How to Increase Suggestibility

Photo by Rick Hustead

Sometimes it is necessary to change a client’s suggestibility. One common reason to do this is to balance out the person’s suggestibility, such as if the individual has a high-emotional suggestibility score and does not seem to experience physical sensations. Alternatively, a high-physical suggestible person may want or need to have a less “literal” interpretation of information; in this case, it would be necessary to increase the person’s subdominant emotional suggestibility.

To successfully accomplish this, the hypnotherapist must understand how the mind works in the context of right brain/left brain theory. This theory posits that 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). Hypnosis Motivation Institute founder John Kappas, Ph.D. believed that the most effective way to communicate with a person is based on his or her suggestibility and how the client’s subconscious mind communicates with his or her conscious mind.

According to Dr. Kappas, the right side of the brain is associated with physical suggestibility. Since each hemisphere controls the actions of the opposite side of the body, the hypnotherapist must work with the left side of the body to increase physical suggestibility. While the client is in hypnosis, the hypnotherapist should give suggestions to enhance physical suggestibility while the person clenches the left hand and tightens the fist, which sends more sensations to the right brain. Alternatively, to increase emotional suggestibility/logical response, the client should tighten the right fist while the hypnotherapist gives appropriate suggestions to increase emotional suggestibility.

“The more you have the client do this, the greater the [desired] suggestibility becomes,” Dr. Kappas said.

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/.

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