Latest news with #DavidSpiegel
Forbes
2 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Inside The Digital Coaching Revolution Behind High-Performing CEOs
Leadership is never easy, which is why you need to invest in the right habits to make you succeed. Few tools have undergone as radical a reappraisal in high-performance coaching circles as hypnosis. Once the realm of Vegas acts and therapeutic sidebars, hypnosis is now at the centre of serious neurological and behavioural science, thanks in large part to pioneers like Dr. David Spiegel, the Stanford psychiatrist behind the app Reveri. 'There's a myth that hypnosis is useless, dangerous, or both. In reality it's neither,' Spiegel begins. 'Hypnosis is a highly focused state of attention. You disassociate the distractions, you inhibit noise,' Spiegel explains. In his work at the Stanford Center on Stress and Health, Spiegel has shown that hypnosis can lower pain, regulate stress responses, and help reorient goal-setting through mental framing, not brute force. For some, these claims still echo like they're read from the side of a can of snake-oil. But the science has moved on from suspicion to carefully qualified validation. 'We now have imaging that shows how hypnosis turns down activity in the brain's default mode network and enhances connectivity in the insula,' Spiegel says. 'It's the same pattern we see in deep meditation and even with psychedelics. These are brain mechanisms that can change how we experience the self.' But Spiegel is the first to admit: hypnosis is not a panacea. 'It doesn't work on everyone. Roughly two-thirds of people are suggestible enough to benefit, and even then, it has to be done right. You have to use it for what it can do, shift perception, ease stress, build focus. It won't rewrite your personality or give you superpowers.' Still, in the right hands, and with the right expectations, hypnosis offers something most CEOs desperately need: a fast, non-invasive, and repeatable way to regain agency over their mind and stress responses. 'What enables people to range and accomplish is focus,' Spiegel says. 'We're too goal-oriented. Hypnosis lets you choose what to focus on and let go of what's irrelevant. That's how people get effective again.' Executives have noticed. David Johnson, CEO of Genexa that produces clean over-the-counter medicine, adopted Reveri as part of his mental stack. 'I used to power through stress; now I work with it,' he says. 'My clarity's better, I sleep more deeply, and my team feels it too.' It is this sense of heightened focus that draws CEOs like Johnson to the tool and the habits it fosters: 'When I need to reset before a high-stakes meeting or call, I run the 'focus' session on Reveri. It's like flipping a switch. You go from scattered to sharp in four minutes.' Spiegel explains how hypnosis can be a particularly powerful tool for managing stress and anxiety, two main blockers of focus. 'Hypnosis is a way of letting the body define its own limits and rebalancing the cognitive stage with only the actors you want to shine a light on. You can't override biology, but you can steer it.' For CEOs dealing with relentless demands, steering their own stress response may be the difference between burnout and brilliance. And hypnosis is just one piece of the puzzle. In Search Of A Commanding Voice In leadership, what you say often matters less than how you say it. Studies have shown that a deeper, more resonant voice correlates with higher perceived competence, greater trustworthiness, and even stronger stock market reactions. Elizabeth Holmes may have been a fraud, but the depth of her voice, deliberately trained, was part of what helped her raise nearly a billion dollars. Other CEOs, and those who would be leaders themselves, are paying attention. Vocal Image, an app co-founded by Nick Lahoika is capitalizing on that insight. Originally launched as a simple loop, watch a video, mimic the sound, record yourself, the app has since evolved into a vocal gym for executives. 'When a CEO speaks, they need to carry conviction,' says Lahoika. 'They represent certainty about the company each time they open their mouths.' Lahoika's personal story fuels the app's ethos. Bullied as a child for his unclear diction he later founded a video production company, met a vocal coach, and realized how transformative voice work could be, not just socially, but psychologically. 'The voice is one of the most underutilized assets in business,' he says. 'And yet it's what people remember most.' Lahoika explains how their app is being used by leaders preparing for board meetings, earnings calls, and town halls. 'Some use it to smooth their cadence, others to expand their range or eliminate uptalk. In all cases, the goal is the same: presence.' Whether through suggestion or sound, the larger point is clear. Habits are the infrastructure for success. And one of the most vocal champions of this philosophy is Dean Graziosi, a bestselling author and entrepreneur who's spent decades reverse-engineering success habits with Tony Robbins. 'You don't rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your habits,' Graziosi often tells audiences. 'Most CEOs don't lack ambition. They lack structure that scales with that ambition.' After a panic attack at age 47, Graziosi flew to see Robbins. 'Tony came five inches from my face and asked, 'Who are you going to become in your 50s?' That night, I went home and wrote it all down.' That became the foundation of his new loop-based habit system: daily intention, focused work, and intentional exploration. 'I started thinking about values in my 50s,' Graziosi reflects. 'I asked myself: if in the future my children hired a private investigator to film me for a week, would they love me more or less when they saw what I did?' It's not a rhetorical question. For Graziosi and a growing number of leaders, the answer is a test of integrity, and systems. 'You can't coach character in crisis. You need the structure before the storm.' Leadership entails showing up, instead of knowing the most. And more and more, CEOs that are looking to outperform are showing up with an app in hand and a habit system underfoot. If you're looking for getting started with your own success loops, here's an easy trio to get started with:
New York Post
6 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Should you try hypnosis to stop drinking? Experts weigh in
Clinical hypnosis has shown to be effective in the treatment of pain, anxiety, stress, cancer treatment side effects, phobias and habit control problems, such as smoking and weight control, according to past randomized controlled trials. 'Hypnosis is the oldest Western form of psychotherapy, but it is underutilized,' Dr. David Spiegel, associate chair of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine in California and a leading authority in the field of hypnosis, told Fox News Digital. What is hypnosis? Advertisement Hypnosis is not itself considered a therapy. Rather, it enhances other treatments by inducing a state of increased concentration while reducing peripheral awareness, experts say. 4 Clinical hypnosis has shown to be effective in the treatment of pain, anxiety, stress, cancer treatment side effects, phobias, smoking and weight control. Monika Wisniewska – The practice aims to put people in a deep state of relaxation so they can learn more easily. Shawn Criswell, Ph.D., a mental counselor practicing in Oregon, defines it as 'a gentle way of shifting people's focus to new ideas and perspectives that can help improve their lives.' Advertisement Added Criswell, 'It does this in part by connecting them with their strengths and resources, empowering them in the process, and directly contradicting the old, tired myth that in hypnosis, you'll give up control of yourself.' He co-authored, together with Michael Yapko, Ph.D, the latest edition of 'Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis.' Past research suggests that hypnosis may alter brain activity related to attention and consciousness. 'The brain activation patterns during hypnosis — such as for color, pain and sound — are similar to those observed during actual experiences,' Dr. Ryan Sultan, attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and director of the Mental Health Informatics Lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, told Fox News Digital. 4 According to doctors, clinical hypnosis therapy can reduce cravings for those struggling with alcohol use disorder. Pixel-Shot – Advertisement Some people may choose to practice self-hypnosis, which he described as the process of entering a trance-like state without the guidance of a hypnotist. Sultan compared it to entering a 'controlled, simplified state' in which people may be more open to certain ideas and therapeutic suggestions. But the effects can be short-lived, he noted, and some individuals may find it difficult to maintain the hypnotic state without external cues. The treatment technique has been approved by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association. To maximize its safety and effectiveness, Sultan recommended hypnosis by a qualified professional. Can hypnosis cure alcohol dependence? Advertisement Hypnosis may help support people with drinking problems by encouraging motivation, reducing cravings and helping to manage stress, according to Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City. The expert emphasized, however, that hypnosis is not a standalone cure for problem drinking. Instead, it's part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychiatric support and targeted medications when necessary. 4 Hypnosis may help support people with drinking problems by encouraging motivation, reducing cravings and helping to manage stress. Africa Studio – 'There is less evidence about alcohol problems, but I have had patients stop drinking by focusing on respecting and protecting their bodies,' Spiegel noted. 'One of my patients thought about that concept in hypnosis, and said, 'You mean, the body is the temple of the soul?'' he added. Risks and regulations Hypnotherapy presents little risk, according to Spiegel. 'The worst thing that can happen is that it may not always work,' he told Fox News Digital. Possible mild side effects include dizziness and emotional release. There is also a risk of false memories if used for memory recall, Sultan cautioned. Advertisement The therapy is also not recommended for people with severe mental illness, such as psychosis, experts say. 4 Experts said that hypnotherapy presents little risk to one's mental health. RFBSIP – Mayo Clinic also notes that side effects are uncommon, but that some people may experience anxiety, sleepiness, headache and nausea. 'It is best to seek care from a psychiatrist or psychologist with specialized training in clinical hypnosis,' Bazzi told Fox News Digital. Advertisement 'These professionals can objectively assess your susceptibility to hypnosis, determine whether it is an appropriate and potentially effective intervention for your specific concerns, and develop a comprehensive, multimodal treatment plan tailored to your needs,' she added. For those seeking a hypnotist, experts recommend visiting the websites of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis or The International Society of Hypnosis, both of which offer directories of professionals who have expertise and often certification in the practice. Warning signs of alcohol use disorder Some 28 million Americans aged 18 and older are living with alcohol-use disorder, according to 2023 estimates from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. People may be drinking excessively if they consume enough alcohol in one sitting to raise their blood alcohol level to greater than 0.08, or if they drink more than a certain number of drinks in one week, experts say. Advertisement This generally equates to women having four or more drinks or men consuming five or more drinks at once — or a weekly amount of eight or more drinks for women or 15 or more drinks for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs of an alcohol problem include experiencing a loss of control when drinking, continuing to drink despite adverse consequences, and experiencing compulsive cravings when not drinking – often referred to as the 'three Cs.' Those who think they may have an alcohol-dependence problem and are interested in seeking alternative therapies should contact their doctor for recommendations.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Should you try hypnosis to stop drinking? Here's what the experts say
