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This companion website provides many additional resources we hope you’ll find valuable for enhancing your knowledge and skills in clinical hypnosis. This digital format allows us to update information and also help connect you to the professional hypnosis community. New materials will be added from time to time and give you good reason to return to this website often. When you peruse the site, you’ll discover its many offerings, including video and audio clips from hypnosis sessions, interviews, contact details for hypnosis related organizations, and more.
As in the e-book version of Trancework, we’ve included the references here in hyperlink format. This allows you to have easier access to more information about the hundreds of references found in the book. You will also be able to adjust the font size for comfortable viewing.
Readers who find historical perspectives interesting will enjoy the inclusion of the Forewords, Introductions and Endorsements from the five previous editions of Trancework.
Trancework has been the definitive textbook for thousands of professionals undergoing training in the art and science of clinical hypnosis since its first edition was written more than 40 years ago! Now in its 6th edition, this classic text continues its legacy of encouraging sound clinical practice based in established scientific research.
This latest 6th edition incorporates “up-to-the minute” new studies with nearly 1000 references. It’s a big book of nearly 500 pages and addresses the most important topics for encouraging the knowledgeable and effective applications of hypnosis. In addition to the many foundational chapters guiding the learning of skills in the practice of hypnosis, we’ve included new chapters on trauma, dissociation, hypnotizability testing, age regression and age progression. New sections have been added to nearly every chapter, and most other sections have been updated. For example, new sections on telehealth and digital therapeutics have been added to existing chapters and two new “Frames of Reference” sections are included in this 6th edition. These sections introduce readers to luminaries in the field, providing insight into the forces that have shaped current practice.
This thorough, engaging text equips professionals with the essential skills to change clients’ lives by using hypnosis to enhance treatment of both medical and psychological issues.
The 6th edition of Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis provides an in-depth introduction to the field of clinical hypnosis. As a training guide to developing the skills in applying hypnosis across many different clinical concerns, Trancework highlights some of the most recent clinical and experimental research while keeping the primary focus on the clinical artistry that goes into the effective uses of hypnosis. Each chapter has been updated from earlier editions with virtually up-to-the minute relevant references. Many entirely new sections have been added throughout the text which draw attention to recent innovations in practice as well as newly emerging perspectives. The textbook is divided into two sections; Section One, Thought Before Action: Developing a Deeper Understanding of Hypnosis, provides a solid conceptual and practical foundation for the effective use of hypnosis. Section Two, Hypnosis in Action: Developing Skill and Artistry in Clinical Practice, focuses on the practical skills necessary for the effective use of hypnosis in clinical contexts. The blend of art and science makes Trancework an invaluable resource to help guide training in this dynamic field.
Chapter 1 begins with a personal anecdote describing the senior author’s first deep and surprising experience with hypnosis and the curiosity to learn more it inspired in him. Some of the most important questions about the nature of hypnosis and hypnotic responding are articulated, highlighting the difficulties in trying to define, much less measure, hypnosis. There is a wide range of viewpoints about hypnosis, including about something as fundamental as whether to regard hypnosis as a therapy in its own right (“hypnotherapy”) or instead as a vehicle for delivering treatment. The question of whether hypnosis is effective as a therapeutic modality is addressed with a clear answer from the research that shows hypnosis enhances treatment outcomes when integrated with diverse therapeutic approaches.
Chapter 2 identifies common misconceptions about hypnosis and provides detailed, informed correctives about each of them. Special attention is given to the unfounded fear clients may have of losing control of themselves, often the single greatest concern they have about experiencing hypnosis. When used insightfully and ethically, clinical hypnosis has the potential to provide clients with even more control as they learn new skills and discover resources, they may not realize they had. This chapter provides readers with a wealth of information and perspective they can use to discuss the merits and limitations of hypnosis with their clients and colleagues. The chapter also includes the first of the book’s 17 special sections called “Frames of Reference” which introduce readers to luminaries in the field. This first one describes the life and contributions of André Weitzenhoffer, Ph.D., one of the most knowledgeable researchers and clinicians to ever study and practice hypnosis. He is best known for co-developing the most highly regarded test for assessing an individual’s level of hypnotizability.
Given the difficulties in defining and measuring hypnosis, it is no surprise that there are many different perspectives experts hold about its essence. Many different viewpoints have merit, each providing meaningful insights about hypnosis, and many different approaches can be effective when applied clinically. While each model of hypnosis can explain facets of hypnosis, no single model fully explains it. Chapter 3 describes the importance of developing a deeper understanding of the many personal, interpersonal, and situational factors that can influence hypnotic responding. Readers can develop a multidimensional, multi-perspective view as they follow this chapter’s descriptions of a range of theories and models of hypnosis, as well as the research that informs them. The greater the flexibility clinicians have in making use of the many models there are to work from, the better the responses they are likely to get in their clinical work.
