mindfulness – LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Mind-Body Psychology, what is it:

Mind–Body Psychology (often called psychophysiology, somatic psychology, or mind–body medicine) is the field that explores how thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and stress responses influence the body, and how the body, in turn, shapes psychological experience.

It is the study of the continuous two-way communication between mind and body.

Core Principles

1. The Mind and Body Are Not Separate

Mind–body psychology rejects the old idea that “mental” and “physical” problems are independent.
Instead, it views every experience as both psychological and physiological.

For example:

Anxiety → faster heartbeat, muscle tension, shallow breathing
Chronic muscle tension → increased irritability, vigilance, worry
Emotional suppression → chronic pain or psychosomatic symptoms

This is known as bidirectional influence.

2. Emotions Are Bodily Events

Emotions are not just “in your head” — they involve:

Hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, oxytocin)
Autonomic nervous system activation
Muscle posture patterns
Breath patterns
Gut–brain signals

Thus, emotional states can develop into psychosomatic conditions when chronic and unresolved.

3. Stress Physiology Shapes Mental Health

CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR

Chronic stress affects:

Immune function
Digestion
Sleep cycles
Inflammation
Pain sensitivity
Cognitive focus

Mind–body psychology studies how long-term stress can eventually produce:

CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR

Hypertension
IBS
Headaches
Fatigue
Anxiety/depression
Trauma responses

4. The Body Stores “Implicit Memory”

CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL DOCTOR

Trauma and prolonged emotional states can leave sensory, postural, and visceral imprints in the body.

Examples:

Tight chest from long-term grief
Hypervigilant posture from trauma
Gut discomfort linked to fear conditioning

Approaches like somatic experiencing, EMDR, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and mindfulness-based therapies work directly with these body-based memories.

5. Healing Uses Both Mind and Body

Mind–body psychology incorporates tools such as:

Cognitive tools

Reframing thinking patterns
Reducing catastrophic thinking
Building emotional awareness

Body-based tools

Breathwork
Progressive relaxation
Grounding and centering exercises
Somatic tracking
Movement therapies (yoga, tai chi, somatic therapy)

Healing often requires both: changing mental frameworks and recalibrating bodily stress responses.

6. The Body as an “Early Warning System”

Often the body signals psychological distress long before conscious awareness does.

Examples:

Tight shoulders during interpersonal conflict
Stomach discomfort when a boundary is violated
Fatigue during emotional suppression

Mind–body psychology helps people learn to read these signals as data, not defects.

7. Psychosomatic Illness Is Real, Not Imagined

In mind–body psychology, psychosomatic conditions are understood as:

Real bodily changes
Triggered or maintained by psychological stress
Influenced by neural pathways and unconscious processes

Symptoms are not fake, but originate through the mind–body interaction.

Short Definition

Mind–Body Psychology is the study of how mental processes and emotional states influence physical health — and how bodily conditions and sensations shape thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Shervan K Shahhian

Anticipating Emerging Mental Health Risks, an explanation:

Anticipating Emerging Mental Health Risks means identifying psychological threats before they fully develop, so individuals, clinicians, and institutions can intervene early. Think of it as psychological early-warning detection — similar to strategic risk intelligence, but applied to human wellbeing.

Here’s a clear, practical breakdown:

1. Core Idea

Anticipating emerging mental-health risks involves:

Detecting early patterns of vulnerability
Understanding shifting social, technological, and environmental pressures
Predicting where new forms of distress will arise
Intervening before the problem becomes a disorder

It’s preventative mental-health strategy at a societal and individual level.

2. Key Emerging Risk Categories

A. Digital & Technological Stressors

AI-related job insecurity
Deepfake-based harassment
Doom-scrolling overload
Identity fragmentation from curated online selves
These produce chronic anticipatory anxiety, self-comparison depression, and attentional collapse.

B. Environmental and Societal Instability

Climate anxiety / eco-grief
Economic precarity
Community fragmentation
These amplify feelings of lack of control, disconnection, and future insecurity.

C. Loneliness & Social Disintegration

Rising single-person households
Remote work disconnects
Less social ritual and shared meaning
Leads to depressive drift, existential emptiness, and anomie.

