Hindrences to Hypnosis

One of the most problematic hindrances to hypnotic induction is the hynotherapist who has neurotic problems. He may talk too much about his abilities or his successful cases.

Orne cautions against the indiscriminate use of hypnosis by therapists, and especially by those who enjoy the self-aggrandizement afforded by being able to hypnotize and who are not concerned with its therapeutic effectiveness. He points out other problem areas as well, such as looking upon hypnosis as a test of wills or utilizing hypnosis in the seduction of attractive patient.

The emotional status of the subject may also be a hindrance to hypnotic induction. Some subjects are merely curious or are unable to concentrate because of the fear of being hypnotized. All these factors decrease rapport and the ability to be hypnotized.

Trivia, such as the pipe or cigar which the doctor is smoking, may be objectionable. These and other factors can produce resentment and interfere with successful hypnotic induction.

Apprehensive individuals also show other elements of conflict, such as excessive giggling or laughing, sweating and trembling, weeping or crying, these are indicative of profound tension and anxiety. Unless the hypnotist is experienced, hypnotic induction should not be continued in such emotionally disturbed individuals because a sense of failure and other depressive reactions can be brought to the surface.

The room must not be too hot or too cold. Even a draft will be uncomfortable enough to interfere with the hypnotic induction procedure.

The posture of the subject is important. If he prefers a chair, his feet should be flat on the floor and his hands on his lap. The back of the head should be well supported, as neck strain becomes unbearable and interferes with hypnotic induction. If the subject lies down, he should assume his usual position for sleeping. Some subjects much prefer to lie on their sides.

Noises such as those made by a chiming clock should be eliminated from the room. Naturally, all outside noises, such as loud talking, should be discouraged. Subjects with a severe cough or a head cold should not be induced for the first time, as they often are disturbed by sneezing, coughing or the need to clear their throats. Others may have a postnasal drip, and this can be a distinct hindrance to hypnotic induction. All disturbing situations should be under control before any type of hypnotic procedure is attempted with any individual.

An Ericksonian Hypnotherapist's primary presupposition is that everyone is hypnotizable. Given this belief one would have to assume that something either went unnoticed, or something was missing in the utilization process if the hypnotic induction did not succeed.
Gilligan has addressed the major issues as questions which should be addressed when inductions have failed. Listed below are these questions along with briefings on their meanings.

1) Has the subject experienced trance without knowing it?
The hypnotherapist should first check whether the client has experienced trance without knowing it? It is possible that the client still has some misconceptions about hypnosis and that his experience does not match his expectations. The hypnotist might try to clear up these misconceptions through discussion, emphasizing that trance is an experiential continuum of involvement rather than an “all or none” phenomena, and that most initial trances, are light in depth, resemble ordinary waking consciousness in some ways but differ in others and that the best way to allow trance to develop is to set aside preconceptions and expectations and just accept whatever develops.

2) Does the subject misunderstand the nature of hypnosis?
If the client still has misconceptions after #1 above demonstrations are in order utilizing convincer techniques, or an attempt at the my-friend-John technique of indirect induction.

3) Does the subject anticipate unpleasant consequences?
It is possible some clients might fear learning something they do not wish to know. This can be overcome by gaining rapport and then developing safety anchors with a promise to bring the client back to a safe place should she appear uncomfortable.

4) Does the subject trust me?
It is also possible that the client may be experiencing lack of trust and rapport with the hypnotherapist and fear due to lack of control or possible unpleasant experiences during a trance. The first goal of the hypnotherapist should be the development of rapport and trust. With clients who feel extremely distrustful due to some bad experiences, perhaps with other hypnotherapists whom have taken advantage of their position, the hypnotherapist may need to find out what the client needs in order to experience trust in the relationship. Occasionally the lack of rapport may be due to individual or cultural differences, differences in values, needs or preferences of the client. In any of those situations, the hypnotherapist needs to identify the elements that contribute to the lack of rapport and alter or eliminate them if possible. With particularly fearful clients, the hypnotherapist may need to proceed at a slower pace.

5) Is the subject experiencing anything unpleasant at the onset of trance?
Occasionally someone new to hypnosis can be overwhelmed if the trance develops to rapidly causing sudden perceptual alterations. This can be remedied by slowing down the hypnotic induction, or simply providing safe assurances.

6) Are there any unconscious objections?
This can be learned through the use of ideomotor questioning techniques, or overcome via metaphor.

7) Does the subject need more time?
Simply put some people need more time to learn the art of hypnosis, so therapy should be slowed down.

8) Does the subject understand his or her role?
This can be remedied by first informing a client of their particular role in the hypnotic process.

9) Are the subject's conscious processes interfering?
This is the case most run into. Confusion techniques can be implemented here and at times when the client needs further deepening to allow the unconscious mind to work freely with the interference of the conscious mind.

10) Is the subject already in a "dissociated trance?"
At times the client is already in a trance, possibly due to trauma. With this client their behavior should be utilized and then trance deepened if necessary.

11) What general strategies have I used?
By listing the methods used, the hypnotherapist can recognize what has been done, and possibly have an insight as to what should be adjusted or changed.

12) What general strategies have I not used?
On the same list as question #11 above, a listing of hypnotic techniques not yet used can possibly bring notice to what the client needs.

13) How would I know if the subject were in a trance?
It should be noted that rather than relying on rigid rules for assessing the presence of trance, the hypnotist should be sensitive to the many different ways in which trance can be developed, experienced and manifested.

14) What are the subject's behavioral patterns?
Ericksonian therapy means utilizing the client's behavior, therefore paying attention to the client's behavior will shine the light on how to proceed.

15) What have I discouraged the subject from doing?
When the hypnotherapist falls into the rut of thinking that an induction must proceed in a certain way, he will discourage certain behavioral and mental processes. It is stressed over and over that an Ericksonian hypnotherapist will utilize whatever behavior the client is manifesting to lead the client into a trance state. A client’s assets, however trivial and irrelevant they may seem, can be utilized to absorb attention, access confidence, generate effective stories, enhance motivation, provide compelling explanations and acceptable instructions, and frame trance in an appropriate manner.

16) What are the subject's valued associations?
By learning a person's past achievements, and a bit about their background hypnotic inductions can be molded to fit the personality.

17) What are the subject's devalued associations?
Just as achievements can be used to utilize hypnosis so can fears, and shortcomings the client might have.

18) Is there a part of the subject that I'm unwilling or unable to accept?
At time the hypnotherapist might have trouble accepting things about the client. At times reframing what these things are might open a new appreciation for them. Whatever it is, the hypnotherapist should figure it out and either deal with it after the session or recommend another hypnotherapist to the client.

email: dr_frank@hypnoticadvancements.com

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Dr. Frank Valente Ph.D.(c)
Hypnotic Advancements
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© 2004, Dr. Frank Valente Ph.D.(c)

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