I think I might add, as an addendum to criteria 5 or as a criteria 6 that:

"Subjects who have or show signs of mental illness must be treated with special care, with extreme caution being paid to avoiding activating the mental condition or making it worse, whether accidentally or deliberately."

I fully agree with bear and john and would like to add a few items.

Especially with young or inexperienced subjects a 'pre-chat' is always advisable, be it short for general relaxation or more in depth if both parties think they would like to work together. This pre chat is essential for the tist to figure out his subject, how experienced or potentially vulnerable they are, but should also give the subject an idea of 'what they are letting themselves in for', thus setting paramaters that should be adhered to. Crossing agreed lines and limits is unacceptable. A responsible sane hypnotist will not open an IM and roll off random triggers straightaway, or even do this in public chat.

Furthermore, I would appeal to all tists to think what is publically acceptable and what is potentially offensive, when using triggers on your subjects in open/main chat. If you want to use intimate suggestions or triggers, a private room or IM is much more suitable  than causing a subject to masturbate on cam (or even just mic) in the main chat room. The argument is there that people can choose to turn on/off audio/video, but if you choose a more private environment you are guarding your subject's trust and privacy as well as steering clear of potentially bull dozering the newbies' curiosity with crass demonstrations of what is only one aspect of hypno.

Ste makes some wise points.

The point about hypnosis in the main room is a vexed one and there is scope for genuine difference of opinion; with a bit of common sense I hope an acceptable compromise can be found. On the one hand, I feel that if we ban hypnosis in the main room altogether, including the very lighthearted fun hypnosis of experienced subjects that used to be quite common, that squeezes the lifeblood out of the conversation. On the other hand, we do not want newcomers to be uncomfomfortably confused, still less overwhelmed. It seems to be a reasonable compromise to say no text hypno (which by its nature is in front of everyone's eyes) in the main room except for brief triggers to established subjects who the hypnotist knows are happy to be triggered in that way at that time; whilst permitting audio or video, which you have to switch on to hear or see - though even that should not humiliate or cheapen.

Re johnspncer10's first comment:

In my play I sometimes discern a self-destructive agenda on the part of a sub, and if so I'll decline to become an accessory. It isn't just those with manifest mental illness who sometimes may need to be treated with special care.

Consent is vital. But sometimes consent alone isn't enough.

That kind of discernment is harder in an online encounter than it is in person. But I use the pretalk as, in part, an occasion to get a feel for the sub, his values and his agenda.

Here's an attempt at consolidating some of the comments that have followed my original blog:

6. Subjects who have or show signs of mental illness must be treated with special care, with extreme caution being exercised to avoid activating or aggravating the mental condition, whether deliberately or accidentally. 

7. Firing triggers randomly, at persons whom the hypnotist does not know, or to a group including such persons, or to the public room at large, is irresponsible and unacceptable.

8. Stripping a subject of his dignity in public is unacceptable.

9. The younger or less mature or less experienced the subject, the greater the need for informed consent.

10. In particular,  if a hypnotist plans to do anything seriously to change the subject for the long term (for example, but not only, making him exclusive to that hypnotist), the hypnotist  has  the responsibility to ensure that the subject's consent is genuine and genuinely informed. This applies with extra force to young, immature, inexperienced or vulnerable subjects.

A suggestion:

Those who wish to make their subjects dependent on them must make some provision in case of their death or sudden incapacity, in order not to leave a dysfunctional person behind.

This is a good list for hypnotists.

Here is a few items for subjects that a friend and I worked on.

1) Get to know your hypnotist.  Become friends, if possible.  Take the time to learn trust.  This will deepen the trance and (in general) will prove to be more enjoyable than just going at it.

2) Learn a bit about hypnosis before making contact with hypnotists.  Learn the basics about what it can and can not do.  Learn what is fantasy and what isn't.  If possible, learn how to hypnotise yourself. 

Keep your expectations reasonable.  Factor in the method of trance (text, phone, face to face), the types of suggestions (erotic, G-rated, theraputic) and why you are seeking trance.  Make sure you understand that hypnosis isn't an "instant fix" to everything (or even most things).  Keep your expectations reasonable.

3) Discuss with the hypnotist what you are willing to do. 

4) Equally important, know your limits, and tell the hypnotist.  Personally, I hate it when someone says "do whatever you want".  It gives a hypnotist a wide playing field, and what may be acceptable to me (the hypnotist) may not be acceptable to you (the subject). 

