Hypnosis is a powerful tool that can help individuals overcome a variety of issues and achieve specific goals. It involves entering a state of focused attention and relaxation, allowing the mind to become more open to suggestions and positive changes. Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that utilizes hypnosis as a means of treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, addiction, smoking cessation, and chronic pain.

When looking for a hypnotherapist near you, find someone who has the qualifications and experience in the areas you need assistance with. While the titles of hypnotist and hypnotherapist are often used interchangeably, it's crucial to look for someone who has proper training in hypnotherapy specifically.

In-person sessions with a qualified hypnotherapist in your area can be beneficial for personalized care tailored to your needs. Remote virtual sessions by video chat are also an effective alternative if you find a practitioner who meets your needs but isn't nearby.

Ultimately, choosing the right hypnotherapist comes down to finding someone who has expertise in your areas of concern and with whom you feel comfortable working. With the right guidance from an attentive and qualified professional, hypnosis can be an incredibly powerful tool for achieving positive change in your life.

Locate Hypnotherapy Services Near You

Google Maps: Local Hypnosis Services

One of the easiest ways to find reputable hypnosis and hypnotherapy services near you is by using Google Maps. By simply searching “hypnotherapist near me” or “hypnosis near me” (we've tested the depth of the results, so use these), Google Maps will provide you with a list of local practitioners, along with their contact information and reviews from recent clients. E.g. see what it looks like here.

Google Search: Local & National Hypnotherapists

You can also use Google Search to find hypnotherapists locally and beyond who do virtual sessions by video chat. While Google Search may not provide as well organized results as Google Maps and require some sorting through, it can still be a useful tool especially if you take note of both the sponsored results (paid ads) and the organic listings. Search “hypnotherapist near me” or “hypnotist near me”.

Aggregators: Yelp, Bark, Thervo, Thumbtack & others

The hypnotherapists on aggregation referral services like these pay to promote themselves or purchase your name as a lead in one manner or another and are competing for your business based on price and reviews. Experiences vary by client and practitioner. We at Village Hypnotherapy previously listed ourselves on most of these sites but pulled back our paid participation after encountering inconsistent customer service from the sites. You may find that the practitioners are slower to respond, may not respond at all, or are not as attentive due to the inherent platform issues. Know that these services promote providers of all forms from home improvement contractors to plumbers to therapists.

Dedicated, online-only mental health services like BetterHelp, Alma, and Talkspace aggregate psychotherapists, counselors and similar with few of them trained in hypnotherapy. These services choose to not promote pure hypnotherapists because insurance companies generally don't cover the service. In fact, even the providers on these services may not promote hypnotherapy and similar approaches because they will not receive payment for them from insurance companies and the techniques will likely shorten their engagement with you - an undesirable outcome for the provider and the service - the opposite of what is in your best interest.

Ask for Referrals

Asking friends, family members, or colleagues if they know of any reputable hypnotherapists in your area is another great way to find local services. Additionally, you could ask your primary care physician or psychiatrist/psychotherapist for recommendations. However, keep in mind that these individuals may not have close familiarity with modern hypnotherapy techniques and even have an outdated understanding of the benefits of hypnotherapy thinking the practice is ineffective or a placebo, which it most certainly is not.

Group Hypnosis Experiences

If you’re interested in group experiences close to you focused on general relaxation and learning self-hypnosis techniques, there are several online resources available to find hypnotists or hypnotherapists leading gatherings, including Meetup, Eventbrite, Patch, Nextdoor, and your local newspaper’s website. Group hypnosis sessions are useful for meeting a local hypnotherapist but are of limited use to address serious concerns.

Schedule a Free Zoom Consultation

Of course, one option worth considering is reaching out to us. We offer a free 20-minute consultation via Zoom where we discuss your specific needs and determine if hypnotherapy and our practice is right for you. We are located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area city of Orinda and do both in person and virtual hypnotherapy and coaching sessions.

7 Tips: The Best Hypnotherapist Nearby

Choosing the right hypnotherapist can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to this health modality. It is essential to choose a professional who has received comprehensive training from reputable, accredited institutions and adheres to strict ethical guidelines. These guidelines should be presented on their website or in their intake form - ask to read them.

TIP #1 - Check Their Credential

Certified Hypnotherapist (CHt) or Clinical Hypnotherapist (CCHT) are the two primary professional titles you should look for when seeking hypnosis services near you. CHts and CCHTs have undergone rigorous training and must meet specific standards set by their respective certifying bodies. These professionals have extensive knowledge and experience in various techniques used in hypnosis therapy.

