Hypnosis Education Association

Mission, Code of Ethics & Bylaws, History

Our Mission

The Hypnosis Education Association is a member-run organization of a diverse group of people interested in hypnosis and the complementary healing arts. Our Mission is to provide high standards of education and quality support for members in a friendly and warm environment so they are empowered to learn, grow and achieve excellence in their personal and professional lives .

Aims and Purposes

To offer knowledge and education of the nature, uses and benefits of hypnosis to professional hypnotists and to the general public.
To reduce misconceptions and fears about hypnosis.
To establish and promote a hypnosis code of ethics.

Code of Ethics

On March 8, 2003, at a meeting of the membership, we adopted this code of ethics. It was adapted from the code developed and used by the National Guild of Hypnotists. We applaud the NGH’s work in this area, and we have subscribed to their code and accepted it in its entirety. It is included here verbatim and only the name of the association has been changed from the NGH’s original document.

The Hypnosis Education Association requires its members to conform to the following ethical principles and shall hold members accountable for any departure from these principles.

Client Welfare

Members shall make the physical and mental well-being of each client a prime consideration.

Client Safety

Members shall not engage in verbal, physical or sexual abuse of any client.

Practice Limits

Members shall use hypnosis strictly within the limits of their training and competence and in conformity to the laws of their state.

Advertising

Members shall be truthful in their advertising.

Referred Practice

Members shall engage in hypnotic work with a client regarding a medical or mental disease.

Reasonable Practice

Members shall withhold non-referred hypnotic services if a client’s behavior.

Colleagues

Members shall treat hypnotist colleagues without public defamation.

By-Laws of HEA

To learn more about the way we are governed, click on the link below.

HEA By-laws amended Oct2022

A Brief History of the HEA

Once Upon a Time in a state of confused Yankees seeking retirement, there was an organization of hypnotists. It was the oldest continuously operating hypnosis organization in Florida and had been originally incorporated by its founders as a for-profit corporation. They named it "The Florida Association for Professional Hypnosis," FAPH. Each of the principle stockholders literally owned a piece of the organization through their stock and hoped to receive dividends as the organization grew based both on dues and sales of products like training materials. This they accomplished through the eighties as they held conferences in different locations around the state. But as members aged and became less active, attendance lagged and little profit was made.

Michael Watson presents Earl Yawman & Buddy Todd Awards After much consideration, members Buddy Todd (RIP) and Earl Yawman (RIP) decided to leave the FAPH to form a not-for-profit organization. Thus, the Hypnosis Education Association was born in 1998. Buddy and Earl carefully planned a Hospitality Evening at each conference with food, drinks, and socializing, which helped to build the membership and camaraderie of the group. Many of the original members, Buddy, Earl, Lynn Groves (RIP), Pat Brown, Joan Pataky (RIP), Dan Cleary, George von Hilsheimer, James Grant, Dorothy Ross, Michael Watson, Renee Sakr, and I were good friends and had been members of FAPH for years. Many of us were members of both organizations. Gradually, though, the FAPH dwindled as members retired while HEA grew and strengthened. As we move into our future, our responsibility continues to be to work together to make it a joyous time of learning and personal validation for each member. That will continue our growth.