Hypnotic Induction: Perspectives, Strategies and Concerns

The age-old notion of ‘hypnotic induction’ receives a fresh look from notable scholars from Canada, England, Sweden, and the USA in this book. These scholars represent a breadth of theoretical perspectives: cognitive-behavioral, Ericksonian, psychoanalytic, and trance-state. It is well known that a wide range of hypnotic induction protocols is used to prepare individuals to enhance their receptivity to test or clinical suggestions. However, despite its popularity of use, it appears that little is known about its relevancy and boundary conditions either for testing for hypnotisability or for enhancing clinical efficacy. In this volume, the authors reflect on issues surrounding its definitions, relevancy, possible components, and approaches; they also suggest considerations and strategies for optimizing inductions. This book will be of benefit to both newcomers to the field and seasoned researchers and clinicians alike – it can stimulate new thinking and research about this important, but often taken for granted, notion of hypnotic induction. This book was originally published as a special issue of the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis.

V. K. Kumar is a Professor of Psychology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, USA. He is a Fellow of the APA Society of Psychological Hypnosis.

Stephen R. Lankton is Editor-In-Chief of the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.