Initial Consultation Case Study
Why is the initial consultation so important? What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?
Word Count: 1926
A hypnosis session is generally regarded to contain five elements. These include the introduction, induction, deepener, therapy, and awakening. Each of these elements are important but to answer this question effectively, I will focus on the introduction stage by explaining why the initial consultation is an essential part of hypnosis. I will then go on to describe some of the ethical issues that face hypnotherapists by discussing them in relation to an initial consultation.
When a client first attends a hypnotherapy session it is usually to receive help in resolving an issue or a problem that they have. The …show more content…
initial consultation usually lasts around 30 minutes and is often the first face to face meeting that the client and therapist have. This is a fact finding session for both parties involved and is essentially when the client can ask questions and the therapist can acquire all the information needed by exploring the client’s history. This session is often free but is at the discretion of the therapist. This first stage of hypnotherapy is vital for many reasons.
Initially, the first meeting is a good way of introducing the client to the consultation room and/or the room that the therapy will be conducted in. This not only builds a familiarity but assures the client that the facilities are both suitable and appropriate.
A questionnaire needs to be completed in this first meeting which usually includes general questions such as preferred name, age and contact details. It is also important to ask questions about family history, personal circumstances as well as particular concerns such as financial problems or stress at work. This initial questioning is very important as it allows the therapist to find out about the issues that have brought them for therapy as well as finding out about the client themselves. The questions are usually structured in a way that can quickly determine whether or not hypnotherapy is suitable for that person.
The therapist may prefer to ask the client to complete the questionnaire or part of the questionnaire themselves.
It is imperative however that therapist also asks many of the questions themselves as this will not only build a rapport but will ensure that as much information as possible is gathered. Banyan (2005) also suggests that it is important to remember to use the questionnaire as a guide rather than a rigid format for the session. This is because people generally like to talk about themselves and if a genuine interest in what they are saying is shown, then trust and rapport can develop. Banyan (2005) also suggests that if a natural conversational path is followed rather than being academic about the questioning the therapist will also gather much more in-depth and useful information needed.
Eason (2013) explains that rapport can ultimately make or break a session and goes on to describe that it is imperative that the client feels at ease and trust is quickly gained by the therapist. This is because hypnotherapy is heavily reliant on the relationship between both parties being that of respect and trust. If a good rapport is not achieved then ultimately the clients’ mind is at risk of rejecting any therapeutic suggestions made during hypnosis or the client may even choose not to proceed with the therapy if they do not feel …show more content…
comfortable.
Rhodes (2013) suggests that the best hypnotherapists are good conversationalists, and can quickly put people at ease, allowing them to open up. By being warm and accepting during the initial consultation this should allow the therapist to connect well with the client. If the therapist is also non-judgemental and shows that they have the client’s best interests in mind then this will make the client feel valued and can recognise that the therapist understands and empathises with their issues. During this time it would seem appropriate to suggest that this would also be an opportunity for the client to ask any questions they may have and discuss the details of how the future sessions will potentially work.
Karle & Boys (2010) suggests that it is often useful to find out during the initial consultation whether the client has come of their own accord.
This information may determine how motivated the client is at resolving their issue. It is also important to recognise that sometimes children and young people, under some degree of parental control, attend hypnotherapy sessions because it is the parent who desires treatment or change rather than the client himself.
Banyan (2005) described a situation where a client had been ‘told’ to try hypnosis as a way of stopping his smoking habit as he had exhausted every other option. It was evident from the client’s body language that his enthusiasm to stop smoking was lacking as his shoulders were hunched and he was slouched in his chair. It is possible to conclude that this client was not suitable for hypnotherapy but a different approach to his treatment may also have been an option. It may be that their commitment to change and attitude needs worked on
first.
