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AHA Hypnotherapists Directory

Biography for Janet Ricci Elkun, PsyD, CCHt, MS

Dr. Janet Ricci Elkun (PsyD, CCHt, MS) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist practicing in California. Her educational and professional background spans psychology, medicine, and cross‑cultural clinical work. Born and raised in Italy, she immigrated to the United States in 2014 to pursue advanced education and training.

Dr. Ricci Elkun works with a wide range of clinical populations and provides comprehensive psychological and neurocognitive assessments, including evaluations for ADHD, Autism spectrum conditions, and learning disabilities, as well as pre‑treatment psychological clearances for chronic pain interventions, bariatric surgery, and opioid medication management. Her assessment approach integrates structured diagnostic interviewing, psychometric testing, behavioral observations, and culturally informed case conceptualization.

Before becoming a Psychologist, Dr. Ricci Elkun earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and worked in coronary intensive care and inpatient psychiatric units. She later completed a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Health Psychology at La Sapienza University of Rome. While practicing in Italy, she provided psychotherapy using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, autogenic training, mindfulness, and bioenergetic techniques with diverse clinical groups.

After relocating to the United States, Dr. Ricci Elkun completed specialized training in mindfulness‑based interventions at the UCSD Center for Mindfulness, including MBSR, MBCT, and MSC. She is also trained in EMDR, brainspotting, and clinical hypnosis, and she provides psychotherapy through an integrative, trauma‑informed approach that incorporates CBT, schema therapy, mindfulness‑based interventions, and psychodynamic principles. Her clinical specialties include trauma, anxiety and panic disorders, mood disorders, chronic pain, addiction, and somatic presentations.

Dr. Ricci Elkun earned her Doctoral Degree in Psychology with Honors. She is deeply committed to psychoanalytic ideas, cultural humility, and the integration of mind–body approaches. Her experience working across countries, languages, and healthcare systems has shaped her professional identity and strengthened her ability to serve patients from diverse ethnic, cultural, and clinical backgrounds. She is fluent in Italian, French, and English, and values providing culturally responsive, inclusive care.

Hypnotherapy Specialties

  1. Aggression
  2. Agoraphobia
  3. Anger
  4. Anxiety
  5. Assist Healing
  6. Biofeedback
  7. Breathing
  8. Chronic Pain
  9. Death or Loss
  10. Helplessness
  11. Irritability
  12. Lack of Direction
  13. Pain Management
  14. Pessimism
  15. Relationship Enhancement
  16. Self Confidence
  17. Social Phobia
  18. Stop Smoking/Vaping
  19. Stress
  20. Trauma

Experience

Dr. Ricci Elkun works as a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in San Diego. Her work includes providing supervision, psychological assessments, and various types of clinical clearances. In therapy, she uses a mix of approaches depending on the client—hypnotherapy, CBT, EMDR, biofeedback, DBT, and mindfulness‑based interventions. She likes having a flexible toolkit so she can match what she is doing to what the client actually needs.

Also, she works as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at MiraCosta College, California.

Prior to moving to the United States, Dr. Ricci Elkun has worked in Europe as a mental health provider, assisting a variety of clinical groups including those with severe mental disorders.

Prior her career as a mental health clinician, Dr. Ricci has worked as a nurse practitioner for numerous years, specializing in both cardiology and psychiatry.

Education

  • Diploma in Hypnotherapy
    Hypnosis Motivation Institute - Nationally Accredited College of Hypnotherapy - 818-758-2700
    Date Started: 11/30/2020 - Date Graduated: 02/17/2022
    Total Hours: 300 - Total Weeks: 52 - Total Years: 1
  • Magistral Degree in Clinical and Community Health Psychology
    Sapienza University of Rome
    Date Started: 09/03/2012 - Date Graduated: 01/15/2014
    Total Years: 2
  • Doctor of Psychology
    California Southern University
    Date Started: 11/01/2020 - Date Graduated: 12/31/2023
    Total Years: 3

Continuing Education

  • EMDR Training - 2023

Certifications

  • Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
    American Hypnosis Association - 818-758-2700
    Certification Number: 012193
    Certification Valid To: Jun 15, 2027

Certifications from the American Hypnosis Association

  1. Healing the Inner Child - 05/2021

Professional Memberships

  • American Hypnosis Association
    Member Since: 2023

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • French
  • Italian

Contact Information

Janet Ricci Elkun
Dr. Janet Ricci Elkun
Escondido, California 92027, United States

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