People use all the senses all the time unless they have some impairment but they tend to have the most favourite, more prominent sense, favourite modality. Trying to discover client modality and making efforts to integrate this modality as the key in the hypnotic screed will help client to feel safe, comfortable and secure. It is recommended to include all the senses, nevertheless it is probably best to begin, putting emphasis on client’s preferred sense and then adding the others. We are able to learn client’s modality when we see the person behaviour, listen to the language the person uses, pay attention to eye movement, physiology etc.
Subsequently this is essential to mention that we can teach ourselves to use the senses more equally and some consider that increasing the use of our least favourite sense will be valuable for us, and provide more accurate image of reality. It is important to start with the favourite modality but best way to reach a deep hypnotic state is to engage all the senses within the induction. This method is called compounding (Chrysalis 2010)
All people are different, they were shaped by different life events, different cultures, traditions, they learnt different values, and they will see the life from different perspective. People have miscellaneous likes and dislikes, different life experiences, fears etc. When working with the client in hypnotherapy we need to provide best, most comfortable atmosphere ever to help the client to achieve the state of relaxation in which we will have the biggest chance to work with the client's subconscious mind.
Also it is important to mention that in our daily life only 7% of our communication is words while the biggest part is body language (55%) and substantial part plays tone and volume (38%) and therefore especially taking into account that during hypnosis the client has his eyes closed and we cannot use tone and volume as much as normally, we are left in the situation where words are really important and have to be sufficient and it needs to be stressed that using right words, accurate language is vital in hypnotherapy. Therefore we should alter our language to cater for client’s character and particular needs and there are some ways to do it. This is why we need to assess client’s personality and his likes and dislikes etc. to be able to communicate with them effectively and support them to reach the required state of hypnosis.
Using modality is just one technique to personalise screeds which we make for our clients. We can also personalise scripts by picking the style of hypnotic induction. There are two main styles which are the permissive (Ericksonian) style and the authoritarian (Elman) style.
The first one is supporting and offers an atmosphere of choice but also security. We use words that are caring but leave the client chance to choose. We will frequently use expressions like: you may, you could, and you might etc. Therefore the client will be able to feel safe and not trapped or commanded what to do. This style is very good for people eager to be pleased, creative, gentle etc. It uses permissive language with no negative statements or direct commands or orders. In this style the screed will comprehend references and metaphors relating to the natural world and these can help the client’s active involvement and mastery. It is gentle in nature, non-threatening , slower than authoritarian style .The permissive style is often used in