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When delivered by a trained and licensed healthcare professional hypnosis treatment is often covered by insurance.

Applications of Hypnosis*

Hypnosis is a very useful tool to enhance the effectiveness and positive outcomes of a variety of medical, surgical, dental or psychological treatments. It is said that over 85% of all medical illnesses have a psychological component, and it is well known that emotional issues can create or contribute to physical problems which may not be completely addressed with conventional treatments. While medication or psychotherapy alone certainly is beneficial, the additional use of hypnosis is synergistic as it addresses the mind-body related hidden blockages to wellness, improves clinical outcomes and speeds the healing process.

 

The following is a list of some psychological, medical, dental issues that may benefit from hypnosis:

  • Academic and Athletic Performance

  • Acute and Chronic Anxiety

  • Ego Strengthening, Self Confidence

  • Habits such as Smoking, Drinking, the Use of Recreational Drugs, Nail biting, Hair pulling

  • Phobias

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

  • Sexual Trauma and Dysfunction Issues

  • Family and Generational Issues

  • Relationship Issues

  • Asthma and Allergies

  • Autoimmune Diseases

  • Burns and Emergencies

  • Cancer: Chemo or Radiation Therapy Side Effects

  • Child Birth and Other Obstetrical/Gynecological Issues 

  • Dermatologic Disorders: Rashes, Warts, Itching

  • Dental: Gagging, Bruxism,

  • Phobias

  • Diabetic Blood Sugar Control

  • Eating Disorders 

  • Headaches: Tension and Migraine

  • Healing

  • Heart Disease and Vascular Control

  • Hiccups 

  • Hypertension

  • Healing

  • Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

  • Irritable Bowel Problems

  • Incontinence and Bed Wetting

  • Post-Operative Urinary Retention

  • Neurologic: Bell’s Palsy, Strokes, Control of GI Hemorrhage, Neuropathic Pain

  • Pain Control (and Reduction of Acute and Chronic Pain)

  • Pediatric problems 

  • Phobias: Dental, Stage Fright, Fear of Flying and More  

  • Preparing for Surgery, Insertion of IV needles, Using Less Anesthesia

  • Swallowing Pills

  • Tinnitus

  • Temporomandibular Joint Pain

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There are certainly more issues that can be treated than are on this short list.

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​References:

1. Elvira Lang, MD and Eleanor Laser, PhD. Patient Sedation without Medication. Self-Published, 2009.

2. Dabney M. Ewin MD, and Bruce N. Eimer PhD. Ideomotor Signals for Rapid Hypnoanalysis. Charles C. Thomas, Publisher, 2006 Page 3

3. Herbert Spiegel, MD and David Spiegel, MD. Trance and Treatment: Clinical Uses of Hypnosis. American Psychiatric Publishing Inc. 2004.

4. Michael S. McGee LPC, DCH. Addictions Hypnosis. Bookmasters Inc. 1999.

5. Donald C. Brown, MD. Advances in the Use of Hypnosis for Medicine, Dentistry and Pain Prevention/Management. Crown House Publishing Ltd. 2009.

6. Michael D. Yapko PhD. Hypnosis and Treating Depression, Applications and Clinical Uses. Routledge. 2013.

7. D. Corydon Hammond PhD. Handbook of Hypnotic Suggestions and Metaphors. W.W. Norton and Company. 1990

Choosing a Qualified Clinician*

There are two categories of those that use hypnosis in their practice:

  • Professionally licensed health care providers - trained/certified in hypnosis

  • Non-licensed/registered/lay hypnotherapists – no professional healthcare license

Licensed health care providers hold a recognized professional license in fields like medicine, nursing, psychology, social work, dentistry, chiropractic, and therapy. In addition to all the years of training for an advanced degree required in their field or expertise for licensure, board certification, and mandatory ongoing continued education, further training and/or certification is obtained in hypnosis. Many will also become members of one or more professional organizations dedicated to providing training, ethics guidelines and certifications in hypnosis and related areas.

The two most prestigious hypnosis certifying bodies in the professional field are the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.

Non-licensed/registered/lay hypnotherapists do not have professional licensing in health care fields as mentioned above. Wisconsin does not require registration with the state before hypnosis can be practiced. The lack of regulatory oversight makes it possible for lay hypnotherapists to take a weekend course or complete self-study with a non-accredited hypnosis schools/programs and call themselves a “hypnotherapist” in Wisconsin. The significant difference between a professionally licensed health care provider and a lay- hypnotherapist is the increased level of education, training, experience, background, and accountability associated with the licensed health care provider which the lay-hypnotherapist simply does not have. Additionally, lay hypnotherapists cannot bill their services to insurance companies because they lack appropriate qualifications and credentialing.

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*Adapted or provided by America Society of Clinical Hypnosis

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