Chapter 4 describes some of the challenging issues and recent findings associated with the evolving neuroscientific research of hypnosis. Following a discussion of how the brain is currently studied using a range of sophisticated technologies, two special “Frame of Reference” sections highlight the enduring contributions of neuroscientists, professors, and researchers Giuseppe De Benedittis, M.D., Ph.D., and Helen Crawford, Ph.D. This chapter goes on to provide a tour through some of the intriguing research that demonstrates how the mind can influence the brain, the body, and subjective perceptions during hypnosis. Brain science is demonstrating that cognitive flexibility is related to hypnotic ability and that hypnosis can enhance flexibility as well as create measurable changes in the brain. As exciting as the neurobiology of hypnosis is, however, there is much that cannot yet be fully explained through a one-dimensional biological model. The point is emphasized that individual psychology and social relationships also play central roles in hypnotic responding.
This chapter addresses the mind-body relationship and offers insights from current research regarding the increased influence over physical processes that the experience of hypnosis can offer. The clinical value of being able to increase at least some degree of control over physical processes that previously seemed uncontrollable is made apparent. This chapter offers a framework for better understanding the mechanisms through which hypnosis can address physical issues in the body. Two special “Frame of Reference” sections are included, one featuring Ernest Rossi, Ph.D., and his groundbreaking work around the use of hypnosis to create epigenetic change. The second one features David Spiegel, M.D., and his influential work in the area of mind-body medicine. The chapter further details the impact of mood and distress on the body and how to change physical responses through self-regulation, interpersonal relationships, and the strategic use of suggestions in hypnosis. Placebo and nocebo effects are described as examples of how expectations, which can be hypnotically influenced, play an important role in clinical treatments and the results derived from them. Chapter 5 then briefly describes many of the common applications of hypnosis in medical treatment.
This chapter focuses on phenomenology, defined as the study of subjective experience, as it specifically relates to hypnosis. The foundational questions this chapter addresses are, how does the experience of hypnosis change subjective perceptions from one’s “usual” state of consciousness? And, as a corollary, why do people differ in their qualities of hypnotic experience? No two people will experience hypnosis in the same exact way. Furthermore, the same person can experience hypnosis differently in different circumstances. Many of the specific changes in what can be seen and measured in a person’s behavior and physical experiences during hypnosis are described in this chapter, yet these are only part of hypnotic responding. The psychological characteristics of hypnosis such as selective attention, changes in level of absorption, expectancy, dissociation, changes in affect, “trance logic,” increases in cognitive and perceptual flexibility, “the hidden observer,” and increased responsiveness to suggestion are explored as well. Professor and researcher Peter Sheehan, Ph.D.’s contributions to the field of hypnosis in measuring, describing, and working with the many aspects of subjective experience in hypnosis are highlighted in a special “Frame of Reference” section in the chapter. Whether formal measures are used, or clients are simply asked to describe what they are experiencing, an important part of understanding hypnosis is understanding a person’s subjective experience of it.
Chapter 7 describes a variety of contexts in which hypnosis can be effectively used. These include medical hypnosis, dental hypnosis, forensic hypnosis, hypnosis in educational contexts, hypnosis in coaching and business, sports hypnosis, and hypnosis in psychotherapy. Readers are introduced to William S. Kroger, M.D. in a “Frame of Reference” section, an early and influential pioneer who helped shape the modern practice of hypnosis. Kroger helped form the first professional hypnosis societies in the U.S. wrote the textbook that dominated the field for more than two decades and produced two films, demonstrating hypnosis in childbirth and thyroid surgery that led the American Medical Association to formally declare hypnosis a valuable tool in medicine. The chapter goes on to provide an extensive overview of environmental and physical variables that can contribute to greater receptivity to hypnosis in the client, regardless of the context in which it is applied. A practical emphasis is placed on how a clinician can use and respond to the inevitable situational variables, such as noises in the environment, as being more important than unrealistically striving to create an ideal situation for hypnotic interaction.
Social psychology as a field of inquiry studies the influence of other people on our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. In this chapter, the power of social connections and interpersonal influences in the practice of clinical hypnosis is explored. A well-established principle of social psychology is that, in general, people seek acceptance from others, walking the tightrope between individuality and conformity. The desire to gain approval, inclusion, and love from others requires a high level of responsiveness to them. In the especially powerful relationship between doctor/therapist and patient/client, the social forces can be even more pronounced. The fundamentally human capacity for social responsiveness, when used thoughtfully and ethically by clinicians, can catalyze and strengthen hypnotic responding. In a special “Frame of Reference” section in this chapter, the influential social perspectives of Theodore X. Barber, Ph.D., are highlighted. Barber emphasized the effectiveness of suggestions given without formal inductions making hypnotic induction rituals seem unnecessary. He also offered his insightful descriptions of “types” of hypnotic responders. Other topics derived from social psychology are addressed in this chapter, including types of power that relate to clinical interactions, conformity, cognitive dissonance, obedience to authority, prestige recommendations by celebrities and influencers, and social media.
