1. Dr. Kenneth Cedric Grossman, PhD – Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy
Specialization: Solution-focused hypnotherapy targeting rapid resolution of issues for high-functioning individuals. Works with professional athletes, CEOs, corporate managers, and entrepreneurs. Author of hypnotherapy books and audio programs including “Mind Over Nicotine” and “Mastering the Art of Self-Hypnosis.”
Conditions Addressed: Anxiety and panic attacks, sleep issues, smoking cessation, weight management, alcohol control, sports performance (including golf improvement), and challenges faced by high-performing professionals.
Services Offered: Individual solution-focused hypnotherapy sessions, audio hypnotherapy programs (over 50 programs available), author presentations, and customized approaches for executives and athletes.
Background: Dr. Kenneth Grossman holds a PhD and has successfully worked with over 50,000 clients throughout his career. He is an International Certified Hypnotherapy Instructor and holds a Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell University. He is the author of “Mind Over Nicotine” and “Mastering the Art of Self-Hypnosis” along with over 50 audio hypnotherapy programs. He consults with professional athletes, CEOs, corporate managers, and entrepreneurs.
Location: Serves Stockton and San Joaquin County, California (contact for specific location)
Contact: Psychology Today profile available | https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/hypnotherapy/ca/stockton
Session Info: Contact for session availability, pricing, and consultation scheduling. Specializes in rapid resolution of issues.
2. Dr. Thomas C. Maples, PhD, LMFT – Transpersonal Hypnotherapy
Specialization: Transpersonal hypnotherapy for addressing anxiety, grief, death and dying issues. Certified in clinical hypnotherapy through the American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association (former Vice President). Combines depth psychology with hypnotic techniques.
Conditions Addressed: Anxiety, grief and loss, death and dying concerns, incomplete emotional experiences, and challenges suited to transpersonal psychological approaches.
Services Offered: Transpersonal hypnotherapy sessions, individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, couples therapy, family therapy, grief counseling, and psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Background: Dr. Thomas Maples holds a PhD and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). He has worked with people from varied walks of life including children with social and emotional difficulties, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. He has trained with experts in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Object Relations, Self Psychology, Play and Sand Tray Therapy, Family Systems, Structural Family Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He is certified in clinical hypnotherapy through the American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association and served as Vice President of that organization.
Location: Stockton, California (contact for specific address)
Contact: Psychology Today profile available | https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/hypnotherapy/ca/stockton
Session Info: Contact for session availability and pricing. Works with individuals of all ages, couples, and families.
3. Stop Smoking Hypnosis Center Stockton California
Specialization: Hypnotherapy services with focus on smoking cessation and habit change. Provides tailored hypnosis programs designed for individual client needs.
Conditions Addressed: Smoking addiction, habit control, stress management, and other issues addressed through personalized hypnotherapy.
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, smoking cessation programs, and customized hypnosis services.
Background: Stop Smoking Hypnosis Center provides hypnotherapy services in Stockton, California, with a focus on smoking cessation and related behavioral change.
Location: 2087 Grand Canal Boulevard, Suite 5, Stockton, California
Contact: (209) 649-2504 | https://hypnotherapy.directory/stop-smoking-hypnosis-center-stockton-california-stockton/
Session Info: Contact for session scheduling and pricing information.
4. Center For Psychotherapy – Dr. Wesley Robinson, PhD, LCSW
Specialization: Ericksonian hypnosis combined with clinical psychology and social work. Specializes in work with children, adolescents, families, and couples. Also utilizes the Gottman method for relationship therapy.
Conditions Addressed: Child and adolescent behavioral issues, family conflict, couples relationship challenges, attachment issues, emotional regulation difficulties, and various psychological concerns appropriate for Ericksonian hypnosis.
Services Offered: Ericksonian hypnosis, individual therapy, couples therapy using Gottman method, family therapy, child and adolescent therapy, and comprehensive psychological services.
Background: Dr. Wesley Robinson holds a PhD and is dual-licensed as both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and clinical psychologist. He has over 30 years of experience and serves as Executive Director of the Center For Psychotherapy. His approach combines Ericksonian hypnosis with evidence-based psychological treatments.
Location: Stockton, California (contact for specific address)
Contact: Center For Psychotherapy, Stockton, CA
Session Info: Contact for session availability and pricing. As a licensed clinician, services may qualify for insurance coverage.
5. Sacramento Hypnotherapy (Serving Stockton Area)
Specialization: Clinical hypnotherapy for inner wisdom discovery, behavioral change, addiction recovery, and comprehensive personal transformation. Multiple certified clinical hypnotherapists on staff with varied specializations.
Conditions Addressed: Smoking cessation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, addictions, test anxiety, personal transformation goals, and various emotional and behavioral challenges.
Services Offered: Individual clinical hypnotherapy sessions, smoking cessation programs, weight management, anxiety treatment, pain management, and personalized transformation programs.
Background: Sacramento Hypnotherapy is led by Maude, who has been practicing since achieving her Certificate of Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in 1999 and has helped thousands of clients. She founded the California School of Hypnotherapy in 2013. The practice employs multiple Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (CCHT), each with unique backgrounds including mental health, psychology, social work, career coaching, and teaching. Staff are graduates of the California School of Hypnotherapy and maintain current certifications.
Location: Sacramento, California (approximately 45 miles from Stockton, offers telehealth)
Contact: (916) 549-5109 | sacramentohypnotherapy.com | https://sacramentohypnotherapy.com
Session Info: In-person sessions in Sacramento. Telehealth options available for Stockton-area clients. Contact for consultation scheduling and pricing.
