CODE OF ETHICS
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This code applies to affiliate, associate and full members of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Hypnosis (2021) ("MSCH") as well as honorary and fellows of MSCH.
Members of the MSCH will be referred to as 'members' in this code.

1. Members engaged in the practice of Clinical Hypnosis shall at all times conduct their professional activities with the propriety and dignity becoming that of a servant of the public. They shall not, under any circumstances, infringe the code of morality becoming their profession and shall not commit any breach of conduct that would adversely reflect upon themselves, the MSCH, or upon their fellow practitioners.
2. Members shall never enter into a sexual relationship with a patient under their care nor shall they exploit their patients' past, present or future financially or emotionally.
3. Members shall work in ways that will promote patient autonomy and well-being and maintain respect and dignity for the patient. Hypnotherapy is a non-exploitative therapy.
4. Members shall not, under any circumstance, offer or promise cures for any conditions.
5. Members shall not give any performance or display that presents hypnosis as a means of entertainment (e.g. Stage Hypnosis) or engage in activities likely to bring the profession into disrepute.
6. Members are required to take appropriate action in accordance with the Complaints Procedure with regard to the behaviour of a colleague, which may be deemed detrimental to the profession and or other members.
7. Members shall not claim to have qualification or credentials they have not earned. Neither shall they use designated letters to which they are not entitled. The title 'Dr.' shall not be used unless they have a bona fide Medical or Academic Qualification from a Medical or Educational Establishment.
8. Members are required to disclose qualifications when requested and evidence of such qualification should be made available for inspection when necessary.
9. Members shall disclose their terms and conditions and where appropriate their method of practice at the very beginning of therapy. The fees and length of therapeutic session(s) shall be disclosed even if the patient does not enquire about them at the first point of contact.
10. Members shall endeavour to keep their patients' affairs confidential. Confidentiality shall only be breached without the patient's consent in exceptional circumstances. This breach shall be minimised by releasing only essential information pertinent to the immediate action. Members have a responsibility to their patient and to the community at large and shall work within the law.
11. Members shall clearly explain patient confidentiality in the initial session.
12. Members shall discuss ethical dilemmas with their clinical supervisor and/or other experienced and qualified therapists.
13. Patients shall be informed if records of the sessions are kept and the degree of access patients and others have to them.
14. Members shall accept that any patient referred to them by a Medical Practitioner remains the clinical responsibility of that Medical Practitioner and therefore shall keep that Medical Practitioner and other relevant agencies up to date with the patient's progress.
15. Members shall under no circumstances advise their patients to discontinue any course of treatment as prescribed by a Registered Medical Practitioner.
16. Members shall respect the integrity of other recognised health care professionals.
17. Members shall consider the patient's best interest when making contact with the patient's GP, relevant psychiatric services, or other relevant professionals with the patient's knowledge. Members shall show an awareness of their limitations when seeking advice and the decision to treat, decline or refer the patient shall be made with the best interest of the patient in heart and in mind.
18. Members shall monitor and recognise their own limits of competence through active personal development and or consultative support, clinical supervision, peer supervision, continuous professional development and patient feedback.
19. Members using patient information for case studies, research, publications, or other purposes, shall seek patient's informed consent. Patient's identity shall be disguised to the extent they cannot be recognised by others.
20. No member shall become or remain a member of any organisation that has been exposed to public scrutiny as dangerous or fraudulent or which in any way causes detriment to the profession of Hypnotherapy.
21. Any member convicted in a court of law of any criminal offence or civil action by a patient, shall report the facts in writing to the MSCH. The individual shall consider him or herself suspended from the MSCH pending a decision regarding membership by the Complaints Committee.
22. Members shall ensure their professional work is adequately covered by appropriate indemnity insurance.
23. A Complaints Procedure and Disqualification and Disciplinary Procedure are published by the MSCH. Members who break the Code of Ethics and Practice shall be liable to the Disqualification and Disciplinary Procedure.
24. Members are required to bring their advertisements to public attention in a dignified and professional manner. The Executive Committee may appoint a Complaints Committee, at its discretion, to review any advertisement deemed unacceptable.
25. The Executive Committee shall appoint a Complaints Committee who will have the power to interpret and enforce compliance with the Code of Ethics and Practice by all members.
26. Members are required to sign a Code of Conduct based on the Code of Ethics and Practice.