D. Youth-Specific Risks

Early exposure to algorithmic adult content
Gamified dopamine cycles in apps
Identity confusion due to constant comparison
Produces emotional dysregulation and fragile self-structure.

E. Parapsychological & Altered-State Risks

Given your background:

Misinterpreting intuitive or altered-state experiences
Boundary erosion between symbolic meaning and literal belief
Psychic overload from overstimulation or ungrounded exploration
Social isolation due to “experiencer” stigma

These can be stabilized with grounding practices and reflective psychological containment.

3. How Psychologists Anticipate These Risks

1. Pattern Recognition

Tracking:

Micro-trends in symptoms
New types of client language (“I feel digitally drained,” “AI is replacing me,” etc.)
Shifts in sleep cycles, stress patterns, and attention capacity

2. Horizon Scanning

Borrowed from intelligence work:

Monitoring emerging technologies
Societal disruptions
Youth culture shifts
Early warning signals in research data

3. Psychological Forecasting

Using:

Behavioral science models
Stress–vulnerability frameworks
Mapping social pressures to likely mental-health outcomes

4. Ecological Assessment

Understanding a person’s:

Social ecosystem
Digital ecosystem
Meaning ecosystem
Stress ecosystem
This holistic map shows where weak points will emerge.

4. Practical Early-Warning Signs in Individuals

Psychologists look for:

Micro-avoidances (subtle withdrawal from interactions)
Fragmented attention (jumping tasks constantly)
Meaning fatigue (“Nothing feels important anymore”)
Somatic whispers (body tension, headaches, insomnia — before psychological labels appear)
Belief-rigidity as a coping mechanism
Increased magical thinking or symbolic overlay under stress

5. Interventions Focused on Prevention

Strengthening psychological flexibility
Building future resilience maps
Teaching information hygiene and digital boundaries
Encouraging micro-rituals for grounding
Creating early-alert self-monitoring habits
Supporting meaning-making frameworks that don’t collapse under stress

Here is a method for building a personal psychological risk radar — a system that helps you sense emerging mental-health vulnerabilities before they become problems. It possibly blends clinical psychology, self-observation.

PERSONAL RISK RADAR: A 5-SYSTEM MODEL

Your risk radar has five “sensors” that detect weak signals of future distress:

Somatic Sensor (body-based warnings)

Emotional Sensor (mood patterns)

Cognitive Sensor (thought patterns)

Behavioral Sensor (micro-behaviors)

Contextual Sensor (environment, people, digital life)

Each catches different types of early risk.

1. SOMATIC SENSOR — “THE BODY WHISPERS BEFORE IT SCREAMS”

Track:

Subtle tension (neck, gut, jaw)
Sleep drift (even 20–30 min later than usual)
Appetite fragmentation
New headaches or heaviness

Why it matters:
The nervous system shows stress before emotions do.

Daily check (30 seconds):
“What is my body telling me about upcoming stress?”
Notice: tightness, speed, heaviness, numbness.

2. EMOTIONAL SENSOR — MICRO-SHIFTS

You don’t look for full emotions; you look for micro-emotions:

Low-grade irritability
Meaning fatigue (“I don’t care”)
Emotional flatness
Difficulty feeling warmth toward others
Drifting anxiety without a cause

Risk signal:
If the same micro-emotion repeats for 3 days, you are in a pre-risk zone.

3. COGNITIVE SENSOR — PATTERN DISTORTIONS

Notice specific early cognitive signs:

More “what if” thinking
Black-and-white interpretations
Catastrophic forecasting
Increased magical thinking under stress (in your case, symbolic experiences turning literal without reflection)
Reduced mental spaciousness

Risk signal:
When thoughts speed up or narrow down, risk is rising.

4. BEHAVIORAL SENSOR — THE SILENT INDICATOR

Track subtle behaviors:

Increased scrolling
Avoiding one specific task
Needing more stimulation
Small social withdrawals (not returning messages)
Lost routines (exercise, hygiene, morning structure)

Risk signal:
A shift in three daily micro-habits means your system is compensating for stress.

