Online Hypnotherapy
Until further notice all clinical hypnotherapy will be done online. Barry Jones was born In England and completed his teaching credentials at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne University. He continued his education in the United States and holds a Masters Degree in Health and Physical Education.. He has lectured at the University level for 12 years, and conducts corporate seminars on re-programming the mind for self-development. Barry is also an ultra-endurance athlete and a competitor in the Ironman world championship triathlon in Hawaii.
I received my advanced education at The University of California San Diego through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the foremost society in North America of professionals in medicine, psychology, and dentistry. It is dedicated to informing the public about the therapeutic effects of hypnosis and educating qualified professionals in the use of hypnosis for the benefit of humanity and themselves.
Hypnotherapy FAQ
These answers are based on over 35 years of hypnotherapy. As in any therapy, success can be attributed to many factors. In my professional opinion, the most important factor is based on trust and the individual relationship the therapist has with their client.
What is hypnosis and will it work for me?
Hypnosis is a method of focusing your mind and then using your imagination and thoughts to stir feelings and to alter your behavior and attitudes. In a sense, in hypnosis you are altering your internal world. When you change how you think, visualize, and imagine things to be, your feelings and behavior will begin to change.
It is commonly believed that we use only five or ten percent of our mental potential. Hypnosis is simply a focused state of attention and concentration that allows you to use more of that potential and power of your own mind. In a real sense, hypnosis is actually the ultimate in a self-control skill.
IF you are READY to make changes, then there is a very good chance that hypnosis will work. Results will vary based on the experience of your therapist and, also, on your state of mind. I always tell clients not to intellectualize the process, but to just kick back and enjoy the experience. If you are truly ready to be guided, then the results can be dramatic.
Do you have to be completely relaxed to be hypnotised?
Not at all! But I personally feel it is more beneficial.
How many sessions will it take?
I like to think I can accomplish what I want in a couple of sessions. If you feel you need more time then of course I will be available. My job is to teach you how to help yourself; your job is to follow through with the tools I have given you.
Are audio downloads an effective way to use hypnosis?
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) certainly recommends audio downloads as part of a treatment plan. The digital age has certainly opened up other treatment options.
Telemedicine has become increasingly popular as well as online hypnotherapy sessions via Skype or other modalities. My preference would always be an office appointment, or better yet, an appointment in the privacy of the client’s home where they will be practicing the independent sessions on their own.
Any audio download should come with an education on its application. I do not feel it is effective otherwise. Engaging the client in a such a manner that they feel comfortable taking responsibility for the process, and in understanding the process, can make or break this therapeutic method.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT BARRY!
Hypnotherapy can be helpful for:
Pain Management
Phobias
Anxiety, self-esteem, and confidence.
Migraines
Sleep Disorders
Skin Disorders
Eating Disorders
Addictions such as smoking and alcohol
Concentration and academic performance
Age regression, age progression, and past life regression
BARRY HAS WORKED WITH MANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS SO PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK! SESSIONS CAN BE IN PERSON OR ONLINE VIA SKYPE. AUDIO DOWNLOADS OF SELF-HYPNOSIS FOR VARIOUS THERAPIES CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN OUR STORE.
Research on Weight Loss with Hypnosis
Use of Single-Session Hypnosis for Smoking Cessation
Hypnosis Over 30 Times as Effective for Weight Loss
Investigated the effects of hypnosis in weight loss for 60 females, at least 20% overweight. Treatment included group hypnosis with metaphors for ego-strengthening, decision-making and motivation, ideomotor exploration in individual hypnosis, and group hypnosis with maintenance suggestions. Hypnosis was more effective than a control group: an average of 17 lbs lost by the hypnosis group vs. an average of 0.5 lbs lost by the control group, on follow-up.
Cochrane, G., & Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54(4), 489–492. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.54.4.489
Two Years Later: Hypnosis Subjects Continued To Lose Significant Weight
109 people completed a behavioral treatment for weight management either with or without the addition of hypnosis. At the end of the 9-week program, both interventions resulted in significant weight reduction. At 8-month and 2-year follow-ups, the hypnosis subjects were found to have continued to lose significant weight, while those in the behavioral-treatment-only group showed little further change.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1985).
