| If you are under medical care, and you and your doctor decide that you would like to use hypnosis for a Medical-Related Condition, please have your doctor fill out the Doctor Referral Form prior to your first appointment. |
You are invited to call now
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about my hypnosis services
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New Horizons
in Hypnosis
(508) 246-2721
| Article of Interest: Hypnosis in Contemporary Medicine. James H. Stewart, MD (2005, April). Mayo Clinic Proceedings 80 (4):511-524 Link to Resource |
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Linda E. Donalds, CHt.
NGH Certified Hypnotherapist
Information for Healthcare Providers
Hypnosis as a Complimentary Approach
Since 1958, hypnosis has been recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as a legitimate modality for treating a wide range of medical and behavioral problems. I welcome referrals from physicians and dentists whose patients wish to use hypnosis as a complementary approach to their physician prescribed medical or surgical treatment.
Hypnotism is a mental conditioning process that allows individuals to use the natural and normal faculties of their mind to create desired and positive changes in their life, and helps in contributing to improved overall health and wellbeing. Medical Hypnotherapy in no way replaces conventional medical diagnosis and treatment, but works in conjunction with it by freeing your patients of feelings and attitudes that may be inhibiting their natural immunizing or other vital processes, as well as helping them to make lifestyle changes necessary to improving and maintain good health.
I am a trained and board certified hypnotist by the National Guild of Hypnotists, and have been an active member in good standing with them since 1998. The National Guild of Hypnotists was founded in 1951, and is the oldest and largest hypnotism organization with thousands of members from 71 countries around in the world. Its certification is the most widely recognized credential for the professional practice of the hypnotic arts. In the years since becoming certified, I have taken more than 500+ hours of additional continuing education to maintain my certification and proficiency at a high level. I have also completed several additional advanced training programs in the field of hypnotherapy, including certifications in Complementary Medical Hypnotism and in Hypnosis for Pain Management.
I encourage healthcare practitioners to review my education and qualifications, as listed on the Contact Info page of my website.
I have an established private practice in hypnotism, working with clients for a wide variety of issues, both on referral from their healthcare practitioner, as well as those who are self-referred for non-medical concerns. Hypnotism is not at this time licensed by any state governments, and is a self-regulating profession of certified practitioners. I am not a licensed health care provider, and do not represent my services as any form of health care or psychotherapy. I do not provide medical or psychological diagnosis, treatment or advice for illness, disease or mental disorders of any kind. Hypnotism does not replace conventional medical procedures, but works as a complement and in conjunction with the health care system.
Since 1958, hypnosis has been recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as a legitimate modality for treating a wide range of medical and behavioral problems. I welcome referrals from physicians and dentists whose patients wish to use hypnosis as a complementary approach to their physician prescribed medical or surgical treatment.
Hypnotism is a mental conditioning process that allows individuals to use the natural and normal faculties of their mind to create desired and positive changes in their life, and helps in contributing to improved overall health and wellbeing. Medical Hypnotherapy in no way replaces conventional medical diagnosis and treatment, but works in conjunction with it by freeing your patients of feelings and attitudes that may be inhibiting their natural immunizing or other vital processes, as well as helping them to make lifestyle changes necessary to improving and maintain good health.
I am a trained and board certified hypnotist by the National Guild of Hypnotists, and have been an active member in good standing with them since 1998. The National Guild of Hypnotists was founded in 1951, and is the oldest and largest hypnotism organization with thousands of members from 71 countries around in the world. Its certification is the most widely recognized credential for the professional practice of the hypnotic arts. In the years since becoming certified, I have taken more than 500+ hours of additional continuing education to maintain my certification and proficiency at a high level. I have also completed several additional advanced training programs in the field of hypnotherapy, including certifications in Complementary Medical Hypnotism and in Hypnosis for Pain Management.
I encourage healthcare practitioners to review my education and qualifications, as listed on the Contact Info page of my website.
