1. Pure Hypnosis (Sean Wheeler)
Specialization: Habit elimination, fear and phobia treatment, anxiety reduction, depression support, smoking cessation, weight loss, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
Conditions Addressed: Smoking, overeating, fears, phobias, anxiety, depression, unwanted habits, stress, confidence issues, relationship challenges, emotional difficulties
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, NLP techniques, free 15-minute consultations, team of trained hypnotherapists, customized treatment plans
Background: Sean Wheeler is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and a Licensed Trainer of NLP by Richard Bandler (co-founder of NLP) and the Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. He is a certified member of the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH). Sean has performed more than 15,000 sessions with more than 3,500 clients over nearly two decades. He has been featured on major media outlets including CNN, CNN Headline News, Fintech TV, ABC, NBC, CBS, Atlantas B98.5 FM, Star 94, Food Network Radio, and Nancy Grace. His work has also appeared in Fitness Magazine. He has worked with notable clients including NBA star Clint Capela and radio personalities.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Contact: https://purehypnosis.com
Session Info: Free 15-minute consultation available. Sean works with a select number of highly motivated clients. He has also trained a team of hypnotherapists who serve clients.
2. Hypnosis Works Atlanta (Kathy Pickel)
Specialization: Clinical hypnosis, medical hypnosis, smoking cessation, weight management, stress reduction, habit change, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
Conditions Addressed: Smoking, overeating, stress, anxiety, unwanted habits, self-limiting beliefs, emotional blocks
Services Offered: Individual consulting hypnosis sessions, clinical hypnosis, medical hypnosis, NLP techniques
Background: Kathy Pickel is a Consulting Hypnotist trained in Clinical and Medical Hypnosis from the Atlanta Center for Hypnosis Training (ACHT). She is certified as a Consulting Hypnotist with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) and certified as a Clinical Hypnotherapist with the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia State University. She is also a certified NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Practitioner. She maintains continuing education and describes herself as an autodidact with special interest in creativity, human potential, and flow states.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Contact: https://hypnosisworksatlanta.com
Session Info: Individual sessions available by appointment. Focus on helping clients become their best selves through hypnosis and NLP techniques.
3. Alisa Abdullaeva Hypnotherapy
Specialization: Weight loss, life transformation, career change, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), group therapy, personal development
Conditions Addressed: Overeating, weight management, life challenges, career obstacles, personal blocks, emotional issues
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, NLP audio programs, group therapies, Skype and FaceTime consultations, free 15-minute consultations
Background: Alisa Abdullaeva has provided hypnotherapy sessions and lectures that have helped over 3,400 people worldwide for more than 20 years. She specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and creates customized sessions based on individual client needs. She offers both in-person and remote sessions.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Contact: https://threebestrated.com/hypnotherapy-in-atlanta-ga
Session Info: Individual session via Skype/FaceTime $995. Individual 90-minute session $1,095. Hypnosis 2 Change Weight Loss $1,295. Life Coaching $1,195. One-on-One Specialized Online $495. Program Cost varies. Free 15-minute consultation available.
4. Jennifer Harbin, MS, LPC, NCC, CCH
Specialization: Clinical hypnotherapy, play therapy (children), adolescent therapy, adult therapy, couples therapy, Christian counseling, trauma work
Conditions Addressed: Anxiety, fears, phobias, unwanted behaviors, trauma, PTSD, childhood issues, adolescent challenges, relationship issues
Services Offered: Individual counseling, couples counseling, play therapy for children, clinical hypnotherapy, Christian counseling integration
Background: Jennifer Harbin holds a Masters degree and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (CCH), having received her training and certification from Dr. Becky Beaton at the Anxiety and Stress Management Institute, an NBCCH approved facility (for licensed mental health clinicians only). She practices in Marietta, Georgia serving the greater Atlanta area.
Location: Marietta, Georgia (greater Atlanta area)
Contact: https://www.marietta-therapist.com/clinical-hypnosis
Session Info: Clinical hypnotherapy integrated with traditional psychotherapy. Play therapy available for children. Emphasis on using hypnosis to bypass the critical factor of the mind and facilitate emotional congruence.
5. Atlanta Center for Hypnosis Training (Dr. Crow and Dr. Chamberlain)
Specialization: Hypnotherapy training and certification, clinical hypnosis education, behavior change, personal transformation, hypnotherapist development
Conditions Addressed: Various (through trained practitioners), stress, unwanted behaviors, personal development needs, habit disorders
Services Offered: Eight-week hypnotherapy certification course, individual sessions from graduates, practical training with supervised practice, human behavior education
Background: The Atlanta Center for Hypnosis Training is operated by Dr. Crow and Dr. Chamberlain. The training program covers hypnosis techniques and the science of human behavior. The course includes classroom instruction, demonstrations, and supervised practice. Training includes workbooks and materials. Graduates become certified hypnotherapists.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Contact: https://atlantacenterforhypnosistraining.com
Session Info: Eight-week certification course. Investment is $2,500 including all workbooks and training materials. Early registration discount available (sign up and fully pay by February 15th to receive three bonus sessions). Small training size. Credits can be applied to future training if withdrawal is needed.
