The Ethics and Conduct of My Practice

I take the ethics and conduct of my practice extremely seriously. I have trained extensively in the fields of hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and behaviour. I continue to update and regularly expand my training through my on-going commitment to continuing professional development. My performance as a therapist is subject to regular review through a process of professional peer supervision.

Unfortunately, hypnotherapy is not a regulated profession, as is the case for medical doctors or nurses, so literally anyone can call themselves a hypnotherapist, even with little or no training. For your peace of mind, and to demonstrate my commitment to the highest levels of ethical conduct, I am a member of The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and a senior practitioner of The General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC). Membership requires my adherence to the Codes of Ethics and Conduct of these professional bodies, so you can rest assured that our work together will be confidential, respectful, safe, appropriate and accountable. The CNHC summarises the following principles for its member. They must:

• respect clients’ dignity, individuality and privacy
• respect clients’ rights to be involved in decisions about their care
• justify public trust and confidence by being honest and trustworthy
• provide a good standard of practice and care
• protect clients and colleagues from risk of harm
• co-operate with colleagues from their own and other professions.

I treat client privacy extremely seriously. Any information you choose to share during our sessions will not be shared with any outside person or organization without your explicit consent, except in exceptional circumstances: (1) where not to do so would break the law (for example, a court may compel a therapist to disclose client information) or (2) where there is an immediate risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else. The only other exceptions to confidentiality are that your case may be discussed anonymously during professional supervision (my professional body, and good practice, require that a therapist meet with another therapist on a regular basis to discussion current cases, this process is called supervision).

To best protect your privacy, I will always ask how and when you would like to be contacted (for example, email, text or phone call). If anyone else ever picks up a call, I do not state who I am or why I am calling. I do not approach past or current clients in any public or social setting (you are welcome to say hello if you wish to or simply pretend you don’t know me – whatever is most comfortable for you). To further protect your privacy, I do not use social media for any marketing or professional purposes.

The Department of Health has recommended that where people are looking for a hypnotherapist they use someone who is CNHC registered.

The Code of Ethics and Conduct for The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council can be found here.

The Code of Ethics for The General Hypnotherapy Standards Council can be found here.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to book an initial consultation, please get in touch and we can discuss how  I can help you.

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