Frames are how we view the context of any situation or event. These frames are typically formulated by our experiences, knowledge and core beliefs, as well as our misconceptions and pre-conceived notions.

There are six ways to utilize frame control in hypnosis:

• Maintain Frame
• Pre-frame
• Re-frame
• De-frame
• Out-frame
• Contrast Frame

To maintain frame, you arm yourself with non-reaction. Act as if the frame that someone else is suggesting simply doesn’t exist. This will cause the other person to begin questioning their own frame and put more value on yours. Refusing to even consider that their frame exists will create insecurity in their own frame and reinforce your frame.

An example of the maintain frame is the hypnotic stare, coupled with silence. Try this in a negotiation. When someone presents an offer, just stare “through” them and be completely silent. Try to maintain a calm demeanor while you do this. Most people will spontaneously counter with a better offer, without you having to say a thing. But remember, the first one to look away or speak…loses.

Pre-framing takes more thought and consideration than maintaining your frame, because you need to have an idea of the desired outcome in order to pre-frame the context. Once you know the outcome, ask yourself what would need to happen to make it so. Once you have answered the questions that will spawn off of that thought, you will begin to develop a “yes set”, or tell a story, to start steering the client toward the desired outcome. To really get good at pre-framing, you need to develop your skills at formulating implications and assumptions. If you can imply and assume, then many times your frame will be taken at face value by the clients subconscious and registered as true.

Re-framing is when you present an alternative point of view to change the frame of a given context or to change the meaning of the frame itself.

De-framing is when you turn the tables on the person who is raising an objection, by simply switching the role or reversing the challenge. When someone raises and objection or presents a frame that is not productive, then simply challenging that frame will take them off guard. However, if done too aggressively, it will put the other person in a defensive mode. A good way to de-frame is to ask, “That’s an interesting point of view, tell me, why do you think that?”

Out-frames are when you shift focus away from the problem at hand to something much more global. Whatever problems that are brought to the table are not the real problem, there is something more important at play.

Contrast frames are when you present a position that allows the other person to contrast their frame against something else. For example, price juxtapositioning, where you present a higher perceived value for the service you are offering, but then present a price that is lower than the perceived market value you presented.

All of these frame control techniques can be used with your clients with high degrees of effectiveness and success. Remember, frame control in hypnosis, is not about negatively manipulating your clients perspective, it’s about helping to look beyond the problem loop they are stuck in to see resources that are available to them to resolve their problems. Resource, that they may not be able to access in their current state of mind.

That’s all I have for now.

Michael C. White, C.Ht.