Professional

Hypnotherapist Diploma
for

Stress






Karen E. Wells
 Copyright
Copyright © 2021 by: Karen E. Wells
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All rights reserved. No part of this course may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
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Karen E. Wells.

All brand names and product names used in this course are trademarks, registered trademarks, or
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www.karenewells.com
Professional Hypnotherapist Diploma Course for Stress by Karen E. Wells
 Table of Contents
Contents
Karen E. Wells ................................................................................................................................ 1

Copyright ........................................................................................................................................ 2

Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 4

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Module One .................................................................................................................................... 8

Stress ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Module One. ................................................................................................................................. 18

Self-Assessment Tasks.............................................................................................................. 18
Module Two .................................................................................................................................. 20

Stress and Health Issues ............................................................................................................ 20

Module Two .................................................................................................................................. 27

Self-Assessment Tasks.............................................................................................................. 27
Module Three ................................................................................................................................ 29

Hypnotherapy and Stress .......................................................................................................... 29

Module Three ................................................................................................................................ 35

Self-Assessment Task ............................................................................................................... 35

Module Four.................................................................................................................................. 36

Hypnotherapy Induction and Deepeners ................................................................................... 36

Module Four.................................................................................................................................. 41

Self-Assessment Tasks.............................................................................................................. 41
Module Five .................................................................................................................................. 42

Hypnotherapy Scripts for Stress ............................................................................................... 42

Module Four.................................................................................................................................. 48

Self-Assessment Tasks.................................................................................................................. 48
 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 49
Final Assignment .......................................................................................................................... 50

About............................................................................................................................................. 51

Karen E. Wells .............................................................................................................................. 53

 Introduction

Welcome to this professional-level Hypnotherapist for Stress Diploma course. It is a short and
highly targeted course to help you understand all of the implications of stress and how you can
use hypnotherapy to access the deep recesses of the client’s unconscious mind so to change the
stress response. It is important that you understand how stress can manifest and how
hypnotherapy can be adapted to fit each client’s needs.

Note that this course assumes you have a working knowledge of hypnotherapy or that you are
currently studying for your professional hypnotherapy qualification.

We cover the many aspects of stress including:

• Physical, mental, and emotional symptoms

• Identifying needs
• Sleep patterns
• Preparing a session
• Hypnotherapy techniques

Every client is different, and this includes the stress triggers that they encounter and how they
react to these difficult situations. To be able to help those clients who are experiencing deep
levels of stress, you will have to build up rapport on an individual level and to take an instinctive
response to their issues. This means listening with intent (active listening) and to also be able to
interpret their needs.

We suggest that you work through this course in order but please take your time. At the end of
each module, you will find self-assessment tasks. These are not intended for review but to help
you to consolidate the information within each of the modules and to aid the learning process. If
you struggle to answer any of the questions, then, take time to review the module once more.
At the end of the course, you will find a final assessment. Please do complete this and then,
submit for review. We will award your certificate of competence if you achieve a pass rate. We
want you to feel fully confident with the information and techniques so that you can help others.

When ready, please turn to Module One.

 Module One
Stress

Hypnotherapy can be used to help treat a great many health conditions and is particularly useful
for combatting the negative aspects of stress. By placing your clients into a state of deep
relaxation, and accessing the unconscious mind, you will be able to help your clients to alter
behaviours which may be making their stress response worse.

How you assist your clients will depend on their personal situation, but you can help your clients
to understand the full implications of stress and to aid how they perceive situations. Some clients
will take to the sessions more readily than others but persevere. The benefits of using
hypnotherapy for stress, is that there is increased relaxation and physical and mental health will
improve. The client will feel less pressured, find it easier to cope with stress triggers and to sleep
better. Changes at a deeper level can also take place.

Stress reduction

Stress is a part and parcel of everyday life and as such, it is simply not possible to eliminate it
completely. We all experience stress differently, and the triggers for an unhealthy stress
response, is likely to be different for each person. Feelings of stress occur if life starts to be
pressured or, stress becomes prevalent when an individual feels that life is out of control. There
will be a negative impact on both emotional and physical health, and it can affect how an
individual behaves.

You are likely to see clients demonstrating the following:

• Feeling irritable
• Feeling anxious
• Being fearful
• Feeling the weight of pressure
• Experiencing a sense of dread
• Losing interest in life
• Forgetting how to enjoy life.
• A loss of humour

Some clients may pick at the skin on their fingers or start to bite their nails. This is often a sign
of anxiety. A client may struggle to make decisions or be constantly fretting over a situation.
You may notice them frowning a lot, or they have a habit of tightly clamping the jaw. If these
feelings escalate, they may develop unhealthy associations to food either overeating or under
eating. Sometimes, people turn to alcohol or cigarettes to calm the nerves. You will notice that
some clients will be highly emotional and may even express fatigue or deep exhaustion.

Every client is unique. This means you cannot assume that the triggers will be the same for each
person or that they respond to pressure in the same way. Some clients will manage their stress
levels fairly well or appear to, but this does not mean that internally they do not feel pressured or
that high levels of stress hormones are not doing untold damage.

