The Center for Behavioral Oncology, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is excited to announce our Hypnosis for Cancer Pain (HCaP) training program, funded by the National Cancer Institute.

  • The primary goal of this NCI-funded research education program is to evaluate the effectiveness of a course designed to train cancer care providers to deliver hypnosis to help patients manage cancer pain. Research shows that hypnosis is a clinically efficacious, cost-effective tool, and relaxing tool for pain management. Yet few providers receive training in evidence-based hypnosis as part of their standard professional education. This Hypnosis for Cancer Pain (HCaP) training aims to address that training gap by teaching cancer care providers the skills they need to help patients to control their cancer pain and to improve their overall quality of life.
  • Additionally, we want to understand how satisfied cancer care providers are with the HCaP course; to assess how effective the course is in increasing and enhancing providers’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and self-efficacy for using hypnosis to manage cancer pain; and to see how HCaP affects providers’ real-world practice. To accomplish these goals, we will ask trainees to complete evaluation materials throughout their participation in the HCaP program and at a three-month follow-up.
  • The training program is suitable for frontline oncology providers including (but not limited to) physicians, nurses, psychosocial care providers, and allied health providers.
  • No previous training in hypnosis or pain management necessary. All who are interested in learning are welcome!
  • For more details on the course, including program faculty, course content and materials, workshops, and FAQs, please review the tabs above.
  • The course is free of charge.
  • Continuing Education credits are available for disciplines including (but not limited to): physicians (ACCME), psychologists (APA), social workers (ASWB), and nurses (ANCC).

Physicians/Nurses

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Amedco LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians (ACCME) Credit Designation

Amedco LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses (ANCC) Credit Designation

Amedco LLC designates this activity for a maximum of 8.25 ANCC contact hours.

Psychologists

This course is co-sponsored by Amedco and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Amedco is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Amedco maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 8.25 hours.

The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Counselors: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, ME, MO, NC, ND, NH, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY

MI: No CE requirements

The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for MFTs: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, MD, ME, MO, NE, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY

The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Addictions Professionals: AK, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IN, KS, LA, MD, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY (outstate held)*, OK, OR, SC, UT, WA, WI, WY

MA/MFTs: Participants can self-submit courses not approved by the MAMFT board for review.

The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for Social Workers: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, ME, MN, MO, NE, NH, NM, OR, PA, VT, WI, WY

* If the activity is held live in the state of NY, then direct addictions board is required, ie: NAADAC. If the activity is held outside NY, is virtual, enduring or remote, it is considered "outstate" and this reciprocity applies.

Social Workers

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Amedco is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Amedco maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 8.25 continuing education credits.

The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for Social Workers: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY

* WV accepts ASWB ACE unless activity is in live in West Virginia then an application is required.

The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for Counselors: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MO, ND, NE, NM, NH, NV, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY

AL/Counselors: Activities not providing NBCC approval may be approved by the Board for individual licensees upon receipt of acceptable documentation prior to the activity. Please send course details to your licensing board for approval BEFORE the event. No approvals afterward by the board.

The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for MFTs: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, ID, IN, KS, MD, ME, MO, NC, NE, NH, NM, NV, OK, PA, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY

MA / MFTs: Participants can self-submit courses not approved by the MAMFT board for review.

The following state boards accept courses offering ASWB ACE credit for Addictions Professionals: AK, CA, CO, CT, GA, IA, IN, KS, LA, MO, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SC, WA, WI, WV, WY

New York Board for Psychology

Amedco is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0031. 8.25 hours.

New York Board for Social Workers

Amedco SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers, #0115. 8.25 hours.

Guy Montgomery

Dr. Montgomery is the Director of the Behavioral Oncology Program within the Department of Population Health Science and Policy, a Professor in Population Health (with a secondary appointment in Psychiatry) , the Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Mount Sinai, Director of Psychological Services at the Dubin Breast Center, and a practicing licensed clinical psychologist. He is a nationally recognized leader in hypnosis, and is a Past President of the Society of Psychological Hypnosis (Division 30 of the American Psychological Association), as well as a Fellow of APA. Dr. Montgomery’s program of research has focused on developing and testing hypnosis interventions to reduce symptoms and side-effects of cancer and its treatment, including hypnosis for pain control. His work on hypnosis in cancer care has received national and international recognition, and his research has been continuously funded through extramural grants (e.g., NCI, NCCIH, ACS). He looks forward to sharing his expertise on hypnosis in cancer care.

Mark Jensen

Dr. Jensen is the University of Washington Medicine's vice chair for research in Rehabilitation Medicine and a UW professor of Rehabilitation Medicine. Dr. Jensen’s career has been devoted to the development and evaluation of effective pain treatments, with a focus on hypnotic interventions. His research program is supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research. In his clinical work, he combines cognitive-behavioral, hypnotic and motivational approaches to help patients better manage chronic pain and its effects on their lives. His research program focuses on the development and evaluation of measures of pain, pain beliefs and pain coping strategies, as well as on the development and evaluation of psychosocial pain interventions. Dr. Jensen is also the author of the primary textbook for this course, the "Hypnosis for Chronic Pain Management: Therapist Guide." This book is part of the Oxford University Press "Treatments that Work" series.

