The Transparent Hypnotist

Happy Monday. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts, positive thoughts.

As I drink a combination of Colombian gourmet and 8 O’clock Coffee, it is time to gain a little focus again. Let’s see - the poll picked up a bit this week, I am glad to see. Looks like we can all use a little stress relief during this time of year. Did you read Gloria’s answers to the 10 Questions? I hope she will forgive me, but she brought up a really good point in her email to me. She suggested that I change the question about negative hypnosis experiences to something more positive, as we need to spread the word about the positive aspects of hypnosis. Amen! So, I have reworded the question a bit. I think it is important though that we do talk about experiences, both good and bad (especially for those who are getting into the field). It is important for others to know that being a hypnotist is more than reading a script and hoping for the best. There are some harrowing moments for us all (as in any field). The important thing is how we come out of that experience. Both Michael and Gloria answered that question extremely well - their experiences turned out well in both cases, with lessons learned. So the new question will encompass this idea - harrowing experiences that were learning experiences.

As for the Monday answer to the Sunday question about pain scales, I will get more into that a bit later. In the short term, suffice to say that I do not really use them in my work. Usually I have clients visualize (if they visualize) their pain as an object or with borders and work on it from there. And the question is still and always open for comment.

The results from - What is the greatest gift you offer?
0 - Talent
1 - Skills (12%)
3 - Compassion (37%)
2 - Listening (25%)
0 - Patience
2 - Love (25%)
0 - Beauty
0 - Wisdom
0 - Other
Total Participants - 8

The results from - What is important in life?
9 - Kindness (75%)
6 - Patience (50%)
5 - Loyalty (41%)
5 - Strength (41%)
0 - Remaining Aloof
0 - Not Considering Others
0 - Concern Only for One’s Self
2 - Other (16%)
1 - Nothing At All (8%)
Total Participants - 12

The results from - Are You?
3 - Analytical (23%)
6 - Creative (46%)
7 - Imaginative (53%)
4 - Logical (30%)
5 - March to your own drum (38%)
4 - Good at following directions (30%)
6 - All of the Above (46%)
0 - None of the Above
Total Participants - 13

The results from - What do you to do to relax during the holidays?
4 - Use Self-hypnosis (44%)
3 - Meditate (33%)
2 - Yoga (22%)
1 - Exercise More (11%)
1 - Eat (11%)
2 - Drink (22%)
4 -Watch TV or Movies (44%)
2 - More time with the family (22%)
2 - Avoid the family (22%)
6 - Listen to Music (66%)
1 - Other (11%)
Total Participants -9

The results from - In consideration of the upcoming holidays, do you:
5 - Celebrate one or more (62%)
3 - Get through them with hypnosis (37%)
3 - Need more relaxation (37%)
2 - Work more (25%)
1 - Work less (12%)
0 - Find nothing changes
0 - Do more charity work
3 - Focus on family (37%)
5 - Stress more (62%)
0 - Other
0 - Do not celebrate the holidays
Total Participants - 8

The results from - Are You Participating In:
1 - National Memory Screening Day (50%)
1 - The Great American Smokeout (50%)
0 - National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
1 - Other Health Awareness Event (50%)
0 - None
Total Participants - 2

The results from - My Biggest Fear Is:
0 - Heights
1 -Vertigo (14%)
0 - The dark
0 - Public speaking
0 - Looking foolish in public
0 - Mean people
0 - Illness
0 - Not being in control
0 - Driving
1 - Being enclosed in a small space (14%)
1 - Being in a crowd of people (14%)
1 -Being around an animal (14%)
3 - Other (42%)
Total participants - 6

The results from - Hypnosis for Phobias:
1 - I have used it successfully (50%)
0 - I would like to try it
1 - I have hypnotized others for phobias (50%)
0 - I am too afraid of hypnosis
0 - It did not work for me
Total Participants - 2

The results from - When it comes to subliminal messages, do you:
3 - Believe they work visually (60%)
2 - Believe they work audibly (40%)
2 - Believe they do not work (40%)
1 - Use them in your life (20%)
2 - Are affected by them (40%)
0 - Are not affected by them
Total Participants - 5

The results from - The best use of hypnosis for weight loss is:
1 - to decrease food portion size (14%)
3 - to increase desire to exercise (42%)
4 - to decrease food cravings (57%)
2 - to regulate the metabolism (28%)
4 - increase self-esteem (57%)
3 - get to the root of the cause (42%)
0 - other
1 - none at all (14%)
Total Number of Participants - 7

The results from - Have You Used Hypnosis Successfully for:
4 - Pain Control (100%)
4 - Faster Healing (100%)
2 - Anesthesia (50%)
0 - Reducing Cancer Side Effects
Total Participants - 4

