Conversational Ericksonian Hypnotherapy vs. Traditional Hypnosis Scripts: What’s the Difference?

Hypnosis isn’t all the same. Some sessions follow a set script. Others are completely unscripted and sound more like a regular conversation.

These two styles work differently and have different effects. Let’s break down what makes conversational hypnotherapy so different from scripted hypnosis—and why that matters.

What is Scripted Hypnosis?

Traditional hypnosis uses pre-written scripts, often read out loud to the client. You’ll hear lines like:

“You’re walking down a peaceful path.”
“With every breath, you feel more relaxed.”
“Your eyelids are getting heavier.”
“Imagine yourself on a beach or forest.”

These sessions tend to be general. They’re made to fit many people. Scripts are the therapist’s best guess with their conscious mind, at what the problem is.

Hypnosis may help with relaxation or surface-level change, but they don’t go deep into your unique personality, experiences and background. Even if the script match your experience, it can feel disconnected or ineffective.

An individual who goes for hypnosis where they use a script to stop biting their nails. They may stop for a while but may turn to eating or vaping because the real reason they were biting their nails in the first place has not been resolved.

What is Conversational Hypnotherapy?

Conversational hypnotherapy doesn’t use a script. It’s also called Ericksonian hypnosis after Milton Erickson, a psychiatrist who believed everyone already has the inner resources to heal—and that hypnotherapy can help you access those.

It’s based on what you say in the moment. It’s a real conversation where the therapist is actually listening to what you’re saying. I can tell the difference when your conscious or subconscious is speaking. I can read the signs in your body of when it’s in the subconscious mode.

This style of hypnosis feels more like a real conversation. You don’t have to be relaxed. You don’t have to close your eyes. You don’t have to go under. You just talk.

You’re gently guided to connect with your subconscious and follow its lead along the pathways to true healing. The healing work happens in the subconscious as it arises—all woven into a natural conversation that follows the unique responses you give.

Why This Matters

Scripted hypnosis may be helpful for general stress, sleep, or confidence. But it doesn’t adapt and respond in real time to your specific story, trauma, or maladaptive patterns that need deeper resolution. Accelerated Hypnotherapy does.

Our sessions are unique to you. Once you experience a session and see how amazing your subconscious is in connecting you with your healing experience, you will understand that no one else will have that same experience. Ever.

It’s also ideal for people who don’t want to feel out of control or be put under. You stay alert and aware the whole time. You feel more connected, not less.

Accelerated Hypnotherapy works best for trauma, because it doesn’t push. You can find healing without even talking about the painful, personal details of your experience.

We can help with complex trauma and real tough problems where you feel stuck AF, even if you’ve tried everything but nothing has really worked.