This chapter provides a range of expert viewpoints on two fundamental issues: whether and how responsiveness to hypnosis can be modified, and how to define and measure responsiveness to hypnosis. The finding that virtually every expert hypnosis researcher and clinician agree on is that although the great majority of people can experience hypnosis meaningfully to some degree, not everyone is equally responsive to hypnosis. This chapter then goes on to explore suggestibility with and without the formal induction of hypnosis and the role of attention and attentional processes in shaping responsiveness. The chapter provides two special “Frame of Reference” sections. The first features Irving Kirsch, Ph.D., and his stellar contributions to the field of hypnosis. Kirsch’s research on suggestion, placebo effects, and antidepressant medication are highly controversial and are discussed at length. The second “Frame of Reference” features Kay Thompson, D.D.S., a pioneering dentist who used and taught hypnosis throughout her exemplary and inspiring career. She believed that the deliberate use of language is about evoking responsivity within people, not about any inherent power in the words themselves. The more tailored one’s approach to the unique interests and attributes of the client can be, the better the response is likely to be. The chapter continues with a discussion of factors that can influence hypnotic responsiveness including personality, imaginative ability, attentional style, expectancy, gender, age, and mental status.
One of the very few things all hypnosis experts agree on completely is the recognition that people differ in their hypnotic abilities. This has led to the hope for practical reasons that some means might be devised to reliably assess an individual’s capacity for hypnotic responding before attempting to use hypnosis with them. Chapter 10 begins with an exploration of the topic of formal testing of hypnotic responsiveness and how the field treats the issue of whether and how to assess an individual’s capacity for hypnotic responding. Ernest R. Hilgard, Ph.D., the co-creator of the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scales and the co-founder of the hypnosis laboratory at Stanford, is featured in a special “Frame of Reference” section which provides readers with a deeper understanding of the contributions of this influential psychologist. Specific test instruments in common use, including the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scales, Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Hypnotic Induction Profile, and the Elkins Hypnotizability Scale are described in detail. The informal testing of hypnotic responsiveness through “mini-tests” and techniques such as “embedded commands” and “nonverbal shifts,” are described as a more spontaneous and natural approach to assessing hypnotizability. A narrative is provided regarding André Weitzenhoffer’s change in perspective from his decades of research regarding formal testing to a surprising advocacy of the “just do hypnosis and see what happens” perspective when he moved from the laboratory to a private clinical practice. He shared his conclusion that while formal testing may be helpful in the context of research, it did little or nothing to enhance clinical interaction. While the debate about testing’s value continues, it’s clear that how you practice hypnosis can influence your beliefs about the merits of assessing hypnotizability.
In the context of providing health care, one inevitably faces occasional thorny moral and ethical dilemmas that must be managed sensitively and skillfully. Since any treatment that has the potential to help also has the potential to harm, the commitment to “do no harm” is a serious one. Despite the myths and misconceptions discussed in the second chapter that cause some who are misinformed to believe hypnosis is dangerous, there is a high level of consensus amongst hypnosis researchers and practitioners that hypnosis holds no inherent dangers when used appropriately by a well-trained clinician. Chapter 11 covers a range of important topics addressing the responsible use of hypnosis including training and certification in hypnosis, legal considerations including informed consent, internet-based therapy and hypnosis telehealth, and ethical guidelines. Detailed recommendations around the use of telehealth are provided along with a listing of some suggested ethical guidelines.
Suggestions are a routine part of everyday life, evident in even simple interactions such as recommending a restaurant or a movie. Therapeutic suggestions formed and delivered to a client in hypnosis are different, however, because of the intent and context in which they are delivered. Suggestions delivered during hypnosis can act as a catalyst for organizing and using a client’s conscious and unconscious internal resources in a goal-directed way. A key point is made that any suggestion can be accepted or rejected by the client. Thus, the artistry is in forming and offering suggestions in a way the client is more likely to accept. Chapter 12 identifies and explains the structures and styles of suggestions and how to increase their potential for being accepted and used by clients. The structures and styles of suggestions that are discussed and illustrated in examples include positive, negative, direct, indirect, content, process, authoritarian, permissive, and posthypnotic. Specialized suggestions such as accessing questions, ambiguous suggestions, confusional suggestions, the bind of comparable alternatives, implied directives, covering all possibilities, metaphors, interspersal, paradoxical suggestions, presuppositions, puns, and truisms are also described and illustrated with sample verbiage. This chapter provides guidance about how to choose an effective structure and style of suggestion that matches the unique needs of the client.