Hypnotherapists often find that during the initial consultation with their client other issues become apparent. Often, if these underlying issues are treated first, then it could assist in resolving the primary issue. For example a client may come to therapy because weight loss is their primary goal but it becomes apparent in the consultation that they have very little self-confidence. By first treating the issue of low self-esteem could ultimately assist in resolving the initial issue of weight loss. The questionnaire therefore needs to be specifically structured so that any underlying problems can be recognised at this time.
There maybe times however, when the client’s issues may go beyond the scope of the therapist or are unsuited to hypnotherapy itself. By asking the appropriate questions in the consultation, the therapist can quickly ascertain whether they can help their client or not. When the therapist has ascertained that they are happy to begin a therapeutic relationship with their client, they can also go on to establish which modality the client would be most lead by in order to be able to create the most suitable screed. The therapist can also ascertain during the initial consultation whether a more authoritative or submissive approach should be chosen (Chrysalis, 2010).
The therapist may also wish to carry out an evaluation on how susceptible their client is to hypnosis during the consultation. There are several ways to determine this and some are more suitable than others in terms of time constraints whilst in consultation. Quicker tests for susceptibility include the eye roll test, the light test, and the balloon/lead test (Chrysalis, 2010). It is important to be aware however that if the client should fail at one of these it could effectively destroy the client’s belief in their ability to achieve a good state of hypnosis. Equally though, if the person passes the test it could instil confidence in the practice of hypnosis. Either way, conducting these tests can have a detrimental effect on the success of hypnotherapy, but can also be used as a useful tool.
During the initial consultation there are many ethical factors that the therapist needs to consider. The Code of Ethics (2013) points out that the client’s welfare must be considered at all times. It is imperative therefore that the therapist only provides their client with a service in which they are fully competent. During the initial meeting therefore, the therapist should clearly explain any limitations and realistic outcomes of treatment that he or she hopes to achieve from the treatment provided. It maybe that another practitioner or medical advisor would be more suited. An example of this would be if a client is using anti-psychotic or antidepressant medication then they would require a therapist that has had specifically training in this field.
The first meeting also gives the therapist the opportunity to inform their client that confidentiality will be always be maintained within the client/therapist relationship. This will only be breached if there is a reason to believe that the safety of the client/therapist or that of the public are questioned.
The therapist must always receive consent from their client prior to commencing therapy and this can be achieved during the initial meeting. The Code of Ethics (2013) emphasises that written permission from the client must be obtained before practice can begin. It is essential therefore that the client is fully aware of what their treatment will entail and that they have been given the opportunity to ask any questions prior to the start of therapy.
All therapists must also receive consent from an appropriate adult if they are about to treat minors and those classified as persons with special needs or vulnerabilities. If CCTV or similar equipment is to be used, all clients must be fully informed when such equipment is in operation and written permission must be obtained prior to the commencement of each client session.
The therapist may also need to acquire consent from the client’s GP prior to commencing therapy. This is often the case if the client is currently undergoing treatment or therapy that could be affected in anyway by hypnosis. This information is usually ascertained when the client’s medical history is discussed.
The Code of Ethics (2013) also points out that there should always be a commonly understood professional boundary between the therapist and client. The initial meeting is a time that sexual interests should be ruled out. The therapist must act accordingly if an attraction is evident and cease any further meetings as this will undoubtedly interfere with therapy (Chrysalis, 2010).
During the initial consultation it is also important to explain clearly to clients, and in advance of any treatment, the fees, payment methods and any charges that may incur for non-attendance or cancelled appointments. A clear and transparent contract should be issued so that the client is fully aware of the costs. This is a time also where the number of sessions advised can be discussed. The code of ethics mentions that the terms of contract must be reasonable and do not restrict the client’s statutory rights in any way.
It is clear that there are many factors that make the initial consultation an essential element of hypnotherapy. Evidently, the key purpose is to identify the reason why the client has come for therapy and for the therapist to decide whether it is within their scope to help the client. The questionnaire must be carefully considered so that the appropriate questions are asked in order to obtain the optimum information needed. It is integral that a warm and welcoming service is provided as this will assist the therapist in developing a good rapport with their client. The therapist must also ensure that a good working relationship is established by making their client feel valued and respected and that trust and empathy is provided.
