**1. Introduction**

Cognitive hypnotherapy (CH), rooted in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with the addition of hypnosis, focuses on the ways in which individuals think and act in specific circumstances, and how emotional and behavioural problems may be overcome. The fusion of hypnotic techniques with the cognitive and behavioural therapies was proposed in 1994 to strengthen the therapeutic outcome and was termed cognitive hypnotherapy. This offered an addition to therapy by facilitating the resolution of resistant symptoms [1]. CH is a psychodynamic therapy that focuses on the unconscious mind and targets implicit or automated processes (thoughts and feelings) no longer consciously perceived.

The aim of this review is to give greater understanding of CH and its quickacting and beneficial effects in a number of diverse conditions. A further aim is to give corroborated scientific evidence from the literature of the processes adopted in this assimilative therapy underpinned by documentation of studies in a number of different areas. The objective is to give more credence and understanding of CH in both the scientific and medical domains.

This chapter first asks the question 'what is hypnosis'? and gives an overview from a scientific stand-point of the techniques and protocols of hypnosis that are most pertinent for understanding the case for integration with CBT. It gives a brief review of the background of CBT from its roots in cognitive therapy and behavioural therapy. It further evaluates the nature and efficacy of CBT together with its suitability from a psychological perspective as an appropriate therapy for the addition of hypnosis. The impact and added strength of integrating two disciplines for the maximum therapeutic effect is explored, together with the rationale for integration. Documentation is given of scientific studies in a number of different domains where hypnosis has been used as an adjunct to CBT and the treatment effects of this multi-modal approach. However this chapter concludes with the premise that there appear to be few guidelines for practitioners for an integrative procedure for the treatment of diverse psychological conditions and this needs to be addressed in future research.