Chapter 13 offers a series of practical tips for conducting effective clinical hypnosis sessions. Beyond the thoughtful wording of suggestions described previously, the style of the practitioner also contributes to (or takes away from) the hypnotic interaction. Provided in both table form and detailed narrative, the tips provided include the importance of keeping suggestions simple and easy to follow, avoiding the use of gimmicks and gadgets, using the client’s language as much as sensibly possible, having the client define what they mean in terms of their subjective experience when using abstract terminology, using the present tense and a positive structure in wording suggestions, encouraging and reinforcing the client’s positive response, using sensory modalities selectively, giving clients the time they need to respond, using anticipation signals to announce your intentions, using process suggestions to encourage projections as a way of tailoring suggestions, building response sets gradually, and if desirable, substituting other terms for “hypnosis.” The ability to use language skillfully and creatively is a cornerstone of effective hypnosis. This chapter’s special “Frame of Reference” section introduces readers to psychologist Jeffrey Zeig, Ph.D., Director and Founder of The Milton H. Erickson, who is the leading practitioner and teacher of Ericksonian approaches to hypnosis and psychotherapy. Dr. Zeig exemplifies the merits of having an in-depth understanding of the power of language, regularly modeling masterful hypnotic communication skills through his writings and clinical trainings.
Chapter 14 focuses on the traditional, more tightly structured, approaches to hypnotic induction. Following a description of the merits and downsides of structured approaches, the stages of formal hypnotic interactions are provided and discussed. The experience of hypnosis is framed as a naturally occurring phenomenon in daily living since people routinely enter conditions of experiential absorption, focus, and dissociated awareness spontaneously without any formal ritual of induction. Hypnotic inductions are a deliberate means of tapping into this natural capacity to create a receptivity to new potentially therapeutic ideas and perspectives. A key point is that each person enters and experiences hypnosis in their own way. This chapter explains how to use and respect individual differences and elicit natural resources as the client/patient is guided through an “induction.” After illustrating in detail how to word inductions and suggestions to focus and deepen the hypnotic experience, several examples of traditional, structured, and effective induction and deepening methods are presented. These include progressive muscle relaxation, relaxed scene experiences, eye fixations, counting methods, the “as if” method, compounding techniques, mind’s eye closure, fractionation, and the use of silence.
This chapter contrasts the previous chapter’s description of induction methods that are technique-oriented approaches (i.e., traditional) with inductions that are spontaneous, and more natural and conversational (i.e., Ericksonian) in delivery. The distinction is made between imposing a technique on the client with directions for how to respond and approaches that elicit from within the client their own resources and subjective associations to the suggestions provided. A further distinction concerns “doing” hypnosis versus “being” hypnotic. The naturalistic or utilization approach was originated by the late psychiatrist Milton Erickson who singlehandedly re-shaped how hypnosis is conceived and practiced. In a recent international survey of practitioners, the majority of them defined themselves as Ericksonian in their orientation to hypnosis. Erickson is featured in a “Frame of Reference” in this chapter, so readers can “hear” him in his own words. Principles of conversational approaches are summarized, and specific approaches are presented including using past experiences as the foundation for current hypnotic experience, building an internal focus, metaphorical inductions with embedded suggestions, induction through negative suggestion, and induction through confusion techniques.
The classic hypnotic phenomena defined and described in this chapter are the foundational ingredients for the therapeutic applications of hypnosis. They are the elements of experience that during hypnosis one hopes to either amplify or diminish depending on the therapeutic goals. Furthermore, they are the basic building blocks of all life experience; our memories, expectations, hope, despair, images, feelings, thoughts, pleasure, pain, all our subjective experiences are built from different combinations of these essential ingredients that define us. As these phenomena arise in a concentrated form during clinical hypnosis sessions, they differ from their everyday forms only in degree, not kind. The point is emphasized that these hypnotic phenomena are neither innately positive or negative in character. They can be assembled in ways that may help or hurt, depending on their associated content and the context in which they are applied. Simply put, the same hypnotic phenomena that can be used to resolve problems can be used to create them. The hypnotic phenomena are defined, described for their clinical utility, and illustrated with examples in this chapter. They include age regression, age progression, amnesia, analgesia, anesthesia, catalepsy, dissociation, positive and negative hallucinations, ideodynamic responses, and time distortion. The chapter closes with suggestions for ending the hypnosis session on a positive note.
