How to Become a Hypnotist

Finding someone who has never heard of hypnosis is not straightforward. There are several scientifically proven evidence about this impact on the human psyche, which has been around for hundreds of years, and even more theories, this enigmatic phenomenon is so interesting to some people that they aspire to find out whether and how to become a hypnotist.

How to become a hypnotist

You can learn how to master the technique of hypnosis and learn how to hypnotize people in special courses or in schools that teach hypnotic effects. But you can try to learn this technique yourself at home. To learn how to hypnotize on your own, you need to use books on the theory of hypnotic influence, self-study guides, and videos with exercises from the Internet.

Important! To learn how to hypnotize people, you need to have confidence in your abilities, patience and readiness for regular repeated exercise, not to be addicted to alcohol, drugs and stimulants.

Concentration and utmost alertness will also be required during training exercises and hypnosis sessions. You need to start with mastering theoretical knowledge, and then move on to exercises to develop skills, gradually increasing their complexity. The result will also depend on the individual’s hypnotic abilities. 

Types and techniques of hypnosis

Various types of hypnotic effects are known. Among the most common:

  • Classical hypnosis. During such a session, inhibition in the cerebral cortex is achieved through monotonous actions leading to fatigue (the sound of a metronome or the voice of a hypnologist, swinging a pendulum). A person’s consciousness in this state is almost disabled, suggestibility increases dramatically.
  • Hypnosis Ericksonian. It is less profound and is more interested in the patient’s own efforts. Extreme emphasis on internal perceptions disconnects and plunges into a hypnotic trance from the outside world.

The so-called gypsy hypnosis is based on copying the victim’s behavior, deliberately using fear to induce a stressful state. Immersion in a trance through direct contact with the eyes of the victim of gypsy hypnosis is also used, which is considered a high level of skill in this environment.

Ericksonian hypnosis: definition and essence

This type of hypnosis is named after Milton Erickson, a 20th century US psychiatrist. His hypnosis, effectively used for medical purposes and underlying NLP, is also called non-directive. Ericksonian hypnosis this name is explained by the fact that this method’s main principle is the absence of direct orders. It is generally not shown to a person that something is being suggested to him (which helps avoid resistance on his part and, in principle, is a more gentle suggestion).

Erickson believed that the doctor and the patient should work together, while the former should not impose anything on anyone – his task is only to help the client solve problems. Therefore, Ericksonian hypnosis presupposes the patient’s active participation (whereas in the classical version, he rather “listens and obeys”), and the hypnotist tries to adapt to the patient and not vice versa. Features of the Ericksonian hypnosis technique

Ericksonian hypnosis’s technique is based on words – in the original version of the scientist – poetic, metaphorical, appealing to the patient’s associations, various images, and reactions to them. During such hypnosis, words with a double meaning are often used – direct is intended for consciousness, figurative – for the subconscious. Within the framework of Ericksonian hypnosis’s technique, the doctor often uses metaphors, and for the success of treatment, the patient must accept this metaphor – only then will it be effective. Due to the fact that the whole technique is based on words, this type of hypnosis works on almost everyone who understands the language spoken by the therapist.

Another feature of the Ericksonian hypnosis treatment: within the session’s framework, the patient often mentally moves to the so-called resource places – safe, pleasing places where he can find strength, inspiration, calmness, calmly figure out why he came to the doctor. You can achieve resource states in resource places – calmness, inspiration – how to relax physically and mentally, reboot the nervous system. According to Erickson and his followers, being in a resource place and achieving resource states is useful for all people, and even more so for those who need hypnotherapy.

NLP somewhat “reformatted” Ericksonian hypnosis, but the essence remained the same – the establishment of rapport and mild, compared with classical hypnosis, suggestion. At the same time, with Erickson’s hypnosis, the patient, as a rule, is still injected into a trance; in NPF, it is quite possible to do without this. 

Self-hypnosis

Hypnosis is not as exotic as many people think. Depending on individual traits, we all – some more often, some less often – go into self-hypnosis.

For example, in transport, many people go so deeply into themselves that they do not react to external stimuli – they seem to see/hear everyone, but they filter out the information. 

In addition to such deep contemplation, there is also “full”, controlled self-hypnosis. As well as hetero hypnosis (that is, hypnosis in which a hypnotist introduces a person), it can be used to get rid of phobias, reveal abilities, seeks inspiration, psychological and physical rest, and the like. In this regard, hypnosis is close to affirmations. Still, its abilities are broader since a person who has mastered the techniques of self-hypnosis to a proper extent can even control the somatic functions of the body.

Of course, in order to achieve such results, it is necessary, firstly, to learn how to enter self-hypnosis, which not everyone succeeds without outside help, and secondly, to correctly form phrases for self-hypnosis (which, again, brings hypnosis closer to affirmations), and -the third, of course, is to train in this art. From the point of view of hypnotherapy, sessions of Ericksonian (or classical) hypnosis are best combined with self-hypnosis, but with considerable diligence, you can achieve significant results on your own.

