I separate hypnosis techniques into two basic groups. First are passive techniques and second are active techniques.
Passive Hypnosis Techniques
Passive techniques are most often thought of as 'clinical hypnosis'. Ericksonian hypnosis and its branches, such as the now popular neuro-linguistic programming. This style is often referred to as suggestion based hypnosis. After attaining sufficient hypnotic depth, suggestions are given in the form of scripts using metaphor and symbolism.
Suggestion Hypnosis Techniques
Passive hypnosis techniques are commonly attributed to Milton Erickson. His modality uses a 'storytelling' approach. It is said this allows the subconscious to learn what it is willing to learn from the use of metaphors in the story. This is accomplished over several sessions. Erickson was a psychiatrist. These credentials allowed for his methods to be more palatable to the established medical community.
This acceptance led the way for Ericksonian hypnosis to be the most popular method. Ericksonian techniques make use of a progressive relaxation hypnotic induction. This induction is lengthy and has a tendency to be ineffective for a significant number of people. I believe this is the reason for the common misconception that "not every one is hypnotizable". It is more accurate to say "not everyone is hypnotizable using progressive relaxation".
Active Hypnosis Techniques
Active techniques are commonly thought of as "analytical hypnosis" or "hypnoanalysis" techniques. After quickly attaining sufficient hypnotic depth, the client actively participates in the process. Suggestions are used for reinforcing the results of active techniques.
Analytical Hypnosis Techniques
Modern active techniques are commonly attributed to Dave Elman. Dave Elman's techniques use a more rapid and focused approach to hypnosis. Elman taught hypnosis to medical doctors and dentists in the '50's for pain reduction and emotionally based issues (stutters, allergies, and obesity), very often creating notable improvement with the issue in one session.
Elman's techniques make use of a rapid induction (Elman induction). This method has shown itself to be more consistently and reliably effective for people when compared to progressive relaxation.