People’s problems inevitably contain an element of time embedded within them. There are problems that are past-oriented, such as depression or the influence of trauma; other problems are present-oriented, such as the impulsivity of addiction or uncontrollable anger; and other problems are future-oriented, such as anxiety and paralyzing hopelessness. In the context of psychotherapy, whether utilizing hypnosis or not, addressing the client’s perceptions of time and the implications of those perceptions for their mental health is both necessary and inevitable. The point is also made that a clinician’s orientation to time influences their choice of therapeutic modality to apply in practice. In this chapter, the focus is on the use of hypnosis to address issues that are related to and influenced by one’s orientation to time. Specifically, the chapter focuses on age regression and age progression in hypnosis, approaches that create a meaningful context for dealing with significant clinical issues embedded in the past and generating better possibilities for the future. A variety of specific techniques for eliciting both age regression and age progression are provided in this chapter with sample transcripts. One of the key topics in this chapter deserves special attention. It concerns the vulnerability of memory to suggestive influences and highlights the implications for how you conduct your sessions when dealing with memory-related issues. In a special “Frame of Reference” section, the highly influential psychiatrist Martin Orne, M.D., Ph.D., is featured, drawing attention to some of most valuable contributions such as identifying the vulnerabilities of memory in hypnosis and the fascinating ability of the hypnotized person to respond to suggestions that are partly or wholly illogical at least, impossible at most.
Dissociation is defined as the ability to break a global experience into its component parts, thereby setting the stage to amplify awareness for one part during hypnosis while inevitably diminishing awareness for the others. While many different therapeutic approaches focus on pathological forms of dissociation that were used as a defensive coping device in the face of trauma, in this chapter the focus is on some of the positive uses of dissociation, considering dissociation as a helpful innate resource that can be sensibly employed in hypnosis to help with goal-oriented treatment. Dissociation represents a capacity for compartmentalizing experience which is essential to healthy functioning but varies in quality across people. The role of dissociation in virtually every therapeutic approach is articulated with examples, different types of dissociation are identified, general applications of dissociation during hypnosis are described, and a variety of strategies for eliciting dissociation are offered. Many therapeutic approaches suggest and make use of the notion that people have “parts.” The use of hypnosis to help people identify and re-define in a positive way their relationship to their different parts is a primary goal in utilizing dissociative approaches in hypnosis. Finally, the chapter provides a full session transcript on the use of dissociation in hypnosis to help someone decide “which voice to listen to” when deciding on a course of action.
The use of hypnosis serves a larger treatment plan since it’s not the induction of hypnosis itself that is curative; rather, what has the potential to be therapeutic is what the client experiences during the session in response to the suggestions you offer. Hopefully, they stimulate new internal associations that give rise to your client feeling and being better. In this chapter, the focus is on helping readers develop a session structure that maximizes the chances of attaining therapeutic success. “Doing” hypnosis versus “being” hypnotic is given consideration, acknowledging the key point that any and every session is meant to stimulate positive possibilities, even when formal hypnosis isn’t employed. Four suggestions are provided to help guide session design, including the importance of clearly defining client goals, identifying the specific resources the client will need to attain those goals, determining whether the client has those resources and simply isn’t using them or whether the therapist will need to provide a means for developing them, and finally associating those resources to the situations in which the client will need ready access to them. Building therapeutic momentum, specifying targets of treatment, the possibility of using hypnosis even in a first session, ways to introduce hypnosis to the client, and adapting your style to the client’s makeup are all considered in this chapter. A generic structure applicable to virtually all hypnosis sessions is described in step-by-step fashion and illustrated with sample transcripts.
Although hypnosis is routinely employed by professionals in diverse contexts, hypnosis is most frequently applied in the context of psychotherapy for many excellent reasons. These are articulated in this chapter. The use of hypnosis creates a context for change: hypnosis helps people build focus, learn new skills more easily, define themselves as resourceful, evolve a stronger sense of agency, consider and rehearse new life enhancing possibilities, become better problem solvers, develop better coping skills for managing stress and stressful situations, and more. The insight that there are many familiar themes that surface repeatedly in therapy is elaborated, and many of the most common themes are articulated.
These include:
People’s problems can often be defined as problems of focus when people focus on what’s hurtful rather than helpful. This is another reason why hypnosis is so valuable in treatment: Hypnosis provides an opportunity to shift the direction and quality of someone’s focus when it’s working against someone. Five specific patterns of hypnotic intervention are described and illustrated, including accessing and contextualizing resources, changing personal history, “seeding” homework assignments, reframing, and the use of therapeutic metaphors. Examples of hypnotic interventions are offered with transcripts for addressing anxiety, stress, relationship problems, self-esteem problems, and insomnia.
Though not the precise definition of a metaphor, in the world of clinical hypnosis a metaphor has come to refer to a story that is told to the client during hypnosis that has some therapeutic message embedded within it. This chapter opens with an elaborate story that carries an important message about the importance of working for rewards rather than simply feeling entitled to them. The value of stories as teaching tools is discussed in depth in this chapter, and the role of hypnosis in amplifying therapeutic messages is highlighted. Principles of metaphorical communication are identified, and special emphasis is placed on being clear what the therapeutic goal is when offering a story to the client. The components of helpful metaphors are identified, and advice for where to find or how to develop one’s own metaphors is provided. An elaborate case study is presented in which metaphor is employed to help a woman make the difficult decision of whether to divorce her husband of more than 40 years. A transcript of the key portions of the session is included, an explanation as to how and why a metaphorical approach during hypnosis was utilized is offered, and follow-up information regarding the client’s progress is provided.
