Turn Almost Anyone Into a

SomnambulistStephanie C. Conkle

https://www.StephanieConkle.com

“If the patient (client) is as

resistive as can be, you’d

better use that resistance in

some way.”

-Milton H. Erickson

Today’s Discussion…

Understand what resistance really is at it’s foundation.

1

Learn how to work with resistance using Ericksonian techniques and others.

2

Discover how to turn anyone into a somnambulist by using F.U.C.C.

3

Somnambulist

Utilization Method

Whatever the patient (client) brings, or

whatever exists in the setting, use that

to achieve therapeutic and hypnotic

ends.

Any action, pattern, or behavior

happening in the present moment can

be utilized to elicit hypnosis.

“Stephanie,

Thank you for the work we did together

last summer and just this last week. My

tennis game has improved a lot – my

ability to focus and make use of

anchors has reduced choking in

matches by 90% – looking forward to

knocking out that last 10 percent.”

Gary B.

Atlanta, GA

Definition of

resistance

1. The refusal to accept or

comply with something; the

attempt to prevent something

by action or argument.

2. The ability NOT to be affected

by something, especially

adversely.

Resistance is the body’s

way of:

Guarding itself from physical or emotional

discomfort.

Maintaining (the feeling of) control.

What else? ___________________________

“The Resistant Part is formally resisting for a valid

reason and possibly expressing very potently the

life survival instinct.”

-Milton H. Erickson

Resistance is the body’s

way of:

Guarding itself from physical or emotional

discomfort.

Maintaining (the feeling of) control.

What else? Expressing the life survival instinct

Resistance only resists if you push back.

Getting “little wins” is

important.

Affirmative

Momentum

(The Yes Set)

“You came to see me today on your lunch break...didn’t you?”

(Fact/Yes)

“And it feels great to be relaxing now instead of

working…right?” (Fact/Yes)

“And your chair is supporting you

comfortably…isn’t it?” (Fact/Yes)

“And you are beginning to feel a little better about experiencing

hypnosis now.” (Presupposition/Yes)

“Resistance is energy.”

-Milton Erickson

Energy can be:

✓ Harnessed

✓ Controlled

✓ Re-directed

✓ Transferred

✓ Transformed

Working with Resistance

Confuse the resistance by using

conversation and confusion

inductions. (pattern interrupts.)

Pepper confusion into

conversation, covertly

Working with Resistance

Develop the art of the conversation Remove fear and set expectations in a conversational way that

feeds back to the client what they just said to you, using their

words, metaphors, and phrases.

Compound suggestions (pepper it throughout the conversation)

Slip in direct commands using a real or fake quote by someone in

authority

You showing up to my office today reminds me of something Abraham Lincoln once said, “You will change quickly once you take

the first step.”

Working with Resistance

Reverse Paradox Strategy

“I don’t want you to relax too quickly. And I

really want you to try very hard to resist. Don’t

allow yourself to go into trance now.”

Working with Resistance

Anchor the resistance

Resistance can be linked to a person’s objections or difficulties co-operating with

some location, aspect of his experience, or area of his body.

Working with Resistance

Use resistance as a deepener

“The more you resist hypnosis, the deeper you go…”

Working with Resistance

Non-Awareness SetDissociates the consciousness from the

unconsciousness

Places emphasis on unconscious processes

Acknowledges things are happening beyond their control at a level below awareness (going into hypnosis)

(Check out Igor Ledochowski’s work on Non-Awareness Sets.)

Working with Resistance

Inner Conflict Resolution

Negotiate with

The “Rebellious Part”

(Check out Roy Hunter’s workshops on Parts Therapy.)

Working with Resistance

Use humor and laughter

(Check out James Hazelrig’s book, The Little Book of Laughnosis.)

Somnambulist?

Condition the Subject

Conditioning means to gradually bringing

someone into a desired state.

Confidence is Key

Whether it’s real or feigned –the energy of

confidence must be present in the

changeworker…

Otherwise, the suggestion will not be taken.(A pokerface wins!)

Hand Over the Control

The Hidden Observer is the part of our brain that stays awake and protects us at all times, but that name can sound scary to the client. Call it the Inner Protector, instead, and set up the Inner Protector to release any fear of being out of control.

“You have an Inner Protector that is protecting you at all times. If I say anything to you that you deem inappropriate, not only can you, but it is your responsibility to wake up out of trance and let me know.” (Credit for this sentence goes to Aino Welch.)

When the client understands they are really in control of the session, they will allow themselves to go into deep trance. And it puts the onus on them to create the trance state and stay in it. Give direct commands: "You are in control. You are safe. You feel it. You know it.”

F.U.C.C..

When you come across a resistant client and

think to yourself, “Oh fuck!” …simply remember

to change the “k” to a “c” and you will do

great!

Fractionation – Repeatedly elicit inward

and outward focus

Utilization – Use the subject’s own experiences and the current environment

Confusion – Disorient or overwhelm the mind to force an transderivational search

for meaning (deepens the state)

Conditioning – Gradually bring the subject into trance by eliciting little wins and

covertly compounding suggestions

Profound

Somnambulism

Protocol

Profound Somnambulism

❖ Join my Profound Somnambulism and Beyond Facebook group if

you are a hypnotherapist interested in learning more about deep

trance states with subconscious dialogue.

❖ When you are ready to purchase the Profound Somnambulism video course, earn 10 CEUS, and bring your hypnosis skills to the top

level, contact me at:

Facebook messenger (stephconkle)

Stephanie@clearliferesults.com

tinyurl.com/PSprotocol

“Every client is unique and deserves to

be treated in a unique way!”

-Milton H. Erickson

References

•“Demo Working with Resistance”, Jeffrey Zeig, Ph.D.

•“Exploring the Genius of Milton Erickson,” Jeffrey Zeig, Ph.D.

•“Overcome Resistance in Hypnosis: Reverse Paradox Induction,” Richard Nongard, subliminalscience.com

•Articles:

•“3 Trusty Tips for Dealing with Resistant Clients,” Mike Tyrrell, hypnotherapyboard.org

•“Dealing with Resistance in Hypnosis,” Mike Tyrrell, hypnotherapyboard.org

•“Milton H. Erickson,” Wikipedia

Videos/lectures:

•Ericksonian Approaches to Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, edited by Jeffrey K. Zeig

•Healing in Hypnosis, Milton H. Erickson

•An Uncommon Casebook: The Complete Work of Milton H, Erickson, M.D., Compiled by O’Hanlon and Hexum

•The February Man, Milton H. Erickson

•Uncommon Therapy, Jay Haley

•My Voice Will Go with You, Sidney Rosen

Books: