International Guild of Hypnotherapy, NLP and 3 Principles Practitioners and Trainers (IGH3P®) Code of Ethics and Professional Practice for Complementary Medicine Practitioners

INTRODUCTION

The Code of Ethics serves as a foundational document outlining the ethical standards and best practices expected of professionals in complementary medicine, coaching, mentoring, and supervision. It applies to all practitioners who have completed a Certificate Course and continue to practice within these fields. Non-compliance with the Code indicates that the practitioner is not adhering to the recognized standards of their profession. This Code is intended to be dynamic and will be updated as necessary to reflect changes and advancements in practice.

PURPOSE

• To establish and uphold a high standard of practice in complementary medicine, ensuring the integrity of the method.
• To set and maintain ethical standards and practices for practitioners worldwide and their relationship with the public.
• To inform and protect members of the public seeking and/or using services from these practitioners.

Ethical Principles

Integrity

Practitioners are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity, ensuring honesty and fairness in all interactions. Integrity involves being truthful in representations of qualifications, maintaining transparent communication, and avoiding any actions that could mislead or harm clients. Practitioners should avoid any conflicts of interest and disclose them when they arise. They must act in ways that reinforce trust, demonstrating ethical behavior consistently across all professional activities.

Respect

Respect for all individuals is a cornerstone of professional conduct. Practitioners must value the dignity, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds of every client, colleague, and stakeholder. This respect extends to acknowledging and appreciating diversity, ensuring that no individual is discriminated against on any grounds. Practitioners should be culturally sensitive and inclusive, creating a safe and welcoming environment for all. They must respect clients' autonomy, including their right to decline treatment or make decisions about their care.

Trust

Building and maintaining trust is essential in all professional relationships. Practitioners must engage with clients and colleagues in a manner that is ethical and non-exploitative. Trust is established through transparency, where all communications are clear, truthful, and conducted with the client’s best interests in mind. Practitioners must ensure confidentiality, protect client information, and avoid actions that could betray the trust placed in them by clients or the public.

Professional Conduct

High Standards of Practice

Practitioners are required to maintain the highest standards of practice at all times. This involves a commitment to continuous professional development, ensuring that their skills and knowledge are up-to-date with the latest advancements in their field. Practitioners must demonstrate competence in the modalities they practice and should seek additional training and supervision when working with complex or unfamiliar issues. The quality of care and service provided should reflect the best practices in the industry, with practitioners always striving for excellence in their professional work.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a fundamental principle that must be respected and protected by all practitioners. This means safeguarding all client records, communications, and personal information, ensuring they are securely stored and only shared with explicit consent or as required by law. Practitioners must have clear agreements with clients about the limits of confidentiality, particularly in situations where disclosure is legally mandated. Maintaining confidentiality is crucial for fostering trust and protecting the privacy of clients.

Non-Coercive Approach

Practitioners must respect a non-coercive approach in their practice, ensuring that clients engage in sessions voluntarily and without undue influence. Sessions should only be provided upon request, and practitioners should avoid any suggestion that implies a client needs treatment or that there is something wrong with them to secure a session. This approach emphasizes client autonomy and ensures that the practitioner’s influence is supportive rather than manipulative.

Codes of Professional Practice

Health of Practitioner

Practitioners must be in good health, both physically and mentally, to provide effective and safe care. It is the practitioner’s responsibility to monitor their health and seek support or take a break from practice if personal stress or illness could impact their ability to serve clients effectively. Ensuring that practitioners are fit to practice is essential for maintaining the quality of care and protecting the well-being of clients.

Substance Use

Practitioners must not work under the influence of medication, alcohol, or illegal substances, as these can impair judgment and professionalism. It is critical that practitioners abstain from consuming any substance that could affect their clarity of thought and ability to practice safely. This standard ensures that clients receive the highest quality of care in a safe and professional environment.

