I agree that while there is a great deal of crossover between the terms "hypnosis" and "guided imagery," they are not always synonymous. The processes of hypnosis includes a wide range of techniques that do not necessarily employ visualization, such as suggestion. Additionally, while researchers have documented physiological correlates that indicate when one is in a “state” of hypnosis, enacting these states is not specifically necessary for the process of guided imagery.

There are many terms that overlap each other a great deal – guided imagery, visualization, active imagination, hypnosis, directed daydreams, to name just a few – yet depending on who is defining them you’ll find a great deal of variation. I personally have found it quite tricky to know when to use which term, even in casual conversation. When it comes to something like a research report, it’s crucial to define terms specifically, but for the focus of this website in general I think “guided imagery” is a nice umbrella term.

I have studied hypnosis (mostly Ericksonian) and mostly now use what we would loosely refer to as guided imagery in my work. My understanding of this is that guided imagery and deeper trance states are all part of continuum that can be reduced to various brain wave states, as, for example, certain parts of the brain get less aroused, dropping into slower brain wave speeds from alpha, through stages of theta, etc. I've followed Belleruth's work for a long time, recommended her to many of my clients, and feel that she is responsible in large mesaure to the success of my total hip replacement in 2001.

Nancy Cetlin, Ed.D.
Psychologist,
Fear of Public Speaking Coach
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As a user of both Dr. Rick Collingwood hypnosis CDs and Belleruth's guided imagery CDs, I have found that each are needed at specific moments in my daily life.

I too am a clinical Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist.

Quite honestly you did not need to respond to that pointed accusation.

It was unfounded and reactionary. Those of us in the field know that the points Janny made are outdated and irrelevant. That was a discussion that occurred decades ago.

I find the archives you have created on hypnosis/hypnotherapy is impressive and I refer to it frequently.

Keep up the great work Belleruth.

Tom

I would like to say that this exact confusion came up at a recent mind-body training I attended. I personally believe there are distint differences between hypnosis and guided imagery, but especially so with respect to the public's understanding of the terms, and I, for one, avoid the use of the term hypnosis with regard to guided imagery due to the connotations and pre-conceived notions about hypnosis, especially with respect to the perception that there is a loss of control. Those in the mental health fields that understand hypnosis I'm sure know better, but the public doesn't, and using the term hypnosis (which again I don't think is accurate for guided imagery anyway), would scare a lot of people off that can benefit from this wonderful modality. As always, I express gratitude for Belleruth, her work, and this forum.

I agree with the last comment from Matt that the word "hypnosis" scares a lot of people away, due to the perception of loss of personal control. Belleruth's work is properly labeled "Guided imagery" and I am so grateful for her inspired works! Imagery=visualization. I also agree very strongly with Belleruth in the fact that hypnosis is a technique and not a profession. Thank you for the wonderful work you do Belleruth.

Thanks for the elucidations and kind support, folks.
BR

First, I want to say that I have been a fan of your guided imagery for several years. But I want to correct a misconception you seem to have: in that "hypnosis is a technique and not a profession". It has recently become my profession and I am proud to join the thousands of other world-wide Hypnotherapists. In fact, the Wall Street Journal recently predicted that hypnotherapy will be one of the top career choices for the new millennium. There are indeed many misconceptions around hypnosis, and sadly this is one of those.
Best, C. S.

Clara,
A profession is generally seen as a calling that requires specialized knowledge and long and intensive academic preparation, resulting in provision of a service which exacts fees from clients, with some level of legal recognition and regulation.
So, although your point is certainly arguable, to me, the cut-off is around the acquisition of a terminal academic degree, be that an MD or MSW or MT etc etc, resulting in a terminal degree and the ability to practice a specific service for fees, with legal regulations and recognition by state and national boards.
I don't think a certificate program that teaches a specific skill and rounds out one's professional training - such as hypnotherapy training - makes the cut as a profession in and of itself.

A profession is generally seen as a calling that requires specialized knowledge and long and intensive academic preparation. It involves fee for services rendered, with some level of legal recognition and regulation.
So, although your point is arguable, to me, the cut-off on what gets to be called a 'profession' is around the acquisition of a terminal academic degree, be that an MD or MSW or MT or RN etc etc, resulting in a terminal degree and the legal ability to practice a specific service for fees, with regulations and recognition by state and national boards.
I don't think a certificate program that teaches a specific skill and rounds out one's professional training - such as hypnotherapy training - makes the cut as a "profession" in and of itself. But I do understand that looser definitions might include this.

Hi. As a "professional" non-degreed Hypnotherapist I see this is a mere semantic difference. If not a profession, then an occupation. One of the advantages of being a full time hypnotherapist is that one gets to use it full time, aquiring skills often beyond those of therapists. Academic training has its disadvantages too. Rigidity and closed mindedness, conventialism and false reverence for social norms and social authority among them. And the "beginners mind" and "no mind" zen approaches are discounted or ignored.

With regard to overlapping internal altered states, guided imagery, etc. I coined the neologism "hypnoses" as a plural. Really variables of trance states. I analyze and scrutinize them in my Hypnosis manual, "Mind-bending For Mind-mending." in some detail. I consider "classical' hypnosis as one of the spectrum of these states, and many attributes have been "paired' with classical hypnosis actually can be produced with "Waking Trance." or other states. I quote writers (M.D.s) from as far back as 1900, who indicate suggestion in the waking state can be as effective, or even more so than "sleep" as they quaintly term hypnotic trance.

In a college Psychology class I was taking, the professor gave a guided imagery experience. I experienced a "somnambulistic" anamnesiac trance. I use many methods to produce them myself, from sensory amplification, waking suggestion, the gamut of Ericksonian techniques, imagery, and so on. (My manual concerns how to do this, removing limiting definitions and false exclusions). As a hypnotherapist, only the results for the client count. Best, Brian.