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As a therapist, how would you help a patient who asked for more structure or wanted to know where the therapy was going? July 10, 2025

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This was a question that was asked by another mental health provider on Quora. Here is how I answered him:

I believe that there is a problem with how much conventional therapy is conducted in that there are often no objectives to be met from the patient’s perspective to know that they have been achieved. This is because the conventional mental health system is based on the ‘management’ of symptoms from a pathological point of view instead of one of working toward bringing wholeness to the client based on the philosophy that we hypnotists and neuro-linguistic programmers have in the belief that our clients have all they need inside themselves to heal. It is our job to facilitate that healing with our tools and techniques.

We are never working with the ‘management’ of symptoms, we are working with eliminating the symptoms. Of course, there are certain populations in which this will never work including those with psychotic features and those with an IQ of 70 or under because they cannot focus on the hypnotic process. We also cannot help those with personality disorders because they are not able to be helped with the work we do given the nature of their emotional issues. Though I have worked with a few of them over the years to help them release other issues, it is not the best situation and one to stay away from by doing a thorough free consultation to find out if the client is a good fit for the work I do.

I learned to do my sessions with my Neuro-Linguistic trainers using a Detailed Personal History in which the questions are formed in neuro-linguistic programming language patterns to gain the subconscious material that will allow us to understand the causes of the symptoms with the last three questions bringing out the objectives the client desires and how the client will know they have met them. When the healing process is started in this manner, both the practitioner and the client know exactly what the outcomes are to be and are constantly working toward achieving them. The outcomes go beyond letting go of symptoms and moving in the direction of fulfilling their compelling future which can include going back to doing those things they did before their symptoms made it impossible, building careers that are meaningful to them, and having healthy relationships with those with whom they have respectful caring relationships. I know therapy is to help with these issues, having been on both sides of the proverbial couch, but we do this in a much more formalized manner.

Thank you for the question. My sincere hope is that it has given you some ideas to integrate into your practice so you never have this question asked of you again because both parties will know from the first session exactly what the outcomes of the therapy are to be and how they will be achieved.

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Suzanne Kellner-Zinck founded Dawning Visions Hypnosis in 2002, She has become an innovator in the use of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming in the areas of obsessive compulsive disorders such as: eating disorders, sexual addiction and substance abuse as well as working with those with anxiety and mood disorders. Her clients have come to work with her from across the United States and as far away as Africa to help them to finally be freed from these emotional issues that once ruled their lives. Today she is in the process of bringing her work to many more in the form of ebooks and other downloadable formats. She is a member of American Holistic Medical Association and the American College for Advancement in Medicine. Prior to founding Dawning Visions Hypnosis, Kellner-Zinck worked within vendor programs for the mentally ill working to help them to live up to their fullest potential. Many of her previous clients were able to move out on their own and find fulfilling work. Kellner-Zinck is a Certified Trainer of Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic programing through Tad James Company, Inc. and a Master Hypnotist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Advanced Neuro Dynamics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and political studies from Curry College. Dawning Visions Hypnosis is teaching people that they can indeed leave their unwanted behaviors behind as they move forward to living fulfilling and joy filled lives.