Frequently asked questions

Yes. When public search opens, you'll be able to search, compare profiles and send an enquiry free, without an account. You can preview the directory today. Each therapist sets their own session fees, and you agree those with them directly.

Anyone. Massage therapist, reflexologist, Reiki practitioner and acupuncturist are not protected titles in the UK. There are voluntary registers and professional bodies, such as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and the British Acupuncture Council, and WhatHolistic only lists therapists whose entry for their own therapy we have checked. Our verification standard lists the registers and bodies we accept.

A person looked up the therapist's entry on the CNHC register for their therapy, and confirmed it was current, or found their own page on the British Acupuncture Council's, the Association of Reflexologists' or the UK Reiki Federation's members' listing, and reviewed their current insurance, on the dates shown. We check entries again at least once a year. Finding the right therapist is a personal choice, so a short conversation before you book is a good idea.

It depends on the therapy and the therapist, so ask them before you book. A massage usually takes place on a couch, with you covered by towels apart from the area being worked on. In reflexology you sit back in a reclining chair and only your feet are bare. In Reiki you stay fully clothed, lying down or seated. An acupuncturist talks with you first, then places very fine, single-use needles at points on the body. You can ask any therapist to stop at any time.

If you have a health condition, are pregnant or take regular medicine, yes, and tell the therapist too. These therapies are not a replacement for medical care. Be cautious of anyone who promises a result or says their therapy can treat a medical condition.

No. Your enquiry is emailed to the therapist, who replies to you directly. Agree suitability, fees and any session with them.

Their profile is hidden and their badge stops showing active status until we have reviewed current insurance.

Use our complaints process for anything about a listing or our service. Concerns about someone's professional conduct can also go to the register or body they belong to, which is linked on their profile.

No. We cannot give medical advice. If you need urgent medical help, call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

Massage therapists: current CNHC registration for massage therapy, sports massage or sports therapy. Reflexologists: CNHC registration for reflexology, or Association of Reflexologists membership with a Find a Reflexologist page. Reiki practitioners: CNHC registration for Reiki, or UK Reiki Federation practitioner membership with a directory page. Acupuncturists: British Acupuncture Council membership, or CNHC registration for microsystems acupuncture. Each with relevant current insurance. We check the actual entry, what it shows and the dates. Other routes need a separate review before admission. The details are in our verification standard.

Join as the therapy your register entry or membership is for, and list the other therapies you offer on your profile. We check that each therapy you list is one your entry, or another membership you show us, covers.

Every member pays £10 a month after six calendar months free. Each area has three founding places, and founding members also have Featured placement included. Prices stay the same while you remain a member, with no joining fee. See pricing for the full terms. All prices include VAT.

The day your approved profile goes live. Preparing a draft does not start the clock. No card is needed to join, and you add one from your dashboard before your free months end. Your Membership page shows the exact first-payment date, and we remind you 14 and 3 days before it.

Yes, online from your account at any time. Cancel before your first-payment date and you pay nothing. Cancelling ends your protected price.

Describe what a session with you involves and how you work, in your own words. Profiles follow the advertising rules for complementary therapies, so we do not publish success rates, before-and-after pictures, promised results, or any claim that a therapy treats, relieves or helps a health condition, and we may ask you to reword anything that reads that way.

No. Enquiries come straight to you, and we take nothing from your sessions or bookings.

A live badge for your own website, added with the embed code from your dashboard, that links to your profile. Because it is served live, it always shows your current status and stops showing active status if your membership or insurance lapses. See the badge terms.