About Hypnosis

View recommended books on hypnosis, list of major hypnosis journals, hypnosis database and more.

Recommended Books

For a current and comprehensive overview written by a variety of experts in the field, we recommend:

• Elkins, G.R. (2016) Handbook of Medical and Psychological Hypnosis: Foundations, Applications, and Professional Issues. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Inc.

For a more comprehensive history of hypnosis and its development over the past 200 years:

• Gauld, A. (1995). A History of Hypnotism. Cambridge University Press.
• Pintar, J., & Lynn, S. J. (2017). Hypnosis: A brief history (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

Texts providing in-depth overviews of theories & research in hypnosis:

• Nash, M. R., & Barnier, A. J. (Eds.). (2008). The Oxford handbook of hypnosis: Theory, research, and practice. Oxford University Press.

Additionally, the following present useful manuals on clinical applications, including assessment and treatment:

• Spiegel, H., & Spiegel, D. (2004). Trance and treatment: Clinical uses of hypnosis (2nd ed.).
• Hammond, D. C. (Ed.). (1990). Handbook of Hypnotic Suggestions and Metaphors. W. W. Norton & Company.

For up-to-date and highly specific approaches to varying clinical issues, we suggest Mark Jensen's edited "Voices of Experience" series, which provides detailed descriptions of techniques written by current masters in the field:

1. Jensen M., ed. (2017). The Art and Practice of Hypnotic Induction: Favorite Methods of Master Clinicians: Voices of Experience, #1. Denny Creek Press.
2. Jensen M., ed. (2019). Hypnotic Techniques for Chronic Pain Management: Favorite Methods for Master Clinicians: Voices of Experience, #2. Denny Creek Press.
3. Jensen M., ed. (2019). Hypnosis for Acute and Procedural Pain Management: Favorite Methods of Master Clinicians: Voices of Experience, #3. Denny Creek Press.
4. Jensen M., ed. (2019). Handbook of Hypnotic Techniques Vol. 1: Favorite Methods of Master Clinicians: Voices of Experience, #4. Denny Creek Press.
5. Jensen M., ed. (2021). Handbook of Hypnotic Techniques, Vol. 2: Favorite Methods of Master Clinicians: Voices of Experience, #5. Denny Creek Press.
6. Jensen M., ed. (2024). Handbook of Hypnotic Techniques, Vol. 3: Favorite Methods of Master Clinicians: Voices of Experience, #5. Denny Creek Press.

Hypnosis Professional Groups

• The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)opens in new window
• The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (IJCEH)opens in new window
• The International Society of Hypnosis (ISH)opens in new window
• The International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD)opens in new window
• The Milton H. Erickson Foundationopens in new window
• The Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH)opens in new window

Major Hypnosis Journals

• American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
• Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
• Contemporary Hypnosis and Integrative Therapy
• Dissociation
• Imagination, Cognition, and Personality
• International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosisopens in new window
• Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice

Interview

The Willmarth Hypnosis Interviews

Dr. Eric Willmarth has “interviewed over 100 of the greatest living hypnosis researchers and clinicians and tried to preserve their wisdom and their personality for future students of hypnosis. All of the interviews were candid and unrehearsed. Answers to my questions are “off the top of their heads” and not the result of prepared statements. With each interview you can sense the passion shared by the impressive individuals who study and use clinical hypnosis.”