Why is the initial consultation so important? What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?

I suspect that the primary ethical note that Chrysalis will be looking for is that of contraindicators, i.e. is hypnotherapy suitable for this person?

In the module notes there is a section somewhere on who they think we should not use hypnotherapy on, e.g. schizophrenics. I would say that pretty much everyone on their list could be questioned. However, that may be a debate for another time!

Also, on this topic, you might want to mention something about when you would require consent from a GP, etc.

The initial consultation is important - in their eyes - because it is where all the previous stuff is assessed. You also use the time to discuss any fears/questions/misconceptions regarding hypnosis. This is also the place where you would build rapport, look at modalities, induction style, discuss payment, etc.

You might also want to drop a sentence in about whether or not to offer a free initial consultation, or charge?

Realistically, the initial consultation is a place for acquiring information and exploring the client's history. It is also when you might choose to assess their learning style, modalities and so on. However, in terms of ethics, the above is essential information to remember to put in the essay. The rest of the stuff you will already know about from your previous essay on personalised inductions.

Useful References

Heap, M. (2009) Introduction to Hypnosis. In M. Heap and W. Dryden (Eds.), Hypnotherapy: A Handbook (Chapter 1, pp. 1 -14). Berkshire: Open University Press.

Karle, H. W. A. (2009) ‘Professional and Ethical Issues.’ In M. Heap and W. Dryden (Eds.), Hypnotherapy: A Handbook (Chapter 11, pp. 184 -199). Berkshire: Open University Press.

The Hypnotherapy Society Code Of Ethics

Homework Assignment:   Why is the initial consultation so important?   What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?

IntroductionThe initial consultation before therapy is probably the most important part of the whole procedure.   As this will form the basis of the therapy.   It is very important for the therapist to begin gathering information on a client from the moment they first walk through the door.   The correct steps that need to be taken in order to make the therapy a success can begin to be formed from that point on.   On the other side of the fence it is equally important for the client to make a positive connection with the therapist.   It is very important for the therapist to instil a feeling of confidence and trust that can then be built upon and intensified.As we have learnt in previous modules, all people are individual, and that there is no prescribed ‘one size fits all’ induction and therapy.   Therefore all that can be learnt initially is of great importance.   The first consultation’s goal is to uncover the best route of therapy for the client making it as individual as they are.

In this essay I shall attempt to describe how the first consultation can pick out the

best route of therapy for a client because from the moment we are born our subconscious starts to store the knowledge that we need for survival.   When a client comes to us we must try to find out the learnt information that has been stored in their subconscious so that we can retrain the part that has gone wrong.

Why is the initial consultation so important?To understand why the initial consultation is so important we need to look back at how the conscious and subconscious minds work for us.     When we are born our experiences are a blank page.   We have genetic information from our biological parents and our functional instincts which are etched into our...

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Why is the initial consultation so important? What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?

      In this essay I will discuss the importance of client consultation, talk about the questions the therapist should ask the client and the ethical reasons and contraindications the therapist should be looking out for.

      When a person has a specific problem, whether it is a fear or phobia or something they wish to change about themselves, they may consult a hypnotherapist to help them overcome their problem, during hypnotherapy the therapist will address the clients specific needs. But before the therapist can decide the correct route to therapy it is necessary for them to conduct an assessment of the client during the first consultation. They may advertise a free initial consultation, if they do, it should be made clear that only the first half hour is free, then if both the client and therapist are happy to continue, the client must then pay for the therapists time. There should be a contract between the client and therapist outlining the estimated number of therapy sessions needed, what will be involved and the therapist must complete the therapy as soon as they believe the client has overcome the problem they have consulted the therapist about.

      It is important that the relationship between client and therapist never oversteps the boundaries of a professional relationship, it is necessary to build a relationship with a client but this relationship may never become anything else, if at any time the therapist suspects the relationship is becoming anything but client and therapist, they must end any treatment and refer the client to another therapist. A therapist can also use the initial assessment to make sure they do not already know the person they are about to treat, this is called a dual relationship. The therapist must also ensure they do not have any other personal feelings for the client.

      During the...

