Foreward to the 2nd Edition by Andre Weitzenhoffer

Although I am not a practitioner of the Ericksonian approach, nor a strategic therapist, and hold different opinions on aspects of hypnotism from Michael Yapko, I believe I can correctly state that Trancework is an excellent exposition of current teachings on Ericksonian therapy or, as the author prefers to say, of the naturalistic approach originated by Milton H. Erickson.

The naturalistic approach to therapy and to hypnotism can be summed up in a few words: It is the “utilization,” that is, the use by the therapist of whatever capacities and kinds of responses the patient has and is capable of giving at any particular moment; even his or her symptoms can be used.

Trancework is also an excellent introduction to strategic therapy, which is an out- growth of this naturalistic approach. Strategic therapy was originally defined quite broadly by Jay Haley (as a result of his study of Erickson’s therapeutic work) as any therapy in which the therapist takes the responsibility of directly influencing the patient according to a plan of treatment determined by the presenting problem. But to be a true reflection of Erickson’s approach, as it was intended to be, this definition should have added that the plan is also determined by what can be utilized out of what is offered by the patient at any given moment, a plan that is both fluid and unique for each patient. It is in this sense that I see Trancework as an exposition of strategic therapy.

However, Trancework is not just an exposition of Ericksonian methods or of strategic therapy. It is more; it is a reflection of Michael Yapko’s personal understandings, skills, and experience as a psychotherapist and psychologist. One way of summing up Erickson’s approach to psychotherapy is to say that it is an integration of hypnotic and nonhypnotic phenomena brought about naturalistically for therapeutic purposes. It is to Yapko’s credit that he not only has been able to capture the essence of this approach, but he has also been able to make it available in a practical way.

While the author’s subject matter is primarily clinical hypnotism as viewed from within a naturalistic framework, he does not ignore matters pertaining to traditional hypnotism and introduces the reader to its principal concepts and methods. With fair- ness, he points out the strengths and weaknesses of the two approaches as he sees them, although clearly giving his overall preference to the naturalistic approach.

There is considerable didactic material in Trancework, but the book  remains above all a practical work aiming not only to teach the reader the art of doing hypnotherapy but, more importantly, the art of doing effective psychotherapy. For, as already intimated, it is in the nature of the Ericksonian approach not to separate the use of hypnotic patterns of communication from therapeutic communications in general. For both Erickson and Yapko, effective communication is the key to both the skilled use of hypnotic phenomena and to effective psychotherapy. One may not necessarily agree with the author that all influencing communications constitute hypnosis—which seems to be his position—but there is no question that readers who practice the communication techniques he details will be well on their way to becoming skilled clinical hypnotists and therapists.

A valuable pedagogical feature of the work that should not be overlooked are the lists of topics for discussion and the assignments with which each chapter terminates. Readers would be well advised to give them their attention.

Trancework will be a good starting point for beginners, and a good review for more advanced workers. It brings together a great deal of material and should be particularly instructive for practitioners who have thus far limited themselves strictly to the traditional approach.

— André M. Weitzenhoffer, Ph.D. Nathrop, Colorado

Introduction to the 2nd Edition

When Trancework first came out in 1984, it was riding on a wave of enthusiasm for the creative approaches to hypnosis and hypnotically based psychotherapy of the late Milton H. Erickson, M.D. The focus on Erickson and his innovative methods has spawned a whole new generation of clinicians interested in hypnosis and the applications it may have in various clinical contexts. Trancework is not a book about Erickson, though. It is a book about practical methods for developing the kinds of relationship and communication skills that will increase the effectiveness of your clinical methods, regardless of the context in which they are applied. I am a practical-minded fellow who is interested in therapeutic patterns that work. Erickson’s emphasis was also a practical one, which I can appreciate. His influence on the material contained here is significant.
This second edition represents an effort to make the acquisition of skills to apply hypnosis more easily accomplished by the reader. The exercises and discussions can be the most powerful teachers of hypnotic skill, but this revised edition presents new features that will enhance the learning process. First, two new chapters have been added. Chapter 19 contains transcripts of portions of actual hypnosis sessions conducted with bona fide clients. Chapter 20 presents a verbatim clinical session in its entirety, including commentary intended to amplify points of interest in the learning of hypnotic communication. Both new chapters are intended to provide greater insight into the clinical applications of hypnosis and are considered a valuable addition to the text.

Another new feature is the Frames of Reference sections, which include worthwhile quotes on a variety of stimulating topics from leading figures in the field. These Frames of Reference provide an enjoyable glimpse into the thinking and the history of notable authorities. The reader will note that the Frames of Reference are listed separately, immediately following the table of contents.

Also new to this edition are 20 tables that clearly and succinctly provide key information. These tables can be easily memorized, allowing  more rapid  integration of the material. What makes hypnosis so potentially useful a tool? Is it the emphasis on acknowledging and respecting the subjective reality of each individual client? Is it the emphasis on the cooperative nature of the therapeutic relationship? Is it the enhanced appreciation and use of the recognition that words can heal? Certainly, all these are factors contributing to the effectiveness of hypnotic patterns, but the strength of doing trancework comes from undefinable sources within each human being. Whether these are termed the “unconscious,” “inner wisdom,” “the God within,” or some other equally ambiguous name, there is a remarkable potential in each person that surfaces during those states of absorption called “trance” that one can readily appreciate. If there is a more dynamic and potent means of empowering individuals than by working hypnotically, I am not yet aware of it.

It is unfortunate, but nonetheless true, that the field of hypnosis remains an internally conflicted one. The focus on the clinical approaches of Erickson has been substantial in the last decade, and it is a basic truth that every movement creates a countermovement. While many were (noncritically) touting the wonders of “Ericksonian hypnosis,” others were openly criticizing the apparent lack of objectivity in such strong claims. Just as there are divisions in the field of psychotherapy, there are those who align themselves with one model of hypnosis and openly express disapproval for any other model. It is my hope that Trancework will permit you to sidestep issues of alignment and instead focus on issues associated with discovering how you as an individual practitioner can best apply these approaches in a manner congruent with your training and personality. While I generally favor the flexibility of less direct and imposing techniques, I am quite aware that what works well for me may not work as well for someone else.

