IAPH membership criteria and standards

(A) Professional Standards

All IAPH Members have undergone a certain amount of 'hands - on' training and reached a certain standard of proficiency and experience before they are eligible join the organisation. This is based around three main areas of competence:

1. They have successfully passed the Successful Hypnotherapy Diploma Course (which is probably the most in-depth Analytical Hypnotherapy course that exists) detailed elsewhere on this website.

2. They have undergone a specified amount of hands-on training and experience (set by the Council of Management and reviewed annually)

3. They have undergone their own training therapy (a full course of Pure Hypnoanalysis) - so they have less chance of passing on their own anxieties to their Clients (and vice versa).

(B) Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

All IAPH Members are committed to Continuing Professional Development. CPD is about continuing to train and study in a particular field (hypnosis, psychotherapy, psychology etc) and updating skills and techniques that are already learned. This means that each Member attends a number of advanced training workshops and seminars every year. There is a minimum standard of CPD that must be achieved each year. The standard is set and reviewed annually by the Council of Management.

(C) Supervision: Personal and Professional Support

We believe tha the IAPH was the very first hypnotherapy organisation in the UK to introduce mandatory supervision for all of its Members. Supervision, or more specifically, 'Clinical Supervision', is not about having somebody watch over your shoulder while you are working, it is about having a professional relationship with someone trained and experienced in your particular field, where working together you can ensure that you are providing the very best treatment for your clients.

This, typically, would mean having weekly meetings where the therapist would discuss issues or difficulties with their clients, their personal life, or a combination of the two.

Recently, the IAPH recognised that the common therapeutic 'model' of supervision wasn't entirely suited to the rapid type of therapy that its Members practise, so it developed its own model. Very simply, we broke down supervision into two separate strands: Personal Support, and Professional Support. Every IAPH Member is now encouraged to get their supervision (which is a condition of Membership) from two different sources (therapists).We brought in some outside experts to help us design this new support/supervision strategy, and we now have some experienced IAPH Members who are trained in either Personal Support, or Professional Support. These Members are indicated on the 'find a practitioner pages', with either 'Pers.Support' or 'Prof.Support' after their name.

(D) Criminal Records Bureau Checks (CRB Checks)

Starting in 2003, as part of its committment to providing the most professional service possible, the IAPH was the first, and perhaps the only UK hypnotherapy organisation to check that none of its Members were registered on (what was then known as) the 'POCALS' list.

The 'POCALS' list (Protection of Children Act List System) was essentially a list of those people who had offended against, or where there was reasonable evidence to suggest that they had offended against, children. After a few years, government policy changed, and it became immpossible to check against just this one register/list. POCALS became part of the newly-created 'Criminal Records Bureau Checks'.

A Criminal Records Bureau Checks - 'CRB Checks' - are available to certain individuals who work directly with either children, or other vulnerable people. The check itself involves a check for a criminal record, and checks against verious lists, such as POCALS.

Currently, all Accredited IAPH Members hold a current CRB Check, as do many other Members. As of 1st August 2009, it is a condition of membership that ALL IAPH Members hold a current CRB check

For more information see www.crb.gov.uk/

Rules and regulations

The International Association of Pure Hypnoanalysts is dedicated to the professional and ethical use of Hypnosis allied to the practice of Psychoanalysis, for the treatment of nervous disorders and emotional problems. The Association is a non-profit making organisation whose Members have followed a course of training in Psychotherapy, Analysis and Hypnosis which enables them to specialise in 'Hypno-Analytical' Therapy.

Members of the Association are bound by a Code of Practice and Ethics of the highest order: they have satisfied an Examination Board of their knowledge and level of competence and have undertaken to abide by the Rules of the Association which requires, among other things, that they be covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance and such Certificate of Insurance must be available for inspection.

Members have also agreed to discharge each and every client from treatment at the earliest possible moment consistent with that client's good care. Every Member undertakes to respect a client's confidentiality at all times and would not even disclose to a spouse or parent that they were undergoing treatment. All Members of the Association have undertaken that any hypnotic (or posthypnotic) suggestion given to any client will be so worded that the effect can only be beneficial to the client. They have a clear understanding of the concept of 'Symptom Substitution' (which, without being too technical, means the possibility of switching from, say, Agoraphobia to, say, Claustrophobia) and in consequence will only use Suggestion Therapy for the more minor problems where the probable substitution can be foreseen and thus controlled (e.g. anti-smoking therapy would contain suggestions to avoid overeating).

