In the hypnotism part of sessions with clients, I do most of the talking.  Sometimes we have a simple conversation, but that’s rare.  Usually clients answer some questions with very short answers.  Depending on the depth of the trance, they may not say anything.

Feedback is essential.  During the trance I always test my clients’ depth by observing their responses to certain suggestions.  At the lightest level of trance they will lose control of simple motor functions.  At the deepest levels they will experience hallucinations and negative hallucinations (not seeing something that is there).  I always test.

The feedback I need is immediately after the trance.  I want to know what their experience was like for them, if they were comfortable, if there was any idea or impulse or memory they want to talk about.  I want to know whatever impressions they had that they might want to talk about.  I want to know what hypnosis was like for them.

I don’t ask these things out of curiosity; I ask because the information is essential to their success, and to the way I will conduct the next trance session.  For example, if I know what their individual idea of hypnosis is, I can suggest it to them and they will be able to slip into that state more easily and quickly.  Their answers to my questions also reveal whether I went too quickly or too slowly of if they need concrete or more accurate instructions and descriptions.  Sometimes they pick up on subtleties that I miss, because they are extremely attentive to certain details while in the trance state.

I won’t know most of this information if I don’t ask, because during hypnosis they are sitting passively in a chair, physically relaxed.  Of course, there are many signs that I can see: rapid eye movement, changes in breathing, especially in response to suggestions of physical relaxation, abreactions, fidgeting, etc.

Abreactions are physical movements in response to suggestions.  They can vary in intensity, and they are always significant and must be explored if the client is to be successful.  I always ask about physical reactions, because I need to know what was going on at that time.  It may have been their subconscious reacting in some way–or they might have been physically cold or uncomfortable.  It’s essential that I find out more, so I can help them succeed in the best possible way.

Sometimes certain words or phrases are distracting to them because they remind them of specific situations.  I like to snap my fingers as a cue, but some clients are startled by that, so I’ll do something else such as a gentle knock on my wooden desk.

Feedback closes the loop of communication with my client.  A few simple explanations and descriptions from them help me to understand what to do differently in order that they achieve what they set out to do!

As the seasons change in a temperate climate, one day the temperature drops considerably, suddenly getting our attention.  If we had been watching more closely, we would have seen the signs of change all along.  The first day of autumn can seem like a typical summer day.  Then a day comes that’s nothing like summer, and we become conscious that the seasons are changing all the time.

I have this theory that people are seasonal, too.

Societies condition us to changes that most people don’t question or rebel against.  In September, we go back to school.  For those who don’t attend classes, there are other effects to be considered, such as changing traffic patterns and volume, school buses and pedestrians, and changes in sporting events and cycles in television programming.

There are subtle changes that go on within us, too.  We tend to go inward during the colder seasons.  If you decide to go with the flow of our seasonal society, this is the time to choose a project and begin to plan it by visualizing the outcome, the process, and gathering resources.

Autumn and winter are the seasons when it seems more natural to spend more time with our inner thoughts—developing, planning, and producing.  Not only do we stay indoors more, but we also go inward, listening more to our inner voices of creativity.

Stresses that are commonplace during the summer months seem different these days.  There seems to be more pressure.  Why?  Because we are seasoned to begin bigger projects in September.  Society has taught us to choose, plan, stay on track.  Don’t fall behind!  Get good grades and keep up with expectations.  And when, at a certain age, attendance at school stops for most people, we are still left with seasonal expectations that we are to be productive and conventionally successful.

Fortunately for clients, consulting hypnotists are subconscious behaviorists.  We can  understand the forces that drive them.  All we have to do is learn to understand the trance that they’re already in, and help them learn to break their undesired pattern so that they can go on with their conscious desires.

Seasonal change can be used as a metaphor for creative cycles and productivity.  Anyone can understand that different seasons have different expectations and challenges—as well as rewards.  If we choose worthy goals in autumn, we can work on them throughout the winter, and in spring everything will turn green.  Our efforts blossom as the frost fades and buds appear all around.

So what’s in store for all of us this year?  Something different for each of us!  Something that we’re already building, consciously and subconsciously.  Let me ask you a question: Do you consult a hypnotist for help in achieving your goals?  If not, why not?  I wish you much success this winter, while we create our successes and embrace the changes that are inevitable.!