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- ICHP(Australia) is
licensed by ICHP(Ireland) to conduct its Foundation, Diploma and Advanced
Diploma Hypnotherapy-psychotherapy Courses.
ICHP Members, being fully accredited practitioners, may conduct
appropriate Clinics. This Code of
Ethics (hereinafter referred to as “The Code”) pertaining to Members of
ICHP(Australia) is derived from that of
the parent organization ICHP(Ireland) which is based on the By-Laws of the
Irish Association of Hypno-analysts, the Irish School of Ethical &
Analytical Hypnotherapists and the Irish Hypnotherapist’s Examiner’s Board
(I.A.H., I.S.E.A.H., I.H.E.B). The
Code, so far as it pertains to ICHP(Australia), is established in accordance
with the appropriate By-laws in Australia.
The parent organization ICHP(Ireland) is fully recognized and accredited
by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC) and the National Council
for Hypnotherapy Ltd of the UK. The
latter organisations comprise 60 professional and training organizations whose
primary purpose is to establish agreed criteria for training and maintaining
ongoing standards of practice. ICHP is
also recognized by the 3 major Hypnotherapy organisations in the US (namely the
American Council of Hypnotic Examiners, the American Institute of Hypnotherapy
and the American Board of Hypnotherapy).
- It is a condition of
membership of ICHP(Ireland) and therefore of ICHP(Australia) that each member
undertake in writing to be bound by the terms of conduct of the Code of Ethics
contained herein. All breaches of the
Code shall be dealt with in Australia by the ICHP executive and an external
qualified member.
- A breach or violation
of the terms of the Code may lead to termination of membership.
- “Professional
Misconduct” shall mean any action with regard to the pursuit of a Member’s
profession which is unethical or which is contrary to the specific rules set
out in the Code. In the absence of
evidence to the contrary, any breach of the Code shall be considered to be
evidence of misconduct.
- The resignation of a member shall not be allowed to impede the process
of any investigation or disciplinary action as long as the alleged complaint or
breach of the Code or alleged offence under the Institute’s disciplinary code
took place during membership.
General
- The principal
objective of the Hypnotherapy profession is to render service to humanity with
full respect for the dignity of man.
ICHP members are expected to appreciate that they must earn the
confidence of their Clients, offering to each a full measure of service and
devotion.
- Members must strive
to improve their knowledge and skills through continuing professional
education, and should make this knowledge and the skills acquired available to
all their Clients.
- Members must observe
all relevant Australian laws, uphold the dignity of the profession and accepted
its self-imposed disciplines.
- Members who are not
qualified to do so must, in no circumstances, attempt to practice medicine,
psychiatry or psychology and must be prepared to make appropriate referrals if
such is required.
- Members must never
use hypnotherapy to eliminate the effects of a symptom being displayed by
another, where the origin of the symptom is not readily apparent, unless
written authority has been obtained from a qualified medical practitioner. This clause is intended to have specific
effect in relation to bodily discomfort such as pain.
- At all times Members
shall be cognizant of their Duty of care towards their Clients, never claiming
skills which they do not possess and never offering assistance unless the
presenting problem falls within the scope of the therapy being offered.
- Members must agree to
discharge any Client from treatment, at the earliest possible opportunity,
consistent with the good care of that Client.
- Members must avoid
dual relationships with Clients and should never offer his/her services under
terms and conditions which might impair the free and complete exercise of their
professional judgment and skill, reduce the quality of service offered, or risk
exploitation.
- Members must never
say, do or carry out, any action or word by deed or by inference, which shall
bring the profession of Hypnotherapy into disrepute.
- Members, who are in
possession of a Provider Number from any Health Insurance Organisation must be
continually mindful of their obligations to that Organisation. With regard to application for Professional
Indemnity Insurance members must ensure that in addition to providing all basic
information necessary for the organization concerned to place the risk, they
must also ensure that they comply with their legal duty of disclosure of all
matters relating to the risk.
- Members must at all
times maintain Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance and
display Notice of such Insurance in their Clinic or place of Clinical Work.
