Hypnotherapy Books

I have been an admirer of Vance Romane and his work for nearly thirty years. As a professional writer and practicing hypnotist, I have found The Wellness Journey to be a wonderful addition to my personal library, filled with thoughtful insights and opportunities for self-improvement. Vance shares much of himself in this volume and one can't help but feel the genuine concern and respect the man has for his fellow human beings. Vance Romane is a man who loves life and has dedicated himself to improving the human condition. The Wellness Journey is as much a spiritual odyssey as it is an informative journey into human understanding. Bravo Vance!

This is a lovely hypnosis book which covers all the basics of hypnosis, but lacks extra time to discuss phrasing of specific words. It discusses everything you need to know about hypnosis and is GREAT for beginners, but advanced hypnotists probably will skip many pages. Many things have been discussed in many other hypnosis books, so it was kind of like, "Been there, done that." But that's just me. If you're an ADVANCED hypnotist, this book may not really teach you new things. However, a book I'd recommend is: Handbook of Hypnotic Suggestions and Metaphors

I am an objective type. My science degree encourages physical evidence, where logic, objectivity, and physical proof are highly valued. I can only say, this book resonated with me. I bought it because I had an experience that I could neither explain, nor get comfortable with. So, just like any scientist, I gathered information. This was one of the books I picked up. More than any other, it resonated with me in ways I cannot explain. So, I write this review, not because it is logical or scientific, but because I feel compelled to do so. You should read this book. It may bring back some far away memory, as it did within me.

I've always believed in reincarnation and that what we do in this life will affect our future ones, but I never thought about all the details and what might happen inbetween. This book was fascinating in that it answered any question I would have had if I would have thought to ask it.

Most of it makes perfect sense: The extremely vivid experience of Deja Vu, sexual preferences and that feeling like you've known someone all your life who you've just recently met.

The problem I had with this book, and why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, is that at times it seemed a little sci-fi and far-fetched. (It wouldn't surprise me if there was an audio book version out there read by William Shatner.) :P
That being said, the book still kept my interest and got me thinking.
I just wish it was a little less 'astral plane' and a little more down to earth.

That's all I have to say. It is worth that alone to read both these books. But there's so much more. You might as well buy more than one copy as you will keep giving it away!!

There is not much I can say, just read it. The book will stand for itself. If you are a religious person, in the religion type of doctrines, then you might have some problems with the book. If you search for a higher meaning and spirituality then you have to read this book.

This book can have three outcomes:

1. It can change your life.
2. It can help you advance in spiritual knowledge & awareness, supposing you already experienced point one.
3. Nothing changes, which might suggest you are in some form of religious doctrine which is against the pursuit of knowledge = stagnation.

Be open and see the deeper message inside the book.

Journey of Souls is a wonderful gift to the world, one that reminds us of Who We Really Are and what our eternal Home is really like. And the insights contained in these pages help us to see greater meaning in our lives during that brief time in which we're in body.
-Robert Schwartz, author of Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth?

Admittedly, I bought this book at a discount store. As the book is written well, I finished reading it in less than two days and started using the hypnotic scripts at once. I was a little timid going in because I wasn't sure what to expect. My first experience was positive. I actually felt lightly hypnotized. After three days, I already sense a subtle change in my own sense of confidence and personal power. Most of all, I'm completely convinced that I can be hypnotized with my eyes open, even while reading. This book includeds a section describing hypnosis, a section explaining how to use the book and then a compilation of 35 hypnotic scritps (everything from weight loss to improving your memory to building your confidence, and more). With practice and repitition, I believe almost anyone can use this book to induce a trance and make positive changes in their life over time.

A very interesting book. I can't say that it worked particularly well for me, but when doing the first part you do fall into a bit of a trance, which is pretty neat. Some of the claims of the book seem far-fetched, but I was convinced that hypnosis was real after reading the first part of the book. It's true...you do fall into a trance when reading a book, watching a film, or even listening to music. Interesting ideas, and it may work for you if you do in frequently enough. If you like messing around with your mind, by all means pick it up.

bueno no lo eh puesto en practica, pero es bastante bueno, me quito muchas ieas falsas de lo que era el verdadero hipnotismo y bueno ya hice la primera parte yme gusto, hay que abrir un poco la mente para nosotros al hacer los ejercicios pongamos nuestro cerebro con mas voluntad de abrirse, ya lo lei todo, y ya voy a empezar los ejercicios,
pero queria opinar porque hasta ahora excelente, y asi no resulten los ejercicios aprendi una realidad del hipnotismo que no sabia.

