10 Questions with Roy Hunter

Location: Milton, Washington

Cyberspace Locations:
www.royhunter.com




1. Are you a full time hypnotist, part-time or hobbist?

After being a work-a-holic for many years, burn-out forced me to slow
down last spring. My doctor told me that I was working far too many
hours. I must limit the amount of my private sessions and
professional consulting. Almost half of my clients are other
hypnotists and hypnotherapists who know my work. However, I still
teach locally. I also travel to teach or facilitate workshops as time
permits when someone sponsors me.

2. Do you specialize in any type of hypnosis?

My approach is multi-modality, but I'm also well known for my work
with parts therapy for helping people resolve inner conflicts. That
was the topic of my latest book published by Crown House in 2005.

3. Is there any type of hypnosis you do not do? Why?

I will not work with a drug addict unless it is in collaboration with
an experienced drug counselor, because of their tendency to lie. My
own tendency to trust people at their word has its downside. I'm
extremely cautious about working with an alcoholic for the same
reason. However, I've had a fairly good success rate with pot
smokers, provided they make a total commitment to quit.

4. Do you use self-hypnosis regularly in your life? If so, how?

In 1982 I suffered a back injury that was supposed to result in
permanent chronic back pain. Through self-hypnosis, I can function
normally and am comfortable 95% of the time. If I overdo it, the
other 5% of the time reminds me of the benefits of self-hypnosis the
other 95% of the time. Also, I use (and teach) self-hypnosis to manage stress.

5. Describe your hypnosis office or work setting.

My office is located in a medical-professional building, with two
other hypnosis offices. We also have a waiting area and a classroom
for teaching classes. You can see a picture of the outside of the building at:
http://www.royhunter.com/hypnotherapy_tacoma.htm

6. Describe a typical day in your life.

My days vary greatly. At home, my day must start later than it used
to. I rarely see clients before 11am. Sometimes I'm at my computer
two to five hours a day: going through email, writing articles,
revising student handouts and course materials, doing paperwork,
etc... Much of my time at the office is devoted to teaching or
professional consulting (in the art of hypnosis) even more than doing
private sessions. I do professional coaching in hypnotherapy and/or
parts therapy by phone, email, and/or in person. A
number of hypnotherapists have travelled many hundreds of miles to
receive consulting and/or hypnotherapy in my office."
When I'm away on business, I make sure my handouts are all prepared
for those who attend my workshops. Also, I learned from experience
that I need to take personal time for myself on trips. We need to
count our blessings, and realize that life is one long series of
learning experiences. Our true worth isn't in what we have; rather,
it is how we use what we have.

7. Where did you get your training in hypnosis and are you certified?

I learned hypnotherapy directly from the legendary Charles Tebbetts.
He certified me in 1983, and eventually certified me as an
instructor. Prior to his passing, he chose me to continue his work
with client-centered hypnosis, and especially the parts therapy that
he pioneered (after evolving it from the work of Paul Federn). My two
hypnosis texts, THE ART OF HYPNOSIS and THE ART OF HYPNOTHERAPY
(Kendall/Hunt Publishing), are both based on the teachings of Charles
Tebbetts, and are required reading at many hypnosis schools around the world.

8. Most fabulous hypnosis technique you use?

Client-centered parts therapy often helps people overcome barriers
even after many other techniques have failed.

9. Worse moment ever in a hypnosis setting that ended up being a valuable learning experience.

A very obese woman slumped in my chair in a way that made the chair
creak. After gathering information about her history with weight, I
discovered that over six years passed since her last attempt to
reduce. When I asked her what motivated her to deal with it now, she
said: "Excuse me...I'm here to quit smoking!" Although she accepted
my apology, I'm still unable to remember whether she ever returned
for a second session. I share this learning experience with all my
hypnotherapy students so they don't have to re-invent the wheel.

10. Any words of advice to potential clients or other hypnotist.

Here is my advice to clients: Ask your prospective hypnotist what
he/she will do if you have "subconscious blocks" (your subconscious
fails to respond to the suggestions to reach your goal). A competent
professional skilled in the art of hypnosis will be trained to use
techniques that will enable your subconscious to uncover and release
the cause(s) of subconscious blocks.

Here is my advice to hypnotists: Fit the technique to the client
rather than vice versa. This requires width and depth of training. If
you are not yet trained in hypnotic regression or parts therapy,
invest whatever is necessary in time or money to find competent
training in both of those techniques! You will do both yourself and
your clients a favor by doing so. Although I offer training materials
on my website, I suggest hands-on training when available.

If you or your organization would like to sponsor training in your
area, feel free to contact me.