Studying how to learn how to hypnotize a person, you need to understand what techniques of influence exist. The most famous techniques for influencing the subconscious:

  • using the power of the voice;
  • use of sign language;
  • the impact of a pendulum, a shiny ball and other objects;
  • using direct eye contact;
  • hypnosis with relaxation (exposure to a monotonous voice on a lying patient in a room with dim lights and quiet music).

For a start, it’s best to choose one of the techniques and focus on the exercises. When the workout yields the desired result, you can try other methods.

How to learn hypnosis yourself

To master the technique of direct eye contact, you need to learn to concentrate your gaze, to develop its so-called magnetism. To do this, you need to place a sheet of paper at eye level, depict a bold point on it and, from a distance of about two meters, and focus on it. Then, without taking your eyes off the image, move around the room for a quarter of an hour. Repeat this exercise up to five times.

You can sit in front of the picture; carefully look at the point for a couple of minutes, and then start slowly turning your head, without taking your eyes off the image. You can concentrate on a point and imagine that your eyes are emitting rays that converge in the center of this image. 

Sitting in front of a mirror and focusing on the bridge of the nose is another practice. If you have a buddy, you should sit in front of him and focus your eyes on the bridge of his nose. It is possible to increase the exercise time from one minute to a quarter of an hour. When retaining a natural facial expression, you need to look calmly and confidently.

Having mastered this technique, you need to continue teaching hypnotherapy, mastering other techniques. For example, the pendulum technique. You can hang a shiny ball on a thread and, monotonously swinging it, try to plunge your partner into a trance. He should relax, try not to think about anything and not take his eyes off the ball. Before the exercise, you need to agree on what action the partner will take out of the trance (for example, clapping his hands). In a state of trance, you need to inspire the subject to perform a certain action after awakening. If, after the clap, he does exactly that, we can assume that the session has worked out.

Gypsy hypnosis

For criminal or gypsy hypnosis, they usually choose places with a large crowd of people: train stations, crowded streets. They try to choose a confused, worried person, often drunk, as a victim. To adapt to the victim, the manipulator gypsy begins to copy her gestures, facial expressions, even the rhythm of breathing. Speaks at a constant pace, sometimes using the commands “give”, “get” or similar. Then he makes some movement, for example, straightens the scarf. If the victim does the same, it means that the influence worked and you can proceed to extortion.

To protect yourself when meeting with such a gypsy, you need to follow a few simple rules:

  • it is best not to stop, not talk, not answer questions;
  • if it was not possible to get away from contact, you need not listen, but talk, interrupt, laugh;
  • Avoid eye contact in every possible way.

These techniques will help you not to become a victim of gypsy hypnosis and not part with money and values.

A person who is interested in whether he can become a hypnotist himself does not require supernatural abilities. A hypnotist’s most significant attribute is self-confidence. This is important to affect the hypnotized will. The capacity to convince, the capacity to suggest, is also essential.

To learn how to hypnotize, it’s important to have a confident voice. It should have firmness and persuasiveness, while it should not be either loud or harsh, not even have a hint of aggressiveness. You need to be able to openly look another in the eyes and concentrate your gaze. The appearance of the hypnotist is also important – if a person does not dispose to himself, he will not cause a desire to obey. 

Tips to Become a Hypnotist

If you are seriously interested in how to become a hypnologist, you can first attend a session of an experienced hypnotherapist – observe the specialist, his actions, and understand how the session takes place.

Important! Hypnosis is not fun or manipulative. True experts in this field apply their experience and abilities to help people solve personal problems, get rid of phobias, relieve stress, and heal from diseases. If you start teaching hypnotherapy seriously, you need to focus on just such noble goals.

More Tips To Assist You Learn And Practice:

Preparing for the session, you need to relieve yourself of nervous tension – you need to start in a calm and restrained state (this is achieved by instilling in oneself an attitude of success);

  • at the beginning of the session, the partner needs to be relaxed, to achieve contact with him, to inspire confidence, not to remind him of things that are unpleasant to him;
  • During the session, it is important to monitor the reaction and state of the partner, ask him questions – his agreement with the advice and action according to the instructions will be an indicator that he is immersed in a state of hypnotic trance.

For a person who wants to learn how to hypnotize people, it will be useful to master meditation and spiritual practices. This will increase your own state of awareness; allow you to better control the unconscious.

Skills on how to learn how to hypnotize a person can be obtained both in special courses and on your own at home. Self-confidence and hard training will definitely give the desired result.

Myths and truths about hypnosis

Why are people afraid of hypnosis? – He often seems to be something magical, sometimes dangerous. Action when “the mind is in the grip of the dark force.” But this is a normal state of the brain, in which a person is in complete control of everything that happens around. Hypnotherapy is safe and effective. The doctor puts the patient into a trance, helps him disconnect from the outside world. Sometimes a person succumbs to hypnosis, sometimes not such a state is much easier to deny than to accept. It takes the psychic ability of the client himself to enter a trance. Several times a day most collapse into this state. For instance, when relaxing or immersing yourself in an interesting book or movie with calming music. We block the flow of information from the outside when consumed by some mechanism. Someone can speak, inquire, try to draw attention, but we are far from reality mentally.

