1. Client Welfare

The welfare of the client is the primary concern of the therapist. It should only take second place if not to do so would seriously jeopardise other members of the public or the therapist's welfare.

2. Confidentiality

Confidentiality is to be maintained in all but the most exceptional circumstances. These can only include:

legal action (criminal or civil court cases where a court order is made demanding disclosure - includes coroner's courts),
legal requirement, e.g. Children's acts,
where there is good cause to believe that not to disclose would cause danger of serious harm to the client, the therapist and/or others

3. Service

Hypnotherapists will only offer services in areas in which they have demonstrated their competence, to the agreed National Occupational Standards level. They have a responsibility to provide the client with the best possible service available including onwards referral to another therapist or medical practitioner that may offer such a service. Trainee members may only use the techniques and work only with issues for which they have been given express permission by their course tutor, following formal assessment and monitoring of skill development. Trainee members must ensure that all clients are fully aware of their trainee status.

4. Development of 'Skill-base'

Hypnotherapists are required to maintain or improve their level of skills and professional competence by:

undertaking formal continuing training (of at least 10 hours per year), by attending workshops, courses and seminars, of an NCH approved standard,
AND

sharing of experiences and exploring such with supervisors/peer-support groups.
An awareness of research and developments in the field of Hypnotherapy and other linked fields must be maintained.

5. Exploitation

All exploitation is abuse.

Hypnotherapists shall not behave in any manner that gives rise to the exploitation of a client. They will:

Not enter into any other relationship, outside the professional/ therapeutic relationship, while treating a client. (See notes.)
make their charges known to the client before therapy is commenced.
Terminate therapy at the earliest time, commensurate with the good care and continuing welfare of the client.
Not accept any inappropriate gifts, gratuities or favours from a client.
Hypnotherapists shall only deal with clients under the age of 17yrs or with special needs, after obtaining informed consent of an appropriate adult (parent or legal guardian). All sessions should be conducted in the presence of an appropriate adult (parent, guardian or agreed adult third party) OR recorded on time indexed video/audio format, unless informed consent is obtained from the appropriate adult to work on a 1:1 basis. Members who have specific training in assessing Gillick competence may utilise these skills.

6. Advertising

Advertising, no matter in what form or medium it is placed, shall represent a true picture of the hypnotherapist, their skill base, qualifications, facilities and any benefits that may be expected from hypnosis and shall conform to current Advertising Law.

TESTIMONIALS IN ANY FORM MUST NOT BE INCLUDED.

7. General Conduct

Hypnotherapists shall not behave in any manner, within or outside the context of therapy that would undermine the public's confidence in the profession or bring the profession into disrepute. Some examples:

A failure to act appropriately when they become aware of another therapist's unethical activity in a clinical setting,
Improper use of hypnosis,
criminal conviction,
Lack of courtesy towards other Health or Social Care professionals,
Discrimination on the basis of ethnic or sexual factors,
Anything that is the subject of any civil judgement regarding neglect of duty of care.
Misuse of the Title 'Doctor'. No hypnotherapist shall use the title 'Doctor' in a manner that may mislead any member of the public to believe they are medically qualified, if they are not so qualified. Any use of the title must be clearly defined by a qualifying statement, i.e. the form of the doctorate.
Clients should be made aware of appropriate avenues of complaint.