This was a question that I received from a person on Quora. This is how I answered it:
Thanks for this question. I am going to answer it from the point of view of the practitioner instead of as the client to give you what I believe is a better answer to your question as a Hypnotist/NLP practitioner.
First, do understand that folks who work in the world of mental health realize that their patients are there because of the difficulties that they are dealing with – so there will be times when the patient may get upset, angry, overwhelmed, whatever. It is to be expected quite frankly especially if the therapy is headed in the direction of dealing with core issues for the problems – giving ‘reality checks’ as I like to call them, for if the patient had the ability to understand what the larger scheme of things was, they wouldn’t need to employ a therapist, would they? It is the therapist’s job to show the patient better ways of understanding those things that are going on in their lives and sometimes that means telling them things they ‘need’ to hear instead of those things they want to hear.
I have mentioned it on Quora a few times, that even before I hire a client, I let them know that there will most assuredly be times when they may dislike me, for those things that I may say to them. Sometimes it is because I got something wrong that they were trying to explain to me and sometimes it will be because I am telling them truths that they don’t want to hear about themselves or those they love (as it came from their own subconscious minds from the hypnotic perspective). In either case, it is through the processing of these events that the client is better able to go out in their own world and interact more confidently and honestly. Those clients who understand that this is the reason for the therapy and are open to this dynamic are those that I am more readily willing to hire on as clients. Because, one can’t grow if one isn’t willing to take responsibility (and yes, there have been many, many times when I had to own my own shortcomings during sessions with my clients). I let them know that if I do or say something that causes them to feel negative to tell me so that we can work through it because it is bound to happen. Humility works in both directions.
So, no, your therapist ought not to be offended because of your feelings – instead, your therapist is there to help you to deal with whatever happened and help you heal it, and hopefully strengthen your trust in the process.
Thanks again for the question, because I am guessing that there are many others who have this concern and needed to get an answer to the situation.
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About Suzanne
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.