We at The International Hypnosis Society require our graduates who wish to be certified to agree to the following prescribed set of ethics to ensure the clients' welfare and to honor the field of the Hypnosis profession.

The Guidelines are as follows:

• 1.       Client welfare: To ensure working with the clients' needs as the prime   concern. The objective is to provide services to the client as follows:
  
                  Strict confidentiality
  
                  Data protection of client information
  
                  To look after the client's safety during sessions
  
                  To provide the client with an understanding of Hypnosis and
                      realistic expectations
  
                  Disclosure is with written permission only unless the client is a
                  serious risk to themselves or others.
                      Court order and coroner's report may also require disclosure
  
                  Not to engage in any unprofessional relationship with a client,
                      including emotional exploitation or engaging in a sexual
                      relationship
  
                  To help the client to gain greater alignment with their
                      own unconscious and to avoid dependency on you the
                      hypnotherapist
  
                  If you are do not have the experience and skills to deal with
                      particular issues then seek case supervision or refer the
                      client to the appropriate professional who can see them
                      as soon as possible
  
                  Always agree on fees before engaging in treatment
  
                  When working with children or teenagers ensure a parent or
                      guardian is present and have them sign a consent form
  
  2.        When working with medical or physical conditions:
  
                  Not to provide any diagnosis or professional opinion on
                      medical conditions unless you are a qualified practicing
                      medical professional
  
                  Not to intervene with medical treatment or to advise
                      clients to stop prescribed medication
  
                  To seek cooperation with the client's doctor if working with a
                      medical condition
  
                  Not to work with pain control unless the client has had
                      medical examination and diagnosis
  
                  Never portray hypnosis as a cure but rather a way of
                      gaining inner alignment and cooperation of the
                      unconscious mind
  
  3.         If a client is experiencing a mental health condition:
  
                  Never diagnose mental health conditions unless you are
                      qualified to do so
  
                  If you suspect a client has a mental health condition then
                      advise them to seek an opinion from an appropriate
                      professional
  
                  Only work with such a client if they have been diagnosed and
                      you have the supervision and permission from their doctor
  
  4.          Teaching or public demonstrations:
  
                  Ensure you use hypnosis in a responsible way
  
                  Ensure the dignity and respect of the hypnotic subject during                     demonstrations
  
                  Always terminate trance afterwards and ensure the demo
                      subject's welfare
  
                  Ensure your classes are educational and beneficial to
                      classes and groups
  
                  Educate the public on how hypnosis can assist them
  
                  Promote understanding and awareness of the unconscious
                       mind
  
  5.         In advertising do not make unrealistic claims:
  
                  Portray Hypnosis in a realistic way
  
                  Do not guarantee results unless you are charging
                        based only on results
  
  6.         Portrayal of Hypnosis:
  
                  Portray Hypnosis as a cooperative process
  
                  Ensure the client understands they are making changes
                      themselves through the improved relationship with their
                      own unconscious mind        
  
  7.         Maintain and further your knowledge in the field:
  
                  Review core skills regularly
  
                  Continue to read and research the field
  
                  Review the training, if you you feel you need too
  
  8.         Legal requirements:
  
                  Work within the laws of your country or state
  
                  Practice within the realms of local law. We recommend you
                      carry professional indemnity insurance and advise you to
                      join a hypnosis association in your country that can advise
                      you on legal requirements