This is not by any means a complete dictionary of hypnosis and NLP terms, but these are some of the terms that you might come across in your interactions with Mind Scope Hypnosis. I have written these definitions (they are all actual words) to suit my personal style and understanding.
Alpha / Delta / Theta – These are the three main levels of hypnosis. Alpha (or lethargic) is a light state, delta (or catapleptic) is a medium state, and theta (or somnambulistic) is a deep state.
Analytical Hypnotherapy – Hypnotherapy technique which seeks to resolve an undesired thought or behavior pattern by locating and resolving the initial events in an individual’s life which lead to the problem. The subject is regressed to the initial sensitizing event and critical event, and the conflicts are resolved through a mix of acknowledgment (where the subjects was, who he was with, how old he was, what emotions were felt), reasoning (the feelings and resulting behavior were valid then, but are no longer useful), and commitment to let go of outdated emotions. Finally, the conflict with the person who caused the unwanted emotions is resolved, the person is forgiven, and a date is set for the subject to fully let go of the outdated emotions and the resulting symptoms.
Anchoring – The establishing of a trigger.
Arm Raising Induction – A hypnosis induction technique which involves the subject’s arm becoming more stiff and rigid, until it is like a plank of wood with the elbow locked in place. Then, the subject’s arm becomes lighter and lighter so that it raises up higher into the air, as if it is somehow attached to a powerful helium balloon. Finally, there is a count down and the arm is rapidly dropped, bringing the subject into a trance state.
Associated / Dissociated – These terms refer to the way in which a person is experiencing a particular scenario in his mind, whether it is a past event or an imagination of the future. If the person is associated, this means he is imagining the entire scene or event from the perspective of own eyes, while he is in his own body. If the person is dissociated, it means he is seeing the event as if it is on a movie screen, and he is viewing himself out there on the screen. When we are associated, we are more emotionally attached to the scene, and when we are dissociated we are more emotionally removed from the scene.
Bruxism – This term refers to teeth grinding, whether it is done consciously or unconsciously, while awake or asleep.
Conditioning – The gradual process of developing a habit or thought pattern through repetition.
Confusion Induction – A hypnosis induction technique in which the hypnotist uses confusing or contradictory language. This method is usually employed for the more analytical subject, who finds it difficult to be hypnotized via direct suggestion.
Conscious Mind / Subconscious Mind -The conscious mind is our logical, rational mind, and we are aware of the activity that occurs within our conscious minds. The subconscious is our emotional mind. It holds every bit of information from the past and the present, and we are unaware of all the activity that exists within the subconscious mind. Through hypnosis, we can access the subconscious mind in order to deal with issues from the past, as well as to alter undesired thought and behavior patterns through suggestion.
Count Out – The final part of a hypnotherapy session, where the subject is brought out of the trance state. Usually the hypnotist will count up, from one to three, after suggesting that each number will cause the subject to feel more awake and alert.
Deepening – A portion of a hypnotherapy session in which the subject is taken further into a state of suggestibility.
Eye Fixation / Eye Fascination – These terms can be used interchangeably to refer to a focal point that might be used in hypnosis inductions, such as a swinging pocket watch, an animated spiral, a spot on the wall, or the hypnotists finger. The eye fixation / fascination point usually leads to eye closure.
Fractionation – A hypnosis deepening technique in which the subject is brought out of a trance, and then back in again. The theory is that each time a person is brought out and back in, he will become even more deeply hypnotized and highly suggestible than before. This is due to the fact that being in a state of trance usually feels very relaxing, and the subject doesn’t necessarily want to come out. So when he is brought out and back in, he is inclined to take even more comfort in the relaxed state.
Hypnosis / Hypnotherapy – Hypnosis refers to the state of being in a trance, where an individual more easily accepts suggestions. Hypnotherapy refers to the use of hypnosis in order to assist in emotional, behavioral, and physical health.
Induction – The first part of a hypnosis session, where the subject is taken into a state of trance. There are several types of inductions, the most common of which is progressive relaxation. Other methods include eye fixation, eye closure, confusion induction, arm raising induction, hand clasp induction, and rapid inductions.
Initial Sensitizing Event / Critical Event – Used in analytical hypnotherapy, these are the events that a subject is regressed to, which are related to an unwanted thought or behavior pattern. The initial sensitizing event is the (chronologically) first related event. The critical event is the second related event, and is also considered the symptom-producing event.
Metaphorical Timeline – A technique in hypnotherapy where the subject is asked to imagine and describe a line going from his forehead to the past or future, which represents his emotions. Any irregularities in the line are then marked and managed. This method is used for people who have difficulty being hypnotized or regressed.
NLP – Abbreviation for Neuro-Linguistic Programming. NLP refers to a model of the way our minds work when it comes to how they process, store, and react to information. It suggests that we can break our subjective experiences into “chunks” and rearrange these chunks in order to heal emotionally, alter our behavior, and to achieve desired outcomes. There are literally hundreds of NLP techniques.
Post Hypnotic Suggestion – A suggestion made under hypnosis that is acted upon by the subject after the session is over.
Programming / Reprogramming – Programming refers to our thought and behavior patterns which have been established by what we have been taught through words and experience. Reprogramming is the process of replacing outdated, undesired, and unhealthy programming with something more positive and beneficial.
Progressive Relaxation – This is the most widely used hypnosis induction technique, which consists of the gradual relaxation of the entire body, with focus on one segment at a time. Progressive relaxation generally either starts at the head and ends at the feet, or vice versa.
Regression – Being taken back to an earlier point in time, usually in order to recall and deal with the events which contributed to an undesired habit or behavior.
Somnambulist – This term is used to describe a person who is capable of attaining the very deepest level of hypnosis. A somnambulist can effectively undergo medical surgery without anesthesia and remain unconscious of any physical pain.
Subject – The person being hypnotized.
Submodalities – The colors, shapes, sounds, smells, and emotions that an individual attaches to an event.
Suggestibility / Susceptibility – These terms can be used interchangeably in reference to how easily a hypnosis subject accepts the suggestions given my the hypnotist. Generally, the more suggestible a subject is, the more deeply he will go into a trance state.
Systematic Desensitization – A therapeutic technique in which an anxiety hierarchy is built, and each anxiety-provoking step within that hierarchy is paired with steps which contradict the anxiety.
Trigger – A distinct sensory experience that activates a specific emotional, mental, or physical reaction.
Visualization – To imagine seeing a hypothetical event or situation through your eyes. Visualization can be used for a variety of purposes, including to create a sense of emotional comfort and to assist a subject in achieving his personal wellness goals.