how I would choose a hypnotherapist
May/01/2009 05:27
Some people want to know about a therapist's academic training and professional qualifications. Some people want to know about a therapist's years of experience. Some people will only see a therapist with a famous reputation. Some people are looking for the lowest price, and some just want a therapist who is close, in a convenient location, preferably in a nice part of town. Once, a prospective client asked me to provide her with letters filled with signed referrals and testimonials from past clients. Another person once asked me, “Why should I choose you, and not another hypnotherapist?” What else could I say but, “I don't know that you should!”
Personally, when choosing someone for such an intimate thing as a hypnotherapy session, I would note as a sidelight such things as qualifications, experience, or positive word of mouth from a friend. But first and foremost, I would absolutely need to have the 'right feeling’ about the therapist. What is the 'right feeling?’ I can’t explain it - but I know it when I feel it! Sometimes I can see a name in a listing and that name just pops out at me. That's a sign right there, at least a sign strong enough to contact the person. But I would want to meet that person if possible, or at least talk to them, so I could get a real feeling about them as a human being. I would want to see if my inner voice tells me they are the right person for my journey, in this moment.
As for qualities I would desire in a hypnotherapist, it all starts with honesty and openness. After that, wisdom and compassion, and a feeling of spirituality. Knowledge, experience, chops are important – does she have the stuff to take me where I need to go? Calmness would be good, with a quiet, understated confidence. Also important to me: does she listen? Does she seem to understand me, and my wants and needs for this experience?
It might sound strange, but I get the feeling that there is a spiritual team of brethren 'up there' whose job is to bring people together for mutual benefit. Call these wise beings the Weavers. They read the energies of people, their karma, past and future; their dreams, goals, yearnings. The Weavers are able to manipulate the skeins and threads of soul pathways to suggest beautiful alignments. Our own higher selves, our souls, and our spirit guides, are able to view these energy tapestries, and to see positive possibilities of connections with others. We are spoken to, in the quiet recesses of our human hearts and minds. It’s up to us whether or not we choose to listen.
-S
Personally, when choosing someone for such an intimate thing as a hypnotherapy session, I would note as a sidelight such things as qualifications, experience, or positive word of mouth from a friend. But first and foremost, I would absolutely need to have the 'right feeling’ about the therapist. What is the 'right feeling?’ I can’t explain it - but I know it when I feel it! Sometimes I can see a name in a listing and that name just pops out at me. That's a sign right there, at least a sign strong enough to contact the person. But I would want to meet that person if possible, or at least talk to them, so I could get a real feeling about them as a human being. I would want to see if my inner voice tells me they are the right person for my journey, in this moment.
As for qualities I would desire in a hypnotherapist, it all starts with honesty and openness. After that, wisdom and compassion, and a feeling of spirituality. Knowledge, experience, chops are important – does she have the stuff to take me where I need to go? Calmness would be good, with a quiet, understated confidence. Also important to me: does she listen? Does she seem to understand me, and my wants and needs for this experience?
It might sound strange, but I get the feeling that there is a spiritual team of brethren 'up there' whose job is to bring people together for mutual benefit. Call these wise beings the Weavers. They read the energies of people, their karma, past and future; their dreams, goals, yearnings. The Weavers are able to manipulate the skeins and threads of soul pathways to suggest beautiful alignments. Our own higher selves, our souls, and our spirit guides, are able to view these energy tapestries, and to see positive possibilities of connections with others. We are spoken to, in the quiet recesses of our human hearts and minds. It’s up to us whether or not we choose to listen.
-S