1.1 Code of Ethics:

This document represents the Code of Ethics of British Hypnosis Research (BHR). It applies to the conduct of students on BHR courses and their professional obligations regarding therapy with patients or clients. It is understood that some students may already be qualified to practice hypnotherapy and NLP and may be bound by another Code of Ethics. These students agree to also be bound by the BHR Code of Ethics as related to the study and practice of hypnosis and NLP with BHR. The ethos of the Hypnosis professions and its practice call for its members to discharge their duties and responsibilities, at all times, in a manner which professionally, ethically and morally compromises no individual with whom they have professional contact, irrespective of that person's position, situation or condition in society. The following Code of Ethics is intended to act as clear guidance to all in pursuance of their professional study and practice of Hypnosis and NLP. They do not replace the principles and procedures adopted by employing authorities, nor do they deny the other rights within society not specifically mentioned.

PART ONE - Codes of conduct related to study with BHR

1.1.2 Integrity.

Students accepted for study with BHR agree to not exploit the course in any way for personal gain. This includes posting commercial or self-promotional material on the forums, in chat rooms or during any BHR related on-line or off-line meetings or training sessions. Use of the BHR Forums or database as a mailing list is strictly forbidden.

1.1.3 Contexts.

Students agree to only use the skills taught on the course in contexts for which the skills are taught. These contexts can include therapy practice, personal development and any context where hypnosis and NLP can help another to overcome difficulty.

1.1.4 Repsect for other students.

Students agree to participate actively with other students in the forums, chats and Skype calls in a respectful way. The Forums are a platform for debate about the lessons and if students disagree with posts they should share their point of view in a respectful way and not make personal criticisms about other students. Any student making personal criticisms about another student or BHR, either directly or indirectly will have their posts deleted and be warned, and if their personal criticisms continue, they will be blocked from the course immediately. BHR also reserves the right to delete any posts that might offend generally, or that appear to undermine the overall integrity of the course.

1.1.5 Working within professional limitations.

Students agree to only work professionally with patients or clients during their training if they are already qualified to do so or are protected by another organization and with adequate insurance cover.

1.1.6 Disclaimer

Students agree to not hold BHR or its staff, students or graduates responsible in any way for any negative consequences of working with patients or clients either during of after their training.

1.1.7 Registration Deadline.

All new students agree to log in, add their profile and upload a recent passport size photo within one week of their application being accepted. Students not doing this will be denied access to the course. The photo must be of the actual student, other images or photos of pets etc are forbidden.

1.1.8 Tolerence Policy.

BHR has a zero tolerance policy for unprofessional conduct and any student violating the Code of Ethics will be permanently denied re-entry to the course.

1.1.9 Obligations to BHR

Students and graduates agree to honor their commitments as follows.

a. Students and graduates agree to update their contact name, address and email at the earliest convenient moment.

b. Students and graduates agree to hold adequate insurance in respect of their professional work.

c. Students and graduates agree to accept that this is not a static document and that it may be altered from time to time in accordance with the need to ensure ongoing professionalism within the field of Hypnotherapy.

d. Students and graduates agree to acknowledge that they have read and will abide by this Code of Ethics by clicking on the acknowledgement button at the end of this document.

e. Students and graduates agree to accept that a breach or violation of the terms of this Code of Ethics may lead to termination of membership to BHR and and withdrawal of their Graduate qualification.

f. Students and graduates agree to accept that BHR has the right and obligation to suspend any member at its own discretion.

g. Students and graduates agree that all lessons, training resources, forum discussions and other teaching materials in any media (text, video audio etc) published on the BHR website, online course and "live" courses is copyright to Stephen Brooks/BHR and any public or commercial use is strictly forbidden.

1.1.10 Assessment of Course Applicants Suitability for Practitioner Training

An applicant's suitability for training is based on qualifications, previous experience, profession, position within that profession and commitment to study. This information is gathered from the course application form.

1.1.11 Practitioner Course Refund Policy

If BHR fails to deliver a course for any reason, alternative dates will be offered, however if the student is unable to attend on these dates the course fees (including deposit) will be refunded within one month of cancellation. If a student cancels his/her enrollment one month before a course commencement date the course fee (less the course deposit) is refundable. After this date the course fee is non-refundable but can be transferred to another BHR course. Course fees are not transferable to another student.

1.1.12 Complaints Procedure

Complaints about BHR, graduates or students should be addressed to the course administrator at admin@british-hypnosis-research.com. All complaints are handled in confidence and in accordance with the BHR Code of Ethics (this document).

PART TWO - Codes of conduct related to working with patients and clients.

1.2 Relationships with, and Responsibilities to, Patients and Clients

1.2.1 Confidentiality

Beyond the necessary sharing of information with professional colleagues, students and graduates should safeguard confidential information relating to patients or clients.

a. The disclosure of confidential information is only permissible when one or more of the following criteria is met:

(I) There is legal compulsion.

(II) A patient or client gives consent.

(III) As a citizen it is one's duty to assist in the detection of crime.

(IV) The patient or client is a danger to him / herself or others.

(V) In an emergency.

(VI) The patient is a child.

b. Where the patient or client is a minor, any action taken by the student or graduate must be in accordance with The UK Children Act 1989 or other applicable legislation within the country in which the student or graduate works or resides.

c. The death of the patient or client shall not terminate any obligation to confidentiality.

d. Students and graduates must obtain where possible written consent from the patient or client for publication of clinical material and the anonymity of the patient or client preserved unless written consent has been obtained.

e. Information about patients or clients held in computer files must be secure and conform to the requirements of the UK Data Protection Act 1986 and any subsequent revision or other applicable data protection act within the country in which the student or graduate works or resides.

