ABSTRACT
The formal, structured hypnotic inductions presented in the previous chapter are based on the general assumption that the experience of hypnosis is distinct from other forms of subjective experience and can be induced through some special, if not arbitrary, process. While most in the field readily acknowledge that hypnosis can occur spontaneously and a ritual of induction is unnecessary for hypnosis to occur (Kihlstrom, 2008; Wagstaff, David, Kirsch, & Lynn, 2010), many practitioners continue to employ ritualistic induction procedures that provide a coherent structure for distinguishing hypnotic from nonhypnotic interaction. It is both an advantage to use such rituals because of their clearer template and a disadvantage for their imposing an impersonal technique to which clients must try to adapt. As Zeig (2011) pointed out, hypnosis cannot be imposed. Rather, it must be elicited from within the client. Clearly, there are many ways to do so effectively.
