Clinical Self-hypnosis

Book excerpt: Self-hypnosis, a technique that enables clients to think, self-direct, and change their experience in desired ways, has long been used by practitioners from a variety of orientations. Although other books address this powerful technique, until now there has been no one resource to describe the different ways self-hypnosis is taught and the many ways it can be utilized in psychotherapy. A state-of-the-art presentation, this book reflects the work of noted hypnotherapists as well as the author's own clinical experience. It describes how words, formulas, and images are used to verify clients' experiences and it captures a sense of the inner experience that the words and the images evoke. Divided into four sections, the book opens with a historical review of early healing practices which appear related to the eventual development of self-hypnosis. Examining methods that our ancestors used in folk and ancient medicine, this section demonstrates the constant theme of the word as symbol or representation of change for the better. The second section describes a variety of techniques used for teaching self hypnosis. Verbatim examples of how patients are taught by several leaders in the field are presented, as are some examples of patient-generated self-hypnosis experiences. The third section addresses the practical applications of self-hypnosis in a variety of orientations including eclectic, behavioral, psychoanalytic, physiological, and humanistic. Each orientation is presented objectively without criticism or evaluation to allow the reader to compare the different approaches. This section also demonstrates how self-hypnosis techniques can be tailored to the disorder, and each application described is accompanied by a clinical case example. The final section summarizes the state-of-the-art of self-hypnosis and discusses conclusions and implications for the future. The first consolidation of the broad array of theories and techniques used in the clinical practice of self-hypnosis, this book serves as an ideal resource for the seasoned clinician as well as an introduction to the beginner. Psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, physicians and students in any of these fields will find much of interest. It also is an excellent supplementary text for graduate courses in psychotherapy, hypnosis, pain management, and self growth.