BCH Ethics, Safety & Professional Conduct 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client requests that the hypnotist share session recordings with their employer to verify attendance. The hypnotist should:
- Provide the recordings since employment matters are not confidential
- Decline unless the client provides explicit written authorization specifying what may be shared (Correct answer)
- Share only a summary of session dates, not content
- Report the employer's request to an ethics board
Correct answer: Decline unless the client provides explicit written authorization specifying what may be shared
Releasing session recordings requires explicit, written authorization from the client that specifies exactly what information may be disclosed.
Question 2: Under NGH standards, which situation requires a physician or mental health referral BEFORE beginning hypnosis?
- A client seeking help with nail biting
- A client reporting a recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder who is not currently under psychiatric care (Correct answer)
- A client wanting help improving study habits
- A client asking for smoking cessation support
Correct answer: A client reporting a recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder who is not currently under psychiatric care
Clients with psychiatric diagnoses not currently under professional care should be referred before hypnosis is initiated to ensure safety and appropriate coordination.
Question 3: Which statement most accurately describes the proper use of post-hypnotic suggestions related to medication?
- Hypnotists may suggest clients reduce medication dosages if they believe it will enhance outcomes
- Hypnotists must never suggest changes to prescribed medications — that falls outside scope of practice (Correct answer)
- Post-hypnotic suggestions about medications are permitted with client consent
- Medication suggestions are allowed only if the hypnotist holds a nursing credential
Correct answer: Hypnotists must never suggest changes to prescribed medications — that falls outside scope of practice
Advising any change to prescribed medication is a medical act entirely outside the scope of a hypnotist's practice.
Question 4: A client asks the hypnotist to implant a suggestion that will prevent them from remembering a traumatic event. The ethical response is to:
- Comply because the client provided informed consent
- Decline, as deliberately inducing amnesia for therapeutic purposes exceeds a hypnotist's scope of practice (Correct answer)
- Agree only if the session is recorded for safekeeping
- Comply only if a licensed therapist co-signs the session plan
Correct answer: Decline, as deliberately inducing amnesia for therapeutic purposes exceeds a hypnotist's scope of practice
Deliberately inducing amnesia to manage trauma is a clinical intervention that exceeds a BCH's scope of practice.
Question 5: What does the NGH Code of Ethics require regarding advertising claims?
- Hypnotists may use testimonials freely as long as clients consent
- All advertising must be truthful, not misleading, and must not promise specific outcomes (Correct answer)
- Advertising is unregulated because hypnosis is not a licensed profession in most states
- Hypnotists may claim 'medically proven' if citing peer-reviewed studies
Correct answer: All advertising must be truthful, not misleading, and must not promise specific outcomes
NGH ethics mandate that all advertising be honest, non-deceptive, and free of promises of guaranteed outcomes.
Question 6: A hypnotist notices during a session that a client appears to be dissociating in a way suggesting a possible trauma response. The appropriate action is to:
- Deepen the trance to help the client process the trauma
- Gently return the client to full waking state and refer to a licensed trauma specialist (Correct answer)
- Ask probing questions to identify the traumatic memory
- Continue the planned session protocol and document the observation
Correct answer: Gently return the client to full waking state and refer to a licensed trauma specialist
Dissociative responses indicating trauma exceed a hypnotist's competency; the session should be halted and the client referred to a licensed trauma specialist.
Question 7: How long should a BCH retain client session records according to professional best practices?
- Until the conclusion of the final session
- A minimum of seven years, or longer if minors are involved (Correct answer)
- Only for the duration of active treatment
- Records need not be retained if notes were never formally written
Correct answer: A minimum of seven years, or longer if minors are involved
Professional best practices generally require retaining client records for at least seven years, with extended periods for minors to account for potential future legal or clinical needs.
BCH Ethics, Safety & Professional Conduct 3
A client requests that the hypnotist share session recordings with their employer to verify attendance.
The hypnotist should: