Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, M.D, Vol. 1

1. Hypnosis is a communication of ideas that taps into unconscious potential

Hypnosis is essentially a communication of ideas and understandings to a patient in such a fashion that he will be most receptive to the presented ideas and thereby be motivated to explore his own body potentials for the control of his psychological and physiological responses and behavior.

Tapping unconscious resources. Hypnosis is not about controlling the client, but rather communicating in a way that allows them to access their own inner resources and potentials. The hypnotist's role is to facilitate this process by presenting ideas in a manner that bypasses conscious limitations and resistance. This involves using language patterns, non-verbal cues, and subtle suggestions to engage the unconscious mind.

Receptive state of mind. The goal is to create a state of heightened receptivity where the client is more open to new ideas and possibilities. This altered state of consciousness allows for greater flexibility in thinking and behavior. By communicating directly with the unconscious, hypnosis can help people overcome limiting beliefs, change habits, and tap into abilities they didn't know they possessed.

2. Pacing and leading are fundamental to successful hypnotic induction

Pacing, then, is part of Erickson's general strategy for dealing with the dominant hemisphere in establishing a trance state.

Matching and guiding. Pacing involves matching the client's current experience, while leading introduces new elements to guide them towards the desired state. The hypnotist first establishes rapport by acknowledging and describing the client's observable behavior and experience. This creates a feedback loop that builds trust and receptivity.

Gradual transitions. Once pacing is established, the hypnotist can begin to lead the client towards new experiences and behaviors. This is done gradually, maintaining the connection established through pacing. For example:

• Pacing: "You're sitting in that chair, breathing steadily..."
• Leading: "...and as you continue to breathe, you may notice a feeling of relaxation spreading through your body."

By alternating between pacing and leading statements, the hypnotist guides the client into trance while maintaining a sense of comfort and control.

3. Distraction and utilization of the dominant hemisphere facilitate trance

Deep hypnosis is that level... that permits the subject to function adequately and directly at an unconscious level of awareness without interference by the conscious mind.

Overloading conscious processing. The dominant hemisphere, typically associated with logical thinking and language processing, can be distracted or overloaded to reduce its interference with trance induction. This is achieved through various techniques:

• Complex language patterns
• Rapid delivery of information
• Engaging multiple sensory channels simultaneously
• Presenting paradoxical or confusing statements

Utilizing natural tendencies. Rather than fighting against the dominant hemisphere's functions, skilled hypnotists learn to utilize its natural tendencies. For example, they might engage the analytical mind in a task that indirectly supports trance induction, such as counting backwards or visualizing complex scenarios.

4. Accessing the non-dominant hemisphere unlocks creative resources

Exemplifying the same, complementary side-effect, speaking improves the subject's ability to recognize elements in the right visual field, even when those shapes are nonsensical. In contrast, when the patient rehearses melodies (a right-hemisphere function), a left-visual-field advantage results.

Tapping creative potential. The non-dominant hemisphere is associated with creativity, intuition, and holistic thinking. By accessing this part of the brain, hypnosis can unlock resources and abilities that may be underutilized in everyday consciousness. Techniques for accessing the non-dominant hemisphere include:

• Visualization exercises
• Metaphorical language
• Engaging with music or rhythm
• Encouraging non-verbal responses

Balancing hemispheric activity. Effective hypnosis often involves creating a balance between dominant and non-dominant hemispheric activity. This integration allows for a more complete and powerful trance experience, combining logical and intuitive processes.

5. Linguistic patterns can be strategically employed for hypnotic suggestion

Linguistically, we have found it useful to distinguish three categories of causal relations or linkages: (a) Conjunction - use of the connectives and, but (i.e., and not) (b) Implied Causatives - use of the connectives as, while, immediately during, before, after, . . . (c) Cause-Effect - use of predicates which claim a necessary connection between the portions of the speaker's experience such as: make, cause, force, require, etc.

Strategic language use. Hypnotists can employ specific linguistic patterns to create powerful suggestions and guide the client's experience. These patterns exploit the natural ways in which people process language and make meaning. Some key linguistic techniques include:

• Causal linkages: Creating connections between observable events and desired outcomes
• Embedded commands: Hiding suggestions within larger sentences
• Presuppositions: Implying certain things must be true for the sentence to make sense
• Nominalizations: Using vague nouns that allow for personal interpretation

Bypassing conscious resistance. By using these linguistic patterns skillfully, the hypnotist can communicate suggestions in ways that bypass conscious scrutiny and resistance. This allows ideas to be accepted more readily by the unconscious mind.

