**2. Traditional versus modern hypnosis**

There are various types of hypnosis; however, the two distinct forms of hypnotherapy taught are the traditional, often referred to as, script-based approach, and the modern Ericksonian approach. They are sometimes better known as the direct or authoritative hypnosis and indirect or permissive hypnosis, respectively. The modern approaches are considered to be the conventional ways of inducing or achieving hypnosis.

**25**

*Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: The Role of Traditional Versus Alternative Approach*

eye or counting backward to induce a hypnotic state [24].

among partygoers and comedy club attendees [3].

In our society today, three main types of hypnosis are used to hypnotize another person or hypnotize one's self. These three types of hypnosis are traditional hypnosis, Ericksonian hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. Each type of hypnosis varies from one another in terms of practice and use. The three types of hypnosis have a common denominator; that is, they all begin with some form of hypnotic induction like fixed

Is the most widely used basic form of hypnosis due to the belief that anyone can do it with very little instruction and training. Traditional hypnosis is believed to be the easiest form of hypnosis, it relies on simple suggestions and commands. Traditional hypnosis uses direct commands and suggestions to influence a person's feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and actions once the subject is in a hypnotic state. Traditional hypnosis will only work on people who are easy to follow orders, the hypnotist will need to know whether the patient is critical or not before the hypnotic session begins [3]. Often, it is not considered entirely effective for people that have analytical and critical thought processes. Commands and suggestions are usually interfered by the conscious mind; the critique nature of the conscious mind does not allow messages to be fully absorbed by the subconscious [3]. Traditional hypnosis is also the basis for stage hypnotism, which is popular in today's culture

Despite being largely unchanged as a directive approach since the 1930s, traditional hypnosis is still the dominant approach taught in countries like Australia [3]. The hypnotist will ask you to close your eyes, relax and forget everything in your mind in a traditional hypnotic approach. Once you enter a trance mode, he will give you hypnotic suggestion. For instance, if the patient wants to stop smoking, in the therapy session the hypnotist might ask the subject to visualize the harms of smoking, how awful it smells and hurts the nose and eyes. The therapist will give the subject suggestions that when not smoking you will be alright. Any time the subject remembers to smoke, he will remember the awful smell from a cigarette. This will help the subject to stop smoking and this is how traditional hypnosis works [3]. According to some studies, the success rate of this form of hypnosis rarely exceeds 30%; although the client may feel better, there may be higher relapse rate and the client may not always do better the next time something

In a situation when the traditional method does not work for the subject, the hypnotist might need to use another method like conversational hypnosis, etc. [3]. Unlike the traditional approach, conversational hypnosis is a type of hypnosis done to a subject or patient with the use of words and persuasion. It can also be used

The modern approach to hypnosis was developed by a renowned American psychiatrist and psychologist named Dr. Milton Erikson, thus named Eriksonian hypnosis. This method is built around understanding the client's unique situation and needs. The modern hypnosis approach will assist clients to build better cognitive skills and change the way they perceive a situation in and around challenging circumstances. Interventions are tailored toward the individuals' need, and this approach achieves a much higher success rate. Modern hypnosis particularly is an excellent approach for those who are skeptical of hypnosis as it uses metaphors

to treat stress, addiction, and phobia like in traditional hypnosis [3].

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91619*

**2.1 Traditional hypnosis**

similar happens [3].

**2.2 Modern hypnosis**

In our society today, three main types of hypnosis are used to hypnotize another person or hypnotize one's self. These three types of hypnosis are traditional hypnosis, Ericksonian hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. Each type of hypnosis varies from one another in terms of practice and use. The three types of hypnosis have a common denominator; that is, they all begin with some form of hypnotic induction like fixed eye or counting backward to induce a hypnotic state [24].