TIP #2 - Verify Their Associations

When choosing a hypnotherapist near you, it is crucial to verify that they are members of one of the top associations in the field such as the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (top recommendation), American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, National Guild of Hypnotists, International Certification Board of Clinical Hypnotherapists, or the International Society of Advanced Hypnotherapists. These organizations ensure that their members maintain high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct. You can look up a hypnotherapist’s name in the directory of these associations. For example, here’s the ACHE member directory.

TIP #3 - Inquire About Their Training

Ensure that your chosen hypnotherapist has attended an accredited school. Our top recommended schools in the United States:

• The Hypnotherapy Training Institute
• The Hypno Academy

Other recommendations: schools accredited by the ACHE and the HMI College of Hypnotherapy

NOTE: Avoid hypnotists and hypnotherapists in your area who do not have formal training or certification as described above. These individuals may lack the necessary skills and knowledge required to provide safe and effective treatment.

It's also worth noting that working with a hypnotherapist who is also a stage hypnotist (part-time entertainer) is not necessarily a negative as their hypnosis skillset overlaps with working with the mind. We do recommend, however, finding someone who was trained first as a hypnotherapist and later became a stage performer so that their development comes from the fundamentals of care and is well-trained.

TIP #4 - Read Reviews or Get References

When searching for a hypnotherapist near you, it is essential to read/watch online reviews and testimonials. These can provide valuable insights into the quality of services provided by the hypnotherapist. You may also ask for references related to the area of concern you are looking for assistance with.

TIP #5 - Ask Questions

Discuss any issues or hesitations you may have with your chosen hypnotherapist. Being open and honest about your issues and concerns will help them determine if they are a good match for you. Failing to reveal major areas of concern or situational challenges can lead to your full expectations not being met.

TIP #6 - Inquire About the Process & Tools

In addition to sessions, some hypnotherapists may offer additional tools such as an audio recording to help support your progress between sessions. Be sure to ask about these options when choosing a hypnosis service near you.

TIP #7 - Do They Carry Insurance

When choosing a hypnotherapist, ask if they have professional liability insurance and can please share it. This ensures that both parties are protected.

Costs: Hypnosis Near You

As with any service, the cost of hypnotherapy varies greatly depending on several factors. Some practitioners are just starting out and offer lower rates, while others have years of experience and charge a premium for their services because the impact they produce tends to be life-changing. Additionally, location plays a big role in determining the cost of hypnotherapy near you. In this section, we will discuss the various factors that influence the cost of hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapist's Experience

The most experienced and accomplished hypnotherapists charge upwards of $1,000 per session. This may seem like a steep price to pay for a one or two hour-long session, but keep in mind that these professionals have spent years honing their craft and developing techniques that produce results quickly and efficiently.

Location

The location where you receive hypnotherapy can also impact the cost. If you live in a major metropolitan area, such as New York City or San Francisco, you can expect to pay more for your sessions than if you live in a smaller town or rural area.

Issues Addressed

Another factor that contributes to the cost of hypnotherapy is the specific issues being addressed during each session. For example, if you are seeking help with smoking cessation or weight loss, your session plan may be more expensive than if you are seeking help with anxiety or stress management.

Package Options

Most hypnotherapists near you have package options that are tailored to specific issues. These packages often include multiple sessions at a slightly reduced rate compared to paying for each session individually. This can be an attractive option for those who require ongoing treatment or who want to save money on their overall treatment costs. Most hypnotherapists will require a few (e.g. 3-5) sessions when working with a new client as there is an natural arc to feeling better.

Sticker Shocked?

It is worth noting that most hypnotherapists work to create direct and fast change in their clients, charging much higher rates per session compared to talk therapists (psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists, counselors) who earn small reimbursements from the insurance companies and are unfortunately incentivized to conduct dozens to hundreds of sessions lasting months to years -- many are even switching to a direct billing, out-of-pocket approach due to this. Hypnotherapists accept these clients all the time after talk therapy hasn’t achieved the results they desired.

When calculating your total costs, consider that talk therapy sessions and medications often require years of co-pays, fuel and parking costs, and subscription costs (online services). So even at higher rates, hypnotherapy is often seen as a more economical form of therapy than traditional talk therapy.