• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

NICABM home pageNICABM

Better outcomes. More quickly.

  • Home
  • Courses
  • Experts
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Log In

Ericksonian Hypnosis

2 Comments

Remember “You are getting sleepy” after the hypnotist urges his patient to stare at a swinging pocket watch?

Popularized on TV and in the movies for years, this became the lay person’s image of hypnosis. Filled with a good deal of mystery and magic, audiences held their breath until the suspense of trance released itself into awakening. And voila! Eyes opened and consciousness returned.

Of course, this isn’t how hypnosis works, but it’s intriguing to look at perceptions surrounding its practice.

With uncanny control, the hypnotist would tell the patient how he should be feeling…in a sense, trying to force the sensation of sleepiness…“You ARE getting sleepy.” But we know now that such an authoritarian-like approach can trigger resistance, which can be a very real obstacle to the success of traditional hypnosis.

At the heart of the Ericksonian method is an emphasis on a permissive approach. Instead of strong, forceful phrases like “you will,” induction is performed with more suggestive phrases like “you could”, “you might”. With these subtle changes, resistance is diminished.

The usefulness of Ericksonian hypnosis doesn’t stop there; it can also provide techniques for practitioners to evoke trance-like memories in order to help the patient get in touch with strengths they were not aware of having.

The Ericksonian approach provides a way for the mental health expert to invite patients to an alternate state of consciousness, a state from which remarkable changes can often take place.

But hypnotic induction can be daunting. Though most practitioners have heard stories of extraordinary results, the craft of induction can often be illusive.

Hypnosis is just one of many techniques we can use to improve our lives.

For more ideas, check out our mind/body programs.

Shares0FacebookTweetLinkedInEmailPin

Related Posts: Brain

Please Leave A Comment Cancel reply

This is a learning community for practitioners. We can’t wait to hear what you’re going to use with your clients.
But please do NOT:

  • Share about or seek advice for personal problems
  • Ask for referrals
  • Post links or advertise a product

2 Comments

  1. Mind Valley, Another Field, AU says

    Pretty good post. I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.

    Reply
  2. Linda Luquette says

    See More hypnosis self learn hypnosis for weight loss, sleep, stop smoking, anxiety, depression

    Reply

Recent Posts

  • Two Telltale Signs of Gaslighting and Manipulation (and How to Address it Clinically)
  • Two Cognitive Restructuring Strategies to Help Disrupt Grief-Fueled Rumination
  • A Gentle Yet Targeted Approach to Help Clients Who Feel Empty Inside
  • A Four-Step Process for Working with a Client’s Shadow Side – with Chris Irons, PhD
  • Reporting In – Giving Back in 2024

Categories

  • Antiracism
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment
  • Body-Oriented Therapy
  • Brain
  • Charity
  • Chronic Pain
  • Compassion
  • COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Depression
  • Emptiness
  • Exercise and Mental Health
  • Fear
  • Gaslighting and Manipulation
  • Grief
  • Healing Trauma
  • Infographics
  • Mindfulness
  • Nervous System
  • Neuroplasticity
  • Perfectionism
  • PTSD
  • Relationships
  • Resentment
  • Shadow Side
  • Shame
  • Spirituality
  • Trauma
  • Trauma Therapy
  • Uncategorized
  • Unworthiness

40 Wilbur Cross Way Suite 102
Storrs, CT 06268
(860) 477-1450

NICABM Logo

About Us
FAQs
Contact Us
Courses
Claim CE/CMEs
Accreditation
ADA Accommodation
Hiring
SITEMAP PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF USE

CONNECT WITH US

Facebook Logo YouTube Logo Instagram Logo

40 Wilbur Cross Way, Suite 102
Storrs, CT 06268
Phone: (860) 477-1450
respond@nicabm.com
Copyright © 2025

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!