Betty Erickson Technique (For Self Hypnosis)

This NLP technique was originally developed by the hypnotherapist Milton. H. Ericksons wife Betty to combat her insomnia and was originally intended as a technique for self hypnosis. This technique can be used in a variety of fun and creative ways to introduce people who are new to trance and is particularly useful with people who are trance resistant. With youth it can be presented as a game to generate calm states in indoor and outdoor settings. Whether using this for self hypnosis, applying it to individuals or in a group setting, this NLP technique remains a simple but very effective trance format.

Intro
1) Identify what youd like from this session. State it in positive terms (eg): I want to sleep more effectively and feel refreshed in the morning. 2) Set timescale for session, anything from 15 minutes to about 1 hour. State this also in positive terms (eg): I will do this technique for a period of about one hour. 3) Stare at a specific point in the room. Keep your eyes focused on an object or part of the room. Use peripheral vision. Do not to move your eyes or head.

1 NLP Coach 2010

4)

Technique
Take note of 3 things that you SEE. Record these in your head as 3 subsequent mental statements (eg):

I see the clock I see a plant I see the mirror Take note of 3 things that you HEAR: distant car, ticking of clock, stomach rumbling etc. Record as a three subsequent mental statements (eg);

I hear my stomach I hear the clock I hear a distant car Take note of 3 things that you FEEL: the chair, cool wind, warm hand, relaxed etc. Record as 3 subsequent mental statements (eg):

I feel my back on the chair I feel the warmth from the radiator I feel relaxed Take note of 2 things that you SEE : Take note of 2 things that you HEAR: Take note of 2 things that you FEEL: Take note of 1 thing that you SEE: Take note of 1 thing that you HEAR: For the very last FEEL say: I feel like closing my eyes. Now close your eyes. Turn your experience inward.

5) Repeat the above process but this time relating to your internal process (whats going on inside of your mind or self, what you see, hear, feel.) There may be an imagined, remembered scene or something that pops up unexpected in your head like a random object, a picture of a beach or forest.

2 NLP Coach 2010

6)

Outro
You may well be sound asleep by now if you are doing this for insomnia? If you are using this technique for some other reason such as Confidence when speaking publicly you may want to break the state by saying something like: When I open my eyes Ill face the world with a newfound belief, safe in the knowing that when a warm glow rushes up inside of me and I see the crowd smiling back, I hear only positive comments and rapturous applause knowing now that I speak with such exquisite ease and confidence.

Pre-Framing
You can make this NLP technique even more effective by pre-framing the experience in point 5) by preparing your own positive talk statements like: By day I wake as an adult, by night I sleep like baby. Prepare metaphorical stories of animals or whatever: the lazy cat, the giraffe that held its held tall, the communication system of bees or create a vision of your own compelling future of what youd actually like to see, hear and feel instead. Be creative. Apply whatever you see fit, and applying it to point 5)

Good Luck!

3 NLP Coach 2010