The best practitioners question you about each symptom in exquisite and sometimes infuriating detail. The first interview is at least one hour long, and many good practitioners will not prescribe a medicine at the end of this first interview because they still need more information about you and your symptoms.

A significant part of this first and most of the subsequent interviews should be devoted to detailed questions about your psychological state. This is essential because a person's psychological symptoms play an important, sometimes vital role in selecting the correct remedy, even when the ailment seems purely physical.

Another sign that the practitioner is good is if he or she uses a computer to help find the correct medicine. The most informed practitioners know that they cannot have information about every symptom and every medicine in their head. Computers now provide access to the incredibly large store of information accumulated on homeopathic medicines and help practitioners be more accurate in their prescribing.

Despite the value of using computers in homeopathic practice, it is important to acknowledge that there are many older and more experienced homeopaths who don't use computers but are excellent homeopaths. One of the most important criteria for measuring a good homeopath is decades of experience. It is, however, important to find out if the practitioner's experience was primarily in homeopathy or if it was dispersed among many types of treatment.

If a practitioner does not have a computer, he or she will often need to review the homeopathic resource books called repertories. Do not consider the practitioner ill informed if this takes place; it is a good sign that special effort is being made to individualize a remedy specifically for the patient.

Another strategy for determining whether the practitioner is good before you see him is to go to his office and talk to people in the waiting room. This strategy is not always viable because some people in the waiting room may be new patients and without experience, and it may be a bit uncomfortable "hanging out" in the waiting room to talk to them.

One other factor worth considering is how you feel intuitively about the homeopath. Do you like him, feel comfortable talking to him, and confident in his knowledge and skills?

An important final note is that people sometimes have to travel long distances to see a good homeopath. Although such efforts may have their downside, the special health benefits that accrue from quality homeopathic care make these efforts worth the extra cost and aggravation of traveling.

How Much Does Professional Homeopathic Care Cost?
The cost of homeopathic care varies considerably from one homeopath to another. Generally, medical doctors who practice homeopathy charge more than non-M.D.s, and the longer the practitioner has been practicing, the higher the fees tend to be.

The first visit to a homeopath usually lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. When seeking the care of an M.D. homeopath, you will find the fees for this visit comparable with other physician specialists, ranging from $100.00 to $300.00. Other homeopaths charge from $50.00 to $250.00. Follow-up visits last between 15 and 45 minutes. M.D.s charge from $50.00 to $100.00, while nonM.D.s charge from $30.00 to $80.00.