Methods of Hypnosis Articles | Hypnosis

By: Bowen Beyer-Johnson

When it comes to hypnosis there are several methods available that can be used, each one has its own benefits and its own disadvantages. The best method to use depends on the person and may take some time to discover; everyone is unique and will respond differently to each method. This means that the first step of a hypnotist is to learn as much about the individual as possible before deciding which method is right for the individual.

For this reason, all professional hypnotherapists have a consultation before starting a person actual sessions. This will give them a chance to talk to you and get an idea of each person’s needs. They will then have a better idea of which methods will be the most effective.

(Below you will find a list of the different methods used for hypnosis along with a brief description of each.)

• Traditional Method – This is the simplest method of hypnosis that has been used for many years. It is the process of simply making suggestions to a person’s sub-conscious mind. If someone is susceptible to suggestions and tends to accept things without asking lots of questions, then this would be a good method. An example of this form of hypnosis is hypnosis tapes. As one can see this obviously wouldn’t be good for someone who questions authority or directions often, since, in the case of hypnosis tapes, there is no one there to answer questions. In addition this continual questioning will not allow a person to fall into a correct state of a “unconscious mind,” which is needed in traditional hypnosis.

• Video Method – This method is fairly new and works by utilizing the thought process of the person being hypnotized instead of post hypnotic suggestions, which are used in the traditional method. At a basic level, what this means, is that this method uses visual images to manipulate a person’s thought process. A real life example would how when watching TV a person becomes hungry. This is because that person’s mind has imprinted image of food, and then when it sees the image of the TV, it associates the two together and that person becomes hungry. This new method has proven to be every effect since the majority of the human population can learn faster from seeing than they can by hearing.

• Subliminal Method – This method works in two different ways. It involves two tracks that contain different information. One of these tracks will have sounds such as nature or music while the other track will have suggestions that are repeated hundreds of times in a session, and are only head by the subconscious. One bonus about this form of hypnosis is that a person does not have to be in a relaxed state to be subjected to subliminal hypnosis. However, subliminal hypnosis is almost always used in conjunction with other methods of hypnosis because it is  not very effective alone. 

• Neuro-Linguistic Programming – This method can be very effective when used by a professional. Instead of using suggestions to get rid of the problem they will use the thought pattern that’s causing the problem to help get rid of it. This can be done by using techniques (anchoring, flash, reframe) unique to this form of hypnosis. For example in anchoring a patient will be told to visual a certain image of success from the past that gives them self confidence and then touch their finger together, and then repeat this many different times. Eventually, by simply touching their fingers together the patients should be able to summon those same feelings of confidence.

• Ericksonian Hypnosis – This method uses metaphors or short stories to plant suggestions into your unconscious mind. By creating these metaphors some people have an easier time accepting suggestions since the suggestions do not seem like direct commands like in traditional hypnosis. Ericksonian hypnosis is a powerful form of hypnosis, because of the way it can trick the mind into accepting suggestions more easily than normal.

There are other methods available but the ones listed here are the most commonly used. You can see a professional and set up sessions or you can use these methods on your own by purchasing many “do-it-yourself” programs.