How we learn behaviors

To illustrate changing a behavior, I'll use a stereotypical, though real example.

A woman in her late 40's comes in for a session. She has trouble managing her weight. After talking, she says the biggest problem area for her, where she feels the least amount of control, is with sweets. Candy, ice cream, cake, etc. Having control of this particular craving would make all the difference to her.

After further talking about the craving, she is able to create the "feeling" of the craving. The driving force behind compulsion, habit, desire, whatever you want to call it. When in the mental state of hypnosis, she is able to "follow the feeling" to the first memory she has that involves this feeling. Much like when you hear a song on the radio that reminds you of earlier years but not remembering when. Or seeing a face and not remembering the name. If you try to remember, it will not as often come to mind. If you relax your mind or let it focus elsewhere, the memory will often come up.

When applying this process to a hypnosis session, the memory almost always becomes available.

This woman remembered being very young, only 8 or so. She remembered being in a small store and her grandfather buying her candy. It was a sort of ritual when she was staying with her grandparents. To her 8 year old self, this act was very important. It was a show of affection, love and caring. Her mind associated these feelings with the candy. When she remembered this moment, it all made sense to her.

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Patrick Glancy, CH
www.glancyhypnosis.com