Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis, Third Edition

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary range and depth of consideration of the topic
Review: I am a psychologist in private practice and am quite experienced with hypnosis. In fact, I do trainings in the subject locally. I have been using Dr. Yapko's excellent text, Trancework, in my clinical courses for years, and was eagerly awaiting the new and updated edition ever since I received an announcement from the publisher that it was in press. I had high expectations, and not only did Dr. Yapko meet them, he exceeded them. This new edition is unbelievably thorough, well referenced with almost up-to-the-minute research findings, and comprehensive in its review of the field. Dr. Yapko has added new chapters on the cognitive neuroscience of hypnosis and effective treatment planning, as well as many new sections on important clinical issues. His approach is so sensible and practical! The endorsements from many key people in the field certainly lend support to my opinion. I also love the mini-interviews with key figures in the field as well as all the structured exercises and points to discuss in each chapter. They make the book both enjoyable to read and valuable to use as a guide to developing hypnotic skills. But most of all, Dr. Yapko's ability to give clarity to the concepts and issues of the field while providing step-by-step structures for integrating hypnosis into clinical practice is nothing short of brilliant. One of the chapters is his transcript of a session with a woman only 42 years old who is dying of cancer and wants hypnosis for pain management. It's quite intense. I ordered the DVD from Dr. Yapko's website, www.yapko.com, and watching it is a very moving experience. It was especially helpful to read along in the book as I watched in order to better understand some of the subtleties of Dr. Yapko's interventions. If there's a weakness in Trancework, I have no idea what it would be. I simply cannot say enough good things about this book. It is superb!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Intro text for Hypnosis study
Review: This book is a great text to use for learning about hypnosis or to teach hypnosis to students. It is thorough, covering every significant issue that a typical hypnosis practitioner would deal with, and it presents a careful, balanced examination of many issues that are often misrepresented by either proponents or critics of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. The current edition (3rd) seems very well organized and conceptualized, and is pretty well updated about neuroscience correlates of hypnotic states. Yapko clearly wishes to make hypnosis a well-respected healing practice, and attempts to present hypnosis in a well-developed context that allows readers to see the many potential benefits of using hypnotic techniques as well as the possible hazards of misrepresenting or misapplying hypnosis. This is a well-researched, comprehensive, and well-rounded presentation of hypnosis which should serve many hypnosis practitioners well. It is hard to find a book on hypnosis of this quality, with most books on the topic focusing more on techniques and exalting the power of hypnosis than on addressing the many professional issues and contexts that practitioners will have to work with. The only significant fault in this book I can point out is the title, as Yapko proceeds to explain why he is not happy with the word "trance" as a descriptor for states of consciousness appearing during hypnosis. Perhaps he will decide on a new title the next time this text is updated. Meanwhile, Trancework is a book that sets a high standard for Hypnosis texts.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Intro text for Hypnosis study
Review: This book is a great text to use for learning about hypnosis or to teach hypnosis to students. It is thorough, covering every significant issue that a typical hypnosis practitioner would deal with, and it presents a careful, balanced examination of many issues that are often misrepresented by either proponents or critics of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. The current edition (3rd) seems very well organized and conceptualized, and is pretty well updated about neuroscience correlates of hypnotic states. Yapko clearly wishes to make hypnosis a well-respected healing practice, and attempts to present hypnosis in a well-developed context that allows readers to see the many potential benefits of using hypnotic techniques as well as the possible hazards of misrepresenting or misapplying hypnosis. This is a well-researched, comprehensive, and well-rounded presentation of hypnosis which should serve many hypnosis practitioners well. It is hard to find a book on hypnosis of this quality, with most books on the topic focusing more on techniques and exalting the power of hypnosis than on addressing the many professional issues and contexts that practitioners will have to work with. The only significant fault in this book I can point out is the title, as Yapko proceeds to explain why he is not happy with the word "trance" as a descriptor for states of consciousness appearing during hypnosis. Perhaps he will decide on a new title the next time this text is updated. Meanwhile, Trancework is a book that sets a high standard for Hypnosis texts.