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

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

Hypnosis for Drug Abuse Hypnosis for Drug Abuse Cannabis In November 2020 Proposition 207 made it legal for people in Arizona 21 and over to possess and use recreational marijuana. It can be smoked or eaten, and purchased legally by adults at dispensaries. It is also readily available on the black market for those too young to purchase it legally. Partly because of its popularity and legality, many people think this drug is harmless, or at least less damaging than alcohol. Marijuana had accepted medical uses for years, and for certain illnesses cannabis/CBD can be beneficial. However, daily recreational use, even to lessen anxiety and/or insomnia, can have negative consequences. At low doses, cannabis can decrease anxiety, but at high doses people can become more anxious. Although research on the negative effects of cannabis, especially on young people, was conducted a few years ago, this information is not widely known. However, that may change; on June 23, 2022, the New York Times published an article entitled: "Psychosis, Addiction, Chronic Vomiting: As Weed Becomes More Potent, Teens are Getting Sick." The article's subheading reads: "With THC levels close to 100 percent, today's cannabis products are making some teenagers highly dependent and dangerously ill." Many parents and grandparents remember the marijuana of their youth, and think of it as harmless. Yet, through genetic manipulation, the current versions of cannabis are many times more powerful--and dangerous--than those available in the 60s, 70s or 80s (when the typical THC content was only around 5%). The article goes on to say: In addition to uncontrollable vomiting and addiction, adolescents who frequently use high doses of cannabis may also experience psychosis that could possibly lead to lifelong psychiatric disorder, an increased likelihood of developing depression and suicidal ideation, changes in brain anatomy/connectivity and poor memory. The article is illustrated with cases where temporary, or permanent, damage was the result of daily ingestion of powerful cannabis. In addition, there are instances of violence and lawbreaking made more likely when a regular user is high. I've had patients who looked back at their stoner years and realized how weed decreased their motivation, and held them back from fulfilling their dreams. Hard Drugs Hard drugs are seen as more potent and toxic, both physically and mentally. Cocaine : Over 14% of Americans 12 and older have tried cocaine. It's a powerful stimulant and one of the most addictive drugs in the world. Cocaine often starts with recreational use, but addiction can develop quickly. Symptoms include insomnia, mood swings, anxiety, loss of appetite, excessive sweating and restlessness. Opioids : Opioids are narcotic drugs that affect the nervous system and act as a pain reliever. They include synthetic or partly-synthetic drugs that mimic opiates such as heroin. Common prescription opioids include codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, morphine and oxycodone. While prescribed opioids are a common and effective method of treating severe and chronic pain, long term use and abuse can lead to addiction, physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Opioids are some of the most commonly abused drugs worldwide. Fentanyl is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Over 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in the last year, and 75% were from opioids. Since fentanyl is so potent and relatively cheap, it is added to many illicit drugs (meth and cocaine), and some counterfeit prescription drugs. There is no way to detect if a lethal dose of fentanyl has been added. Many teenagers and adults have rapidly died from ingesting this drug, often unknowingly. It has been reported that 80% of the fentanyl sold illegally in the USA comes through Arizona from Mexico. Does that mean that black market Adderall or Xanax pills in Arizona are more likely to contain lethal fentanyl doses? Possibly, only 13 states have drug overdose death rates worse than Arizona. Methamphetamine : Is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Crystal methamphetamine is a form of the drug that looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks. It is chemically similar to amphetamine, 5.6% of Americans 12 and older have tried meth. Addicts take it by smoking, swallowing a pill, snorting or injecting the powder dissolved in water/alcohol. Effects include, increased wakefulness/activity, decreased appetite, faster breathing, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure and body temperature. Most illegal meth is also produced in clandestine labs in Mexico. Long-term meth use can result in extreme weight loss, addiction, severe dental problems, anxiety, confusion, memory loss, paranoia, hallucinations and violent behavior. In 2017, about 15% of all drug overdose deaths involved methamphetamine. It should be noted that fentanyl is sometimes added to street meth without the user knowing. Treatment Cannabis : Because of its legality, availability and acceptance, most cannabis users do not try to cut back or stop using. They don't see the negative consequences, although often those around them are aware of the effects. Colorado legalized recreational cannabis use in 2014. Since then, traffic fatalities have increased by 75 a year and many people have been arrested for driving while impaired. Legalization in Arizona and other states is too new for extensive research on the deleterious effects of this drug, but loss of motivation and interpersonal problems with loved ones are widely reported. In addition, many companies now conduct random or regular drug tests of their employees. Use of marijuana, even though legal, can be a cause for discharge. It is essential that the teenager or adult wants to stop the marijuana habit. Sometimes a parent or spouse provides the initial push, but the patient themselves must see the benefits to stopping or at least cutting back on use. My approach is to use hypnosis to decrease the need for the drug--usually by diminishing anxiety--and slowly ween the patient off marijuana. Sometimes this is a very rapid process, and takes only a few sessions. The person's desire for a cannabis high is just gone. In more extreme cases, it may take more time, but the process is thorough and effective. When the issue that motivated them to take cannabis is healed or at least diminished, it is much easier to create a successful long-term outcome. Hard Drugs : Very often an intervention from a spouse or family member is required to get the addict to admit he/she