First published in 1994. Some episodes of depression can even be prevented, but the greater focus in this book is on responding to the experience of depression that is already present in the afflicted individual. This book represents an effort to make the extremely complex and subjective experience of depression one that can be better understood and more effectively treated. It does not represent a school of therapy in a singular way. Rather, it promotes the recognition of the diversity of human experience such that an emphasis on anyone approach will seem obviously self-limiting.

Existential philosophy provides a useful theoretical foundation for sucessful hynotherapy because it stresses the importance of the client's experience over any preconceived notions or diagnoses. By using the client's reality as the basis of clinical work, the therapist can help the client break self-destructive habits and maintain healthy patterns of behavior without relying solely on behavioral techniques. Presenting an innovative approach to psychotherapy that is firmly rooted in philosophy, "Existential Hypnotherapy" bridges the gap between technique and theory.
Addressing theoretical themes, the book's initial chapters discuss significant issues for psychotherapy in general, and hypnotherapy in particular, with special attention paid to the nature of diagnosis and concepts of addiction. Chapters introduce the reader to the work of various existential philosophers, including Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Sartre. Bound to stir controversy, the authors persuasively argue that hypnosis should not be considered a "state" or "altered consciousness," and that there is no such thing as self-hypnosis. Instead, they demonstrate that all clinical hypnosis belongs to the therapist-patient dialogue.
The book then focuses on specific hypnotherapy techniques that may be linked to desired therapeutic outcomes. These strategies include ways to help patients manage anxiety, and empower them to make needed life changes; methods for illuminating the existential meaning of symptoms to help patients break bad habits; and the utilizization of patients' metaphors in treatment. Also discussed is the inadequacy of measurement scales that are supposed to determine a patient's ability to be hypnotized.
Unique and thought-provoking, "Existential Hypnotherapy" is an important guide for any practitioner in the mental health field who uses clinical hynosis as a tool, regardless of his or her training or orientation. Providing an accessible review of the basic principles of existential thought, it is also useful for instructors and students using philosophy to ground their psychological work.

It has been said that hypnosis is a collection of techniques in need of a unifying theory.' (James A. Hall, "Hypnosis: A Jungian Perspective"). While the varied substrates of these techniques preclude the formation of any one theory of hypnosis, this volume presents a state-of-the-science' view of existing theories of hypnosis. Written by eminent scholars and researchers, this uniquely authoritative resource also provides a wealth of information about the history of hypnosis, clinical and research perspectives on hypnosis, and the strengths and weaknesses of empirical methods used to address crucial theoretical questions.
The streamlined organization of the volume facilitates the reader's ability to contrast and compare research findings and concepts across theories. In the introductory chapters, the editors describe hypnosis paradigms and schools of thought, including major points of convergence and divergence, as well as a broad vista of different perspectives on the history of hypnosis. The theoretical chapters that follow present definitive statements by an international array of eminent scholars who are at the forefront of conceptual advances in the realms of clinical and experimental hypnosis. Their contributions, written in lively first-person narratives, explore current thinking about hypnosis and represent important clinical and research traditions that extend beyond the territory of hypnosis to mainstream psychology.
Providing a thorough discussion of hypnotic phenomena, the book tackles tough questions such as whether hypnosis evokes an altered state of consciousness; whether hypnotic behavior is involuntary; whether hypnotizability is stable, trait-like, andmodifiable; and whether hypnotic and non-hypnotic behavior can be distinguished in meaningful ways. The diversity of viewpoints, including competitive ones, illuminates the debates which have expanded the frontiers of knowledge about hypnosis. In the concluding section, the editors compare and contrast these theories, discuss pertinent research issues, and lay out an agenda for future research.
Given its stellar list of contributors and the unique niche it occupies as the first authoritative survey of its kind, THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS is of value to anyone interested in the topic. The editors' ten years of experience teaching hypnosis to psychology and medical students has resulted in a book with enormous appeal to students and instructors, as well as clinicians and researchers. A wide variety of professionals--academics, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, dentists--will find it an authoritative introduction and invaluable reference to this still-growing, ever-fascinating field.

Drinking too much alcohol? Boredom drinking? Alcohol affects your relationships? Using alcohol to relax? Feeling guilty about the night before? Start each week determined to drink less? This hypnotherapy recording will help you to reduce down your alcohol drinking safely by changing the bad drinking habits in your subconscious mind. The techniques will release cravings, let go of emotional or boredom drinking, release stresses, improve sleep patterns, boost confidence and help you to feel relaxed with less alcohol. You can decide whether to just reduce down or stop altogether. Just relax, lay back with the volume turned down low and let the messages wash over you. The messages in the recording will help you to get back to being your true self by releasing the negative traits and behaviours you have taken on over time, maybe they built up over years. It is important to listen to the hypnotherapy recording for several weeks or months although most people see positive changes in themselves within days. It is up to you how often you listen but the more you listen the more you will benefit. Keep listening until you make all the changes you want to make. The recordings are designed for you to listen to at bedtime and they are deliberately short so there is no excuse for not finding the time to do them. Two short tracks to fit into your busy schedule. You can listen to both tracks one after the other or alternate them on different days. Testimonials "Since listening to the hypnosis CD I feel in control instead of the alcohol controlling me" "Well it's changed my life. I had been drinking 98 units per week for some time. I have suffered from clinical depression and all in all was on a downward spiral. I really needed help and your CD was it. Well it's April and I have lost 24 lbs in weight and last week I had only 16 units, this week will be less. I didn't drink last night, just didn't feel like a drink, in the past I would drink every night! So I just wanted to say thank you and let others know, that this works!!!!" Weight gain from over drinking? Stressed and drinking? Craving alcohol? Alcohol intake has crept up over time? Can't seem to change? Do you want to reduce alcohol?