Code of practice and ethics

Members, Acredited Members and Fellows of the Association agree:

(1) That, if in Private Practice, they will maintain a form of malpractice insurance known as PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE (Minimum £2,000,000 cover) and that they will only conduct a Private Practice in Hypnotherapy upon receipt of clear evidence that they are being covered by such a Policy.

(2) That they will never offer help or assistance to another via the use of Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, Hypnoanalysis or any other ‘psychological technique’ unless such insurance as referred to in (1) above is in force.

(3) Never to say, do, carry out, publish on a website or otherwise perform any word or action by deed or by implication so as to bring into disrepute the use of Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy or Hypnoanalysis as a form of therapy, or the good name of the Association.

(4) To discharge from treatment, or refer on to another reputable practitioner, at the earliest possible moment, consistent with the good care of the client, each and every client who presents for treatment. To seek written permission from head office, if wanting/needing to keep a client in therapy in excess of twelve sessions. To not charge a client further, if therapy does require more than twelve sessions.

(5) Never to use their Membership of the Association as any form of accreditation for any commercial activity (other than the establishment of a bona fide Private Practice in Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy or Hypnoanalysis) nor yet use their Membership to lend support to any beliefs pertaining to para psychical matters (including all matters pertaining to the para normal) and never to use Membership of the Association as any form of accreditation for the teaching in the subject of Hypnosis carried out by any category of Member (unless all details of such teaching have been submitted to and approved by the Council of Management). Provided always that nothing in this Clause shall prohibit any Member concerning themselves with the paranormal or with instruction in Hypnotherapy on the understanding that their Membership of the Association is not referred to in any discussion or correspondence and specifically any publicity material referring to such interests.

(6) Never to use Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy or Hypnoanalysis or the effects of suggestion within Hypnosis, to gain benefit to themselves from another, unless such person has been clearly apprised of the implications of such suggestions.

(7) To ensure that all clients presenting with physical symptoms have been thoroughly examined by a qualified medical practitioner and all physical causes of such symptoms have been ruled out before going ahead with any hypnosis and suggestion within hypnosis. This applies particularly to unexplained pain or discomfort.

(8) To be at all times cognisant of having a Duty of Care towards any people presenting themselves for treatment. Never to claim skills which are not in fact possessed, and never to offer assistance unless the presenting problem falls within the scope of the therapy being offered. If obvious, or potential psychotic symptoms are presented, then the client should be referred at once to a qualified medical practitioner, and not offered treatment at all. Treatment should then only be offered with the medical practitioner’s sanction.

(9) To be aware at all times of Transference and Counter-Transference: (1) Generally - of how these emotional dynamics will effect the therapeutic relationship, and (2) Specifically – to maintain a professional therapist-client relationship at all times, and never to enter a sexual relationship with a client.

(10) To develop self-awareness: insight into their own personality, an understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, and recognition of the signs and symptoms of ‘burn-out’ .

(11) To preserve totally and absolutely the client’s right to anonymity and privacy, and never to publish nor declare any information relating to any client or ex client in a form or manner which is likely to identify such person except with the express permission of such person. The only exception to this rule is if a client discloses or otherwise imparts information, or exhibits behaviour(s), that may contravene either the ‘Child Protection Act’, the ‘Drug Trafficking Act’, or the ‘Prevention of Terrorism Act’, in which case you must contact IAPH Head office immediately.

(12) In respect of their advertising and promotional material:

(a) Adhere to the rules laid down by the Committee for the Code of Advertising Practice, and not make false or misleading claims about their experience, success rates or qualifications.
(b) Not copy or plagiarise any other therapists website or promotional material without express prior permission.

(13) IAPH Council recognises the benefit, both to its Members and the public, of the use of genuine client-testimonials. There are many different types of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy available today, and feedback (in the form of testimonials), allows IAPH therapists to demonstrate how beneficial our unique type of hypnotherapy can be. For the prospective client, testimonials can also help to give a clearer (non-therapist) view of the nature, efficacy and potential outcomes, of the therapy.