I have an established private practice in hypnotism, working with clients for a wide variety of issues, both on referral from their healthcare practitioner, as well as those who are self-referred for non-medical concerns. Hypnotism is not at this time licensed by any state governments, and is a self-regulating profession of certified practitioners. I am not a licensed health care provider, and do not represent my services as any form of health care or psychotherapy. I do not provide medical or psychological diagnosis, treatment or advice for illness, disease or mental disorders of any kind. Hypnotism does not replace conventional medical procedures, but works as a complement and in conjunction with the health care system.
A patient may be referred to me for hypnosis sessions to specifically address:
Although giving a referral for hypnosis in no way implies that you as their doctor are guaranteeing results, you can help your patient to have a positive expectation, as this has been shown to improve results.
You may also wish to refer your healthy patients to me for non-medical purposes. I offer programs for stress management, smoking cessation, weight management, sleep improvement, and childbirth preparation.
- pain management;
- symptom management;
- pre-surgical preparation;
- post-surgical recovery;
- lifestyle and behavior changes;
- remembering to take medications;
- reducing or eliminating use of certain medications;
- relaxing and remaining still during MRI or other test procedures;
- overcoming fears & phobias related to medical procedures, such as of needles, enclosed spaces (MRI), etc;
- reducing the stress or the emotional aspects of coping with a known, diagnosed medical condition.
Although giving a referral for hypnosis in no way implies that you as their doctor are guaranteeing results, you can help your patient to have a positive expectation, as this has been shown to improve results.
You may also wish to refer your healthy patients to me for non-medical purposes. I offer programs for stress management, smoking cessation, weight management, sleep improvement, and childbirth preparation.
Common conditions where clients will require a physician referral include, but are not limited to:
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When a client seeks hypnosis for any of these purposes, I will only provide hypnosis sessions for the issue once a doctor referral has been received. The possibility exists that the symptoms (particularly in the case of pain) could be related to a more serious condition that might not be addressed because the hypnosis reduced or eliminated the symptoms. These signals are important information for the doctor in making a proper diagnosis and determining appropriate treatment.
In the event that a client does not obtain a medical referral, they have the option of working with me in a general stress management program, learning self-hypnosis for relaxation, and they assume all risk and responsibility for any adverse outcome that might result from using hypnosis.
In the event that a client does not obtain a medical referral, they have the option of working with me in a general stress management program, learning self-hypnosis for relaxation, and they assume all risk and responsibility for any adverse outcome that might result from using hypnosis.
| IMPORTANT: Medical Hypnotherapy in no way replaces conventional medical diagnosis and treatment, but works in conjunction with it by freeing you of feelings and attitudes that may be inhibiting your natural immunizing or other vital processes. Hypnosis services do not include the practice of medicine and a Hypnotist is not licensed by the state as a healing arts practitioner. These services are non-diagnostic, but are complementary to traditional medical services. Hypnosis is an adjunct, not a substitute for conventional medical treatment or therapy. Certainly no client should discontinue or modify any medication presently being taken pursuant to medical advice without obtaining medical approval. If you are currently experiencing severe symptoms, immediately seek the advice of a licensed physician. Physician referral is required for medical hypnotherapy services. |
Non-Medical Uses for Hypnosis
You may also wish to recommend hypnosis to your healthy patients for reasons not directly related to a medical condition. Some reasons that your patients may benefit from using hypnosis for non-medical purposes are:
You may also wish to recommend hypnosis to your healthy patients for reasons not directly related to a medical condition. Some reasons that your patients may benefit from using hypnosis for non-medical purposes are:
- Healthy Eating Habits
- Exercise Motivation
- Smoking Cessation
- Stress Management
- Memory Enhancement
- Building Positive Attitude
- Increase Self-Esteem & Confidence
- Eliminate Bad Habits (nailbiting, etc)
- Overcome Fears (airplanes, spiders, etc)
- Natural Childbirth Education
Hypnotic Pain Management
Hypnosis alters our perception of pain. Hypnotic pain relief can reduce or eliminate specific pain without blocking any other sensations, and can be tailored to any number of variables to fit your patient’s special needs.
Hypnosis alters our perception of pain. Hypnotic pain relief can reduce or eliminate specific pain without blocking any other sensations, and can be tailored to any number of variables to fit your patient’s special needs.
