Hypnosis Techniques

There are many different types of hypnosis out there. It can be confusing to decide which one you should be using. Which methods are the best. I've been asked many times, "If hypnosis is so powerful then surely there should be one dominant method?"

I wish I could give a definite answer to this question but really the bottom line is the brain is a complex organ. We all learn in different ways, we all respond to different stimuli so it makes sense that we all respond to hypnosis differently. Luckily though there are lots of different methods you can use so if one type of hypnosis isn't working too well for you then you can try something else.

Self Hypnosis

There is a common saying in hypnosis circles that all hypnosis is self hypnosis. You can't make people think anything or do anything that they don't want to do. Hypnosis is a tool for implanting idea's and encouraging others to think a different way. This tool can be just as easily used on yourself as it can on others. All types of hypnosis can be converted to use on yourself with very little effort.

Traditional hypnosis

Traditional hypnosis uses direct suggestions. The most commonly purchased hypnosis products on the market use traditional hypnosis and direct suggestion methods. These usually involve you listening to a tape or Cd filled with instructions for you to do certain things and behave certain ways. Traditional hypnosis is great for people who are susceptible to suggestions. For it to work well you need to believe and accept everything that you are told without questioning it.

Unfortunately today we are taught to question everything we learn. Critical thinking and analytical skills are something that is praised from a young age and people are encouraged to cultivate them as they grow older. This makes most traditional hypnosis products practically useless.

Ericksonian Hypnosis

Ericksonian hypnosis is the most widely practised type of hypnosis today. It uses two main methods to input indirect suggestions into subjects. Isomorphic suggestions use a story telling type of narrative to implant an idea. This takes the subject out equation all together. The story then implants the idea of the required behaviour directly into the subconscious mind.

You can also use interspersal suggestions. These are when your suggestions are intermingled within a conversation between you and the subject. The suggestions should be mentioned in a relaxed manner without disturbing the flow of conversation.

Subliminal messages

Many people claim that subliminal messages are a good way of changing behaviour. This was a very popular method in the 1980's but it's not so common today. Subliminal messages involve playing 2 tracks at the same time. One is the primary track that should be captivating the subjects attention. The secondary track is the subliminal track that should be inputting suggestions.

In recent years studies have shown that subliminal messages have a very poor success rate when it comes to altering behaviour. It can take on average up to 50 times longer to learn something by subliminal message than it does to learn the same thing by traditional hypnosis. Theories claim that it's impossible for a suggestion to become effective if the unconscious mind cannot hear it. Others suggest that the brain strains to hear the subliminal message which stops you from fully relaxing.

Hopefully out of all these techniques you can find the one that works best for you.