Hypnotherapy Books

I come from a background of severe abuse. My therapist gave me this book to read at the begining of our work together. The book is basically written for clinicians to use during hypno-therapy sessions with clients, but my therapist does not use hypno-therapy and instead asked me to read and think about the stories while I was fully conscious. The book is basically a composition of many small, very simply written short stories about family life. I would compare them to stories one would write if one were writing for young children. The characters in the various stories are very neutral. Details about the characters are very few and far between...with the exception of positive emotions - which abound.

At first, I remember thinking, what is this about? Why is my therapist asking me to read this? Because upon first glance, the stories come across as cheesy little antedotes regarding what "normal" or "healthy" families do during various life circumstances (like pregnancy, feeding, story time, bed time, etc.). But as I read them, and we discussed them in therapy, I began to recognize that the stories really DO evoke feelings of comfort, healing, and peace. Because the stories are so neutral, you find yourself picturing yourself as the child in the stories and picturing your own parents/siblings as the parents and siblings described in the stories. You then find yourself feeling the happy/positive emotions that the characters are experiencing. These happy/positive emotions are a new thing for me...and it is quite the experience.

I find myself thinking about the stories when I least except it. I find myself shocked that a mother would react in a positive manner or that a father would provide comfort to a child in a certain situation. On the other hand, I also find myself angry that my family wasn't as described and also find myself wishing things had been different for me.

I advise that you read this book either A) as a professional clinician who is experienced with dysfunctional families and/or who works with people who were severely abused or B) as a client with a therapist who is trained to help you deal with the effects, memories, and emotions these stories will trigger for you.

If either of those apply, then purchase this book. It's absolutely wonderful.

A lot of books have been written about Milton Erickson. I was introduced to Erickson's work through the work of Bandler and Grinder, now known as NLP (I got my NLP trainer certificate in 1996). This book doesn't cover the modern NLP as I know it, nor does it cover the work of Steven Gilligan, but apart from that it includes a brief overview of frameworks that explain Erickson's Therapy and Hypnosis (e.g. Haley, Rossi, Lankton, Zeig, etc).

Now you know what the book does and doesn't cover, let me tell you what it aims at. The author wants to make Erickson's work accessible and to unravel the underlying structure of Erickson's marvelous interventions, which were often beyond the comprehension of his students. The goal of the book is to offer the reader a set of patterns that will result in therapeutic interventions of the same style as those used by Erickson himself. It also includes principles, assumptions to be avoided and illustrates the whole with examples from Erickson himself.

I think the author has done well on his goal, especially given the reputation of his subject. In general, this is a very accessible book which doesn't require any previous knowledge.

Patrick E. Merlevede, Author of "7 Steps to Emotional Intelligence"

I am doing my doctoral dissertation of self hypnosis & children and this book gave me a great reveiw of the topic of interest. I would recommend ity to anyone who has experience with hypnosis.

I found this book to be overflowing with excellent, easy to learn techniques that can actually change lives when applied. This book puts Hypnosis into an easy-to-understand language. Ms. Stockwell's examples, art and poetry make this book so much fun to read as well. Learning doesn't have to be boring. I highly suggest that anyone interested in learning how hypnosis can transform their lives get a copy of this book today. It's a must-have on my bookshelf that I am always using as reference.

I love the easy writing style of this book. I have put several of the techniques to good use and seen positive results with my clients. Shelley is a Master Hypnotist who teaches people how to become one too.

I can readily understand how this book became an award winner of the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association. It is an excellent text for both the novice and the experienced practitioner.

I read this book while studying in a hypnosis class. It was by far the most eclectic book I'd ever read before. Shelley combines drawings, poetry, scripts, comedy, and practical information on hypnosis. Keep in mind that this book is designed to open up your right brained intuitive side while giving you information on how to conduct hypnosis.

Reading the reviews, I find that some people have a mixed up idea of what hypnosis is and what it can do. Hypnosis is basically a state of relaxation which can be utilized to direct the subconscious mind. Most of our habits are caused by the reactions of our subconscious mind to a stimulus or the memory of a stimulus.

Often people assume that hypnosis is like what you see in movies: a hypnotist waves a pendulum or a similar object and tells the person that they are getting sleepy. I worked in a hypnosis office for a while and found many prospective patients were afraid that we would make them act like a dog or give us all their money (to which I say, if a hypnotist could make you do anything they wanted, we'd all be rich by this time). Most of the time, the hypnotists played relaxing music and reminded the client of their goals through affirmative-like statements and guided imagery. To me, hypnosis is visualization but enhanced by using certain proven techniques (voice inflection, using the five senses in a particular way, music, symbolism, etc).

