ESSAY Building rapport is often considered one of the most important aspects of a hypnotherapists work, discuss Building rapport with your client begins the instant you meet them. We all know about first impressions and how they shape what someone thinks about us but in terms of a therapist/client relationship there are no second chances at the first impression. If you are to successfully build rapport between you and your client then you must be aware of and address any initial obstacles that could hinder the rapport building process, for example the therapist must ask themselves questions such as ‘’am I dressed appropriately?” If the therapist is dressed in a sharp black suit for instance, then this would portray power (we have all come across the term ‘power dressing’) and the client would feel immediately intimidated. To facilitate the building of rapport the therapist’s aim would be to make the client feel equal. In the same respect, how we conduct ourselves as therapist is also key to this.
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.
They may have certain preconceptions of hypnotism from how it is often portrayed in the media and 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 and hopefully alleviate any fears that the client may have so that the client feels comfortable and safe (Allen P Roger 2004).. The initial consultation will also set out the foundations of the relationship between the client and therapist that is hopefully based on trust and understanding so that the client and the therapist both achieve the best results from the therapy (Allen P Roger 2004). During the initial consultation it is important that the client feels comfortable and calm and often the consultation room plays a role in how the client will feel during
69).We do this by using basic attending skills. Active listening, calming reassurance, respectful demeanor, empathetic responses, good eye contact and giving appropriate verbal and non-verbal responses as well as being aware of the clients’ non-verbal posture are all necessary to being an effective crisis counselor. At times it will be necessary to ask the client questions, as they may not know what we need to know. Close ended questions will be needed to get information like family size, marital status and medical history. Open ended questions allow us to glean more information from the client in regards to what they have already told us.
(1,834 words) A personalised induction will always be more effective In this essay I am going to discuss the statement “A personalised induction will always be more effective”. I will be looking at the theoretical concepts and the techniques used, such as permissive, authoritarian, and the use of modality in screeds. Modern day hypnotherapists will fully assess their clients prior to any treatment. They will discuss their expectations, hopes, fears and their ultimate goals of what they want to achieve. The therapist would advise on the processes involved and answer any questions the client may present to them.
Both clients and therapist benefit from the treatment plan as it helps both to focus and think about the therapy outcomes. As clear objectives are set ones client can channel their efforts into achieving specific changes that will lead to long term goal or problem resolution. The assessment process is an integral part of beginning to formulate a treatment plan. Noticing how the client is along with what they are saying, and recognising that the real reason that brings one to therapy may not emerge until much later in the relationship with the client. Berne emphasised the importance of the very first moments with a client (Berne, 1961).
“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 crucial aspects in counselling and hypnotherapy. This is because it can determine the dynamics involved in, and the eventual success of, the ensuing therapy sessions. This essay will determine the reasons why this preliminary meeting, discussion and assessment is so important and will discuss the factors that an ethical therapist will cover during that time.
It is at this meeting that we form our first impressions of people, and they of us. In the therapeutic environment, this is certainly the case, as there are many facets to the interaction that will direct future therapy, if indeed the therapist believes the patient is suitable for therapy, it will help build rapport thus assisting the effectiveness of the therapy, and the willingness of the client to ‘buy in to’ the therapeutic program. ‘Ethical’ can be defined as ‘following, or acting within a defined code which may be personal, moral, or societal’ (Oxford English Dictionary) It is “principled, decent, proper, just honourable, and upright”. Put simply, an ethical therapist will put the client, their health and well-being and their best interests first at all times, operating with Integrity and Impartiality throughout. Why is the initial consultation so important?
Just the same as any other situation first impressions at this point are vitally important. First impressions and opinions about a person and their surroundings are drawn upon first meetings and to be able to build a good relationship and rapport with a client it is important that these impressions of the therapist to the client and vice versa are good ones. It is important that the environment that the client is entering for therapy is positive and welcoming while still being professional there are a number of factors as a therapist that you need to consider here. Firstly the layout of the room should be carefully thought of, generally the set up should consist of two slightly off facing upright chairs to carry out consultations and talking therapies as well as an additional reclining chair for hypnotherapy sessions. The decor of the therapy room also plays a major role although there needs to be a warm and calming presence about the room too much decor can distracted from the therapy and will not improve the sessions being carried out.
We all come from different environments and cultures and this shapes who we are and our moral and value systems. As hypnosis is working with the subconscious mind it is important to understand that every client will have different needs and in order to achieve the best chance of success we need to work very closely with them in assisting our clients to achieve the most beneficial state possible. Respecting your clients as individuals and not hypnotic subjects requires talking to them, getting to understand what kind of person they are by asking questions and more importantly listening to them. By listening and taking to them this allows the therapist to access doorways to their subconscious mind, as we can pay attention to the things that relax them, and furthermore, it can help to process the experiences and the style of behaviour that they will likely best react to. Personalising inductions also includes finding out what that person likes and dislikes and what they do in their spare time, any hobbies they might have exploring the words to use that will relax them.