Like any holistic healer, a hypnotherapist plays an important role in the health and wellbeing of their clients. They address deeply-rooted issues that hold people back from their goals, while putting their reputation and finances on the line―that's if they're without liability insurance.
Professional liability insurance is an essential part of a certified hypnotherapist's life because they are at risk of potential lawsuits arising from the services they render. Hypnotherapy involves working with a person's subconscious mind to help them shift negative thoughts, beliefs and behaviours.
Suppose the outcome of a treatment session is contrary to a client's expectations, the hypnotherapist could end up in hot water. However, if they have a liability insurance policy tailored to the nature of their profession, they don't have to worry about a thing.
What is Liability Insurance?
Despite spending years studying and mastering an array of hypnosis techniques, hypnotherapists aren't spared from lawsuits. Only a comprehensive liability insurance policy can protect them from possible allegations that could be made against them, whether factual or fabricated.
Professional liability insurance is a type of insurance product that protects hypnotherapists and their practice from claims of negligence, which resulted in a client's injury or financial loss.
Let's say someone sought your help for their addiction problem. After five months of not hearing from them, you receive a lawsuit because the individual suffered severe depression leading to their hospitalisation and a series of therapy work which drained their finances. Try as you might, you couldn't see where you went wrong. But, even if you did not commit any mistake during the treatment session, you are required by law to respond to the complaint.
If you have professional liability insurance in place, all you have to do is inform your insurance provider of the situation that you're in and they will cover your defence costs. Your policy will also shoulder the total amount of damages that you're ordered to pay the complainant, assuming the outcome of the court proceedings favours the latter.
How Much Liability Insurance Coverage Do Hypnotherapists Need?
The type of policy and coverage limit that you must avail should align with the level of risks that you face in your job. To figure this out, evaluate your work environment, the people you work with and the equipment that you use, if any, during treatment sessions.
If you run your own private practice and most of your clients suffer from trauma or suicidal tendencies, then it only makes sense to invest in a policy with a higher coverage limit. It's also worth mentioning that any accident involving your client, or injury that they may have sustained while in your business premises, may result in a claim against you. That said, you want to secure a policy that will cover the medical costs and financial losses of an individual who suffers such fate while seeking your service.
Where Can Hypnotherapists Buy Affordable Liability Insurance?
Registered members of professional associations can buy their liability insurance policies at a discounted rate because their organisation has an existing partnership with different insurance vendors. Most if not all insurance companies offer registered members of Australia's peak bodies for hypnotherapists a good deal. It's not uncommon to get an offer of 14 or 15 months coverage for the price of 12 months if you course your insurance application through your organisation.
Professional liability insurance is like the life jacket and oxygen mask which a flight attendant would demonstrate on every flight. You don't aspire to use these things but are glad to have them within reach just in case the aircraft lands in the deep blue sea.
Originally published on Jan 20, 2021
