What is hypnosis ?

 

 

 


"A state close to sleep induced by suggestions, physical or mechanical actions, or hypnotic drugs.

hypnosis is a natural state, it's a modified state of consciousness.

hypnosis offers a set of techniques and processes that allow altering the patient’s subjectivity.

 

The state of hypnosis’ main characteristics


Everyone experience various states of consciousness, it is natural. On daily bases, anyone has daydreaming, concentration or contemplation, for instance.

Someone’s state becomes hypnotic when significant changes occur in his relationship with the interior and/or exterior. However, there is no clear boundary: entering a hypnotic state would rather be a set of clues showing that subjectivity has been significantly altered.

Hypnotic states can be created by natural or activating factors, internal or external, voluntary or involuntary.

A hypnotist will use all these possibilities to shape a particular hypnotic state with the required characteristics.

Hypnotic states are influenced by numerous parameters: emotional state, internal questioning, environment, beliefs, past experiences, imagination....

A specific state is therefore difficult to reproduce precisely as well as being maintained at a constant level.

Everyone can enter in a state of hypnosis: nothing or no one has resistance to hypnosis, only the choice of inappropriate techniques regarding certain people can be the issue.

 

 

History of hypnosis

 

Hypnosis has been - sometimes in forms very similar to the ones practiced nowadays- in many ancient traditions and cultures. In Mesopotamia and in ancient Egypt, many indications show the use of hypnosis procedures. Hypnosis’ origins are as far back as 'magics' and can be associated with many rituals and practices such as meditation, trance and anything to do with self-exploration in general.

 

Consciousness has been an interrogation at a very early stage of our history, and the eligible path of exploration has been the quest of answers through altered states of consciousness.

 

The term 'hypnosis' is very recent, it was coined by Scottish surgeon, James Braid (1795-1860).

 

The modern form of hypnosis is often related to F.A. Mesmer in Paris in 1778 as factual point. After his first experiments in Vienna and his first therapeutic achievements, he has been called by several royal courts in Europe. However, in his native city, he was strongly rejected: both by physicians resisting his challenge to the established knowledge, and the church, taking offence to his desire to turn into scientific what until then had been "magical"

 

Ericksonnian Hypnosis’ main characteristics

 

 

Ericksonian hypnosis originates from the practice of Milton Erickson (1901-1980).

Characterized by a flexible, indirect (metaphors) and non-directive approach, this form of hypnosis has induced many modern psychotherapeutic trends: family therapy, brief therapy (strategic, systemic), neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), etc.

 

  • solution-oriented technique for quick and greater autonomy, bringing the conscious and the unconscious to work together. One to five sessions, over a period of a few weeks to a few months, are sufficient, even for serious problems, without any "relapse" or " substitution symptom ".

 

  • Ericksonian hypnosis is based on the many resources available in the unconscious. This part of of the person does everything possible to promote improvement and to find the most appropriate and harmonious solution within the person to achieve his goal.

 

  • Based from the person’s perspective and not from the practitioner’s or his theories. The person is at the center of the experience, and everything is constructed from him.  the practitioner reinvents himself at each session.

 

  • The practitioner does not overrule: the initiative is given to the person. It is about increasing freedom and autonomy not assisting or directing.

 

  • The solutions come from the patient and not from the practitioner, whose role is to facilitate access to solutions.

 

  • Any resistance to hypnosis or to change has an aim. The purpose is to build with and not against resistance.

 

  • Flexibility: M.H. Erickson developed a large set of suggestions, strategies and approaches, so that they could be used in an extensive array of approaches in order to offer unique and appropriate response in relation to the specificity of each session.

 

  • Training to trance: This is an important concept in Erickson's vision. We obviously are not all equal in our capacity to enter hypnosis - this is also true for any other discipline - but any one has the ability to learn. This training allows anyone to deal with variations of subjectivity. This practice is used in coaching as any individual can be hypnotized, on the condition that the practitioner finds the key to guide him.

 

  • The change orientation: M.H. Erickson was not going through one's life history in details but instead, oriented the person towards change and evolution, encouraging action rather than understanding.

 

  • The importance of changing the state of consciousness: This is the very principle of hypnosis. Changing the state of consciousness allows a change of logics, outlook, mode of perception, framework... it is a powerful engine for evolution.

 

  • A hypnotist does not pay attention to his own image but concentrates on the objective, it is the only important thing to reach.

 

  • Hypnosis is an art. Creativity and flexibility are essential to the practice. No two sessions are alike. The practitioner must adapt, improvise and create a unique moment with the participant. The tools of hypnosis then become invisible and serve only as a basis for constant renewal.