Hypnosis Tools - What Hypnotic Tools are available and how do you use them?

As far as physical hypnotic tools go, there are a few worth trying out. Some hypnotists use a hypnotic pendulum or a watch to help their clients focus and these can be quite helpful especially for beginners. Some hypnotists even use a hypnotic wheel or spiral but I've a feeling that not many people use those these daze, though they can be helpful for self-hypnosis.

Of course there are also hypnosis cds and mp3s, and even software that can be used for self-hypnosis, though having tried a few of these I prefer self-hypnosis without a screen. Having said that, the cooledit software application is a nice way to create your own brainwave recordings and is the software I use if I ever record my own self-hypnosis mp3s.

When it comes to the skills a hypnotist needs to develop, the following areas covers those hypnosis tools a good hypnotist needs to develop:

Hypnotic Language - Learning hypnotic language patterns is probably the most important skill, because without the knowledge to use language correctly then it doesn't matter how good you are at getting a client into a trance, you will have nothing to do when you get them there. Hypnotic language is used to develop hypnotic inductions and provide instructions to the client in a way that is effective.

Rapport - Rapport enables the hypnotist to gain trust with the client and control the clients state of mind. While it is possible to hypnotize a client without rapport, rapport makes the process much easier and they are also more likely to come back.

Pacing and Leading - this really extends the concept of rapport to the point where the hypnotist can control the clients state of mind.

Another skill that is often overlooked is good voice control, and this really is a crutial hypnosis tool. Hypnotists of old were taught to speak in monotone. NLP Practitioners are taught to use tone of voice in relation to their goals. For instance, if you want someone to become excited then delivering the embedded command, "What would it be like to become excited right now?" should be delivered in an excited voice ensuring that the phrase ends with a downwards inflection.

Various induction techniques can also be considered hypnotic tools. The handshake induction, for instance, is a very specific skill that can be very useful in the right context. As with other hypnosis tools, the more tools you have in your toolbox the more likely you are to have the right one.

One skill I haven't mentioned is the skill to be able to provide a client with the instructions they need to achieve their goals. Often this can be common sense, especially once you have learnt how to use hypnotic language, but it is always a good idea to find out from the client exactly what their issue is - If a client wants to lose weight then it doesn't make sense to simply assume that the client is a compulsive eater or doesn't exercise. It's the hypnotists job to delve deeper and find out what specific issues they need to tackle.

So really, there aren't that many hypnosis tools required to be a good hypnotist. The key to becoming a good hypnotist is practice. Practice working with people and writing out language patterns, and build a hypnotic toolbox you can be sure won't let you down!