Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

312 • HOW TO FIND A PRACTITIONERHOW TO FIND APRACTITIONERLicensing requirements for homeopaths vary widely from state to state andprovince to province, and practitioners may or may not be medicallytrained. A number of different organizations offer certification indicatingthat the practitioner has reached a certain level of competence (see UsefulAddresses, opposite).Personal recommendation can be an effective way of choosinga homeopathic practitioner. It is often best to seek the advice of relatives,friends, and colleagues who have visited a homeopath. You can also askyour family doctor to refer you to a homeopath. It may help if the homeopaththen writes to your family doctor outlining the homeopathic treatmentplanned, and it is always recommended that you continue under the care ofyour family doctor.Homeopaths should freely provide information about their services,training, professional insurance, experience with treating your condition,and expected course of treatment. If you are not at ease with the philosophyand practice of a particular homeopath, you should feel free to find adifferent practitioner. A good homeopath should aim to establish a rapportbased upon trust and empathy.