Learn about studies at prestigious hospitals and universities that found Hypnotherapy is effective at treating many issues. Medical Research For decades, medical and university researchers published studies testing the effectiveness of hypnotherapy on a variety of ailments. The results of these placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials were published in prestigious medical journals such as The Lancet , and the New England Journal of Medicine . Contrary to myths and some false claims you may have heard or read, hypnotherapy has been proven to be a quick and effective treatment modality. For example, the lead researcher on an extensive New York hospital study of the use of hypnosis right before breast surgery concluded: "If this were a drug, everyone would be using it." Anxiety Anxiety Reserch Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States--and a specialty of this practice. In 1985, 18% of UCLA incoming freshmen indicated, "I feel overwhelmed by all I have to do." In 2016, 41% of UCLA freshmen agreed with that statement. What would the number be now? Unfortunately, most treatment modalities are not very effective. The pharmaceutical approach only provides some relief at best, and it can diminish over time. Psychotherapy or CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) which is currently popular, is promoted as effective in treating anxiety, yet those studies show a small improvement. In contrast, my goal posts are assisting a patient to accomplish a challenging task with little or no anxiety. Getting on an airplane, standing in front of a group to speak, dating, or driving at freeway speeds comfortably. To me this is a no-brainer. When I bring my car to a mechanic, I want it fixed . I don't want it returned "a little better." A clinical review looked at the existing research on hypnosis and concluded: "There is good evidence from randomized, controlled trials that hypnosis can reduce anxiety." The same report also concluded that hypnotherapy was proven to be effective in treating panic attacks and phobia. Vickers & Zollman, "Hypnosis & Relaxation Therapies," British Medical Journal 1999, vol. 319 The use of hypnosis was found to be safe and helpful in children, particularly for anxiety disorder, nocturnal enuresis or insomnia. International Journal of Clinical Pediatrics , 2013, doi: 10.4021/ijcp104w In this meta-analysis of 17 trials, it was found that the average participant receiving hypnosis reduced anxiety more than 79% of control participants. At the longest follow-up, those treated with hypnosis improved more than 84% of control participants. "The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety," Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2019 Jul-Sep;67(3):336-363. doi: 10.1080/00207144.2019.1613863. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) IBS is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, and altered bowel habit. IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States. Since there is a stress component in most IBS patients, it's not surprising that hypnotherapy has been tried and tested. Notice, this first study was published in one of the world's oldest and best-known general medical journals. These patients showed a dramatic improvement in all features, and no relapses were recorded during the 3-month follow-up period. Whorwell, P., Prior, A., & Faragher, E. (1984). "Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of severe refractory irritable-bowel syndrome." The Lancet , 324(8414), 1232-1234. The study authors found that members of the Gut Directed Hypnotherapy (GDH) group, compared to the control participants, showed significantly greater positive effects on IBS symptoms. Further, the participants maintained these improvements after one year. Lindfors P et al. "Effects of gut-directed hypnotherapy on IBS in different clinical settings-Results from two randomized, controlled trials." The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2012;107:276-85. Weight Loss Obesity in the United States is a major health issue. It increases the risk of certain types of cancer, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Excess weight also decreases the person's quality of life and longevity. Obesity has been cited as a contributing factor to approximately 100,000–400,000 deaths in the United States per year. Over 70% of American adults are either overweight or obese, and in most of those cases the causes reside in the subconscious mind. Thus, an investment in hypnotherapy for weight loss pays significant lifelong dividends! Smokers and nonsmokers achieved significant weight losses and decreases in Body Mass Index. "Weight Loss for Women: Studies of Smokers and Nonsmokers Using Hypnosis and Multicomponent Treatments With and Without Overt Aversion." D L Johnson. Psychological Reports , 1997 Jun;80(3 Pt 1):931-3.doi: 10.2466/pr0.1997.80.3.931. This paper reviews the literature on the use of hypnosis in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders. It proposes that patients with eating disorders ought to be investigated as to the underlying dynamics behind the eating disorders symptoms. M S Torem, "The Use of Hypnosis With Eating Disorders." Psychiatric Medicine 1992;10(4):105-18.