Watch out for those who are suffering from panic attacks, constant headaches or who
hyperventilate. If a client has high blood pressure, it is important for stress to be alleviated and
other symptoms to be concerned about are chest pains and the grinding of teeth. If a client rubs
their eyes a lot or if their eyes are blurry, make note of this. Other clients will have IBS, nausea,
indigestion, or heartburn. Stress can affect every part of life and health can deteriorate quite
quickly.

Unresolved stressors are both serious and unpleasant.

Your approach to these clients will be different depending on your ability to read the signs but
you must listen fully and with an open mind. Never assume a client is thinking or feeling in a
certain way. Remember that all clients are unique and should be treated as such.

The cause of stress

Everybody feels stressed at times and it will not be
unexpected if there are considerable changes
occurring in life. If a client is getting married,
moving to a new house, or moving away for a new
job, this can be extremely unsettling even if
positive. Looking after someone who is ill can be
stressful, redundancy can affect confidence, self-
esteem, and stress levels. Financial issues will cause feelings of stress as will divorce.

Hypnotherapy is not going to solve these issues, but it will open the mind, offer clarity (reduced
muddled thoughts) and a more positive approach. It can create new positive behaviours too
which is important for stress management. For others, even the smallest of triggers can make
them react badly. A series of seemingly irrelevant stress triggers can quickly lead to an escalation
of pressure or feeling out of control.

Stress can impact confidence levels, lower self-esteem, and leave the client feeling helpless and
unhappy.

When you talk to clients, you may not fully understand why their situation is affecting them so
much, but you must always approach each situation with care and consideration, so that they
open to you. Only then will you be able to provide positive support. You are not able to judge,
but you are there to help them, and to give positive support.

Perception

How someone reacts to a situation is likely to depend on their perception. This is important
because we all perceive things in life in a unique way. Our perception is based on past
experiences, but it is also, deeply rooted within self-esteem, and the way our thought processes
work.

Some people will veer towards negative thoughts,

and feelings while others will be more positive.
There is no doubt that having a more positive
approach to the stresses in life, enables perception
to be clearer and will help the individual to react
more positivity towards stress. If someone has
had many traumatic or difficult experiences, it is
all too easy to see that they may feel stressed,
overwhelmed, or unhappy. This can lead to
negative thoughts and feelings. It can taint
perception.

This brings us onto the person’s emotional resilience. If you have a client who has experienced a
combination of stressors, they may be struggling to cope with them whereas normally they are
quite resilient. You must take all this into account.

Even happy events can cause stress. This is because they tend to lead to big changes in
life.

There are different types of stress:

Acute stress
This is where physical or emotional stress occurs in the short term. This is quite common and
affects us all. It may be that a client is studying for an exam which is stretching their capabilities,
or a client is going to attend an interview for a job that they really want. These are short-term
pressures and once the situation is over, then any feelings of stress will start to dissipate. Short
term stress is not always unhealthy, in fact, it can be useful. It activates the body, and the mind
and prepares the individual for action. Short term acute stress can also be a life saver. It can
enable an individual to react quickly to the dangers of life. This is part of the fight or flight
response.

Chronic stress

This is where unresolved issues continue for an extended period. This is unhealthy and can have
a negative impact on the individual leading to headaches, tension, mood disorders or even,
asthma attacks which become worse when stress is experienced. The digestive system is often
known as the second brain, and when an individual feels stressed, it will often impact digestion –
leading to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) indigestion or heart burn. Chronic stress can greatly
impact sleep. If it continues for an extensive period, sleep can be interrupted too.

Sometimes, when chronic stress continues, it becomes the norm and awareness of stress and the
side-effects are not noticed.

How does stress affect the body?

It is worth mentioning that stress is a natural part of life and the stress response is natural too, it
is there to protect you. The most important element for managing stress is the stress response. It
is a vital survival mechanism. As soon as a dangerous situation or a difficult situation is noted,
the brain kickstarts a series of processes to help aid the individual. Note that the danger does not
have to be real for this to happen, it can be perceived as dangerous.
 The moment an individual feels under pressure or is fearful,
the body starts to produce abundant levels of stress hormones
which includes adrenaline, and cortisol as well as others.
These trigger the fight or flight response.

Note that when stress is chronic i.e., ongoing, these

hormones will be triggered even though they are not
actually needed.

In addition to the stress hormones, the muscles of the body

begin to tense. This may be alright in the short term but when chronic stress is experienced, the
muscles remain tense, and people may say they have pain in the back, neck, or shoulders.
Headaches are common too.

Breathing patterns change and may become more rapid. For anyone with a serious respiratory
condition including asthma and COPD, by remaining within the stress response, it can trigger
symptoms. Blood pressure also increases as the blood vessels dilate and if this is not corrected, it
can lead to inflammation which makes a heart attack or stroke more likely.

Chronic stress can occur when situations are difficult to deal with – emotionally or physically.
While most recover from these ongoing situations, it can impact all areas of life and even lead to
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Sleep

Sleep is an important part of life, as without it, we are not able to function well. When sleep is
interrupted regularly, stress can manifest greatly as concentration is impacted and decision
making becomes much harder. Stress can lead to an inability to fall asleep or to remain asleep
and this can lead to insomnia.

Altered sleep architecture means the structure of sleep.

Stress can impact and reduce a form of sleep known as slow wave sleep. This is important as it is
relevant for both physical and mental health. In addition, stress can affect rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep, and this can increase or decrease as a result. When stress remains unresolved, it is
more likely that the person will wake in the night more frequently and dreams and nightmares
are likely to be more vivid or frequent.

Hypnotherapy will help your clients to relax

more, and this will aid sleep. It will also help the
stress response especially if you work on this
during the sessions. Stress always seems worse
at night and so, it is important that clients
understand how to mitigate this, and to have a
plan so to reduce stress and to aid sleep. Clients
will need to recognise the stressors, and the feelings as they occur. By identifying when the body
is under stress, they can slip into an instinctive stress management reaction.

Tips:

Clients should not drink stimulants such as alcohol or coffee within a few hours of going to bed
or even, eating too late in the evening. Teach the client breathing techniques and meditation or
progressive relaxation so they can help manage their stressors when needed. They should also
make sure the TV is switched off if they have one in their room and a mobile phone should be
away from the bed and switched off.

Within a hypnosis session, you will target aspects that are impacting the client. If they are too
busy and struggling to manage life, you can include messages that improve these factors. This
may be to do with time management or encountering a stressful situation and calming mind and
body during it.
 You can find out if the client is a morning or night person and this will help you to adapt
scripts accordingly. It can be more relevant for them.

When you talk to your clients, watch out for the signs of stress. Sometimes, it is not about the
words communicated to you but the mannerisms or body language.

Some clients will talk extremely fast:

• Breath may be shallow.

• They may appear to run out of breath.
• Have muscular tension.

Some clients may seem relaxed externally, but you may notice that they fidget or bite their nails
or struggle to make eye contact. This latter often happens if someone has low self-esteem and is
feeling agitated or frustrated by their own feelings. Encourage clients to take control of the day-
to-day aspects of life and to vary activities so to help them feel less stressed, and less out of
control. They should also take regular breaks and practise meditation, breathing techniques or
even yoga.

The client must understand that hypnosis is the tool that can help them to think and feel
differently, it can also alter how they behave but, they should also take a holistic approach to
their health too and this will help them to counteract stressors going forward. This is a great way
to develop and boost emotional resilience which is about maintaining stable mental health and
about improving the capacity to adapt where necessary.

Stress can be both the cause and the effect.

Stress can be multi-layered, and combined. It is important that you help clients to unravel these
layers and to tune into their emotions, their thoughts, and feelings and, to be able to identify any
physical impact due to the bombardment of stress. Not only will they manage stress more
readily, but they will be able to understand how it occurs and to adapt. They will feel less
stressed, less frustrated and life will become easier. Your role as a hypnotherapist will be to
create positive messages for change which form the foundations for improved stress responses
within the unconscious mind.

The origins of stress behaviours

As a therapist you should understand how and why your clients think or act in certain ways. We
are greatly influenced by the beliefs of parents or caregivers when young and this can foster the
things that we like, as well as developing the fears, and the relative responses. If parents are not
adept at stress management, their behaviours can lead children to absorb these traits as being
normal and they, in time, start to act in a similar way. Every aspect of life can be attributed to the
lessons learned in childhood. It is only through awareness, and understanding where root issues
may have occurred, that we can change them.

Using hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy can be hugely effective in supporting the reversal of stress as it connects directly
with the unconscious mind. This is where all actions, thoughts and feelings are stored. This is
where memories are contained and why sometimes, we can overreact to similar triggers to
negative experiences. The conscious and unconscious brain can disagree, but the unconscious is
more powerful.

Hypnotherapy can weed out negative beliefs that the subconscious holds on to. It can get to the
root of a problem and helps to break the cycle of negativity.
 Module One.
Self-Assessment Tasks

Task:

What is stress?

Task:

List three symptoms of stress

Task:

What is chronic stress?

Task:

What is acute stress?

Task:

How does stress impact sleep?

Task:
What does REM stand for?

Please note that these questions are to help consolidate the information within, so do not send to
Kew Solutions.
 Module Two
Stress and Health Issues

Headaches are commonly experienced when stress is present. The muscles of the neck tighten
and if you look at the photo, this pain may manifest at the neck, but the pain would transfer
across the top of the skull and into the forehead. Tension headaches can appear on both sides of
the head and clients may describe it as a vice-like grip over the skull. There may be sensitivity to
light and to sound. Pain worsens if the client moves their head. Muscular tightness is a common
cause of any tension headache and approximately 70% of people will have experienced tension
headaches at some point – many repeatedly. The headache can last minutes or hours.

We know that stress triggers these types of tension headaches and this is due to physiological
changes that occur in the body. When the stress response is triggered, there is an increase of
stress hormones released into the body, and this means the fight or flight response is triggered.
The muscles automatically tighten leading to headaches.

Headaches can occur due to stress, but stress will also make any existing headache worse.
When stress is a trigger, it is important to understand which situations make headaches worse
which enables you and the client to identify and then, alter typical behaviours avoiding the end
response i.e., the stress headache. Using deep relaxation techniques, you can help the client to
alter perception and to respond differently to stress triggers.

It is important that these tension headaches do not become too frequent. If they happen
frequently, it indicates that the stressors have not been resolved. Hypnotherapy can help. A client
with chronic stress may also have muscle memory of tension in the neck and shoulders or have
poor posture and this can also trigger headaches if stress is experienced.

Stress and the thyroid

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located just below the Adams Apple. This gland is
responsible for hormones that keep vital organs including the heart functioning efficiently. It also
helps with temperature and the metabolic rate. When a client is under a great deal of stress which
continues for a period, this can make any existing thyroid condition worse. Stress may not cause
a thyroid condition, but it can impact both the thyroid and the adrenal glands and interfere with
the thyroid hormone production mechanism.
Your role is not to diagnose but if a client has any of the following symptoms, they may have a
thyroid issue.

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) causes the following:

• Fatigue
• Increased weight
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Muscle weakness
• Joint pain
• Hair loss
• Dry hair
• Brain fog
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Increased sensitivity to cold temperatures
• Blood cholesterol levels increase.

Hyperthyroidism (over-active) signs include:

 • Insomnia
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Weight gain/weight loss
• Bloating
• Loss of memory
• Brittle hair
• Intolerance to cold temperatures
• Fatigue

A thyroid disorder can affect a person’s mood noticeably.

When stressed, extra cortisol is released, and this can impact the pituitary function and prevents
thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) from being released.

Thyroid problems can also impact sleep. The individual may feel constantly tired or cold/sleepy.
If a person has an under-active thyroid, sleep can be difficult.

Any clients who are concerned that they have a thyroid disorder should seek medical advice as
medication can be given.

The thyroid works in conjunction with the adrenal glands, and

these are located just above the kidneys. The adrenal glands also
help to manage small amounts of stress. Cortisol, when released,
can impact various bodily functions.
Stress can have a devastating impact on the thyroid gland slowing metabolic rate which leads to
weight-gain and more stress. The function of the thyroid also slows down during stressful times
and this means that triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels reduce. Prolonged stressors
can lead to increased depression or anxiety and while you will help to lift or harmonise mood
within the session, underlying issues may indicate unhealthy thyroid or adrenal glands. The body
can heal when there is reduced stress and greater relaxation levels.

Stress and chronic pain

There is some overlap to stress and chronic pain. Both reduce

the ability to be healthy and will impact decision-making skills.
They also lead to an individual holding onto negative memories
and associated thoughts and when chronic pain persists, it will
often compromise general wellbeing. The limbic brain includes
the amygdala, hippocampus, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex
and together, they play a significant role when it comes to
learning. Stress signals will impact these areas and there can be
actual remodelling of the circuitry required for learning if
chronic pain and stress is present.

Chronic pain affects about 1/3 of the population. Understanding the extent of pain and stress can
help you to ease the symptoms for your clients. Stress will certainly make chronic pain worse so
by working on relaxation and increasing positivity through powerful suggestion, you can lower
pain and reduce stress. Pain may be present due to a long-term illness or through an injury, but
the stress response is interconnected.

To simplify this, if we did not have a stress response, we would not experience pain as we
interpret it currently. The immune system works alongside the sympathetic nervous system and
the endocrine system. Structures within the brain that are interconnected with the fight or flight
response, enable messages to be sent via nerves to both the pituitary and adrenal glands. These
send hormones including cortisol and adrenaline. As a result, the hormone insulin does not work
as well, and this leads to increased energy because glucose increases within the bloodstream. The
immune response ignites with white blood cells and cytokines which leads to an inflammatory
immune system response.

A client with chronic pain - especially where an injured area is sensitive to the touch, may also
be red and swollen. This indicates both the white blood cells and cytokines are trying to protect
the area and it is sensitive because the immune response irritates nerves. We can consider this
protection.

When pain diminishes and all the stressors are resolved or reduced, then the hormone cortisol
indicates for the brain to stop the stress response.

The stress response occurs whether the threat is real or perceived and we are hard wired to
respond to stresses in this way. In the short term, this is manageable, but in the long term, it has a
very real impact on mental, emotional, and physical health. While the stress response occurs
quite naturally, people will also start to anticipate the risk of stress occurring and this can then
lead to anxiety. If you have clients who constantly worry about everything in life, we might say
that the stress response is simply preparing them for danger. However, this means the stress
response is perpetually on.

Whether it is real or perceived, the effect is the same.

Stress makes chronic pain worse. However, chronic pain can also lead to greater stress.
Whatever the situation experienced, the stress response ignites and the immune system along
with the nervous system and endocrine system create an inflammatory response to the threat. It is
the inflammation that irritates the nerves and exaggerates the feeling of pain. When inflammation
is widespread, the individual will also feel fatigued and demotivated. They may also feel
generally unwell.

It is only by understanding this that you will be able to identify stress triggers and to determine
what is happening to your client.
Burnout

The term burnout was first created in 1974 by Herbert Freudenberger and he described it as ‘the
extinction of motivation or incentive, especially where one’s devotion to a cause or relationship
fails to produce the desired results.’

