Ericksonian hypnotherapy is characterized primarily by indirect suggestion, “metaphor” (actually analogies), confusion techniques, and double binds in place of formal hypnotic inductions.
The use of this technique is very efficient and it has one purpose in therapy: healing.
A person under hypnosis experiences heightened suggestibility and focus accompanied by a sense of tranquility.It has nothing to do with sleep or manipulation, it simply helps your inner resources through your unconsious mind to guide you and to cure some fears, phobias, compulsions etc.
It is a natural state that we all experience many times a day (such as automatism when driving or when we are watching a movie) and is nothing to be afraid of. Myths of people getting stuck in hypnosis, controlled by hypnosis, or revealing secret information under hypnosis are simply imagination and misinformation.