There are seemingly many ethical issues that the therapist must consider during the initial consultation. Essentially the therapist must ensure that they always work within their own limitations and be able to provide the client with a treatment plan that he or she hopes to achieve. Other issues such as confidentiality, consent and fees also need to be considered at this time.
If a therapist is able to consider all of these important aspects prior to meeting a client for the first time, then it is hoped that a good working relationship can be established and maintained. This will ultimately result in successfully helping to resolve the client’s problem by treating them with hypnotherapy.
REFERENCES
BANNYAN, C. (2005). Getting clients to come back until the therapy is done. [Online]. Available from:http://www.hypnosiscenter.com/free_article-getting-client-to-complete-therapy.htm [Accessed 30th July 2013].
CHRYSALIS. (2010) Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills – Module Three. Class Notes.
Eason, A. (2013). A Hypnotherapy Session: Before The Hypnosis Begins. [Online]. Available from: http://www.adam-eason.com/2010/08/02/a-hypnotherapy-session-before-the-hypnosis-begins/ [Accessed 24th July 2013].
GHSC & GHR. (2013). Code of Ethics. [Online]. Available from: http://www.general-hypnotherapy-register.com/code-of-ethics/ [Accessed 30th july 2013].
Karle, H, W, A. & Boys, J, H. (2010). Hypnotherapy A Practical Handbook. 2nd Edition. Free Association Books.
RHODES, J. (2013). Hypnobusters: The five elements of a hypnosis session. [Online] Available from: http://www.hypnobusters.com/articles/the-five-elements-of-a-hypnosis-session/ [Accessed 30th July 2013].
The Code of Ethics. (2013). The National Hypnotherapy Society. [Online]. Available from: http://www.nationalhypnotherapysociety.org/about/code-of-ethics/ [Accessed 30th July 2013].
Word Count: 1926
A hypnosis session is generally regarded to contain five elements. These include the introduction, induction, deepener, therapy, and awakening. Each of these elements are important but to answer this question effectively, I will focus on the introduction stage by explaining why the initial consultation is an essential part of hypnosis. I will then go on to describe some of the ethical issues that face hypnotherapists by discussing them in relation to an initial consultation.
When a client first attends a hypnotherapy session it is usually to receive help in resolving an issue or a problem that they have. The …show more content…
initial consultation usually lasts around 30 minutes and is often the first face to face meeting that the client and therapist have. This is a fact finding session for both parties involved and is essentially when the client can ask questions and the therapist can acquire all the information needed by exploring the client’s history. This session is often free but is at the discretion of the therapist. This first stage of hypnotherapy is vital for many reasons.
Initially, the first meeting is a good way of introducing the client to the consultation room and/or the room that the therapy will be conducted in. This not only builds a familiarity but assures the client that the facilities are both suitable and appropriate.
A questionnaire needs to be completed in this first meeting which usually includes general questions such as preferred name, age and contact details. It is also important to ask questions about family history, personal circumstances as well as particular concerns such as financial problems or stress at work. This initial questioning is very important as it allows the therapist to find out about the issues that have brought them for therapy as well as finding out about the client themselves. The questions are usually structured in a way that can quickly determine whether or not hypnotherapy is suitable for that person.
The therapist may prefer to ask the client to complete the questionnaire or part of the questionnaire themselves.
It is imperative however that therapist also asks many of the questions themselves as this will not only build a rapport but will ensure that as much information as possible is gathered. Banyan (2005) also suggests that it is important to remember to use the questionnaire as a guide rather than a rigid format for the session. This is because people generally like to talk about themselves and if a genuine interest in what they are saying is shown, then trust and rapport can develop. Banyan (2005) also suggests that if a natural conversational path is followed rather than being academic about the questioning the therapist will also gather much more in-depth and useful information needed.
