“And now SLEEP”. Most people have seen someone hypnotized like this, or something similar. Many have the image of the hypnotist giving a command and his subjects obeying him without a will of their own. And yes, hypnosis can work like that. But not always, and not for everyone.
If you aren’t the kind of person who lets themselves be talked into everything, then this form of hypnosis is going to be difficult.
Fortunately, this kind of show hypnosis is only a very small part of the total possibilities of hypnosis.
I want to introduce you to the two main types of hypnosis here. Because fundamentally, there are two kinds of hypnosis. However, it also goes beyond hypnosis into communication in general.
If you are interested in hypnosis in general or are looking for the right hypnotherapist or the right hypnotherapy training, then you should know these differences.
Authoritarian Hypnosis
Authoritarian hypnosis is classic stage hypnosis. As described in the intro, the hypnotizee is ordered what to do. You can recognize it mainly by the fact that the hypnotist’s statements are in the form of commands. “You are getting very tired now,” “You will follow my voice,” etc.
The nonsensical idea that hypnosis strips people of their free will comes from this form of hypnosis, because a lot of focus is placed on the persona of the hypnotist. It works best when the hypnotizees have a desire to submit.
Well-known proponents of authoritarian hypnosis even go so far as to yell at their clients and think they first have to “break their will.” While these are extreme examples, it often happens that such people gather a cult around themselves. Their authority in the eyes of the hypnotized causes them to actually follow the commands.
Problems with authoritarian hypnosis
A big problem for proponents of authoritarian hypnosis is that certain recipients simply don’t follow the commands. That presents the hypnotist with a huge problem, since his “special abilities” are supposed to consist of his subjects obeying him.
For proponents of authoritarian hypnosis, topics like “bypassing the critical factor” are therefore in focus. The client has to be tricked as much as possible so that he or she obeys the hypnotist’s commands. A classic example is the inductions of rapid hypnosis. The client is supposed to be caught off guard so that the commands meet no resistance.
This hard style of hypnosis usually only works on people who like being told what to do. For everyone else, this demeanor tends to cause negative feelings.
Authoritarian hypnosis in hypnotherapy
While this kind of hypnosis might have a certain right to exist in stage hypnosis for entertainment, there are problems in hypnotherapy. Because many people have a tendency to play along with things. Many don’t want to embarrass the hypnotist and therefore go along with it. However, if hypnosis is meant to be used as therapy, this is highly counterproductive.
For hypnotherapy to work, the unconscious has to implement what the hypnotherapist says. But if the client is only pretending, then it often just doesn’t work. The client is left alone with their problems this way.
The other type of problem is when the client listens completely to the hypnotist, but the hypnotist is completely on the wrong track. For example, a client told me that a hypnotist drilled into her that she would always feel sick whenever she smelled smoke. This was intended as smoking cessation. However, it almost led to her dying in a house fire because the smoke made her so sick. Fortunately, she survived, but even without such extreme events, such a rigid command wouldn’t make sense. Because even before that, all barbecue parties were canceled for her.
Giving overly stiff and authoritarian commands to the unconscious therefore also carries many dangers. Life simply requires a certain flexibility very often.
So authoritarian hypnosis is not particularly suitable for hypnotherapy.
Permissive Hypnosis
Permissive hypnosis is the type where statements and requests are formulated in an inviting and allowing way. The big advantage here is that the unconscious can choose what it accepts. If something doesn’t fit, it is simply ignored.
It is not necessary to bypass any resistance with permissive hypnosis, because usually none arises in the first place.
Besides, the conscious mind has a better time, since the hypnotic trance can develop in a pleasant way. Often, communication happens directly with the unconscious without the conscious mind even noticing it.
If the hypnotic suggestions are wrapped in an elegant guise, they usually resonate better with more clients.
Use of permissive hypnosis
In contrast to authoritarian hypnosis, the permissive kind can be used almost anywhere. Since this form of communication with the unconscious is fluid, it can also be used in everyday conversations. Every person who can speak charismatically and persuasively uses it in their own way. Because we come across as persuasive primarily on an unconscious level. When we teach our course participants hypnotic everyday language, many realize: skillful communication actually almost always works in an inviting way. Because when was the last time you were convinced by someone saying: “I am right because I say so”? So why should it be any different with hypnosis?
Hypnotherapy
Using hypnosis as therapy also has advantages with the permissive style. Because the client’s focus isn’t geared towards doing what the hypnotist wants, but towards what he or she wants themselves. Room to unfold is created, which is filled with their respective desires.
I have often experienced that clients didn’t quite know what the root of the problem was. Through the use of skillful, inviting hypnosis, the unconscious was nevertheless able to make positive changes. If you had been too commanding in such cases, you would have completely missed the mark.
Possible difficulties with permissive hypnosis
In certain cases, people want to be told what to do. When this is the case, overly open hypnosis can lead to frustration.
With such clients in my hypnosis practice in Zurich, I often use a mixed form, such as: “If you still need someone to tell you what to do, then I can gladly say it: ‘Do this now….’” This way, the choice to accept the command remains.
Conclusion:
Permissive hypnosis is more open and therefore has many more potential applications. Not only does it work in a positive way for more people, but it can also be used in many situations. In return, it is more subtle and is sometimes not even noticed. All in all, however, a permissive style of hypnosis is more effective in most cases.
