Customer Reviews

Handbook of Hypnotic Inductions

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This book is first class. All practising hypnotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists, whether training or fully qualified, should own a copy of this book. Seriously, George Gafner and Sonja Benson provide a catalogue of detailed inductions that can be applied to virtually any patient. Not only are the scripts a great time saver in creating and using inductions, they are material that spark off and inspire the imagination for creating further inductions (you are only limited by your imagination). There are numerous inductions - and the inductions for children are particularly interesting. Apart from the book focusing on inductions, the authors draw on their own professional experiences when treating their patients, which is also another plus for this book. In the text, George Gafner and Sonja Benson also provide general information about psychology that will be of immeasurable assistance to the therpaist who is in training and will act as a refresher for the professional practitioner - as well as an inspiration. There are many books written about the subject of hypnotherapy, many disappointing, but as a professional practitioner I can say that this book does live up to its title. Every therapist should own a copy and have it ready to hand. So what are you waiting for? Go get it!

The encyclopedic nature of this text shows a careful and complete overview of the field in addition to the practical applications gleaned from years of actual use of these methods. This book a must-have for the practitioner looking to enhance their therapeutic techniques.

Unlike another reviewer, who obviously has never used hypnosis in his practice, hypnosis in therapy, whether as a primary or adjunctive modality, has been proven to be a HIGHLY interpersonal therapy and, when used correctly, a highly effective modality as well in my practice and in those of others as well. That reviewer would do well to do a better review of the literature before pronouncing hypnosis as "snake-oil." Highly recommended.

When we take into consideration what this book is supposed to be, that is, a guide to deeper and more productive inductions, the Handbook fills this niche very well.

Those who purchase this book expecting to pour over case after case of imperical data proving the efficacy of hypnotherapy are obviously incapable of reading editorial reviews. This book is not intended to be a scientific journal of double blind tests and control experiments. Indeed, neither the authors nor any reviewer claim such. As has been made clear, this Handbook is merely meant to augment the therapist's own style and present alternatives to techniques for patients that prove to be resistant or not as highly suggestible as others.

For imperical data, consult the New England Journal. For those who have actually studied hypnosis and wish to help their clients break through barriers they thought unachievable, the Handbook is a valuable asset.

This book is a well-done compilation of induction techniques that can serve as models for practicing hypnotherapists. It is thoughtfully organized and a useful reference and learning tool. I was surprised by the review by "David Burns, Ph.D." who feels that hypnosis is unethical in psychotherapy. I put the name in quotes because I'm not sure whether that is his or her real name. Anyone with a Ph.D. in psychology would know that hypnosis is a well-validated and widely accepted medical technique. One would have to wonder where "David Burns" got his Ph.D. to be so unaware of the research evidence on hypnosis. Hartland's textbook Medical and Dental Hypnosis is well documented and gives references to countless studies showing its effectiveness in medical practice. As a psychiatrist who has used hypnosis as a tool in my practice for 30 years, I have found it to be an invaluable adjunct to both cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic approaches. If anything is unethical, it is depriving patients of a valuable tool because the therapist has a personal bias, ungrounded in scientific evidence, against hypnosis.

There is a great variety of types of inductions, many involving countdowns and relaxation techniques. I loved the section on "Embedding Meanings Inductions" as well reading stories about Ericksonian and other hypnosis pioneers. Everything you need to know about hypnosis is in this book. It's fantastic for hypnotists and psychologists of all levels and is a reference book worth keeping. The readability is VERY good and all topics are explained thoroughly and simply to avoid confusion. I love this very much!

As a hypnotherapist, I was intrigued by this small book focusing solely on hypnotic inductions. In Techniques of Hypnotic Induction, psychotherapist George Gafner, brings over 30 years of experience to bear, teaching hypnotherapists how to communicate with the unconscious mind skillfully, through story-telling inductions.

Gafner begins with an overview of the applications and efficacy of clinical hypnosis, backed by research studies. Next, the author offers a metaphoric trance induction with helpful notes in the margin showing how he indirectly suggests various trance phenomena: time distortion, dissociation, hallucination, and catalepsy. Then he launches into a series of hypnotic story-telling scripts, which are whimsical, haunting, and amusing, --all designed to induce trance with indirect references to time distortion, opening the mind to discovery, considering options for problem-solving, acceptance, releasing, and dissociation. These scripts teach readers how to insert suggestions into fascinating stories that help clients experience the effects of hypnosis. The scripts obviously speak to the unconscious mind and the influence of Milton H. Erickson is evident. While the scripts are beautifully written, readers are reminded to adapt them to their own circumstances and the preferences and sensitivities of their clients.

Gafner includes a very nice chapter on the hypnotic voice--a subject I've not seen in other books on hypnotherapy. He follows with a chapter on guided imagery inductions, based on scenes from nature - mountain vistas, streams, and forests. He also presents confusional inductions for clients who are not easily hypnotized or who may be somewhat resistant to direct suggestions.

The main text ends with a few practical recommendations for educating clients about hypnotherapy, introducing colleagues to hypnotherapy in clinical settings, and additional practice guidelines. The two appendices cover a range of techniques (with references to other books where each may be found) and a glossary.

Techniques of Hypnotic Induction makes enjoyable reading for hypnotherapists who want to bring creativity and imagination to their inductions. The clever scripts are interspersed with instruction written with just enough hypnotic language to appeal to the conscious mind as well as the unconscious mind. The entire book makes for a truly entrancing learning experience.

I have a fairly vast collection of hypnotic inductions to stimulate my thinking as a practicing hypnotist in Rhode Island. My theory is that if a book gives me one or two ideas it was worth the purchase price. And it certainly did fullfill its promise of providing a number of different scripts, though a number of them seemed like variations on a theme.

I cannot believe that people mistake these sort of trendy gimmicks like hypnosis for serious therapy. Forty years of outcome research shows that the therapeutic relationship, client characteristics and extratherapeutic events are what produce change in clients. Placebo effect has been found to be an important factor in promoting successful change as well, and in this light, hypnosis, EMDR and other snake oil cures might have some benefit. They do not belong in an ethical or serious providers office otherwise. The book provides no outcome studies or research that shows the efficacy of the voodoo being prescribed. I believe that hypno-"therapy" is often used by clincians who are unable or unwilling to make the close human connections required for truly effective therapy. For those who do not have human skills, finger waving or clock watching is the ticket. The book is also not well written: perhaps the lack of interest it generates in the reader is intentional. I, for one, felt like I had fallen into a deep sleep while reading about the seemingly endless, mechanical techniques. In conclusion, unless you have a wobbly table or need a cure for insomnia, save your money and buy a well-written book that offers some hope of change written by a therapist with concerns for his human clients, like Scott Miller or Albert Ellis.