The Malaysian Society of Clinical Hypnosis
About the Malaysian Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Our Identity
Who Are We
The Malaysian Society of Clinical Hypnosis (MSCH) was officially established in 1984 by two leading figures in the field: Tan Sri Dr. Mahadevan, a psychiatrist, and Dato' Dr. Khoo Kah Lin, a cardiologist. Their vision was to set a national benchmark for the ethical practice and professional application of clinical hypnosis in Malaysia.
Click here to read more about the History of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Hypnosis
The MSCH is a registered professional body in Malaysia, committed to the highest standards of care. We work in close collaboration with the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH) and the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, to ensure our practices are aligned with international and national healthcare standards
Our society serves a broad and diverse group of professionals and students who are passionate about clinical hypnosis. Our members include certified clinical hypnotherapists, medical professionals (such as doctors, dentists, and psychiatrists), and students who are training to become clinical hypnotherapists.
Our Purpose
Vision & Mission
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Mission:
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Raise public awareness and actively lobby for the recognition of clinical hypnosis as a legitimate and valuable therapeutic modality, ultimately integrating it into mainstream healthcare to enhance well-being across the nation.
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Advancing the field of clinical hypnosis by promoting the highest standards of professional and ethical practice.
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Champion MSCH members through rigorous education, collaborative community-building, and continuous professional development.
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Vision:
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To be the leading authority and global benchmark for the understanding and ethical application of clinical hypnosis. Fostering a vibrant professional community where evidence-based practice and innovative research converge to enhance the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals worldwide, particularly within culturally diverse communities.
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Core Values:
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Professionalism: Upholding a strict code of ethics and conduct.
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Integrity: Being transparent and honest in all dealings.
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Education: Promoting continuous learning and research.
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Community: Fostering a supportive network for members.
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Our Community
The MSCH Society
Membership:
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By becoming a member, you join a trusted and distinguished community of practitioners, setting your practice apart and enhancing your credibility with clients and peers alike. We offer:
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Access to a Professional Network: Join a vibrant community of practitioners, researchers, and educators for mutual support and professional growth.
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Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Gain access to the latest research, webinars, and discounted workshops to stay at the forefront of the field.
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Professional Visibility: Benefit from inclusion in our public directory, a trusted resource for prospective clients seeking certified practitioners.
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Public Services:
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The MSCH is dedicated to serving the public by promoting the benefits and ethical practice of clinical hypnosis. We ensure public confidence by:
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Maintaining a Public Directory: We offer a verified directory of certified practitioners, making it easier for the public to find and connect with trusted professionals.
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Raising Public Awareness: We educate the public about the benefits and applications of clinical hypnosis through outreach programmes and online resources.
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Professional Advocacy: We advocate for the profession within the healthcare landscape, ensuring that the public can access safe and effective therapeutic care.
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Leadership/Board Members:
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The MSCH is guided by a team of highly experienced and respected professionals, committed to upholding the highest standards of the profession. Our leadership consists of certified practitioners and experts who are dedicated to the Society's mission.
Our Team
The Leadership Team
The Malaysian Society of Clinical Hypnosis is guided by a team of highly experienced and respected professionals. Our leadership consists of certified practitioners and experts who not only serve in key roles within our organisation but also actively manage their own private practices and hold senior positions in medical and academic institutions. Their hands-on experience and deep-seated knowledge are the driving force behind our mission to uphold the highest standards of clinical hypnotherapy in Malaysia.
President:
Datin Dr Thema Abdul Majid
Vice President:
Dr Annapurny Ventikeswaran
Secretary:
Sheila Menon
Assistant Secretary:
Joey Ting
Treasurer:
Dr Sunitha Shanmugam
Committee Advisors
Dato' Tan Yoke Hwa
Dr Mohd Dewa Abdullah
Dr Khairi Che Mat
General Commitee
Desmond Wong
Mikhael Iskandaar
Singapore Representative: Elizabeth Tay
Datin Dr Thema Abdul Majid
President
Dr Annapurny Ventikeswaran
Vice President
Sheila Menon
Secretary
Joey Ting
Assistant Secretary
Dr Sunitha Shanmugam
Treasurer
Dato' Tan Yoke Hwa
Advisor
Dr Mohd Dewa Abdullah
Advisor
Dr Khairi Che Mat
Advisor
Mikhael Iskandaar
Committee
Dr Khairi Che Mat
Committee
Dr Khairi Che Mat
Committee
Code of Ethics
The MSCH Standard
Professional and Ethical Code of Conduct (PECC) for the Malaysian Society of Clinical Hypnosis (MSCH)
This Professional and Ethical Code of Conduct (PECC) defines the standards of ethics, practice, and conduct expected of all practitioners affiliated with the Malaysian Society of Clinical Hypnosis (MSCH). These standards must be upheld across all modalities of practice, whether practitioners meet clients face-to-face, online, or through any other form of communication.
