How to chose the best Practitioner to work with you, for the best outcomes

If you have read my blog about the difference between Reiki healing and Craniosacral Therapy, you may have seen that I alluded to a few good qualities to look out for when choosing which therapist to work with. Here in this blog, I'll expand on what "practitioner intuition" means and what a "sense of safety" might look like within a treatment, and how to identify their genuine compassion and sensitivity to your specific needs.

This blog is relevant to any type of practitioner; medical or complementary, alternative, spiritual, psychic, homeopath, chiropractor, rolfer, acupuncturist, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, massage therapist, naturopath etc.......etc.......

Over the years, I was overwhelmed by the number of different therapies "out there" - but that is a blog or two for another day!

A decade ago, I was so desperate to get better, so much so that I spent many thousands of pounds of hard earned money that  I could not afford. Sadly, I wasted a lot of money and time - had lots of hope dashed. I figured there must be a way of getting to the right therapist quickly and getting the best value for money in terms to real change/healing. I concluded that whilst the right treatment modality was important, I decided that even more important, was finding the right therapist to work with me.

​This blog includes my experiences to help you shortcut from the potential dilemma that I encountered.

It suggests a few things to add to your checklist of the things that you may haven't thought about, some fact finding ways to help you find your, perfect-for-you practitioner.

Instinctively, it is really difficult for us to imagine ourselves to go to an unfamiliar centre, or even someone's house and see a relatively new stranger (aka therapist) and lay ourselves down and allow them to gently hold your head - the place where we process our secret and most vulnerable place of shameful thoughts and difficult emotions. How can someone new in our lives possibly 'contain' all of this and make us feel 'held' and supported? They can't hear us, but all the same, still close isn't it?

A skillful and trustworthy practitioner does just this, every time they meet someone new. They also understand intuitively where you are at, allowing them space and time to work out, "Can I stay here?", "Can I relax?" or even "Am I safe?"

Checklist before make contact/booking
1. Are there positive comments made about them, by the people I trust. Are there any genuine feedback submissions by a controlled site (e.g. Google reviews)
2. Have I seen a picture of him or her? Have I seen them speak on a short video or heard them speak. What does my impression of theie voice ad appearance and body language feel like in my body. Also relevant to evaluation checklist, later
3. Do they offer a free, no obligation initial discussion
4. Are they available after the treatment to follow up with me anything that might be unusual.
5. Does the business place look bright, clean and tidy? Does it seem claustrophobic or somewhat exposed? Can I imagine myself becoming more relaxed in that environment?
6. Do they have a website or an Web information page that shows their membership organisation, qualifications and experience?
7. Should anything go wrong, a) do they have insurance b) are the covered by a membership organisation that deals with my complaints?
​8. Are they a registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), UK voluntary regulator for the NHS. Find out by putting their name in their directory www.cnhc.org.uk/
9. Are the treatment charges clear and transparent. Can I have a receipt? Can I pay by card?
10. Do the hours they work fit in with the times that I am available to go for a treatment.
11. Is there an option of where I can go for treatment e.g. a nicer or more local treatment centre. Could they possibly come to my home?
11. Do I have any special needs that I need to discuss before I make a booking that might be difficult for the therapist to accommodate ; some examples include;

• ​ needing ground floor or very close toilet facilities,
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
• Tourette's syndrome,
• Special Couch to support extra large size,
• Learning disabilities

• Mobility issues and stairs

Evaluating whether to continue with the therapist....

Having decided to try out the therapist, then go with an open, uncommitted mind about whether you would want to have further treatments. Here are a few more things to think about when evaluating your practitioner within the context of the healing experience;
1. At the beginning of the treatment

• Was there a waiting area available if I arrived early.  If I was running a few minutes late, how did the practitioner approach this?
• Was the area made ready for me before I arrived? Was I shown where the toilets were and offered water to drink? Did I feel welcomed?
• Was the treatment area comfortable and private. 
• Was his/her approach a bit "in my face" or too direct? Was way they question me feel too much like a police interrogation or just intrusive into my personal life? Did  they come across as an unwanted Agony Aunt telling me what I have to do?  Did I sense heir judgement on the information I was sharing?  These are tell tale signs of your therapist sensitivity to you
• Did she seem vague and dis-organised? Was she paying attention when I was speaking? Did she seem down to earth or "out there" with the fairies? Did they smile at all or cross their arms and feet?  Did she have a relaxed open posture or was the "weight-of-the-world' also seemed to be on her shoulders too?
• Did she come across too friendly and over-familiar or did it feel like she was too aloof and 'professional' like?

2. During the treatment.....

• Did you feel that the pacing of the treatment was right for you - did you feel rushed? Did you feel it wasn't progressing quickly enough?
• Were you comfortable with their touch (if applicable) ? Did the therapist intuitively move to an area of discomfort without you needing to say anything - did it feel intrusive or supportive?
• Did the session feel as though it end too quickly or did you feel like you couldn't wait for it to end?
• Did you relax into receiving their treatment overall or was your skin feeling prickly and feel tense throughout?
• Did you feel heard and listened to?

3. Did they observe your time boundaries? This is a mixed area for us as therapists; sometimes, when something comes up for the client towards the end of a session, it is usually better to help bring client to some to place of completion than to leave on time and feeling discombobulated. That said, there is nothing worse than a sense of being lost in a time warp because the treatment over-ran. This is an indication that the therapist might have boundary issues, a) not skilled in time keeping and b) not respecting your time constraints.

At the end of the session.....
4. Did you feel rushed out of the door? Did the money exchange feel a bit "grabby"
5. Was I recommended a course of treatment for my particular difficulties? Sometimes, these invitations to an offer that reduce the overall cost - but only valuable if you are sure that you want to have all of those treatments, and have them with that practitioner!
Watch out for this, especially if it was presented that the course of treatment was a guarantee to a complete symptom free outcome. Your therapist is a small business owner who may have conflicting priorities on your treatment outcomes. Sadly, I have come across unrealistic promises like sales pitching to get repeat business. Does the therapist want the very best for you even that means for them becoming "a victim of their own [healing] success ....and not see you often/ever again?
In short, always, say "I'll think about it" and don't commit to anything unless it feels right.

After the treatment session......
6. Did you have an option to discuss your treatment afterwards, if you wanted to? Did they ask for feedback? - a sure sign of the therapists compassion for you and your treatment outcomes and integrity in which they deliver of their services!

Maybe there are some other things that you have thought of that I haven't thought of - Do share in the comments box below! thanks 

I hope this has been useful in helping you find the perfect practitioner for you. Depending on which treatment modality you are looking for and if you happen to live in the West Midlands, UK- maybe that you might consider working with me. If you would like to discuss your issues with me, to help you find the best solution, then please call me 07775 730908 for a free, no obligation, 15 minute consultation.