ABSTRACT

Ethics refers to the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. It also refers to a set of moral principles or values. Ethical behavior in the context of a health profession refers to conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct. The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, and the International Society of Hypnosis each have written ethical guidelines for its members and have active ethics committees. It is understood that each member of these societies is expected to conform to the ethical guidelines of his or her professional society or association (e.g., national or state medical or dental society, psychological association). Also, all persons who use hypnosis should adhere to published guidelines related to probing memories with hypnotic methods and should not probe memories until one has substantial experience with clinical hypnosis at the intermediate or advanced level.