Chapter 1
Scarlet smiled over at the 45-year-old woman sitting in her office. She was dressed in tailored clothing and heels. “How are you today, Mrs. Jamison?”
“Call me Alice.” She clasped her hands tightly. “I’m actually worried about doing this.”
“Worried about what specifically?”
“Will I be unconscious?”
“No, you’ll be aware the entire time. Hypnosis is a state of heightened focus where you’re deeply relaxed but still in full control.”
“How many sessions are needed for results?”
“The number varies depending on the issue. Some clients see improvements in one or two sessions, while others may benefit from multiple sessions for lasting change.”
“What does hypnosis feel like?”
“Most people describe hypnosis as a deeply relaxed, peaceful state—similar to being absorbed in a book or daydreaming. Some feel light and floaty, while others feel heavy and grounded.”
Scarlet could see Alice’s posture change. Her shoulders lost their stiffness; she unclenched her hands and uncrossed her legs. Relaxation was the first step in the process of hypnotherapy.
Scanning the form in front of her, Scarlet added a few notes then smiled at Alice. “So, ready to give this a try?”
“Yes.”
Scarlet showed her to the therapy room adjacent to her office. In here, she’d created a safe space: slate blue walls, a big windowlooking out at trees, cushiony couches facing each other and the same color as the walls. Plants dotted the floor and the corners and nestled in the open shelving opposite the couches. She’d chosen baskets of potpourri that filled the space with a light lavender scent.
“This is lovely,” Alice said scanning the room. “Oh, you have toys?”
A basket of children’s toys nestled next to a doll’s house on the floor. “Yes, for the children I treat.”
“Can they do this?”
“Anybody can, Alice. Now please, sit down.”
She dropped down on one of the couches.
Scarlet sat opposite her. “First we’ll start relaxing your whole body. Concentrate on your head, neck and shoulders first.” When she did, Scarlet said, “You’re doing well. Now your torso.” She waited. “Next your arms and hands.” Again she gave the client time. “Finally your legs and feet.” Scarlet waited one minute to establish the deepest relaxation.
“Now, open your eyes.”
She waited. Then, “Finally, count down from twenty.”
When the woman finished, she was in a hypnotic state. “Let’s slow down your breath now. Breathe in…breathe out…” Once Alice achieved the requisite breathing, Scarlet’s next technique was to engage her mind with mental scenes. “I’d like you to picture the ocean with slow, steady waves…”
The core of the session—where real transformation happened—took another half hour. Here she’d addressed the client’s internal conflicts for behavioral change. “I want you to think about one of the three things you told me you wanted to unearth.”
“My relationship with my parents.”
“What’s the problem with them?”
“They’re too controlling for a thirty-year-old woman.”
“Can you think of ways to keep this from happening?”
“No.”
Here Scarlet used suggestions, where she led clients to positive beliefs and habits. “What about time spent with them?”
