Which type of Hypnosis should you choose? Ericksonian, Humanist...

When you are looking for a hypnotherapist, you hear about different types or kinds of hypnosis: classical hypnosis, Ericksonian hypnosis, humanistic hypnosis, new hypnosis, and still others… There are also specific names depending on the purpose for which hypnosis is used. For example regressive hypnosis, transgenerational hypnosis, medical hypnosis, including hypnosedation…

And here I'm not talking about stage or street hypnosis, which are not therapeutic hypnosis. In short, it's pretty complicated! So how do you know what you're dealing with? What are the differences, and which type of hypnosis suits my needs? To keep it simple, we need to go back to basics. What is hypnosis? Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. It is a dynamic state between waking and sleep that allows us to communicate with our unconscious.

It is a natural state we experience several times a day. For example, when we are on the train watching the scenery go by and daydreaming, our body is here and our mind is elsewhere: we are what is called dissociated. I invite you to watch the other videos on the Solutions Hypnose website that explain what the hypnotic state is used for. So, in summary, all types of hypnosis make it possible to establish this altered state of consciousness.

What makes the difference between all the types of hypnosis is the way the hypnotherapist induces and guides the person into the state of hypnosis, and then how they guide the client, once the hypnotic state is established, towards the person's goal. This is where the notion of suggestion comes in. Put simply, a suggestion is the idea the hypnotherapist suggests to the client in order to enter the state of hypnosis.

That is the induction phase, and then in order to change and/or move towards the goal. Now that these notions have been introduced, we can talk about the different types of hypnosis. The first type of hypnosis, which is in fact the oldest, used since the dawn of time but formally established in 1841 by James Braid, is what is called classical hypnosis. This is the type we picture with the pendulum and a person saying "Sleep, I command you." It's a caricature, of course.

Even if that is how it used to be. What remains is that the suggestions are often direct and influence the person directly on what is to change. For example: you now feel relaxed and are entering a state of relaxation. Or: from now on, you will feel more confident when this situation happens again, and you will blah blah blah. The second type of hypnosis is Ericksonian hypnosis, named after the American psychiatrist Milton Erickson.

This is more of an approach to change, a very skilful and strategic way of using the person's psychological reactions. This very particular approach uses indirect language, confusion, hidden or implicit messages. In fact, it was by modelling this specific language that Bandler and Grinder created NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). Sometimes the unconscious puts up barriers to change, for various reasons.

Using this type of hypnosis makes it possible either to get around these barriers or to let the person generate their own resources according to the goal. The third type of hypnosis is "new hypnosis". New hypnosis is inspired by the work of Bernheim, and its name refers to Bernheim's new school. It uses very nuanced, more poetic language, also inspired by Ericksonian hypnosis, but with greater use of metaphors and more developed protocols, combined with a more modern spirit.

This hypnosis is in fact a blend of classical hypnosis and Ericksonian hypnosis, NLP and other personal development techniques. The fourth type of hypnosis is humanistic hypnosis. This form of hypnosis is the only one that allows the person to enter an altered state of consciousness not by being dissociated, body from mind or conscious from unconscious, but by being associated. It becomes a heightened state of consciousness.

There is no need to let go. On the contrary, the cognitive and sensory range is expanded. The person becomes aware of themselves, of others and of the world around them. This allows them to discover what is stuck inside them and to work on it themselves. The suggestions used by the hypnotherapist are direct, and they use metaphorical and symbolic language that speaks directly to the unconscious. So those are the four main types of hypnosis.

All the other types of hypnosis that exist are variations on these four, with particular features and specificities in certain approaches. The question is: is there a best type of hypnosis? The answer is no. It depends on the person, their needs, the kind of goal to work on, any fears the person may have, and many other considerations. In the end, what matters most is not the type of hypnosis, but the relationship with the hypnotherapist, their ethics, their experience and their training.

If you are looking for a hypnotherapist, here is a tip: check the name of the school and the number of hours of hypnosis training the person has. That will reassure you. Finally, know that the Solutions Hypnose hypnotherapists are thoroughly trained in different types of hypnosis, each according to their own specialities, of course. We are available to answer all your questions and, of course, to support you with therapeutic hypnosis, in person near you or by video.

It works very well too. Book an appointment now to create the life you want with hypnosis. See you soon.

Hypnotherapy is a complementary form of support and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns about your health, please consult a physician first.