Simply, it is a reaction to ongoing job stress and can be characterised as follows:

• Exhaustion
• Cynicism
• Reduced feelings of professional ability

Burnout is not uncommon, and you are likely to see clients who express feelings of exhaustion,
they may struggle to even go to work or, feel incapable when there. Workplace stress may be the
cause, but any type of stress can contribute to these feelings including negative thought patterns,
and pessimism.

If you have clients who are struggling to cope at work and who feel negative about their role,
find that they have fluctuating moods, and feel a sense of exhaustion constantly, then, stress
relief, time spent harmonizing mind and body is vital. It can take a while to rebuild the basic
foundations of self, but hypnotherapy can help.
 Module Two
Self-Assessment Tasks

Task:

Describe the stress response and chronic pain. What happens?

Task:

List three signs of an underactive thyroid gland.

Task:

List three signs of an overactive thyroid gland.

Task:

Where are the adrenal glands located?

Task:

Where is the thyroid gland?

Task:

Why do tension headaches occur?

Task:

How can hypnotherapy aid the stress response?

Task:
What is burnout?

Please note that these questions are to help consolidate the information within, so do not send to
Kew Solutions.
 Module Three
Hypnotherapy and Stress

Hypnotherapy utilises a model of the mind so to implement changes. The conscious mind is the
part of the mind with laser sharp focus. The conscious mind is where thought process is are
examined and considered. It is the part of the mind that is focused on any task. The
subconscious/ unconscious mind could be considered the storehouse where information is
processed and filed. This part of the mind also serves to protect us but at times, false beliefs and
unhealthy habits can become fixed within the subconscious and this can easily lead to feelings of
stress.

Within hypnosis, we work to access this part of the mind because it is possible to help resolve
the issues that have become problematic. We use a series of guided imagery and positive
hypnotic suggestions and this way the subconscious mind can be reprogrammed eliminating
unhealthy beliefs or behaviours.

Hypnotherapy can be used on anyone who is open to the process. When you have a client
attending your therapy rooms, they are usually open and ready for change. Note that some clients
will be more open to the process than others. Some will appear to resist relaxation methods or
block being taken into a trance-state. Hypnotic resistance is where there is a mental obstruction
which stops them from moving naturally and easily into a trance-like state or from exploring
given topics. It may not always be obvious as sometimes; it manifests in a subtle way.

Notice the following:

• Yawning
• Twitching
• Coughing
• Muscular tension or cramps
• Itching
• Fidgeting

One or more of these may occur as you plant specific images. This could be resistance due to
deep blockages pertaining to past experiences. There may also be a negative connection to the
images you are trying to embed within the unconscious mind. The path to overcoming the
relevant stressors is never fully easy. Hypnosis is definitely a journey.

You may be asked numerous questions when you meet and greet new clients. One common
misconception is that people sleep during the hypnosis session. This is false and in fact, the
person is aware of everything that is happening both on an internal and external level. Sessions
are relaxed and gentle and extremely pleasant. The client remains fully in control even in the
most advanced state and the benefits are often experienced very quickly.

The starting point

Before you move your clients into the session, you should always discuss their needs and aims
and to try to find out more about them. To be able to engage fully with your clients, they must
start to trust you. Without trust, they will not allow themselves to be led into a trance state and
any therapeutic intention will be unsuccessful. As a therapist, you will feel a sense of frustration,
but the client will leave in a dissatisfied state.

Rapport

When building rapport, you will do your best to make the client feel relaxed and this may mean
consciously using non-verbal sounds and language so to build a sense of ease with the client in
an artificial way. You will also use social mirroring where you can match gestures and body
language in a very subtle way. Rapport is important. It takes a lot of effort and skill and desire to
ensure that you connect with your client. Note that it cannot appear contrived.

Identifying issues

You can ask clients about any past experiences which have shaped or affected them. You can
also discuss life in the present too. It is worth identifying any stress triggers that the client has
discovered as well as noting any emotional and physical symptoms that reveal the client is
becoming stressed. You create a plan of treatment through discussion so to provide the best
stress relief for them. Many hypnotherapists use the first session for discussion and may talk the
client through a state of relaxation to be sure that they are open to progression. The session
should only take approximately 30-minutes. Additional sessions are usually 45-50 minutes.

Techniques

Hypnotherapy is greatly beneficial for those experiencing stress. It creates a gentle approach to
reducing stressors and for easing any physical sensations. This alone can be an incredible relief if
someone is stressed. It promotes positive self-care habits too.

Progressive muscle relaxation

One useful technique to help combat stress is to guide the client through a progressive relaxation
technique so that the focus is on each part of the body in turn releasing tension and stress. It is
usually physical stress that restricts the progression to a trance-like state, but once physical
relaxation has been achieved, it is easier for the individual to relax mentally and to yield to the
gentle commands.

Countdown breathing

This is an extremely useful technique where the client breathes in through the nose and out
through the mouth and to coincide this with slow controlled breaths. They countdown from 100.
Every exhalation counts as one round. The client is usually in a trance like state at the end of it.
This is perfect for clients to practice when at home to ensure they remain relaxed and continue to
develop positive stress management techniques.

You will utilise hypnotic suggestions for stress where you will plant positive suggestions into
the subconscious mind. For best effect, deliver these in the present tense.

Anchoring
You can also use an anchoring technique for stress reduction. This is where you take the client
into a relaxed state and revisit the stressor using anchoring techniques to teach them how to
create positive anchors to oppose the triggers. You do this while they are in a comfortable state
of deep relaxation within trance. You instruct them to create a positive anchor connected to those
feelings. This could be a physical gesture.

Some therapists suggest the client presses the thumb and forefinger together or they can visualise
a specific place - one that means a lot to them and is relaxing or, a phrase can be used. This uses
both mental and physical association which enables the client to enter the desired state once they
activate the anchor.

Re framing

Re-framing is another extremely useful technique within NLP and hypnosis and will take the
client into a situation that would normally trigger the stress. Guiding them through the process,
you help them to develop a clearer perspective and attitude to the situation. You frame it and
develop an improved response.

You would also utilise deep breathing techniques in every session as this is calming.

The second session

So, the first session is all about getting to know the client and identifying needs. It also gives
them time to know you and to develop feelings of trust. The second session builds upon the early
foundations of rapport and ensures the client enters a relaxed state. This releases tension and
opens and calms the mind. This alone can be enough to make the client feel better, and they are
likely to want to return.

Breathing techniques are used to invite in a sense of stillness and then, guided imagery takes
them on a journey of discovery – utilising the relevant metaphors. By doing so, they feel as if
they are there on the journey and the positive messages are absorbed into the subconscious. This
increases the production of serotonin – a feel-good hormone. Stress hormones such as cortisol
and adrenaline start to dissipate. As cortisol reduces, the amygdala is suppressed, and this
enables other parts of the brain to form new neural connections to reduce stress and to solve
problems.

You will start to work on the issues already identified through discussion. It is likely that many
clients tend to exaggerate through their obsessive thoughts as to what might happen in the future.
Clients often catastrophize and magnify their fears and so, when you have the client in the trance
state, you will be able to guide them through the process of rightsizing as this will put their
issues into perspective.

The number of sessions needed will vary. This is very much dependent on the client’s personal
situation. Some of your clients will experience real benefits after just one or two sessions while
others will need a longer treatment programme. You will gain a better idea of how many
treatments will be required after discussing their needs in the first session and from the second
session, you will again have a more instinctive feel for the duration of future treatments.
 Module Three
Self-Assessment Task

Task:

What happens in the first session?

Task:

Why is rapport so important?

Task:

Learn more about the techniques given in this module and practice them until you feel confident.

Task:

What happens to the amygdala as cortisol reduces?

Please note that these questions are to help consolidate the information within, so do not send to
Kew Solutions.
 Module Four
Hypnotherapy Induction and Deepeners

Clients often feel overwhelmed by the stressors of life, so it is useful to reiterate that they are
always in control throughout the sessions. They will remember all that is said to them and will
feel calm and relaxed throughout. Explaining all about the process helps the client to relax but it
also fosters trust.

Within the session, you will often use the term ‘deep state of hypnosis’ or ‘deep state of
relaxation,’ and this helps the client to release any tension or emotional blocks so that they are
open and receptive to hypnotic suggestion. The deeper they can progress, the more open they are
to positive change.

You start with the induction and then, progress with deepeners.

Examples:

1. Focus now on the breath…. breathing in through the nose and exhaling out through the
mouth and with every exhalation, you will relax more and more deeply.

2. Allow all the muscles in the upper body to start to relax, focus on the neck and shoulders
feeling all the tensions start to dissipate, any tension releasing and muscles becoming soft
 and flexible. Move your attention to the collar bone, the chest, and the stomach, relaxing
every part of the body.

3. Imagine you are transferred to a beautiful calm location. It is a place that resonates with
you, and you have always wanted to go here. Visualise that place now and embrace the
sensation of being here…relaxing…. letting go of your connection to internal stressors….
releasing the connection to external distractions… letting go.

4. Some hypnotherapists use conservational hypnosis which involves talking to the client
and embedding hypnotic suggestions into the conversation. An example could be…It is
good to see you. It is great to see how you are already starting to relax even though you
have just walked in. This is not unusual; many clients say they start to relax deeply within
a few minutes of arriving and that they feel so comfortable in that chair….

Eye fixations

You can also use eye fixation within the induction. This could be a picture on the wall or asking
the client to look up at the light. As they gaze at the image or light, you suggest that their eyes
start to become tired…and then, they do feel this happening. You suggest that when they are
ready, they can close their eyes….and move deeper into a state of deep relaxation. They follow
this gentle command, and it will feel very natural.

Deepeners

The staircase

The deepener aids hypnotic trance and commonly, a staircase is used. It is good to start
describing the staircase so that the client can visualise it as if it is there before them. The stronger
the visualisation, the easier it is to bring the client towards a deeper hypnotic state. The number
of steps is up to you, some therapist will use between 10 and 20 steps and others will use less.
 With each step, encourage the client to move deeper into
relaxation. Talk them down through each step using carefully
worded suggestions so that they relax more and more. Once
they reached the bottom of the staircase, this is the end of the
deepener and you can either utilise additional deepeners or
move onto the visualisation.

Direct suggestion

Direct suggestion is often used although some therapists view

it as unethical. Direct suggestions can include… ‘you will go
to sleep’ or ‘you will feel more relaxed.’

Future pacing

Future pacing can be used where you encourage the client to visualise themselves doing
something extremely well or acting in a way that will benefit them (relevant to the aims). This
helps them to look forward with positivity rather than looking back in a negative way.

Metaphors

Metaphors are commonly used in hypnosis suggestions and they work extremely well. As in the
following example:

Your mind and body have become fluid…like a river… you are ebbing and flowing…yielding to
life in a relaxed, pleasurable way. There is no stress, and no obstacles that can hold you back,
because you are fluid motion, and it feels good.

Affirmations
Affirmations can be utilised within hypnosis where you provide positive statements of intent and
can ask the client to visualise these words or to mentally repeat them to themselves. One positive
affirmation is:

I am deeply relaxed.

Imply

You can also use deepeners to imply that they will indeed progress deeper into the session.

In just a few moments, you will instinctively feel yourself move deeper into a hypnotic state
where wonderful images and ideas come to mind.

Illusory choice

You can also use a technique known as illusory choice. There are two options but both lead to
the same outcome.

Snap deepener.

The snap deepener can also be used to create an instant response to your commands. You may
say…. I will snap my fingers and you will go 5 x deeper into your trance state.

Candle deepener

I want you to imagine in your mind’s eye that there is a single candle in front of you. The wick is
lit and a golden flame flickers and dances before you. Bring the image of the candle to the fore.
Visualise it, manifest it. Feel the warmth from it.
Note how the wax melts down… dripping down the side of the candle and forming at the base.
There is a sense of peace here…… just focus on the candle, notice the colour…and the size.
You are moving deeper and deeper into a sense of relaxation.
It feels good to be this relaxed and in the moment.

Focus on the shimmering lights around the flame and as you focus, I will count you down.

5. Notice the wax beads near to the flame.

4. Watch the flame as it flickers…
3. Follow the trail of the wax as it drips down the side of the candle.
2. Feeling more and more relaxed
1. Deeply, deeply relaxed

Your mind is open and ready for positive suggestions which will go deeply into the subconscious
mind.
 Module Four
Self-Assessment Tasks

Task:

Practice using the various inductions and deepeners to ascertain what works best for you. Each
part of the hypnosis process is important, and you will need to feel confident using the
techniques. You will most likely favour a few techniques and use them regularly and adapt them
as is required.

Please note that these questions are to help consolidate the information within, so do not send to
Kew Solutions.
 Module Five
Hypnotherapy Scripts for Stress

In this module, we will look at a full hypnotherapy script designed for stress reduction. A generic
script like this is useful for all clients because it aids deep relaxation and helps the client to
release any inner tension. It is written in a positive style and designed to guide them gently
towards a hypnotic state. It is easy to vary a script like this. You can alter the deepener and
embed different messages within the script so that it suits other clients.

It is worthwhile reviewing the script and then, read it out loud as if you have a client in front of
you so that you can adapt the tone of your voice to make it soothing and relaxing. You can also
record the script and play it back. Do you emphasise the right words? Does your voice sound
soothing? Did you speak too fast?

With practice, you will soon find the right tone and pace.

Stress release script

Sit comfortably and make sure you will not be disturbed.

Take a long slow deep breath in through the nose and let the breath out through the mouth.
Repeat.
Engage with your breath all the way into the lungs and breathe all the way out through the
mouth.
When your eyes start to feel heavy, just close them gently…….

Visualise the breath as a colour.

Breathing in coloured air all the way into the lungs.
Then, exhaling out through the mouth and the air is like a soft ribbon floating out slowly and
releasing.

Repeat this…. engaging with the breath all the way in and out.

Now let the breath be soft and gentle.

Starting to feel relaxed….

Feel a sense of warmth permeating through your body.
Relaxing every muscle….
It is as if warm water is bathing every muscle from head to toe.
Feel the sensation of warmth…

Gently, softly, warming,

You feel relaxed with every breath you take.

Your breath is slowing as you relax more and more.

Letting go of any tension.
Neck and shoulders relaxing.
Muscles yielding to the gentle command of pure relaxation.

Arms feeling heavy.

All the way to the fingertips.
It may feel as if your arms are lifting and floating by your sides….
As you drift…. gently….
Feel the deep sense of peace within.
As every muscle releases tension.
Scanning the back…. feeling the muscles soften.
Moving over the hips and the buttocks…
Tension releasing

And now…your attention is on the front of the body…. moving over the collar bone, to the chest,
the stomach, and the hips.
Enjoying the sense of deep relaxation within

As the muscles in the legs relax deeper and deeper.

The knees soften as tension drifts away.
And the calf muscles release…
Feeling so relaxed.
A sense of warmth moving through the ankle joints… into the feet…. all the way down to the
toes.

Now there is stillness.

