How to choose the right therapist for you

Choose carefully.

There are a lot of hypnotherapists, with varying amounts of training and expertise, working in different ways and charging different fees.

You’ll want to find one that you will work with well, so you get the results you want, as quickly as you can, and feel that you’re getting value for money.

1) Do your research 

Get a shortlist of two or three therapists and arrange a video or phone call. I offer a 20 minute free-of-charge video call. Ask questions such as: 

• What training have they had? I have lectured for the London College of Clinical Hypnosis, the college where I trained, and have taught hypnosis to medical students. I have a Psychology degree, am a Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and an accredited NLP Coach as well as doing a host of additional courses as part of my continuing professional development.

• Are they a member of a professional body that governs the ethics and code of conduct of its members such as the the organisation of which I am a member, the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

• Have they worked much with the kind of issue that you want to see the therapist about?

• What is the cost of each session?

• How many sessions do they envisage?

• Do they offer support between sessions? 

Hopefully their answers will be open and you’ll feel comfortable about how they sound. If not, end the call and contact another therapist.

2) Ask about the cost

Calling to establish prices may give you an idea of price but not of quality: better qualified hypnotherapists may charge more but may save you in the long run by being more effective more quickly. 

With the exception of one session smoking cessation, your hypnotherapy may take a number of sessions, so take this into account. 

3) Play your part 

Any therapy is a partnership. The hypnotherapist brings their skills, you bring knowledge of you.

Be honest and open with your therapist. If you don't feel that you trust them, go back to step 1. and find another therapist. 

2) Talk about the trance state 

A hypnotic trance is not like you see with stage hypnosis – that's entertainment – clinical hypnosis is therapeutic.

People may experience trance differently: some feel heavy, some light, some drift off into a sleep-like state, some can hear every word that's said. 

If your experience of trance is not what you were expecting, give that feedback to your therapist. S/he will have lots of techniques to help you access trance and can vary what they do to suit you.

5) Tell us how you feel

Hypnosis is likely to involve you talking to, and closing your eyes and expecting to relax with, someone you've only just met. Not the most naturally relaxed of situations! 

If you don't feel comfortable, physically, or with your therapist, say so, “I'm not feeling very comfortable”. Sometimes we feel a sense of politeness and believe that the therapist must be right, but a good therapist would much prefer to hear any doubts or queries. Then s/he can put your mind at rest. It may just be that you need an extra cushion under your head to make you comfortable.

When you are relaxed with your hypnotherapist, you're more likely to get the outcome that you want from the therapy. 

6) Know that change can happen quickly and sometimes it takes a bit longer 

Hypnosis can feel magical. Sometimes people make big changes that feel natural and easy, like stopping smoking after a single hypnotherapy session.

If your issue has been with you for many years, it may take a number of sessions for you to create the new patterns of thinking and behaving that you want. 

7) Be prepared for homework

Your hypnotherapy session takes up a fraction of your day. Be ready to do your part in continuing your progress between sessions; your therapist may ask you to do homework assignments. These are negotiable!

It's good to begin to do some things differently. Then you'll more quickly re-establish feelings of control over your issue and you'll avoid becoming dependent on your therapist. 

8) Follow up 

You may want to choose a hypnotherapist who offers support between sessions via text, email or phone.

With any form of personal change, you may experience things that you want to talk about with your therapist before the next session is due. Do check whether they offer this before you choose them.

9) Focus on what you want 

We tend to get more of what we focus on. So instead of focusing on the problem, start thinking of what it'll be like when that issue has gone away completely. What will you be doing? How will you be thinking and feeling?

Look for your successes and take small action steps towards what you want. It really will help you to get there more quickly. 

10) Keep a journal so you can monitor your change 

One of the curious features of change is that once it has occurred, we happily blank out the old state of mind.

Keeping a journal, or making notes during or after the sessions, will help you see how far you've come. 

Spread the word 

Many people can benefit from hypnosis but are nervous of taking that first step.

When you've achieved amazing results through hypnotherapy, please pass on the details of your hypnotherapist to family and friends.