Legal and Ethical
Considerations

Legal and ethical framework

Focused Hypnotherapy is a member of the Hypnotherapy Council of Australia, the Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association (AHA), and the International Strategic Psychotherapy Association, and we follow the Code of Ethics of these organisations.

We operate within the Victorian and National legal frameworks.


Mandatory Reporting

We abide by the Mandatory Reporting legislation, which means that we are required to report to authorities any instances of child abuse, serious crime, or self-harm, that we become aware of.


The scope of our practice

We are qualified to provide strategic psychotherapy and clinical hypnosis for various conditions, such as generalised anxiety, Covid-anxiety, pain management, smoking cessation, insomnia, weight loss, procrastination, substance abuse (e.g.. alcohol, sugar, food,).

It is, however, not within our scope of practice to assist with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, or psychosis, etc.

In some cases, we require GP referral in order to proceed with the service.


Privacy and confidentiality

We respect your privacy, and ensure the confidentiality of your information, at all time.


Duty of care

We take all reasonable steps to ensure that we act in your interest at all time. If we consider that it is in your best interest to be seen by someone else (a GP, another therapist, etc.), we will, with your consent, refer you to them.


Informed consent

We protect your right to informed consent to any of your information or documentation being provided to outside parties (such as GP and other health services providers).


Safety

Your safety and wellbeing is paramount to us. Before our first session, you will be asked to fill in a Client Intake Form, which we will use to determine how best to respond to your needs or situation.


GP Referral

In some situations, your doctor’s referral will be required, and this will need to be provided before the session can commence.