1. Marilyn Gordon Hypnotherapy / Center for Hypnotherapy
Specialization: Transformational hypnotherapy, self-improvement workshops, personal growth training, and hypnotherapy certification education. Focus on helping clients overcome inner and outer obstacles to become their best selves.
Conditions Addressed: Personal obstacles, self-improvement needs, behavioral change goals, emotional blocks, stress, anxiety, and various life challenges requiring internal transformation.
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, transformational workshops, hypnotherapy certification training programs, educational books and resources.
Background: Marilyn Gordon is an established hypnotherapist and hypnotherapy instructor who has trained numerous practitioners. She operates the Center for Hypnotherapy, which provides both client services and professional training. She has authored books on hypnotherapy and personal transformation.
Location: Oakland, CA 94610
Contact: (510) 839-4800 | https://www.yelp.com/biz/marilyn-gordon-hypnotherapy-oakland
Session Info: Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Center offers both individual sessions and group workshops for personal development and professional certification.
2. Berkeley Hypnosis & Pain Management (Mahesh Grossman)
Specialization: Smoking cessation, weight management, pain management, anxiety relief, medical condition support, phobia elimination, and psychological issues. Research-based approach with emphasis on scientifically validated hypnosis applications.
Conditions Addressed: Smoking, weight issues, chronic pain, sciatica, neuropathy, anxiety, phobias, relationship challenges, childhood trauma, and various medical conditions responsive to mind-body approaches.
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, smoking cessation programs, weight loss programs, pain management, anxiety treatment, inner child and relationship healing work. Free consultation offered.
Background: Mahesh Grossman is a professional hypnotist serving the Oakland and Berkeley area. Practice emphasizes evidence-based hypnosis applications with references to scientific research supporting hypnosis for pain management, medical conditions, psychological issues, and habit control.
Location: Serving Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding East Bay areas
Contact: Call or text (510) 813-8004 | https://berkeleyhypnosis.com
Session Info: Free consultation available. Practice highlights that hypnosis has been researched and validated for effectiveness in multiple applications including pain control, medical support, and habit change.
3. Watervox Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy (Patricia Reynolds Sorbye)
Specialization: Weight management, fitness improvement, study and testing habits, personal goal achievement through subconscious mind access and updating old mental programs.
Conditions Addressed: Weight management challenges, fitness motivation, study difficulties, test anxiety, stress, anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, low energy, lack of confidence, unhealthy habits, and addictions.
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, telephone consultations via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime Audio, and WhatsApp.
Background: Patricia Reynolds Sorbye is a certified hypnotherapist with over 45 years of experience. She maintains her practice according to the code of ethics of the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (A.C.H.E.). She specializes in accessing the subconscious mind to update old mental programs.
Location: Oakland, California
Contact: https://threebestrated.com/hypnotherapy-in-oakland-ca (see listing)
Session Info: Telephone consultations available via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime Audio, and WhatsApp for convenient remote sessions.
4. Effective Healing Hypnosis & NLP (Jenny Knowles)
Specialization: Hypnotherapy combined with NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) for stress reduction, emotional trigger management, and breaking negative patterns. Focus on equipping clients with practical skills.
Conditions Addressed: Stress, emotional triggers, negative patterns, confidence issues, clarity challenges, and various issues addressed through subconscious mind techniques.
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, NLP sessions, free phone consultations, speaking engagements, and teaching workshops.
Background: Jenny Knowles is a board-certified hypnotherapist with over twenty years of experience. She has helped hundreds of people gain confidence and clarity by tapping into the power of their subconscious minds. She is also a speaker and teacher sharing wisdom from her experiences.
Location: Oakland, California area
Contact: Contact for free phone consultation | https://threebestrated.com/hypnotherapy-in-oakland-ca (see listing)
Session Info: Free phone consultation available for those interested in services.
5. Village Hypnotherapy & Coaching (Jason Akel)
Specialization: Clinical hypnotherapy, NLP, CBT, executive coaching, mindset coaching, sports performance hypnosis for athletes, anxiety and panic attack relief, trauma resolution, phobia elimination, smoking cessation, weight loss, and youth services (ages 8+).
Conditions Addressed: Anxiety, panic attacks, trauma, fears, phobias, weight issues, smoking, overeating, sports performance challenges, and personal development goals.
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, NLP sessions, CBT-informed coaching, executive coaching, mindset coaching, sports hypnosis for professional, college, and amateur athletes (tennis, baseball, swimming, golf, etc.), youth sessions. Free 20-minute consultation available.
Background: Jason Akel is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist/Master Hypnotist, NLP practitioner, and Mindset Coach certified through the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (A.C.H.E.). He works with adults and youth ages 8 and up, specializing in sports mindset and performance development.