I `coincidently' found Instant Self-Hypnosis - How to Hypnotize Yourself With Your Eyes Open(2004) by Forbes Robbins Blair while reading about states of awareness experienced during creative writing. My initial interest in his book was his story of how he discovered his own induced state of trance by accident. Many therapists have told me since, that it is common to enter a heightened sense of awareness while working with clients, but Forbes was entering trance by just writing inductions. He stumbled across this realization by preparing for an upcoming client. This was different than anything else I had heard about. Further, Forbes' `symptoms' of his hypnotic state were almost identical to what I experience when writing and I am `in the flow'. His book provides inductions, scripts and templates as well as an overview for how to reach your unconscious mind through simply reading aloud or writing that which you want to achieve. I recommend this book to all of my students and I refer those whom I coach to use it as a tool for their bag of tricks in personal development.

This is an excellent self-help book. I have now over 2 months without biting and destroying my nails. I had been biting my nails since I was a child, but I do not remember when it started. It probably was when I was 4-5 years old. The thing is that I do not remember me having healthy nails, and I do not remember me without biting my nails. When I became an adult, biting my nails in public was embarrasing, so I started quietly destroying the flesh around my nails,and the nails while I was doing anything, like watching TV, driving, talking, etc. My nails were so destroyed that I always was embarrased of showing them, and always was trying to hide them from others. I had tried many thins to get rid of this habit, psycology books which give a method to follow, other meditation methods using affirmations, but nothing worked. Never ever, had been able to leave my naisl alone for even a day. With these other methods, perhaps I was able to leave, at least partially, alone my nails for one day, but the urge to bite/destroy them was so powerful that I could not resist touching them for a longer period of time. When I was really nervous for something, my nails were bleeding, and several times I lost some of them. ( because of infection). This is for you to have an idea of how stubborn was this habit. I always wanted and desired with all my heart not to have this habit, but simply could not get rid of it. I followed the instructions on this book, and did the script for "End fingernail biting" on page 90, for 15 days in a row, and to my surprise I was able not to touch/bite my nails during this time, even though the urge to do it was strong at sometimes. But was able to resist the temptation. Then I did another script, that I created following the instructions in the book for another thing I needed, but as soon I finished with this other goal, I repeated the script for fingernail biting for another 15 days in a row. I am so happy and surprised that I almost cannot believe that this is happening, that I have over 2 months now without touching my nails. For the first time in my life I have been able to cut and trim my nails. But some of them have suffered too much damage that still do not look good, and are slowly healing and recovering. For you to have an idea of the lenght of time I have been biting/destroying my nails, I am in the 40's. So I have been biting/destroying my nails for over 30 years. The method of this book really works, and it has many useful scripts to follow for other goals to achieve. In addition it gives a method to write your own scripts to achieve anything you want or need. (help with your subconscions mind). Highly recommended.

Learn from two great teachers of hypnotherapy, in this book it is all explained and a must for the shelf of any hypnotist. SPH UK

To become a certified Hypnotherapist/consulting hypnotist, you start with the basics and can stop there and help some people. But the power, the real healing power in hypnosis is in the advanced techniques Cal reveals in this book. The book, like his advanced training approach called 5-Path, surpasses others in it's step by step approach - it is clear, cohert and well structured. This takes advanced and complicated techniques and makes them easy to grasp and apply. I really appreciated the integration of many advanced techniques into a process that I could learn and start using.
So if you are interested in hypnosis at all, start at the end and read this book first, then you will really know if helping people with hypnosis is really right for you. You may just find that hypnosis may not be what you think...I guarantee you, it is so much more!

There are many books about Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy, many explain what it does, how to do it, for what, ... But this one tells you how to conduct practical steps inbetween, what the other books did not mention. How to set up your office, how to remind yourself what to mention and what not, and so much more even tips on hypnosis itself that most let out in their teaching.

