Different Types Of Hypnosis
What Are The Differences Between
Subliminals,
Traditional Hypnosis,
Ericksonian Hypnosis, and NLP?
By Alan B. Densky, CH
There are many different methods
that are used to reach the unconscious mind to invoke change. Each method has
it's strengths, and it's weaknesses.
Every person is different, so it
stands to reason that the best results will be obtained by utilizing the methods
that each person will respond to.
Traditional Hypnosis
With "Traditional Hypnosis," we simply make direct suggestions to the
unconscious mind. In case you are wondering, as far as I'm concerned, the terms
unconscious and subconscious are interchangeable - they refer to the same part
of the mind. This type of hypnosis works well for someone who generally accepts
what they are told without a lot of questions.
Most hypnosis tapes sold
today are based on "Traditional Hypnosis" techniques. The reason for this is
that it really doesn't take much training or experience to write a script and
just tell someone what to do. Unfortunately Traditional Hypnosis is not very
effective for people who are critical or analytical in their thinking processes.
Ericksonian Hypnosis & NLP
By contrast, Ericksonian Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques
work far better for most members of today's generation! This is because today
people are taught to question everything, rather than just follow the flock. So
these methods do work very well on people who are critical or analytical in
their thinking processes.
These methods are much more effective at
reaching and influencing the unconscious. However, it can take years of
training, study, and most of all experience to learn how to apply these
techniques effectively. This is a challenge that is only accepted by the truly
dedicated.
Ericksonian Hypnosis
With "Ericksonian Hypnosis," we use little stories called metaphors, to
present suggestions and ideas to the unconscious mind. This is a powerful and
effective method, because it usually eliminates the blockage of and resistance
to suggestions that is often caused by the conscious mind. There are two types
of metaphors, "Isomorphic," and those of the imbedded command or "interspersal"
nature.
Isomorphic metaphors offer direction to the
unconscious by telling a story that offers up a moral. The unconscious draws a
one-to-one relationship between elements of the story and elements of a problem
situation or behavior.
For example, if a child is telling a lot of lies,
the parent might tell the child the story about the "Boy who cried wolf." The
unconscious would draw a parallel between the boy in the story and the child and
realize that telling lies could lead to disaster, so the child would probably
stop lying.
With the Embedded Command technique, the
hypnotist tells an interesting story that engages and distracts the conscious
mind. The story contains hidden indirect suggestions that are usually accepted
by the unconscious.
Process Instructions direct the
unconscious to find a memory of an appropriate learning experience from the
past, and apply that experience to making a change in the present.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming
With "Neuro-Linguistic Programming" (NLP), rather than using suggestions, we
use the same thought patterns that are creating a problem, like an excessive
appetite or stress, to eliminate the problems. NLP in the hands of an
experienced practitioner can be very effective. I utilize several different NLP
techniques in my practice, and in my pre-recorded programs.
NLP
Anchoring: Have you ever heard an old song and had it trigger feelings
from the past? When you originally heard the song, you were feeling those
feelings, and they unconsciously became attached to the sound of the song. So
the song became an Anchor for the feelings. Now when you hear the song, it
triggers the same feelings again.
Anchoring can be a very useful
technique. Suppose that you have a memory of being commended for having done
something well in the past. If you go back into that memory, you'll be able to
recreate the feelings of self-esteem that you had at that time. If you touch two
fingers together while you re-experience those feelings of self-esteem, that
touch will become an anchor for the feelings of self-esteem.
Now suppose
that you want to create motivation to stick to a diet and lose weight. If you
make a mental image of yourself with a thin, sexy body, and simultaneously
trigger the anchor - (press the two fingers together again), your unconscious
will attach the feelings of self-esteem to the image of you with the thin body
and your level of motivation to lose weight will increase dramatically.
NLP Flash: This is a very powerful Neuro-Linguistic Programming
technique that can be used to "flip" things around in the unconscious, so that
thoughts and experiences that used to trigger feelings of stress actually
trigger relaxation instead.
