Comments for adriantannock.com

Comment on About Adrian by sgare

sgare — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:42:39 +0000

Thanks Adrian,
i have never heard of Trevor Silvester before, I’m going to do so reading on him. I, probably like you too, think it is a good idea to read and learn from many people in this industry.

Comment on The Myth of the Subconscious Mind by Angaza

Angaza — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:15:05 +0000

You say, ‘Or, my preferred term, an unconscious mind – they are (most often) used interchangably, the only difference being that “subconscious” suggests lesser importance.’ Yes, you are quite correct to say that the terms ‘unconscious’ and ‘subconscious’ are (most often) used interchangeably, but I’d like to make two points for your consideration and inspection. Like most people, I used to refer to the ‘subconscious mind’ until I realized, quite by accident, that the subconscious is not a part of the mind at all. Rather, it is a—force (for lack of another word)—that moves through nature and is experienced moving through our thoughts. It seems to be a part of our mind, but actually exists quite separate from our minds and our brains. Instead, we see it moving through our mind just like we see vistas, clouds, trees and the other things outside of us with our eyes. The subconscious is not a part of our thoughts, but rather, are thoughts arising from outside of us that we perceive as they pass through us. Unlike our own thoughts, subconscious thoughts are not a result of our own creation. Also, the term “unconscious” is quite incorrect. Even though the terms are generally used interchangeably, a practice Freud tried to change by eliminating the term ‘subconscious’, the two terms express two quite different situations and refer to two quite different things. The ‘unconscious’ state arises when an individual suffers brainstem damage. In such situations, they cannot breathe and lose the ability to continue other maintenance functions of the body. They are literally unconscious (i.e., not conscious)! Subconscious means “below the level of conscious awareness.” An unconscious person has no subconscious at all! Unlike the unconscious condition, the subconscious is related to the the autonomic and peripheral nervous systems rather than the brainstem. In other words, they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT SITUATIONS and should never have been interconnected in the first place. In fact, they are opposites. The subconscious maintains involuntary body functions whereas an unconscious individual loses the ability to maintain involuntary body functions! And so, the states are not the same and the terms cannot be used interchangeably. The use of the words ‘unconscious mind’ is quite incorrect. ‘Unconscious mind’ implies no mind, and while the subconscious actually is not a part of the mind as it is so often referred to be, it is also quite different from the unconscious state that occurs when the brainstem sustains damage. The subconscious is only maintained when there is no damage to the brainstem. Therefore, the subconscious ‘mind’ and the unconscious condition never co-exist together! There are no ‘unconscious desires’. They are ‘subconscious desires’ (i.e., below [sub] the level of conscious awareness). A person who is ‘unconscious [un means not whereas sub means under or below] has no awareness or desires at all!

Comment on Hypnotherapy training – is it adequate? by lastingchange

lastingchange — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:54:31 +0000

Christine – thank you for the feedback.

Re: testimonials. The key is just to ask. Just don’t expect a high percentage to agree. Many people – even those who have experienced brilliant results – will not reply to requests for testimonials, or even simple requests for feedback.

It seems to me that, once the therapy is finished, the notion of a ‘therapeutic process’ is far more important to the therapist than the client. Ex-clients don’t write, they don’t call! Joking aside, therapists do wonder why their clients aren’t motivated to answer their calls / emails for feedback and/or testimonials. Put simply, once the therapy is over, the therapist and their practice is simply not important any more.

There are obviously other (valid) reasons why testimonials are asked for and not given, even when great results have been achieved. However, therapists who learn to let their clients go will generally feel better about themselves.

Thanks for the feedback.

Adrian

Comment on Hypnotherapy training – is it adequate? by Christine Brock

Christine Brock — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 12:03:55 +0000

Hi, I am a newly qualified NLP/hypnotherapist and currently in the process of setting up my buisiness. I was looking at your website to get ideas about what to include on my web pages and found yours to be very impressive.
I found this post very helpful because, as retired RGN where everything is based on qualifications as well as litigation and informed practice, I had the nagging doubt that NLP/hypnotherapy might not be enough. So your post has helped rid me of that doubt.
As the saying goes “don’t tell me why, tell me how”.
I also wanted to ask how you manage to get your clients to give you a testemonial?
Other therapists have said, even when they have brilliant results, that the clients usually do not get back to them regarding this. Therefore please tell me how I could ensure that I get these.
By the way I am from North East England and so I am not in competition with you.
Thankyou for your time Christine

Comment on The Myth of the Subconscious Mind by Simon Barclay

Simon Barclay — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 00:06:01 +0000

Thanks for the reply Adrian. I failed to mention that I enjoyed reading your article and found it interesting and informative.

