How to bring someone out of Trance that isn't responding?

[amber lee poole]

Hi everyone....

In my training they didn't cover how to bring someone out of trance that isn't responding to the counting back/down, etc....

I had someone the other day that was very deep (i'm sorry but i'm not sure on correct terminology yet) and after counting back about 3 times she came up and out nicely BUT I had a lady yesterday that went so deep that even counting didn't work - clicked my fingers, with instructions to say i would, and in the end i gently touched her arm....

Well, she jumped!!!!!! I felt awful for her!! She was fine with me and told me that a time before with another therapist the same thing happened and they couldn't get her back....

I know she wasn't upset or angry but i don't ever want one of my clients to come back into the room with such a start again - it felt like i had shocked her to reality.

So, please, can someone either give me some detailed steps to take if this happens or point me somewhere in which i can gain the knowledge and learn it so i can limit this happening in the future??? I'm sure it will happen again but I want to at least know that i'm skilled enough to deal with it :)

Thank you all in advance xoxox

Amber

[John Cleesattel]

Amber,
First, understand that we are well used to bringing ourselves into and out of trance all by ourselves. When someone resists coming out of trance, it is because they don't want to. It does feel really good and there can be lots of secondary gain. With the few folks that I have had that were resistant to coming back out, I said the following:

"I know how good this feels to you, but you have to understand that if you don't come out of trance right now, you will never feel this good again. Now 1, 2, 3, wide awake."

Worked like a charm.
John

[Conca]

I second this, as long as you tell them that they won't be able to feel this good unless they come out of trance now, they will (9 times out of 10) come out. Also you probably won't have to do it again as they are conditioned now.

John Cleesattel said:

Amber,
First, understand that we are well used to bringing ourselves into and out of trance all by ourselves. When someone resists coming out of trance, it is because they don't want to. It does feel really good and there can be lots of secondary gain. With the few folks that I have had that were resistant to coming back out, I said the following: "I know how good this feels to you, but you have to understand that if you don't come out of trance right now, you will never feel this good again. Now 1, 2, 3, wide awake."

Worked like a charm.
John

[amber lee poole]

Gr8! I will add this to the dialogue if i'm finding they are resisting :) I am amazed that i have had 2 people in the same space of time do this!

[Conca]

Well I'd take it as a sign you are doing extremely well! Just think how deep they must have been and how comfortable they were to have not wanted to come out of trance!

Well Done

Conca

amber lee poole said:

Gr8! I will add this to the dialogue if i'm finding they are resisting :) I am amazed that i have had 2 people in the same space of time do this!

[Brian David Phillips]

Amber, google "hypnotic coma threat" for the protocol. It's down at the bottom of http://www.nononsensehypnosis.com/GHS1.html if you can't find it elsewhere. It happens every once in awhile and most good trainings will include it (along with how to handle a spontaneous abreaction which I notice is being taught in fewer course despite being very much something folks should need to know how to do, whether or not it is a common experience).

All the best,
Brian
http://www.briandavidphillips.com

[amber lee poole]

Thanx Brian! Have copied the details and will keep close by - my main concern was the fact she jumped and was so shocked! It says in the coma state info to gentle shake them, but of course i hadn't asked her to verbally respond...i just placed my hand on her after telling her i would, and she jumped... if someone comes out of hypnosis with such a start can it be bad for them??

She said she was fine and was perfectly happy, this is just my concern to make sure i'm doing the best by my client, as always :)

Amber

[Conca]

I don't think there will be any long term effects from it, you merely shocked her, just like say a loud bang. You are startled but you soon regain full functioning. Just think, some of the instant inductions use shocks as induction techniques so don't worry.

Next time if it happens I would generally stay away from touching them as you may shock them again. I would advise using the method John Cleesattel suggested as there is no risk of scaring them. Also if you do shock them, just take them back into hypnosis, (probably light/medium will do), and tell them to emerge feeling wonderful and relaxed.

Conca

amber lee poole said:

Thanx Brian! Have copied the details and will keep close by - my main concern was the fact she jumped and was so shocked! It says in the coma state info to gentle shake them, but of course i hadn't asked her to verbally respond...i just placed my hand on her after telling her i would, and she jumped... if someone comes out of hypnosis with such a start can it be bad for them??

She said she was fine and was perfectly happy, this is just my concern to make sure i'm doing the best by my client, as always :)

Amber

[Fable Goodman]

Hi Amber,

It is always a possibility (probability) , that she had simply fell asleep.

If no response to usual temination suggestions,

I would use the same principles as I would for anyone who was asleep.

Treat them gently and with respect.
Do not touch them.
gradually increase your volume levels, (talk louder, and closer to their ear) saying that they are now once again becoming more aware of the sound of your voice, until you have regained their conscious attention, and repeat the arousing suggestions,.

I definately do not reccomend the 'blackmail' technique, of saying that if they don't come out of it now, they will not be able to go into this state again.

LOve and hugs,


Fable

[Conca]

But if someone is in a hypnotic coma they are not going to listen to you because they are in a state of such deep relaxation.

Conca

Fable Goodman said:

Hi Amber,

It is always a possibility (probability) , that she had simply fell asleep.

If no response to usual temination suggestions,

I would use the same principles as I would for anyone who was asleep.

Treat them gently and with respect.
Do not touch them.
gradually increase your volume levels, (talk louder, and closer to their ear) saying that they are now once again becoming more aware of the sound of your voice, until you have regained their conscious attention, and repeat the arousing suggestions,.

I definately do not reccomend the 'blackmail' technique, of saying that if they don't come out of it now, they will not be able to go into this state again.

LOve and hugs,


Fable

[Stephen Gruber - www. ask-the-hypnotist.com]

I find that saying "You may stay there as long as you like but I will have to charge you for a double session if you staty there" does the trick :-). It's a good way to teach people that they are the ones in control of going into and out of hypnosis.

Stephen

[amber lee poole]

Crikey Stephen, well done for being able to say that but i don't think that would go down well from me!

What about things like clicking your fingers loudly, after the suggestion that you are going to, or even a clap or something - if touching them is not really appropriate....

Is this something that happens often or have i just had my whole 10yrs worth brought to me in 2wks!!!???

I really appreciate all suggestions and i know that out of them i will find what works for my personality :) Please everyone keep them coming - i'm not feeling quite sure about this yet!!

Amber

[Conca]

Clicking won't help in this situation.

First of all a hypnotic coma is a very very deep state of hypnosis that most people will not want to emerge from because it is highly relaxing. But they are by no means dead or comatose. They can hear you and they can formulate what they want to say in their head but they just will not want to move or speak. Dave Elman had a student that panicked during this situation and the student was saying things like "The building is on fire! WAKE UP!!!" in an attempt to wake him but the client said afterwards that he knew that it wasn't on fire because nobody moved. So that doesn't work either.

In my experience the only way to get them out is by doing the so called "blackmail" method. I don't believe it is blackmail as you are trying to wake them, not get them to give you their money.

And it seems that you have had ten years worth already as you say, it does not happen very often, in fact the last time I had a client in a hypnotic coma was 2 years ago and fortunately I knew exactly what to do.

Conca

amber lee poole said:

Crikey Stephen, well done for being able to say that but i don't think that would go down well from me!

What about things like clicking your fingers loudly, after the suggestion that you are going to, or even a clap or something - if touching them is not really appropriate....

Is this something that happens often or have i just had my whole 10yrs worth brought to me in 2wks!!!???

I really appreciate all suggestions and i know that out of them i will find what works for my personality :) Please everyone keep them coming - i'm not feeling quite sure about this yet!!

Amber