(This blog was originally posted on April 19,
2017)
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/.
© 2017
