Double Binds: Creating Freedom Through Choice | Talk Time with Meredith McCarthy

Meredith McCarthy's NZACH Talk Time Podcast

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Welcome back to Talk Time with Meredith McCarthy. I’m a Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Wellington, New Zealand, with over 30 years of experience, and every week I share practical insights into the art and science of clinical hypnotherapy.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about double binds — a classic Ericksonian language pattern that helps bypass resistance and create cooperation in a gentle, ethical way. Double binds give clients the freedom of choice, while both choices naturally lead toward positive change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What double binds are and why they work so effectively in hypnotherapy
• How to use double binds to bypass resistance and guide clients into trance
• Clinical examples: “You can close your eyes now, or in a moment…”
• Everyday examples: “Would you like one sugar or two?”
• How to apply double binds ethically to create empowerment and change

Key Takeaways

• Double binds redirect resistance into collaboration
• They create freedom through choice while moving toward the desired outcome
• This technique is subtle, ethical, and simple to integrate into everyday conversations
• A classic Ericksonian tool, still powerful in modern hypnotherapy practice

If you’d like to study advanced hypnotherapy techniques, explore the NZACH 1000-hour Diploma Programme: www.nzach.ac.nz
I’d love to hear from you: Have you noticed double binds in everyday conversations, or used them in your own practice? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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