Very practical ideas, straighforward, down to earth but professionaly put and experienced. As many books and videos I watched of all the induction techniques, and as many talk about Ericksonian language etc etc., none mention so many small things that are very practical and 'simple' things that this books mentions. Me as a more pro in other kind of therapy use alot of ideas of this book.. Since many ideas mentioned in this book can be used in other kinds of therapy/ies settings.

Just today I did a serious hypnosis session where a 'problem came up while in session, right away I grabbed this book and got advice how to maneuver further on, where non of the 10s of books (and a few videos) I have talks about it.

If you feel you are missing some common sense ideas and small bits this book will do it.

A good book for a regular practicioner in hypnosis.
Do not apply to a lay man willing to learn basic techniques for induction and reinforcement of hypnosis.
From France,a book that helps me to understand better my own practice...

That is a very interesting book, well written and to the point. Many books spend lots of time on the theoretical aspects of hypnosis being not practical or of limited practicality, and they are usually directed to the layman.
This book is directed to professionals or to people that already have a background on hypnosis.
In my opinion a book like that is a pearl in the vast literature of hypnosis, it shows and discuss the necessary know how for the professional to improve its practice or to start a successful one.
I highly recommend it to anyone that knows some hypnosis, and to the professional (whatever his level of competency). This book can surely help.

There's a lot here and Elias certainly knows his stuff. If you haven't experienced the foundational hypnosis work of Dave Elman, you'll have a hard time finding a better advocate than Jack Elias.

When it comes to the transpersonal part, Elias certainly throws his hodgepodge of Vedantic Spirituality, Tibetan Buddhist mental constructs, Psychosynthesis, Astrology, Archetypal psychology, past life regression and a little bit of NLP into the mix. The actual hypnosis work is technically excellent and well explained. I just don't find the philosophical underpinnings particularly well tied together.

Having worked with hypnotherapy for 20 years I can say that Elias know his stuff. If you want your hypnosis with a new age slant, here it is. If you want Buddhist based practices look elsewhere. This is directive hypnosis not mindfulness meditation.

I have had some email contact with the author. He provides certification classes in Hypnotherapy in Seattle, which seem to usually require a 2 week period. The Transpersonal slant is quite interesting!

I'm on my second read of Finding True Magic and am finding it remarkable. A must-have for clinicians or anyone who wishes to explore, accept and honor who we truly are.

Get this book. Read it several times. Take a class with Jack Elias.

I'm a Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner. I consider this book one of the cornerstones of my library - it is a textbook you can refer to over and over again. In fact, it is so densely packed with information, if you're anything like me you will *need* to read it over and over again to get everything out of it.

There are so many books out there, let me tell you why this book is different. Instead of being a "how-to" book about techniques, it is more of a "why" book about the human mind. Although this book contains techniques and scripts and explanations, underneath all that is a discourse about why people think they have "problems" in the first place. By reading this book you will discover that the "problem" your client thinks he or she has is simply a "trance state." You do not need to hypnotize anyone - they have already hypnotized themselves. I found many other books and trainings taught me to replace these "negative trances" with more "positive trances." This book, however, invites you to "wake up" from trances altogether and realize the profound effect you are having on your world by the way you observe it. Because of this, it is both a "beginner" and an "advanced" text.

I learned lots of techniques in other hypnotherapy and NLP trainings - but I didn't know what to do when my techniques "didn't work" with one particular client or another. After reading this book and taking Jack's class, I no longer have to rely on techniques. I can simply deal with whatever emerges.

This is the textbook for Jack's class, and although it is a great teaching tool by itself I do not think I would have gleaned as much from it by myself. I highly recommend Jack's live trainings, if you can take one you should. I don't know what else to say except I have taken 4 different hypnosis/NLP training classes and Jack's was one of the very best if not the best one. Not only did I learn techniques, I learned about the true nature of the mind!

--Paul Skavland, CHT

Submitted for Leona Moran, reviewer:
Finding True Magic is an exceptional resource for therapists, a guide for individuals, and the textbook for a comprehensive hypnotherapy training course. The second edition of this fine text is elegant; the author's perspectives and techniques clear and accessible.

Jack Elias writes in the genre of Daniel Goleman, Jon Kabat-Zinn and Mark Epstein: brilliant, passionate thinkers with a genius for interpreting and applying Eastern thought for the benefit of Westerners in the helping professions and those seeking to bring illumination to the dilemmas of their personal lives. He draws upon the experience of continuous study during his entire adult life with some of the major teachers of Eastern philosophy who have come to the West. These teachings have been deepened and integrated by his own meditation practice and in 18 years as a counselor, hypnotherapist, and teacher.

Gifted writers somehow infuse their work with their own voices. Elias' voice is clear, touching and compelling in these pages, enlivening the text with passion for the material and revealing the depth of his own rigorous honesty and contemplation of the ideas he presents. Direct, articulate and poetic, his writing invites the reader - whether experienced therapist or lay person - to embark upon a journey toward awakening.

True Magic, in Elias' perspective, can be found in the basic goodness of each individual. Grounded in uncompromising, and unsentimental faith in the presence and function of innate basic goodness, he assembles a wealth of practical techniques that make the magic of healing profoundly inspiring and understandable. He makes simple observations and then describes how they can profoundly transform and empower the therapeutic process and personal growth. For example, he states "Hypnotic processes are redundant...because we are always already in trance," and, "we think we live in the world, but we live in our minds." He then proceeds to give the reader a working understanding of these points

Elias emphasizes that therapy and self inquiry must be based on the assumption that even problem behaviors, attitudes or emotional pain have behind them an innate pure intent of achieving wholeness and balance. The role of the therapist - and the intent of the book - are to redirect awareness and energy to dissolve habitual patterns fueled by negative emotions that maintain physical, mental and emotional pain. The therapist is the facilitator of a natural healing process rather than a controller "doing" hypnosis to a client in trance.

Some of the most immediately useful elements are a wide variety of original scripts that can be used by students and therapists in traditional trance work or by individuals as a basis for healing meditation or journaling. Each script reflects the use of relaxation, healing imagery, and application of newly discovered inner resources that lead to ecologically sound, lasting solutions. The solutions and newly recognized resources which emerge spontaneously from the unconscious can be claimed as evidence of the individual's own inner strength and healing power. Solutions -and the ability to generate creative healing solutions - become permanent resources for future growth. Script topics range from self hypnosis for deep, healing relaxation, to regression and past life therapy, resolving inner conflicts, pain relief, exploring the human relationship to archetypal energies, and many others..

All of the work - text, instructions, examples and scripts incorporate and teach the arts of hypnotic communication: trance induction techniques, deep relaxation, pacing and leading, neuro-linguistic processes, vivid use of metaphor, imagery and more. The whole approach relies on the natural way the mind perceives, interprets, stores, processes and retrieves sensory information to quickly resolve problems such as phobias, trauma relief, motivation and performance enhancement.

The goal of all these techniques is to accomplish brief therapy that is based in natural mind/body healing capacities that are powerful, deep and transformative. Finding True Magic is a resource that makes this liberating kind of work possible for therapists of a variety of persuasions. It provides unforgettable insights about the role of the helper and illuminates the path of personal growth.

This book has a very chatty style; you could almost imagine the author reading it to you or chatting to you as you go through it. It has some good case studies which highlight clearly the information but is not for the beginner. Perhaps it is for the new practitioner. It would also be very useful for any prospective or new parent to read as it gives an incredibly interesting view on how hypnosis happens naturally in the world and so how we are influenced from being children!
GREAT BOOK - very interesting and easy style to read,

This is a very cool book about inducing Hypnosis where "traditional" inductions fail. It is directed at hypnosis professionals, but certainly an interesting read to anybody interested in the phenomenon it is to many.

First, Steve wrote it in a very relaxed and sometimes funny way. It is laced with examples of his own experience where his unconventional approach worked with subjects that claimed they could not be hypnotized. It does not attempt to over-explain and theorize neither hypnosis by itself nor the described approaches.

Steve starts out arguing that we all experience hypnosis every day in all sort of settings, also comparing Learning with Hypnosis. He then excurses on conscious output systems and unconscious processing systems. This becomes a key concept for almost everything that follows. It is described in an easy to understand form, but I am sure will still be not so easy to put to use. The last concept he introduces are Anchors, and again he brings several case studies how he used anchors to interrupt the patient's belief system and show them to break out of established negative patterns.