What issues has Hypnotherapy been proven effective to treat? Which doctors and experts endorsed the use of Hypnosis? Expert Opinion "Hypnosis can actually help you lose weight." Jean Fain, MSW, LICSW Harvard Medical School, Oprah Magazine , August 2004 "Hypnosis opens up new, promising opportunities for improving the quality of sleep without drugs." Bjorn Rasch, Psychological Institute University of Zurich, Sleep Journal , 2014 "Patients treated with hypnosis experienced substantial benefits for many different medical conditions." James H. Stewart, Mayo Clinic Proceedings , April 2005 "Though often denigrated as fakery or wishful thinking, hypnosis has been shown to be a real phenomenon with a variety of therapeutic uses." Scientific American , June 2001 "In hypnosis you can attain significant psycho-physiologic changes." Dr. Daniel Handel, National Institutes of Health, New York Times , June 2004 "Hypnosis has been used in western medicine for 150 years, to treat everything from anxiety to pain, from easing the nausea of chemotherapy to enhancing sports performance. Applications include treatment of phobias, panic, low self-esteem, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, stress, smoking, colitis, warts, headaches and high blood pressure." Dr. Carol Ginandes, Clinical Instructor, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University Gazette "Hypnosis has been used in the treatment of pain; depression, anxiety and phobias; gastrointestinal disorders; skin conditions; post-surgical recovery; relief from nausea and vomiting; and many other conditions." Hypnosis Today: Looking Beyond the Media Portrayal , American Psychological Association 2015 "In a study of 208 patients who had received hypnotherapy, 85% of those who had been helped by hypnosis, still felt the benefits up to 7 years later." Hypnosis Provides Effective Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Science Daily , April 2012 "Hypnosis seems helpful in treating addictions, and the depression and anxiety associated with them." Psychology Today , September 1996 "Case reports consistently suggest that hypnosis can be very helpful in the treatment of patients with PTSD." Etzel Cardena, et.al., Chairperson Department of Psychology, Lund University Effective Treatments for PTSD: Practice Guidelines from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies , 2nd edition 2008 "Thus it can be concluded that hypnotherapy treatment is effective in reducing the level of stress in the counselees." Alizamar, MPd, et.al., The Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy in Reducing Stress Levels Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment : December 2018

I answer questions about hypnosis and clear up misconceptions about who can be hypnotized, and how the process works. Frequently Asked Questions Daniel explaining hypnotherapy to students at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (2016) What is hypnosis? Hypnosis has been defined as an altered state of consciousness characterized by focused imagination and a heightened receptivity to suggestion. Can everyone be hypnotized? It's a misconception that many people cannot be hypnotized. This is based on stage hypnotists and stories of those who participated in group hypnosis sessions. Individual clinical hypnotherapy is different. While some may take more time than others, I've only encountered 5 clients in over 10 years who I could not hypnotize. It hasn't happened in years! Will I be aware of what is happening? There are 15 levels of trance, and your awareness decreases as you go to the deeper levels. At the superficial levels you might hear everything I say. The middle levels get kind of dreamy and your conscious mind might "miss" some of what I say. At the deepest levels (after many sessions) you might "miss" most of what I say. However, you are not unconscious or asleep. Your subconscious is always listening and aware. Even in a deep dream, you are aware if your spouse kicks you, right? Can I be forced to do something against my will? This is another misconception. Even in stage hypnotist shows, every participant has a line he or she won't go past. Part of the fun is helping the audience believe the hypnotist is in total control, but that is just not true. NEVER! The men and women on the stage volunteered and agreed to be silly. And, as long as the hypnotist stays within those bounds they will cooperate. Similarly, the idea of a hypnotist getting someone to rob a bank or kill someone is totally ridiculous! Can I drive and go to work or home right after a session? Yes! It may take you 5 minutes to get fully present, but afterwards you will feel relaxed and ready to get on with your day or night. The only lingering effects are positive ones! How many sessions will I need? The vast majority of my patients will experience improvement after just the first session. However, I am usually working with issues or habits that go back years or decades. One-session promises usually use negative conditioning and don't address the underlying problem. That is not how I work. Many people who have stopped smoking that way end up with a weight issue or another issue because the underlying