Location: 23 Orinda Way, Suite C, Orinda, CA 94563 (near Oakland, Berkeley, and Walnut Creek)
Contact: https://www.villagehypnotherapy.com
Session Info: Free 20-minute consultation available. In-person sessions at Orinda office serving Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Berkeley, Oakland, Concord, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Danville, and San Ramon. Video chat sessions available worldwide.
Hypnosis Regulations in California
California does not require a license specifically for hypnotists or hypnotherapists. The practice of hypnosis is addressed primarily through California Business and Professions Code Section 2908, which provides exemptions from the psychology licensing act.
Under Section 2908, persons utilizing hypnotic techniques are exempt from psychology licensing requirements in two situations. First, persons working by referral from licensed practitioners of medicine, dentistry, or psychology may use hypnotic techniques under that referral. Second, persons utilizing hypnotic techniques that offer avocational or vocational self-improvement are exempt, provided they do not offer therapy for emotional or mental disorders.
The key distinction in California law is between hypnosis for self-improvement purposes (vocational/avocational) and hypnosis used as therapy for emotional or mental disorders. Self-improvement hypnosis includes applications such as motivation, habit change, smoking cessation, weight management, stress reduction, confidence building, sports performance, and personal development.
Hypnotherapists may not hold themselves out to the public by any title or description incorporating the words “psychology,” “psychological,” “psychologist,” or “psychotherapist” unless properly licensed. Using such terms without appropriate licensure constitutes misrepresentation and is prohibited.
California Business and Professions Code Section 2053.5 and 2053.6 address complementary and alternative health care providers. The legislature recognized that many complementary and alternative services pose no known risk to public health and safety, and restricting access to non-medical services is not appropriate. Practitioners complying with these sections are not in violation of the Medical Practice Act, provided they do not perform certain prohibited acts such as surgery, administering prescription drugs, or diagnosing conditions.
Complementary and alternative health care practitioners must provide clients with a written disclosure statement before providing services. This statement must include information that the practitioner is not a licensed healthcare provider, the nature of services provided, that services are not a substitute for licensed medical or psychological treatment, and the client’s right to seek conventional treatment.
While certification is not required by California law, practitioners who claim to be “certified” must actually hold valid certification from a recognized certifying body. Misrepresenting credentials is prohibited under consumer protection and advertising laws.
Professional liability insurance is not mandated by state law but is strongly recommended. Many certification organizations require members to maintain professional liability coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do hypnotists in California need to be licensed?
A: California does not require a specific state license for hypnotists or hypnotherapists. Business and Professions Code Section 2908 exempts persons using hypnotic techniques for vocational or avocational self-improvement from the psychology licensing act, provided they do not offer therapy for emotional or mental disorders. Practitioners working by referral from licensed physicians, dentists, or psychologists may also practice hypnosis under that referral. However, hypnotists cannot use titles suggesting they are psychologists or psychotherapists unless properly licensed.
Q: How can I verify a hypnotist’s credentials in the Oakland area?
A: Since California does not license hypnotists, verification involves checking voluntary certifications. The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (A.C.H.E.) at hypnotistexaminers.org maintains a directory of certified practitioners. The National Guild of Hypnotists at ngh.net and the International Association of Counselors and Therapists also provide member verification. Ask practitioners directly about their training hours, certifying organizations, and any additional credentials. If a practitioner claims mental health licensure, verify through the California Board of Psychology or Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Q: What disclosure should California hypnotists provide?
A: Under California’s complementary and alternative health care provider laws (Business and Professions Code Sections 2053.5-2053.6), practitioners should provide written disclosure before services. This disclosure should state that the practitioner is not a licensed physician, psychologist, or other healthcare professional, describe the nature of services provided, clarify that hypnotherapy is complementary to and not a substitute for licensed medical or psychological services, and inform clients of their right to seek conventional treatment. Practitioners who fail to provide appropriate disclosure may face penalties.
Q: Does health insurance cover hypnosis in California?
A: Coverage depends on your specific insurance plan and the provider’s credentials. Hypnosis provided by licensed mental health professionals (psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional clinical counselors) as part of treatment for covered conditions may be partially covered. Hypnosis from non-licensed practitioners for self-improvement purposes is typically not covered. Contact your insurance provider with specific questions about coverage for hypnotherapy services. Many hypnotists offer package pricing or sliding scale fees for clients paying out of pocket.
Q: What training should I expect from a qualified hypnotist in California?
A: While California does not mandate specific training hours, reputable practitioners typically complete training programs from recognized institutions. The Hypnotherapy Training Institute in Corte Madera (near San Francisco) has operated since 1978 and provides certification through the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners. A.C.H.E. requires 200+ hours of training plus supervised practice for certification. The National Guild of Hypnotists requires a minimum of 100 hours. Quality practitioners pursue continuing education and may hold multiple certifications. Ask about training hours, the certifying organization, supervision received, and how the practitioner maintains current knowledge.