Steve's "method" (if you could actually call it that) is based on Erickson's teachings. At the core is the insight that a left-brained approach to problems introduced by the patient's right-brain processes will likely not give the desired results. I am certain you will be able to attest to this insight after you read this book - NOW.

Many years ago when Steve first published this book I owned an original copy signed by him. I cherished this book. It is a bit difficult for the lay person reading but once you take the time to read through the pages your life will be positively changed.

Don't be put off by the title, this is serious clinical stuff.

This is the most seriously fun and informative clinical hypnosis book I've ever read. Accessible, enlightening, profound. I'd love to learn more about Heller and those that he touched with his irreverent teaching style. Many must have blossomed into elegant therapists if they modeled their instructor at all.

Heller is completely professional and demonstrates just how natural hypnosis really is. What a terrific teacher/therapist he must have been (passed away 1997). He presents the information so that any novice will feel a deep respect for the therapeutic power of hypnosis as he strips away the awe and mystery. He's basically saying, 'hypnosis is all around us, what's the big deal, let's get on with it and employ hypnosis to help our clients change.'

All serious hypnotist/hypnotherapist will take away a feeling that they absolutely are in the right field at the right time.

He reports wonderful teaching stories as examples with techniques that you can apply right away.

I've read it twice and will be reading it again soon. Hey, it's a fun read.

George Guarino, CH

For me this needs reading more than once. It is a mine of information and very instructive. It provides a good fraame work that can be adapted to different situations.
Des Collett

Great writings of a great man. Highly recommended for students of hypnosis for a glimpse of what the best did. A wonderful learning tool into graceful changework.

A unique approach to psychiatry and psychotherapy - bends the walls of these disciplines to reveal an approach based on connecting with the unconscious of the analysand through a variety of techniques, such as conversational hypnosis, talk therapy, self-hypnosis and behavioral modification.

Highly recommended for all pychotherapists, hypnotists, counselors, and psychiatrists willing to expand their horizons and their vocational range.

Also, for the laymen, a fascinating look at a legend in action and at the art of talk therapy. One comes away from this book with a personal regard for Erickson - for his courage to not only push through his personal physical disabilities, but his unquenchable love of life. An uplifting, refreshing read.

Note, this book focuses not so much on hypnosis as on Erickson's broader approach to therapy, although hypnosis is certainly a component.

My highest recommendation.

Ground-breaking and revolutionary describe the work of Milton Erickson. With no direct method available to comprehend Erickson's complex therapy style Teaching Tales allows insight into his work. The understanding one develops from reading the highly engaging text comes about as each tale represents a piece of the puzzle of what it is to be a human learning our way through this world. Always focused on the fundamental experience of people, Erickson through the exposition of Sidney Rosen, elucidates his basic and profound vision of what makes all of us play, work, and especially learn to be better.

My Voice Will Go With You is subtitled The Teaching Tales of Milton H. Erickson. The tales do teach, inform, and show how you can change your behavior and those around you for the better. The book contains techniques to help raise children, break old habits, enable you to overcome your limitations, and are thoroughly enjoyable to read. Both individuals and professionals can benefit from reading and re-reading this book.

I bought the book to find out more about Erickson's therapeutic techniques and found that the techniques could be applied in my own life to change my behavior and influence the behavior of others around me.

My interest, and fascination, with Milton Erickson's approach to psychological issues came about as a result of reading, "Uncommon Therapy" by Jay Haley. The many examples of Erickson's unconventional approach were an intellectual treat to read, consider, and extrapolate upon. In attempting to follow this train of interest, I purchased "My Voice Will Go With You - The Teaching Tales of Milton H. Erickson" edited with commentary by Sidney Rosen. Rosen's examples of Erickson's therapy are not as numerous nor as pointed. And, to further dilute the adventure, Rosen offers lenghty analysis, sometimes quite strained in my opinion, of Erickson's motives and or thought processes in arriving at solutions or providing advice to patients. Whereas I would wholeheartedly recommend "Uncommon Therapy" I cannot do the same for "My Voice Will Go With You." It is more a pendantic study suitable for, perhaps, psychology students with a goal of ferreting out every last detail of Erickson's practice. For those of us fascinated, intrigued, surprised, and entertained by Erickson's unique take on people and behavior, we will have to look elsewhere for a good follow up to "Uncommon Therapy."