Positive psychology has grown in popularity, depth and breadth of subject matter, and empirical support since its most visible proponent, Martin Seligman, first introduced the idea in a presidential address in 1999, at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association. He pointed out that psychology’s focus was almost exclusively on explaining and attempting to treat psychological disorders while hardly any attention was paid to how to help people thrive. In this chapter, some of the key aspects of positive psychology and how hypnosis can be used to amplify their merits are described. Hypnosis, as a vehicle of psychological intervention, offers a practical means for actualizing the aims of positive psychology through a shift of focus from what’s wrong to what’s right. Hypnosis, not coincidentally, necessarily involves a shift of focus. Anyone who practices hypnosis holds the belief that people are capable of growing and doing and being better. To facilitate someone’s growth, the focus in hypnosis is on finding and amplifying their resources, what positive psychologists might call their “signature strengths.” The drive toward experiencing greater happiness is shared by both positive psychology and hypnosis in ways that are described in this chapter. Empirically supported therapeutic interventions described in the positive psychology literature include gratitude journaling, using signature strengths in new ways, and carrying out a gratitude visit. How hypnosis can “prime” clients to get more out of these exercises is described in detail.
One of the paradoxes inherent in clinical intervention is this one: You’re unique…just like everyone else. How do we acknowledge the uniqueness of each person yet acknowledge the repetitive nature of peoples’ problems? This chapter’s focus is on how, rather than why, therapy clients generate the problems they present in therapy. Instead of getting sidetracked by the details (content) of someone’s problem, a process orientation involves striving to understand the process, i.e., the sequential steps someone follows that culminate in the development of their symptoms or problems. The main point of this chapter is this: when people follow sequences, identifiable steps that lead down a symptom-producing path of experience, anyone following those same steps will end up in the same psychological place. The problem is not in them. Rather, it’s in their process. The clinical interview from this perspective identifies how people think, not what they think, how they make decisions, not what the decisions are. Asking “how” questions can reveal the client’s strategy (i.e., sequence), what they don’t know or know that isn’t so, and thereby makes the targets of intervention much clearer. Changing the process will inevitably change the content as well. Multiple process-oriented hypnosis session transcripts are included in the chapter addressing such themes as mobilizing resources for growth, favorably re-defining rejected aspects of oneself, and revising one’s self-limiting self-definition.
Major depressive disorder, more commonly referred to simply as “depression,” is the most common mood disorder in the world. The research evidence has made it clear that hypnosis can easily be integrated with a variety of treatment approaches that can serve to enhance their effectiveness.
Hypnosis:
Hopelessness in particular interferes with virtually every phase of treatment, so this chapter provides a structured step-by-step strategy with a transcript for hypnotically building positive expectancy. The chapter also includes a strategy and sample transcript for addressing one of the common risk factors for depression called global cognitive style and its relationship to ineffective discrimination strategies. A third strategy for encouraging the client to be active, not passive, in the treatment process is provided with a sample transcript. Finally, the merits of digital therapeutics (mental health apps such as Claria) are described highlighting their immediate availability for anyone with a smart phone to get emotional support and guidance.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and serious disorder arising from a history of trauma, perhaps a single episode or perhaps multiple episodes. Trauma has become the subject of intense focus in the mental health profession, with literally dozens of approaches to treatment being offered. To help people overcome their history of trauma, it’s essential to empower them to develop the skills that help them expand their self-definition beyond simply being a victim of their past. This chapter describes in detail how hypnosis can play a powerful role in that endeavor. To illustrate, core suggestions evident in a variety of trauma therapies are described and the point is made that hypnosis can amplify the impact of these suggestions. The chapter reviews salient efficacy literature regarding approaches using hypnosis to address trauma and identifies specific skills that can catalyze recovery.
The two core elements of treating trauma with hypnosis are:
These goals can be accomplished directly or indirectly, through content rich interventions or process-oriented treatment, or elements of each. Some clients may need patiently guided skill training in self-regulation and/or identity formation while others may benefit most from revisiting their trauma experience(s) in order to reframe it (i.e., direct reconsolidation of the trauma memory). Two detailed case examples are provided with transcripts to illustrate the use of hypnosis in addressing trauma. A structured “critical incident” process is provided with step-by-step transcript and commentary. The chapter concludes with an emphasis on post-traumatic growth as a positive focus of treatment with hypnosis.
