Discussions surrounding hypnotherapy often raise a lot of eyebrows. And, the main reason behind that is the lack of understanding and knowledge about the technique. Most people’s mindset is flawed by the media representation of hypnotherapy where they think that hypnosis makes everyone lose their inhibition.
That is far from the truth.
The art of hypnotherapy isn’t a buzzing millennial term. In fact, hypnosis is backed by over 125 years of scientific evidence. No wonder why hypnotherapy is often used in conjunction with certain medical treatments.
However, the best way to unravel a comprehensive understanding of hypnotherapy is to know that hypnotherapy has multiple types. Which one you book a consultation for depends on your goals from the session. Hence, knowing about the different hypnotherapy techniques enable you to reach out to the right professional to notice tangible results from the process.
This article will explore the different types of hypnotherapy techniques that you should be aware of.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Before jumping straight into the types, let us explore the basic definition first.
Milton Erickson defined hypnosis simply as “communication,” and as “concentrating exclusively on your own thoughts, values, memories and beliefs about life.”
Being in a state of trance makes the person a lot more relaxed and perceptive to external suggestions that eventually introduce behavioral changes. It is a completely safe procedure where the client/patient has 100% control over their mind, body, and actions.
What are the Types of Hypnotherapy techniques?
Evidence suggests that hypnotherapy is an extremely effective form of alternative therapy that can improve a person’s behavioral, physical, and mental well-being.
From improving medical conditions like chronic pain to boosting one’s self-confidence, hypnosis is a versatile tool for all.
During the trance-like state in hypnosis, a person’s brain goes into the deep theta frequency, also known as the creative frequency. As you are relaxed and in a state of deep focus and concentration, your subconscious mind is receptive to suggestions that can eventually transform negative thoughts into positive ones.
In a nutshell, there are five different types of hypnotherapy techniques that we will discuss here.
1. Suggestion Hypnotherapy
The most common type of hypnotherapy technique, suggestion hypnosis is a direct form of hypnotherapy. It is also termed the “traditional” form of hypnotherapy that is most commonly practiced on clients.
In a suggestion hypnotherapy session, the client is first put into a state of trance or deep focus. Following that, they are given direct commands or external suggestions to manifest and introduce positive changes in the mind.
Suggestion hypnotherapy is very effective in eliminating unhealthy habits and overcoming issues of self-confidence, phobias, and self and body image. This technique is also effective in treating several medical conditions, especially involving weight loss journeys in most clients.
2. Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
Commonly known as conversational hypnotherapy, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy is the opposite of Suggestion Hypnotherapy.
The technique was formulated and introduced by the popular hypnotherapist, Milton Erikson and is named after him. One of the highlights of this technique is the fact that it's based on choice. It is a very popular hypnotherapy tool used by professional hypnotherapists at the present time.
Ericksonian Hypnotherapy uses elements like metaphors, storytelling, and indirect suggestions instead of fostering positive changes through direct suggestions like in Suggestion Hypnotherapy.
The technique was created as a permissive style of hypnotherapy that uses the concept of indirect suggestions. This is very effective in clients who showcase resistance to direct suggestions. Since our subconscious mind is less likely to resist an indirect suggestion, we internalize and cement it better into our mind, thereby showing tangible results.
3. Regression Hypnotherapy
Regression in hypnotherapy explores a client’s past. And, before you go and think, “Isn’t that what they show on the television? Will I use all my inhibition? Will I blurt out all my family secrets?”, let us stop you right there.
Regression hypnotherapy, like every other technique, is 100% safe and non-intrusive. The primary objective of this hypnosis technique is to identify the cause behind the issues instead of directly treating the symptoms that the person is exhibiting.
When you consult a professional hypnotherapist with your problems, telling them that you don’t know what’s causing the issues, their primary aim is to trace the cause. Identifying the root cause makes it easier to introduce tangible changes into the client’s life.
During regression hypnotherapy, your hypnotist will make you recollect the past events that triggered or contributed to the problem. Your hypnotherapist will enable you to access a part of the memory and introduce new information that your conscious mind doesn’t recollect in the present.
As explained in multiple scientific journals, our brain rewrites memory by rewriting the protein structures that form that particular memory. Regression hypnotherapy facilitates that process.
4. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
You had a doctor’s appointment today and got a diagnosis for a chronic medical condition. Besides the prescription, your doctor also highlighted you to introduce a healthy lifestyle and dietary changes that will help regulate and manage the condition better.
Analyze yourself today. And, then visualize how your life would be 2 months later. You know what you expect from the hypnotherapy session.
Solution-focused hypnotherapy targets that future goal that you have visualized. Unlike regression hypnotherapy which heavily focuses on finding the causes, this one is simply centered around providing solutions.
Solution-focused hypnotherapy is collaborative but client-centered. A professional hypnotherapist, in this case, acts as a facilitator.
5. Self-Hypnosis
Last on the list of the types of hypnotherapy techniques is self-hypnosis. This is the most flexible option in the lot, especially since it's independent of a professional and you can do it from the comfort of your home.
However, being able to do self-hypnosis is a work in progress. You can’t expect things to go as you plan from the get-go. One of the main reasons why self-hypnosis is such a time-consuming process is because there is no facilitator involved. You have to work as a hypnotist and be the person that’s hypnotized.
Like traditional hypnotherapy, with self-hypnosis, a person has to put themselves into a trance-like state of deep focus, following which suggestions are given to the subconscious mind to induce behavioral changes according to the goals.
Which is the Right Kind of Hypnotherapy Technique for You?
This is an extremely subjective question. Hypnotherapy is a highly effective tool to introduce positive changes to your life. However, which type would work best for you depends on what you are looking to achieve out of the session.
There are clients who often start with direct or traditional hypnotherapy but later switch to indirect suggestions because their mind is more perceptive of the latter.
Some professionals might stack a few different types of hypnotherapies to assess if their clients draw benefits from the multiple types. The more sessions you engage in, the easier it becomes for you to find the ideal form of hypnotherapy for you.
Conclusion
Hypnotherapy is not a miracle worker. It takes time and a lot of persistent effort for you to analyze the problem and then introduce the type of hypnotherapy technique that you think would work the best for you.
Searching for how to be a hypnotist and practice hypnotherapy professionally? Matrrix’s Hypnotherapy Certification program enables you to learn more about the types of hypnotherapies and their integration into different client sessions. You can register for the programs to switch to an alternative career.
For Self-Hypnosis you can try our latest web application Mindfulness Practitioner, register and get 5 sessions free for Self-Hypnosis.
For personalized hypnotherapy consultation, leave your query at https://www.matrrix.in/contact-us.
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