The results from - Mind Control:
2 - is NOT related to hypnosis (40%)
3 - uses hypnotic techniques (60%)
2 - uses NLP techniques (40%)
2 - is a form of self-hypnosis (40%)
2 - does not exists (40%)
1 - other (20%)
Total Participants - 5

The results from - Are you a lucid dreamer?
1 - Yes (20%)
2 - No (20%)
3 - Would like to become one (60%)
0 - N0
Total Participants - 5

The results from - What Relaxation Modalities Do You Use?
6 - Hypnosis/Self-hypnosis (100%)
2 - Meditation (33%)
1 - Guided Visualization (16%)
1 - Massage (16%)
2 - Yoga (33%)
1 - Other (16%)
Total Participants - 6

The results from - Do You:
3 - Give clients session audio (42%)
3 - Do not give session audio (42%)
2 - Give other audio (28%)
1 - Want your session audio (14%)
2 - Do not want session audio (28%)
1 - Other (14%)
Total - 7 participants

The results from - To Which Hypno Organization do You Belong?
6 - National Guild of Hypnotists (75%)
1 - The British Association of Therapeutical Hypnotists (12%)
1 - International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association (12%)
1 - International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association (12%)
Total Participants - 8

The results from - During consultations hypnotists should:
8 - Do a pre-talk (88%)
2 - Do tests (22%)
4 - Do convincers (44%)
4 - Do actual hypnosis (44%)
2 - Other (22%)

The results from - Did you go to the NGH Conference ‘07?
4 - Yes (44%)
5 - No (55%)
0 - Went to another conference
0 - What is the NGH
Total Participants - 9

The results from - When doing hypnosis, would you rather:
0 - use a pocket watch
0 - use a pendulum
3 - use a spot on the wall (33%)
0 - use a light toy
2 - use the unexpected (22%)
0 - use a sound
3 - use just words (33%)
0 - use touch (arm rise, etc.)
0 - other
Total Participants - 9

The results from - Should hypnotists be licenced?
3 - Yes (30%)
1 - No (10%)
2 - Only Hypnotherapist (20%)
6 - Certification is enough (60%)
Total Participants - 10

The results from - Hypnosis is best used for?
7 - changing habits (77%)
4 - Long-term results (44%)
3 - Quick fixes (33%)
6 - Resolving emotional issues (60%)
5 - Entertainment (55%)
0 - Nothing at all
0 - Other
Total Participants - 10

The results from - Used hypnosis to stop smoking?
2 - Yes and I was successful (33%)
0 - Yes, but I started again
0 - No. I was not successful
3 - I have never smoked (50%)
1 - Quit with another method (16%)
Total of participants - 6

The results from - Which answer(s) best describe your relationship to hypnosis?
2 - full-time hypnotists (15%)
6 - part-time hypnotists (46%)
3 - clients of hypnosis (23%)
5 - hypnosis is a hobby (38%)
2 - have never been hypnotized (15%)
2 - want to be hypnotized (15%)
0 - do not want to use hypnosis
Total of participants - 13

The results from - If you are a hypnotist, how often do use hypnosis personally?
4 - all the time
1 - at least once a day
2 - at least once a week
Total of participants - 7

As the weather fluctuates between cemetery weather, a day at the beach, and a day in Alaska in the winter, various aches and pains begin to rear their ugly head more and more. So, today it is a question of pain. In 10 Questions with Michael Raugh, he mentioned another hypnotist who refuses to even use the word “pain” during sessions, as it in itself maybe a suggestion in itself. Then there are those who use pain indexes to have a starting and ending point or for a guideline. There are several of these scales.

The Sunday Question is:

Do you use a specific pain scale in your practice or life and if so, which one and why? Or do you not believe in pain scales and if so, why?

There is nothing more fabulously fun in imagery for hypnosis than the cliche of the swirl. But I feel we should pay homage to it. There are questions all over the web about whether you can become hypnotized by watching these nifty animations. The answers are all over the place depending on if you are a devotee to the hypnotic arts or between that and a wet blanket. But do they work? You tell me.

This swirl was created by Conal Elliott at conal.net. He has several wonderful graphics similar to this.

1. Are you a full time hypnotist, part-time or hobbist?

I am part-time now, but moving toward full-time for 2008!

2. Do you specialize in any type of hypnosis?

It seems people come to me for phobias, and personal issues like better work performance or having more satisfying relationships. I like to work with college students or professional people.

3. Is there any type of hypnosis you do not do? Why?

There was one guy I referred to another hypnotist, as I was uncomfortable talking to him about his particular type of addiction. I thought if he seriously wanted to change, he should work with a male hypnotist.