5. CONTEXTUAL SENSOR — WHAT IS PRESSING ON YOU

Your context predicts your risk:

Check three pressure areas:

Social: conflict, isolation, misunderstanding
Digital: overexposure, anxiety-inducing content
Life tension: finances, workload, uncertainty

Ask:
“What external pressures are shaping my inner state this week?”

The key is not to take your feelings personally — often they are contextual, not internal defects.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER: YOUR WEEKLY RISK RADAR

Quick Scan (5 minutes, once a week)

BUILT-IN PROTECTIVE STRATEGIES

When your radar detects early risk:

A. Ground the autonomic nervous system (somatic)

Slow exhalations
60–90 seconds of stillness
Drop shoulders + jaw

B. Reinforce psychological container (cognitive)

Write one grounding sentence:
“These are states, not truths.”

C. Restore one anchor behavior (behavioral)

Pick one small routine to re-stabilize:

Make your bed
Drink water early
10-minute walk
Quick journaling

D. Reconnect with a stabilizing relationship (social)

A 3-minute check-in with someone who understands you.

OPTIONAL: INTEGRATE INTUITIVE / ALTERED-STATE SENSORS

CRV, symbolic meaning, and expanded perception:

Create a dedicated check-in question:
“Are my impressions symbolic, emotional, or literal?”

This prevents:

symbolic overload
misattribution
psychological drift
overstimulation from intuitive practices

Grounding this keeps your intuitive work stable.

Shervan K Shahhian

The Hedonic Treadmill, explained:

The hedonic treadmill (also called hedonic adaptation) is a psychological concept describing how people tend to return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative life changes.

Core Idea
No matter what happens — winning the lottery, getting a promotion, or experiencing loss — our emotional state tends to “reset” over time. After a period of excitement or sadness, people usually revert to their baseline level of happiness.

Psychological Explanation
Adaptation: Humans quickly get used to new circumstances. Once something becomes familiar, it has less emotional impact.

Comparison: We constantly compare ourselves to others or to our past selves, adjusting expectations and satisfaction levels.

Desire Renewal: Once one goal is achieved, a new one arises — keeping us “running” on the treadmill of seeking happiness.

Example
Someone wins $10 million. At first, their happiness spikes.

After months or a year, they adapt to the new lifestyle, and their happiness returns to roughly the same level as before the win.

Similarly, someone who loses their job may feel depressed but often recovers emotionally over time.

Therapeutic Implications
In psychotherapy or positive psychology, this concept emphasizes:

The importance of cultivating internal sources of happiness (like gratitude, mindfulness, or meaning) rather than external ones.

Encouraging clients to build sustainable well-being practices, not rely solely on changing life circumstances.

I would like to explain how the hedonic treadmill connects specifically to psychotherapy:

In psychotherapy, the hedonic treadmill helps explain why external life changes — money, success, relationships — often fail to produce lasting happiness or relief from emotional distress.

Here’s how it connects clinically and therapeutically:

1. Understanding Client Dissatisfaction
Many clients enter therapy believing:

“If I get this job, partner, or house, I’ll finally be happy.”

The hedonic treadmill helps therapists show that external goals alone don’t create enduring fulfillment. This awareness can shift therapy toward internal growth, values, and self-awareness, rather than constant pursuit of new external “fixes.”

2. Focus on Sustainable Well-Being
Therapists often teach clients to build psychological resilience and inner contentment through:

Mindfulness (staying present and savoring experiences)

Gratitude practices (appreciating what one already has)

Values-based living (pursuing meaning, not just pleasure)

Self-compassion (reducing self-criticism)

These help break the cycle of adaptation and create a deeper baseline of well-being.

3. Cognitive and Behavioral Reframing
In Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), clients may learn that chasing external rewards can reinforce avoidance of inner pain.
Instead, therapy works on acceptance, mindfulness, and committed action — anchoring happiness in personal meaning and acceptance, not constant novelty.

4. Example in Session
Client: “I thought getting this promotion would make me happy, but I feel empty again.”
Therapist: “That’s a common experience — our minds adapt quickly to new rewards. Let’s explore what lasting satisfaction means for you beyond achievement.”

This opens the door to deeper existential or emotional exploration.