Knowing what I know about trance states and ways to induce and utilize them, I am inclined to integrate the seemingly irreconcilable views about hypnosis. I generally promote the perspective that while the experimental production of specific trance phenomena is not an apparent capability of all people, the “real life” utilization of specific trance phenomena to create reality (including wellness and illness) is evident in all. The question of what is and what is not “trance” is interesting fodder for debates which cannot be won, but is irrelevant when a client is in distress and needs a skilled, flexible, creative therapist to interrupt self-limiting patterns while building self-enhancing ones.
Technique is inevitably bound to context. What succeeds in one context can be faithfully duplicated but still yield unfortunate results in another context. What Trancework is ultimately about is synthesizing what is known about social influence, communication, psychotherapy, and clinical hypnosis in order to sensitize you to the healing power of words, the healing power of beliefs, and the healing power of relationships.

In that regard, I have chosen not to focus on facts and issues unrelated to the development of actual skills in using hypnosis. Detailing the ancient history of hypnosis or reporting unusual experiments with hypnosis that lead to nonclinical questions such as whether or not hypnosis can be used to get someone to rob a bank is simply not consistent with my aim in writing Trancework. I am all too aware that most professionals do not get their hypnosis training in academic institutions—they get it in privately sponsored workshops. If you are taking a university-sponsored course in hypnosis, consider yourself fortunate to have some progressive aspects in your curriculum. Most hypnosis training takes place in small groups of interested and experienced clinicians. As one who routinely offers such training, I am aware of the participants’ desire to focus on skill-building above all else. For this reason, I have included things to discuss and things to do in every chapter. The conceptual framework of the first part of the book is simply a foundation for more easily assimilating the techniques of the second part of the book. The true skills, however, come only with practice, as you would naturally expect.

I would like to make one final point about usage in this edition. Rather than refer to people exclusively as male, as tradition suggests, or exclusively as female, as I did in the first edition, I have consistently made use of both male and female pronouns in an inconsistent way, throughout the book. Male and female therapists; male and female clients. Just like in the real world.

I hope you find Trancework a valued ally in your efforts to learn clinical hypnosis. More importantly, I hope you find resources in yourself you can appreciate as you learn.

— Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D. San Diego, California

Foreward to the 3rd Edition by Steven Jay Lynn

I attended my first hypnosis workshop more than 30 years ago, and it shines vividly in my memory. While learning the rudiments of clinical hypnosis, I was privileged to witness Dr. Erika Fromm conduct fascinating demonstrations of hypnotic phenomena including analgesia, time distortion, and age regression. At the time, there was only a modest empirical foundation for the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy and, in the public eye, and even in some professional circles, hypnosis was as much linked with hocus pocus, flummery, charlatanism, and the like, as it was associated with bona fide clinical practice. Nevertheless, I had an immediate sense that hypnosis would play an important role in my professional life, and not long after, I decided to be a serious student of hypnosis. I now believe that virtually every clinical practitioner can benefit from being a student of hypnosis, and I am delighted to introduce Michael Yapko’s superb sourcebook on clinical hypnosis: Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis.

Why use hypnosis as an adjunctive procedure in the first place? Over the years I have learned that hypnosis can instigate profound transformations in the way people think, feel, and act. Fundamental to the practice of hypnosis is the idea that deep and enduring change is possible when people are fortified by the belief that they can change and are able to integrate new ideas, perspectives, and growth-oriented experiences into their lives. When clinicians introduce hypnosis into the therapeutic relationship, it is a dramatic indication of their intention to be helpful, as well as of their professional expertise and readiness to employ efficient techniques to assist clients create themselves anew. I have often observed how the mere expectancy of pain relief for the hurting, the balm of relaxation for the anxious, and a rosier worldview for the depressed can engender hope and forge a positive therapeutic alliance and mental set toward treatment in general. Practitioners of hypnosis are likely to be attuned to the helpful as well as the harmful effects of words and nonverbal communications, and are trained to devise therapeutic suggestions that can target the cognitive and behavioral underpinnings of diverse psychological disorders and medical conditions with exquisite precision. A suggestive approach, at its best, involves an intimate collaboration with the client geared toward determining some combination of effective strategies and techniques. It is to Michael Yapko’s credit that he has captured and made explicit in this volume many of the details and fine points of how effective therapy can occur when hypnosis is used as a core component of the intervention. In this way, the author achieves one of his central goals: to convey the “artistry” of hypnosis to the reader.

An emerging body of research supports the idea that hypnosis can be an effective catalyst to therapies ranging from cognitive-behavioral to psychodynamic (Barber, 1985; Lynn, Kirsch, Barabasz, Cardeña, & Patterson, 2000). Nevertheless, newcomers to hypnosis are often wary about learning hypnosis given the cultural myths that have surrounded it from the time of Mesmer, and are intimidated by the prospect of crafting inductions and suggestions and of not “doing hypnosis right.” If you are such a newcomer, Trancework is an authoritative primer that will start you on your way. In a step-wise, logical sequence, you will learn the nuts and bolts of how to: (a) establish rapport and demystify hypnosis, (b) create an hypnotic induction and devise a plethora of useful therapeutic suggestions, (c) assess responsiveness to suggestions, and (d) minimize untoward reactions to hypnotic procedures.

Readers already familiar with hypnotic procedures will appreciate the nuanced and engaging discussions of influential hypnosis theories, the role of informed consent in treatment, recent developments in cognitive neuroscience in understanding hypnosis, the pros and cons of formal versus informal hypnotic suggestibility assessment, and the advantages and disadvantages of different types of hypnotic suggestions (e.g., direct, indirect, permissive, authoritative) and manualized versus individualized treatment approaches. Novice and seasoned readers alike will appreciate the humor and wit, good advice, anecdotes, and rich case material that is the author’s stock-in-trade. I found myself flipping through the pages like I was reading compelling nonfiction, and like some of the novels I treasure, I was disappointed when the book ended.

The title, which features the controversial term “trance,” might dissuade some readers from perusing the book. That would be a mistake. As the author explains, the title is a vestige of previous editions of the book, and was retained in this thoroughly updated revised edition in order to identify it with its two immensely successful predecessors. Although Yapko acknowledges that the term “trance” is obsolete, there is nothing obsolete about the contents of the book. In fact, Trancework brims with virtually up-to-the-minute references to research, contemporary hypnosis theories, clinical issues and techniques, and intellectually stimulating controversies and theoretical debates. The author’s presentation of controversies regarding the nature of hypnosis and the role of hypnosis in creating false memories is fair to different theoretical perspectives, faithful to the empirical literature, and accessible to a wide audience.

