A while ago I had the pleasure of appearing on a podcast to talk about all things hypnotherapy, fears and phobias. You can have a listen here
During that interview my lovely host Ellen asked me about the tricky reputation hypnotherapy can sometimes have (I'll just say people dancing like chickens and nothing else).
Ellen also asked me what to look for when choosing a hypnotherapist. So if you are considering hypnotherapy here are three things I suggest you look out for.
1) Accredited. Are they qualified – ask them what qualifications and accreditations they have (ideally you want someone with both) – don’t be afraid to ask to see things like certificates or details of the schools they trained at Etc. Also ask if they have any accreditations. So for example I am qualified as an RTT (Rapid Transformational Therapy) Practitioner and am a Certified hypnotherapist. Those qualifications and an entre exam have enabled me to become a member of the IACT the International Association of Counsellors and Therapists.
2) Insured? The second key thing to ask your potential therapists is if they have insurance. Most ethical practitioners will have insurance in place if only for their own protection. Ask if they are insured, who with – you would expect them to have something like public or personal indemnity cover or ideally both. I have both and see this as a significant part of making my offer professional.
3) Assured? The final thing to look out for is perhaps the most important. And that is to consider how they make you feel? For therapy to be successful you must be comfortable. They need to be professional but approachable, if someone gives you the "ick" factor or you simply don’t gel with them it is totally ok to try a different therapist. It can sometimes be necessary to talk to a few people before you find a good fit. Always trust your instincts.