INTRODUCTION

In the process of writing an Ethical Code of Conduct for the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis (A.E.H.E.) in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the European Society of Hypnosis, the decision was made to use the draft approved by this Society during the meeting held in Rome last September, 2002.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis is dedicated to promoting and maintaining the highest professional standards in the practice of hypnosis for clinical or experimental purposes and in the dissemination of information concerning hypnosis in general, and the Ericksonian approach to psychotherapy and hypnosis, in particular.

ETHICAL GUIDELINES

1 Professional conduct with patients or subjects

1.1 All Full Members of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis are professionals in their own right, and, in their use of hypnosis they should adhere strictly to the standards demanded of them by their own profession.

1.2 Members should always give first priority to the welfare of the patient or experimental subject when using hypnosis.

1.3 Proper safeguards should be maintained whenever a patient or subject is exposed to unusual stress or other form of risk. If stress or risk is involved, the patient or subject should be informed and should give consent. When in doubt the practitioner should consult with appropriate professional colleagues.

2 Applications of hypnosis to professional work

2.1 Members of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis who intend using hypnosis, for whatever purpose, are advised that they should attend training courses and carry out supervision.

2.2 Hypnosis is considered as adjuvant to other forms of scientific or clinical endeavours, so that competence in hypnotic techniques alone is not acceptable as a basis for professional service or research.

2.3 Members of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis should therefore at all time remain aware that they should use hypnosis only for those purposes for which they are professionally qualified and within the strict limitations of their professional work. This implies that those members who use hypnosis for some clinical or therapeutic purpose should have undertaken, or be undertaking, a professional qualification in that therapy recognised by the appropriate relevant National Authorities, e.g. Health Body, Education Body.

2.4 A member's use of hypnosis in his or her professional work should be fully compatible with the terms of reference of his or her work and the expectations of his or her superiors, employers and professional association

3 Private Therapy

Members of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis should only undertake private therapy if this is compatible with the rules of their professional association and the terms of reference of their work. They should restrict their private work to those problems which they would be recognised as qualified to undertake within appropriate Health or other Body.

4. Hypnosis and lay person

4.1 A member of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis should not support the practice or teaching of hypnosis by those ineligible for membership, except in the case of item 4.3.

4.2 A member of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis shall not give instruction involving the teaching of hypnotic techniques to individuals or groups which include persons currently ineligible for membership of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis. Lectures informing lay persons about hypnosis are, of course, permitted provided they do not include demonstrations or didactic material involving hypnotic induction techniques. Lay people are those who currently are considered ineligible for membership in the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis.

4.3 Exceptions are made to students in training in the appropriate sciences or professions. It is recognises that hypnosis may be appropriately used by Health Professionals, e.g. paramedical assistants under the supervision of a person whose credentials and training would permit membership of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis and who has an agreed commitment to its rules.

4.4 Consultations with lay representatives of the press or other media of communication are permitted in order to benefit the knowledge and understanding of the public in matters pertaining to hypnosis. Talks with lay representatives of the press and radio or TV appearance are welcomed so long as these are consistent with the aims of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis and its Ethical Guidelines.

5 Hypnosis and Entertainment

Hypnosis should never be used as a form of entertainment.
No member of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis shall offer services for the purposes of public entertainment or collaborate with any person or agency engaged in public entertainment.

6 Final Comment

It is recognised that no Code of Ethics can possibly cover all the practices considered ethical or all of those practices which would be considered unethical.

As stated at the outset, it is expected that all professionals, whether in clinical or academic practice should abide by their own Professional Codes of Conduct and the Laws and statutes of their own Country.
Should a Member of the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis by their behaviour commit illegal or unacceptable acts either professionally or in their adherence to the Country’s own laws, the Spanish Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis would take appropriate action as regards that Member.

Madrid, January 20, 2003