Client Code of Practice & Code of Ethics

Client Code of Practice

1. That, if in Private Practice for clients, the hypnotherapist will maintain a form of malpractice insurance known as PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE and that they will only conduct a Private Practice in Hypnotherapy upon receipt of clear evidence that they are being covered by such a Policy.

 

2. That they will never offer help or assistance to another via the use of Hypnosis unless such insurance as referred to in (1) above is in force.

    

3. Never to say, do, carry out, or otherwise perform any word or action by deed or by inference so as to bring into disrepute the use of hypnosis as a form of therapy.

    

4. To forthwith discharge from treatment, at the earliest possible moment, consistent with the good care of the client, each and every client who presents themselves for treatment.

    

5. Never to use Hypnosis or the effects of suggestion within Hypnosis, to gain benefit to themselves from another, unless such person has been clearly apprised of the implications of such suggestions.

    

6. Never to use the effects of Hypnosis and Suggestion within Hypnosis to eliminate the effects of a symptom being displayed by another whereby the origin of such symptom is not readily apparent, unless authority has been obtained in writing from a qualified Medical Practitioner. This Clause shall be deemed to have particular effect in matters pertaining to bodily discomfort (viz. pain, etc.).

    

7. To be at all times cognisant of having a Duty of Care towards any person presenting themselves for treatment. Never to claim skills which are not in fact possessed, and never to offer assistance unless the presenting problem falls within the scope of the Therapy being offered.

    

8. To preserve totally and absolutely the client's right to anonymity and privacy, and never to publish nor declare any information relating to any client or ex-client in a form or manner which is likely to identify such person except with the express permission of such person.

    

9. In any advertisement concerning his Practice to comply with the rules from time to time laid down by the Committee for the Code of Advertising Practice, governing the content matter of such advertisements.

    

10. Never to induce Hypnosis in a juvenile under the age of 16 years unless with the knowledge and approval of the parents or guardian, and then only if an observer is present.

     

11. To undertake further and ongoing research and training in the subject of Hypnotherapy and psychology.

     

Client Code of Ethics

• Provide service to clients solely in those areas in which they are competent to do so and for which they carry relevant professional indemnity insurance.

   

• Remain aware of their own limitations and wherever appropriate, be prepared to refer a client to another practitioner (regardless of discipline) who might be expected to offer suitable treatment.

   

• Ensure that wherever a client is seeking assistance for the relief of physical symptoms, unless having already done so, that the client be advised to contact a registered Medical Practitioner.

   

• Confirm that they will never knowingly offer advice to a client which either conflicts with or is contrary to that given by the client's registered medical advisor/s. (N.B. If the therapist has doubts or concerns with regard to a client's prescribed medication, they should, always with their client's permission, contact the medical advisor personally).

   

• Accept that any client referred to them by a registered Medical Practitioner (or other relevant agency) remains the clinical responsibility of the Medical Practitioner (or agency) and therefore to agree to keep that Medical Practitioner (or agency) suitably informed of the client's progress.

   

• Maintain strict confidentiality within the client/therapist relationship, always provided that such confidentiality is neither inconsistent with the safety of the client's family members or other members of the public nor in contravention of the laws of the land.

   

• Ensure that client notes and records be kept secure and confidential and that the use of computer records remains within the terms of the Data Protection Act.

   

• Obtain written permission from the client (or if appropriate, the client's parent/s or legal guardian/s) before either recording client sessions or discussing undisguised cases with any person whatsoever. ("Recording" in this context means any method other than the usual taking of written case notes. "Undisguised" in this context means cases in which material has not been sufficiently altered in order to offer reasonable anonymity to all relevant parties). With particular reference to the use of CCTV equipment, all clients must be fully informed when such equipment is in operation and as above, written permission must be obtained prior to the commencement of any client session. (N.B. Wherever possible, the practitioner should ensure that such a recording is vision only - i.e. without sound).

   

• Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the client and any person who may be accompanying them.

   

• Ensure that their workplace and all facilities offered to both clients and their companions will be in every respect suitable and appropriate for the service provided.

   

• Refrain from using their position of trust and confidence to:
  • a) exploit the client emotionally, sexually, financially or in any other way whatsoever. Should either a sexual or financial relationship (i.e. other than for the payment of relevant products or services) develop between either therapist and client or members of their respective immediate families, the therapist must immediately cease to accept fees, terminate treatment consistent with Clause 12 below and refer the client to another suitable therapist at the very earliest opportunity. (N.B. Clarification on dilemmas experienced by therapists in respect of the foregoing may be offered by the GHR on request );

     

  • b) touch the client in any way that may be open to misinterpretation. (e.g. Before employing tactile induction or deepening techniques, both an explanation should be given and permission received).

     

   

• Terminate treatment at the earliest moment consistent with the good care of the client.

   

• Not permit considerations of religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, politics or social standing to adversely influence client treatment.

   

• Disclose full details of all relevant memberships, training, experience, qualifications and appropriate avenues of complaint to clients, upon request.

   

• Make no claim that they hold specific qualifications unless such claim can be fully substantiated. (N.B. In the absence of appropriate medical qualifications, no Registrant may utilise the title "Doctor" in a manner that may mislead any member of the public to believe that they are medically qualified and any use of this title must be clearly defined by a suitable qualifying statement.)

   

• Explain fully to clients in advance of any treatment, the fee levels, precise terms of payment and any charges which might be imposed for non-attendance or cancelled appointments. (N.B. Whilst not obligatory, written material is preferable to verbal statements as this is less likely to give grounds for misunderstanding should any dispute between client and therapist subsequently develop).

   

• Present all services and products in an unambiguous manner (to include any limitations and realistic outcomes of treatment) and ensure that the client retains complete control over the decision to purchase such services or products.

   

• Conduct themselves at all times in accord with their professional status and in such a way as neither undermines public confidence in the process or profession of hypnotherapy nor brings the GHR into disrepute.
  1. Inform the GHR, in writing, of any complaint (of which they are aware) made against them;
  2. Inform the GHR, in writing, of any disciplinary action taken against them by any professional body;
  3. Inform the GHR, in writing, of any criminal offence of which they have been convicted.
  4. Inform the GHR, in writing, of any alteration in circumstance which would affect either their position or ability as practitioners.

 

• Notify the GHR, in writing, of any change in practise name, contact address, telephone number or e-mail address, at the earliest convenient moment.

 

• Ensure that all *advertising shall comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice, accord with the British Advertising Standards Authority and make available all such literature to the GHR on request. (*This includes all material published on websites and in which matter, the GHR reserves the right to decide, entirely at its discretion, whether to allow active links to any individual website from the GHR site).

   

• Make available all relevant information requested as a result of investigation by any appointed Complaints and Disciplinary Officer without hindrance (whether implied or actual) or unreasonable delay and comply fully with all requirements inherent within any Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure to which they subscribe.

   

• Wherever possible, obtain the consent of an appropriate adult (i.e. parent or legal guardian) before conducting treatment with clients who are either under the age of majority or are classified as Special Needs. (N.B. Ideally, an appropriate adult should be present during such sessions. N.B.2 Where the client is under the age of 16 and requesting parental / legal guardian consent would violate confidentiality, the therapist should employ an assessment of the client's competency to consent to treatment on their own behalf ).