Code of Ethics

click here to download this as a printable document

Lighter Dawn undertake to:

Provide service to clients solely in those areas in which they are competent to do so and for which they carry relevant professional indemnity insurance.

Not permit considerations of religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, politics or social standing to adversely influence client treatment.

Disclose full details of all relevant memberships, training, experience, qualifications and appropriate avenues of complaint to clients, upon request and only use those qualifications and memberships to which they have proof of entitlement.

Explain fully to clients in advance of any treatment: the fee levels, precise terms of payment and any charges which might be imposed for non-attendance or cancelled appointments, and wherever relevant, confidentiality issues.

Present all services and products in an unambiguous manner (to include any limitations and realistic outcomes of treatment) and ensure that the client retains complete control over the decision to purchase such services or products. N.B. Guarantees of either a cure or successful resolution of the problem/s presented should not be offered.

CLIENT WELFARE

Lighter Dawn undertake to:

Work in ways that will promote client autonomy and well-being and that maintain respect and dignity for the client.

Remain aware of their own limitations and wherever appropriate, be prepared to refer a client to another practitioner (regardless of discipline) who might be expected to offer suitable treatment.

Ensure that wherever a client is seeking assistance for the relief of physical symptoms, that unless having already done so, the client be advised to contact a registered medical practitioner.

If the therapist has doubts or concerns with regard to a client’s prescribed medication, they should, always with their client’s permission, contact the medical advisor personally.

Avoid expressing a personal opinion or making any remark which may be implicitly or explicitly interpreted in retrospect as the implantation of a non-factual event attributed to a third party.

Accept that any client referred to them by a registered medical practitioner (or other relevant agency) remains the clinical responsibility of the medical practitioner (or agency) and therefore to agree to keep that medical practitioner (or agency) suitably informed of the client’s progress. Practitioners should also be prepared to share information necessary for the continuing treatment of clients by other healthcare professionals, where there is an overlap or hand-on of care.

Ensure that their workplace and all facilities offered to both clients and their companions will be in every respect suitable and appropriate for the service provided. These shall include any consulting room used for the purpose of consultation and/or conducting therapy with any client, along with any reception or waiting areas associated with such rooms.

Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the client and any person who may be accompanying them.

Refrain from using their position of trust and confidence to:

1. Cross the commonly understood professional boundaries appropriate to the therapist/client relationship or exploit the client emotionally, sexually, financially or in any other way whatsoever. Should either a sexual or financial relationship (i.e. other than for the payment of relevant products or services) or other inappropriate relationship develop between either therapist and client or members of their respective immediate families, the therapist must immediately cease to accept fees, terminate treatment and refer the client to another suitable therapist at the very earliest opportunity.
2. Touch the client in any way that may be open to misinterpretation.
3. Not accept any inappropriate gifts, gratuities or favours from a client
4. Never protract treatment unnecessarily and to terminate treatment at the earliest moment consistent with the good care of the client

Confidentiality & Maintenance of Records

Lighter Dawn undertake to:

Maintain strict confidentiality within the client/therapist relationship, always provided that such confidentiality is neither inconsistent with the therapist’s own safety or the safety of the client, the client’s family members or other members of the public nor in contravention of any legal action.

Ensure that client notes and records be kept secure and confidential and that the use of computer records remains within the terms of the Data Protection Act.

GENERAL CONDUCT

Lighter Dawn undertake to:

Conduct themselves at all times in accord with their professional status and in such a way as neither undermines public confidence in the process or profession of hypnotherapy nor brings their professional body into disrepute. Practitioners are also expected to take appropriate action (via their professional body) with regard to the behaviour of a colleague which may be deemed detrimental to the profession generally, their professional body specifically or other practitioners individually.

Inform their professional body, in writing, of:

1. Any complaint (of which they are aware) made against them
2. Any disciplinary action taken against them by any professional body
3. Any criminal offence of which they have been convicted

Make available all relevant information requested as a result of investigation by any appointed Complaints and Disciplinary Officer, without hindrance (whether implied or actual) or unreasonable delay and comply fully with all requirements inherent within any Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure to which they subscribe.

.

Advertising, Display of Credentials and Use fo specific Titles

Lighter Dawn undertake to:

Ensure that all advertising, no matter in what form or medium it is placed, represents a truthful, honest and accurate picture of themselves, their skill-base, qualifications and facilities and that any claims for the successful outcome of treatments (in whatever format) shall be based upon verifiable, fully documented evidence.

Ensure that all advertising shall comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice, accord with the British Advertising Standards Authority and to make available all such literature to their professional body on request.

Display only valid qualifications and certificates issued in respect of relevant training courses and events or certificates of registration, validation or accreditation as issued or awarded by relevant professional bodies.

Make no claim that they hold specific qualifications unless such claim can be fully substantiated.

Treatment of Minors, and those classified as Persons with Special Needs

Lighter Dawn undertake to:

Obtain the written consent of an appropriate adult (i.e. parent, legal guardian or registered medical practitioner) before conducting treatment with clients who are either under the age of majority or are classified as persons with special needs. N.B. Wherever possible and provided it is judged to be in the child’s best interests, it is advisable that an appropriate adult should be present during such sessions.

Lighter Dawn Is fully compliant with the National Hypnotherapy Code of Ethics Proposed by the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR). Reproduced here in partial form.

If you would like to see a full copy of this code please contact enquiries@lighterdawn.co.uk