Product reviews for Therapeutic Hypnosis with Children and Adolescents – Second Edition

This was an illuminating read, not only on working with children and adolescents, also on the theme of hypnosis generally. This edition is eminently readable, and extremely thorough, drawing on a wide range of expertise and illustration. I found myself reading it almost as a novel, while inevitably spending longer in some parts than others. It is stimulating and comprehensible. The editors introduce the book by relating the theme to context, suggesting that children are eminently open to suggestive work as they are often naturally entranced, and, unfettered, tend to have the capacity of vivid imagination. Sugarman and Wester are keen to differentiate trance from hypnosis. The editors locate the whole practice within an ethical and professional matrix where it is the hypnotist who needs to work on putting him / herself in the appropriate state to create a working alliance. Purposeful hypnosis is located within a matrix of communication skills, strategies, and purpose. Sugarman and Wester emphasise that this purpose be patient centred, and offer a welcome developmental framework of hypnosis. They contrast the -˜vessel' approach to hypnosis, where the patient is -˜put under', with the more elegant and ethical means of pacing and leading so wonderfully pioneered by Erikson, utilizing the patient's own resources and frameworks. This book is all about the engagement and empowerment model, how to playfully work with the subconscious with creativity and innovation. Part One proceeds with induction approaches and hypnotic techniques. It is straightforward, outlining the changing nature of the form of imagination through a lifetime, moving through the childish notion of the imaginary friend, to reliving childhood memories, creating sexual fantasies, planning our futures, planning for retirement. Part Two focuses on contexts within which hypnosis has been used with children and young people, ranging from chronic illness, war trauma, developmental issues, anxiety management, acute pain management, you name it, it's there and there are copious well written case histories, careful admission of where there is not yet evidence - a very honest and informative approach. I would recommend any student of hypnosis who is working with children and young people to read this book. It is theoretically and practically evidenced and inspiring, and an excellent resource.

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