Hypnotherapy

Bandler, Richard & Grinder, John. (1979). Frogs into princes: Neuro-linguistic programming. Moab, Utah: Real People Press.

This book discusses the importance of language in the therapeutic process.

Bandler, Richard & Grinder, John. (1982). Reframing: Neuro-linguistic programming and the transformation of meaning. Moab, Utah: Real People Press.

This book presents various methods to reframe the context or meaning of behavior. By having the individual discover a new context for their behavior or a new meaning for the behavior, the individual will be able to view the situation differently.

Bloom, P. B. (1994). Is insight necessary for successful treatment? American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 36(3), 172-174.

He says "No," but others say "Yes." This will be a long-term discussion.

Grindler, J., & Bandler, R. (1981). TRANCE-formations. Moab, Utah: Real People Press.

The NLP way of doing hypnotherapy based upon Erikson's work.

Hammond, D. C. (Ed.). (1990). Handbook of hypnotic suggestions and metaphors. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Very comprehensive!

Lucas, Winafred Blake (Eds.). (1993). Regression therapy: A handbook for professionals,(Vols. 1-2). Crest Park, CA: Deep Forest Press.

Volume One of this set includes a discussion of regression therapy as it pertains to past life experiences. Various practitioners then give their own theoretical model, methods of treatment and case transcripts. This volume gives an excellent foundation for the uses of past life regression within the therapeutic framework. As I progressed through the book, I was able to correlate what I do with altered state during energy work sessions with much of the material contained within this volume.

Volume Two focuses on the issues surrounding the pre-natal and peri-natal period, childhood, the inter-life and the release of entities. The case examples are rich and many therapeutic examples, which can be easily followed, are given.

O'Hanlon, William Hudson. (1987). Taproots: Underlying principles of Milton Erickson's therapy and hypnosis. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.

O'Hanlon presents his interpretations of the underlying principles of Erikson's therapeutic model. This model is the same for both hypnosis and psychotherapy. Erikson's theory is based on several beliefs. The first is that the client is able to change. It is up to the therapist to help him or her change by providing an environment of comfort, safety and expectation of positive results. Dramatic change can be precipitated by having the client institute one small change in his or her pattern of behavior. Erikson does not believe that it is necessary to know the "why's" of the symptom. The only thing necessary is to change the symptom. There does not need to be insight on the part of the client. All that is needed on the client's part is a willingness to institute change.

O'Hanlon then discusses in some depth the various techniques used by Erikson in his work. These techniques were used by Erikson in both his psychotherapeutic practice and hypnosis practice. He would use confusion, shock, evocation of anger, matching of behavior patterns, interpersonal, anecdotes, puns, stories and anything that worked.

O'Hanlon, William Hudson & Martin, Michael. (1992). Solution-oriented hypnosis: An Ericksonian approach. New York: W. W. Norton & Co.

This book is a transcription of an actual hypnosis seminar, based on Milton H. Erikson's work, taught by Bill O'Hanlon. O'Hanlon believes in utilizing as many learning styles as possible. Therefore, he incorporates taped presentations of Erikson's work (transcriptions included), copies of handouts and practice sessions. Of course, it was impossible to do the practice sessions.

O'Hanlon goes into great detail the theories of hypnosis. He gives reasons why everyone can be induced into a trance state and why many hypnotists fail in induction of many people. O'Hanlon provides a clear and concise presentation of the model of hypnosis he uses, which is Milton H. Erikson's model.

Wolinsky, Stephen & Ryan, Margaret O (Collaborator). (1991). Trances people live: Healing approaches in Quantum Psychology. Falls Village, CT: The Bramble Co.

Wolinsky's premise is that there is no need to put people into trance via hypnosis because they are already in trance. His contention is that all dysfunctional behavior is a result of "frozen" trance. For example, someone who avoids certain colors because it reminds them of the room where they were sexually abused displays the following symptoms of trance: age regression (reverts back to the age s/he was when molested), time distortion (time either slows down or speeds up), positive hallucination (seeing the colors on the molester rather than on the individual present), and negative hallucination (not seeing the actual person present.

Other references for hypnotherapy are under Spirit Release and Past-Life Therapy.