel a rapport with the audience. You enjoy making
eye contact and speaking directly to someone. You welcome questions.
You know you are helping people by sharing your knowledge, and it
makes you feel good. Public speaking is fun. You enjoy yourself and
look forward to your next opportunity. You easily connect with the group.
You accept energy from the audience. The audience likes you and enjoys
your talk. You are relaxed and invigorated as you deliver your speech.
Ideas come to you effortlessly. You always say the right thing. You improve
your skills with each talk you give. Public speaking is enjoyable and
fulfilling.”
6) Post-Hypnotic Suggestion and Trigger
“Whenever there is an offer to address the public, you willingly
accept the offer and do wonderfully well to your maximum satisfaction.
You yourself are surprised how good you are in public speaking and that
is a wonderful feeling for you.”
Trigger
“As you climb the podium to address a crowd you say ‘cheer up’
and you immediately feel a surge of courage, confidence, and self-
composure.”
7) Awakening
“Now I am going to count from one to three, and then I will say
‘wide awake and energized.’ At the count of three, your eyes are open,
and you will be wide awake, feeling calm, rested, refreshed, and relaxed.
 343 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

You may decide what experience from this session you will take to your
wakefulness and what you will leave behind. All right, let me count now.
One – slowly, calmly, easily you are returning to your full awareness
once again. Two – each muscle and nerve in your body is relaxed, and
you feel wonderfully good. From head to toe you are feeling optimum in
every way. Physically fine, mentally alert, and emotionally good. On the
next number I count, your eyelids open, fully aware, feeling calm, rested,
refreshed, invigorated, and full of energy. Three – you are fully aware now,
eyelids open . Now you may take a good deep breath, fill your lungs, and
stretch.”
5. Illustration – 5 (For Anger Reduction/Management)
1) Induction
(Gazing Above Line of Vision Induction) “Start breathing normally
and focus on a spot directly ahead of you but slightly above your line of
vision. Now focus your eyes on the spot you have chosen, not by lifting
your head. You will continue to gaze at this spot until you feel that your
eyes are becoming increasingly tired. You will reach the point at which
you will find it difficult to keep your eyes open. When it happens, allow
the eyes to gently close. Now begin to focus on your inner experience.”
2) Relaxation
“Just look inside your body and eliminate obvious internal
muscular tensions. Become aware of the sensation of heaviness of the
dominant arm as it lies on the lap or by the side. Just repeat the sentence
‘my (left or right) arm feels heavier and heavier’ silently. Gently notice
how the heaviness of the dominant arm is extended to other parts of the
body from the head to the feet.”
3) Deepening
(The Escalator) “Imagine you are standing on top of a long
escalator. As you are riding the escalator down you are entering into a
very deep relaxing, comfortable, and hypnotic state. As you descend it
is pleasantly thrilling and relaxing to a very deep level.”
 ILLUSTRATION OF SELF- AND HETERO- (CLINICAL) HYPNOSES 344
4) Trance
“You have arrived at a deep state of trance. It is a new experience
for you, because up to now you have never experienced a trance so deep
and enveloping. You are deeply immersed into it. You feel wonderful about
and pleasantly pleased to be in this marvellous state of peace.”
5) Suggestion
“From now onwards you really like and look forward to people
who may oppose you and try to irritate you. You remain calm and peaceful
in situations where you may be provoked. You gently answer everyone
and feel happy about it. This is going to be a new experience about
which you are already excited. You are actually looking forward to practice
patience in spite of being provoked.”
6) Post-Hypnotic Suggestion
“The next time when you are in your office and your colleagues
attempt to provoke you, you gently answer them with a serene face.”
Trigger
When you realize that your colleagues are at you and you realize
that you are on the brink of bursting out, you only say, ‘that is fine’ and
immediately your anger dissolves and you are calm and serene.”
7) Awakening
“Looks like it is time for you to wake up and come back here as
alert as you used to be. When you are awakened you will feel very much
refreshed and energized. I shall just count from one to three, and at the
count of three you will be wide awake and open your eyes and come
back here fully alert. Before coming back make sure that you take note
of what you need to bring to your wakeful state and what is to be left
behind. Now let me count: One – All your senses are slowly returning to
your body. Two – There is a general freshness in your entire body. At the
next count you are fully awake and are here. Three – Your eyes are wide
open and you are here with me fully alive and alert. If you want you may
stretch out.”
When you are composed, you can write your own hypnosis
scripts that suit you.44
 345 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

