Hypnosis & Self-Help
Articles
by C. Roy Hunter, FAPHP
Certified Hypnotherapy Instructor
One of my most interesting cases started out
like a typical series of sessions for a smoker wishing to quit, but time
revealed an unexpected ending.
Over 15 years ago a middle-aged man came to
my office asking me to help him quit smoking. Let's call him Bob, although that
was not his real name. This was not his first attempt to quit smoking, nor would it be his last attempt…but I
did not know that at the time! One of Bob's friends referred him to me. As
usual, I explained hypnosis to him, and answered questions to his satisfaction.
My new client chose to wait until the second
session to quit, so I devoted the first session to teaching him self-hypnosis
for managing stress. Normally the stress management session is either the
second or third session, depending on the client. (Note: I always encourage a
smoker to invest in one session for managing stress because of the fact that
most smokers will reach for a cigarette whenever someone pushes their buttons.)
When Bob came for his second session, he
raved about the value of the first session, and was enthusiastic. Then I
briefly discussed the concept of anchors and triggers, explaining that one deep
breath of air would become the new response to the older "light-up"
triggers. Many smokers try to quit simply by erasing their response to the old
light-up triggers; but it is easier to replace
the former response with a new response than it is to try to erase a trigger
that is deeply anchored into the subconscious.
My client understood this, and said he was
ready to accept the hypnotic suggestions. However, the "deep breath of
air" is the price paid in order
to quit -- and who wants to pay the price for a product or service without
knowing what benefits it brings?
When I told Bob that we are all tuned into
"WII-FM" (What's In It For Me), I asked him
to tell me what his personal benefits would be one year after quitting. Bob
listed typical benefits common to many smokers, which I recorded on paper, such
as: more energy, more money, breathe easier, sense of accomplishment, etc.
With my Benefits Approach, the hypnotized
client uses the imagination to go forward in time and fantasize each personal
benefit in ways that are emotionally satisfying. The client may then get
involved with personal benefits at a subconscious level, causing the
subconscious to be more receptive of the post-hypnotic suggestions that
represent the price of quitting: one deep breath of air rather than a
breath of smoke. Bob seemed to be in a medium depth of hypnosis. At the
conclusion of the session, he seemed optimistic. He promptly requested the same
day and time the following week, and left.
One week later, Bob returned as scheduled,
but told me he was still smoking as much as before. When I offered to use
hypnotherapy to solicit his subconscious to reveal the cause of the resistance,
he declined, and told me to simply use the same suggestions as the previous
week. I complied, although I added more emphasis this time.
When he returned for the fourth session, he
was still smoking two packs daily, with no reduction of urges. Over my
professional objections, he insisted that I repeat the same suggestions as the
previous two weeks, so I complied. Although another follow-up session was
offered, he declined, and said he would call me when he was ready.
Over a year passed before his phone call
came. It should be no surprise to anyone reading this article that Bob was
still smoking two packs daily. He told me that he wanted to go through my
entire program just like the first time, except for the stress management
session. I agreed to see him. When Bob arrived in my office, I told him that I
did not want to see him spend his time or money unless he was willing to let me
find out why his subconscious wouldn't let him quit the first time around. He
assured me that he was ready this time. His explanation was profound….
Bob said, "Do you remember telling me
that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis? For some reason, when you started talking
about my benefits for quitting smoking, I started fantasizing my benefits for
quitting drinking instead. Then, every time you suggested that I become a
'non-smoker' my mind modified the suggestion to 'non-drinker.' Well, I have
been sober since my sessions with you, and now I'm ready to quit smoking!"
His success proved that he was ready to quit smoking the second time around.
Are YOU ready to quit smoking or overcome another habit? If so, click here...
*****
NOW AVAILABLE AT WHOLESALE TO HYPNOSIS
PROFESSIONALS:
Buy a COMPLETE smoking cessation program for group presentations! (Based on
25 years of experience...)
You pay only $45 each for orders of six or more. Retail value: $95 (or more if
you wish)
This program contains 4 CD's, and a 71-page workbook
(PDF file), with instructions for self-directed sessions.
Some clients will need private followup to discover core causes of smoking, so
use this to help build your practice!
Roy
Hunter practices hypnotherapy near Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest region of
the USA. He also worked part time for the Franciscan Hospice facilitating
hypnotherapy for terminal patients for seven years, and teaches a 9-month
professional hypnotherapy training course based on the teachings of Charles Tebbetts. Roy is the recipient of numerous awards,
including awards from three different organizations for lifetime achievement in
the hypnosis profession. You may see Roy’s numerous awards at: http://www.royhunter.com/hunter.htm
Roy
is available for mentoring and coaching.
For more info, visit: http://www.royhunter.com/consulting.htm
You
may purchase
http://www.royhunter.com/hypnosis_books.htm
Last
updated: February 9, 2011
Return to Hypnosis Articles Title Page
Hypnosis Information
& FAQ Hypnosis Training &
Coaching
Products: CD’s, DVD’s books, etc. Return
to Home Page
* * *
* * * * *
Originally posted: May 11, 2007