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Everything You Want To Know About Hypnosis Deepeners

http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-1/
http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-2/
http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-3/
http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-4/
Joshua Houghton

1/21/2014

A newly qualified or trainee hypnotist will rely heavily on the standard scripts and deepeners their training
organization furnishes them with, and quite right too. Given time and confidence theyll adapt these to suit
themselves more closely.
But what if that basic script and deepeners arent quite sufficient? What if that reliable deepener leaves you
facing a fidgeting client whos clearly a long way from the level of trance required for the work you had
planned?
The key is to have several deepeners up your sleeve. (You might think Im speaking figuratively here, but I
know one student who literally wrote keywords on her forearms, and would quietly roll her sleeve up for a
quick reminder while her client lay with eyes closed, blissfully unaware!) If one deepener isnt enough, you
can smoothly progress straight on to another.
Many books on hypnosis will include several deepening scripts (see the resources section of the website for
some recommendations). But to help you start your collection of deepeners, youll find 10 well known and
reliable ones outlined in this series of articles.
If you exhaust all of these and still dont have a relaxed and receptive client, perhaps you should reconsider
your induction techniques and pre-hypnosis preparation talk!

The Deepeners
Many deepeners are based on counting, and/or asking the client to visualize moving downwards as this
naturally corresponds to going deeper into trance. They are really just variations on a theme, but those
variations mean you can use them all without the client thinking youre just repeating yourself (with the
suspicion, its not working)!
Other deepeners use physical sensations to increase relaxation, using deep exhalations, opening and closing
eyes, comparing tense and relaxed muscles, inducing heaviness or lightness, and so on. They can all be used
in conjunction with each other, giving you a comprehensive combination of tools to deepen the trance of
your clients.

Deepener 1 counting down


This is the classic, simplest deepener that might be sufficient for many subjects. It involves simply counting
from 10 down to 1 while suggesting increased depth of relaxation, particularly utilizing the natural relaxation
of muscles when the client breathes out:

So now in few moments Im going to start counting backwards from ten down to one and as I count
down from ten to one in a few moments youll find yourself relaxing more and more deeply with each
number drifting deeper and deeper into relaxation and its a really pleasant sensation to be so deeply
relaxed (pause, and watch the clients breathing to synchronize each number with an exhalation)
And ten beginning to relax and nine noticing how each time you breathe out your muscles quite
naturally relax and let go of tension and eight drifting deeper and deeper into that softcomfortable
feeling of relaxation with every breath and seven more and more relaxed
And so on, until you reach one and the client is ready for the therapeutic input you had in mind.
However, a simple countdown isnt always enough, and most hypnotists use some form of visualization along
with the countdown to help reach a deep trance more quickly. Good visualization can be an extremely
http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/5-ways-visualizations-powerful/ pleasant experience, making the client
look forward to sessions, and relax more deeply and quickly each time.

Deepener 2 descending steps


Incorporating as many senses as possible into visualizations helps immerse the client more completely in their
inner world. The more intensely theyre focused on the detail of that inner world, the more quickly they leave
the normal, outer world behind and the more deeply they go into trance:
Imagine youre standing in the warmth of the sun on a terrace at the top of a beautiful flight of ten steps,
with a balustrade Those steps lead down to your very own special garden where you can totally relax,
leaving all the normal stresses and troubles of daily life far behind
In a few moments Im going to count from ten down to one and as I count from ten down to one Id
like you to go down those stairs one step at a time feeling more and more relaxed with every step as you
sink deeper and deeper into relaxation.
And ten taking that first step down beginning to relax allowing your muscles to relax and
ninestepping down taking a moment to notice the details of this beautiful flight of steps whats it made
from? What colors can you see in the stone, or wood or metal of the staircase? and eight another step
down feeling more and more relaxed reaching out to touch the banister noticing does it feel smooth or
rough, cool or warm, sturdy or delicate?
And so you continue, perhaps suggesting half way down that they stop and notice how far behind theyre
leaving the normal concerns and stresses of life.
And on one they step off into that beautiful garden (or whatever kind of special place seems most conducive
for that particular client a garden or summer meadow may not be the best idea for a severe hay fever
sufferer!) with the suggestion they can explore and enjoy this place, with a sense of freedom, safety and deep
contentment.

http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-2/
Joshua Houghton

1/22/2014

In part one, we looked at the reasons why a good hypnotist has to know several different deepening scripts,
and detailed two classic deepeners the simple countdown, and a countdown with a descending staircase
visualization.
Here in part two, lets look at some different visualizations that can be used in addition to the deepeners in
part one.

Deepener 3 The Escalator


A simple alternative to the staircase in part one. This time the subject imagines theyre stepping onto an
escalator which will take them down towards a door at the bottom. Often its suggested that there are ten
lights in the ceiling above the escalator, and they are counted down one by one as each light passes over
head, coinciding with an exhalation.
The client is encouraged to relax more and more as each light is passed. When they are deeply relaxed on
reaching the bottom of the escalator, they open the door at the bottom and step through to some suitably
relaxing and pleasant location.

Deepener 4 The Elevator


Lets take a look at one of my favorite deepeners called The Elevator. This can be used as an alternative to
the staircase, or it can be used in addition to it to deepen the trance still further. Of course you must check
your clients feelings about elevators before even considering this deepener. Its hardly going to increase their
sense of relaxation if they happen to be phobic about elevators or enclosed spaces!
If youre using it as an initial deepener, you would approach it in much the same manner as the staircase
visualization described in part one http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-1/ . If you want to use
it in addition to the initial deepener, you would guide your client to find a door in their inner world, and when
they open it, they realize its an elevator:
You step inside Take some time to really examine the interior of the elevator its style the kind of doors
the design of the elevator buttons The indicator above the door reads 10 there are numbered buttons,
from 10 down to 1. You want to go right down, as deeply as you can today knowing that each floor will help
you to relax even more deeply so reach out and press button one Watch as the doors close. Youve already
done really well youre already starting to relax deeply, so imagine just how wonderfully relaxed youll feel
when you have gone all the way down in the elevator to level one
And now the elevator begins to move. The indicator above the door is showing 10 but that soon changes to
9 as you begin to move smoothly down and as you pass floor 8 you feel yourself drifting even more deeply
into that wonderful relaxation, more deeply into trance
And so you continue, taking the client deeper and deeper into relaxation, until they step out at level one,
where you might guide them to find somewhere incredibly peaceful and comfortable to sit or lie in a state of
utter contentment and relaxation and you can begin your therapeutic intervention.

Deepener 5 The Elevator with a Twist


The element of surprise in hypnosis can be extremely effective at overcoming resistance. This can be
incorporated into the elevator deepener described above by not opening the doors at level one as expected,
but continuing the journey down even further perhaps just to a basement level that the subject was not
expecting continuing to be reassuring and suggesting that their level of relaxation and trance is immensely
enhanced by this unexpected journey even deeper inside.

Deepener 6 The Boat


This uses the imagery of drifting in a safe, comfortable boat, down-stream, and out to sea. Like the elevator
deepener, ensure that your client has no traumatic feelings towards boats or water. Suggest that they can
hear the sound of running water. Let them discover a small boat, perfect for one, waiting for them at the side
of the stream.
Its filled with soft, comfortable cushions, and they cant resist getting in and lying down in the inviting
comfort of the boat. Have them notice lots of details, using all of their senses. The boat is gently lifted by the
current of the stream, and the water rocks them gently as they relax more and more in the warm sunlight.
And as the water carries them downstream, with the boat gently cradling them, the banks of the river get
wider and wider apart, until they are steadily heading for the open ocean, where there are no barriers; where
they can leave the land (and their busy lives and all their problems) far, far behind, as they relax more and
more, hearing the gentle lapping of the water on the sides of the boat, feeling the soft, warm breeze on their
skin, feeling utterly relaxed, knowing they can stay here, safely out at sea for as long as they want

Deepeners Part 2 Conclusion


So, you now have a good, basic collection of visualizations to help deepen the trance of your subjects. But, as mentioned
in part one, countdowns and visualizations arent the only types of deepeners there are also the physical deepeners,
which are very different and can work remarkably quickly.

http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-3/
I guess youve made it through Deepeners part 1 http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-1/ and
Deepeners part2 http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-2/, and youre back for more
deepeners. Here as promised well explore some that utilize physical sensations to increase the depth of
trance in your subject. Theyre similar to some (and indeed can be used as) effective inductions.
I dont know about you, but when I read detailed scripts like the ones here, I find myself relaxing with them
I nearly fell asleep while writing the Vogts fractionation below whether it was the highly effective nature
of the script or that I was boring myself to sleep Ill let you be the judge!

Deepener 7 Eye open and closure


Youd think that waking your client up when youve just put them into hypnosis would disrupt the level of
trance. However, it can actually be used to deepen the trance, by making the subject aware of the effort
required to open the eyes and the relief of closing them again. Your deepener might go something like this:
Well done youre beginning to relax really well now Id like to help you relax even more physically and
mentally and to do that in a few momentsIll count to three, and ask you to open your eyes youll find
it takes a bit of effort to do that because the muscles around your eyes are already relaxing so well they
dont really want to open and then, after youve opened your eyes when I ask you to close them again it
will be such a relief to allow them to close youll feel twice as relaxed as before and that relaxation will
affect your whole body. Well do this three times, and each time youll find yourself drifting deeper and deeper
into relaxation So when I count onetwo three on three youll open your eyes and when you close them
again youll be twice as relaxed as you are right now
And one two three opening your eyes now noticing how much effort it takes those relaxed muscles
have to activate to open your eyelids thats right eyes opened even though they would rather stay
closed and relaxed let your gaze rest softly on something just in front of you (if there is a suitable object or
point that you can refer to for the client to focus on, then mention it). And now, allow your eyes to close.
And let the relief and relaxation of closing them sweep right through your body twice as relaxed as before
twice as comfortable sinking down deeper its so nice to just let go feeling your whole body slip deeper
and deeper into relaxation, and your mind drifting deeper and deeper into trance thats right.
You repeat this doubling of relaxation/ trance depth, until on the third request to close their eyes, you can
suggest that the muscles around their eyelids just dont want to open again right now theyre much too
relaxed.

Deepener 8 Vogts Fractionation Method


This is similar to the eye opening and closing outlined above, but can be particularly helpful for clients who
need evidence in order to believe they really have been hypnotized. It just requires a little confidence on the
part of the hypnotist!
There isnt really room here to go into detail about the technique in its entirety but here is a slimmed down
version of this deepener based on the script from Hartlands Medical and Dental Hypnosis:
In a moment Im going to wake you up by counting from one up to five. When I reach five and you wake up,
your eyes will be open, but while Im talking to you, youll start to feel very drowsy and very, very sleepy again
youll find it really hard to keep your eyes open and youll just want to drift off to sleep your eyes will feel
very, very heavy and theyll want to blink in fact theyll begin to blink and you wont be able to stop them
from blinking and as they do youll feel more and more sleepy more and more drowsy and your eyes
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will want to close as you feel more and more relaxed and sleepy in fact, they will close and youll drift off
into a deep deep state of blissful relaxation a much, much deeper state than youre feeling right now so
when I count up to five and you wake up you wont be able to keep your eyes open for very long at all
because youll feel so very, very tired so very, very drowsy that theyll soon start to blink and close. And
youll fall into a deep deep sleep
When the subject is then woken up, their eyes will begin to blink, or will remain half closed and this quite
natural state is what we utilize if they blink, youll say something like:
There you are your eyes are starting to blink because they feel so tired and drowsy theyre feeling heavier
and heavier and they just want to close
If they dont blink, but remain half-closed and sleepy, you might say:
Thats right notice how sleepy and drowsy those eyes feel they dont really want to stay open because
youre feeling more and more sleepy as Im talking to you more and more drowsy your eyelids are feeling
heavier and heavier and you cant help but let them close and youre falling into a deeper and deeper
sleep
If you deepen the trance even more using a countdown or visualization, then wake the client again, when
they drift back into trance theyll go even deeper and faster, and be more open to your therapeutic
intervention.
Before waking them up, you can suggest that when you mention the word sleep, theyll be unable to resist
closing their eyes and drifting off into a deep, deep, relaxing sleep.

http://www.whatsonmybrain.com/deepeners-part-4/
Joshua Houghton

1/24/2014

Here we are, at the final part of this mini-series about deepeners. By the time youve finished reading this
part, assuming youve looked at the first three articles in the series, youll have a nice, reliable bank of 10
methods for deepening the level of trance that your hypnosis clients experience.

Deepener 9 Limb phenomena


Heres one which, as you gain in confidence, you can develop and take to different levels. Its helpful for
clients who want to be certain that they really have been hypnotized. It involves making the limb (usually the
arm) feel very light and rise up in the air, then returning the normal feeling of weight to it so that it lowers
back to rest on the arm of the chair, or into the subjects lap, with an accompanying feeling of deep relaxation.
Having induced a certain level of trance, you might say something like:
Id like you to focus your attention on your right arm now. Feel how relaxed it is. Notice the sensation of the
leather beneath your palm (or whatever appropriate description would match the subjects experience) and
let your whole arm relax even more, resting more heavily against the arm of the chair. More and more
relaxed so relaxed that it almost feels as though its quite detached from you
And now imagine that arm becoming lighter and lighter until theres hardly any sensation of weight in that
arm at all so light feeling weightless light as a feather so that if you let it go, it can begin to float
upwards, almost as though it is attached to a balloon, that effortlessly lifts your arm up into the air, lighter
and lighter imagine theres a string round your wrist attached to that balloon, gradually lifting your arm up
so that it can float gently, higher and higher thats right (even if the subjects arm hasnt moved yet, they
will be experiencing a feeling of lightness in the limb you may have to repeat the suggestions of lightness a
few times more, or even lift the arm a fraction, saying see how light it is and easy for me to lift, just to start
the motion upwards, but in most cases this will happen quite readily)
Having induced the feeling of lightness and the raising of the arm, you can simply talk the weight gradually
back into the arm, and suggest that it gently lowers back down as it returns to normal. Please remember to
return the limb to normal. If your client walks out at the end of the session looking lop-sided, youll know
you forgot!
As the feeling of weight returns to the arm, you can say how, as it lowers, your client is falling deeper and
deeper into trance or relaxation, becoming deeply, deeply relaxed and enjoying that pleasant sensation.
This can be taken further by inducing a rigid arm, suggesting the arm is stuck to the chair, and/or complete
arm catalepsy (total inability to move any part of it), just be certain to return the limb to normal when youre
done!

Deepener 10 Feedback Technique


Ive included this one because, although theres nothing exciting or dramatic about it, its an excellent one to
have up your sleeve for clients who are nervous and/or have difficulty going deeper than a superficial level
of trance.
If someone seems to only enter a very light trance, the feedback technique simply involves asking them to
describe in detail the sensations they felt when going into that light trance. This can be quite different for
each individual.
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By carefully noting what the client was feeling and in what order, you can take them back into trance,
describing what they are going to feel, in the same order as before.
It seems theres no resistance to these suggestions because they reflect what the client has already
experienced and expects to experience again.
This confirmation of the clients experience helps them to go deeper into trance each time, as they recognize
what you are telling them, and therefore accept that they must be going into trance.
You can repeat the procedure of waking them, discussing anything new about their experience this time, and
then inducing trance again, utilizing the new information. Each time, the level of trance achieved should be
noticeably deeper.

Deepeners Part 4 Conclusion


Throughout these articles Ive tried to give a fairly detailed idea of how the deepeners work and examples of
the wording you might use. But in this final installment I want to emphasize the importance of getting to
know the nature and flow of a technique, then using words and phrases that are natural to you.
When I first started to learn this hypnosis stuff, I would sit with my clients (thankfully just my fellow
students!) and read, word for word, the scripts we were given by the college. Although they were excellent,
reliable scripts, some of the language just didnt sit naturally with me.
As a result, although they worked reasonably well, I couldnt get into that flow which is part of the magic
of being a hypnotist. And because the words werent natural to me I would stumble and hesitate at times.
My very compliant fellow students were extremely tolerant (we were all in the same boat, and they were just
as bad!) but Im glad they were not paying clients!
As my confidence grew I began to follow the general structure of the scripts, but in my own words. Just this
simple action led to my subjects experiencing a much deeper level of trance.
I would go so far as to say that for novice and student hypnotists, this shift to using your own, natural language
is a deepener in itself! So I urge you to make these techniques your own, and have fun with them responsibly
of course!

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