has a problem. Users lie to themselves and others, so promises are mostly meaningless. And despite the person's claims to the contrary they will not be able to do it on their own. It is important to seek help for prescription or illicit substance abuse/addiction. Withdrawal from many of the common street and prescription drugs can be uncomfortable, painful, or even life-threatening. In many cases, it will be important to detox in a medically supervised facility, where medications can be prescribed to ease the symptoms of withdrawal. In the case of drugs like heroin , hydrocodone , and oxycodone , specific treatment medications such as Suboxone are approved for use in facilitating detox and for longitudinal treatment of opioid dependence. Detox should be followed by further treatment to address the underlying causes of addiction, and to develop relapse prevention skills. This is when hypnotherapy can be effective. The issue for most hard drug users is not one of stopping, the challenge is to keep from using again. The relapse rate found after most residential treatment programs is very high--at least 90%. Some patients are able to make permanent changes in those programs, but those cases are rare. In contrast, clinical hypnotherapy provides healing at the subconscious level, and has much better odds of helping to achieve a permanent solution. The patient can begin at any point in their sobriety, but motivation is very important, and sometimes multiple sessions per week are advised. The good news is there is clinical research to prove the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in cases of addiction. Here is a typical research study on hypnosis for drug addiction . In addition, the famous Passages Malibu rehab center also believes in getting to the root of the problem and makes extensive use of clinical hypnotherapy to help permanently heal their patients.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) While many people use the word trauma to describe any serious negative event, the psychological definition is more specific. Trauma applies only to life-threatening incidents. This is the meaning when Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is accurately diagnosed. Those who are familiar with the term generally associate it with the military and law enforcement. However, a heart attack, near fatal car accident, or being the victim of a violent crime can also create the condition. Similarly, those who survive natural disasters such as a flood, hurricane, tornado or earthquake may develop PTSD. Police officers and fire fighters may also develop symptoms of PTSD after traumatic experiences. To be clear, the person doesn't actually have to be injured to have PTSD. Fear is what sets it off. Thus, a person hiding in a room where there is a shooting will probably experience trauma even if they were not injured. The condition will occur if the person was in fear for their life. I've treated people who were in a war zone in their home country who developed PTSD even if the bombs never hit their home. In contrast, a patient who was deployed a few years ago learned to live with occasional shelling near their base. All the soldiers were used to it and went about their business even when shells were exploding not far away. PTSD symptoms may start soon after a traumatic event, or they may not appear until years later, usually after a triggering experience. Such was the case for noted British hypnotherapist Karl Smith (pictured above). Even after many deployments in war zones, he had few symptoms. Until years later, as a police officer, he was run over by a drink driver. Then PTSD took over his life. After being discharged from the hospital, he was healed with hypnosis. Realizing the benefits and needs, he decided to become a hypnotherapist to treat military veterans and law enforcement officers suffering with PTSD. Common symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, hopelessness, feeling emotionally numb, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, irritability, concentration issues, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Individuals with PTSD often abuse alcohol or drugs in an attempt to ease their mental anguish. With the combination of depression, hyperarousal, and always believing that something negative is going to occur, suicide may seem like the only option for many sufferers. At least 18 American veterans with PTSD kill themselves every. Treatment Although most people aren't aware, the U.S. Government used hypnosis to treat what they called "shell shock" since before World War I. The Army estimated that 20% of all American battle casualties in World War II were of a psychiatric nature--what we now call PTSD. The use of hypnosis with returning veterans by army psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Simon is shown in the 1946 documentary "Let There Be Light ." The documentary was commissioned by the U.S. War Dept. and filmed by John Huston when he was in the Army. It was shot at the Mason General Hospital in Deer Park Long Island, but the film was hidden for 35 years because the government was afraid this accurate description of the mental state of many combat veterans would discourage recruitment. This suppression happened even though the film is positive in many ways. It shows the soldiers recovering and participating in sports and trade classes that would help them reenter postwar society. In fact, over the decades, the military has used hypnosis for a variety of purposes. This includes using hypnosis to help new fighter pilots cope with air sickness and the effects of g-forces. Our armed services evaluate everything, and it's safe to conclude that during the 100 years they used hypnosis, it passed many effectiveness evaluations. Unfortunately, this effective therapeutic technique was abandoned by the VA during the 1980s when modern antidepressants came to the fore. Since then, the Veterans Administration has used group therapy, and a variety of pharmaceuticals to treat this condition. Combat veterans I treated reported minimal effectiveness for the VA approach, and a review of the prevalence of alcohol and drug dependence (and suicide) among veterans speaks to the failure of these methods. In contrast, hypnotherapy is still very effective in treating PTSD and its associated difficulties. A research study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry evaluated the use of hypnosis for cases of PTSD and found success for a method very similar to the one I utilize. Many research studies found the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for PTSD is superior compared to treatment by all other therapeutic methods and/or pharmaceuticals.

