Are Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Effective?

Does hypnotherapy work? Science says “Yes!”

In December of 2014, the Washington Times posted an article by Virginia based writer and a member of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science Paul Mountjoy called “Does hypnotherapy work? Science says “Yes!” In the article he points out how the American Medical Association (AMA) reported hypnotherapy has a recognized place in the medical armamentarium and is a useful technique in the treatment of certain illnesses.

Therapeutic hypnosis is safe and effective, and is a scientifically proven therapy for improving your health and well-being.

A psychotherapy study published in American Health Magazine revealed the following recovery rates:

After 600 sessions with psychoanalysis, there was a 38% improvement in test subjects. After 22 sessions of behavioral therapy, 72% of respondents reported improvement. Whereas with hypnosis, after only 6 sessions, 93% of queried individuals remarked a significant change. (Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D., American Health Magazine, Vol.7) This clearly indicates how Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy have a much higher success rate with a lower number of session visits.

Experts and the Media say:

  • The purpose of hypnosis is to help you understand and gain more control over your own behavior.”  -The Mayo Clinic, December 2003

  • Hypnosis: A safe and potent pain reliever.” -Consumer Reports, January 2005

  • Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific study of ways of breaking the habit.” -New Scientist, October 1992

  • Approved as a valid treatment by the American Medical Association in 1958, hypnotism has become increasingly accepted by the medical community.  Its use for chronic pain was approved in 1996 by the National Institutes of Health.”  -The Capital (Annapolis, MD), April 2004

Using Hypnosis for various issues such as anxiety, addictions, smoking cessation, weight loss, and even pain management have been studied as well with positive results. Here are a few examples:

Smoking: “Of 43 consecutive patients undergoing this treatment protocol, 39 reported remaining abstinent from tobacco use at follow-up (6 months to 3 years post-treatment).” (Barber J. Freedom from smoking: integrating hypnotic methods and rapid smoking to facilitate smoking cessation. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2001;49(3):257-66.)

Pain Control: “Hypnosis has been demonstrated to effectively control pain and emotional distress and to improve recovery…results revealed a significant, large effect size…indicating that surgical patients in hypnosis treatment groups had better outcomes than 89% of patients in control groups.” Montgomery GH, Schnur JB, Kravits K. Hypnosis for cancer care: over 200 years young. CA Cancer J Clin. 2013;63(1):31-44.

Drug Addiction: “All patients (100%) completely stopped use of any street drugs and results remained stable for 6 months after end of treatment. Two years after end of intervention, 7 out of the 9 (78%) remained clean of use of heroin, but 2 (22%) returned to partial use; 6 (67%) of the patients returned to partial use of benzodiazepines, none (0%) showed permanent use of marijuana or cocaine.” Kaminsky D, Rosca P, Budowski D, Korin Y, Yakhnich L. [Group hypnosis treatment of drug addicts]. Harefuah. 2008;147(8-9):679-83, 751.

Weight Loss: “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.” Allison DB, Faith MS. Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: a meta-analytic reappraisal. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1996;64(3):513-6.

Decreasing Anger and Increasing Self-Esteem: “In a research study on self-hypnosis for relapse prevention training with chronic drug/alcohol users. Participants were 261 veterans admitted to Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (SARRTPs). individuals who used repeated self-hypnosis “at least 3 to 5 times a week,” at 7-week follow-up, reported the highest levels of self-esteem and serenity, and the least anger/impulsivity, in comparison to the minimal-practice and control groups.” Pekala RJ, Maurer R, Kumar VK, et al. Self-hypnosis relapse prevention training with chronic drug/alcohol users: effects on self-esteem, affect, and relapse. Am J Clin Hypn. 2004;46(4):281-97.

Hypnosis assists you to let go of what doesn’t work

Let go of limitations. Let go of beliefs that hinder your access to your full potential, the behaviors that you struggle with daily or feel ashamed of. End the negative, limiting beliefs that cause self-sabotage and keep you from having, being, feeling or experiencing what you truly desire in life.

Dissolve past traumatic events and painful memories – no matter how emotional they are.  It is much easier than you think to experience emotional freedom from excessive anger, fear, sadness, guilt, jealousy, resentment or hopelessness. You’re ready to live in peace and make life the one you deserve and have been waiting for. Call Sui Awakening for a consultation today and let us help you begin your journey.