Hit back button to return to previous page

CODE OF ETHICS OF THE
NATIONAL GUILD OF HYPNOTISTS

The National Guild of Hypnotists requires its members to conform to the following ethical principles, and shall hold members accountable for any departure from these principles, which may include revocation of membership.

A. Client Welfare: Members shall make the physical and mental well-being of each client a prime consideration.

B. Client Safety: Members shall not engage in verbal, physical or sexual abuse of any client.

C. Practice Limits: Members shall use hypnotism strictly within the limits of their training and competence and in conformity to the laws of their state.

D. Advertising: Members shall be truthful in their advertising.

E. Credentials: Members shall always be honest about the nature of their titles and degrees when referring to them to the general public, the media, and within the confines of our profession.

F. Referred Practice: Members shall engage in hypnotic work with a client regarding a medical or mental disease only on written referral from an appropriately licensed medical or mental health professional, except when otherwise provided for by state law.

G. Reasonable Practice: Members shall withhold non-referred hypnotic services if a client’s behavior, appearance or statements would lead a reasonable person to believe that the client should be evaluated by a licensed health care professional. Members shall provide services to such clients only after evaluation and with the approval of the licensed health care professional.

H. Colleagues: Members shall treat hypnotist colleagues without public defamation.

Copyright © 2005, 2007, The National Guild of Hypnotists, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

*******

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)

Standards of Practice
Standard I: Professionalism
The certificant or applicant must provide optimal levels of professional therapeutic massage and bodywork services and demonstrate excellence in practice by promoting healing and well-being through responsible, compassionate and respectful touch. In his/her professional role the certificant or applicant shall:

a.        adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures
 

b.       comply with the peer review process conducted by the NCBTMB Ethics and Standards Committee regarding any alleged violations of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
 

c.        conduct him/herself in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public and other professionals
 

d.       treat each client with respect, dignity and worth
 

e.        use professional verbal, nonverbal and written communications
 

f.         provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for the client and which, at a minimum, meets all legal requirements for health and safety
 

g.       use standard precautions to insure professional hygienic practices and maintain a level of personal hygiene appropriate for practitioners in the therapeutic setting
 

h.       wear clothing that is clean, modest, and professional
 

i.         obtain voluntary and informed consent from the client prior to initiating the session
 

j.         if applicable, conduct an accurate needs assessment, develop a plan of care with the client, and update the plan as needed
 

k.        use appropriate draping to protect the client's physical and emotional privacy
 

l.         be knowledgeable of his/her scope of practice and practice only within these limitations
 

m.      refer to other professionals when in the best interest of the client and practitioner
 

n.       seek other professional advice when needed
 

o.       respect the traditions and practices of other professionals and foster collegial relationships
 

p.       not falsely impugn the reputation of any colleague
 

q.       use the initials NCTMB to designate his/her professional ability and competency to practice therapeutic massage and bodywork, or the initials NCTM to designate his/her professional ability and competency to practice therapeutic massage only
 

r.         respect the traditions and practices of other professionals and foster collegial relationships
 

s.        understand that the NCBTMB certificate may be displayed prominently in the certificant’s principal place of practice
 

t.         use the NCBTMB logo and certification number on business cards, brochures, advertisements, and stationery only in a manner that is within established NCBTMB guidelines
 

u.       not duplicate the NCBTMB certificate for purposes other than verification of the practitioner’s credentials
 

v.       immediately return the certificate to NCBTMB if certification is revoked
 

w.      inform NCBTMB of any changes or additions to information included in his/her application for NCBTMB certification or recertification

Standard II: Legal and Ethical Requirements
The certificant or applicant must comply with all the legal requirements in applicable jurisdictions regulating the profession of therapeutic massage and bodywork. In his/her professional role the certificant or applicant shall:

a.        obey all applicable local, state, and federal laws
 

b.       refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory, or unethical actions
 

c.        accept responsibility for his/her own actions
 

d.       report to the proper authorities any alleged violations of the law by other certificants or applicants for certification
 

e.        maintain accurate and truthful records
 

f.         report to NCBTMB any criminal conviction of, or plea of guilty, nolo contendere, or no contest to, a crime in any jurisdiction (other than a minor traffic offense) by him/herself and by other certificants or applicants for certification
 

g.       report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to the applicant’s or certificant’s professional practice and the professional practice of other applicants and certificants
 

h.       report to NCBTMB any pending complaints in any state or local government or quasi-government board or agency against his/her professional conduct or competence, or that of another certificant, and the resulting resolution of such complaint
 

i.         respect existing publishing rights and copyright laws, including, but not limited to, those that apply to NCBTMB’s copyright-protected examinations

