Every smoker is different and every smoker needs a therapy matched to their unique particular needs but knowing which therapy to use can be a problem. I start by using two simple scale questions.    I  ask them to rate themselves on a scale of one to ten on how much they want to give up smoking, and separately on a scale of one to ten on how much they think that they can give up smoking.

I find this simple test very effective sometimes. Most people give an eight or a nine to both. It is the ones who are at the extreme ends of the scales who are most interesting. People who are a ten on motivation to give up only need to be given hypnotic suggestions that they have the ability and they are pretty much done. However, you need to probe as to why they have not already given up. Usually you find they have a history of good intentions, but deep psychological problems about self esteem and self regard. People on the low end of the motivation need to be questioned about why they are in my office at all if they really don't want to give up. Their answers are always revealing. It may be that they have had a health scare, or they want to please somebody else, but it does let you know where to start probing and how to design your therapy.

The same applies to the can-you-give-up scale. People who score a ten are ready to give up on their own and only need a little bit of hypnotic convincing. People who score low are telling you something very important. If they don't believe they can give up, but haven't really tried very hard, then you need to work on their belief system. Other people have given up many times but always start again. I find this type of smoker needs the most attention, so this gives me an opening to talk about why they start again, what their motivation is, what is underlying their smoking behaviour.

These two simple tests are an excellent way to get your stop smoking sessions going.