Experiencing hypnosis
We have all had the experience of looking out the window,
forgetting where we are, letting the time go by without and
sense of its passing. We can all look at a school photo or
a photo of a long gone holiday and find ourselves
transported back to the classroom or holiday experience.
Memories bring experiences with them, and we are all
familiar with this happening to us without need to comment.
People who wear earrings, glasses, shoes, have had years of
experience of not noticing them even though the sensations
of the earrings, glasses, shoes may have been so intrusive
when they first appeared that they might have wondered if
they could continue with them, and yet now it’s as if they
aren’t there.
All of the classical hypnotic phenomena, including
dissociation, time distortion, etc., can be seen as
extensions of such everyday experiences. Dissociation and
association are extensions of not noticing and noticing;
time distortion is an extension of our experience of time
flying when we’re having fun and drags when we’re bored.
Connecting these phenomena with everyday happenings helps
to remove their weirdness, and makes them more available to
any client for their learning experiences.
Deciding on which phenomenon to use can be informed by the
kind of problem presented and the way an individual client
speaks of their dilemma. If a client wants help with pain,
then anaesthesia might seem most suited, although if the
particular client demonstrates a flexibility in
experiencing time, or forgets appointments, then time
distortion or amnesia will be relevant, since they are
already being demonstrated by the client as something they
are skilled at.
By listening for, and using whichever phenomenon any client
demonstrates facility with, we can further connect and
individualise the process to best fit each individual
client.
When we ask the client “What’s missing?”, we can have a
closer appreciation of which hypnotic experience might best
fit the client’s needs. We can ask ourselves “What
phenomenon are they demonstrating which is part of their
problem, or which might be more useful as part of their
solution? We can further connect the client with the
process
of their individual solution learning
experience.
We could say that “What’s missing?” gives a destination and
direction to find a solution, while “What phenomenon?”
provides the vehicle which will get us there.
