Donato Giuseppe Leo PhD, DHP Acc.Hyp.
Hypnotherapist - Researcher - Public Speaker
Publications
Donato is an active researcher. He worked as an academic researcher for several years, and he is still doing research on various topics. One of his main research interests is the role of hypnosis and emotional stress on cardiovascular health.
Donato is also interested in how sociocultural factors affect the perception of altered states of consciousness in different contexts.
On this page, you can find the details of some of his selected scientific publications and his new book on myths and facts about hypnosis.
Selected Scientific Publications*
- Leo DG. (2025) A Fragmented Mind: Altered States of Consciousness and Spirit Possession Between Rituals and Therapy. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 59, 59. DOI: 10.1007/s12124-025-09929-0
- Leo DG, Keller SS, Proietti R. (2025) Hypno-cardiac physiology: Aiming for an organised study of the physiological effects of hypnosis on the cardiovascular system. Journal of Integrative Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2025.07.004
- Leo DG, Bruno D, Proietti R. (2025) Remembering what did not happen: the role of hypnosis in memory recall and false memories formation. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, p.1433762. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1433762
- Leo DG, Keller SS, Proietti R. (2024) "Close your eyes and relax": the role of hypnosis in reducing anxiety, and its implications for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, p.1411835. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1411835
- Leo DG, Islam U, Lotto RR, Lotto A, Lane DA. (2023) Psychological interventions for depression in adolescent and adult congenital heart disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004372.pub3
- Leo DG, Ozdemir H, Lane DA, Lip GYH, Keller SS, Proietti R. (2023) At the heart of the matter: how mental stress and negative emotions affect atrial fibrillation. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 10: 1171647. DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1171647
*Full list available upon request.
Books
- Leo DG. Beyond the Pendulum: Myths and facts about hypnosis. 2024.
Other publications
Blog Articles:
- Leo DG. (2025) 'Hypnosis and the Mind-Heart Connection'. International Hypnosis Association Blog (8 May). Available at: https://hypnosiscredentials.com/member-articles/hypnosis-and-the-mind-heart-connection/
- Leo DG and Chan N. (2025) ‘Mind over Mirror: how hypnosis helps in transforming body image and regulating emotions’. International Hypnosis Association Blog (25 July). Available at: https://hypnosiscredentials.com/member-articles/hypnosis-body-image/
Get in touch
Donato Giuseppe Leo, PhD, DHP Acc.Hyp.
Telephone: (+44) 07466137027
E-mail: info@donatoleo.co.uk
Address: Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom