The Handbook of Contemporary Clinical Hypnosis
Theory and Practice

Covering theory and practice, The Handbook of Contemporary Clinical Hypnosis is an up-to-date, authoritative resource to support health professionals in their use of hypnosis in clinical settings.

• Provides an authoritative reference for practitioners and trainees on the diverse applications of hypnosis, published under the auspices of the British Society for Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH)
• Combines a theoretical framework with material on a wide range of specific disorders including anxiety, stress phobias, eczema, oncology, eating disorders and infertility
• Shows how to adjust hypnotic techniques for different contexts e.g. when working with children, in emergencies and via a translator
•  Features a variety of case studies that illustrate hypnosis techniques in action

About the Editors xi

About the Contributors xiii

Foreword xvii

Preface xix

Part One Hypnosis: The Fundamentals1

1. Hypnosis: The Theory behind the Therapy 3
Dr Peter Naish

2. Hypnotic Phenomena and Hypnotizability 19
Dr Ann Williamson

3. History of Hypnosis 31
Dr Ann Williamson

4. Imagery and Visualization 41
Mrs Jacky Owens

5. Use of Language and Metaphor 51
Dr Ann Williamson

6. Safety 77
Mrs Jacky Owens

Part Two The Stages of Therapy87
Dr Les Brann with contributions from Dr Geoff Ibbotson, Mrs Jacky Owens and Dr Ann Williamson

7. Initial Steps 89

8. Explanation of Hypnosis: The Working Model 97

9. Induction and Deepening 107

10. Establishing the Problem 123

11. Resolving the Problem 131

12. Ego Strengthening, Anchoring and Re-alerting 141

13. Self Hypnosis and Other Homework 151

Part Three Specific Disorders155

14. Self Esteem and Self Confidence 157
Dr Ann Williamson

15. Anxiety and Panic Disorder 169
Dr Ann Williamson

16. Depression 195
Dr Alastair Dobbin

17. Phobias 211
Dr Les Brann

18. Medically Unexplained Symptoms 229
Dr Michael E.Y. Capek

19. Specific Psychosomatic Disorders 247
Dr Les Brann

20. Dermatology 281
Dr Mhairi McKenna

21. Pain 293
Dr Les Brann

22. Anaesthesia, Surgery and Invasive Procedures 315
Dr David Rogerson, Mrs Jacky Owens and Dr Les Brann

23. Oncology 333
Mrs Jacky Owens and Dr Leslie Walker

24. Cancer Care 351
Mrs Phyllis Alden and Mrs Jacky Owens

25. Death, Dying and Loss 375
Dr K K Aravind, Mrs Jacky Owens and Dr Ann Williamson

26. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 389
Dr Geoff Ibbotson

27. Adjustment Disorders 413
Peter J Hawkins

28. Eating Disorders 425
Dr David Kraft and Dr Peter J Hawkins

29. Habit Disorder and Addiction 441
Dr David Medd and Dr Ann Williamson

30. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 457
Mrs Phyllis Alden and Dr Ann Williamson

31. Obstetrics 463
Mrs Diana Tibble and Dr Les Brann

32. Infertility 483
Dr Les Brann

33. Psychosexual Problems 493
Dr Peter J Hawkins and Dr Les Brann

34. Children 507
Dr David Byron and Dr Sobharani R Sungum-Paliwal

35. Learning Disability and Autistic Spectrum Disorder 525
Mr Cliff Robins

36. Sleep Disorders 537
Dr Les Brann

37. Performance Enhancement 547
Dr Barry Cripps

38. Informal Hypnotic Techniques 567
Dr Caron Moores, Dr Grahame Smith and Mr Martin Wall

39. Working Transculturally 575
Dr Geoff Ibbotson

40. Commissioning, Providing and Auditing a Hypnotherapy Service 583
Dr Les Brann

Appendix 1: Life History Inventory 591

Appendix 2: What Goes in Must Come Out 593

Glossary 595

Author Index 599

Subject Index 621

Les Brann is President of the British Society for Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH), and Clinical Lead for Chelmford NHS Medical Hypnosis Unit, UK. He is the author of Just Close Your Eyes and Relax (1988).

Ann Williamson has used hypnosis for more than 15 years to tackle stress and anxiety. An accredited member of BSCAH, she is the author of several books including Brief Psychological Interventions in Practice (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008).

Jacky Owens is President of the Royal Society of Medicine's Section of Hypnosis and Psychosomatic Medicine. She is an independent practitioner, and runs a company providing holistic services and support for cancer sufferers.