Hypnosis Words Terms & Definitions
Complete Glossary of words related to Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, & Trance.
Common terms & examples in a fun, easy to understand style. Enjoy! 😀
– A –
Abreaction:
An emotional outburst. Have your box Kleenex ready or your client may use your shirt!
Abreactions happen and you need to be prepared.
(A non-issue for a properly trained professional hypnotherapist)
Amnesia:
A temporary loss of memory which may occur spontaneously, or when suggested
by the hypnotist. Example: The hypnotist says …”You WILL forget your name!”
Yes, Hypnotic amnesia really happens. You know that feeling when you wake up in the morning, and you are unable to remember your dreams. Amnesia! What?
At this very moment, you may not even recall why you are so fascinated by Jeff, MindsetBliss, The GrowZone or this website? Amnesia! 😀
Auto-Suggestion:
Self suggestions/ repeated instructions /affirmations, give to your subconscious mind until it becomes part of your belief system. Everything is an affirmation. Choose your thoughts wisely!
–B–
Beliefs:
Whether or not you believe in hypnosis, you’re right! You’re beliefs are everything! Do you believe that you’re… too young, too old, smart, or not smart enough? Beliefs drive our actions, and actions create results. Are your thoughts and beliefs empowering or depowering? The choice is yours. With street-hypnosis, stage-hypnosis, or therapy… the beliefs held by both the hypnotist and the client/volunteer hold more power than any other element. Any time you hear yourself (or someone else) say: “I am…… ”
that’s a solid belief to the point of personal identity!
Bliss
A state of pure joy, happiness. Your Mindset Bliss
– C –
Calibration:
Well trained... Therapists, Hypnotists, and Coaches actively monitor (calibrate) everything. Your expressions, posture, attention level, breathing, eye movements, etc, and notice changes as they occur. You already naturally do this when you’re truly present and focused on the other person.
Catalepsy:
Catatonia, Catatonic, like a zombie!
When opposing muscles contract at the same time.
Example: Arm Catalepsy would occur when your Tricep muscle (back of your arm) attempts to extend the arm, while at the same time your Bicep muscle (front of the arm) attempts to flex the arm. Result? An inability to move the arm in either direction.
Commands:
Example:
“You will think to yourself...
"Why do I love this website so much? It's so strange, the more I visit, the happier I feel!”
Suggestive:
“you MAY... notice that happy feeling growing” vs
Commanding:
“on the count of 3, you WILL... burst out laughing”
The word “Command” is sometimes used interchangeably with the word “suggestion” but spoken with more confidence demonstrating authority.
Congruent:
When your words, body language, and actions align. All telling the same story.
Keep everything congruent and authentic to create trust.
In-congruent
The opposite of congruent.
In-congruent examples:
Dentist with crooked, green teeth.
A broke financial planner.
A fat hypnotherapist, or an unfit personal fitness trainer.
A famous phrase about congruence (or lack of it):
“Your actions speak so loud, I can’t hear what you’re saying”
Conscious Mind:
The part of us that’s aware, logical, and hopefully rational!
Content-Free Therapy:
A good hypnotist can help you resolve your issues (Therapy) without even knowing your issue. (Content Free). Ideal for situations when you don’t wish to share the details.
Critical Faculty:
The Critical Part of us that acts as “a bouncer at the door“, also called “the gate keeper” which accepts or rejects ideas and suggestions at the conscious level.
If you believe you’re “too young” or “too old” then your critical faculty has obviously accepted that idea, and rejected the other, allowing it to become a belief in your subconscious. It seems that the Critical Faculty is the critical factor for reaching the Subconscious mind.
– D –
Deepeners:
A way to help someone go “deeper and deeper into a hypnotic or meditative state”. Better defined as a way to intensify, further increase attention and focus. The goal is extreme “Deep” focus”, a “deep state of concentration”.
– E –
Elman:
Dave Elman. Author of “Hypnotherapy”. Well known for his “Direct” style of Hypnosis and for teaching hypnosis to doctors in the US to use with their patients.
Erickson:
MIlton Erickson. Well known for his indirect /conversational style of hypnosis. You could spend years studying the writings of Erickson. In short, Anyone interested in hypnosis would be wise to learn more about all styles. Erickson, as well as Elman, Estabooks, Esdale, and Mesmer.
– F –
Fascination:
A state of pure focus. A hypnotist works to fascinate their clients / volunteers. Becoming fascinated by something or someone is the easiest, most natural way to improve your own level of concentration. What fascinates you?
FasterEFT:
An effective modality for rapid change. FasterEFT interrupts old (dis-empowering) mental patterns, neutralizes the triggers of unwanted painful emotions, thus allowing for positive new patters to be created. FasterEFT is a chakra-tapping pattern interrupting technique similar to EFT, BSFF, TBT, etc. I personally love and use a version know as “FasterEFT”. This in combination with other amazing modalities such as Mindscaping, NLP, TAT, and Hypnosis with my clients. The results have been amazing. I truly feel that it’s the coach, guide, therapist’s attention, intention, confidence, connection, and rapport with the client that holds far more power than any “technique”.
