Different Types of Hypnosis vs Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is simply a state of heightened focused concentration. It’s a bit like daydreaming, or being in “the zone.” When you’re in a state of hypnosis, your mind is more open to suggestions. Allowing the unconscious part of your brain to make changes when things have appeared to be unchangeable. Often hypnosis is associated with stage shows where participants are made to bark like a dog or forget their first name.

Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is the use of hypnosis set in a clinical environment designed to work on deep-rooted (often personal issues) that often require privacy and are never for public display. Not everyone feels comfortable or desires to be made the center of the show. At its core, hypnotherapy uses the fundamentals of hypnosis to make positive changes in your life.

Last note, many hypnotists tend to use the two terms interchangeably applying the title of Hypnotist or Hypnotherapist.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness in which a person becomes more open to suggestions. The person may be more responsive to suggestions for changes in behavior or perceptions.

There are many different ways to induce hypnosis, and people experience it differently. Some people report feeling deeply relaxed and others say they feel more awake and aware.

During hypnosis, people are usually still able to function normally and are aware of what is going on around them. However, they may be less able to control their own behavior or thoughts.

Researchers believe that hypnosis works by changing the way information is processed in the brain. It is thought that under hypnosis, people are better able to focus their attention and block out distractions. This change in brain activity may lead to changes in behavior or perceptions.

Despite its popular image, hypnosis is not magical. It is a recognized psychological technique that has been used for centuries to help people change their behaviors and beliefs.

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that uses relaxation and suggestions to help people change their habits, thoughts, or feelings. It is usually done with the help of a trained therapist using verbal repetition and mental imagery.

Hypnotherapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including:

Anxiety disorders
Depression
Insomnia
PTSD
Pain management
Stress relief

So, while both hypnosis and hypnotherapy involve altered states of consciousness, hypnotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses hypnosis as a tool to treat certain conditions. I will dive deeper into common industry terms to offer further clarification of their meaning and ancestry.

Types of Hypnosis

In the traditional sense of hypnosis, there are 3 specific types of modalities.

Self-Hypnosis

The most common form of hypnosis is self-hypnosis. When you hypnotize yourself, it’s called self-hypnosis. Visualization or listening to a recording that puts you in a trance state is two methods for achieving this.

When you’re in a self-hypnotic state, your subconscious mind is more open to suggestions. This means you can give yourself suggestions for achieving your goals. For example, if you want to quit smoking, you could give yourself the suggestion that cigarettes taste bad.

Self-hypnosis can be used for all sorts of goals, including weight loss, stress relief, and improving your sleep. If you’re interested in trying self-hypnosis, there are many resources available. Self-hypnosis is a safe and effective way to make changes in your life.

Group Hypnosis

Group Hypnosis is when you are hypnotized by someone else in a group setting usually at a party, or event. Group hypnosis can be a very powerful experience. It can be used to help people overcome fears, phobias, and other issues. Keep in mind a few things before you jump into a group session.

First, it is important to find a hypnotist you feel you can trust and relax around. If you feel off, just don’t like the group settings, questioning the hypnotist, or just having second thoughts – Don’t Do the Session! There probably be a high degree of failure, and I’d recommend asking for a private session or buying a pre-recorded session.

Second, you should be prepared to be open-minded and willing to try new things. Finally, you should trust the process and relax. Group hypnosis can be a fun and positive experience if you let it.

Clinical Hypnosis

Clinical hypnosis (often referred to as hypnotherapy) is a type of hypnosis that is administered by a trained practitioner to assist you with an issue. Clinical hypnosis can be utilized to treat anxiety, phobias, pain, and other issues.

Clinical hypnosis is a type of hypnosis that can be used to help you address different types of issues. The therapist will work with you to understand what your goals are and then tailor the session to help you achieve those goals. Clinical hypnosis can be used to help with anxiety, phobias, pain, and other issues that you may be experiencing. If you are interested in exploring clinical hypnosis as a treatment option, be sure to consult with a trained practitioner.

Self-Hypnosis, Group Hypnosis, or Clinical Hypnosis?

So which type of hypnosis is best for you? It depends on what you want to use it for. If you want to hypnotize yourself, then self-hypnosis is the way to go. If you want to be hypnotized by someone else, then group or clinical hypnosis is the way to go. And if you want to use hypnosis for a specific issue, then clinical hypnosis is the best option.

What are your thoughts on different types of hypnosis? Let us know in the comments!

Different types of hypnosis offer different advantages depending on what you hope to achieve through hypnotism.

What is Traditional Hypnosis?

Traditional hypnosis is the most popular sort of hypnosis and the one that comes to mind first when you think of hypnosis. This type relies on suggestions and orders delivered to you while in a hypnotic state, which can then influence your behavior, thoughts, or emotions about anything. Traditional hypnosis is commonly utilized for personal growth, and here’s how it can help you.

Traditional hypnosis involves putting the subject into a trance-like state in order to better absorb suggestions. The therapist will often use relaxation techniques and verbal cues to achieve this. Once the person is in a relaxed state, the therapist will make suggestions about changing certain behaviors or thoughts. For example, someone who wants to quit smoking may be told, “Every time you have the urge to smoke, picture yourself coughing and feeling ill.”

The therapist may also give post-hypnotic suggestions, which are instructions to be carried out after the person has come out of the trance. These can be things like, “Remember how good it feels to not smoke” or “Whenever you feel stressed, take a few deep breaths and relax.”

