1. Behavioral Medicine, Ltd. (Dr. Steven Gurgevich)
Specialization: Clinical hypnosis and medical hypnotherapy provided by a licensed psychologist. Focus on mind-body medicine, chronic pain management, medical support hypnosis, and spirituality in psychotherapy.
Conditions Addressed: Chronic pain, injury recovery (especially workers’ compensation cases), life adjustments, anxiety, stress, medical procedure preparation, habit change, psychological issues related to physical health.
Services Offered: Individual psychotherapy sessions, clinical hypnosis, medical hypnotherapy, psychological counseling, audio programs for self-hypnosis, professional training and education for physicians and healthcare providers.
Background: Dr. Steven Gurgevich holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Arizona, along with two master’s degrees. He has been in private practice since 1973, over 50 years. He is a Fellow, Approved Consultant, and faculty member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). He holds memberships in the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH). Dr. Gurgevich has served as Director of the Mind-Body Clinic at Dr. Andrew Weil’s Center for Integrative Medicine where he continues to teach mind-body methods to physicians. He has published over 100 audio programs, books, professional publications, and textbook chapters on clinical hypnosis.
Location: 5215 N. Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ 85750
Contact: https://www.healingwithhypnosis.com
Session Info: $275 per hour, payable at time of service. Sessions with a licensed psychologist. Lectures and professional training available nationally.
2. Angie Riechers Hypnotherapy
Specialization: Medical Support Clinical Hypnotherapy using Integral Hypnotherapy methods for negative thinking patterns, fears, sports performance, pregnancy support, and weight management.
Conditions Addressed: Negative thinking patterns, fears and phobias, sports performance issues, pregnancy and childbirth preparation, weight management, stress, anxiety, personal transformation goals.
Services Offered: Individual in-person hypnotherapy sessions, virtual Zoom sessions, 30-minute discovery consultations, customized hypnotherapy programs.
Background: Angie Riechers holds the CMS-CHt (Certified Medical Support Clinical Hypnotherapist) credential and is a Fellow of the International Board of Hypnotherapy (FIBH). She is a graduate of The Hypnotherapy Academy of America with 500 hours of education in Integral Hypnotherapy. Her training is backed by NIH-funded research demonstrating effectiveness of the integral approach.
Location: 8230 East Broadway BLVD, Suite P3, Tucson, AZ 85710
Contact: https://angieriechershypnotherapy.com
Session Info: 30-minute complimentary consultation available. In-person sessions at Tucson office. Virtual sessions available via Zoom with no geographical limitations.
3. Tucson Hypnosis (Willow)
Specialization: Consulting hypnosis for stress reduction, overactive mind, habit change, life transitions, and personal clarity.
Conditions Addressed: Stress, anxiety, overactive and racing thoughts, unwanted habits, life transitions, lack of clarity and confidence, emotional overwhelm.
Services Offered: Individual hypnosis sessions, life and personal coaching, spiritual mentoring, combination sessions blending hypnosis with coaching and intuitive insight.
Background: Willow is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist with over 22 years of experience helping people with stress reduction and habit change. She combines professional hypnosis training with supportive life coaching and intuitive insight. Her approach is described as grounded, practical, and tailored to each individual client.
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact: https://tucsonhypnosis.com
Session Info: Sessions designed to help clients feel calmer, clearer, and more empowered. Practical approach to releasing unwanted patterns and creating lasting change.
4. Claireified Healing Arts (Claire Miriam Ostrovsky)
Specialization: Clinical hypnotherapy combined with massage therapy and energy healing modalities for holistic wellness.
Conditions Addressed: Stress, chronic tension, emotional issues, physical discomfort, energy imbalances, personal transformation goals.
Services Offered: Clinical hypnotherapy sessions, massage therapy (various modalities including craniosacral therapy and shiatsu), Reconnective Healing, combined treatment plans integrating multiple modalities.
Background: Claire Miriam Ostrovsky is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. She has been a healing arts practitioner in private practice since 2003 and became a certified hypnotherapist in 2016. She is also a Reconnective Healing Foundational Practitioner and Reconnection-Certified Practitioner since 2022.
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact: (520) 481-4311 | https://www.claireifiedhealingarts.com
Session Info: Multiple healing modalities available. Sessions can combine hypnotherapy with bodywork and energy healing.
5. Phyllis Gasparro Hypnotherapy
Specialization: Medical Support Clinical Hypnotherapy for personal transformation, pattern change, and unlocking subconscious potential.
Conditions Addressed: Feeling “stuck” in life, ingrained patterns and beliefs, blocks to potential, stress, anxiety, personal transformation goals, pain management.
Services Offered: Individual hypnotherapy sessions, in-person sessions in Tucson, virtual online sessions, discovery call consultations.
