Although many times a person needs professional help when addressing life's challenges, it is indeed possible for a person to embark on a self-help journey -” provided that they have the correct tools. In Why do I Keep Doing This!!?: End Bad Habits, Negativity and Stress with Self-Hypnosis and NLP Judith E. Pearson, PhD, presents readers with a comprehensive, well-communicated, and effective guide. She addresses sixteen specific issues, most of which are very common to people in the western world.

Essentially, this book is a collection of many very effective self-help NLP and hypnotherapy techniques garnered from the contributions of some of the leading thinkers and practitioners of those fields. Dr. Pearson, who is also a licensed mental health practitioner, provides succinct commentary, which clearly explains theory and moves the reader through an easy-to-master hypnotic journey. How she uniquely weaves these ideas together is what makes this a valid contribution. Although just about all of the theory covered in this book was available in the last few decades of the last century, when appropriate she updates and embellishes the material in this concise volume.

This book is primarily directed at non-clinical readers. As she has done in the past, Dr. Pearson excels as she excellently communicates what could be complex information in a way that can be easily understood by the average reader. I found her presentation to be extremely logical and very easy to follow. Although I appreciated the experience of digesting the entire book, I could just as well picked any of the application chapters, focused on the presenting issue, and gained considerable benefit. Clinicians, however, should not overlook this book. I feel that a practitioner could obtain further insights into the approaches that she provides.

The book also contains a very valuable companion CD. It contains two tracks. One briefly mentions some of the basic theory, which is also covered in the book. Therefore, should someone can listen to the CD prior to reading the book. The second track is a very nice sample of a hypnosis session. In the session she covers a few very effective induction and deepening techniques, demonstrates the therapy portion, and leads the listener through what she refers to as reorientation. I enjoyed participating in the session -” although I must say that I found her technique of counting regressively during induction and deepening and progressively in the orientation phase rather disconcerting due to the fact that I am more accustomed to the opposite approach.

Clinicians who read this book and who are also aware of many of the theories and definitions that I have been promoting over the past few years will most definitely notice a few areas of divergence. However, those differences -” which merely represent the diversity of thought within this field -” are clearly overshadowed by the immense value of this rather straight-forward work. I commend Dr. Pearson for her excellent results.

Judith has put together a brilliant self-help guide to self-hypnosis and NLP. For anyone wanting to get rid of a bad or outdated habit, learn how to de-stress, get a good night's sleep or boost confidence or motivation, then this is a must-have. It is easy to read, easy to understand and easy to put into practice. Judith has written a great dip in and dip out book and the CD that comes with this book is an added bonus.

It was a real pleasure to read this book. Upbeat, extremely practical and with easy to follow instructions, this is a self-help bible that should sit prominently on your shelf and be taken out and consulted whenever you feel like tackling a habit in your life that no longer serves you. It is remarkably comprehensive, starting with a five chapter introduction to Hypnosis and NLP, explaining what they are and dispelling common myths, followed by clear step-by-step instructions on how to self-hypnotise in a variety of ways. The remainder of the book covers pretty well every habit and emotional issue on the planet, and pretty well every hypnotic and NLP technique, with again, clear step-by-step instructions that can be followed by anyone. A really enjoyable, useful book, pulling together a wide range of techniques from reliable sources.

Congratulations Judy on producing one more fine piece of work. I am weak when it comes to hypnotic scripts outside NLP Patterns and basic Milton Model Linguistic skills. `Why Do I Keep Doing This` provides me with several suggestive hypnotic patterns that have already enriched my work as a NLP therapist. It also “frames” NLP Patterns within the Hypnosis theme and I do believe Judy has produced a “handbook” for the layman to use in his search for healing for his specific issues.

The book offers a “Buffet” of food for the “Emotionally Hungry” person.

I was lucky enough to be invited to review Judy's latest book -˜Why Do I Keep Doing This?'. I say lucky because reading this has enabled me to successfully work with one or two of my own -˜challenges'...so it worked for me!

Judy has a natural way of building Rapport with the reader from the first page, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and practicing the techniques. I found her words to be very reassuring, as she reminded me to check my ecology and congruency before starting self hypnosis -” this appealed to my own sense of integrity and ethics!

This is a really informative back to basics book about self hypnosis, which could be read by anyone interested in learning more about this particular skill. Judy explores the origins of hypnosis and how it can be so effective, which is valuable information for those who may require a little convincing!
It's definitely worth working on the specific visualisations in Part 2! 

Thanks Judy, for a well informed and thorough read -” it will be staying on my bedside table for a while longer so I can perfect my own techniques!

OK, I admit it. I was a bit wary when I approached this book. The title's a good one, but the subtitle? “End bad habits, negativity and stress with self-hypnosis and NLP”. Self-hypnosis? So that's a self-help book, right?

