Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Another great 201 class graduated last weekend. One of the hallmarks of our training is that Marc and I expose the students to live demonstrations. These are real people facing real challenges. These challenges that pertain to the course subject matter. This weekend we were working with fear. One of the students complained of a fear of heights. Holly told the class a funny story about having to clutch on to a friend’s arm in order to walk out on the balcony of one of the high-rise apartments here in Las Vegas. We were all laughing but the fear was real.

Using a technique that I learned from Dr. John Kappas called, Circle Therapy, I hypnotized Holly and walked her through the process. It took less then 5 minutes. That night, Holly and some of the other students went down to the Las Vegas Strip. Holly, confidently leaning on a balcony rail, faced her fear and found it had vanished. Attached is the evidence from a photo taken by a camera phone.

Hypnotherapy 201 Update

Today is the last day of our hypnotherapy training. We are going to be covering how to deal with fears and phobias. Yesterday, we demonstrated ideomotor responses and pendulum hypnosis and their associated therapies. John Zulli demonstrated how to use ideomotor responses to help with a hives condition that one of the students had.

I had the oppertunity to work transformational hypnosis with one of the students in front of the entire class. She was a young, bright inividual who felt that others perceived her to be insignificant. During the pre-induction interview, I asked our client some questions to begin to uncover what her underlying issues were. Once we knew what she wanted to work on, I hypnotized her using a rapid induction. I began to intensify the emotion, and once that was completed, I used age regression to move back in time to help her uncover the initial sensitizing event. Once we arrived to the sensitizing event, I moved her into Gestalt dialoging. She began the process of finding a resolution, then I began to take her through the re-education process of her sub-conscious mind. After the awakening procedure, she opened her eyes and began to speak of her experience. It was such an intimate experience that the entire class shared together.

I believe that one of the most valuable parts of the hypnotherapy training at the International Institute of Hypnosis is the live demonstrations and excercises that we perform with the students. Not only do they become certified hypnotherapist, they change completely as human being for the better. It is impossible to be exposed to this information and not change. :-)

I hope to see you in one of our classes soon.

Marc

Nothing Less Than Amazing

Nothing Less Than Amazing

I have been teaching hypnosis and hypnotherapy since about 1990, so I speak from experience when I say that the students enrolled in our current 201 class are no less then amazing.

Like ducks to water, this class has rapidly grasped the intricacies of the hypnotic process and are readily putting them into play. Not only are they hypnotizing each other with ease, they are already adding their own creative spin on the inductions and techniques. They are a credit to this 5000 year old art.

And speaking of credit, while I would like to take the credit for their brisk development, the reality is that their gains come from the fact that their imaginations are on fire.

Learning the concepts of hypnosis is liberating. Experiencing trance is an exercise in self-mastery and power. This 201 class is accelerating their understanding and their experience by making this information their own and putting it to use straight away.

I am having a great time teaching them.

Best,

John Zulli

"Problems cannot be solved by the level of awareness that created them." Albert Einstein

Hypnotherapy Training 201

Let the excitement begin (again)! On Friday, May 27, we start the 201 section of our hypnotherapy certification training. While the 101 class focused on how to hypnotize, manage a trance and give suggestions, the 201 program is the class's introduction to in-depth hypnotherapy. And that is exciting! Don't get me wrong learning multiple ways to hypnotize is an exhilaratingexperience.

However, in 201 we peer into the subconscious and plum it's depths. No one can take this class and not be transformed. From observingthe power of ideomotor response in the healing process to understanding thedynamics of age regression, 201 is a life changing experience. Marc Savard and I will be there and I hope you will join us as we uncover and explore the subconscious side of the mind. Join this class only if you areready to grow, change and excel.

Self Hypnosis Class is wrapping up...

Tomorrow evening concludes our self-hypnosis class for the International Institute of Hypnosis. For those of you who attended, thank you, and we hope you got plenty of valuable information from the class.

We will be holding another class in June. Please visit our calendar of events to sign up and register.

Marc

The top 3 mistakes people make when choosing a hypnotherapist

Most people are pickier about choosing a good restaurant to eat in then they are about selecting a qualified hypnotherapist to work with. Here are the top three mistakes people make when choosing a hypnotherapist and what you need to know to avoid them.

Mistake #1: “It didn’t work”
All too often I will hear someone say, “I tried hypnosis once but “it” didn’t work.” I have news for you- there is no “it.” The hypnotherapist is working with your mind and body; not some metaphysical force. Just because you were hypnotized doesn’t guarantee you will get the results you were looking for. If fact, I tell my students that hypnotizing the person is the easiest part. The real work starts after the client is in hypnosis.

Bottom Line
The therapists experience, skill level and understanding of your particular problem makes a real difference. When considering someone to work with ask questions. Interview questions such as, “Please tell me about your hypnotherapy training? How many times have you worked with this issue in the past? What results have you seen?” will give you a good picture of who you are dealing with. Find a hypnotherapist who is competent working with your issue and one you are comfortable working with. See if the hypnotherapist will give you a free, short phone consultation to make sure that your problem matches the hypnotherapist’s skill level.

Mistake #2: “This guy’s the closest and the cheapest”
Hypnosis is more popular then ever. Today, most yellow pages and online guides are filled with hypnotherapists in your local area. While convenience is a good way to shop for a 7-11, it rarely works well when looking for a qualified hypnotherapist. This isn’t like getting your hair cut.

Your time with the hypnotherapist is, or at least can be, a powerful experience. Think about it, how often do you get a chance to be hypnotized? The time you spend in hypnosis is a unique opportunity to learn about yourself, to make dramatic change and to accelerate personal grow. Take the time to get the most out of the process. Even the time you travel to and from your hypnotherapy session can be extremely valuable because it gives you a chance to internalize your experience.

