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The Milton H. Erickson Foundation Newsletter VOL. 29, NO. 1 19

C D R E V I E W

Hypnosis for Surgical Preparation

Bart Walsh, MSW

Peaceful Pilgrim

When reviewing Bart Walsh’s new CD for surgery preparation it never occurred to me that it would become personally useful so soon. However, as I write this, having listened to it twice, I am grateful that I did, for both professional and personal reasons. I found the CD helpful in ways that I hadn’t anticipated. For instance, until I wasn’t as tense about upcoming surgery, I didn’t realize how tense I had been. I also like the sounds he incorporated into the CD designed to assist the listener to have a more pleasant experience through surgery.

Walsh, a long time short-course presenter at Erickson Foundation events, and former professional jazz musician, created a useful tool for those who are facing surgery. It promises to “help engage the listener’s inner resources for confidence approaching surgery, and optimal surgical results. The CD is clearly based on the most up-to-date research about hypnotic surgery preparation, and offers real results in a palatable form. The CD encourages the listener to recognize that through hypnosis one can heal quicker and even bleed less during surgery, findings recently discussed in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. Walsh

also discusses the fact that going into surgery with confidence, and by using hypnosis, can lessen post-surgical pain and discomfort.

Walsh’s style of offering hypnotic language in such a straightforward and informational manner with a caring voice, made listening a pleasure. Walsh was well prepared and had given much thought to research in preparation for making this CD. He gave such a confident tone to his voice that it made it easy to allow the CD to transport the listener to a comfortable state. His skilled and wise use of hypnotic language made the CD powerful; and the hypnotic language devices worked seamlessly. I was impressed with how his use of language seemed natural even though it was clearly effective in inducing a powerful and useful trance. I could almost sense his former musical profession giving him a special edge of rhythm and timing in the delivery of his words and ideas. Over all, Walsh has created a helpful and useful tool clinicians will be happy to recommend to patients who are facing surgery.

Reviewed by

John D. Lentz D. Min

Shepherdsville, KY