It is evident that writing this book was a labor of love for Michael Yapko. He speaks with the authority of many years of clinical experience, shared in this and his many other excellent books. But he is also a knowledgeable, clear, and compassionate teacher who takes seriously the challenge of making the skills of hypnosis accessible to a broad audience. I heartily recommend Michael Yapko’s Trancework to what I hope will be a growing legion of students of hypnosis around the world.
—Steven Jay Lynn, Ph.D., ABPP Professor of Psychology Binghamton University Binghamton, NY

References

Barber, T. X. (1985). Hypnosuggestive procedures as catalysts for effective psychotherapies. In S. J. Lynn & J. P. Garske (Eds.), Models and Methods of Psychotherapy (pp. 333–376). Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill.

Lynn, S. J., Kirsch, I., Batabasz, A., Cardeña, E., & Patterson, D. (2000). Hypnosis as an empirically supported adjunctive technique: The state of the evidence. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 48, 343–361.

Introduction to the 3rd Edition

Welcome to this new edition, the third, of Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis. It has been a labor of love to prepare this new edition. Being in this field for as long as I have, it is a wonderful thing to feel even more enthusiastic about it than when I began. I hope my enthusiasm will come shining through, and that you will find Trancework a valuable introduction to a dynamic and fascinating field.

What's new in this Edition

First, let me say a few words about why a new edition was necessary, and what you can expect to find in this volume. The second edition of Trancework came out in 1990, more than a dozen years ago, and so much has happened in the field in the interim that this revision is actually quite long overdue. In fact, so much has evolved that I considered changing the title of the book simply to eliminate the use of the obsolete word “trance” just to keep in step with the times. But, the title Trancework is so well known within the field that it made practical sense to keep it, thereby requiring people to look beyond the title to see what’s new.

So, what’s new in this third edition? Two brand new chapters have been added, as have many entirely new chapter sections spread throughout the book. Other chapters have been substantially modified, a response to the explosion of good recent studies revealing and clarifying many aspects of hypnosis. An invaluable addition to this edition are the many hundreds of reference citations provided throughout the text. For careful readers who want to be pointed in the direction of supportive research for points made, or who simply want further information on a particular topic, the extensive reference sections at the end of each chapter will be welcome.

Every field has its share of distinguished contributors, and clinical hypnosis is no exception. You will be introduced to many of them in this book through special sections throughout called “Frames of Reference.” In these sections, you will hear pioneers and innovators in the field of hypnosis present some of their ideas on principles and applications of hypnosis. I am pleased to have the chance to introduce you to some of the field’s most influential figures.
Trancework is a textbook meant to guide your training in hypnosis. It is meant to inspire you, of course, but also to teach the skills to be effective in applying hypnosis. The chapters are filled with practical information, and at the end of almost every chapter, you will be presented with “Things to Discuss” and “Things to Do.” I hope and expect you will find these an invaluable part of the learning process.

What's new in the Field

Clinical hypnosis has been the subject of serious scientific inquiry for only about 70 years, but has been the source of fascination for students of human experience for more than two centuries. Only in the last two decades, however, has hypnosis research reached a level of sophistication that offers some objective evidence for its clinical value.
Three powerful forces converged in the 1990s and continue to the present that re-shaped many of our understandings of clinical hypnosis. The first of these forces has been the growing emphasis in the field of psychotherapy on proving its worth with empirical data affirming its effectiveness. The drive for developing so-called empirically supported psychotherapies has pushed and pulled the field in different, and sometimes even contradictory, directions, taking hypnosis along with it since hypnosis is most commonly applied in the psychotherapeutic domain. A direct result is the division within the field of those who see hypnosis as a vehicle for delivering “standard” psychotherapies (e.g., cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, etc.) and not a therapy in its own right, and those who see hypnosis as a special form of therapy reflected in the self-defining term “hypnotherapy.” Regardless of one’s position, the salient research questions have been, “Does hypnosis enhance treatment results?” and, “Can hypnosis correctly be considered an ‘empirically supported’ style of intervention?”

The second force re-shaping clinical hypnosis in recent years directly and explosively collided with the first. I’m referring to the so-called repressed memory controversy. In the mid-1990s, the controversy reached its zenith, bitterly dividing the mental health profession over the presumed role of repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse as the underlying cause of a client’s current symptoms. Extreme positions by “experts” dominated the field, encouraging clinicians to either believe all memories excavated in treatment through hypnosis and other suggestive memory retrieval techniques or to disbelieve all such memories as fabrications in response to untoward influence by therapists or others. (The controversy has since quieted as evidence for both/ all points of view helped define an informed clinical practice.) Suddenly, hypnosis and the phenomenon of human suggestibility was in the center spotlight as experts in persuasion, interrogation, memory, trauma, and hypnosis squared off against each other, both in the journals and the tabloids, further confusing an already confused public about what it all meant. Meanwhile, each day’s headlines blared a new story of some trusted figure being accused of abuse on the basis of memories recovered in hypnosis. The field of clinical hypnosis was forced to redefine itself more scientifically while directly addressing and correcting many of the common myths held about the nature of human memory and how it is affected by hypnotic procedures.

The third major force reshaping the field has been the advances in cognitive neuroscience. There is something about the experience of hypnosis that invites careful neurophysiological inquiry. After all, unusual things happen: A person has normal bodily perceptions one minute, then focuses on suggestions for experiencing a dramatic change in bodily sensations, and the next minute the person actually experiences those suggested changes. How does the mind influence the brain in hypnosis, and vice versa? Newer scanning technologies, such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), have made it possible to begin investigating the brain during hypnotic procedures in ways that simply were not possible years ago. The possibilities in this new domain of research are very exciting and may eventually help us focus our clinical efforts.

Research and Clinical Practice

Has a state of hypnosis, what used to popularly be called a “trance state,” been identified? No, nor do people in hypnosis generally think of themselves in some unique altered state of consciousness. The use of the term “trance” to characterize the experience of hypnosis is not particularly descriptive of anything either scientifically precise or clinically relevant, and so I have dropped it from the body of this volume. Instead, I will talk about the subjective experiences of hypnosis from the standpoint of the person in hypnosis, and the processes of hypnosis from the standpoint of the person conducting the hypnosis session. I will generally use the term “client” to refer to the former, and either “clinician” or “therapist” to refer to the latter.

