(c)   All advertising must fall within the British Advertising Standards  Authority guidelines, and any subsequent legislation.  All leaflets,  brochures, statements, etc., may only make claims about qualifications  specific to this field which are accredited and can be substantiated, and  may not make exaggerated or misleading claims about treatment which  are likely to create unrealistic expectations from the public.

(d)   Members should be aware of the importance of self monitoring to  protect against absorbing undue stress from the working environment  and to ensure personal conflicts or problems do not directly interfere  with the client/therapist relationship.  In any case, it is imperative that  members remember the duty of care and responsibility they have  towards their clients and seek assistance if they have any doubts about  their own well being, or have unresolved issues which need to be  addressed.  It is suggested that members join a support group, or  discuss with a Mentor on a regular basis any issues which present  difficulties.  This could be arranged on a basis which reflects workload  and may be weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

(e)  Treatment should not be prolonged beyond a time that is consistent  with the wishes and well being of the client.

8.   We recommend that members should not practice hypnosis for the entertainment of the public, for example, stage hypnosis or  cabaret hypnosis.  However, the use of hypnosis in a clinical or lecture  demonstration, or where its use is purely to demonstrate its value in therapy is acceptable.

9.  Particular care must be exercised when dealing with persons under the age of 16. Where possible, the consent of a parent should be sought. If, due to the nature of the complaint, this is not practical, then another senior member of the family, or someone of appropriate standing outside the family should be approached. whilst the therapists discretion must be relied on in this situation, if in doubt it would seem prudent to have a third party in attendance during consultations.

10.  Members must keep adequate records, but in a way that safeguards theconfidentiality of the therapist/client relationship, (refer to page 1, Paragraph 1) and the client should be made aware of this. Records maintained on a computer must be secure and conform to the requirements of the data protection act of 1986 and any subsequent version. Any audio  visual recordings of therapy sessions may only be made with the or knowledge and permission of the client, to be used as a source of reference by the therapist. If information and case histories obtained in this way are to be used for commercial training purposes, it must be on the understanding that the client is in agreement with this and that full consent is given in writing.

11.  No member may practice if it is considered that their judgement may be impaired through the use of drugs or alcohol, or if their mental state is such that they require extensive treatment with drug therapy, or regular periods of hospitalisation as an in/out patient. Any breech of this rule will render the member liable to expulsion.
     
12.  Membership shall cease if, as a result of legal proceedings, a member is convicted of a criminal offence (other than traffic offences).
       
13.  No member may discriminate against a client on grounds of race, colour, gender, sex, political beliefs, religious beliefs, social standing or handicap.
     
14. It is expressly forbidden to use membership of the BIH, in itself, as a  qualification to practice.  Any written or spoken word by a member  which  is intended to mislead the public in any way will result in  expulsion of that member.


15. All members should be cognisant of the responsibilities, practices and  boundaries of their own and other professions, and work within a spirit  of respect and co-operation with all members of the caring professions.


16. A copy of this code of practice must be kept in the workplace and shall  be available for inspection by any client who requests it.


17. Any member who has a complaint levelled against them which cannot  be dealt with at source, by a member of the public or another member,  must immediately inform the BIH, in confidence, stating the nature of  the complaint and also the party/s involved.  The person who has  complained must be advised to put their complaint in writing and send  to the BIH Complaints Dept. Failure to do so may prejudice his/her  position in any subsequent proceedings. You are also advised that you  have a duty to inform the BIH, in confidence and without malice, if  you have just cause to doubt the professional behaviour of a fellow  member.


18. In keeping with some other organisations the BIH has its own  complaints procedure, details of which will be supplied on request.  All  information received is treated in the strictest confidence.  In the event  of a breach of the code of practice, the BIH reserves the right to enforce  the principles of this document by making any inquiries necessary to  establish the validity of the complaint, and as mediator, to seek to  achieve an outcome which satisfies the needs of all parties in a fair and  just manner, and where appropriate instigate disciplinary action.


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