Practical: Attention and Relaxation

To help anxious or skeptical Cx to develop trust in the induction process we alternate statements that are observable and verifiable, usually a reference to something in the clients immediate environment or awareness, with more abstract suggestions. This is a skillful way of creating links between the clients present experience and what we would like her to experience. (Pacing statments focus on external stimuli, and Leading statements describe internal responses).

As the induction proceeds we can gradually link in more suggestions and more references to abstract internal states.

Links can easilty be made from an existing state to a desired state using the "implied causative", using connecting words such as "as", "while" and "during".

As you watch your breath you begin to feel more comfortable.

We start off the chain with a series of verifiable statements to put the clients mind at ease, and then introduce a single suggestion, as in this example which chains together the main sensory modalities:

As you sink into the chair,

and notice the gentle illumination,

the sound of my voice,

and the warmth of the room ....

... You will begin to feel more comfortable.

In the next sequence we might use three verifiable statements which chain together an awareness of any physical tension (we all have some tension, even at rest) and introduce two suggestions ...

Now, as you become aware of any slight tension in your your body,

any tensions in your neck or shoulders,

or in your arms or in your legs,

You may gradually begin to feel more comfortable,

and relax deeper into the chair

In this way the client gradually begins to rely on the authenticity of our suggestions and begin to flow with the process. The next sequence might only require two verifiable statements and allow three suggestions. Finally we can comfortably make one external reference for each internal reference.

This example method gives the induction a congruent structure which builds up, and corresponds to, the clients confidence in our suggestions. As our observations and suggestions create a credible chain reaction trust and relaxation develop.

YapKo describes this process of building a pattern of responses as a "response set", it is also described as a "Yes set" (Erickson and Rossi), as it builds an agreeable frame of mind, and there is no obvious reason to reject any part of the sequence of references and suggestions.

Ref: Trancework P. 283.