Why is the Initial Consultation so Important? What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?The initial Consultation is important because it will give a chance for the hypnotherapist to meet the client face to face, and look for indications of the physical condition which may underline a substantial psychological problem. There is a vast amount of information to obtain on the patient in question. This information will aid

the hypnotherapist in building a rapport with the patient; also allow a connection trust to be formed. Of course the information acquired on the patient is the key to the initial assessment and to establish if the therapist is necessary but inevitably it comes down to the therapist and their manner. The reason why an ethical therapist would offer a free initial consultation is because it would show the commitment to the client through devoting their time to them, to talk, get to know them and make them feel comfortable.A hypnotherapist can find out why the client has come to see them, what their problems are and whether or not hypnotherapy is right for them, and whether they have had hypnotherapy before if not then the therapist can explain to the client what hypnotherapy is and how it can help them, they also will need to find out whether they are on medication or not, and to see if they will need their gp’s permission before giving hypnotherapy.The first consultation can be free and last up to 30 minutes. The consultation can give the client a chance to ask questions, find out more about Hypnotherapy and decide whether these solutions focused approaches are right for them. There will be an opportunity to talk about the issues they want to address in complete confidence and also to use the time to discuss any fears, phobias, anxiety, and stress. This is also the place where you would build rapport and look at modalities, induction style and discuss the payment charges. You will have a chance to build rapport with the client by...

Why is the initial consultation so important? What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?

The initial consultation may well be the most crucial aspect of all therapies. Everything from the interpersonal dynamic to the eventual success of the intervention has a basis in this first meeting between the client and the therapist. In seeing a client for the first time , some hypnotherapists offer a free consultation usually lasting 15 to 30 minutes to get to know the client, You will have to decide whether or not to give your consultation away free,

Indeed, the client’s decision to remain engaged with the therapeutic process will be determined by factors from this early stage. The consultation process is concerned with two primary aims; knowing the person and informing the person. The latter is somewhat less involved and aims to ensure that the client has a clear understanding of the therapist, the nature of hypnosis, and the guidelines within which both are framed. the initial consultation is a place for acquiring information ( name and the name by which they like to be known, address, contact details, occupation ,whether they have a partner or children, medication the client is taking, you can see if they have had any other therapies or counselling in the past and what that was for, medical history, family medical history).You also use the time to discuss any fears/questions/misconceptions regarding hypnosis. This is also the place where you would build rapport, look at modalities, induction style, discuss payment, Before gathering all the information you must explain to the client that all their notes will be stored away safely   and it will be kept confidential. The client needs to understand this because respecting the client’s confidentiality is a fundamental requirement of keeping trust.

Once you have gathered all the information you need from your client you can use this information to decide whether the client will be suitable for...

Why is the initial consultation so important? What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?”

2023Our personality and belief system is shaped from when we are born as we experience different things; learning things that our subconscious has stored as being necessary for our survival. If we have a negative concept of ourselves it’s the hypnotherapists job to find out as much information about the client as possible, therefore reprogramming a positive concept into the clients subconscious by using positive suggestions, this is why an initial consultation is so important. During this essay I am going to be describing and discussing “why the initial consultation so important and what factors an ethical therapist will cover at this time?”The initial consultation usually lasts for half an hour and gives the client the opportunity to meet the therapist in person and are ‘able to assess their suitability for your expertise’ (chrysalis pg15). It can help determine whether the client feels comfortable discussing and disclosing information with the therapist. You can also assess whether or not you can work with the client and especially if they feel they can work with the therapist and also whether hypnotherapy is suitable for the client. An ethical therapist needs to take make sure there is no sexual attraction, if this is the case the therapy should not continue. Obviously in the initial consultation you can determine the nature of the clients problem, this then depends on how many sessions the client will need, for example a one off quit smoking session may differ to another problem which may need 3-6 sessions or more. Therapists ‘work solely with neuroses and not psychoses’ (chrysalis mod2 p22) ethical therapists should cover this when assessing a client in an initial consultation and will discuss with the client what medical and mental health issues they may have so the therapist is aware of any contraindications or issues that might make inductions...

WHY IS THE INITIAL CONSULTATION SO IMPORTANT?   WHAT FACTORS WILL AN ETHICAL THERAPIST   COVER AT THIS TIME?

In this essay I will be looking at the purpose of the initial consultation, what happens during this meeting and why it is such an important time in the client/therapist relationship.   Obviously the main objective of this meeting is to establish if the client is suitable for this type of therapy and if there is a satisfactory therapeutic fit.   There are many other factors to be considered during this first meeting and various issues surrounding these.   I will endeavour to cover as many of these issues as possible in order to illustrate the importance of this initial consultation.

In meeting with the client for the first time it is very much learning about the client and their needs and of course their expectations of the possible therapy, and for the client to establish if this feels right for him in all aspects of the service being offered.   This session will be often be free and therefore relatively short, as well as being a crucial time for the therapist to gather as much information to begin a successful therapeutic relationship or not!   Information and data will usually be collected and added to a form that is generally referred to as a ‘Notation’.   This will cover questions such as:

  * Full name (also name they like to be referred to)  * Address and contact details (including permission to use these contact numbers etc)  * Occupation-current and previous  * G.P. name and surgery  * Medical history - current Medication and health problems, addictions  * Relationship status-names and ages/any long term relationship breakdown  * Childhood – brief description eg happy, average, bad childhood  * Hobbies/interests   * Problems in work life  * Problems in close relationships  * Any previous experience of Hypnotherapy or other therapies  * Dislikes/fears  * What is the clients goal and is this a long term problem/If...

In this essay I will be looking at the purpose of the initial consultation, what happens during this meeting and why it is such an important time in the client/therapist relationship.   Obviously the main objective of this meeting is to establish if the client is suitable for this type of therapy and if there is a satisfactory therapeutic fit.   There are many other factors to be considered during this first meeting and various issues surrounding these.   I will endeavour to cover as many of these issues as possible in order to illustrate the importance of this initial consultation.

In meeting with the client for the first time it is very much learning about the client and their needs and of course their expectations of the possible therapy, and for the client to establish if this feels right for him in all aspects of the service being offered.   This session will be often be free and therefore relatively short, as well as being a crucial time for the therapist to gather as much information to begin a successful therapeutic relationship or not!   Information and data will usually be collected and added to a form that is generally referred to as a ‘Notation’.   This will cover questions such as:  * Full name (also name they like to be referred to)  * Address and contact details (including permission to use these contact numbers etc)  * Occupation-current and previous  * G.P. name and surgery  * Medical history - current Medication and health problems, addictions  * Relationship status-names and ages/any long term relationship breakdown  * Childhood – brief description eg happy, average, bad childhood  * Hobbies/interests   * Problems in work life  * Problems in close relationships  * Any previous experience of Hypnotherapy or other therapies  * Dislikes/fears  * What is the clients goal and is this a long term problem/If...

Introduction

The initial consultation is important because it is where the clients concerns are addressed. This time is also used to discuss any problems, phobias, fears or

misconceptions that may arise from hypnotherapy. This is also the time to start building a connection with the client by asking questions and answering any they may have. It is at this initial meeting that you can start to look at modalities and induction styles. During this period you must speak about payment and the cost of the treatment. All the relevant information gathered by the therapist can be used to help the client solve their problems.

The Initial consultation

When meeting with the client for the first time, it will be a learning process for both the therapist and the client. This initial consultation is designed to gather important information by exploring the client’s background. The therapist will need to ask questions about the clients family both immediate (Mum, Dad and siblings) and marital (spouse and children).   This type of information is sometimes very personal to the client and their emotions may start to appear. This is a good time to show your professionalism by expressing empathy and not sympathy. There may be other questions that come out of this, question about friends, problems at home, relationships, childhood or the work place. The therapist will also need to ask some personal questions like their full name, age, address and contact number and how best to contact them (E-mail or Phone). The therapist must ask the client if they are on any medication or are under a Doctor for treatment, the therapist will also need to ask whether they need to gain the doctors permission, to use hypnotherapy as a treatment for this condition. The therapist should ask, whether they have had hypnotherapy before for this condition or any other, and did it work. This...

Why is the initial consultation so important?   What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?

Jane has been married for five years to her husband Peter.   Peter suggested Jane tried to do something about her smoking habit and Jane decided to seek the help of a hypnotherapist who was recommended by a friend.   On the initial questionnaire that Jane was required to fill in was the question: “When did you start smoking?” Jane’s answer was that she first started in her teenage years but managed to give up the habit by the time she got married at twenty.   She started again five years later when she found out her husband was having an affair with her best friend.

It was apparent from other answers she gave on the questionnaire that Jane may also be suffering from drinking problems and it looked as though both issues were a direct result of the infidelity which she suspected was continuing to this day.   Further answers she gave at the interview led to the conclusion that she may be suffering from feelings of inadequacy due to her marriage which was also affecting her relationships at work.

The hypnotherapist needed to be aware that he was obliged to treat only the original issue which was the smoking habit.   He also needed to assess the chances of a successful treatment.   He decided the best course of action was to refer Jane to a marriage guidance counsellor first as he considered that treating the cause would lay the proper foundation to stop the bad habits she had acquired.   The suggestion was accepted and it was left that she would contact him after marriage guidance counselling if the habits she wanted to change persisted.

