Hypnosis Distinctions That Are Game Changers

What do a butter knife and a stack of frozen hamburger patties have to do with hypnosis? 

Well, you're about to find out!

Sometimes, the simplest tweaks can make a massive difference—and that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today. Whether you're a total beginner or have years of experience in hypnosis, it's the small, seemingly insignificant tweaks that can have the biggest impact on your results. These are the distinctions that make your hypnotic work more efficient, powerful, and transformational for your clients. 

Let’s dive into these key distinctions that can supercharge your hypnosis sessions and get you better results every time.

The Power of Distinctions: A Butter Knife for Hypnosis

Imagine this: You’ve got a stack of frozen hamburger patties, each separated by paper, and you’re trying to pry them apart with a sharp knife. You’re jamming the knife between the patties, worried you’re going to stab yourself in the hand any second. Frustrating, right?

Now imagine someone comes along and shows you a simple hack: Stand the patties on their side, take a butter knife (yes, a butter knife!) and a hammer, and with a gentle tap, they come apart effortlessly. You’re blown away by how easy it was.

This is exactly how distinctions work in hypnosis. You’re still doing the same work, but a small shift—a new technique or mindset—makes it easier, faster, and far more effective. Just like that butter knife trick, it’s not about brute force; it’s about applying the right method at the right time.

1. Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast

One of the most critical distinctions in hypnosis is pacing. When we teach new hypnotists, one of the most common mistakes we see is trying to rush through inductions or language patterns. It’s like they’re trying to get everything out as quickly as possible, often because they’re nervous or unsure of what to say. We get it—it can feel intimidating at first.

But here’s the thing: Rushing almost always leads to sloppy hypnosis. Instead, slow things down. We like to say, “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” What does that mean? If you slow down and give yourself (and your subject) time, everything starts to flow more naturally. You’ll be able to think clearly, deliver hypnotic suggestions confidently, and your client will relax into the process with ease.

Milton Erickson, one of the greatest hypnotists in history, spoke at just 75 words per minute when he was working in trance. That’s about half the speed of regular speech! Why? Because when you slow down, you help the person in front of you drop into those deep, kinesthetic states that make hypnosis work so well.

The takeaway: Don’t rush. Slowing down doesn’t make you less effective—it actually makes your work more powerful. Take your time, let the language flow, and you’ll find everything goes more smoothly.

2. The Client Does the Work

Here’s a distinction that can revolutionize the way you approach hypnosis: It’s the client who does the work, not you. This can be a tough pill to swallow for hypnotists who feel like they need to "fix" their clients. But the truth is, your role is to guide the process; the client is responsible for their own transformation.

Let’s say a client asks, “Will this hypnosis really work for me?” We always respond with, “I do my part 100% perfectly every time. The only one who can fail is you.” This isn’t about passing the buck—it's about making sure the client knows they play an active role in their own success.

When you make it clear that the client is responsible for the change, they become more invested in the process. They stop waiting for hypnosis to magically fix their problems and start taking action. This also creates a dynamic, interactive session where the client is engaged and participating, rather than passively waiting for something to happen.

So remember, your job is to guide—your client is the one who makes the change.

3. No Threshold, No Change

This next distinction is a true game-changer. We call it "threshold." People don’t change unless they hit a point where change becomes not just necessary, but urgent. A client at threshold is someone who has realized that something has to change, now. It’s got to be them, and it’s got to happen immediately.

When a client is at threshold, your job becomes a whole lot easier because they are already motivated to change. They aren’t resisting the process or dragging their feet.

But what happens if a client isn’t at threshold? If they’re not ready, the change will either be temporary or won’t happen at all. Your work might seem brilliant, but if your client is not at threshold, it just won’t stick.

Click here to learn more about threshold, and whether your client is actually willing to change.

4. Engage Emotions and Imagination: The Fuel for Hypnosis

Emotions and imagination are the rocket fuel of hypnosis. If you can engage both, you’re going to get much better results. Think of emotions as amplifiers—they turn up the volume on whatever you’re trying to achieve. The stronger the emotional engagement, the deeper the hypnotic state.

When you direct a client’s attention inward, evoke emotions, and then tap into their imagination, you create a powerful combination that makes hypnosis much more effective. The mind responds to what it imagines and feels, so when you engage these elements, the hypnotic process becomes more vivid and real for the client.

Take a moment during your sessions to focus attention, bring emotions into play, and stir the imagination. You’ll see your results skyrocket.

5. Build Rapport: Why Being Liked is Essential

This is one of those distinctions that’s often overlooked: Your client needs to like you. Yep, it’s that simple. When your client feels comfortable and connected with you, hypnosis becomes far easier and more effective.

Rapport is a hypnotist’s best tool. It creates trust, opens the door to deeper communication, and makes your client more willing to accept your suggestions. It’s the foundation of a good hypnotic session. Without rapport, even the best techniques can fall flat.

So how do you build rapport? Be genuinely curious, show empathy, and create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. When your client feels that you’re on their side, the change happens almost effortlessly. Remember, people respond to people they like.

Click here to learn how to build rapport for more effective hypnosis sessions.

6. Focus on Solutions, Not Problems

Too many hypnotists spend way too much time talking about the problem. Sure, it’s important to understand your client’s situation, but don’t get stuck there. After all, hypnosis is about creating change, not reliving the past.

Once you have enough information, shift the focus to the solution. Move the client forward. The quicker you start working on the change, the better your results will be. Don’t fall into the trap of over-analyzing the problem. Hypnosis is a future-oriented process—keep your eye on the solution and help the client move toward it.

Apply These Distinctions for Powerful Hypnosis

There you have it—these six key distinctions can take your hypnotic work from good to great. If you’re already practicing hypnosis, applying these distinctions will make your sessions more effective and transformational. Hypnosis is simple when you know how to work smart, not hard.