If you are not sure what your limits are, or want to expand them, make sure you have a safe-word you can give yourself (and the hypnotist) that will take you out of the trance and will signal that the play has stopped.  This is a standard BDSM rule.

Understand that even if you discuss boundries, the hypnotist will possibly cross some boundries (typically those not discussed) when you are first hypnotised.  This is because you and he are still learning where the boundries are.  When this happens, discuss it.  Doing so sets new boundries that an ethical hypnotist will respect.

5) Know that you have the right to say no, even without a safe-word. 

Very good list indeed with the amendments. Also nice comments (great to not see snark in the comments). In the past couple of years, I've taken a haitus from working with all but my favorite subjects. I guess I started to find the erotic expectations of my abilities as a hypnotist ceased to outweigh the dangers I felt in what was wanted of me.

Most of those requests came from relative newcomers who spent a lot of time fantasizing to MC stories from the various archives. I have no desire to "turn" a straight guy gay-don't think it would work (that just takes a couple of six-packs with his wife out of town and only temporarily ) I just think hypnosis was going to become the fall guy if the wife/girlfriend finds him with another man.

There is not a single brainwashed sex slave that I want to have. I just want a total sex slave who has a superior mind so he can go to work and support me in the style to which I would like to be accustomed. 

I just wrote my first blog entry and then decided to read some others. I touched a bit on my feelings about the safety of the subject in a slightly different context, but I thought to try to deal with all my feelings and thoughts on the matter at one time would be me biting off more than I could chew.

Being into BDSM as well, I always found myself mentally translating the safety rules of that group into my hypnosis scenes. Most of these rules fit nicely into the grooves of my own safety with the others being good additions.

Thanks for the thought provoking post, Bear UK and to the other posters for the great comments. It was an interesting read. 

This is a very useful blog, thank you Mr Bear. I agree with everything that you have all said. I would like to add a couple of points from a subject's perspective, especially for newbies who may be both excited and worried about using hypno.

1.    With one exception, all the tists I have chatted to on this site have been very considerate and have not taken advantage nor tried to take advantage of me either under hypnosis or otherwise.

2.    There are some really excellent tists on here who have provided me with some wonderful experiences. I would thank them publicly but they would be embarrassed. I trust they know who they are.

3.    I would echo a point made earlier, the better hypno experiences come after working with someone for a while and after discussions about what is involved and limits. I have found that my limits have gradually been pushed back, with consent, and this would not happen in a one off situation.

4.    Hypno can be a powerful experience, you might find it a little bit scary at first, I certainly did. I would suggest that if you are a little nervous you begin with some light relaxation trances so that you get used to the feeling.

5.    There is alot in this blog about the duties and obligations of tists, quite rightly as they are in control. But do remember that subjects have responsibilities too. If you are anxious about someone who wants to work with you, wait until you have had a chance to assure yourself you are happy to work with them.

6.    Remember, as subjects, to thank your tist for their hard work and efforts. Tell them what worked well for you, how it felt. Try to have some idea of what you want to do and how you would like it to develop, if at all. Build up a rapport so that you can be open and honest with the tist. All these things will make for a better experience.

7.    Last piece of advice for subjects. Chat to other subjects too, find out what they do, how they feel, which tists they worked well with and even which tists to avoid. If a number of subjects advise against a particular tist, then be alert to their warnings if you decide to work with that tist.

it is still a matter of concern that despite this very well thought out list of ethical standards and rules of conduct we are still seeing, on a routine basis, violations of the very principles we have laid out here.  When will there be some implementation and enforcement of the standards that have been created here?  We need the site owner and admins to clarify when these become effective and then to PUT them into effect for the safety of all involved, particularly our subjects...

John

Dar,

I would suggest that the moderators will have to appoach tists who have engaged in behavior that is not acceptable.  If modification of the abusive behavior is not evidenced after such a conversation, then I see no choice except for the moderators to engage in placing IP bans on repeat offenders.  There has been too much abuse already and will continue to be as long as subjects remain uninformed and naive about how hypnosis is used and what it can do.  Does anyone else see any reasonable course of action to protect subjects from unethical behavior?

John S

Guys,

I've been remiss and hadn't read this conversation until a few moments ago.  I can see there's been a lot of serious thought and consideration put into everything folks have had to say.  Being an editor by trade and habit, I may occasionally want to tweak what people have written, but in no case did I want to argue the points that have been made. 

