Stage Hypnosis Versus Clinical Hypnosis: How Different Are They?

The Key Points Of Difference Between The Two Are....

In a clinical setting, suggestibility is used in exactly the same way. The hypnotist is looking for compliance. The results of these tests allow the hypnotist to determine the approach to take when the actual hypnotic induction starts. The only difference to the stage hypnotist is that the stage hypnotist has already eliminated those who failed the suggestibility test by asking only those whose hands where still stuck to come on stage.

What follows for our hypnotists is the formal hypnosis induction. The inductions used in both cases are often very similar. In the clinic, noise is cut down to a minimum. Eyes are closed, some background music is played. Exactly the same in a stage hypnosis show.

In most cases, appropriate background music is played, participants have their eyes closed and the stage hypnotist asks the audience members to be quite just for the induction, with the suggestion that they can make as much noise as they want when the induction is over. Do you think that suggestion could have anything to do with stage hypnosis audiences being typically very loud in their reaction to what’s going happening on stage?

Suggestions are then given to the client or participant. In a clinical setting the suggestion to bark like a dog would be totally inappropriate for someone who is coming for stop smoking hypnosis, but would be almost mandatory for a stage hypnosis show. Either way, once someone is in hypnosis, suggestions are given which are then acted upon.

Lastly, when someone is brought out of hypnosis they are given powerful positive suggestions. In the case of the stage hypnosis performers, any and all suggestions are removed permanently, and some positive ego strengthening suggestions are given.

In a clinical hypnosis session, the suggestions given during the session are enhanced with ego strengthening also.

While on the surface clinical hypnosis and stage hypnosis may seem a world apart. However, when you look beneath the surface and take a closer look the approaches are remarkably similar.

The best hypnotists should be able to perform hypnosis in any situation such is their mastery and understanding of hypnosis. Neither approach is either better or worse, and both approaches could be enhanced by adopting some of the training methods and techniques of the other.