1.2.2 Cruelty

Students or graduates should not engage in, or condone, behaviour that is inhumane and causes mental or physical distress.

a. Such behaviour would include an indifference to the pain or misery of others, excessive strictness and instances of inattention or carelessness which constitute an act of negligence.

b. Students and graduates have a duty to use the appropriate means and recognised channels to report to the appropriate authority behaviour or action that is indefensible for the unnecessary offence it inflicts upon a patient or client.

1.2.3 Personal Relationships

Students and graduates should refrain from entering into personal relationships which disrupt treatment and/or family life, or otherwise damage the establishment and maintenance of professional trust.

a. It is possible that students and graduates might experience strong positive or negative feelings towards patients or clients. These should not affect treatment. When necessary, consideration should be given to a change of therapist.

b. Occasions will arise when students and graduates will already know or will want to enter into a friendship with a patient or client. The professional relationship need not be damaged if therapists define the boundaries between personal and working environments and always respect these.

c. If a client or patient makes a complaint about a member exceeding working boundaries or failing to respect the professional relationship when necessary consideration has not been given to a change of practitioner BHR or BSCMEH has the right and obligation to warn the Practitioner and, if the Practitioner does not respond to the warning, at its discretion, ask the Practitioner to resign his or her membership to BHR and BSCMEH. If this should happen then the Practitioner must abide by the BHR and BSCMEH decision. This could result in a permanent suspension from BHR and BSCMEH and his/her Diploma being withdrawn.

1.2.4 Respecting Patients' and Clients' Rights

Students and graduates have a responsibility always to promote the dignity, privacy, autonomy and safety of all patients and clients with whom they come into contact. They should also adhere to local procedures.

a. Students and graduates should ensure that they also observe the provisions of the UK Mental Health Act 1983 and the UK Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 or similar acts defined by the country in which the student or graduate works or resides.

b. Protecting privacy might extend to safeguards when publishing visual or written material. Refer to local procedures.

1.2.5 Withdrawal of Service to Patients or Clients

Students and graduates should avoid any action which places the patient or client at risk.

a. No action should be taken which affects patients or clients whose ultimate safety may be at risk. This would include services to high dependency patients, which, if withdrawn, would cause severe hardship.

1.2.6 Personal Integrity

The highest standards of personal integrity are expected of students and graduates. They should not commit any criminal act in the practice of their profession.

a. The establishment and maintenance of professional integrity will be dependent on the interpersonal trust created by students and graduates with colleagues and patients or clients. The qualities of fairness, honesty, consistency and truthfulness, combined with the use of discretion, will enable such trust to develop.

1.2.7 Discrimination

Students and graduates should not discriminate against patients or clients on the basis of race, colour, handicap, national origin, age, gender, sexual preference, religion, political beliefs or status in society.

1.2.8 Personal Abuse of Alcohol or Other Drugs

The personal abuse of alcohol or other drugs indicates habits which are discreditable to the profession and may be a source of danger to patients or clients. Students and graduates should not be under the influence of drink or drugs which adversely affect the performance of their duties,

1.2.9 Loyalty

Students and graduates shall be loyal to fellow members of the profession and BHR and BSCMEH and shall respect and uphold their dignity.

a. The deliberate spreading of rumours or gossip about students or graduates or BHR or BSCMEH is considered a serious breach of loyalty. Likewise encouraging others to spread such rumours based on one's own naive interpretations with no basis in fact is considered unethical, unprofessional and disloyal to the principle of BHR and BSCMEH.

b. Loyalty within any profession cannot eventually override one's responsibility as a member of society to uphold its moral and legal obligations.

1.2.10 Working Relationship

Students and graduates shall consult and co-operate with those whom they come into contact with during the course of their professional duties. Students and graduates shall respect the needs, traditions, practices, special competencies, and responsibilities of their own and other professions, institutions and agencies that constitute their working environment.

1.2.11 Professional Development

All members of the Hypnotherapy profession have an individual responsibility to maintain their own level of professional competence and each must strive to improve and update their knowledge and skills. Students and graduates must always share their professional expertise with, and disseminate it to, fellow students and graduates. Members of the profession shall promote understanding of Indirect Hypnosis by the general public. Students and graduates have a responsibility to contribute to the continuing development of the field by critical evaluation and research.

a. Any research undertaking has additional ethical implications which therapists must respect.

1.2.12 Clinical Competence

Students and graduates must acknowledge the boundaries of their competence and the limit of their experience. They should only provide services and use techniques for which they are qualified by training and experience.

a. Students and graduates in these circumstances retain ultimate responsibility for the management of their patient or client.

b. Students and graduates must refrain from undertaking any activity in which problems or conflicts of a personal nature are likely to affect their competence or cause harm to patients, clients or colleagues.

c. Students and graduates should recognise that a number of professions share common skills and thus their boundaries of practice may overlap.

d. Students and graduates should terminate treatment at the earliest moment possible consistent with the good care of the client or patient.

e. Students and graduates should make no claim that they hold specific qualifications unless such claim can be fully substantiated.

f. Students and graduates should inform BHR and BSCMEH of any alteration in their circumstances which would affect their position as practising members.

1.2.13 Obligations to the Patient / Client.

Students and graduates should at all times whenever possible keep patients / clients informed as to the structure of therapy as long as this does not interfere with the therapeutic process.

a. Practitioners are advised that, where possible, they should clarify with clients the expected number and duration of sessions, fees, if any, and the method of payment.

b. Practitioners are responsible for discussing the client's expectations from the consultation, and which methods may be used to attain these expectations or goals.

c. Practitioners shall keep records and reports clearly and concisely for the information of professional colleagues and for legal purposes.

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