Table Of Content“Learning the fundamentals of modern clinical hypnosis is as simple as
reading this update to a classic text. Michael Yapko has a gifted ability
to comprehensively present building blocks that will edify the novice and
serve as important reminders for the experienced practitioner. Essentials
of Hypnosis, Second Edition is an essential primer of essential concepts.
Dr. Yapko has done a great service by providing new, modern under-
standings in this new edition.”—Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D., the Milton H.
Erickson Foundation
“Only Michael Yapko could integrate all the complex facets of the world
of hypnosis so completely in one volume. His knowledge is evident in
every sentence, accurately selected with incisive precision and mindful
creativity. This is a book every expert should have on his or her desk for
quick and insightful reference and inspiration.”—Consuelo C. Casula,
President of the European Society of Hypnosis
“Yapko ishypnosis. His accumulated knowledge, research, insights, and
experience are distilled in Essentials of Hypnosis: one easily readable
and essentially practical volume. Curious or convinced, you owe it to
yourself—and your clients—to read and apply this entrancing clinical
wisdom.”—George W. Burns, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Cairn-
millar Institute, Melbourne, Australia; author of 101 Healing Stories and
Happiness, Healing, Enhancement
“Michael Yapko is among a handful of the best writers and clinical
practitioners of hypnosis in the world. With this volume he has somehow
surpassed his series of previous books on hypnosis to provide his ultimate
work to date. Based on strong theory and science, this remarkable
achievement provides page after page of remarkable, practical, and deeply
insightful advice about how to apply hypnosis clinically. Yapko’s writing
is so compelling and easy to read, it might be easy to overlook that this
work will be one of the most influential and innovative that has been
produced on teaching even the most experienced clinicians to use this
approach with their patients.”—David R. Patterson, Ph.D., ABPP; author
of Clinical Hypnosis for Pain Control
“Whether beginning to learn hypnosis or continuing and reviewing,
refreshing and renewing, learning the essentials from Michael Yapko
enriches and informs like no other. This volume not only continues to
provide essential critical and foundational concepts and a framework with
which to grow, but also provides ongoing nurturance with wise and
thoughtful responses to old and new questions that arise while we help
people help themselves.”—Daniel P. Kohen, M.D., FAAP, FASCH,
ABMH, Co-Director, National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute;
Director, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics; Professor, Departments
of Pediatrics and Family Medicine and Community Health, University
of Minnesota (Retired)
“Michael Yapko’s latest contribution to the hypnosis field succeeds as
another ‘must have’ for one’s resource library. This perfect primer distills
hypnosis to the exquisitely crisp essentials, without compromising any
relevant topic. Easy-to-read and clear explanations offer all the basics
for the novice. The numerous practical applications will also appeal to
seasoned clinicians seeking to refresh or add additional approaches and
strategies to their work with their clients. This revised guide is a great
companion to his comprehensive text, Trancework.”—Pamela Kaiser,
Ph.D., CPNP, Former Associate Clinical Professor, Pediatrics, University
of California, San Francisco, Medical School; Co-Founder and Co-
Director, National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute
“Dr. Yapko’s second edition is an important addition to every clinician’s
bookshelf! Dr. Yapko reduces challenging concepts to their essential
elements, inviting curiosity and reducing hypnosis to its essential elements.
I heartily recommend this text for any medical or mental health clinician
with an interest in hypnosis.”—Dan Handel, M.D., Chief, Palliative
Medicine, Denver Health Medical Center
ESSENTIALS OF HYPNOSIS
Essentials of Hypnosis, Second Edition provides a warm and rich
introduction to the fascinating field of hypnosis by one of its leading
experts. Readers may be surprised to discover that some of the most
important methods in modern integrative health care have a foundation
in hypnosis, and that modern neuroscience is regularly learning new things
about brain functioning from brain scanning studies of hypnotized
individuals. The emphasis in Essentials of Hypnosis, Second Edition is
on the use of hypnosis as an effective tool of treatment. Thus, readers
will enjoy and benefit from the wealth of clinical insights and helpful
hints Dr. Yapko offers for the skilled use of hypnotic principles and
methods. The essentials of this dynamic field are well captured in this
practical volume.
Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and marriage and
family therapist residing near San Diego, California. He is internationally
recognized for his work in clinical hypnosis, brief psychotherapy, and
the strategic treatment of depression, routinely teaching to professional
audiences all over the world. The author of more than a dozen books,
including the leading hypnosis text Trancework (4th edition), he is the
recipient of lifetime achievement awards from the International Society
of Hypnosis, the American Psychological Association’s Society of Psycho-
logical Hypnosis (Division 30), and the Milton H. Erickson Foundation
for his innovative contributions in advancing the fields of hypnosis and
psychotherapy.
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ESSENTIALS
OF HYPNOSIS
Second Edition
Michael D. Yapko
Second edition published 2015
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FA
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2015 Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D.
The right of Michael D. Yapko to be identified as author of this
work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and
78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
First edition published by Routledge 1994
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Yapko, Michael D.
Essentials of hypnosis/Michael D. Yapko.—Second edition.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Hypnotism—Therapeutic use. I. Title.
RC495. Y368 2015
615.8′512—dc23
2014017946
ISBN: 978-1-138-81429-5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-81428-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-74760-6 (ebk)
Typeset in Sabon
by Florence Production Ltd, Stoodleigh, Devon, UK
To the brilliant and courageous
hypnosis pioneers, the inspirational giants upon
whose shoulders I gratefully stand
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CONTENTS
Note from the Author xi
Acknowledgments xii
Other Works by Michael D. Yapko xiii
Introduction 1
PART 1
Developing Your Perspective about Hypnosis 5
1. Discovering Hypnosis and the Reasons Why its Value
Keeps Growing 7
2. Hypnosis Can Be Used in Many Different Contexts 11
3. The Myths about Hypnosis and Why Common Sense
Matters 19
4. Models of Hypnosis: How You Think about Hypnosis
Determines How You’ll Use It 28
5. The Brain, the Mind, and the Body in Hypnosis 37
6. The Gift of Being Responsive to Hypnosis 44
7. The Changes in Your Experience during Hypnosis 54
8. Conditions for Conducting Hypnosis Sessions 63
PART 2
Putting Hypnosis to Work 69
9. Structuring Suggestions 71
ix
