Medical Disclaimer & Scope of Practice

This page sets out the nature of the hypnotherapy services offered by Within Hypnotherapy, what they can and cannot do, and the boundaries of our scope of practice. It's written to be clear and honest, rather than hidden in legal language, because you deserve to understand exactly what you're engaging with.

By using this website or booking a session with Within Hypnotherapy, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer.

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1. What hypnotherapy is

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Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapeutic practice that uses focused attention, relaxation, and guided conversation to work with the subconscious mind. During a session, clients enter a calm, focused state, similar to deep meditation or the drowsy moments before sleep, in which the subconscious is more accessible and more open to change.

In this state, a qualified hypnotherapist can work with clients to address patterns, beliefs, emotional responses, and nervous-system conditioning that lie beneath conscious awareness. The work is collaborative and grounded. Clients remain aware, in control, and able to end the session at any time.

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2. What hypnotherapy is not

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Hypnotherapy is not:

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• Stage hypnosis or entertainment hypnosis. The work is therapeutic and private, not performative.

• A form of mind control. You cannot be made to say or do anything against your will or values. You remain conscious and in choice throughout.

• A medical treatment. Within Hypnotherapy does not diagnose, treat, or cure medical or psychiatric conditions.

• Psychotherapy or counselling. While hypnotherapy can overlap with the emotional territory these professions cover, it is a distinct modality and is not a substitute for ongoing psychological care.

• A replacement for your doctor, psychiatrist, or mental health professional. Hypnotherapy works best alongside appropriate medical and psychological care, not in place of it.

 

3. Not medical advice

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Information on this website, in session with Within Hypnotherapy, and in any associated materials is provided for educational and therapeutic purposes only. It is not intended as, and must not be taken as, medical advice, psychological advice, psychiatric advice, or any other form of professional healthcare advice.

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Nothing on this website or in any Within Hypnotherapy session should be interpreted as:

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• A diagnosis of any medical, psychological, or psychiatric condition

• A prescription or recommendation for any course of medical treatment

• Advice to start, stop, change, or modify any medication or prescribed treatment

• A replacement for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional

 

If you are experiencing physical, mental, or emotional health symptoms, please consult your general practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Never delay or discontinue medical care based on information from this website or a hypnotherapy session.

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4. Complementary to medical and mental health care

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Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy, meaning it is designed to work alongside, not replace, conventional medical and psychological care. If you are currently under the care of a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor, or other healthcare professional, you are welcome to engage in hypnotherapy as complementary support. We recommend:

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• Continuing any prescribed medication and treatment as directed by your healthcare provider

• Informing your treating professional that you are adding hypnotherapy as a complementary therapy

• Never discontinuing, reducing, or altering medication or treatment without the supervision of the professional who prescribed it

 

Hypnotherapy may support, but does not replace, your existing care.

 

5. Scope of practice

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Angie Todd is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (ICBCH-accredited), NLP Practitioner, and Stress Management Consultant. Within these qualifications, Angie works with a range of emotional, behavioural, and stress-related concerns, including anxiety, burnout, sleep difficulties, grief, unwanted habits and addictions, confidence, trauma-related patterns, and life transitions.

Angie is not a registered medical doctor, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or counsellor, and does not practise in those capacities. Concerns that fall outside the scope of hypnotherapy will be referred to an appropriately qualified professional where possible.

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Specifically, hypnotherapy is not the appropriate primary treatment for:

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• Severe mental health conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, active psychosis, or severe dissociative disorders

• Active suicidal ideation, self-harm, or mental health crisis

• Clinically diagnosed eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder

• Substance dependence or addiction requiring medical detoxification

• Medical conditions requiring urgent diagnosis or treatment

 

If you are experiencing any of these, please work with an appropriately qualified medical or mental health professional as your primary care. Hypnotherapy may, in some cases, be a helpful complement to that primary care, with the involvement and clearance of your treating professional.

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6. No guarantee of outcomes

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Hypnotherapy is a collaborative process, and outcomes vary from person to person. Results depend on many factors including the nature of what is being worked with, the client's engagement with the process, the number of sessions completed, and individual responsiveness to the approach.

Within Hypnotherapy, makes no guarantee of specific outcomes. Any testimonials, case references, or descriptions of client experiences on this website reflect the individual experiences of those clients and are not representative of typical results. What works well for one client may not produce the same result for another.

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Our commitment is to the quality and integrity of the work, not to promised outcomes.

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7. When hypnotherapy may not be appropriate

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Hypnotherapy is not recommended if:

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• You are experiencing active psychosis, severe dissociation, or acute mental health crisis

• You have epilepsy that has not been discussed with your neurologist in the context of complementary therapies

• You are under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or sedating medication at the time of the session

• You are being coerced or pressured into attending by another person

• You are under 18, unless with the explicit written consent of a parent or legal guardian and where the service is clinically appropriate for the minor

 

If any of these apply, please discuss your situation with an appropriate medical professional before considering hypnotherapy. In crisis, please contact SADAG on 0800 567 567 (24-hour, South Africa) or your nearest emergency service.

 

8. Your responsibility

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By booking a session with Within Hypnotherapy, you acknowledge and accept that:

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• You have read and understood this disclaimer

• You understand that hypnotherapy is complementary therapy, not medical treatment

• You take responsibility for your own health, including continuing any appropriate medical and mental health care

• You will inform Angie of any relevant medical conditions, medications, or psychological concerns that may affect the work

• You will raise any concerns about your wellbeing during the course of hypnotherapy with Angie

 

9. Crisis resources

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If you are in crisis, hypnotherapy is not the appropriate first step. Please reach out immediately to any of the following:

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• SADAG Mental Health Line: 0800 567 567 (24 hours, South Africa)

• SADAG Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567

• GBV Command Centre (gender-based violence): 0800 428 428 (24 hours)

• Lifeline South Africa: 0861 322 322

• Emergency services: 10111 (police), 10177 (ambulance), or your nearest hospital

 

For visitors outside South Africa, please contact your local emergency services or crisis support line.

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10. Changes to this disclaimer

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Within Hypnotherapy may update this disclaimer from time to time to reflect changes in practice, professional standards, or legal requirements. The current version, with the date of its most recent update, is always available on this page. By continuing to use the website or engage in hypnotherapy services after changes are published, you acknowledge and accept the updated disclaimer.

 

11. Contact

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If you have any questions about this disclaimer, the scope of hypnotherapy practice, or whether this work would be appropriate for you, please contact us:

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• Email: help@within-hypnotherapy.com

• WhatsApp: +27 84 582 7831

• Website: within-hypnotherapy.com