Boston Hypnosis' Process

Hypnotherapy is a great way to get to the core of an issue. It's a way of engaging the deeper/unconscious parts of the mind so clients get results they can feel, not just intellectual understandings. It's also a great state for learning and a useful tool for relaxation. These are some of the hypnotherapy approaches I use in my practice:

• Ericksonian hypnotherapy

• Classical hypnosis

• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

• Regression Hypnotherapy

• Ideomotor Hypnotherapy

Through careful use of language, I can help clients work with some very deep (and usually outside of consciousness) parts of themselves. These approaches can sometimes streamline the process, reduce performance anxiety ("Am I hypnotized?!") and make the process easier.

Neuro-linguistic programming offers a suite of tools that help clients gain more control over the way they're thinking about things. More control + more options usually equals new choices that feel better.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is a close relative of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). It's a way of helping clients see some of the "filters" they've been seeing the world through so they can find more choices. On it's own it can be a bit dry and hard for clients to accept. Combined with hypnotherapy and NLP, it can be life-changing.

BD is based on the work of BJ Fogg, director of The Behavioral Design Lab at Stanford University. His research shows that long term change is best accomplished when people feel good. Taking very small steps in a consistently positive way can yield powerful results.

Some clients create their issue by (innocently) hypnotizing themselves into some really bad trances. The stories and images they create can be powerful drivers for a lot of bad feelings.

Helping clients develop tools to "wake up" when they start do that can often make a big difference. The Psychological Illusion Model offers tools to help clients to see through those thoughts in a way that allows for a lot more peace of mind. It's another way of helping clients wake up from some of the "thoughtmares" they've been having.

Metaphors and stories can often help clients see things in much deeper way than more analytical/left-brained conversations. Invaluable for helping clients "connect the dots" and see outside of the places where they've been stuck.

Helping clients slowly work in the direction of fear trigger can often be an important part of the process. The really important thing is being sure that before they start they have new resources (usually developed through the other approaches mentioned here). That way they can feel safe as they move into the experiences.

Sometimes being very direct or playing the devil's advocate with a client can help them to see new options in a way that more circumspect approaches can't.

Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy and the Emotional Freedom Technique are both ways to "unstick" some thought/feeling combinations. One involves the client gently tapping some acupressure points, the other following a prompt for some simple eye movements.

Certain breathing patterns act as effective tools for resetting the sympathetic fight or flight response. They can be a shortcut to creating a sense of calm that can be extremely useful, especially for clients with panic issues.

Visualization work, much like the type athletes do to prime themselves for success, can sometimes be a useful tool in client work, particularly after a client has solved most of the issue.