Chapter 4 - Responding to Misconceptions - For Discussion

Q1. When might a client's misconceptions about hypnosis be an asset to the clinician? A liability?

A1. Misconceptions about hypnosis become an asset when the client presents them to be corrected by the clinician. In correcting them, issues of control can be sidestepped.

Responding to the issue of control directly or indirectly can reduce anxiety in the already uncertain client.

The misconception can be an asset in that people will find every special as if misinformed they wont quite grasp the structured discipline it is and see it all as 'magic'. This could add prestige to the practice of the clinician.

Misconceptions:

• Hypnosis is caused by the power of the hypnotist

The clinician can work with the value of stealth, as when in the room it is clear their is no powerful hypnotist at work. The clinician need only direct the clients concentration on some stimulus (the clinician's words or the clients associations). Because the issue is of who has the power, the control has to be given to the client, the paradox being if you give control of your self, you really have the control.

The success of the hypnotic interaction depends on the quality of the interpersonal communication, once it is ascertain that the client has the power to give and is working cooperatively.

• Only certain kinds of people can be hypnotised

The clinician can work on 100% of people. Most people however believe that only certain people can be hypnotised. Those people would be unaware of what is occurring.

All people can become good trace subjects, once their point(s) of resistance are identified. A good clinician accepts the responsibility to create trance in all subjects.

The misconception that not all people can be hynotised is based on the formal induction process to trance, trance can be induce informally and occurs in many situations it is the clinicians skill which can make use of this naturally occurring trance to engage in informal treatment.

• Anyone who can be hypnotised must be weak minded

This may help to use as an incentive for hypnotic compliance, by stating that the most intelligent people are able to be induced, to encourage compliance.

• Once one has been hypnotised, one can no longer resist it

This relates to the use of access cues. The stage hypnotist uses fast access cues to assist with a return to induction ans trance. People are free to resist the impact of cue by refusing to respond to them. It is the subject willingness to respond to the cue that give the cue it power. This is an asset to the clinician in that he can use frequent trance cues to rapidly induce with stealth.

• One can be hypnotised to say or do something against one's will
• Being hynotised can be hazardous to your health
• One invariably becomes dependent on the hypnotist
• One can become "stuck" in trance
• One is asleep or unconscious when in a trance state
• Hypnosis always involves a monotonous ritual of induction
• One must be relaxed in order to be in trance
• Hypnosis is therapy
• Hypnosis may be used to accurately recall everything that happened to you
  

All the above misconceptions allow the clinician to practice informally without the strife of scrutiny.

Q2. Why do treatment approaches become standardised? What are the advantages and disadvantages of standardisation?

A2. Standardisation occurs to protect the hypnotist's reputation. The stage hypnotist works to a standard to create the illusion of ultimate power. The advantages are that you only get subjects which are malleable, suggestible according to a set routine. The disadvantages are that the client becomes reliant on the set techniques and is not focused on the client. Standardised is hypnotist centered, specially adapted to client is client-centered.



Q3. What is a "power struggle"? Why do they arise? Can they be prevented? If so, how?

A3. The issue of control which arises, when directed by other who are uncertain of treatment. Their misconceptions lead to fear of losing self control. They respond with resistance the simplest manifestation of that being doing nothing.

Power struggles can be prevented, by doing all you can to define the relationship as cooperative.

The power struggle or any interpersonal factors can be used as a hypnotic device to enhance therapy, by recognising the paradox.

Using the line, "I can only help you by you helping yourself" " I can only hypnotise you by you hypnotising yourself"

These lines emphasise the responsibility and control on the side of the client, which is shared with the clinician.

The power struggles can be avoided if the clinician acts responsibly to structure suggestions responsibly and competently to maximise the likelihood that suggestions will be accepted and translated into therapeutic change.



Q4. What sorts of people would be harder to hypnotise than others? Why do you think so?

A4. The text would have it that all acceptable subjects for hypnosis. I think those who were very mistrustful, were paranoid, or rushed would be difficult to induce if they were aware. If the main resistance is due to control, authoritarian type may be difficult to work with. Their entire life is based on control, the fear of losing it, then, will be highest in these types. A more clear definition of the cooperative nature of the relationship is needed here.

Q5. How might a clinician inadvertently encourage dependency in her clients? What may be her underlying motivations?

A5. The clients continual use of the clinicians choices, instead of being nurtured by the the clinician to make her own choices will inadvertently create a dependency on the clinician.

The economic dependency of the clinician on the client may be the underlying motivation for creating a similar therapeutic dynamic

Q6. What is the basis for the statement that a person's emotional problems may be as much consequence of hypnosis as the solutions? How is 'reality' determined?

A6.The hypnosis we experience everyday through television, advertising and interpersonal communication can define our 'reality' and in effect suggest a market driven position for the physical and financial value a person has. The person can become labeled. Status acceptance and subsequent frustration can create emotional problems. Simple language structure can determine reality.