- It can be turned off and on.
- It can block perception of pain, but let other sensation through.
- The degree of blocking can be varied from 0% to 100%.
- It can be set up to be there sometimes and sometimes not.
- To block pain while you’re resting, but only partially when moving.
- It can be set up with a threshold, so don’t overdo and cause further injury.
- To not block pain at all when your physician is examining you for accurate evaluation.
- To block pain during physical therapy, up to a certain threshold.
Individual results vary depending on the origin of the pain. Sometimes the pain is eliminated, or reduced, or reduced to the point where less medication is required, leading to a higher quality of life.
Pain is part of the body's defense system, a response in the body that something is wrong. Hypnosis has the ability to alter one’s perception of pain, so it is extremely important to exhaust all possible causes of pain before using hypnosis, as it could conceal a more serious condition that is the underlying cause of the chronic or acute pain. For this reason, a physician referral is required for all clients seeking hypnosis for acute or chronic pain management.
Pain is part of the body's defense system, a response in the body that something is wrong. Hypnosis has the ability to alter one’s perception of pain, so it is extremely important to exhaust all possible causes of pain before using hypnosis, as it could conceal a more serious condition that is the underlying cause of the chronic or acute pain. For this reason, a physician referral is required for all clients seeking hypnosis for acute or chronic pain management.
Preparation & Recovery for Medical or Dental Procedures
For patients who are preparing or recovering from dental or surgical procedures, hypnosis has been found beneficial in the following ways:
For patients who are preparing or recovering from dental or surgical procedures, hypnosis has been found beneficial in the following ways:
- Reduces anxiety, discomfort and pain before, during and after surgery.
- Reduces anxiety, discomfort and pain before, during and after surgery.
- Reduces need for pain medications during and after surgery.
- Makes recovery more comfortable, especially when bed rest is required.
- Reduces chance of other complications or interventions.
- Reduces chance of infection by boosting the immune system response.
- Speeds healing of bone and soft tissue.
- Increases comfort during physical therapy enough to keep the parts moving and achieve the desired range of motion, etc.
Hypnosis for a More Comfortable and Natural Child Birth
Hypnosis for pregnancy and child birth is also offered. I will help the expectant mother to experience the deep relaxation and pain reducing qualities of hypnosis. She will learn self-hypnosis techniques to create these pleasant relaxing experiences on her own. Her husband or other birthing partner will also learn to work together as a team to deepen the hypnotic experience, so that when it is time, the mother-to-be can be alert and comfortable for the birth of her child. Click here to learn more about HypnoBirthing®.
Hypnosis for pregnancy and child birth is also offered. I will help the expectant mother to experience the deep relaxation and pain reducing qualities of hypnosis. She will learn self-hypnosis techniques to create these pleasant relaxing experiences on her own. Her husband or other birthing partner will also learn to work together as a team to deepen the hypnotic experience, so that when it is time, the mother-to-be can be alert and comfortable for the birth of her child. Click here to learn more about HypnoBirthing®.
Learn More about Hypnosis through an In-House Presentation
Since most of my clients need a medical referral before we begin session work, physicians and health care professionals may have an interest in learning more about hypnosis. Feel free to contact me, and I would be pleased to come to your office or center and give an in-house presentation. Let me know if you have a particular area you would like to focus on, and I will offer you specific information for that need or interest.
Since most of my clients need a medical referral before we begin session work, physicians and health care professionals may have an interest in learning more about hypnosis. Feel free to contact me, and I would be pleased to come to your office or center and give an in-house presentation. Let me know if you have a particular area you would like to focus on, and I will offer you specific information for that need or interest.
