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What to look for in a Shamanic Practitioner
1. The practitioner should be willing to talk to you
before you make an appointment, to answer any questions you might have.
However, if you are talking to them over the phone, please be sensitive
to long distance charges. And while they should be willing to spend some
time talking to you, also be aware of time constraints they may have, and
don't monopolize large chunks of their time without compensating them for
it.
2. What sort of training and experiences have they
had? Some backgrounds and types of training may click better with you than
others, make you feel more comfortable. Even if you don't know anything
about the various types of shamanism or other methods of healing, ask them
to explain their background to you. You can learn a great deal this way,
and the explanation itself may help you decide if theirs is a style that
could work for you.
3. How long have they been practicing? This a difficult
gauge, as someone who has been ä practicing for 20 years
may be less skillful than someone who has been practicing for 3 years,
but it may give you an idea of how comfortable they are with their work,
and it is a valid question.
4. Are they willing to refer you to someone else if
you don't feel that working with them is right for you, or if they don't
offer what you need? No matter how experienced someone is, their personality
may not always mesh with yours. A good practitioner will be aware of this.
They should understand that individuals may need different techniques and
different types of practitioners.
5. Look for practitioners whose skills will be the
most useful to you. Find out what other techniques, if any, they incorporate
in their shamanic work. Many practitioners are also hypnotherapists, massage
therapists, reiki practitioners, etc. Some practitioners may have other
skills that are more beneficial to you than others.
6. What do they charge? This is important spiritual
work you are about to embark on, and everyone deserves to walk the path they
need to. If the practitioner has put in time and effort on your behalf,
reimbursement is appropriate. If you are on a tight budget, ask if they
have a payment plan, or if they are willing to work out a trade.
7. Most importantly, trust your instincts. What does
your gut tell you about this person? While this work is often difficult
and uncomfortable, and you may have your boundaries pushed in the interest
of healing, the shamanic practitioner you work with should be someone you
feel you can trust and be comfortable with, considering the deeply
personal work to come.
(c) Lorelle Parker
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