Hypnosis Book Reviews...

Hypnosis & Suggestion in the Treatment of Pain
By Joseph Barber

This is an excellent and comprehensive guide to hypnotic pain management for the clinician. Barber himself provides two of the twelve chapters and the afterword. Eleven other contributors give their specialist knowledge in managing particular types of pain: cancer, dental, medical procedures, burns etc. Barber has produced a well balanced text which integrates a compassionate exploration of pain problems with the rigorous approach of scientific method. As such it will be of interest to both clinicians and those whose interest is more academic.

Because the authors proceed from clinical and research evidence rather than any unified theory, they can be catholic in their summation of which factors affect pain experience encompassing Learning Theory, the effects of PTSD and a history of childhood abuse, socio-economic consideration and so forth. They suggest that whilst Cognitive-Behavioural interventions are effective for chronic benign pain, hypnotherapy is the most efficacious treatment for the recurring pain that accompanies injury or disease process. All the contributors stress the importance of understanding the meaning of the pain for the sufferer. The pain of a hangover may be great in terms of sensory experience but cause small psychological pain because we know it will pass. By contrast, the sensory pain of a cancer may be little but the psychological suffering pain very great because the patient fears for his life. For this reason Barber suggests asking the sufferer to provide a subjective rating scale measurement of both sensory and affective pain. The case examples supplement the research material well and there are plenty of useful tips for the clinician. However whilst technique and procedure may be important they are as nothing if there is not a good therapeutic alliance between practitioner and sufferer. It is good to see that all the contributors convey a strong sense of respect and warmth for their clients. A working knowledge of hypnotic technique is assumed and the text includes a number of hypnotic protocols. Clinical and theoretical issues are considered jointly throughout the book.

This is very much a clinicians book and is not for general reading. I think that is how it should be. I was particularly pleased with the emphasis on obtaining baseline measurements and the need to perform a thorough assessment before proceeding to treatment. I feel that many of the other texts on this subject provide treatment protocols without sufficient emphasis on the need to tailor treatment to the individuals unique personality and needs. The book closes with an afterword from Barber noting that sometimes, despite our best attempts, we cannot always be successful. It indicates the importance of clinicians to seek support from colleagues through supervision. It is helpful too in reminding those of us who aspire to the competence of Barber and his co-writers than no practitioner is infallible.

Reviewer: Adam May

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