The principle of hypnosis is based on the fact that the rational, conscious part gives way to the unconscious. And since it is she who is responsible for our habits, fears, urges, this is a key moment for therapy. So, we can understand: you should not be afraid of spiders; they are smaller than us in size. But we automatically tune in to fear. This is why the purpose of hypnosis is to convince unconsciously that they are not dangerous. As a rule, the hypnotist speaks slowly and clearly: the unconscious part is not able to catch intense speech. She responds better to symbols and metaphors. Therefore, they are often asked to present fears in reality. For example, a spider dressed in a clown outfit and dancing awkwardly to ridiculous music. Such visualization sends a signal: there is nothing in these predators to fear. The process of changing beliefs takes place in different ways. After an hour of therapy, one patient leaves the office laughing at their past fears. And another can be convinced that spiders are not scary, but words will not achieve the goal. By the way, you can never return to it until you get rid of the phobia.  – Do they come to a hypnotherapist in any situation? – With the help of sessions it is impossible to eliminate organic disorders. For example, growing an amputated arm. Hypnotherapy is a method of psychological assistance that allows you to remove the cause of the disease, and not its symptom. In this scenario, there is a direct impact on the character; the patient’s body’s internal resources are mobilized. – Short-term counseling in the West – up to 20 hours. And have we? – Having agreed on the order, and having calculated the degree of hypnotizability of the client, the number of sessions is illustrated. Very frequently, within five hours of meetings, the issue can be solved.  

– If you need to rest or solve a psychological problem, passive trance is more suitable. And in order to achieve sporting achievement – active? – Active trance is characterized by detachment and absolute focus on one task. During it, the person feels a rise in strength. At such a moment, a person sees only what he needs to achieve his goal. Everything else that is usually perceived by our senses remains off-screen. A state of lightness arises in the whole body, even a certain indifference to what is happening. Manifestations: walking on coals, shamanic dance, states of euphoria, inspiration, falling in love, inspiration. In a passive trance, a person performs relaxation without a goal (auto-training, meditation, independent and induced hypnosis, concentration).  We often vary between these types of trance. This is natural for us. Watch people on public transport, reading messages on their smartphones, playing a computer game, watching fishing float. They are in an active form of trance when driving a car, playing sports, at a disco, during communication.  

– To enter into a trance, you need to have a gift? – People perceive hypnosis differently. 80 percent response depends on specific conditions. The rest of the people are gullible or not at all amenable to hypnosis. Success lies in the little things: the charisma of the hypnotherapist, certain words and intonations, the patient’s trust, the degree of his relaxation and, most importantly, the desire to enter a trance. Strong-willed individuals are more susceptible to hypnosis if they themselves want it and trust the doctor, while religious and emotional ones respond to suggestion thanks to their rich imagination and belief in the supernatural.  

– Is it realistic for the client to be immersed in an altered state, but he did not come out of there? – Over the two hundred year history of the study of hypnosis, not a single case has been recorded that a person did not come out of a trance. Even if the connection with the doctor is broken, the state will smoothly turn into a normal sleep. After that, the patient will wake up. 

– A well-known phenomenon is induced hallucinations. A person is offered to see, hear, feel something that does not exist – and he does it. 

This is called “distortion of the sense of time. Usually, the inner slows down: it seems that several minutes have been spent in a trance, but in fact, half an hour or more has passed. I will name a few more phenomena. For example, during catalepsy, a hypnotized person can be given any uncomfortable posture, and he will maintain it, having lost control over voluntary movements. Age regression – they suggest that the age is much less than the present and you will behave like a child. Amnesia 

– After coming out of hypnosis, do not remember what happened during the trance. It is also realistic to reduce pain sensitivity without special suggestions.  The host of the TV program “Stars under Hypnosis” said: celebrities are not exposed to trance, but the activation of their imaginations. Are they not the same?  

No. Hypnosis is not required for imagination, although it can help improve it significantly. Going into a trance as a method of developing fantasy can be useful for people of creative and creative professions.  According to American psychiatrist Milton Erickson, hypnosis always involves the voluntary cooperation of two parties. If the patient is skeptical and actively resists the influence, the doctor will not be able to force the session. If a person does not want to be hypnotized, he will start thinking about football, repairs, exchange rates, and more. French psychotherapist Emile Couet emphasized that the most important part of hypnosis is the suggestion. Individuals with a mobile, easily excitable, labile psyche lend themselves well to him. These are individuals who have a high level of sympathy and empathy. They literally live on emotions”: at the sight of someone else’s grief, they can burst into tears, experience strong feelings in any stressful situation. Sober-minded, judicious, somewhat emotionally cold personalities do not respond well to suggestions. Such people always remain unconvinced, and during a conversation mentally question any shaky argument of the interlocutor. 

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How to Become a Hypnotist

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