How to find the right hypnotherapist for you

Deciding to try hypnotherapy is a big step towards improving your well-being, but how do you choose the right therapist? 10 years ago, you’d seek out someone who was most local to you - it’s unlikely you’d find more than a few hypnotherapists nearby. Nowadays, not only will you find dozens of hypnotherapists within a few miles of your home but, with the advent of online therapy, the entire world is at your fingertips. Therapy is such a personal experience that choosing the right therapist is the most important thing. In this article, I will help you pick the best therapist for you.

Understanding hypnotherapy regulation and training

In the UK, the only mental health therapist titles protected by law are psychiatrist and clinical psychologist/practitioner psychologist. A psychiatrist first goes to medical school to become a doctor, they then complete another eight years of training specialising in psychiatry. A clinical psychology title comes with a degree, a master’s degree and then a doctorate. Beyond this, anyone can legally call themselves anything they like, so it's important to delve a little deeper to ensure reputability.

Most hypnotherapy schools offer a year-long training, however, these trainings are all different and many hypnotherapists will continue their training in different areas to enhance their knowledge.

It's difficult to unpick which associations and training schools are reputable, so it's simpler to find one that aligns with your priorities. Most associations will have a code of conduct, or ethics and a criterion for membership. You will be able to read about each of these on the website of the association to see if they support what you seek.

Therapy is a personal experience, so it's important that you find what inspires you. It's important to understand that a hypnotherapist may choose not to join an association - not because they can’t but because they do not benefit from it. The National Council for Hypnotherapy is probably the UK’s biggest association. They only accept applications from a few hypnotherapy training schools or on completion of their own Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma.

Insurance

There is an option for hypnotherapists to take out insurance. This insurance generally covers the therapist for legal claims made against them. For example, accusations of injury or that the therapy has caused harm. The insurance may also cover claims made by a client if he or she feels that the advice provided leads them to loss or injury. It's unlikely an insurer will insure someone without adequate training. You can ask a therapist whether they have insurance and who the provider is.

Research and explore your options

By exploring, becoming knowledgeable and chatting with hypnotherapists, your journey to your goal will be easier. Whilst education and certification can be important, great learning often comes from experiences.

Read the websites of any possible hypnotherapists. Many now work online so whilst it may be overwhelming having a greater choice, the perfect fit for you could be someone further away.

Read about the way they work, who they are, and what experience they have. You can get a real feel for a person by browsing their online presence. As you explore, your intuition will help you to make a shortlist of hypnotherapists.

Contact therapists on your shortlist

Before you book an appointment, send an email or message to the hypnotherapists on your shortlist. Engage in conversation. You might like to have a phone conversation to test the rapport. Many therapists offer a free initial consultation to all clients. This is something that benefits the therapist as well as the client, as they get the opportunity to ask a lot of questions enabling them to work in the best way possible. Not all therapists find this necessary for their style of work.

Choose a professional based on expertise

Some hypnotherapists work with a variety of issues whilst others specialise in a particular area. It's not always obvious from a therapist’s online presence that they specialise in a particular subject so always ask what their experience is. Hypnotherapy is a technique that uses hypnosis to enhance another therapeutic modality. Find someone who will work in a way that meets your needs. For example, do you want to only focus on the future, or do you want to explore your past?

Consider the cost

Finally, but not of least importance, is the cost. Many of us Brits feel uncomfortable spending money on health care. We have a health service provided by the government and it feels unusual to spend money on some extra care. Contrasting to the US for example, where the system changes the perception of paying for health care.

Some hypnotherapists offer packages so you have a definitive cost, this can make the expenditure easier. If you find your greatest hurdle is the price, I urge you to call the hypnotherapist you want to work with to see if they will offer you a discount. It's always preferable to work with the right hypnotherapist for you rather than the only hypnotherapist you can afford.

For more information, you can read Hypnotherapy Directory's approval policy. If you're looking for a hypnotherapist who is a member of a professional body, you can use the Hypnotherapy Directory's advanced search, by ticking the 'Member of a professional body' box.