Gary Elkins, Ph.D., ABPP
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience (Core Clinical Faculty) | Baylor University
Waco, TX, UNITED STATES
Expert in clinical psychology, health psychology & the science of hypnotherapy for menopause & sleep disorders.
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Biography
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.
Areas of Expertise (3)
Health and Clincal Psychology
Sleep Problems and Stress Management
Alternative Medicine
Education (2)
Texas A&M University: Ph.D.
Henderson State University: B.A.
Affiliations (2)
- Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis : President
- International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis : Incoming Editor
Links (2)
Media Appearances (9)
Dealing with Hot Flashes? Try Hypnosis
WebMD online
2024-09-22
Gary Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor, was interviewed for this article about treating menopause hot flashes with clinical hypnosis. “While sleep improves with the hypnotherapy intervention, it also involves general relaxation,” Elkins said. “As women practice self-hypnosis at night, they're entering a more calm and relaxed state, which also may facilitate good sleep or improve sleep duration and sleep quality.”
Uncovering the new science of clinical hypnosis
American Psychological Association online
2024-04-01
Gary Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Lab at Baylor, is quoted about his research regarding hypnosis and hot flashes in menopausal women, the range of responsivity to hypnosis and how hypnosis can be used in addition to other treatments.
Hypnotherapy Eases Pain, Anxiety, and More
KOH-AM online
2021-02-12
Gary Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience, is quoted about the benefits of hypnotherapy, a medical treatment that can be extremely powerful in helping people cope with a variety of conditions.
Hypnosis: A Mind-Body Solution for Hot Flushes and Sleep Post-Menopause and in Breast Cancer Survivors
Scientia Global online
2020-09-13
Professor Gary Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor, is featured in this article highlighting his research on clinical hypnosis and how it can be used to alleviate hot flashes and sleep disturbances in breast cancer survivors and post-menopausal women.
‘Mindful hypnotherapy’ cited as way to reduce stress and boost compassion
Baptist News Global online
2020-08-03
Gary Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor University, shares research on a study that introduced college students to the concept of hypnosis and tracked their stress and anxiety levels while increasing their mindfulness.
Beat Stress and Anxiety with DIY Mindful Hypnotherapy
Yoga Journal online
2020-08-01
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eterneva-and-baylor-university-research-study-solidifies-positive-impact-of-anchor-items-on-grieving-individuals-301101137.html
Mindful hypnotherapy may reduce stress
Medical News Today online
2020-06-30
Research led by Gary Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor, is featured in this article about how mindfulness combined with hypnotherapy could be a novel intervention for reducing stress and anxiety.
Baylor Mind-Body Lab to study music's potential in pain management
Waco Tribune-Herald online
2020-06-28
Gary Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor, will lead study exploring the effect music can have on pain management and sleep for older adults.
Mindfulness In Adjunction With Hypnotherapy Very Effective For Treating Chronic Stress
Mental Daily online
2020-06-16
Research led by Gary Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at Baylor, is featured in this article about the early effectiveness of mindfulness in adjunction with hypnotherapy for the treatment of chronic stress. This research also was covered on the PsychCentral mental health resources blog.
Research Focus (2)
Research submissions in review
- A brief survey study to identify optimal intervention delivery criteria for under-served primary care patients - Self-administered hypnosis treatment for the management of hot flashes in women: A randomized clinical trial - Hypnosis for fibromyalgia: determination of dose and method
Current research
Hypnosis for sleep in menopause: determination of optimal dose and method
Articles (6)
Efficacy of a biobehavioral intervention for hot flashes: a randomized controlled pilot study
Menopause2017 The need for effective nonhormonal treatments for hot flash management without unwanted side effects continues. The primary aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of combining a nonhormonal pharmacologic agent with a behavioral treatment for hot flash reduction.
Clinical Hypnosis in the Treatment of Post-Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Menopause2013 The use of estrogen and progesterone to manage vasomotor symptoms (i.e., hot flashes, night sweats) has declined due to concerns over their risks and there is an increased interest in alternate, effective, and low-risk treatments. This study reports the results of a randomized, controlled trial of clinical hypnosis in treating vasomotor symptoms among post-menopausal women.
Hypnosis for hot flashes among postmenopausal women study: a study protocol of an ongoing randomized clinical trial
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine2011 Hot flashes are a highly prevalent problem associated with menopause and breast cancer treatments. The recent findings from the Women's Health Initiative have important implications for the significance of a non-hormonal, mind-body intervention for hot flashes in breast cancer survivors. Women who take hormone therapy long-term may have a 1.2 to 2.0 fold increased risk of developing breast cancer. In addition, it is now known that hormone therapy with estrogen and progestin is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Currently there are limited options to hormone replacement therapy as non-hormonal pharmacological agents are associated with only modest activity and many adverse side effects. Because of this there is a need for more alternative, non-hormonal therapies. Hypnosis is a mind-body intervention that has been shown to reduce self-reported hot flashes by up to 68% among breast cancer survivors, however, the use of hypnosis for hot flashes among post-menopausal women has not been adequately explored and the efficacy of hypnosis in reducing physiologically measured hot flashes has not yet been determined.
Mind–Body Therapies in Integrative Oncology
Current Treatment Options in Oncology2010 There is growing interest in mind–body therapies as adjuncts to mainstream cancer treatment, and an increasing number of patients turn to these interventions for the control of emotional stress associated with cancer. Increased research funding has enabled many such interventions to be evaluated for their efficacy, including studies of mind–body interventions to reduce pain, anxiety, insomnia, anticipatory, and treatment-related nauseas, hot flashes, and improved mood. Mind–body treatments evaluated for their utility in oncology include relaxation therapies, biofeedback, meditation and hypnosis, yoga, art and music therapy, tai chi, and qigong...
Randomized Trial of a Hypnosis Intervention for Treatment of Hot Flashes Among Breast Cancer Survivors
Journal of Clinical Oncology2008 Hot flashes are a significant problem for many breast cancer survivors. Hot flashes can cause discomfort, disrupted sleep, anxiety, and decreased quality of life. A well-tolerated and effective mind-body treatment for hot flashes would be of great value. On the basis of previous case studies, this study was developed to evaluate the effect of a hypnosis intervention for hot flashes...
Hypnotherapy for the Management of Chronic Pain
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis2007 This article reviews controlled prospective trials of hypnosis for the treatment of chronic pain. Thirteen studies, excluding studies of headaches, were identified that compared outcomes from hypnosis for the treatment of chronic pain to either baseline data or a control condition. The findings indicate that hypnosis interventions consistently produce significant decreases in pain associated with a variety of chronic-pain problems...
