Baltic Society of Erickson Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
Code of Ethics
Mission Statement
The Baltic Society of Erickson Clinical and Experimental Hypnoses is dedicated to promoting and maintaining the highest professional standards in the practice of hypnosis for clinical or experimental purposes, and in the distribution of information concerning hypnosis.
- Basic principles
1.1. Hypno-psychotherapist – specialist with higher education and appropriate education in hypno-therapy according to requirements of Latvian Association for Hypno Psychotherapy for hypno-psychotherapist.
1.2. Performs psychotherapy work in speciality of hypnotherapy - psychotherapy.
1.3. Psychotherapy teacher – psychotherapist who is recognized as specialist of given psychotherapy method, theory and practice and is entitled to teach.
1.4. Psychotherapist shall respect client’s interests and his or her individuality, shall keep confidentiality.
1.5. Psychotherapist may not unfairly discriminate client due to his or her social origin, socially economic status, age, gender, ethnicity, race, religious or ideological beliefs.
1.6. Psychotherapist is responsible for his or her professional activities and observance of ethical norms according to Code of Ethics of Latvian Association for Hypno Psychotherapy and current legal norms of ethics in the country.
1.7. Psychotherapist shall observe the following ethical principles:
1.7.1. responsibility,
1.7.2. competence,
1.7.3. moral and legal standards,
1.7.4. confidentiality,
1.7.5. client’s wellbeing,
1.7.6. professional relationships,
1.7.7. ethics of public statements,
1.7.8. methods of client’s assessment,
1.7.9. researches,
1.7.10. psychotherapy contract,
1.7.11. complaints and their examination.
1.8. Psychotherapist may not provide consultations to client under influence of alcohol or drugs.
1.9. Sexual relations or abuse towards client is not allowed.
- Responsibility
2.1. Psychotherapist by providing services follows the highest standards of his or her profession.
2.2. Psychotherapist as specialist is aware of social responsibility, arising out of his or her professional activity because it can change client’s life. He or she does not use his or her knowledge in abuse and selfish manner.
2.3. Psychotherapist as teacher shall ensure acquisition of knowledge and skills what are objective, accurate and complete.
- Competence
3.1. Psychotherapist shall use only methods he or she has acquired and specialised in, as well as he or she shall follow to the latest information in corresponding fields of education and science.
3.2. Psychotherapist shall use in his or her practice all his or her knowledge according to his or her education and experience, as well as according to standards of association.
3.3. Psychotherapist shall avoid of conflict situations by using his or her knowledge.
3.4. He or she shall address the other psychotherapists for consultations in unclear situations if required.
- Moral and legal standards
4.1. Psychotherapist shall follow in his or her practice to all moral and legal norms and standards.
4.2. Psychotherapist shall follow laws and regulations, determined in the country.
4.3. Psychotherapist may not violate and restrict with his or her activities client’s legal and civil rights.
- Confidentiality
5.1. Information what is obtained for scientific purposes or publications shall be prepared and presented in the way to preserve absolute anonymity.
5.2. In the events when according to psychotherapist’s opinion received information indicates that there is imminent danger to a person or society, then this information shall be delivered to competent authorities (medical persons, police).
- Client’s wellbeing
6.1. Psychotherapist shall try with his or her practice to ensure maximal wellbeing to client in issue, in which he or she provides consultations.
6.2. If there is no effect or client asks it psychotherapeutic activities shall be terminated and the other method what could be more efficient shall be recommended.
6.3. Psychotherapist may not do anything what could decrease or restrict client’s wellbeing.
- Professional relationships
7.1. Psychotherapist and client share only professional obligations.
7.2. Psychotherapist cooperates with other specialists in client’s interests, if required.
7.3. Professional relationships shall be observed also in mutual relationships among psychotherapists.
- Public statements
8.1. Public statements, announcements and advertisements serve as information, and it may not be misleading or inaccurate.
8.2. Public statements shall include only proven information and it may not violate the Code of ethics.
8.3. He or she may not compare himself or herself with other psychotherapists in advertisements or announcements.
- Methods of client’s assessment
9.1. Methods of client’s assessment, required for consultation, may not be in conflict with Code of ethics and legislation.
9.2. Client is entitled to know results and recommendations.
9.3. Results of client’s assessment shall not be used for selfish purposes.
9.4. Psychotherapist may use for getting results only the methods he or she has acquired.
- Researches
10.1. By performing scientific researches psychotherapist shall use only safe and acquired methods.
10.2. Researches may not make harm to client. Researches shall be agreed with persons who participate in them.
10.3. By performing scientific researches psychotherapist shall follow strict ethical norms, laws and standards, and shall keep client’s confidentiality.
10.4. There shall be respected freedom of person what ensures client’s rights to withdraw from research at any time.
- Psychotherapy contract
11.1. Before preparing contract there shall be explained to client the main essence of psychotherapy, as well as positive and negative effects of psychotherapy method. if psychotherapist considers that any method of psychotherapy is not useful in given situation or the client reject it, he or she shall recommend other method.
11.2. If client agrees then contract may be executed.
11.3. Psychotherapy contract determined specific cooperation between client and psychotherapist – consultations, payment, consultations of other specialists.
- Complaints and their examination
12.1. Complains on activities of Association’s member are examined by Ethical commission what is selected in general meeting of association.
12.2. Member on which the complaint is received is informed on content of complaint and he or she participates in meetings of Ethical commission.
12.3. Ethical commission announces its decision to the Board.
12.4. Member shall immediately notify the Board on accusation and potential proceedings if it is related with practice.
12.5. Association provides professional protection if the members in their professional activities are faced with attacks and threats.