1. Hawaii Hypnosis Center and Relationship Coaching – Randy and Beverly
Specialization: Smoking cessation (with service guarantee), stress relief, sports performance, confidence building, relationship coaching, communication improvement, forgiveness work
Conditions Addressed: Smoking, stress, anxiety, poor sleep, sports performance blocks, confidence issues, relationship problems, communication conflicts, feeling stuck, forgiveness needs
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, relationship coaching, communication style assessment, in-person sessions, virtual/phone/Zoom sessions, self-hypnosis training, training and certification programs
Background: Hawaii Hypnosis Center has served over 6,000 clients during more than 18 years of operation. The team holds the Master Hypnotist distinction from leading national and international authorities. Randy holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and Master’s Certification in Human Dimensions. His writing has been featured in the New York Times, Denver Post, and Aspen Daily News, and he has been interviewed by Good Morning America and the Wall Street Journal. Beverly overcame personal challenges including a co-dependent relationship, divorce, single parenting, and family grief through hypnosis, which she now uses to help clients. The center has been featured on Living808 KHON, Hawaii News Now, Midweek, and other local media.
Location: 222 Vineyard Street, Suite 501, Honolulu, HI 96813 (central downtown Honolulu, right off the H1)
Contact: https://www.hawaiihypnosiscenter.com
Session Info: Service guarantee offered for smoking cessation program. Hours: Monday 10 AM-6 PM, Tuesday-Wednesday 9 AM-7 PM, Thursday 10 AM-5 PM, Friday 9 AM-5 PM, Saturday 9 AM-5 PM, Sunday 10 AM-4 PM. Virtual/phone/Zoom sessions available. Air-conditioned office with parking and secure building.
2. Best 2 Your Life Hypnosis and Coaching
Specialization: Life enhancement, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), habit change, personal development, goal achievement
Conditions Addressed: Personal development needs, unwanted habits, goal obstacles, life quality improvement needs
Services Offered: Certified hypnotherapy, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) as a Master Practitioner, personalized improvement programs, coaching
Background: The practitioner is a Certified Hypnotherapist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming with more than 20 years of training in the Holistic Health and Wellness field. Life enhancement is the primary specialty. The practice creates customized programs designed specifically to improve each client’s quality of life.
Location: Hawaii (serves Honolulu area)
Contact: Available through Psychology Today directory
Session Info: Customized programs designed for individual client needs. Contact for scheduling and fee information.
3. HypnoVivi LLC – Vivien Au
Specialization: Habit elimination, performance enhancement, self-esteem building, anxiety management, stress management, confidence building, past life hypnotherapy
Conditions Addressed: Bad habits, performance issues, low self-esteem, obsessive-compulsive patterns, generalized anxiety, stress, sleep problems, motivation issues, social phobia, confidence concerns
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, habit elimination programs, performance enhancement, past life hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis instruction
Background: Vivien Au is an authorized hypnotherapist accredited by the National Guild of Hypnotists. She guides individuals in exploring their challenges and making transformative life changes.
Location: Honolulu, HI
Contact: Available through local directories
Session Info: Contact practitioner for session information, pricing, and scheduling.
4. Hyp Hawaii – Nicole Pomerleau
Specialization: Hypnotherapy, Spiritual Response Technique (SRT), Reiki healing, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), strategic life coaching
Conditions Addressed: Personal blocks, spiritual concerns, energy imbalances, stress, life challenges, personal development needs
Services Offered: Hypnotherapy, Spiritual Response Technique (SRT), Reiki (Master/Teaching level), NLP, strategic life coaching
Background: Nicole Pomerleau is a Certified Hypnotherapist with the IMDHA (International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association). She first trained in Reiki in 1998 in Jasper National Park, Canada and reached master/teaching level in 2015. She began hypnosis training with Island Hypnosis in Victoria, BC, Canada in 2001 and became certified in 2012. She trained in SRT (Spiritual Response Technique) in 2016, achieving levels 1 and 2. In 2020, she trained as an NLP master practitioner.
Location: Hawaii
Contact: https://hyphawaii.com
Session Info: Contact practitioner for session scheduling and fees.
5. Katy Brandenburg, LMHC, MCOUN
Specialization: EMDR therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, clinical hypnosis, brief therapy, family relationship therapy, life transitions
Conditions Addressed: Family challenges, relationship issues, life transitions, motivation problems, emotional difficulties, trauma
Services Offered: Licensed mental health counseling, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), clinical hypnosis, brief therapy, tele-therapy sessions
Background: Katy Brandenburg is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a Master’s in Counseling (MCOUN). She is trained in cutting-edge modalities including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis, and Brief Therapy. She works with individuals and families experiencing challenging situations or seeking life changes.
Location: Honolulu, HI (tele-therapy available)
Contact: Available through Psychology Today directory
Session Info: Tele-therapy sessions offered. Contact for appointment scheduling.
