Tribute to Laurence "Larry" Skolnik (2004)
Tribute
"The Use of Disassociation as an Adjunct to Hypnoanethesia for Pain Management"
"Hypnotherapy for the Alleviation of Phantom Limb Pain"
"Mind Over Mouth" - Article from Oregon Statesman Journal
Tribute
I was saddened as I read the following email from a friend Gerda Skolnic, wife of Laurence "Larry" Skolnik, informing me of the death of Larry on June 18, 2004. Larry was a dear friend of many years. My mind goes back to the early 1990s when Larry and I became friends while attending the National Board of Hypnotherapy and Hypnotic Anaesthesia Conference in AZ. A special relationship developed there with Larry, Albert "Al" Bottari, J. A. "Mac" McMurtrey and Paul Durbin and Larry named the group "The Four Housemen of Hypnotherapy". We were all on the Board of NBHA at the time. In the late 90s, Larry withdrew from NBHA and in the early 2000s, NBHA dissolved. We all continued to keep in touch. In 2002, Larry invited Al, Artie McMurtery (Mac’s son) and me to present at the Oregon Hypnotherapy Conference. The Four Horsemen were back together though Mac was represented by his son, Artie. Mac had preceded Larry in death in 1999. We had a great time in Oregon with being with old friends and presenting at the Conference. We also had the opportunity to meet Larry’s lovely and gracious wife Gerda. By watching them interact, you could tell how much they were devoted to each other. It was truly a love story in action as can be seen in the email from her that follows: [Greda's email to Paul Durbin]: "It is with heavy heart that I write to let you know, that my Laurence has passed away. He died peacefully in his sleep at our home in the early hours of Friday June 18, 2004. My prayers were heard, that when time came he would go that way. Still it was too soon for him to leave this plane. He was clear to the end but very tired of all the meds and his beautiful heart just gave out. He is so missed; however, his unconditional love shall be with me forever. I was such a lucky and blessed lady to have shared the past 37 years with him. He was only 74 and 7 months. The Hypnotherapist with Heart is no longer. Love, GERDA" Truly, Larry was the "Hypnotherapist with a Heart."
"The Use of Disassociation as an Adjunct to Hypnoanethesia for Pain Management"
A physician who routinely refers patients to my office asked me to meet with a young woman who had a severe problem regarding the drawing of blood for laboratory work or taking medications that required an injection. When I first met with this young woman, whom I will call Susan, she said her fear of needles was so severe that she would begin to hyperventilate as soon as she was notified that a blood test was required.
Susan’s physician wanted her to take a glucose tolerance test as part of his management of her pregnancy. This test requires repeated blood samples over a three hour period. Needless to say, this young woman was greatly distressed about taking the test that was scheduled for the following week. During the clinical intake interview with Susan she also indicated that even having her blood pressure taken caused her great anxiety and discomfort. During Susan’s first therapy session I guided her into a medium state of hypnosis and suggested that she could picture and imagine her arms to be comfortable placed on her lap. While giving this therapeutic suggestion, I raised each arm and applied gentle pressure much the same as would be felt if she was having her blood pressure taken or a tourniquet placed around the arm during the drawing of a blood sample. While doing this, I repeated the suggestion that her arms were comfortably and securely resting in her lap. Susan did not experience any anxiety or discomfort indicating that the dissociation technique was appropriate to alleviate her fear of needles. The dissociation technique allows the patient to imagine a body part to be in one position when in reality it is in another position or place. In a state of hypnotic relaxation, the right brain sees the body part safely in a lap. If the body part is in a different place, it is perceived as no longer being associated with or a part of the body. It then follows that if the body part is dissociated it cannot experience pain or discomfort.
At the conclusion of Susan’s first session I gave her a cassette of the session to use as reinforcement for dissociation imagery and self‑hypnosis induction. We scheduled an appointment to meet again prior to the glucose tolerance test. At the beginning of Susan’s second session, she reported that she had made a routine visit to her doctor and did not hyperventilate or experience unnecessary anxiety while having a simple blood test and was pleased with the result of our session. I guided Susan into the same relaxed state as previously done and repeated the dissociation procedure. This time I simulated the amount of pressure using a dry cloth similar to a blood pressure cuff. This case illustrates the importance of combining many different hypnotherapeutic approaches to help a patient alleviate a given problem. Dissociation for anticipated fear and pain was effective for initial intervention and alleviation of anxiety.
