Below is a comprehensive, practical code of conduct for a professional hypnotherapist. It combines widely accepted ethical principles from counseling/psychotherapy, hypnotherapy professional bodies (e.g., American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, British Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Australian Hypnotherapists Association), and best clinical practice tailored to hypnotherapy. Use this as a template you can adapt to local laws and your registration/association requirements.
Core ethical principles
Respect for client autonomy: Treat clients as agents of their own change. Support voluntary, informed participation and encourage clients’ active choices about goals and methods.
Nonmaleficence (do no harm): Avoid interventions likely to cause psychological or physical harm. Stop or modify treatment if it appears harmful.
Beneficence (promote wellbeing): Act to support client welfare and evidence-based benefit.
Justice and fairness: Provide services fairly, without discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic status, or other protected status.
Fidelity and honesty: Keep promises, be truthful about qualifications, training, experience, fees, and expected outcomes.
Professional integrity: Avoid exploitative, sexual, or abusive relationships. Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
Client relationships & professional boundaries
Maintain clear professional boundaries. No sexual or romantic relationships with current clients. Many guidelines prohibit any sexual/romantic relationship for a defined period after therapy ends (commonly at least two years); check local rules and professional body standards.
Avoid dual relationships that impair objectivity (e.g., treating close friends, family members, business partners). If unavoidable, document informed consent and consider referral.
Do not accept gifts that compromise objectivity; small culturally appropriate tokens may be acceptable—document and consider impact on boundary.
If social media connects you with a client, maintain professionalism; consider policies limiting friending or following clients on personal platforms.
Informed consent & transparency
Provide clear, written informed consent before treatment begins. Consent should include:
Nature and purpose of hypnotherapy
Methods to be used (e.g., suggestion, trance induction, regression, parts work)
Expected benefits and reasonable limitations
Possible risks, common and rare side effects (e.g., temporary emotional arousal, dizziness, headache, false memories risk in some techniques)
Alternatives (other therapies, no treatment)
Confidentiality limits (legal/ethical exceptions)
Session format, length, frequency, fees, cancellation policy
Client rights (right to withdraw, refuse suggestions, end session)
Use language the client can understand; check comprehension and document consent. For minors, obtain parental/guardian consent plus assent from the minor, in line with local laws.
Competence, training & scope of practice
Practice only within areas in which you are trained and competent. Maintain documentation of qualifications, certifications, and CPD.
Seek additional training or supervision before using specialized techniques (e.g., regression work, age regression, ego state therapy).
Be explicit about scope: if a client’s issues fall outside your competence (e.g., severe psychosis, active suicidal intent, complex trauma requiring specialized trauma therapy), refer to or consult with an appropriate mental health professional.
Avoid offering guarantees of outcome. Be honest about likely benefits, average length of treatment, and limitations.
Confidentiality & record keeping
Maintain client confidentiality except where limited by law or imminent risk (e.g., harm to self/others, child/elder abuse, court order). Inform clients of these exceptions in the consent process.
Keep secure, professional records: intake forms, assessment, informed consent, session notes, treatment plans, risk assessments, referrals. Store records encrypted or physically secure and retain as required by law and professional body rules.
If disclosing records (e.g., to another clinician or by subpoena), inform the client and seek consent where possible. Comply with data protection laws (e.g., GDPR in UK/EU, HIPAA-equivalent rules where applicable).
For group hypnotherapy, explain confidentiality limits since you cannot guarantee other group members’ behavior.
Client safety, assessment & risk management
Conduct a thorough assessment before hypnotherapy begins: medical/psychiatric history, current medications, substance use, suicide/homicide risk, psychosis, neurological disorders, pregnancy considerations, dissociative tendencies, current stressors.
Screen for contraindications to particular hypnotherapy modalities (e.g., active, unmanaged psychosis or severe dissociation may contraindicate regression techniques).
If client is at immediate risk (suicidal, homicidal, or in danger), take appropriate safety steps per local law (emergency services, hospital referral) and document actions.
Use structured risk assessments for safety concerns and develop safety plans as needed.
Manage adverse events: if a client reports severe distress, panic, flashbacks, dissociative episodes, or medical symptoms during or after a session, stop the intervention, provide support, and refer/seek emergency care if indicated.
Use of specific techniques—memory, regression, suggestion
Be cautious with memory-retrieval techniques and age regression. These can risk false memories and confabulation. If using them, inform clients explicitly about the risk and keep careful records.
