Handbook of Hypnotic Inductions

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Summary: hypnosis no replacement for what works in therapy
Review: 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.

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Summary: Handbook of Hypnotic Inductions
Review: 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.

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Summary: Absolutely Brilliant!
Review: 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!

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Summary: An excellent manual ... if you know what you're reading.
Review: 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.