Modalities and Claims

Practitioners must clearly distinguish between their complementary medicine services and other spiritual or healing practices. They must avoid making any claims of cure or exaggerating the effectiveness of their services. Practitioners should only practice modalities that are approved and recognized within their professional framework and should never misrepresent the scope or impact of their work. This maintains the integrity of the profession and protects clients from false expectations.

Client Relationships

Contracting and Communication

Before beginning work with a client, practitioners must establish a clear contract that outlines the nature, terms, and conditions of the service, including confidentiality, financial arrangements, and logistical details. This contract should be transparent, and practitioners must ensure that clients fully understand and agree to these terms. Clear and honest communication throughout the professional relationship is essential for aligning expectations and ensuring that the client’s needs are met.

Inappropriate Interactions

Practitioners are responsible for setting and maintaining clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries in all interactions with clients. They must avoid any form of romantic or sexual relationships with current clients to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain professional integrity. Practitioners should also be vigilant about the potential for boundary crossings in other areas, ensuring that the professional relationship remains focused on the client’s well-being.

Conflict of Interest

Practitioners must be aware of and avoid any conflicts of interest that could affect their professional judgment or relationship with clients. If a conflict of interest arises, it must be disclosed transparently, and steps should be taken to manage or resolve it effectively. Practitioners must distinguish between their professional relationship with a client and other forms of relationships, ensuring impartiality and fairness in their practice.

Responsibilities to Self

Professionalism and Health

Maintaining professionalism requires practitioners to take care of their health and well-being. This includes ensuring personal hygiene and cleanliness of their working environment. Practitioners must engage in regular self-care practices, such as taking breaks and seeking support when needed, to sustain their ability to provide effective and professional services.

Monitoring Personal Functioning

Practitioners should continuously monitor their personal functioning to ensure that their practice is not adversely affected by personal issues or burnout. If a practitioner feels that their ability to provide quality care is compromised, they should seek supervision, support, or take a temporary break from practice. This self-monitoring is crucial for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of their professional work.

Acknowledging Professional Limitations

Practitioners should be aware of the limits of their professional expertise and must refer clients to other professionals when necessary. Recognizing when a client’s needs exceed their capabilities is a sign of professionalism and protects the client’s interests. Practitioners should collaborate with specialists when appropriate to ensure that clients receive the most suitable care.

Responsibilities to Others

Collaboration with Healthcare Professionals

Practitioners should strive to build good relationships and work cooperatively with other healthcare professionals. This collaboration ensures a holistic approach to client care, where all aspects of the client’s well-being are considered. Practitioners should communicate openly with a client’s medical team, respecting their role and expertise, to provide the best possible outcomes for the client.

Respect for Other Treatments

Practitioners must respect the client’s choice of treatments and must not undermine their faith in other healthcare options. Instead, they should support clients in their decisions, recognizing the validity of different approaches to health and wellness. This respect for the client’s autonomy and treatment choices is essential for maintaining trust and providing supportive care.

Attending Vulnerable Populations

Practitioners should exercise special care when working with vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, children, or those with severe health conditions. Services should only be provided to these groups with appropriate qualifications or referrals from medical professionals. Practitioners must ensure that their care is tailored to the specific needs of these clients, always prioritizing their safety and well-being.

Professional Diligence

Practitioners must conduct themselves with the utmost diligence in all professional relationships. This involves careful attention to detail, ethical behavior, and a commitment to the client’s best interests at all times. Diligence in practice ensures that the client receives high-quality care and that the practitioner upholds the standards of the profession.

Soliciting Clients

Ethical Solicitation Practices

Practitioners must avoid soliciting clients away from other professionals and should respect existing therapeutic relationships. This ethical stance prevents conflicts and promotes a cooperative professional environment. Advertising and promotion of services should be conducted with integrity, focusing on the practitioner’s qualifications and the benefits of their services without making misleading claims.

Practice in Hospitals

Permissions and Responsibilities

When practicing in a hospital setting, practitioners must follow all relevant protocols and obtain the necessary permissions before providing services. They must respect the primary role of medical staff in patient care and clearly identify their own role to avoid any confusion. Practitioners must ensure that their presence and services do not interfere with hospital operations or inconvenience other patients and staff.

Respect for Medical Roles

Practitioners must not give the impression that they are medical professionals or hospital staff unless they hold appropriate medical qualifications. This clarity prevents misunderstandings and maintains the integrity of both the medical and complementary medicine professions. Practitioners must be transparent about their role and the nature of the services they provide.

Premises

Safe and Suitable Working Conditions

Practitioners must ensure that their working conditions are appropriate for providing safe and effective practice. This includes maintaining a clean, comfortable, and private environment that supports the client’s comfort and confidentiality. Practitioners are responsible for creating a setting that is conducive to healing and professional interaction.

Advertising/Public Statements

Ethical Advertising

Advertising must be conducted in a manner that is discreet, dignified, and focused on the benefits of the services offered. Practitioners should avoid making unsubstantiated claims or promising cures. All public statements, including advertising, should accurately reflect the practitioner’s qualifications and the nature of the services provided, maintaining honesty and transparency.

Disciplinary Procedures

Adherence to Decisions

All certified practitioners are expected to comply with decisions made under the disciplinary procedures established by their governing body. This adherence is essential for maintaining the integrity of the profession and ensuring accountability. Practitioners must accept and follow any guidelines or sanctions imposed, recognizing that these are in place to protect the public and uphold professional standards.

Public Protection

The primary concern of disciplinary procedures is the protection of the public. Governing bodies have the authority to dissociate from any practitioner who breaches the Code of Ethics to ensure public safety. This may involve removing accreditation or membership if a practitioner fails to meet the ethical standards required by the profession.

Accountability for Conduct

Practitioners are individually accountable for their conduct and must adhere to the ethical guidelines set out in this Code. They should recognize their responsibility to maintain ethical behavior, knowing that their actions reflect not only on themselves but on the profession as a whole. Practitioners must consistently act in ways that uphold the reputation and integrity of their field.

Ongoing Development

Supervision and Peer Support

Practitioners must engage in regular supervision and peer support to maintain high standards of practice. Supervision provides an opportunity for reflection, feedback, and guidance, helping practitioners navigate ethical dilemmas and improve their skills. Participation in peer support groups also fosters a sense of community and shared learning within the profession.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Continuing professional development is essential for practitioners to remain competent and effective in their practice. This includes attending workshops, pursuing further education, and staying informed about the latest research and developments in their field. Practitioners should actively seek opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills, contributing to their growth and the advancement of the profession.

Contribution to the Professional Community

Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to the professional community in ways that are appropriate to their level of expertise. This may include mentoring peers, conducting research, writing articles, or participating in professional organizations. Contributing to the community helps to advance the profession, promote ethical standards, and support the development of others in the field.

 Legal and Statutory Compliance

Adherence to Relevant Laws

Practitioners must stay informed about and comply with all relevant laws and regulations in their jurisdiction. This includes adhering to data protection laws, safeguarding legislation, and any other legal requirements related to their practice. Practitioners must ensure that their conduct is not only ethically sound but also legally compliant.

Insurance and Professional Indemnity

Practitioners are required to have appropriate professional indemnity insurance to cover their practice. This insurance protects both the practitioner and the client in the event of a dispute or claim, providing a safety net that reinforces the professional standards of the practice. Practitioners must ensure that their insurance coverage is up-to-date and adequate for the services they provide.

Ethical Framework and Review

Ethical Dilemmas and Resolution

Practitioners should be prepared to address ethical dilemmas that may arise in their practice. They should discuss these dilemmas with a supervisor or peer support group to seek guidance and resolution. The process of ethical decision-making should be transparent and aligned with the principles set out in this Code, ensuring that actions taken are in the best interests of the client and the profession.