"Hypnotherapy for the Alleviation of Phantom Limb Pain"
I recently received a request from a former patient to see his mother and determine if I could help her discomfort associated with phantom limb pain. The medical history obtained from the son and his mother's physicians indicated that this 72 year old lady suffered from a chronic diabetic problem that had resulted in amputation of her left leg below the knee. The son reported that his mother was experiencing extreme discomfort and after trying other modalities, was receptive to hypnotherapy for the alleviation of her phantom limb pain. Prior to my first session with this delightful and cooperative lady, I contacted Dr. R.D. Longacre and asked him to consult on this case. He recommended that therapeutic suggestions while the patient was in a hypnotic state include imagery that would allow her to replace the missing limb and then imagine alleviating the discomfort with methods she had used previously prior to amputation. These methods might include the use of a heat lamp, massage, warm towels or other treatment prescribed by her physician that initially alleviated her discomfort. Dr. Longacre pointed out that imagery should by nonspecific so that the patient could develop imagery in her subconscious mind that would be the most effective for her. I began formulating therapeutic suggestions following restriction more effective.
In addition to its emphasis on dealing with chronic pain and insomnia as medical conditions, the NIH panel identified a number of other barriers to the broader and acceptance of alternative means of treating them. They include the time‑consuming nature of the treatments, the reluctance of insurance companies to pay for them and the question of just who should administer the therapies.
The panel said doctors should consider a patients; social experiences with plotting treatment and recommended educating patients about the health benefits and importance of the therapies. It said insures should treat the alternative therapies as they do standard medical treatments and reimburse providers accordingly. It added that treatments can be administered by nurse‑practitioners and social worker to reduce cost.
"The Use of Disassociation as an Adjunct to Hypnoanethesia for Pain Management"
"Hypnotherapy for the Alleviation of Phantom Limb Pain"
"Mind Over Mouth" - Article from Oregon Statesman Journal
Tribute
I was saddened as I read the following email from a friend Gerda Skolnic, wife of Laurence "Larry" Skolnik, informing me of the death of Larry on June 18, 2004. Larry was a dear friend of many years. My mind goes back to the early 1990s when Larry and I became friends while attending the National Board of Hypnotherapy and Hypnotic Anaesthesia Conference in AZ. A special relationship developed there with Larry, Albert "Al" Bottari, J. A. "Mac" McMurtrey and Paul Durbin and Larry named the group "The Four Housemen of Hypnotherapy". We were all on the Board of NBHA at the time. In the late 90s, Larry withdrew from NBHA and in the early 2000s, NBHA dissolved. We all continued to keep in touch. In 2002, Larry invited Al, Artie McMurtery (Mac’s son) and me to present at the Oregon Hypnotherapy Conference. The Four Horsemen were back together though Mac was represented by his son, Artie. Mac had preceded Larry in death in 1999. We had a great time in Oregon with being with old friends and presenting at the Conference. We also had the opportunity to meet Larry’s lovely and gracious wife Gerda. By watching them interact, you could tell how much they were devoted to each other. It was truly a love story in action as can be seen in the email from her that follows: [Greda's email to Paul Durbin]: "It is with heavy heart that I write to let you know, that my Laurence has passed away. He died peacefully in his sleep at our home in the early hours of Friday June 18, 2004. My prayers were heard, that when time came he would go that way. Still it was too soon for him to leave this plane. He was clear to the end but very tired of all the meds and his beautiful heart just gave out. He is so missed; however, his unconditional love shall be with me forever. I was such a lucky and blessed lady to have shared the past 37 years with him. He was only 74 and 7 months. The Hypnotherapist with Heart is no longer. Love, GERDA" Truly, Larry was the "Hypnotherapist with a Heart."
"The Use of Disassociation as an Adjunct to Hypnoanethesia for Pain Management"
A physician who routinely refers patients to my office asked me to meet with a young woman who had a severe problem regarding the drawing of blood for laboratory work or taking medications that required an injection. When I first met with this young woman, whom I will call Susan, she said her fear of needles was so severe that she would begin to hyperventilate as soon as she was notified that a blood test was required.
Susan’s physician wanted her to take a glucose tolerance test as part of his management of her pregnancy. This test requires repeated blood samples over a three hour period. Needless to say, this young woman was greatly distressed about taking the test that was scheduled for the following week. During the clinical intake interview with Susan she also indicated that even having her blood pressure taken caused her great anxiety and discomfort. During Susan’s first therapy session I guided her into a medium state of hypnosis and suggested that she could picture and imagine her arms to be comfortable placed on her lap. While giving this therapeutic suggestion, I raised each arm and applied gentle pressure much the same as would be felt if she was having her blood pressure taken or a tourniquet placed around the arm during the drawing of a blood sample. While doing this, I repeated the suggestion that her arms were comfortably and securely resting in her lap. Susan did not experience any anxiety or discomfort indicating that the dissociation technique was appropriate to alleviate her fear of needles. The dissociation technique allows the patient to imagine a body part to be in one position when in reality it is in another position or place. In a state of hypnotic relaxation, the right brain sees the body part safely in a lap. If the body part is in a different place, it is perceived as no longer being associated with or a part of the body. It then follows that if the body part is dissociated it cannot experience pain or discomfort.
At the conclusion of Susan’s first session I gave her a cassette of the session to use as reinforcement for dissociation imagery and self‑hypnosis induction. We scheduled an appointment to meet again prior to the glucose tolerance test. At the beginning of Susan’s second session, she reported that she had made a routine visit to her doctor and did not hyperventilate or experience unnecessary anxiety while having a simple blood test and was pleased with the result of our session. I guided Susan into the same relaxed state as previously done and repeated the dissociation procedure. This time I simulated the amount of pressure using a dry cloth similar to a blood pressure cuff. This case illustrates the importance of combining many different hypnotherapeutic approaches to help a patient alleviate a given problem. Dissociation for anticipated fear and pain was effective for initial intervention and alleviation of anxiety.
"Hypnotherapy for the Alleviation of Phantom Limb Pain"
I recently received a request from a former patient to see his mother and determine if I could help her discomfort associated with phantom limb pain. The medical history obtained from the son and his mother's physicians indicated that this 72 year old lady suffered from a chronic diabetic problem that had resulted in amputation of her left leg below the knee. The son reported that his mother was experiencing extreme discomfort and after trying other modalities, was receptive to hypnotherapy for the alleviation of her phantom limb pain. Prior to my first session with this delightful and cooperative lady, I contacted Dr. R.D. Longacre and asked him to consult on this case. He recommended that therapeutic suggestions while the patient was in a hypnotic state include imagery that would allow her to replace the missing limb and then imagine alleviating the discomfort with methods she had used previously prior to amputation. These methods might include the use of a heat lamp, massage, warm towels or other treatment prescribed by her physician that initially alleviated her discomfort. Dr. Longacre pointed out that imagery should by nonspecific so that the patient could develop imagery in her subconscious mind that would be the most effective for her. I began formulating therapeutic suggestions following restriction more effective.
In addition to its emphasis on dealing with chronic pain and insomnia as medical conditions, the NIH panel identified a number of other barriers to the broader and acceptance of alternative means of treating them. They include the time‑consuming nature of the treatments, the reluctance of insurance companies to pay for them and the question of just who should administer the therapies.
The panel said doctors should consider a patients; social experiences with plotting treatment and recommended educating patients about the health benefits and importance of the therapies. It said insures should treat the alternative therapies as they do standard medical treatments and reimburse providers accordingly. It added that treatments can be administered by nurse‑practitioners and social worker to reduce cost.
"Mind Over Mouth"
(By Tom Torstrom, Salem, Oregon Statesman Journal, March 18, 1995):
Hypnotherapist Laurence Skolnik works closely with patient Nicholas Treadgill throughout his dental procedure. A Root canal without drugs? Hypnotherapist helps patient undergo painful procedures without anesthesia. Nicholas Treadgill of Eugene sank back into the dentist's chair and awaited what for most us is a nightmare ‑‑ a root canal. He's allergic to anesthesia and he had to undergo the dreaded procedure without jaw numbing medication. But the dentist, Dr. Ray Lunt of Salem, proceeded as though the patent were fully anesthetized.