With data being the new currency in the field, researchers have taken a newly ascendant position, and clinicians a largely defensive one, struggling to continue to do what they feel works, even if the evidence is not yet there to validate them. Clinicians understand that no matter how much scientific data are generated, clinical practice will always require a high level of artistry. Consequently, I think it is imperative to provide you with some exposure to the scientific side of hypnosis, citing many (but only a small percentage) of the good research studies available. And, I think it even more imperative to highlight the actual skills that go into developing and delivering effective hypnotic processes. After all, no matter how much data and scientifically supported rationales you might have for a specific intervention, it means next to nothing if the client doesn’t benefit from it. (Frankly, it’s why I’d prefer we “validate” therapists rather than therapies.) As you can tell, I’m a pragmatist. My emphasis throughout this book will reflect that orientation, highlighting what is practical and effective.

Helping you evolve the artistry in both conceptualizing and applying clinical hypnosis is a primary goal of this volume, especially in light of recent clinical controversies and the demands of modern clinical practice in an age of accountability. I hope you will enjoy learning both the art and science of clinical hypnosis. And, I especially hope you will discover both the personal and professional enrichments as well as the many benefits to your clients when you integrate clinical hypnosis into your practice.

— Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D. June 2003 www.yapko.com

Endorsements to the 3rd Edition

“Of the many excellent books Dr. Yapko has authored, both for health professionals and the  general public,  Trancework is  the  most  detailed  and  comprehensive.  This book is a must for every health professional who uses or wants to learn to use the powerful tool of hypnosis to help patients and clients.  I highly recommend Trancework and will personally refer to it often in my own work.”

—Jordan I. Zarren, M.S.W., DAHB, DCSW Past President: American Society of Clinical Hypnosis Diplomate: American Hypnosis Board for Clinical Social Work & National Association of Social Workers Co-Author: Brief Cognitive Hypnosis: Facilitating the Change of Dysfunctional Behavior

“Michael Yapko delivers a state-of-the-art sourcebook that spans the depth and breadth of the hypnotic tradition. Up to date chapters on neuroscience and social psychology, as well as on the practical application of hypnosis, provide beginning and seasoned practitioners alike with creative ways to design and implement effective interventions. If you want to add a book to your library that is destined to be a classic, Trancework is a safe bet!”

—Maggie Phillips, Ph.D. Co-Author: Healing the Divided Self: Clinical and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy for Posttraumatic and Dissociative Conditions Author: Finding the Energy to Heal: How EMDR, Hypnosis, TFT, Imagery and Body Focused Therapy Help to Restore Mindbody Health (2000) Current Book Editor: The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis

“Yapko has made the best text on hypnosis even better.  His commitment to sound science, clarity of reason and pragmatic applications is communicated with a passion in this new edition of Trancework. The freshness of information and skills, built on the  wisdom of former editions, make this a state-of-the-art book for every therapist who wants to be (and shouldn’t we all be?) a state-of-the-art practitioner.”

—George W. Burns, B.A. (Hons.), clinical psychologist. Author: 101 Healing Stories and Standing Without Shoes Director: The Milton H. Erickson Institute of Western Australia

Foreward to the 4th Edition by Peter Sheehan

The author of this fourth edition of Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis needs no introduction, especially after the established success of his three previous editions. Michael Yapko has an outstanding national and international reputation in his field. Amidst many accolades, he was recipient of the Pierre Janet Award for Clinical Excellence, a lifetime achievement award from the International Society of Hypnosis, as well as The Milton Erickson Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Psychotherapy. This fourth edition of this classic work shows why his work is so highly regarded by his professional colleagues.

Trancework has spanned 28 years of expert scholarship. The series began with Yapko guiding us to learn the skills of clinical hypnosis, and expanded in subsequent editions to reflect the growth of the field and draw attention to the growing research - based evidence for the merits of clinical hypnosis. In so doing, Trancework established itself as an extraordinarily comprehensive guide to training in clinical hypnosis, giving the reader valuable hints on what to do and what not to in clinical hypnosis, familiarity with the full range of hypnotic phenomena, exposure to major theoretical points of view in the field, the practicalities of induction and utilization of hypnosis, strategies to adopt, and even potential hazards to anticipate and prevent. Throughout the text, the insights of the books are reinforced by superbly rich clinical material. The third edition consolidated the benefits of the 1st and 2nd editions, and became the book that was described by one expert as “a state of the art sourcebook that spans the depth and breadth of the hypnotic tradition” (Phillips, 2003).

This new edition, by offering many new chapters as well as substantial revisions of previous ones, continues the march. It condenses past chapters to emphasize principal messages, and provides up to date research material on topics ranging from mechanisms of attention to relevant gene expression and behavioural medicine findings. Chapters new to this edition encompass such significant (and needed) topics as Mind- Body Therapy and Hypnosis, Hypnosis and Positive Psychology, Paediatric Hypnosis, and related contemporary techniques of focusing.

Previous editions have established the tradition of exposing readers to interviews with leading figures in the field. This edition carries on that tradition, and thereby provides a more personal glimpse of the innovators and pioneers of the field who each share highly distinctive perspectives on the nature and meaning of hypnosis. Every experimenter, theorist, and clinician in the field necessarily has a particular set of assumptions, preconceptions, or leanings towards a particular point of view. The inclusion of chapters based on personal reflections and presentations uniquely allows those assumptions to become transparent. Not only does the material in this edition provide stimulating discussion of the nature of hypnosis, but it highlights fascinating material about the authors of those reflections.

One major, overarching set of assumptions and preconceptions in the field of hypnosis relates to the polar dimensions of realism and phenomenalism, the subject of much of my own research. One might ask: To what extent are theory and practical considerations bound to assumptions of the way things look versus the way things really are? In his revised chapter on “The Phenomenology of Hypnosis,” Michael Yapko recognises well the need for a practicing professional to respond to the demands of external reality. The practicing clinician must work for outcomes that establish and clarify effective responses to reality, which have to be perceived as helpful and meaningful by the client, if therapeutic outcomes are to be deemed beneficial. For instance, when pain exists, the reality of it cannot be ignored. But it is more than only physical pain. As Yapko forcefully and correctly argues, a client’s underlying needs and concerns have to be placed in the broader, external setting of the person’s family and social environment.

