Classical Directive Hypnosis

Overview

Classical directive hypnosis is the oldest codified form of therapeutic hypnosis. Its roots go back to the works of Franz Anton Mesmer (animal magnetism, late 18th century), then to Abbé de Faria, James Braid (who coined the term "hypnotism" in 1843), and especially to the Nancy School with Ambroise-Auguste Liébeault and Hippolyte Bernheim in the late 19th century. Jean-Martin Charcot at the Salpêtrière in Paris also studied it, although from a different perspective, considering it a pathological neurological state.

Classical hypnosis is characterized by direct, clear, and imperative suggestions. The therapist adopts an authoritative posture and guides the subject toward a deep trance state in which suggestions are integrated with minimal resistance. Although this approach has been partly superseded by the more permissive Ericksonian hypnosis, it retains its effectiveness for certain specific applications, particularly smoking cessation and short-duration interventions.

Core Principles

• Suggestibility: the subject is evaluated on their capacity to respond to suggestions (Stanford scale, Harvard scale). Higher suggestibility means better response to classical hypnosis
• Direct suggestions: clear and imperative formulations — "Your eyelids are becoming heavy," "You will no longer feel the urge to smoke"
• Deep trance: the goal is to reach a deep trance state (hypnotic somnambulism) to maximize receptivity to suggestions
• Therapist authority: the therapist plays a directive and structuring role, embodying a benevolent authority figure
• Post-hypnotic suggestions: instructions given during trance that continue to operate after the session

Main Indications

• Smoking cessation (1-3 session protocol)
• Acute pain management (dental care, minor surgery)
• Anesthesia and surgery preparation
• Simple fears and phobias
• Habits and nervous tics (nail biting, bruxism)
• Childhood nocturnal enuresis
• Stage hypnosis (non-therapeutic)

Session Structure

1. Suggestibility testing (5-10 min): the therapist assesses the subject's receptivity through simple tests — backward fall, stuck hands, arm levitation, eyelid lock
2. Formal induction (10 min): structured and directive technique — point fixation, countdown, descending staircase, or the Dave Elman method (one of the fastest and most effective). "Close your eyes. Relax every muscle in your body. Let that relaxation multiply by ten..."
3. Deepening (5-10 min): fractionation techniques (opening and closing eyes several times to deepen trance), arm catalepsy, depth tests
4. Direct therapeutic suggestions (10-15 min): repeated imperative formulations — "From now on, cigarettes disgust you. The smell of tobacco is unbearable. You are a non-smoker."
5. Post-hypnotic suggestions (5 min): instructions for after the session — "Every time you see someone smoking, your determination will strengthen"
6. Awakening (5 min): progressive counting from 1 to 5, suggestion of energy and well-being upon awakening

Variations

Dave Elman's rapid induction is particularly popular in medical settings as it allows reaching a deep trance state in under 4 minutes. Classical hypnosis is sometimes combined with EMDR for trauma treatment. In dentistry, the "glove hand" technique (hypnotic anesthesia of the hand then transfer to the treatment area) is a direct application of classical hypnosis. Some practitioners offer intensive single sessions of 2-3 hours for smoking cessation, combining motivational interviewing and classical hypnosis.

Contraindications

• Low suggestibility (about 10-15% of the population responds poorly to direct suggestions)
• Paranoid personality disorder (the authority posture is poorly tolerated)
• Active psychosis
• Severe dissociative disorder
• Marked resistance or distrust toward hypnosis
• Seeking change that doesn't depend on will (classical hypnosis works best when motivation is present)