A System of Medical Hypnosis.

Dr. Ainslie Meares is clearly a gifted psychotherapist. In this work on hypnosis, he repeatedly demonstrates sensitivity to the nuances of relationships, and awareness of the interactions between the two participants in the hypnotic process. Written in a notably lucid and felicitous style, the varying therapeutic uses of hypnosis are described, based on the author's own method of practice. His book is informed throughout by his purpose of presenting "Medical hypnosis ... as a system of treatment in which various practices are linked each to each by their clear relation to underlying psychodynamic theory." In the main by psychodynamic theory he means psychoanalytic theory. As befits a "system," the entire range of therapeutic applications of hypnosis is covered. Detailed descriptions of the doctor-patient interactions in hypnosis are offered. Different methods of induction (relaxation, arm levitation, repetitive movement, direct stare, and a dynamic method directly geared to the individual