Avoid leading questions that may influence memory content.
Use suggestion ethically; ensure suggestions are aligned with client goals and do not manipulate beyond agreed therapeutic aims.
Recordings and recordings consent
If sessions are recorded (audio/video), obtain explicit written consent specifying purpose, storage, access, retention, and destruction. If recordings are for training/supervision, obtain separate consent.
Securely store or destroy recordings according to policy and law. Do not share recordings without explicit consent (except as required legally).
Fees, advertising & conflicts of interest
Charge fair, transparent, and clearly stated fees. Provide written fee schedule and cancellation/no-show policy.
Do not engage in price gouging or exploitative practices.
Advertise truthfully; do not make exaggerated, misleading, or guaranteed claims. Use accurate descriptions of training, certifications, and outcomes.
Disclose and manage conflicts of interest (e.g., referral fees, relationships with product vendors). Avoid dual financial relationships that impair objectivity.
Supervision, CPD & professional support
Engage in regular clinical supervision with a competent supervisor experienced in hypnotherapy and the client populations you serve. Document supervision.
Participate in ongoing CPD to maintain competence and learn new, evidence-based methods.
Seek consultation for complex cases, and refer when appropriate.
Legal, cultural & forensic considerations
Know and comply with local legal/regulatory requirements for practice, record retention, mandatory reporting, advertising, and use of protected titles.
Respect cultural, religious, and individual values. Adapt practice appropriately and seek cultural competence training.
In forensic contexts (court-ordered work, custody evaluations), be aware of limitations and heightened ethical obligations; obtain informed consent about the nature of the forensic role and confidentiality limits. Avoid therapeutic relationships when acting as an evaluator unless clearly defined and consented.
Termination, transfer & referral
Terminate therapy professionally when goals are met, treatment is no longer beneficial, or a better-suited professional is needed. Provide appropriate notice, discuss reasons, and offer referrals.
Document termination processes and provide a plan for follow-up if needed.
If the client misses appointments or stops attending, make reasonable efforts to contact and clarify intentions before closing the case, and document attempts.
Complaint handling & accountability
Maintain a clear process for client complaints. Provide clients with information on how to raise concerns and with which professional body or regulator you are affiliated.
Cooperate with investigations by regulatory or professional bodies and document responses.
Special topics relevant to hypnotherapists
Use of hypnosis recordings/homework: provide clear instructions and contraindications. Warn about driving or operating heavy machinery immediately after sessions if sedation or residual effects might impair performance.
Stage hypnosis: maintain separate standards. Avoid stage inducement of people with known vulnerabilities, obtain consent, and prioritize safety. Do not present stage hypnosis as therapeutic unless full therapeutic informed consent and appropriate setting are used.
Marketing clinical hypnotherapy: avoid implying medical cure for illnesses unless supported by evidence and within scope (e.g., do not claim to cure cancer). Use evidence-based claims and link to reputable sources where feasible.
Documentation checklist (minimum)
Intake form & client ID
Medical/psychiatric history & medications
Presenting problem and goals
Informed consent form (general & technique-specific)
Risk/safety assessment
Treatment plan and session notes
Supervision notes (where relevant)
Referral documentation
Consent for recordings (if used)
Fee agreements & cancellations
Termination/transfer notes
Sample short client agreement: [You can adapt this for your practice and local law.]
Client Agreement for Hypnotherapy
I understand that hypnotherapy is a collaborative process that uses focused attention and suggestion to promote change. I have had the purpose, nature, expected benefits, and potential risks explained to me.
I understand alternatives to hypnotherapy and that no guarantee of outcome has been made.
I consent to hypnotherapy techniques discussed. I may withdraw consent at any time.
I understand that confidentiality will be maintained except where disclosure is required by law (e.g., imminent risk of harm to self/others, abuse) or ordered by a court.
I consent to the therapist keeping clinical records. I have been given fee, cancellation, and complaint policies.
I am aware that the therapist will refer me to other health care professionals if my needs are beyond their scope. Signature, Date
References and professional sources (examples)
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis: standards and ethics resources.
British Society of Clinical Hypnosis: ethical framework and guidelines.
International Society of Hypnosis: ethical statements.
Core ethical frameworks for counseling/psychotherapy (e.g., APA Ethical Principles, UK HCPC/HCPC-equivalents for regulated professions) for overlap in confidentiality, risk, and competence. (Consult specific local/regulatory codes for binding legal requirements.)