He makes this point often and very effectively, particularly when he describes and analyses the various phenomena of hypnosis, and defines them both in terms of the experience of the subjects and how they are affected and modified by external constraints. Later, Yapko reiterates his position that hypnotic phenomena are the building blocks of experience. He advances the notion that “in varying combinations (or) degrees of purity, the various hypnotic phenomena comprise ongoing experience, whether good or bad.” He makes it clear that the treatment dynamics of hypnotic sessions can never be understood completely without realistic assessment of the likely effects of intervening hypnotically, and emphasizes this point in his thoughtful presentation of the session material covered in the seven cases in Chapter 22.

As a self-defined practical, introductory guide to clinical work in hypnosis, this revision by no means lacks theoretical sophistication. The book establishes new and stimulating ideas on theory throughout, and his ideas challenge and extend the reader’s thinking in many ways. On the contrasting dimensions of realism and phenomenalism, however, the book is clinically right in emphasizing both, and I’m certain most readers will agree.

The complexity of the field of hypnosis, its various manifestations, and diverse theoretical underpinnings can be daunting. It is a tribute to the skills of Michael Yapko that he manages to capture and convey this complexity in a highly readable form. No one who picks up this book will fail to be guided through the art and science of clinical hypnosis in a highly revealing and scholarly way. This is a book that illustrates the understandings of an expert, an authority in the field, but one who can also communicate clearly what that complexity means. Yapko does this without lessening in any way its ever present encouragement to the reader to learn more. It is a comprehensive book, and referenced extremely well. One can dip into it at almost any clinical, theoretical or empirical level, learn the practicalities of being a good clinician (whether formally utilizing hypnosis or not), and emerge with very valuable hints on how to actualize the many potential clinical benefits of hypnosis.

To students, educators, clinicians, and researchers alike, this is a text that consolidates its reputation as being a classic in its field. Few professionals could emulate its prodigious scope and understanding of the issues, and practical work in the field. This is a book that respects the pioneers in the field, looks analytically at the contributions of fresh, innovative people working in the area, provides relevant examples of the points it makes, consistently champions the integrity and rights of clients, and keeps professionals and students alike thinking creatively about what an in-depth under- standing of hypnosis can mean to themselves and others.

I recommend Trancework unreservedly for anyone looking for a stimulating, and pragmatic guide to the field of clinical hypnosis. I am conscious, though, that no one book is ideal for all audiences. This book will suit most, but I think it is especially ideal for clinicians wanting to learn to use hypnosis in their clinical practices. This is Yapko’s goal, after all, and he achieves it admirably.

This fourth edition, as did the ones that preceded it, communicates a wonderful enthusiasm for its subject matter. With all that Michael Yapko continues to learn and understand about hypnosis, he becomes even more passionately committed to the field. It shows clearly in the way he continues to write about it. I think every good professional in the area of hypnosis should strive to be like that, but few are ever fortunate enough, like him, to attain that worthy goal.
Peter W. Sheehan, Ph.D. August, 2011

Reference

Phillips, M. (2003). Endorsement of Trancework (3rd ed.). New York: Routledge.

Introduction to the 4th Edition

It is my privilege to introduce to you this new 4th edition of Trancework. When I first wrote Trancework almost 30 years ago, I hoped it would be an enduring textbook to guide professionals in learning hypnosis, one that would be regularly updated to stay current with the dynamic field of hypnosis. That aspiration has been fulfilled. Trance- work has been translated into other languages, and is widely used in clinical hypnosis training programs around the world.
Almost three decades later, my life is still powerfully shaped by my dedication to the field of clinical hypnosis. It was not difficult to imagine even back then that hypnosis would grow from primarily being a therapeutic art into a broader science that would offer much to the health care professions. It has been exciting to watch this gradual transition as hypnosis matured in developing its scientific foundation, and its list of meaningful contributions across many health care disciplines is ever-expanding. Keeping abreast of the goings-on in this fascinating field as it continues to evolve has been a challenge and a delight.

If you are new to the field of clinical hypnosis, I hope you will be impressed and motivated by the many possibilities it offers. To practice and promote a sense of empowerment in people is a core component of effective treatment, and it is inherent in the use of hypnosis. When you utilize hypnosis and your clients find beneficial resources in themselves they never knew were there, the effect is profound. You’ll likely discover this relatively quickly once you start working with hypnosis.
If you aren’t new to the field, then you have already come to know the merits of hypnosis in clinical practice. What this book will offer you is a comprehensive over- view of what’s currently going on in the domain of hypnosis, an in-depth consideration of issues associated with the use of hypnosis, a greater appreciation for the diverse ways in which hypnosis can be applied, and a more detailed description of hypnotic methods and characteristics.

This 4th edition provides a timely update to the field. The previous third edition is now almost a decade old, and enough things have changed to warrant this new edition. You’ll note the addition of 5 entirely new chapters, new sections added to many other chapters, new research citations and updated references, and other changes as well. Carried over from the previous edition but modified in form is The Case of Vicki, a dramatic hypnosis session with a 42-year-old woman with terminal cancer. However, to make room for the new chapters without making the book too cumbersome, the transcript of Vicki’s session with commentary and analysis was taken from the text and moved to a CD provided with this book. Also new to this edition is the inclusion of the DVD of the session with Vicki so readers can watch the session and follow along with the transcript as they watch. As you will see, this powerful example of hypnosis applied in one of the most vulnerable of situations warrants the special attention it receives here.

This book is meant to serve as a guide to formal training in clinical hypnosis. As before, at the end of each chapter there are suggestions for things to consider and things to do. These are provided to encourage you to be an active student. After all, the best learning of hypnotic skills comes from doing things proactively to help develop them. I hope you will find these exercises interesting and helpful to your learning process.

I hope you will be inspired by all that I have written here to make hypnosis a core dimension of your clinical work. There is a world of people out there who desperately need the skills you’ll be acquiring.

Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D.
May, 2011 www.yapko.com

Endorsements to the 4th Edition

“This is an almost encyclopedic compendium of information for anyone serious about studying hypnosis. Michael Yapko’s presentations are always well received. It is inclusive and well indexed as both a study guide and reference book. I recommend it highly.”

— Dabney M. Ewin, MD, Clinical Professor of Surgery and Psychiatry, Tulane Medical School, Louisiana

“The art of therapy is the fusion of scientific understanding and clinical insight. Michael  Yapko’s  fourth  edition  of Trancework is  an  artistic  achievement.  He presents the latest neuroscientific research in easy-to-understand fluid prose and he takes on the controversies in our field with wisdom and grace. He describes interpersonal communication with uncanny sensitivity and humor, and uses his insights to enhance the foundation of all our work—the doctor–patient relation-ship. In the end, he teaches us that the adjunctive use of clinical hypnosis opens our doors to wonderful possibilities of enhanced  patient  care.  Dr.  Yapko has done it again!”

— Peter B. Bloom, MD, Past President, International Society of Hypnosis, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Pennsylvania

“Trancework 4th Edition exceeds the highest of expectations established from the previous editions. Michael Yapko has successfully accomplished the difficult task of blending extensive and current research with highly understand-able, interesting, and clinically insightful text. This comprehensive book covers a wide range of topics that well represent the many facets of the field of hypnosis, and inspires readers to see the relevance of hypnotic principles and methods in virtually every clinical interaction. Yapko’s depth of experience is evident on every page and gives everyone from the basic learner to the seasoned practitioner words for what they need to know as well as what they didn’t know they knew. Trancework gets my highest recommendation.”

— Betty Alice Erickson, MS, private practice, Dallas, Texas

“For almost 30 years, Michael Yapko has been a leader in the field of clinical hypnosis, and Trancework has been the  ‘go-to’ handbook for the novice  and expert practitioner alike. A master clinician, with loads of practical experience and sage advice to share, Yapko is also attentive to scientific evidence—not just the results of studies of clinical effectiveness, but also the basic science, psycho-logical and physiological, on which clinical practice must be based if it is going to succeed. This fourth edition is thoroughly updated, and belongs on the shelf of everyone who is interested in clinical hypnosis.”

— John Kihlstrom, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley

Foreward to the 5th edition by Irving Kirsch

You are about to begin reading the 5th edition of Michael D. Yapko’s wonderful book, Trancework. Perhaps you are a health professional who is new to hypnosis and are trying to decide whether to incorporate it into your practice, or maybe you are someone who has used hypnosis professionally for years and wish to catch up on new developments in the field. In any case, you can relax and enjoy becoming absorbed in this well-written, comprehensive, entertaining, and persuasive text. Like its four predecessors, this 5th edition of Trancework provides an excellent guide to developing the core skills essential to the skilled use of clinical hypnosis. A major strength of Yapko’s approach is the attention devoted at the beginning to the theoretical backdrop and research evidence concerning the nature of hypnosis. This sets Trancework apart from many of its competitors. As Yapko notes in the very first paragraph of the first section of the book, “Just tell me what to do” is a hazardous position to take. After all, “how you think about hypnosis naturally determines how you will use it.”

Portraying the theoretical backdrop of hypnosis is not an easy task. The field has been plagued by important, but sometimes acrimonious disputes. Yet Yapko describes the various theoretical approaches to hypnosis in a way that is respectful of all these theories. He accomplishes this, in part, by including “Frame of Reference” sections in which leading hypnosis scholars present their views in their own words. At the same time, he does not shy away from addressing misconceptions that are even held by some professionals. For example, he carefully but clearly addresses the common misconception that hypnotic communication “bypasses the conscious mind and goes directly into the unconscious.” This is just one of many misconceptions that may frighten some potential clients and either prevent them from entering hypnotic treatment or produce unrealistic expectations of change without effort. Being aware of these misconceptions and how to correct them is fundamental to the effective use of clinical hypnosis and can facilitate the client’s ability to make use of his or her capacity for altering experience in a therapeutic way. Indeed, I wish an abbreviated version of the section on misconceptions could be made available for clients and anyone considering seeking a therapist who utilizes hypnosis in his or her work.

In addition to describing the various theoretical and conceptual approaches to hypnosis that others have proposed, Yapko discusses social psychological studies, knowledge of which can facilitate understanding and using hypnosis. These include topics like conformity, cognitive dissonance, obedience to authority, and the illusion of control. The information provided on these topics is important to clinicians no matter what their style of practice might be.

The second part of Trancework describes a wide array of clinical issues and the range of treatment approaches that can be used by a knowledgeable clinician during a hypnosis session. As you read these, you may notice that they not only describe the skillful use of hypnosis, but also the kind of communication that a good psychotherapist might use in therapy sessions in general. For this reason, Trancework will be useful to clinicians even if they choose to not use hypnosis.

The principles underlying the effective use of clinical hypnosis are equally relevant to the effective practice of psychotherapy without hypnosis. This is because it is not merely the induction of hypnosis that produces therapeutic results; rather, it is what one suggests after hypnosis has been induced and, more important, how the client responds to those suggestions.1  As Yapko notes, everything that can be experienced during hypnosis can also be experienced when the same suggestions are given without the formal induction of hypnosis. This includes even the most difficult hypnotic suggestions. For example, in response to suggestion, highly responsive individuals can experience compelling visual hallucinations whether hypnotized or not, as indicated by both self-report and changes in brain activity (Mazzoni et al., 2009; McGeown et al., 2012). However, as Yapko points out in detail throughout the book, there are many great reasons to use hypnosis as a goal-oriented means of intervention. There is something quite special about the hypnotic experience and, for many clients, the experience of hypnosis unquestionably provides a focused and creative context for catalyzing therapy. Furthermore, the therapeutic strategies developed by practitioners of clinical hypnosis can be effective tools even when utilized without the induction of hypnosis. These are especially compelling reasons to read this book carefully and consider its deeper implications.

I first learned clinical hypnosis in the early 1970s, as part of a psychotherapy practicum taught by Perry London, a pioneer hypnosis researcher, at the University of California. I began doing research on hypnosis a decade later, when Jim Council, who was then one of my most talented graduate students at the University of Connecticut, brought a couple of studies on hypnosis to our research team for discussion, a discussion that shaped his master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation. Yet despite my many years of experience in the field, I learned a great deal from reading Michael D. Yapko’s Trancework. I expect that you will as well.