The hypnotherapist must always work within a strict ethical code of conduct.   Not only must he work within a field that he is competent in but also make realistic assessments of the chances of success which he should discuss with his client before treatment.   He is further obliged...

Why is the initial consultation so important?                                                            

The initial consultation is important (in a potential client’s eye) because it is where all their problems are assessed. You also use the time to discuss any fears/questions/misconceptions regarding hypnosis. This is also the place where you would build rapport, look at modalities, induction style, discuss payment, etc.Realistically, the initial consultation is a place for acquiring information and exploring the client's history. It is also when you might choose to assess their learning style, modalities and so on.In seeing a client for the first time , some hypnotherapists offer a free consultation usually lasting 15 to 30 minutes to get to know the client, from the consultation a hypnotherapist can find out why the client has come there today, what their problems are, find out whether or not hypnotherapy is right for them, ask if they ever had hypnotherapy before if not then the therapist can explain to the client what hypnotherapy is and how it can help them, they can check if the client is on any medication, whether you will need there gp’s permission before giving hypnotherapy, find out the clients history, you will have chance to build rapport with the client, asses their goals and what they want to achieve, find out if they have any fears or phobia’s are so the therapist can change the induction accordingly and maybe even help them cure those fears and phobias, find out what they do like (hobbies, interests etc) to change the induction accordingly, find out there modalities whether they prefer a direct or indirect suggestions, whether they find visual descriptions more powerful or whether they prefer a kinaesthetic or an auditory description would be better suited, you can make sure that you are not sexually attracted to the client as that will totally interfere with your therapy, and you can discuss your fee’s for each session and the best...

IntroductionAll reputable therapists will offer an initial consultation. This gives the therapist the opportunity to get to know the client and build up a rapport with them. It is the time when the therapist can gain the information needed to successfully treat the client, both current issues and circumstances and past issues if necessary. The therapist will also ascertain whether they have the competence to successfully treat the client. Hypnotherapists and counsellors are professional people, they belong to professional bodies such as the Hypnotherapy Society and the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and the professions have to seek a professional and ethical reputation, not only for the client but also for the good of these professions. In this essay I aim to explain in detail the issues that should be explored at the initial consultation and the code of ethics to which therapists must adhere to.

Building rapportTelephone interviewThis may begin by means of a telephone conversation, when the client first

approaches the therapist. The client may have been recommended by one of the therapist’s previous clients; they may or may not have sought therapy before but whoever the client is they will need to be reassured that the therapist has the competence to help them. Therefore, it is vital, that the therapist is as professional as possible and instils a confidence in the client and builds a rapport. The therapist will communicate to the client in many ways: by our behaviour, body language, posture and speech. On the phone the therapist must speak calmly and clearly, listen carefully to the client and respond with empathy to allow the client to feel the therapist has everything under control. They should discuss the problem the client wants to resolve and what the desired outcome would be. Explanation of the therapies offered may be discussed and any questions the client has can be answered.  

The environmentIn addition to the... Consultation Guidelines For HypnotherapyThe initial consultation may well be the most crucial aspect of hypno-psychotherapy, if not all therapies. Everything from the interpersonal dynamic to the eventual success of the intervention has a basis in this first meeting between the client and the therapist. Indeed, the client’s decision to remain engaged with the therapeutic process will be determined by factors from this early stage. Despite this, it is not possible, or even desirable, to proscribe the process. As a dynamic, evolving interaction, dependent on the individuals involved and the course the therapy is to take, until the consultation begins to take shape it is unhelpful to try to impose too much structure upon it. This view is expressed by the NCHP, as evidenced by the following;It is, therefore, not possible, or even desirable, to suggest a blueprint which all should follow. (NCHPa)With this in mind the following discussion will be concerned with one individual’s approach and focus primarily on those features that this author believes are most decisive in fulfilling the aims of a consultation. If it is not wise or helpful to be prescriptive then we can perhaps understand Feltham’s (1997) comment,"the best we can aim for is practitioners who are honest, conscientious, flexible and experienced enough to offer each client suitably individualised counselling."The goal of the consultation is to provide direction for informing therapeutic intervention. At the most basic level there are certain physical factors that are likely to play a role in a successful consultation. For example, a room that is suitably furnished and offers quiet, comfort and provides confidentiality. The exact details will be dependent on the therapist’s style, budget etc and the desires of the client (e.g., temperature, lighting, distance between client and therapist etc).However, obvious considerations are furniture that is adaptable to a range of positions and for a range of...

