The Definition of Hypnosis

Definition of Hypnosis

There are many theories about what hypnosis is/isn’t. Listed below are several of them:

Hypnosis as a Permissive State:

This is an older, more traditional perspective. Here the emphasis is on the passive nature of the client, and the stronger, authoritarian position of the therapist.

Hypnosis and Role Playing:

This is the idea that a separate state of hypnosis does not exist at all, but it is merely a person playing a role of what a hypnotised subject is supposed to look and act like. The subject will carry out the hypnotist’s suggestions on this basis.

Hypnosis as an Altered State of Consciousness:

Here the trance is considered to be a unique and separate state of consciousness, relative to one’s “normal” state of consciousness. In this concept, the trance is a state that is artificially created by the trance induction process. This alters the person’s consciousness through the narrowing of attention to the offered suggestions.

Hypnosis as an Interactional Outcome:

Hypnosis, according to this concept, is a result of a meaningful interaction between hypnotist and client in the sense that they must be attentive and responsive to each other.

There are a variety of ideas about what hypnosis is/isn’t. The above is just a sample of the concepts that persons have had regarding this powerful therapeutic tool. If you are interested in experiencing hypnosis for therapeutic purposes in either Manchester or London, please do not hesitate to contact me

Shaun Brookhouse