Other Specialties

Enhance Performance

Take Your Game to the Next Level!

Your “game” may indeed be a game or a sport, or it may be your career, your education, or your relationships. Regardless, enhancing and improving your performance in any activity— at work, at home, at school, or at play— requires you to develop skills and ways of thinking that may be new to you.

The process itself is simple, and while it might take some effort, it is always worth it. Just ask the players from the NFL, NBA, NHL, ATP, PGA Tour, and the U.S Olympic team who use hypnosis to maximize their talent and optimize their performance.

Performance enhancement involves transition and change, and change for most people is something best attained with assistance. I have powerful tools and the experience to help you make changes that last– I can help you make learning new skills and the transitions to higher levels of physical and mental performance seem effortless.

Imagine attaining your dream job, lowering your handicap, finessing that second serve or drilling your jump shots and free throws. How would it feel to walk into a big exam or your next audition feeling, calm, confident, and totally focused? Can you imagine boosting your sales figures and exceeding your quotas with ease, being able to give riveting speeches and presentations with poise and confidence, or getting that promotion you want? You can do it— and you are worth it!

The list of possibilities is nearly endless, and I work with clients from all walks of life and professions— from professional athletes and actors, to executives and homemakers, both here in Los Angeles and around the country.

Some of the most common areas I work with are include:

  • Academic Performance

  • Athletic Skills

  • Athletic Performance

  • Career Development

  • Communication Skills

  • Concentration

  • Creativity

  • Memory

  • Performance Anxiety

  • Problem Solving

  • Public Speaking

  • Relationship Help

  • Sales Skills

  • Sexual Issues

  • Self Discipline

  • Stage Fright

  • Study Habits

  • Test Anxiety

 Call 800- 369-1516

Health & Wellness

Ready to Harness the Power of Your Mind?

The importance of the mind-body connection in relation to health and wellness is no longer a matter of conjecture— it is established science and quickly becoming part of the mainstream in modern healthcare. I am proud to be associated with an ever-expanding network of physicians, dentists, and mental health professionals in Los Angeles and nationwide. Together, we work with our patients and clients to promote health and wellness from a comprehensive and holistic perspective. The use of natural tools like.HypnotherapyTimeline Therapy®,Therapeutic ImageryEFT and  Quantum “Synthesis” Therapy as catalysts for healing and wellness is as old as humanity, and with good reason. They are safe, painless, and often very effective as adjunctive therapies for a wide variety of medical and psychological issues. A partial list follows.*

  • ADD

  • Allergies

  • Anesthesia

  • Asthma

  • Autoimmune Issues

  • Chemotherapy

  • Childbirth/Labor

  • Chronic Fatigue

  • Cramps

  • Enuresis (bedwetting)

  • Fear of Dentists

  • Fear of Doctors

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Headache/Migraine

  • HIV

  • Hypertension

  • Hypochondria

  • IBS

  • Impotence

  • Infertility

  • Insomnia

  • Lupus

  • Orgasmic Dysfunction

  • Pain Management

  • PTSD

  • Phobias

  • Radiation Therapy

  • Smoking Cessation

  • Stress

  • Stuttering

  • Substance Abuse**

  • Surgical Prep

  • Surgical Recovery

  • Ulcerative Colitis

  • Ulcers

  • Weight Loss

*Hypnotherapists are not licensed by the state of California as healing arts practitioners. For your protection, work on some issues may require a consultation and referral from a licensed physician or mental health professional.

**Requires concurrent and active participation in a 12-Step program for significant effectiveness.

800- 369-1516

Lose Weight

Lose Weight and Keep it Off!

Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in our country, even in big “health conscious” cities like Los Angeles. Aside from the inherent health risks, being overweight can also produce and contribute to a variety of emotional issues that can prevent a person from living a healthy, happy and vital life. Weight control and weight loss is a multi-billion dollar industry, in Los Angeles and around the country, and statistics show that most people who attempt to lose weight either fail outright or gain back all the weight they lost — and sometimes substantially more. I see it in both my Los Angeles clients and my remote clients; the same pattern of frustration. Many people also risk developing an eating disorder as a result of trying to lose weight and failing at a weight loss program over and over again.

