Healthy Skepticism Versus Congruence

[Simple Guy]

A world class hypnosis instructor, recently mentioned that it is best
for a therapist to respond to a client's inquiries of: "Have I changed?...
Did the hypnotism work?," with healthy skepticism (as relating to whether
change has taken place). Like a zen koan, it's worthwhile for those in
changework to consider his comments.

[Don]

The purpose of a zen koan is to provide an unanswerable question (the infamous, "what is the sound of one hand clapping?") resulting in the conscious mind going round and round until it is exhausted (for lack of a better term) and is quieted, allowing the higher self to come through.

I would respectfully debate the unnamed instructor on his, uh, suggestion. As a hypnotist, you are in a position of authority, and by introducing skeptical suggestions, the client would be heavily influenced by them and it could reverse the work you had done.

What you didn't mention, SG, is when these questions are asked. They are usually asked immediately after being brought out of the hypnotic state, and the fact is, for the next several minutes the client is in a sort of hypnogogic state and very suggestible.

My suggestions:

In answer to the question, "Did the hypnotism work?" I would say, "Do you remember [convincer(s) used]?" After they say "yes," I would tell them that's proof that indeed it worked.

Note that this is a bit of a switch in that they're really asking if they've changed as a result of the hypnosis and I just proved that indeed they were hypnotized. It doesn't actually answer the question, but it seems to and leaves them with additional "proof" that it worked.

In answer to the question, "Have I changed?" I'd respond, "We all change every minute of the day. Of course you have changed. Know it. Think it. Believe it!"

Again, this is a side step. The question is really asking, "Have I changed in the way I wanted to change?" I'm just answering the exact question and pointing out that, indeed, they have changed, but ignored the second clause.

[Terry (existing)]

In all my years, I have NEVER been asked that question. Not sure how I might have answered it since it didn't arise....

[Poodle]

I had a client and we were doing weight loss. She would always ask me if she were indeed in trance when we finished. I would just smile and say yes. The last time she came in with a script from her MD for her back pain to add to the session. AGAIN she asked me if she were really hypnotized. I just smiled and asked how her back was feeling. She grinned from ear to ear, replied GREAT and left never to doubt me again!

Today I was told I don't charge enough???? Pood

[Simple Guy]

Hi Don,

Agreed on the purpose of a koan; that's why the analogy to this fits, i.m.o.
I questioned the instructor, precisely for the reasons you brought up.
Were it not for the standing and experience of the instructor, I'd have
dismissed his comments out of hand.

[Terry (existing)]

Steve, surely the proper aproach would be to ask the person who made the remark to justify it don't you think? After all, if he is skilled, and if he made such a questionable remark, it must be presumed that he feels justified, and therefor there may be more to the comment than we know? My remarks are constantly misunderstood, but as far as I am concerned, if those who fail to understand what is behind the remark, are not willing to question before shooting off their face, so be is, I try to help, but I owe them nothing if they are not willing to make it a dialogue, and not a slanging match....

[Simple Guy]

Hi Terry,

I was, frankly, surprised that there weren't other hands up to ask
as well. I don't know if this was due to the degree of lack of
clinical experience on the part of most of the students (or maybe
the remark just went by them). The gist of the answer, though,
was reflective of Erickson's penchant for obviating conscious
involvement in the transformation process; it was an Ericksonian
class. There was no elaborate justification given and the response
was said to be based on the instructor's own experience of working
with clients (presumably mostly Ericksonian oriented work). I trust
that this was/is his experience.

[Terry (existing)]

Well, if that is his experience, I am not surprised he passed it on, that is what we individually contribute to our students. I was surprised because it has never happened to me. Having had time to think about it, I surmise that this is due to how I operate with my clients. While he operated using the Elman system, I developed my own aproach, and encouraged the client to feel an equal part of the therapy. The result was, they knew it had worked without the need to ask I suppose. Otherwise, why would some get asked and I get left out. What am I a leper?(EG)

[Simple Guy]

Terry,

Being asked is probably associated with a greater likelihood of
unsuccessful outcome. So, don't sweat not being included in
that club. :)

There is a difference between a "How'd I do?" and "Did I change?"
I can probably count on two or three fingers the times I've been asked
something along the lines of the second question. Interestingly
enough, those times were from people that outright lied about
their willingness to cooperate and their seriousness about stopping
smoking. Their question was consistent with their unwillingness
to take personal responsibility.