Ethical Policy

At Thought Compass, I’m committed to creating a welcoming, respectful space where everyone feels valued and safe. Guided by equality, diversity, and inclusion, I aim to support you in navigating your thoughts and reaching your full potential.

Scope of practice

Thought Compass offers online cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy and stress management coaching for adults. My work can support people with issues such as performance anxiety, audition nerves, imposter thoughts, self-doubt, stress, confidence, social anxiety, shame, habit change and resilience building.

My approach brings together cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy, stress management, resilience building and practical CBT-based strategies. Sessions are collaborative and focused on helping you understand unhelpful patterns, practise different responses, and develop more flexible ways of coping.

Thought Compass does not provide emergency mental health support, diagnosis, psychiatric care, medical treatment or crisis intervention. I do not prescribe medication or advise you to start, stop or change medication. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, you should speak with your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

If I believe that your needs fall outside my scope of practice, I will discuss this with you openly. Where appropriate, I may suggest that you contact your GP, NHS 111, a mental health crisis team, or another suitably qualified professional. In some cases, I may decide that I am not the right practitioner for your needs at that time.

Professional Standards

I’m a registered member of the National Council for Integrative Psychotherapists (NCIP) and work in accordance with their Code of Practice and Ethics.

 I am also registered with the International Stress Management Association and follow their guidance for professional conduct and behaviour in my work as a Stress Management Coach.

These professional frameworks help guide my commitment to safe, respectful, ethical and evidence-informed practice.

Equality and Non-Discrimination

I believe in the inherent worth of every individual. My practice is open and welcoming to all, regardless of:

  • Gender, gender identity, or expression
  • Sexual orientation
  • Race, ethnicity, or cultural heritage
  • Religious or spiritual beliefs
  • Age
  • Physical abilities or neurodivergence
  • Socioeconomic background

Every client is treated with equal respect and consideration, ensuring fairness and equity in the services I provide.

Recognising Privilege

As a white, cisgender male, I acknowledge the privilege I hold in society. I am committed to using this awareness to foster an inclusive and equitable environment where all individuals feel seen, heard, and supported.
I continuously seek to:

  • Educate myself about systemic inequalities and unconscious biases
  • Listen to and learn from the lived experiences of marginalized communities
  • Challenge my own perspectives and practices to better serve a diverse range of clients

This recognition shapes my approach, ensuring that I remain open, empathetic, and committed to growth.

Diversity and Inclusion

I celebrate the richness of human diversity and with my ethical policy I work to create an environment that:

  • Recognises and respects individual differences
  • Embraces a wide range of perspectives and experiences
  • Encourages authenticity and self-expression

I continually educate myself to better understand the unique challenges faced by marginalised communities, including the LGBTQ+ community and people from diverse heritages. My aim is to ensure my practice reflects this commitment to inclusivity.

Cultural Sensitivity

I recognise the importance of cultural heritage in shaping personal identity and experiences. My approach is sensitive to:

  • The impact of cultural values and traditions on personal growth
  • The role of heritage in shaping challenges and opportunities

I aim to provide culturally competent hypnotherapy that honors your unique journey while helping you navigate challenges.

Confidentiality and Trust

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of my practice. I maintain strict privacy standards, ensuring that your personal information and the content of our sessions remain secure. This commitment helps to build a foundation of trust, empowering you to explore your thoughts without fear of judgment or exposure.

Continuous Professional Development and Supervision

I am committed to ongoing professional development so that my work remains informed, reflective and up to date. This includes continuing study, professional reading, relevant training and reflective practice.

I engage with ongoing professional supervision, as appropriate to my client work and professional responsibilities, to support safe, ethical and responsible practice.

Accountability

I hold myself accountable to this ethical policy. If you ever feel that I have not met these standards, I encourage open dialogue. Your feedback is invaluable in helping me grow and improve.

Complaints and concerns

I aim to work in a safe, respectful and ethical way. If you have a concern about any aspect of our work together, I encourage you to raise it with me directly so that we can discuss it openly and try to resolve it.

If your concern cannot be resolved between us, you may contact the relevant professional body for further guidance. I am registered with the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists and the International Stress Management Association, and work in accordance with their professional standards and guidance.

Where appropriate, I will cooperate with any professional complaints process connected to my registration or membership.

This ethics policy reflects my promise to provide care that respects and celebrates the diversity of human experience while maintaining the highest professional standards. Together, we’ll explore the complexities of thought and behaviour in a way that honours your individuality and potential.