Expert: Alan L. Alves - 8/21/2005

Question
I would like to know your thoughts about hypnotherapy as an aid to weight loss.  What should I anticipate as the cost of such therapy & likely results.

Also, can you cite any impartial sources confirming effectiveness of such treatment?

Thanks
Ron

P.S.: Although I currently live in Florida, New Bedford is my home town.

Answer
Hi Ron,

To lose weight and keep it off, you must change how you eat and how much you exercise. It's as simple as that. Poor diet and lack of exercise combined--are the prime causes of obesity.
Hypnosis is used in changing behavior and habits. New studies are being conducted now regarding hypnotherapy as it has changed in recent years do to new techniques and discoveries. Preliminary research does not provide clear answers, better studies are necessary to make a conclusion.

At my office I charge $100 pers session and it dependes on the amount of weight loss determines the amount of sessions. A friend and colleague, Tom Nicoli was featured in a Dateline story regarding weight loss see-
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3841501/
How it works and older studies can be found in the following:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/hypnosis6.htm
http://www.altor.org/et-bulk.htm
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/34968/362157.html?d=dmtConten...

A number of studies indicate that hypnosis combined with a behavioral weight management program contributes significantly to weight loss. Bolocofsky, Spinler, and Coulthard-Morris (1985) revealed that the addition of hypnosis to a behavioral program designed to alter eating patterns increased the amount of weight loss at 8-month and 2year follow-ups. Both the behavioral and hypnosis programs were tailored to each subject individually in the study. Bolocofsky et al. (1984) acknowledged that "the less a person weighed at the start of the program the more likely he was to lose weight and maintain the reduction". Hypnosis combined with behavioral weight management seems to be more effective for small amounts of weight loss. Another study of 45 females found that supplementing a basic self-management program with hypnosis resulted in a slightly greater amount of weight loss at a 3-month follow-up (Barabasz and Spiegel, 1989). The group for which individualized hypnotic suggestions were developed lost more weight than those exposed only to a group procedure. Kirsch (1996) noted a weight loss of 6.00 pounds without hypnosis and 11.83 pounds with hypnosis based on a meta-analysis of six studies. Allison and Faith (1996), however, disagreed and maintained that hypnosis only enhances cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy slightly if at all. Long-term individualized hypnosis combined with a behavioral weight management program appears to contribute to modest weight loss and helps maintain it.

Allison, D. B., & Faith, M. S. (1996). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: A meta-analytic reappraisal. Joumal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64, 513 -516.



Andersen, M. S. (1985). Hypnotizability as a factor in the hypnotic treatment of obesity. Ihe International Journal of Clinical andexperimental Hypnosis, 33, 150-159.



Barabasz, M., & Spiegel, D. (1989). Hypnotizability and weight loss in obese subjects. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 8, 3 3 5 - 3 4 1.



Bolocofsky, D. N., Coulthard-Morris, L., & Spinier, D. (1984). Prediction of successful weight management from personality and demographic data. Psychological Reports, 55, 795-802.



Bolocofsky, D. N., Spinler, D., & Coulthard-Morris, L. (1985). Effectiveness of hypnosis as an adjunct to behavioral weight management. Joumal of Clinical Psychology, 41, 35-40.



Cochrane, G., & Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Joumal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.



Kirsch, 1. (1996). Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatmentsAnother meta-reanalysis. Jourml of Consulting @ Clinical Psychology, 64, 517-519.



Kroger, W. (I 970). Comprehensive management of obesity. American Joumal of Clinical Hypnosis, 12,165-176.



Leon, G. R. (I 976). Current directions in the treatment of obesity. Psychological Bulletin, 83, 557-578.



McCabe, M. P., Jupp, J. J., & Collins, J. K. (1985). Influence of age and body proportions on weight loss of obese women after treatment. Psychological Reports, 56, 707-710.



Mott, T. (I 982). The role of hypnosis in psychotherapy. Ihe American Joumal of Clinical Hypnosis, 24, 241-247.



Wadden, T. A., & Anderton, C. H. (1982). The clinical use of hypnosis. Psychological Bulletin, 91, 215-243.

Hypnosis and weight loss can help you reach your natural weight without feeling deprived or hungry. You can gain positive results within a few sessions of hypnosis and weight loss. If your considering hypnosis and weight loss please be sure that you only visit trained and ethical hypnotherapists. If this is the right course for you then hypnosis and weight loss may produce positive results for you.
Best Wishes,
Alan