CMH Client Evaluation & Induction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which contraindication typically requires a physician referral before proceeding with hypnosis?
- Mild stage fright
- Active psychosis (Correct answer)
- Nail-biting habit
- Test anxiety
Correct answer: Active psychosis
Active psychosis is a primary contraindication because hypnosis could exacerbate delusional thinking or hallucinations.
Question 2: During a pre-hypnosis intake, a client reports taking benzodiazepines. The hypnotist should:
- Refuse to work with the client entirely
- Note it and consider that it may affect depth of trance (Correct answer)
- Immediately double all induction times
- Avoid all relaxation-based techniques
Correct answer: Note it and consider that it may affect depth of trance
Benzodiazepines can affect trance depth and responsiveness, so the hypnotist documents this and adjusts expectations accordingly.
Question 3: A suggestibility test in which the client stands with eyes closed and the hypnotist suggests they are falling backward is called the:
- Arm levitation test
- Postural sway test (Correct answer)
- Lemon test
- Hand lock test
Correct answer: Postural sway test
The postural sway test uses a standing balance challenge to gauge physical suggestibility before formal induction.
Question 4: What does a high score on the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP) primarily indicate?
- Strong resistance to suggestion
- Low somnambulistic potential
- High hypnotic talent and eye-roll ability (Correct answer)
- Preference for authority figures
Correct answer: High hypnotic talent and eye-roll ability
The HIP, developed by Herbert Spiegel, uses the eye-roll sign as a biological marker of hypnotic capacity.
Question 5: When evaluating a new client, the MAIN purpose of the pre-talk is to:
- Induce a light trance immediately
- Dispel myths and reduce fear about hypnosis (Correct answer)
- Complete insurance billing paperwork
- Measure galvanic skin response
Correct answer: Dispel myths and reduce fear about hypnosis
The pre-talk corrects misconceptions, addresses fears, and builds rapport, which significantly improves hypnotic responsiveness.
Question 6: A client who scores as a 'somnambulist' on a suggestibility scale is best described as someone who:
- Sleepwalks during sessions
- Responds deeply to suggestion and can experience profound trance phenomena (Correct answer)
- Requires extended inductions of over 60 minutes
- Is resistant to all direct suggestions
Correct answer: Responds deeply to suggestion and can experience profound trance phenomena
Somnambulists are high responders who can achieve deep trance quickly and experience vivid hypnotic phenomena.
Question 7: Which intake question is most relevant to assessing a client's suitability for regression work?
- Do you prefer morning or evening appointments?
- Have you experienced trauma that you have not yet processed with a mental health professional? (Correct answer)
- What is your primary care physician's phone number?
- Do you respond well to authority?
Correct answer: Have you experienced trauma that you have not yet processed with a mental health professional?
Unprocessed trauma can surface unexpectedly during regression, making prior mental health assessment essential for safety.
CMH Client Evaluation & Induction 2
Which contraindication typically requires a physician referral before proceeding with hypnosis?