
Clinical Hypnosis for Fibromyalgia and Autoimmune Disorders
Presented by Louis F. Damis, PhD, ABPP, FASCH
Friday, July 11, 2025
9am-10:30am PT/ 11am-12:30pm CT/ 12pm-1:30pm ET
Event held online via Zoom, link to access provided upon registration.
Clinical hypnosis has reliably been found to produce both short- and long-term treatment benefits for disorders of gut-brain interaction. Moreover, similar hypnotic approaches have also been found to be of benefit to the treatment of chronic pain and autoimmune disorders.
This presentation will review the empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of clinical hypnosis strategies for the treatment of fibromyalgia and autoimmune disorders. A history of adverse childhood experiences, trauma, and PTSD symptoms has been found to be antecedent or concurrent with these conditions. Moreover, fibromyalgia and autoimmune disorders are frequently shown to have low levels of HRV consistent with the effects of trauma on the ANS. Consequently, ANS dysregulation and its impact on immune, endocrine, motor, and pain processing systems is a common etiological and perpetuating factor. Furthermore, trauma-related symptoms comorbid with these disorders are associated with greater levels of pain, symptom severity and duration, and disability. Research will be reviewed on the treatment of these disorders, selection of the relevant treatment targets, and setting of appropriate outcome goals.
Zoom link will be available on course page in “My Courses” upon event registration.
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 1.5 CEs for Psychologists, 1.5 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, or 1.5 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs.
Clinical hypnosis has reliably been found to produce both short- and long-term treatment benefits for disorders of gut-brain interaction. Moreover, similar hypnotic approaches have also been found to be of benefit to the treatment of chronic pain and autoimmune disorders.
This presentation will review the empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of clinical hypnosis strategies for the treatment of fibromyalgia and autoimmune disorders. A history of adverse childhood experiences, trauma, and PTSD symptoms has been found to be antecedent or concurrent with these conditions. Moreover, fibromyalgia and autoimmune disorders are frequently shown to have low levels of HRV consistent with the effects of trauma on the ANS. Consequently, ANS dysregulation and its impact on immune, endocrine, motor, and pain processing systems is a common etiological and perpetuating factor. Furthermore, trauma-related symptoms comorbid with these disorders are associated with greater levels of pain, symptom severity and duration, and disability. Research will be reviewed on the treatment of these disorders, selection of the relevant treatment targets, and setting of appropriate outcome goals.
After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:
- List three treatment goals for the management of autoimmune disorders.
- Cite three references providing empirical support for clinical hypnosis in treating fibromyalgia and autoimmune disorders.
- Discuss the role of adverse experiences on the ANS and the etiology and maintenance of chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disorders.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.1: Program content focuses on application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that have overall consistent and credible empirical support in the contemporary peer reviewed scientific literature beyond those publications and other types of communications devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 1: Program is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or science.
General Admission: $65.00
SCEH Members: $55.00
Students: $15.00*
(Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Louis F. Damis, PhD, ABPP, FASCH; Assistant Professor at the UCF College of Medicine
Dr. Damis is a Diplomate with the American Board of Professional Psychology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Health Psychology, the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance, and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. He is an Assistant Professor at the UCF College of Medicine and an ESTI-accredited Ego State Therapist. Dr. Damis is a licensed psychologist with ASCH Consultant Status and Certification in Clinical Hypnosis. He is a Past President of the Florida and Washington DC Societies of Clinical Hypnosis and is currently the Past President of the ASCH. He has taught hypnosis for over 25 years for the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the Florida Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Dr. Damis maintains a private practice and works as an instructor, author, and consultant.
Aravena, V., García, F. E., Téllez, A., & Arias, P. R. (2020). Hypnotic intervention in people with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 63(1), 49–61.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2020.1742088
Dai, Y.-X., Tai, Y.-H., Chang, Y.-T., Chen, T.-J., & Chen, M.-H. (2021). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Associated Risk of Autoimmune Skin Diseases: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 83(3), 212. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000920
Damis, L. F. (2022). The Role of Implicit Memory in the Development and Recovery from Trauma-Related Disorders. NeuroSci, 3(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/neurosci3010005
Damis, Louis F., and M. Skyler Hamilton. “Impact of Hypnotic Safety on Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction: A Pilot Study.” American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 63, no. 2 (October 1, 2020): 150–68.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2020.1794434.
Gardoki-Souto, I., Redolar-Ripoll, D., Fontana, M., Hogg, B., Castro, M. J., Blanch, J. M., Ojeda, F., Solanes, A., Radua, J., Valiente-Gómez, A., Cirici, R., Pérez, V., Amann, B. L., & Moreno-Alcázar, A. (2022). Prevalence and Characterization of Psychological Trauma in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Pain Research and Management, 2022, e2114451. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2114451
Horton-Hausknecht, J. R., Mitzdorf, U., & Melchart, D. (2000). The effect of hypnosis therapy on the symptoms and disease activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Psychology & Health, 14(6), 1089–1104.
https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440008407369
Miró, E., Martínez, M. P., Sánchez, A. I., & Cáliz, R. (2020). Clinical Manifestations of Trauma Exposure in Fibromyalgia: The Role of Anxiety in the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Fibromyalgia Status. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 33(6), 1082–1092. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22550
Ozgunay, S. E., Kasapoglu Aksoy, M., Deniz, K. N., Onen, S., Onur, T., Kilicarslan, N., Eminoglu, S., & Karasu, D. (2024). Effect of Hypnosis on Pain, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Female Patients with Fibromyalgia: Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 72(1), 51–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2023.2277853
Reneau, M. (2020). Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback to Treat Fibromyalgia: An Integrative Literature Review. Pain Management Nursing, 21(3), 225–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2019.08.001
Ridawati, I. D., Oktaviani, E., & Wijaya, S. (2021). The Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy on Arthritis Pain in The Elderly. STRADA Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan, 10(1), 553–560. https://doi.org/10.30994/sjik.v10i1.670
Song, H., Fang, F., Tomasson, G., Arnberg, F. K., Mataix-Cols, D., Fernández de la Cruz, L., Almqvist, C., Fall, K., & Valdimarsdóttir, U. A. (2018). Association of Stress-Related Disorders With Subsequent Autoimmune Disease. JAMA, 319(23), 2388–2400. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.7028
Tracy, L. M., Ioannou, L., Baker, K. S., Gibson, S. J., Georgiou-Karistianis, N., & Giummarra, M. J. (2016). Meta-analytic evidence for decreased heart rate variability in chronic pain implicating parasympathetic nervous system dysregulation. PAIN, 157(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000360
Zila, I., Mokra, D., Kopincova, J., Kolomaznik, M., Javorka, M., & Calkovska, A. (2017). Vagal-immune interactions involved in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Physiological Research, 66, S139.
Target Audience: Hypnosis practitioners, mental health providers, healthcare providers, psychotherapists, researchers, instructors, students.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.