It seems every other person in L.A. is either a hypnotist,
masseuse, or fitness guru! If you're looking to quit smoking with hypnosis, who do you go to? I
like to think there are a few qualities to look out for, which set me apart from your average
hypnotist.
Degree and Training
Level
I'm both a hypnotist and a psychologist. I have both a masters
and a doctorate in general psychology from a regionally accredited university (Capella
University) and am a licensed psychologist by the State of California (#22783). I've recieved training in hypnosis through Hypnotherapy Training Institute in Corte Madera and have been practicing hypnotherapy for about 8 years now.
I think it's generally better to see a hypnotist who's already either a
psychologist, psychiatrist, or medical doctor. That way, you'll get the speed and power of a hypnotist with the security, comfort, and privacy of a licensed professional.
Member
Association
People who fancy themselves as hypnotists can go to a variety of
hypnotist guilds and associations, where the one criteria of membership is that your membership
check clears! Although the association where I received formal training in hypnosis, the
American Council of Hypnotist Examiners, required on-site training and supervision, the
membership that I feel is the most relevant is being associated with the American Psychological
Association, the largest organization of psychologists in the world.
Type of
Orientation
You can generally divide hypnotists into two catagories: a
medical orientation or the more esoteric/mystic orientation. For myself, I'm in the more
left-brain, medical orientation. That doesn't mean I'm a medical doctor but that I focus on more
clinical issues. My specialties include addiction, anxiety, and phobias. This means you won't
find any crystals in my office and you won't find me talking about your past lives or inner
chakras! This also means that if you talk about medication you're taking or a particular
psychological concept, chances are I'll be familiar with what you're talking about. If you need
a particular prescription for nicotine replacement therapy, I'll be able to talk with your
doctor or write a note. Medical doctors are generally more willing to talk and listen to a
psychologist.
Location
I've been located in Beverly Hills about 8 years and at the same
office for around 6. As my license to practice psychotherapy is just for California, I'm not going anywhere in the near future! The office that you'll visit to quit smoking
isn't a house, or a small corner office in some unknown part of town! I'm right on Wilshire by
Robertson, in an office building right in Beverly Hills.
Information
All the information, including costs, success rate, and program
details can be found right on my website. In fact, there's a whole
manual explaining what I do and why I do it. If you have any questions, you can always click here to contact me through phone, e-mail or text message. You'll
typically hear back from me within 24 hours, usually sooner.
Testimonials
Here are a few testimonials, below, including an article and
follow-up article about me in "Hollywood Covered" and from a class I led for group
hypnosis.
Today is Day 13 for me! Still hard to believe that I could
become a non-smoker after being a smoker for some 50 years of my adult life. I do believe much
of my success is directly related to John Murphy's participation on Quit Day at "The Last Drag".
I've always believed that the subconcious is a very powerful part of our minds and the hypnosis
work that John did -- had a definite, positive effect on my subconcious, which in turn has
affected my conscious mind.
His guided meditation which led us to be in a place that we
especially loved, surrounded by our loved ones -- set the tone. Then when he repeated the mantra
over and over again: "I am a non-smoker today, and will be a non-smoker every day for the rest
of my life" -- that thought became so embedded in my subconcious that I just know it has helped
me enormously to kick the habit once and for all. Of course there were other contributing
factors to my success but John's was major.
Thanks, John, for your invaluable gift. Thanks, Rikki, for
your invaluable guidance and instruction. And thanks, "The Last Drag", for being there for me
-- at the right time, and the right place. Kim G
My name is Jan Ford and I am a non smoker and I'll be a non
smoker for the rest of my life. I started smoking 32 years ago. After many failed attempts to
quit, i.e. patch, pills and the scare tactic, it seemed as if nothing was going to help me.
When I heard of the last drag class and that a hypnotist may come in, I felt that I wanted to
give it another try. I wasn't sure if I could be hypnotized but I was willing. The
information John shared with us about smoking was remarkable. Information I had been given in
the past about smoking and how to stop smoking seemed to be untrue, John made non smoking a non
issue, in other words he gave me the confidence I needed to stop and he made the idea of
quitting not a big deal. I actually took the class twice. The first time, I had forgotten some
of the tools John had mention and I started smoking again after a week. This time I talked to
John about some of my struggles and he gave me a few suggestions. One, continue to take breaks
at work, actually for a short time I may need to take a few more breaks than normal. He also
suggested that I not hide from smokers, that during my break if smokers came around do not avoid
them, after all I am a non smoker. Another thing that has helped tremendously is the deep
breathing. I still don't know a lot about being hypnotized, it feels as if I was just in a deep
meditation hearing and understating everything John said. I guess I just believed in John. I
would also like to mention that I'm 18 years sober and it is true that cigarette smoking is not
a physical addition.
Jan F.
From "Hollywood Covered"
Judd, an advice columnist in "Hollywood Covered" came to see me
to quit smoking. He wrote about my services in his advice column and in a follow up a few months
later.
From the first article (reprinted with permission):
"I can totally relate to your problem. I quit drinking and
doing drugs over a year ago but smoking proved to be the ultimate challenge. I tried over-priced
hypno-therapists, nicotine gum and of course, the patch, nothing worked and the addiction got
stronger. I was even smoking while chewing the gum, and option I don't recommend.
Let's just say I was sure to die a smoker. I was more than a
little weary when I came across the business card for John Murphy, yet another hypno-therapist,
but thank God I did.
For less than half what other hypno-therapist charged, John
offers a one-time 90 minute session that's tailored to you and your life. No fuss, no muss.
You're just done smoking. I went from over one pack a day to no cigarettes at all after my visit
with him. It has been almost a month now and I haven't gained any weight, my skin is flawless,
and I didn't even go through that nasty bitch phase.
The hypno-therapy session was simple, and I am telling you,
AMAZING! I normally operate at a high anxiety level and now I am calm and serene. In fact, I was
worried that quitting smoking would amplify the 'crazies' in my head, but just the opposite
happened. I'm handling every situation with ease. Do yourself a favor and check out John
Murphy's website. I am now a HAPPY non-smoker. And I'll be a non-smoker for the rest of my life!
Seriously, it's the best thing I ever did.
Do it! Peace out, Judd"
And the follow up article:
"Dear Weezie,
When you see me, you can approach me. I am accessible, honey!
Just to let you know, I have not had a cigarette since I saw John Murphy on January 16. I went
in smoking over a pack a day for 20 years, opps, I mean 10. Best thing that I ever did was to
see a real hypnotist to quit smoking. Don't be fooled by the fakes. I am a non-smoker and I will
be a non-smoker for the rest of my life."
