Some trainers teach that you should never say, “Are the numbers gone?” as this makes your client remember them again. Yet, we have said this occasionally. The truth is, your client is forgetting certain numbers. They are not forgetting that it is numbers they are forgetting. That is, they are not forgetting the concept of Numbers themselves. So, it follows that simply using the word “numbers” should not cause you any problems. Having said that, if you are regularly encountering problems with number amnesia, or you suspect that a particular client will, then avoiding the word might help. However, in such circumstances, you may simply find it easier to have them forget something else, like how to spell their family...

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Some people may wonder if the amnesia we see in the Elman Induction is genuine amnesia. For example, it could be that the hypnotee is simply too relaxed to recall their numbers. It is necessary to point out that being too relaxed to speak (i.e. aphasia) is not the same as being too relaxed to recall the numbers. If someone is simply so relaxed that they are ignoring the suggestion to count out-loud, then you have reached a hurdle in the Elman process. It is by no means an insurmountable barrier and there are ways to address this. However, it does demonstrate to the hypnotist that the process is not proceeding as planned. In short, your client is not following...

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We discussed above, the risks of mistaking aphasia for amnesia. This is particularly a risk if every part of the induction has been framed as an exercise in relaxation. In such circumstances, it can help to avoid describing the amnesia as “relaxing the numbers” away. The issue of aphasia is the reason that you do not take your client's silence as evidence of amnesia. You need to explicitly ask them if the numbers have gone. If, instead of saying their final number they sigh deeply, or do not respond to your question, then you are likely to be at a place of aphasia, not amnesia. The natural way to respond in such a situation, is simply to have them forget...

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This is perhaps the most feared problem that comes up for people using the Elman induction, especially if they have been trained to approach it like a script. Thankfully, it is by no means insurmountable and there are a number of things that you can do if your client struggles to 'lose the numbers.' Firstly, you may want to explore your terminology. 'Losing the numbers' is not a desirable description and perhaps provokes the concern that you will not be able to find them again. Preferable language might speak of 'letting the numbers go' or 'relaxing them away'. Whilst we are talking about the numbers, when you ask your client if they have gone, it may help not to draw...

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Another fairly common issue when you are first learning to use the Elman induction is that when you lift up your client's arm, it is not heavy, or does not drop down. There are a couple of ways to tackle this. The first thing I do is tell them not to help me. I would say something like, “No, let me lift it,” or, “Don't help me. Just relax it completely”. As I am saying that, I may gently sway their arm from side to side, by the wrist, as if I am shaking the tension out. This kinaesthetically reiterates to them what a loose and relaxed arm would feel like. The second way to address this comes up if...

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The earliest difficulty you may encounter with the Elman induction is that you client opens their eyes following your suggestion that they stay shut. There are a number of reasons why this may happen. Firstly, they may simply not have understood your suggestion properly. It is reasonable that they believed you expected them to try as hard as they could to open their eyes, so they did. They went right ahead and opened their eyes! This situation is easily rectified by saying something like, “Well done. You've demonstrated that you can open your eyes. As I said, you remain in control at all times. Now, I want you to demonstrate that you can't open your eyes. So, go ahead and...

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