The basics
- Name, contact details, date of birth and an emergency contact.
- GP name and surgery, so you know who to refer back to.
- How the client heard about you.
- Consent to the session and to you holding their information.
Health questions many hypnotherapists ask
- Current medication and any ongoing health conditions.
- Epilepsy or seizures.
- A history of psychosis or other serious mental health conditions.
- Pregnancy.
- Whether they are seeing a doctor or another therapist for the same issue.
Professional bodies publish their own guidance on what to ask, so follow the one you belong to.
Goals and background
- What brings them to you, in their own words.
- What they would like to be different afterwards.
- How long it has been a concern, and what they have already tried.
- Anything they would like you to know, such as a worry about the sessions.
These answers also help you plan the sessions, and later write a personal script.
Know when to refer on
If an answer worries you, a calm conversation and a referral back to the client's GP is usually the next step. You are not expected to diagnose, so do not make medical claims on the form or in your replies.
Explain why you collect the information and how you keep it safe. Only ask for what you need.
Keeping it kind and short
Clients may be nervous before a first session, so make the form welcoming and easy.
- Open with a line on why you are asking and who will see the answers.
- Group questions under clear headings, and make only the essential ones required.
- Let clients skip a question and discuss it with you instead.
- Use everyday words in place of medical terms.
Read the answers before the session, so you can plan. If something needs a conversation, ask about it gently at the start, and make a note of what you agreed.
Store the form safely, whether on paper or online. Health answers are sensitive, so keep them in a locked drawer or an encrypted system, and only share them with people who need to see them. Tell clients how long you will keep the form, and delete it when that time is up. Never leave health answers in an open inbox or on a shared computer where others could see them.
More questions
Do I need a GP's permission to see a client?
Requirements vary, so follow your professional body's guidance and ask your insurer if you are unsure.
Should the form be on paper or online?
Either works. An online form sent before the first session gives the client time and keeps the answers in one safe place.
How long do I keep the form?
There is no single legal period. Set your own and tell clients, as covered in our guide to keeping client notes.
