Power of Words

By Linda Thomson PhD, MSN, APRN, ABMH, ABHN, FSCH

It was Mark Twain who said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is like the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” 

More than a decade ago the Power of Words workshop was created to teach health care professionals who did not have the academic credentials about the importance of establishing rapport and using effective communication with their patients. Learning to use hypnotic healing language can help those clinicians on the frontlines of health care to reduce their patients’ anxiety, stress, and pain, and enhance their healing. As we know, people don’t always know what they don’t know that they need to know. The health care professionals that the workshop was intended for were rarely in the workshops. The people who came to the Power of Words wanted to learn how to offer a similar workshop in their communities in hospitals, clinics, dental offices, ambulance squads and to their staff.

At the 2024 ASCH Annual Scientific Meeting and Workshops, the “Power of Words – Take it Home” was offered. I invite you all to Take it Home and spread more comfort and healing through the power of words. The PowerPoint presentation is available for you to download, use, edit, add on, reduce, make it your own. There are two different presentations available: one for medical professionals and one for dental. There are also suggested experiential exercises that can be done with the group and a list of references. The photos are either mine or free downloads that are not copyright protected that you are welcome to keep in the presentation. The links to the videos are also included. This is all available to download from the ASCH website. Please, consider spreading the word about the importance of rapport and effective, healing hypnotic communication in your health care community. Take Home the Power of Words and use it.