260 Part IV: Using Words to Entrance
The truth is that hypnosis works only if you’re a willing participant in the
process. Kate once found herself in a room of over 100 people who were
entranced by a group hypnosis exercise, and she was virtually the only
person not following the embedded commands of the presenter. She watched
in surprise as others moved on to the stage taking their chairs with them.
Later, she realised that she distrusted the person running the session and
had naturally protected herself from taking part. Remember that only you
have the power to control your thoughts, actions, and words.As with any therapy or similar service, check out the professional qualifications
of your hypnotherapist and ask for references. Take the same safety measures
that you’d use when going on a blind date. In particular, be cautious of entering a
private home or space where you’re alone with the person. If in doubt, taking
a friend with you is a wise move.Contrary to popular myth, under hypnosis people are in complete control of
their situation. The hypnotherapist acts merely as a facilitator and the client
rejects any suggestion that they don’t consider appropriate.When hard switches to easy
Registered hypnotherapist, Tom McGuire of
Seven Colours, Ltd, applies the Milton Model
language patterns to diverse applications –
from discovering how to release anxiety to
breaking habits, controlling pain, and enhancing
performance in sport or public speaking.
‘At times we may wrestle with problems using
all our conscious resources and yet find
ourselves unable to reach a satisfactory
solution,’ Tom says. He cites the example of
weight management: ‘I acknowledge the fact
that the client has tried really hard in the past
to lose weight. I make a point of using the word
“hard” and associating that with the methods
they have used in the past. I then go on to
explain that using the unconscious mind is an
easy way to get the results, and they begin to
activate images in their own mind about how
they will feel and look.’‘The Milton approach is to assume that their
unconscious mind already knows how to
lose the weight. We enlist the help of the
unconscious mind to achieve it. No need to
force it to help. Because we do not go into
detail about how it will be possible, the patient
becomes curious. This curiosity provides the
fuel to drive the unconscious.’
‘Many clients have told me that they have
found themselves putting food back onto the
supermarket shelf when shopping, only
realising after they have done it. Sometimes
they tell me that they haven’t felt hungry and
so forgot about food altogether between meals.
The thought of food sometimes drifts into their
mind but then drifts out again. No fighting, just
curiosity. To me, this flexible, indirect approach
embodies the Milton Model and shows the
utmost respect for the client.’
Reproduced with the permission of Tom McGuire.