6. Analogical marking creates powerful multi-level communication

Erickson's exquisite control over this technique allows him to induce and remove the memories of Huxley's experience from Huxley's consciousness repetitively.

Layered communication. Analogical marking involves using non-verbal cues (such as tone of voice, gestures, or emphasis) to highlight specific words or phrases within a larger communication. This creates multiple levels of meaning:

1. The surface level, understood consciously
2. The marked level, processed unconsciously

Versatile applications. This technique can be used for various purposes in hypnosis:

• Embedding commands or suggestions
• Creating amnesia for specific experiences
• Activating or deactivating post-hypnotic suggestions
• Directing attention to certain aspects of an experience

By mastering analogical marking, hypnotists can communicate complex ideas and instructions to the unconscious mind while maintaining a seemingly ordinary conversation at the conscious level.

7. Transderivational search engages the client's unconscious mind

By engaging the client at the unconscious level, the hypnotist accomplishes several important tasks simultaneously. First, when the client is participating unconsciously, his conscious mind does not interfere with the transition to the altered state of consciousness which is the immediate objective of the trance induction. Second, since the client's conscious mind is not making the selection of the meaning conveyed by the hypnotist's communication, his response is the response selected as most appropriate to the unconscious needs of the client.

Activating personal meaning. Transderivational search is the process by which people unconsciously search through their memories and experiences to find personal meaning in communication. Hypnotists can leverage this process by using vague or ambiguous language that prompts the client to fill in the gaps with their own relevant experiences.

Tailored experiences. This technique allows for highly personalized trance experiences without the hypnotist needing to know specific details about the client's life. By prompting transderivational search, the hypnotist can:

• Evoke relevant memories and emotions
• Activate resources and capabilities
• Create personalized metaphors and analogies
• Guide the client towards solutions that resonate with their unique experiences

8. Ambiguity and vagueness allow for personalized interpretation

Sounds so specific, yet it is so general. . .

Strategic imprecision. While clarity is often valued in communication, hypnotic language often benefits from strategic use of ambiguity and vagueness. This allows the client's unconscious mind to interpret suggestions in the most personally relevant and meaningful way. Techniques for creating useful ambiguity include:

• Using words with multiple meanings
• Employing vague referential indices (e.g., "that feeling" without specifying which feeling)
• Creating sentences with multiple possible interpretations

Unconscious engagement. When faced with ambiguity, the unconscious mind works to create meaning. This engages the client more deeply in the trance process and allows for highly personalized experiences and outcomes.

9. Metaphors and stories bypass conscious resistance

Erickson, frequently, will tell a story in which the main figure is the same sex, age, and from the same state as the client who is listening.

Indirect communication. Metaphors and stories allow the hypnotist to communicate ideas and suggestions indirectly. This bypasses conscious resistance and analytical thinking, allowing the unconscious mind to absorb the embedded lessons or suggestions.

Personalized relevance. By tailoring stories to reflect aspects of the client's life or situation, the hypnotist increases the likelihood that the client will identify with the narrative. This identification enhances the impact of any embedded suggestions or insights. Key elements in crafting effective hypnotic stories:

• Matching client characteristics in the protagonist
• Using universal themes that resonate emotionally
• Embedding multiple levels of meaning
• Including solutions or resources that can be applied to the client's situation

10. Post-hypnotic suggestions create lasting behavioral change

Restoration of his memory delighted him, but he remained entirely at loss concerning the genesis of his catalepsy and his anesthesia. He realized, however, that some technique of communication had been employed to effect the results achieved but he did not succeed in the association of the positioning of his body with the final results.

Bridging trance and waking states. Post-hypnotic suggestions are instructions given during trance that are designed to be carried out after the hypnotic session has ended. These suggestions create a bridge between the trance experience and the client's everyday life, allowing for continued influence and change.

Unconscious implementation. The power of post-hypnotic suggestions lies in their ability to be carried out without conscious awareness or effort. This can lead to seemingly spontaneous changes in behavior, thoughts, or perceptions. Effective post-hypnotic suggestions often:

• Are stated positively and specifically
• Leverage the client's natural behaviors or tendencies
• Include a clear trigger or context for activation
• Are reinforced through repetition and association during trance

By mastering the art of post-hypnotic suggestion, hypnotists can help clients create lasting changes that extend far beyond the hypnotic session itself.

Last updated: February 26, 2025