Before committing yourself to private treatment, you should first seek conventional medical advice.  For instance, if you have had constant nagging pain or some other debilitating ailment for a considerable time, have it checked out - it may be a condition that requires medical treatment.

Many GPs these days are becoming increasingly willing to refer patients to non - conventional practitioners, but there are still a few doctors who scorn the idea.  Don’t be put off, trust in your judgement - you are the one stuck with the problem.

If you decide to seek this form of treatment yourself, when you have found the therapist of your choice, it would be a courtesy to notify your doctor of the therapists name and address.

Do remember also that there are many practitioners out there who operate independently, or who belong to an organisation.  Some are extremely competent and some are not.  There are also many organisations which are highly professional, and quite a few who are most definitely not.  Don’t be afraid to phone around and ask questions, for instance, do they have a written code of practice, and a procedure for dealing with complaints, how long have they been in existence. Do they have a therapist in your area.

The following tips, while by no means fool proof, will at least assist you in your search to find a competent therapist you can rely on and trust.

Ask at your local library if they have a copy of the register of practitioners for any hypnotherapy organisation and check out the therapists in your area.

Talk to someone who has had this form of treatment, if you know of anybody. Can they recommend their therapist?  Is your Doctor prepared to recommend a suitable therapist in you area?

Contact the BIH.

There is also of course the Yellow Pages, but be careful, anyone can call themselves a Hypnotherapist and set up in private practice.

Don’t   be afraid to ask some questions before you commit yourself.  Any genuine therapist, and there are plenty out there, is going to be helpful and supportive, and will not try to push you into making a commitment for treatment.  They will not mind answering questions.  If they do, move on.  You need to know what the treatment is going to cost before you decide.  If a therapist suggests a free session during which they will explain the costs, forget it.  They can easily do that over the phone.

Beware of the therapist who wants you to book ten or fifteen sessions before they have seen you.  Some problems can be resolved in two to six sessions.

Make sure fees quoted are for a full consultation, and not per hour -this can be costly.  Generally, you can expect to pay between £20 - £45 per consultation outside city limits, but this is not a hard and fast rule.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking if you pay more you’ll get a better therapist.  This is not always true.

Avoid loud, domineering  or aggressive practitioners.  Therapy should be conducted in a balanced, supportive and permissive way, and you should be made to feel that you are welcome, and that you are important one here, not the therapist.  If the sessions are to be taped, you should ask why.  This is not normal procedure and you have a right to object, unless it is something that has been agreed between you and the therapist. One can doubt the value of such a practice if your confidentiality is to be protected, and that is something you have a right to expect.

Treatment claims should be realistic.  Beware of the therapist who appears to promise miracles. Because you may end up very disillusioned.  They are there to help you understand your problem and assist you to move through it to a satisfactory outcome. Having said that, to a person who has had a debilitating problem for a number of years, a satisfactory outcome can often appear to be quite miraculous.

So, in summary, listen to the therapist’s voice, does it sound kind, supportive, considerate?

Have they had much experience dealing with your problem?

Do they belong to an organisation, which has a code of practice and complaints structure?

Do they have professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

Are they trying to give you a hard sell with all their worldly knowledge?  Listen to your conscience and use your judgement.

Finally, for therapy to be effective you must have a good rapport with your therapist.  If you don’t feel comfortable with the person after your first session, you are under no obligation to continue.