While some people may be skeptical of hypnosis, experts say it's a legitimate therapy that can help with a range of physical and mental challenges — including, possibly, alcohol use disorder. Clinical hypnosis has shown to be effective in the treatment of pain, anxiety, stress, cancer treatment side effects, phobias and habit control problems, such as smoking and weight control, according to past randomized controlled trials. "Hypnosis is the oldest Western form of psychotherapy, but it is underutilized," Dr. David Spiegel, associate chair of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine in California and a leading authority in the field of hypnosis, told Fox News Digital. Hypnosis is not itself considered a therapy. Rather, it enhances other treatments by inducing a state of increased concentration while reducing peripheral awareness, experts say. The practice aims to put people in a deep state of relaxation so they can learn more easily. Shawn Criswell, Ph.D., a mental counselor practicing in Oregon, defines it as "a gentle way of shifting people's focus to new ideas and perspectives that can help improve their lives." Added Criswell, "It does this in part by connecting them with their strengths and resources, empowering them in the process, and directly contradicting the old, tired myth that in hypnosis, you'll give up control of yourself." He co-authored, together with Michael Yapko, Ph.D, the latest edition of "Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis." Past research suggests that hypnosis may alter brain activity related to attention and consciousness. "The brain activation patterns during hypnosis — such as for color, pain and sound — are similar to those observed during actual experiences," Dr. Ryan Sultan, attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and director of the Mental Health Informatics Lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, told Fox News Digital. Some people may choose to practice self-hypnosis, which he described as the process of entering a trance-like state without the guidance of a hypnotist. Sultan compared it to entering a "controlled, simplified state" in which people may be more open to certain ideas and therapeutic suggestions. "I have had patients stop drinking by focusing on respecting and protecting their bodies." But the effects can be short-lived, he noted, and some individuals may find it difficult to maintain the hypnotic state without external cues. The treatment technique has been approved by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association. To maximize its safety and effectiveness, Sultan recommended hypnosis by a qualified professional. Hypnosis may help support people with drinking problems by encouraging motivation, reducing cravings and helping to manage stress, according to Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City. The expert emphasized, however, that hypnosis is not a standalone cure for problem drinking. Instead, it's part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychiatric support and targeted medications when necessary. "There is less evidence about alcohol problems, but I have had patients stop drinking by focusing on respecting and protecting their bodies," Spiegel noted. "One of my patients thought about that concept in hypnosis, and said, 'You mean, the body is the temple of the soul?'" he added. Hypnotherapy presents little risk, according to Spiegel. "The worst thing that can happen is that it may not always work," he told Fox News Digital. "It is best to seek care from a psychiatrist or psychologist with specialized training in clinical hypnosis." Possible mild side effects include dizziness and emotional release. There is also a risk of false memories if used for memory recall, Sultan cautioned. The therapy is also not recommended for people with severe mental illness, such as psychosis, experts say. Mayo Clinic also notes that side effects are uncommon, but that some people may experience anxiety, sleepiness, headache and nausea. "It is best to seek care from a psychiatrist or psychologist with specialized training in clinical hypnosis," Bazzi told Fox News Digital. "These professionals can objectively assess your susceptibility to hypnosis, determine whether it is an appropriate and potentially effective intervention for your specific concerns, and develop a comprehensive, multimodal treatment plan tailored to your needs," she added. For those seeking a hypnotist, experts recommend visiting the websites of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis or The International Society of Hypnosis, both of which offer directories of professionals who have expertise and often certification in the practice. Some 28 million Americans aged 18 and older are living with alcohol-use disorder, according to 2023 estimates from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. For more Health articles, visit People may be drinking excessively if they consume enough alcohol in one sitting to raise their blood alcohol level to greater than 0.08, or if they drink more than a certain number of drinks in one week, experts say. This generally equates to women having four or more drinks or men consuming five or more drinks at once — or a weekly amount of eight or more drinks for women or 15 or more drinks for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs of an alcohol problem include experiencing a loss of control when drinking, continuing to drink despite adverse consequences, and experiencing compulsive cravings when not drinking – often referred to as the "three Cs." Those who think they may have an alcohol-dependence problem and are interested in seeking alternative therapies should contact their doctor for recommendations.
