1. San Diego Hypnosis Clinic – Diane Edwards
Specialization: Clinical hypnotherapy, weight loss, smoking cessation, anxiety and stress relief, self-esteem building, addictions, insomnia, phobias, IBS treatment, HypnoBirthing, gambling cessation
Conditions Addressed: Weight issues, smoking and vaping addiction, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, various addictions, insomnia, procrastination, fear of flying, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gambling problems
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, free initial consultations, customized audio recordings, online/virtual sessions via Zoom, HypnoBirthing childbirth preparation
Background: Diane Edwards established the San Diego Hypnosis Clinic in 1989 and has over 35 years of professional experience. She is recognized as a pioneer of modern hypnotherapy in the San Diego area. The clinic operates with a team of independent certified practitioners including Olga Villarreal, Meredith Osetek, Alexie Lekkos, and Laura Gonzalez, each with their own specializations. The clinic has helped thousands of clients and maintains consistent 5-star reviews.
Location: Multiple office locations throughout San Diego County serving El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Lemon Grove, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Bonita, Coronado, Del Mar, Poway, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Solana Beach
Contact: 619-246-9661 (Diane) | 619-876-8898 (Meredith) | [email protected] | https://sandiegohypnosisclinic.com
Session Info: Free no-obligation initial consultation, session rates by appointment (not by the hour), convenient hours with professional office locations, online sessions available, free 8-minute relaxation audio available
2. Bridges Hypnosis Center – John Bridges
Specialization: Clinical hypnotherapy, Ericksonian hypnosis, complementary medical hypnosis, NLP, anxiety treatment, weight loss, smoking cessation, trauma resolution, chronic stress management
Conditions Addressed: Anxiety, weight issues, smoking addiction, trauma, chronic stress, emotional and behavioral challenges, complex psychological issues
Services Offered: Individual sessions, solution-focused client-centered hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis training, NLP techniques, audio recordings for reinforcement
Background: John Bridges holds credentials as an NGH Board Certified Hypnotherapist (BCH) and Certified Instructor (CI) with the National Guild of Hypnotists, ranking among the organization’s recognized practitioners worldwide. He is a Certified Practitioner of Ericksonian Hypnosis (CPEH) from the Washington School of Clinical and Advanced Hypnosis, a Certified Hypnotherapist (CH) from the Leidecker Institute for Hypnotherapy Training, and a Certified Practitioner of Complementary Medical Hypnosis through Dr. C. Scott Giles and NGH. He is also a Certified NLP Practitioner from Midwest NLP, a Bandler-Certified school. With nearly 25 years of clinical experience beginning in 2001 in Illinois, John has trained thousands of individuals across the U.S. and Canada. He formerly served as a seminar facilitator and life coach with Anthony Robbins and Associates.
Location: North County San Diego, San Marcos area (close to Highway 101)
Contact: Available through website | https://www.bridgeshypnosis.com
Session Info: Sessions follow a four-phase approach for permanent positive change, free consultation available, sessions offered in-person and virtually
3. Motivational Institute of Hypnotherapy – Dr. Marla Brucker
Specialization: Integrative hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral hypnotherapy, Ericksonian hypnosis, energy psychology, therapeutic NLP, clinical hypnotherapy certification training
Conditions Addressed: Anxiety, stress, trauma, phobias, behavioral issues, limiting beliefs, personal development challenges, professional and career concerns
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, 300-hour comprehensive certification program, supervised clinical internship, energy psychology integration, neuro-linguistic programming training
Background: Dr. Marla Brucker holds a Doctorate in Clinical Hypnotherapy and is a Registered Hypnotic Anesthesiologist. She is a Master Neuro-Linguistic Programmer and certified trainer in Energy Psychology. Dr. Brucker has been teaching hypnotherapy certification training since 1991. The Motivational Institute of Hypnotherapy is a recognized and approved school under the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) and the International Hypnosis Federation (IHF). The program is one of only a few nationwide offering a supervised clinical internship.
Location: San Diego, California (see website for training and session locations)
Contact: Available through website | https://sandiegohypnosis.com
Session Info: Individual sessions available, certification program offered in 60-hour segments over five course sections throughout the year, full certificate completable in 9-12 months
4. Alpha Mind Hypnosis – Elena Mosaner
Specialization: Clinical hypnosis, NLP, weight loss, smoking cessation, performance anxiety, habit modification, stress management, confidence building, relationship healing, executive coaching
Conditions Addressed: Weight issues, smoking addiction, performance anxiety, harmful habits, heartbreak recovery, motivation challenges, stress, confidence issues, sleep difficulties
Services Offered: Individual sessions, online/remote sessions via video conferencing, customized hypnosis programs, self-improvement audio products, executive coaching
Background: Elena Mosaner (Beloff) is an NGH Certified Consulting Hypnotist and Master NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Practitioner. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the New School University and a Master’s in Science in Executive Coaching from the University of Texas. Elena has been practicing clinical hypnosis for over ten years and has worked with thousands of clients from across America and internationally, including her home country of Russia.
Location: San Diego and Los Angeles areas, with remote sessions available worldwide
Contact: Available through website | https://alphamindhypnosis.com
Session Info: In-person sessions in San Diego/Los Angeles, Skype and video sessions available worldwide, consultation available to discuss needs
5. Meredith Osetek – Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
Specialization: Clinical hypnotherapy, therapeutic imagery, NLP, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), mindfulness, trauma healing, anxiety reduction, addiction support, relationship issues, self-esteem building
Conditions Addressed: Anxiety, depression, trauma, fear, addiction, relationship troubles, low self-esteem, problematic behaviors, grief, emotional healing needs
Services Offered: Individual sessions, in-person sessions in San Diego, online sessions via Zoom, consultation calls
Background: Meredith Osetek is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist practicing in San Diego as part of the San Diego Hypnosis Clinic team. She is described as compassionate, warm, and highly intuitive, skilled at assisting clients of all ages in healing and personal growth. Meredith utilizes multiple modalities including hypnotherapy, therapeutic imagery, NLP, EFT, and mindfulness techniques. She has received recognition for creating personalized recordings and maintaining ongoing support for clients.
