Why is the initial consultation so important? What factors will an ethical hypnotherapist cover at this time

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Clare Ryman-Tubb

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“Why is the initial consultation so important?  What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time”

The process of treating a client with hypnotherapy starts with the initial consultation.  Most therapists will offer a free, or reduced fee, half hour slot in which they can meet their client for the first time, and the client can meet them.  The initial consultation will general not involve hypnotherapy but is used as a fact finding session for both.

This first meeting is vital for many reasons.  The relationship of client and therapist will be an intimate professional one, where total honesty and trust is paramount between them both and as complete strangers it is an opportunity for rapport to be built up and for both client and therapist to ask and answer questions in order to ascertain whether they can work with each other.  The initial consultation will assess whether the type of problem the client wishes to address is encompassed by the practitioners skill level or hypnotherapy itself or would it better to refer to a different type of therapy or counselling?  Both will see whether they feel comfortable in each others company.  The client will be trying to established background on the therapist – education, qualifications, experience and whether they are trustworthy and professional.  First impressions create lasting impressions so imperative that the therapist creates an image of professionalism but also approachability.

When a client first books an appointment often they will not know what to expect, what they hope is an understanding therapist who is well educated in their field who can help them with their problems.  These impressions will begin at the door, clothing is vital, smart casual will put the client at ease without the austerity of business attire whilst maintaining a professional appearance.  The hypnotherapist should be welcoming and positive and speak in a calm clear voice and even tone, this will relax the client and thus the hypnotic induction begins.  The consultation room will also have to ‘set the scene’.  Some therapists work for their own home with an office room set aside, while either will opt to work in a clinical environment.  Either way the room should be quiet and a relaxed environment with two similar chairs for the consultation part and a reclining or more comfortable chair for the therapy, décor, certificates displayed, perhaps background music; these will all aid the client to see he/she is in the right professional environment.  The client will possibly be nervous and apprehensive and it is up to the therapist to put the client at ease.  A client will be interested to see if the hypnotherapist has recent certificates adorning the walls, giving them a good indication that they have the appropriate qualifications and also keep up to date with various courses.  It is a good idea to let the client know that they have indeminity insurance and that they belong to a recognised body of hypnotherapists.

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Once welcomed in to the therapy room  the process of fact finding can begin, this is a reciprocal process with both wanting answers to the many necessary questions they have.  A therapist can initially find out what it is that has brought the client to seek hypnotherapy, what problem do they wish to address.  By seeking out the reasons for the client being there the hypnotherapist can look further in to the background of the client.  What other remedies have they sought before, have they received counselling, how long have they had the problem, why are they choosing now ...

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