The reasons behind this fact are of course numerous, but simply stated, just losing the weight isn’t the issue, changing the habits, beliefs, and behaviors, and resolving the emotional and spiritual issues that led to the overweight condition is. Most of these behaviors, emotions and habits arise in the subconscious mind, and are beyond a person’s conscious awareness and control; they become automatic. In other words, we may initially lose weight on a given weight loss or weight control program, but then our old automatic habits, behavioral patterns, and attitudes lead us to self sabotage and we soon find ourselves right back where we started from, except maybe even more frustrated, unhappy and heavier. This only makes it harder to even try to lose weight the next time.

Hypnosis (Hypnotherapy) can be a very powerful and effective tool for weight control and weight loss. We can help a person lose weight as quickly as is healthy, and most importantly, keep it off. Why? Hypnosis works at the subconscious level of our minds, the source of our self sabotaging behaviors and habits. When we can go to the source of the unwanted habits, emotions and behavioral patterns, we can eliminate them and introduce new and positive ones so the pounds melt away. We also introduce and reinforce the “missing ingredient” (and it’s not about losing weight) that most weight control programs leave out so the pounds that melted away stay away!

Getting Started on Your Hypnotherapy Weight Control Program

Your decision to take greater control of your life and your health by slimming down is a decision you will never regret, whether you live in Los Angeles or Peoria. And just deciding to take action and lose weight has a very powerful effect on the subconscious, starting the process of change from within.

Depending on how much weight loss is involved, we may begin by having you visit your physician for a consultation and evaluation. It is vitally important that we address any medical conditions that might be contributing to your condition, and it’s also a good idea to ask your physician for dietary advice with respect to any medications you might be taking. Since exercise is and must be a part of any successful program to lose weight, it is also important to be sure you are cleared to engage in a program of healthy exercise.

How My Weight Loss/Weight Control Hypnotherapy Program Works

My weight loss/weight control hypnotherapy program starts with several once weekly sessions which combine hypnosis and hypnotherapy with NLP, Timeline Therapy and other tools— all safe, painless and powerfully effective. The number of initial sessions varies between individuals. Weight loss and weight control is a process that must be done at a rate of about 2-3 pounds a week for lasting results. That doesn’t mean weekly sessions for the entire time you’re losing weight. We will cut back the frequency of your hypnotherapy sessions as your progress warrants and as you desire. It is important, however, that we work to help you establish and reinforce your new eating patterns, and exercise program, build upon your conscious motivation, and solidify your new self image. This is only done through regular sessions. I also give you reinforcing activities to accomplish between sessions, and other take-home tools like tapes and CDs when appropriate.

Together we will also discover, explore, and change your triggers— the emotional and behavioral patterns that got you where you are. With each session, with each pound, you will literally be reinventing yourself. With my guidance, you create a new you from the inside out as well as the outside in, creating a new balance and harmony in your body, mind, and spirit. Along the way, don’t be too surprised to see positive changes taking place in other areas of your life as well; hypnosis and hypnotherapy tend to create a wonderful domino effect, and you’re worth it. Every day in my Los Angeles office, and through the “after photos” my remote weight control clients send me, I see the results; slimmer, trimmer, healthier happier people. Why not you?

Health, happiness, personal fulfillment, self confidence, success; we all deserve these things. Don’t wait for a miracle diet or magic pill— there simply are no such things. My weight loss/weight control hypnotherapy program is natural, safe, comprehensive and powerfully effective. It all starts with your conscious desire and your decision to act. You will never look back! Why not call today?

800- 369-1516

Pediatric Hypnotherapy

Can Kids Be Hypnotized?

As a rule, children are naturally suggestible and make excellent hypnotic subjects. They thus respond very well to Hypnotherapy. This short video provides an introduction to hypnosis and hypnotherapy for children.

It is a joy to help a young person find their way and attain their goals. If you have any questions about hypnotherapy for your child, whether you live in Los Angeles or on the East Coast, please call at any time. I offer consultations at no cost to you.

And here’s what some of my clients’ moms have to say–

“WOW…is the appropriate beginning to this review. I heard about Dr. John McGrail from a dear friend of mind whose daughter was suffering from severe anxiety. When my 12 year old son had a panic attack, that was unbearable to witness, I knew it was time to take action. I called Dr. McGrail immediately and he was able to squeeze us in 2 days later. My son had 1 session with him, and has improved 100%. He used to be afraid about the “what if’s” of the world on a nightly basis, but since his appointment, he has had ZERO issues. He told me yesterday that he started to think about Zombies the other night before bed, and he practiced his breathing exercises and his fear disappeared…He said “I dont know how that works, but it does” 

“Dr. John McGrail has a great way with kids and adults. Watching him practice hypnosis on our son was very powerful and positive. I know we may be back for a tune up at some point, and that is fine, because I feel like Dr. McGrail gave us back our sweet, loving, funny son! I’m so grateful that we found him. I highly recommend!”  