Why is the initial consultation so important? What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?

The initial consultation is probably one of the most fundamental aspects of any therapy with hypnotherapy being no exception. Everything from building a rapport with the client to the eventual success of the therapy has a basis in the first meeting between client and therapist. The client’s decision to remain engaged with the

therapeutic process will be determined by factors from this early stage. This essay will determine the reasons why the initial consultation is so important and discuss the factors that an ethical therapist will cover at this time. It will take into account all considerations before concluding with my personal observation. In this essay I have taken the term “s/he” meaning he or she.The Initial Consultation

During the first consultation, you will gather information concerning the client’s problem. The more fully you understand the causes of a problem, the better you will be able to define it and resolve it. At the same time, it is also necessary to educate your client about hypnosis. Potential clients may be hesitant, nervous, and or sceptical about the benefits or idea of hypnosis. They may have certain preconceptions of hypnosis from how it is often portrayed in the media for entertainment purposes etc and so the initial consultation enables the therapist to walk the client through the processes involved in hypnotherapy and to explain how it can help the client, hopefully alleviate any fears that the client may have so that the client feels comfortable and safe. The more the client understands, the more confidence they will have in the hypnotic process. This is also time to establish a rapport and trust. ‘Reassuring your client of their safety will be receptive to a good working relationship’ (Hadley and Staudacher 2001:   276).The use of an initial consultation notation form can be used in the first instance for information...

Why is the initial consultation so important?

A client can feel a lot of anxiety and mixed emotions when they come for their initial consultation. During this essay I am going to discuss why the initial consultation is so important and the factors an ethical therapist will cover at the time of the first consultation.

The hypnotherapy society says that “all clients are entitled to a good standard of care from their practitioners in Hypnotherapy”. They say that “good standards of practice and care require professional competence, good relationships with the clients and colleague, and commitment”. As an ethical therapist I would offer a free initial consultation because it would show my commitment to the client through me devoting my time to them, to talk and get to know them, hopefully I will be able to build confidence and show the client that I am a competent therapist, all of this should start to build a relationship and rapport with the client, also the initial consultation gives both the client and the therapist a chance to decide whether you can work together. The flaw in offering an Initial Consultation is that you could get time wasters, also people might not show up for the appointment. When you first meet your client it is very likely they will be extremely anxious and it’s your job as the therapist to make them feel at ease, at this point you should start to build rapport with your client. Rapport is a process of building a sustain relationship of mutual trust, harmony and understanding. Rapport is one of the most important features or characteristics of the subconscious communication. It is seeking common ground in order to be totally in sink or being on the same wavelength with the person with whom you are talking. When you build rapport with a client it helps them to feel safe, it can also take away the clients sense of vulnerability. Once you have built

Rapport with your client they will find it easier to open up to you, gathering the information...

The initial consultation is important for both the therapist and the client; it gives the opportunity to gain a good understanding of each other but is mainly focused on gathering a lot of information about the client also known as notation. Throughout the time of the consultation many factors are reflected on and briefly discussed and then taken highly into consideration in future session. First impressions are lasting. The client may focus on the Appearance of the therapist, dressing smartly can give the impression of professionalism and a figure of authority which is ultimately what the clients are looking for but this form of dress code may make them feel a little uneasy so keeping a smart/casual look can be the best way.   The consultation room also plays a key role in helping the client to relax - natural colours and cosy furniture can set the atmosphere were the client can feel as ease and ready to begin a session. As every client is unique anything applied further to help them to relax e.g. music candles or fragrance should be part of the assessment where information is gathered in the initial consolation as it may not be to the liking of everyone.

The initial consultation is the foundation or may even be at the heart of client success to interpersonal dynamic. The first meeting between client and therapist will leave a lasting impression it can either define the success of therapy and intervention or failure of it. I believe it is also important that the client is able to understand who they are working with- the role of a hypnotherapist and how productive and profitable this type of therapy will be to them. This can work as a means to gain enough confidence to be as genuine as possible in the coming sessions.In the book my voice will go on Sidney Rosen writes about Milton H Erickson talk of his susses in his first meeting with a client and the result of this... A man from Philadelphia whose headaches I cured...

Introduction:

The initial consultation is one of the most important factors in hypnotherapy, it is used to get to know your client, determine the dynamics involved, and used in planning a successful and empowering outcome for the client.