Traditional hypnosis can be an effective tool for change, but it’s important to find a qualified therapist who you feel comfortable with. Make sure to do your research before choosing someone to work with. Traditional hypnosis is not appropriate for everyone, so it’s important to talk to a therapist beforehand to see if it’s right for you.

Ericksonian Hypnosis

Ericksonian Hypnosis is a powerful tool that can be used in therapy to help people overcome fears, anxieties, and break bad habits. In this article, we will explore what Ericksonian Hypnosis is and how it can be used in therapy to bring about change.

Ericksonian hypnosis is a form of hypnosis that uses indirect suggestions, metaphors, stories, and other techniques to bypass the conscious mind and directly access the subconscious mind. This type of hypnosis was developed by Milton Erickson, who is considered the father of modern hypnotherapy.

The idea behind Ericksonian hypnosis is that you are less likely to resist indirect suggestions than direct commands. This allows the suggestions to take hold and be absorbed more easily.

Ericksonian hypnosis is often used in therapy to help people overcome fears, anxieties, and break bad habits. It can be a powerful tool for change, so don’t hesitate to give it a try!

If you are interested in learning more about Ericksonian hypnosis or how to use it in therapy, there are many resources available online and in libraries. You can also talk to a qualified therapist who can help you learn more about this powerful tool and how to use it effectively.

Regression Hypnotherapy

Regression hypnotherapy is a type of guided regression therapy in which the objective is to return you to your past in order to discover the source of an issue or problem that you are currently experiencing. It entails being led through your memories and analyzing previous situations in order for you to better understand your current state. Regression treatment is a highly specialized form of hypnosis that is used as a last resort to help individuals change their behavior or point of view. Because some past events may be distressing and painful, this technique necessitates the services of a highly experienced therapist.

Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnotherapy (CBH)

CBH (cognitive-behavioral hypnosis) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that employs a variety of hypnosis techniques to induce positive change in your thoughts or conduct. Although there are disputes in the hypnotherapy community about its precise definition and nature, it has many similarities with other forms of hypnosis. This form of psychotherapy makes use of methods such as imagination, thinking, and suggestions to assist you to understand whatever problem you’re having.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in California, United States in the 1970s. NLP’s creators claim there is a connection between neurological processes (“neuro”), language (“linguistic”) and behavioral patterns learned through experience (“programming”) which can be changed to achieve specific goals in life.

NLP is used as a tool for self-help, therapy, and business coaching. It has been promoted as a way to improve communication skills, treat clinical disorders, accelerate learning rates, manage behavior, alter bad habits, build confidence levels, and enhance memory recall abilities; among other things. NLP has been criticized on scientific grounds by some mental health professionals and academics.

NLP is based on a set of ideas about how the human brain works and how language affects behavior. The founders of NLP believed that by studying successful people, they could identify patterns in thought and behavior which could then be imitated by others to achieve similar success.

The main goals of NLP are:

To understand and change human behavior
To communicate effectively with others
To help people achieve their desired outcomes

NLP has been used to treat a wide variety of psychological disorders, including anxiety, phobias, eating disorders, addiction, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It has also been used to help people with social skills, public speaking, and career development.

One of the most controversial applications of NLP is “eye movement desensitization and reprocessing” (EMDR). EMDR is a therapy that uses bilateral eye movements (or other forms of stimulation) to help people process and overcome traumas. EMDR has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD, but its mechanisms are not well understood.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your communication skills, treat clinical disorders, or just achieve your desired outcomes in life, NLP may be worth considering. However, it’s important to keep in mind that NLP is based on unproven assumptions about how the brain works, and its effectiveness has not been proven in scientific studies. As with any therapy, it’s important to consult with a mental health professional to see if NLP is right for you.

Types of Hypnotherapy

There are many different types of hypnotherapy, each with its own unique approach and techniques. Some of the more common types include:

Cognitive hypnotherapy: This type of hypnotherapy focuses on changing negative thinking patterns and beliefs in order to improve one’s overall mental health and well-being.
Clinical hypnotherapy: Clinical hypnotherapy is often used to treat conditions such as anxiety, phobias, and stress. It may also be used to help with pain management.
Ericksonian hypnotherapy: This type of hypnotherapy is based on the work of Dr. Milton Erickson, who was a pioneer in the field of psychology. It uses indirect suggestions and techniques to help patients achieve their goals.
Hypnoanalysis: Hypnoanalysis is a type of hypnotherapy that focuses on resolving past traumas and emotional issues that may be contributing to current problems.
Neurolinguistic programming (NLP): NLP is a form of hypnotherapy that uses language and communication techniques to help change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Self-hypnosis: Self-hypnosis is a technique that can be used to help improve one’s focus, concentration, and motivation. It can also be used to learn new skills or habits.

Before You Start Jumping into Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy

Just as with any type of self-help, yoga class, gym training, or hypnosis setting, is ok to walk away or decline a session. I have had several clients who decided to change from a group session to a private session or order a pre-recorded session to use at home. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and by the definition of SELF, it should always be about you. The human mind (the unconscious mind) is always on guard and becomes even more so when you question the practitioner, his statements, or just being fearful of divulging something (even in your perception) during a session. The relationship between a hypnotist and the participant is one of trust and mutual understanding. There should always be a verbal contract on what is going to be done, what issues you want to work on, and your core reasoning for being there (ie the initial consultation). There are many techniques for example that may require touching. Is touching allowed (ie lifting your hand or wrist) and why will it be used? My point in a live session is, to Never do what you feel uncomfortable doing – You are in Control!