How To Hypnotize

Keen to try out hypnosis but don’t know how to go about it? Well, for starters, you need to decide which method of hypnosis you are going to use!

Did you know that there are four main techniques for hypnotizing a person? Briefly, these are:

1) Fixed gaze technique (eyes fixed on an object)

2) Gradual relaxation and imagery technique

3) Forceful commands technique

4) Rhythmic rocking technique

We will cover all these methods over the next few posts. For now, however, let’s look at the first method. It is the most well known technique and is commonly associated with the swinging watch!

Therapists, however, tend to favor the second technique. Not necessarily because it is the most potent method. Research suggests that few therapists are skilled or knowledgeable about hypnotic techniques and so are reluctant to experiment on their clients!

But there are some good guidelines provided for those who would like to try this method. Stamford University has developed the

STANFORD HYPNOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY SCALE,

which provides quite a good overview of how to proceed and also hypnosis scripts for both easy and more difficult to hypnotize people.

As you will see when you read through the method, two aspects of the hypnosis process are particularly important.

Firstly, it is important that the person to be hypnotized trusts the person doing the hypnosis. Secondly, it is important that the person being hypnotized believes that they can be hypnotized!

More on this in later posts but research has shown that attitude to hypnosis is one factor that strongly influences susceptibility to hypnosis!