The 5 Types of Hypnosis (and how they work)

There is not just one way to hypnotize. We show you the forms that this technique can take.

Hypnosis is a method that promotes changes in behavior through suggestion.. Depending on the definition on which we base it, we can conceptualize hypnosis as a psychological state or as a set of attitudes and mental processes; currently the scientific community associates it with expectations or brain waves.

In this article we will talk about the 5 most common types of hypnosisThe traditional method, which is based on direct verbal suggestion, the one developed by Milton Erickson, cognitive-behavioral hypnosis, self-hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming or NLP, which without being exactly a form of hypnosis is largely based on the Ericksonian variant.

The 5 most popular types of hypnosis

Below we will describe 5 of the most popular techniques that include the use of hypnosis. Of course, there are many other versions and there may be practitioners or tools that combine more than one of these methods.

1. Traditional hypnosis (by suggestion)

The history of traditional hypnosis goes back to the peculiar methods of Franz Mesmer, which involved magnets and became popular in the late 18th century. Later James Braid showed his opposition to the Mesmerist hypotheses and proposed that hypnosis was a state of the nervous system, while Pierre Janet attributed it to psychological dissociation.

Traditional hypnosis is based on the induction of a trance state.Once the hypnotized person has reached this state, he or she will receive verbal suggestions concerning his or her behavior or mental contents. Thus, the aim of this method is to influence behavior, for example by suggesting to the person to give up a negative habit or belief.

Today the classical method is still the most widely used form of hypnosis worldwide. From a theoretical point of view it is related to to the hypothesis of the unconscious mind put forward by Freud that marked in a key way the later developments of psychoanalysis, besides influencing orientations as different from this one as cognitivism.

2. Ericksonian hypnosis

This type of hypnosis was developed by Milton H. Erickson, an American psychologist who is considered a pioneer in this field and in psychotherapy in general. This author should not be confused with Erik Erikson, a German developmental psychologist known mainly for his theory of the 8 stages of psychosocial development.

Ericksonian hypnosis is not carried out through direct suggestions, but through metaphors that favor creative and reflective thinking. metaphors that favor creative and reflective thinking.. Because of this, it is attributed a greater efficacy than classical hypnosis in people refractory to hypnosis, with a low level of suggestibility or who are skeptical of the procedure.

Erickson's influence is not limited to hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming, which we will discuss later. The central aspect of his intervention model, the weight of the relationship between therapist and client in achieving change, was in achieving change, was taken up by the strategic school and by solution-focused brief therapy, both part of the systemic approach.

3. Cognitive-behavioral hypnosis

The cognitive-behavioral perspective conceives hypnosis as a set of methods that promote behavioral change through suggestion. This phenomenon is understood as a consequence of the interaction between factors such as the state of physical relaxation state of physical relaxation, the use of imagination, or the expectations and beliefs of the or the expectations and beliefs of the person.

Some therapists who adhere to the cognitive-behavioral orientation use hypnosis techniques as a complement to broader interventions. In this sense it has been applied to problems as varied as sleep-wake cycle disturbances, behavioral and substance addictions (especially tobacco) or post-traumatic stress disorder.

4. Self-hypnosis

We speak of self-hypnosis when a person induces this state on himself/herself through autosuggestion. Instruments are often used as a support; the most common are sound recordings, although there are also devices that alter brain waves to modify the level of consciousness.

This type of hypnosis is mainly applied to everyday difficulties that are not particularly serious. Thus, for example, it is commonly used to develop intrapersonal and interpersonal skills (such as assertiveness), to reduce the level of stress and induce relaxation, to cope with stage fright, to lose weight or to stop smoking.

5. Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)

Although not strictly a type of hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming (often referred to as "NLP") is closely related to these methods. This technique created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder uses "thinking models" to improve psychological skills..

The Milton Model is based on the hypnosis method developed by Milton Erickson; in this variant of NLP, suggestion is practiced through metaphors. However, Bandler and Grinder's use of Ericksonian hypnosis has been criticized because these authors modified or misinterpreted many of his basic ideas.

The scientific community considers neurolinguistic programming as a pseudoscience, and therefore as a fraud.and therefore as a fraud. Its postulates are not supported by any empirical basis, although it includes complex concepts in order to give the "theory" an air of credibility; this type of practice is extremely common in pseudosciences.