Free Consult:
It’s important, You deserve it, so insist on it! It’s a quick and easy way to determine if you and your prospective Hypnotist (or coach) are comfortable with each other.
Consult / Connect with Jeff
– G –
Generative Change:
Often positive changes made during your hypnosis session will generate out (ripple effect) positively effecting other areas of your life as well. How great is that!?!
Gift / Hypno-Gift:
Empowering , Positive suggestions given to clients or volunteers. Regardless if doing hypnosis for Therapy, on Stage, or on the street, it’s important to leave people better than you found them. After the fun silly suggestions are removed, it’s great to leave people with suggestions for better sleep, more confidence, reduced stress, better memory, and feeling happier than normal.
– H –
Hypnagogic & Hypnopompic
Hypnagogic is that natural hypnotic state that happens when you’re transition from Awake to Sleep, whereas hypnopompic is when transitioning from Sleep to awake.
A easy way to remember which is which:
Hypnagogic (“go” for GO to sleep!)
Hypnopompic (pop: “Pop out of bed in the morning”)
Easy right? Listen to Jeff, and you’ll never go wrong. : ) and will always remember the difference. Tonight you will go to sleep and sleep well, and tomorrow, you will wake up, feeling great, and POP out of bed!
Hypnosis:
Hypnosis is a state of pure focus. It’s a perfect learning state. Hypnosis is 100% Natural and Organic. : ) Hypnosis is “La-La Land!” (See La La Land below)
Hypnotized:
You! If you’re still reading this page, you are probably already in a trance! : )
Hypnotic Coma:
When a hypnotists says…. “Open your eyes on the count of 3” and it doesn’t work! Why? Because the feeling of hypnosis is so pleasurable (like a warm bed) that people sometimes want to stay in a little longer. It’s not actually a coma. A better term for it might be “hypnotic-snooze-button.” “Please..just 1 more minute!” : ))
The Hypnotic Coma is also known as the Esdale State.
Hypnotherapist:
A person trained to use hypnosis to help others with issues such as Anxiety, Stress, fears, phobias, sleep, traumatic memories, weight loss, smoking, etc.
– I –
Imagination:
A gift from heaven that we all have, and a key components of hypnosis.
Induction:
A method or procedure to induce hypnosis.
Ideomotor
Ideo (for idea), and Motor (for muscle response) Also called IMR, is when your muscles respond, outside of your conscious control from thought. IMR is what makes a pendulum move. You hold your hand steady, and simply think about the pendulum moving, and it does! You would swear that you did nothing which is true at the conscious level, but at the subconscious level, your thoughts are creating a muscle response.
– J –
Jeff Bliss:
Hypnotist, and Founder of
MindsetBliss Hypnosis & Coaching. (this website)
The GrowZone Community.
SystemsBliss. The Agency and App powering this website.
Writer/ creator and soon-to-be author (Late Nov 2025)
Inquires
Contact Jeff
– K –
Kinesthetic:
Feelings. Can be emotional feelings, or physical feelings. Example: Happy, sad, anxious, stuck, down, hurt, pain, touch, racing heart, etc
– L –
Let it go.
“Letting it go” is far easier than fighting with your issue or challenge.
Remember… “What you resist, persists.” When you fight something, you are sending your energy to the exact thing that you say you “don’t want.” Where attention goes… energy flows. No need to struggle, just “release and let go”.
La-La Land:
A natural state of hypnosis. Right when you are beginning to wake up in the morning, when you are no longer deep asleep, but also not fully awake. When you are exiting dreamland. Not 100% in, nor 100% out, That’s “La-La Land!” That time when your pillow seems to be made out of pixie dust or a cloud from heaven. It feels sooooo good! If you’ve every been there, and I know you have, congratulations!!! You’ve experienced a natural state of hypnosis! Yeah!!!! : ))
– M –
Meta Model:
Language used to clarify language.
Example: Them: “you always ___ ____ ____!!” You: “Always?”
Metaphor Model:
Questions utilizing “clean” language to elicit the metaphors of others.
The goal being to allow the other person to explain their thoughts using their words, and their metaphors.
Milton Model:
Artfully vague language used by Milton Erickson that when when you listen closely enough to the sounds in the room spoken in a way outside and further from when you first began reading only to realize that you may now begin to notice or not where these words are leading you… Where did you go just now?
Mind-scaping:
A method / modality used for rapid change that works with symbols and metaphor. The process is super effective by itself and even more effective when combined with other modalities such as FasterEFT, Hypnosis, and Mindset Coaching.
Mind-Skyping / Mind-Zooming
Hypnosis online via Skype or Zoom
Muscle Testing:
Allows both the hypnotist and the client/volunteer to gauge true subconscious beliefs about their issues / challenges / reality.
– N –
NLP:
Neuro Linguistic Programing. An array of powerful tools for creating rapid change that utilize both the physical and verbal such as: Swish-Pattern, Fast-Phobia-Cure, Reframing, Meta-Model, Anchoring.
