ABSTRACT
The Ericksonian practitioner sets out to identify the idiosyncratic values and patterns peculiar to the client system, then works to preserve these basic values while expanding the range and flexibility of their expression. This chapter explores how the cooperation principle can be applied in the initial phase of preparing for therapeutic trance. It identifies questions that can be used in developing a model of how a client creates their world of experience, and suggests ways in which the gathered information can be utilized for a variety of hypnotherapeutic purposes, including attentional absorption, motivation enhancement, developing trance phenomena, and presenting therapeutic ideas. The chapter outlines six aspects of the process: creating conducive environment, general discussion of trance, light naturalistic development of trance, refractionation methods, modeling trance and trance training. The preparation phase for hypnosis involves the beginning of each session, as well as the beginning sessions of a therapy.
