🔒Breaking Down the Walls: How to Use Client Resistance for Deeper Healing🧠

Email Delivery Date: September 12, 2024

Hey Hypnotherapy Friends,

We’ve all been there—clients who want to heal, yet somehow they keep putting up mental walls during sessions. Resistance in hypnosis is frustrating, but what if I told you it’s actually one of your greatest tools for deeper therapy?

In this edition, we’re diving into client resistance: why it happens, what it really means, and how you can use it to achieve breakthrough moments with your clients.

What Is Client Resistance?

Simply put, resistance is your client’s subconscious fear of change or loss of control. Even though they consciously want to heal, their deeper mind might have other plans! Whether it’s from past trauma, self-protection mechanisms, or fear of the unknown, resistance is a powerful force that shows up in subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways during hypnosis.

Why Does Resistance Show Up?

There are a few reasons your clients might resist hypnosis:

Fear of Vulnerability:

Clients often fear being vulnerable, even in a safe, therapeutic space. They may worry about losing control or revealing parts of themselves they aren’t ready to face.

Unresolved Trauma:

Trauma can create subconscious “guards” that push back on any attempt to heal. This is especially common when a client’s identity has become wrapped up in their trauma.

Fear of Success:

Believe it or not, some clients resist because they fear what life will look like without their problems. They’ve adapted to their pain, and the idea of living without it can feel overwhelming.

How to Navigate Resistance

So, what do you do when you hit that resistance wall? Here are a few tips:

Lean Into the Resistance:

Instead of fighting against it, recognize resistance as a communication tool. When a client resists, it’s their subconscious saying, “I’m scared.” Acknowledge the fear and work with it, not against it.

Use Indirect Suggestions:

Direct commands can sometimes trigger more resistance. Instead, use indirect suggestions (à la Milton Erickson) to help your clients relax into the experience without feeling like they’re losing control.

Build Trust and Rapport:

A strong foundation of trust can ease resistance. Show genuine empathy, and create a non-judgmental space where the client feels seen and heard.

Using Resistance as a Tool for Deeper Therapy

Resistance isn’t just an obstacle—it’s a roadmap to where your client needs healing the most. Here’s how you can use it to your advantage:

Identify Core Issues:

Resistance is often tied to a client’s deepest fears and unresolved traumas. Use their resistance as a guide to where the healing really needs to happen.

Ask Probing Questions:

When resistance shows up, ask your client what they’re feeling in that moment. Their answer will often reveal the underlying issue that’s causing the block.

Go Slow and Steady:

Healing takes time, and pushing a resistant client too quickly can backfire. Be patient, let them guide the pace, and always remind them they are in control of the process.

Practical Tips for Hypnotherapists

Let your clients know that resistance is part of the healing process. This helps remove any guilt or shame they might feel about not “getting it right” during sessions.
Reframe Resistance as Progress: Explain that resistance is often a sign that deeper healing is about to occur. Help your clients see it as a positive rather than a setback.
Stay Flexible: Be prepared to shift gears if your client’s resistance becomes too strong. Sometimes a softer approach or a different technique will help move things forward.

Don’t forget, as a subscriber, you’re part of an exclusive community of hypnotherapists who are passionate about making a difference. Jump into our community Discord server to share your experiences, ask questions, and support each other on this journey.

How are your hypnotherapy sessions going? Send a reply to this email, I’d love to help you out! Or let us know what topic you’d like to see next time.

And if you haven’t signed up for the course, don’t forget there’s still time to lock in the 2024 price before it goes up in January! Save yourself a few hundred dollars and jump on the chance now as an early subscriber. You can complete the course at your own pace once you’ve signed up, so there’s no rush to jump into the material, but your wallet will definitely thank you!

Stay Awesome,
Jesse & Zac

Co-Founders of Trauma Focused Hypnotherapy

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