There are many different hypnotic methods that are used to reach the subconscious mind to bring about change. Each method has its pros and cons. No two people are the same, so it makes sense that the best results will be obtained by using techniques that each individual will have the most success with.



Most companies that sell hypnosis recordings offer CD's that consist of standard traditional hypnosis methods. A few vendors offer much more up-to-the-minute and effective Ericksonian hypnosis methods. And fewer still offer NLP methods.

The newest and possibly most effective technology available is video hypnosis. Video hypnosis uses the latest Neuro-Linguistic Programming mind patterns to produce instant change in an individual. Video hypnosis techniques are not subliminal in nature.

With "Traditional Hypnosis," we simply make suggestions to the subconscious mind mind. In case you are wondering, as far as I'm concerned, the term unconscious and subconscious are equal - as they refer to the same part of the mind. This type of hypnosis works well for a subject who generally accepts what he/she is told without a lot of questions.

Most hypnosis programs sold today are based on "Traditional Hypnosis" methodologies. The reason is it really does not take much experience to write a script and just instruct a subject to do something. Unfortunately Traditional Hypnosis is not very compelling for people who are analytical in their thinking processes.

By contrast, Ericksonian Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming methods work far better for most people today! This is because today individuals are taught to question everything they see and hear, rather than just do what they are commanded to do. So these methods do work well for people who are critical in their thinking processes.

These methods are far more effective at reaching and influencing the subconscious mind. However, it can take years of training, study, and most of all experience to learn how to apply these methods with success. This is a challenge that is only accepted by truly dedicated hypno-therapists.

With "Ericksonian Hypnosis," we use little stories, called Ericksonian metaphors, to present new ideas to the subconscious mind. This is a powerful modailty, because it usually eliminates the mental blockage of suggestions that is often caused by the conscious mind. There are two types of metaphors, "Isomorphic," and those of the imbedded command or "interspersal" nature.

Isomorphic metaphors offer guidance to the subconscious mind by telling a story that has a moral. The subconscious mind draws a one to one relationship between the contents of the story and the contents of an unwanted behavior.

For example, if a child has been telling a lot of lies, the parent might tell the child the story about the "Boy who cried wolf." The subconscious mind would draw a comparison between the boy in the story and the child, and realize that telling lies could lead to disaster, so the child would probably stop lying.

With the Embedded Command technique, the hypnotherapist conveys an interesting story that distracts the conscious mind. The story includes hidden direct suggestions that are generally accepted by the subconscious mind. For example: While the subject is in trance, she will hear the hypnotherapist say something like: I'm going to tell you a story about ...[a beach that has feelings. Isn't that] ...strange to... [you]? It's a warm summer's day, and... the beach [feels great].

The hypnotist pauses, shifts his voice tonality, and verbally stresses the bracketed text. The subconscious mind recognizes a "Selectional restriction violation." Beaches can't have feelings. So it's like the subconscious mind says to itself: "Wait a minute, a beach can't feel anything, so that must mean that I'm supposed to feel great."

Since the suggestions are embedded in a story that is misdirecting the conscious mind, it is unlikely that the conscious will realize that it has just received a post-hypnotic command, so it won't resist it.

Process Instructions direct the subconscious mind to recall a memory of an appropriate learning experience from the past where something useful was learned, and then to apply that experience to eliminate bad behaviors in the present.

With "Neuro-Linguistic Programming" (NLP), rather than using hypnotic commands, we use the same thought processes that are creating a problem, like nail biting, to eliminate the symptom. NLP in the hands of a trained hypnotherapist can be very effective.

NLP Anchoring: Have you ever heard some old music and had it remind you of feelings from the past? When you originally listened to the music, you were feeling those feelings, and they unconsciously became attached to the sound of the music. So the song became an Anchor for the feelings. Now when you hear the song, it triggers the same feelings again.

Anchoring can be a very effective technique. Suppose that you have a memory of being commended for having done a great job in the past. If you revivify that memory, you'll be able to recall the feelings of self-esteem that you had at that time. If you touch two fingers together while you re-experience those feelings of self-esteem, that touch will become an anchor for the feelings of self-esteem.

Now suppose that you want to create motivation to stick to a diet and lose weight. If you make a mental image of yourself with a thin, sexy body, and simultaneously trigger the anchor - (press the two fingers together again), your subconscious mind will connect the feelings of self-esteem to the mental image of you with the thin body and your level of motivation to lose weight will increase markedly.

NLP Flash: This is a very effective and powerful Neuro-Linguistic Programming technique that can be used to turn things around in the subconscious mind, so that thoughts and experiences that used to trigger feelings of stress actually trigger relaxation instead.

The NLP Flash technique is also a fast way to erase a conditioned response. For example: If a smoker has a cigarette while driving a car, his/her subconscious mind will connect the two behaviors together so that he/she automatically gets an urge for a cigarette anytime he/she sits behind the wheel and drives.

The Flash will cause the smoker's mind to disconnect the image of a cigarette from the steering wheel and dashboard so that he/she does NOT get an urge to smoke just because he/she is driving.

With "Subliminal" CD's, the recording has dual tracks. One track contains a cover sound that is heard by the conscious mind. The cover sound could be anything from music to the sound of a bubbling brook. The number two track contains direct commands that are picked up by the subconscious mind mind. These suggestions are repeated hundreds of times during a session.

Subliminal programs can be played in the background while you are working, or talking or partisipating in any other activity. You don't have to stop what you are doing and relax like you do with self-hypnosis CD's. Subliminals can be an addition to self-hypnosis programs. But Subliminals will never replace Hypnosis or NLP because they are not as effective! They don't compare in any way!! Some studies have claimed that it can take up to 80 hours of listening to a subliminal tape before it will have any effect on many people.

The last hypnotic methodology that we're going to discuss is Video Hypnosis. Video hypnosis is the most compelling form of hypnosis!

The methods used in video hypnosis are based on the Neuro-Linguistic Programming technology, which works based on the utilization of a person's existing thought processes instead of suggestion.

Over 70% of the planet learns more quickly by seeing, rather then by hearing.

Think about it. If you feel an compulsion to eat or smoke when watching TV, it's because your subconscious mind recorded the video image of either food in your hand, or a cigarette in your hand, and then linked that image to an image of the TV. You never spoke to yourself and told yourself in words to associate them together, did you?

And that's why the Video Hypnosis technique is so effective. It's not hypnotic in the traditional sense, relying on the spoken word; rather, it relies on transmitting images to the subconscious mind. And if you've ever shed a tear when watching a sad television show, then you know how powerful video hypnosis can be at reaching the subconscious mind. With this technique, results usually start with the very first viewing!

The Video Hypnosis / NLP technique programs the subconscious mind through a high-tech simulation process. This frees a person of their cravings and tensions and allows a person who smokes to stop effortlessly, and a dieter to lose their cravings and appetite. Results start with the first viewing!