Location: San Diego, California (office location through San Diego Hypnosis Clinic)
Contact: 619-876-8898 | https://mohypnosis.com | https://sandiegohypnosisclinic.com/meredith-osetek/
Session Info: Free consultations available, sessions by appointment, virtual sessions available via Zoom
Hypnosis Regulations in California
California has specific guidelines for the practice of hypnosis but does not require mandatory state registration or licensing for hypnotists and hypnotherapists.
State Licensing Framework: California does not have an explicit statute requiring licensure specifically for hypnotists or hypnotherapy practice. Hypnotherapy is recognized as a self-regulated profession, and state licensing may not be conferred upon an occupational group for purposes of status or prestige according to the California State Legislature.
Business and Professions Code Section 2908: This section provides the primary legal framework for hypnosis practice in California. It exempts “persons using hypnotic techniques” from the psychology licensing act under two conditions: (1) when working under referral from persons licensed to practice medicine, dentistry, or psychology, or (2) when utilizing hypnotic techniques for “vocational or avocational self-improvement” that “do not treat emotional or mental disorders.”
Senate Bill 577 (SB-577) Requirements: Under California’s Complementary and Alternative Health Care Disclosure Act, unlicensed practitioners including hypnotherapists must provide written disclosure to clients that includes: a statement that the services are not licensed by the state; the nature of services being provided; the treatment theory upon which services are based; and the practitioner’s educational, training, experience, and other qualifications. Practitioners must obtain written acknowledgment from clients and maintain copies for three years.
Advertising Restrictions: Non-licensed practitioners must state in advertising materials that they are not licensed by the state as healing arts practitioners. Hypnotherapists must avoid making claims about diagnosing, prescribing, or treating medical or psychological conditions. California law prohibits false or misleading advertising.
Health Professional Exemptions: Licensed physicians, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, educational psychologists, marriage and family therapists, optometrists, psychiatric technicians, registered nurses, and attorneys admitted to the California State Bar may perform hypnosis within their authorized scope of practice without separate hypnosis certification.
Legal Precedent: In People v. Cantor (1961), the California Superior Court held that practicing hypnotism as a curative means for disease without a medical license was unlawful. This establishes that unlicensed practitioners must refrain from making health claims.
Professional Organization Standards: The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE), headquartered in San Diego (7183 Navajo Rd., Ste. E, San Diego, CA 92119), maintains high certification requirements and a code of ethics. Certification is awarded to those attending state-licensed schools with approved instructors. The ACHE Ethics Committee can suspend or revoke certification.
Informed Consent Requirements: Practitioners are expected to provide informed consent forms explaining the nature of hypnotherapy, session procedures, client rights, and the non-medical nature of services. Clients should be informed that hypnotherapy is non-diagnostic and complementary to licensed healing arts services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is hypnotherapy regulated by the state of California?
A: Hypnotherapy in California is a self-regulated profession without mandatory state licensing. Under Business and Professions Code Section 2908, hypnotists may practice legally when they either work under referral from licensed physicians, dentists, or psychologists, or when they offer services for vocational and avocational self-improvement that do not treat emotional or mental disorders. Non-licensed practitioners must comply with Senate Bill 577 disclosure requirements, which mandate providing clients with written information about their qualifications and the nature of services.
Q: How can I verify a San Diego hypnotist’s credentials?
A: Since California does not maintain a state registry for hypnotists, verification should be done through professional certification organizations. Check membership and certification status with organizations such as the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE), National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI), American Hypnosis Association (AHA), or International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association (IMDHA). Many practitioners display their certification numbers and membership information on their websites. If a practitioner holds additional mental health licenses (LMFT, LCSW, PhD), these can be verified through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology.
Q: What disclosures should a California hypnotherapist provide before sessions?
A: Under Senate Bill 577, unlicensed hypnotherapists in California must provide written disclosure before treatment that includes: (1) a clear statement that their services are not licensed by the state; (2) the nature of services to be provided; (3) the theory or philosophy upon which treatment is based; (4) their educational background, training, and qualifications; and (5) a statement that hypnotherapy is complementary to, not a substitute for, licensed medical or psychological services. The client must sign an acknowledgment form, and the practitioner must maintain copies for at least three years.
Q: Does insurance cover hypnosis sessions in San Diego?
A: Standard health insurance typically does not cover hypnosis provided by non-licensed hypnotherapists. However, if hypnotherapy is provided by a licensed mental health professional (LMFT, LCSW, psychologist) as an adjunct to psychotherapy, it may be covered under mental health benefits depending on the insurance plan. Patients should verify coverage directly with their insurance provider. Most San Diego hypnotists operate on a cash-pay basis with some offering package pricing and payment plans.
Q: What is the difference between a hypnotist and a hypnotherapist in California?
A: In California, the terms are often used interchangeably, though “hypnotherapist” typically denotes a higher level of training focused on therapeutic applications. The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) establishes specific training standards for certification as a hypnotherapist, which generally require more extensive education than basic hypnotist certification. Licensed mental health professionals who use hypnosis as part of their practice may refer to their work as “clinical hypnotherapy.” Regardless of title, practitioners in California must comply with the same legal requirements under Business and Professions Code 2908 and SB-577 unless they hold separate professional licenses.