1. PDX Hypnosis (Scott Duvall)
Specialization: Smoking cessation, weight loss, self-confidence, business performance, sports performance, chronic pain, allergies, anxiety, cancer treatment support
Conditions Addressed: Smoking addiction, weight management, low confidence, business performance blocks, sports performance issues, chronic pain, allergies, anxiety, cancer treatment side effects
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, consultation with medical professionals for complex issues, hypnosis with NLP integration, meditation integration, concentrated thought techniques
Background: Scott Duvall is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist and member of the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH). He served as past President, Vice President, and is current Fellow of the Oregon Hypnotherapy Association (OHA). He combines hypnosis with NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and meditation techniques. For complex medical issues, he consults with doctors, psychiatrists, and counselors.
Location: Portland, Oregon (in-person sessions)
Contact: (503) 238-4428 | https://pdxhypnosis.com/
Session Info: Complimentary consultation available. In-person services only. Medical referral required for diagnosed conditions. Clients should consult with their medical professional to determine if hypnosis is appropriate.
2. Loving Kindness Hypnosis (Laney Coulter)
Specialization: Smoking cessation, anger management, fertility support, pain reduction (OldPain2Go), weight management, self-improvement, psilocybin facilitation
Conditions Addressed: Smoking, anger issues, fertility challenges, chronic pain, weight issues, sleep problems, unhealthy eating habits, fear, general self-improvement goals
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, smoking cessation (single session approach), anger management, fertility hypnosis, OldPain2Go pain reduction, weight loss hypnosis, psilocybin facilitation services
Background: Laney Coulter is a Master Hypnotist with multiple certifications including BWRT (Brain Working Recursive Therapy) Level 2 Advanced Practitioner. Her background includes work as a special education administrator, teacher, and principal, giving her experience with human behavior and learning. She is OldPain2Go certified, a pain reduction method using hypnosis to communicate with brain pain signal systems. The practice now offers psilocybin facilitation services.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Contact: https://lovingkindnesshypnosis.com/
Session Info: Smoking cessation offered as single-session program. Various session types available for different concerns. Contact for current pricing and scheduling.
3. Clinical Hypnosis Portland (Cornelia Taubmann)
Specialization: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), stress, anxiety, sleep problems, unwanted behaviors, trauma processing, somatic experiencing
Conditions Addressed: IBS, stress, anxiety, sleep issues, unwanted behaviors, traumatic events, chronic stress effects, mind-body disconnection
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, Somatic Experiencing (SE) integration, parts work, cognitive-behavioral strategies, self-hypnosis training, daytime and nighttime hypnosis recordings
Background: Cornelia Taubmann has over 600 hours of hypnotherapy training and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). She trained under Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing method, which addresses trauma stored in the body. Her trauma-informed approach integrates hypnosis with somatic techniques, parts work, and cognitive-behavioral strategies.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Contact: https://clinicalhypnosispdx.com/
Session Info: Sessions are 60-70 minutes at $135 per session. Insurance not accepted; all sessions paid out-of-pocket. Recordings available for $10 per recording, with both daytime (awakening) and nighttime (sleep) versions at no extra cost. Free 30-minute online consultation to determine fit. 50% fee for cancellations under 24 hours; 100% for no-shows.
4. Northwest Hypnosis Institute (Bruce C. Terrill)
Specialization: Life changes, personal challenges, behavior modification, hypnosis certification training
Conditions Addressed: Personal challenges, unwanted behaviors, habit modification, performance issues, self-limiting beliefs
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, telephone sessions, online video conferencing sessions, hypnosis certification training courses (beginning and advanced), NLP training, coaching
Background: Bruce C. Terrill holds CI (Certified Instructor) and CHt (Certified Hypnotherapist) credentials. He is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist and Certified Conversational Hypnotherapist. Training includes Knightsbridge Institute of Hypnosis, National Guild of Hypnotists certification, International Association of Professional Conversational Hypnotists certification, and Certified Instructor of Hypnotism from NGH. He is certified in NLP and licensed as a Hypnotic Gastric Band Surgery Specialist. He is a member of the Oregon Hypnotherapy Association and National Guild of Hypnotists.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Contact: https://www.portlandhypnosistraining.org/
Session Info: Sessions available in person, by phone, or via video conferencing. Payment plans available. Training programs offered for hypnosis certification through NGH.
5. Genviev St. Clair Forensic and Clinical Hypnosis
Specialization: Forensic hypnosis, clinical hypnosis, professional training, brain rewiring, executive development, keynote presentations
Conditions Addressed: Personal transformation goals, professional development, confidence, competence, commitment issues, results achievement blocks
Services Offered: Individual hypnosis sessions, professional certification courses, self-hypnosis training, brain rewiring programs, continuing education for medical and mental health practitioners, keynote presentations, workshops, webinars, executive retreats, breakthrough mastermind weekends
Background: Genviev St. Clair provides both forensic and clinical hypnosis services. She offers certification courses recognized by the largest and oldest hypnosis organization (NGH). Her training programs serve medical and mental health practitioners seeking continuing education in evidence-based hypnosis methodologies. Corporate services include executive retreats and team development programs.
