Our recommended hypnotherapy books are chosen to be approachable but thorough, and we’ve aimed to balance getting the best information with the need for a reasonable cost.  There are links to make finding the books as easy for you as possible, and sometimes we have a small number of second-hand books for sale. Please contact us for an up-to-date list.

The video above will show you the best way to use the books when you’re on our course.

their worlds, your words, book



All students will receive a copy of Debbie Waller’s book ‘Their Worlds, Your Words’.

How to use this list

There is no need at all to rush out and buy all the books!

If you are studying at the Foundation level only, look at section A. If you are studying at the Practitioner level, look at sections A and B.

Section C is to help you build your library as you develop special interests, decide to read further as a student or want books to use as part of your professional development when in practice. Unless there is an area you already have a specific interest in, it’s probably best to leave this section until you have done at least some of your training.

Section A. Therapy scripts

We’d recommend all our students to have at least one of these books, both if your budget allows. 

  • Allen, Roger P. Scripts and Strategies in Hypnotherapy.  Crown House Publishing, Wales
    Covers broadly the same issues as are covered by YHT. Good for either Foundation or Practitioner level students.
     
  • Waller, Debbie The Metaphor Toolbox – can be purchased directly from Debbie cheaper than Amazon. A collection of therapeutic metaphors written by students and graduates of YHT, and Debbie Waller.

Section B. Building your skills

We’d recommend that all students who are going on to the Practitioner level purchase the Hypnotherapist’s Companion, plus the other book if your budget allows.

  • Waller, Debbie (2020) The Hypnotherapist’s Companion Ann Jaloba Publishing.
    A practical guide to practice, covering therapy skills and business development, and troubleshooting. Most relevant for Practitioner level students who intend to set up a practice.

  • Anthology (2014)  The Hypnotherapy Handbook Helping Handbooks, Yorks.
    A variety of chapters by different authors (including our own Debbie Waller) on how to deal with many common issues you’ll meet as a hypnotherapist along with marketing and self-care advice. Most relevant for Practitioner level students.

Section C. Building your library

If you want to build your library further here are our recommendations to get you started. However, it’s a good idea to wait till you’ve covered the relevant areas of your training before deciding which ones you want. Some are quite specialist and will be of no use unless you decide to work in that area.
The tutor’s copies will be available to view during our course, giving you a chance to browse through them before you decide which ones you wish to add to your own collection. We’ve also included brief notes to help you choose the titles of most interest to you.

  • Barber, Tom & Westland, Sandra. Thinking Therapeutically Crown House Publishing, Wales
    Two experienced hypnotherapists talk you through some of their cases and compare approaches, which is particularly useful for Practitioner level students around case study and graduation time if you want to see how the same issue can be approached in different ways.
  • Farr, Tracy. (2018) A Creative Guide to Therapeutic Metaphor  Ann Jaloba Publishing.
    How to write an inspired metaphor; a fun interactive guide for hypnotherapists. Good for either Foundation or Practitioner level students.
  • Hudson, Lynda. Scripts and Strategies in Hypnotherapy with Children  Crown House Publishing, Wales
    Information and techniques for those wishing to work with children aged 5 to 15. Most suited to Practitioner level students.
  • Hudson, Lynda More Scripts and Strategies in Hypnotherapy Crown House Publishing, Wales
    Provides scripts to help you branch out to new areas and issues. Most relevant for Practitioner level students.
  • Miller, Philip.The Really Good Fun Cartoon Book of NLP Crown House Publishing, Wales
    Good on communication skills and reading non-verbal communication, particularly useful if therapy is a new area for you, useful for Practitioner or Foundation level students.
  • Pearson, Judith. Weight, Hypnotherapy and You Crown House Publishing, Wales.
    A complete weight control system including session plans, handouts, scripts and homework for clients .
  • Waterfield, Robin Hidden Depths: The Story of Hypnosis Routledge
    A thorough and entertaining text on the history of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Not essential but excellent for general background if you like reading. Most relevant to module one.

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