5. Ultimate Goal
Psychotherapy helps clients step off the hedonic treadmill — to find a sense of peace and meaning that isn’t constantly dependent on external changes.

Shervan K Shahhian

Practice brief intervention techniques that motivate real change without judgment or confrontation:

Yes — you can practice Brief Intervention (BI) techniques in a way that encourages change through empathy, curiosity, and collaboration rather than judgment or confrontation. These techniques are often rooted in Motivational Interviewing (MI), which focuses on helping people resolve ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change.

Here’s a practical breakdown you can use:

Core Principles

Express Empathy — Listen actively and validate the person’s feelings without labeling or lecturing.

Develop Discrepancy — Help the person see the gap between their current behavior and their goals or values.

Roll with Resistance — Avoid arguments. Resistance is a signal to change your approach, not to push harder.

Support Self-Efficacy — Emphasize the person’s strengths and their ability to make change.

Practical Techniques (BI in Action)

1. Use Open-Ended Questions
Encourage reflection rather than yes/no answers.

“What do you enjoy about drinking? What worries you about it?”
“How does your current habit fit with the goals you have for yourself?”

2. Reflective Listening
Mirror back what you hear, showing you’re listening and helping them clarify their own thoughts.

“It sounds like you feel drinking helps with stress, but you also notice it’s causing problems at work.”

3. Affirmations
Highlight strengths, efforts, or positive intentions.

“It took courage to talk about this today.”
“You’ve already started thinking about changes — that shows commitment.”

4. Summarizing
Wrap up key points to reinforce their motivations and concerns.

“So on one hand, alcohol helps you relax, but on the other, it’s straining your relationships. You’re wondering if cutting back could help.”

5. Elicit Change Talk
Gently guide them to voice reasons for change.

“What would be the good things about making this change?”
“If you decided to cut back, how might your life improve?”

A Simple BI Flow (the “FRAMES” model)

Feedback: Offer personalized, nonjudgmental observations.
Responsibility: Emphasize their autonomy.
Advice: Provide options, not directives.
Menu of choices: Offer strategies to try.
Empathy: Maintain an accepting tone.
Self-efficacy: Reinforce their ability to succeed.

Practice tip: Role-play these techniques with a colleague or even by journaling different “client responses” to practice reflective listening and eliciting change talk.

Shervan K Shahhian

Practice Brief Intervention Techniques:

Practice brief intervention techniques that motivate real change without judgment or confrontation?

Yes — you can practice Brief Intervention (BI) techniques in a way that encourages change through empathy, curiosity, and collaboration rather than judgment or confrontation. These techniques are often rooted in Motivational Interviewing (MI), which focuses on helping people resolve ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change.

Here’s a practical breakdown you can use:

Core Principles

Express Empathy — Listen actively and validate the person’s feelings without labeling or lecturing.

Develop Discrepancy — Help the person see the gap between their current behavior and their goals or values.

Roll with Resistance — Avoid arguments. Resistance is a signal to change your approach, not to push harder.

Support Self-Efficacy — Emphasize the person’s strengths and their ability to make change.

Practical Techniques (BI in Action)

1. Use Open-Ended Questions
Encourage reflection rather than yes/no answers.

“What do you enjoy about drinking? What worries you about it?”
“How does your current habit fit with the goals you have for yourself?”

2. Reflective Listening
Mirror back what you hear, showing you’re listening and helping them clarify their own thoughts.

“It sounds like you feel drinking helps with stress, but you also notice it’s causing problems at work.”

3. Affirmations
Highlight strengths, efforts, or positive intentions.

“It took courage to talk about this today.”
“You’ve already started thinking about changes — that shows commitment.”

4. Summarizing
Wrap up key points to reinforce their motivations and concerns.

“So on one hand, alcohol helps you relax, but on the other, it’s straining your relationships. You’re wondering if cutting back could help.”

5. Elicit Change Talk
Gently guide them to voice reasons for change.

“What would be the good things about making this change?”
“If you decided to cut back, how might your life improve?”

A Simple BI Flow (the “FRAMES” model)

Feedback: Offer personalized, nonjudgmental observations.
Responsibility: Emphasize their autonomy.
Advice: Provide options, not directives.
Menu of choices: Offer strategies to try.
Empathy: Maintain an accepting tone.
Self-efficacy: Reinforce their ability to succeed.

