Code of Ethics

thinkWell Practice

thinkWell Practice – Code of Ethics

Effective Date: 23rd March 2025

At thinkWell Practice, we are committed to delivering ethical, evidence-informed, and person-centred hypnotherapy and psychotherapeutic services. This Code of Ethics outlines the values, standards, and principles guiding our professional conduct in line with the frameworks set by the National Hypnotherapy Society, National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, National Council for Hypnotherapy, Professional Standards Authority (PSA), CIPD, Royal Society of Public Health, and relevant mental health legislation.

1. Core Values

We uphold the following values as central to our practice:

  • Respect for the Individual – Treating each person with dignity, empathy, and equality.
  • Integrity – Practising with honesty, authenticity, and transparency.
  • Competence – Maintaining high standards of professional practice through ongoing learning.
  • Confidentiality – Respecting and protecting client privacy.
  • Accountability – Taking full responsibility for professional decisions and behaviour.
  • Justice – Providing services that are fair, inclusive, and accessible.

2. Ethical Principles

2.1. Professionalism and Boundaries

  • Maintain clear professional boundaries at all times.
  • Avoid dual relationships that may impair professional judgement or risk exploitation.
  • Refrain from using professional position for personal, financial, or emotional gain.

2.2. Client-Centred Practice

  • Work collaboratively with clients, recognising their autonomy and right to self-determination.
  • Obtain informed consent before beginning therapy.
  • Tailor therapeutic approaches to meet the individual needs, goals, and capacities of each client.

2.3. Safeguarding and Mental Health Law

  • Remain alert to the signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and act according to safeguarding protocols.
  • Be aware of, and act in accordance with, the Mental Health Act 1983 (updated 2007), especially when working with vulnerable individuals or those at risk.
  • Support clients in understanding their rights under mental health law and promote mental health advocacy where appropriate.

2.4. Confidentiality and Data Protection

  • Keep all client information confidential unless there is a legal or ethical duty to break confidentiality (e.g., risk of harm).
  • Follow GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 in storing, processing, and disposing of client data.
  • Discuss confidentiality limits during initial consultations and obtain written consent where appropriate.

2.5. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

  • Uphold the rights of all individuals to be treated without discrimination or bias.
  • Foster an inclusive environment respectful of culture, gender, sexuality, neurodiversity, religion, age, and ability.
  • Comply with the Equality Act 2010 and actively challenge discriminatory practices.

3. Continuing Professional Development

  • Engage in regular supervision in line with society requirements.
  • Maintain accurate CPD records and commit to lifelong learning to ensure up-to-date practice.
  • Seek additional training when working with specialised or complex issues outside current scope.

4. Ethical Marketing and Professional Conduct

  • Advertise services honestly, clearly, and without misleading claims.
  • Do not guarantee outcomes or offer diagnosis unless appropriately trained and qualified to do so.
  • Maintain appropriate insurance and registration with recognised professional bodies.

5. Ethical Employment and Organisational Practice (CIPD-Informed)

  • Ensure fair, transparent policies in any employment or collaborative agreements.
  • Champion psychological safety and wellbeing in all professional interactions.
  • Treat colleagues and supervisees with respect, offering guidance in alignment with evidence-based practice.

6. Collaboration and Multidisciplinary Working

  • When working alongside or referring to other professionals (e.g., GPs, psychiatrists, HR teams), maintain clear communication, confidentiality, and consent.
  • Encourage integrated support for clients where beneficial, with their full understanding and approval.

7. Ethical Accountability and Complaints

  • Take responsibility for mistakes or breaches of ethics and act transparently to resolve them.
  • Encourage client feedback and handle concerns in a respectful, timely, and open manner.
  • Provide clients with clear information on how to make a complaint, including referral to professional bodies if necessary.

8. Supervision and Reflective Practice

  • Attend regular, confidential supervision to reflect on clinical practice, ethical dilemmas, and emotional impact.
  • Use supervision to support self-awareness, challenge assumptions, and maintain objectivity in client work.

9. Environmental and Social Responsibility

  • Promote wellbeing beyond the therapy room by encouraging healthy, sustainable habits.
  • Operate thinkWell Practice in a way that is socially responsible and mindful of environmental impact where possible.

10. Review and Governance

This Code of Ethics is reviewed annually or in response to changes in legislation, professional standards, or practice developments. Updates will be communicated to clients and collaborators as needed.

thinkWell Practice is committed to ethical excellence and the ongoing wellbeing of every client we serve.

Signed,
David Watkinson
Founder, Think Well Practice
david@thinkwellpractice.com