— Irving Kirsch, Ph.D. Associate Director, Program in Placebo Studies Harvard Medical School

Note

1. There is one exception to this generalization. The most common hypnotic inductions include instructions for relaxation, and procedures that induce relaxation can have positive physical and mental health consequences.

References

Mazzoni, G., Rotriquenz, E., Carvalho, C., Vannucci, M., Roberts, K., & Kirsch, I. (2009). Suggested visual hallucinations in and out of hypnosis. Consciousness and Cognition, 18, 494–499.
McGeown, W. J., Venneri, A., Kirsch, I., Nocetti, L., Roberts, K., Foan, L., & Mazzoni, G. (2012). Suggested visual hallucination without hypnosis enhancesactivity in visual areas of the brain. Consciousness and Cognition, 21, 100–116. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2011.10.015

Introduction to the 5th Edition

A new 5th edition of Trancework! It is so exciting and satisfying to have the opportunity to continue growing Trancework as the field of hypnosis itself continues to grow. Through each of its previous four editions, Trancework has played a significant role in exposing professionals around the world to the dynamic and fascinating field of clinical hypnosis, especially since it has regularly been adopted as the course text in university courses and privately sponsored clinical trainings. It has also been most gratifying to see it translated into many other languages, including Spanish, Italian, Chinese, and Russian.

My appreciation of the merits of hypnosis continues to expand as the field continues to evolve. I am fascinated by the growth in the scientific literature of hypnosis; high quality research is ongoing regarding ways hypnosis can alter physiology and cognitive processes that can help advance our understandings of human potential. As a clinician myself, I am even more fascinated by the growth of the clinical literature of hypnosis, highlighting the extraordinarily diverse ways hypnosis can enhance people’s health and well-being when applied by talented clinicians treating both psychological and medical issues. Hypnosis is so rich with possibilities!

This new 5th edition provides readers with an exposure to the current state of the field. It highlights some of the most recent clinical and experimental research and helps put it in perspective yet keeps the primary focus on the clinical artistry that goes into the effective use of hypnosis. Trancework is, above all else, a detailed guide to the development of the core skills of applied clinical hypnosis. It pays close attention to the concepts, language, and goals of hypnotic interaction, including the practical and ethical issues that are innate to patterns of hypnotic influence. This book’s transparent goal is to offer you the insights and understandings about hypnosis needed to be a skillful practitioner.

Trancework is divided into two parts: The first part is called Thought Before Action and is comprised of 10 chapters that are intended to highlight some of the key things that would be important to understand about hypnosis before you start practicing. While there are some who would prefer to say, “Just tell me what to do!” and skip past the foundational elements of hypnosis, I strongly advise against doing so. It should be obvious that how you think about hypnosis determines how you’ll practice hypnosis. Thinking clearly with a good foundation of knowledge about the complexities of hypnosis will help prevent a superficial or misinformed practice. To be blunt, a practitioner of hypnosis who doesn’t really understand hypnosis very well and just wants to learn techniques is doing his or her clients a disservice. Techniques are only a part of what it takes to use hypnosis well.

The second part of the book is called Hypnosis in Action and is comprised of 16 chapters that guide you through the development of the skills in applying hypnosis in clinical practice. These are the chapters on the language of suggestion, varied induction methods, designing and delivering therapeutic interventions, and addressing particular populations such as children or individuals with pain or depression. There are abundant examples of the methods discussed, and even guidance about what to do when you’re not sure what to do when the unexpected happens.

This new edition of Trancework has been updated and expanded in a number of ways: (1) New chapters have been added on the topics of metaphor, process-oriented hypnosis, and treating depression; (2) All other chapters have been updated with current references; (3) The special Frame of Reference sections have been expanded and, when possible, updated (which couldn’t be done for many of the pioneers featured who are deceased); (4) Many new session transcripts have been added to help you better understand what the concepts and methods sound like in actual hypnosis sessions; and (5) A dedicated Trancework website has been established that you are encouraged to visit regularly. Rather than take up valuable book pages with the lengthy Reference section and Appendices, these will be found on the website. The Forewords to the previous four editions written by Jeffrey Zeig, André Weitzenhoffer, Steven Jay Lynn, and Peter Sheehan, respectively, as well as my Introductions, will be found on the website as well. The website address is: www.routledge.com/cw/Yapko.

I hope you will find Trancework inspiring and practical, supportive, and thoughtful. I have put my heart and soul into this book, and here’s why: I feel so very lucky to have been exposed to hypnosis at a young age and thereby have a full lifetime to explore and help develop it as a powerful vehicle for helping people. It has been a privilege, and . . . I’m not done yet!

Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D.
May 13, 2018

Endorsements to the 5th edition

"Michael Yapko’s books are gifts that keep on giving, and the 5th edition ofTranceworkis no exception. In this updated and expanded version of his classic text, Yapko provides a state-of-the-art and state-of-the-science overview of clinical hypnosis. With his trademark thoroughness, balanced view, and clear writing, Yapko has provided another valuable contribution that is a joy to read. Trancework not only provides practical and detailed descriptions of the most effective hypnotic techniques, but gives clinicians the background knowledge needed to use these techniques most effectively. It is clear why Trancework is used so often as a basic textbook for teaching hypnosis."

— Mark P. Jensen, PhD, professor and vice chair for research, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, and author ofHypnosis for Chronic Pain Management

"Despite my extensive experience in doing, researching, writing, and teaching hypnosis, I found this new 5the dition of Michael Yapko’s Trancework both enriching and enjoyable. It is a fine blend of history, biographies, theory, research, philosophy, cases, and practical application, unlike any other compendium. It is elegant in its simplicity and accessibility while simultaneously providing a thorough presentation of each topic, complete with discussion of differing opinions, conflicting theories, and up-to-date references. The unique frames of reference throughout bring to life the contributions and words of the masters upon whose shoulders we stand. I believe each reader will enhance their personal understanding and growth by utilizing ideas from this incredible contribution to the world of hypnosis."