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144. http://www.hugheshypnosis.com/script.php (4.8.2013)
145. http://www.magiczilla.com/hypnotism/staircase-deepening.php
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146. http://www.hypnosis.org/free-hypnosis/hypnosis-hypnotherapy-articles/
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(3.8.2013)
147. http://aparecommends.com/hypnosisscripts/ (3.8.2013)
148. http://danielakawmd.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/deepening-a-trance/
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149. http://www.hypnosisandsuggestion.org/scripts.html (4.8.2013)
150. http://www.ukhypnosis.com/2010/08/06/the-rules-of-hypnotic-
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151. http://www.hypnosis101.com/wordpress/hypnosis/suggestion/
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152.http://www.peter-masters.com/hypno/index.php/Post-
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154. http://www.scribd.com/doc/46716284/6/Chapter-6-Trance-Termination
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155. http://www.mindwisehypnosis.com/affirmation-tutorial-self-hypnosis-
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157. http://www.mooreinspire.com/free_hypnosis_scripts_pg1.html
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 353 HYPNOTIC COUNSELLING

ENDNOTES
(Key to Understand the Endnotes: The websites consulted are serially
numbered in the bibliography. In the endnotes, after every note you will find a
number/s which refer/s to the serial number/s of the website/s. Thus for
example, if you take the third endnote, you will find the numbers 1, 33, 36, 80,
137, 138 which means that those numbers indicating the serial numbers of
the websites in the bibliography are referred to.)
1
1.
2
1,16, 17, 25, 26, 28, 34, 36, 37, 39, 49, 52, 79, 80, 83, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92,
93, 94, 95, 105, 106, 116, 120, 124.
3
1, 33, 36, 80,137,138.
4
121.
5
1, 2, 25, 36, 37, 39, 89, 137, 102.
6
29, 38, 139, 140, 174.
7
1, 25, 79, 98, 173.
8
1, 25, 79, 98, 173.
9
13.
10
25, 41, 93.
11
1, 25, 86, 103, 161, 172.
12
1, 21, 98, 105, 162.
13
25, 36, 163, 164.
14
85, 165.
15
136,166.
16
1, 4, 5, 25, 38, 61, 64, 69, 47, 80, 86, 88, 142, 171.
17
1, 5, 50, 74, 93, 114.
18
1, 5, 31, 53, 70, 88, 101, 146, 147, 172, 173.
19
5, 16, 25, 31, 36, 86.
20
1, 25, 32, 49, 73, 80, 105, 112, 149, 150.
21
5, 17, 88, 152.
22
1, 5, 72, 80, 153, 154.
23
141.
24
1, 23, 25, 56, 68, 69, 72, 75, 81, 84, 93, 114, 125, 127, 155, 156.
25
10, 14, 36, 39, 40, 59, 62, 108.
 ENDNOTES 354
26
12, 48, 63.
27
10, 25, 26, 33.
28
1, 30, 32, 42, 86, 125, 160.
29
129.
30
36, 38, 67.
31
131, 158, 159.
32
1, 15, 17, 21, 50, 55, 93, 175.
33
36, 93.
34
36, 51, 93, 167, 168.
35
36, 113, 169.
36
93, 170.
37
110, 123.
38
82.
39
130.
40
36, 66,171.
41
16, 18.
42
99, 102.
43
1, 151.
44
1, 80, 144, 145, 151, 155, 172.