Ever had a client who just couldn’t shake a painful emotion, no matter what? They seem trapped—circling the same issue, unable to break free, even when they know their reaction isn’t logical.
This happens because a specific ego state—a part of their personality—is stuck in fear, anger, sadness, or trauma. In hypnosis, this is known as a vaded ego state. When this state becomes executive (meaning it takes over the client’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors), they no longer operate from a balanced, rational place.
Instead, they’re running an old emotional program that overrides everything else. And until that program is addressed directly, no amount of reasoning, reframing, or reassurance will create real change.
But once you recognize when a vaded state is in control, it becomes possible to engage with it and resolve the issue at the core.
What Are Vaded Ego States?
Ego states are subpersonalities—different aspects of a person’s identity that emerge at different times. Some are resourceful and help a person navigate life effectively. Others, however, carry unresolved emotional pain and dysfunction.
Dr. Gordon Emerson coined the term vaded ego states to describe these problematic parts of the psyche. The word vaded comes from invaded, meaning these states have been hijacked by one or more negative emotions:
- Fear
- Anger
- Sadness
- Trauma
This forms the acronym FAST, which serves as a quick reference for recognizing vaded states. Any time a client is overwhelmed by a powerful negative emotion, a vaded ego state has likely taken control.
When this happens, it’s not just psychological—it’s neurological. The vaded state is linked through neural pathways to the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for executive function. This means that when the vaded state becomes executive, it dominates the person’s experience, much like a computer program running in the foreground.
This is why someone with a deep phobia, unresolved grief, or chronic anger can’t simply snap out of it. The vaded state is in charge, and until it steps aside, no real change can happen.How Vaded Ego States Take Control
Ego states naturally shift in and out of executive function throughout the day. A vaded state, however, becomes dominant when it is triggered by something in the environment.
Triggers can be:
- A word or phrase
- A memory or thought
- A specific situation
- A sensory experience (a sound, smell, or even a particular feeling)
For example, someone with unresolved trauma from a car accident may shift into a vaded state whenever they hear screeching tires. Their entire system reacts as if the danger is happening right now.
These reactions are automatic, and they often make no logical sense to the person experiencing them. But from a neurological perspective, they are entirely predictable. The vaded state has been activated, and until it is resolved, it will keep hijacking the person’s emotional and physiological responses.
How to Recognize When a Vaded Ego State is Executive
Since ego states operate below conscious awareness, clients often don’t realize when a shift has happened. This is why calibration—paying attention to subtle changes in behavior—is so important.
When a vaded ego state takes control, the client will exhibit clear physical and behavioral signs:
- A sudden mood shift (anxiety, irritation, sadness, or defensiveness)
- Changes in posture (slumping, tensing, or pulling back)
- Breathing shifts (sighing, holding the breath, or shallow breathing)
- Facial expressions (frowning, looking away, or tightening the jaw)
- Voice changes (tone, speed, or emotional intensity)
For example, imagine a client is speaking calmly, but the moment a particular topic comes up, their breathing changes, their posture collapses, or their voice becomes sharp. This is a clear sign that a different ego state has stepped into the executive.
At this moment, the hypnotist has a golden opportunity to intervene—if the state can be kept executive long enough for treatment.
Keeping the Vaded Ego State Engaged for Change
Once a vaded ego state is recognized, the next step is to keep it in the executive function so that it can be worked with directly.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is to name the emotion and engage with it as if it were a separate entity.
A powerful question to ask is:
"What emotion are you feeling right now?"
The word the client provides is the key to keeping the state engaged. Whether they say anxiety, sadness, anger, or something else, that exact word should be used in conversation.
This approach does two things:
- It prevents the vaded state from slipping into the background before it is treated.
- It communicates directly with the part of the mind that needs resolution.
Once the vaded state is engaged, real transformation can begin.
Effective Techniques for Resolving Vaded Ego States
Several powerful techniques can be used to help a vaded ego state release its negative emotional charge. These include:
- Six-Step Tapping – A rapid method for reducing emotional intensity using physical tapping and verbal suggestions.
- Direct Suggestion in Hypnosis – Using direct suggestion to reinforce new emotional patterns.
- Breathing Shifts – Encouraging deep, slow breathing to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and create a physiological state change.
- Ideomotor Signaling – Checking for unconscious resolution with finger signals (Comprehensive training in ideomotor signals is available in our Advanced Hypnotherapy Techniques course.)
When these techniques are applied while the vaded state is still executive, the results are often rapid and profound.
Future Pacing to Lock in the Change
After the intervention, the final step is future pacing—testing the change to ensure it holds in real-world situations.
This can be done by asking:
"When you encounter this situation again, what will happen?"
The client’s response is the ultimate test. If they hesitate, look uncertain, or show distress, more work is needed. But if they respond with confidence or indifference, the shift has been successful.
For example, a client who initially recoiled at the thought of spiders might now dismiss it with a shrug. This indicates that the fear-driven ego state has been successfully healed.
Future pacing is essential because it ensures the transformation is real and lasting, not just temporary relief during the session.
Recognizing and resolving vaded ego states is one of the most powerful skills a hypnotist can develop. By identifying when a problematic state is executive, engaging with it directly, and applying the right intervention, deep and lasting transformation becomes possible.
Ready to Master Hypnosis?
If you're serious about taking your hypnosis skills to the next level, you’re in the right place! At the Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy, we don’t rely on scripts—we'll teach you the principles so you can truly master the art and science of hypnosis. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll gain the tools and understanding needed to create powerful, flexible, and effective hypnosis sessions tailored to any situation.
As a member, you’ll also gain access to our exclusive 24-hour online practice rooms. These practice rooms are the heart of your learning experience—a safe, supportive space where you can apply the principles of hypnosis, experiment, and grow by practicing with fellow hypnotists from around the world.
Click here to join us and experience how the Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy can revolutionize your hypnosis practice—and your entire life!
