Hypnosis With and Without Imagery

Patients can be prompted to imagine what they can see, hear, smell, feel, and taste. Such induction of their imagination prompts activation of the brain centers that perceive each of the senses, and thus attention to each of the senses leads to a “whole brain” experience that many patients report feels real or somewhat real.

However, there are a significant number of individuals who report that they cannot imagine well in their “mind’s eye.” Nonetheless, clinical hypnosis can be adapted so that it can be used effectively with such patients.

I happen to be an expert in such hypnotic adaptation, as while I have been able to facilitate hypnosis for thousands of patients who have an excellent ability to use imagery, I do not personally have such an ability. I recall my extreme frustration in my college Organic Chemistry classes because of my inability to rotate images of molecules in my mind. Fortunately, I have nonetheless been able to utilize hypnosis for great benefit in my own life.

Like with the use of imagery, note that in the following examples of non-imagery methods, achievement of a hypnotic state involves altering the state of consciousness from the “here and now” to a state in which people are more receptive to suggestion. This occurs because hypnotic methods capture the focus of the conscious mind, and therefore it is less likely to interfere with receptivity to suggestions offered by a therapist or even self-suggestions.