Code of Ethics / Standards of Practice

INTERNATIONAL CODE OF ETHICS / STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
FOR HEALING TOUCH PRACTITIONERS and STUDENTS

PURPOSE:
The following Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice guide the energetic and holistic practice of Healing Touch.

DEFINITION:
Healing Touch is an energy therapy in which practitioners use their hands to enhance and balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of their clients.

GOAL:
The goal in Healing Touch is to restore harmony and balance in the energy system, facilitating the client’s self-healing process.

Code/Standard 1: Scope of Practice
Healing Touch practitioners integrate and practice Healing Touch within the scope of their education, training, current licensing and credentialing. They represent themselves to the public in accordance with their credentials and practice within the guidelines of Healing Touch International’s Scope of Practice statement.

Code/Standard 2: Collaborative Care
Healing Touch is a holistic therapy that is complementary to conventional health care and is used in collaboration with other approaches to health and healing. Healing Touch practitioners must know the limits of their professional competence. Health/medical conditions are to be followed by health care professionals. Referrals are made to appropriate health care professionals as needed.

Code/Standard 3: Self Development
Healing Touch practitioners work from a theoretical and practical knowledge base of Healing Touch. They integrate self-care practices to enhance their own physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. They maintain a commitment to ongoing learning and self-growth.

Code/Standard 4: Equality and Acceptance
The practitioner and client are equal partners in the process of healing. Honoring individual autonomy, growth and self-empowerment, clients will be respected and valued at all times regardless of race, creed, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or health condition. The Healing Touch practitioner respects the individual spiritual beliefs and practices of the client. Healing Touch does not promote a particular spiritual practice.

Code/Standard 5: Communication and Education
Information given to the client is individualized according to the expressed need, context and personal situation. The explanation about the treatment is conveyed at the level of the client’s understanding. Healing Touch practitioners act as a resource for appropriate education materials that can support the ongoing self-care of clients.

Code/Standard 6: Healing Touch Process
The Healing Touch practitioner obtains essential health information, an energy assessment, and sets mutual goals. Appropriate interventions are applied, the energy system is reassessed, and client feedback is obtained. This process serves as the foundation for understanding the health/healing needs of the client and promoting client safety.

Code/Standard 7: Intention
Healing Touch is offered only for the benefit of the client, with intention for his or her highest good. The Healing Touch practitioner acts with the commitment to Do No Harm.

Code/Standard 8: Creating a Healing Environment
Healing Touch practitioners provide a safe, welcoming, supportive and comfortable environment that is conducive to healing. Consent for Healing Touch therapy and permission for hands-on touch is obtained. The practitioner is free from the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescription medication that would compromise their judgment, actions, or interfere with safe practice for the patient. The practitioner is physically, emotionally and mentally capable of providing for the patient’s care and safety during the entire Healing Touch session. The practitioner is dressed in a non-revealing manner, clean and professional in appearance, with a minimum of scent. The patient is empowered to give feedback, modify or discontinue the session at any time. Safe and clear professional boundaries are maintained. Touch is non-sexual and non-aggressive and respects the patient’s boundaries. The practitioner does not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with our clients. The patient is clothed except in professional therapy contexts involving physical or medical interventions requiring disrobing, in which case appropriate draping is provided.

Code/Standard 9: Principle of Healing
Healing Touch practitioners recognize and honor the client’s unique self-healing process. The individual is acknowledged as a complex being, who is part of a social system, and is interactive with and is acted upon by their internal and external environments.

Code/Standard 10: Confidentiality
Client confidentiality is protected at all times. Treatment findings are documented appropriately specific to the practitioner’s background and setting. Client records are secured in such a way as to protect privacy and be in compliance with professional and legislative regulations. Client written permission must be obtained prior to release of or reporting of any record or information.

Code/Standard 11: Quality Care
Healing Touch practitioners maintain a commitment to a high standard of quality care. The practitioner obtains supervision and consultation as needed from Certified Healing Touch Practitioners and other qualified professionals.

Code/Standard 12: Professional Responsibility
Healing Touch practitioners represent Healing Touch to the public in a professional manner by exercising good judgment, practicing with integrity and adhering to this HBB Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice.

Approvals:
Standards of Practice Approved: 6/1996
Code of Ethics Approved: 6/1996
Code of Ethics Revised: 2001
Standards/Code of Ethics Combined/Approved: 12/2006, Revised: 2/2014

Healing Beyond Borders Board of Directors
(c)1996 Healing Beyond Borders*

(Printable version: Code of Ethics - Standars of Practice .pdf)

For additional information contact
HealingBeyondBorders.org/