Within this first meeting, first impressions are established, and the therapist and client can start to get to know one another. The consultation can be a powerful tool used, for the therapist and client, either used over the phone to gather some information before they meet or during the first session.

In this essay we will be discussing why the initial consultation is so important, and ethical issues the therapist maybe presented with during the consultation.

Main essay:

When we are born our personality and belief system is shaped as we experience different things. We store learned experiences and behaviours in our subconscious and instincts for survival are etched into it. Our conscious mind develops a little later and as we experience more and more things it delegates these new messages to the

subconscious, and this creates our belief system. It is important to understand who the person is and what their beliefs are, so we use the initial consultation to gather this information

The initial consultation is a place for acquiring information and exploring the client’s history and on average takes about 30 minutes. Within this time you would start building a rapport with your client, and gives the client the opportunity to see if the therapist will be someone they can trust and gives the therapist an opportunity to assess their own ability as to whether they can work with the client and whether the client feels that the therapist can work with them.

The time spent with the client in this initial part of the therapy is also used to acquire information on the person’s fears, dislikes, likes what their thoughts are about the therapy, and opportunities to discuss any misconceptions they have.

Some clients maybe...

Find a comfortable position. Lie on your back or sit in a chair with your back supported.Place your hands at your sides, palms up.Close your eyes if you wish. Now begin to become aware of your breathing..... Focus on slowing down the rhythm of your breathing..... Your chest and abdomen will expand outward with each breath, like a balloon gently filling with air....Imagine your ribcage moving out to the sides when you inhale.... and gently inward as you exhale....Slowly take a deep breath in.... Pause for a moment.... and then exhale slowly. Let the tension melt away as you relax more deeply with each breath...Continue breathing slowly and gently....Now turn your attention to the top of your head. Feel the passive progressive relaxation beginning at the top of your scalp, and spreading slowly downwards....Even your ears are becoming relaxed and heavy.... Feel your eyebrows resting, gently resting downward.... Your forehead is becoming relaxed and smooth....Allow your temples to relax... let your jaw relax by allowing your mouth to be slightly open with your lips apart, or gently touching.... Allow your tongue to relax...Feel your throat relaxing.... relax your cheeks, nose, and eyes.... Feel your eyelids becoming very heavy.... and very relaxed.... more and more relaxed.... Continue the passive progressive relaxation... enjoy the feeling of relaxation you are experiencing.Now turn your attention to your neck.... allow a feeling of relaxation to begin at the top of your neck, and flow downward...Feel the relaxation as your shoulders become relaxed and loose.... Let your shoulders gently sink downward.... as they become relaxed.... and heavy.... very heavy.... and very relaxed.... deeper and deeper.... relaxed....Feel your collar bones becoming relaxed as your shoulders move gently back, and your chest widens slightly.... Allow all the muscles in your shoulders to feel smooth... and relaxed.... as the muscles give up their hold completely...Continue the passive progressive relaxation... enjoy the feeling of relaxation you are experiencing.

Notice your breathing once again... see how regular it has become... continue to take slow.... smooth.... deep breaths... Breathe in the feeling of relaxation... and breathe out any tension... your breathing allows you to become more and more relaxed.... deeply relaxed..... Now turn your attention to your right arm..... Feel the relaxation flowing down from your right shoulder.... allow your upper arm to relax... your elbow.... lower arm... and wrist become loose and relaxed....Continue the passive progressive relaxation... enjoy the feeling of relaxation you are experiencing.Enjoy the feeling of passive progressive relaxation as the muscles of your right arm give up their hold.... Feel the relaxation flowing into your hand... Let all the tension drain out each finger tip and flow away.... the relaxation spreads to your thumb... index finger.... middle finger... ring finger... and little finger....Feel the relaxation flowing down your left arm... Let the muscles of the left upper arm relax.... Relax your elbow.... lower arm.... and wrist.... Feel the relaxation flowing down your left arm....Continue the passive progressive relaxation... enjoy the feeling of relaxation you are experiencing.Let the tension melt away.... imagine the tension flowing right out your finger tips... Allow your left hand to relax completely.... relax your thumb... index finger.... middle finger... ring finger... and little finger....Both of your arms are now totally relaxed... allow them to be free and limp... pleasantly relaxed... Enjoy the feeling of relaxation you are experiencing... let the passive progressive relaxation continue to flow... spreading easily down your body.... continue the passive progressive relaxation...Allow the feeling of relaxation to continue to your chest and stomach.... feel the relaxation there... becoming deeper with each breath....Now turn your attention to your upper back... Feel the relaxation flow down your spine... Let all the muscles give up their hold.... relax your upper back... middle and lower back.... allow your back to relax completely..... Feel the relaxation in your whole upper body ....Relax more deeply with each breath.... more and more relaxed.... deeply relaxed and calm....Let your hip muscles relax.... Relax all the way from your buttocks, down the back of your thighs... relax the muscles on the front of your thighs... Feel the relaxation in your upper legs moving down to your knees... your calves and shins.... your ankles.... and your feet.... allow all the muscles to relax and go limp....Allow any last bits of tension to flow right out the soles of your feet.... Feel the relaxation flowing through your body... From the top of your head... down to the bottoms of your feet.... become more relaxed with each breath.... enjoy the feeling of total relaxation.....You are now as relaxed as you want to be.... Experience the feeling of deep relaxation... enjoy the feeling.... relaxed.... calm..... at peaceFocus on the feeling of relaxation throughout your body.... Notice your breathing.... Your relaxed muscles.... Your calm thoughts... Memorize this feeling so you can re-create this relaxed state whenever you wish....Enjoy relaxing for a few moments more.... When you are ready to return to your day, reawaken your body sowly... gently move your muscles... roll your shoulders slowly forward.... then slowly backward.... lean

