I follow the UKCP’s Code of Ethics.
Symantha’s Talking Therapy
Code of Ethics
Ethical practice at Symantha’s Talking Therapy Limited falls under the following subsections:
• Best interests of clients
• Professionalism
• Communication and consent
• Records and confidentiality
• Professional knowledge, skills and experience
• Social responsibility
• Trust and confidence
I, Symantha Simcox commit to:
act in the Best interests of clients
1. Act in my client’s best interests.
2. Treat my clients with respect.
3. Respect my client’s autonomy.
4. Not have sexual contact or sexual relationship with my clients.
5. Not exploit or abuse my relationship with clients (current or past) for any purpose including emotional, sexual or financial gain.
6. Never knowingly harm or collude in the harming of my client or the clients of others.
Demonstrate Professionalism
7. I will politely decline any gifts, favours, money or hospitality that might be interpreted as exploitative.
8. To be aware of the power imbalance between the practitioner and client, and avoid dual or multiple relationships which risk confusion of boundaries and may impact adversely on a client. Where a dual or multiple relationship is unavoidable, as I work in a small town and it may occur, I commit to taking responsibility for clarifying and managing boundaries and protecting confidentiality.
9. To exercise all reasonable care before entering into a personal or business relationship with former clients, and I will take into account the time that has lapsed since therapy ended. Should such a relationship prove to be detrimental to the former client, I understand that I may be called to answer an allegation of misusing my former position as therapist.
10. I recognise that my behaviour outside my professional life may have an effect on my relationship with clients and I take responsibility for critically examining these potential negative or positive effects on the perception of the client.
ensure good Communication and consent
11. I will provide in my marketing, and on request, a clear and honest statement of the qualifications relevant to hypnotherapy , and advertise my services accurately without exaggeration.
12. I will only use such professional titles as my qualifications and experience allow.
13. I will not make any claims that I cannot demonstrate to be true or include testimonials from clients in any advertising.
14. I will explain to all clients, or prospective clients, my terms, fees and conditions and, I will have information readily available to clarify other related questions such as likely length of therapy, methods of practice to be used, the extent of my own involvement, complaints processes as well as arrangements for referral and termination of therapy
15. I will confirm each client’s consent to the specifics of the service I offer, through a clear contract at the outset of therapy. I will help clients to understand the nature of any proposed therapy and its implications, what to expect, the risks involved, what is and is not being
offered, and relevant alternative options.
16. I will not intentionally mislead a client about the type or nature of hypnotherapy practised.
17. I will only participate in research about clients with clients’ verifiable and informed consent before the commencement of therapy and research, clarifying the nature, purpose and conditions of such research in which clients are involved and in accordance with relevant codes and guidance.
maintain records and confidentiality
18. I promise to respect, protect and preserve my clients’ confidentiality and take full measures to protect sensitive and personally
identifiable information obtained in the course of our work.
19. I promise to safeguard the welfare and anonymity of clients when any form of publication of clinical material is being considered and to always obtains your client’s verifiable consent in any case where their welfare or anonymity may be compromised. This includes situations where a client or former client might recognise themselves in case material despite the changing of names or actual circumstances.
20. I will make client notes appropriate to hypnotherapy, and keep records which are accurate, legible and timely. I will keep clients’ information confidential, subject to legal and ethical requirements, and discuss them only within appropriate professional settings.
21. I will notify clients, when appropriate or on request, what the legal and ethical limits to confidentiality are, and advise of the circumstances under which confidential information might be disclosed to a third party.
22. I will consider obtaining legal and ethical advice in relation to providing information for judicial or administrative proceedings, and as to the potential impact that this could have on the commitment of confidentiality to the client, even when my client has given me permission.
demonstrate professional knowledge, skills & experience
23. I only offer hypnotherapy for which I have had adequate training and experience.
24. I understand the limits of my competence and will refer clients to another professional when appropriate.
25. I will ensure my continuing ability to practise by securing supervision and ongoing professional education and development sufficient to meet the requirements of my own code of ethics and those to which I follow set out by the UKCP.
26. I will never work with clients if I am unable to do so for physical or mental health reasons, or when impaired by the effects of drugs, alcohol or medication.
27. I will make considered and timely arrangements for the termination of a therapeutic relationship, or if I am unable to continue to practise, ensuring that clients are informed and alternative practitioners are identified where possible.
28. I have arrangements in place for informing clients and, where appropriate, providing them with support in the event of your illness or death.
accept my Social Responsibility
29. I actively consider issues of diversity and equalities within all aspects of my work and I acknowledge the need for a continuing process of self-enquiry and professional development.
30. I will not allow prejudice about a client’s sex, age, colour, race, disability, communication skills, sexuality, lifestyle, religious, cultural or political beliefs, social economic or immigration status to adversely affect the way I relate to them.
31. I will avoid behaviour that can be perceived as abusive or detrimental to any client or colleague based on the above factors.
inspire and maintain trust & confidence
32. I promise to act in a way which upholds the reputation of clinical hypnotherapy, that promotes public confidence in the profession and its members, including outside of your professional life.
33. I will maintain an awareness of, and comply with, all legal and professional obligations and polices that apply to my practice.
34. To ensure that any communication in which I take part, and in particular your participation in social media, is carried out in a manner consistent with this Code.
35. I will safeguard children and vulnerable adults, recognising your legal responsibilities concerning their rights and taking appropriate action should you consider any such person is at risk of harm.
36. I will ensure that you are familiar with and understand UKCP’s published policies and guidances, in particular those on Safeguarding and on the Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion Therapy (v2).
37. I will challenge questionable practice in myself or others, reporting to UKCP potential breaches of this Code, and activating formal complaints procedures especially where there may be ongoing harm to clients or I have significant grounds for believing clients to be at risk of harm.
38. I am adequately covered by appropriate indemnity insurance for the purpose of practicing hypnotherapy.
39. I will co-operate with any lawful investigation or inquiry relating to your psychotherapeutic practice.
I will inform all professional bodies to which I am associated if I am:
a. charged with a criminal offence
b. convicted of a criminal offence, receive a conditional discharge for an offence, or accept a police caution
c. disciplined by any professional body or membership organisation responsible for regulating or licensing a health or social care profession; or
d. suspended or placed under a practice restriction by an employer or similar organisation because of concerns relating to my competence, health or practice of hypnotherapy.