Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis : President

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis : Incoming Editor

Efficacy of a biobehavioral intervention for hot flashes: a randomized controlled pilot study

Clinical Hypnosis in the Treatment of Post-Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hypnosis for hot flashes among postmenopausal women study: a study protocol of an ongoing randomized clinical trial

Mind–Body Therapies in Integrative Oncology

Randomized Trial of a Hypnosis Intervention for Treatment of Hot Flashes Among Breast Cancer Survivors

Hypnotherapy for the Management of Chronic Pain

A unique, state-of-the art, interdisciplinary resource on clinical hypnosis in psychology and medicine This is the only up-to-date, comprehensive interdisciplinary resource on clinical hypnosis research and applications in psychology and medicine. Authoredby hypnosis experts worldwide, it encompasses state-of-the-art scholarship and techniques for hypnotic treatments along with hypnosis transcripts and caseexamples for all major psychological disorders and medical conditions. In easily understandable language, this desk reference addresses theories,neurophysiology of hypnosis, hypnotherapy screening, measurement of hypnotizability, professional issues, and ethics. Individual chapters present hypnoticinductions to treat 70 disorders including anxiety, depression, pain, sleep problems, phobias, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, menopausal hotflashes, Parkinson's disease, palliative care, tinnitus, addictions, and a multitude other common complaints. The guide also examines the history and foundations of hypnosis, myths and misconceptions, patient screening, dealing with resistance, and precautions tothe use of hypnosis. It examines a variety of hypnotherapy systems ranging from hypnotic relaxation therapy to hypnoanalysis. With each application thetext includes relevant research, specific induction techniques, and an illustrative case example. Additionally the resource covers professional issues,certification, hypnosis in the hospital, and placebo effects. Key Features: Presents state-of-the art hypnosis research and applications for a wide range of psychological and medical disorders Encompasses information on 70 disorders with relevant research, intervention techniques, and case examples Authored by an international cadre of experts Provides an interdisciplinary perspective of both the mental health and medical communities Addresses certification, ethics, and other professional issues   

Clinician's Guide to Medical and Psychological Hypnosis: Foundations, Applications, and Professional Issues

"Like others trying to incorporate hypnotherapy into their practice, I found myself struggling with the question, "Where do I begin?" This book provides that answer√ñ [It]offers the first complete presentation of [the] fundamentals [of hypnotic relaxation therapy] in a manner that is not only supported by empirical research, but is consistent with the author's 30 years of experience as a clinical practitioner. In contrast to a "one-size-fits-all approach," this book provides specific, easy-to-follow guidelines for developing hypnotic suggestions in a flexible manner that will enable the clinician to effectively address individual patients' unique needs√ñ Practitioners, students, and clinicians will want to have a copy of this comprehensive book, not only to use as a training manual, but to have as a "go to guide" to troubleshoot typical problems." -Cassie Kendrick, PsyD Post-Doctoral Fellow in Clinical Health Psychology Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory Baylor University  This book introduces a new, evidence-based model of hypnotherapy called "hypnotic relaxation therapy" (HRT). Easily integrated with other therapeutic models or used alone, HRT has been proven effective in a wide variety of applications including pain management, anxiety reduction, smoking cessation, insomnia treatment, and treatment of post-menopausal symptoms. This new model advances the field of hypnotherapy by making relaxation an explicit part of hypnotherapy and measuring individual differences in hypnotizabillity with the introduction of a new measurement instrument, the Elkins Hypnotizability Scale (EHS). Additionally, it is the first book to integrate Cognitive-Experiential Self Theory with HRT.  Dr. Elkins is a highly esteemed leader in clinical hypnosis. He has served as President of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, President of the American Board of Psychological Hypnosis, Vice-Chair of the Council of Representatives of the International Society of Hypnosis, and Chair of the Fellows Committee of the Society for Psychological Hypnosis of the APA. His book provides clinicians with the guiding principles of HRT as well as the empirical research underlying it. Dr. Elkins offers a session-by-session approach to HRT that covers the process for structuring sessions, treatment planning, and dealing with resistance, and explicates detailed applications of HRT. Guidelines for formulating hypnotic suggestions are described, as is HRT as a proven effective source of intervention for hot flashes in menopausal women. The book explains how to integrate HRT with other modalities and discusses the ethical considerations of HRT. Additionally, the book introduces the Elkins Hypnotizability Scale for clinical assessment of hypnotizability that is currently being used in NIH-funded research at Baylor University and the Mayo Clinic. Case examples and sample transcripts are incorporated throughout the book, which also includes a sample brochure for patients. Key Features:  Introduces a new, evidence-based conceptualization of hypnotherapy Presents a new, well-validated, easy-to-use scale for measuring hynotizability Includes plentiful case examples and sample transcripts of hypnotic relaxation interventions Explains how to integrate HRT with other modalities Written by a renowned leader in the field of hypnosis 

Hypnotic Relaxation Therapy: Principles and Applications

[ Relief from Hot Flashes: The Natural, Drug-Free Program to Reduce Hot Flashes, Improve Sleep, and Ease Stress Elkins, Gary ( Author ) ] { Paperback } 2014

From ayurveda to yoga, complementary and alternative medical practices are in common use today. All mental health practitioners need to understand how these treatments actually work and how they might supplement or conflict with conventional therapies. This is the first book to explain for therapists the most popular forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Each chapter deals with a different modality. Subjects include: acupuncture, aromatherapy, ayurveda, biofeedback, chiropractic, dance movement therapy, herbals and biologically-based practices, hypnosis, massage therapy, meditation, music therapy, reiki, spirituality and prayer, and yoga.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Psychologists: An Essential Resource

Research submissions in review

Current research

Baylor University, a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, provides a vibrant campus community for more than 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship.