Hypnosis Subjects Lost More Weight Than 90% of Others and Kept it Off
Researchers analyzed 18 studies comparing a cognitive behavioral therapy such as relaxation training, guided imagery, self monitoring, or goal setting with the same therapy supplemented by hypnosis. Those who received the hypnosis lost more weight than 90 percent of those not receiving hypnosis and maintained the weight loss two years after treatment ended.
Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: a meta-analytic reappraisal. J Consult Clin Psychol.1996;64(3):513-516.
Hypnosis More Than Doubled Average Weight Loss
Study of the effect of adding hypnosis to cognitive-behavioral treatments for weight reduction, additional data were obtained from authors of two studies. Analyses indicated that the benefits of hypnosis increased substantially over time.
https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/kirsch-meta-analysis-on-hypnosis-for-weight-management.pdf
Hypnosis Showed Significantly Lower Post-Treatment Weights
Two studies compared overweight smoking and non-smoking adult women in an hypnosis-based, weight-loss program. Both achieved significant weight losses and decreases in Body Mass Index. Follow-up study replicated significant weight losses and declines in Body Mass Index. The overt aversion and hypnosis program yielded significantly lower post-treatment weights and a greater average number of pounds lost.
Reference: Weight loss for women: studies of smokers and nonsmokers using hypnosis and multi-component treatments with and without overt aversion. Johnson DL, Psychology Reprints. 1997 Jun;80(3 Pt 1):931-3.
Hypnotherapy group with stress reduction achieved significantly more weight loss than the other two treatments
Randomized, controlled, parallel study of two forms of hypnotherapy (directed at stress reduction or energy intake reduction), vs. dietary advice alone in 60 obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea on nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment.
J Stradling, D Roberts, A Wilson and F Lovelock, Chest Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK.
Hypnosis can more than double the effects of traditional weight loss approaches
An analysis of five weight loss studies reported in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 showed that the "… weight loss reported in the five studies indicates that hypnosis can more than double the effects" of traditional weight loss approaches.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 (Vol. 64, No. 3, pgs 517-519).
Weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized
Research into cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments established that weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized. It was also established that the benefits of hypnosis increase over time.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1996).
Showed Hypnosis As "An Effective Way To Lose Weight"
A study of 60 females who were at least 20% overweight and not involved in other treatment showed hypnosis is an effective way to lose weight.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1986).
Research on Smoking Cessation with Hypnosis
Hypnotherapy over three times more effective than nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation
A study compared smoking cessation rates between groups that used hypnotherapy (a 90-minute session), hypnotherapy with nicotine replacement and nicotine replacement only. Analysis of the results showed that the groups using hypnotherapy were over three times more likely than the group using nicotine replacement to abstain after 6 months.
Hypnotherapy is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 22(1), 1-8.
Successful outcomes from hypnotherapy at 6 and 12 months
4 hypnotherapy trials (273) were included in a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that reported abstinence at 6 or 12 months. Results indicated a positive association of hypnotherapy with successful outcomes.
A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. The American Journal of Medicine, 125(6), 576-584.
Hypnosis compares favorably to behavioral counseling
A study of 286 smokers compared the effectiveness of hypnosis versus behavioral counseling when both interventions were combined with nicotine patches. At 6 months, 26% of the participants in the hypnosis group were abstinent compared with 18% of the behavioral group. At 12 months, the abstinence rate was 20% for the hypnosis group compared to 14% for the behavioral group. It was concluded that, for long-term quit rates, hypnosis compares favorably to standard behavioral counseling when used with nicotine patches.
A randomized trial. Nicotine & Tobacco Res. Nicotine & Tobacco Research CNTR, 10(5), 811-818.
Hypnosis patients twice as likely to remain smoke-free after two years
Study of 71 smokers showed that after a two-year follow up, patients that quit with hypnosis were twice as likely to remain smoke-free than those who quit on their own.
Guided health imagery for smoking cessation and long-term abstinence. Wynd, CA. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2005; 37:3, pages 245-250.
Intensive hypnotherapy for smoking cessation
Twenty subjects were given intensive hypnotherapy (8 sessions over 2 months) for smoking cessation, or assigned to a control group. Abstinence rates for the hypnotherapy group were 40% at the end of treatment; 60% at 12 weeks, and 40% at 26 weeks.
Hypnosis NHYP International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 54(3), 303-315.
