The first question to ask anyone with whom you consider working is "Are you a certified hypnotist and by whom?" The National Guild of Hypnotherapists is the oldest and largest worldwide non-profit certifying organization cited by Congress in the Congressional Record of May 11th, 1993 as the foremost hypnosis organization in the country.

Although, one assumes all licensed professionals are qualified, that does not hold true with hypnosis, a licensed professional needs to be certified in hypnosis in addition to their license. Therefore, whomever you choose, be sure they are certified by a certifying institution or recognized organization and have had a minimum of 100 hours of training-not just a weekend seminar.

Another area to explore is how much experience the prospective therapist has had in your area of need. How long have they been in full-time practice? What are their specialties? Do they have experience in addressing the problem you want to address or in attaining the goal you want to achieve? How many clients have they treated? How many successfully?

Finally, if you are satisfied with the responses to all other questions, ask yourself one final question. "Am I comfortable with this person?" Attempting to work with someone who maybe highly qualified but with whom you have no rapport or with someone you don't feel you can trust will only serve to interfere with your progress.

When selecting a hypnotist do not see someone who makes extravagant claims, or who says they can guarantee the results of hypnosis.

Finding the right Hypnotist is a lot like finding a good Dentist, or Lawyer, Doctor or Accountant. The real secret to landing a good Hypnotist is really very simple, if you know what to look for. Of course, there are the most obvious sources of securing your own reputable Hypnotist such as friends and family referrals. Some folks even ask their Doctor, Dentist, Lawyer or Accountant if they can refer a reputable Hypnotist! Better yet, Yellow Pages and Internet sites, as well as professional organizations are great lead sources. For example, the National Guild of Hypnotists, the oldest and largest certifying body and organization of its kind, provides the public a referral service for their certified members. Look for them online at www.ngh.net.

The real secret to landing a good Hypnotist is really very simple.

Once you do choose a hypnotist, ask yourself upon meeting for the first time, does s/he seem genuinely interested in me and do I feel welcome; do I feel accepted and not judged; do I feel understood; does s/he treat me respectfully and listen carefully; is s/he hopeful; does s/he seem knowledgeable as the expert; does the office feel safe and comfortable; what are her/his professional qualifications and credentials?

During that initial consultation, it might also be a good idea to ask if the hypnosis sessions are recorded, as they are experienced. If not, you may be missing a very valuable part of the learning experience; that is, without a recording tape or CD of the process message, there can be no rehearsal value for thought and behavioral habituation.

Even with the perfect referral, there are still no guarantees of a perfect client-hypnotist fit. Remember that one of the most important aspects of hypnosis is that you always feel a comfortable rapport with the hypnotist. If you don't, then continue to shop around, because your #1 criterion ultimately is your own intuition. That first visit will help you determine if there is enough safety and rapport to continue.