Background: Phyllis Gasparro holds the CMS-CHt (Certified Medical Support Clinical Hypnotherapist) credential and is a Fellow of the International Board of Hypnotherapy (FIBH). This represents completion of advanced training and certification requirements through the IBH.
Location: Tucson, Arizona (office location)
Contact: https://angieriechershypnotherapy.com/phyllis-gasparro-hypnotherapist/
Session Info: In-person sessions available at Tucson office. Online sessions available from anywhere. Discovery call consultations offered. Sessions focus on safe, guided work with the subconscious mind.
Hypnosis Regulations in Arizona
Arizona does not have state-level licensing requirements specifically for hypnotists or hypnotherapists. The practice of non-therapeutic hypnosis is not directly regulated by Arizona state law.
Research did not reveal any Arizona state laws or regulations restricting the practice of hypnosis or hypnotherapy for non-therapeutic purposes. The city of Avondale, Arizona has a local ordinance that states it is unlawful to practice hypnotism or to be a subject for hypnotists, with exemptions for hypnosis used in treatment by accredited doctors of medicine or dentistry, and for teaching hypnotism at state-accredited educational institutions maintaining college-level academic standards. Other municipalities may have similar local ordinances that practitioners should verify.
Arizona Administrative Code Section R4-38-306 addresses delegation by homeopathic physicians and states that a physician may not delegate psycho-therapeutic procedures, including individual and group psychotherapy, clinical hypnosis, or other behavioral health interventions to unlicensed persons. This regulation applies specifically to medical delegation and does not directly regulate independent hypnotherapy practice.
Arizona does not provide a legal definition for “clinical hypnosis” in state statutes. The general interpretation is that clinical hypnosis refers to therapeutic hypnosis conducted by medical or mental health professionals for treatment of illness, injury, or disease.
Licensed health professionals in Arizona, including psychologists, physicians, counselors, and social workers regulated by their respective state boards, may incorporate hypnosis into their licensed practice within their authorized scope.
Non-licensed hypnotists in Arizona may practice hypnosis for avocational and vocational self-improvement purposes such as stress reduction, smoking cessation, weight management, confidence building, and habit change. They should avoid diagnosing or treating medical or psychological conditions and should refer clients with diagnosed mental health issues to licensed professionals.
Practitioners are advised to maintain professional liability insurance, use appropriate disclosure statements, obtain informed consent, and comply with general consumer protection and business regulations. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office handles consumer protection complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is hypnotherapy licensed in Arizona?
A: Arizona does not have a state licensing requirement for hypnotherapists. Non-therapeutic hypnosis for self-improvement purposes such as stress management, smoking cessation, weight loss, and habit change can be practiced without a state license. However, practitioners should be aware that “clinical hypnosis” when used for therapeutic treatment of medical or psychological conditions typically falls under the scope of licensed health professionals. Some Arizona cities may have local ordinances regarding hypnosis practice, so practitioners should verify local requirements.
Q: How do I find a qualified hypnotist in Tucson?
A: Look for practitioners certified through recognized national organizations such as the International Board of Hypnotherapy (IBH), National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE), or American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). Request information about their training, certification numbers, years of experience, and whether they carry professional liability insurance. Many Tucson hypnotherapists offer free initial consultations which provide an opportunity to assess their qualifications and approach before committing to sessions.
Q: Does Arizona insurance cover hypnotherapy?
A: Most Arizona health insurance plans do not cover hypnotherapy services provided by non-licensed practitioners. If hypnosis is provided as part of treatment by a licensed psychologist, physician, or mental health counselor, coverage may be available under mental health or behavioral health benefits depending on your plan. Contact your insurance provider directly for specific coverage information. Some practitioners offer sliding scale fees, payment plans, or package discounts. HSA and FSA accounts may cover hypnotherapy with appropriate documentation.
Q: What is the difference between a consulting hypnotist and clinical hypnotherapist in Arizona?
A: A consulting hypnotist typically focuses on non-therapeutic applications such as habit change, motivation, confidence building, stress reduction, and performance enhancement. They work with normal life challenges and self-improvement goals. A clinical hypnotherapist, particularly one with credentials like CMS-CHt (Certified Medical Support Clinical Hypnotherapist), has additional training to work as an adjunct to medical or psychological treatment, often requiring referral from licensed healthcare providers for medical support applications. Licensed psychologists or counselors who use hypnosis combine it with their licensed mental health practice for therapeutic purposes.
Q: Where can I file a complaint about a hypnotist in Arizona?
A: For non-licensed hypnotists, complaints about fraudulent advertising, deceptive practices, or consumer protection violations can be filed with the Arizona Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Advocacy Section at (602) 542-5763 or (800) 352-8431. If the practitioner is certified through organizations like IBH, NGH, or ACHE, you can file ethics complaints with those organizations. If the hypnotherapist is also a licensed healthcare professional, complaints can be filed with the appropriate Arizona licensing board such as the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners or the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.