Ideomotor signaling in hypnosis: the direct path to the truth

The true value of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool lies in the power it gives to therapists to access a client’s unconscious thoughts and hidden memories. Often times, subconscious content can be obtained simply by asking the client to verbally tell you what they are experiencing or to answer questions that have been asked. While it is quite convenient for the therapist to work in this way, there are at least two disadvantages:

• verbal responses tend to ease the trance
• Verbal responses can be false, either intentionally or unintentionally.

It’s easy enough for a subject to give you the answer they think you want to hear. This is often done innocently enough out of a natural desire to please, but it tends to get in the way of the truth. Ideally, the therapist needs an alternative way of eliciting responses from a subject that cannot be falsified or altered by the interference of the conscious mind. This is what makes ideomotor responses a valuable addition to the hypnotherapist’s toolbox.

What is ideomotor signaling?

The term “ideomotor” links the mind (ideo) and movement (motor). Simply put, it is the use of spontaneous physical movements, most often with the fingers, to indicate mental positions such as yes, no, and maybe. It is a very basic form of communication, but because it occurs below the level of speech, it does not cause a lifting of the trance state and does not require any conscious effort, so there is less chance of a false response.

How to set ideomotor signaling

When the subject is in a trance, tell them that you are going to establish a form of communication that will allow them to remain deeply relaxed and will allow their minds to be so comfortable and lazy.

Then tell them to imagine the word ‘yes’ and to keep imagining it until a finger on one of their hands starts to go up. Keep coaxing them until one of your fingers makes an involuntary movement. It is very important that the movement is involuntary. A conscious movement will tend to be a strong and direct movement, while an involuntary movement will be floating and the finger will tend to jerk. You will have the clear impression that the finger is moving “strangely”, and this will be your test of the validity of the answer.

Once you have one finger of yes, ask the subject to focus on the word ‘no’ and repeat it until another finger of the same hand begins to move. It is a good idea to keep it in the same hand because if you allow it to appear in the opposite hand it can be quite difficult for you to observe.

Once you have gotten a yes and a no, tell the subject to focus on the “I don’t know / I can’t tell” thought. Note which finger is raised.

Using ideomotor responses

Now you can use your finger signals to get to hidden truths that the subject is not aware of. Inform the subject that they should not give the answers to their questions, but rather let them come out with those fingers and assure them that this will happen naturally and easily and that there is nothing they need to do.

Now it is up to you to ask questions to begin to identify the problem. Some typical questions include the following:

• Is it okay for us to know the cause of this emotional problem? (This is a good question to start a regression).
• Did the problem start before age 3? (If yes, ask if it started before 2 years, 1 year, etc., until the exact age is reached.)
• Are there any worrisome events that caused this problem?
• Is it safe for you to let go of this perception?

You can keep asking yes / no / don’t know questions like this to delve into the truth and guide the subject to a point where they can release whatever is bothering them. Remember to watch the movements of the fingers and make sure they are involuntary. You will see it immediately by the undulating and undisciplined way the fingers move. If the finger is shot too directly, the subject is most likely in control of the response and is not yet ready for the truth.