- Members must preserve
totally and absolutely the Client’s right to anonymity and privacy, unless
he/she is required not to do so by a relevant Australian Law (such as Mandatory
Reporting Legislation). No Member is
permitted to publish or declare any information relating to any Client or
ex-Client which is likely to identify that person, except with the express
permission of such persons.
- All Members must
comply with Australian Government regulations concerning fair advertising and
shall at all times seek to represent a full, complete and accurate
advertisement of their services.
- No Member is
permitted to be involved in any way in public stage performance of Hypnotherapy
solely for entertainment or amusement.
- Members are
prohibited from visiting the homes of Clients to effect treatment unless at the
request of a registered medical Practitioner.
This home consultation must be carried out in the presence of a third
party whom the Client has expressly agreed to.
- All ICHP Members must
agree to the concept of ongoing Supervision of him/herself and practice by an
ICHP appointed and agreed Supervisor.
Regular Supervision must be maintained and undertaken at least once a
month during which all casework caseload as well as each Member’s mental,
physical and emotional health shall be examined. No application for annual renewal of Membership will be
considered unless such Supervision is maintained.
- Members provide in their practice a form of therapy that conforms in broad
detail to that taught by ICHP(Australia) and ICHP(Ireland). This training is well established and
internationally recognized. Members
must realize that if they depart markedly from that application of that
training in their practice then they leave themselves, and ICHP, open to
criticism. For example analytical
therapy is recognized and practiced as a “brief” therapy in 8 - 12
sessions. Any Member exceeding this
number, except in exceptional circumstances, may be in breach of Trading Laws,
as well as their Duty of Care to their Client.
If analytical therapy has not resolved the issue in 12 sessions it is
likely that onwards referral is required to other forms of therapy.
Specific
Responsibilities to Clients
- Members are expected
at all times to observe their Duty of Care to their Clients. They must approach their work with the aim
of resolving distress, facilitating the return to full functionality and
promoting the wellbeing and potential of their Clients. Members must endeavour to use their skills
and abilities without prejudice and with due recognition of the value and
dignity of every human being.
- A Member shall be
free to choose whom he/she accepts as a Client.
- Members are expected
to inform their Clients fully of their training and qualifications and are
required to discuss with the Client the expected number and duration of
sessions and the payments involved.
- As far as is
practical Members should confirm with Clients the details of any other
professional therapeutic relationships or methodologies which the Client may be
involved in or undergoing. The Client’s
permission must be obtained if the member wishes to discuss with any other
professional workers those relationships.
This is to ensure protection of the Client’s best interests.
- Members shall hold a
current St John’s First Aid certificate and preferably a Senior First Aid
Certificate.
- Members who become
aware of any conflict between their obligations to a Client as set out in this
Code and any legal or ethical obligation to another Agency or Organisation or
other personal contacts must discuss with and make explicit to the Client, the
nature of those loyalties and conflicts.
- Members must be aware
of their limitations and at all times be prepared to make an appropriate
referral in consultation with their Client.
In making such a referral it is the responsibility of the Member, as far
as is reasonable, to verify the integrity and competence of the professional to
whom the Client is referred.
- If a Client so
prefers, and in every case where a Client is under 16yrs, a chaperone will be
present. This is possible at all times,
eg: Introductory discussion, person-centred therapy promoting change, dynamic
holistic integrative therapy, except hypno-analytical therapy.
- An ICHP Member may not accept any form of commission or split fee
relating to a Client referred to, or by, him/her, by or to another member of
the Institute or anyone in another professional relationship with the Member.
Contact
with Third Parties
- The Member
Therapist/Client relationship is strictly confidential and covered by the
privacy act in at least three ways ~
The fact that the person is, or has been, or has enquired about
becoming, a Client, must remain confidential, and
- The context of any interaction between an ICHP Member and Client must
not be disclosed, except as provided for in Australian law, and
- Contact by the Member with third parties
(including partners, family members etc), regarding the Client’s therapeutic
relationship with the Member, should only happen with the express permission of
the Client.
Exceptions may be made when ~
- Minors (under 16) are involved;
- In the case of Clients whom the Member has
reason to believe are a danger to themselves or others, and
- If disclosure is ordered by a Judge, Coroner, or similar official having
appropriate powers under Australian law.
Death of the Client does not terminate the above obligations.
