I uploaded a new Induction and failed to announce it in a blog post. So, apologies to those of you who may have missed the inclusion of the legendary Early Learning Set. If you visit the induction page, you'll see that the included video is more of a discussion of the induction, a tutorial rather than a demonstration. A separate video demo will be added to the transcript page just as soon as we are finished editing.
Introduction The Early Learning set is a process made most famous by Milton H. Erickson. However, like his My Friend John technique, and his handshake induction, it appears to be one of those things that is admired and lauded, yet not very often put into practice. That may be because it is based on some very loose principles and thus - like My Friend John - can put people off because it seems too simple and almost too good to be true. We will share a transcript of the induction here, that is very clearly inspired by Erickson’s own transcript shared in Hypnotic Realities. (A fuller tutorial and video demonstration will be uploaded soon.) Transcript Okay, well, why don’t you...
My first hypnosis training was a year long and it was a complete waste of 365 days! Then I spent a day with Jonathan Chase and 2 weekends with Stephen Brooks (miles apart, right?) and it felt like my hypnotic skill improved 1000%. Anyway, I had heard about legendary things like the Ericksonian handshake. It always seemed like the epitome of hypnotic skill. To be able to hypnotise someone that easily, that quickly, so effortlessly. And then I saw Stephen Brooks achieve arm catalepsy in a maximum of 4 seconds, by merely taking someone's hand, looking at them and saying 2 or 3 words. At that point, I realised that inductions weren't really about the excellence of the technique. (more…)
The Miracle Question The latest induction that I have added to the site owes a great debt to Milton Erickson. It was as my training partner (more…)
Introduction This induction grew out of discussions around Milton Erickson's influence on solution-focused therapy. In 1954, Erickson wrote a paper entitled, Pseudo-Orientation in Time as a Hypnotic Procedure. Later, as Steve de Shazer and his team continued to work with pseudo-orientation in time, they discovered that, 'simply describing in detail a future in which the problem is already solved helps to build the expectation that the problem will be solved and then this expectation, once formed, can help the client think and behave in ways that will lead to fulfilling this expectation.' In solution-focused therapy, we are less interested in what someone is trying to avoid and more on what they are looking for instead. Where do they want to...
Introduction The PII Induction, or the Pattern-Interrupt Interrupt, is a unique induction perfect for use with those who would be expecting a pattern-interrupt. We first devised this induction for use in training situations, when it is almost impossible to deliver a pattern interrupt, whilst teaching about pattern interrupts! The solution was rather obvious – simply interrupt in a different way. Here is a transcript of a time when we were teaching the Bandler Handshake, but interrupted to morph into a far less dramatic ambiguous touch. Transcript So, just to re-cap, we will go into a handshake like this... [Hypnotist offers their hand, to which the participant responds by putting their own hand forward.] [spacer height="1.5em"] And just as our hands...
Introduction This is a lovely pressure-free induction that achieves phenomena (in this case, a hand stick) quickly and effortlessly. At How to do Inductions, we are big fans of rapid inductions that are both phenomenal and yet gentle at the same time. Transcript I'd like you to rest your hand on your lap like this, as if you're waiting for me to put something on it, or maybe give you a present [hand placed palm-up] Have you ever been swimming? You know that feeling in water, where you might kick or punch, and it's much harder and slower? I'd like you to imagine the weight of water on that hand. Not uncomfortable, but too heavy to push against. Or imagine...
Introduction This is a phenomenal induction. It is intentionally open-ended and can go in a number of directions. The Auto Wrist Lift shares a number of features with the Heavy Ball Induction. Transcript I would like you to find a spot on the back of your hand, and focus on that. And it doesn't even matter if you focus all of your attention on that spot and allow yourself to become absorbed in that. Now, I would like you to use your other hand to lift that hand up by the wrist, like so. [Demonstrate, bending the lifted arm at 90 degrees at the elbow.] [spacer height="1.5em"] Now, hold it gentler. Now, gentler. In fact, I'd like you to hold...
Introduction James Hazlerig developed this induction after spending some time thinking about bi-lateral stimulation. In many ways it can be thought of as a directed self-hypnosis experience. The Cat's Paw includes elements of bi-lateral stimulation, eye-fixation, fractionation and progressive muscle relaxation. The induction has similarities to the Old Finger Lift and the Dr. Flowers Induction. Transcript Just hold your hands up, like this, with your palms out. [Demonstrate by placing your own hands just below eye-level, palms facing out.] [spacer height="1.5em"] And now pick a spot above your head, at about a 45 degree angle and look at that spot. Now you can go ahead and tense your right hand... [Demonstrate by making a fist with your hand] [spacer height="1.5em"]...
Introduction Sensory Overload Inductions are a classic way to work with so-called analytical clients. Usually, the hypnotist uses whatever is happening around them, directing the client to focus on each input as it occurs, without giving them time to deal with any one sensation before moving on. The theory is that the analytical mind is overwhelmed with trying to keep up with everything, gives up and retreats into trance. There are a few problems with this approach. Firstly, it does not take account of people's descriptions of what it is like to be overloaded. Secondly, it relies on the assumption that the hypnotist will be able to out-run the client. And finally, it requires the hypnotist to function in a...