Baylor University 

Dr. Gary Elkins' areas of specialization are clinical psychology, health psychology, and hypnotherapy. He is a licensed psychologist and is board certified in Clinical Health Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is also board certified in Psychological Hypnosis by the American Board of Psychological Hypnosis (ABPH). He has served as the President of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and is the president-elect of Division 30 (Society for Psychological Hypnosis) of the American Psychological Association. He is the author of the book, Hypnotic Relaxation Therapy: Principles and Applications. In the past, Dr. Elkins served on the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. Dr. Elkins hobbies includes fly fishing and exercise.

Clinical Psychology

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Hypnotherapy for Hot Flashes

Breast Cancer Survivors

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Sleep Problems and Stress Management

Faculty Profile Page, Baylor University

NIH Research Radio Podcast Appearance

Dealing with Hot Flashes? Try Hypnosis

Uncovering the new science of clinical hypnosis

Hypnotherapy Eases Pain, Anxiety, and More

Hypnosis: A Mind-Body Solution for Hot Flushes and Sleep Post-Menopause and in Breast Cancer Survivors

‘Mindful hypnotherapy’ cited as way to reduce stress and boost compassion

Beat Stress and Anxiety with DIY Mindful Hypnotherapy

Mindful hypnotherapy may reduce stress

Baylor Mind-Body Lab to study music's potential in pain management

Mindfulness In Adjunction With Hypnotherapy Very Effective For Treating Chronic Stress

managing-menopause-mindbody-solutions-for-hot-flashes-sleep-and-wellbeing

Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience (Core Clinical Faculty)

In recognition of World Menopause Day, Baylor psychologist shares research on hypnotherapy's beneficial effects in relieving hot flashes  (Image credit: Rana Hamid via Getty Images)  The natural aging process of perimenopause and menopause can create a wide range of symptoms for women, with hot flashes and poor sleep being the most frequently reported – and most disruptive – symptoms. World Menopause Day is recognized on Oct. 18, and one Baylor University researcher has been on a 20-year mission to identify safe and effective options to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help women find relief from hot flashes and improve sleep and well-being during the menopause transition.

Gary Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor University, is among the nation’s leading researchers on hypnotherapy and mind-body approaches, including continued funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate the efficacy of a self-hypnosis intervention to reduce hot flashes and improve sleep, as well as other outcomes.

“It is important to recognize that hot flashes are a natural part of menopause,” Elkins said. “They are not caused by stress or personality but are due to the decline in estrogen that occurs naturally with aging.”

Perimenopause (the hormonal transition leading up to menopause) and menopause (the cessation of menstrual cycles) is the natural aging process marked by the decline in the reproductive hormone estrogen and progesterone in women and can last anywhere from seven to 20 years. Menopause usually begins around age 52 or can result from breast cancer treatment or hysterectomies.

Although HRT remains the most effective treatment for hot flashes, it is not appropriate for everyone. A major NIH study found that HRT led to an increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease in some post-menopausal women and breast cancer survivors. Elkins’ research is aimed at giving women choices for their own healthcare, including alternatives such as hypnotherapy.

“While hypnotherapy is not widely understood by many people, it can regulate hot flashes and improve sleep by managing how temperatures are perceived and regulated in the brain,” Elkins said. “Hypnotherapy is a mind-body therapy, similar to mindfulness and guided imagery, that involves the focus of attention, a relaxed state and therapeutic suggestions.” Elkins’ research on hot flashes and sleep and hypnotherapy has been clinically shown to reduce hot flashes by up to 80%, more effective than any other hot flash management tool available, with the exception of HRT.

He also has found that hypnotherapy, as a mind-body intervention, can reduce hot flashes to a degree comparable to HRT, improve sleep quality by over 50% and reduce anxiety while increasing well-being.

“Hypnotherapy involves daily practice of 15-minute hypnotic relaxation sessions that teach your brain to adapt to your body’s changing hormone level. Mental images for coolness and control are used to empower women to take control of the two most troublesome menopause symptoms – hot flashes and sleep,” Elkins said.

Elkins offers the following suggestions for women to empower them and help them find relief from hot flashes, anxiety and interrupted sleep.

Remember that hot flashes are a normal part of the perimenopausal/menopausal transition, and the effects a woman experiences are real. Talk to your doctor about options that may work for you. Everyone is an individual, and it is important to find what works best for you. A combined approach of mind-body hypnosis therapy along with low-dose medications can be helpful for some women. It can be helpful to keep a daily diary of your hot flashes to monitor them. Get good sleep. Poor sleep and night sweats can make hot flashes worse. Be knowledgeable about things that have not been shown to work, such as fans, cold packs and certain herbs. Seek support from family and friends.  Elkins has developed the Evia from Mindset Health App to give women easy access to hypnotherapy for hot flashes. The app comes with a free trial that delivers evidence-based hypnotherapy intervention for women during the menopause transition and beyond.



Managing Menopause: Mind-Body Solutions for Hot Flashes, Sleep and Well-Being

Visit http://www.FreeMenopauseHelp.com for Free Magazine and more. This video is about Janet Carpenter and Alternative Treatment for Hot Flashes

Dr. Mache Seibel interviews Janet Carpenter on Alternative Treatment for Hot Flashes

Ann speaks with Gary R. Elkins, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Director, Mind-Body Medicine Research Lab, about current research and studies.

 


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Gary R. Elkins, Ph.D., ABPP Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University

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