While Shelley offers practical advice on setting up a practice and gives you the history of hypnosis, she is a very intuitive person and practices what she calls transpersonal hypnosis in addition to behavior modification (which is the type of hypnosis often used for phobias, addictions, and weight loss).

I have met Shelley at a hypnosis conference and I have to say that this book is very much like Shelley herself. She is as dynamic, honest, and slightly eccentric as this book. Like hypnosis itself, the book is designed to get past your logical, alpha mind. The reason why the book has so many affirmations, pictures, poems, and the like is that in order to understand what hypnosis is and what it does, you have to be willing to move beyond your own conscious mind. By explaining hypnosis from a left and right brained perspective, your mind is able to absorb information on all levels.

It is not your traditional hypnosis book by any means. I think that is part of the charm of this book. If you are into metaphysics or personal growth work through creative exploration, then this book is for you. If you want a clinical approach to hypnosis, you may find this book harder to read. Even so, there is still useful information in this book because it does give some tips on sending out press releases and growing your business. It also has some induction techniques that you may enjoy.

My favorite is the "Judy Umansky's Unfolding Rose" Induction. You let the client focus on their fist and imagine that it is a rose. She even has an induction based on the childhood "This Little Piggy" game.

One thing I especially like about this book is that it is focused on self-healing as much as it is focused on giving you techniques to assist clients. In order to be an effective healer or guide for others, we must heal ourselves.

Keep an open mind. This is a fun book. Let your inner child play a bit as you learn about the art of hypnosis.

I agree with the various other reviews I've seen. Like every other type of therapist out there, Shelley Stockwell is a QUACK!!! I'm not paying $100/hour to lie down thinking that my life will improve. The only practical long-term way to lose weight is to do gastric bypass surgery. All the other ways lead to regain.

This book is great! It is fun, funny and very informative. I have thought about a new career change and I think this is it. Shelly Stockwell sounds fabulous with a great outlook on life. She obviously wants to impart her wisdom and joy of life (which comes through in this book) on all her readers. Thank you, Shelly Stockwell ( if you read this!)
Dee Reynolds, Irvine, CA

I find this book is a must if you are studying the art of Hypnotism. Doing hypnotism without transpersonally honoring a client's mind, body and spirit is like trying to row a boat without a paddle. Allen Chips writes an informative academic text that gives students of hypnotism the tools they need to forge ahead professionally. You will gain outstanding knowledge and excellent examples for the practice and application of hypnosis.

This book is a good read for the layperson who is beginning to explore the metaphysical. You must also read "My Voice Will Go With You" edited by Sidney Rosen, "Hypnosis: A Jungian Perspective" by James Hall, and study Milton Erickson's work - if you are a practicing therapist who may want to begin to use hypnotic techniques in your work with depth psychology.

The second edition of Clinical Hypnotherapy by Dr. Chips is an excellent revised second edition. Writing errors are to a minimum, and the content is pertinant to clinical and transpersonal hypnotherapy. This book is well worth the cover price for those who desire to learn about hypnotherapy for themselves as a client, or for the purpose of entering into the profession.

As mentioned in another review, this book contains many, many grammatical and spelling errors which distract from the credibility of the material presented. This self-published book is not professionally written or edited. While some of the material is useful ~ particularly the final chapter ~ it certainly wasn't worth the expensive cover price. I can't recommend this book.

I was not impressed with the book at all. There were quite a few typographical errors, the pictures were amaturerish to say the least. The Justification was all staggared throughout the book, and I would not suggest this book for anybody who wants to look at the world of hypnotherapy in a nonbiased light.

If you want to know some tecnics about hypnosis, read it. You will find a lot of interestings things

Everything is hypnosis. Nothing is hypnosis. Milton Ericons answers the question. What is indirect suggestion? What is hypnosis? If any human being was able to truly answer this question, we'd all have discovered the mystical secrets of the Universe.

This book is the first in a 3-volume set. The stuff inside is good but not very well-organized which is not easy to search for info inside and also bit confusing. Get "Hypnotherapy: An Exploratory Casebook" (which is the second in the series) instead; I think it's the best in the 3-volume set. "Experiencing Hypnosis", the 3rd book is also better than "Hypnotic Realities".

I have read this book many times and continue to learn more and more each time. This book is a definite must for the student learning indirect suggestion

At first it seemed pretty good, it really hypnotized me. Then it gets to a part where they bring you back in time to your first cigarette. This eventually gave me an 80's attitude towards smoking and I ended up smoking extra. So actually it worked backwards. I'm now struggling to get back the progress I had made before ever listening to these tapes. I would recommend you stay away from these tapes.

This program was the easiest to follow, and the greatest thing that has happened to me in the last thirty years. After smoking 2 1/2 packs a day since the early 60's, two heart attacks and open heart surgery, I QUIT! I owe her everything.

I caught Victoria Wayne's act in Vegas and bought her stop smoking program after the show. I quit smoking that night, and have been passing these tapes around to my family members who also wanted to quit - all who have! If she ever comes out with a hypnosis program for ending baldness, please let me know. This program is incredible!

This book is mainly trying to convince the reader that hypnosis isn't bad for you. I happened to assume that already, that's why I bought the book.
As to the actual content - unfortunately never got that far. I read about half the book, got bored and ordered a few others.

If you are serious about hypnosis - check out the booklist on brainchanger.com:
http://www.brainchanger.com/generic57.html
in particular: "The New Encyclopedia of Stage Hypnotism" By: Ormond McGill. There are quite a few others and many on NLP on this list as well.

If you care about yourself and well being, this book is for you! The book is easy to read and enjoyable. You can apply self-hypnosis to almost anything in your daily life. There's no magic in hypnosis, it's all about the positive attitude and response. The book in general has very good tips on how to relax and have a better way to live.

This book was an easier read than many hypnosis books on the market. There are also many relaxation scripts to help get beginners started. I have been exposed to many types of hypnosis practices and I must say that I like self-hypnosis the best, but I do feel that some exposure to a professional can be very beneficial. I have been using this book as an aid for about 4 months and I must say the changes are indescribable. I have lost weight (a lot!), become more disciplined in my studies and have a more rewarding relationship with my boyfriend of 4 years. Also, since the suggestions are my own that I am giving, then I am not as prone to accept suggestions from others and as result, I am more aware of negative energy amongst other people and don't take it on. This is a great book and in conjuction with other tools such as relaxation, some exposure to personal therapy, it can/will have amazing effects and the that is the truth!

This book presents in simple terms how to use hypnosis to alleviate chronic pain. Although it is a layman book, it has also been useful to me as a professionnal of hypnotherapy. Thank you. I will talk about to my patients.
gaby Pierre Chami
psychotherapist, switzerland

Hypnosis & Counselling In The Treatment Of Chronic Illness is a serious and thoughtful discussion of the healing benefits of hypnosis in the treatment of life-threatening and chronic diseases. Written by leading figures in the British Association for the Person Centered Approach David Frank and Bernard Mooney, Hypnosis & Counselling In The Treatment Of Chronic Illness carefully and considerately examines therapeutic hypnosis for matters such as childbirth, pain relief, stammering, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, emotional health, and more. Hypnosis & Counselling In The Treatment Of Chronic Illness is an intelligent and articulate study of this branch of alternative medicine that is suitable for professionals in the field as well as interested non-specialist general readers.

Such a carelessly written and edited title... too bad, since this is such an important specialty issue: how to harness patients' own potential to contribute to their own recovery and comfort. I had been hoping for some new insights to either hypnotic or counseling for patients with ongoing health issues.

There are so many other significant titles out there that I'm going to have to protest by returning this to Amazon.com and use the credit on two or three(!) that actually have some innovative ideas.

From the beautiful Canid on the cover to Ms. Decker's soothing voice, I loved this disc! I remember releying heavily on my intuition as a child. But like most people, I have been taught over the years to ignore the little voice inside me that tries in vain to guide me around obstacles, and toward the happy destiny that awaits. This disc helped me re-discover something in myself that has lied dormat for far too long and I consider it, along with the other Decker Hypnosis CDs that I've tried, to be a great blessing ion my life!
A Reader in Palm Desert

Learn to interpret your sense of intuition. This CD will help you understand that "gut feeling" and more accurately recognize those feelings. Ms. Decker's soothing voice will not only relax you, but will bring a very calm and peaceful feeling. This CD has helped me to trust my intuitive sense. Everyone should try this! I have bought and listened to other work by Ms. Decker and I highly recommend her hypnotherapy CD's.

I was dissapointed with this very monotonous voice only CD and it seems to focus on relaxation rather than intuition (track 2 is solely a relaxation track). There are far better produced products that you can buy from Glenn Harrold or Dr. Andrew Weiss and his associates. The latter products are far more interesting and offer music and/or more in depth explanations and insights for hypnosis and specific objectives you may want to achieve. In comparison with them, I found this CD to be a total waste of money and I returned it.