How to Avoid the #1 Reason Clients Don't Go Into Hypnosis

One of the most common questions I get from clients is "Can I be hypnotized?" And what I tell them is "Yes, as long as you want to be hypnotized. Hypnosis is not mind-control. I have no control over you in hypnosis. Rather, it's something we do together. Think of me as a coach or a guide. Anyone that is able and willing to follow instruction can go into a state of hypnosis."

This conversation is part of what's called a Hypnosis Pre-talk. And it's where you help your client understand what hypnosis actually is and help remove any fears and misperceptions.

What is a Hypnosis Pre-talk?

A Hypnosis Pre-talk is where you tell your client the TRUTH about hypnosis. Here are some of the elements I always include in my Hypnosis Pre-talk:

• • Hypnosis is a normal and natural state of mind. We naturally go into states of hypnosis every day. It's a state of focused awareness where you are highly receptive to positive suggestions that will help you be successful for what you came in here for.Common examples of "everyday hypnosis" include driving in your car and you arrive at your destination and don't recall the last few exits. Or when time gets lost as you're doing something enjoyable.
  • Hypnosis is not mind control. I have no control over you at all as the hypnotist. Rather it's about you being able to be in control over areas in your life you want to have control over.
  • While in a state of hypnosis you will be conscious and alert and you will hear and remember everything said - just like you would a normal conversation. Maybe not verbatim, but the idea of our conversation.
  • Hypnosis does not feel like anything specific. For some people there is a feeling of lightness - in a good way, or heaviness in a good way, or even the feeling of electricity moving through the body. But there is no one feeling that goes with hypnosis.
  • You can move in hypnosis - you're not frozen in the chair.If you need to use the restroom just let me know.

What is the #1 Reason People Don't Go Into Hypnosis ?

Fear.

And that's why a good Hypnosis Pre-talk is so important, but it's not the only thing that is important when helping your client enter into a state of hypnosis.

Here's a quick outline of helping any client go into hypnosis, if they want to :

1. Build Client's Confidence in you based on their first impression of you and your business - your website, business cards, how you answer the phone, how you're dressed, and your office.Here are common mistakes I see hypnotists make with regards to building confidence:
   • Using a "selfie" instead of a professional photo. This is a big mistake. Pay for a professional headshot, they're not that expensive.
   • Website typos and other mistakes that make your business look less than professional.
   • Other unprofessional photos on your website.
   • Inconsistencies in your presence - for example, presenting yourself as a "Hypnosis Institution" when you are working out of a single, small office.
   • Including political or religious material on your website or office that is not consistent with your message. If you want to run a spiritual or religious practice, that is fine but make sure you present your business consistently so your client is not surprised when they arrive at your location.
2. Deliver a great Hypnosis Pre-talk where you remove all misperceptions about hypnosis and help them understand what hypnosis really is.
3. Be Present and Build Rapport : Really listen to your client and give them space and confidence to ask you questions, allow them to feel comfortable with you to be vulnerable. Remember to listen to what your client tells you - but then allow the hypnosis to reveal the real problem! Our clients don't actually know what their issue truly is - if they did they would resolve it themselves. They may have an idea, but they certainly don't know how to fix it. Download our Hypnotherapy Reference Quick Guide to help you be more present with clients.
4. Asses their readiness for hypnosis by asking: "Would you like to do hypnosis with me now?" And make sure they're ready by watching for any hesitation at all. If your client does hesitate, simply ask "What's the hesitation for? ", or "I want to make sure you feel confident and comfortable doing hypnosis with me." Then review parts of your Hypnosis Pre-talk and help your client feel comfortable asking you any questions they still have.
5. This step is critical to your success. If you proceed through this step and your client is not ready, it's very likely they will not go into hypnosis. Be patient. Be compassionate. Then ask the question again, or until they are ready. You may need to give them a little more detail about what your going to do. I may say something like "All I'm going to do is ask you to relax your body as you sit in the chair. Then I will give you the hypnotic suggestions we talked about earlier. Most people find this first session very relaxing and enjoyable.What may be happening with your client is that they think you're going to ask them to do something they've seen at a stage hypnosis show - like bark like a dog, or quack like a duck. Keep that in mind as you work with clients. You may need to reassure them that you won't be doing that in the office at all, and that the stage hypnosis shows are for entertainment purposes, so they are done very differently than what is done in hypnosis offices.
6. Do a rapid or instant induction that includes covert depth testers and convincers for your client. You don't need to know a dozen different inductions to do great hypnosis work with every client that walks through the door - you really only need a great rapid induction and a great instant induction. Both should include covert depth tests and convincers for your client.

I hope you find this helpful, if so let me know! This is just a brief outline of how I conduct every session with a client.