A qualified practitioner is someone who has completed recognised training and belongs to a professional register or association that sets standards for training, insurance and ethics. The simplest way to find one is to search the official directory of a respected register in your country, then check the person’s training, membership and experience before you book.
Last updated: 5 November 2026
Reading time: about 5 minutes
How we wrote this article: this guide was written by Saj Ali. It lists real professional registers and associations by country, and links straight to each official website so you can search them yourself.
Finding a practitioner in brief
- Start with a register. Search an official directory rather than a general web search.
- Check membership. Confirm the person is listed on the register’s own website.
- Ask about training. Where and how long they trained, and how they keep learning.
- Insurance. Reputable practitioners hold professional insurance.
- Fit matters. A short introductory call helps you see if you feel comfortable.
Contents
- Why Use a Register or Association?
- Questions to Ask Any Practitioner
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Australia
- Canada
- Europe and Worldwide
- By Method
- Online or In Person?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
- Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
- Sources
Why Use a Register or Association?
In many countries complementary therapies are not regulated by law in the same way as medicine, so professional registers and associations play an important role. They typically set training standards, require insurance, ask members to follow a code of ethics and offer a way to raise concerns. In the UK, for example, the Professional Standards Authority accredits registers that meet its standards (Professional Standards Authority).
Questions to Ask Any Practitioner
- What training do you have, and which organisation certified it?
- Which register or association are you a member of? Then check that register’s online directory.
- Do you hold professional insurance?
- How many sessions do people usually have, and what do they cost?
- Do you offer online sessions? Many hypnotherapists, EFT and Reiki practitioners do.
United Kingdom
- Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC): a voluntary register for complementary therapists, including hypnotherapists and Reiki practitioners, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (CNHC).
- Professional Standards Authority Accredited Registers: lists registers that meet its standards, with links to each one (Professional Standards Authority).
- National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH): a professional association with a find-a-therapist search.
- General Hypnotherapy Register: a directory of hypnotherapists across the UK.
- British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH): clinical hypnotherapists.
- UK Reiki Federation: Reiki practitioners and teachers.
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): counsellors and psychotherapists.
United States
- National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH): a large professional hypnotism organisation with a member directory.
- American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH): licensed health professionals trained in clinical hypnosis.
- International Center for Reiki Training: offers a find-a-practitioner directory.
- Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP): practitioners of EFT and other energy psychology methods.
- Psychology Today directory: search therapists by location and specialism, including hypnotherapy.
Australia
- Australian Hypnotherapists Association: find a hypnotherapist near you.
- Reiki Australia: Reiki practitioners and teachers.
- Australian Psychological Society: a find-a-psychologist service.
Canada
- College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO): the public register of psychotherapists in Ontario.
- Many Canadian hypnotherapists, EFT and Reiki practitioners are members of the international organisations listed below, and the Psychology Today directory also covers Canada.
Europe and Worldwide
- European Society of Hypnosis (ESH): an umbrella body linking national hypnosis societies across Europe.
- EFT International (formerly AAMET): a worldwide directory of accredited EFT practitioners.
- Discover Healing: the official directory of certified Emotion Code and Body Code practitioners.
- International Center for Reiki Training: its directory includes practitioners in many countries.
By Method
| Method | Where to start | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Hypnotherapy | CNHC, NCH (UK); NGH, ASCH (US); AHA (Australia); ESH (Europe) | Hypnosis guide |
| EFT tapping | EFT International; ACEP | EFT tapping guide |
| Reiki | UK Reiki Federation; International Center for Reiki Training; Reiki Australia | Reiki guide |
| Emotion Code | Discover Healing | Emotion Code guide |
| Counselling | BACP (UK); Psychology Today; APS (Australia); CRPO (Ontario) | All techniques |
Online or In Person?
Many practitioners now work online, which widens your choice beyond your local area. Hypnotherapy, EFT and coaching often work well by video call, and distance Reiki is common. If you prefer to meet in person, the directories above let you search by town or postcode.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a hypnotherapist is qualified?
Check that they are listed on the directory of a recognised register or association, such as the CNHC or NCH in the UK or the NGH in the US.
Where can I find a certified EFT practitioner?
EFT International has a worldwide directory of accredited practitioners, and ACEP lists energy psychology practitioners.
How do I find a Reiki practitioner near me?
Try the UK Reiki Federation, the International Center for Reiki Training or Reiki Australia.
Where can I find an Emotion Code practitioner?
Discover Healing hosts the official directory of certified practitioners.
Is complementary therapy regulated?
It varies by country. In the UK, voluntary registers like the CNHC are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Can I have sessions online?
Yes. Many practitioners offer online sessions, which widens your choice.
What should I ask before booking?
Ask about training, register membership, insurance, cost and how many sessions are usual.
Key Takeaways
- Search the official directory of a respected register or association.
- Check the practitioner’s listing on the register’s own website.
- Ask about training, insurance and experience.
- Many practitioners work online, widening your choice.
- Choose someone you feel comfortable with.
Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
Use these pages alongside this one:
- Hypnosis – how hypnotherapy works
- EFT Tapping – step-by-step guide
- Reiki – what to expect
- Emotion Code – the method explained
- Sound Healing – sound baths and more
- Browse all self-help techniques – compare every method on Self Help Supermarket.
Sources
- Professional Standards Authority. Accredited Registers. professionalstandards.org.uk. https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/
- Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council. cnhc.org.uk. https://www.cnhc.org.uk/
Self Help Supermarket guides are for general information and are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.