"Hypnosis for Change" is the best introductory text on hypnosis I have seen. With a clear, readable style, the authors give an enjoyable and interesting introduction to hypnosis and its techniques. After a brief history and background, the books comprises a series of chapters on how to use hypnosis for a wide range of issues - weight loss, pain, phobias, sleep, sports and so on. The chapters all follow a broadly similar structure, but develop increasing complexity in technique. The excellent chapter on phobias introduces regression extremely elegantly and the chapter on pain control is also superb. The book ends with some tips and considerations for the practising hypnotherapist.
This is a great introductory text for lay person and hypnotherapy student alike; a fabulous springboard into the subject for which the next step for the student might be Michael Yapko's more scholarly (and expensive) "Trancework". Highly recommended.