CLINICAL HYPNOSIS FOR PAIN MANAGMENT
Hypnosis is a non-invasive, non-chemical, and relaxing process that’s been safely used for pain management for centuries. While there’s a myth (nurtured by "stage" hypnotists) that hypnosis entails a “loss of control,” people using clinical hypnosis are both in control and aware of what they are doing. My job is to teach them how to eventually use “self-hypnosis” any time and anywhere they need it to manage their pain.
Clinical hypnosis is not a “stand-alone” treatment. I also use clinical hypnosis to reinforce ongoing pain management and other therapies provided by other medical professionals. I also use clinical hypnosis together with psychotherapy so patients can manage their discomfort as well as deal with the often difficult emotional, behavioral, and relationship issues that are always involved. Most insurers cover hypnosis only in this context.
Treatment by a psychologist does NOT mean the pain is “in the patient’s mind” or that the patient has mental problems. It is based on the well-established knowledge that the mind, attitudes, behavior, and relationships are powerful factors in managing pain.
You can read more about hypnosis and its uses on the webpage of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. The link is on the "Useful Links" webpage on this websitge.
MY CLINICAL HYPNOSIS QUALIFICATIONS
I received my early training in clincial hypnosis and behavioral medicine at Penn State University and during my clinical internship at the Veteran's Administration Medical Centers in Pittsburgh, PA. During that time I used hypnosis for managing pain in medical situations, stress management, and reinforcement of psychotherapy treatments.
Afterwards I received extensive hypnosis training from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), and was certified in clinical hypnosis by ASCH from 1995 until I retired in 2005. I also received training in the use of hypnosis from Drs. John and Helen Watkins, Cory Hammond, and Theodore Barber.
