Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Right Brain, Left Brain



(This blog was originally posted on June 15, 2014)


Image courtesy of Microsoft


     I always consider right brain/left brain theory when I work with my hypnotherapy clients. According to Hypnosis Motivation Institute founder John Kappas, Ph.D., it refers to the most effective way to communicate with a person based on his or her suggestibility and how the client’s subconscious mind communicates with his or her conscious mind. According to right brain/left brain theory, each hemisphere (half) of the brain is responsible for processing information that it receives. The right hemisphere is generally associated with symbols, pictures and images (inferences), while the left processes language and words (direct and literal).
     The hypnotic script must emphasize direct and literal instructions to target the left hemisphere of a physical-suggestible client, while images and metaphors are more to likely to activate the right hemisphere of an emotional-suggestible client’s brain. (Someone who has emotional suggestibility will understand and process a direct and literal suggestion, although those phrases may not resonate as strongly with this person.) When a client is in a deeper state of hypnosis, he or she can’t relate to the world in terms of words. At this is fourth-level stage of amnesia—which is associated with the right hemisphere of the brain—pictures and images (metaphors) are required to facilitate communication between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Those words are intended to instantly call up a picture/image, emotion or sensation that the subconscious mind instantly recognizes and understands to increase the effectiveness of the hypnosis script and the hypnotherapy.


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®, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
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