Hypnosis is not a new hype. It has been around for centuries, even when people hadn’t given it a proper name. It was considered magic in old times… and a parlor trick in recent times. However, it became popular as a treatment method for the last few decades.
In fact, when it comes to therapies, there are several different types of hypnosis, each with its own approach and goals.
Let’s talk about what the history of Hypnosis has been over the last few decades before we learn about the different types of Hypnosis.
History Of Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a trance-like state that opens your mind to relax and accept suggestions. Ancient civilisations used it. But it did not get its name “hypnotism” until the 18th century. James Braid, the father of modern hypnotherapy, coined that term.
French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot began experimenting with hypnosis as a therapy in the late 19th century. This developed the “indirect suggestion” method. It uses subtle cues to hypnotise a patient.
Direct Suggestion
It is the opposite of Indirect Suggestion because it gives you more direct cues. Austrian physician Franz Mesmer used it in the late 18th century. Mesmer’s work birthed the use of hypnotic suggestion in psychotherapy.
Indirect Suggestion
It is also called neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). It appeared in the 1970s as a new hypnotherapy method. It focuses on the connection between language, behaviour, and neurology.
Every type of hypnosis helps you bypass your conscious mind to reach your subconscious. Why? Because the roots of most of your problems lie in those stored thoughts that you may not even remember.
Types Of Hypnosis
Clinical Hypnosis
Clinical Hypnotherapy is the commonest type of hypnosis. It is used as a treatment method to help people manage their issues, i.e. anxiety, depression, phobias, addiction, etc.
Clinical Hypnotherapy is an established complementary therapy with an excellent track record. A number of medical university hospitals now offer an overview of clinical hypnotherapy as a Selective Study Unit.
Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
Ericksonian Hypnosis is characterized by indirect, metaphorical language, conversational suggestions and conversation to communicate with the subconscious & unconscious mind.
Regression Hypnotherapy
You can visit your past life and memories through this therapy. You transport to a specific point in your past (current life or previous) to know more about yourself during regression hypnosis.
The goal of this hypnotherapy is to help you recognise and resolve any negative emotions or limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. You may become more confident if you have a deeper knowledge of yourself and your lives.
Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT)
Dolores Cannon developed Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT). QHHT practitioners help you access your Higher Self.
The hypnotherapist will help you connect your Higher Self and ask questions related to your health, relationships, or any other area of concern, and your Higher Self will provide you with answers and guidance and healings.
Medical Hypnosis
It helps you manage chronic pain and physical conditions mostly. It is based on the idea that your mind controls your body. So, your physical health can improve if you think more positively. It is often used along with other medical treatments and therapies.
Self-Hypnosis
Self-hypnosis allows you to go into a trance-like state by yourself… without a hypnotist or therapist. You use relaxation methods and suggestions to relax and be open to suggestions.
You can replace your negative thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours into positive ones. Self-hypnosis can help with anxiety, phobias, insomnia, and chronic pain.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy
Cognitive-behavioural Hypnotherapy is a form of modern hypnosis that combines hypnotic techniques with cognitive-behavioral therapy. It aims to help individuals identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior that are causing emotional distress.
Cognitive hypnotherapy involves inducing a hypnotic state and using suggestive language to help individuals change their beliefs and attitudes towards themselves and their experiences.
This is done in a collaborative and supportive environment, where the individual and the hypnotherapist work together to achieve the desired outcomes.
Stage Hypnosis
Stage hypnosis is a form of hypnosis that is performed in front of an audience for entertainment purposes. The hypnotist typically uses a hypnotic induction to guide the participants into a state of hypnosis and then suggests various amusing scenarios for them to act out.
Stage hypnosis is a controversial form of hypnosis, as it is often perceived as being exploitative or unethical. Critics argue that the hypnotist can use their power to manipulate the participants and that the participants may not be fully aware of what they are doing while under hypnosis.
It’s important to note that stage hypnotherapy isn’t a form of hypnotherapy and should not be used as a substitute for professional therapy.
Hypnotherapy involves the use of hypnosis to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, and the goal is to help the individual achieve a deep state of hypnosis in order to access their subconscious mind and work towards positive change.
In a Nutshell
Hypnosis has been used to help people deal with their problems for centuries. You can use it to manage chronic pain, handle anxiety, or look into your past lives.
If you want to try hypnotherapy to improve your mental, physical, and emotional well-being, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist. If you like to learn more, book a FREE Strategy Call with us now.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are 3 Uses of Hypnosis?
Hypnosis can be used for many purposes, the 3 key uses include stress relief, habit control and confidence increase. Other people use hypnosis for healing, accessing higher self for guidance, etc.
What are Some Hypnosis Techniques?
Hypnosis techniques include Emotion Release, Regression, Inner Child, Gestalt Therapy, Parts Therapy, Timeline Therapy, QHHT (Quantum Healing Hypnosis Techniques), progressive relaxation, visualization, etc. Different techniques are used according to the needs and the specific goals of the individuals.
How Hypnosis Works With CBT?
Hypnosis and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are two techniques that can be used to address a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and addiction. While they may seem like very different approaches, they can actually be used together to complement each other’s strengths and improve treatment outcomes.
Hypnosis involves inducing a trance-like state in which the individual is highly relaxed and receptive to suggestion. During hypnosis, a trained practitioner can help the patient to access their subconscious mind and explore the underlying causes of their emotional or behavioral issues. By doing this, the individual can gain insight into their problems and learn to respond to them in more adaptive ways.
CBT, on the other hand, is a more structured, goal-oriented approach that focuses on changing the individual’s negative thought patterns and behaviors. It involves identifying and challenging negative beliefs and replacing them with more positive ones, as well as learning and practicing new skills and behaviors.
When hypnosis and CBT are used together, the hypnosis component can help the individual to relax and become more receptive to the CBT techniques, while the CBT component can provide a framework for the individual to work on specific goals and learn new skills. For example, an individual undergoing Hypnosis with CBT for social anxiety can benefit from hypnosis to help them relax and visualize themselves successfully interacting with others in social situations.
