Find a Hypnotherapist is a directory, not a licensing board. We do not certify practitioners or evaluate clinical outcomes. What we do is verify that the person claiming a profile is who they say they are, and that the information on the profile is accurate and up to date.
Here is how the process works and what each badge means.
Where the data comes from
Our directory starts with publicly available data. We collect practitioner information from professional association directories, state licensing databases, practice websites, and other public sources. This gives us a broad foundation, but public data goes stale. Contact information changes, practices move, practitioners retire.
That is why claiming and verifying a profile matters. When a practitioner claims their profile, they confirm their information is current and take ownership of how they appear in the directory.
How verification works
When a practitioner creates an account and selects a profile to claim, we need to confirm they actually own that practice. We use a tiered approach, starting with the simplest method and escalating only when necessary.
Email confirmation
If the email address the practitioner registers with matches the email we have on file from public records, the claim is verified instantly. This is the most common path. The practitioner already proved they control the email associated with the practice.
Verification code
If the registration email does not match, we send a six-digit verification code to the email address we have on file for the practice. The practitioner enters that code to complete the claim. This confirms they have access to the practice's email inbox, even if they registered with a different personal email.
Codes expire after 15 minutes and are limited to five attempts to prevent abuse.
Phone verification
If email verification is not an option, we can call the phone number we have on file for the practice and deliver a verification code by voice. The practitioner enters that code to complete the claim. This confirms they have access to the practice's phone line.
Identity verification
If we do not have a working email or phone number on file for the practice, the practitioner can verify their identity through a secure third-party service. This involves uploading a government-issued photo ID and completing a brief liveness check. The name on the ID must match the profile being claimed.
We do not store identity documents. The verification is handled entirely by our identity verification partner, and we only receive a pass or fail result.
Manual review
If none of the automated methods work, the claim goes to our team for manual review. We may reach out directly to the practitioner to confirm their identity through other means. This is rare but ensures no legitimate practitioner is locked out of their profile.
What the badges mean
| Badge | What it means |
|---|---|
| No badge | This profile was built from public data and has not been claimed. The information may be outdated. |
| Verified | The practitioner has claimed this profile and confirmed their identity through one of the methods above. The information is self-reported and maintained by the practitioner. |
| Preferred | This practitioner is on a paid plan that includes consultation scheduling and priority placement in search results. They are actively accepting new clients through the platform. |
| Partner | This practitioner runs their full practice on our platform. They have the highest level of engagement and the most complete profile information. |
What we do not verify
Transparency matters, so here is what falls outside our verification process:
- Clinical competence. We confirm identity, not skill. We are not a licensing board and do not evaluate a practitioner's clinical abilities.
- Licensing status. Many hypnotherapists hold certifications rather than state-issued licenses. We display credentials as reported by the practitioner but do not independently verify each one with the issuing body. If a credential is important to you, we recommend checking directly with the relevant certification organization.
- Treatment outcomes. We do not track or guarantee results from any practitioner listed in the directory.
- Insurance acceptance. Coverage details are provided by the practitioner and may change. Confirm directly before booking.
How to evaluate a practitioner
Our verification process is one signal, not the only one. When choosing a hypnotherapist, consider:
- Credentials. Look for recognized certifications like CHt, CCHt, or BCHt from organizations such as the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE), or the International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT). Practitioners who also hold a state-issued license (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, PhD, PsyD) have met additional education and supervision requirements.
- Specialization. Hypnotherapy is used for a wide range of issues. A practitioner who specializes in what you are dealing with will likely have more experience with cases like yours.
- Consultation. Most practitioners offer an initial consultation. Use it to ask about their approach, experience with your issue, and what to expect from sessions.
- Comfort. The relationship between you and your practitioner matters. Trust your instincts about whether someone feels like the right fit.
Report a concern
If you believe a profile contains inaccurate information, or if you have concerns about a practitioner listed in the directory, contact us at info@findahypnotherapist.io. We review every report.