Code of Ethical Conduct

This Professional and Ethical Code of Conduct (PECC) defines the standards of ethics, practice, and conduct expected of all practitioners affiliated with the British Society of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Integrative Psychotherapy (BSCHIP). These standards must be upheld across all modalities of practice, whether practitioners meet clients face-to-face, online, or through any other form of communication.

The term “practitioner” refers to individual BSCHIP members working in private practice, institutional settings, or running any form of training environment associated with the Society. The term “client” includes any individual, couple, or group participating in therapy, training, or workshops facilitated by the member.

The standards outlined in this PECC will inform the Complaints Process if concerns arise regarding any practitioner’s conduct.

A Complaints Procedure and Disqualification and Disciplinary Procedure are published by the BSCHIP. Practitioners who break the PECC shall be liable to the Disqualification and Disciplinary Procedure.

A. Practitioner-Client Relationship

  1. Client Welfare: Practitioners must act in the best interests of their clients, promoting autonomy, well-being, and dignity. They must remain polite, considerate, and respectful at all times, listening to clients, acknowledging their views, and considering these perspectives into their approach to treatment.

 

  1. Respect and Non-Exploitation: Practitioners must treat clients with respect and shall never exploit the client relationship for personal, emotional, sexual, or financial gain.

 

  1. Boundaries and Dual Relationships: Practitioners must maintain clear professional boundaries, avoid dual relationships when possible, and manage unavoidable ones carefully to prevent conflicts of interest.

 

  1. Treating Individuals in the Same Family: Providing therapy to multiple family members individually can be ethically complex and should generally be avoided. However, it may be appropriate in specific circumstances, such as in cases of shared trauma, limited availability of specialists, client preference for a particular practitioner, or a significant time gap between ending therapy with one family member and starting with another. Practitioners must ensure they can remain impartial and should address any potential conflicts of interest promptly, consulting their supervisor or the BSCHIP Ethics Committee as needed. All safeguarding concerns must be handled in accordance with the BSCHIP Safeguarding Policy.

 

  1. Working with Children: When working with a child under 16, it is important to consider their Gillick competence – their ability to understand and consent to the proposed treatment. The decision to have a parent or guardian present should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the child’s age, maturity, vulnerability, the nature of the treatment, and the views of both the child and their parent or guardian. If the child is assessed as Gillick competent and it is decided that a parent or guardian will not be present, this decision should be fully documented in the child’s record, including the reasoning behind it. This approach helps protect the child and safeguards you from potential allegations.

 

  1. Working with Vulnerable Adults: If the client is an adult at risk, it may also be appropriate to have another person present.

 

  1. Chaperones: Practitioners must assess when it may be necessary to have another person present during client assessment or care and arrange for this when appropriate. Clients may also request that someone accompany them during their assessment or care. Additionally, practitioners have the right to decide if, in the best interests of both therapist and client, another person should be present, even if the client has not specifically requested it.

 

  1. Sexual Relationships: Practitioners must not engage in sexual relationships or conduct with current clients and should exercise caution before entering any such relationships with former clients, ensuring at least a three-year gap post-therapy.

 

  1. Professional Relationships: Practitioners must exercise careful judgment before entering any personal or business relationship with former clients. Such relationships, whether social, commercial, supervisory, or training-related, should only be pursued after careful consideration of the time passed since the conclusion of therapy.

 

  1. Gifts and Favours: Practitioners must decline any significant gifts, favours, money, or hospitality from clients that could be perceived as exploitative and exceed the value of one standard session fee, beyond the agreed fees for therapy.

 

  1. Confidentiality: Practitioners must uphold client confidentiality during and after the client’s lifetime, disclosing information only under exceptional, legally mandated circumstances or when essential to prevent harm.

 

  1. Disclosure of Terms: Practitioners must clearly communicate fees, session length, terms, and conditions, and client confidentiality at the outset of therapy, ideally through a written contract.

 

  1. Termination of Therapy: Practitioners should plan for the termination of therapy responsibly, ensuring continuity of care where possible.

B. Professional Competence and Development

  1. Competence and Supervision: Practitioners must work within their areas of competence, pursue continuous professional development, and engage in regular clinical supervision, and or peer group supervision to enhance practice standards.

 

  1. Recognising Limitations: Practitioners should be aware of and respect their limitations, seeking advice, or referring clients when necessary for the client’s best interests.

 

  1. Sobriety and Mental Fitness: Practitioners must not work with clients while under the influence of substances or when physical or mental health may impair judgment.

C. Honesty and Integrity

  1. Transparency of Qualifications: Practitioners should only use credentials they have legitimately earned and disclose qualifications accurately and on request and evidence of such qualification should be made available for inspection when necessary. Furthermore, the title “Dr” should only be used if it reflects a bona fide medical or academic qualification, and practitioners should clearly specify if the “Dr” title is based on an academic degree rather than a medical qualification.

 

  1. Advertising and Public Representation: Practitioners must market their services truthfully, avoid misleading claims, and ensure that all public representations align with the values of the profession. They must also adhere to relevant advertising standards for both their jurisdiction and their specific modality of practice.

 

  1. Prohibition of Cure Promises: Practitioners should not make absolute claims or promises of cures, respecting the complexity of therapeutic outcomes.

D. Accountability to Ethical Standards and Legal Obligations

  1. Ethical Dilemmas: Practitioners must consult their clinical supervisor or relevant ethics committee when faced with ethical dilemmas to ensure alignment with professional standards.

 

  1. Respect for Other Professionals: Practitioners shall respect the integrity of other healthcare professionals and foster collaborative relationships when necessary for client care.

 

  1. Confidentiality and Communication with Others: Practitioners shall act in the client’s best interest when contacting the client’s Registered Medical Practitioner, relevant psychiatric services, or other professionals, ensuring the client gives informed consent. Practitioners shall ensure that anyone to whom they disclose a client’s personal information understands that it is shared in confidence and must be treated as such. Practitioners must remain aware of their limitations when seeking advice and make all decisions to treat, decline, or refer a client with the client’s well-being as the primary consideration.

 

  1. Clients Receiving Medical Treatment: Practitioners must not, under any circumstances, advise clients to discontinue treatment prescribed by a Registered Medical Practitioner. Practitioners must encourage clients to discuss any such decisions with their Registered Medical Practitioner.

 

  1. Compliance with Laws and Regulations: Practitioners must comply with all relevant legal obligations and professional regulations, including confidentiality, safeguarding policies, and shall seek appropriate legal and or professional advice when client information is requested by external parties.

 

  1. Indemnity Insurance: Practitioners must ensure their professional activities are covered by appropriate indemnity insurance.

E. Research and Record-Keeping

  1. Use of Client Information: Practitioners conducting research or case studies must obtain informed consent, anonymise client information, and adhere to data protection laws.

 

  1. Record-Keeping: Practitioners should maintain accurate, legible, and secure records of therapy sessions, aligning with data protection standards.

 

  1. Disclosure to External Parties: Practitioners must be prepared to disclose information when legally required, prioritising client consent where possible and seeking guidance to maintain confidentiality standards.

F. Diversity, Inclusion, and Non-Discrimination

  1. Equal Treatment: Practitioners must not allow any form of bias related to age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, disability, religious, cultural, political beliefs, or other protected characteristics to affect client interactions, and shall embrace diversity and inclusion in all aspects of practice.

 

  1. Prevention of Harassment and Abuse: Practitioners shall avoid any behaviour that could be perceived as abusive or discriminatory and shall recognise their legal responsibilities concerning safeguarding the rights and welfare of children and vulnerable clients.

G. Accountability to the Profession

  1. Complaints and Disciplinary Compliance: Practitioners are responsible for cooperating with all aspects of complaints and disciplinary processes, including transparent disclosure of any complaints, legal issues, or disciplinary actions.

 

  1. Disclosure of Complaints: Practitioners must disclose any complaint or practice restriction made, in process, or upheld by any professional body, employer, or association regulating health and social care. This requirement also applies to BSCHIP practitioners with joint or multiple memberships in other professional psychotherapy organisations. Practitioners must fully inform the BSCHIP of any upheld complaint and sanctions imposed on their practice. Additionally, members must disclose if they are subject to any ongoing investigation at the time of joining the BSCHIP, regardless of its outcome.

 

  1. Public Safeguarding: Members are required to take appropriate action, in line with the Complaints Procedure, regarding a colleague’s behaviour that may be deemed detrimental to clients, the profession, or to other members.

 

  1. Disclosure of Conviction: Practitioners must disclose any criminal conviction, conditional discharge, or police caution they receive.

 

  1. Ethical Membership: Practitioners must maintain an upstanding professional presence, not affiliating with organisations or entities known to engage in harmful or fraudulent practices.

 

  1. Professional Conduct: Practitioners shall uphold the values and reputation of the BSCHIP and the psychotherapy profession, fostering trust both in their professional and personal conduct.

 

  1. Public Confidence: Practitioners shall not promote, perform, or display psychotherapy as a form of entertainment (e.g. stage hypnosis) or engage in activities that could bring the profession into disrepute.

 

  1. Code of Conduct Agreement: All practitioners must sign and adhere to this Professional and Ethical Code of Conduct, which embodies the standards expected within the profession and by the organisation.