Module 12 BUILDING A COMPLETE SESSION

MODULE 12: BUILDING A COMPLETE SESSION

Now that you understand the basics of how to conduct the hypnosis session it is important to also understand the process of what to do with the client from when they come through your door to when they are ready to begin their session. Keep in mind that due to the many misconceptions that have been circulated through the media and other forms of miscommunication about hypnosis that some may be frightened. It is through conducting this pre-session properly that you will calm your client down, build proper expectations and prepare them for the entire process.

Before the session:

As we stated back in Module 1, clients may have some anxiety about coming to see you. Television and other forms of media have given us such a distorted image that the average client coming into your office has no idea what to expect. Since they are so nervous, it is your job to take control of the session from the moment they come into your front door and to set their mind at ease.

There are many ways to conduct the pre-session. The process you will learn in this book is the one that I have been using in my personal practice for years. You may want to do something completely different or you may want to add to or eliminate from what I use. The choice is yours but this should give you a tract to run on.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SESSION

1. Subdued lighting - Avoid having direct sunlight, or strong lamps facing towards the area of where the client will be sitting as it tends to distract them from relaxing.

2. Temperature - It is important to keep the room where your subject will be hypnotized comfortable. Keep in mind that when they are totally relaxed they will tend to be colder than they were when they started. Be sure the room is warm enough. Also avoid drafts from fans directly in the subjects’ face.

3. Personal appearance - Be professional, dress nicely, avoid strong smells in your office such as food, excessive perfumes or colognes, tobacco, or anything else that may distract or disturb your subject.

4. Music - There is no requirement to have music however in many cases it will help to break up or diffuse abrupt background sounds. Remember that relaxation and quiet is not a prerequisite to hypnosis. In fact, in most cases certain distractions or outside sounds can be favorable. If you do use music it is preferable to use relaxing music with no words.

5. Posture - Be sure that your subject is sitting comfortably with their neck supported. It is also important that they are not crossing their arms or their legs, as crossing body parts tends to lead to negativity. If they are sitting in a straight chair, have them sit with their feet flat on the ground and arms on their lap. In an overstuffed chair or recliner they can put their arms on their lap or on the arms of the chair.

6. Know your material - Be sure that you have reviewed and are comfortable with the scripts you are using before the session. Make sure you can pronounce all of the words. If you cannot you may want to substitute the words for similar words that you can pronounce. Most new Hypnotherapist tend to read quickly due to their own nervousness ... be sure to slow down and take a deep breath whenever possible. If you are relaxed during the session, chances are, your client will be also. You can not speak too slowly.

7. Comfort - If your subject is uncomfortable, cold, has clammy skin or physically exhausted, attempt to correct the problem before your session.

8. Intoxication - If subject is intoxicated you should cancel or possibly reschedule your appointment. Coming to your office intoxicated is a definite sign of lack of respect.

9. Emotions - Many times your subject will come to their appointment directly from work or other engagements, or something may have happened on their way to your office that leaves them extremely angry or irritable. These are unfavorable emotions and should be addressed and dealt with quickly.

Since you have set up the appointment on the phone before the session, you already have an idea of what the session is going to be about. It is important to prepare for your session before your client arrives. You may want to set aside the proper scripts that you feel you might be using during the session and maybe even have two sets prepared, one in case the subject test analytical, and one if non- analytical. If you need to do any research on the specific subject make sure that you are prepared before they arrive.

Helping the client understand hypnosis:

The easiest way to explain what hypnosis is to your client are by answering the most commonly asked questions that clients usually had. By reviewing most of these questions you will have answered most of your client’s questions as well as made them comfortable with the process.

There are many more questions here than what you would use with your client. The purpose for so many questions is so you will know the answers to all of them.

What to expect in the session

You may want to take a few moments to explain to your subject some of the feelings that they may experience in hypnosis so as to prepare them in case they feel anything strange happening during the session such as the lightness or heaviness in their body, brainwaves, etc.

Get them situated and prepared

Now is the time to show them the proper way to sit in the chair, (not crossing their arms or legs) and also make sure everything is set so you will not be disturbed during the session such as unplugging the telephone, and making sure that they do not have a cell phone on them.

Ask questions:

After the session is finished, while your client is still sitting and relaxing in their chair, take the time to ask some questions about their session. As you do, write the responses that you get on the Post Session Report Form.

Next to the heading stating “noticeable signs of hypnosis” you should note down anything that they noticed during the session such as if they began to cry or smile or move certain parts of their body often, anything out of the ordinary.

Time distortion: at the end of the session right after they open their eyes, ask them something like, “Without looking at your watch how long did it feel like you were in hypnosis, from when you close your eyes to when you just opened them, five minutes or less?” Write down the answer that they tell you. Most clients will experience what is called a time distortion since they enjoyed the session so much, they were very relaxed and the time just seemed to fly by. What may have been an entire hour may have only seemed like 10 to 15 minutes or less. Below that on the form ask them if they

experienced any of the other signs such as heaviness or lightness or a tingling sensation in their hands or arms. Did you notice that they were swallowing excessively? Did they go into R.E.M.? Ask them to describe the scenes they imagined from the deepening.

At the bottom of the form you would put in any additional comments you may want to add, and also what techniques you used, whether you used an analytical approach or a non-analytical approach, what type test you used, etc.. This will help you in the next session that you have with this client so you don’t use the exact same things over again.

Another purpose for this form is for when you have your second or third session with the client, many times clients will tell you that they felt that they were not in hypnosis the previous week. Or they may ask you how do you know that they were in hypnosis. By referring to this form you can remind them of the different sensations of hypnosis that they stated to you the previous week that they had experienced.

DISCLOSURE FORMS

Many states require that you have your client sign one to ensure that they know if you are a trained medical or mental health worker or a certified hypnotist/hypnotherapist. It ensures that you are also working within your realm of practice. It covers you and them from future liability. Check with your state requirements to see if you are required to have your clients sign one and any specific articles that you should include in it pertinent to your situation or legislation. Some states require you to keep it on file for a period of 2 or more years, more if you are licensed.

Remember, it is your responsibility to be sure you are abiding by the laws or regulations of the state, province or country you are working in.

Module 12 notes: