070/071—1© 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. Dissociation Statements, Truisms and the “Yes Set”

070/071—2 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. I. Dissociation Statements Your (1) can (2), Your (3) can * (4) (5). but and or while because Key: (1) Conscious state of awareness. (2) Specific “pacing” statement. This could focus the patient’s attention externally. (3) Hypnotic state of consciousness. (4) General “eliciting” statement. For example, this speculative statement could focus the patient’s attention internally, or foster any hypnotic or therapeutic goal. (5) Motivation – use the patient’s. Tie in a positive.

070/071—3 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. I. Dissociation Statements (cont.) * Use permissive verbs: “can,” “may,” “might”: Pause after the permissive verb before blank (4) to create an embedded command: Perhaps it is more effective to underemphasize the embedded command rather than to overemphasize it Also, you can insert the patient’s name just before the eliciting statement in order to enhance the effect of the embedded command

070/071—4 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. I. Dissociation Statements (cont.) In blank (2) you can mention any resistance: This circumsubscribes the resistance to the conscious state Alternately, you can reflect changes in the hypnotic constellation: This makes the first phrase a “ratification statement”

070/071—5 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. I. Dissociation Statements (cont.) EXAMPLE: “Your conscious mind can notice the sensation of your feet on the floor, but your unconscious mind can..... enjoy floating sensations because it is nice to experience many different facets of developing awareness.”

070/071—6 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. I. Dissociation Statements (cont.) You can use double dissociation statements using the following general form: Your conscious mind can A and your unconscious mind can B. OR Your unconscious mind can A and your conscious mind can B.

070/071—7 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. II. Truisms Truisms can be used for a number of reasons: 1. To pace 2. To guide attention 3. To ratify the trance 4. As symbolic injunctions 5. To embed commands 6. To create a “Yes Set”

070/071—8 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. III. The Yes Set – Overview The Yes Set is created by joining together a series of three truisms that are meant as “pacing” statements As with dissociation statements, it is best to use permissive verbs Quickly a fourth truism is added that serves as “eliciting” statement Possible combinations to use are presented on the following slides* * NOTE: You can mix and match. For novice practitioners, it is recommended to stay within categories. Also, it is helpful to use the principle of working from the periphery in.

070/071—9 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. III. “Yes Set” Combinations 1.A “Yes Set” with or without tag questions 2.A “No Set” with or without tag questions 3.An “I—Don’t—Know Set’ with or without tag questions 4.Three thoughts to a thought 5.Three feelings to a feeling 6.Three behaviors to a behavior 7.Three futures to a future 8.Three pasts to a past

070/071—10 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. III. “Yes Set” Combinations (cont.) 1.Three presents to a present 2.Three process operations to a process Operation 3.Three auditories to an auditory 4.Three visuals to a visual 5.Three tactiles to a tactile 6.Three hypnotic constellations to a hypnotic constellation 7.Three symbolic injunctions to a symbolic injunction 8.Three stories to a story, etc.

070/071—11 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. III. The “Yes Set” The Yes Set uses Newton’s Law of Inertia: Once a head is thinking yes, it tends to continue to think yes unless acted upon by an outside force The Yes Set is good to use if you experience a loss of rapport from the patient

070/071—12 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. III. “Yes Set” Example EXAMPLE: You can hear the noises outside the room. You can hear the sound of my voice. You can listen to your own breathing. You can…. experience the sound changes that continue to develop.

070/071—13 © 2003, Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. This presentation is Copyright by Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D., P.C. Clinical Psychologist 1935 East Aurelius Phoenix, Arizona (602)