81% reported they had stopped smoking after hypnosis
Thirty smokers enrolled in an HMO were referred by their primary physician for treatment. Twenty-one patients returned after an initial consultation and received hypnosis for smoking cessation. At the end of treatment, 81% of those patients reported that they had stopped smoking, and 48% reported abstinence at 12 months post-treatment.
Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2004 Jan;52(1):73-81.
87% reported abstinence from tobacco use with hypnosis
A study of 93 male and 93 female CMHC outpatients examined the facilitation of smoking cessation by using hypnosis. At 3-month follow-up, 86% of the men and 87% of the women reported continued abstinence from the use of tobacco using hypnosis.
Performance by gender in a stop-smoking program combining hypnosis and aversion.
Johnson DL, Karkut RT. Adkar Associates, Inc., Bloomington, Indiana. Psychol Rep. 1994 Oct;75(2):851-7.
Hypnosis most effective says largest study ever: 3 times as effective as patch and 15 times as effective as willpower
Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit. A meta-analysis, statistically combining results of more than 600 studies of 72,000 people from America and Europe to compare various methods of quitting. On average, hypnosis was over three times as effective as nicotine replacement methods and 15 times as effective as trying to quit alone.
Viswesvaran, C., & Schmidt, F. L. (1992). A meta-analytic comparison of the effectiveness of smoking cessation methods. Journal of Applied Psychology, 77(4), 554-561.
Single-session hypnosis subjects smoked significantly less
A study involving 60 subjects assigned 20 to single-session hypnosis group, 20 to placebo control, and 20 to a control group receiving no intervention. In follow-ups at 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks the hypnosis group smoked significantly less and were significantly more abstinent.
Williams, J. M., & Hall, D. W. (1988). Use of single session hypnosis for smoking cessation. Addictive Behaviors, 13(2), 205-208.
Hypnosis For Pain Management
Hypnosis, Anesthesia, Pain Management, and Preparation for Medical Procedures
Abstract: Hypnosis has a long history of use for anesthesia and pain management, as well as in assisting patient to prepare for medical procedures. This article reviews the history of hypnosis applications in clinical medicine and dentistry. Research on hypnotic susceptibility or hypnotic ability shows that the ability to respond effectively to hypnosis is a relatively stable trait, partially heritable, and measurable by means of several standard procedures. Persons low in hypnotic ability may benefit from alternative therapeutic interventions; however, the majority of medical patients will benefit from the integration of adjunctive hypnotic therapies into their medical and dental care. The article closes with a discussion of the stronger evidence-based applications of hypnosis in healthcare, and the need for well-trained certified hypnosis practitioners.
Moss, D., & Willmarth, E. (2019). Hypnosis, anesthesia, pain management, and preparation for medical procedures. Annals of palliative medicine, 8(4), 498–503. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm.2019.07.01
History
Hypnosis has long had a role in anesthesiology and pain management. James Esdaile, a Scottish surgeon, utilized hypnosis (then known as “Mesmerism”) in hospitals in India, and performed 261 painless surgeries using hypnosis, described in his book, Mesmerism in India, and its Practical Application in Surgery and Medicine . The introduction of chloroform and ether into medical practice in India in 1848 reduced the impact of Esdaile’s discoveries. Nevertheless, hypnosis continued to be used as sole anesthetic and in combination with ether and chloroform. In 1906, Magaw reported on 14,000 surgeries completed at the Mayo Clinic, utilizing a combination of hypnosis and chemical anesthesia.
Since the time of Esdaile, hypnosis has been applied widely for pain relief and to facilitate patient cooperation in medical procedures.
Hypnosis in obstetrics
Ralph August applied clinical hypnosis to facilitate delivery of 295 babies, in a clinical series from 1957 to 1958. In 94% of the cases, hypnosis was the sole form of anesthesia. In the remaining 6% of cases, hypnotic anesthesia was not adequate, and was supplemented with local or general anesthesia. August reported on his methods and the results, emphasizing the decreased anesthetic hazard to mother and infant, and the enhanced rapport between patient and physician. More recently, Werner et al. conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 1,222 first time mothers, and those women in the group receiving brief self-hypnosis training reported a better experience of childbirth. There were no differences across groups in duration of labor, but the women in the hypnosis required fewer emergency C-sections.
