The implied directive is a particular style of hypnotic suggestion that appears simple on the surface, yet is doing several things at once beneath conscious awareness.
On the face of it, you are just speaking to the client and asking them to notice something. At a deeper level, you are:
- – orienting them in time,
- – directing their unconscious to carry out an inner task, and
- – installing a clear signal so both of you know when that task is complete.
This makes the implied directive especially useful when you want to track progress during trance without constantly questioning or interrupting the client’s experience.
The Three-Part Structure
The implied directive typically has three distinct components:
- A time-binding introduction
- An implied internal response
- A behavioural signal that the process is complete
Each element plays a specific role, and together they create a smooth, continuous flow from suggestion to response.
- Time-Binding Introduction
- The first part of the implied directive links the suggestion to a particular moment in time. In other words, you “bind” the suggestion to a future point in the client’s experience.
- Common openings include phrases such as:
- “As soon as…”
- “When you notice that…”
- “In a few moments, as…”
- “While you are continuing to relax…”
- What this does is orient the client’s unconscious toward something that will happen, rather than something they must consciously “try” to do now. It gently points their attention forward, setting the stage for the inner process that is to follow.
- Implied Internal Response
- The second part of the suggestion describes an internal process that is expected to occur. Importantly, the client is not explicitly told to “do” this process; instead, it is implied that their inner mind will simply carry it out.
- This internal response usually involves:
- recognising or identifying something (e.g., the circumstances around a problem),
- shifting some inner representation (e.g., a memory fading), or
- reaching a particular inner state (e.g., a depth of trance, a sense of knowing, or a feeling of comfort).
- Notice that the language here is often permissive and descriptive rather than commanding. You speak as if the unconscious is already capable of making these changes, and as if it is natural and inevitable that it will.
- Behavioural Signal
- The final part of the implied directive is an outward, observable response that indicates the inner work has been done.
- Typically, this is a small, involuntary or semi-involuntary movement, such as:
- a “yes” finger lifting,
- a hand beginning to float,
- an arm slowly lowering, or
- the client spontaneously opening their eyes.
- The key is that this behavioural signal is framed as something that will simply happen when the inner mind has completed its task, rather than as something the client must consciously initiate.
- In practice, this gives you a clear, built‑in feedback mechanism: you know when the internal process has reached a certain point, without having to interrupt the client and ask.
The Basic Format
Putting these three elements together, the implied directive often takes on a recognisable pattern:
“As soon as [time-binding introduction] your inner mind has [identified/completed/adjusted/understood what it needs to] [internal process] your ‘yes’ finger will float up [behavioural signal].”
You can think of it as:
- “As soon as…” (time cue)
- “your inner mind has…” (internal task)
- “your finger/hand/arm will…” (external signal)
Once you are comfortable with this framework, you can adapt the content to fit almost any therapeutic purpose.
Example Phrasing
Below are some illustrations that follow the same format, showing how flexible this pattern can be. Each begins with “As soon as…” (time-binding), describes what is to occur inside (internal response), and then specifies what will happen in the body (behavioural signal).
Internal responses might include:
“your entire hand feels very numb and anesthetized…”
“you can no longer feel your legs…”
“you can see that memory, and notice it has faded from your conscious mind…”
“you know, deep inside, what changes are important for you now…”
“your unconscious senses that your trance is deep enough to accomplish what needs to be accomplished…”
These can then be followed by corresponding behavioural signals, such as:
“…then your arm will float down.”
“…then your ‘yes’ finger will gently lift.”
“…then your hand will begin to rise all by itself.”
“…then, in your own time, you will open your eyes, feeling ready to continue.”
Putting It All Together
Here are some complete examples, structured in a way you can directly adapt in your own practice:
“As soon as your inner mind has identified the most important circumstances in which that problem first developed, your ‘yes’ finger will float up.”
“As soon as your entire hand feels comfortably numb and anesthetized, your arm will slowly begin to lower, all by itself.”
“As soon as you can see that old memory and notice that it has faded from your conscious mind, your ‘yes’ finger will gently lift to let us both know.”
“As soon as your unconscious senses that your trance is deep enough to accomplish the changes you came here for today, your hand will begin to rise without you having to do anything.”
Notice how in each case:
- The client is oriented to a future moment (“As soon as…”).
- An internal process is implied, not forced (“your inner mind has identified…”, “you can see…”, “your unconscious senses…”).
- A subtle behavioural signal marks completion (“your finger will float up…”, “your arm will float down…”, “you will awaken…”).
Using Implied Directives in Practice
In clinical or coaching environments, implied directives are particularly useful when:
- You want to track how deeply a client has entered trance without constant verbal checking.
- You are guiding a client through an internal search (for memories, meanings, or resources) and need a clear sign that their unconscious mind has “found” what is needed.
- You wish to maintain a continuous, immersive experience without breaking the flow with direct questions.
By carefully combining a time-binding introduction, an implied internal response, and a clear behavioural signal, you create a powerful, yet unobtrusive way of allowing the client’s unconscious to do its work—and to let you know when it has.