Practice tip: Role-play these techniques with a colleague or even by journaling different “client responses” to practice reflective listening and eliciting change talk.

Shervan K Shahhian

Practicing Mindfulness, how:

Practicing Mindfulness:

Practicing mindfulness is all about cultivating a focused, non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. It’s a skill you can develop with consistent practice, and it can help reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being.

Here’s a clear overview and some practical ways to practice it:

Core Principles of Mindfulness

Present-Moment Awareness — Paying attention to what’s happening right now, rather than ruminating on the past or worrying about the future.

Non-Judgmental Observation — Not labeling experiences as “good” or “bad,” just noticing them as they are.

Acceptance — Allowing thoughts, emotions, and sensations to exist without trying to change them immediately.

Gentleness — Being kind to yourself when your mind wanders, rather than criticizing yourself.

Simple Mindfulness Practices

Mindful Breathing

Focus on the sensation of your breath entering and leaving your body.
If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the breath.
Try for 2–5 minutes to start, gradually increasing over time.

Body Scan

Slowly move your attention through different parts of your body, noticing sensations without judgment.
Helps release tension and develop body awareness.

Mindful Eating

Eat slowly, noticing the taste, texture, and smell of each bite.
Focus on the act of eating rather than distractions like phones or TV.

Mindful Walking

Pay attention to the sensation of your feet touching the ground and your surroundings as you walk.
Notice sounds, smells, and sights without judgment.

Mindful Observation

Pick an object (like a flower or a cup) and observe it carefully for a few minutes.
Notice colors, shapes, textures, and details you normally overlook.

Tips for Developing Mindfulness

Start small: 2–5 minutes per day and gradually build up.
Be consistent: Regular short sessions are more effective than occasional long ones.
Use reminders: Set an alarm or cue to take mindful pauses during the day.
Be patient: It’s normal for the mind to wander — returning to the present is the practice.

Shervan K Shahhian

Practical Ericksonian scripts (short induction examples):

Here are a few short, practical Ericksonian-style induction examples you can adapt. They’re not rigid “scripts” (since Erickson avoided formulaic inductions), but they use his principles: indirect suggestion, permissive language, pacing, and utilization.

1. Eye Fixation with Utilization

“You might notice the way your eyes blink… sometimes faster… sometimes slower… and as you let them rest on that spot over there, you don’t even have to try to relax… because your body knows how to do that all by itself… and in your own time, you can allow your eyes to close… whenever they are ready.”

2. Resistance-Friendly Induction

“Some people close their eyes right away… and some people prefer to wait… and you don’t even have to decide just yet… because whether your eyes are open or closed, you can still enjoy a sense of comfort… and as that comfort grows, your unconscious can begin to do the work for you.”

3. Hand Levitation Induction

“I wonder if your hand feels lighter… or heavier… as you sit there… and it doesn’t matter which… because your unconscious mind can allow that hand to move in whatever way it wishes… up… down… or just resting there comfortably… and as you notice those subtle shifts, you may drift into a deeper state of focus.”

4. Everyday Trance Utilization

“Have you ever been so absorbed in a book or a movie… that you lost track of time?… That same ability… to focus deeply and comfortably… is here now… and you can let yourself enjoy that natural state of attention… as deeply as feels right to you… now.”

5. Double Bind Induction

“You can enter a comfortable state of hypnosis quickly… or slowly… and whichever way your mind prefers… you’ll notice a shift happening… in its own perfect time… right now.”

Short Ericksonian inductions into a mini-session script.
Each will include:

Induction (already started above)

Deepening (taking the client deeper)

Therapeutic suggestion (generalized theme: comfort, confidence, letting go, healing)

Emergence (gentle return to full awareness)

1. Eye Fixation with Utilization

Induction:
“You might notice the way your eyes blink… sometimes faster… sometimes slower… and as you let them rest on that spot over there, you don’t even have to try to relax… because your body knows how to do that all by itself… and in your own time, you can allow your eyes to close… whenever they are ready.”

