Professional Hypnotism Manual - A Practical Approach for Modern Times

by John G. Kappas

Dr. John Kappas' Professional Hypnotism Manual is more than just another book about hypnosis. It is, instead, a comprehensive system for examining human behavior under the umbrella of "subconscious behaviorism." In this text, Dr. Kappas completely redefines our understanding of hypnosis and how it works with his "message-unit theory of hypnosis" and his revolutionary model of "Emotional and Physical Suggestibility and Sexuality." The "E and P" model provides hypnotherapists with a roadmap for tailoring hypnotic suggestions to match the individuality of the client's communication style and personality type. These new concepts, along with the countless gems of practical wisdom contained in this book, have earned the book distinction as a classic text of modern hypnosis.

Dr. John G. Kappas (1925-2002) unknowingly distinguished himself as the Father of the Hypnotherapy profession in America when, with the help of the AFL/CIO International Union, he authored the definitions of "Hypnotist" and "Hypnotherapist" for the Federal Dictionary of Occupational Titles. The introduction of these titles into the Federal Dictionary in 1973 marked the official recognition of the professional practice of hypnosis and the title of "Hypnotherapist" in the United States.

Dr. Kappas' influence on the profession of hypnotherapy in the United States expanded further in 1987, when the nonprofit organization, the Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI), founded by Kappas in 1968, achieved distinction as the first hypnotherapy college in America to become nationally accredited by an accrediting agency authorized by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2006, HMI's accredited college began offering, free to the public, an online streaming video course titled "Foundations in Hypnotherapy," based on the teachings in this text and featuring vintage footage of Dr. John Kappas.

The continued popularity of this streaming video course, along with the Professional Hypnotism Manual, clearly demonstrates that Dr. Kappas' material is as useful and valid today as it was when originally published in 1975. HMI's college and clinical internship continues to rely on Kappas' Professional Hypnotism Manual as the foundation for its accredited training courses. Throughout his 32-year career, Dr. Kappas maintained an unwavering focus on, both, his private-practice clients and the constant refinement of his concepts through teaching in the HMI classroom. The Ivory Tower academician would be well-advised to consider the practical implications of Kappas' approach to therapy and his empowerment of the masses to become helping professionals.

George J. Kappas, MA, LMFT Director/Hypnosis Motivation Institute

Genres: Psychology

291 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1987

Reviews

[David LM · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for anyone wishing to call themselves a hypnotherapist. I took off one star though for multiple typos and a lack of any referenced source material.

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this because I was an HMI student. I'm not super thrilled with it and I pretty much stopped using it as soon as I left HMI. The information that is provided here goes against what is in much of the established hypnosis research and literature including the jargon that is used. Many things are either incorrect or at times plagiarized from older works (ie there are at least a few times he plagiarized from Milton Erickson) If one uses the jargon in this book, the real professionals (ASCH, SCEH, etc) will know where you trained or will completely be confused as to what you are talking about. Take HMI's classes if you want to be a good lay hypnotist but you can generally skip this book and read other books on hypnosis instead. I'm passionate about hypnosis and now going off to get a graduate degree with it as my specialty and I have never seen a single non-HMI student recommend this book.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

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