Peace.
Deep, deep peace.

I am going to count you down and with each number…. you will relax even more.

5.The body feels lighter

4.Releasing tension
3. Letting go
2. Feeling peaceful in this moment
1. Fully relaxed

You are on a boardwalk which extends out to a lake.

Your feet are bare and the wood beneath you feels warm to the soles of your feet.
Feeling relaxed….
As the breeze plays with your hair.
Breathing in and out pure air….
Tension dissipating in the warm evening sun.
Inhale deeply and exhale fully.

The sun is lying low in a cloudless sky….

A golden burning yellow…. sinking…. down….
Leaving a blistering trail across the sky….
Orange and reds….
You are so drawn to the colours.
The end to a perfect day.
Feeling tranquillity washing over you in waves.
Reds, orange and yellow…. mirrored on the surface of the lake.
So serene.

This is the perfect escape for you.

Walk closer to the edge…
Feeling the wood beneath your feet
Every step takes you deeper into relaxation.
So warm.
So peaceful.
Breathe in and out gently.

You have found freedom.

The breeze takes all cares away.
There is relief from everyday life here.

It feels so good to be this relaxed.

Nothing else matters but here….

This is your sanctuary.

You feel drawn to this place.

The lake…like a sheet of glass….
So perfect….
Mesmerising.
This place, it protects you.

A place where you can reset the balance of life.

Reach down and find a small pebble at your feet.

It is so small and smooth.
Pick it up and feel it in the palm of your hand.
Trace the contours of the pebble with exploratory fingertips.
Feel its warmth.

This pebble represents any inner angst.

All the problems of your life are reduced to the size of this pebble. So small….

Here, in this moment, you can feel a weight of worry lifting from your shoulders.
You are regaining control.
Now, your mind is clearer.
You can be free from stress…

Visualise those problems now within the pebble and throw it as far as you can out into the lake.

Watch it breaking the surface as it disappears into the depths….

Ripples of water expanding outwards.
In that second, you are free.
Engage with that inner peace.
Engage with the sense of freedom.

Inhale slowly….
Feeling positive energy moving all the way into your lungs…. expanding them and then, breathe
out through the mouth releasing that air in a rush.
Let it all go.

Every muscle in your body is deeply relaxed. You have never felt so good….so at peace with
yourself.

It is almost time to return to everyday life but know that you will take these positive feelings of
deep relaxation with you and you can return here at any time.

Take a deep breath in and exhale fully.

I will slowly count you back to the present.

1.Feeling a deep sense of inner harmony.

2.So relaxed and in the moment.
3.A sense of inner peace and calmness
4.Deeply relaxed.
5.Awake.

Stretch your fingers and toes and when ready, open your eyes.
 Module Four
5
Self-Assessment Tasks

Task:

Write your own induction, deepeners, and script for stress relief. Take your time with this. Think
about what you are trying to achieve.

Please note that these questions are to help consolidate the information within, so do not send to
Kew Solutions.
 Summary

Congratulations for reaching the end of this course. We hope you have enjoyed it. Hypnotherapy
is a wonderful resource that can help so many people and whether you are fully qualified or still
studying for your qualifications, know that this will be a wonderful career. Now that you have
studied this course, you should understand the full implications of stress on the mind and body
and appreciate why hypnosis is so beneficial.

Hypnotherapy has so many different techniques that can be utilised to reduce stress, to initiate
deep relaxation and to get to the core of any issues. Always remember that each person who
comes to see you will have a unique set of problems. Stress is prevalent these days. Life is so
hectic and pressured and it can be hard to resolve all issues easily. Sometimes, the problems of
life compound and by taking the time to really listen to your clients, you will be able to help
them to improve their lives. You can do this by selecting, writing, or adapting the best script for
them so that it will resonate with them.

Some clients will feel incredibly stressed. They may have multiple health issues – often because
of stress, and as you get to know them, you may realise that the stressors are compounded and
multi-layered. Take a dedicated approach to their needs, gradually revealing these hidden aspects
of self. With every session, your clients will benefit – even if they find it difficult at first to relax
fully. The aim is to build rapport and trust so that they will be able to relax into the sessions.

Always remember that when you make suggestions to the subconscious mind, they must be
positive and beneficial. Think carefully as to what the client needs and build upon the
foundations of change. In time, you will see the difference in your clients.

If you have completed the self-assessment tasks and feel confident that you understand the
content within this course, then, please move to the final assessment. If you have not done so yet,
take time to re-read and complete the self-assessments, they will help consolidate your learning.
 Final Assignment

Please complete the assignment listed below which will affirm your understanding of this course.
Please take your time. There is no rush.

When you have completed your assignment, please send it to kew@kew.solutions and mark
the subject line Hypnotherapy Course for Stress.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for your assignment to be marked.

1. What are your intentions regarding hypnotherapy? Please clarify your current
qualifications or intent.
2. Clarify how hypnotherapy can help clients reduce their stress levels.
3. Write an original hypnotherapy script including the induction, the deepener and the main
script which will target stress and insomnia.
About


Professional
Hypnotherapy Diploma
for

Stress






Karen E. Wells