Deepening:
“And as your eyes close, you might become aware of your breathing… each breath gently slowing… spreading comfort through your body… like a wave of calm, flowing from the top of your head… all the way down to the tips of your toes.”

Suggestion:
“And as you rest in this calm space, your unconscious mind can remind you how to let go of unnecessary tension… just as easily as you let go of air with each exhale… creating more space inside for peace, clarity, and strength… so that later, when you return to your day, you’ll find it easier to handle things calmly, naturally, almost without thinking about it.”

Emergence:
“In a moment, I’ll count from one up to five… and with each number you’ll feel more refreshed, alert, and comfortable… one… slowly returning… two… bringing back energy… three… feeling lighter… four… eyes beginning to clear… and five… eyes open, fully alert, feeling good.”

2. Resistance-Friendly Induction

Induction:
“Some people close their eyes right away… and some people prefer to wait… and you don’t even have to decide just yet… because whether your eyes are open or closed, you can still enjoy a sense of comfort… and as that comfort grows, your unconscious can begin to do the work for you.”

Deepening:
“And as you listen… perhaps you notice your body settling… shoulders softening… hands resting in just the right way… and with each breath, the comfort increases… as if your body is teaching itself how to go deeper.”

Suggestion:
“And in this space, your unconscious mind can remember how to create balance… releasing old struggles… discovering new resources inside… so that solutions may arise naturally, even without effort… just the way sleep comes when it’s time, without forcing it.”

Emergence:
“And as your unconscious continues this work… you can return to the room, bringing with you a sense of lightness… as I count you back now… one… two… three… energy returning… four… feeling clear… and five… wide awake.”

3. Hand Levitation Induction

Induction:
“I wonder if your hand feels lighter… or heavier… as you sit there… and it doesn’t matter which… because your unconscious mind can allow that hand to move in whatever way it wishes… up… down… or just resting there comfortably… and as you notice those subtle shifts, you may drift into a deeper state of focus.”

Deepening:
“And even the smallest movements… can signal a deeper journey inside… and as that hand floats, or rests, or drifts in its own way… your mind can float deeper into comfort, deeper into that inner world where change happens easily.”

Suggestion:
“And as your unconscious guides the movement, it also guides your inner changes… perhaps lifting away old burdens… or allowing new strengths to rise… so that you discover fresh ways of responding to life… more flexible… more confident… more free.”

Emergence:
“And when that hand returns, gently… it can bring back with it everything you’ve learned here… so that as I count from one up to five, you awaken refreshed… one, two, three, four, five… eyes open, calm, alert, renewed.”

4. Everyday Trance Utilization

Induction:
“Have you ever been so absorbed in a book or a movie… that you lost track of time?… That same ability… to focus deeply and comfortably… is here now… and you can let yourself enjoy that natural state of attention… as deeply as feels right to you… now.”

Deepening:
“And the deeper you go… the more comfortable you feel… and the more comfortable you feel… the deeper you can drift… as if your mind is simply stepping into that familiar rhythm of absorption, where time seems to slow down.”

Suggestion:
“And in this absorbed state, your unconscious mind can strengthen your natural abilities… to focus where you want… to let distractions fade… to move through your day with more clarity and ease… discovering that focus and relaxation can work together as allies.”

Emergence:
“And so, in a moment, you’ll return to full awareness… bringing with you this renewed focus and calm… one… two… three… four… five… eyes open, refreshed.”

5. Double Bind Induction

Induction:
“You can enter a comfortable state of hypnosis quickly… or slowly… and whichever way your mind prefers… you’ll notice a shift happening… in its own perfect time… right now.”

Deepening:
“And whether it happens with your next breath… or the one after that… your comfort is growing… as if each inhale brings in calm… and each exhale lets go of tension… going deeper with each breath.”

Suggestion:
“And as you rest here, your unconscious can sort through things for you… deciding what to keep… and what to release… like clearing space on a shelf… so you can hold on to what really matters, and gently let the rest go.”

Emergence:
“And as that clearing process continues… you’ll find yourself waking with more space, more clarity, more ease… returning now as I count… one… two… three… four… and five… eyes open, refreshed.”

