DISCLAIMER
 

You are about to access the online Clinical Hypnotherapy Certification program offered by the Atlanta National Hypnotherapy Institute. During your student admissions process, you signed several documents attesting that you have read and understand the Institute’s Copyright and Intellectual Property Notice, and Ethical Guidelines for Hypnotherapists. In addition, the Institute’s Catalog, which you received a copy of and which is available from our website, contains the Student Grievance Policy. All three of these important documents are repeated below.

By accessing this site, you continue to state your full agreement with these notices, guidelines, and policies.

1. COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY NOTICE: All materials contained in the Atlanta National Hypnotherapy Institute’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Certification Program website or provided during in-house classes are protected by copyright laws, and may not be reproduced, republished, transmitted, displayed, broadcast, or otherwise exploited in any manner without the expressed prior written permission of the Atlanta National Hypnotherapy Institute (ANHI). As a student of ANHI, you may download from the website or possess in-house course materials in one copy only for your personal educational and non-commercial use without altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from such material.

ANHI’s names and logos, and all related marks, trade names, and other intellectual property are the property of ANHI and cannot be used without ANHI’s expressed prior written permission.

2. ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR HYPNOTHERAPISTS:

General Standards:

    1. Hypnotherapists shall respect the well being and rights of each client.
    2. Hypnotherapists shall avoid any behavior that may be considered immoral.
    3. Hypnotherapists shall use hypnosis within the scope of their field, know their limitations and avoid infringement on other professions.
    4. Hypnotherapists shall respect and practice within the established laws and regulations.
    5. Hypnotherapists shall never mislead, but always be ethical and honest in their advertising and in their business practices.
    6. Hypnotherapists shall maintain proper office and client records in a professional manner.
    7. Hypnotherapists shall not discuss personal problems with a client.
    8. Hypnotherapist shall not socialize with clients. It is a quick way to lose them.

Ethical Conduct Guidelines –

    Ethical conduct guidelines are not laws, but guidelines set by professional associations defining accepted standards of behavior. However, they should be considered the same as law. By following these guidelines in all aspects of practice, the hypnotherapist shall be operating at the highest level of integrity. The following ethical conduct guidelines should be considered preventative behavior against professional liability.

Confidentiality –

    All clients have a right to confidentiality. This is considered client privilege. The hypnotherapist must protect the client privilege at all times. The hypnotherapist may not divulge to an outsider any information they have received from the client. Before any such information can be shared, the hypnotherapist must obtain a signed release from the client. The release must be dated, signed, and must remain on record with the hypnotherapist.

The Duty to Inform –

    The hypnotherapist’s obligation to protect the client privilege is superseded by The Duty to Inform. Should the hypnotherapist, using professional judgement, determine that there is reasonable cause to suspect the client may injure another person, then, the hypnotherapist has the responsibility to inform the intended victim. This responsibility is also extended to protect the client from injuring himself, such as in the case of suicide. In these circumstances, the hypnotherapist would be considered exempt from the obligation to protect the client privilege. Should the hypnotherapist professional judgment be questioned in a court of law, the hypnotherapist would have to demonstrate that there was reasonable cause to fear injury to either another person or the client himself.

The Duty to Report Child Abuse –

    Hypnotherapists are required to report suspected child abuse to the proper agency.

No Secondary Relationships –

    The primary client/hypnotherapist relationship is of a therapeutic nature. The hypnotherapist should not have any other personal relationship with the client outside the normal concerns a professional should have for the client. The hypnotherapist should never date or have sex with a client and should avoid any conduct which might be considered immoral or sexual misconduct in relation to a client. Most unethical practices by those in the health professions involve this guideline. Following this guideline as law should be your ultimate concern as it relates to your hypnotherapy practice.

Counter Transference –

    The hypnotherapist should be alert to any counter transference of emotions and should arrest them or remove himself from the therapeutic relationship. A hypnotherapist, who wishes to remove himself from the professional relationship to pursue a personal or romantic relationship, is required to wait a minimum of one year after the termination of the professional relationship. This is considered a “cooling off” period.

3. STUDENT GRIEVANCE POLICY: Hopefully, most complaints/disputes/issues can be resolved through open and frank discussion between the individuals involved. Staff members should make every effort to resolve situations with students. When that is not the case, student written complaints should be directed to Dr. Laura LaRain. The written complaint should be specific, listing the nature of the complaint, along with any possible solution. Dr. LaRain will revise the concern or complaint and direct it to the appropriate office for further review and resolution. Complaints will be addressed and processed in the following ways:

1. Issues with the potential to become very serious matters should be discussed with Dr. LaRain.

2. Complaints involving instructional concerns will be directed to Dr. LaRain and the appropriate instructor.

3. Complaints involving fees, requests for refunds, will be handled by Dr. LaRain and Janet Ross, when necessary.

Administrative/staff members may seek assistance and/or consultation with Dr. LaRain or other designated ANHI personnel in resolution and response to these items. The staff member should contact the student(s) by telephone, direct contact, or email to start the negotiation and resolution process.

After review and resolution, Dr. LaRain will respond to the student within a reasonable time from receipt of the written complaint. The response may include what action was taken, future steps to be taken, further referral, and/or final disposition of the matter. This will be done, if necessary, in writing. The appropriate office may keep any necessary documents on file deemed necessary.

Dr. LaRain, Director of Atlanta National Hypnotherapy Institute, makes all final decisions for the Institute. Students have a right to appeal this final decision to the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.
By mail: 2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220, Tucker, Georgia 30084-5305
By Phone: 770-414-3300
By Fax: 770-414-3309
By Website: www.gnpec.org