How Hypnotherapy Directories Compare
There are several ways to find a hypnotherapist, and they verify very different things. Here is a neutral comparison of who each one lists, and whether credentials are checked before a practitioner appears.
| Source | Who it lists | Verifies credentials | Coverage | Cost to you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verified Hypnotherapists | Hypnotherapists whose credentials we review before listing | Yes | 965+ practitioners, 50 US & Canadian cities | Free |
| Psychology Today | Licensed mental-health professionals (some offer hypnosis) | Partial | Very large, general therapy directory | Free to search |
| Clinical societies (ASCH, SCEH) | Only already-licensed clinicians who are members | Yes | Small; licensed clinicians only | Free |
| Trade-body directories (NGH, IMDHA) | Their own dues-paying members | Partial | Members of that one organization | Free |
| General listings (Google, Yelp) | Any business that creates a profile | No | Broad, but unvetted | Free |
| Reddit & forums | Nobody formally; word-of-mouth recommendations | No | Anecdotal | Free |
What each one is best for
Verified Hypnotherapists
Built specifically for an unregulated field: the focus is credential verification, not paid placement.
Psychology Today
Verifies a clinical license, but hypnotherapy itself is not a license, so a hypnosis-specific credential is not the basis for listing. Listings are paid placements by the therapist.
Clinical societies (ASCH, SCEH)
The most rigorous option, but it excludes the large majority of practising hypnotherapists who are not licensed healthcare professionals.
Trade-body directories (NGH, IMDHA)
Confirms membership in that body, but each lists only its own members, so no single one shows you the whole field.
General listings (Google, Yelp)
No professional vetting at all. Useful for contact details and reviews, but ratings cluster near five stars and tell you little about qualifications.
Reddit & forums
A useful sanity check on a specific name, but a starting point rather than a vetting process.
The one axis that matters most
In a regulated field, a license does the filtering for you. Hypnotherapy is different: in our review of 965 listings across 50 cities, 55% listed no recognized credential at all, and ratings clustered near five stars. That is why "verifies credentials before listing" is the axis that separates these options. The large general directories win on size; the clinical societies win on rigor but cover only licensed clinicians; a verification-focused directory exists to cover the rest of the field with that check applied up front.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best directory to find a hypnotherapist?
It depends on what you need. For a licensed clinician who also uses hypnosis, a clinical society like ASCH or a general directory like Psychology Today is a good fit. To browse the wider field of hypnotherapists with credentials checked before listing, a verification-focused directory like Verified Hypnotherapists is purpose-built for that. Most people benefit from cross-checking a name across more than one source.
Why does it matter whether a directory verifies credentials?
Because hypnotherapy is unregulated in most of North America, anyone can call themselves a hypnotherapist. In our review of 965 listings, 55% listed no recognized credential at all. A directory that verifies credentials before listing filters out that uncertainty up front, rather than leaving it to you.
Is Psychology Today good for finding a hypnotherapist?
It is a large, reputable directory, and it verifies that listed therapists hold a clinical license. The limitation for hypnotherapy specifically is that listings are paid placements and the license, not a hypnosis credential, is what is verified. It is strongest if you want a licensed therapist who also offers hypnosis.
Can I trust the star ratings on these directories?
Only loosely. Across the rated practitioners we reviewed, the large majority showed a perfect or near-perfect rating, so stars rarely separate one practitioner from another. Credentials and a direct consultation are more informative than the rating alone.
Browse the verified directory
Every practitioner's credentials are reviewed before they are listed.
Find a verified hypnotherapist