Cardinale Smith

Dr. Smith is the Chief Quality Officer for Cancer at the Mount Sinai Health System, as well as an Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine (Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology) and Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Smith is a clinician-investigator whose research interests include evaluating treatment disparities in cancer care, evaluating determinants of cancer patients' quality of care, characterizing barriers to optimal cancer and palliative care, and developing approaches to eliminating those barriers among racial and ethnic minorities. Dr. Smith is board certified in Hematology/Medical Oncology and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She has a Ph.D. in clinical research with a focus on population, outcomes and health services research.

Joe Green

Dr. Green is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University. He has published over 70 journal articles, book chapters, and encyclopedia entries, and has produced two volumes on applied clinical hypnosis. The majority of his publications have centered around hypnosis, imagination, and suggestion-based approaches to psychotherapy. Dr. Green has been elected president of Division 30 of the American Psychological Association (Society for Psychological Hypnosis) three times. He is a Fellow of APA Division 30 and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, and is a member of honor of the Association for the Advance of Experimental and Applied Hypnosis (AAEAH; Spain). He serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Dr. Green received The Ohio State University's highest honor for distinguished teaching (2004). During his tenure at OSU Lima, Dr. Green received campus awards for Outstanding Scholarship, Outstanding Teaching, and Sustained Faculty Mentorship.

Marty Sapp

Dr. Sapp is a licensed psychologist and a Full Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and he teaches in the department of Educational Psychology, Counseling Psychology program. In addition, he is a fellow of Division 30 (Society of Psychological Hypnosis) of the APA. His primary area of research is hypnosis and third generation or wave of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Finally, his current research compares hypnosis to mindfulness meditation.

M. Elena Mendoza

Dr. Mendoza is a psychologist and an Acting Assistant Professor at the University of Washington. As a researcher, she has worked on the applications of hypnosis to smoking cessation, dentistry, and pediatrics at Indiana University (USA). This work was sponsored by the Fulbright Scholar Program. At the University of Valencia (Spain) she has conducted research on beliefs and attitudes towards hypnosis and on waking hypnosis (Valencia Model of Waking Hypnosis). Currently, she works as a researcher in the field of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington, where she studies psychological interventions incorporating clinical hypnosis and other techniques. She is a founding member of the Association for the Advance of Experimental and Applied Hypnosis (AAEAH; Spain), and a member of APA Division 30 (Society of Psychological Hypnosis).

Why focus on cancer pain management?

  • Pain can be associated with numerous aspects of cancer care including: cancer screening procedures (e.g., biopsy, bone marrow aspiration, mammography), the cancer itself (e.g., spinal cord compression, bone pain), and cancer treatments including surgery (e.g., postsurgical pain, phantom pain), chemotherapy (e.g., neuropathy, mucositis), radiotherapy (e.g., radiodermatitis), and adjuvant hormonal therapies (e.g., musculoskeletal pain).
  • It is estimated that 39% of patients experience pain following curative treatment, 55% during anticancer treatment, 40% during survivorship, and 66% of patients report pain during advanced, metastatic, or terminal disease phases.
  • Approximately one-third of patients with cancer-related pain are undertreated, and the odds of pain undertreatment are twice as high for minority patients.
  • Uncontrolled cancer pain can result in suffering, diminished ability to cope with cancer and its treatment, interference with activities of daily living, and extended or repeat hospital admissions. Uncontrolled pain may also delay or disrupt anticancer treatment, compromising its effectiveness.

Why learn hypnosis for cancer pain management?

  • Hypnosis is an evidence-based, mind-body technique, which has had a long tradition (over 200 years) in cancer symptom management, especially for cancer pain management.
  • Scientific research strongly supports the clinical efficacy of hypnotic analgesia.
  • Hypnosis has been demonstrated in cancer settings to be a cost-effective pain management approach.
  • The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Guideline on Chronic Pain Management in Adult Cancer Survivors suggests incorporating hypnosis into cancer pain management, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines also recommend consideration of hypnosis as a non-pharmacologic, cognitive, pain management modality.
  • Additional benefits of hypnosis include:
    • its rapid onset of action (e.g., often within as little as 15 minutes).
    • the ability to teach patients to use hypnosis on their own to self-manage their pain in as few as 2-4 sessions.
    • that hypnosis is associated with very little patient burden (e.g., patients need only listen and remain open to suggestions), which makes it appropriate for patients at most levels of performance status.
    • that hypnosis is typically perceived by patients as pleasant, similar to daydreaming.
    • that hypnosis has no specific side effects, in contrast to many pain management medications which cause side-effects of their own (e.g., opioid-induced constipation).

Module 1A: Understanding Cancer Pain. In this module, Dr. Smith will provide background information on pain in general, and cancer pain in particular. Topics covered will include definitions, causes, specific types and aspects of pain, prevalence, and undertreatment.

