How Many Kinds Of Hypnosis Are There?

How many kinds of hypnosis are there? Perhaps most people never even think about it. But knowing about hypnosis with a macro view is important to a person because this could affect how he views hypnosis.

There are basically seven kinds of hypnosis. They are:
a. Self-Hypnosis
b. Stage Hypnosis
c. Hypnotherapy
d. Group Hypnosis
e. Conversational Hypnosis
f. Written Hypnosis
g. Daily Hypnosis

Self-Hypnosis

As the name suggests, Self-Hypnosis is a form of hypnosis that one does to himself or herself. It could be done in 2 ways:

1st Way – Using affirmative sentences to hypnotize. The person can use existing affirmations or even his own self-created ones. For example, in a building up of self-confidence case, you may use affirmations like:

- I am growing in my confidence each day
- I have a positive self-image
- I am in control of my life
- I can do it

2nd Way – The second way is much easier since it comes in audio format, and you can listen to it conveniently on your phone, laptop, computer, CD player, etc. It is highly mobile. It is pre-recorded by a professional company specializing in the areas of hypnosis, cognitive, and mind technology. All you need to do is play it.

Self-hypnosis can either be in a form of relaxation or play in the background while you are doing other activities. As a precaution, please read the instruction on the respective hypnosis audio first before carrying it out.

Stage Hypnosis

This kind of hypnosis is familiar to most people. If you were to ask people what hypnosis is or how they came to know about it, the majority would say it is stage hypnosis.

Stage hypnosis is conducted by an experienced and charismatic hypnotist. Before he initiates the hypnosis, there is something that he needs to do. He has to call up volunteers from the audience to come on stage, and he will then conduct a small test (this test is called the “suggestibility test”). The objective is to identify who is more suggestible. Those who are more suggestible make a good candidates for his hypnosis.

The hypnosis is conducted for a group of people.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is also known as hypnosis therapy. It is a therapy using hypnosis to resolve issues faced by the person. But it can be used for certain illnesses as well as performance and achieving goals.

Hypnotherapy is becoming more popular, and people are becoming more aware of its existence. It does bring about some benefits to the hypnotized person.

The hypnosis is conducted on a one-to-one basis.

Group Hypnosis

When hypnosis is conducted in a group, for instance, in a classroom, it is known as group hypnosis. This form of hypnosis could be done for smoking cessation classes or goal-achieving classes.

Since there are similarities in every person sitting in that classroom (for example, the desire to quit smoking), the process is alike, and thus they could be grouped together and undergo group hypnosis.

Conversational Hypnosis

Conversational Hypnosis is also known as Covert Hypnosis, Sleight of mouth, or indirect hypnosis. Before this, all the hypnosis we have touched on are considered direct hypnosis. People who are hypnotized are aware that they are going to be hypnotized.

In Covert Hypnosis, the person who is the target of hypnosis is totally unaware that hypnosis is about to take place on him or her.

This is because the hypnotist does this expertly, using a normal and casual conversation with the person, building rapport and gaining trust, and “executing” the hypnosis on the person in the least affected way.

One example is (Hypnotist asks: Do you prefer to talk standing or sitting down?). The question is restricted to only two choices, and either way, the person answers, and the hypnotist gets what he wants.

Actually, there is nothing to be alarmed about it. It happens every day in our life.

Written Hypnosis

Written Hypnosis is similar to Covert Hypnosis as they are both indirect. Covert Hypnosis is about using the mouth, while Written Hypnosis is about putting down words. It is also called hypnotic writing or hypnosis writing.

Hypnotic writing is aimed at getting people’s attention in the first place. Only if a person gives you attention, it is as good as not communicating with the person at all.

Here are the examples:

Introducing a new-found way to get you to slim down in 5 days!

Stop! You have to hear this or you will be missing out….

Daily Hypnosis

Every day we experience hypnosis. They may come in the form of:

• Your mind is too tired or bored, and it drifts to some “wonderland” – Daydreaming

• You are so absorbed in the novel, and you cannot put it down – Focused Attention

• You are screaming and clapping your hands while your idol is on stage singing – Mesmerized

• You knew you are going to the eighth floor but end up on the twelfth floor – Mind not Focused

Now that you have an overview of the kinds of hypnosis around you, what would be your view about hypnosis?