What to Do When a Hypnotic Induction Goes Wrong: Tips for Hypnosis Practitioners

Hypnosis isn’t just about following scripts or hoping everything goes perfectly; it’s about what you do when things don’t go as planned.

If you’re new to hypnosis or even if you’ve been practicing for a while, there’s a common fear that nags at you: What if the induction doesn’t work? 

But here's the secret: What feels like a mistake is often an opportunity in disguise. With the right mindset and tools, you can turn any situation into a success.

So, what do you do when a hypnotic induction doesn’t go according to plan? The answer lies in flexibility, confidence, and the ability to adapt on the fly. Let's dive into the key strategies that will help you handle any hiccup with ease and keep the session on track.

Confidence Is Everything: Never Let Them See You Sweat

If there's one thing that every successful hypnotist knows, it’s this: confidence is contagious.

When you approach a session with certainty and assurance, your subject is much more likely to follow your lead. On the other hand, if you show hesitation or doubt, even just a hint of uncertainty, your subject will pick up on it and it can undermine the entire process.

The key to mastering hypnosis, especially when things don’t go as planned, is never letting them see you sweat. This isn’t just a catchy phrase, it’s a principle that applies to hypnosis, comedy, and even public speaking. The idea is simple: if something unexpected happens, stay calm and act like it was all part of the plan. When you do this, you maintain control of the session. They’ll trust you more, and the hypnosis process will unfold naturally.

Utilization: Make Every "Mistake" Work for You

A major part of successful hypnosis is learning how to use utilization, the art of making anything that happens during a session work for you. 

This means that even if something doesn’t go according to plan, you can still use it to deepen the trance or help the subject progress.

Let’s say you're conducting an induction and suddenly, the subject’s eyes open unexpectedly. Instead of feeling frustrated or flustered, you simply roll with it. A quick, confident response like,“That’s right. Eyes closed now and go deeper," not only reassures the subject but also directs their focus back to the process, often deepening the trance in the process. This is utilization in action. Taking what might seem like a failure and using it to your advantage.

This approach works because it assumes that the behavior (eyes opening) is part of the process, not a setback. Over time, you’ll notice that situations like this become easier to handle, and you’ll become more adept at rolling with the punches.

Here’s another example: during a Dave Elman induction, you might expect a subject’s hand to drop easily into a relaxed state, but instead, they help you lift it. While this might seem like a mistake, it’s actually a great opportunity to guide them through the process. By confidently saying,“That’s right. You’re in full control now. Just relax and let me do the lifting,” you keep the session flowing and move toward the desired result.

Unexpected Success? Use It to Your Advantage

Not everything that happens during a hypnosis session is a challenge. In fact, sometimes things go exactly as planned, or even better! Take the example of catalepsy-based induction, where you expect the subject’s arm to become rigid and cataleptic. But what happens if the subject enters deep hypnosis even before the catalepsy takes effect? It's simple: utilize the unexpected success to your advantage.

By calmly saying something like, “That’s right, even deeper now,” you take the subject even deeper into trance. You’ve used the success as a springboard, guiding them with confidence and leading them to a deeper state. The key is to never correct what is working, even if it’s different from what you expected.

Handling Hypnosis with Flexibility

At the end of the day, the most important tool in your hypnosis toolbox is flexibility. As much as hypnosis techniques follow certain patterns, every subject is different. Some will respond right away, while others might need a bit of time or a different approach. The real mastery in hypnosis comes from being able to adapt and make any situation work for you.

When you approach every session with confidence and flexibility, you not only increase your chances of success but also build trust and rapport with your subjects. And when your subjects trust you, they’ll be more likely to relax, follow your suggestions, and achieve the desired outcome.

Hypnosis Is Not About Perfection, It’s About Adaptation

So, what do you do when a hypnotic induction goes wrong? The answer is simple: adapt. Hypnosis is not about rigidly following a script or ensuring that every technique goes perfectly. It’s about calibrating the situation, utilizing what happens, and guiding the subject into trance, no matter what.

Remember, confidence, congruence, and flexibility are your best friends in hypnosis. If you approach each session with these principles in mind, you’ll find that there’s no such thing as a “bad” subject or a “failed” induction. Every moment is an opportunity to deepen the trance and help your subject achieve the results they’re looking for.