The “conscious–unconscious double bind” we are describing is a particular form of hypnotic suggestion that deliberately appeals to the unconscious mind, while gently bypassing the usual, learned limitations of the conscious mind.

Depending on the viewpoint, we might regard the unconscious as an actual process within the brain, or simply as a useful metaphor for those deeper mental activities that operate outside of everyday awareness. Either way, we are interested in engaging that deeper level of processing directly.

In this type of suggestion, the client is invited to focus inward and allow responses to emerge that are not under deliberate, conscious control. At the same time, the hypnotist offers a set of behavioural possibilities that sit outside the client’s usual, habitual range of voluntary responses. This is where the “double bind” comes in.

On the face of it, the client is offered a choice. At a deeper level, however, both choices move them in the same therapeutic direction.

The Nature of the Double Bind

A double bind structures the experience so that:

  • The conscious mind believes it is making a decision or evaluating options.
  • The unconscious mind is given permission to respond freely, in its own way.
  • Whichever option is taken, the outcome supports trance, therapeutic movement or both.

In other words, every road leads inwards.

The client is not pushed or forced. Instead, they are invited to discover that something else within them – something beyond conscious effort – can take charge of the response.

Example 1: Hands as Unconscious Indicators

Consider the following form of suggestion:

“And if your unconscious mind is ready for you to enter trance, your right hand will begin to get light and float up. If your unconscious mind is reluctant for you to enter trance, your left hand will lift up.”

Here, the client is presented with two possibilities: the right hand or the left hand. Consciously, they may listen, analyse, even wonder what “should” happen. Yet both possible movements are framed as expressions of the unconscious:

  • Right hand rising = the unconscious is ready.
  • Left hand rising = the unconscious is reluctant (and is signalling that).

From a structural point of view, there is no option to “do nothing” that still fits the frame. Either way, the unconscious is presumed to respond, and the client is encouraged to wait and observe.

This shifts the emphasis from “I will move my hand” to “I will notice which hand my unconscious chooses to move.” It is a subtle but powerful reorientation of agency.

Example 2: Unconscious Work Beyond the Session

A second type of double bind extends the idea across time, and separates the roles of the conscious and unconscious mind:

“And the unconscious mind can continue working on that problem and preparing you for our next session after you leave. And the really interesting, really curious thing, is that your conscious mind may or may not really be aware or even understand what’s going on, depending on the preference of your unconscious mind. And as your unconscious mind is preparing you, and doing its work, your conscious will remain free to carry on all the many other things that you need to attend to each day.”

Here the structure quietly installs several assumptions:

  • The unconscious will continue working on the problem.
  • That work will carry on beyond the formal session.
  • The conscious mind might understand what is happening, or it might not – both are equally acceptable.
  • The conscious mind is freed to focus on everyday tasks while deeper changes occur in the background.

Again, the “bind” sits inside the apparent choice:

  • The conscious mind “may” notice or “may not” notice.
  • Either way, the unconscious continues its work.

The client does not have to strain, analyse or monitor their internal process. They are given permission not to understand, while still expecting progress.

Why This Is Useful in Practice

Conscious–unconscious double binds are particularly helpful when:

  • A client is over-analytical, critical or fearful of “doing it wrong.”
  • There is a strong desire for change, but also resistance or ambivalence.
  • The client struggles to trust their own inner responses.

By positioning the unconscious as the decision-maker and making every possible outcome therapeutically acceptable, we reduce performance anxiety and soften resistance. The client is no longer required to consciously “make change happen.” Instead, they are invited to allow change to arise.

In this way, the double bind becomes a gentle lever that:

  • Bypasses conscious limitations and self-sabotage.
  • Encourages inward focus and curiosity.
  • Validates whatever experience emerges as a sign of unconscious wisdom and movement.

Used skilfully, this pattern allows clients to discover that part of them already knows how to move toward healing and resolution – even when their conscious mind is still catching up.

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