The patient didn't as much as flinch as the dentist drilled through the enamel and into the ultra‑sensitive roots. For nearly an hour, Lunt drilled and cleaned, and the patient seem to be off on some mental vacation. The pain to the dental procedure was erased through hypnotherapy before it even began by Laurence Skolnik of Salem, who has a Ph.D. in hypnotherapy, prepared Treadgill for the surgery. "There was not a bit of pain whatsoever," Treadgill said, "It's just amazing to me."
In effect, Skolnik helped Treadgill go on his "vacation" through guided imagery and visualization. During the procedure, Treadgill ‑‑ in his mind ‑‑ was happily floating on a lake in a canoe, listening to the birds chirping nearby. "We created a hypnotic anesthesia," Skolnik said. Skolnik is a fellow of the National Board of Hypnotic Anaesthesiology, one of only about a dozen in the country. Hypnotherapy, in the hands of a trained professional, is become more recognized as an alternative to conventional anesthesia for those who, for whatever the reason cannot tolerate it.
In hypnosis, clients reach that relaxed, hazy world between consciousness and unconscious called the "altered state," Skolnik said. In that state, the more active unconscious mind is able to to receive suggestions, Skolnik said. It isn't magic, and it isn't pure science either. When the workings of the mind are involved, it's difficult to measure and explain what happens. "I don't know the limitations of the mind," the hypnotherapist said.
He wonders about those seemingly impossible situations we sometimes read about, like how a slight woman can lift a truck off her son after an accident. "What I do primarily is to help people help themselves," he said. "In hypnosis you are always aware of what is happening and you are in control." He said the idea that hypnotists can make people do things they don't want to do is a myth."You can't make them do anything," Skolnik said. "They have to want to do it." An example is helping a client stop smoking. One woman who came to him was told by her doctor to quit smoking. It wasn't her decision and she didn't like the idea. After the session, Skolnik said he asked the woman whether she wanted a cigarette. "She said yes," he said. And he never saw her again. But on the flip side, hypnosis can work incredibly well for a person who wants it to. A dramatic example: Skolnik successfully helped guide a woman through a Caesarean section birth without the use of anesthesia. He has a videotape of that operation. The dental surgery on Treadgill, by the way, was a total success ‑‑ for the hypnotherapist, the patient, and the dentist.
THE DENTIST'S VIEW: Dr. Ray Lunt said he knew about the use of hypnotism in medicine, but the Treadgill case was the first time he had done work on a patient under hypnosis. "It went well. For me it was real good because the patient was very relaxed and I was able to do more work than we anticipated," he said. "A root canal is usually two appointments ‑‑ a half hour to 45 minutes, and another of an hour. We did the whole thing in less than an hour. It was going so well, I said let's go ahead and finish."
The same thing happened on a later visit when Treadgill had more major dental work done. The dentist was able to do more work than normal because of the patient's relaxed state. Under hypnosis, Treadgill was told to put his hand in a bucket of ice water (an imaginary one), and then to touch his jaw area. That would numb his jaw Skolnik told him. It worked. The doctor was amazed at how the patient felt after it was over. Usually a root canal patient is numb; the mouth has been open for a long time, and somewhat exhausted by the procedure. But when Skolnik counted down to bring Treadgill out of hypnosis, he told him he would feel good and happy and full of energy. "The minute he said, 'five' he had a big grin on his face and he was happy. There was no numbness when he left. That's something you don't usually see after root canal." Lunt said. The dentist said what particularly impressed him was that all during the procedure Skolnik talked with Treadgill, telling him that the patient was in charge of his health care and it was good what he was doing. He said he was working with the doctor to improve his health. "Those things were very positive from a mental point of view," Lunt said.
Lunt's wife, Nancy, works in the office and has been a dental assistant for 18 years. It was a first for her. "That guy comes out of the chair with a big smile ‑‑ so big it's like it's painted on his face. And he's full of energy," She said. "It's just amazing. He didn't even flinch. I've never seen anything like it."
TREADGILL'S OPINION: Treadgill, 60, needed a lot of dental work. And anesthetics were out. "It really messes me up pretty bad." he said, He went to three different dentist in Eugene, looking for someone who would allow alternative methods, like hypnotism. "Those guys started laughing," he said, "They said there's no way you can do this ‑‑ no way we would do that kind of work in your mouth without putting you under. They wouldn't even talk about it. "I said I would not do it. I said there's got to be another way."
Treadgill heard about Skolnik from someone who had heard him give a talk. He contacted the hypnotherapist. Then Skolnik's personal dentist ‑‑ Lunt ‑‑ agreed to do the work. Treadgill and Skolnik met a couple of times before the dental work to get the patient ready and to teach Treadgill how to reach the deep level of relaxation needed.
In the dental chair, Treadgill was vaguely aware of what was going on. But he let himself go on a mental trip, he said. "I was on a beautiful, still lake in a canoe, enjoying the sunshine and hearing the sounds of the water." When he awakened he was happy. "I was laughing," he said, "It just felt so good." FORGET FEAR, BUT CHECK THERAPIST'S CREDENTIALS: Oregon does not require hypnotherapist to be licensed. Hypnotherapist Laurence Skolnik suggests that people be sure of their therapist's credentials and experience when choosing a hypnotist. Both hypnotherapists and hypnotists are listed in Yellow Pages of the phone book.
Hypnotherapy can be used in pain management and control, childbirth, catastrophic illness counseling and other medical conditions. Many hypnotherapists also are involved in behavior control (stopping smoking, self-esteem, phobias) and in such areas as improving memory, dream research and stress management. Fees vary, depending on a client's particular needs. A typical visit might cost $80 to $100, with a lower cost for subsequent visits. In Skolnik case, the fee is determine by him and his client during the initial interview and evaluation process.
Skolnik said he rarely needs to see a client more than two or three times in dealing with a particular situation. Salem psychologist Leslie Pitchford sometimes uses hypnotism. She said it's fairly mainstream alternative these days, and there aren't a lot of skeptics. "Hypnotism can really be helpful, to help focus on something," Pitchford said. "It's been too mystified. All it is is relaxing and concentration."
(By Tom Torstrom, Salem, Oregon Statesman Journal, March 18, 1995):
Hypnotherapist Laurence Skolnik works closely with patient Nicholas Treadgill throughout his dental procedure. A Root canal without drugs? Hypnotherapist helps patient undergo painful procedures without anesthesia. Nicholas Treadgill of Eugene sank back into the dentist's chair and awaited what for most us is a nightmare ‑‑ a root canal. He's allergic to anesthesia and he had to undergo the dreaded procedure without jaw numbing medication. But the dentist, Dr. Ray Lunt of Salem, proceeded as though the patent were fully anesthetized.
The patient didn't as much as flinch as the dentist drilled through the enamel and into the ultra‑sensitive roots. For nearly an hour, Lunt drilled and cleaned, and the patient seem to be off on some mental vacation. The pain to the dental procedure was erased through hypnotherapy before it even began by Laurence Skolnik of Salem, who has a Ph.D. in hypnotherapy, prepared Treadgill for the surgery. "There was not a bit of pain whatsoever," Treadgill said, "It's just amazing to me."
In effect, Skolnik helped Treadgill go on his "vacation" through guided imagery and visualization. During the procedure, Treadgill ‑‑ in his mind ‑‑ was happily floating on a lake in a canoe, listening to the birds chirping nearby. "We created a hypnotic anesthesia," Skolnik said. Skolnik is a fellow of the National Board of Hypnotic Anaesthesiology, one of only about a dozen in the country. Hypnotherapy, in the hands of a trained professional, is become more recognized as an alternative to conventional anesthesia for those who, for whatever the reason cannot tolerate it.
In hypnosis, clients reach that relaxed, hazy world between consciousness and unconscious called the "altered state," Skolnik said. In that state, the more active unconscious mind is able to to receive suggestions, Skolnik said. It isn't magic, and it isn't pure science either. When the workings of the mind are involved, it's difficult to measure and explain what happens. "I don't know the limitations of the mind," the hypnotherapist said.
He wonders about those seemingly impossible situations we sometimes read about, like how a slight woman can lift a truck off her son after an accident. "What I do primarily is to help people help themselves," he said. "In hypnosis you are always aware of what is happening and you are in control." He said the idea that hypnotists can make people do things they don't want to do is a myth."You can't make them do anything," Skolnik said. "They have to want to do it." An example is helping a client stop smoking. One woman who came to him was told by her doctor to quit smoking. It wasn't her decision and she didn't like the idea. After the session, Skolnik said he asked the woman whether she wanted a cigarette. "She said yes," he said. And he never saw her again. But on the flip side, hypnosis can work incredibly well for a person who wants it to. A dramatic example: Skolnik successfully helped guide a woman through a Caesarean section birth without the use of anesthesia. He has a videotape of that operation. The dental surgery on Treadgill, by the way, was a total success ‑‑ for the hypnotherapist, the patient, and the dentist.
