Advantages and Safeguards in Using the Ideomotor Signaling Technique: A Commentary of Walsh and Clinical Practice

Abstract

Research and some of the valuable applications of ideomotor signaling are discussed. Then in a commentary on the uses and misuses of ideomotor signaling, and on Walsh's (1997) variant of this technique, safeguards are discussed, particularly concerning asking questions regarding the exploring of events from the past.

Ideomotor Signaling: From Divining Spiritual Messages to Discerning Subconscious Answers during Hypnosis and Hypnoanalysis, a Historical Perspective

“…Some psychotherapists such as Walsh (1997Walsh ( , 2003, Hammond (1997), and Frederick and McNeal (1999) have also begun to adopt ideomotor finger signaling in hypnoanalysis as an efficient means of obtaining answers from the subconscious in the mental health realm, where the focus is on emotions, mind, and cognitions and beliefs. Hammond's (1997) cautions about not forcing confabulated false memories or using leading questions or accepting subconscious responses as being more "true" than conscious responses without some form of external verifications should be kept in mind.…”

“…Hammond's (1997) cautions about not forcing confabulated false memories or using leading questions or accepting subconscious responses as being more "true" than conscious responses without some form of external verifications should be kept in mind. Ideomotor signaling does provide another tool for psychological hypnoanalysis that can be used as a silent signal response to queries without lightening the level of trance or engaging the critical judgments that may be associated with speech and alert thought processes.…”

“…Walsh (1997) discussed using ideomotor questioning with a "yes" or "no" choice to help resolve negative affect or emotion and included an ideomotor questioning tree. Hammond (1997) studied 247 consecutive patients, of whom 78% were able to achieve ideomotor finger signals that they considered involuntary. He disagreed with using only the "yes" and "no" choices that Walsh offered patients out of concerns for confabulation when forcing a choice.…”

Treatment of Psychological Complications of Prematurity with Self-Hypnosis: A Case Report

“…The patient was taught how to use ideomotor signaling, through which the subconscious can express itself by moving the patient's fingers to indicate "Yes," "No," and "I don't want to say." 3 When the subconscious was asked whether it would be willing to interact verbally with the pediatrician, it agreed to do so. The pediatrician asked the subconscious what the patient thought about having been born prematurely.…”