These are general-purpose Ericksonian mini-sessions. They can be customized toward:

anxiety relief (calm and safety)
confidence building (inner resources)
habit change (letting go vs strengthening new patterns)
healing (mind–body relaxation and recovery)

Shervan K Shahhian

Working with Hypnotic Resistance:

Hypnotic resistance is when a client consciously or unconsciously resists going into trance or accepting hypnotic suggestions. It doesn’t always mean hostility — it’s often a protective mechanism.

Here are ways practitioners typically work with hypnotic resistance:

1. Reframe Resistance as Cooperation

Instead of fighting resistance, treat it as the client’s way of protecting themselves.
Example: “That part of you that resists is doing its best to keep you safe. Let’s thank it and invite it to help in the process.”

2. Use Indirect & Permissive Language

Direct commands (“You will relax now”) may trigger pushback.
Indirect suggestions work better: “You may notice how your body begins to find its own comfortable rhythm.”
Milton Erickson often used permissive language, metaphors, and double binds to bypass resistance.

3. Build Rapport and Trust

Many times, resistance comes from fear, distrust, or a lack of clarity about hypnosis.
Spend time explaining what hypnosis is (and isn’t). Clarify misconceptions like loss of control.
Establishing safety reduces resistance.

4. Utilize the Resistance

Rather than fighting it, you can “go with it.”
Example: If the client says, “I can’t be hypnotized,” respond: “That’s right, and you don’t need to be hypnotized — you just need to notice what your mind is already doing.”

5. Use Paradoxical Suggestions

Paradoxical interventions turn resistance into cooperation.
Example: “I don’t want you to relax too quickly… because sometimes people relax too fast and miss out on the experience.”
The unconscious mind often responds by doing the opposite.

6. Ego-strengthening & Gradual Approach

Resistance can signal fear of losing control.
Start with light relaxation, guided imagery, or simple focus tasks before deeper trance.
Strengthen the client’s sense of autonomy: “You’ll always remain in charge.”

7. Identify Underlying Causes

Sometimes resistance comes from:
Trauma (needing safety before letting go)
Fear of change
Fear of manipulation or control
Hidden secondary gains (the problem provides some unconscious benefit)
Exploring these in therapy helps reduce resistance.

In short: Resistance is information, not obstruction. It shows where the client needs reassurance, permission, or a different approach.

Shervan K Shahhian

Most famous Hypnosis techniques of Milton H. Erickson’s:

Most famous Hypnosis techniques:

Milton H. Erickson’s most famous hypnosis techniques were very different from the old stage-style hypnosis — they were subtle, conversational, and often disguised inside everyday interactions.

Here are his hallmark methods:

1. Indirect Suggestions

Instead of commanding, Erickson made suggestions in a casual, permissive way.

Example: Instead of saying “Close your eyes,” he might say, “You may notice that your eyes are getting heavier… and you might feel comfortable letting them close whenever you wish.”
Why it works: It bypasses resistance because the client feels they have choice.

2. Embedded Commands

Placing a subtle directive inside a larger sentence or story.

Example: While telling a story, he might say, “…and as you sit there, you might begin to feel more relaxed…”
Why it works: The unconscious picks up on the command hidden inside natural speech.

3. Metaphors and Storytelling

Erickson told elaborate stories or anecdotes that paralleled the client’s problem and hinted at solutions.

Example: To help someone gain confidence, he might tell a story about a stubborn plant that learned to grow toward the light despite obstacles.
Why it works: Stories bypass conscious resistance and deliver change ideas indirectly.

4. Utilization

He used whatever the client brought to the session — their mood, environment, body language — as part of the trance process.

Example: If a client was fidgeting, he might say, “You can let those little movements remind you that change is already happening inside…”
Why it works: Instead of fighting distractions, he incorporated them, making every experience part of the hypnosis.

5. Confusion Technique

Using paradox, vague language, or unexpected shifts to overwhelm conscious thought, allowing the unconscious to take over.

Example: “You can think about not thinking, and notice how that thought changes while you’re not thinking it…”
Why it works: The conscious mind gets tied in knots, opening the door for suggestions.

6. Pacing and Leading

First match the client’s current experience (pacing), then gradually guide them to a new state (leading).

