National Guild of Hypnotists

The National Guild of Hypnotists, Inc. is a not-for-profit, educational corporation in the State of New Hampshire. Founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1951 the Guild is a professional organization comprised of dedicated individuals committed to advancing the field of hypnotism. We provide an open forum for the free exchange of ideas concerning hypnotism. The Guild is a resource for members and a vehicle for legal and legislative action.It was  established in 1951 by an enthusiastic group of hypnotists and Dr. Rexford L. North, Director of the Hypnotism Center of Boston, MA. Within a short time, local chapters were formed and operating in many major cities throughout the US and Canada. Important resources through the years have been The Journal of Hypnotism and The Hypno-Gram, the very first publications devoted exclusively to the field of hypnotism.This unique organization continues to encourage an eclectic exchange of ideas, fellowship, mutual trust and cooperation among members - while promoting and protecting the art, science and philosophy of hypnotism. As President and Executive Director, Dr. Dwight F. Damon has made it his mission to do everything possible to have field of hypnotism  recognized as a separate and distinct profession. The Guild has always assisted wherever needed, helping other groups and individuals in various states regardless of their affiliations.

The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

The National Guild of Hypnotists requires its members to conform to the

following ethical principles, and shall hold members accountable for any

departure from these principles.

A. Client Welfare: Members shall make the physical and mental well-being of

each client a prime consideration.

B. Client Safety: Members shall not engage in verbal, physical or sexual

abuse of any client.

C. Practice Limits: Members shall use hypnotism strictly within the limits of

their training and competence and in conformity to the laws of their state.

D. Advertising: Members shall be truthful in their advertising.

E. Referred Practice: Members shall engage in hypnotic work with a client

regarding a medical or mental disease only on written referral from an

appropriately licensed medical or mental health professional, except when

otherwise provided for by state law.

F. Reasonable Practice: Members shall withhold non-referred hypnotic

services if a client's behavior, appearance or statements would lead a

reasonable person to believe that the client should be evaluated by a

licensed health care professional. Members shall provide services to such

clients only after evaluation and with the approval of the licensed health

care professional.

G. Colleagues: Members shall treat hypnotist colleagues without public

defamation.

THE CODE OF ETHICS and Standards of Practice

RECOMMENDED GUILD STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF HYPNOTISM

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: Certified Hypnotist or Certified Hypnotherapist Certified Instructor, Board Certified Hypnotist or Board Certified Hypnotherapist, Fellow of the National Guild of Hypnotists, or Diplomate of the National Guild of Hypnotists, or titles protected by state law (State of NJ: HypnoCounselor).

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 which 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.