Healing Technique: Clinical Hypnosis

This is a summary of hypnosis as a clinical tool using the books Introduction to Clinical Hypnosis by Gary Elkins, The Handbook of Hypnotic Suggestions and Metaphors by American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, The Self-Hypnosis Formula by Max Trance, and The Instant Hypnosis and Rapid Induction Guidebook by Rory Fulcher as base material. In essence, hypnosis is a form of deep relaxation coupled with suggestion. In reading these books, I've personally decided that I don't like hypnosis, but I do believe that hypnosis works and is extremely effective regardless of my own views on it. Hypnosis has demonstrated an impact in an incredibly diverse array of applications spanning physiology and psychology.

The brain is highly suggestible, a fact taken advantage of by marketing and media, and the basis of clinical hypnosis and why it works. Rapid induction hypnosis techniques use the power of suggestion to incredibly rapid effect demonstrating just how susceptible the brain truly is. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, hypnosis can be summarized in two steps, relaxation induction and hypnotic suggestion.

Relaxation induction is done in a variety of ways but the core concept is to walk someone through a visual or kinesthetic meditation coupled with direct suggestions of increased relaxation as the process continues. Typical visual meditation techniques include visualization of stairs or other tiered symbols where a client can either descend or ascend into higher states of relaxation with each tier representing a deeper degree of relaxation. Kinesthetic examples include walking the client through increased sensory experiences namely increased heaviness or increased lightness, whichever is naturally preferred by the person being inducted. Both methods can be included if desired. The ultimate goal is relaxing the client to the highest degree possible.

Relaxation is a tiered concept and while deeper degrees of relaxation typically mean increased effect, deep states of relaxation are not necessary to provide hypnotic benefit. In fact, the Handbook of Hypnotic Suggestions and Metaphors describes hypnosis being used on people even without their conscious awareness which still produced tangible results. Regardless, it is widely accepted that the more relaxed a client is, the more pronounced the results.

Hypnotic suggestion is literally just suggestion done while someone is in a relaxed or hypnotic state although it can also be done to lay the groundwork for hypnosis pre-induction as evidenced by rapid induction techniques. These techniques start using hypnotic suggestion interwoven in normal conversation to prep someone to enter a hypnotic state. Suggestion is more aptly described as command. Hypnotic suggestions take the form of commands with phrasing like "you will notice," "you are feeling more and more relaxed," "overtime you will notice your confidence increase," etc. The only reason why it's labeled a suggestion is that the command can be refused by the subconscious which is why hypnosis isn't able to be used as a mind control technique. A person in hypnosis still has free will and can enter or leave a hypnotic state at will and a hypnotized person will not do something they are morally or psychologically against. Another path of hypnotic suggestion is through the use of metaphor. Metaphors can be used as an indirect way to suggest ideas through symbols and can works as effectively as direct suggestion.

The amount of suggestions possible is only limited to the imagination of the individuals involved. The power of the brain's response to suggestion cannot be overstated which is why hypnotic suggestions can span from pain management to surgery recovery rate to improved self esteem to the release of trauma to increased sports performance ad infinitum. Hypnotic suggestion is literally suggesting whatever is desired and the subconscious helps make it reality.

So hypnosis is the coupling of relaxation with external commands that can be accepted or rejected by the subconscious brain. For this reason I would opt away from predetermined or script based suggestions for a more collaborative approach in which the client dictates what is suggested. Technically this doesn't really matter as any suggestions contrary to the client's wishes will be ignored but I believe it would allow for a more effective use of hypnosis if the client is already consciously backing the hypnotic suggestions given.

**I don't like hypnosis because I don't like commanding anyone to do anything, even if it's for their ultimate benefit or with their permission. Just a personal moral.