Staircase Method
Spoken to the subject
In a moment I'm going to relax you more completely. In a moment I'm going to begin counting backwards from 10 to 1.
The moment I say the number 10 you will allow your eyelids to remain closed. The moment I say the number 10, you will, in your minds eye, see yourself at the top of a small set of stairs.
The moment I say the number 9, and each additional number, you will simply move down those stairs relaxing more completely. At the base of the stairs is a large feather bed, with a comfortable feather pillow.
The moment I say the number one you will simply sink into that bed, resting your head on that feather pillow.
Number 10, eyes closed at the top of those stairs. Ten ...
Nine, relaxing and letting go. Nine ...
Eight, sinking into a more comfortable, calm, peaceful position ...
Seven ....
Six ... going way down ...
Five ... moving down those stairs, relaxing more completely.
Four ...
Three ... breathe in deeply ...
Two ... On the next number, number one, simply sinking into that bed, becoming more calm, more peaceful, more relaxed ...
One ... Sinking into that feather bed, let every muscle go limp and loose as you sink into a more calm, peaceful state of relaxation.