your head gently to the left... return to centre.... lean your head gently to the right... turn your head... Wiggle your fingers and toes....Gently open your eyes.... Feeling alert... calm.... and full of energy.“Why is the initial consultation so important “

An initial consultation is important because, this is the point where the Ethical therapist and the

Client will meet for the first time, “Ethical frameworks are divided into, values, principles and

Personal moral qualities “(first steps in counselling page92) these moral codes must be used

Throughout each and every session.   ” All clients are entitled to a good standard of

Care from there practitioners in hypnotherapy good standards of practice and care require

Professional competence, good relationships with clients and colleagues, and commitment to and

Observance of professional ethics” (hypnotherapy codes of ethics)

                        It is important that where your practice feels informal modestly decorated and is of a

Comfortable temperature and will provide comfort for the client, you will need to have a separate

reclining chair or a sofa so that when the client has there scripts read to them they are as

Comfortable as possible, having a desk between you can be seen as formal so having an open space

Between you would be the best option.

                            In this first initial consultation it is when the

Client will make there assumption’s on you, and this will be done in the first few seconds, based on

Your appearance, your body language and your speech pattern   keeping it informal by calling them

  By their preferred name, will all help to build a good rapore.

                                          The client must know that you are listening to them

without distractions, so

Always keeping eye contact and keeping an open Posture, making sure telephones are on silent. All

Is important measure s to take into account. And it is of the upmost importance

That this can be delivered in the correct manor for both parties, in a nurturing way, being able to

Show empathy and not sympathy, smiling or nodding while they are in conversation...

IntroductionThis essay will describe and discuss why the initial consultation is so important and the issues that an ethical therapist will cover during this consultation. The reason why a client first goes to a hypnotherapy appointment is to receive help with a problem or issue that they would like to resolve. The very first hypnotherapy consultation is important for therapists to use this time to understand the client’s needs and make sure they have the best plan of action to help the client achieve their goal. In this essay I will further discuss what is to be expected in an initial consultation appointment and detail the ethical elements the therapist will have to cover to ensure the client gets what they need from the first consultation including setting out expectations on both parties’.……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………First of all initial appearance is most important the old saying holds true “You only get one opportunity to make a first impression” a good first impression can have a significant impact on the success of the meeting and the subsequent outcome. Image may not be everything, but it does speak volumes about the therapist’s values, achievements, work ethic, and professionalism. First impressions are based on overall appearance, and people often decide whether or not they like you, and will do business with you, here on and in the future within 10 seconds of a first encounter.   It is well documented that juries make up their mind about the guilt or innocence of the accused in the first few minutes even seconds and spend the rest of the time gathering information that supports their feeling about the individual.Character, attitude, time management, and communication also play major role in work ethic but your appearance deals with every aspect of how we are perceived as individuals. Clients will have a perception of what to expect when they arrive at their appointment. Appropriate dress, grooming, hygiene, and...

