Even when the current situation is uncomfortable or isn’t consciously desired, a patient or client may lack the willingness to change. The difference between a stated desire and an the willingness to change is usually called resistance. Resistance usually results from some hidden benefit (secondary gain) from the status quo.
You can help someone begin the process of change by planting seeds, using hypnotic language patterns to embed suggestions for change in the appropriate direction.
- “Sometimes it is easier to look back and see when you have become ready to quit smoking.”
- “I would not try to stop yet. Give yourself the opportunity to know when it is the right time.”
- “Let’s put our focus on your new behavior, rather than thinking about what you had done.”
You can also assist individuals in breaking the cycle by making the behavior conscious rather than automatic. When they are consciously aware, they can talk about it and begin paying attention to it. You can also break habits and create new behavior at the level below conscious awareness by setting and integrating (or collapsing) anchors. If you are new to Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and would like a handout with the steps for anchoring, send email to Joel P. Bowman (Joel@SCS-Matters.com) or Debra Basham (Debra@SCS-Matters.com), co-developers of SCS Matters, LLC.
Send your questions about how other-than-conscious communication skills can hurt or help your patients and clients to Joel P. Bowman (Joel@SCS-Matters.com) or Debra Basham (Debra@SCS-Matters.com), co-developers of Subtle Communication Systems. We will provide answers to those for you. For more information about Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy, or about the Imagine Healing Process, visit:http://ImagineHealing.info or http://SurgicalSupport.info.
Healing with Language: Your Key to Effective Mind-Body Communication is available for a limited time for $10 plus $5 shipping within the U.S. For volume orders and overseas shipping, check with Debra. See the Table of Contents and List of Exercises in PDF format for more information about this comprehensive text and training manual.