Hypnosis Regulations in Georgia
Georgia does not have specific state licensing requirements for hypnotists or hypnotherapists. The practice of hypnosis is not directly regulated by Georgia state law.
The only Georgia statute or regulation regarding hypnosis that research has revealed is Georgia Code Section 48-13-9, which addresses the limitation on authority of local governments to impose regulatory fees. This statute lists hypnotists as one of many examples of businesses or practitioners of professions that may be subject to regulatory fees by local governments. This is the only mention of hypnosis, hypnotherapy, or hypnotists found in Georgia law.
This means that while local governments in Georgia may require business licensing and regulatory fees for hypnosis practices, there is no state-level licensure or certification requirement for hypnotherapists.
Hypnotherapists in Georgia who focus on vocational and avocational self-improvement (rather than diagnosing or treating mental health disorders) may practice without a healthcare license. Research has not revealed any known legal cases in Georgia where someone faced legal action solely for practicing hypnosis or hypnotherapy.
The Atlanta National Hypnotherapy Institute (ANHI) is identified as the only state-authorized school of hypnotherapy in Georgia, indicating that Georgia does maintain some involvement in hypnotherapy education.
General business laws apply to hypnotherapy practices in Georgia, including consumer protection laws and truth in advertising regulations. Practitioners should maintain professional liability insurance and follow ethical guidelines.
Certification through recognized national organizations such as the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE), or International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT) is voluntary but recommended for professional credibility.
Licensed healthcare professionals in Georgia (psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, physicians) may incorporate hypnosis into their scope of practice consistent with their professional licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are hypnotists required to be licensed in Georgia?
A: Georgia does not require hypnotists or hypnotherapists to obtain a state license. There is no state-mandated registration or certification for hypnosis practitioners. However, local governments in Georgia may require business licensing and regulatory fees. Practitioners should check with their local city or county governments for business license requirements. While state licensing is not required, certification from national organizations such as the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) or the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) is recommended for professional credibility and demonstrates a baseline of training and ethical commitment.
Q: What is the difference between a lay hypnotist and a licensed professional using hypnosis in Georgia?
A: According to the Georgia Hypnosis Society, a lay hypnotist is someone trained in hypnosis but lacking medical, psychological, dental, or other professional healthcare training. They may be certified through hypnosis organizations but do not hold state healthcare licenses. Licensed health professionals who use hypnosis (psychologists, counselors, physicians, dentists) typically have seven to nine years of university coursework plus supervised training, with hypnosis training in addition to their primary professional education. These professionals are licensed by the state in their respective fields. Membership in the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) or the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH) indicates a licensed healthcare professional using hypnosis.
Q: How can I verify a hypnotists credentials in the Atlanta area?
A: To verify credentials, ask the practitioner about their training, certifications, and professional memberships. For National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) members, check the directory at ngh.net. For American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) certification, request verification through their organization. If a practitioner claims to be a licensed mental health professional (LPC, LCSW, psychologist), verify through the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists or the Georgia Board of Psychology. Ask about continuing education and years of experience. Request a free consultation to assess the practitioners approach and compatibility.
Q: Are there hypnotherapy training schools in the Atlanta area?
A: Yes, several hypnotherapy training programs operate in the Atlanta area. The Atlanta National Hypnotherapy Institute (ANHI) is identified as the only state-authorized school of hypnotherapy in Georgia. The Atlanta Center for Hypnosis Training offers an eight-week certification course taught by Dr. Crow and Dr. Chamberlain. Good Vibes Hypnosis Training offers live online interactive training for Georgia residents. Training programs typically lead to certification through organizations such as the International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT) or the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE). Prospective students should verify that training programs are approved by recognized certification bodies.
Q: What types of issues do Atlanta hypnotherapists commonly address?
A: Hypnotherapists in the Atlanta area commonly work with clients on smoking cessation, weight management, stress and anxiety reduction, phobia elimination, confidence building, habit control, sports performance enhancement, and personal development. Some practitioners offer specialized services such as clinical hypnotherapy integrated with traditional psychotherapy, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) techniques, or hypnotherapy for children through play therapy approaches. Licensed mental health professionals may use hypnotherapy to address trauma, PTSD, depression, and other clinical conditions within their scope of practice. Most consulting hypnotists focus on non-clinical applications such as habit change and self-improvement.