Dr. John J. Murphy Psychologist and Hypnotherapist

Is It Really Possible To Quit Smoking With Minimal Withdrawal In Just One 90-Minute Hypnosis Session?

I'll show you how to quit smoking easily and permanently! My name is Dr. John J. Murphy, and I specialize in smoking cessation. For the past few years, I've specialized in applying hypnosis and behavioral techniques to reduce and control the nicotine cravings that typically lead to relapse. Read below to learn more!

What Makes it So Difficult to Quit?

Many people, including some medical doctors, assume that nicotine addiction is just like an alcohol, heroin, or cocaine addiction, or any other type of "hard drug." They assume smoking is just a physical addiction and so a physical replacement, be it a patch or a pill, is sufficient to curb the addition and truly bring about lasting change.

It's not, and it doesn't! Why? Because smoking is more of a psychological addiction than a physical addiction! Consider this: what withdrawal symptoms comes to mind when you think of quitting smoking. Generally, you're looking at anxiety, stress, cravings, and of course, some obsessive thoughts. Now, think about the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. Here are just a few: seizures, nausea, tremors, hallucinations, and often, hospitalization! We can see a clear difference when you compare the two. After all, when was the last time you heard of a person quitting smoking who had seizures? Nausea? Who had to be hospitalized? Who broke out in tremors?

So we see that while many of the symptoms of quitting hard drugs are physical in nature, quitting smoking is about facing more psychological symptoms. This makes it harder to control with a physical substitute (i.e. nicotine replacement) but much easier if you have a behavioral program that addresses the psychological issues. That's why, whenever you look at an ad for a product to help you quit smoking, you'll see in fine print: "to be used in conjunction with a behavioral intervention program."

After years of studying addiction in my graduate studies and years in the field helping people quit, I believe I have an amazing program that can both compliment the nicotine replacement product your doctor recommends or serve as a stand-alone for those who might shy away from such products.

This program is a mix of both hypnotherapy and behavioral modification steps designed to not only reduce cravings the first few days after you quit but to keep you smoke free at that crucial 3 and 6-month period when people often fall off the wagon.

What is Hypnosis and What Makes it Work?

Hypnosis is a process of communication. In the communication, a particular message creates change in the sub-conscious part of the mind, the part that controls behaviors, sensations, and emotions. The communication is heightened when the person hearing the message is in a relaxed state, though such a state isn't necessary. In essense, whenever someone describes an emotional or physical state of mind (i.e. feeling relaxed, feeling cold, feeling a sense of relief) in the proper sequence and with enough detail, the person hearing the message will often recreate that state in a mental or physiological manner. It sounds much more complicated than it really is. Let's see first hand how this works with an example I've used before in class.

The Lemon Test

Take your left hand (or your right hand, if you're a lefty) and imagine holding a lemon in your hand. Form your hand as if you were really holding it. Do you remember what a lemon looks like? How it would feel in your hand? Take a few seconds to imagine that sensation. Now with your other hand, imagine holding a knife. Is it a metal knife? A plastic one?

Imagine cutting the lemon with the knife (don't cut your hand!). Now put the knife down and open the lemon. Are there any seeds in that lemon? Can you feel the lemon juice on your hand? Can you begin to smell the lemon? Think for a second: how many characters are in the word "lemon"? L-E-M-O-N. So 5. Now go and take a bite out of the lemon...

What happened? If you followed along, you probably winced a little and felt your mouth begin to salivate. Congratulations: you've just been hypnotized! I described the sensation of interacting with a lemon and your body played along. Just like watching an optical illusion changes how your brain perceives an object, listening or following along a particular activity also changes how your brain reacts towards thoughts and objects. See how it works?

Keep in mind that most people would experience a physical reaction upon imagining that lemon. Likewise, most people can be hypnotized. Notice that you don't have to be terribly relaxed, or gullible, or even "suggestible" for the techniques to work. As long as you follow along it will happen for you.

How does this apply to quitting smoking?

The hypnosis program is a drawn-out, customized, version of the lemon sequence, applied to smoking cessation. We first establish a sense of deep relaxation (which tends to make the body reactions more pronounced) where we focus on describing a deep sense of relaxation, followed by describing a series of behavioral changes that have been shown to dramatically reduce both short-term cravings and increase long-term compliance with your goals to remain smoke-free forever.

Without going into too many details, the primary focus will be on social pressure as it's an ultimate motivator for human behavior. The secondary focus will be upon replacing smoking habits with healthier habits both for the first week and the remainder of the year.

What's the Bottom Line?

The quit smoking program involves hypnosis and behavioral techniques to help you quit smoking. It takes typically 90 minutes from start to finish. The first step involves collecting detailed information about your smoking habits to create a customized hypnosis "script." The second step is a short lecture as to how the process of hypnosis works. The third step is the actual hypnosis, followed by any questions you might have about the process.

The total cost of the program is $400, including any necessary backup sessions you might need (though generally unlikely to occur). You won't have to worry about coming in session-after-session, week-after-week. You'll know the day you walk in is the day you quit. This means that on the day of your session the only thing you need to bring with you is your last remaining cigarettes!

About The Office

I'm located on Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills, right by Robertson. It's been the same location for the past 5 years and I'm on the 4th floor, away from the busy Wilshire traffic. The office is your typical therapist office, with a nice relaxing chair, a desk, a computer, and a little refrigerator for bottled water.

