Should you record your hypnotherapy sessions?
Many hypnosis schools adhere to that notion, which seems to resonate with some of our students. They come and ask us if they should video record their client sessions. The answer always boils down to why they want these recordings in the first place
In this blog post, we’ll discuss:
- The right and wrong reasons for recording hypnotherapy sessions.
- Alternatives to when session recordings are not indicated.
- How to become a master hypnotist at the Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy.
The first thing we need to address is:
What Is the Point of Recording Hypnotherapy Sessions?
Well, there are a few reasons why hypnotists and hypnotherapists would want to record client sessions.
Some would like to review them later. They wish to see what they did right, and where they still need to improve.
Others use them for legal protection against false criminal charges. We live in a litigious world, and it’s not unheard of for a client to make false claims against a hypnotist or therapist.
For self improvement or legal protection, recording sessions is both understandable and recommended. If the session is in-person, having a non-secretive camera in the room protects both the hypnotist and the client from physical and emotional harm.
The same applies for online sessions, except this time you’ll record it using Zoom or some other software. Although not being in the same location already prevents the most serious offenses, it’s still good practice as a hypnosis professional to look out for your own reputation and moral integrity.
If you’re a hypnotherapist and you want to record your client sessions for these reasons, we’re on board with you. Get them to sign a form agreeing with the recording, or to verbally consent with it as soon as you begin. You’ll find it’s much more pleasant to work when both you and your client know you’re absolutely safe.
However, there are cases when a recording is completely useless. Not only that, it might screw up your work. We’re talking about the idea of handing your client a copy of the session recording.
Recordings Should Not Become a Client’s Homework
The point of using hypnosis for change is to make such change in the actual session. Having your client essentially redo the session any number times is pointless at best, and at worst, will undermine your work.
It’s fine to give the client homework, but it must be perceived as a mere complement to the actual session, so it must be something different. If the homework is to repeat the same session that already should’ve worked the first time around, that sends an unconscious message that it wasn’t a great session to begin with.
Any change made with hypnosis, especially with (but not limited to) things like smoking cessation, involves getting the client to wholeheartedly believe he’s changed, and that such change is going to last.
That means by giving him this homework assignment that implies the change hasn’t been complete, you’re essentially undoing the session itself.
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What To Do Instead?
To ensure complete work without giving your clients any insecurity about the results of the session, simply future pace to check the results.
We’ve covered future pacing before. It involves telling your clients to imagine a situation in the future where they would be faced with said problem. Ask how they will feel and what they will do then, then calibrate the response. If what you see looks like incomplete work, then you’re not done with them.
Don’t be afraid to check your work. If any reinforcement is still needed, it’s far better to do it in the actual session than to send them home with a recording of the same session that wasn’t enough already.
Teaching them self hypnosis is another great alternative. Give them the ability to re-enter that same hypnotic trance state and perform that kind of future pacing whenever they need to. That will boost their confidence to a very powerful degree.
But if you’re set on giving them video and audio resources, that can also be a great idea. Only instead of a recording of the session you did in your office, give them online access to something you created in advance.
How about a series of videos teaching them how to craft empowering questions? Or an hypnosis audio that enables them to enter a peak-performance state. Basically, send them home with a box of tools that will be perceived as very useful complements to the awesome change that they’ve already made.
If you’re wondering how you can create something like that, you should definitely check out Pykthos.com, a platform we offer professional hypnotists which includes the ability to create courses and other online resources for your clients.
And if you’re looking to further improve your hypnotic abilities, the Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy (MMHA) is the most awesome online hypnosis training you’ll find anywhere.
MMHA is a program for all kinds of hypnotists at any skill level.
We’ll reinforce your understanding of the foundational principles of hypnosis based on our original Neo-Ericksonian approach, and we’ll teach you several advanced hypnosis techniques that can be used both in therapy or in a stage performance.
At MMHA, we don’t teach you to read hypnosis scripts at people. Instead, we’ll show you the fundamental principles of hypnosis so you can achieve anything you want.
You can get started with the Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy for free without any payment details. It’s the easiest way to start learning hypnosis today.
Click here to get started at the Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy.
