Ericksonian Hypnosis

The Ericksonian hypnosis technique is utilized with the power of positive suggestion, as opposed to the typical "command suggestion". Erickson claimed it enabled his patients to conceptualize the task and to change their behavior in less time. During typical command hypnosis the subject is commanded to perform a task, recall a certain memory, stop a certain behavior. In that a command is a negative suggestion, the mind has to process the command before it can consider a change.

Erickson was the founder of many different forms of hypnosis and trance, most importantly the Ericksonian hypnosis technique and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). He believed that the unconscious mind is always listening and that trance is common. For example, while waiting for buses and trains, reading, listening, or exercising, it's normal to become immersed in the activity and go into a trance state, removed from any distractions.

He would see if the patient would respond to one or another kind of indirect suggestion. In this way, what may seem like normal conversation, using the Ericksonian technique might induce a hypnotic trance. The subject knows they're not being hustled, and takes full ownership of, and participation in their transformation. Because the induction takes place during the course of a normal conversation, Ericksonian hypnosis is sometimes known as Conversational Hypnosis.

At such moments people experience the common everyday hypnosis trance; they tend to gaze off to the right or left, depending upon which cerebral hemisphere is most dominant and get that faraway or blank look and they seem, at least for a moment, oblivious to their surroundings until they have completed their inner search on the unconscious level for the idea, response or frames of reference that will restabilize their general reality orientation. We hypothesize that in everyday life consciousness is in a continual state of flux

These hypnotic states are so common and familiar that most people don't consciously recognize them as hypnotic phenomena. Hypnosis in general is simply a sleeplike state of focused awareness wherein a person can be exposed and open to new and creative thoughts, or effect a positive change.

Milton Hyland Erickson, MD an American psychiatrist, created the Ericksonian hypnosis therapies that many accredited psychiatrists use to this day. He is most well known for his use of hypnosis and the belief that the unconscious mind is indeed aware and conscious enough to essentially self-medicate one who is experiencing difficulties.

Erickson created the Sleight of Mouth and Utilization technique to cure patients who perceived themselves to be stuck in a certain situation such as being depressed or agitated.

The Sleight of Mouth and Utilization method has proved very successful in the treatment of people who are depressed. The way this technique works is simple. Erickson would encounter a person who believed they were depressed and through the power of words and positive reinforcement basically talks them into feeling better.

How does this work? Lets use an example, there is a woman who is severely depressed and often feel hers life is dismal and worthless. This woman lives in a home that is dark and dreary. Her only joy in life were the the flowers and plants she tended to in her garden. Erickson would approach the woman using the Sleight of Mouth Redefine Method and suggest to her that she wasn't depressed and that she did indeed have things that made her happy, such as her flowers. By offering this into the woman's unconscious mind she would then project her thoughts to those that made her happy.

The utilization aspect of the therapy would have Erickson suggesting to the woman that she take what was making her happy and utilize it in a way to help others. He would suggest that she take her flowers, that gave her so much pleasure, to area nursing homes where they would in turn, give others the same pleasure. This simple suggestion would have an impact on the depressed woman by making her feel better about herself by simply helping others and making them happy.

It truly is a simple technique, people are open to the power of suggestion and by using the Ericksonian Hypnosis Sleight of Mouth and Utilization technique, where you are basically telling people that they are not what they feel they are, such as depressed, you could lead them into a whole new way of thinking and all for the better.

Ericksonian Hypnosis Secrets - Conversational Hypnosis

By Stephen J Thompson

Conversational hypnosis is a type of hypnosis that is used in general conversation and without the conscious knowledge of the subject. Its origin is attributed to psychotherapist Milton Erickson.

Erickson was an American family therapist who also specialized in medical hypnosis. He believed that entering a trance was not an experience that is isolated to sessions of hypnosis. Erickson, instead, used a short conversation. He also honed his ability to hypnotize someone simply through a handshake induction.

According to Erickson's theory, people could slip in and out of a trance many times throughout the course of an ordinary day. Erickson believed that this mental state was achieved in periods of deep thought of mindless routine.

Milton Erickson believed that by telling someone they will be entering a trance, the hypnotists creates resistant on the part of the subject. In conversational hypnosis, the hypnotist creates a natural rapport with the subject and then slowly guides them into hypnosis.

After initiating conversation, the first step in Ericksonian hypnosis is to connect with the subject through friendly agreement. This connection is critical in order for the next steps of the hypnosis to be effective.

Next, the hypnotist creates confusion through a number of different techniques. He or she could ask questions to confuse the subject or suggest the seemingly absurd. Through a handshake, Erickson would interrupt the action with an unexpected gesture, catching the subject off guard and confusing them enough to produce a trance like state.

With the subject in a confused and trance-like state, the hypnotist would be able to make suggestions about behaviors. The subject will often be easily led by the hypnotist while in this frame of mind.

Ericksonian hypnosis is a delicate craft that requires time and practice to perfect. With the correct technique, conversational hypnosis can be used to shape and control a subject's thoughts and actions after the conversation.

Mastering conversational hypnosis gives you the power to influence what people think and do. This powerful ammunition should not be abused. Find out how to master Ericksonian Hypnosis and get in control.

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