Eason (2013) explains that rapport can ultimately make or break a session and goes on to describe that it is imperative that the client feels at ease and trust is quickly gained by the therapist. This is because hypnotherapy is heavily reliant on the relationship between both parties being that of respect and trust. If a good rapport is not achieved then ultimately the clients’ mind is at risk of rejecting any therapeutic suggestions made during hypnosis or the client may even choose not to proceed with the therapy if they do not feel …show more content…
comfortable.
Rhodes (2013) suggests that the best hypnotherapists are good conversationalists, and can quickly put people at ease, allowing them to open up. By being warm and accepting during the initial consultation this should allow the therapist to connect well with the client. If the therapist is also non-judgemental and shows that they have the client’s best interests in mind then this will make the client feel valued and can recognise that the therapist understands and empathises with their issues. During this time it would seem appropriate to suggest that this would also be an opportunity for the client to ask any questions they may have and discuss the details of how the future sessions will potentially work.
Karle & Boys (2010) suggests that it is often useful to find out during the initial consultation whether the client has come of their own accord.
This information may determine how motivated the client is at resolving their issue. It is also important to recognise that sometimes children and young people, under some degree of parental control, attend hypnotherapy sessions because it is the parent who desires treatment or change rather than the client himself.
Banyan (2005) described a situation where a client had been ‘told’ to try hypnosis as a way of stopping his smoking habit as he had exhausted every other option. It was evident from the client’s body language that his enthusiasm to stop smoking was lacking as his shoulders were hunched and he was slouched in his chair. It is possible to conclude that this client was not suitable for hypnotherapy but a different approach to his treatment may also have been an option. It may be that their commitment to change and attitude needs worked on
first.
Hypnotherapists often find that during the initial consultation with their client other issues become apparent. Often, if these underlying issues are treated first, then it could assist in resolving the primary issue. For example a client may come to therapy because weight loss is their primary goal but it becomes apparent in the consultation that they have very little self-confidence. By first treating the issue of low self-esteem could ultimately assist in resolving the initial issue of weight loss. The questionnaire therefore needs to be specifically structured so that any underlying problems can be recognised at this time.
There maybe times however, when the client’s issues may go beyond the scope of the therapist or are unsuited to hypnotherapy itself. By asking the appropriate questions in the consultation, the therapist can quickly ascertain whether they can help their client or not. When the therapist has ascertained that they are happy to begin a therapeutic relationship with their client, they can also go on to establish which modality the client would be most lead by in order to be able to create the most suitable screed. The therapist can also ascertain during the initial consultation whether a more authoritative or submissive approach should be chosen (Chrysalis, 2010).
The therapist may also wish to carry out an evaluation on how susceptible their client is to hypnosis during the consultation. There are several ways to determine this and some are more suitable than others in terms of time constraints whilst in consultation. Quicker tests for susceptibility include the eye roll test, the light test, and the balloon/lead test (Chrysalis, 2010). It is important to be aware however that if the client should fail at one of these it could effectively destroy the client’s belief in their ability to achieve a good state of hypnosis. Equally though, if the person passes the test it could instil confidence in the practice of hypnosis. Either way, conducting these tests can have a detrimental effect on the success of hypnotherapy, but can also be used as a useful tool.
During the initial consultation there are many ethical factors that the therapist needs to consider. The Code of Ethics (2013) points out that the client’s welfare must be considered at all times. It is imperative therefore that the therapist only provides their client with a service in which they are fully competent. During the initial meeting therefore, the therapist should clearly explain any limitations and realistic outcomes of treatment that he or she hopes to achieve from the treatment provided. It maybe that another practitioner or medical advisor would be more suited. An example of this would be if a client is using anti-psychotic or antidepressant medication then they would require a therapist that has had specifically training in this field.
