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Conversational Hypnosis, what is it:

Conversational Hypnosis — also called covert hypnosis or indirect hypnosis — is a communication technique used to influence someone’s subconscious mind through ordinary conversation, without them necessarily being aware that hypnosis is occurring.

Core Concept:

Conversational hypnosis uses language patterns, suggestion, and rapport-building to gently bypass the critical, analytical part of the mind and access the unconscious — where deeper change can happen (e.g., altering beliefs, attitudes, behaviors).

Key Techniques in Conversational Hypnosis:

Rapport Building
 Establishing trust, empathy, and psychological alignment with the listener. Without rapport, the subconscious is less receptive.

Pacing and Leading
 Start by stating observable truths (pacing), which builds agreement, then subtly guide the person toward a suggestion or desired thought (leading).

  • Example: “You’re sitting here reading this, maybe curious about how your mind works… and as you continue, you might begin to notice…”

Hypnotic Language Patterns (Ericksonian)
 Inspired by Milton Erickson, these include:

  • Embedded commands: “You might begin to feel more confident.”
  • Double binds: “Would you prefer to relax now or in a few minutes?”
  • Tag questions: “That makes sense, doesn’t it?”
  • Implied causality: “As you sit here, you’ll naturally start to feel more at ease.”

Metaphors and Stories
 Personal or symbolic stories bypass resistance and embed suggestions indirectly.

  • E.g., “I once knew someone who used to doubt themselves, but something shifted when they realized…”

Open Loops and Curiosity
 Creating unresolved ideas or stories keeps the subconscious engaged and primed to accept suggestions.

  • “There’s something I want to tell you that could really change how you think about confidence…”

Applications of Conversational Hypnosis:

  • Therapy and coaching (e.g., building motivation, reducing anxiety)
  • Sales and negotiation (ethical influence)
  • Public speaking (engaging an audience deeply)
  • Personal development and habit change

Ethical Considerations:

Conversational hypnosis can be powerful and should be used with integrity. Misuse for manipulation or coercion can be harmful. When applied ethically, it’s a tool for positive influence, healing, and growth.

Here’s a simple example of a conversation using conversational hypnosis techniques, particularly drawn from Milton Erickson’s indirect approach. Imagine this is a therapist or coach helping someone feel more confident:

Scene: A client feels nervous about public speaking.

Coach:
 “You know, a lot of people feel a little uncertain before they speak. And it’s perfectly natural, isn’t it? After all, when you care about something, it means you want to do it well… and just the fact that you care means something’s already working inside.”

(Rapport + pacing experience)

Client:
 “Yeah, I guess so. I just get tense before I speak.”

Coach:
 “And that tension… that’s just energy, really. A kind of energy that, once it shifts, can actually become focus. Have you noticed how sometimes when you’re doing something important, you almost forget the nervousness… and something else takes over?”

(Reframe + implied causality + open loop)

Client:
 “Sometimes, yeah… when I’m in the zone.”

Coach:
 “Exactly. And as you think about times you’ve been ‘in the zone,’ you might find it interesting… that the mind can remember that state and even return to it more easily than expected. Some people are surprised how quickly they can shift, once they allow that process to begin.”

(Embedded suggestion + indirect priming of internal resources)

Client:
 “Huh, I never thought about it that way.”

Coach:
 “Most people don’t, until they realize… that calm and confidence are already part of who they are. Maybe they were just waiting for the right moment to come back.”

What’s Happening Under the Surface:

  • No direct command like “Relax!” or “Be confident!”
  • Subtle suggestions are embedded within casual conversation.
  • The client’s subconscious is gently guided to associate past success with present potential.
  • The coach uses open language, reframing, and metaphors of natural learning and transformation.

Shervan K Shahhian

We should , Have Hope in Humanity, why:

That’s a profound question — and one that cuts right to the heart of psychology, philosophy, and even spirituality.

We should have hope in humanity not because humanity is perfect, but because it is capable of growth, reflection, and renewal. Here are several perspectives that explain why:

1. The Capacity for Compassion

Even in the darkest times, people consistently show acts of kindness — rescuing strangers, helping the poor, protecting the environment, or standing up for justice. Across cultures and history, compassion persists as a fundamental human impulse.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” — Oscar Wilde

2. The Drive to Evolve

Human beings are learning organisms. Psychologically, every generation has improved its understanding of trauma, empathy, and mental health. As knowledge deepens, so does our capacity to act with wisdom rather than impulse.

In this sense, hope in humanity is hope in our ability to learn from suffering — to transform mistakes into insight.

3. Creative and Spiritual Potential

Art, science, and spirituality reveal humanity’s higher nature. From music and literature to the exploration of space, these pursuits express a yearning to connect with something larger than ourselves — truth, beauty, or divinity.

This creative impulse suggests that there is something inherently luminous within human consciousness.

4. Resilience in Crisis

History shows that after every collapse — wars, pandemics, disasters — people rebuild. Hope is not naive optimism; it’s the recognition that the human spirit, though wounded, always seeks to heal and rebuild.

5. The Ripple Effect of Goodness

Psychologically, acts of hope and goodness are contagious. One person choosing integrity, forgiveness, or courage can influence dozens more. This collective ripple can shift the tone of communities, nations, even civilizations.

6. Hope as a Moral Act

To have hope in humanity is itself a moral choice — a refusal to surrender to cynicism. It keeps the inner world aligned with possibility, which strengthens the outer world through our actions and words.

Hope is a discipline. — Mariame Kaba

Shervan K Shahhian

Preventive Psychotherapy differs from Traditional Psychotherapy:

Preventive psychotherapy differs from traditional psychotherapy mainly in its focus, goals, and timing.

 Here’s a clear comparison:

Aspect Preventive Psychotherapy Traditional Psychotherapy Primary Focus Prevention of future mental health problems and strengthening resilience Treatment of existing psychological disorders or distress Timing Provided before serious symptoms develop — aims to stop problems from forming or worsening Provided after symptoms or dysfunction appear Goals Build coping skills, emotional awareness, and adaptive behaviors to handle stressors early Reduce symptoms, resolve conflicts, and promote recovery Target Group Individuals at risk (e.g., high stress, trauma exposure, family history of mental illness)Individuals already experiencing psychological issues Approach Emphasizes education, early intervention, lifestyle modification, and emotional skill-building Emphasizes insight, behavioral change, and deeper therapeutic work Outcome Reduced incidence of mental illness; increased resilience and well-being Symptom relief, improved functioning, and healing from distress.

Example:

  • Preventive psychotherapy might teach stress management and emotional regulation to college students before exams to prevent anxiety disorders.
  • Traditional psychotherapy might treat someone already diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.

Shervan K Shahhian

Psychosomatic Disorder, what is it:

A psychosomatic disorder is a condition in which psychological factors (such as stress, anxiety, or unresolved conflict) cause or worsen physical symptoms. The term comes from “psyche” (mind) and “soma” (body), reflecting the close connection between emotional and physical health.

Key Features

  • The physical symptoms are real and measurable, not imagined.
  • However, their origin or severity is strongly influenced by mental or emotional states.
  • Symptoms may appear in nearly any body system (e.g., digestive, cardiovascular, nervous, or immune).

Common Examples

(See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist)

  • Tension headaches or migraines triggered by stress.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) linked to anxiety.
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure) worsened by chronic stress.
  • Asthma attacks influenced by emotional tension.
  • Chronic pain without clear physical cause (e.g., back pain, muscle tension).

Psychological Mechanism

The mind-body connection operates through the autonomic nervous system and stress hormones.
When under emotional strain:

The brain activates the fight-or-flight response.

This triggers physiological changes — increased heart rate, muscle tension, altered digestion, etc.

If sustained, these changes can damage organs or disrupt normal function, resulting in physical illness.

Treatment Approaches

Effective care addresses both the mind and body:

  • Psychotherapy (especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, CBT)
  • Stress management and relaxation training
  • Mindfulness or meditation
  • Lifestyle changes (sleep, exercise, nutrition)

Medication (See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist)

Shervan K Shahhian

Have Hope in Humanity, why:

That’s a profound statement and one that cuts right to the heart of psychology, philosophy, and even spirituality.

We should have hope in humanity not because humanity is perfect, but because it is capable of growth, reflection, and renewal. Here are several perspectives that explain why:

1. The Capacity for Compassion

Even in the darkest times, people consistently show acts of kindness — rescuing strangers, helping the poor, protecting the environment, or standing up for justice. Across cultures and history, compassion persists as a fundamental human impulse.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” — Oscar Wilde

2. The Drive to Evolve

Human beings are learning organisms. Psychologically, every generation has improved its understanding of trauma, empathy, and mental health. As knowledge deepens, so does our capacity to act with wisdom rather than impulse.

In this sense, hope in humanity is hope in our ability to learn from suffering — to transform mistakes into insight.

3. Creative and Spiritual Potential

Art, science, and spirituality reveal humanity’s higher nature. From music and literature to the exploration of space, these pursuits express a yearning to connect with something larger than ourselves — truth, beauty, or divinity.

This creative impulse suggests that there is something inherently luminous within human consciousness.

4. Resilience in Crisis

History shows that after every collapse — wars, pandemics, disasters — people rebuild. Hope is not naive optimism; it’s the recognition that the human spirit, though wounded, always seeks to heal and rebuild.

5. The Ripple Effect of Goodness

Psychologically, acts of hope and goodness are contagious. One person choosing integrity, forgiveness, or courage can influence dozens more. This collective ripple can shift the tone of communities, nations, even civilizations.

6. Hope as a Moral Act

To have hope in humanity is itself a moral choice — a refusal to surrender to cynicism. It keeps the inner world aligned with possibility, which strengthens the outer world through our actions and words. Hope is a discipline. Mariame Kaba

Shervan K Shahhian

Short-term Counseling, why:


Short-term counseling (also called brief therapy) is used because it helps clients address specific issues efficiently, often within a limited time frame. It focuses on creating meaningful change without the need for long-term treatment.

Here are the main reasons why short-term counseling is valuable:

Goal-Focused

It targets a specific problem — such as stress, grief, or a relationship conflict — rather than exploring the entire life history.
The counselor and client identify clear, realistic goals early on.
Time-Efficient

Usually lasts from 6 to 12 sessions, making it practical for clients with limited time or resources.
Useful in settings like schools, community clinics, or workplaces.
Empowers Clients Quickly

Encourages clients to develop coping strategies and practical tools they can apply right away.
Builds self-efficacy by showing that progress is possible within a short period.
Cost-Effective

Requires fewer sessions, reducing the financial burden of therapy.
Evidence-Based Success

Research shows brief interventions (like CBT-based short-term models) can be just as effective as long-term therapy for specific issues such as anxiety, depression, and adjustment problems.
Prevents Problem Escalation

Early, focused counseling can stop small issues from becoming major psychological or behavioral disorders — making it preventive as well as therapeutic.
There are several models of short-term counseling, each with its own focus and method, but all share the goal of producing meaningful change in a limited time. Here are the main models:

  1. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
    Key idea: Focus on solutions, not problems.
    Goal: Help clients identify what’s already working and build on their strengths.
    Techniques:
    “Miracle question” (“If the problem disappeared overnight, what would be different?”)
    Scaling questions (rating progress or motivation from 0–10)
    Highlighting exceptions (times when the problem was less severe)
    Typical length: 4–8 sessions.
    Best for: Goal-setting, motivation, and problem-solving.
  2. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Brief CBT)
    Key idea: Thoughts affect feelings and behavior — change the thought, change the outcome.
    Goal: Identify distorted thinking and replace it with balanced, realistic thoughts.
    Techniques:
    Thought records
    Behavioral experiments
    Cognitive restructuring
    Typical length: 6–12 sessions.
    Best for: Anxiety, depression, stress, and coping skills.
  3. Brief Psychodynamic Therapy
    Key idea: Explore unconscious patterns, early experiences, and emotional conflicts — but in a focused, time-limited way.
    Goal: Gain insight into recurring emotional themes that shape current behavior.
    Techniques:
    Focus on a single “core conflictual theme”
    Exploring defense mechanisms and relational patterns
    Typical length: 12–20 sessions.
    Best for: Interpersonal issues and emotional insight.
  4. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT — Brief Model)
    Key idea: Emotional distress is often linked to current relationship problems.
    Goal: Improve communication and resolve interpersonal conflicts or role transitions.
    Techniques:
    Clarifying emotional needs in relationships
    Improving social support and communication
    Typical length: 12–16 sessions.
    Best for: Depression, grief, and life transitions.
  5. Motivational Interviewing (MI)
    Key idea: People are more likely to change when they find their own motivation.
    Goal: Strengthen a person’s internal motivation and commitment to change.
    Techniques:
    Open-ended questions
    Reflective listening
    Exploring ambivalence
    Typical length: 1–6 sessions.
    Best for: Substance use, health behavior change, and ambivalence about goals.
  6. Crisis Intervention Model
    Key idea: Provide immediate support and stabilization during an acute crisis.
    Goal: Restore equilibrium and prevent lasting psychological harm.
    Techniques:
    Rapid assessment of risk and needs
    Emotional support and problem-solving
    Safety planning and connection to ongoing help
    Typical length: 1–3 sessions.
    Best for: Trauma, loss, or sudden life events.
    Shervan K Shahhian

Catatonic, explained:

A catatonic episode is a medical emergency because of risks like dehydration, malnutrition, or self-harm.

See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist for more information.


Catatonia (or being catatonic) is a psychomotor syndrome — meaning it involves a disruption of movement and behavior that arises from a psychiatric, neurological, or medical condition. It’s not a disorder by itself but a state that can occur in various conditions such as schizophrenia, mood disorders (especially bipolar disorder and major depression), or medical/neurological illnesses.

Here’s a breakdown to help you understand it clearly:

 What Catatonia Is
Catatonia is a state of psychomotor disturbance characterized by abnormal movements, behaviors, or postures. A person in a catatonic state may appear frozen, unresponsive, or oddly repetitive in their actions.

⚙️ Common Symptoms (You Only Need 3 for Diagnosis)
According to the DSM-5, catatonia is diagnosed when three or more of the following symptoms are present:

Stupor — No psychomotor activity; not actively relating to the environment.

Catalepsy — Passive holding of a posture against gravity (e.g., arm remains raised when lifted).

Waxy flexibility — The person’s limbs stay in whatever position someone else places them.

Mutism — Little or no verbal response.

Negativism — Resistance to instructions or attempts to be moved.

Posturing — Voluntary assumption of bizarre or inappropriate postures.

Mannerisms — Odd, exaggerated actions of normal behavior.

Stereotypy — Repetitive, non-goal-directed movements (e.g., rocking, hand flapping).

Agitation — Excessive movement not influenced by external stimuli.

Grimacing — Strange facial expressions.

Echolalia — Mimicking another’s speech.

Echopraxia — Mimicking another’s movements.

🩺 Causes and Associated Conditions
Catatonia can occur with:

Schizophrenia (especially catatonic type)

Bipolar disorder (especially manic or mixed episodes)

Major depressive disorder

Neurological or medical conditions (e.g., encephalitis, metabolic disorders)

Substance use or withdrawal

 Treatment
Catatonia is a medical emergency if severe (especially if the person stops eating or drinking).


Common treatments include:

A catatonic episode is a medical emergency because of risks like dehydration, malnutrition, or self-harm.

See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist for more information.

Treating the underlying condition (psychiatric or medical cause).

Example
A person with bipolar disorder may suddenly stop speaking, stay in one position for hours, and resist movement. Despite appearing “frozen,” they may still be aware of their surroundings — this is a catatonic episode.

Shervan K Shahhian

Main Catatonic Symptoms, explained:

A catatonic episode is a medical emergency because of risks like dehydration, malnutrition, or self-harm.

See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist for more information.

The main catatonic symptoms are grouped under three broad categories — motor, behavioral, and speech abnormalities. According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), at least three of the following symptoms are required for a diagnosis of catatonia:

Core Catatonic Symptoms

Stupor, No psychomotor activity; not actively relating to the environment.

Catalepsy, Passive induction of a posture held against gravity (e.g., maintaining an uncomfortable pose).

Waxy flexibility, Slight, even resistance to positioning by the examiner (as if the body were made of wax).

Mutism, Little or no verbal response (not due to aphasia).

Negativism, Opposition or no response to instructions or external stimuli.

Posturing, Spontaneous maintenance of a posture against gravity (e.g., holding arms outstretched).

Mannerisms, Odd, circumstantial caricatures of normal actions.

Stereotypy, Repetitive, non-goal-directed movements (e.g., rocking, hand flapping).

Agitation, Excessive motor activity not influenced by external stimuli.

Grimacing, Fixed or exaggerated facial expressions.

Echolalia, Mimicking another’s speech.

Echopraxia, Mimicking another’s movements.

Simplified Summary

  • Motor immobility or rigidity (stupor, catalepsy, waxy flexibility)
  • Decreased verbal/motor response (mutism, negativism)
  • Repetitive or purposeless behaviors (stereotypy, mannerisms, echolalia, echopraxia)
  • Agitation or excitement (when catatonia appears as excessive, purposeless activity.)
  • Shervan K Shahhian

Differentiate Catatonic Symptoms, explained:

A catatonic episode is a medical emergency because of risks like dehydration, malnutrition, or self-harm.

See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist for more information.


Catatonic symptoms refer to a group of psychomotor disturbances seen in various mental and medical conditions (most often in schizophrenia, mood disorders, or neurological conditions). These symptoms can range from severe motor immobility to excessive agitation and bizarre movements.

Here’s a breakdown of the main catatonic symptoms and how they differ:

 1. Motor Immobility (Stupor)

  • Definition: Complete lack of movement or response to external stimuli.
  • Example: A person remains motionless for hours, doesn’t react to being touched or spoken to.
  • Differentiation: Unlike depression-related slowing, in catatonia the immobility is extreme and may include rigidity.

2. Mutism

  • Definition: Little or no verbal response despite the ability to speak.
  • Example: The person is awake but silent, even when directly addressed.
  • Differentiation: Not due to language comprehension deficits or refusal—it’s a motor inhibition of speech.

 3. Negativism

  • Definition: Resistance to instructions or attempts to be moved, or doing the opposite of what is asked.
  • Example: When asked to raise their arm, the person resists or lowers it instead.
  • Differentiation: Different from oppositional behavior; this resistance is automatic, not purposeful.

4. Posturing

  • Definition: Voluntarily holding a bizarre or rigid posture for long periods.
  • Example: Standing with arms raised or body twisted in an unnatural position for minutes or hours.
  • Differentiation: Maintained despite discomfort and without external cause.

5. Waxy Flexibility

  • Definition: Limbs remain in positions placed by another person, as if the body were made of wax.
  • Example: If you lift the person’s arm, it stays in that position until moved again.
  • Differentiation: A key sign of catatonia, showing passive maintenance of imposed posture.

 6. Echolalia

  • Definition: Repeating another person’s words or phrases.
  • Example: When you say “How are you?” the person responds, “How are you?”
  • Differentiation: Not purposeful mimicry; it’s automatic repetition.

7. Echopraxia

  • Definition: Imitating another person’s movements.
  • Example: If you scratch your head, the patient mimics the movement.
  • Differentiation: Unlike playful imitation, it’s involuntary and repetitive.

 8. Catatonic Excitement

  • Definition: Extreme, purposeless motor activity; agitation without clear goal.
  • Example: Running around, grimacing, shouting, or repetitive gestures.
  • Differentiation: Not driven by external stimuli or internal goals (unlike mania).

 9. Stereotypy and Mannerisms

  • Stereotypy: Repetitive, non-goal-directed movements (e.g., rocking, finger tapping).
  • Mannerisms: Odd, exaggerated movements with apparent purpose (e.g., saluting repeatedly).
  • Differentiation: Both differ from tics or compulsions because they lack awareness or intent.

 Summary Table

CategoryExample SymptomKey Feature
Decreased Motor ActivityStupor, Mutism, Waxy FlexibilityStillness, lack of response
Increased Motor ActivityCatatonic ExcitementAgitated, purposeless movement
Abnormal Motor BehaviorPosturing, Echolalia, EchopraxiaOdd or repetitive movements/speech
Negativistic BehaviorNegativismOpposition to movement/instruction

Shervan K Shahhian

Catatonic episode, explained:

A catatonic episode is a medical emergency because of risks like dehydration, malnutrition, or self-harm.

See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist for more information.

A catatonic episode is a period of time in which a person shows abnormalities in movement, behavior, or speech that are characteristic of catatonia — a psychomotor syndrome that can appear in several mental or medical conditions (like schizophrenia, mood disorders, or neurological illness).

During a catatonic episode, a person may alternate between extreme immobility and agitation, or show peculiar postures, resistance to movement, or echoing behaviors.

Common Features of a Catatonic Episode

A person may show one or more of the following:

  • Stupor: Little or no movement or response to the environment
  • Mutism: Minimal or absent speech
  • Negativism: Resistance to instructions or movement without explanation
  • Posturing: Holding a rigid or unusual body position for long periods
  • Waxy flexibility: Limbs stay in the position they’re placed by someone else
  • Echolalia: Repeating others’ words
  • Echopraxia: Imitating others’ movements
  • Agitation: Sudden bursts of purposeless activity
  • Grimacing or stereotypy: Repetitive, non-goal-directed facial expressions or movements

Causes

Catatonic episodes can occur in:

  • Schizophrenia (catatonic type)
  • Bipolar disorder or major depression with psychotic features
  • Medical or neurological conditions (e.g., infections, metabolic disorders)See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist for more information.
  • Substance use or withdrawal

Treatment

A catatonic episode is a medical emergency because of risks like dehydration, malnutrition, or self-harm.


Treatment may include:

See a Psychiatrist and or a Neurologist for more information.

  • Treating the underlying condition (psychiatric or medical)

Shervan K Shahhian