Testimonials Click the link above to read the Google Reviews Carol S. (2014): Over this past year I: lost over 50 lbs, learned to make healthy choices, established my self-esteem and self-respect, learned to set boundaries, became physically fit again, got in touch with my feelings, learned to feel (and act) like a woman and appreciate my body, weathered a crisis situation and learned from it, put to rest the horrors that dogged me from my past, and feel positive and hopeful. This has been a remarkable experience, and one I wouldn’t trade for a million dollars! Rich T. (2012) : Daniel, I wanted to give you an update on my progress. Since our last session I trashed all the wine I had in the house and switched from drinking white wine while cooking to Sprite. I drink Sprite with dinner now instead of red wine as well. So I haven't had a drink in nearly two weeks. It doesn't even sound good to have a glass of wine now. So I am very excited to put the 15 years of drinking every night behind me and be healthy! Reina (2019): You've been highly recommended to all of my colleagues at the hospital, and I was happy to hear the doctor I sent you accomplished his goals. Jerry (2019): What you did in hypnosis last time is fantastic. I’m not getting upset or irritated at the small things, which is really helping me out in countless ways. It’s working incredibly well. Jackie (2014) The hypnosis really helped, so thank you so much! I hope my parents realize that me trying to be independent from them is a good thing. Thank you so much for everything! Gabi (2014) I feel really great! It helps to feel reinforcement of what I know in my heart. Nice to be able to release unfulfilling behavior, and replace it with healthier and more positive actions. Jessica (2015) My husband was really impressed with how well I did this weekend, that he feels assured that it may help with some of his anxieties too. Thank you! Thank you!!! Cynthia (2016) You are fabulous and you are my life saver! Rich (2012) Since the first hypno session my golf game improved dramatically. My handicap went from 7 to 3 in 6 weeks. I have won 5 tournaments during that time with scores close to 70. If you told a room full of golfers that they could expect to cut their handicaps in half in 6 weeks, they would laugh at you and then get up and walk out of the room. That's how impossible it is to accomplish what we have done! Amy (2016) I just wanted to let you know that I had the best's night sleep ever! I wanted to say thank you, and hopefully I can continue to get some sleep. :) Denisse (2018) I just wanted to thank you and let you know that I'm doing great! I've been working out regularly, I've started the grad school application process, volunteering at a hospital, and I recently became a mentor for a foster kid. I also started dating a guy and our relationship is going really well. it's the healthiest relationship I've ever had with a man, and I'm enjoying it, and having a lot of fun with him. So thank you so much! Roseanne (2018) I have a new set of eyes now and can start looking at the world from a new angle. Thank you for guiding me! I know there is more work to do, and I look forward to continuing this process with you. I was tempted to bail, walk, run away, because I was actually afraid of what I was going to find out. So glad I am staying in the game! I feel like Moses finding the promised land after 40 years in the desert! Richard (2012) I thought the insomnia would be the toughest thing to correct since I had been taking Ambien every night for 10 years. Amazingly, we cured that after two weeks. I sleep like a baby now and I feel so much healthier. I want to thank you for all of your help. What we accomplished far exceeded my expectations. I am a true believer in hypno therapy. I will be sending you many referrals. George (2016) I do feel a lot better. Thanks. It took a little time to realize the effect. Thanks again. Taylor (2018) After our first weight-loss session, I already felt different. Not wanting to stop for anything to eat or drink on the way home, and at dinner last night. Chelsie (2019) I've drank only once since seeing you, and have been more serious about sobriety. I think what we did helped. I think we found something good to work with. Jacqueline (2019) Your session on ending people pleasing helped me. I had enough, and quit my job on Monday. By the way, it felt great to walk away on my own terms, thank you so much. Doron (2013) I went up to Sedona to read and relax, and goodness I have never been so well rested and relaxed. And, I haven't had a panic attack in ages!