What Are the Different Types of Hypnotherapy?

Wondering how does hypnosis work and which specific method is right for you? If you’ve been searching for deep mental shifts, you’ve likely realized that “one size does not fit all.” Hypnosis is a vast field, and understanding the different modalities is the first step for any hypnosis for beginners journey.

In this 2025 guide, we’ll break down the various types of hypnotherapy, the hypnosis process step by step, and the science of how these methods interact with your subconscious mind.

What Is Hypnosis? (Beginner Explanation)

Before diving into the types, we must address: what is hypnosis? Simply put, it is a state of highly focused attention. It is a natural physiological shift where the “critical faculty” of your conscious mind relaxes, allowing direct communication with the subconscious.

Whether you are looking to quit smoking, manage anxiety, or improve sleep, the fundamental mechanism—how hypnosis works on the brain—remains the same: it utilizes your brain’s natural neuroplasticity to create lasting change.

How Hypnosis Works: The Simple Idea

The core of every hypnotherapy type is the manipulation of brain waves. When you are alert and talking, you are in Beta. During a session, a therapist guides you into Alpha and Theta states.

In the Theta state, your subconscious is most receptive to “suggestions.” This is the secret behind why hypnosis helps some people so deeply—it bypasses the logical mind that often blocks change (e.g., “I can’t quit” or “I’m always stressed”).

What Are the Different Types of Hypnotherapy?

There are several specialized ways to apply hypnotic trance. Here are the most effective types used today:

1. Suggestion Hypnotherapy

This is the most common form for hypnosis for beginners. The therapist provides positive “suggestions” to your subconscious to change a specific behavior.

• Best for: Smoking cessation, nail-biting, and simple habit changes.

2. Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH)

This combines the power of hypnosis with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It helps you identify negative thought patterns and “re-program” them while in a trance.

• Best for: Anxiety, phobias, and stress management.

3. Regression Hypnotherapy

This type involves “going back” to an earlier memory to find the root cause of a current problem.

• Best for: Resolving deep-seated emotional trauma or “unexplained” fears.

4. Ericksonian Hypnotherapy

Named after Dr. Milton Erickson, this uses metaphors, storytelling, and “indirect suggestions” rather than direct commands. It is incredibly effective for people who are naturally “resistant” to being told what to do.

5. Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy

Instead of looking at the past, this looks at the future. It focuses on what the client wants to achieve rather than the problem they are fleeing.

The Hypnosis Process: Step by Step

Regardless of the type, almost every session follows this hypnosis process step by step:

Step 1: Induction (The Entry)

The therapist uses a specific sequence of words or breathing exercises to lead you away from the external world. This is where you first feel what does hypnosis feel like—a heavy, peaceful, or floating sensation.

Step 2: Deepening (The Sink)

Techniques are used to “double” the relaxation, moving your brain into the deep Theta wave state.

Step 3: The Therapeutic Intervention

This is where the specific type (Regression, Suggestion, etc.) is applied to the subconscious mind.

Step 4: Awakening (The Return)

The therapist gently counts you back to full alertness.

• You feel: Refreshed, energized, and often inspired. Post-session effects can last days to weeks as your brain processes the new “script.”

Is Hypnosis Real? Common Myths vs. Facts

Many people hesitate because they ask, “is hypnosis real?” or fear they will lose control.

• Myth: You can be forced to do something against your will.

• Fact: Your subconscious has a “protective shield.” You remain in control of your morals and safety at all times.

• Myth: You are asleep.

• Fact: You are in a state of hyper-awareness. You hear everything, but you are simply too relaxed to be bothered by it.

Why Hypnosis Helps Deeply: The Science

Studies from the American Psychological Association (APA) and NIH show that hypnosis can physically change how the prefrontal cortex processes information. By quieting the “Internal Critic,” we allow the brain to form new neural pathways. This is why hypnotherapy often works when “talk therapy” fails—it moves from talking about the problem to changing the mental architecture behind it.

Conclusion: Start Your Transformation

Understanding the different types of hypnotherapy allows you to choose the path that resonates with your soul. Whether you need the logic of CBH or the mystery of Regression, knowing how does hypnosis work is your first step toward freedom.

At Transcendental Art, we provide a Gold Standard of care, blending these traditional types with modern neurological insights. Our Gold, Black, and White philosophy is about finding the light (Gold) within the subconscious (Black) to create a clean slate (White).

Ready to try? Would you like me to book a free discovery call for you, or should I create a custom “Self-Hypnosis Starter Guide” based on one of the types above?