Top 10 Hypnosis Techniques – Keeping It Simple!

Today hypnosis is becoming more and more popular. I’m sure this is a testament to many studies that have outlined the beneficial applications of hypnosis and its associated hypnosis techniques.

For too long, people were afraid of hypnosis and its capabilities. Now we understand after decades of research just how much control we have over the mind.

HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES

1: Visualization Technique

In visualization technique, a hypnotist asks you to summon up a time with something that relaxed you (e.g., a fondly remembered to walk on the beach) or imagine a scene of your favorite place (e.g., your childhood home). In this way, you will start participating in the therapy by calling up a memory, or by imagining a perfect scene in your mind. You will picture yourself in a favorite country, or relaxing in bed. The representational process is that the most generally used technique in hypnosis, and it’s a compelling method.

2: Relaxation Technique

Relaxation is widely used by therapists and considered a beginner hypnosis technique. In this hypnosis technique, a person will release their stress by balancing their body back via neutralizing chemicals present inside the body. Here are some conventional methods of relaxation:

• Make yourself comfortable
• Lay down
• Count down in your head
• Controlled breathing
• Relax & tense muscles
• Speak in a soft tone

3: Handshake Technique

Milton Erickson – the father of hypnotherapy is legendary for using the handshake technique as some way to induce a trance. Handshakes are the foremost common kind of greetings in our society. The handshake technique shocks the sub-consciousness by disrupting this universal social norm. Rather than shaking the hand frequently, the hypnotist would interrupt the pattern that our mind has established by grabbing the wrist or pulling the topic forward and off-balance. With the pattern interrupted, the head is suddenly open to suggestions.

4: Eye Flutter Hypnosis Technique

If you find a practitioner that you trust, you can use hypnosis to immediately address significant problems, such as smoking, drinking, and extreme weight gain. Again, you must trust the practitioner, as this will be fundamental in ensuring that the hypnosis works and that you are comfortable enough with the person to allow them to put you under hypnosis treatment.

By matching the movement of your and the subjects, eye blinks while gradually slowing down to a more extended period of the eys closed – The Subjects eyes will close.

Then – associating a command ‘comfort, relax’ to each of the completed blinks, the hypnotist will embed a suggestion to the subject.

5: Bodyscan Technique

Body-scan is a popular method for self-hypnosis. Starting at the highest point of the body along with your eyes closed, scan down slowly from the top to the feet. Notice every sensation – your breath expanding the rib-cage, chair on your back, the pain in your elbow, each finger extended, the feet on the bottom. Repeat the method from bottom to top, continue scanning up and down until you enter a trance.

6: Hypnotic Triggers Technique

There are many forms of hypnotic triggers. A trigger reminds the subconscious of a desired action or feeling, which was suggested under hypnosis. Here are a few examples:

• Opening eyes
• Sound of a bell
• Snap of fingers
• Clap of hands
• Standing up or sitting down
• Opening a door

7: Re-framing Technique

Usually done as a metaphor, re-framing allows you to vary the perception of experience within the client’s mind. For instance, imagine you’ve got a client that desires to slenderize. They stay inside and play video games all day. You may ask them to explain the method to “level up” their character within the game – what they are doing, how long it takes, how strong the character is at the start. And then, “re-frame” the method of losing weight in their mind by comparing it to the game.

8: Betty Erickson’s 3-2-1 Technique

Betty Erickson was Milton Erickson’s wife. She developed her method for self-hypnosis called the 3-2-1 technique.

• The procedure starts with open eyes.
• Scan your immediate environment for three items to set your focus – for example, the furniture, the walls new wood flooring.
• Now focus on three things you can hear – for example, the cars outside, people walking around, birds singing.
• Conclude the 3 part of the technique by focusing on three feelings – for example, clothes on your skin, chair at your back, shoes on your feet
• Repeat these steps for two items, then 1 item (hence the name 3-2-1).
• Then close your eyes and repeat the process; however, this time, visualize the 3,2,1 in your head – eyes remain closed.
• Once you’ve reached the last item, you’ll be in a trance state.

At this point, the subject should repeat some beneficial suggestions. I’ve personally used this technique. As part of my 9-5, I often have to speak to large groups on project critical situations when I don’t have all the answers. I repeat how relaxed, professional, and courteous I will be. Almost like a mantra – over time, it’s stuck, and I go on autopilot.

9: Parts Therapy Technique

Practically, every behavior has some positive and negative impacts. The subconscious may justify one negative behavior with a positive one. In this technique, a hypnotherapist communicates with the subconsciousness of your mind to understand the adverse reaction of your personality. Then they interact with the creative a part of your intention to come up with a solution.

10: Anchoring Technique

When we record a memory, all the senses and emotions are associated. These are “anchors” in your memory. Perhaps the client has anchored the behavior of cigarette smoking with an opening, meal, sex, chatting with friends, and other pleasurable feelings. The hypnotist can suggest new anchors for more positive behavior.

More and more people are using tools like hypnosis, mediation, visualization – and, just plain positive thinking to increase the positivity of their lives and their relationships. In general, the person subjected to hypnotism experience a pleasant feeling. Among other conditions that hypnotism can effectively alleviate include mood disorder, bad habits, pain, and anxiety.

The Tip Of The Iceberg

This article is a mere snippet of the techniques and their particle applications. I’ve tried a number of the strategies with varying degrees of success, but fully plan to provide a more in-depth study of each. What’re your experiences, have you used or familiar with any of the methods as mentioned above?