Ethics

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Introduction

Counseling Hypnotherapists form a relatively new and unique group of professional helpers within the broader spectrum of human service professionals. Counseling Hypnotherapy, like acupuncture, massage therapy and homeopathy, is gaining recognition as a valid form of complimentary therapy.

Counseling Hypnotherapists fall within the definition of a professional group due to their education, specialized knowledge and skill sets that allow them to provide a unique service.

It is expected that as members of a professional group that they perform their services as outlined by their professional association and are responsible for self-regulating, assessing and improving their profession. In addition Counseling Hypnotherapists, like other professionals, use a Code of Ethics to guide them through ethical issues and dilemmas.

Background

In May 1999, the Canadian Counseling Association approved a new Code of Ethics having six major sections:

•  professional responsibility

•  counseling relationships

•  consulting and private practice

•  evaluation and assessment – Not included

•  research and publication – Under construction

•  counselor education, training and supervision

In order to work more effectively with other professional associations and to foster interdisciplinary understanding IACH uses similar section headings although the actual content differs with more direct emphasis on Hypnotherapy.

IACH is an international Association and therefore standard ethical practices from around the world were considered in the production of this document.

Ethical Complaints

IACH members are expected to know and to follow the IACH Code of Ethics . The IACH Ethics Committee is responsible for addressing ethics violations and providing guidance and clarification to members.

Ethics Committee – Role and Responsibilities

The Committee's role is to protect the dignity, rights, safety and well being of those individuals who procure the professional services of an IACH member. To do this the Committee is responsible for educating the IACH membership in all matters related to ethical conduct, periodically reviewing the IACH Code of Ethics , receiving and processing questions pertaining to the IACH Code of Ethics and providing resolution on ethical breaches by IACH members.

Ethics Committee – Structure

The IACH Ethics Committee shall consist of a minimum of three members in good standing, one of which will be the IACH President. The director of the Ethics Committee shall be duly elected and will be responsible for all Committee activities. The third Committee member shall also be duly elected and will take the place of the director should he/she be unable to fulfill a term. In this event a member of IACH will be designated, by the President, to fill the third seat on the Committee.

All decisions made by the Ethics Committee will be made by a full, three person, committee. Further, all decisions made thusly will be reported to the membership via the director's report in the IACH newsletter. The report will be submitted by the Committee director and will contain all activities for the period from the last report to the current. Confidentiality shall be maintained in these reports.

The Ethics Committee shall meet monthly via web forum and/or phone and shall convene between monthly meetings as needed and at the discretion of the director or the President.

Procedures for Submitting Complaints

All IACH Ethics Committee correspondence, records and activities are considered confidential. The Committee will not take any action on anonymous complaints.

Written statements should include notation of the section or sections of the IACH Code of Ethics that are in alleged violation as well as date(s) and details of alleged violation and the accused member's and complainant's full name and contact information.

All complaints shall be forwarded to:

The Ethics Director

(add e-mail address and mailing address)

The envelope or the subject line, in the event of an e-mail, must be marked “Confidential”.

Procedures for Processing Complaints

•  Within 14 days of a written complaint the Ethics Committee director shall verify membership of the accused through the IACH secretary.

•  Within 30 days of receipt of the complaint the Ethics Committee director shall:

•  Send acknowledgement of receipt of the complaint to the complainant via confidential e-mail or letter.

•  Send the complainant, via e-mail or letter, confirmation that the case will be investigated and outline the procedures that will be followed.

•  Notify the IACH Ethics Committee of the case and outline the procedures for the investigation.

•  Notify the accused member of the accusation(s) and request a response, within 30 days, that includes relevant information regarding the alleged violation.

•  Within 90 days of the initial receipt of the complaint, the IACH Ethics Committee will review the case and make recommendations regarding resolution and/or disposition.

Options for Resolution and/or Disposition

The IACH Ethics Committee has the ability to:

•  Find that no violation has occurred and dismiss the complaint.

•  Find that the complaint was justified and the practice unethical and notify the accused requesting a voluntary cease and desist of the practice(s) without further sanctions.

•  Find that the complaint was justified and the practice unethical and notify the accused of this decision and impose sanctions. Possible sanction can include and are limited to:

•  Permanent expulsion from the IACH

•  A probationary period reviewed by the Committee

•  Membership withdrawal for a time limited period

•  A reprimand with recommendations for corrective action, subject to review by the Committee

•  The IACH Ethics Committee director shall, at the conclusion of the process, notify all parties of the Committee's decision in writing, either via confidential e-mail or letter. This document will include all evidence and a summary of the decision(s) made by the Committee. A copy of this document will be forwarded to the IACH secretary for archiving.

Appeal Procedures

  1. Appeals must be made in writing within 60 days to the President of IACH.
  2. Appeals must include supporting documentation indicating the basis upon which the appeal is made.
  3. The President shall convene a committee to review all materials used in the initial decision rendered by the ethics committee.
  4. The review committee shall render a decision within 60 days of receiving the appeal.
  5. The review committee has the option of the following:
    • Support the decision of the ethics committee
    • Reversed the decision of the ethics committee
  6. The review committee shall inform all parties of its decision in writing.

Procedures for Submitting and Interpreting Questions regarding Ethical Conduct

•  When possible the questioner should consult other colleagues first.

•  If an association resolution is required the questioner will submit a written statement that includes details of the conduct in question. The statement will also include the specific section(s) of the IACH Code of Ethics that relate to the conduct in question. The statement can be mailed or e-mailed directly to the Ethics Committee chairperson.

•  The Ethics Committee chairperson shall confirm receipt of the statement via mail or e-mail and will outline the procedures that will be used to interpret the question. The IACH Ethics Committee will review and interpret the question and make recommendations for conduct within 60 days of receiving the initial statement.

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