Handbook of Hypnotic Inductions

I use it for stimulating my own inductions when stuck for a solution. Good reference.

Excellent book. Plenty of high quality scripts with deepeners. Great descriptions of what principles were used to create each script including line by line identifications of the individual techniques. The follow up book 'More hypnotic inductions" is equally good.

I am still reading this book. I havn't been able to put any thing into practical application as of yet. You need to wait at least 2 months before asking anything regarding a book like this.R.D.Y.

Great book ¡

Not helpfull

As a hypnotherapist, I was intrigued by this small book focusing solely on hypnotic inductions. In Techniques of Hypnotic Induction, psychotherapist George Gafner, brings over 30 years of experience to bear, teaching hypnotherapists how to communicate with the unconscious mind skillfully, through story-telling inductions.Gafner begins with an overview of the applications and efficacy of clinical hypnosis, backed by research studies. Next, the author offers a metaphoric trance induction with helpful notes in the margin showing how he indirectly suggests various trance phenomena: time distortion, dissociation, hallucination, and catalepsy. Then he launches into a series of hypnotic story-telling scripts, which are whimsical, haunting, and amusing, --all designed to induce trance with indirect references to time distortion, opening the mind to discovery, considering options for problem-solving, acceptance, releasing, and dissociation. These scripts teach readers how to insert suggestions into fascinating stories that help clients experience the effects of hypnosis. The scripts obviously speak to the unconscious mind and the influence of Milton H. Erickson is evident. While the scripts are beautifully written, readers are reminded to adapt them to their own circumstances and the preferences and sensitivities of their clients.Gafner includes a very nice chapter on the hypnotic voice--a subject I've not seen in other books on hypnotherapy. He follows with a chapter on guided imagery inductions, based on scenes from nature - mountain vistas, streams, and forests. He also presents confusional inductions for clients who are not easily hypnotized or who may be somewhat resistant to direct suggestions.The main text ends with a few practical recommendations for educating clients about hypnotherapy, introducing colleagues to hypnotherapy in clinical settings, and additional practice guidelines. The two appendices cover a range of techniques (with references to other books where each may be found) and a glossary.Techniques of Hypnotic Induction makes enjoyable reading for hypnotherapists who want to bring creativity and imagination to their inductions. The clever scripts are interspersed with instruction written with just enough hypnotic language to appeal to the conscious mind as well as the unconscious mind. The entire book makes for a truly entrancing learning experience.

This book is first class. All practising hypnotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists, whether training or fully qualified, should own a copy of this book. Seriously, George Gafner and Sonja Benson provide a catalogue of detailed inductions that can be applied to virtually any patient. Not only are the scripts a great time saver in creating and using inductions, they are material that spark off and inspire the imagination for creating further inductions (you are only limited by your imagination). There are numerous inductions - and the inductions for children are particularly interesting. Apart from the book focusing on inductions, the authors draw on their own professional experiences when treating their patients, which is also another plus for this book. In the text, George Gafner and Sonja Benson also provide general information about psychology that will be of immeasurable assistance to the therpaist who is in training and will act as a refresher for the professional practitioner - as well as an inspiration. There are many books written about the subject of hypnotherapy, many disappointing, but as a professional practitioner I can say that this book does live up to its title. Every therapist should own a copy and have it ready to hand. So what are you waiting for? Go get it!

This book is a well-done compilation of induction techniques that can serve as models for practicing hypnotherapists. It is thoughtfully organized and a useful reference and learning tool. I was surprised by the review by "David Burns, Ph.D." who feels that hypnosis is unethical in psychotherapy. I put the name in quotes because I'm not sure whether that is his or her real name. Anyone with a Ph.D. in psychology would know that hypnosis is a well-validated and widely accepted medical technique. One would have to wonder where "David Burns" got his Ph.D. to be so unaware of the research evidence on hypnosis. Hartland's textbook Medical and Dental Hypnosis is well documented and gives references to countless studies showing its effectiveness in medical practice. As a psychiatrist who has used hypnosis as a tool in my practice for 30 years, I have found it to be an invaluable adjunct to both cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic approaches. If anything is unethical, it is depriving patients of a valuable tool because the therapist has a personal bias, ungrounded in scientific evidence, against hypnosis.

This book is a great book for anyone learning hynotherapy. It shows you how the scripts are put together and the meanings of certain words and phrases designed to help you client. I used this book whilst studying for my Hynotherapy exam and it helped greatly. The inductions are also very useful for clients.

This book is quite helpfull, but why can not someone put together a book with inductions that can just be read out. I get frustrated when I do my own inductions, and never feel that they are good enough.