Example: “You’re sitting here, hearing my voice, feeling the chair… and you might also begin to notice a sense of calm spreading…”
Why it works: Builds rapport and creates a smooth bridge from the familiar to the desired change.

7. Double Binds

Offering two choices, both leading to the desired outcome.

Example: “Would you prefer to go into trance with your eyes open for a moment, or closed right away?”
Why it works: Gives the illusion of choice while moving toward the therapeutic goal.

Erickson often blended several of these techniques seamlessly — for example, telling a metaphorical story (metaphor) in a relaxed conversation (indirect suggestion), pacing the client’s mood, and embedding commands along the way.

Shervan K Shahhian

How Unconditional Positive Regard Changes Someone’s Inner Self-Talk:

How unconditional positive regard changes someone’s inner self-talk:

Unconditional positive regard (UPR), as Carl Rogers described it, doesn’t just make someone “feel supported” — over time, it can rewire the tone and content of their inner self-talk.

Here’s how that transformation tends to happen:

1. From self-criticism to self-acceptance
When someone repeatedly experiences UPR — hearing, feeling, and believing that they are accepted without conditions — it challenges the internalized voices of criticism or shame.

Before UPR: Inner voice says, “I messed up. I’m such a failure.”
After sustained UPR: Inner voice shifts to, “I made a mistake, but I’m still worthy and capable of learning.”

2. Replacing conditional worth with unconditional worth
Many people’s self-talk is shaped by early experiences where love or approval was conditional (“I’m only good if I get straight A’s”). UPR gives repeated corrective experiences, teaching the psyche: worth isn’t earned, it’s inherent.

This reduces “achievement anxiety” and the mental pressure to constantly perform for self-approval.

3. Internalizing the therapist’s (or supporter’s) voice
Over time, the way the therapist reflects and responds gets internalized. The client starts to “hear” that compassionate, nonjudgmental tone inside their own mind, especially during moments of distress.

This becomes a new inner resource — like having an internal coach who sees the whole self, not just the mistakes.

4. Encouraging authentic self-expression
If you expect to be judged, your inner self-talk often censors your thoughts: “Don’t say that, it’s stupid.”
With UPR, people learn they can bring all of themselves into the light — thoughts, feelings, impulses — without fear of rejection. This loosens self-editing and leads to a freer, more honest inner dialogue.

5. Shifting from fear-based to growth-based thinking
When you know you’re accepted, risk-taking in thought and action feels safer. Self-talk moves from,

“If I fail, I’ll be worthless” → “Even if I fail, I’ll learn and grow.”
That growth mindset becomes an automatic mental habit.

In essence:
UPR acts like a steady mirror that reflects your value is intact, no matter what. Over time, the inner critic loses dominance, and the inner voice becomes more like an encouraging friend — still realistic, but deeply supportive.

Before-and-after inner monologue chart:

Here’s a before-and-after inner monologue chart showing how unconditional positive regard (UPR) can shift a person’s self-talk over time:

Situation Before UPR (Conditional Self-Worth) After Sustained UPR (Internalized Acceptance) Making a mistake “I’m so stupid. I can’t do anything right.” “I made a mistake. That’s okay — I can fix it or learn from it. ”Receiving criticism “They think I’m worthless. They’re probably right.” “Their feedback doesn’t define my worth — I can take what’s useful and let the rest go. ”Feeling strong emotions“ I shouldn’t feel this way. It means I’m weak.” “It’s okay to feel this. My feelings make sense, and they’ll pass. ”Trying something new“ If I fail, everyone will see I’m not good enough.” “It’s worth trying, even if I fail — my value doesn’t depend on the outcome. ”Not meeting expectations “I’m letting everyone down. I can’t handle this.” “I didn’t meet the goal this time, but I can regroup and try again. ”Facing personal flaws“ I hate this part of me. I wish it would just go away.” “This is a part of me that needs care and understanding, not rejection. ”Receiving praise“ They’re just being nice. I don’t deserve it.” “I appreciate the compliment — it’s nice to be seen.”

Pattern shift:

Before UPR: Inner talk is judgment-heavy, conditional, and fear-based.
After UPR: Inner talk is curious, compassionate, and grounded in self-worth.

Shervan K Shahhian