The term “practitioner” refers to individual MSCH members working in private practice, institutional settings, or running any form of training environment associated with the Society. The term “client” includes any individual, couple, or group participating in therapy, training, or workshops facilitated by the member.
The standards outlined in this PECC will inform the Complaints Process if concerns arise regarding any practitioner’s conduct. A Complaints Procedure and Disqualification and Disciplinary Procedure are published by the MSCH. Practitioners who break the PECC shall be liable to the Disqualification and Disciplinary Procedure.
Client Welfare: Practitioners must act in the best interests of their clients, promoting autonomy, well-being, and dignity. They must remain polite, considerate, and respectful at all times, listening to clients, acknowledging their views, and considering these perspectives into their approach to treatment.
Respect and Non-Exploitation: Practitioners must treat clients with respect and shall never exploit the client relationship for personal, emotional, sexual, or financial gain.
Boundaries and Dual Relationships: Practitioners must maintain clear professional boundaries, avoid dual relationships when possible, and manage unavoidable ones carefully to prevent conflicts of interest.
Treating Individuals in the Same Family: Providing therapy to multiple family members individually can be ethically complex and should generally be avoided. However, it may be appropriate in specific circumstances, such as in cases of shared trauma, limited availability of specialists, client preference for a particular practitioner, or a significant time gap between ending therapy with one family member and starting with another. Practitioners must ensure they can remain impartial and should address any potential conflicts of interest promptly, consulting their supervisor or the MSCH Ethics Committee as needed. All safeguarding concerns must be handled in accordance with the MSCH Safeguarding Policy.
Working with Children: When working with a child under 16, it is important to consider their capacity to understand and consent to the proposed treatment. The decision to have a parent or guardian present should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the child’s age, maturity, vulnerability, the nature of the treatment, and the views of both the child and their parent or guardian. If the child is assessed as having the capacity to consent and it is decided that a parent or guardian will not be present, this decision should be fully documented in the child’s record, including the reasoning behind it. This approach helps protect the child and safeguards you from potential allegations.
Working with Vulnerable Adults: If the client is an adult at risk, it may also be appropriate to have another person present.
Chaperones: Practitioners must assess when it may be necessary to have another person present during client assessment or care and arrange for this when appropriate. Clients may also request that someone accompany them during their assessment or care. Additionally, practitioners have the right to decide if, in the best interests of both therapist and client, another person should be present, even if the client has not specifically requested it.
Sexual Relationships: Practitioners must not engage in sexual relationships or conduct with current clients and should exercise caution before entering any such relationships with former clients, ensuring at least a three-year gap post-therapy.
Professional Relationships: Practitioners must exercise careful judgment before entering any personal or business relationship with former clients. Such relationships, whether social, commercial, supervisory, or training-related, should only be pursued after careful consideration of the time passed since the conclusion of therapy.
Gifts and Favours: Practitioners must decline any significant gifts, favours, money, or hospitality from clients that could be perceived as exploitative and exceed the value of one standard session fee, beyond the agreed fees for therapy.
Confidentiality: Practitioners must uphold client confidentiality during and after the client’s lifetime, disclosing information only under exceptional, legally mandated circumstances or when essential to prevent harm.
Disclosure of Terms: Practitioners must clearly communicate fees, session length, terms, and conditions, and client confidentiality at the outset of therapy, ideally through a written contract.
Termination of Therapy: Practitioners should plan for the termination of therapy responsibly, ensuring continuity of care where possible.
Competence and Supervision: Practitioners must work within their areas of competence, pursue continuous professional development, and engage in regular clinical supervision, and or peer group supervision to enhance practice standards.
Recognising Limitations: Practitioners should be aware of and respect their limitations, seeking advice, or referring clients when necessary for the client’s best interests.
Sobriety and Mental Fitness: Practitioners must not work with clients while under the influence of substances or when physical or mental health may impair judgment.
