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| Photo courtesy of Microsoft If you exaggerate any aspect of your voice when you hypnotize someone, these kinds of affectations could sabotage the rapport you share with your client. |
The
voice is one of the most important tools that are used during a hypnotherapy
session. The words that a hypnotist uses in the hypnotic script are important
in terms of conveying which behaviors the client is changing or replacing, and
how or when this is being done. However, the subconscious mind also perceives and
processes a lot of this information through the delivery of this script—in other words, the way these words are
expressed and communicated. Since the SCM does not know the difference between
fantasy and reality, it is imperative that the hypnotic script expresses what
the client means, and means what the person says he or she wants to achieve through
this therapy.
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Choice of words: I specifically create each
hypnotic script for every one of my clients. Most of this material comes from
the key words or phrases that the person uses to describe his or her emotions, motivations
or desires to change an unwanted behavior. Then, I tailor the suggestion to
reflect the client’s emotional or physical suggestibility (how the person
learns) to facilitate his or her subconscious mind’s ability to process and
integrate this information. For more information about how I create the
hypnotic script, please visit my blog, “The Hypnotic Script” from March 26,
2014.
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Tempo/rhythm: Sometimes I alternately
increase and decrease the tempo or rhythm of my speech to emphasize different
aspects of the hypnotic suggestion. In hypnosis, the subconscious mind is
particularly aware of these differences in my speech and will process these
subtle (or not-so-subtle) inflections as a reinforcement of the hypnotic
suggestion.
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Timbre and tone: I will also vary the timbre
or tone of my voice in relation to the content of the hypnotic suggestion that I
am giving to the client. For example, I typically use a maternal or soft tone
when I facilitate a “special place” guided-imagery journey for my client. However,
I will use a paternal or more forceful tone when I help a client work through
negative emotions or associations through the arm-rigidity suggestion.
During hypnosis,
the subconscious mind is even more sensitive to and aware of subtle changes in the
environment than it is during an alert, wide-awake state of conscious awareness.
Consequently, the client will know the difference between the “normal” speaking
voice that the hypnotherapist uses during the cognitive portion of the session
and an artificial, pseudo-European accent he or she puts on to do hypnosis. The
therapist does not need to exaggerate any aspect of his or her voice to
hypnotize someone. However, these kinds of affectations could sabotage
client-therapist rapport if the person perceives that the hypnotherapist is
being disingenuous because his or her speech during hypnosis is suddenly,
radically different from the rest of the session.
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in
Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation
Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®
and to set up an appointment, please
visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
© 2014
