Advanced Hypnotherapy for Professionals

by Dr. Steve G. Jones, Ed.D., Clinical Hypnotherapist

The sequel to Basic Hypnotherapy for Professionals. After a review of the basics, eight advanced techniques, each with its own chapter, worked examples and practice: the pendulum for pre-hypnotic diagnosis, post-hypnotic suggestions, metaphors, analog marking, phobias, confusion inductions, hypnotic diagnosis and pain control.

148 pages9 chaptersSample scripts, suggestions and inductions in each technique chapterPDF · ISBN 978-1-60402-044-1

What's in the book

Chapter 1 reviews the basic session so the book stands on its own; chapters 2 to 9 each take one advanced technique from theory through samples to a suggested practice.

1Review of Basic PrinciplesStages of consciousness, what hypnotherapy is, ethical responsibilities, the basic session overview, recording, the environment, clients to refer out.p. 10

2Pendulum for Pre-Hypnotic DiagnosisIntroducing and calibrating the pendulum, recommended calibration questions, and a word of warning.p. 32

3Post-Hypnotic SuggestionsErickson on post-hypnotic suggestion, the experiments, instant-trance re-induction cues, four sample suggestions, using one for self-hypnosis, and where it sits in the session.p. 41

4MetaphorsSymbolism and isomorphism, Ericksonian metaphors, accessing resources inside a story, Southern expressions as metaphors, and two full metaphor samples.p. 68

5Analog (or Analogue) MarkingWhat it is, how it works, "isn't this manipulative?", and a two-part practice.p. 98

6PhobiasWorking with phobias, with a sample phobia script.p. 106

7Confusion InductionsWhen to use them, how they work, and two sample confusion inductions.p. 112

8Hypnotic DiagnosisGetting information from a client who is already in a light trance.p. 119

9Pain ControlHow pain-control hypnotherapy works, suggestibility testing, and a sample pain-control script.p. 126

+Glossary · Appendix · References · Resourcesp. 137

How each chapter works

Written for practitioners who already run a basic session. Each technique chapter works like this:

Worked samplesEvery technique chapter carries at least one complete sample — a suggestion, a metaphor, an induction or a script — written out in full.

Suggested practiceEach technique ends with a practice assignment to run on yourself or a volunteer before using it with a client.

Helpful tipsCautions from practice where a technique can go wrong — who not to use the pendulum or a confusion induction with, for example.

Read a page from Chapter 2

Advanced Hypnotherapy for ProfessionalsPage 33

Introducing the Pendulum

The pre-hypnotic diagnosis technique discussed in this chapter, the pendulum, is not voodoo; it is based on sound scientific research, and is accepted by the scientific community. I have used this technique at a reputable office in Beverly Hills.

The pendulum is used to gather information from a client's subconscious mind prior to the hypnosis sessions by examining the client's otherwise undetectable physical response to questions. This method allows you to quickly ascertain information necessary to the hypnosis session.

However, some of your more conservative clients might not be open to this technique. Before using the pendulum, make a judgment call about whether your client will be open to this. If you decide to use the pendulum, first tell the client that the process does not work with everyone. It only works about 80 percent of time.

Pendulums can be purchased from almost any "New Age" bookstore. Prior to using a pendulum for pre-hypnotic diagnosis, you will first need to calibrate it to make sure that the client responds accurately to the pendulum.

The chapter goes on to the calibration procedure, the recommended calibration questions, and a warning about when not to use it.