Code of Practice

The National Society of Professional Hypnotherapists will hereby be referred to as the NSPH throughout this document.

NSPH members are recognised as having received thorough instruction and training in hypnosis, hypnotherapy, hypno-healing, hypnoanalysis, past-life regression, psychotherapy and on graduation are deemed proficient, meticulous and knowledgeable in each of these areas.

On becoming a member of the NSPH they agree to abide strictly by the Code of Practice laid down by the NSPH as enumerated throughout this document . Acceptance of an invitation to join the NSPH constitutes such agreement

They are also committed to ongoing Post Graduate training as a means of continuing personal development and as a method of keeping up to date with new developments.

All NSPH members agree that:-

(1) They shall not establish a practice in hypnotherapy without first obtaining Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance relating to the Practice of Hypnotherapy.

(2) They shall endeavour to maintain and develop their professional competence, to recognise and work within its limits, and to identify and ameliorate factors that restrict said competence. Members must not, regardless of circumstances, guarantee a cure for any illness, condition or problem, nor give counsel or otherwise pass comment on any medical, psychiatric, or psychological illness, condition or problem unless they have training and qualifications in these fields.

(3) They shall refrain from laying claim, directly or indirectly, to qualifications or affiliation which they do not possess, from claiming competence in any particular area of hypnotherapy in which they have not established their competence, and from claiming capabilities for themselves which they do not possess, but to give every reasonable assistance towards obtaining these services from others who are appropriately qualified to provide them.

(4) They shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that their qualifications, capabilities or views are not misrepresented by others, and to correct any such misrepresentations without delay.

(5) They shall refrain from making exaggerated and unjustifiable claims for the effectiveness of their methods, from advertising services in such a way as to encourage unrealistic expectations about the effectiveness of the therapy offered, or from misleading those to whom therapy-is offered about the nature and likely consequences of any therapy to be undertaken.

(6) They shall only make audio, video or photographic recordings of clients with the expressed agreement of those being recorded, both to the recording being made and to the subsequent conditions of access.

(7) They shall take all reasonable steps to safeguard the security of any records they make, including those held on computer, and to exercise discretion over the information entered on the records with regard to client confidentiality and the constraints inherent in the Data Protection Acts.

(8) They shall refrain from practice when their physical or psychological condition, is such that their abilities or professional judgement are seriously impaired as a result of for example, alcohol, drugs, illness, exhaustion or personal stress.

(9) They shall not exploit the relationship of trust and confidence that can exist in professional practice to further the gratification of their personal desires.

(10) They shall not allow their professional responsibilities or standards of practice to be diminished by considerations of religion, sex, race, age, nationality, party politics, social standing, class or other extraneous factors.

(11) They shall not, by any word, action or deed, damage the good name of The Society and/or bring into disrepute the use of hypnosis as a form of therapy.

(12) They shall maintain a professional approach to their practice in mode of dress and presentation of consultation premises.

(13) They shall not offer or bind clients to a specific number of sessions or financial contracts prior to or during consultations. They shall discharge all clients from treatment as soon as practicable, consistent with the good care of the clients.

(14) They shall not use their membership of The Society or lend their support as a member of The Society to individuals or organisations that could be construed as distasteful or unsuitable associates of a caring and confidential profession.

N.B. This does not preclude Members from exercising their rights as individuals when not acting as a representative or Member of the Society

(15) They shall respect the privacy of the client and maintain maximum confidentiality and will not make contact with the client outwith the therapy session, except by the express wish of the client or in an emergency situation whereby the Member is unable to keep an appointment.

(16) They shall never publish directly, indirectly or by inference or make known to a third party the identity of a client without the express permission of that client. Client Confidentiality is paramount and must be observed at all times except in the following circumstances:

Ø Client has given permission to disclose details of session therapy

Ø The law requires disclosure

Ø If sharing information with colleagues. However, client anonymity must be assured

Ø In the occurrence of a complaint being made against them, and dependant on appellant providing written permission for their notes to be made available, members may be required to make available this information to the NSPH on demand.

Ø Client confidentiality may only be relaxed in the treatment of children, whereby it may be in their best interests to discuss some aspects of the consultation with the parent or guardian.

(17) Members must desist from using their position of trust to take advantage of the client physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually, financially or in other way. However, if either a sexual or financial association (other than payment of session fees or purchase of applicable products) should develop between therapist and client, the therapist must immediately cease to accept fees, terminate treatment consistent with clause 18 below and transfer client to another therapist immediately

(18) Members must desist from starting any sort of relationship with a client, other than a therapeutic one. Clients must remain solely as clients. Members are advised against working with friends or family for anything other than simple relaxation, stress management or 'single-session' therapies

(19) They shall, when advertising, comply with the Code of Practice of The Society in content, style and presentation. Members practising in the UK must make certain that all advertising conforms to the British Code of Advertising Practice, is in agreement with the Advertising Standards Authority and makes available all such literature to the NSPH on demand. Overseas Members will ensure that their advertising meets the terms of the laws of their land.

(20) They shall accept that all certificates, letters of accreditation and other printed matter issued by The Society, shall remain the property of the Society and shall be returned in the event of lapse or termination of membership of the Society.

(21) They shall maintain a consultative Therapist / Mentor relationship with an appointed member of the Society for a term of not less than six months post training.

(22) They shall issue as information / publicity material only the official information / publicity material of the Society or extraction thereof.

(23) They must, in consultation and treatment of clients, vigorously avoid expressing a personal opinion or making any remark, which may implicitly or explicitly be interpreted in retrospect as the implantation of an event that has not been experienced by the client. No assumptions must be made. Therapy must be based solely and only on facts and events expressed and interpreted by the client.

(24) They will not attempt to diagnose in any clinical situation unless they have undergone acceptable medical or psychiatric training in diagnostics. They shall never attempt to alleviate a pain / symptom the reason for which has not been investigated by conventional medicine and the origin of which is unknown

(25) Members of any level who, in the opinion of the Advisory Council, have discredited The Society and / or have in any way brought the practice of hypnotherapy into disrepute, shall on completion of the Disciplinary Procedure, be struck from the Register of Members. In these circumstances they shall be required to surrender their Certificate of Membership and other letters of accreditation issued by The Society. Such striking shall be intimated in the press and circulated to all eligible Members.

(26). Members must

a) Inform the NSPH, of any disciplinary action taken against them by any professional body and further inform the NSPH, in writing, of any ensuing action taken against them whilst a member of the NSPH.

b) Verify that they have never been convicted of any offence likely to bring their professional name or the reputation of the NSPH into disgrace and agree to inform the NSPH, in writing, should such an event subsequently transpire whilst a member of the NSPH.

(27). Members must make accessible all pertinent information requested as a consequence of investigation by the appointed Complaints and Disciplinary Committee without impediment (whether inferred or concrete) or unwarranted delay and act in accordance with all requirements intrinsic within the Complaints and Disciplinary procedure.

(28) Members must agree to never openly censure or slander another member of the profession, either with or without apparent good reason, regardless of whether or not they are a member of the NSPH.

(29) Members must report to the NSPH, any other Member who appears to be in danger of contravening one or more of the ethical rules laid down in this document. Such complaint can be made with complete confidentiality; the complainant's name will not be made known other than to the members of the Advisory Board. Unsigned and unidentified complaints will not be considered but all others will be fully investigated.

(30) Members must notify The NSPH, in writing, of any change in contact address and/or telephone number, as soon as possible to allow records to be updated.

Vicki Watson
RGN FNSPH FNCP MGHR SQHP