Healing and Hypnotherapy Volume 2, Special Mega Annual Issue, 15 June 2018 | Page 40

The framework it builds on is saying “yes” in different ways,
followed by a “and” or “but” and one of the 16 possible categories
of counterarguments (intention, consequence, hierarchy etc). The
structure is more or less this:
“I understand/respect/appreciate the intensity of your belief,
AND/OR…”
Just like in Aikido you don’t know which of the 16
counterarguments will do the job in a give situation, the aim is to
have as many pre-trained options as possible.
Here are some examples of applying Sleight of Mouth on an
argument/belief/statement
The examples are from the course – credit goes to Doug and those
involved.
Argument/belief: “Cancer causes death”
1. Meet the intention of the argument
“I know your intention is to prevent false hope, but you are
preventing any hope at all. Let’s find some alternative choices…”
2. Point at the consequence of the argument
“Beliefs like this tend to become self-fulfilling prophecies because
people stop exploring their choices and options…”
3. Redefine the argument
“It’s not cancer that causes death, it’s the breakdown of the
immune system, so lets explore ways to boost that…”
4. Focus on a new outcome
“The real issue isn’t what causes death, but rather what causes life
and health. Let’s focus on that…”
5. Apply the argument to the argument
“That’s a pretty deadly belief to hold onto – it can only lead to a
dead end street…”