Erika Flint, BA, BCH, A+CPHI
Cal Banyan, MA, BCH, CI, DNGH, OB, MCPHI
The post-hypnotic interview is one of the most important parts of the hypnosis session.
It's an opportunity to:
The post-hypnotic interview is the time after your client emerges from hypnosis, after you ask them to open their eyes.
Note that even though your client opens their eyes and you say the words "emerging from hypnosis", your client is very likely still in a state of hypnosis! This is important to remember because your client is still highly suggestible.
Here's how to make the most of the post-hypnotic interview :
A hypnotic convincer is used to convince your client that they were in hypnosis. For example, arm-catalepsy, and eye-catalepsy are common hypnotic convincers used during the hypnosis session.
When a hypnotic convincer is used during the hypnosis session, it deepens the level of hypnosis.
When it's used after the session, your client becomes more confident in their ability to become hypnotized, and this makes future sessions even more effective.
Doing great hypnosis means you're paying very close attention to your client and the session. After the session, ask your client what certain aspects that were positive and desirable were like for them. This reinforces the change that took place.
For example, you can ask "What was it like to experience being in front of the room and delivering that talk without feeling nervous?"
Reinforce any insight gained during the hypnosis process. This is what I call "convincing the conscious mind of the change".
What can happen is your client will have massive insight during the session, for example a common insight is realizing that their mother or father really did love them, but were too stressed being a parent to show it.
That is a powerful insight that can heal decades of hurt. However, if we don't convince the conscious mind of this realization, the client may leave the session thinking, well I believed it during the hypnosis session, but now I'm not so sure.
Reinforce the insight : ask your client the following "Put an ending on this sentence, I've changed because now I know _____________" (my mom really did love me, and was just a stressed 22 year old with 2 young kids).
Ask your client if they have any questions or comments. And don't rush an answer. Give them time, something will come up. Something always comes up.
For example, say "you’re a great hypnotic client, or that was amazing how you __________ (realized that you were safe all along).
The underlying message of this episode is that you want to maximize EVERY part of the hypnosis session, and building your clients confidence in themselves is an important part of great hypnosis work. Follow the steps above to begin maximizing the post-hypnotic interview.
With love,
Erika
Did you know we do hypnosis with heart at Cascade Hypnosis Center for Training & Services? It's not easy to help people with some of life's biggest issues, but if your heart is in the right place, then the training can help you to help people with really deep and hurtful things they're suffering from.