What does an ericksonian hypnotherapist do?

What is an Ericksonian Hypnotherapist?

An Ericksonian hypnotherapist practices a style of hypnosis developed by Milton H. Erickson, a well-known American psychiatrist often called the father of modern hypnotherapy. His approach was very different from traditional hypnosis, which tended to be direct and commanding. Instead, he believed in working with people’s natural abilities and unconscious resources.

Rather than saying things like “You will relax now,” Erickson used gentle, open suggestions such as “You might begin to notice a sense of calm.” He often told stories, used metaphors, or built on a client’s own words and behavior to guide the process. This made hypnosis feel natural, creative, and tailored to each person.

The goal of Ericksonian hypnotherapy is to help people discover their own strengths and use them to make positive changes. It can be especially helpful for challenges like anxiety, fears, pain, or breaking unwanted habits. By focusing on collaboration and trust, this approach often feels supportive, empowering, and deeply personal.

What does an Ericksonian Hypnotherapist do?

Here is a summary of the main principles of Ericksonian hypnotherapy and the work Ericksonian hypnotherapists do in their practice:

Key Principles – focusing on being flexible, creative, and shaping each session to fit the client’s own life and experiences.

• Rapport and Connection: Building trust and a strong relationship between therapist and client is at the heart of Ericksonian work. When people feel safe, understood, and respected, they are more open to exploring new ways of thinking and feeling.
• Utilization: Instead of fighting against resistance or habits, Ericksonian hypnotherapists “use” them. This means they work with the client’s own language, behaviors, and even doubts to gently guide them toward change.
• Indirect Suggestions: Rather than giving strict commands, Erickson preferred subtle and permissive language. Suggestions like “You may begin to feel more relaxed” allow the client’s unconscious mind to accept change naturally and comfortably.
• Metaphors and Storytelling: Stories and metaphors are powerful tools in this approach. They help bypass overthinking and allow the unconscious mind to find personal meaning and solutions in a safe, indirect way.
• Respect for Individuality: Every person is unique, so no two sessions look the same. Ericksonian hypnotherapy adapts to each client’s strengths, experiences, and inner resources, making the process highly personal and empowering.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Consultation: They begin by meeting with clients to understand their concerns, goals, and personal experiences, establishing rapport and trust.
• Assessment: They evaluate the client’s needs, strengths, and challenges to determine how to best tailor the session.
• Session Planning: They design and adapt hypnosis sessions using Ericksonian techniques, including storytelling, metaphors, and indirect suggestions, while remaining flexible to the client’s responses.
• Guided Hypnosis: During sessions, they facilitate relaxation, focus attention, and guide the client to access their unconscious resources to create positive changes.
• Progress Monitoring: They track the client’s progress over multiple sessions, adjusting techniques as needed to ensure continued growth and effectiveness.
• Support and Follow-Up: They provide guidance, encouragement, and strategies for clients to use between sessions to reinforce positive changes. Stay updated on Ericksonian techniques, clinical research, and best practices through workshops, training, or conferences.

Different Types of Ericksonian Hypnotherapists
Although Ericksonian hypnotherapy is based on Milton H. Erickson’s original gentle, indirect approach, it has grown and evolved over time. Different therapists and training programs have added their own ideas, focusing on things like the way language is used, the connection between the body and mind, or how hypnosis is combined with other therapies. These variations are not strict “types,” but rather different ways of applying Erickson’s principles, often taught through specialized schools or courses.

• Pure or Classical Ericksonian – This style sticks closely to Milton Erickson’s original methods. It uses techniques like working with a client’s natural behaviors, creating mild confusion to open the mind, planting ideas subtly, and telling stories that mirror the client’s situation. The focus is on natural trance and encouraging the unconscious mind to activate, as preserved by the Milton H. Erickson Foundation and therapists like Jeffrey Zeig.
• Compassionate Ericksonian – Developed by Stephen Brooks at the British Hypnosis Research and Training Institute, this approach adds empathy and emotional safety to the mix. It still uses indirect suggestions and metaphors, but with extra attention to relational connection and long-term training, making it suitable for a wide range of client issues.
• Somatic Ericksonian – Popularized by Stephen Gilligan, this approach combines Erickson’s hypnotic language with body-focused techniques. By including mindful awareness and movement, it uses the body as part of the process, which can be especially helpful for trauma work or boosting creativity.
• NLP-Integrated Ericksonian (Milton Model) – This version blends Ericksonian language with principles from neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). It emphasizes subtle commands, pacing, and guiding someone using indirect, flexible patterns, often taught in NLP courses for influence in conversation.
• Solution-Focused Ericksonian – This approach combines Erickson’s indirect methods with solution-focused brief therapy. Instead of dwelling on problems, it focuses on goals, future-oriented thinking, and empowering metaphors, which can help with anxiety, habits, or quick changes.
• Integrative or Eclectic Ericksonian – Many modern hypnotherapists mix Erickson’s core methods with other approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychodynamic techniques. Sessions are tailored to the client’s needs, creating a flexible, personalized experience.

Most practitioners do not stick strictly to one model. Instead, they often blend elements from different approaches depending on the client and the situation.

What is the workplace of an Ericksonian Hypnotherapist like?

Ericksonian hypnotherapists usually work in flexible, client-focused roles instead of traditional full-time jobs. Most are self-employed and run private practices, helping people with issues like anxiety, trauma, or habits. They can also work with or be hired by:

• Healthcare Facilities – hospitals, clinics, and wellness centers, often as part of multidisciplinary teams integrating Ericksonian techniques into broader mental health or pain management programs
• Mental Health and Psychotherapy Practices – private or group therapy offices, including those affiliated with organizations like the New York Milton H. Erickson Society or the Milton H. Erickson Foundation, where they collaborate with psychologists, counselors, or psychiatrists
• Educational and Training Institutions – universities, training centers, or online platforms (e.g., Udemy, PESI, or BHRTI), employing them as instructors for certification courses in Ericksonian methods
• Corporate and Community Settings – businesses offering employee wellness programs, stress management workshops, or seminars; community centers offering group sessions on personal development
• Wellness and Holistic Platforms – online directories or services like I Need Hypno, where they are contracted as independent providers to connect with clients

This way of working gives hypnotherapists flexibility, and many combine different tasks to make a steady career.

A typical hypnotherapy office is calm and comfortable, with soft lighting and minimal distractions. This helps clients relax and enter a natural trance. The space supports collaboration and awareness, and therapists constantly practice skills like storytelling and working with resistance to provide effective, ethical sessions.

Independent hypnotherapists often handle both one-on-one sessions and practical tasks like scheduling clients online or promoting their services on social media.

In places like hospitals or wellness centers, the setting is more structured, with collaboration alongside doctors or psychologists on issues such as pain management. Online video sessions are also common, letting therapists work with clients around the world while paying close attention to nonverbal signals.