Lora D. Baum, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She received her undergraduate degree in Genetics and an M.S. in Genetic Counseling from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1991 she received an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and completed her Ph.D. there in 1994. Upon graduation, Dr. Baum completed a clinical internship at the Los Angeles Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic and, after moving to Virginia in 1995, served as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Virginia Cancer Center for 2 years.

From 1997-2009 Dr. Baum was an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia Cancer Center and from 2010-2014 was an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences and Anesthesiology at the UVA Pain Management Center in Charlottesville. Dr. Baum is a member or former member of the American Pain Society, the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (Founder, Special Interest Group in Sexual Health), the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Baum has been active in the Charlottesville community for many years. Some of her past and ongoing volunteer activities include: Virginia Blood Services Friend 4 Life, weekly volunteer reader and director for Learning Ally, seasonal delivery for Meals on Wheels, Community Shoe drive, Ash Lawn Opera, Highland County Maple Festival, and Writer House.

Clinical Hypnosis in Health Psychology

I have been trained by the premier hypnosis group for professionals, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. I have gone beyond being certified in clinical hypnosis, and for the last 10 years have been an Approved Consultant, engaged in training other professionals who wish to become certified. For more information on how hypnosis can be of help in a variety of health problems, please visit www.asch.net

One of my interests pertains to treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome using clinical hypnosis, because there are hundreds of research studies that show how effective it is.  I was trained by Dr. Olaf Palsson, one of the leading researchers in the field. I use his exact protocol, in addition to cognitive behavioral therapy for IBS.

Also, I use an effective new treatment incorporating clinical hypnosis for post-menopausal, post-hysterectomy and post-chemotherapy hot flashes. This clinically tested protocol reduces hot flashes by 80%, on average, using 4 treatment sessions and home practice.

I do not use hypnosis for the purpose of retrieving childhood memories, or for the treatment of trauma or abuse.

For more information about the uses of clinical hypnosis, please visit www.springerpub.com/elkins-brochure