While learning hypnosis, you will run across many different techniques and theories, and it can be difficult to filter out what is actually working because of an actual process of the subject’s unconscious, and what is merely working because a context of compliance and expectancy exists.

An effective hypnosis technique should be effective across cultural and demographic boundaries, with little or no set up, other than the establishment of rapport. For example I have performed instant inductions around the world, sometimes through an interpreter, and even in cultures where there is no concept or understanding of hypnosis, these techniques have proven to be effective and genuine hypnosis techniques.

So how do you determine what is effective and genuine, and what is not?
Well, one of the best ways is to apply the Scientific Process to what you are learning. The Scientific Process is laid out as such:

1. Ask a question
2. Do background research
3. Construct a hypothesis
4. Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment (You can further validate this step by doing a double blind test)
5. Analyze your data and draw a conclusion
6. Report your results (was your hypothesis correct?)

Be skeptical, but open. Question everything, and once you do accept something as ‘possibly true’ then test, test, test. If you begin your questioning by analyzing the technique being taught to verify that it contains the basic formula of every induction, this will help you get off to a strong start.

As you may recall, the basic formula for every induction (overt or covert, instant or rapid, formal or conversational) is built upon the ABS formula:

• A – Grab the subjects Attention
• B – Bypass the critical factor
• S – Stimulate the subconscious

The next thing you want to analyze is if there is a presupposition at play here and the technique is actually a suggestion in the form of a metaphor. Is the technique working because we ‘suggest’ that it will? One way to test this is to perform the technique without explaining what the subject should expect. Of course, some level of expectancy will exist if you have introduced yourself as a hypnotist, but even if you don’t, the technique will still be effective on a large percentage of the population, if you have rapport with them.

So go out there and see what others are doing in hypnosis, but don’t take what they do or teach merely at face value. Challenge yourself to really analyze and scrutinize the technique, then test it out for yourself, then bring your findings to the meet-up group and share them with the rest of us.

That’s all I have for now.

Michael C. White, C.Ht.