HEALING TOUCH PROGRAM CODE OF ETHICS

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the following Code of Ethics is to guide the therapeutic practice of Healing Touch including guidelines for defining the status of “in good standing.”

DEFINITION of HEALING TOUCH:
Healing Touch is an energy therapy in which practitioners consciously use their hands in a heart-centered and intentional way to enhance, support and facilitate the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health and self-healing. Healing Touch utilizes light or near-body touch to clear, balance and energize the human energy system in an effort to promote healing for the whole person; mind, body, spirit.

GOAL:
The goal of Healing Touch is to restore harmony and balance in the energy system, creating an optimal environment for the body’s natural and innate tendency to move toward self-healing.

1: Scope of Practice
Healing Touch practitioners use Healing Touch within the scope of their background, current licensing and credentialing. They represent themselves to the public in accordance with their credentials. They practice within the guidelines of this Code of Ethics; the Healing Touch Program’s Scope of Practice statement; and state/province, local and federal laws and regulations.

2: Collaborative Care
Healing Touch is a complementary energy therapy, which can be used in conjunction with traditional therapies or as a sole modality. Practitioners know the limits of their professional competence and do not step beyond these boundaries. They do not diagnose, prescribe, or treat medical conditions or disorders unless they hold a license that permits them to do so. They are credentialed and in good standing with their respective/legal licensing or credentialing body/bodies. Appropriate referrals to other health care professionals are made when necessary.

3: Intention
Healing Touch is used to promote the well being and healing for each client. Client safety, educational needs, and well-being are safeguarded by the practitioner. Practitioners working with subtle energies are careful to use their ability only in a manner beneficial to the client. Instead of trying to change the client in any way, practitioners use their intentionality to cooperate “with the field, the emerging order” (Watson, 2005, p. 101). They use their abilities with humility, consciousness and professionalism.

4: Principles of Healing
Healing Touch practitioners know that healing is a personal, individualized process that occurs from within the inner dimensions of the client. The client is supported by the HT practitioner in self-directing this sacred process. The HT practitioner creates a conscious, reverent, caring-healing environment. Practitioners foster an optimal condition for that client to remember and move toward their wholeness through the steps of the HT Sequence and the practitioner-client relationship.

5: Respectful Care
Healing Touch practitioners maintain high standards of professionalism in their care. They treat clients and colleagues with respect, courtesy, care and consideration. HT practitioners respect their client’s individuality, beliefs, inherent worth, and dignity. They respect the client’s right to be involved in their treatment and they empower the client to give feedback, alter or discontinue the session at any time. Practitioners provide information that assist clients in making informed decisions about their care.

6: Equality and Acceptance
Healing Touch practitioners work in partnership with the client to promote healing regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, politics or social status, spiritual practice or health condition. The client’s inner process, spiritual practices and pacing of healing are respected and supported. No specific religious/spiritual belief or practice is promoted in Healing Touch.

7: Creating a Healing Environment
Healing Touch is provided in a variety of environments. Practitioners provide (when possible) a private, safe environment conducive to healing in which the client can relax and be receptive to the healing process. Safe and clear professional boundaries are described and maintained. Permission for receiving Healing Touch is obtained through the informed consent process. Where hands-on touch is appropriate for the healing process, it is non-sexual, gentle and within the client’s consent and boundaries. The client is fully dressed except in medical situations, or other professional therapies requiring disrobing, in which case appropriate draping is used.

8: Healing Touch Sequence
The Healing Touch practitioner uses the ten-step process as a foundation and guideline, for administration of the work and in documentation. The ten steps are: (1) Intake/Update; (2) Identification of Health Issues; (3) Mutual Goals/Intention for Healing; (4) Pre-Treatment Energetic Assessment; (5) Practitioner Preparation; (6) Healing Touch Interventions; (7) Post-Treatment Energetic Assessment; (8) Ground and Release; (9) Evaluation and Feedback, and (10) Plan. Sequential order of the ten steps may vary depending on the specific situation, methods administered and flow of the session.

9: Disclosure and Education
Information is provided to the client on an individualized basis taking into account expressed needs and personal situations. The Practitioner informs the client of her/his educational and experiential background in Healing Touch and any other related credentials they hold. They also provide an explanation of the treatment to the level of client’s understanding, and clearly and accurately inform clients of the nature and terms of the service. The Practitioner discusses the HT treatment process as well as any relevant limitations or issues before HT interventions begin. Practitioners supply resources and/or additional materials that may support the client.

10: Confidentiality
Client confidentiality is protected at all times and records are kept in a secure and private place in accordance with state and federal regulations. The Practitioner also informs clients of exceptions to their confidentiality such as disclosure for legal and regulatory requirements or to prevent eminent harm or danger to client or others. Client health information and treatment findings are documented appropriately and are specific to the practitioner’s background and setting. Information is shared only with client’s written permission.

11: Legalities
Healing Touch practitioners are expected to understand and comply with the laws of the state(s)/province in which they are offering Healing Touch as well as applicable federal regulations in regards to obtaining or maintaining a license to touch. Those that have a professional license are expected to understand how touch either is or is not included or restricted in their scope of practice and comply accordingly. It is expected that HT practitioners will carry liability/malpractice insurance according to state/province, federal and professional laws to protect themselves and clients. It is expected that HT Practitioners will maintain the appropriate business licenses according to their state/province requirements.

12: Self Development
Healing Touch practitioners practice self-care to enhance their own personal health in order to provide optimal care for others. They practice from a theoretical and experiential knowledge base as they continue to deepen their understanding of healing, the biofield, spiritual development, and personal evolution. They keep themselves current in the practice and research of Healing Touch and related areas and seek to continually expand their effectiveness as a practitioner.

13: Professional Responsibility
Practitioners and students represent Healing Touch in a professional manner by exercising good judgment, practicing with integrity, and adhering to this Healing Touch Program (HTP) Code of Ethics and the HTP Scope of Practice. Through their words and actions, they encourage ethical behavior of all parties. They consult a supervisor, HT mentor, HT instructor, member of the HTP Ethics Committee or HTP Program Director when an ethical issue occurs. The HTP Code of Ethics will be the practitioners’ minimum Ethical Code when practicing Healing Touch. If they practice any other kind of energy medicine/therapy/modality within a HT session, they must do so with the prior knowledge and informed consent of the client, and they will be bound by the HTP Code of Ethics.

Non-adherence or violation of the HTP Code of Ethics and/or Scope of Practice may result in reprimand, letter of censure and prohibition of office, suspension or expulsion. [For full description of penalties, see Ethics Committee Procedures Manual at http://www.healingtouchprogram.com/content_assets/docs/current/procedure.pdf]

The Healing Touch Program CEO and the Healing Touch Certification Governing Committee are the sole authority to determine continued certification or eligibility to study, based on compliance with the HTP Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice.

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