Authoritarian Vs Permissive Approach

Authoritarian –v- Permissive techniques.

The use of language and syntax differs between the two techniques. The authoritarian approach involves the hypnotherapist giving direct suggestion or commands, such as, “You are now feeling relaxed.” “Breathe deep and relax.” Using an authoritarian technique, the hypnotic induction and suggestions are worded firmly and surely (although not in a harsh tone) and worded in such a way as to declare that physical events are actually occurring in the present or future tense. For instance, “Now, breathe deep and relax all your muscles… Let yourself sink deeper and deeper. You are on top of a hill looking at the clouds. As you watch the clouds change shape, go deeper into relaxation… You are feeling more relaxed
This approach is softer with greater emphasis on the client’s imagination (utilising the suggestible subconscious brain). This approach suits free-thinking individuals who need choices rather than commands. This is in direct contrast to the authoritarian approach where the client is told to close their eyes and what to think. Generally the authoritarian, direct, approach suits clients who have great respect for, and who respond well to, authoritarian figures and people who are analytical and scientifically orientated, conventional or black and white thinkers. There is also another client category who may benefit from a variant of the authoritarian approach – for instance, clients with repressed emotions originating in childhood as a response to authority, or a childhood fear/phobia can be eliminated by regressing to the episode and taking control by means of an authoritarian style. A variance of this style may also be effective with clients who lack self-confidence – a hypnotherapist can command the client, whose low self-concept would otherwise not respond so effectively to a softer, indirect
Some clients will respond better to one type of suggestion than another; however, I believe it is not quite as straightforward as simply one technique over another. There is more than one variable to consider when dealing with a client: personality style is one variable, so too, case history, the issue(s) the client wants to address and the outcome to be achieved, or the type of work the hypnotherapist is planning during the session, are all considerations. In this regard I feel a sliding scale exists along the continuum of authoritarian at one end and permissive at the other, a scale that shifts between the two techniques as the hypnotherapist observes the client, pays close attention to what the client is saying, and how it is being said. There may be times when the therapist switches between authoritarian and