The ‘Authoritarian’ approachThe ‘authoritarian’ approach emphasizes ‘the power’ of the hypnotist. It is the style adopted by ‘the stage hypnotist’ and is the stock-in-trade of media stereotypes about hypnosis. This was the style initially offered by ‘the mesmersists’ and when taken up by medical professionals in the nineteenth century led to a view of hypnosis in which: ‘the operator by sheer magnetism overcame the resistance of the subject and rendered them operable to suggestion.’ This gave rise, in turn, to the fictionalised view of the hypnotist as ‘a Svengali’ type. In the extreme version of this myth, the hypnotist is ‘a charismatic, if not shady, character who exerts a malign power, over a weak-willed subject.’ The result of this persistent stereotyping is that many members of the general public assume that a hypnotherapist is able ‘to exert irresistible control over the subject’ which gives rise, in turn, to misconceptions and fears which have to be initially overcome before effective therapy can begin. On-stage the ‘authoritarian’ style works well, as the conditions in which the stage hypnotist works are ripe for that approach. Although people exhibit bizarre behaviour on stage, this is largely because ‘they are highly suggestible individuals who have been carefully selected.’ Secondly, the media stereotype of ‘passive subject’ versus ‘controlling operator’ tends to create a self-fulfilling prophecy, in that subjects assume a role, which makes the authoritarian style work. This last factor is further enhanced, by the influence of the group: several hundred individuals all demanding entertainment tends to increase conformity. Finally, the use of hypnosis for entertainment creates an ambience in which bizarre events are expected, and indeed, demanded by hypnotist. ‘In a lay clinical setting, the old authoritarian approach has little value, since it requires the subject to assume a helpless role which undercuts the objectives of sound psychotherapy. These include ‘autonomy’ and ‘self-efficacy’.’ Such worthy goals, aimed at providing the client with long-term self-sufficiency, are hardly likely to be achieved with ‘the command approach’. Nevertheless, there are still a number of hypnotherapists, who choose to capitalise upon this notion of an ‘authoritative, commanding person’ endowed with ‘special or extra-ordinary powers.’ The tone of their advertising makes use of ‘miraculous and astonishing words, and semi-mystical images,’ and they frequently ‘make claim to sensational cures or incredible rates of success.’ Such hypnotherapists will declare, without a trace of modesty, that they are ‘exceptionally skilled; one of an elite group with enhanced powers.’ They make claim to be ‘one of the very best hypnotists around’ - placing emphasis upon ‘the flair and finesse’ of the hypnotist – and not on the resources of the client – just as the original ‘authoritarian’ practitioners did in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Whilst it is true to say that hypnotherapists - (like all professionals) - do vary in their capabilities, (mainly in their skills as effective verbal and non-verbal communicators) – the illusion being proffered, by the advocates of the authoritarian approach, is that ‘they - and they alone - can exert a special, more compelling type of power, than any other hypnotherapist.’ On one web site, the authoritarian, semi-mystical approach was boldly promoted by a photograph of the hypnotherapist, ‘with a digitally-enhanced gleam in his eye.’ Many of these web sites will also offer ‘money back guarantees’ to make it sound as though ‘there can be no failure under this hypnotist’s supreme know-how.’ Such promises may make effective marketing – and inevitably, some people are drawn, in desperation, towards such ‘quick-fix’ solutions - but they are a long way from a sound therapeutic approach to the care of the client as a whole person.
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