As hypnotists, when we hypnotize a client and we use the power of suggestion to help them reach a specific goal or alter a certain behaviour pattern, we usually look to achieve that result for the long term.
It's true that short term goals can benefit from hypnotherapy as well, like using hypnotherapy to prepare for a job interview, for example.
But usually, there is the desire to change behaviour permanently.
Whether it's to improve confidence, or the ability to relax, or whatever else the reason may be to seek therapy, a client usually seeks a permanent behavioural change or improvement.
Even though the therapy itself is relatively brief, say 30 minutes or so a few times per week, the idea is that the result will carry on in day-to-day life, outside of the hypnotic state.
Post hypnotic suggestion means just that, that once you are out of the hypnotic state, you will have taken a suggestion onboard unconsciously, and you will apply it in your every day life.
For example, if I say to you while in hypnosis, "you will feel more confident", my goal is that you not only feel it as you are hearing it, hypnotized, but that you will in fact feel more confident in your regular wakened state, without having to consciously check yourself or think about it.
The term post hypnotic suggestion shouldn't be associated with behaviours that aren't typical of the person, or that go against their core beliefs or values.
For example, you can't be driven to do things against your will.
Post-hypnotic suggestion will alter those behaviours which you have consciously chosen to work on or improve.
It's not an exact science, and certainly there needs to be ethical and professional practice on the part of the hypnotherapist, but a client needn't worry that he will be lead to do things in his wakened state that he wouldn't willingly choose to do.
Post hypnotic suggestion can be delivered in many ways.
I personally prefer to use positive suggestion rather than negative.
In other words, I will say something like "you will feel calm and reassured", rather than say "you won't feel anxious".
This is the same targeted outcome, to reduce anxiety in my client, but I choose to deliver the message with positive rather than negative wording.
As far as direct or indirect suggestion, in one on one therapy, I go with what I feel will work for the individual.
On our recordings, obviously it's a bit of both.
It's true that short term goals can benefit from hypnotherapy as well, like using hypnotherapy to prepare for a job interview, for example.
But usually, there is the desire to change behaviour permanently.
Whether it's to improve confidence, or the ability to relax, or whatever else the reason may be to seek therapy, a client usually seeks a permanent behavioural change or improvement.
Even though the therapy itself is relatively brief, say 30 minutes or so a few times per week, the idea is that the result will carry on in day-to-day life, outside of the hypnotic state.
Post hypnotic suggestion means just that, that once you are out of the hypnotic state, you will have taken a suggestion onboard unconsciously, and you will apply it in your every day life.
For example, if I say to you while in hypnosis, "you will feel more confident", my goal is that you not only feel it as you are hearing it, hypnotized, but that you will in fact feel more confident in your regular wakened state, without having to consciously check yourself or think about it.
The term post hypnotic suggestion shouldn't be associated with behaviours that aren't typical of the person, or that go against their core beliefs or values.
For example, you can't be driven to do things against your will.
Post-hypnotic suggestion will alter those behaviours which you have consciously chosen to work on or improve.
It's not an exact science, and certainly there needs to be ethical and professional practice on the part of the hypnotherapist, but a client needn't worry that he will be lead to do things in his wakened state that he wouldn't willingly choose to do.
Post hypnotic suggestion can be delivered in many ways.
I personally prefer to use positive suggestion rather than negative.
In other words, I will say something like "you will feel calm and reassured", rather than say "you won't feel anxious".
This is the same targeted outcome, to reduce anxiety in my client, but I choose to deliver the message with positive rather than negative wording.
As far as direct or indirect suggestion, in one on one therapy, I go with what I feel will work for the individual.
On our recordings, obviously it's a bit of both.