Hypnosis Questions & Answers

by Bernie Zilbergeld, M. Gerald Edelstien and Daniel L. Araoz

Hypnosis seems to carr more fear and confusion than any other therapeutic approach. Both beginners and experienced practitoners may ponder such questions as:

How do I choose the "right" hypnotic iduction and techniques for a givven patient or condition?

How do you teach patients to do self-hypnosis?

What degree of hypnotic depth is necessary for successful clinical work?

How did Milton Erickson get his patients to follow his prescriptions?

Can you give me some guidelines for using hypnosis for pain control?

How can hypnosis be used with children, families and groups?

The editors of this "friendly reference"- one to be turned to for both advice and reassurance-have gathered these and many more questions from colleagues, students and clinicians with some training in hypnosis. The questions-84 in all-are here answered by experienced clinicians. The contributors represent a variety of positions and practices: physicians, psychologists, dentists, and others; those who might be called traditionists and others who are Ericksonians; those who specialize in brief thearpy and those who usually do long-term work. The emphasis is not on providing the"right" answer or on offering extensive research or literaturee reviews, but on showing how these acknowledged experts handle the vexing issues surrounding hypnosis intheir daily practice.

The questions and answers have een grouped into ten sectionsabout hypnosis, starting with general questions about hypnosis,moving through preparations, inductions, and general methods, considering applications to various clinical situations, and ending with therapits' qualms and specal problems. Sections are devoted to Ericksonian hpnotherapy, integration of hypnosis with other modalities, and the use of hypnosis with children and adolescents.

Both beginning and experienced practitioners will find reading Hypnosis Questions and Answers is like having great conversations with masters of the art of hypnosis. The reassurance, specific suggestions, and realistic advice that they find here will enable them to feel more confident and knowledgeable in their use of hypnosis.