Code of Ethics

1. Scope

This code governs the practice of integrative cognitive behavioural therapy, including Hypno-CBT®, by members of the Register of Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and Coaches (RICBTC), referred to below as ‘the register’. It applies to the relationship between therapist and client, therapist and other healthcare professionals, and therapist and their professional bodies.

All members of the register are required to abide by this code without exception. The board has the right to investigate and sanction members who fail to do so, including removing them from the register.

2. Evidence-based practice

Members undertake to adhere to the register’s code of practice and evidence-based practice requirements, consistent with their grade of registration, and to avoid techniques deemed inappropriate by the register, including past-life regression, stage hypnosis for entertainment, and exorcism or spirit release.

3. Professional conduct

Members undertake to:

• Conduct themselves in a way that does not undermine public confidence in the profession or bring the register into disrepute.
• Raise concerns about a colleague’s conduct through appropriate channels, such as a professional body’s complaints procedure, rather than outside them.
• Work only within their sphere of competence, and hold professional indemnity insurance relevant to that work.
• Treat all clients without bias or prejudice.
• Disclose relevant memberships, training, qualifications and complaints procedures to clients on request, and use only qualifications to which they can show entitlement.
• Explain fees, payment terms and confidentiality arrangements to clients before treatment begins.
• Present services in a clear, unambiguous way, and never guarantee a cure or a successful outcome.

4. Welfare of clients

Members undertake to work in ways that promote client autonomy, wellbeing, dignity and respect, and to refer a client to another therapist where that would better serve the client’s needs.

Where a client is seeking help with a medical or psychiatric condition outside the therapist’s competence, the therapist should advise the client to contact a registered medical practitioner, and should not offer a formal diagnosis unless suitably trained and qualified to do so.

Where techniques involve memory or recall, the therapist should take care to ensure the client understands that material recalled during hypnosis or a similar relaxed state is not necessarily an accurate record of past events, and should base their approach to memory on current, credible research.

Members must not exploit the position of trust between therapist and client, whether emotionally, sexually or financially, and must never protract treatment beyond what is in the client’s interest.

5. Confidentiality and records

Members must maintain strict confidentiality within the therapist and client relationship, except where disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect the safety of the client or others.

Client records must be kept secure and confidential, in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and arrangements must be in place for their secure disposal or transfer in the event of the therapist’s incapacity or death.

Written permission must be obtained from the client before recording sessions, before discussing an identifiable case with any other person, or before publishing any case material, whether disguised or not.

6. Clinical supervision and CPD

Practising members must maintain ongoing clinical supervision and complete continuing professional development, as defined by the register’s code of practice and appropriate to their registration grade.

7. Relationship with the register

Members undertake to notify the register in writing of any change to their contact details, any change in circumstance affecting their registration grade or status, and any formal complaint, disciplinary action or criminal conviction of which they are aware. Members must cooperate fully with any investigation carried out under the register’s complaints procedure.

8. Advertising and professional qualifications

Members undertake to ensure that all advertising, in any medium, gives a truthful and accurate account of their qualifications, skills and facilities, and that any claim about the outcome of treatment can be substantiated. Members should read the register’s guidance on advertising and claims.

Members should only use the title ‘Dr’ where they hold a qualification that is UK-issued, accredited and relevant to their practice, and should make clear to clients whether they are a medical practitioner.

9. Treatment of minors and vulnerable clients

Members must obtain the written consent of an appropriate adult before treating a client who is under the age of majority or who has additional needs affecting their capacity to consent, unless the therapist has carried out a suitable assessment of the client’s own competence to consent and is qualified to do so.