TSI, Suggestion

[Keith McMullen]

142.5  "suggestion therapy":  This is generally used in conjunction
with hypnosis (guided or self-administered) used for curbing unwanted
habits like smoking or overeating.  The type of therapeutic subterfuge
hinted at here is more akin to what is commonly called the "placebo
effect,"

It's a bit more complex than placebo effect, because, at its most
entertaining, the suggestions are subliminal. Milton Erickson was a pioneer
in suggestion therapy:

"But not all hypnotherapists believe in direct suggestions. In fact,
Ericksonian hypnotherapy uses more of what it is called indirect
suggestions. Indirect suggestions are much harder to resist because they are
often not even recognized as suggestions by the conscious mind, since they
usually disguise themselves as stories or metaphors. An example of an
indirect suggestion is "and perhaps you will become fascinated with TSI as
you read this post, and you will want to stay on topic, because people can,
you know, experience a pleasant, deepening sense of comfort as they discuss
Pynchon, and they relax deeply." This would all be said in such a way as to
mark out key words and phrases by subtle shifts in the tone of voice. The
person's unconscious awareness thus responds to these "imbedded commands."
www.ericksonian.com/history_template.htm