 “My 13 year old suffered from terrible anxiety. So bad that she couldn’t go to school.
It was heartbreaking and we tried different types of therapy and then I found Dr. John. My daughter felt safe with him right away and the hypnotherapy session was amazing. After one session she was back to herself! I’m so thankful for Dr. John McGrail, he’s the best” 

Results May Vary 

Personal Growth

Imagine what it would feel like to live without your fears and phobias, or to lose the inhibitions or shyness that keeps you from developing great relationships. What would it be like to have more motivation than you ever dreamed of, to easily achieve your goals, or to overcome your anger, sadness, or chronic anxiety? Is your self esteem and confidence where you want it to be? How well do you handle stress?The following lists highlights some of the most common personal growth issues I help my clients with every day; and every day I see and share the beauty of their personal transformation, both here in Los Angeles and across the U.S. Are you on this list? Why not make today your day to begin creating a new and better you?

  • Anger Management

  • Anxiety*

  • Fears

  • Frustration

  • Guilt

  • Habit Control

  • Hostility

  • Indecision

  • Inhibitions

  • Insecurity

  • Lack of Direction

  • Motivation

  • Moodiness

  • Obsessive Compulsive*

  • Panic Attacks*

  • Passive Aggressive

  • Past Life Regression

  • Perfectionism

  • Phobias

  • Procrastination

  • Rejection

  • Relationship Help

  • Resentment

  • Sadness

  • Self Esteem

  • Self Confidence

  • Spiritual Growth

  • Stress Management

  • Tardiness

  • Trauma*

  • Worry

*Hypnotherapists are not licensed by the state of California as healing arts practitioners. For your protection, work on some issues may require a consultation and referral from a licensed physician or mental health professional.

800- 369-1516

Therapeutic Modalities

Introducing the McGrail Method™ of Quantum Synthesis

Creating a Better You— in fewer sessions!

Dr. McGrail has developed an exciting and powerful new therapeutic protocol. The McGrail Method™ of Quantum Synthesis, or more simply Synthesis, which combines hypnosis and related modalities with the cutting-edge science of quantum theory and ancient shamanistic wisdom and mind empowering techniques. This method is enabling his clients to create lasting change more profoundly and, on average, in far fewer sessions (up to 50% fewer) then would be required with conventional protocols alone!

Some of the tools of transformation

Therapeutic HypnosisNLPTimeline Therapy®, Therapeutic ImageryEFT

Therapeutic Hypnosis (Hypnotherapy)

Hypnosis is a completely natural state of consciousness that we all experience every day. If you ever get completely absorbed in a good film or a good book, or drive along a freeway and drift into a day dream you are entering into a form of natural hypnotic trance. You’re awake and aware but your conscious mind is distracted.

The use of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool for promoting behavioral change, healing, and wellness was first recorded in the ancient civilizations of Egypt and India, but is undoubtedly as old as humanity. The reason is simple: Hypnosis is completely natural, safe, painless, and extremely effective. In short, it works!

All our values, beliefs, emotions, and behavioral patterns are learned, and reside in the subconscious part of our minds. When we induce hypnosis in therapy, we gain direct access to the subconscious (which is naturally suggestible to new ways of doing things) and in so doing bypass the conscious mind and the inner critic that makes changing behaviors and feelings so difficult. We allow ourselves to get “unstuck” in our ways, to “unlearn” our negative or unwanted behaviors, emotions, habits or fears, etc, and relearn new and desirable ones that can help us live a happier more fulfilling life.

Therapeutic hypnosis is used effectively as either a primary or adjunctive therapeutic tool for treating over a hundred behavioral, emotional, medical, and mental health issues, across a the spectrum of human experience and for both adults and children. We use it to Stop Smoking, for Weight Control, to erase Fears and Phobias, enhance Personal Growth, promote and generate better Health & Wellness, and we use it for Performance Enhancement at work, at home, and at play. The possibilities are almost limitless.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

To many people the term Neuro-Linguistic Programming, (NLP), sounds intimidating, esoteric, and maybe even a little spooky. In reality it is none of these. NLP is a scientific concept based upon the notion of understanding our behavioral “models.” Simply stated, an individual’s behavioral models are a product of his or her experiences. Through our experiences we develop a system of values, beliefs, attitudes, memories, and emotions. These various attributes of personality dwell in in the subconscious mind and control how we act, react, and interact with other people and the world— how we model behavior.

