Self Hypnosis for Women (Book & Audio CD) [Paperback]

C. Alexander Simpkins (Author), Annellen M Simpkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2004

This book-CD set empowers women with an effective method of self-hypnosis. Answers common questions, gives history, teaches suggestion, trance, & applications to personal development, weight, menstruation, childbirth, menopause, moods, fears, & anxieties. CD gently guides listeners into trance and helps apply the techniques for pain, stress, and moods.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Every woman (and the person who loves her) should have this book, learn from it and use it often! -- Marilia Baker, MSW, LMFT Scottsdale, Arizona

This book has taught me:... welcome change, and enjoy all stages of life. -- Maria Escalante Cortina MA, Mexico City

From the Publisher

..... I found the book "Self-Hypnosis for Women" and its accompanying CD to be extremely well-crafted and useful. As the authors say, hypnosis is a time-honored, well researched tradition - and they are deeply knowledgeable of its history and its many applications. This is a book for all seasons of a woman's life, whether she is just beginning life on her own, or as a young mother as well as in her midlife or harvest years. Every woman (and the person who loves her) should have this book, learn from it and use it often! Marilia Baker, MSW LMFT, Therapy & Training Affiliate, Phoenix Institute of Ericksonian Therapy

Self Hypnosis for Women is a well-written book that fills a very important void in the field of psychotherapy. In this book C. Alexander Simpkins PhD and Annellen M. Simpkins PhD offer very useful information about hypnosis and research as well as suggestions and trance inductions aimed at the female population. Part One is "trance inducing" itself since readers can find a picture of Mesmer hypnotizing women in the 18th Century. This first section addresses frequently asked questions regarding hypnosis, and a good example of this is "Will I come out of hypnosis?" where there is emphasis on the nature of hypnosis as an everyday process such as sleep. Here, as authors explain, "you will always awaken from hypnosis just as you inevitably awaken from sleep." "The Story of Hypnosis" in Chapter Two, includes information about the early origins of hypnosis. It is also possible to find references to the use of hypnosis as a method that was used by reputable physicians during their medical practice. This led to the open practice of hypnosis by many reputable practitioners. As a therapist, I have many times met people who reject the use of hypnosis because they believe only charlatans and stage hypnotists use it. One of the things I really liked was finding how the Simpkins brilliantly provide data that can help readers first know about the story of hypnosis in the chapters "The Story of Hypnosis" and "Modern History and Research". As one keeps reading it is also possible to learn about research methods performed by Milton H. Erickson (1901-1980) such as the ones about responsiveness. This part can help the novice clarify doubts and misbeliefs. A section about Erickson’s naturalistic approach can help readers see hypnosis as a natural everyday process. Utilization, one of the basic principles of Ericksonian psychotherapy, is also explained simply and clearly. As the authors state, we can "utilize our personal experiences through memories, sensations, and perceptions to help activate responses." Part Two, "Suggestion and Trance", helps readers understand what suggestions are and how they can be used. A good example of this is the "Traditional Ideomotor Exercise" where there is a script for experiencing an ideomotor trance. The book also includes a section for "Working with Trance" in Chapter Six where several types of trances are shown, so here one can read about how sensations change during a trance state where it is possible to experience heaviness, lightness, warmth or coolness among other things. There is also reference to other phenomena such as Visual Hallucination and Time distortion. "Overcoming Resistance" in Chapter Seven can help readers utilize their own resistant response as a pathway into trance. Once readers have been able to learn about theory and method, they can actually apply this and use techniques on their own. A good example of this is "Applications", where from Chapter Eight to Chapter Fourteen, Alexander and Annellen Simpkins brilliantly address specific topics. Exercises such as "Attuning to Your Body" can help people experience what trances are like and learn how to relax in "Unconscious Relaxation Trance." I liked learning how natural feminine processes such as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) are explained. "Changing Perspectives" is a wonderful means we, as women can use in order to go through this natural feminine phase in our lives more easily and smoothly. The authors encourage readers to experiment with a new perspective. I have sometimes found myself working with clients who have a distorted image about themselves. As we know, this is a common trait among people with anorexia who no matter how thin they are, keep feeling compelled to lose weight. In order to address this topic, the authors have included exercises aimed at helping readers explore their body image in Chapter Ten: From Image to Beauty. There are times when people attend therapy because they just want to make their lives better. In other words, they cannot be given a diagnose but nevertheless they want to change. "Finding Emotional Balance", in chapter Twelve can be a means to improve as human beings. A good example of this can be found in "Emotional Hardiness" where there is emphasis on how we can turn adversity into an advantage by facing situations as a challenge. Chapter Thirteen is a section that is of paramount importance in our lives as women: "Positive Pregnancy, Labor, and Delivery". Here readers can find clear explanations such as "Process of Labor", where aside from finding clear explanations about the stages of this process, it is possible to learn specific techniques for relaxing, becoming calm, overcoming fear of pain, and enjoying childbirth among others. Many times, our limiting beliefs make us think of delivery as a painful process. However, here in this chapter there are several ways for helping women turn this stage of our lives into a wonderful experience, by, as authors say: "Developing Feelings of Well-being". There is also a useful trance for women who will give birth through a Cesarean Section. Change is a constant in our lives. We, as women are changing all the time and menopause is a good example of this. Chapter Fourteen addresses simply and clearly common symptoms associated to this stage of life and provides simple and yet useful exercises that help cope effectively with these conditions. A good example of this can be found in "Cooling Trances" in Chapter Fourteen where readers can find ways to manage body temperature in a simple way during hot flashes. Finally, the last chapter "Embracing Change" encourages us to welcome change. In this chapter one can find exercises for achieving a good sleep and even doctors’ advice that can be followed by many person for many purposes. C. Alexander Simpkins Ph. D and Annellen M. Simpkins Ph. D. say, "Change awaits us like an open door...".This is exactly what this book has taught me: As a woman I can welcome change, and enjoy all stages in my life. Reviewed by: Maria Escalante Cortina MA Dentist and Psychotherapist Mexico City, Mexico

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Radiant Dolphin Press (December 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967911397
• ISBN-13: 978-0967911397
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,500,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterfully crafted guide to self-guidance, July 8, 2005

By 

Sharon McLaughlin (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Self Hypnosis for Women (Book & Audio CD) (Paperback)

In Self-Hypnosis for Women C. Alexander and Annellen Simpkins have created an instrument, a book and CD combination tailored to both the novice and the familiar practitioner of hypnosis. The Simpkins have masterfully crafted this guide to self-guidance weaving explanation and experience throughout the written and spoken words. Provided are tools useful in addressing a wide array of events familiar to most on the journey of being human.
While true to its title, Self-Hypnosis for Women, offering examples of utilization directly fashioned to "experiences" idiosyncratic to women: menstruation, pregnancy, labor and delivery, and menopause, the title of this work belies its more universal "applicability" to components of life common to both women and men: self image; pain management; overcoming fear and anxiety, and finding personal balance.
The book is prefaced with instructions on gaining the most benefit for individual readers. Those who may wish to skip over the more basic instructions are advised to begin their journey in later chapters. Those who are new to the practice of hypnosis, or enjoy viewing the history and techniques from others' perspectives are offered just that in the earlier chapters.
The story of hypnosis, and the modern history and research of hypnosis take the readers back to the early stages of identified systematic trancework, from Mesmer, Charcot and Freud, to the contributions of Hilgard, Hull, and Milton H. Erickson; they then procede to accompany the participant on the journey through current and future directions, including their own paths, on which they are about to embark.
The Simpkins define suggestion as "a process by which a stimulus is accepted and then transformed through unconscious processing into an action, experience, attitude or concept. (p.45)" This presentation of suggestion sets the stage for an environment conducive to the development of a personal ability to self-guide. Together, the book and CD promote the utilization of both conscious and unconscious processes as learning tools, assisting in the transformation from less popular emotions such as fear or sadness to components of life which offers guidance and assistance.
Specific hypnotic techniques, are explained, and accompanied by exercises which give the audience an immediate opportunity to begin experiencing and tailoring that procedure. The framework for these exercises is the suggestion of an "experiment" with that particular technique, creating an environment for the learner to safely attempt each new activity with no possibility of failure. The only opportunity not offered is that of incompetence. There is only a place to try, adjust, and retry each experiment until the reader fashions their own skill set based on personal significance and comfort.
More than a "bonus" the accompanying CD is a work of art on its own. Again, mixing explanation with experiential learning, this auditory tool incorporates fractalization as a teaching method, to assist the listener in entering and returning from graduated levels of trance exploration. A vast canvas is provided, upon which the hypnotic partner can create motor, auditory and visual experiences with encouragement and assistance, rather than direction or interference, a respectful approach not always found in "self-hypnosis" recordings.
Sharon McLaughlin MA, Managing Editor, Milton H. Erickson Newsletter

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful with easy to follow instructions!, April 29, 2006

By 

Diana (Davenport, Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Self Hypnosis for Women (Book & Audio CD) (Paperback)

I had used another book by these authors, Effective Self Hypnosis with Audio CD and found it to be very readable and useable. So I decided to try this book and CD combination and was not disappointed! This book has a very encouraging approach that helped me to deepen my self-hypnosis experiences and learn how to make positive changes in my life. The applications were very helpful, especially the weight loss chapter (From Image to Beauty) and the chapter, Attuning to Your Body, to improve the quality of my life every month!! The CD is very relaxing and effective. It guides you deeply into trance and has applications that you can personalize for whatever you are working on. These authors have an excellent manner and a powerful method that teaches you how to use self hypnosis and adapt it for your needs. I highly recommend this book and CD and also encourage you to try Effective Self Hypnosis with CD.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book for all seasons of a woman's life,, August 9, 2005

By 

Marilia Baker MSW, LMFT (Scottsdale, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Self Hypnosis for Women (Book & Audio CD) (Paperback)

..... I found the book "Self-Hypnosis for Women" and its accompanying CD to be extremely well-crafted and useful. As the authors say, hypnosis is a time-honored, well-researched tradition - and they are deeply knowledgeable of its history and its many applications. This is a book for all seasons of a woman's life, whether she is just beginning life on her own, or as a young mother as well as in her midlife or harvest years. Every woman (and the person who loves her) should have this book, learn from it and use it often!