See also: Video NLP Headache Relief >3 mins
–O–
Oooooo Ahhhhh:
Sounds that let you know your hypnosis methods are working well; maybe too well. 😀
–P–
Post Hypnotic Suggestions (PHS):
Setting up a response to be triggered later. Can be anywhere from a few seconds later, to hours, days, weeks, or even months later! Stage hypnotists commonly set-up Post Hypnotic Suggestions to trigger immediately after the formal show has ended. Example: “Whenever you hear the word Bliss, Hypnotist, or Hypnosis you will immediately notice… an Irresistible Urge to Sign-up for Jeff’s Free newsletter and hypnotic Gifts at the bottom of this page. : )
PR-TR™️
Pain Resolving - Trigger Remapping Therapy. Possibly the only trauma therapy which guarantees resolving a trauma memory fast (mentally and physically).
If a specific memory has been triggering, PR-TR will resolve the trigger so that you can finally be at peace with your past.
–Q–
Quick!
For most people there is no need for years of therapy. and you are NOT broken. Most of your issues and challenges (we all have some) are a result of our life experiences and our imagination. The combination of the 2 creates our perceived reality, and that reality can be changed! . ..even quicker and easier than you may realize until you begin to smile now for no reason at all.
–R–
Real Magic:
I believe in Magic. REAL Magic! Not the magic of magicians, the other magic that surrounds us all. It’s the magic of you, the magic of me, and the magic of we.
See also: Video “Real magic with Jade"
–S–
Self-Hypnosis:
The words, thoughts, ideas, we’re suggesting to ourselves. Your words, whether spoken aloud, or to yourself have immense power. Your thoughts when repeated become beliefs, driving your actions, and thus your results. Your thoughts, and the actions (or inactions) they drive, create your reality! Monitor your thought, edit as needed before allowing them to program you.
Skype-Nosis:
Hypnosis via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom.
Smilies:
Smilies: Also know as Perma-grin. “Grinning and Smiling for no reason at all .”The “Smilies” is one of several side-effect my clients and volunteers have reported following hypnosis. Click here to read the full list Hypnosis Risks and Side-Effects.
Street Hypnosis:
Hypnotizing people in random settings… parks, malls, bars, restaurants, here, there, and anywhere. No whale music, no recliner chair, and no concern for loud music or noise.
Street Hypnotists:
Hypnotists who demonstrate extreme confidence (big cahones) obvious by their actions, congruence, and “dare to fail” attitudes.
Subconscious Mind:
The part of us that hold the power, our beliefs, unconscious programs, memories, controls body regulations, dreams, emotions, automatic responses, +++++. Hypnotists are much more interested in your Subconscious mind than your conscious mind.
Suggestibility:
The level of openness to accept suggestions. A pessimistic person may call it gullibility, whereas an intelligent person would call it respectability or willingness.
Suggestions:
Ideas communicated by the hypnotist, the media, marketers, our environment or by our own thoughts. Suggestions can be verbal, or nonverbal, words, actions, or images. We’re receiving suggestions constantly. Some we reject, and some we accept, (whether we know it or not).
–T–
Trance:
Many use the word Trance in place of Hypnosis.
Whatever you choose to call it, it’s a state of pure focus when
your mind is wrapped around a single idea, and the rest of the world seems like its just outside of your own bubble.
Examples of trance: When you’re fixated on the TV or a Movie,
in deep concentration, or when in a flow state.
Tips:
Remember to tip… your bartender, your waiter, your valet, and your hypnotist. ; ) Because… “tipping is good karma”
–U–
Unconscious:
The word is Unconscious is often used interchangeably with the word Subconscious. Maybe better referred to as “your other than conscious mind” Everything that you’re are not consciously aware of, can be said to be Unconscious. I personally use the word “Subconscious” more often due to the simple fact that the general public uses it more often.
Unconscious:
The word is Unconscious is often used interchangeably with the word Subconscious. Maybe better referred to as “your other than conscious mind” Everything that you’re are not consciously aware of, can be said to be Unconscious. I personally use the word “Subconscious” more often due to the simple fact that the general public uses it more often.
–V–
VAK
Visual Auditory Kinesthetic:
The 3 main sensory channels people use to process information.
Visualization:
The process of creating, constructing, or recalling mental images or scenes. A power tool for mental rehearsal.
–W–
Whale Music:
Ultra mellow music sometimes used hypnotherapists in combination with a “progressive relaxation” to lead a client into a relaxed state of mind.
–Y–
Yodha Thinking:
“Yoddha from sanskrit meaning warrior. I like to referred to it as a blend between a Warrior mindset blended with an immense inner wisdom. Keep your eyes open for a book, expected to be available Late Nov / Early Dec 2025, by Jeff Bliss.
A Mindset book featuring transformational motivational poetry that will have you seeing your world in a new way.
–Z–
Zombies
Mindless. A person living deep inside the matrix. A follower, following a follower. Easy to spot when they say things like "smash that like button" only because that's what the other zombies say. Zombies don't think on their own. They simply follow other illogical people.