Hypnosis Regulations in Hawaii
Hawaii does not have specific state laws regulating the practice of hypnosis or hypnotherapy as a standalone profession. The state falls into the category of jurisdictions that do not directly regulate hypnosis.
State Licensing Requirements: Hawaii does not require a state license specifically for hypnotists or hypnotherapists. There is no mandatory registration, certification, or state-issued credential required to practice hypnosis.
Proposed Legislation: Bills have been proposed in the Hawaii Legislature (as recently as 2006 and 2007 with SB2497 and SB1749) to create licensing requirements for hypnotherapists, but these bills did not pass into law. The proposed legislation would have established a Board of Hypnotherapy, required licensing, set training standards of 100+ hours, and created continuing education requirements.
Psychology Practice Act (HRS 465-1): Hawaii’s psychology practice act includes hypnosis within the definition of the practice of psychology, listing it alongside psychotherapy, biofeedback, and behavior analysis. However, it is unclear whether this prohibits non-psychologists from practicing hypnosis, as the phrase “application of psychological principles, methods, or procedures” is broad and used in many fields.
Naturopathic Medicine (HRS 455): Hawaii’s naturopathic medicine law includes behavioral medicine techniques such as biofeedback, relaxation training, hypnosis, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and cognitive therapy within naturopathic practice. This allows licensed naturopathic physicians to use hypnosis.
Health Insurance Exclusions: Hawaii’s Basic Health program specifically excludes hypnosis from covered services, along with biofeedback, acupuncture, naturopathic services, faith healing, and massage treatment.
Health Professional Exemptions: Licensed health professionals in Hawaii, including psychologists, physicians, licensed mental health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed marriage and family therapists, may incorporate hypnosis into their practice within their scope of practice.
Voluntary Certification: Practitioners typically obtain voluntary certification through national organizations such as the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association (IMDHA), International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT), or the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) for licensed professionals.
No Known Legal Cases: Research has not revealed any known legal cases in Hawaii where someone has faced legal action solely for practicing hypnosis or hypnotherapy.
Local Business Requirements: Standard business licensing requirements apply. Practitioners should comply with general business regulations, truth-in-advertising laws, and consumer protection requirements.
Advertising Restrictions: Practitioners who are not licensed health professionals should avoid representing themselves as providing medical or psychological treatment. Standard consumer protection and truth-in-advertising laws apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Hawaii require hypnotists to be licensed?
A: No, Hawaii does not have a state licensing requirement for hypnotists or hypnotherapists. Several bills have been proposed in the Hawaii Legislature to establish licensing requirements for hypnotherapists, but none have passed. Practitioners may operate without a state-issued hypnosis license, though they should avoid activities that constitute the practice of psychology, medicine, or other licensed professions without appropriate credentials. Many practitioners voluntarily obtain certification through national organizations like the National Guild of Hypnotists.
Q: How can I verify a hypnotist’s credentials in Honolulu?
A: For licensed mental health professionals (LMHCs, LCSWs, psychologists) who offer hypnotherapy, verify their license through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. For non-licensed hypnotists, verify certifications through national organizations such as the National Guild of Hypnotists at (603) 429-9438, the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association (IMDHA), or IACT. Ask practitioners directly about their certification numbers, training hours, and expiration dates.
Q: Will my health insurance cover hypnotherapy in Hawaii?
A: Hawaii’s Basic Health program specifically excludes hypnosis from covered services. For private insurance, coverage varies by plan. If a licensed mental health professional (LMHC, psychologist, LCSW) provides hypnotherapy as part of their licensed practice, some private insurance plans may cover the service under mental health benefits. Hypnotherapy provided by non-licensed practitioners is typically not covered. Contact your insurance provider directly to verify coverage for specific providers and services.
Q: Are there specific concerns about hypnosis and Hawaii’s psychology laws?
A: Hawaii’s psychology practice act (HRS 465-1) includes hypnosis within the definition of the practice of psychology. However, legal analysts note that the phrase “application of psychological principles, methods, or procedures” is broad and is used in many fields beyond psychology (advertising, human resources, coaching). It is not established that hypnosis is exclusively reserved to licensed psychologists in Hawaii. No known legal cases exist where a non-psychologist faced action solely for practicing hypnosis. Practitioners should avoid representing themselves as psychologists or as providing psychological treatment without appropriate licensure.
Q: What training do Honolulu hypnotists typically have?
A: Training varies among practitioners in Honolulu. Licensed mental health professionals who use hypnosis may complete additional training through organizations like the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). Non-licensed hypnotists may have completed certificate programs through institutions like Island Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy Academy of America, or training with organizations like the National Guild of Hypnotists or IMDHA. Training hours can range from 100+ hours to several hundred hours. Hawaii Hypnosis Center’s practitioners hold Master Hypnotist distinctions from national and international authorities. When selecting a hypnotist, ask about specific training institutions, total hours completed, and ongoing continuing education.