problem wasn't healed. I always recommend at least 4 sessions to have the best chance for a permanent solution. More involved cases require more sessions. However, while you are always welcome to come back at any time, the vast majority of my patients do not need follow-up sessions once we completed the course of treatment. Do you take insurance? No, like many other alternative healthcare professionals these services must be paid out of pocket. There have been instances where payment was completed through a Health Savings Account, but the program rules must allow it. The good news is for weight loss or smoking cessation services, my fees can be deducted as a medical expense on your income taxes. Is your office conveniently located? The office has been located in the same building since 2007. It is a few hundred feet from the intersection of East Broadway and the 101 (Price Freeway), across the street from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. The office is convenient for people who live or work in Tempe, Phoenix, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert and Scottsdale. Patients have also traveled from Sun City West, Prescott, Glendale, Casa Grande and Tucson. How does hypnosis compare to other treatment options? Most patients have tried a variety of methods before stepping into my office. Diet plans have a terrible track record, and without doubt, hypnotherapy works faster than various forms of psychotherapy or counseling. I've treated many people who made more progress with me in a few months than they had with a psychotherapist in many years! I do believe counseling can be useful in certain cases, but there is no comparison in speed or efficacy when compared to hypnotherapy. I am also not a fan of a pharmaceutical approach--although again, there may be cases where it can be useful. The best proof for me is provided by the Veterans Administration that switched from using hypnosis for "shell shock" or PTSD in the 1980s to a protocol of group counseling and pharmaceuticals. If that approach were effective, why would we have 22 veterans killing themselves every day? Perhaps millions of other veterans suffer with drug and alcohol abuse in an attempt to quiet their demons. This is a tragedy. How should I pick a hypnotherapist? There are people who pick a practitioner based on fees or proximity to their home or job. I don't agree with that approach. In every profession there are those who are more skilled and those who are less skilled. If you read my testimonials, you'll see I often help people make significant life changes. Could just anyone do it? Another variable is where a hypnotherapist practices. Many of my competitors practice out of their home. While that is a cost savings for the practitioner, it could raise pet/allergy issues, extraneous noise concerns or worries about safety. My office is in a professional office building that houses many small businesses. It is centrally located, with plenty of free parking in our lots. Training in this profession varies greatly. There are competitors who were trained and certified over the internet. Others whose training is less than impressive. And, very, very few who have any sort of psychological education--on an undergraduate or graduate level. So choose based on what's important to you. My only advice is: Treat this as an important decision, because it is!

Are you a daily drinker? Binge drinker? Drinking more nowadays? Have trouble stopping or cutting back? Hypnotherapy can help! Hypnosis for Alcohol Abuse Hypnosis for Alcohol Abuse Binge drinking is the most common form of excessive alcohol consumption. It's defined as 4 or more drinks in a few hours for women and 5 or more drinks in a few hours for men. Heavy drinking for women is 8 or more drinks per week, and 15 or more drinks per week for men. The gender difference is based solely on average size and weight. The CDC's Dietary Guidelines for alcohol define moderate drinking as up to 1 drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Many are surprised that these recommendations are so low. They think they can hold their liquor, and point to how frequently heavy drinking is shown on TV and in the movies--with few negative consequences. Many look to family and friends for comparisons. However, since heavy drinkers tend to associate with other heavy drinkers--and shun those who drink in moderation, or don't drink at all-- these comparisons just feed the denial. Because early experiences shape our lives, alcoholics frequently have family members who are also heavy drinkers. By the time someone comes to my office wanting help with their alcohol problem, the women are drinking at least a bottle of wine a day, and the men are drinking at least 4-6 beers or drinks per day. At the higher consumption levels, alcohol can create problems on the job, with a spouse, children, health, and with the law. Everyone I've known in my professional and personal life who had an alcohol problem has damaged their children and spousal relationship(s). Even for those who aren't heavy drinkers, I always suggest that when both people have been drinking, that's not the time for an argument with a loved one! So, is alcoholism