Trance is defined as a state of high focus combined with deep relaxation and very intense experience. In this state, it becomes possible for us to enter into a dialogue with our unconscious. The type of trance I work with has nothing to do with the form of hypnosis that provides exciting show moments on stages around the world. After the cooperative approach to Milton Erickson's hypnotherapy It's rather about inviting to a common process of exploring inner worlds.

The Trance State

Trance states are something completely natural. Most of us have experienced it in one form or another and mostly found it very pleasant. They are states of consciousness in which we don't think about the past and future, but are present in the here and now with our attention. We enter such a state, for example, when autogenic training or meditation. And some scientists also refer to Flow States as a trance. Those moments in which we become so absorbed in something that we become completely engrossed in it. Moments in which an activity almost happens by itself and we are no longer „aware“ of what is happening around us.

The unconscious as a personal early warning system

The subconscious acts as a kind of „early warning system.“ It automatically stores experiences and events, using them for an „intuitive“ assessment of new situations. This assessment, including involuntary (sometimes physical) warning signals, usually occurs automatically and unconsciously. We can rarely control when or if it speaks up, or only do so in hindsight. In this process, our subconscious has our best interests at heart. For example, it communicates through a queasy gut feeling when, based on past experiences, it determines that something is wrong in a situation and we should be cautious.

How does trance support coaching?

We can utilize trance in coaching to achieve very effective results in a very short time. By consciously consulting our clever subconscious, we can easily resolve „stuck situations“ and blockages. By exploring gut feelings with the help of trance, we learn to specifically access all unconscious and subconscious processes and resources. Additionally, we can utilize the automatic storage function by specifically „feeding in“ new information and experiences through trance. The early warning system is thus recalibrated within a protected framework. Instead of having to continue seeking solutions externally, our self-efficacy is strengthened. Previously inaccessible inner strengths then become available for solutions from within ourselves, instead of having to search externally for ready-made solutions. True to the motto: There's more in you than you think.

This is how you can imagine a trance with me

A trance can last just a few minutes, but it can also last an hour. It always depends on the concern and the context. If your concern is well-suited for working with a trance, then I will offer you this option. Together, we will then see if your gut feeling gives us its approval. If it does, I invite you to sit down, close your eyes, and feel into your body. As a benevolent travel companion, I will then guide you on the journey into your inner world with my voice within this protected space. During the trance, I will invite you to pay attention to certain things. Sometimes I will invite you to re-experience a feeling, and other times to curiously observe what colors and images appear. Your intuition and your wise unconscious will quickly enter into a dialogue with you through images and metaphors. Each person I guide into a trance with my voice experiences their own completely personal journey within themselves. During the journey, your body will likely send me hints here and there, such as changes in breathing, swallowing, or posture. I will then take these as part of the dialogue for my guidance. This benevolent, secure framework, with good guidance, allows you to have a novel experience and to try things out curiously, step by step. We can be sure that all images that appear will create something positive for us. At the end, you will take something away from such a journey into your inner world that will help with your current concern.

What else I use trances for

I don't just use trance as a method to support processing other people's concerns. For me personally, trance is also a way to bring others closer to all facets of something without many words and make them experience it. For example, at the end of my coaching training, instead of a description of who I will support as a coach in the future, I simply developed a short trance. This way, I enabled my listeners to feel and experience, based on their own experiences and inner images, what concerns I will be there to support them with. If you like, you can have a listen to my „Tricycle Trance“give it a listen. It doesn't take very long at about 10 minutes.