What is hypnosis? Despite widespread misconceptions, hypnosis is not a treatment in itself; instead, it is a facilitator -- a useful diagnostic tool that can help the practitioner choose an appropriate treatment modality and accelerate various primary treatment strategies.The second edition of this remarkable work (first published 25 years ago) is written to provide both beginning and seasoned practitioners with a brief, disciplined technique for mobilizing and learning from an individual's capacity to concentrate. Putting to rest both exaggerated fears about hypnosis and overblown statements of its efficacy, this compelling volume brings scientific discipline to a systematic exploration of the clinical uses and limitations of hypnosis.The challenge was to develop a clinical measurement that could transform a fascinating amalgam of anecdotes, speculations, clinical intuitions and observations, and laboratory advances into a more fruitful and systematic body of information. Thus was born the authors' Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP), a crucial 10-minute clinical assessment procedure that relates the spectrum of hypnotizability to personality style, psychopathology, and treatment outcome.Structured to reflect the flow of a typical evaluation and treatment session and highlighted by case examples throughout, this remarkable synthesis describes how to use the HIP, reviews relevant literature, and details principles and short- and long-term treatment strategies for smoking control; eating disorders; anxiety, concentration, and insomnia; phobias; pain control; psychosomatic disorders and conversion symptoms; trichotillomania; stuttering; and acute and posttraumatic stress disorders and dissociation. Meticulously referenced and indexed, this in-depth work concludes with an appendix on the interpretation and standardization of the HIP.This unique work stands out in the literature because  It is written both as an introduction for practitioners new to hypnosis and as an in-depth guide for practitioners with wide experience in hypnosis. Unlike current clinical works, it emphasizes the importance of performing a systematic assessment of hypnotizability to identify, measure, and utilize a given patient's optimal therapeutic potential -- a process that, until now, has been relegated to clinical intuition. It describes human behavior phenomenologically as it relates to hypnosis in a probable rather than an absolute fashion. It reviews only specific portions of the literature that are particularly relevant to the important themes presented by the authors. Wherever possible, the authors apply statistical methods to test their hypotheses. The realm of scientific investigation encompassing hypnosis and psychological dysfunction is comparatively new. This exceptional volume, with its profusion of systematic data, will spark controversy and interest among scientific students of hypnosis everywhere, from psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychoanalysts to physicians, dentists, and other interested clinicians.
"An excellent source, drawing heavily upon systematic data to support its investigation into the beneficial uses of hypnosis in the treatment of psychological dysfunction, and recommended for scientific students of hypnosis, particularly those interested in applying it to mental health practices."- "Wisconsin Bookwatch," "February 2005"
"This is the second edition of "Trance and Treatment," written by the father and son leaders of the field and serving as a virtual bible of hypnosis... [T]hey cover the ins and outs of hypnosis, presenting theories, concepts, and procedures in a cogent fashion while backing up their ideas with research and findings, both their own and that of others."- "Psychosomatics," "May-June, 2005"
"Hypnosis remains one of the great mysteries in psychology and psychiatry because it has such enormous potential for healing, yet we know little about how or why the simple exchange of words and images between therapist and client can work such wonders. This beautifully crafted book, by Herbert and David Spiegel, takes readers from all backgrounds on an exciting and wisely structured journey into this curious realm of human nature. Based on their many decades of pioneering research and innovative treatment methods, this father and son team explores the dynamic utilization of hypnosis in therapeutic settings. They have polished the gem that was their first edition into an even more readable and enjoyable text featuring their creative and practical ideas within scenarios that therapists will find are readily applicable in their practice."-- "Philip G. Zimbardo, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California"
"The masterful yet practical clinical methods presented in this volume represent much more than an update of the original classic text. This Second Edition integrates the latest scientific findings on hypnosis as a foundation for clinical practice. Both the clinician and researcher will clearly learn what to do and how to do it. The theory and research bases will facilitate their use beyond the specific examples explicated. This book is essential to practitioners using hypnosis and a marvelous primer for those curious about the clinical uses of hypnosis."-- "Professor Arreed Franz Barabasz, Ed.D., Ph.D., ABPP, Washington State University, Editor, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis; President, Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (1999-2001); President, American Psychological Association Division 30 (Society for Psychological Hypnosis) (2002-2003)"
"It was a true pleasure to read the second edition of "Trance and Treatment" by Herbert Spiegel and David Spiegel. Since the publication of the first edition more than 25 years ago, there has been much clinical research and some neurobiological research in the field of hypnosis. The authors have incorporated both and much more. Moving from history to philosophy, psychosomatic medicine, and other clinical topics, the book is a comprehensive, well-written tour de force."-- "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry", "February 2006"
"An excellent source, drawing heavily upon systematic data to support its investigation into the beneficial uses of hypnosis in the treatment of psychological dysfunction, and recommended for scientific students of hypnosis, particularly those interested in applying it to mental health practices."-- "Wisconsin Bookwatch", "February 2005"
"This is the second edition of "Trance and Treatment", written by the father and son leaders of the field and serving as a virtual bible of hypnosis... [T]hey cover the ins and outs of hypnosis, presenting theories, concepts, and procedures in a cogent fashion while backing up their ideas with research and findings, both their own and that of others."-- "Psychosomatics", "May-June, 2005"