a disease? Although medical societies, hospitals and treatment facilities lobbied to get it classified as such, I don't believe it is a disease. This classification allows healthcare providers to bill insurance companies for their services, but it actually does not fit the disease category. If you are curious about this point, you can click this link to find an excellent article: "Is Alcoholism a Disease?" Does alcoholism run in families? Researchers have found some (minor) genetic propensities, but that is not the most important reason it runs in families. The reason is behavioral. Alcoholic parents not only serve as role models for their children, but they also damage their children. Those children have a greater likelihood of becoming alcohol abusers themselves, and/or marrying an alcoholic. Most of those who start drinking early in life, cut back as they get older. Their college years were enjoyable, but family and job responsibilities take precedence as they age. In addition, as we get older our bodies are not as good at metabolizing alcohol, so most cut back. However, some men and women continue heavy drinking as they get older. They seek my help when they recognize the dangers and negative effects on their lives and families. Treatment Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935. You probably know someone who has been clean and sober for years or decades thanks to this program. I've known those people; I've had some as patients--for issues other than alcohol. However, research shows that only 5-10% of AA members are able to quit drinking permanently. The track record for most residential treatment programs is not much better. Some people have been able to successfully stop drinking on their own, but the reasons vary. Sometimes a serious health issue arises, or a beloved spouse makes a credible threat of divorce. My program for people who are heavy drinkers involves getting to the heart of the (subconscious) causes and healing those causes. I work with people who could be classified as functional alcoholics. With treatment they are able to decrease their consumption, and many have been able to become social drinkers with no worries about going off the deep end again. I do not treat those with alcohol dependence--those who are not able to maintain their responsibilities and have no control over their drinking. However, even in those cases, after they have been through a rehab facility and gotten sober, I'm able to help them minimize their chances of abusing alcohol again. It is possible to enjoy life without being tipsy, high or drunk! < Back

I have two degrees in psychology and was trained in Hypnosis by an internationally-known teacher. Don't settle for less! Experience In May, 2012 Daniel was invited to present at the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners international conference in California (photo above). It was a great opportunity to share his approach with other practitioners. At this conference he learned there are great differences in the quality and effectiveness of hypnotherapy training programs across America. Some practitioners only completed a short online course. While others achieved greater understanding through full-time courses (such as the one he attended) that included supervised clinical practice sessions. Many hypnotherapists from around the country had never attended college. Others were college graduates, but few also had a graduate degree. And fewer still were in his category with an undergraduate and graduate major in psychology. Work history among his fellow practitioners also varied greatly. A few had begun their practice at young ages, and worked for decades perfecting their skills. For others, it was a second or third career, with years of prior work experience in unrelated fields. As a Life and Business Coach, Daniel brings decades of experience analyzing situations and problem-solving with clients in a variety of occupations and industries. Prior to starting Inner Power Hypnosis, he taught management, communication and interpersonal relations at the undergraduate and graduate levels; he also consulted with Fortune 500 corporations such as AT&T, Chase, HP, Citibank, NYNEX, Weight Watchers and NY Life. As part of his consulting work, he published articles and was asked to present at local, national and international conferences. During his time in the naming business, we used a group creativity process (pictured below) to name O'Doul's beer, Teddy Grahams cereal, Kudos granola bars, and many lesser-known products. Although his consulting work was demanding and lucrative, he became dissatisfied in that profession. The projects were fascinating; but his life was geared toward generating greater profits for his clients, rather than helping people. After much soul searching, he decided to switch careers, and was trained in Colorado as a clinical hypnotherapist. Daniel believes in living a healthy lifestyle, having hobbies and connecting with family and friends. He enjoys exercise, boating, classic car shows, antiques, and enjoying the beautiful Arizona scenery and weather. Here is a photo of him enjoying a visit with two of his grandchildren, taken a few years ago. < Back