Small Talk in Hypnosis: Helpful or a Deterrent?

The first impressions made on a subject by the hypnotist are vital.  If you don't initially capture your subject's attention, you may as well give up right then.  Small talk - or fluff talk, that has no real value or meaning (about the weather, current events, etc.) - is basically useless in a hypnotism attempt.  Hypnosis through conversation is about meaningful, deep discussions; small talk is only going to hamper your attempts to get there.

Some may argue that small talk can be useful in conversation by helping you to seem friendly or welcoming to your subjects.  This may be true if you can make your small talk count.  Don't ask about the weather; instead, take an interest in your subjects' lives.  Ask about their families, their friends, their health.  Taking an interest in peoples' lives shows them that you care, and that is a crucial factor not only in hypnosis, but in building any kind of meaningful relationship. People are more astute than we might give them credit for, and can usually tell when you are genuinely interested in them or when you are just putting on a front.

This doesn't mean you have to start a trance by launching into an attempt to reach the subconscious the second your subject walks through the door.  Rather, make yourself welcoming; ask how the person is doing, help make them comfortable.  Offer them a comfortable chair, something to drink, etc. Putting someone at ease is a crucial factor in initiating any kind of successful hypnosis.