Presuppositions: Embedded Suggestions

Embedded Suggestions (or Embedded Commands) are commands or directives buried within a larger sentence. They can be embedded within ordinary conversation. The embedded suggestions are usually marked with a change in tonality or tempo (analogical marking). Such as by speaking louder or looking directly at the client while using a particular tone of voice. They allow […]

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Conversational Postulates

Conversational Postulates are requests for action or information masquerading as yes or no questions.  It is a question which, on the face of it, requires a Yes or No answer, but which is really demanding a specific behavior. ‘Could you pass me the cream?’ is a request for action, not an inquiry about ability. ‘Do you […]

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Complex Equivalence

Complex Equivalence is where a Milton Model suggestion is given that one thing is the same as or equivalent to some other thing. It isn’t that one thing causes another, but the implication that because one thing is true the other thing must be true.  Occurs when two ideas are connected together that do not […]

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Mind Reading

Mind Reading occurs when someone assumes they know what another person is thinking or feeling without direct evidence.  Mind Reading can be recognized when someone claims to know something without obvious evidence, claims to know how another person feels, or claims to understand another person’s internal state without explanation. It is the assumptions that are made about […]

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Nominalizations

Nominalizations occur when a verb or adjective is used as a noun although not a real and tangible object. This can include such words as accuracy, superiority, excellence, and destiny. “People can come to new understandings.” In this example ‘understandings’ is used as a noun and to describe the on-going experience of ‘understanding’ or ‘making […]

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Modal Operators

Modal Operators is when language implies a “must” when there is no requirement for one. Using Modal Operators limits options and remove choices, such as “I must win this competition”, “you must buy this jacket or you will be cold” or “You must resolve this issue.” Modal Operators imply things could happen or must happen. Common Milton […]

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Universal Quantifiers

Universal Quantifiers are universal generalizations without referential index. They are statements that include an all or nothing type of generalization, such as “this always does that” or “every time I do that, then this happens”. The Milton Model uses statements with words such as ‘all, every, always, never, any, everybody, nobody, no one‘ that act to […]

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Presuppositions: Overview

Presuppositions can give a person the illusion of choice whilst all outcomes are acceptable. In some cases they can be used to presuppose or imply something without giving the illusion of choice. They are the linguistic equivalent of assumptions – an implicit assumption whose truth is taken for granted in communication. A presupposition must be […]

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Milton-Model

The Milton model is a form of hypnotherapy based on the language patterns for hypnotic communication of Milton Erickson, a noted hypnotherapist. The Milton-Model is the inverse of the Meta Model, using artfully vague language patterns to pace another person’s experience and access unconscious resources. The Milton-Model helps with maintaining rapport and is often used in […]

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