Hypnotic 'yes set' ego strengthening technique.

This hypnotherapy ego-strengthening technique developed by Edgar Barrett is ideal when working with clients who have already responded well to previous self-esteem improvement. It is prudent to be cautious that the client may show some resistance throughout the questioning, if this occurs then reframe the question until they feel they can agree and continue establishing the sequence of 'yes' responces. There are three main sections to this technique: 1. Stating a belief in humanity's worth and importance. 2. Stating a belief that the individual is important. 3. Establishing an acceptance from the client with regards their emotions and feelings, then encouraging them to let go of the negative. Prior to beginning the session, both positive and negative ideomotor signals need to be established, the 'yes' response should be assigned to their dominant hand.

Once the client has been induced into trance, the hypnotherapist makes a statement regarding humanity's worth; 'I believe that each individual is unqiue and have their own abilities and skills'. Subsequently asking, 'do you agree?' In an example of reframing questions, a negative response could be responded to by asking 'even if you do not believe this, do you agree that I believe this?'

After establishing an agreement that humanity, and humans, are something of worth we then try to extrapolate this agreement to the individual as a member of the community which as previously agreed, is of worth. So, another question is necessary; 'I believe that (client's name) is unique and special, as is any other human being, do you agree?'. Reframing upon a negative response could be, 'we have agreed that humanity is unqiue and of worth, and clearly you are part of humanity, therefore, do you agree that you also must be unique?' When the client agrees we check further to eliminate any hidden ego states sabotaging the process; 'Is there any part of that does not entirely agree?' Obviously resistance may be encountered at this point upon which reframing and exploration should take place until the client feels they can agree.

At this point we are well on the way to establshing a 'yes set', where a client has become more amenable to agreeing to positive suggestions. We continue with this and encourage the client to accept and let go of their feelings by further questioning:

- 'All people have happy/sad, comfortable/uncomfortable feelings. I know that you have experienced these, have you not?'

- 'These feelings are normal and common to all people. There is no need to feel guilty about them. You have a right to them,

like any other human being, whether they are enjoyable or not, do you agree?'

- 'You have a right to these normal feelings and no reason to feel bad about them. You can keep them for as long as you want

or let them go, because they are yours, don't you agree?'

- 'If you have any out of date feelings, you can let them go. If you feel that you are letting them go now, let me know by raising

your the index finger on your dominant hand.'

- 'You have a right to have those feelings back if your require them, because they are yours. Though if you don't need them

you can feel happy and safe.'

- 'I would like the unconscious mind to make a commitment to ensure (client's name) is always protected and respected,

that (client's name) is as good as anyone else, and deserves to be secure and confident. Does the subconscious agree?'

Throughout the above process we have moved from sweeping statements about people generally and moved into finer detail down to the specific feelings that a client may have about themselves which have been normalised by agreement that the whole of humanity, which they are part of, also has these feelings. This allows the client to feel less isolated, less inclined to believe that no-one understands their predicament and so more able to accept themselves. Taking ownership of their feelings give them a sense of control and subsequently the ability to let negative emotions go. The continual agreement throughout the process makes them more likely to agree to harder questions as the process progresses and ultimately agree to feel better. Ongoing questioning also allows the client to feel in control and invest in the process, which in itself reduces the likelihood of resistance that can arise from the sense of being dictated to. The 'yes set' technique can be a powerful method to cement existing progress towards improving self worth and esteem.

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