Hypnosis Book Reviews...

Scripts and Strategies in Hypnotherapy
by Roger P. Allen

Roger Allen has produced a useful little book aimed at providing a range of scripts for use by the newly qualified Hypnotherapist. By far the majority of those given are Ericksonian in their approach and where needed the author gives a short explanation of the script and when its use is contraindicated. Opening with a small section covering inductions, deepeners and the installation of IMRs before moving on to the various therapeutic strategies, the author states that each can be used as it stands, but does emphasise the benefits of adapting the scripts to incorporate an individual patient's specific need. Therapies covered are varied and include sexual problems, insomnia, pain management and weight loss to name but a few. Acknowledging its usefulness in the hypnotherapeutic framework, the author has also included three N.L.P techniques: the ‘Swish  technique' (here used to control weight), six step refraining and anchoring.

The importance of the smoker client base is emphasised as a major source of patient referrals, and with this in mind the author gives useful tips on the taking of a detailed case history while advocating the advantages of one session stop smoking. The first of the two stop smoking scripts provided is for use with pregnant women and emphasises the possible harm to the foetus if the woman  continues with her habit. This is used in conjunction with the second, more general script that graphically details the long term effects smoking can have on the body, providing stomach churning reading!

The shock tactics continue to a lesser degree with the Diamond Weight Control Script where the metaphor of a man building his house on ground contaminated with toxic waste - and the consequent decline in health experienced by his family is employed.

The author has included scripts specifically to be used with children. Unfortunately the one dealing with nocturnal enuresis, despite its humourous tale of Tommy Tinkle is, in my opinion, flawed as it refers to a 'wet bed' thus missing the opportunity to reframe the problem for the child.

Towards the end of the book and prior to a discourse outlining the dangers of stage hypnosis, the author provides useful advice regarding the use of audio tapes before giving an interesting introduction to the newly emerging psychovisual therapy.

It should be remembered that this book is not a text book on Hypnotherapy and as such should not be used by the unqualified as many of the scripts require a knowledge and understanding of the underlying psychodynamics of the presenting problem.

This said, I found ‘Scripts and Strategies in Hypnotherapy'  practical in its layout. It provides an imaginative source of scripts covering the most commonly met cases. For the newly qualified therapist, it is a useful addition and for the more experienced it is a source of inspiration.

Reviewer Peter S. Mabbutt

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