Gary R. Elkins, Ph.D., ABPP
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience (Core Clinical Faculty)
Education
Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 1980
B.A., Henderson State University, 1975
Biography
Dr. Elkins is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he is the Director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory, funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, National Institute on Aging, and the National Endowment for the Arts. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis and Past-President of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Dr. Elkins’ publications include Mindful Hypnotherapy: The Basics for Clinical Practice and The Handbook of Medical and Psychological Hypnosis: Foundations, Applications, and Professional Issues. He is board certified (ABPP, American Board of Professional Psychology) in Clinical Health Psychology. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and Past-President of Division 30 of the APA.
Academic Interests and Research
Dr. Elkins’ research investigates the efficacy of hypnosis and mind-body interventions for sleep disturbances, menopause, breast cancer symptoms, pain, and stress management. He is further interested in the physiological and cognitive mechanisms that underlie the effects of mind-body interventions such as heart rate variability, cortisol (HPA axis), cognitive expectancies, and placebo effects. Additionally, Dr. Elkins’ research examines moderators (hypnotic abilities, motivation) of mind-body interventions. He is investigating hypnosis interventions for sleep and hot flashes among post-menopausal women and breast cancer survivors, sleep disturbances in caregivers of individuals with dementia, mindful hypnotherapy for anxiety, and the integration of music and suggestion for the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP).
For additional information about Dr. Elkins' research, please visit the website for the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory at: https://sites.baylor.edu/baylormbmrl/
Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications
Elkins, G., Johnson, A., Roberts, L., Gavin, R., Kekects, Z., Brown, K. (2017). Feasibility of music and hypnotic suggestion to manage chronic pain. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 65(4). 452-465.
Elkins, G. (2018). Editorial. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 66(1), 1-2.
Elkins, G., Roberts, L., Simicich, L. (2018) Mindful Self-Hypnosis for self-care: An integrative model and illustrative case example. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 61(1), 45-56.
Elkins, G., Roberts, L., Kekecs, Z., Lazott, L., Toor, O. (2017). Hypnosis for burn-related pain: Case studies and a review of the literature. World Journal of Anesthesiology, 6(1), 13.
Sliwinski, J., & Elkins, G. (2017). Hypnotherapy to reduce hot flashes: Examination of response expectancies as a mediator of outcomes. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 22(4), 652–659. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587217708523
Books Published
Barnett, J., Shale, A., Elkins, G.R., and Fisher, W.F. (2014) The Psychologist’s Essential Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association Press.
Elkins, G.R. (2016) Handbook of Medical and Psychological Hypnosis: Foundations, Applications, and Professional Issues. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Inc.
Elkins, G. R. (2019) Mindful Hypnotherapy: The Basis for Clinical Practice. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Inc.
Research Grants – Current
NIH 5R01AT009384 Elkins (PI) 9/01/2018 – 8/31/2022
Self-Administered Hypnosis Treatment for the Management of Hot Flashes in Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial
This study is a large-scale multi-site clinical trial of a telehealth hypnosis intervention for the treatment of hot flashes and sleep disturbances in post-menopausal women and breast cancer survivors. Collaborating sites include the University of Michigan and the University of Nebraska. Participants complete daily diaries of hot flashes and outcomes measures of sleep and anxiety. Data collection comprises ambulatory heart rate variability (HRV) and saliva cortisol regarding potential mechanisms. Hypnotic abilities are investigated as potential moderators.
Role: Principle Investigator
National Institute of Health/National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Project Period: September 22, 2017 - August 31, 2022
Total Funding: $3,521,941.00
NEA 1863320-38-20 Elkins (PI) 8/1/2020 – 7/31/2022
Effect of Music and Suggestion for Chronic Pain in Aging Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study
The purpose of this research is to support a randomized controlled study examining the effect of music on pain management in older adults.
Role: Principal Investigator
Total Funding: $97,000.00 plus matching funds from Baylor University (with potential for renewal for up to 10 years)
NIH 3R01AT009384-04S1 Elkins (PI) 9/01/2020 – 8/31/2021
Feasibility of Self-Administered Hypnosis for Sleep Quality in Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease
The purpose of this research is to support a pilot study to determine the feasibility of a self-administered hypnosis intervention with caregivers of individuals with ADRD as an efficacious and practical intervention to improve sleep quality and duration.
Role: Principal Investigator
Total Funding: $299,000.00
Completed Research Grant Support (Selected)
R34-AT008246 Elkins (PI) 6/1/2014-5/31/2017
Hypnosis to Improve Sleep in Menopause: Determination of Optimal Dose and Method
The research aims to determine the optimal number of sessions and method of delivery of hypnotic relaxation therapy to improve sleep. This project uses daily sleep diaries, wrist actigraphy, bothersomeness numerical rating scale, and stress response measures, and examines moderators and mediators of the primary outcome. The analyses of original data collection to inform future interventions.
Role: Principal Investigator
R01-AT004634 Elkins (PI) 9/30/2007-5/31/2015
Hypnosis for Hot Flashes: A Randomized Clinical Trial
The purpose of the research is to determine the efficacy of hypnotic relaxation therapy versus structured attention in the reduction of vasomotor symptoms and improving sleep and quality of life among post-menopausal women. The outcomes included self-report diaries and ambulatory skin conductance recording of vasomotor events. Psychological factors and cortisol were examined as potential mediators.
Role: Principal Investigator
R21 CA13175 Elkins (MPI with Barton) 2/1/2009-1/31/2012
Evaluation of a Biobehavioral Intervention for Hot Flashes
The purpose of this research is to compare hypnotic relaxation therapy alone and in combination with venlafaxine to reduce vasomotor symptoms among breast cancer survivors.
Role: Principal Investigator
R03 HD058464 Beaujean (PI) 8/01/2009-7/31/2012
Individual Differences and Health Outcomes: A Secondary Data Analysis in Cognitive Epidemiology
The goal of this project was to examine the effect of cognitive factors in health behaviors and outcomes.
Role: Co-Investigator
R21 CA100594 Elkins (PI) 4/02/2004-4/01/2006
Hypnosis for Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Survivors
The purpose of this exploratory research is to determine the feasibility and potential effectiveness of therapist-delivered hypnosis for the reduction of hot flashes among breast cancer survivors.
Role: Principal Investigator
Current Graduate Students (Ph.D., General Experimental and Social Psychology)
Joshua Rhodes, Abilene Christine University
Morgan Snyder Olson, Iowa State University, Texas State University
Chris Corlett, Michigan State University,University of Colorado - Boulder
Victor Padilla, Brown University
Vanessa Muniz, Baylor University
Current Graduate Students (Psy.D., Clinical Psychology)
Audrey Stevens, Vanderbilt University, Columbia University
Lauren Simicich, Carnegie Mellon University
Mattie Biggs, Northwestern University
Nathaniel Wofford, Texas State University
Aaron Finley, University of California, Irvine
Connor Kelley, Baylor University
Vindhya Ekanayake, The George Washington University, Purdue University
Skyla Renner, Emory and Henry College
Michael Vinson, Princeton, University of Leipzig, University of Thessaly
Graduate Student Recruitment
Dr. Elkins is currently accepting applications for Ph.D. and Psy.D. students.
Courses taught at Baylor
- PSY 5334 - Health Psychology
- PSY 5429 - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- PSY 5317 - Advanced Seminar in Psychotherapy