Location: Portland, Oregon (also offers virtual services)
Contact: https://genvievhypnosis.com/
Session Info: In-person and virtual sessions available. Corporate retreats and mastermind weekends offered. Contact for current pricing on individual sessions and training programs.
Hypnosis Regulations in Oregon
Oregon does not have specific state licensing requirements for hypnotists or hypnotherapists. There are no laws or regulations that limit or restrict the practice of hypnosis in Oregon. The state falls into the category of jurisdictions that do not specifically regulate hypnosis practice.
Hypnotists in Oregon are generally exempt from professional licensing requirements. However, practitioners should be aware of ORS 677.085 regarding the practice of medicine. A hypnotist could be considered practicing medicine if they: advertise or represent themselves as authorized to practice medicine in Oregon; offer or agree to prescribe, give, or administer drugs or medicine; claim to diagnose, cure, or treat any disease, illness, pain, wound, fracture, infirmity, deformity, defect, or abnormal physical or mental condition; or use terms like “Doctor,” “Physician,” “M.D.,” or “D.O.” in connection with their services (unless exempted by ORS 677.060).
Practicing medicine without a license in Oregon is a Class C felony under ORS 677.990, with potential consequences including fines, jail time, and prohibition from obtaining medical licensure.
In 2017, attempts were made to propose legislation that might have restricted hypnotherapists in Oregon. One proposal would have categorized hypnotherapists as “alternative behavioral health providers” subject to standards, registration requirements, fees, and possible examination. Another involved exploration of regulation for “unlicensed therapists.” Both attempts failed, and no restrictive legislation was enacted.
The Oregon Hypnotherapy Association (OHA) is a professional organization for hypnotherapists in the state, promoting professional standards and networking. The Oregon Society of Clinical Hypnosis serves medical and mental health providers who use clinical hypnosis, often affiliated with the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH).
Non-licensed hypnotists should avoid using terminology that implies medical or psychological practice. Certification through organizations like NGH, ACHE, IACT, or OHA provides professional credentials without state mandate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I verify a hypnotist’s credentials in Portland?
A: Since Oregon does not license hypnotists, verification involves checking with certifying organizations directly. For Oregon Hypnotherapy Association (OHA) members, contact OHA or check their directory at ohanw.org. For National Guild of Hypnotists credentials, search ngh.net. For American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) or International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT) certifications, contact those organizations. If the practitioner also holds a mental health license (LPC, LCSW, psychologist), verify through the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists or the Oregon Board of Psychology. Request certification numbers and dates from practitioners.
Q: Does insurance cover hypnotherapy in Oregon?
A: Hypnotherapy provided by non-licensed practitioners is generally not covered by health insurance in Oregon. Clinical hypnosis provided by licensed mental health professionals (LPCs, LCSWs, psychologists) as part of psychotherapy may be covered depending on your plan, diagnosis, and medical necessity. Coverage varies significantly by carrier and plan type. Contact your insurance provider directly to inquire about hypnotherapy coverage. Some practitioners, like Clinical Hypnosis Portland, note that insurance is not accepted and sessions are paid out-of-pocket. HSA and FSA accounts may cover hypnotherapy in some cases; check with your plan administrator.
Q: What is the Oregon Hypnotherapy Association?
A: The Oregon Hypnotherapy Association (OHA) is a professional organization for hypnotherapists practicing in Oregon. OHA promotes professional standards, provides networking opportunities, and maintains a directory of qualified hypnotherapists (Qualified Hypnotherapist designation). Members commit to ethical practice standards and ongoing professional development. OHA is separate from the Oregon Society of Clinical Hypnosis (OSCH), which serves licensed medical and mental health providers who use clinical hypnosis. Several Portland practitioners are OHA members or fellows, including Scott Duvall of PDX Hypnosis who is an OHA Fellow and past President.
Q: Can hypnotists in Portland help with IBS?
A: Yes, hypnotherapy for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a specialty area with significant research support. Clinical Hypnosis Portland specifically notes that hypnotherapy is a recommended treatment for IBS, particularly when brain-body communication contributes to symptoms. The approach addresses the gut-brain connection through hypnotic techniques. For IBS treatment, practitioners typically recommend working with a hypnotherapist who has specific training in gut-directed hypnotherapy or medical support hypnosis. Coordination with your gastroenterologist or primary care provider is advisable for comprehensive IBS management.
Q: Are there hypnosis training programs in Portland?
A: Portland has several hypnosis training options. Northwest Hypnosis Institute offers beginning and advanced courses for hypnosis certification, with training recognized by the National Guild of Hypnotists and International Association of Professional Conversational Hypnotists. Genviev St. Clair provides professional certification courses and continuing education for medical and mental health practitioners. The Oregon Society of Clinical Hypnosis offers educational partnerships and access to the ASCH e-Learning Center for licensed healthcare professionals. Good Vibes Hypnosis Training periodically offers live online training for Portland area residents. Training programs range from weekend introductory courses to comprehensive certifications requiring 100-300+ hours. Contact local training providers or visit certifying organization websites for current schedules and requirements.