Serving the Greater Memphis Area, Mid-South & Mississippi
Best Hypnotherapist Near Memphis, Tennessee
Cissie Pryor, R.N., LMT · Certified Hypnotherapist · Arlington, TN
Trained under Theodore X. Barber & Dr. Paul D'Encarnacao · 39 Years of Practice
What to Look for in a Clinical Hypnotherapist
Hypnotherapy is a legitimate, evidence-based clinical tool — but its effectiveness depends almost entirely on the skill and credentials of the practitioner. The field varies enormously in quality, and choosing the right hypnotherapist is a decision that matters.
The hallmarks of a genuinely qualified clinical hypnotherapist include: formal certification with a demonstrable training lineage, years of direct clinical practice, an understanding of psychology and behavioral science, and ideally a medical or clinical background that supports the work. Stage hypnosis and entertainment hypnosis are not clinical hypnotherapy.
By every meaningful measure, Cissie Pryor at Living Health Day Spa stands alone in the Memphis area. She is a Registered Nurse with 45+ years of psychiatric and mental health care experience, and a Certified Hypnotherapist who trained directly under the two most influential figures in the scientific study of hypnosis: Theodore X. Barber and Dr. Paul D'Encarnacao.
Cissie Pryor's Training Lineage — A Rare Distinction
In the early 1980s, Cissie pursued hypnotherapy training under two of the field's most consequential figures:
Theodore X. Barber
Theodore X. Barber was one of the most prolific hypnosis researchers of the 20th century, publishing over 200 scientific papers and numerous books. His work challenged existing assumptions about hypnotic susceptibility and demonstrated that the key variables in hypnotic response are cognitive and attitudinal — not a special "trance state." His research fundamentally reshaped how clinical hypnotherapy is practiced. Training directly under Barber placed Cissie at the forefront of the field's most rigorous scientific tradition.
Dr. Paul D'Encarnacao
Dr. Paul D'Encarnacao was a pioneering figure in clinical hypnotherapy and behavioral medicine whose approach emphasized the integration of hypnotic techniques with established psychological and medical principles. His work was particularly influential in the application of hypnotherapy to behavioral change — smoking cessation, weight management, anxiety, and performance enhancement. Cissie's training under D'Encarnacao gave her a practical, clinically grounded methodology for achieving lasting results.
This combination of training — from two different pioneers approaching the field from complementary angles — is what makes Cissie's hypnotherapy practice uniquely powerful. No other hypnotherapist in the Memphis area has equivalent training lineage.
What Hypnotherapy at Living Health Addresses
Not sure if hypnotherapy is right for your situation? Call Cissie at (901) 507-2333 for a brief consultation before booking.
What a Session Looks Like
Intake & Goal Setting (15–20 min)
You and Cissie discuss your specific goals, concerns, history, and desired outcomes. She listens carefully and adapts her approach to your individual situation — no scripts, no one-size-fits-all protocols.
The Hypnotherapy Session (60–75 min)
Using a combination of progressive relaxation, guided imagery, and suggestion techniques developed through her 39 years of practice and training under Barber and D'Encarnacao, Cissie guides you into a deeply relaxed, highly receptive state. The work happens here.
Integration & Next Steps (15 min)
You emerge feeling renewed and refreshed. Cissie discusses what was worked on, provides any follow-up guidance, and advises whether additional sessions would be beneficial. Most clients see meaningful results from a single 105-minute session.
Serving the Greater Memphis Area, Mid-South & Mississippi
Living Health Day Spa is at 11900 Mott St, Arlington, TN 38002 — approximately 20 minutes from East Memphis, 5 miles from Bartlett, and 3 miles from Lakeland. Clients drive from across Shelby County and beyond to work with Cissie — because no one in the region has equivalent credentials.
Begin Your Transformation with Cissie Pryor
105-minute initial session · $209 · Arlington, TN · By appointment only
Also explore: Full Hypnotherapy page · About Cissie Pryor