Hypnosis Regulations in California
California has specific regulations affecting the practice of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. While California does not require mandatory registration for hypnotists, it does have statutory provisions that define the legal parameters for practice.
Licensing Status: California does not have an explicit statute requiring licensure specifically for hypnotists or hypnotherapy. However, California Business and Professions Code Section 2908 provides important guidance on legal practice parameters.
Psychology Act Exemption (BPC 2908): California Business and Professions Code Section 2908 exempts “persons using hypnotic techniques” from the psychology licensing act under specific conditions. Practitioners are exempted when providing “vocational or avocational self-improvement” as long as they “do not treat emotional or mental disorders.” This creates a clear boundary between consulting hypnosis (permitted without licensure) and therapeutic hypnosis (requiring appropriate licensure or referral).
Referral Provision: BPC 2908 also exempts persons using hypnotic techniques when working under referral from persons licensed to practice psychology, medicine, dentistry, or other licensed healing arts. This allows unlicensed hypnotists to work with therapeutic issues when a licensed professional provides appropriate referral and oversight.
Scope of Practice Limitations: Unlicensed hypnotists in California must carefully avoid treating emotional or mental disorders. Advertising must clearly disclaim medical practice and state that the hypnotist does not diagnose, prescribe, or treat medical conditions. The legal distinction lies between self-improvement hypnosis and therapeutic treatment of disorders.
Title Considerations: California restricts the use of certain professional titles. The title “clinical hypnotist” should not be used unless the practitioner holds appropriate clinical licensure (such as psychology licensure). Practitioners typically use titles like “Certified Hypnotist,” “Consulting Hypnotist,” or “Certified Hypnotherapist” (when certified through recognized organizations).
Training and Certification: California has historically been a leader in hypnotherapy training and certification. The state was home to the first state-licensed hypnotherapy center (Hypnotism Training Institute of Los Angeles, licensed in 1976). The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE), headquartered in San Diego, provides certification requiring 200 hours for Hypnotherapist and 300 hours for Clinical Hypnotherapist designations.
State-Approved Schools: California approves hypnotherapy training schools through the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Graduates of approved programs are eligible for certification through organizations like ACHE. The Hypnosis Motivation Institute in Tarzana is a nationally accredited hypnotherapy college.
Health Professional Integration: Licensed healthcare professionals in California, including physicians, psychologists, MFTs (Marriage and Family Therapists), LCSWs, and LPCCs, may incorporate hypnosis within their scope of practice without additional hypnosis-specific certification, though many pursue additional training.
Consumer Protection: California’s strong consumer protection laws apply to hypnosis practitioners. The Department of Consumer Affairs and local district attorneys enforce laws against misleading advertising and unfair business practices.
Business Requirements: Hypnosis practices in California must register as businesses with appropriate state and local agencies. Local business licenses and permits may be required depending on the city or county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What legal restrictions apply to hypnotists in Stockton and California?
A: California law (Business and Professions Code 2908) allows hypnosis for “vocational or avocational self-improvement” without licensure, but prohibits treating “emotional or mental disorders” without appropriate credentials. Hypnotists must clearly disclaim that they do not diagnose, prescribe, or treat medical conditions. For therapeutic hypnosis addressing psychological conditions, practitioners must either hold appropriate mental health licensure or work under referral from a licensed healthcare professional. Advertising must be truthful and avoid claims that could be interpreted as medical practice.
Q: How can I find a qualified hypnotherapist in the Stockton area?
A: Stockton has fewer dedicated hypnotherapy practices than larger California cities, so you may need to consider Sacramento-area practitioners (about 45 miles away) or telehealth options. Search the Psychology Today directory for hypnotherapists in San Joaquin County. Check certifying organization directories such as the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) at hypnotistexaminers.org or the Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI) at hypnosis.edu. For therapeutic issues, look for practitioners with dual credentials (LMFT, LCSW, PhD) who incorporate hypnosis. Verify that any practitioner you consider is certified through a recognized organization.
Q: Is hypnotherapy covered by insurance in California?
A: Hypnotherapy provided by an unlicensed consulting hypnotist is generally not covered by health insurance. However, when hypnotherapy is integrated into treatment by a licensed mental health professional (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or psychologist), it may be billed as psychotherapy and potentially covered under mental health benefits. California’s Mental Health Parity laws require insurance plans to cover mental health services comparably to medical services. Contact your insurance provider to verify specific coverage and ask whether hypnotherapy provided by a licensed therapist would be covered under your mental health benefits.
Q: What certification should a California hypnotist have?
A: California does not mandate specific certification, but reputable practitioners typically hold certification from organizations such as the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE, requiring 200-300 hours training), the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH, requiring minimum 100 hours), or the Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI, a nationally accredited college). The California School of Hypnotherapy also trains Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (CCHT). For therapeutic work, look for practitioners who are also licensed mental health professionals (LMFT, LCSW, PhD) or who work with physician referrals. Ask practitioners about their training hours, certification numbers, and continuing education.
Q: Can a hypnotist help with medical issues like chronic pain in California?
A: For medical issues, California law requires either appropriate healthcare licensure or a referral from a licensed healthcare provider. Non-licensed hypnotists can work on self-improvement aspects but should not claim to treat medical conditions. For chronic pain, seek hypnosis from a licensed psychologist or therapist trained in hypnosis, or obtain a referral from your physician to work with a consulting hypnotist. The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) provides a referral directory for licensed healthcare providers who use clinical hypnosis. UPMC and other medical centers in California offer medical hypnosis programs with appropriate clinical oversight.