John J. Murphy, Ph.D.

The quit smoking program takes about 90 to 120 minutes, which occurs right in my office. Once you come in and fill out a brief form, I'll start by providing a little lecture detailing the information in this essay. So if you haven't read the whole essay, it's not a problem (through reading it does help). In the first section, we'll discuss the misconceptions about smoking, hypnosis, and what you can do afterwards to help yourself remain a non-smoker. We'll go over any questions you might have. The second section is where I ask a series of questions to help make a customized script. The emphasis will be on emotional and social reasons to quit. The third section is the actual hypnosis.

The hypnosis program starts with a basic lecture, continues with the creation of a customized script, and completes with the actual hypnosis.

Hypnosis in a nutshell is where your body is very relaxed but your mind is very active. You'll drift in and out but should remember most of what I say. No, I won't be able to control your every thought, no, I won't make you tell me every secret, and yes, I can make you not like ho-ho's but that's for a different program! Virtually everyone can be hypnotized.

After the hypnosis, you'll feel very relaxed and very determined to be a non-smoker. We're teaching your sub-conscious to equate smoking with social rejection and the sub-conscious hates social rejection.

After your hypnosis, I'll give you your "homework," be the first to congratulate you for being a non-smoker, accept cash or check, and then give you my business card or cards, if you happen to know anyone else who also wants to quit.

Although relatively rare, there is that chance you'll end up smoking again. If you do, we can arrange a 'back-up' program, which is complimentary. The homework you'll have will be designed to keep you a non-smoker not just for the first month but for the first year and beyond.

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The best time to quit is sooner, rather than later. If you're about to move, change jobs, or get married, you'll want to wait until you're relatively stable before you quit smoking. But don't decide to postpone your quit date simply because you feel stressed, as you'll tend to keep postponing until it's been 4 years, already. Keep in mind that if you want to quit smoking and work on other issues, it's best to first quit smoking, as, contrary to popular belief, smoking often adds to anxiety and doing the non-smoking "homework" will help with stress relief as well as weight loss.

I'm usually booked about 10 days in advance. I can fit you in if it's an emergency, but I'll probably charge you more. If I have a time that's free, I'll generally be able to get you in sooner, rather than later.

The criteria I care most about is you wanting to quit. Don't come in unless you have some personal reasons for quitting, otherwise it just won't work for you. If you have any questions about this, contact me.

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Click on this page to see a map of my office, get parking information, and to see my appointment hours. click here to ask any questions or to setup an appointment.

The cost of the smoking cessation program is $400. I accept cash or personal check but no credit cards, as of yet.

Come in to my office with three things:

1. Your last cigarettes (I plan to have a big vase-like jar of old cigarettes and cigarette cartons, for the psychological effect). You should also give me your last ashtrays as well.

2. Your own personal reasons to quit. It could be big, like cancer, or small, like how it makes your clothes smell. You might even have a few reasons to keep smoking. So long as you have some personal reasons to quit that you can focus on.

3. Cash, or a personal check, for $400.

If you want to try nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (i.e. "The Patch"), feel free. Keep in when using NRT that the day you come in to see me is the day you quit. Contact me if you're not sure how to approach your doctor about NRT.

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