Articles and Books for Further Reading
Anderson, R. A., (2006, July). Immunity and hypnosis. (Clinical Report). Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine 276 (1): p. 129
Barling, N. R. & Raine, S. J. (2005). Some effects of hypnosis on negative affect and immune system response. Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 33 (2): p. 165
Bower, B., (1993, Sept). Marital tiffs spark immune swoon … but hypnosis offers immune aid. (fighting temporarily weakens the immune system; hypnosis enhances immune system). Science News 144: p. 10
Butler, L. D., Symons, B. K., Henderson, S. L., Shortliffe, L. D. & Spiegel, D. (2005, Jan). Hypnosis reduces distress and duration of an invasive medical procedure for children. Pediatrics 115 (1): 77-85
Ginandes, C., Brooks, P., Sando, W., Jones, C. & Aker, J. (2003, Apr). Can medical hypnosis accelerate post-surgical wound healing? Results of a clinical trial. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 45 (4):333-51.
Ginandes, C. S. & Rosenthal, D. I., (1999, Mar). Using hypnosis to accelerate the healing of bone fractures: A randomized controlled pilot study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 5 (2):67-75.
Lang, E. V., (2000, May 15). Relaxation Technique Reduces Patient Anxiety Before Surgery. American Family Physician 61 (10): p. 3097
Lang, E. V., Benotsch, E. G., Fick, L. J., Lutgendorf, S., Berbaum, M. L., Berbaum, K. S., et al. (2000, Apr 29). Adjunctive non-pharmacological analgesia for invasive medical procedures: a randomized trial. Lancet 355 (9214):1486-90
Lutgendorf, S. K., Lang, E. V., Berbaum, K. S., Russell, D., Berbaum, M. L., Logan, H., et al. (2007, Feb-Mar). Effects of age on responsiveness to adjunct hypnotic analgesia during invasive medical procedures. Psychosomatic Medicine, 69 (2):191-9
Manzer, J. (2003, April 15). Brain images lend new insight into pain control. Medical Post, Toronto 39 (15): p. 18
Spiegel, D. (2007). The mind prepared: Hypnosis in surgery. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2007 99 (17):1280-1281
Stewart, James. (2005, April). Hypnosis in Contemporary Medicine. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 80 (4):511-524 Link to Resource
Anderson, R. A., (2006, July). Immunity and hypnosis. (Clinical Report). Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine 276 (1): p. 129
Barling, N. R. & Raine, S. J. (2005). Some effects of hypnosis on negative affect and immune system response. Australian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 33 (2): p. 165
Bower, B., (1993, Sept). Marital tiffs spark immune swoon … but hypnosis offers immune aid. (fighting temporarily weakens the immune system; hypnosis enhances immune system). Science News 144: p. 10
Butler, L. D., Symons, B. K., Henderson, S. L., Shortliffe, L. D. & Spiegel, D. (2005, Jan). Hypnosis reduces distress and duration of an invasive medical procedure for children. Pediatrics 115 (1): 77-85
Ginandes, C., Brooks, P., Sando, W., Jones, C. & Aker, J. (2003, Apr). Can medical hypnosis accelerate post-surgical wound healing? Results of a clinical trial. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 45 (4):333-51.
Ginandes, C. S. & Rosenthal, D. I., (1999, Mar). Using hypnosis to accelerate the healing of bone fractures: A randomized controlled pilot study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 5 (2):67-75.
Lang, E. V., (2000, May 15). Relaxation Technique Reduces Patient Anxiety Before Surgery. American Family Physician 61 (10): p. 3097
Lang, E. V., Benotsch, E. G., Fick, L. J., Lutgendorf, S., Berbaum, M. L., Berbaum, K. S., et al. (2000, Apr 29). Adjunctive non-pharmacological analgesia for invasive medical procedures: a randomized trial. Lancet 355 (9214):1486-90
Lutgendorf, S. K., Lang, E. V., Berbaum, K. S., Russell, D., Berbaum, M. L., Logan, H., et al. (2007, Feb-Mar). Effects of age on responsiveness to adjunct hypnotic analgesia during invasive medical procedures. Psychosomatic Medicine, 69 (2):191-9
Manzer, J. (2003, April 15). Brain images lend new insight into pain control. Medical Post, Toronto 39 (15): p. 18
Spiegel, D. (2007). The mind prepared: Hypnosis in surgery. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2007 99 (17):1280-1281
Stewart, James. (2005, April). Hypnosis in Contemporary Medicine. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 80 (4):511-524 Link to Resource