ABSTRACT
The classic hypnotic phenomena defined and described in this chapter are the foundational ingredients for the therapeutic applications of hypnosis. Furthermore, they are the basic building blocks of all experience, differing in their everyday forms from their clinical applications only in degree, not kind. Although qualities of hypnotic phenomena are found in routine daily experiences, they are most dramatic to observe and experience when distilled to their essence as in structured hypnotic processes. It’s important to appreciate from the outset in considering these hypnotic phenomena that they are not innately positive, nor are they innately negative in character. They can be assembled in ways that may help or hurt, depending on their associated content and the context in which they are applied. Simply put, the same hypnotic phenomena that can be used to resolve problems can be used to create them. More will be said about this important point later, particularly in relation to hypnotic phenomena and symptom formation.
