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Hypnosis is not a new phenomena, it has been used for centuries as a tool to amaze, impress and to help treat and cure. For years it was considered some paranormal, fringe, new age fad. However, now it is recognized as a true effect and its application accepted by mainstream science. The public at large are becoming more familiar with it and the skepticism of old is fading.

There principles of hypnosis remain the same for which ever method is used, but there are different routes to achieve it. Some methods are as old as hypnosis, but others are the product of research and new techniques have therefore been created. The type of hypnosis used usually is dependent on the outcome that is required. All have their value, and the learning of any one opens the doors to the other methods. Here are the main types:

Traditional Hypnosis

Traditional hypnosis is the classic model of hypnosis and has been around for a long time. It is the version conducted by a hypnotist who puts the subject into a deep trance and then directs them by using suggestions and commands. Stage hypnotism uses this technique.

The traditional hypnosis method has been much maligned and ridiculed over the years mostly unjustified, but unfortunately some of the criticism is correct. The use of fake hypnosis employing stage plants and actors has undermined the true traditional hypnosis method. Applied correctly it is a valuable and effective tool which can both fun and helpful.

Hypnotherapy

Using hypnosis to promote healing or positive development in any way is known as hypnotherapy. It is usually used to tackle psychological problems within the mind as this is where hypnosis can very powerful. When successful hypnotherapy can reprogram patterns of behaviour within the mind and can allow things like phobias, irrational fears, addictions and negative emotions to be controlled. Hypnotherapy can also be used to control the sensations of pain, and hypnosis has been used to perform surgery on fully conscious patients who would be in obvious agony if not for the use of hypnosis.

Hypnosis can be used to help people. Hypnotherapy is used to promote positive development and assist healing. With psychological problems, such as depression, hypnotherapy can be extremely effective. Phobias, addictions and all manner of irrational thoughts can be selectively reprogrammed and control established on negative emotions. Hypnosis as used in hypnotherapy, can also have physical effects, the most obvious being the blocking of pain allowing surgical procedures to be undertaken without the harm and risks associated with anesthesia.

Hypnotherapy usually only uses very light hypnosis, not the deep trance state used in the traditional form. Most patients are fully awake and fully aware. The key point of the hypnotherapy is that the patient must remain fully focused on the therapy and listening to the words the therapist is saying. Keeping a good rapport with the therapist is essential. If the patient does not have faith in or believes the therapy will not work then it will fail. However, if the patient is positive and is open minded, the success rate is very high.

Self Hypnosis/Auto Hypnosis

As the name suggests, this method relies on the subject inducing hypnosis on themselves. This is done by the subject learning a set of procedures, or by listening to a recording. Most self hypnosis is delivered as hypnotherapy and is similar to deep relaxation and meditation.

Hypnosis and self hypnosis are very similar. The key difference is that the subject is working on their own suggestions rather than that of someone else. It is widely held view that all hypnosis is in reality self hypnosis. This is because the hypnotist may provide the suggestions, but it is the evaluation and interpretation these suggestions in the subjects own mind that heralds the results.

reduce stress levels is merely the vehicle that assists the subject into trance, but it is the subject that processes the information. Regardless, the result is the same.

Self hypnosis can be used In a very similar way to hypnotherapy, and is effective in overcoming psychological problems, phobias, stress and addictions. It is often used to simply promote a state of deep relaxation.

NLP Hypnosis

Some of you may have heard of NLP or (neuro-linguistic programming). This has is it origins as a psychological therapy, dealing with psychological disorders, phobias, depression, habits and learning disorders. The NLP method is still widely used however it is now more widely used as a self help tool to assist and promote feelings of well being. This method has seen a rapid growth in popularity and is being used by professionals for patients, business professionals, life coaches and self help courses.

NLP hypnosis is used to tackle psychological or behavioural problems or to simply improve ones sense of well being. It is a great tool for motivation and improving self confidence.

Ericksonian Hypnosis

This hypnosis method has many different names, secret hypnosis, covert hypnosis, black ops hypnosis, instant hypnosis, conversational hypnosis but to name a few. This technique uses normal conversation and promotes hypnotic induction without the subject being aware that it is happening.

Ericksonian hypnosis or conversational hypnosis was started by the hypnotherapist Dr Milton H. Erickson. Erickson mastered the use of language after being ill with polio, keeping him contained to bed for many years. During this time he perfected how to use normal conversation to induce hypnotic states without the subject knowledge.