The chapter begins with a personal narrative of witnessing a dramatic intervention with a woman suffering intense, debilitating chronic pain who found immediate relief during a hypnosis session. This chapter introduces readers to the merits of hypnosis in the treatment of pain, perhaps surprisingly to some, one of the most empirically supported applications of hypnosis. Current literature is reviewed, and the complexity of pain is described, highlighting some of what we know as well as some of what we don’t know. A special “Frame of Reference” section introduces readers to scientist-practitioner Professor Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville, a prominent Belgian anesthesiologist who has now used hypnosis in the surgeries of more than 11,000 patients! Her approach is deceptively simple and reflects the confidence that comes with having a deep expertise. The chapter’s final section details 14 different hypnotic strategies for pain management, offering transcripts of the salient suggestions for each.
This chapter explores the use of hypnosis with young people and addresses such foundational questions as these: Can hypnosis be successfully applied with children and adolescents? If so, are there any special considerations for utilizing hypnosis with younger clients? What kinds of clinical problems or issues might hypnosis be used to help treat? It's important for every clinician, whether utilizing hypnosis or not, to appreciate the individual child and their concerns, but to also appreciate the larger social context in which these concerns arise. Hypnosis can play a pivotal role in helping empower kids to evolve the skills in effective problem solving and healthy coping that foster a greater sense of mastery that can endure a lifetime. Prominent pediatric specialists provide insights into the ways hypnosis can be used to amplify children’s strengths, teach self-regulation skills, and improve family functioning. Differences between approaches to children and adults are described, how age relates to responsiveness to hypnosis is considered, and the importance of having knowledge of child development as an organizing framework for hypnosis sessions is emphasized. The chapter features a special “Frame of Reference” section with Karen Olness, M.D., professor emerita of pediatrics, global health and infectious disease at Case Western Reserve University. A true pioneer in pediatric hypnosis, Dr. Olness has documented the abilities of children to voluntarily influence their autonomic and immune responses and has done controlled studies on how children can reduce migraine frequency with self-hypnosis. Other experts are cited who also use hypnosis to influence anxiety, gastrointestinal distress, and many other conditions. Age-appropriate inductions and interventions are described, and a special section on the alarming rise in childhood depression is included.
This chapter addresses the uncomfortable reality that sometimes hypnosis sessions don’t go as well as planned. People’s responses to hypnotic processes can range from almost no response (“Was that it? Nothing happened!”) to dramatic positive responses (“Wow! That was amazing!”) and dramatic negative responses (“I feel worse now!”). A recent international survey of practitioners indicates that negative reactions are uncommon and usually mild, but when they do arise they need to first be acknowledged then managed skillfully and sensitively. Readers are reminded that anything that has the potential to help also has the potential to harm. The reality is that any therapeutic intervention in any modality can generate unexpected and undesirable responses: When you enter people’s subjective world in whatever way you do, you encounter the vulnerabilities of emotional sensitivities, irrational thoughts, personality quirks, perceptual distortions, and all the other things that define humans as human. Good clinical training teaches you about and prepares you for these things, and the things that can happen in hypnosis thus just become more clinical issues to anticipate and manage well when they arise. This chapter speaks to some of these anomalies including the unintended client interpretations of suggestions, spontaneous regressions and strong emotional reactions (such as upset and panic), confabulations, symptom substitution, non-responsiveness, failure to re-alert adequately, failure to remove suggestions, and responses deemed “resistant.” Guidance for managing these anomalies is provided throughout the chapter. A special “Frame of Reference” featuring Jay Haley, Ph.D. (Hon.), is included in the chapter, acknowledging his extraordinary influence on the psychotherapy field through his nearly two dozen books. His most frequently cited work, Uncommon Therapy, introduced new generations of practitioners to the innovative work of Milton Erickson and the strategic therapies of Dr. Haley.
“Whether you’re new to hypnosis or have been practicing for years, this sixth edition of Trancework is essential for your clinical library. Trancework has always been an incredible resource, and in this edition, Yapko and Criswell bring even more insights, scientific advances, and applications that equip you with a depth of understanding and 'how-to' steps that enable you to use this wonderful tool. With new chapters that address dissociation, trauma treatment, and the use of new technologies, you’ll walk away with renewed inspiration about the possibilities of hypnosis and how you can apply it to enhance both your personal and professional work.”
- Courtney Armstrong, L.P.C., author of Rethinking Trauma Treatment and The Therapeutic “Aha!”
“With each new edition I have considered–and expressed – that the world’s best-selling book on clinical hypnosis has gotten even better. Yapko, now with co-author Shawn Criswell, share both the core of sound hypnosis and the essence of effective therapy. The world has changed since the last edition, awareness of managing mental health issues has expanded, our scientific knowledge and understanding has grown, clinical interventions have adapted and evolved, and this thorough, scholarly, and still immensely practical 6thedition of Trancework covers it all. If you want to keep your clinical skills at the very cutting edge and thus maximize your clients’ well-being, then read–and re-read – this book!”