- Publication of
Clinical case studies including Client material are encouraged, to enhance the
professions reputation and to advance knowledge, however this may only be done
where verifiable consent of the Client exists.
The anonymity of the Client must be preserved.
- Members are required
to clarify completely the nature, purpose and conditions of any research in
which Clients are to be involved and to ensure that informed and verifiable
consent is given before commencement of the research.
- Material held
concerning Clients must be held in appropriately secure containers and afforded
every protection. Where Clinic notes
are kept they shall be retained in safe custody for a minimum of 7 years.
Non-Exploitation
- The
Member/Therapist/Client relationship is a professional relationship. Members shall not exploit Clients in
financial, sexual or other ways, or use hypnotherapy to gain benefit for themselves
from another. In social situations a
clear distinction must be made, and preserved, concerning social obligations
and therapy. It is the responsibility
of the Member to maintain this distinction.
- Members are not
permitted to sell to Clients any products to such an extent that he/she derives
a significant proportion of his/her hypnotherapy income from such sales. This clause is not meant to discriminate
against the use of recorded tapes in the treatment of such problems as
insomnia, weight loss, substance abuse and etc where such tapes are a
demonstrably useful adjunct to therapy.
- Members faced with an
area of conflict in the Therapist/Client relationship have an obligation to
seek advice from a Supervisor concerning the effectiveness of their approach. This is particularly so if they feel unable
to perform effectively and appropriately.
Insurance
and Advertising
- ICHP Members must
hold adequate Professional Indemnity insurance and Public Liability insurance
in respect of their work and their place of work. ICHP will provide guidelines from time to time.
- In advertising their
services as an ICHP Member, details shall be limited to name, relevant
qualifications, address, telephone, E-mail address (if any), consultation hours
and a brief listing or summary of services offered.
- Members must not
display any affiliation with, or hold themselves out to be connected with, any
organization in a manner which falsely or misleadingly implies the sponsorship
or endorsement of that organization.
Relationship
with other ICHP Colleagues and Members
- ICHP Members must,
where it is reasonable to do so, raise any concern which he/she has regarding
the conduct of another Member with that Member first. If the matter cannot be resolved satisfactorily then it should be
reported to the Disciplinary Officer of the ICHP(Australia). Where the concern relates to serious
professional mis-conduct Members have a clear duty and obligation to act
accordingly.
- Any ICHP Member who
wishes to practice in partnership with, or share, clerical and reception
facilities with another health professional who is not a member of the
Institute shall satisfy himself/herself that the individual is appropriately
qualified and insured and that the association concerned will not bring ICHP
into disrepute.
- An ICHP Member shall inform ICHP if the practice name differs from the
name and surname of the Member as registered with ICHP(Australia).
Complaints
by Clients
- Members must, at the commencement of consultation, make available to a
prospective Client full details of how and to whom complaints may be made. The Member is obligated to ensure that
appropriate names, addresses etc are available to the Client. This may be provided in the form of an
ICHP(Australia) Complaints Form containing such information. All complaints will be dealt with by the
Complaints Committee which comprises at least two senior ICHP(Australia) Core
Staff and one external Member. The
decision of the Complaints Committee will be final. The Member under investigation may, if he/she wishes, also be
represented by a Member, however the Member under investigation may be required
to attend a disciplinary hearing.
Supervision
- Members are required
to agree to regular Supervision before their practice can be endorsed by
ICHP. The primary purpose of
supervision is to optimize the therapeutic process of addressing the Client’s
needs. A secondary purpose is to
provide quality assurance to meet the needs of both ICHP and Insurance
Providers.
- Supervision is a
formal collaborative process whereby the Supervisor monitors, develops and
supports the Therapist in his/her work.
Supervision is concerned with ~
- Maximising
the effectiveness of the Therapist;
- Monitoring
and supporting the Therapist;
- Clarifying
the relationship which exists between Therapist and client and ensuring that
validatory pre-requisites and ethical standards are maintained throughout the
therapeutic relationship;
- Maintaining
the quality of the therapy offered to the Client;
- Providing, through superior experience,
additional professional development of the Therapist.
- An
ICHP Member must not practice without regular Supervision of case work at least
once a month.
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