The Recommended Standards for Hypnotic Practice
The National Guild of Hypnotists advocates the following standards for the professional practice of hypnotism. Except for members living in states where different practice standards are explicitly set by law, we urge our members to voluntarily conform to these standards.
Record Keeping: Members shall establish and maintain proper records necessary to a professional practice.
Scope of Practice: Members shall use hypnotism with clients to motivate them to eliminate negative or unwanted habits, facilitate the learning process, improve memory and concentration, develop self-confidence, eliminate stage fright, improve athletic abilities, and for other social, educational and cultural endeavors of a non-medical nature. Except where state law provides otherwise, members shall use hypnotism with clients regarding a medical or mental disease only on written referral from a licensed medical or mental health professional.
Titles of Practice: Members shall hold their hypnotism services out to the public using only those titles earned and approved by the National Guild of Hypnotists, Inc.. The approved Titles of Practice of the National Guild of Hypnotists are:
• Consulting Hypnotist, abbreviated CH (preferred and recommended title);
• Certified Hypnotist or Hypnotist (allowed alternative titles);
• Certified Instructor (for persons who have passed the Guild Train the Trainer
Program), abbreviated CI;
• Certified Master Instructor (for persons who are approved to teach the NGH Train the Trainer Program); abbreviated CMI;
• Board Certified Hypnotist, for persons who have passed the peer reviewed Guild Board Certification Exam), abbreviated BCH;
• Fellow of the National Guild of Hypnotists (for persons who have qualified after a period of time of Board Certification), abbreviated FNGH;
• Diplomate of the National Guild of Hypnotists (awarded honoris causa to persons who, after a period of time as a Fellow, have been recognized by the Certification Board as functioning at a level of professional excellence that exceeds that of Fellow), abbreviated DNGH;
• Other titles protected by state law (for example in the State of New Jersey the title “HypnoCounselor” is permitted).
Note that completion of a specialty certification in the Guild does not award you a new Title of Practice. For example, persons who have passed the Guild’s Clinical Hypnotism or Medical Hypnotism certifications may say they are certified in Clinical or Medical Hypnotism. However, they may not call themselves “Certified Clinical Hypnotists” nor “Certified Medical Hypnotists.” In those states where the title “Hypnotherapist” is lawful, it is acceptable to use it. However, as laws are subject to change without notice, the Guild does not recommend doing so.
Disclosure: Members shall truthfully disclose in writing to each client, using a Client Bill of Rights or similar written document, the nature and venue of the member’s hypnotism training, the field of study of any higher degree used when holding services out to the public, the lawful limits of the member’s practice of hypnotism, the practitioner’s theoretical orientation or model, instructions for contacting the National Guild of Hypnotists should the client seek redress, and any business policies and practices maintained by the practitioner. Members holding advanced degrees from institutions that
do not hold accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education shall disclose to clients that the degree is alternative rather than academic. Members shall restrict the services described on this document to hypnotism.
Terminology: Unless qualified to do so by another credential, members shall avoid using the language of psychopathology or medicine when working with clients, except on referral from a licensed medical or mental health professional.
Public Hypnotism: Demonstrational hypnotism shall always be presented in a tasteful manner that is considerate of the individuals who have volunteered to participate in a public demonstration. Individuals participating in such demonstrations shall be treated with courtesy and respect.
Age-regression and Forensic Hypnotism: Age-regression and forensic hypnotism shall be used only by those who have had additional training in these specific fields of study.
Imagery: Frightening, shocking, obscene, inappropriately sexually suggestive, degrading or humiliating imagery shall never be used with a hypnotized client.
Claims: Members shall not disseminate false or exaggerated claims regarding hypnotism, but shall attempt whenever possible to inform and educate the public with a true perspective of hypnotism. Members shall make only those specific claims for the effectiveness of hypnotism as can be justified by outcomes data. Members shall publicly maintain a professional demeanor toward other professions expressing divergent views on hypnotism.
Advertising: All advertising shall be factually presented in a professional and ethical way consistent with accepted standards. Members shall advertise services and capabilities as hypnotists in conjunction with other specialties, occupations, vocations, arts or professions only if duly trained, properly qualified and professionally recognized in those fields.
Education: Schools of instruction now existing and those to be established in the future shall provide a full curriculum consisting of the theory, practice and applications of hypnotism, instruction and supervised practice in hypnotic methodology, the possibilities and limitations of hypnotism, with thorough instruction on the Ethics and Standards of our profession as set forth herein. All curricula used at schools recognized by the National Guild of Hypnotists shall be approved by the National Guild of Hypnotists.
Instructors at such schools are expected to be approved and certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists or to hold credentials judged by the Guild as equivalent.