- George W Burns, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Cairnmillar Institute, Australia, author of 8 books including 101 Stories for Enhancing Happiness and Well-being
“What a delight to see Trancework enter its 6th edition! In their introduction, the authors’ two integrated voices identify their primary intention to focus on the clinical artistry of hypnosis. By offering readers step-by-step skill building guidance–essential for a new hypnotherapist and reinforcing for sophisticated practitioners .Trancework 6th edition offers balanced attention to what is known, not known, or debated about within professional hypnosis. This basis allows individuals to attend to details in a way that facilitates personal and professional growth. What is most essential in the art of hypnotic work is the individuality of the skills and resources, unique to the situation and time.That is the learning that Trancework fosters.”
- Roxanna Erickson-Klein, L.P.C., Ph.D, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, co-editor of 16 Volumes Collected Works of Milton H. Erickson
“I have welcomed and learned from every new edition of Trancework since 1991, when I first started assigning it as a required text for a graduate hypnosis course I taught for 30 years. But I’m particularly stoked by this fresh iteration – the impressive result of Yapko and Criswell’s synergistic scholarship, clinical acumen, and expansive knowledge. What a gift to the field! You’ll read this 6th edition with growing appreciation for the authors’ ability to illuminate, fascinate, and inspire.”
- Douglas Flemons, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus, Nova Southeastern University, author ofThe Heart and Mind of HypnotherapyandOf One Mind
“Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis, 6th Edition by Yapko and Criswell is an indispensable resource for healthcare professionals delving into the realm of clinical hypnosis. Spanning 28 comprehensive chapters with up-to-the-minute references, this seminal work offers a blend of theoretical depth and practical insights that are essential for those seeking to integrate and enhance their use of hypnosis in clinical settings. From classic to conversational hypnosis, the authors provide detailed descriptions, practical tips, and an insightful exploration of various trance phenomena.
What sets this edition apart is its extensive coverage of integrating hypnosis with other therapeutic techniques across diverse healthcare fields including psychotherapy, dentistry, obstetrics, oncology, and more. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to hypnosis, this book equips you with the knowledge and skills to effectively apply hypnosis in your practice. Yapko and Criswell's expertise shines through in their clear, engaging style, making complex concepts accessible without sacrificing depth.
For practitioners serious about learning hypnosis in clinical care, Trancework is not just recommended – it is an essential guide. It will enrich your professional toolkit and deepen your understanding of this instrumental therapeutic approach.”
- Stephen Lankton, LCSW, DAHB, FASCH, Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,author, Tools of Intention, and The Answer Within
“The 6th edition of Trancework achieves its mission: combining the latest research and knowledge of hypnosis with an invitation to use creativity, language, and possibility to help others. Michael D. Yapko and Shawn R. Criswell speak directly to the reader, answering questions, dispelling myths, and offering concrete ways to incorporate a valuable tool into clinical practice. This wonderful resource, like the hypnotic process itself, compels clinicians to explore, practice, and discover how to make positive changes.”
- Lynn Lyons, LICSW, author ofUsing Hypnosis with Children
“In this newest edition of Trancework, Michael D. Yapko and Shawn R. Criswell have written the most comprehensive textbook on clinical hypnosis to date. For two decades, earlier editions of Trancework have been my primary text for introducing hypnosis to psychiatry residents and medical and graduate students. The Sixth Edition and its Instructor and Student Resources will remain a staple of my teaching. Established clinicians and researchers will return to this book repeatedly as an invaluable reference.”
- Barbara S. McCann, PhD, Mental Health Counseling and Hypnosis Endowed Chair, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, President, Society of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis, Approved Consultant, American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
“Books on hypnosis come and go … with one exception, Trancework, by Drs. Yapko and Criswell.Out in an unprecedented 6th edition, this classic, comprehensive, and up-to-date volume covers it all, from theory to practice and everything in between. It is my go-to resource.”
- Scott D. Miller, Ph.D., Director, The International Center for Clinical Excellence
“The best overview of the field of hypnosis just got even better. Michael D. Yapko and his new co-author Shawn R. Criswell have produced, in this sixth edition of Trancework, the most comprehensive and illuminating book on hypnosis available. I will be eagerly digesting its 28 chapters and rich text for many months to come”
- Donald Moss, Professor and Dean, College of Integrative, Medicine and Health Sciences, Saybrook University
“Trancework, 6th edition masterfully deconstructs the complex topic of hypnosis into curiosity-inducing understandable components. Yapko and Criswell are brilliant in how they weave together insights about hypnosis from its earliest theoretical origins and applications to recent evidence of its efficacy and neurobiological basis. Whether a novice or advanced practitioner, all will find something provocative and meaningful to enhance their practice acumen of one of the most effective tools we have in our behavioral armamentarium to reduce suffering in the patients we treat.”
- Eva Szigethy, M.D, Ph.D., Lois C. Orr Endowed Chair in Pediatric Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Akron Children's Hospital