Hypnotherapy is one of the oldest and most known alternative therapies. Although it is a very helpful technique in a variety of topics, there is a lot of misleading information and skepticism out there about hypnotherapy. Some reasons include Hollywood’s amiss demonstrations of hypnosis, the fact that hypnotherapy doesn’t give the same results on everyone, and the confusion of how hypnosis works. One significant reason that affects the success of hypnotherapy is the hypnotherapist.

Finding the right hypnotherapist may take some research and reading but when you find the right hypnotherapist for you, you will have magical results!

Here is the step-by-step guide to finding the best hypnotherapist for you!

1-    Decide how would you like to receive the session

In the 21st century, everything is possible! Many hypnotherapists are offering sessions in-person, online, or in the client’s location. Each of these options has its unique advantages and disadvantages. However, it is important that you choose the option that feels most comfortable to YOU!

So, start refining your research according to your preference. If you are looking for a local hypnotherapy session, you can read credible reviews from Yelp.com or visit Thumbtack.com for in-depth questions and hypnotherapists’ profiles. If you are looking for a virtual session, you can expand your reach and even contact professionals in other countries!

2-    Learn about the hypnotherapist’s education history

Hypnotherapy is one of the professions that have limited regulations in terms of certifications and eligibility. There are a lot of agencies that can “Certify” hypnotherapists. Therefore, it is important to research and understand the source of your hypnotherapist’s certification. For example, someone can become a “Certified Hypnotherapist” in a 2-day course. On the other hand, there are colleges of hypnotherapy or more extensive programs that not only teach hypnosis but also they teach foundations of good therapy.

Also, check your hypnotherapist’s areas of specialty. Many hypnotherapists usually use additional therapeutic tools such as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming), Handwriting Analysis, Dream Analysis, and so on. You should also look for continuing education programs they have completed to understand their areas of expertise.

3-    Learn the level of experience of the hypnotherapist

Just like in many professions, experience enables hypnotherapists to handle a variety of situations with confidence. Due to the nature of hypnotherapy, many people will prefer hypnosis to deal with unique problems. Therefore, an experienced hypnotherapist may have already worked on that specific issue or at least have tools that can be helpful. Although experience is necessary for a number of reasons, inexperienced hypnotherapists can be very successful as well. Intuition and understanding play a huge role in a hypnotherapy session. By simply understanding, listening, and shifting, a hypnotherapist can help you achieve great results!

4-    Check if they are part of any hypnotherapist’s organization

There are many hypnotherapists’ organizations and unions. If your hypnotherapist is a member of one of the credible organizations, that means they are complying with that organization’s ethics, values, and rules. Working with a professional who is ethical and has similar values to you is important for your rights and protection. In extreme situations, where you believe there was misconduct, this also gives you an opportunity to address the issue to the organizations.

5-    Referrals are great BUT…

Sometimes a friend or a family member has a remarkable hypnosis experience with a hypnotherapist and they refer their amazing hypnotherapist to you. Great! You have a great starting point. However, this shouldn’t stop you from researching the hypnotherapist and their practice before you make your decision. Everyone is unique. Therefore, everyone’s connection and openness are different. Regardless of the referral and referee, check the hypnotherapist’s website, reviews, memberships, and education to make sure that you are connecting with someone you truly believe in.