Good Standing: Members who maintain the required number of continuing education hours, are of high moral character, conduct themselves and their practice of hypnotism in a professional and ethical manner and meet their financial dues obligation shall be considered as members in good standing of the National Guild of Hypnotists.
Recommendations: When a member recommends a client consult a colleague or health care professional, the member shall, whenever possible, provide the client with a list of more than one recommended name.
Contact Information: My name is Tanya. I can be contacted by telephone at 647 299 2879 or by email, tanya@hypnosage.com.
Education and Training: I was trained in Consulting Hypnotism at the Ontario Hypnosis Centre and School. I am a Certified Member in good standing of the National Guild of Hypnotists and I fulfill annual continuing education requirements to keep my training current. The National Guild of Hypnotists is the oldest and largest hypnotism organization in the world and its certification is the most widely recognized credential for the professional practice of the hypnotic arts. I obtained my Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English Rhetoric and Professional Writing at the University of Waterloo. I completed 3 full days of training in Gestalt-based coaching.”
Notice: AS THE Province of Ontario HAS NOT ADOPTED EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF HYPNOTISM, THIS STATEMENT OF CREDENTIALS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Hypnotism is a self-regulating profession and its practitioners are not licensed by state governments. I am not a physician nor a licensed health care provider and may not provide a medical diagnosis nor recommend discontinuance of medically prescribed treatments. If a client desires a diagnosis or any other type of treatment from a different practitioner, the client may seek such services at any time. In the event my services are terminated by a client, the client has a right to coordinated transfer of services to another practitioner. A client has a right to refuse hypnotism services at any time. A client has a right to be free of physical, verbal or sexual abuse. A client has a right to know the expected duration of sessions, and may assert any right without retaliation. (This section should be in bold print with the first sentence in capitals.)
Redress: I am a certified member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, and practice in accordance with its Code of Ethics and Standards. If you have a complaint about my services or behavior that I cannot resolve for you personally, you may contact the National Guild of Hypnotists at P.O. Box 308, Merrimack, NH 03054-0308, (603) 429-9438, to seek redress. Other services than my own may be available to you in the community. You may locate such providers in the telephone book.
Fees: The charge for my services are $80 per 60 minute private session in my location by appointment only. Onsite rates available as time permits. Workshop rates vary by venue. Session fees are subject to change. If you are dissatisfied with your results and the associated fees, you are encouraged to voice any concerns and questions. Payment is to be made at the end of sessions by cash, cheque, or in advance by internet banking transaction. 24 hours notice of cancellation or full payment respectfully requested.
Confidentiality: I will not release any information to anyone without a written authorization from you, except as provided for by law. You have a right to be allowed access to my written record about you.
Insurance: I suggest you think of my services as something that you will pay for personally. That will both protect your privacy and help you value the work you are doing more. In general, insurance companies do not like to cover hypnotic services, and I caution you not to expect them to do so.
My Approach: The subconscious mind understands only positive, simple statements, emotion, and image. Through relaxation and focus, I support you in calming the chatter of the conscious mind and visualizing your goals in their most pure and clearly stated form. You may not win the race just because you practiced, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Recommended Terminology for Hypnotic Practice of the National Guild of Hypnotists
Under the Code of Ethics of the National Guild of Hypnotists, a hypnotist applies the Reasonable Person Test to determine if he or she can work with a client. If a client’s self-report or behavior is such as to cause a reasonable person to doubt the client’s mental or physical health, the hypnotist shall refer the client for medical or mental health assessment. Hypnotists work with normal people to help with normal problems in living.
We do not independently work with medical or mental disease and we do not “diagnose,” “treat” or “prescribe.” Hypnotists may work with issues related to a medical or mental health disorder only on referral from a properly licensed health care professional. Non-Therapeutic Hypnotism is the independent use of the hypnotic arts and sciences to help clients inculcate positive thinking and the capacity for self-hypnosis. Unless specifically allowed by state law, Hypnotists do not do Psychotherapy; they Coach, Teach, Guide, Instruct, and Train. Clients do not have Disorders; they have Problems, Challenges or Issues. Hypnotists do not Diagnose clients; they help clients do Goal-Setting regarding Problems, Challenges or Issues. Hypnotists do not Treat clients; they hold Sessions at which they Induct a client into a Self-Hypnotic State. The Self-Hypnotic State is a state of relaxed concentration which anyone can enter naturally. Hypnotists provide their clients with instruction in how to enter this natural state more easily and effectively. Hypnotists do not Prescribe solutions; they Suggest ways for clients to achieve their Goals while the client is in a Self-Hypnotic State. Suggestion is the artful use of imagination to increase a client’s enthusiasm for self-improvement using Self-Help Techniques. Self-Help Techniques are thinking strategies used by normally-functioning people to remind themselves of improvements they wish to make in their lives. Such strategies are taught by Hypnotists using Suggestion while the client is in the Self-Hypnotic State.