The first hour of the first session is devoted to getting to know theclient, finding out why they have come to see you, (I think you can handle those twothings without any coaching) having them fill out forms (which we will cover later), andgiving them the pre-talk.Responsibilities of a Hypnotherapist

To help move hypnotherapy into the mainstream, hypnotherapists should adhere to thefollowing guidelines:1. Do no harm. This course provides powerful tools for tapping into thesubconscious mind. In doing so, you must first make a commitment to makingonly positive changes in your patients’ lives. If you have a client whose idea of a“positive change” differs from yours, you have a responsibility to refuse toperform therapy on that client. For example: If a weight loss client wants to lose15 pounds in one week, you should explain to him that this is unhealthy. Thenoffer a more reasonable plan, and refuse to treat him if he insists on attemptingto lose 15 pounds in one week.2. If hypnotherapy is not working on a given patient, stop treatment and refer thepatient elsewhere. Do not waste time with clients. If you continue to treat a clientwho is not getting the results he wants, you will have wasted your client’s timeand money, and damaged not only your reputation, but also the reputation ofhypnotherapy in general. Not all patients will respond to hypnotherapy, and notall patients will respond to your method of hypnotherapy. Accept this, and moveon if goals are not being met. For example: Let’s say you have a client who is amortgage broker and wants to make more money . You should initially have heragree to three to six sessions. At the end of those sessions, you must assesshow the treatment is progressing and if it is of any benefit to the client. I alwaysassign homework to patients to get a measure of how invested they are in theirown change and to keep them moving toward their goal. For this client, I wouldhave her make a certain number of calls per week. If she has not made callsafter the third session, we are obviously wasting each other’s time. I would thenterminate the hypnotherapy.3. Set reasonable, solid, and productive goals. Set goals that are attainable. Aimhigh, but give your clients time to respond. Never promise clients that they will,for instance, lose 50 pounds in three weeks. Instead, do research and set areasonable goal. Do not set your clients up for failure. For instance, with themortgage client discussed above. I would break up her homework into smallsteps. In week one, she should make ten calls. In week two, she should make 20calls, etc. Expect that your client will get off to a slow start. Perhaps she will notdo the homework at all the first week. Keep in mind that many people expect youto wave a magic wand that forces them to accomplish their goals. These peopleare waiting for a zombie-like trance to take over their mind and body and causethem to make those calls uncontrollably. By week three, reality should set in.The patient either understands that she has to work or I explain to the patient thatshe is wasting her money. Believe it or not, some clients would be happy toundergo hypnosis for years because it makes them feel and appear like they aretrying. Never allow this. When hypnosis works, it works quickly. Long-term,wonderful effects may reveal themselves later, but most of the change begins tohappen within a few weeks. Take things slowly when you have a client whowants to lose 100 pounds, for example, but make sure he is at least doing hishomework and making small steps forward.4. Follow all state and federal laws. For instance, legislation in early 2003 requiresCalifornia hypnotherapists to disclose certain information to their clients. It isYOUR responsibility to know the law in your area concerning hypnotherapy.Consult an attorney if you have to. Do the right thing in your practice. Unlikemany medical professionals, hypnotherapists are given a lot of leeway. In many

states, we are not strictly regulated. In any situation, you have a built-in compassfor right and wrong. Use it. Treat people with care and respect.5. Check with your client’s physician before performing hypnosis to determinewhether the client has a medical condition related to his or her hypnotherapygoals. Perhaps your client wants to lose weight, but has a history of bulimia thathe “forgot” to mention. Make sure that you have permission (a signed form orletter authorizing the treatment) from a client’s physician before moving forwardwhen you are treating any medical condition using hypnosis.6. Likewise, if another healthcare professional refers a client to you for treatment ofa specific problem, treat only that problem. You have not been handed a blankcheck. Respect the process of the M.D., hypnotherapists, or psychotherapist. Doyour job, report your findings to the healthcare professional, and end th

Occasionally you will receive a call from a potential client who is not an appropriateclient for a hypnotherapist. You will know when you are in “over your head.” It is alwaysa good idea to refer out (send to a more appropriate healthcare provider) anyone whotells you they are schizophrenic or psychotic, for example. These are serious mentalhealth cases that you are NOT trained to handle. Also, anyone who wants to uncoverpast memories of abuse. You are NOT trained to deal with the emotional fallout of suchscenarios.As hypnotherapists, we work with changing behavior in otherwise high functioningclients. This means they are stable individuals who simply need help losing weight,gaining motivation, being more confident, stopping smoking, etc. We enable behavioralchanges stemming from changes in their belief systems. We do NOT turn insane clientssane, psychotic clients “normal,” etc.I cannot list all of the types of cases which you should refer out, but use your judgment.Never take a client just for the money. If you feel you are not qualified to handle thecase, you are RIGHT. Refer them out.