What online therapy is like, and what to set up first

Therapists listed on this site are licensed or registered where they practise, and some name hypnotherapy among their approaches. That means they are mental health professionals who work within regulated frameworks in their country.

This is different from stage hypnotists or lay hypnotists. Stage and lay hypnotists may work outside health regulation and have different training and aims. Licensed or registered clinicians combine their hypnotherapy approach with other therapeutic skills and are accountable to professional bodies in their jurisdiction.

Video calls closely resemble in-person meetings because you can see facial expressions and body language. They are often used for general talking therapy and for therapies that rely on visual cues.

Phone calls remove the visual component. Some people prefer them because they feel less exposed or because they can join from places where video is difficult. For certain kinds of relaxation-based work a phone session can still work, but check with the clinician first.

Text or messaging therapy is asynchronous. It can feel convenient for short check-ins or for sharing notes between sessions. Messaging may be less suitable for real-time relaxation or guided exercises unless the therapist explains how they will structure that work in writing.

Do a quick tech check before your first session. That reduces interruptions and helps you focus on the conversation.

• Charge your device and, if possible, plug it in.
• Test your internet connection and close high-bandwidth apps or downloads.
• Try the app or platform the therapist uses so you know how to join the call.
• Use headphones if you want clearer audio and fewer distractions for others around you.
• Turn off or silence notifications and set your phone to do-not-disturb for the duration of the session.

Pick a spot where you will not be interrupted. For many people that means a room where others will not come in, or letting household members know the session time in advance.

If the session includes relaxation-based work or guided exercises, plan to have a few minutes afterward before you return to tasks like driving, operating machinery or public duties. Relaxation work can leave you feeling calm or drowsy for a short period, and a brief buffer helps you reorient.

Other practical considerations include lighting for video calls, a comfortable seat, a glass of water, tissues, and a notepad if you want to jot down anything. If children, pets or noise are likely, think about backup plans such as headphones with white noise or asking someone to look after interruptions during the hour.

Therapists vary in format and style. Before your first appointment you can ask how they work online - whether they record the session, how they handle cancellations, and what they recommend if you lose connection. These are practical questions about process rather than clinical advice.

Be on time if you can. If you are late, let the clinician know through the platform’s chat or by phone. If you need to cancel, ask about their cancellation policy when you book so there are no surprises.

If something interrupts a session - a dropped call, a noisy neighbour, or a household emergency - it is fine to pause, reschedule, or shift to phone if both of you agree. You are awake during online therapy; you can speak, pause, or end the session at any time.

If you want to look at profiles, see /therapists/ and read how clinicians describe their approaches and formats. Many profiles note the therapies the clinician uses; some name hypnotherapy among their approaches. Remember to read the profile and any notes about whether they do video, phone or messaging work.

If you are unsure how to choose, see /how-to-choose/ for practical guidance on questions to ask and what to look for in a match. You can ask a therapist about where they are licensed or registered and which professional body they belong to in their country. In the United States that will usually be a state board and often an NPI; in the United Kingdom a membership body such as BACP or NCPS; in Australia bodies such as PACFA, AASW or ACA.

This is not advice or a diagnosis; a clinician who is actually talking to you is the person who can say whether a particular approach or format is appropriate for your situation.

If you are in immediate danger, or you are worried about harming yourself or someone else, use local emergency services now - 911, 999 or 000 for immediate danger. For urgent help with crisis or self-harm: 988 in the US (call or text), 116 123 in the UK (Samaritans), 13 11 14 in Australia (Lifeline).