Code of Ethics
The fundamental ethical principles of the client-practitioner relationship state that the hypnotherapist should:
- Preserve the welfare and interests of clients
- Respect the client’s views, beliefs, goals, and uniqueness
Provide services for which they have obtained the relevant competency and which they carry relevant professional indemnity insurance.
Adapt to the client’s needs and conduct sessions in a diligent manner. Never protract treatment unnecessarily.
Promote the client’s autonomy and respect the client’s dignity.
Conduct themselves in a professional manner and in a way that enhances the public confidence in the hypnotherapy profession.
Refer a client to another therapist if you believe that the client would benefit from another approach. For the avoidance of doubt, the Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association respects diversity and the hypnotherapist shall not choose whom he/she can help. But to preserve the best interests of the clients, the hypnotherapist should refer the client to another practitioner.
Avoid exaggerated claims related to unproven services such as past-life regression or any other services not supported by some research.
Have in place procedures to resolve client complaints.
For treatments related to physical symptoms or special mental health conditions such as psychosis or schizophrenia, advise the client to consult a medical doctor before starting a hypnotherapy treatment.
Maintain appropriate records in order to provide the most appropriate treatment. The records should include name, dates, details of treatments, progress notes and contracts. These records should be kept secure and confidential.
Maintain strict confidentiality provided that it is not contravening legal requirements or not inconsistent with the safety of either the client, the client’s family member, a third party or the therapist.
Obtain written permission from the client to publish cases, discuss their non-anonymized case with any person, or record sessions.
Disclose before any treatment the financial terms: fees, terms of payment, cancellation, or late-show policies. The contracts should be transparent and clear.
Provide a truthful and accurate description of credentials.
Display only valid credentials and certificates. Expired credentials shall not be displayed or listed.
Hypnotherapists are required to monitor their health and effectiveness and will withdraw from practicing if emotional or personal issues impair their optimal functioning.
Educate other professionals on the benefits of hypnotherapy.
Uphold the local law.
Educate the community on the benefits of hypnosis and hypnotherapy.
Challenge unethical practices and incompetence to protect the public through the appropriate channels.
Notify the Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association in writing of any change in address, phone number, practice name changes or email address as soon as practicable.
Notify the Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association of any in circumstances that could affect their standing with the association. This includes and is not limited to any criminal offence or criminal convictions, any disciplinary action taken against them by any professional body, or any complaint made against their hypnotherapy practice.
Refrain from attributing a personal viewpoint as approved by the Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association, either publicly or personally. The members shall at no time speak, write, or act on behalf of the Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association unless they have been approved to do so in writing.
Require a written authorization from a parent or a guardian before undertaking any treatment for a minor or any person classified as special needs
Continue honing their skills and keep up to date about the latest developments in the field of hypnotherapy.
Gain at least 15 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from approved institutions for each year. Keep a record of the training as well as supporting documents. Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association reserves the right to check these records at any time.
Support students and equip them with the required skills to support the Hong Kong community.
Provide evidence-based training and refrain from topics unrelated to therapy or science-based topics.
Safeguard the privacy of clients when providing online hypnotherapy services.
Members should undertake to solve any issue with other Members by directly liaising with them. Members are required to show reasonable effort in raising an issue or in responding to a complaint from another Member before escalating a complaint to the Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association.
The Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association will only address issues related to the welfare and interests of clients, the competency or the Member or unethical practices. Commercial disputes and litigation are outside the scope of Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association’s responsibilities.
Members must not plagiarize other works in the field of therapy, psychology and hypnotherapy. They should give full credit to the author of the work.
Members should not write, sponsor, recommend or support any work that plagiarizes others. Claims must be clearly substantiated.