In many areas of our lives and interactions as humans we find ourselves adapting our style & approach; we may address an adult differently from a child or dress differently at work to a night on the town. These adjustments are aimed at improving communication. The message may be partially verbal or may be non-verbal. It is estimated that only 7% of communication is from words whilst tone and volume represent 38% and body language 55%. In hypnotherapy when typically the therapist cannot deliver non-verbal messages since the client is likely to have closed their eyes, & the client may have preconceptions how to adopt style is an important factor.
In a counselling or hypnotherapy situation it is key that the client feels relaxed & comfortable and has confidence in their therapist, it is therefore important to recognise that everyone is different and will respond differently dependent upon their own culture, background, values and perspectives. Heap describes hypnosis as ‘an interaction between two people’ & goes on to suggest that ‘the therapists actions and communications ...should contribute to the creation of appropriate expectations, thus maximising the patients receptivity to suggestion’. (Heap, 2010, pg. 2) It is also noteworthy that this relationship should be mutual and there may be circumstances when the therapist should chose not to pursue a particular course.
It is not unrealistic, given the above, to suggest that to achieve the best results it is important to understand the client; personalising an induction treats the client as an individual and understanding their likes and dislikes may help avoid pitfalls such as using an analogy that disengages the client (for example if someone is claustrophobic they would be unlikely to feel safe cocooned). There are a number of recognised techniques and methodologies aimed at assisting adaptation.
Firstly there is context – as Heap
Bibliography: Heap M & Dryden W (Eds) 2010 Hypnotherapy a Handbook Open University Press Bakan………..http://www.amsciepub.com/doi/abs/10.2466/pms.1969.28.3.927 Hadley J & Staudacher C 2001 New Age Books