Five Conversational Ericksonian Hypnosis Techniques

Milton Erickson, a renowned psychotherapist, is the founder of Ericksonian hypnosis. After contracting polio at a young age and being bedridden, he used self-suggestion to improve his condition and eventually made a full recovery.

Ericksonian psychotherapy is a method for accessing a person’s inner resources to resolve psychological issues and alleviate painful symptoms. Its core component is Ericksonian hypnosis—a permissive, flexible, and indirect model of inducing and utilizing hypnotic trance, based on collaboration and multi-level interpersonal interaction between therapist and client.

The Ericksonian model of psychotherapy makes extensive use of multi-layered language. A verbal statement can carry multiple meanings: consciously, a person processes only one possible meaning, while unconsciously, all meanings are registered.

Ericksonian hypnosis techniques can be useful for psychologists and psychotherapists working with clients to improve their emotional well-being. They can also enhance communication quality. However, the key principle when using these techniques is: “Do no harm.”

These techniques are actively used by salespeople, network marketers, and even con artists. By understanding Ericksonian hypnosis, you can recognize and resist manipulation from others.

The Sequence of Ericksonian Hypnosis

1. Joining (Rapport Building)
   • Matching speech: Adjust your tone and pace to match your conversation partner, and use their preferred predicates:
     • Visual predicates: “see,” “bright,” “vague,” “clearly,” “perspective,” etc.
     • Auditory predicates: “hear,” “sound,” “squeak,” “shout,” “deafening,” etc.
     • Kinesthetic predicates: “feel,” “touch,” “warm,” “heavy,” “rough,” “firm,” “smell,” “tasty,” “stale,” “aromatic,” etc.
   • Matching posture and movements: By subtly mirroring your partner’s posture and movements, you create a sense of rapport and trust. This should be done smoothly and imperceptibly; otherwise, the person may feel mocked, which can harm communication. For example, if your partner is shaking their leg while sitting, you might tap your fingers on the table in rhythm.
   • Advanced matching: Experts also match breathing rate, blinking, and other micro-movements.
2. LeadingOnce rapport is established, gradually introduce your own speech patterns, tone, and pace, gently guiding the conversation toward a more positive and resourceful state.

   For example, if someone is angry, match their intensity but at a slightly lower level. Once matched, slowly calm your own behavior, leading them to a calmer state. If someone is insistent, match their energy by speaking a bit louder and faster than usual.

3. Inducing TranceTrance is an altered state of consciousness where critical perception is reduced and analytical thinking is less active. Many people fear the word “trance,” associating it with manipulation or cults. However, people naturally enter trance states several times a day—while showering, listening to music, or commuting.
   

   Trance Induction Techniques in Conversation

   • The Three “Yeses” Technique: Start with several statements your partner will agree with, then introduce your suggestion. For example: “You’re reading my article right now, thinking about how you might use this in practice, and you feel a bit confused about it, and it seems not everything is clear, and maybe you’ll read this article to the end.” Speak in the present tense. The initial statements draw the person into a trance, and the final suggestion catches them off guard, making them more likely to comply.
   • Overloading (Talking Past the Critical Factor): Speak at length, frequently jumping from one topic to another, and keep your partner’s mind engaged with questions like “You understand, right?” or “Isn’t that true?” When your partner’s mind is overwhelmed, deliver your suggestion. People often comply just to avoid repeating the process. For example: “Studying psychology, I realized there’s so much I don’t understand about people, but I can’t figure out exactly what I do understand, and maybe I’ll never know the difference between what I’ve learned and what I haven’t.”
   • Milton Erickson’s Triple Spiral: Tell three unrelated short stories. Start the first story, and just before the climax, switch to the second. Do the same with the second, then begin the third story, which should contain your suggestion (ideally crafted using other hypnotic language techniques). After the third story, return to finish the second, then finally complete the first. Pay attention to details—randomly jumping between stories is not the same as the triple spiral. If you pause too long between stories, the effect is lost. Even so, the confusion you create can be used to your advantage.
4. Suggestion
   

   Speech Techniques for Suggestion

   • Truisms: Obvious statements or banal truths, such as “Sometimes people make decisions based on emotions,” or “People often feel relieved after talking about something.” Examples:
     • For trance induction: “Everyone enters trance in their own way.”
     • For learning: “Experience is the best teacher.”
     • For forgetting: “People can forget what they know.”
   • Presuppositions: Assume a certain behavioral response by using phrases that indicate time or sequence, such as “before,” “after,” “while,” “as,” “when.” Example: “Before you tell me what issue you want to work on, take a deep breath.”
   • Contrasts: Present two opposing behavioral responses, often using kinesthetic language to reinforce the contrast. Examples: “The harder you try to resist, the sooner you’ll realize it’s pointless.” “The heavier the problem seems, the easier the solution turns out to be.” “The harder this course is to study, the easier it will be to apply in practice.”
   • Double Bind (Choice Without a Choice): Offer a choice between two options, both of which are acceptable to you. Example: “You can start using this knowledge right away or after a little practice.”
   • Right to Choose: Use intonation to highlight the response you want, while still offering freedom of choice. The other person feels relaxed and not pressured to follow your suggestion. The way you present the options is more important than the content. Use a slightly dismissive tone for the option you don’t prefer. Example: “You can read this article right now, or not read it at all.”
5. Exiting the TranceUsually, the trance ends naturally after the conversation. For a smoother transition, help the person return to reality by drawing their attention to their surroundings or asking how they feel after a session.

Conclusion

Ericksonian hypnosis techniques are effective tools for communication. However, it’s important not to use them for direct suggestion or to try to change someone’s personality, as this is usually ineffective or only produces short-term results. The best use of these techniques is to help people develop skills and encourage natural, desired personal changes that arise from the learning process itself, not from hypnosis alone.