So how can you ensure you get a positive, successful result with your client each and every time?
Pre-qualify them. But how?
Starting out with your new hypnosis skills can be a little scary. The anticipation of being face to face with a real client can be both exciting and nerve-racking. Pre-qualifying your client is probably the most important thing you can do that will as good as guarantee a successful result for you and your client.
The first thing I do when introducing people to the concept of hypnosis as a client or as a student is to take a considerable amount of time to explain what hypnosis is. This is the most important part of a successful session. Follow up sessions do not need to be as detailed. But this 'intro to hypnosis' conversation could be coming all too late or on deaf ears if you have the wrong client in the chair!
Let me explain; hypnosis is a 'do with' process not a 'do to' process. If it was a 'do to' process it would be regulated heavily. So that means that your client has free will right through the session. This being the case, often we have clients that are saying they are there because they want to be, but truth be told, they're not 100% there for themselves.
For example a client is booked into a quit smoking session. They are there for themselves. Or so you think. In this case the client may also be there because their partner has given them an ultimatum to stop smoking or it's over!
Their partner gave them your flyer with the number to call.
Are they really wanting to stop smoking? What is their motivation to stop smoking? Also are you now going to be the enemy?
This is the same for people that have paid for a friend or family member to attend a session with you. Often it is the friend or family member that has the issue or the problem with the person they are paying for. If you ask your client what is the problem, and they talk about the person that referred or paid for them because they wanted to fix the problem, it is a good indication that they themselves do not see themselves having a problem. Smoking is a classic example. I've had clients that actually enjoyed smoking and really didn't want to give up. It might be easy to perceive there's a problem but if the client does not believe there's a problem then you have the wrong person in the seat.
So what questions can you use to help you pre-qualify your potential client? Following are 7 of the questions I ask for each and every client that comes to me, either via referral or of their own accord.