Types Of Hypnosis: Understanding the Different Approaches to Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis has been used for centuries to help people overcome a wide range of mental, physical and emotional issues. While hypnosis is often associated with stage performances and entertainment, it has also become a popular form of therapy in recent years. 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, also known as the hypnotic state, is a trance-like state in which an individual experiences heightened suggestibility and deep relaxation. The practice of hypnosis can be traced back to ancient civilizations, but it wasn’t until the 18th century that the term “hypnotism” was coined by James Braid, the father of modern hypnotherapy.
In the late 19th century, a French neurologist named Jean-Martin Charcot began experimenting with hypnosis as a form of therapy for various medical conditions. This led to the development of the “indirect suggestion” technique, which uses subtle cues to guide the patient into a hypnotic state.
Direct Suggestion
In contrast, the “direct suggestion” technique, which involves more overt commands, was popularized by the Austrian physician Franz Mesmer in the late 18th century. Mesmer’s work laid the foundation for modern-day hypnosis and the use of hypnotic suggestion in psychotherapy.
Indirect Suggestion
In the 1970s, a new approach to hypnotherapy emerged known as neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), which focused on the relationship between language, behavior, and neurological processes. Today, hypnosis and hypnotherapy remain popular forms of alternative medicine and are widely used to treat a variety of mental and physical health conditions.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of hypnotherapy and how they’re used.
All hypnosis is designed to bypass the individual’s conscious resistance and influence their unconscious and subconscious mind to make lasting changes, changing negative patterns of behaviors and improving overall quality of life.
Types Of Hypnosis
1. Clinical Hypnosis
Clinical Hypnotherapy is the most commonly recognized type of hypnosis and is used in a therapeutic context to help people overcome a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, phobias, addiction and more.
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.
2. Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
Ericksonian Hypnosis is characterized by indirect, metaphorical language, conversational suggestions and conversation to communicate with the subconscious & unconscious mind.
3. Regression Hypnotherapy
Regression Hypnosis is a type of hypnosis that is used to help people explore their past lives and memories. During regression hypnosis, the client is taken back to a specific point in their past, either in this life or a previous one, in order to gain insight and understanding into their current life and experiences. This is what you can expect form the regression hypnotherapy session.
The goal of this hypnotherapy is to help individuals understand and heal their past experiences through the impact of hypnosis, and release any negative emotions or limiting beliefs that may be holding them back.
This type of hypnosis is often used to help clients resolve emotional issues, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their lives.
4. Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT)
Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT) is a form of hypnotherapy developed by Dolores Cannon. 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.
5. Medical Hypnosis
Medical hypnosis is a type of hypnosis that is used to help people manage chronic pain and other medical conditions. It is based on the idea that the mind has a powerful effect on the body, and that by changing the way someone thinks and feels, they can also improve their physical health.
In medical hypnosis, the therapist will work with the client to reduce the level of pain they’re experiencing, or help them manage other symptoms. This type of hypnosis is often used in conjunction with other medical treatments and therapies.
6. Self-Hypnosis
Self-hypnosis is a hypnotherapy technique that allows an individual to induce a state of hypnosis on their own, without the need for a hypnotist or therapist. It involves using relaxation techniques and suggestions to enter a state of deep relaxation and heightened suggestibility.
Once in a state of hypnosis, an individual can use self-hypnosis to explore their thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors and work towards positive change. Self-hypnosis can be used to address a wide range of issues, including anxiety, phobias, insomnia, and chronic pain.
7. 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.
8. 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.
Conclusion
Hypnosis is a versatile and powerful tool that has been used for centuries to help people overcome a wide range of issues. Whether you’re looking to manage chronic pain, overcome anxiety, or explore your past lives, there is a type of hypnosis that can help you achieve your goals.
If you’re interested in exploring hypnotherapy as a means of improving your mental, physical, and emotional well-being, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist. They can help you determine which type of hypnosis is right for you and guide you through the process of change and healing. If you like to learn more, book a FREE Strategy Call with us now.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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.
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.
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.
