Fun/Memorable Hypnosis Sessions #1: Hypnotising my first “difficult” client

I absolutely love what I do (hypnosis) and wanted to share some highlights of fun/memorable sessions. This story is part of a series where I recount some fun/memorable hypnosis sessions I have enjoyed over the years. All client identities are kept 100% anonymous.

I had a client come to me a few years ago – very nervous. An older gentleman, he had been interested in hypnosis for almost 30 years and had been actively trying to experience trance for over 20 years with no success. I recall he was fidgeting and reluctant to make eye contact. Simultaneously excited at the prospect of enjoying trance and resigned to the fact that based on multiple previous experience with other hypnotists it wouldn’t work, he was nervous, conflicted and far from what many would deem a “good” candidate to work with. After all, what hypnotist wants to take on a client who has seen multiple hypnotists for many years and yet never been able to trance?

Well – me, as it turns out. I really wanted to work with him. I am a firm believer in the potential of trance. Of all the possibilities for pleasure that exist in this special experience and I guess I’ve also never been one to turn down a challenge. When people try and tell me that I can’t do something or that something can’t be done, oftentimes my response has been to say “okay” and then proceed to attempt it. I figure that often there’s a lesson to be learned, even if I don’t achieve the outcome I am expecting.

So, with that in mind I agreed to enjoy a Skype session with this new client who had never tranced before. I knew going in that none of the “typical” inductions would work. No doubt many hypnotists before me had already tried them (obviously without success) so I had to come up with something different. And I did.

I sketched out some potential ideas before the session, but I decided not to go into too much detail with any single idea as I wanted to be flexible – to be able to have the ability to explore, see what worked and adapt to the signals the client was offering me. I wanted to be able to be flexible and responsive rather than relying on following a “tried and tested” common induction.

Not going to lie – it was a challenge. The client was very nervous and consistently reiterated he wasn’t sure that this would work. It became obvious to me that launching straight into trance would only put him on edge due to the expectations based on previous experiences. As a result, I decided to take things slow and focus on putting him at ease. I’ve learned over the years that relaxation isn’t a requirement for enjoying trance, but being confident in the person hypnotising you is. I gave him time to get to know me. To ask questions. Gradually he became less tense and worried. We talked about all sorts of things ranging from how he became involved in hypnosis right the way through to his hobbies.

Soon enough the conversation began to flow more smoothly and he became much calmer. He was less directly focused on trance and instead simply enjoying our conversation. Over time his breathing naturally slowed and deepened a little. He relaxed more without direct prompting from me. I noticed other subtle hints and signs that suggested he was receptive (if not consciously aware of this fact) to exploring trance.

I took things gradually. There was no rush and initially I didn’t make direct suggestions or commands. I allowed him to explore how his experience was evolving without dictating its speed or direction. Instead I was his guide. I was there to support and reassure him. Remind him that he didn’t need to “try”.

Over time his confidence grew and by the end of our session he’d not only experienced deep trance for me, but I had been able to give him post-hypnotic triggers that could be used (solely by me for safety reasons) even when he was not in trance. They were simple – for example the command “trance” would send him instantly back to a trance state – but effective and the beaming smile on his face once he realised he had finally achieved this experience he had been dreaming of for so, so long was one of pure joy. He was like a child at Christmas – so happy and excited. For my part, I was also really happy that he had been able to experience and enjoy trance.

Since then I have built a solid reputation as someone who is able to successfully hypnotise people who have previously struggled to enjoy trance. I accomplish this by using a more relaxed, conversational style and tailoring my approach specifically to the individual I am working with rather than relying on some of the more typical/common inductions such as progressive relaxation and countdowns. I really do love what I do and feel incredibly lucky to be able to offer my clients the opportunity to enjoy such a special experience.

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