Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PROFESSIONAL HYPNOSIS
as revised March 19, 1978

a. General Principles

1. Utilization of hypnosis shall not be contrary to the provisions of any existing law.

2. Hypnosis shall be used only within the limits of the practitioner's training and competence, as provided under Sections B.1, B.2, and B.3 herein.

3. The welfare of the subject shall be the prime consideration at all times.

4. The rights and desires of the subject shall always prevail.

B. Practice of Hypnosis

1. Therapy. The Society permits the practice of hypnosis for therapeutic purposes only by those members who are qualified to do so by virtue of their formal education and training and state licensure. However, 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 ailments.

2. Hypnotechnology. The hypnotechnician is not permitted to employ hypnosis for therapeutic purposes unless he performs specific functions, as a technician, as directed by licensed members of the healing arts. The hypnotechnician's function is technical educational rather than therapeutic.

3. Non-Therapeutic Applications. The hypnotechnician may employ hypnosis for strictly non-therapeutic purposes such as: correction and breaking of minor habits (not neurotic habits); facilitating the learning process; improving memory and concentration; developing social poise and stage presence; improvement in athletics; police work; and other social, educational and cultural endeavors of a strictly non-medical nature.

4. Induction Methods. No harmful induction methods, such as electric shocks and the carotid sinus, shall be employed.

5. Drugs or Placebos shall not be used by the hypnotechnician in the practice of hypnosis.

6. Demonstrations of Hypnosis. Demonstrations shall be conducted in a dignified and professional manner and shall, under no circumstances, include any bizarre or spectacular effects.

a. Fatigue tests, such as extended limb catalepsies, shall be demonstrated only briefly to prevent undue strain. Outside pressure shall not be applied.

b. To eliminate the possibility of resulting harm, full body catalepsy between supports shall not be performed.

c. Demonstrations of analgesia or anesthesia shall be performed in such a manner as to cause no irritation penetration or other damage to any portion of the subject's body, including the application of flame or electric shock.

7. Termination of the Hypnotic State.

a. Prior to terminating the hypnotic state, suggestions of well being shall always be given.

b. When terminating the hypnotic state, no abrupt, sudden or shocking methods shall be used.

c. Suggestions given during the hypnotic session not pertinent or intended for post- hypnotic response shall be removed prior to terminating the hypnotic state.

8. Age Regression and Recall. The Society regards age regression as a tool of the psychotherapist and not the hypnotechnician because of the possibility of arousing traumatic past experiences which the technician is not competent to handle. Therefore

a. Age regression is not to be undertaken by the hypnotechnician, except as outlined in Paragraph b. below. He shall be limited to the production of hypermnesia and recall, during which specific suggestions shall be given to recall only pleasant and satisfying situations.

b. Age regression by a hypnotechnician may be undertaken only at the direction of and in the actual, physical presence of an M.D. psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.

9. Hallucinations.

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

b. No sudden changes of emotions shall be suggested.

10. Post-Hypnotic Suggestions.

a. Post-hypnotic suggestions may be employed to meet the needs of the subject. Suggestions shall be avoided, whether given post-hypnotically or otherwise, which are of a degrading or embarrassing nature.

b. Suggestions intended to block or inhibit the induction of hypnosis by other persons is unethical. It constitutes depriving a subject of his inherent right to determine who shall or shall not serve him.

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

a. shall not disseminate false or exaggerated claims regarding the efficacy of hypnosis;

b. Shall undertake, whenever possible, to inform and educate the public with a true perspective of hypnosis;

c. Shall not become involved, in connection with their activities in hypnosis, with such phenomena as magic, ESP, spiritual healing, age regression (except as specified in Section B, Paragraph 8), prenatal regression, astral projection, psychic photography, witchcraft, "mind control", etc. This Paragraph is not intended to restrict professional people who are academically trained in scientific investigation methods or who work under the direct supervision of such scientists.

12. Non-Academic Titles and Degrees.

a. The use or granting of non-academic titles and degrees is unethical and shall be considered cause for expulsion. Recognized degrees are those which are awarded by academic institutions of higher learning or those in process of being accredited.

b. The following academic degrees may be used in connection with the practice of hypnosis: Doctoral degrees in the healing arts, sociology, counseling and education; Masters degrees in psychology, sociology, counseling and education.

c. Degrees and titles not in the above categories may not be used, specifically or by implication, in connection with the practice in hypnosis, to avoid misleading a naive prospective client who might presume the degree pertains to the healing arts, unless the area of the degree is clearly specified in parentheses in close conjunction with the degree initials (i.e., John Jones, Ph. D. (Music).

13. Advertising.

A. Definitions:

Advertising means the calling to the attention of the public the service one has to offer.

Solicitation means enticing or alluring the public to purchase one's services under the promise of some special advantage.

a. Advertising is permitted as follows:

(1) SIGNS- It is permissible to have a sign on the office door, on the side of the office building, in the office lobby, or at the entrance to the driveway or walkway of a building which is set back from the street. Letters on such signs should not be more than three inches (3") wide or high. Illumination of signs in permitted by non-intermittent light sources only.

(2) NOTICES- Notices of the following events may be mailed:

(a) Opening of a practice.

(b) Change of address or telephone.

(c) Addition of members to a practice.

(d) Other similar announcements.

(3) DIRECTORY LISTING or NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING

A member may list or advertise in a directory or other publication but such advertising shall be limited to the following:

(a) Name and/or trade name.

(b) Address.

(c) Telephone number(s).

(d) Specialities.

(e) Membership in professional organizations.

(f) Certifications.

(g) Office hours.

(h) Fees.

(i) Courses taught or special training available.

(4) RADIO, TELEVISION, MAGAZINES, OR NEWSPAPERS

A member may be interviewed, be a guest or a regular participant, or write any article or column for publication subject to the provisions of these regulations and all other articles of the Code of Ethics.

(b) SOLICITATION: Solicitation is prohibited. Statements or publications meeting any of the following criteria shall be defined as solicitation.

(1) Statements containing any misrepresentation of facts.

(2) Statements likely to mislead or deceive because the statement makes only partial disclosure of relevant facts.

(3) Statements containing a client's laudatory statements about the member or his/her office or practice.

(4) Statements intended, or likely to create, false or unjustified expectations of favorable results.

14. Education.

a. Schools of instruction shall provide a full curriculum consisting of the following:

(1) Theory, practice and applications of hypnosis;

(2) Complete instruction and supervised practice in methodology;

(3) A realistic appraisal of the possibilities and the limitations of hypnosis; (4) An elementary knowledge of normal and abnormal psychology. b. Curricula shall be approved and schools shall be granted official approval by ISPH in accordance with the above and with the requirements of the ISPH School Approval program.

c. Individual instructors of ISPH Approved Schools must be Certified Members in good standing of ISPH.

C. Classification of Hypnotists.

Hynotists shall be classified under the following headings:

1. Medical Hypnotists.

a. Psychiatrists - doctors of medicine (M.D.) specializing in psychiatry, who are further qualified to use hypnosis in conjunction with their specialty;

b. Other Qualified Physicians - who use hypnosis in conjunction with their specialty.

2. Hypnodontists - qualified dentists (D.D.S.) who use hypnosis in direct relation to dentistry.

3. Practitioners of Allied Healing Arts, e.g.,optometrists, osteopaths, chiropractors, nurses, chiropodists, physical therapists, etc., who use hypnosis as applicable in their own respective fields, where such specialties are licensed in the states in which they practice.

4. Psychologists

a. Clinical psychologists - qualified psychologists holding Ph.D., M.A., or equivalent degrees, who use hypnosis in conjunction with their practice of psycho-therapy.

b. Experimental psychologists - who use hypnosis in research or experimentation but not in therapy unless they also qualify as clinicians.

5. Psychiatric Social Workers - qualified workers in this field who, because of their background and training, can use hypnosis in direct relation to their work.

6. Hypnotechnicians.

a. Hypnotechnicians - Those practicing hypnosis for the attainment of social, educational and cultural aims (strictly non-therapeutic).

b. Hypnosis Consultants - Expert hypnotists with advanced training who work under strict supervision of qualified and duly licensed practitioners of the healing arts. Examples of such ethical applications are: childbirth conditioning, conditioning for dental work, diet control, habit correction, simple symptom removal under medical supervision, etc.

c. Educators

(1) Instructors in hypnosis.

(2) Instructors in self-hypnosis.

(3) Writers on hypnosis.

(5) Statements implying unusual professional ability,

(6) Statements containing representations that, in reasonable probability, can be expected to cause an ordinary, prudent person to misunderstand or be deceived.

It is expected that members conduct all advertising in a professional manner that will reflect favorably on their ethics and on the I.S.P.H. These regulations are intended as guides to achieve this goal. In particular, members are cautioned that they may not present any deceptive information and that they must avoid showmanship, puffery, self-laudation or hucksterism in the advertising.

We believe these regulations will enable members to professionally and effectively call to the attention of the public the services they have to offer and that they are not so restrictive as to infringe on the Constitutional right of freedom of speech.

B. A member may NOT:

(1) advertise his services and capabilities as a hypnotist in conjunction with other specialties, occupations, vocations, avocations, arts or professions unless he is duly trained, properly qualified and professionally recognized in the professional fields to which he claims affiliation;

(h) advertise hypnosis as a solution to problems requiring medical referrals;

(c) solicit clientele from members of the healing arts;

(d) solicit medical or dental referrals by mailing lists or any other paid advertising method used to contact the public or the professions;

(e) advertise his services under the name of "clinic", "sanitarium", "hospital" or any other category of similar medical or psychological connotation.***ALL TECHNICIANS, CONSULTANTS AND EDUCATORS ENGAGED IN A PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE USING OTHER THAN THEIR OWN PERSONAL NAME SHALL HAVE SUCH NAME APPROVED BY THE ISPH BOARD OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS. (***Applicable to hypnotechnicians [Section C, Paragraphs 6a, b & c] only.)

C. DEMONSTRATIONS: Members giving demonstrations at public functions should make every effort to mention their affiliation with the ISPH and its ethical involvement with the healing arts on a paraprofessional basis and should exert all possible pressure on the host organization to insure the ethical handing of the publicity for such demonstration.

D. Advertising of membership affiliation: The following are the only indications of affiliation which members may use on stationery, cards or any other advertising and such designations must be clearly adjacent and related to ONLY the name of the individual member:

(a) CERTIFIED MEMBERS ONLY:"Certified Hypnotechnician, ISPH"; "Member, International Society for Professional Hypnosis, Certified"; "Certified Hypnosis Consultant, ISPH"; "ISPH Member Certified".

(b) PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS ONLY: "Hypnotechnician, ISPH"; "Member, International Society for Professional Hypnosis"; Hypnosis Consultant, ISPH".

(c) ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: "Associate member, ISPH"; "Associate Member, International Society for Professional Hypnosis".