Working with people with Mental Health diagnoses
Hypnotherapy compliments traditional healthcare, it never replaces it.
As a member of the General Hypnotherapy Council I follow the requirements set out in their code of practise.
I do not “treat” mental health conditions, but I do work with people with mental health conditions
The issue you need help with might not have anything to do with your condition, or it might be a symptom of it, but by helping you with something I work with regularly, I am not treating your diagnosed condition.
I compare it to when I teach yoga - I may have a client with Arthritis. I don’t offer treatment or diagnosis for the condition but the work we do in yoga might help the symptoms of it.
It is also not within my ability to judge what my yoga client can and can’t do, but being aware of their condition means I understand how their body may move differently, and I can encourage them to follow the guidance given by their health team before they start practising yoga with me.
I can’t make a decision whether that client can do yoga or not, but I do need to ensure I’m working safely by asking them to consult their health team before starting.
The term mental health diagnosis covers a very wide range
There are some instances where the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests hypnotherapy is not suitable (this includes where a client is currently or recently experiencing psychosis)
Your mental health team might suggest hypnotherapy for some conditions.
In order to offer hypnotherapy I may need a letter from either your GP or your mental health team which says they believe hypnosis will be safe for you.