A small amount of extras that I didn't need but overall an excellant reading. It's a shame, that when the Silva Method was the rage in the ??'70s?? they came up with the stupid 'Levitation' business, shot themselves in the foot and ALL the air was released from their baloon. Such a pity. As I read/heard somewhere and believe totally "what the mind can conceive it can achieve".

I list this book as one of my favorites, not because it is the best written book out there, nor is the information the most up to date; rather I count it as one of my favorites because the information in it drastically changed my life over 15 years ago. I hope that by encouraging others to read it, they will experience the same types of improvements in their lives.

The book starts with an introduction of Jose Silva, founder of the Silva Mind Control Method and goes on to explain how the material was developed. It then overviews the Silva Mind Control course and the benefits one can expect from taking the course.

The material is a little dated as it was originally developed in the late 60's and early 70's, the book was written in the 70's and the course, other than being condensed to one weekend rather than two has changed little over time, despite the developments in our understanding of the mind since then.

I still think the book is a worthwhile read and millions of people all over the world still benefit from this material, even if it is a little dated. I still read the book myself about once a year. I also incorporate a daily meditation practice as a direct result of reading this material so many years ago.

My advice; read the book and get all the benefit that you can from it and when you are ready to take a course, look for more current material such as "Silva 2000, Essential Mind Power" which includes the best of the tried and true material, but has been updated and improved using the latest findings in mind science.

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This is the start of the modern self-help movement. Shakti Gawain took this course as did many others in the self-help industry.

The mediation technique outlined in this book is the the SINGLE BEST beginners technique I have ever found and I teach it to others with great results.

This book is best used AFTER you take the class, and want to follow through with genuine change in your life.

The Silva Mind Control Method will change you and the way you think of the world.

This book has changed my life. It has taught me how to use my subconscious mind to my advantage, instead of letting it control me. It is indescribable how effective and useful this book is. I've attempted to get into lower brain wave states for years, and never really succeeded, until one day I decided to try the first exercise in this book, and magically, I went right into low alpha! I also cannot overstate how important this book is for good health. The exercises in this book, can help improve sleep, creativity, concentration, memory, anxiety, stress and much more. If you're even remotely interested in lower brain wave states then this book is an essential. To date, its the best book I have ever read!

BY READING THIS BOOK MIND GETS REVISION OF ITS ABILITY TO RE-USE ITS POTENTIALITY AT MAXIMUM.

I have read numerous books on hypnosis but this one is the best! It is comprehensive, detailed, and technique-oriented....a real treasure. In addition to having valuable information set forth directly from the author, part of the book is filled with essays from other masters in the field. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in exploring the field of hypnotherapy, for those working in the field, or for individuals interested in personal growth and self-exploration.

"This book is recommended reading for all of my students. It is jam packed with so much useful information. I recommend "Hypnotize This" to any student of Hypnotherapy or to anyone who has an interest in hypnosis. One of the most comprehensive hypnosis manual I've seen!" Robin E. Jones, CCHt Director of The Academy of Hypnotherapy academyofhypnotherapycom

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found lots of useful information. I like how the book covers everything a beginner Hypnotherapist needs to know.
I also found the biographies at the end a good source of information to help further my training and research in this area.

I have found the book Hypnotize This! as an informative approach to hypnosis and a step by step method of learning about hypnosis. The book also goes through terminology and establishes the difference between myths and facts about hypnosis. I consider this book as a must for anyone considering hypnotherapy.

I've read numerous books on hypnosis, and easily spent over $100 to do it -- I've read everything from educational texts, to self help books, and even books by stage hypnotists such as Paul McKenna. Including all the books I've read (even ones authored by PhDs and MDS), Segal's stands supreme.

Segal's book "Hypnotize This" goes beyond explaining what hypnosis is, how it works, and what it can do; it's for this reason that an equally appropiate title might be "Hypnosis DeMystified."

When I think about all the money I've spent on other books, I wish I had known about "Hypnotize This" sooner because owning it would've saved me a lot of money on my journey to master hypnosis.

Whether you have a casual interest in hypnosis or the desire to become a professional this book will set the bar and teach you things that you can use in your everday life.