Simon.

Comment on The Myth of the Subconscious Mind by lastingchange

lastingchange — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:42:49 +0000

Simon – thank you for an interesting comment. The eminent researcher, TX Barber, was of the view that hypnosis was social roleplaying, involving expectation arrived at via hypnotic ritual. However, this is only one view, and there are equally eminent researchers positing very different, equally valid views of hypnosis. For example Hilgard, Woody & Bowers, and the like:

http://www.hypnosisandsuggestion.org/scientific-theories-of-hypnosis.html

“Counting back from 10 – 1″ isn’t recognisably hypnosis in my years as a practitioner; I’d consider alternative views before writing off hypnosis; it is gaining more & more recognition as a valid topic for heavyweight research, particularly as fMRI technology advances.

Here are some interesting articles, offered just as further reading. No axe to grind

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2010/sep/30/hypnosis-neuroscience-psychology
http://www.bioedonline.org/news/news.cfm?art=1142
http://www.sciencebuzz.org/blog/brain-scans-reveal-effects-hypnosis
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/hypnotism-is-for-real-scientists-say-after-brainscan-study-of-volunteers-661134.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/21239.php
http://www.hypnosisunituk.com/research.html
http://www.healthimaging.com/index.php?option=com_articles&view=article&id=17880:fmri-sheds-light-on-hypnosis-impact
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=hypnosis-memory-brain
http://www.hypnosisunituk.com/publications.html

I hope you find the articles interesting reading.

Thanks for the comment.

Adrian

Comment on The Myth of the Subconscious Mind by Simon Barclay

Simon Barclay — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:04:03 +0000

I am of the view that while there may be an unconscious mind, I do not believe that hypnosis is of the same calibre to communicate with it. I regard the patient as albeit unconsciously ‘consciously pretending’ to be in a trance. It is the therapist and the patient who are being fooled into believing they are receiving unconscious responses. Let’s face it – closing your eyes and counting back from 10 to 1 is hardly a foolproof method of being able to talk with your inner mind! You are not unconscious under hypnosis and there is definitely a conscious influence of the ‘awake’ patient. I think the unconscious mind deserves more respect.

Comment on Contact Me by Antonio

Antonio — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 02:14:39 +0000

Great article, never heard it put that way and it makes sense.
Many thanks,
Antonio P.
USA

Comment on Hypnotherapy training – is it adequate? by superbootcamps

superbootcamps — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:50:42 +0000

This must be one of the most difficult areas for our industry to tackle; How to make sure people are competent.

I remember Frank Farrelly talking about this issue when someone asked if they were going to get a certificate at the end of his course. He replied with long multitude of stories about competence and qualifications, and how they are rarely the same thing. His view was that you couldn’t assess competence, so he didn’t bother!

He understood that only those who were actually good at what they do would stay in business. I am not sure about this, but it might be true some of the time. I certainly couldn’t imagine continuing to work whilst not getting results. Of course the question here is ‘how long do we wait before we get results?’

And I bet your answer comes from the framework and conceptual background that your training gave you. This brings up a whole load of other questions though…

Good article Mr T, keep em coming.

Comment on Hypnotherapy training – is it adequate? by Ian

Ian — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:12:03 +0000

Hi Adrian

My belief is that we should treat the therapist and client relationship as a therapeutic alliance. The client is the expert on their problems, whether real or perceived, and the therapist is the expert in their area of expertise.

It works for me and my clients!

Best wishes

Ian in Prague

Comment on Freedom From The Past (Part 2) by Hypnotherapy training – is it adequate? « adriantannock.com

Hypnotherapy training – is it adequate? « adriantannock.com — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:34:18 +0000

[...] help people change. Hypnotic suggestion, hypnotic regression, NLP techniques such as the ‘fast phobia cure‘, using hypnosis to apply CBT techniques… These are all tools that help [...]

Comment on It’s all in the mind… by The Myth of the Subconscious Mind « adriantannock.com

The Myth of the Subconscious Mind « adriantannock.com — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:20:27 +0000

[...] difference being that “subconscious” suggests lesser importance.) Well, I explained here how “the mind” is the process of our experience of being alive, dependent on the [...]

Comment on Hypnosis – common misconceptions (Part 2) by The Myth of the Subconscious Mind « adriantannock.com

The Myth of the Subconscious Mind « adriantannock.com — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:20:22 +0000

[...] for the emails and messages in response to my posts on Common Misconceptions of Hypnosis (Part 1, Part 2). It’s always good to get feedback (even constructive criticism) and I enjoyed writing the [...]

Comment on Hypnosis – common misconceptions (Part 1) by Hypnosis – common misconceptions (Part 1) « adriantannock.com « Underground Hypnosis

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:24:52 +0000

[...] Hypnosis – common misconceptions (Part 1) « adriantannock.com Filed under: Main — admin @ 6:24 pm [...]

Comment on About Adrian by lastingchange

lastingchange — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:32:04 +0000

Hi Dawn,

Fair point! Will get it updated asap

Adrian

Comment on About Adrian by Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:38:25 +0000

Hi Adrian,

Great site, can’t find your email or telephone number though to get in touch?

Dawn (Flockhart)

Comment on Positive Motivation Part 2: Goals by harry

harry — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:04:34 +0000

For tracking goals, you may also check out http://www.GoalsOnTrack.com, a very nicely built web app designed for tracking goals and todo lists, and has time tracking. It’s clear, focused, easy to navigate, worth a try.

Nice pic btw.:-)

Comment on The Myth of the Subconscious Mind by lastingchange

lastingchange — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:56:45 +0000

Hiya, and thanks for the comment.

You are right of course – my opinion is only my opinion. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the ‘mind’, unconscious or otherwise, exists as an entity. Rather, this is a reification – something abstract turned into something concrete. This nominalised idea of the ‘unconscious mind’ serves as a great short-hand for therapists, but qualities and attributes are routinely ascribed to it as if it truly exists. To me, that’s (at best) mythology, or (at worst) dogma…

In terms of the ‘higher self’ (is that really the same as the ‘super ego’?) – well, yes, viewed through this reductionist paradigm, I’d consider that a constructed hypostatisation of an array of processes found in the brain/central nervous system.

That said, I’m not completely reductionist, I see humans as being spiritual beings, and with that the answer to your questions, and my original post, can only be “Maybe so, maybe not!”

Thanks for the interesting comment,

Adrian

Comment on The Myth of the Subconscious Mind by Donne

Donne — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:34:07 +0000

“So let’s be clear, when I (or any other therapist) refers to “your unconscious mind” they are referring to the collection of these many, many, unconscious cognitive process, like the one mentioned above. That’s what an unconscious mind “is””.

Although you say this with some authority, could I remind you it is only your opinion, unless of course, proven with statistically significant, repeatable scientific experiments.

So, is there any reason why these unconscious cognitive process, as a gestalt, wouldn’t form what could be regarded as an entity, the ‘unconscious mind’?
I would be interested to hear your comments on what constitutes the ‘Higher Self’ or in Freudian terms: The Uber Ego/Super Ego’.
Another level or collection of ‘cognitive process” perhaps or a higher conscious entity existing beyond the unconscious and conscious minds?

Comment on About Adrian by Annie

Annie — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 03:20:55 +0000

Hi, I spotted your url today on my website. Wow! I was first here in August! I am so glad someone did click on the comment thread to visit me, otherwise I would have forgotten to bookmark.

Personally, I am working on teaching online now. There are many recommendations about marketing. But I would like to explore this area on NLP. Heard it has achieved good success.

Comment on I heart the Internets by Bob

Bob — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:35:49 +0000

Thanks for the mention Adrian. With the new statutory regulation for Psychotherapy practice coming into force in the (possibly) near future, it is important that there are sites where good quality information on the subject is available to the public. Your site, and the others you mention are the sort of public resource that is needed.

I have also started a bit of a blog, with a slightly different slant to this and the others you mentioned. I will be publishing articles written by myself and a panel of experts on the subject of Psychotherapy. That panel of expert moderators will also be on hand to answer any questions you have on the topic.

That blog is very much in it’s infancy and, like Adrian, I am currently up to my eyes in other projects but that will pass over the next month or so. If any of you readers have articles that you would like to be considered for publishing email them to me in Word, Open Office or RTF formats and I will have a look. If you would like to join the panel of Moderators, let me have a CV and a professional referee and lets get that service rolling.

Keep up the good work Adrian, see you soon.

Bob
http://themindtrain.webs.com/
If the only tool you have is a hammer then all problems will be treated as a nail.