How I’d Choose a Hypnotherapist (If I Were in Your Shoes)

Maybe no one’s ever told you this, but finding the right hypnotic guide is 80 % of the breakthrough. The techniques matter, sure—but the connection, the ethics, and the ongoing craft of the practitioner matter more. Here’s my personal checklist, brewed from years inside Enter the Loop and a few thousand client sessions.

1. Essential Credentials (a.k.a. “Show me your receipts”)

Must-Have

Why It Matters

Timothy’s Take

Certification from a respected body 

— American Board of Hypnotherapy (ABH) 

— ICBCH 

— Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy

— Enter the Loop

These organizations hold practitioners to minimum training hours, ethics, and supervision.

If someone can’t point to at least one of these, I’d keep scrolling.

Relevant background in psychology, counseling, medicine, or coaching

A solid understanding of human behavior prevents “one-size-fits-all” hypnotism.

My own roots are in linguistic coaching, which keeps me obsessively client-centered.

Ongoing education (workshops, supervision, peer groups)

Hypnosis is evolving; so should your therapist.

Inside Enter the Loop we require graduates to log yearly practice hours—because mastery is a moving target.

Professional liability insurance (bonus)

Adds a layer of accountability and professionalism.

It tells me they take the work—and your safety—seriously.

2. Specialization Matters (Because You’re Not a “General Problem”)

• Clinical/medical support – pain management, IBS, pre-surgery anxiety
  
  

• Performance edge – athletes, executives, creatives who need that extra 2 %
  
  

• Trauma-informed work – gentle pacing, nervous-system education, resourcing
  
  

• Addiction recovery – integration with counseling or 12-step programs

3. Five Questions I’d Ask on the Discovery Call

1. “Where did you train and who mentored you?”
   
   
   Look for names like Mike Mandel, Melissa Tiers, or an accredited ABH/ICBCH program—plus evidence of continued study (yep, Loopers brag about this).
   
   
   

2. “How many clients with my exact concern have you helped?”
   
   
   Specific numbers reveal confidence and transparency.
   
   
   

3. “What does a typical session look like?”
   
   
   You’re listening for a balance of structure and responsiveness—not a rigid script.
   
   
   

4. “Roughly how many sessions do your clients need?”
   
   
   Beware anyone promising one-session miracles for everything.
   
   
   

5. “What are your fees, cancellation policy, and follow-up support?”
   
   
   Clear policies = clear boundaries (which equals therapeutic safety).
   
   
   

4. Red Flags I Won’t Ignore

• Grandiose claims (“Quit smoking forever in 15 minutes—guaranteed!”)
  
  

• Vague methodology (“I just trust my intuition, no need to explain…”)
  
  

• No credentials, no supervision, no insurance
  
  

• Pressure sales tactics (“Sign today or lose the discount!”)
  
  

If you feel a tightening in your gut during the call, trust it. The body’s a better lie detector than your logical mind.

5. A Gentle Invitation

If you’re still hunting and the options feel overwhelming, I keep a short list of Enter the Loop-trained hypnotherapists who meet everything above and practice the conversational, client-led approach I teach. No pressure—just check out this “Loop Directory” by clicking this link. 🌀

You’re not broken—you’re just missing the right guide. Find someone who sees the brilliance beneath the doubt, and watch how quickly things shift.