What is Ericksonian Hypnosis?
Ericksonian hypnosis is a psychotherapeutic approach that through hypnotic trance helps the patient to use his or her own mental associations, memories and life potentials to achieve his or her own therapeutic goals. Clinically, hypnosis is explained by a decrease in neuronal activity.
Ericksonian hypnosis, also known as Ericksonian hypnotherapy, stands as an evolution of classical hypnosis, albeit with an identity of its own.
Why is it performed?
Hypnotic suggestion can facilitate the patient’s utilization of abilities and potentials that already exist within him, but which remain unused or underdeveloped due to a lack of training or understanding.
The work of the hypnotherapist lies in the fact that, on the one hand, he carefully explores the individuality of the patient to know what life lessons, experiences and mental skills are available in him and that will help him to face psychological and psychosomatic problems or pain management; and on the other hand, he will facilitate the patient’s approach to the trance experience so that he can use his internal, unique and personal responses to achieve the therapeutic goals.
It can be applied to treat anxiety, stress, self-esteem, phobias, weight loss, smoking cessation, depression, loss and grief, grief management, couples therapy, pregnancy and childbirth preparation, preparation for exams and competitive examinations, achieving personal and professional goals, increasing concentration and public speaking.
Ericksonian hypnosis helps the patient to cope with psychological and psychosomatic problems or pain management.
What does it consist of?
The hypnotherapy approach has 3 fundamental steps:
- Preparation period: The therapist explores the patient’s repertoire of life experiences and provides constructive frames of reference to guide the patient toward therapeutic change.
- Therapeutic trance: in which the patient’s own mental resources are activated and utilized.
- Recognition, evaluation and ratification of the therapeutic change achieved.
Ericksonian Hypnosis Psychotherapy sessions usually last two hours and are conducted in a face-to-face format only.
Preparation for Ericksonian Hypnosis
In the first Ericksonian hypnosis session the hypnotherapist will conduct an interview with the patient, where the patient’s goals and expectations will be established, and then a hypnotic induction technique will be performed.