Hypnosis in dentistry
The first documented application of hypnosis in dentistry was a dental extraction under hypnotic anesthesia, reported in 1829. By 1900, hypnosis was commonly used by dentists for managing dental patients’ fears and pain. Today, hypnosis is widely used by dentists to effectively moderate fears of dental procedures, excessive gag reflex, treatment of orofacial pain conditions, moderating bleeding and salivary flow, and managing procedural pain. Hypnotic strategies such as distraction, re-framing, and imagery are also useful in managing pediatric patients.
Hypnosis for acute pain
In 2010, The American Psychological Association published Clinical Hypnosis for Pain Control by D Patterson. In this book Patterson presented a table of 21 controlled hypnosis studies (18 randomized) with acute pain disorders. These studies included the treatment of burn wounds and debridement pain, bone marrow aspiration pain, labor pain, pain following chemotherapy for cancer, pain during angioplasty, pain during plastic surgery, pain related to large core needle biopsies of the breast and multiple other surgical pain situations. The outcome of these studies showed that in all cases hypnosis was at least equal to the existing standard of care and in the majority of studies hypnosis proved more beneficial than the standard of care or other treatment controls which included attention control, relaxation, emotional support, medication (Lorazepam), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), deep breathing and non-directed play (for children).
Kendrick et al. completed a similar review of RCTs related to surgical procedural pain. Their results were consistent with the Patterson findings. The authors observed that: “Results from the 29 RCTs meeting inclusion criteria suggest that hypnosis decreases pain compared to standard care and attention control groups and that it is at least as effective as comparable adjunct psychological or behavioral therapies” (p. 75).
While the use of hypnosis or trance-like states for pain relief has been documented for hundreds of years, the modern era of hypnosis for pain management was energized by a statement from the NIH Consensus Development Program that “The evidence supporting the effectiveness of hypnosis in alleviating chronic pain associated with cancer seems strong” and by books such as Hypnosis in the Relief of Pain by Ernest Hilgard and Josephine Hilgard and Hypnosis and Suggestion in the Treatment of Pain by Joseph Barber. More recently this focus has been maintained by Mark Jensen’s Hypnosis for Chronic Pain Management.
Hypnosis for chronic pain
Similar to his table related to acute pain, Patterson presented a table related to chronic pain that included 14 controlled studies of hypnosis (12 randomized), in chronic conditions including fibromyalgia, headaches, cancer-related pain, back pain, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-related pain. Again, all studies found that hypnosis was equal to or better than standard care treatments which included group support, biofeedback, medication, relaxation, Autogenic training, attention control and CBT. In a video interview, Michael Yapko pointed out that the salient question isn’t whether hypnosis is better than other treatments, but rather whether the addition of hypnosis to existing treatment enhanced the treatment effects. In his understanding of the literature, “the answer is clearly yes!” This approach is described by Willmarth, Davis, and Fitzgerald who for over 30 years have combined traditional medical interventions offered by anesthesiologists with the treatment of physical therapists, social workers, and psychologists who offer group therapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and individual psychotherapy for patients suffering from chronic pain conditions.
Hypnosis for pre-surgical preparation
The use of hypnosis for anesthesia during surgery has already been mentioned. Hypnosis has proven to be one of the most powerful tools in enhancing surgical recovery. Montgomery et al. reviewed the evidence on hypnosis as an adjunctive approach for surgery patients: “Patients receive standard surgical and anesthesia care according to protocol but with hypnosis added to the treatment package” (p. 1,639). Montgomery et al. reviewed 20 well-controlled research studies, using meta-analytic techniques, and concluded that hypnosis is an effective adjunctive treatment for patients undergoing surgery.
The meta-analysis showed a broad beneficial impact of hypnosis with surgical patients, across outcome categories. Subjective measures such as anxiety and pain, objective measures such as analgesia use, physiological measures, recovery time, and treatment time, all showed comparable beneficial outcomes for patients in the groups receiving hypnosis. The patients in the hypnosis groups showed better medical and psychological outcomes than 89% of the patients who did not receive hypnosis. Later research by Montgomery et al. showed that not only could hypnosis reduce patients suffering, enhance healing, and optimize recovery time, but that the savings to the hospital were substantial, mainly in reduced time in surgery.
You can also find me at TAVISTOCK HYPNOTHERAPY
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Contact: barryhypnotist@gmail.com and barryj@barryjones.com