Module 1B: Introduction to the Neurophysiology of Pain and Hypnosis. In this module, Dr. Jensen will discuss how the brain and body work together to create the experience of pain, and how hypnosis influences the brain and body in ways that help manage pain.

Module 2: Introduction to Hypnosis. In this module, Dr. Montgomery will: define hypnosis (including what it is, and what it isn’t); describe the sociocognitive understanding of hypnosis and its effects; describe the research evidence supporting the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of hypnosis; and, describe how hypnosis has no specific side-effects, but quite a few “side-benefits”.

Module 3: Patient Assessment and Preparation for Hypnosis. In this module, Dr. Jensen will describe how to conduct a hypnotic pain assessment, with a focus on: how to establish and enhance rapport, how to identify patient cognitions and behaviors that might be contributing to pain and suffering, how to identify treatment goals, and how to negotiate a pain management treatment plan.

Module 4: Hypnosis: Debunking How-to In this module, Dr. Montgomery will provide instruction on how to conduct debunking, a critical first step in any hypnosis intervention. He will provide a debunking "formula" to help trainees respond to patient questions and concerns about hypnosis, and to dispel myths and misconceptions commonly expressed by patients.

Module 5: Hypnosis: Step-by-Step In this module, Dr. Montgomery will walk you, step-by-step through how to deliver the six components of a traditional hypnosis session. For each component, he will discuss recommended vocal tone, pacing, and phrasing.

Module 6: The Interpersonal and Social Context of Hypnosis. In this module, Dr. Green will provide crucial information on how to optimize the interpersonal and social context of hypnosis, and will discuss topics including therapeutic alliance, rapport, and expectancies.

The HCaP program incorporates a self-paced, E-Learning component with follow-up workshops (format to be determined).

E-Learning

  • The E-Learning modules taught by our expert faculty are: Module 1A - Understanding Cancer Pain, Module 1B - Introduction to the Neurophysiology of Pain and Hypnosis, Module 2 – Introduction to Clinical Hypnosis, Module 3 - Patient Assessment and Preparation for Hypnosis, Module 4 – Hypnosis: Debunking How-to, Module 5 – Hypnosis: Step-by-Step, and Module 6 – The Interpersonal and Social Context of Hypnosis.
  • Each module includes video lectures, podcasts, active learning activities, reflection questions, and enrichment materials.
  • The E-Learning portion is self-paced, so you can take your time, and complete each module at the time and place that's most convenient for you.

Follow-up Workshop

  • As trainees complete and pass the E-Learning portion of the course, they will be eligible to attend a follow-up HCaP workshop. The format of these workshops (e.g., virtual, live, hybrid) will be informed by trainee input and public health guidelines.

Continuing Education Credits

  • We will offer continuing education credits for participating in HCaP.
  • Continuing education credits will be offered for disciplines including: psychologists, social workers, nurses, and physicians.

Course Feedback

  • Throughout the training program, and at three months after your participation, we’ll ask you to provide us with feedback on your thoughts and feelings about the course, and on your use of hypnosis in your cancer care practice.
  • Post-course feedback assessments are brief and online.
  • Your feedback will help us to improve and refine the course, and will shape future dissemination of the HCaP program.

1. How long will it take to complete the online course?

Each of the modules should take approximately one hour to complete, and the post-course evaluation should take less than 20 minutes.

2. Do I have to complete each module in a single sitting? Or can I take my time?

We encourage you to go at your own pace and take your time. You can stop and start the online course whenever you want. Your progress through the course will be saved, so you’ll know where you left off.

3. Is there a charge or fee to take the course?

No, there is no charge or fee for taking the course. There is no cost to you for participation.

4. Will I be reimbursed for my participation in the training program?

No, we cannot reimburse you for course participation or evaluation completion.

5. Do I need to be online at specific times?

No, you do not have to be online at specific times. You can access the course whenever and wherever it is convenient for you.

6. What equipment do I need?

An internet connection and an internet browser such as Safari, Firefox, or Chrome.

7. Are there eligibility requirements in order to register?

Yes. Participants in the training program must: 1) be licensed, license-eligible, or certified in your healthcare profession, or demonstrate current enrollment in an accredited cancer care provider training program; 2) have access to the necessary equipment (e.g., laptop, tablet, or smartphone) to access the E-Learning website; 3) currently, or plan to (e.g., upon graduation), deliver clinical care to individuals with cancer; 4) be willing to participate in a post E-Learning workshop (either live in NYC or online); 5) be interested in the course and willing to transfer the hypnosis for cancer pain skills learned here to clinical practice; 6) be proficient in English; and, 7) be 18 years of age or older.

8. How do I access the HCaP website?

Once we confirm your eligibility, we will send you an email with all the information you will need to log into the course website.

9. Is technical support available?

Yes. Our HCaP team is typically available 9:00AM to 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time on business days. We will try our best to get back to you as quickly as possible, typically within 72 hours.

10. If I have problems logging into the course, what should I do?

Please contact the HCaP staff with any questions. You can use the 'Contact' tab above, or write to us at staff@hypnosisforcancerpain.com, and it will be our pleasure to assist you.