The first meeting also gives the therapist the opportunity to inform their client that confidentiality will be always be maintained within the client/therapist relationship. This will only be breached if there is a reason to believe that the safety of the client/therapist or that of the public are questioned.
The therapist must always receive consent from their client prior to commencing therapy and this can be achieved during the initial meeting. The Code of Ethics (2013) emphasises that written permission from the client must be obtained before practice can begin. It is essential therefore that the client is fully aware of what their treatment will entail and that they have been given the opportunity to ask any questions prior to the start of therapy.
All therapists must also receive consent from an appropriate adult if they are about to treat minors and those classified as persons with special needs or vulnerabilities. If CCTV or similar equipment is to be used, all clients must be fully informed when such equipment is in operation and written permission must be obtained prior to the commencement of each client session.
The therapist may also need to acquire consent from the client’s GP prior to commencing therapy. This is often the case if the client is currently undergoing treatment or therapy that could be affected in anyway by hypnosis. This information is usually ascertained when the client’s medical history is discussed.
The Code of Ethics (2013) also points out that there should always be a commonly understood professional boundary between the therapist and client. The initial meeting is a time that sexual interests should be ruled out. The therapist must act accordingly if an attraction is evident and cease any further meetings as this will undoubtedly interfere with therapy (Chrysalis, 2010).
During the initial consultation it is also important to explain clearly to clients, and in advance of any treatment, the fees, payment methods and any charges that may incur for non-attendance or cancelled appointments. A clear and transparent contract should be issued so that the client is fully aware of the costs. This is a time also where the number of sessions advised can be discussed. The code of ethics mentions that the terms of contract must be reasonable and do not restrict the client’s statutory rights in any way.
It is clear that there are many factors that make the initial consultation an essential element of hypnotherapy. Evidently, the key purpose is to identify the reason why the client has come for therapy and for the therapist to decide whether it is within their scope to help the client. The questionnaire must be carefully considered so that the appropriate questions are asked in order to obtain the optimum information needed. It is integral that a warm and welcoming service is provided as this will assist the therapist in developing a good rapport with their client. The therapist must also ensure that a good working relationship is established by making their client feel valued and respected and that trust and empathy is provided.
There are seemingly many ethical issues that the therapist must consider during the initial consultation. Essentially the therapist must ensure that they always work within their own limitations and be able to provide the client with a treatment plan that he or she hopes to achieve. Other issues such as confidentiality, consent and fees also need to be considered at this time.
If a therapist is able to consider all of these important aspects prior to meeting a client for the first time, then it is hoped that a good working relationship can be established and maintained. This will ultimately result in successfully helping to resolve the client’s problem by treating them with hypnotherapy.
REFERENCES
BANNYAN, C. (2005). Getting clients to come back until the therapy is done. [Online]. Available from:http://www.hypnosiscenter.com/free_article-getting-client-to-complete-therapy.htm [Accessed 30th July 2013].
CHRYSALIS. (2010) Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills – Module Three. Class Notes.
Eason, A. (2013). A Hypnotherapy Session: Before The Hypnosis Begins. [Online]. Available from: http://www.adam-eason.com/2010/08/02/a-hypnotherapy-session-before-the-hypnosis-begins/ [Accessed 24th July 2013].
GHSC & GHR. (2013). Code of Ethics. [Online]. Available from: http://www.general-hypnotherapy-register.com/code-of-ethics/ [Accessed 30th july 2013].
Karle, H, W, A. & Boys, J, H. (2010). Hypnotherapy A Practical Handbook. 2nd Edition. Free Association Books.
RHODES, J. (2013). Hypnobusters: The five elements of a hypnosis session. [Online] Available from: http://www.hypnobusters.com/articles/the-five-elements-of-a-hypnosis-session/ [Accessed 30th July 2013].
The Code of Ethics. (2013). The National Hypnotherapy Society. [Online]. Available from: http://www.nationalhypnotherapysociety.org/about/code-of-ethics/ [Accessed 30th July 2013].