THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF HYPNOSIS (ISH) CODE OF ETHICS
Revised, July 2018
For Individual members of ISH.
ISH Constituent Societies (CS) may develop their own Code of Ethics, in accord with the Code of Ethics of ISH.
ISH is dedicated to promoting and maintaining the highest professional standards in the practice of hypnosis for clinical, teaching or experimental purposes and in the dissemination of information concerning hypnosis.
1. Professional Conduct with Patients or Subjects
1.1. All ISH members are professionals in their own right, and, in their use of hypnosis, they should adhere strictly to the standards required of them by their own profession.
1.2. When using hypnosis, ISH Members should always give priority to the welfare of the patient in clinical settings, as well as of the subject involved in scientific research experiments.
1.3. Proper safeguards should be maintained whenever a clinical patient or experimental subject is exposed to unusual stress or other form of risk. When stress or risk is involved, the patient or subject should be informed and give consent. When in doubt regarding the ethical principles and risks involved, the practitioner should consult with appropriate qualified colleagues who are also experts in hypnosis.
2. Applications of Hypnosis to Professional Work
2.1. For every ISH member who intends to use hypnosis for clinical or experimental purpose, attendance at a training course that meets the standards of ISH training is advised.
2.2. By virtue of their membership, ISH members are responsible for using hypnosis within the limitations of their professional work and only for those purposes for which they are qualified, licensed and/or certified by their CS. This implies that those members who use hypnosis for clinical or therapeutic purpose should have undertaken, or be undertaking, a professional qualification in that kind of therapy recognized by the Health Service, Social Services or Department of Education of their country.
2.3. Members’ use of hypnosis in their professional work should be fully compatible with the professional standards and duties of their work and the related expectations of their superiors, employers and professional association.
2.4. Exceptions are made for students in training in the appropriate sciences or professions. ISH recognizes that hypnosis may be appropriately used by nurses or paramedical assistants under the constant and direct supervision of a person whose credentials and training would permit membership in ISH and who has an agreed commitment to its code of ethics.
3. The Undertaking of Private Therapy
3.1. Members may be approached by the public for private consultation and therapy by virtue of belonging to ISH. If an ISH member, so approached, intends to see such a person as a private patient, he or she must first ensure that the person is fully aware of the treatment facilities available to them within the Health Service and through the Education Department.
3.2. ISH members should only undertake private therapy if it is compatible with the rules and ethics of their professional association and the professional standards and duties of their work. They should restrict their private work to those problems which they are qualified to undertake within the Health Service, Social Services or Department of Education of their country.
4. Teaching of hypnosis and its application in non-professional work
4.1. A member of ISH should not support the clinical or experimental practice as well as the teaching of hypnosis by those without hypnosis training that meets the standards of the ISH.
4.2 A member of ISH shall not give instruction involving the teaching of hypnotic techniques to individuals or groups which include persons currently ineligible for ISH membership. Lectures informing lay persons about hypnosis are permitted only when they do not include demonstrations or didactic material involving hypnotic induction techniques. Lay people are those who are considered to be ineligible for ISH membership.
4.3. Consultations with lay representatives of the press or another communication media are permitted in order to benefit the knowledge and understanding of the public in matters pertaining to hypnosis. Talks with lay representatives of the press and radio or TV appearance are welcomed so long as these are consistent with the aims of the ISH Constituent Society and its Ethical Guidelines.
5. Use of the Society’s Name
5.1. Only current (dues are paid) individual ISH members and ISH Constituent Societies (but not their members) may use the initials and the logo of ISH after their names. However, wherever it is possible, members must specify the full name of the International Society of Hypnosis, for the purpose of informing and educating the public.
6. Hypnosis and Entertainment
6.1. No ISH member should offer services for the purpose of public entertainment or collaborate with any person or agency engaged in public entertainment.
6.2. If an ISH member transgresses these Ethical Guidelines and is brought to the attention of the Board of Directors, then the Chair of the ISH Committee on Ethical Practices will contact that member for an explanation and investigate the transgression. The outcome of that investigation will determine if the person may retain membership in the ISH.
7. Ending remarks
It is recognized that no Code of Ethics can cover all the practices considered ethical. Thus, it is expected that clinicians, teachers, and researchers in the field of hypnosis should abide by their own Professional Codes of Conduct and the Laws and Statues of their own Country.
Appendix
For ISH congress participants.
All ISH congress registrants shall abide by the following:
Members shall at all times remain aware of their signed undertaking to use hypnosis only for those purposes for which they are professionally qualified and within the strict limitations of their professional work. This implies that those members who use hypnosis for some clinical or therapeutic purpose should have undertaken, or be undertaking, a professional qualification in that therapy recognized by the Health Service, Social Services or Department of Education of their country.
Members shall only use hypnosis in their work if, and as far as, this is compatible with the rules and ethics of their professional association and the terms of reference of their work. They should restrict their use of hypnosis to those problems for which they would be recognized as qualified to undertake within the Health Service, Social Services or Department of Education of their country.
1 Several countries know a so called ‘Hypnotism Act’, e.g. in Great Britain (l952), but if this deals only with the use of hypnosis in entertainment it is considered not relevant to the conduct of ISH members. If the fact of a member transgressing these Guidelines is brought to the attention of the National Council then the Chairman of ISH Ethical Subcommittee will write to that member for an explanation. If the Council is not satisfied or feels that transgressions are likely to continue, then that person’s membership may be rescinded.
2 More often than not enquirers and even their GPs are unaware that the correct help for their problem is available at their local Clinical Psychology Department, Child Guidance Unit and so on. They may therefore wrongly believe that the only choice open to them is to seek the help of a ‘hypnotherapist’. Great care is taken by the National and Branch Secretaries when responding to such enquiries that the person is fully informed of the local facilities available and of the procedures involved in obtaining proper help.
3 Resolution passed by members of Constituent Societies and amended at the informal Meeting of the Council of Representatives in October 2002.