Hypnotherapist needs help

[Neurotic1]

Hi

I'm writing in the hope that one of you kind people might offer me some enlightenment.

I have been interested in psychology, hypnosis and NLP for years. I started out reading a book on hypnosis and successfully hypnotised a friend for mine and her own entertainment (all safe non-abusive stuff mind you!). I was lucky because, on reflection, I realise that she was a somnambulist and an excellent subject. Then I forgot about hypnosis for a while.
Last year I gained a diploma in hypnotherapy, with distinction (so I did pay attention) and have been asked by several people to use hypnosis to help cure their phobias, such as flying, etc. I have had some success but not as much as I would have hoped for for them. I find it very hard to believe that people are truly in trance or that the therapy is effective and feel like maybe I am missing something? Perhaps I lack the confidence I need or there are other factors at work. I am aware that if I feel like this, I might create the non-verbals to elicit that reaction in others. However, I have been careful to 'method act' the confidence in hypnosis sessions to reduce this factor.
Should I formally learn NLP - would this help? Am I expecting something that is not there? I feel that there is a key to the door but I am not sure if I have it or if the door is already wide open!
I am starting to think that hypnosis is not effective in my hands, which makes me sad because I love helping people use it to make positive changes :-)

I have personally had only one experience where I was hypnotised with amnesia - but often notice my own waking hypnosis states. I think I am quite resistant because I find it hard to stop thinking about what is happening.

Also, how the h*ll do you learn the handshake interrupt method without making a tit of yourself?

Love the site btw.

[Merlin]

I find either Time line therapy or NLP more effective for dealing with phobias. Hypnosis works, but I prefer TLT :)

>Should I formally learn NLP
that's up to you. That's like asking 'should I become an MD'
Being an MD certainly is beneficial if it meets your goals.

>I am starting to think that hypnosis is not effective in my hands,

Hypnosis isn't in your hands.
A hypnotist is more like a cheer-leader, encouraging the clients own mind towards healing. The healing is in their hands.
You might need more training, experience, or confidence.
Like a cheer-leader learning the moves.

>Also, how the h*ll do you learn the handshake interrupt method without making a tit of yourself?

The secret is in not minding being a 'tit' while learning. :)

[neurotic1]

Hi

Thanks for that Merlin. I have had a good deal of experience but probably would benefit from a good deal cubed! I had been thinking about taking a further degree in hypnotherapy but think enhancing my experience is a good start.

I have never heard of time line therapy. I was thinking about learning EMD but not for phobias - more for counselling which I love and seems to work very well. Does NLP improve the rate of achieving and depth of trance, on average, in your experience?

[Terry (existing)]

If I read your post correctly, you don't feel comfortable in this work, and if that is so, further training, or expanding on present knowledge to include another method is not the answer. The problem lies within, and must be dealt with there.
You might be lacking experience, but we have no idea if this is so from your post. Dealing with friends only can have certain advantages if you use them, such as asking for them to volunteer in return for your help, which I imagine you are giving freely? This for example would give you experience and practise in the handshake method etc and since the friend knows you are experimenting, they would feel comfortable helping you in return for what you have done for them. Further, friends often send you other clients, and if you wish to continue working in this area, you do need to feel comfortable with what you are doing and how you do it. Too bad there isn't a group locally were you could join others who also wish to practise.

[Merlin]

>I have never heard of time line therapy

TLT is a derivative from NLP & developed by the host of this web board (Tad James). It's very effective.

NLP is not directly related to hypnosis in a way that would make trance depth meaningful. NLP is a different approach to changework, though it can sometimes use hypnosis.

If trance depth is a concern for you, study Dave Elman's methods.
If successful changework is the desired outcome NLP is a valuable tool, as is TLT.

[neurotic1]

Hi

Thanks for your replies.

As regards feeling comfortable in this work, I feel comfortable with the work as a whole - I love it. The aspects I have been uncomfortable with are the issues I raised. I do not charge and on that basis I only treat friends and people with whom I am acquainted currently. I suppose, with further experience, the situation should get easier and my confidence will grow.

Merlin, I may well look into TLT. I think NLP would be worth using from the language and rapport point of view. Also will check out Ellman's techniques.

I did have a great experience recently when treating a student (I teach Dentistry). She came for hypnosis for what I believed to be anxiety attacks. I spent a while talking with her about her issues - counselling I suppose. I noticed that she was in a state of 'alert hypnosis' after a while and at one point, as often happens, I began to drift into my own pseudo-hypnotic state. I think she must have been mirroring me because I noticed that when I made a hand gesture when I began to talk, her eyes closed and head dropped momentarily. In this sense I think she was going into trance without formal induction (and no she wasn't bored lol).

Maybe what I really need is experience and to work on myself a bit more. I really just want to help. That sounds cliche I know but it's honest.

Thanks for your help guys. Any other suggestions would be gratefully recieved.

[TaffyE]

Hi Neurotic1,

When I first started out with friends, I discovered I was waaaay to concerned about how I felt. As soon as I changed to totally concentrating the client, the improvement for me and them was huge.