That's like asking if all
hypnosis is the same. Ok, I've opened up a can of worms. But it shouldn't
be a surprise to you. After all you might be wondering how to determine
whose self help self hypnosis audio tape programs to purchase.
But I may not be giving you the
answer you might expect. Just as all car mechanics are not equally
talented and all physicians are not equally talented, not all hypnotists
are equally talented. And the world is full of very talented hypnotists.
Those of us who are talented learn from each other.
There are two necessary
ingredients for hypnosis to work:
>rapport
>charisma
Without either, no hypnosis will
occur. It's that simple. For instance, we could transcribe a session
conducted by a proficient hypnotist and give it to someone who has little
or no experience, have him/her read or memorize the script, and end up
with different results.
Rapport has to do with trust. If
what is said is unbelievable, then rapport is lost. If one's voice is
unbelievable, then rapport is lost. What makes one's voice unbelievable?
Answer: hesitation, quivering, nervousness, or if the voice sounds
canned--anything that suggests doubt. That's why you can have two
different results with two different people using the same script.
When looking at which hypnosis
program to purchase there are two basic questions:
1. Does the description of the
approach in the program make sense to you? Rule of thumb, just don't rely
on a description that says, "Listen to this program and you'll notice
dramatic improvement!" Make sure that it describes the essence of the
program and that it makes sense to you.
2. Experience: Look for someone
with at least ten years clinical or professional experience in private
practice. Experience makes a huge difference between the theoretical and
the practical.
For instance, if I told you that
you could have painless dentistry done without any analgesic such as
Novocain, you'd probably find that a stretch. Yet if I told you how it's
done, then even though you'd still be doubtful, it would make enough sense
to the point you'd give it a shot.
This same power resides in all of
us. Not that I'm suggesting you run off to the dentist to test it, but
then, that's how I discovered it would work. No one ever hypnotized me or
even gave me those suggestions--I did it from what I know about the
power of the mind, self hypnosis,
and utilization of stress management techniques--deep breathing and
letting go of muscular tension (this is called centering).
That repetitive experience
enables me to deliver a realistic effective program to others. Likewise
years of experience in empowering others to build self esteem, stop
smoking, shed weight, over come life crisis... provides provides the
believability to create and maintain rapport that comes through with
charisma.
In choosing a program, make sure
it comes with a money back guarantee. Usually it's a thirty-day
guarantee--use the program for thirty days and if you experience no change
return the program after 30 days and before 45 days (they give you a
15-to-30 day window). This is quite reasonable as change often requires up
to 21 days to break an old habit. Unfortunately, you may find that the
voice on the audio tape lacks charisma and there's no believability
(rapport) and you're stuck with holding onto the cd until the thirty days
has passed. Now I'm not talking about diction--even the great Tony Robins
makes mistakes in diction. I'm talking about the heart of the voice. Even
though most or all of what you hear may be from a well thought out script,
the ingredients of rapport and charisma must still be present in order to
have results.
If after that thirty days you
forget to return self help audio tape in the 15-to-30 day window you're
stuck with the program.
I found that the 15-to-30 day
window created anxiety, i.e., "what if after 45 days I like the
program but am afraid I won't be far enough along the path after 30
days?" This anxiety stood in the way of success which is why all
audio tape (actually cds) come with a four month window--plenty time to
work with the program as often times it's useful to use a program such as
building self esteem for several weeks, then put it away for a few weeks,
and then use it again. Each time this is done, the program takes on more
value and means something different. And of course without rapport and
charisma the programs would be useless.