Here are some of my own thoughts: I agree that we need several things: 1) Rights and responsibilities of 'Tists, 2) Rights and responsibilities of Subs, and 3) Rules of Decorum for the chat room.  

On the 'Tists' R&R, I'd definitely include that it's important to gauge how "informed" the informed consent is, and act cautiously when it is unclear.  I'd also like to see something added in regard to installing safeties for the little ways real life can rear its ugly head.  Everything from unexpected absences to being cut off in the middle of a session.  Every sub I work with either came with his own safties pre-installed, or I put them in myself.  I also protect my own triggers in ways that make the subject feel safer.  Folks can't come in and just start spouting off triggers they think I use and have them work; the only work when both the subject and I give permission.  In advance.

On the Subs' R&R, I would be tempted to expand on the idea of keeping a 'Tist informed about what is working and what is not.  Some guys will fake a trance if it's not working; that's not fair to the 'Tist.  If a 'Tist knows it's role play, he can cut loose a little more and worry less about the technical details, thereby enjoying himself more.  'Tists have to work pretty hard sometimes.  Also, everyone, especially newbies, need to learn not to take anything for granted.  Assumptions cause problems all around.

Lastly, on the subject of chat room decorum, I also have a few thoughts.  I'm perfectly comfortable -- and even enjoy -- seeing guys go under.  But I don't like to see triggers used blatantly, unless it's made clear that they're user-protected.  (I actually find it funny when a 'tist has to put it in all caps so his subject doesn't miss it.)  Some guys will find any reason to go under, and that's cool -- look at what happens when I show my candle -- and that's okay.  But even if the subject enjoys doing things in public, it's polite to remember to keep X rated stuff out of the typed (and therefore public) conversation. 

And lastly, on a related subject, everyone should pay attention to the mood of the room.  I was in the chat room one day when we were all having a very nice, extended conversation and a particular 'Tist came in and every other thing he said was blatantly sexual.  No one else was going along, but that didn't stop him from trying again and again.  It wasn't just annoying, it lowered his status in my eyes -- and those of a couple others who saw it. 

Another thought, mostly related to the newbies:  It is often said that hypnosis can't make you do anything you don't want to do.  But remember that there are many levels to the decision making process, and the reasonable part of your brain doesn't always win -- even when you're wide awake.  For example, look at the happily married man who has a fling, even though he doesn't think he should.  Now think about what can happen when the part of your mind that usually watch-dogs for you when you're under decides that obeying and being controlled is completely hot, and it doesn't raise the red flag, even when deep down you know what's happening is not good for you.  It happens.  And if you don't have safeties in place, it can be a real mess. Anyone who's been in the community for any length of time can tell you stories.

Looks like I went on a bit longer than I planned.  As always, I enjoy the conversation of reasonable folks!

Gentry 

I must add another point that I think needs to be made a part of the standard code of ethics, though common sense would say that this SHOULD go without saying, some of us in the chat room have seen that this is not the case.

 "A hypnotist will not, under any circumstances, leave a subject in a state of trance or under the influence of a post-hypnotic suggestion and leave the chat room without removing the suggestion or waking the subject.  Whether the hypnotist believes this is what the subject 'wants' or not, or whether the subject has 'requested' it or not, this is not a safe practice and hypnotists on this board will not engage in such a practice."

I have to a agree that it's best to take things with a grain of salt at first, but be careful at the same time.  Sometimes problems arise from excitement or misunderstanding rather than intent.  When it pertains to a newbie sub or 'tist, that's especially true. 

When I think WAY back to when I got started, I made a bog mistake based on lack of knowledge/guidance that really freaked out a subject. I learned my lesson quickly and never made that or a similar mistake again.  But the problem was done, and the poor guy (a really fun subject) never took my emails or IMs again.  I've regretted that ever since.  Conversely, it's part of what made me the 'tist I am today.

The problem is (and I've thought about this for hours on end, actually) there's no foolproof way to know if the problems we hear about are authentic and objective.  Misunderstandings, misrepresentations and outright lying can and have occurred over the years. But so have abuse, malicious manipulation and sincere cries for help.  All anyone can do is to look at what they've heard and make smart decisions based on them. If a tist you're really interested in has a few bad rumors flying around him, be smart.  If you decide to give it a try, go to a friend first and have safeties put in place.  It's like putting on a condom; not 100% protection, but sure better than not wearing one.  (Of course, there will always be the guys who want to play mentally bareback.  All I can say is, that's their decison, and their consequences.)