Hypnotic direct suggestions are one of the cornerstones of hypnosis. they are used by most practitioners at some time or another, and this is true for both hypnotherapists and hypnosis entertainers, so what is direct suggestion?
Hypnotic direct suggestions
Put simply hypnotic direct suggestions are:
Simple, direct commands delivered to a hypnotic subject to illicit a temporary or permanent change.
Examples might include:
- “When I awaken you, you will have no memory of what was said.” – a direct suggestion for post-hypnotic amnesia.
- “As a result of the work we have done today you are going to feel more confident.” – A direct suggestion for increased confidence.
- “When you wake up in the morning you will find that you have no desire to smoke.” – A habit breaking suggestion.
Although hypnotherapists will often rely upon other techniques to create change, it is rare that they won’t include some direct suggestions when working with a patient.
Hypnotic direct suggestions as cognitions
A cognition, as seen in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may often take the form of a statement of a belief. It is theorised by some hypnotherapists that direct suggestions represent new cognitions around which beliefs, new behaviours and reinforcing feedback loops will form. If we take the example from above of
“As a result of the work we have done today you are going to feel more confident.”
The suggestion makes the person believe they are confident. In believing they are confident they then behaviour more confidently. In behaving more confidently two things will tend to happen:
- They will notice themselves acting more confidently, which will tell them that they are more confident, which further reinforces the idea that they are confident. Confidence then becomes a habit.
- Others react to their enhanced confidence in positive ways. Consciously and / or unconsciously this tells the patient that these ways of behaving are rewarding (they get the date, they get the promotion, they get the respect) and thus they are reinforced.
So, if direct suggestion are so beneficial why do hypnotherapists use other techniques?
Strengths and limitations of hypnotic direct suggestions
As with all approaches direct suggestions have strengths and limitations which make them more, or less suitable in different situations.
The main strengths of the direct suggestion are its:
- Force – Direct suggestions have authority. As such they are easy for hypnotherapists to deliver them emphatically which conveys power.
- Clarity – Direct suggestions have a very clear meaning. They make it obvious when and where an effect will happen, or what a person will be. In this way they focus the hypnotic subject’s resources on to that circumstance.
These characteristic make them especially useful for:
- People who preference clear guidance.
- In theory they may be more suitable when hypnotic subjects enter a deeper trance state as many people argue that the unconscious preferences simple messages.
However, as with all things there are limitations.
limitations
Because direct suggestions are specific, they run the risk of getting it wrong, some of the main ways this occurs are:
- Asking too much of the subject too soon – Many therapy patients require groundwork before making big changes. If the ground work is not sufficient then powerful direct suggestions may not work or their effects may not last for long.
- Misunderstanding the subject’s needs – Should a hypnotherapist give a suggestion that does not match the subject’s life, way of thinking or expectations then things may go as planned. They may resist or reject the suggestion or it may only work in some circumstances. Equally, if it does not fit their life then it may undermine the rapport they felt with their therapist.
Direct suggestions are a staple of the hypnotherapists tool kit. However, many other techniques are used in hypnotherapy they are not the only form of suggestion. In-direct or permissive suggestions.
