Hypnotherapy remains unregulated in Canada, which means that hypnotherapists can do their job without any outside factors getting in the way. Think of all the doctors who get compensated for prescribing certain drugs, or certain procedures not yet available in Canada because they have not yet been approved by Health Canada.

Now is actually the best time to try hypnotherapy because it is now being viewed by the general public as a reputable alternative healing method while not having to check specific boxes or follow very narrow guidelines. Hypnotherapists are free to recommend the best healing practice required for their clients.

Many fish in the hypnosis pond

One downside of not being regulated means that anyone can take a weekend course and call themselves a hypnotherapist. Unfortunately there are many schools or courses that advertise becoming a hypnotherapist in 48 hours. If you are looking to simply be hypnotized to relax, a hypnotist from one of these courses will likely do the trick. If however you are seeking deep inner healing, you’ll want to find a hypnotherapist that has had a lot more training.

What to look for when searching for a hypnotherapist

There are several things you can look for in order to quickly weed out a weekend course hypnotherapist versus a fully qualified one, and these are likely posted directly on their website. You’ll want to read their bio and see which school they attended along with how many years experience they have. A qualified hypnotherapist will be insured and will be part of an association. They will likely be searchable in Google and you can find their business.

Signs of a good hypnotherapist

So you’ve found a hypnotherapist and have made your way into their office (or chatting with them on the phone). One of your first questions should be to ask them about your suggestibility. If they cannot answer this by performing a simple test, get up and walk out the door.

A good hypnotherapist will spend upwards of 30 minutes or more speaking with you to better understand your history. Knowing the reason you are seeking help is simply not enough to begin hypnotherapy.

If you are currently under the care of a doctor or other professional, your hypnotherapist will likely want to work with them to ensure the issue has all angles covered. They will ask that you let the other professionals know that you are now adding hypnotherapy to your routine to help with your issue.

As mentioned earlier, a good hypnotherapist knows about suggestibility types and will never cross your personal boundaries, once they are made known. I say “once they are known” as everyone is different and sometimes some boundaries are stronger in some than in others. An example of this is that some people do not ever want physical contact. Some techniques of hypnosis require the hypnotherapist to give a small tap on the shoulder, lift the client’s arm or touch their forehead. If they plan on using one of these techniques, one of the general questions the hypnotherapist will ask before induction is if it is okay to touch you.

If at any point the hypnotherapist makes you feel uncomfortable or you simply have a gut feeling, there is no reason to stay. Hypnotherapy works on rapport and feelings of safety and well-being. If your subconscious feels threatened, this treatment will not work for you. As with any professional, the best way to find a good, reputable hypnotherapist is to ask around and get referrals from people who have used hypnotherapy themselves.

Read Benefits of Hypnotherapy to better understand how this practice can help you in your life.