Maybe You Would Rather Try This - Permissive Hypnosis

Life is settling back down after the holidays and here we are, back to our long, and oh, so drawn out discussion on forms of hypnosis. To briefly recap (it has been a while), we discussed our working definition of hypnosis, the intake process, pre-talk, the analytic client, progressive relaxation, traditional hypnosis, analytic inductions, and left off with authoritative hypnosis. So that brings us to permissive hypnosis.

DO THIS! DO THAT! NOW!

A little off putting, perhaps? Do you find yourself reacting better to statements such as, "would you like to do this? Maybe you would rather do that? When your subconscious mind absorbs these suggestions..." These are the difference between authoritative and permissive hypnosis techniques. One tells you what to do, the other plays to the idea of allowing you to feel in control at all times, along with the idea of still making decisions for yourself.

Perhaps you have found yourself thinking, "I'd like to try hypnosis, but the idea of not being in control during the hypnotic process is really scary (or insert adjective here)." Well, relax my friend, you are so in luck. Permissive hypnosis is a form of hypnosis that optimizes the client control experience. It is a kinder, gentler hypnotic structure. It engages the thinking mind and ask questions of it, allowing you to control where you go, what you do, and what you experience in the session.

If you are the type who rebels against authority and fears the loss of control, permissive hypnosis is very much akin to total self, hypnosis. You are left feeling like you came up with your solution (which ultimately you do in any form of hypnosis).

For the hypnotist who finds that they are not so pleased with being authoritarian, permissive techniques may be a strength. It allows you to gently guide the client where they need to go.