The Discovery of Hypnosis:

The Complete Writings of James Braid, the Father of Hypnotherapy

Foreword by Dr. Michael Heap
Edited with detailed prefatory essays by Donald Robertson
Published by the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)

From the author: This is a major new publication which every hypnotherapist should possess. Just as you’d expect every psychoanalyst to have read Freud, every hypnotist should be familiar with the writings of James Braid, the founder of hypnotherapy. Braid’s writings are particularly relevant today with the growing emphasis upon evidence-based practice in psychological therapies. Contrary to popular misconception, which tends to confuse hypnotism with mesmerism, hypnotism actually originated as an early scientific critique of pseudoscientific Victorian therapies such as animal magnetism. Braid, as these writings clearly demonstrate, was an arch-sceptic and passionate empiricist, seeking a rational and common sense explanation for the phenomena of hypnotism.

Braid’s views help to powerfully counteract some of the most common misconceptions which undermine the confidence of clients and other professionals in hypnotherapy. Braid’s common sense approach makes hypnotism understandable and accessible, cutting through the confusion which followed in later decades. His ideas are surprisingly consistent with modern research on hypnosis and pre-empt certain aspects of contemporary cognitive-behavioural therapies (CBT). Braid’s writings even contain “forgotten” hypnotherapy strategies and techniques, which deserve to be revisited in modern times.

Available now from Amazon UK and Amazon.com

You can also browse the whole text online free-of-charge through Google books or visit our website and blog www.James-Braid.com

Some Reviews from Readers on Amazon

An Important Book for All Hypnotherapists – Paul Howard, hypnotherapist

This should be essential reading for all hypnotherapists, and for anyone with an interest in the history of psychology or psychotherapy. Most of Braid’s writings have been pretty much unavailable until now. 150 years on many of Braid’s ideas are still relevant. Braid’s writings show that hypnotism began as a thoroughly scientific therapy, based on criticisms of Victorian quack remedies.

Obligatory Reading – John O’Flynn, hypnotherapist

This quintessential work should be obligatory study for anyone in the field of Hypnotherapy. Donald Robertson unfolds the history of this most powerful therapy, through the words and works, the experiments and demonstrations, of Dr. James Braid, in a straightforward, deeply educational and most enlightening fashion. Excellently researched, it recounts the journey of a highly respected doctor who set out to debunk the follies of Mesmerism and found the jewel of Hypnosis. If you wish to simply understand hypnosis, or study the subject in depth, this is most certainly the book to have. I would go so far as to say, shame on anyone in the field of Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy, who remains ignorant of what this book contains.

Fascinating – Tom Butler-Bowdon, self-help author

Braid was the first to put hypnotherapy on a scientific, rational footing, so today’s hypnotherapists have a lot to thank him for.

A Manchester surgeon, Braid discovered hypnotism reasonably late and like most doctors of his time considered stage hypnotists charlatans. It was only his physical examination of a hypnotised subject that convinced him an actual bodily change had taken place with non-mystical causes.

The Discovery of Hypnosis puts together Braid’s key writings and provides succinct commentary and historical context. This is an exhaustive survey and the editor has obviously mastered the material, revealing an underrated figure in the history of psychology and psychotherapy.

One of Robertson’s fascinating ideas is that Braid should not be considered simply the father of hypnotherapy, but the father of psychotherapy, given his early work into what is now called cognitive behavioural therapy.

Robertson’s clear writing style and to-the-point comments enliven the historical material, and the book itself is large and well laid out. Any hypnotherapist serious about their subject should have this book in their library. It is also a intriguing read for the layman.

Available now from Amazon UK and Amazon.com

You can also browse the whole text online free-of-charge through Google books or visit our website and blog www.James-Braid.com