IAPH policy on the use of testimonials, is based upon the BASA (British Advertising Standards Authority) guidelines:

(a) Therapists must hold (and have available for inspection) written permission, including a contact address, for any testimonials they use.
(b) Testimonials should relate to the therapeutic technique or intervention advertised and should not be taken out of context or edited in any way that gives a misleading impression.

(14) To pay the Annual Dues of the Association on or before the due date of payment and to accept, in the absence of such payment, that Membership shall immediately lapse and that benefits of Membership shall cease.

(15) That all Certificates, Diplomas, letters of accreditation or other written communications issued by the Association shall remain the property of the Association and shall be returned to the Association as and when Associate Membership, Membership, Accredited Membership or Fellowship ceases, or upon the written request of the Council of Management.

(16) Never to visit the home of a client or potential client for Hypnotherapy, unless such visit is with the knowledge and consent of a Doctor of Medicine, and then only if an observer is present.

(17) Never to induce Hypnosis in a juvenile under the age of 16 years unless with the knowledge and approval of the parents or guardian, and then only if an observer is present.

(18) To undertake Continuing Professional Development: (1) Generally – by studying psychology, medicine, hypnosis, hypnotherapy or other related subjects, and (2) Specifically - by undertaking a certain amount of IAPH advanced training every year (a minimum standard will be set at renewal each year, by the IAPH Council of Management).

(19) To engage regularly in Personal and Professional Support (Supervision) (a minimum standard will be set at renewal each year, by the IAPH Council of Management).

(20) To undertake a full course of personal therapy (training analysis) from an IAPH ‘personal therapist’ (training analyst) resulting in an abreaction, and ensuing catharsis. If therapy is not complete after the first attempt, the Member will seek further assistance and support from an IAPH personal therapist – trainer.

(21) To treat with utmost confidentiality and never to pass on to a third party, any information you are given or are privy to, as an IAPH Member. This includes any information or advice, received via; IAPH regional meetings, seminars or workshops, the IAPH Online Support Group, or any other IAPH Member. This relates to any information, in written, electronic, verbal or audio-visual formats.

Complaints Procedure

Making a complaint
A complaint may be brought by any member of the public who is using the services of a Member of the IAPH, or by a member of the IAPH in respect of another member.

The complaint should be made in writing, and marked for the attention of the Complaints and Discipline Officer of the IAPH (see contact address).

The Complaints and Discipline Officer will acknowledge receipt of the complaint in writing within 14 days and will endeavour to investigate and resolve the matter within 28 days, confirming the outcome in writing to the complainant.

In the unlikely event that the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant, he/she has 28 days in which to ask for the complaint to be referred to the Complaints and Disciplinary Committee of the IAPH.

The Complaints and Disciplinary Committee will review all information relating to the complaint. Potential outcomes are that they decide to undertake further investigation, they may wish to meet the complainant and/or therapist in person or they may decide that the complaint should be heard within a formal hearing.

Complaints Committee
The Committee will be made up of three members of the IAPH Council of Management and a professional who is external to the organisation, thereby enabling the committee to have an independent and impartial element. The external committee member will be a professional such as a medical doctor, psychiatrist, or professional of similar standing.

Standards for Handling Complaints and Disciplinary Matters
All decisions that are reached, or investigations undertaken, will be conducted in a manner which shows due regard for the gravity of the situation and respects both parties' rights to confidentiality. All enquiries and interviews shall be fully documented and all material, e.g.: notes, messages, audio and videotapes etc., shall be preserved and held on file. This procedure does not take precedence over criminal investigations or child protection investigations. Therefore, in situations where the seriousness of the complaint has warranted these other processes to be initiated, this procedure will be placed on hold until after their conclusion. All decisions will be recorded in writing and held on file. Throughout the second stage (i.e. if the Complaints and Disciplinary Committee become involved) both the complainant and therapist must be informed of their right to have a friend present.

Publication of findings
The IAPH reserves the right to publish details of complaints as it considers appropriate.
The termination of IAPH Membership under the Complaints Procedure may be reported in the IAPH Journal. In certain circumstances, the IAPH also reserves the right to inform other professional organisations of the termination of memberships.