Sometimes the right homeopathic remedy is obvious.

For instance, if someone is hit on the head, the first choice is Arnica. This remedy is given without question and without the need for a detailed investigation into someone’s chief complaint.

Most of the time, though, it takes a lot more thought. That’s why, during a homeopathic consultation, you’ll be asked a series of questions.

There are two types of homeopathic consultations. One is for what is commonly referred to as “acutes.” This is a shorter session that focuses only on a complaint of short duration, such as a cold, a flu, a sprained ankle or a bug bite. Typically the complaint is no older than a few weeks.

With acutes, you may not need to answer as many questions or recall as many details, compared with a more comprehensive chronic consultation. The homeopath will already have a number of remedies in mind. He or she will then elicit more information to narrow down the list.

Clients will be asked about the location of the problem, the associated sensations and what makes it better or worse. They’ll also be asked about any symptoms that accompany the main complaint.

The other type of homeopathic session is known as a chronic consultation. This takes longer. It will focus on every aspect of your life, with a big emphasis on how you function. You’ll be asked about past injuries, griefs, traumas, shocks and frights. The homeopath will want a full description of your present symptoms and probably some past symptoms too.

Don’t worry, this is not a psychological counseling session. (Or at least it shouldn’t be.)

A good homeopath will obtain this information without making you uncomfortable.

Of extreme importance is the cause of your complaint. Knowing the cause is a major factor in choosing the right remedy.

The homeopathic interview is easier if the client fills out a questionnaire beforehand.

Below you will find a typical homeopathic intake form.

What To Expect During a Homeopathic Consultation

(Please copy this form and answer the questions as completely as possible. If any question does not apply just put N/A.)

Name:

Age:

Weight:

Gender:

Occupation:

Chief Complaint: This is the problem that bothers you the most. If there’s one thing that can be fixed this is it. Please include as much detail as possible, including strange or unusual symptoms.

Location: Where on your body is the complaint located. Does the complaint extend to other areas? Has the location or extension to other areas changed with time?

Sensation: What sensations do you experience in the location of your Chief Complaint. Again, describe in as much detail as possible. An example is “sharp, shooting pain that radiates from my right jaw to my right ear” “A feeling that something is alive in my abdomen.”

Modalities: What makes your Chief Complaint better or worse? Some examples are eating, not eating, the time of day your complaint is better or worse. Are you affected by seasons, being at the seashore, being in the mountains, stooping over, bending down, motion, lying down, resting, getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, going down stairs, physical exertion, heat cold, wind, dry weather, change of weather? This is a very important section.

Associated Problems: These are any other complaints or symptoms associated with your Chief Complaint. Homeopaths call them “concomitants.” Please describe these associated symptoms in as much detail as possible.

Previous Treatments: Please describe any previous treatments for your Chief Complaint or associated complaints, including drugs, homeopathic remedies (potency, frequency, duration), chiropractic care, vitamins, supplements, etc.

Cause: What do you think triggered your condition and what was happening in your life at the time?

Medical Procedures: This includes vaccinations, dental fillings, surgeries, anesthesia.

Your General Appearance:  Do you look tired? Droopy?

Condition of Your Tongue: This is important for remedy selection. Is your tongue coated or is it clean? What color is your tongue? Is it “mapped or cracked?” Is it “geographic,” with patches of pink, red and white? Do your teeth leave an imprint on your tongue?

Food and Drink: Are you hungry or thirsty? Do you have any particular food cravings right now? Has this changed since your acute condition started?

Fever: Do you have a fever and how long have you had it? Are you warm or cold right now?

Discharges: If you have any discharges please describe them. Burning, bland, excoriating, white, yellow, clear, green, brown, stringy, ropy, lumpy, thick, foul, offensive, etc.

Describe Your Emotional State: For example: Angry, worried, anxious, happy, sad, depressed, grief stricken, lonely, forsaken, abandoned, stressed, prefers to be alone, wants the company of other people, ambitious, hard working, etc. Last ut not least has this situation changed your mood? If so explain.

For acute consultations please include this paragraph and sign your name after it to say that you agree.

FOR ACUTE CONSULTATIONS YOU CAN STOP ANSWERING QUESTIONS HERE. FOR CHRONIC CONDITIONS PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

Describe Your Overall Health:

Have You Ever Had a Head Injury? When did this happen? Were you diagnosed with a concussion? Did you lose consciousness.

Other Significant Events In Your Life: Go back as far as possible. For example: “My parents divorced when I was seven,” “I fell off a roof when I was 15,” or “My boyfriend broke up with me when I was 16 and I was depressed for years.” Include every important milestone, including pregnancies and pregnancy loss.

Did You Have a Happy Childhood? A Traumatic Childhood? A Stressful Childhood? Describe your childhood. Were you a healthy child or a sickly child? A chunky robust child or a thin child? Did you have a lot of childhood infections?

Flus/Other Infections: Have you ever had a severe respiratory or gastrointestinal infection you haven’t fully recovered from?

Sleep: Do you have problems getting to sleep or staying asleep? How many times a night do you wake up? Why do you wake up? Can you get back to sleep? Why do you think you can’t sleep? How many hours a night do you sleep? What time do you go to bed?

How Is Your Digestion? Do you have gas, bloating or abdominal cramps? What makes this better or worse? Does this happen during a certain time of the day or after meals?

Energy Level: Do you have enough energy to get through the day and accomplish everything you want to do?

Food Preferences: If you had no dietary restrictions what would you eat? Do you have any food allergies/sensitivities/foods you can’t eat?

Fears: Are you afraid of dogs, thunderstorms, germs, insects, heights, flying in an airplane?

Personality Traits: Are you outgoing or introverted? Do you like company or do you prefer to be alone? When you are upset do you want consolation or does that bother you? Do you have a tendency to get irritable?

What Is Your Body Temperature? Is it the same temperature for all parts of your body or are some parts hotter/colder than others?

Family History: Does cancer, tuberculosis or any other disease run in your family? Are your parents alive and well? Is there any family history of insanity or alcoholism?

Weather: Are you sensitive to weather conditions or changes? What makes you better or worse?

Skin: Do you have warts, moles, skin tags or any other chronic skin condition?

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What Happens During a Homeopathic Consultation

Each homeopath will have a slightly different intake form and set of questions to answer. The initial consultation will be longer than any follow up or acute sessions.

Some homeopaths offer long 2-3 hour initial consultations. However, the first visit (or Zoom call) can usually be done in half that time.

The school I was trained at discouraged long, drawn out psychological purging sessions.

Because there’s no need for people to relive painful experiences. They’ve already happened. The person who’s experienced them has already felt the pain. There is no need to experience it again.

Instead, the focus should be on your present condition, with attention being paid to any past illnesses or traumas that led to this state.

If you have a deep-seated problem it will likely take multiple sessions and a series of remedies.

It’s a great myth in homeopathy that it’s possible to find one remedy to cover your entire life.

We’ve all had different experiences, stresses, injuries and traumas. So we’ve developed what my homeopathic instructor called “layers.” Each layer must be treated separately.

It’s possible a few rare individuals still need the same remedy they needed in early childhood. So that one remedy given in adulthood will yield dramatic results. But this is relatively rare. Most of us need multiple remedies given at the right time, in the right potency for the right duration.

That’s why it’s very difficult for the average person to treat themselves with homeopathy. It takes years of training to learn to choose the right remedies.

Also, please remember that good results don’t happen overnight. It typically takes years for chronic conditions to develop. So it will also take time to heal them.