Understanding Hypnotic Resistance:

Hypnotic Resistance:
Hypnotic resistance refers to when a person resists entering hypnosis or resists suggestions given during hypnosis. It doesn’t always mean that the person cannot be hypnotized - it often means there are psychological, emotional, or situational barriers at play.

Common Forms of Hypnotic Resistance

Conscious Resistance - The person deliberately resists, often because of:
Fear of losing control
Distrust of the hypnotist
Misconceptions about hypnosis (e.g., “I’ll be made to do silly things”)

Unconscious Resistance - More subtle, often protective:
Anxiety about what might be revealed
Inner conflicts (part of them wants change, another part fears it)
A need to test or retain autonomy

Situational Resistance - External or contextual influences:
Distracting environment
Lack of rapport with the hypnotist
Internal preoccupation (stress, intrusive thoughts)

How Resistance Manifests

Difficulty relaxing or focusing
Laughing, joking, or intellectualizing
Claiming “it’s not working” while subtly following suggestions
Arguing or questioning the hypnotist mid-process
Rapid eye opening or refusal to close eyes

Working with Hypnotic Resistance

Rapport building: Establish trust and safety before induction
Educating: Clarify what hypnosis is (and isn’t) to reduce misconceptions
Utilizing resistance: Ericksonian hypnosis often “joins” the resistance, turning it into part of the process (“That part of you resisting might be the part that most needs to be heard…”)

Indirect suggestion: Using stories, metaphors, or permissive language instead of direct commands

Testing & feedback: Giving the subject choice and agency (“You can go as deep as you’re comfortable with…”)

In clinical and therapeutic settings, resistance is rarely seen as a problem to crush, but rather as useful information - a signal of inner conflict, fear, or the need for more trust.
Shervan K Shahhian