— Daniel P. Kohen, MD, developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Partners in Healing of Minneapolis, co-founder/co-director of the National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute, and retired professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota

"From its very first edition, Trancework was my constant, invaluable companion while learning and sharpening my professional hypnosis skills. Packed with sound science, practical applications, therapeutic commonsense, and warm compassion, Yapko’s fifth edition of Trancework contains nearly everything about clinical hypnosis that both new and experienced therapists could ever need. One of the world’s most knowledgeable hypnosis educators and authors has significantly improved what I personally consider to be the world’s best hypnosis book."
— George W. Burns, adjunct professor of psychology, Cairnmillar Institute, Australia, and author of 101 Stories for Enhancing Happiness and Well-being

"Michael Yapko’s new fifth edition of Trancework is much more than an introduction to the field of hypnosis: it is an essential book that provides insights and skills related to hypnosis that all practitioners and students of clinical hypnosis will want to master.Trancework highlights Yapko’s lifelong passion for his mission of advancing the field by articulating the proven benefits of clinical hypnosis in contributing to the wellbeing of patients’ body, mind and soul."

— Consuelo C. Casula, internationally known author and teacher, and past president of the European Society of Hypnosis

"This fifth edition of Trancework has again proven that Michael Yapko remains what can only be described as a curious expert, and we as students of hypnosis are the luckier for it. Dr. Yapko provides historical perspective and the most updated research, helping to revise, clarify, and provoke our thinking about hypnosis. But what truly makes this book a page-turner are the generous examples of language and the sharing of skills that illustrate how being hypnotic serves to amplify resources, develop connection, and alleviate suffering. Dr. Yapko’s own enthusiasm shines brightly, and is in fact so contagious that both the new and veteran reader will put down this book feeling compelled to explore, experience, and more widely share this valuable clinical tool."

— Lynn Lyons, LICSW, author of Using Hypnosis with Children

"This fifth edition ofbTrancework is a wonderful improvement to an already seminal work. Dr. Yapko’s accessible writing style allows the reader to take advantage of his incredible capacity to synthesize a stunning amount of research, theory, and clinical experience into practical application for the reader. It is amazing to find a text that can operate on several levels, allowing the novice to gain important foundational and practical knowledge about hypnosis while also having so much to offer the clinician who has been practicing hypnosis for years. The research updates on the quickly growing field of hypnosis are essential for any clinician practicing hypnosis."

— Jody Thomas, PhD, clinical psychologist and adjunct faculty at the Stanford University School of Medicine, faculty at the National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute, and executive director of the Meg Foundation

"Michael Yapko’s newly revised Trancework offers readers a well-organized combination of a cogent summary of new information, a thoughtful reminder of one’s forgotten knowledge, and a compendium of practical strategies to incorporate into your existing therapeutic repertoire. There’s a reason why so many reviewers of Yapko’s work comment on his writing style: it’s crisp, conversational and compelling! Trancework is a comprehensive text providing an abundance of thought-provoking current material and balanced analyses of relevant subtopics. It will surely inspire new professionals as well as experienced clinicians to keep current with the field and revitalize the quality of their work."

— Pamela Kaiser, PhD, CPNP, co-founder/co-director, National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute, and former associate clinical professor of behavioral & developmental pediatrics, University of California (San Francisco) Medical School

"Michael Yapko’s new fifth edition ofTranceworkhighlights his encyclopedic knowledge of hypnosis, which he shares with the reader in an easy-to-use, practical format. Yapko’s organization of the text is logical and progressive, featuring balanced and unbiased explanations of controversial issues in the field as he explores both the art and science of hypnosis. The chapter entitled ‘Process Oriented Hypnosis: When How Matters More Than Why’ is particularly unique in its consideration of the role of hypnosis in short term psychotherapies and describes one of Yapko’s most unique contributions to the field. This is truly the definitive book on clinical hypnosis. If you are to purchase only one book about hypnosis, Trancework is the one!"< p>

— Jeff Lazarus, MD, FAAP, clinical hypnotherapist in private practice, former associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, and creator of the home video programs Keeping the Bed Dry® and Controlling Your Gut Feelings®.

"The enigma of hypnosis raises countless questions about its nature and clinical relevance, thereby telling a never-ending story. This new edition of Trancework provides responses to many of the most important questions about hypnosis that both beginners and expert clinicians ask themselves, and also humbly acknowledges many of the questions we have yet to answer. Hypnosis as a field continues to grow, and it is rare to find a book like Trancework that grows along with it through each new edition. This is a book clearly written with great passion and enthusiasm that inspires these same feelings in the reader."

— Camillo Loriedo, MD, professor of psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome

"Michael Yapko’s fifth edition of Trancework is an exceptional book. Yapko’s extensive knowledge of the latest scientific research findings, in combination with his practical clinical guidance, provides readers a text written with clarity, relevance and wisdom. The special ‘Frame of Reference’ sections connect the reader to hypnosis luminaries and their important contributions to the hypnosis field. This book is a treasure and a must-read for both beginning and seasoned clinicians."

— Moshe S. Torem, MD, past president of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, chief of integrative medicine at the Cleveland Clinic-Akron General, and professor of psychiatry at Northeast Ohio Medical University

"This is a new 5thedition of a classic book by Michael Yapko, who is arguably the most active and prolific conventional writer in the field of clinical hypnosis. This is truly a breathtaking work on how to learn hypnosis and apply it to human suffering. While ‘introductory’ at some levels, it offers one of the best available discussions highlighting the complexity of the field. The scope of this volume, and the respect it shows for the great writers in the field, will be hard to replicate."

— David R. Patterson, PhD, author of Clinical Hypnosis for Pain Control

"Yapko has done it again. His revised Trancework keeps its place as the most comprehensive and practical text on weaving hypnosis into clinical practice. Yapko’s mastery is in his ability to guide us to a coherent conceptualization of hypnotic strategies while making them immediately accessible. Trancework teaches the indispensable core of hypnosis in therapy and so remains the essential text."

— Laurence I. Sugarman, MD, FAAP, ABMH, research professor in the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, and co-author/editor of Therapeutic Hypnosis with Children and Adolescents, 2nd Edition

"Comprehensive, penetrating, and always practical, the many strengths of this book include its grounding in modern neuroscience, its range of clinical examples and applications, and the warmth and clarity of its writing. This new edition of Dr. Yapko’s classic will be highly useful for both experts and those beginning to use hypnosis. A wonderful book."

— Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness