Individual and Professional Services

Dr. Mau primarily treats anxiety and related issues, including trauma, tics, phobias, OCD behaviors, and depression. The goal is not to help you manage these problems more effectively, but to reset things at an emotional level so that situations which used to be a problem feel less stressful.

Anxiety involves a hyper focus on perceived problems (which may be real), a distraction of attention from day-to-day functions, and a negative feedback cycle between psychological preoccupation and body discomfort. Subjective anxiety and somatic tension reinforce each other. In a relaxed state these psychological and body components are separated, which facilitates healing (Spiegel, 2013).

People who are more highly suggestible with hypnosis tend to exhibit a functional connection between two specific brain regions, the anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices. This same pattern is significantly more common in individuals who experience difficulties like posttraumatic stress disorder, functional neurological disorders, and clinically significant anxiety (Hoeft, 2012). Using hypnosis to treat these sorts of issues takes advantage of this functional pattern to create healing.

Hypnosis has a long history of being used to facilitate more comfortable births.

Cyna, McAuliffe, and Andrew (2004) found that women using hypnotic anesthesia for birth not only rated their labor pain as less severe, they generally required less opioid use, with some not requiring pharmacological analgesia at all in the labor process. Mairs (1995) found that women trained in the use of hypnosis reported significantly lower ratings of both pain and anxiety following birth. Moya and James (1960) found that babies whose mothers used hypnosis to facilitate birth had a during the first hour of life showed a significantly greater ability to recover from the asphyxia or deficient supply of oxygen which accompanies birth.

Since 1995 the National Institutes of Health has strongly recommended hypnosis as a treatment for physical pain.

Hypnosis can be very effective in addressing tics like nail biting and hair pulling. Hypnosis can also be an effective process for helping people who demonstrate behaviors similar to Tourette’s Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD).

Compulsions are presented as conditions, which seem “stuck,” but they are actually behavior patterns. Although these behaviors are powerfully driven by emotion ( so they are not voluntary or easily changed by “discipline”), behaviors can be changed at an emotional level.

In 2009 Andrews and Thompson published a major new paper which considered depression from a radically different perspective. They noted that depression is more prevalent than most mental disorders (around seven percent of the population, rather than just one or two percent), and asked if it is possible that depression is a positive adaptation. In a popular article on the scholarly work, one of the researchers, Thomson, wondered about the use of antidepressants:

“I remember one patient who came in and said she needed to reduce her dosage,” [Thomson] says. “I asked her if the antidepressants were working, and she said something I’ll never forget. ‘Yes, they’re working great,’ she told me. ‘I feel so much better. But I’m still married to the same alcoholic son of a bitch. It’s just now he’s tolerable.’” (Lehrer, 2010, p. 5). To read Lehrer’s article click References and scroll to his name.

One way to look at depression, then, is that it is the emotional equivalent of physical pain. Pain is not bad or wrong – it focuses us on an important problem in order to prevent damage to the body. Similarly, depression focuses the attention on an emotional problem. Neither pain nor depression is pleasant, and both can stay around long after the message has been received.

Narrative reframing of the way a problem is seen can be extremely helpful in addressing depression. At a very minimum this reframing would be an excellent supplement to drug therapy. In a review of data submitted to the FDA between 1987 and 1999 for the six most popular antidepressants, Kirsch, et al. (2009) found that approximately 80% of the effectiveness of the drugs was suggestive effect.

Functional neurological disorders involve experiencing physical medical symptoms, where a physician has ruled out a medical cause, such as non-epileptic or psychogenic seizures. Other symptoms can include fainting, physical pain, loss of sight, speech or hearing, or a variety of other general medical symptoms. In the past these have also been called conversion disorders or hysteria (e.g. “hysterical blindness”).

In a Duke University study, Blumenthal, et al. (1997), found that a four month program of stress alleviation reduced the likelihood of a second heart attack by 74 percent. You may with to consider stress reduction hypnosis or Narrative Therapy as a part of your plan for addressing heart disease.

In his article, How the Mind Hurts and Heals the Body, Ray (2004) writes:

“From the biopsychosocial perspective, the mind is one activity of the brain, and this activity of the brain is the body’s first line of defense against illness, against aging, against death, and for health and well-being. The concepts and facts I cover below are not ephemeral but are based in biochemistry, physiology, and neuroanatomy…Several years ago, Norman Cousins used the phrase ‘belief becomes biology.’ That is certainly true. We know that our beliefs influence the biology of our bodies. When an experience is psychological, not physical, it is all in the mind. However, because the mind is a part of the functioning brain, the body responds to the brain regardless of whether the beliefs and ideas are imaginary or based in reality, or whether they are positive or negative. What a person thinks does make a difference—sometimes it is good for him or her, sometimes it is bad” (p. 32).

