Using the wrong hypnosis technique might just be the best thing you can do.
Hypnosis, at its core, is about solving problems. And naturally, you’d think that using the right technique is the key to success. But what we told you that using the wrong thing may actually make you a better hypnotist? That sounds counterintuitive, but it's true. Let’s explore how using a hypnosis technique that shouldn’t work can actually sharpen your skills in ways you never imagined.
Flexibility in Hypnosis: The Key to Mastery
A hypnotist who relies on a single technique will eventually hit a wall. Why? Because no two people are the same, and what works for one person won’t necessarily work for the next. Flexibility is the ability to flow, to adapt on the fly, and to tailor your approach to the individual sitting in front of you.
It’s one of the core principles taught at the Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy (MMHA)—hypnosis isn’t about memorizing a script and applying it robotically. It’s about learning a wide range of techniques, but even more than that, it’s about learning to adapt and combine methods based on what the unconscious mind of the client needs at the moment.
Test Drive Our Training
World Class Training. Test Drive with No Credit Card
Think of it this way: being a rigid hypnotist is like being a chef who only knows one recipe. Sure, that dish might be delicious, but what happens when the kitchen runs out of key ingredients? A flexible hypnotist, like a great chef, can adjust on the fly, mixing techniques, swapping out ingredients, and still creating a brilliant result.
The Derek Balmer Approach: Learning to Fail Forward
Here’s a powerful teaching method passed down from Derek Balmer, one of the greats in hypnosis. Balmer’s students didn’t just learn techniques—they learned how to adapt by working with methods that didn’t seem like they would fit the problem at hand.
His exercises would start simple. He’d have students use a technique that’s known to work—easy enough. But then he’d make them redo it, this time using a technique that probably wouldn’t work. Finally, the real test came: they had to apply a technique that logically couldn’t work. The idea was to force them out of their comfort zone, making them rethink, retool, and ultimately become more resourceful hypnotists.
A common trap many hypnotists (and therapists in general) fall into is over-relying on one technique because it worked well in the past. Someone might say, “I used this technique yesterday, and it worked wonders. I’ll just use it again today.” While that sounds logical, it’s a slippery slope.
What worked perfectly with one client might fall flat with the next. Clients have different triggers, experiences, and mental frameworks. Trying to force the same technique on everyone limits your effectiveness and can lead to failure—especially when dealing with complex problems.
Derek Balmer’s exercise taught students not only how to think on their feet but also how to recognize that the essence of hypnosis is problem-solving at an unconscious level. It’s not about checking boxes or following steps. It’s about engaging the unconscious mind with creativity and flexibility.
Case Study: Turning Gagging into a Success
One of the best examples of how flexibility pays off comes from a case where Mike worked with a dentist who had a patient with an extreme gagging reflex. Every time the dentist tried to examine his teeth, the patient would gag, even when only a mirror was placed in his mouth.
There isn’t a specific hypnosis technique designed for “gag reflex in a dental chair.” But Mike knew that the beauty of hypnosis lies in its adaptability. In this case, the NLP Allergy Cure, which was originally created to help people with allergies, was adapted to resolve the gagging reflex.
In just one session, the problem was gone. The key wasn’t finding the perfect technique—it was about creatively applying something unexpected in a way that worked. Hypnosis is full of these kinds of stories, where thinking outside the box produces results when nothing else does.
Another Example of "Wrong" That Worked: Timeline Therapy with a Twist
Another great example comes from a case of Timeline Therapy®. A client visualized his future timeline as vertical, like a drawbridge covered with broken glass and shards of metal—definitely not a path he wanted to walk toward.
Mike tried the usual method of flattening the timeline, which worked initially, but the timeline kept reverting to its original vertical state. So, he switched things up. Instead of insisting on keeping the timeline flat, Mike encouraged the client to keep it vertical, working with the resistance rather than against it.
As it turned out, the client was a polarity responder—someone who unconsciously does the opposite of what they’re told. By adapting the approach, the timeline became flat, and the problem was resolved, even though the technique used wasn’t the standard way of handling timelines.
This shows that knowing when to break the rules is as valuable as knowing the rules themselves. If you get too attached to the “right” way, you miss opportunities to use the wrong way to achieve something even better.
The Zen Master Lesson: Why Technique Isn’t Everything
There’s an old Zen story that perfectly illustrates the idea that flexibility is more important than strict technique. A Zen master and his student approach a river. The master mutters a strange phrase in a foreign language, and then casually walks across the water. Of course, the student is eager to learn this trick, so the master teaches him the phrase.
Later, the student is crossing the river, but halfway across he forgets the phrase. He panics—until he realizes he’s still walking on water, even though he’s forgotten the “right” words. It turns out that the specific phrase wasn’t important at all. The process mattered more than the exact technique.
The same applies in hypnosis. Sometimes we get hung up on following the exact process, using the perfect wording or technique. But often, the real change happens because of rapport, trust, and the hypnotist’s ability to adapt to the client’s needs, rather than simply applying a textbook solution.
Ready to Learn More?
If this concept of flexibility and adaptability in hypnosis excites you, you’re in the right place. At the Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy, we’ve got tons of training to help you master techniques and learn how to use them creatively. You can even take a free test drive of our courses—no credit card needed. Click here to join MMHA.
We’ve also got some amazing Hypnotic Language Cards that can take your hypnosis game to the next level. The key is to keep learning, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to use something new—even if it feels wrong. Often, that’s where the magic happens. Click here to order your Hypnotic Language Cards deck.
Keep experimenting and making the world a better place, one hypnotized person at a time!
