The 5 types of hypnosis (and how they work)

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

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

• Related article: "10 myths about hypnosis, debunked and explained"

The 5 most popular types of hypnosis

Below we will describe 5 of the best known techniques, including the use of hypnosis. Of course, there are many other versions and there may be professionals or instruments that combine more than one of these methods.

1. Traditional hypnosis (by suggestion)

The history of traditional hypnosis can be traced 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 mesmerist hypotheses and proposed that hypnosis was a state of the nervous system, while Pierre Janet attributed it to dissociation psychological.

Traditional hypnosis is based on the induction of a trance state; once the hypnotized person has reached it, he will receive suggestions in verbal format regarding his behavior or her mental content. Thus, the aim of this method is to influence behavior, for example by suggesting that the person give up a negative habit or belief.

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

• Related article: "Sigmund Freud: life and work of the famous psychoanalyst"

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 evolutionary psychologist best known 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. Due to 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 process.

Erickson's influence is not limited to hypnosis and neurolinguistic programming, which we will talk about later. The central aspect of its intervention model, the weight of the relationship between the therapist and the client in achieving change, it was picked up by the strategic school and by solution-focused brief therapy, both part of the systems approach.

• You may be interested: "Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development"

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 state of physical relaxation, use of imagination or the expectations and beliefs of the person.

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

• You may be interested: "Clinical hypnosis: what is it and how does it work?"

4. Autohypnosis

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

This type of hypnosis is applied mainly in daily difficulties that do not have a particular gravity. Thus, for example, its use is common to develop intrapersonal and interpersonal skills (such as assertiveness), to reduce stress level and induce relaxation, to cope with stage fright, to lose weight or to stop to smoke.

5. Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)

Although we cannot say that it is strictly a type of hypnosis, programming Neurolinguistics (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, the use of hypnosis by Bandler and Grinder's intervention has been criticized. Ericksonian because these authors modified or misinterpreted many of their ideas basic.

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