For those who will be undergoing any sort of surgery, Montgomery, et al. (2002) found that when hypnotic pain alleviation is used in addition to anesthetic medications, “surgical patients in hypnosis treatment groups had better outcomes than 89% of patients in control groups” (p. 1639).

Hypnotic and counseling processes are not a replacement for medical treatment, and should only be used in conjunction with proper medical care. If you are experiencing what you consider to be the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediately.

Emotions drive behavior. The goal of a hypnotic weight loss process is to help new healthy behaviors become emotionally comfortable habits. This change allows you to lose the weight, and keep it off. On average, 86 percent of weight loss clients were found to be happy with their success in Dr. Mau’s previous practice.

Weight loss is not just about behavior change, though. You are your body, and who you are on the outside naturally flows from who you are on the inside. Dr. Mau addresses behavioral issues, but uses a person-centered approach to help you achieve your goals.

Hypnosis is an excellent process for addressing irrational fears, whether they are general or specific (like flying, driving, driving over bridges, insects, snakes, heights, putting one’s head under water, public speaking, etc.) as well as panic issues.

These issues center around emotional body experiences, which may not even make sense rationally. The goal is to created new calmer experiences in situations which used to be stressful.

In 2017 the American College of Physicians released evidence based clinical guidelines recommending the use of guided imagery, mindfulness and similar techniques as a first approach to treat pain (Qaseem, et al., 2017; “ACP,” 2017). Since 1995 the National Institute of Health has strongly recommended hypnosis and guided imagery to treat physical pain (“Integration,” 1995). Dr. Mau has worked with all sorts of chronic pain issues, from migraines to automobile injuries and fibromyalgia. He personally used the processes to alleviate his own pain from a herniated disk and when he scalded his hand with hot popcorn oil.

Numerous studies demonstrate the powerful effectiveness of hypnosis in bringing relief: Apkarian, et al. (2005), Faymonville, et al. (2000), Hammond, (2007),Ploghaus, et al. 1999, Schulz-Stübner, et al. (2004).

Montgomery, et al. (2002), even notes that hypnosis contributes to an 89 percent increase in the speed of surgical recovery.

Hypnosis is also an excellent process for aiding in giving birth, providing a more pleasant experience for mom, and even benefits for the new baby.

Note: Dr. Mau is not a physician and does not treat physical illnesses. Consult your physician about using hypnosis as an adjunct to medical care. You should always follow the advice of your physician. Note: if you are experiencing sudden or acute pain, see your physician. If this is an emergency call 911.

You have more wisdom, life experience and emotional strength now than you did in the past. There may be problematic or traumatic events in your past which you handled as well as you could with the resources you had at the time – but which you would now handle differently. The emotions associated with those events can be triggered now – but they don’t belong in the present. Regression is designed to allow you to dissipate those past emotions and rework past events using your present strengths. The approach is helpful for addressing many types of trauma as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Both male and female sexual issues such as lack of arousal, lack of interest, and inability to reach orgasm may be helped by hypnotic processes.

Hypnosis involves a natural process of relaxation. While hypnosis is not done in a state of true deep sleep, the relaxing nature of the process makes it excellent for addressing sleep issues including having difficulty falling or staying asleep, night eating, night terrors or nightmares. Hypnotic processes are also good for developing the skill of lucid dreaming.

Since 1995 the National Institute of Health has strongly recommended hypnosis to treat insomnia (“Integration,” 1995).

For those with sleep apnea, hypnosis can be used to diminish the sensation of wearing the CPAP mask. Dr. Mau also trains people in self hypnosis, which is a self-guided form of meditative relaxation or meditation.

Hypnosis is the most effective way to quit smoking, according to the largest scientific study on the topic. It is twice as effective as any of the medical methods for quitting (Viswesvaran & Schmidt, 1992, cf. Matthews, 1992).Dr. Mau helps you stop smoking in a single session. The process is also effective for quitting smokeless tobacco.

A free consultation is available for all services, and Dr. Mau is happy to answer your questions!

He also works with those seeking to reduce alcohol consumption, although this is not accomplished in a single session.

Stress has significant detrimental effects on the body, and can increase both the likelihood and severity of many illnesses (cf. Ray, 2004). Some illnesses like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are acutely stress-related. Hypnosis and similar relaxation processes have been shown to be effective as an adjunct to medical therapy for a number of maladies, including asthma (Lahmann, 2009) and Parkinson’s Disease (Schlesinger, et al., 2009). A Duke University study even found that a process of relaxation techniques could reduce the risk of second heart attack by 74 percent over a five-year period (Blumenthal, et al., 1997).

Note: Dr. Mau regularly treats anxiety disorders. He is not a physician and does not treat physical illnesses. Consult your physician about using hypnosis as an adjunct to medical care. You should always follow the advice of your physician.

Talking about traumatic events in waking state tends to reinforce emotions of horror and trauma. The brain responds differently when relaxed. Rehearsing trauma in waking state activates emotional horror and reinforces and intensifies the traumatic event – negative body experiences are engaged. In a relaxed state the anterior cingulate cortex regulates and diminishes emotions of horror (Zoellner, 2000). As a top-down neurological process, hypnosis provides a process to override and overwrite the body experience of fear or panic and to dissipate traumatic experiences (Bechara, 2000; Bell, 2011; Hoeft, 2011; Spiegel, 1997; Van Der Hart 1991; Vermitten 2004; Zoellner, 2000).

Dr. Mau has helped athletes and performers ranging from professional ballerinas, professional trap shooters, senior tour and collegiate golfers, and Olympic hopeful runners as well as many gymnasts, dancers, and tennis players perform at the level of their personal best.

As Bobby Jones said, “Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course…the space between your ears.” That is true for all sports and performance art. Get the competitive edge with hypnosis!

Dr. Mau is an international keynote speaker and well-reviewed presenter at professional conferences. He is approved by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists to provide continuing education to licensed professional counselors and social workers. Please see the Training & Speaking page for current opportunities.

Dr. Mau is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. If you have an LPCA license and you are interested in hypnosis, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing or other Postmodern treatment modalities, please contact Dr. Mau to explore the possibility of engaging him as a supervisor.

Dr. Mau works with professional women and men who desire to improve their leadership skills and their careers.Those interested in improving or changing their careers may also be interested in The Highlands Ability Battery, the gold standard of assessments for measuring human abilities. Understanding your abilities can help you develop a more fulfilling career, and live a more enjoyable life.

The Highlands Ability Battery is the gold standard assessment for measuring human abilities. It is based on more than 70 years of research and enjoys exceptional validity and reliability ratings.

The key idea is that each individual has a core set of abilities which do not change after approximately the age of 14.When the day-to-day tasks in a career require use of core abilities, people tend to be happy and fulfilled in their work. On the other hand, if these tasks primarily require working outside of core abilities, people tend to be frustrated. If you find yourself dreading your daily work tasks, the Highlands Ability Battery may be the first step in charting a new, more fulfilling career path.

The Highlands Ability Battery itself takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete. After taking the battery, you receive a detailed written report and a 2-hour professional feedback session, which is audio recorded for you.

One of the Highlands reports contains links to particular job listings based on your profile. The Find Jobs link can be used to search for current job openings by Zip Code or State, using listings from the National Labor Exchange, CareerBuilder, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter. These links are constantly updated, so they will be up to date even if you return to the report months or years after completing your Highlands assessment.

Click here for more information on The Highlands Ability Battery

Dr. Fredric Mau is offering his Professional Hypnosis Certification Course over five weekends beginning January 23, 2021. This course provides up to 50 CEs (including 4 ethics CEs) for professional and school counselors and non-contact hours for social workers, as well as certification as a hypnotherapist or consulting hypnotist by the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH). Associates, students, and interns are welcome.

January 15-16, 22-23, 29-30, February 4-5, 11-12, 2022

Click here for more information on Professional Hypnosis Certification

Dr. Fredric Mau has given the keynote address at conferences, including the Australian Hypnotherapists Association’s most recent quinquennial conference in Brisbane. He is well-reviewed and popular – he regularly speaks at conferences in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, and across the United States. He is the author of three books, and has won numerous professional awards in the United States and Europe. Please contact him if you are interested in inviting him to speak at your conference or workshop.

• Businesses pay an average of $2,189 in workers’ compensation costs for smokers, compared with $176 for nonsmokers (Musich, et al., 2001).
• Productivity and health claims costs are also higher for smokers than for non-smokers. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

Hypnosis is the most effective way to quit smoking, according to the largest scientific study on the topic. It is almost twice as effective as any of the medical methods for quitting (Viswesvaran & Schmidt, 1992, cf. Matthews, 1992).

While a group hypnosis session will not eliminate the behavior from every attendee, a significant number of your people will be helped. This is a cost-effective way to begin helping employees quit smoking and is a tangible employee benefit your workers will thank you for offering!

In practice, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. A professional hypnotist is an expert in crafting emotionally powerful suggestions to help you improve your life. However, you can learn to engage this powerful process for change on your own. Dr. Mau teaches the skill of self-hypnosis, which is a form of personal guided meditation.

Emotions drive behavior. Since hypnosis is a process of emotional change, it can be used effectively to improve your life in many ways. If you are interested in an improvement which is not shown on our site, please make a request. Dr. Mau will explore the possibility with you. Remember, a free consultation is always available for all of Dr. Mau’s services.

Dr. Mau is board-certified as a TeleMental Health professional, and has provided telehealth services for years. This is as effective as in person counseling. Virtual services are available – just ask. Click here for more information on our distance consulting services