All behavior models involve processes, most of them unconscious. NLP techniques help us understand the unconscious processes that combine to form your particular behaviors. Once you know exactly how and why you behave or feel certain ways in certain situations we can implement changes in your processes to help you feel and behave in a more positive and desired way. Using NLP techniques and tools we can help you create greater—

  • Self-image and confidence

  • Motivation and direction

  • Communication skills

  • Career and professional success

  • Relationships— romantic, personal, and professional

NLP serves as a powerful complement to hypnotherapy and Timeline Therapy® in creating positive and lasting behavioral and emotional changes, helping you on the road to more vital, happy, and fulfilling life.

Timeline Therapy®

How we live today, how we handle the situations we face, how we create and pursue our goals and dreams for the future is all a product of our past. Your core values, attitudes, beliefs, and emotions— the generators of self image, behavior, and how you relate to others— are all learned over time through observation and experience. What if your links to the past— your values, beliefs, and emotions— are limiting you, holding you back, keeping you stuck in negative or undesirable attitudes and behavioral patterns?

Timeline Therapy™ is an exceptionally powerful method for helping you resolve your issues from the past, gain and take control of the present, and expand your horizons and expectations for creating and living a compelling and dynamic future.

Using Timeline Therapy™ we can actually neutralize negative emotions relating to your past experiences, emotions like anger, sadness, fear, guilt, and resentment. We can eliminate limiting beliefs like, “I’m not good enough, smart enough, worthy enough, etc.” We can even do away with fears and phobias, and help you adjust your core values to coincide with how you want to live, not how you learned to live.

Each individual has only so much energy. How you spend yours is important. Timeline Therapy™ can help you find peace with the past, increase your choices, and set goals for a compelling, vital future. Timeline Therapy™ is simple, powerful, and when used either alone or in concert with other modalities like hypnosis or NLP produces extraordinary results.

Therapeutic Imagery

Therapeutic Imagery is a natural and powerful modality that has been in use for at least 20,000 years. It is used to facilitate healing, change attitudes and behaviors, enhance performance, and help relieve symptoms associated with both physical and emotional ailments.

Virtually all behavior, emotion, and your proclivity for health, and wellness are rooted in the subconscious or unconscious mind, and the language of the subconscious is a language of image. For example, if I ask you to think of your mother, you almost certainly don’t see the letters M O T H E R in your mind, you instead invoke a mental image or picture of your mother, followed by whatever emotional response your mother or the word “mother” triggers in you. All of that happens automatically, without conscious thought or logic. Therapeutic imagery allows us to speak to your unconscious mind in its own language.

There are several forms of therapeutic imagery— Therapeutic Imagery, progressive relaxation, receptive visualization, and creative visualization. As a certified therapeutic imagery facilitator I have been trained in using all of these techniques and integrate them into many of my clients’ therapeutic programs. Alone or in combination with the other modalities, particularly hypnosis, therapeutic imagery is an exceptionally versatile healing tool. It allows clients to completely and safely explore their deepest issues and tap into their innermost resources, helping them to align body, mind, and spirit, the true source of holistic and lasting healing.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques™)

The human mind and body together is in essence an energy machine; a complex amalgam of electrical, chemical, emotional, and spiritual energies, all combined to form the remarkable organism we know as a human being.

EFT is in some ways a cousin of acupuncture and kinesiology. It comprises a methodology of tapping patterns along certain key energy points on the body to unblock and redirect the flow of energy back to a natural and healthy state. Using EFT can result in significant (sometimes almost instantaneous) relief from a wide variety of acute and chronic physical, emotional, and spiritual discomforts— from fear, anxiety, and panic to allergic reactions and chronic pain. EFT is so simple and so effective that sometimes the results seem unbelievable. Yet as we all know, seeing is believing.

The possible applications for EFT are almost limitless, and its healing effects are sometimes nothing short of miraculous.

800- 369-1516

“Dr. John McGrail’s hypnotherapy provided me with just the tools I needed to finally get my eating habits— and my weight— under my control.  John took the time to really understand my unique situation. I look forward to our sessions as powerful, relaxing, and fun. Most importantly, I’ve gotten results.”

— JOHN D., VENICE, CA

Questions before getting started? Get in touch.