4. Do you use self-hypnosis regularly in your life?If so, how?

Yes, daily affirmations and self-hypnosis. I am constantly trying to improve in all areas of my life.

5. Describe your hypnosis office setting.

I share an office with my husband. So it looks like a standard office. I just bring my zero-gravity lounge chair in for the client and I sit at a desk for intake and then beside them for the hypnosis.

6. Describe a typical day in your life.

Wake up, give thanks, rush to work, check email, write blog, talk to teenagers, try to teach them self-hypnosis or meditation techniques, meditate or do self-hypnosis, see clients, pick up child, make dinner, say hi to my spouse, retire early.

7. Do you have a website or blog?

www.EnlightenedHypnosis.com
VerbalImpact.blogspot.com is my main blog or is it musinglog.blogspot.com?

8. Most fabulous hypnosis technique you use?

I like the progressive relaxation induction because all my clients have too-busy-syndrome and need stress reduction. They always enjoy it! But the most amazing to me is regression for fears or other concerns. I am also fascinated by pain reduction techniques; I have seen clients with chronic pain reach complete relief during the session and for some time afterward!

9. Worse moment ever in a hypnosis setting.

Probably when a friend wanted me to hypnotize her for a fear of heights so she could go hiking in the mountains and cross a wood and rope bridge over a river. I used the affect bridge and she couldn’t or wouldn’t go back to the cause of her problem. I tried twice. Since time was short, I just had her imagine being at the end of the bridge feeling triumphant that she had crossed it and then did the awakening. She was sure she could make it over the bridge, but I wasn’t! A week later she rushed up to me and told me what a great hiking trip she had had, and that she crossed the bridge no problem! She even went back to the middle of the bridge to get a picture of herself on the bridge!!!

10. Any words of advice to potential clients or other hypnotist.

Hypnotize anyone and everyone, including yourself! There are just so many benefits!

For those who are celebrating the Thanksgiving Holiday, I wish you most digestible day! It seems like the perfect time to consider more relaxation and this is a great way for us to begin exploring the various forms of hypnosis.

I present to you my current favorite five progressive relaxation scripts (if the links do not work, please let me know). These are based on a Google search, ease of finding the script, no hidden strings - meaning they are free, and I just had to find them appealing.

Progressive relaxation is a therapy onto itself, where one literally progressively relaxes each part of the body to create a feeling of relaxation. A large amount of hypnosis is based on deep relaxation and this is a classic way to get there. I think it has surpassed the swinging pocket watch. There are several hypnotist who do not use them because there is a potential for putting someone to sleep rather than in a hypnotic state.

Also, these are what are called scripts. Scripts are fairly common in hypnosis, especially traditional hypnosis. There are pros and cons to using such things, but for those who do not use them, they are always a good source for fresh inspiration.

So, here they:

• Maryann Laraia - Hypnosis Improves Life - Very basic script involving body awareness.
• Hypnohut - A nicely guided progressive relaxation.
• Arthur A. Leidecker - APA Recommends - Fairly intense progressive neuro-muscular relaxation induction involving the tightening and releasing of areas of the body. Please note that there are some people who find discomfort in this or have medical conditions of which it may conflict. This is rare, but I have to say it anyway. Also, this is a PDF file. http://aparecommends.com/hypnosisscripts/ProgressiveNeuro.pdf
• Roger Bergman - A very in depth progressive relaxation involving counting, breathing awareness, and imagery.
• Terrance Watts - Hypnosense.com - This is his soothing, body conditioning progressive relaxation.

Enjoy! Also, if you have one you really like, please feel free to share it.

The thing about hypnosis that I think many people do not understand is that there are several different forms of it. This can be frustrating as a client because it may not be clear what the session will actually be like and from a hypnotist standpoint it makes it difficult when we look at studies to know what hypnotic procedure was used to get the response.

As hypnotists we are always finding ourselves explaining to people that hypnosis is not what you see on TV. There seems to be this mythic place people want to go to, almost wanting to be put into a zombie state and come out of it “fixed.” It is never this way. There may be pendulums, pocket watched, swirlies, sounds, or words. But how the hypnotist proceeds can also vary. In other words you could go to two different hypnotist and have a completely different experience for the same issue.

This ultimately means that as long as you want to be hypnotized, it is possible. Just because you may have trouble with one hypnotist, does not mean you will have the same experience with another practitioner.

For the next little while, in addition to our regular segments (Esoteric Saturday, the Sunday Question, the Monday Poll, 10 Questions, and In the News), along with happenings in the practice, we will begin to look at the various forms of hypnosis that are practiced out in the world.

