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

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Permalink Reply by Scot on October 19, 2011 at 10:51pm

I operate very simply in this area. If you do NOT have the parent's permission, leave them alone!

You stand to save yourself a huge amount of difficulty!

IMHO

 

Namaste' 

Scot

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Permalink Reply by Brian David Phillips on October 21, 2011 at 6:50pm

Richard started some excellent discussion for therapeutic work.  In my opinion, unless there were overwhelming reasons to do work right then and there and only then if one has appropriate licenses, I would suggest that folks not hypnotize minors without parental or guardian permission.

 

As to other work, if you're doing a show or recreational hypnosis then don't hypnotize without parental permission.  When I do workshops on creativity or hypnosis demonstrations and shows for schools I always ask that students have a signed parental permission slip before volunteering (usually, everyone gets it).

 

As to online stuff and introducing kids to other hypnotists online . . . forget it.  That's a can of worms that just is NOT worth it.  If they want to experience hypnosis they should get parental permission and the parents should know who the hypnotist is (honestly, I don't think it's responsible of a parent to let their minor child play with recreational hypnotists online if they haven't researched them and then only limit contact within certain parameters).

 

If a young person comes to me asking to be hypnotized (and this has happened a number of times out and about on the streets of Taipei) I tell them that they have to have parental consent (which means a parent right there not some random voice on a phone or a statement that it would be okay).  If they say their parents would say no then I know to say no.  If they really want to experience hypnosis they can change their parents mind or they can wait until they are of the age of majority when they can make their own decisions about their lives.

 

As a parent, I would be a bit more than a whole lot more than uber-mega-pissed if someone hypnotized my child (or brought her to a temple/church/or other activity that crosses lines) without my permission and I certainly respect the choices and rights of other parents.

 

For those who think it's okay . . . remember, it's better to err on the side of caution than to try to extricate oneself from a legal mess if something goes wrong with the session (all it takes is one abreaction and you're screwed even if you're not the hypnotist but the one who recommended someone who turns out to be less competent than they might at first seem).

 

If it's a minor, then you can be letting yourself in for major problems.

 

In therapeutic contexts, licensed persons know their legal responsibilities, those who are not licensed do not have those responsibilities to protect them if there are parental objections.

 

IMO.

 

- Brian

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Permalink Reply by MaskedHypnotist on October 22, 2011 at 6:55pm

When I was in practice and had any question about the age of a client you better believe that I had them show me valid ID.  I would suggest anyone doing therapy on skype have the client do the same.  Again, I promote the safe approach and see nothing wrong with covering yourself.  I am personally against working with minors without consent and will not judge others who feel otherwise as long as they know the law and are comfortable dealing with the potential problems that can stem from it. 

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