THE DENTIST'S VIEW: Dr. Ray Lunt said he knew about the use of hypnotism in medicine, but the Treadgill case was the first time he had done work on a patient under hypnosis. "It went well. For me it was real good because the patient was very relaxed and I was able to do more work than we anticipated," he said. "A root canal is usually two appointments ‑‑ a half hour to 45 minutes, and another of an hour. We did the whole thing in less than an hour. It was going so well, I said let's go ahead and finish."
The same thing happened on a later visit when Treadgill had more major dental work done. The dentist was able to do more work than normal because of the patient's relaxed state. Under hypnosis, Treadgill was told to put his hand in a bucket of ice water (an imaginary one), and then to touch his jaw area. That would numb his jaw Skolnik told him. It worked. The doctor was amazed at how the patient felt after it was over. Usually a root canal patient is numb; the mouth has been open for a long time, and somewhat exhausted by the procedure. But when Skolnik counted down to bring Treadgill out of hypnosis, he told him he would feel good and happy and full of energy. "The minute he said, 'five' he had a big grin on his face and he was happy. There was no numbness when he left. That's something you don't usually see after root canal." Lunt said. The dentist said what particularly impressed him was that all during the procedure Skolnik talked with Treadgill, telling him that the patient was in charge of his health care and it was good what he was doing. He said he was working with the doctor to improve his health. "Those things were very positive from a mental point of view," Lunt said.
Lunt's wife, Nancy, works in the office and has been a dental assistant for 18 years. It was a first for her. "That guy comes out of the chair with a big smile ‑‑ so big it's like it's painted on his face. And he's full of energy," She said. "It's just amazing. He didn't even flinch. I've never seen anything like it."
TREADGILL'S OPINION: Treadgill, 60, needed a lot of dental work. And anesthetics were out. "It really messes me up pretty bad." he said, He went to three different dentist in Eugene, looking for someone who would allow alternative methods, like hypnotism. "Those guys started laughing," he said, "They said there's no way you can do this ‑‑ no way we would do that kind of work in your mouth without putting you under. They wouldn't even talk about it. "I said I would not do it. I said there's got to be another way."
Treadgill heard about Skolnik from someone who had heard him give a talk. He contacted the hypnotherapist. Then Skolnik's personal dentist ‑‑ Lunt ‑‑ agreed to do the work. Treadgill and Skolnik met a couple of times before the dental work to get the patient ready and to teach Treadgill how to reach the deep level of relaxation needed.
In the dental chair, Treadgill was vaguely aware of what was going on. But he let himself go on a mental trip, he said. "I was on a beautiful, still lake in a canoe, enjoying the sunshine and hearing the sounds of the water." When he awakened he was happy. "I was laughing," he said, "It just felt so good." FORGET FEAR, BUT CHECK THERAPIST'S CREDENTIALS: Oregon does not require hypnotherapist to be licensed. Hypnotherapist Laurence Skolnik suggests that people be sure of their therapist's credentials and experience when choosing a hypnotist. Both hypnotherapists and hypnotists are listed in Yellow Pages of the phone book.
Hypnotherapy can be used in pain management and control, childbirth, catastrophic illness counseling and other medical conditions. Many hypnotherapists also are involved in behavior control (stopping smoking, self-esteem, phobias) and in such areas as improving memory, dream research and stress management. Fees vary, depending on a client's particular needs. A typical visit might cost $80 to $100, with a lower cost for subsequent visits. In Skolnik case, the fee is determine by him and his client during the initial interview and evaluation process.
Skolnik said he rarely needs to see a client more than two or three times in dealing with a particular situation. Salem psychologist Leslie Pitchford sometimes uses hypnotism. She said it's fairly mainstream alternative these days, and there aren't a lot of skeptics. "Hypnotism can really be helpful, to help focus on something," Pitchford said. "It's been too mystified. All it is is relaxing and concentration."
Image courtesy of Gregory Szarkiewicz/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net