Bottom Line
While you may want to use hypnosis to just quit smoking or lose weight, the opportunity for some serious self-exploration and insight exists. Make a personal commitment to get the most from this unique and potential profound experience. While you certainly have to stay within your budget and likely have limited time available to work on yourself, don’t just pick the first name in the phone book. Be selective even if you have to travel or invest a few dollars more. You are worth it.


Mistake #3: “I want a Ph.D.”
“And I thought you wanted results,” is my standard reply when clients tell me they want me to be a licensed clinical psychologist. Not all licensed therapists are trained in hypnosis. In fact, in most states, licensed therapists are not required to take any training in hypnotherapy at all. Hypnotherapy is a separate and distinct form of people helping and you do not need to be a psychologist to practice. I will put my track record of safety and success up against anyone’s – licensed or unlicensed. From Tony Robbins to Harvard grads, bring it on.

However, and this is very important, hypnotherapy and non-licensed hypnotherapists have some very strict limitations. Unless they have additional training and proper licensing, Certified Hypnotherapists are not trained to diagnosis or treat mental disorders or medical problems. They are forbidden from prescribing (or even making recommendations about) medications.

The best hypnotherapists know their limitations and learn to work with the licensed community. I regularly get referrals from MD’s, licensed counselors and even psychiatrists because I practice “complementary care” not “alternative medicine.” For more information about the lawful practice of hypnotherapy please visit http://www.thehypnosisschool.com/.

Bottom Line
Whether a therapist is licensed or not make sure they have had special training in hypnosis. The practice of hypnotherapy is both a science and an art. Learning hypnosis out of a book is like learning to fly a plane from watching television.
On the other hand, beware the hypnotherapist who thinks hypnosis is a panacea-curing everything from cancer to schizophrenia. This person is either a conman or terribly ignorant. Hypnosis is a powerful tool but not for every problem. Pick a hypnotherapist who is grounded and professional and who has a proven track record for success.

Robber Hypnotizes Store Clerk

Why Everyone Needs to Take Training in Hypnosis

I have said it before and feel compelled to say it again- just because you are a licensed therapist doesn’t mean you understand hypnosis. Case in point is a recent video interview on MSNBC with Dr. Joy Brown (see link below)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23766568#23766568

about a series of robberies in Italy in which the bandit “hypnotized” the cashier and “suggested” that they hand him all the cash in the register, which they did.

Dr. Browne laughed off the idea that someone could be made to do something in hypnosis that violated their ethics or morals. Dr. Browne also stated that the reason the clerks gave away the cash was that they were doing the smart thing. After all they’re minimum wage employees faced with a crazy person demanding money. Forking over the lira makes sense.

On both these points the doctor and I are in complete agreement. It is smart store policy to turn over the cash to a robber without a fight. Cash can be replaced. People can not. And it is a childish fantasy to believe that you can hypnotize a person and make them do your absolute bidding. Whether you think you are Svengali or use “street hypnosis”- I hate to break it to you - but the people you are hypnotizing are not “in your power.” Grow up.

So, as far as control and the power of hypnosis are concerned, Dr. Browne and I are on the same page. Beyond that however we are barely in the same chapter. First, Dr. Browne states that very few people are “suggestible”. Perhaps P.T. Barnum had it wrong when he said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” but I don’t think so.

Most people are highly suggestible. Suggestibility is the reason that marketing works. Suggestibility is the reason you cry when the hero on TV dies- even through you know he’s living in Malibu and dating a supermodel! Suggestibility is the reason an athlete can take the coach’s “suggestions” and turn them it into performance on the court, course or field. The reason people don’t just hand over money when it is “suggested” to them to do so is that most people who have a job- even a menial one- just aren’t that stupid. Stupidity and suggestibility are not the same.

My second beef with the Doctor’s assessment of the hypno-bandit comes when she is asked by the interviewer if someone “could be hypnotized that quickly.” Her answer is no and here is where the lack of exposure shows through. Just about every Hypnosis 101 class demonstrates (or should demonstrate) the shock or rapid induction. Most variations of rapid hypnosis involve overloading the nervous system with a startling command while simultaneously disturbing the subject’s equilibrium. Rapid hypnosis takes about 3 seconds and uses the same principles as an arm levitation induction which could take 20 minutes. The rapid inductions can be very effective when a person is slow to respond to conventional attempts at inducing hypnosis.

My third point of disagreement is in the Doctor’s unfortunate use of the phrase “under hypnosis.” “Under” is a pejorative term. Think of the underlining message behind the phrases “under a spell” or “under my thumb” and you will quickly see why knowledgeable hypnotists use the term “in” as opposed to “under” when referring to the hypnotic state. “In” builds rapport while “under” breeds resistance. I am not picking on the Doctor. Hypnosis achieves its effect with words so semantics matter. Wise hypnotists chose their words well to avoid being thrown “under the bus.”

Now don’t get me wrong. It is obvious that Joy Browne is a very bright and intelligent person. From her poise and confidence in front of the camera you can see she is loaded with personal power. I imagine that she is a gifted therapist. However, when it comes to hypnosis, it is doubtful that the doctor has done much more than read about the subject. It is also highly unlikely that she has ever been hypnotized. Talking about hypnosis without having experienced the state is like telling someone about cooking when you have never tasted food.

Even Carl Jung found hypnosis perplexing so Dr. Browne is easily forgiven.
But using hypnosis is a science and an art. No matter what your doctorate is in or how many years of med school you have, you still need to take the training to become a proficient practitioner or a knowledgeable spokesperson.