But isn't ending bad habits, negativity and stress OUR job? Isn't a hypnotherapist recommending a self-help book a bit like turkeys voting for Thanksgiving (Judith Pearson is an American)?

Actually, no. Actually-¦ I really liked this book. I suspect I'm not the only therapist who groans inwardly when a client tells me she has been reading lots of self-help books -” usually, it means she has been pulled this way and that by a load of pop psychology and so many conflicting suggestions that therapy is needed just to get her out of blaming herself for everything that has gone wrong in her life (The Secret, anyone?).

This one is different. Why Do I Keep Doing This!!? is in a different league altogether and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to a client-¦ in fact, I've already recommended it to my wife.

For a start, it brings an intelligent approach to the whole area of hypnosis and therapy, clearly explaining what hypnotherapy is and isn't about. You know, the stuff we have to explain to clients when they sit nervously in our chairs at a first session, but with some impressive neuroscience thrown in.
For another thing, it suggests ways clients can help themselves that can also be of use to professional therapists -” especially those of us, like me, who don't have Dr Pearson's 20 years of experience. And I particularly like the way the author says she made every effort to “avoid the tawdry marketing hype and false claims made by so many self-proclaimed gurus of hypnosis”.

The book is helpfully split into two parts: the first begins with a potted history of hypnotherapy and an explanation of hypnosis, followed by an overview of NLP (the author is very upfront about her indebtedness to NLP). A chapter on affirmation and visualisation comes next, and the first part finishes with what I guess is the most important part for many readers -” inducing and deepening trance.

The second part -” the bulk of the book -” consists of solution-focused practical applications for self-hypnosis, with chapters on topics such as addictions, smoking, weight loss, sleep, self-esteem, performance, and all the other issues we're all familiar with.

Well, I say that-¦ but I have to admit my eye was drawn immediately to Chapter 14: Pass your polygraph exam. I have actually had a client come to me hoping I could help him through a lie detector test his girlfriend wanted him to take to prove he had been faithful. If only I'd had this book! Apparently, though, American employers are increasingly using regular polygraph tests on employees (what?!) and this is advice to honest workers on not getting stressed. Sadly, it's not about helping liars.

For the rest, each section has useful tips, with NLP exercises and scripts that self-hypnotisers can memorise or record to help through the various issues. Plenty of good ideas here, too, for professionals.

And talking of professionals, the author -” you might be pleased to hear -” does recommend going to a hypnotherapist “if you aren't getting the results you want”. Self-help, as we all know, has its limitations - but this book could be helpful to me as a practitioner. And that's why I'd recommend it. We all need a bit of help sometimes.

Judith Pearson's “Why do I keep doing this?” is a well written book that is written in an easy accessible conversational manner. It serves as a good introduction to hypnosis and NLP for those wanting to explore how these tools can be considered in relation to changing unhelpful behaviours. It's well structured and refreshingly jargon free, so the reader can reference a range of different tools that are useful in creating a state personal well being. The book discusses a range of typical issues that people may regard as problems including sleep problems, food related problems, procrastination and anxiety related problems. The scope of the writing acts as a good introduction to how many of these approaches could be considered useful and readers can then decide for themselves whether or not to explore further in more detail. The “pass your polygraph exam” seems to me slightly out of place with the main content of the book and I'm not sure how this fits with the overall theme of “Why do I keep doing this?” even though the author maintains that they are not “siding with criminals” That having said it's an easy read and many interested in personal change may find it a fun read.

Books about self-hypnosis are far more abundant than in the latter years of the 20th Century; but very few of them stand out above the average. Why Do I Keep Doing This!!? by Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D., stands way above most self-help books as well as books about self-hypnosis.

In addition to clearly explaining the basics of self-hypnosis, the author shows the reader how to blend in NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) exercises as well for better results. She discusses some basic NLP concepts in simple language for those not familiar with NLP. Her book includes additional important information regarding motivation and goal achievement, as well as overcoming undesired habits. 

As a hypnotherapy practitioner since 1983, I respect and appreciate that Pearson makes no claims trying to present self-hypnosis as a cure for all of life's problems. Instead, she makes it clear that some people may require psychotherapy and/or clinical hypnosis from a qualified practitioner.

Pearson also goes beyond most other self-hypnosis books by writing outside the box. In other words, she provides some important additional background information regarding a number of common problems, such as numerous tips to those wishing to control their weight. Addictions, procrastination, self-esteem and insomnia are also covered, along with exercises for pain management and healing past hurts.

Although her book is written for the novice, even veteran hypnotherapists should find her book filled with useful information. Furthermore, numerous references from the work of other professionals prove that the author invested considerable research to make this book more valuable and credible.

Judith Pearson's insightful, helpful, well-written book is the best self-help book I have read in years. It reads like a great novel. I'm keeping it at my bed side to dip into it when I need to remember how to be my own best self.