Hypnotizing a minor without parental permission - what do you think about it?

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Welch on October 17, 2011 at 1:07pm

Hi Antonio

 

My thought on this is simple its a loud NO, my main work and role is as a family therapists and I work with children and families everyday of my working week. To work without a parents permission or indeed to then do that via distance would not only have alarm bells ringing but for me be unprofessional and putting the child and therapist at great risk.

In fact to do that in my field of work would very quickly destroy your practice, reputation and credibility.

So my view is a resounding no never, smiles Nath

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on October 17, 2011 at 1:55pm

Ditto to Nath's reply: NO! And it's not just the predators one should be concerned about: well-meaning hobbyists and less-informed professionals can create a real mess in a kid's mind. There are already enough sanctioned entities happy to mess with our childrens' bodies without our knowledge and permission, let's not condone hypnotic activity with unable-to-consent kids.

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Permalink Reply by Rob Wagner on October 17, 2011 at 2:01pm

I'll try to express myself accurately...

I don't think the problem is hypnosis per-se. It's messing with other people's kids without consent.

Currently school counselors and some other state agents have a great deal of power over children. They can potentially over-ride parental choices regarding abortions and forced medications, potentially without so much as notification.

More generally, any parent who is having problems with an adult bad influence on a child may find (s)he has little or no legal recourse to do anything about it, UNLESS sexual activity is involved. Even then not necessarily so--I can think of at least one adult-child sexual relationship that is rarely prosecuted, and to the extent it is, under-prosecuted, due to lack precedent and certain strong cultural taboos.

Your children's teacher can, for example, ridicule you and tell the students what a backwards troglodyte you are, and can encourage your kids to disrespect you, and you have little recourse to do anything about it. I am having a problem similar to this with a church youth-group leader.

As far as hypnosis per-se goes, that turns into a tricky subject. For one thing, some people classify certain persuasion techniques as "hypnotic". If someone simply tries to persuade a child something--perhaps something perfectly innocent and not particularly controversial in itself--but uses a particular language pattern--(s)he might be accused of practicing hypnosis without consent!

For practical purposes, don't do anything with other people's kids that the parents might not approve of, in or out of hypnosis, which includes not doing anything they might consent to but only if consent is actually explicitly given. When in doubt, ask.

The one exception is emergencies. If a child is in a life-threatening situation, you take whatever measures are necessary to preserve life, and worry about permission later.

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Permalink Reply by Antoine Pruyssers on October 17, 2011 at 2:03pm

I fully agree with Nathan on this, but have something to add, and I'll do it with a metaphor:

 

In some parts of Canada, they chase off wild young wolves, not because they don't like them (because who doesn't like a cute little puppy), but because if the wolves get accustomed to being friendly to humans, and humans being friendly to them, the wolves won't be able to distinguish poachers, from the people who have been so nice to them.

 

In the same manner, you may have the right intentions, but who will say the next online-contact has pure intentions also?

Don't let your academical curiosity, get past your professional ethics!

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Permalink Reply by Graham Old on October 17, 2011 at 2:06pm

I'm with Nathan.

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Permalink Reply by Jess Marion on October 17, 2011 at 3:53pm

I'm also with Nathan on this one.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Clark MFT on October 17, 2011 at 4:01pm

@Nathan,

 

Although as a general course of practice working with minors without parental consent is problematic with the law and ethics, there are exceptions. It may be helpful for others here to be made aware of.

 

For a licensed therapist, if, for instance, a 16 year old finds their way to asking for help and you have reason to believe the help is needed, within your scope of practice, and there is a real concern that the teenager's parents being notified would cause a potential serious detriment, you may work with a minor without parental consent.

 

Just wanted to point out it is not ALWAYS a loud NO.

 

Richard

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on October 17, 2011 at 4:23pm

Yes indeed Antonio.

 

I am pretty sure you expected this, and have got the answers you were looking for, already.

but just to add my four pennyworth...

 

No, never...

 

Never in person face to face.

Never on Skype,

never on the phone,

never in emails/text/MSN.

 

I know there are some people on here who have expressed views about the education of the upcoming hypnotists of the future...  and have attempted to make a case that experiencing hypnosis is part of their education.

Well... for the sake of all concerned...

get the explicit permission of their guardian before going anywhere hear it.

 

Antonio,   Thanks for being brave enough to ask the question.

I know your stance on this, and have been pleased to observe your careful, and clever screening of a young person to ensure that you did not slip up.  Your 'trick' with the 'horoscope question'  was beautifully executed, to elicit their true age.

 

Love and hugs,

 

Lawrie

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Permalink Reply by Antonio on October 17, 2011 at 4:33pm

Fable I totally forgot about that.  Thats WHEN we had a chatroom here on Hypnothoughts ;)

Fable Goodman said:

Antonio,   Thanks for being brave enough to ask the question.

I know your stance on this, and have been pleased to observe your careful, and clever screening of a young person to ensure that you did not slip up.  Your 'trick' with the 'horoscope question'  was beautifully executed, to elicit their true age.

 

Love and hugs,

 

Lawrie

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Permalink Reply by Walter Eng on October 17, 2011 at 5:08pm

Even on a good day, it's a very bad idea.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on October 17, 2011 at 5:13pm

I agree it is a very bad idea!  As we say in the USA --"Don't even think about it"

Walter Eng said:

Even on a good day, it's a very bad idea.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on October 17, 2011 at 5:18pm

@ Antonio and Fable --

 

This might be a good time to for the Ht.com team to reconsider a chat group if community members want one -- I didn't have a problem with the old the chat group -- I had a problem with how it was being featured right smack dab in the middle of the home page. Some of the exchanges were quite unprofessional

 

Warm regards,

 

Michael E.

Antonio said:

Fable I totally forgot about that.  Thats WHEN we had a chatroom here on Hypnothoughts ;)

Fable Goodman said:

Antonio,   Thanks for being brave enough to ask the question.

I know your stance on this, and have been pleased to observe your careful, and clever screening of a young person to ensure that you did not slip up.  Your 'trick' with the 'horoscope question'  was beautifully executed, to elicit their true age.

 

Love and hugs,

 

Lawrie

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