Standard III: Confidentiality
The certificant or applicant shall respect the confidentiality of client information and safeguard all records. In his/her professional role the certificant or applicant shall:

a.        protect the confidentiality of the client’s identity in conversations, all advertisements, and any and all other matters unless disclosure of identifiable information is requested by the client in writing, is medically necessary, is required by law or for purposes of public protection
 

b.       protect the interests of clients who are minors or clients who are unable to give voluntary and informed consent by securing permission from an appropriate third party or guardian
 

c.        solicit only information that is relevant to the professional client/therapist relationship
 

d.       share pertinent information about the client with third parties when required by law or for purposes of public protection
 

e.        maintain the client files for a minimum period of four years
 

f.         store and dispose of client files in a secure manner
 

Standard IV: Business Practices
The certificant or applicant shall practice with honesty, integrity, and lawfulness in the business of therapeutic massage and bodywork. In his/her professional role the certificant or applicant shall:

a.        provide a physical setting that is safe and meets all applicable legal requirements for health and safety
 

b.       maintain adequate and customary liability insurance
 

c.        maintain adequate progress notes for each client session, if applicable
 

d.       accurately and truthfully inform the public of services provided
 

e.        honestly represent all professional qualifications and affiliations
 

f.         promote his/her business with integrity and avoid potential and actual conflicts of interest
 

g.       advertise in a manner that is honest, dignified, accurate and representative of services that can be delivered and remains consistent with the NCBTMB Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
 

h.       advertise in a manner that is not misleading to the public and shall not use sensational, sexual or provocative language and/or pictures to promote business
 

i.         comply with all laws regarding sexual harassment
 

j.         not exploit the trust and dependency of others, including clients and employees/co-workers
 

k.        display/discuss a schedule of fees in advance of the session that is clearly understood by the client or potential client
 

l.         make financial arrangements in advance that are clearly understood by and safeguard the best interests of the client or consumer
 

m.      follow acceptable accounting practices
 

n.       file all applicable municipal, state and federal taxes
 

o.       maintain accurate financial records, contracts and legal obligations, appointment records, tax reports and receipts for at least four years

Standard V: Roles and Boundaries
The certificant or applicant shall adhere to ethical boundaries and perform the professional roles designed to protect both the client and the practitioner, and safeguard the therapeutic value of the relationship. In his/her professional role the certificant or applicant shall:

a.        recognize his/her personal limitations and practice only within these limitations
 

b.       recognize his/her influential position with the client and not exploit the relationship for personal or other gain
 

c.        recognize and limit the impact of transference and counter-transference between the client and the certificant
 

d.       avoid dual or multidimensional relationships that could impair professional judgment or result in exploitation of the client or employees and/or coworkers
 

e.        not engage in any sexual activity with a client
 

f.         acknowledge and respect the client's freedom of choice in the therapeutic session
 

g.       respect the client’s right to refuse the therapeutic session or any part of the therapeutic session
 

h.       refrain from practicing under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substances (with the exception of a prescribed dosage of prescription medication which does not impair the certificant)
 

i.         have the right to refuse and/or terminate the service to a client who is abusive or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substance

Standard VI: Prevention of Sexual Misconduct
The certificant or applicant shall refrain from any behavior that sexualizes, or appears to sexualize, the client/therapist relationship. The certificant or applicant recognizes the intimacy of the therapeutic relationship may activate practitioner and/or client needs and/or desires that weaken objectivity and may lead to sexualizing the therapeutic relationship. In his/her professional role the certificant or applicant shall:

a.        refrain from participating in a sexual relationship or sexual conduct with the client, whether consensual or otherwise, from the beginning of the client/therapist relationship and for a minimum of six months after the termination of the client/therapist relationship
 

b.       in the event that the client initiates sexual behavior, clarify the purpose of the therapeutic session, and, if such conduct does not cease, terminate or refuse the session
 

c.        recognize that sexual activity with clients, students, employees, supervisors, or trainees is prohibited even if consensual
 

d.       not touch the genitalia
 

e.        only perform therapeutic treatments beyond the normal narrowing of the ear canal and normal narrowing of the nasal passages as indicated in the plan of care and only after receiving informed voluntary written consent
 

f.         only perform therapeutic treatments in the oropharynx as indicated in the plan of care and only after receiving informed voluntary consent
 

g.       only perform therapeutic treatments into the anal canal as indicated in the plan of care and only after receiving informed voluntary written consent
 

h.       only provide therapeutic breast massage as indicated in the plan of care and only after receiving informed voluntary consent from the client