ABSTRACT
There are three distinct styles of hypnotic suggestion: directive, permissive, and Ericksonian. Each represents a certain "philosophy of life," a different view of the hypnotist's involvement, the nature of the hypnotic communication, the patient's role as a recipient of this communication, and the nature of the response expected. These differences are summarized in Table 3.1. It is beyond the scope of this book to trace the evolution of these three very different styles of hypnosis. Suffice it to say that each style is clinically useful in its own right, though often for very different clinical situations.
