Code Of Ethics and Standards

One of the principal goals of The International Association for Youth Hypnotists is to establish hypnosis as a worthy and dignified profession on a par with related professions. To this end it is necessary that members conform to high but realistic standards of conduct. The International Association for Youth Hypnotists Code of Ethics and Standards has therefore been adopted to provide a system of principles and regulations intended to govern the personal conduct and the professional behaviour of the members.

I. General Principles

A. Hypnosis shall not be advertised or used in any way that would violate any existing and applicable law or governmental regulation.

B. Members shall use hypnosis only within the limits of their training and competence.

C. The welfare of the client/subject shall be the prime consideration at all times.

D. The rights and desires of the client/subject shall always be respected.

II. Practice of Hypnosis

A. Limitations on Use.

The Institute permits the practice of hypnosis for medical or diagnosable mental ailments only by those members who are qualified to do so by virtue of their education and training and/or state licensure. Even members of the medical and ancillary healing arts are considered qualified to use hypnosis only within their respective areas of competence. Thus a dentist may employ hypnosis in connection with dental work, but not in the treatment of neurotic or other unrelated ailments.

B. Medical Use.

The professional hypnotist is normally not permitted to employ hypnosis for medical healing purposes except when performing specific functions, as a technician, as directed by licensed members of the healing arts. The hypnotist’s function is deemed to be technical and educational rather than medical.

C. Therapeutic Applications.

The professional hypnotist may employ, hypnosis for therapeutic purposes such as, but not limited to: correction and breaking of habits, facilitating the learning process, improving memory and concentration, developing social poise and stage presence, improvement in athletics, police work (with additional training in forensic hypnosis), and other social, educational and cultural endeavours of a strictly non-medical nature.

D. Induction Methods.

No harmful induction method, such as electric shocks and the carotid sinus, shall be employed.

E. Drugs shall not be used by the professional hypnotist in the practice of hypnosis.

F. Demonstrations of Hypnosis.

Demonstrations shall be conducted in a dignified and professional manner and shall not include bizarre or humiliating or hazardous effects, Proper additional understanding for Hypnosis for Entertainment.

G. Emerging From Hypnosis.

1. Suggestions of well being shall always be given prior to bringing a client out of hypnosis.

2. No sudden or shocking methods of bringing a client out of hypnosis (such as slapping), shall be used.

3. All unnecessary suggestions which could have any undesirable effects shall be removed prior to conclusion of the hypnosis session.

H. Age Regression and Recall.

1. The Association regards age regression as a tool of the clinical hypnotist. If it is deemed necessary to produce age regression in special circumstances, this shall be permitted at the direction of a qualified clinical hypnotist and under the direction of a licensed member of the healing arts.

2. In criminal investigations, age regression may be used, but only if the hypnotist has taken a course in forensic hypnosis from a recognized professional forensic organization and follows the standards and principles of practice and any state regulatory requirements for practicing forensic hypnosis.

3. Recall or regression earlier than the age of five must be used judiciously.

I. Hallucinations.

1. In producing hallucinations, nothing of a frightening, shocking, obscene, sexually suggestive or humiliating nature shall be suggested.

2. No sudden changes of emotion shall be suggested.

J. Posthypnotic Suggestions.

1. Posthypnotic suggestions may be employed to meet the needs of the client. Any suggestions, whether given post hypnotically or otherwise, which are of a degrading or embarrassing nature, shall be avoided.

2. Posthypnotic suggestions to block the induction of hypnosis by other persons is considered unethical, due to its constituting an attempt to deprive a client of his/her inherent right to make his/her own decisions as to who shall or shall not serve him/her.

K. Responsibility of Members.

It shall be the responsibility of members of this Association to conduct themselves in a manner which will best advance the interests of ethical hypnosis. Therefore, members:

1. Shall not disseminate false or exaggerated claims regarding hypnosis.

2. Shall attempt whenever possible to inform and educate the public with a true perspective of hypnosis.

3. Shall respect all fields of ethical hypnotic practice.

4. When working with a client in an area which cannot be proved or disproved (such as the seeming recall by the client of a past life or lives), the client should be informed that this is an area where confabulation and hallucination may render the experience inconclusive.

5. Members shall not become involved, in connection with their activities in hypnosis, with outlandish or unethical forms of advertising or practice that could bring hypnosis into public disrepute or disfavour.

L. Non-academic Titles and Degrees.

Use or granting of non-academic titles and degrees is unethical and shall be considered cause for expulsion. A member may not use any letter designation after his/her name which implies a degree or license, unless the member has such an academic degree or official license. Recognized degrees are those awarded by accredited academic institutions of higher learning.

M. Occupational Titles.

Hypnotists may use titles appropriate to their occupation and qualifications, but may not use titles that would tend to mislead or give a false impression as to their qualifications. Thus a licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy who is qualified to use hypnosis in conjunction with his or her specialty may refer to himself or herself as a medical hypnotist, and a qualified dentist who uses hypnosis in dentistry may refer to himself or herself as a hypno-dontist. A professional hypnotist may refer to himself or herself simply as a hypnotist, or as a consulting hypnotist or hypno-consultant or hypno-technician, or, if the applicable job description fits, may use any other job title listed in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles published by the U.S. Department of Labour. If the word “certified” is used, in connection with a member’s name or title, the member must also designate the organization or authority which granted such certification. The word “licensed” may not be used in connection with such title unless the hypnotist holds a license to practice hypnosis granted by the state or other governmental body having jurisdiction in the area in which the hypnotist conducts his or her practice.

Additional and Summary

i. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members promote client autonomy.

ii. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members respect clients and promote what is healthy for clients.

iii. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members do not engage in behaviours that cause harm to clients or that exploit clients.

iv. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members value continuing education and seek opportunities to continue to grow in knowledge.

v. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members recognize both the benefits and the limitations of clinical hypnosis.

vi. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members promote hypnotherapy with demonstrated efficacy rather than pseudoscience or modalities of hypnosis that are merely speculative.

vii. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members accurately represent their educational experiences to clients.

viii. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members recognize the need for psychological and medical referrals to other professionals and build relationships with other disciplines of helping.

ix. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members provide clients with informed consent at the outset of hypnotherapy.

x. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members keep client information confidential, except when required by law, or with the client’s written consent prior to release of confidential information.

xi. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members avoid dual-relationships and sexual contact with clients.

xii. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members provide services in the context of professional business arrangements, and establish fees and payment arrangements clearly understood by clients.

xiii. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members recognize the need to adhere to the principles of respecting others when publicly demonstrating hypnosis in non-clinical settings.

xiv. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members accurately represent credentials.

xv. International Association for Youth Hypnotists Members promote public awareness of hypnosis and hypnotherapy.