Tribune Review Whispers

Pittsburgh tribune review Dec 30th 2008 Whispers

FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW December 30th, 2007

MAYORS FALL UNDER SPELL OF HYPNOTIST LOBBY Hoping to add credit to a profession that can always use more of it, the Pittsburgh chapter of the Hypnotism Society of Pennsylvania has scored a trifecta. Proclamations will be issued by Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Greensburg Mayor Karl Eisaman and West Homestead Mayor John Dindak declaring Jan. 4 "World Hypnotism Day."

"The main objective of World Hypnotism Day is to inform the public of the benefits that hypnotism offers," said John Weir, a Spokesman for the organization. "With this year's mayoral proclamation, it further helps to solidify the creditability of Pittsburgh-area clinical hypnotists."

Weir says many people still possess misconceptions about hypnosis based on weird movies and strange fiction books.

Most folks, for example, don't realize that the American Medical Association has approved the use of therapeutic hypnotism since 1958 or that hypnotism can help you quit smoking, have a painless childbirth, sleep better, reduce stress and -- as Mayor Luke may already know -- improve your golf game.