26 Best Hypnosis Books

Michael Yapko surveys clinical hypnosis and its applications in medical and psychological treatment. This fifth edition combines research, practical strategies, and discussion of clinical practice, including material on depression and the construction of process-oriented interventions.

Anthony Jacquin introduces impromptu hypnosis through practical explanations of his approach. The guide presents techniques for developing hypnotic skills outside formal clinical sessions, drawing on his experience as a hypnotist and trainer.

Dave Elman draws on his experience teaching hypnosis to doctors and dentists to present practical methods for clinical use. Classroom experiences and explanations describe his approach to hypnotic induction and the application of hypnosis in professional settings.

Psychologist Steven Heller and Terry Steele explore hypnosis through an adaptable approach influenced by Milton Erickson and neurolinguistic programming. Examples and exercises emphasize recognizing individual patterns of perception and responding creatively rather than following rigid therapeutic scripts.

Sidney Rosen assembles Milton Erickson's therapeutic teaching stories and explains their context and possible meanings. The tales illustrate Erickson's use of humor, surprise, and indirect communication to encourage people to reconsider familiar problems.

John Grinder and Richard Bandler examine hypnosis through the framework of neuro-linguistic programming. They present induction techniques and explore how language, nonverbal responses, rapport, and suggestion can be used within their approach to therapeutic communication.

D. Corydon Hammond compiles hypnotic suggestions and metaphors contributed by clinicians for use in therapeutic settings. Organized by applications, the reference includes examples addressing pain, anxiety, self-esteem, and other concerns, with guidance for adapting language.

Freddy Jacquin describes hypnosis methods he has developed and the beliefs behind his approach. Explanations of individual techniques sit alongside examples of their use, presenting his perspective on learning hypnosis and applying it in practice.

Forbes Robbins Blair presents a method of self-hypnosis performed while reading with the eyes open. Instructions, scripts, and a template for personalized suggestions guide readers through his approach to relaxation, habit change, and personal goals.

Richard Bandler presents his approach to hypnosis and personal change through examples, stories, and exercises. He examines everyday trance states and language patterns, proposing ways readers can reconsider habits, responses, and the possibilities they perceive.

Rick Smith presents a sequential system for learning self-hypnosis through three guided sessions. Instructions and explanations address preparation, the experience of trance, and ways he proposes applying the practice to relaxation, habits, motivation, and focus.

Milton Erickson and Ernest Rossi examine therapeutic hypnosis through clinical cases and explanatory commentary. They explore induction, the use of a patient's own experiences and responses, and ways of encouraging and evaluating therapeutic change.

Milton Erickson, Ernest Rossi, and Sheila Rossi present clinical hypnosis sessions with explanations of induction and indirect suggestion. Transcripts and commentary examine how Erickson responds to individual subjects and connects his methods with broader theoretical questions.

John Overdurf and Julie Silverthorn combine Ericksonian techniques with traditional hypnotherapy models. Demonstration transcripts explore induction, hypnotic interviews, metaphoric stories, and posthypnotic suggestion, providing material for therapists and trainers studying therapeutic communication.

Herbert and David Spiegel describe clinical hypnosis with emphasis on systematic assessment through the Hypnotic Induction Profile. Case examples and research discussions examine hypnotizability, treatment planning, practical applications, and the limits of hypnosis.

Melvin Powers explains self-hypnosis through suggestion, visualization, conditioning, and repeated practice. His introductory guide considers preparation and ways of forming personal suggestions, presenting self-directed exercises in a sequence intended for readers learning the basic approach.

Grace Smith introduces self-hypnosis through explanations and exercises intended for everyday personal change. She presents techniques for relaxation, focus, confidence, and changing habits, connecting hypnotic practice with meditation and individual goals.

Steven Jay Lynn and Irving Kirsch seek to bridge laboratory research and clinical practice in hypnosis. They present clinical strategies and techniques alongside their research foundations, discussing ways to incorporate hypnotic methods into psychological work.

Michael Yapko introduces clinical hypnosis, combining conceptual explanations with guidance on constructing sessions. Topics include responsiveness, induction, suggestion, goal-oriented interventions, sample transcripts, and ethical considerations, with applications involving pain and work with young people.

Edited by Steven Jay Lynn, Judith Rhue, and Irving Kirsch, this handbook surveys foundations, theories, techniques, and clinical applications of hypnosis. The second edition also addresses memory, training, and wider conceptions of hypnosis alongside assessment and professional practice.

Gary Elkins brings together contributors examining clinical hypnosis in medicine and psychology. The handbook covers theoretical foundations, assessment, professional ethics, and applications, using research discussions, transcripts, and case examples to connect clinical questions with hypnotic practice.

Bill O'Hanlon examines underlying principles of Milton Erickson's therapy and hypnosis. The book draws practical patterns from Ericksonian and strategic approaches, offering clinicians a way to think about interventions beyond simply repeating particular stories or scripts.

C. Roy Hunter presents foundational hypnosis techniques based on Charles Tebbetts's teaching. The guide discusses induction, awakening, deepening, testing, phrasing suggestions, ethics, and self-hypnosis, with attention to adapting an approach to the individual rather than following one fixed sequence.

Michael R. Nash and Amanda J. Barnier edit a broad reference on hypnosis theory, research, and practice. Chapters examine the scientific background and clinical applications, combining conceptual discussions with examples intended for researchers, postgraduate students, and clinicians.

Jay Haley examines Milton Erickson's therapeutic methods through case studies organized around stages of life. The book explores strategic interventions and the use of hypnotic communication, sometimes without formal trance, in responding to people's difficulties and circumstances.

Edited by Ernest Rossi, this four-volume collection gathers Milton Erickson's papers on hypnosis and psychotherapy. Its topics include suggestion, changes in sensory and perceptual processes, psychodynamic investigations, and innovative approaches to therapeutic practice.