Transparency of Qualifications: Practitioners should only use credentials they have legitimately earned and disclose qualifications accurately and on request and evidence of such qualification should be made available for inspection when necessary. Furthermore, the title “Dr” should only be used if it reflects a bona fide medical or academic qualification, and practitioners should clearly specify if the “Dr” title is based on an academic degree rather than a medical qualification.
Advertising and Public Representation: Practitioners must market their services truthfully, avoid misleading claims, and ensure that all public representations align with the values of the profession. They must also adhere to relevant advertising standards for both their jurisdiction and their specific modality of practice.
Prohibition of Cure Promises: Practitioners should not make absolute claims or promises of cures, respecting the complexity of therapeutic outcomes.
Ethical Dilemmas: Practitioners must consult their clinical supervisor or relevant ethics committee when faced with ethical dilemmas to ensure alignment with professional standards.
Respect for Other Professionals: Practitioners shall respect the integrity of other healthcare professionals and foster collaborative relationships when necessary for client care.
Confidentiality and Communication with Others: Practitioners shall act in the client’s best interest when contacting the client’s Registered Medical Practitioner, relevant psychiatric services, or other professionals, ensuring the client gives informed consent. Practitioners shall ensure that anyone to whom they disclose a client’s personal information understands that it is shared in confidence and must be treated as such. Practitioners must remain aware of their limitations when seeking advice and make all decisions to treat, decline, or refer a client with the client’s well-being as the primary consideration.
Clients Receiving Medical Treatment: Practitioners must not, under any circumstances, advise clients to discontinue treatment prescribed by a Registered Medical Practitioner. Practitioners must encourage clients to discuss any such decisions with their Registered Medical Practitioner.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations: Practitioners must comply with all relevant legal obligations and professional regulations in Malaysia, including confidentiality, safeguarding policies, and shall seek appropriate legal and or professional advice when client information is requested by external parties.
Indemnity Insurance: Practitioners must ensure their professional activities are covered by appropriate indemnity insurance.
Use of Client Information: Practitioners conducting research or case studies must obtain informed consent, anonymise client information, and adhere to data protection laws.
Record-Keeping: Practitioners should maintain accurate, legible, and secure records of therapy sessions, aligning with data protection standards.
Disclosure to External Parties: Practitioners must be prepared to disclose information when legally required, prioritising client consent where possible and seeking guidance to maintain confidentiality standards.
Equal Treatment: Practitioners must not allow any form of bias related to age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, disability, religious, cultural, political beliefs, or other protected characteristics to affect client interactions, and shall embrace diversity and inclusion in all aspects of practice.
Prevention of Harassment and Abuse: Practitioners shall avoid any behaviour that could be perceived as abusive or discriminatory and shall recognise their legal responsibilities concerning safeguarding the rights and welfare of children and vulnerable clients.
Complaints and Disciplinary Compliance: Practitioners are responsible for cooperating with all aspects of complaints and disciplinary processes, including transparent disclosure of any complaints, legal issues, or disciplinary actions.
Disclosure of Complaints: Practitioners must disclose any complaint or practice restriction made, in process, or upheld by any professional body, employer, or association regulating health and social care. This requirement also applies to MSCH practitioners with joint or multiple memberships in other professional psychotherapy organisations. Practitioners must fully inform the MSCH of any upheld complaint and sanctions imposed on their practice. Additionally, members must disclose if they are subject to any ongoing investigation at the time of joining the MSCH, regardless of its outcome.
Public Safeguarding: Members are required to take appropriate action, in line with the Complaints Procedure, regarding a colleague’s behaviour that may be deemed detrimental to clients, the profession, or to other members.
Disclosure of Conviction: Practitioners must disclose any criminal conviction, conditional discharge, or police caution they receive.
Ethical Membership: Practitioners must maintain an upstanding professional presence, not affiliating with organisations or entities known to engage in harmful or fraudulent practices.
Professional Conduct: Practitioners shall uphold the values and reputation of the MSCH and the psychotherapy profession, fostering trust both in their professional and personal conduct.
Public Confidence: Practitioners shall not promote, perform, or display psychotherapy as a form of entertainment (e.g. stage hypnosis) or engage in activities that could bring the profession into disrepute.
Code of Conduct Agreement: All practitioners must sign and adhere to this Professional and Ethical Code of Conduct, which embodies the standards expected within the profession and by the organisation.