I'm in an office building with convenient underground parking as well as a large amount of street and metered parking.

If you're sensitive about privacy I keep flexible hours that often include evening and weekend hours. On Sunday the building is essentially a ghost house and you can park for free right underneath the building. I typically reserve Sundays for people who have to drive a considerable distance (i.e. Long Beach or further) so that they may avoid the worst of the L.A. traffic.

Benefits of the Quit Smoking Behavioral Program

Just one 90-minute program.
Centrally located in Beverly Hills, right off of Wilshire and Robertson.
Works in conjunction with any medication or any other smoking-cessation programs currently out there.
Takes place in a safe, modern office (instead of at someone's home or apartment).
Focuses on your own particular feelings about smoking and quitting, thereby creating a customized script uniquely suited for your success.

Benefits of a Professional Hypnotist

A Hypnotist who's also a Psychologist:
I have both a masters and a doctorate in general psychology from a regionally accredited university (Capella University). I've also completed both a pre-doc and post-doc internship and am studying to take the EPPP to become a licensed psychotherapist. I'm a member of both the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners and the American Psychological Association, the largest organization of psychologists in the world.

A Hypnotist with a Medical Orientation:
I have what's known as a medical/psychological orientation. That means you won't find any crystals in my office and you won't find me talking about your past lives or inner chakras! On the other hand, if you mention a particular medication or a 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 cannot prescribe anything (I'm not a psychiatrist), but I'll be able (and willing) to talk with your doctor or write a note of recommendation. Medical doctors are generally more willing to talk and listen to a psychologist, especially when it comes to quitting smoking.

A Hypnotist who has Experience:
I've worked with perhaps 300 individual smokers- not counting the groups and classes I've taught. I've spent many years in graduate school pouring through research articles, so I have access to research journals. I pride myself on knowing the very latest on both nicotine replacement products as well as hypnotherapy techniques.

The Next Step:

The next step is to determine if you really want to quit smoking. Think about the lemon example from above (if you've skipped down to this section, scroll up and read "The Lemon Test"). The more active you were in participating in that example, the more likely your body reacted to the suggestions. It's the same way with hypnosis to quit smoking. In other words: your success is directly proportional to how much you want to quit and thus how willing you are to "play along." Are you thinking of quitting smoking only because your friends, kids, or significant other is pushing you to quit smoking? If so, this program will not work for you and you're just wasting our time and your money. But if you have your own personal reasons to quit then there's a good chance of success (about 85-87% remain smoke-free at 6 months) not just for the first week or month, but for the rest of your life.

The first step is to get in contact with me and provide the following information:

Your name
When you want to quit smoking
Your phone number
Your e-mail
The best way to reach you (i.e. e-mail vs. phone)
Any additional information I should know or questions you might have.

You can either send me an e-mail with this information, or simply call me at 310.729.4727. Keep in mind it's better to simply send me an e-mail as I check it many times a day and I'll be more likely to have my schedule with me so we can setup an appointment for your visit.

Do you want to lead a smoke free life?

You've probably already heard the many reasons to quit smoking: health, cost, a loss of control, the smell. You probably have your own emotional reasons to quit. But you might also have that sense that "now isn't the right time" or "I've been smoking too long, I could never quit." I can tell you right now that that's the addiction speaking. You don't have to live your life with those voices and that addiction.

What would it be worth to you to not only save money, time, and gruesome health issues, but to gain a new sense of freedom, health, and energy? To look and feel better? To be around for your children or grandchildren?

This Program isn't Just a Luxury

Let's face it; most people come into my office to pay a little extra to take the easy way out. Quitting cold turkey isn't fun. Having a behavioral program can do wonders to curb cravings and make the process much, much easier, especially when you add a nicotine-replacement product. Many patients leave my office amazed at how easy it was from the very first day. That alone would make the program cost worthwhile. Still, you might be tempted to just go cold turkey, endure the week or two of misery, and see if you can save the extra money.

Keep in mind that the program I offer is designed not just to make the first week easy but to keep you smoke free for life. Study after study have shown that behavioral programs (such as hypnotherapy) are crucial to ensure both short-term and long-term success with quitting smoking. After all, you're not showing up at my office to quit smoking for a week or a month; you're here to quit smoking for good.

And of course, a few weeks of not buying cigarettes typically pays for the program, not to mention saving money on your health insurance and all those future medical bills.

Now is the Best Time to Become a Non-Smoker

Start now by clicking here to send me an e-mail, or give me a call at 310.729.4727. Let me know that you're a smoker, you're looking to quit, and when you'd like to start. Although my schedule can get packed, I can usually see you in about a week to 10 days from when we first communicate.

The session takes just about 90-minutes but it's something you'll remember the rest of your life. Six months in the future, when you look better, feel better, and you just feel healthier, you'll thank yourself for taking that initial first step.

I look forward to working with you.

Best,

Dr. John J. Murphy

P.S. Here is the text version of the article and follow-up article about me in "Hollywood Covered." Judd, an advice columnist 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 Dr. John, yet another hypno-therapist, but thank God I did.

For less than half what other hypno-therapist charged, Dr. 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 Dr. John'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 Dr. 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."