Hypnotist Arrested in Assault

A Corona del Mar hypnotist was released on bail Tuesday after being arrested on allegations of sexual assault on a patient during therapy sessions, police said.

Jay Cohen, 48, who conducted so-called hypnotic therapy at his home in the 500 block of Acacia Street, was arrested Thursday by Newport Beach detectives for allegedly assaulting a patient from September to November last year, police said.

Doing business as NLP Therapy and Hypnotherapy, Cohen had advertised self-confidence and depression therapy in local newspapers since April 1991, police said, even though he was not licensed as a therapist in California.

The patient, who said she had sought help for personal relationship problems, told police that Cohen had diagnosed her problem as sexual dysfunction and treated her with hypnosis and various forms of touching on six or seven occasions.

Cohen, who posted $50,000 bail, is scheduled to be arraigned May 22 on charges of rape with a foreign object and practicing without a license, police said.

Newport Beach detectives said they are looking for other people who may have been assaulted by Cohen and ask that they call 800) 550-NBPD.