Hypnosis and the Treatment of Depressions: Strategies for Change

The purpose of this bold new book is two?fold: to demonstrate that hypnosis is a viable and powerful approach to the treatment of depression; and to confront traditional criticism of its use head on. In so doing, Dr. Yapko chooses to embrace rather than to ignore the opportunity for debate. The result is an honest, well?rounded exploration, as compelling as it is instructive. The first chapters lay the groundwork for the book's dual focus, opening with a discussion of depressions. The author's use of the plural here reflects his understanding of the problem as being as broadly defined as the people who present with it. The second chapter focuses on the historical perspective of depression and hypnosis as "forbidden friends", shedding new light on old myths about the use of hypnosis leading to hysteria, and even suicide. In the third chapter, Dr. Yapko defines hypnosis as a flexible and enlightened tool that offers precisely the multidimensionality that the problem demands. Other chapters include HypnoticAspects of Nonhypnotic Therapies, Depression and Symptomatic Trances, Stages of Treatment, The Role of Expectancy in Treating Depression, Utilizing Trance in Treatment, Structuring Therapeutic Learnings, and Integrating Hypnosis into Therapy.