18 January 2012

On 19 December 2011 the Health Care Complaints Commission concluded its investigation into Mr Joe Levonian, clinical hypnotist, and found that he had breached the Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners. 

The investigation was the result of complaints made to the Commission by two clients of Mr Levonian in relation to an inappropriate sexual relationship, and purported ‘research’ into anorgasmia.

Under section 41A(2) of the Health Care Complaints Act 1993, the Commission has made a prohibition order and has decided to issue the following public statement:

The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission conducted an investigation into the conduct of clinical hypnotist Mr Joe Levonian. Mr Levonian is the owner/operator of Hypnotic Solutions. 

The investigation found that in February 2011, Mr Levonian breached clause 13 of the Code of Conduct for unregistered health practitioners by engaging in sexual intercourse with a client.

The investigation also found that Mr Levonian breached clauses 3(2)(b), 3(2)(b1), 3(2)(c), 12 of the Code of Conduct for unregistered health practitioners by:

• using his possession of particular qualifications, in hypnosis, to mislead patients as to his competence to treat sexual problems
• conducting treatment which he claimed was ‘research’ into anorgasmia without approval from any person or body involved with research into sexual health
• promoting his ‘research’ as a successful treatment of anorgasmia. This promotion perpetuated the assumptions by clients that they were participating in legitimate research and/or treatment.
• purporting to treat anorgasmia as part of an alleged ‘research project’ when he had no experience in providing treatment for sexual health conditions. This treatment was outside his training and experience and he was not qualified to practise in this area.

The Commission is satisfied that Mr Levonian breached the above clauses of the Code of Conduct for unregistered health practitioners and poses a risk to public health and safety. Therefore, the Commission makes the following prohibition order: 

Mr Levonian must not provide the following health services for a period of two years from the date of this order:

1. hypnotherapy or hypnotic treatment
2. therapy to treat sexual dysfunction or conditions
3. any research involving humans without the approval of a Human Research Ethics Committee

After the completion of the two year prohibition order and, before practising hypnosis or hypnotherapy, Mr Levonian must: 

1. have membership with the Australian Hypnotherapy Association.
2. have supervised clinical practice for a period determined by that Association with a supervisor approved by the ethics committee of the Association.

The Commission has also determined to make its Statement of Decision publicly available under 41B(3) of the Health Care Complaints Act 1993.

Further Information

The Commission’s Statement of Decision is available here.

Read the Commission's Public Statement

For further information, contact the Executive Officer of the Health Care Complaints Commission on 9219 7444 or send an email to media@hccc.nsw.gov.au.