The NLP Flash technique is also extremely
effective for extinguishing conditioned responses.
For example: If a smoker has a cigarette while drinking
coffee, his/her unconscious will pair the two behaviors together so that he/she
automatically gets a craving for a cigarette anytime he/she has a cup of coffee.
The Flash will cause the smoker's mind to disassociate the image of a cigarette
from the cup of coffee so that he/she does NOT get an urge to smoke just because
he/she is drinking coffee.
NLP Reframe: Reframing is a
potent technique for helping a person change their behavior. We must respect
that there is a positive outcome (secondary gain) accomplished by all behaviors.
The outcome is always important. However, the behavior that is used to
accomplish that outcome is unimportant.
When we do a Reframe, we
negotiate with the unconscious and have it assume responsibility for making the
client unconsciously substitute some other behavior that is as effective and
available at accomplishing that secondary gain, but is more consciously
acceptable to the individual. You can read more about reframes in my article
entitled: "The Secret Formula For Successful Change."
Video Hypnosis / NLP
Video Hypnosis / NLP (trademarked
Neuro-VISION) is a new form of commercially available
hypnotic program. The techniques used in Neuro-VISION are based on the
Neuro-Linguistic Programming technology, which works based on the utilization of
a person's existing thought processes instead of post-hypnotic suggestion.
Over 70% of the population learns much more quickly and easily by seeing,
rather than by hearing. Think about it. If you feel an urge to eat or smoke when
watching television, it's because your mind recorded the video image of either
food in your hand, or a cigarette in your hand, and then associated that image,
with the image of the TV. You never spoke to yourself and told yourself in words
to associate them together, did you?
And that's why
Neuro-VISION, which
was awarded a US Patent, is so effective.
Neuro-VISION is not hypnotic in the traditional
sense, relying on the spoken word; rather, it is a form of video
hypnosis. And, if you've ever cried when watching a sad movie, then you
know how effective video hypnosis can be at reaching the unconscious mind.
Neuro-VISION
is a computerized video, so rather than listening to a hypnotist's words, the
mind learns to automatically change feelings and visual associations at the
unconscious level using visual movies.
The
Neuro-VISION video method trains
the unconscious through a high-tech simulation process called computerized
digital optics. This frees a person of their compulsions, urges, and tensions
and allows a smoker to quit effortlessly, and a dieter to lose their appetite.
Results start with the very first viewing!
Subliminals
With "Subliminal" programs, the recording has two tracks. One track contains
a cover sound that is heard by the conscious mind. The cover sound could be
anything from music to nature sounds. The second track contains direct
suggestions that are heard by the unconscious mind. These suggestions are
repeated hundreds of times during a session.
Subliminal programs can be
played in the background while you are working, or watching TV. You don't have
to stop what you are doing and relax like you do with hypnosis or NLP.
Subliminals can be an addition to hypnotic programs. But Subliminals will never
replace Hypnosis or NLP because they are not as effective! They don't even come
close!! Some studies have claimed that it can take up to 80 hours of listening
to a subliminal recording before it will have any effect on many people.
Joel Weinberger, Ph.D., an Adelphi University professor and psychologist who has
done 30 years of research on Subliminals, says that run-of-the-mill "silent"
audio subliminal tapes do not work. He claims that Subliminal psychodynamic
activation works, but it is a visual form of Subliminal, and not auditory like
the recordings being sold.
It boosts psychotherapy, Weinberger insists.
On its own, it doesn't do anything; but it improves people's moods to enhance
treatment effectiveness.
Update on Subliminals:
Update on Subliminals: Newly released Threshold Subliminals are a technology
that does work. Unlike "silent" subliminals, if you listen carefully, you can
consciously hear the affirmations.
The user focuses on the cover sound
which can be a nature sound, binaural beats, or any type of music, and that
distracts the conscious mind so that the positive affirmations are easily
injected into the subconscious mind. The results can be dramatic!
©2007 By Alan B. Densky, CH.
This document may NOT be re-printed. All
Rights Reserved.