With the big eating day looming before many tomorrow, and with answers on the holiday stress poll, it appears that we could all use a little help to maintain our stress and perhaps our eating habits. I recently was able to focus on the fact that when I get frustrated, I start craving the worst of the worse when it comes to junk food. With this I was able to utilize self-hypnosis to help me through some of the more pronounced frustration triggers.

But what if you need help figuring out if you are an emotional eater and you do do not have a hypnotist handy? Here are some questions to ask yourself.

• Do you find that hunger comes on quickly or urgently?
• Do you crave unhealthy food (who me)?
• Do stressful or unpleasant events cause you to want to eat?
• Do you find yourself suddenly eating and have no conscious memory of eating so much?
• Do you continue to eat even after you are full?
• Do you feel hunger anywhere other than your stomach?
• After you satisfy your hunger, do you have feelings of regret?

These are the signs of emotional eating as specified by Dr. Roger Gould, a board certified psychiatrist who is one of the world’s leading authorities on emotional eating and adult development. He is also a pioneer in online programs for weight issues. If you find that your eating fits any of these questions, you may have emotional eating issues.

So you are probably saying, “Great. Now what?” If so, he has an interactive (you answer questions) website to help you understand your emotions and eating habits in relation to holiday stress. Then he offers a free Holiday Survival Guide .

I am a big believer in every little thing helps. To those of you on the poll who mentioned stress being a part of your holidays, this may offer a little relief.

Let me know what you think.

Yesterday I blogged about IBS and a study that found great success with using hypnosis as a cure. Yes, the source actually used the word “cure.” Then of course, I found the usual medical sites saying that hypnosis can help eliminate the symptoms, but it does not “cure.” Normally, the later just irritates me a little and I go about my day. But not today.

I guess it depends your school of thought on whether hypnosis is a cure or not. I suspect that those in the medical fields or organizations that more represent doctors and psychologist, one would probably say that hypnosis is not a cure, but a tool in complimentary medicine. I give you that, it is a great tool used in complimentary situations. But I think it can also be a cure, especially in cases where the client has eliminated or worked through some psychological concept that was creating a physical effect. But I can understand that this might be a threat to traditional medicine (or at least some pharmaceuticals).

Do I think it can always be a cure? No. It depends on the issue and the client. And as I say that, here is the paradox, though hypnosis can cause a curative outcome, it is the client who creates the cure. It is the client’s work, mind, thoughts, and connection with his or her subconscious mind that brings about the result. Hypnosis is the vehicle in this case. So maybe when other’s say hypnosis is not a cure, maybe this is correct. It is just a tool in self-healing.

Does this make sense? What are your thoughts?

Over the past weekend I received a package from Vat19.com, whose tag line is curiously awesome gifts - such as a Wall Mount Bottle Opener or other unique toys, of which they sent me to play with and try out. The three items were fake snow (a tiny package of white powder that you add to water and the powder has a mild eruption, creating fine granular looking snow), small candles that have flame colors that match the candle wax color, and a DVD of fireplaces all ablaze. An interesting lot. I had thought I might create an Ellie animation involving all, but my time is too limited at the moment.

I needed to pick one to write about here and though the snow was entertaining, it was such as quick eruption that ensued that I have not been able to effortlessly include it in a hypnosis session (someone who is not so one track mind probably could, but I cannot seem to walk and hypnotalk at the same time, so it would be tough). The candles were great, but that is so classically a candle flame induction, it did not seem creative enough. So that left the video.

After playing it on my computer for awhile (it has a lovely soundtrack), it really is almost as hypnotic as a real fire place. What I learned is that I am drawn to fireplaces because of the warmth factor, so this video does not even come close to helping with that, but it could make for an induction. There are a variety of scenes to chose from, each with their own appeal. The Christmas scene would be good because there is an added element of a toy train traveling through the picture on occasion. This could be a deepener (when you see the train coming through, you begin to relax more and more each time). Another interesting scene on the video is a psychedelic fire that twist and turns and is rather warped. It is strange enough that I think it would hold the conscious mind in awe long enough to use it as an induction. And then there are the simple basic, repetitive flames, perhaps my favorite. Again this could function like a candle flame induction.

So, you may be asking “why not just use a candle?” Good question. So here is my answer: one is often in places that do not allow candles. That is the perfect condition for this video (provided you have a television and DVD player or computer handy). And what about airplanes? Ever been sitting next to a fearful soul that you wanted to help? I can see a lot of potential for this in that situation. Sure you could just do a verbal session, but this would give them something to really focus on. Provided there are no fire phobias…